Reviews

somehow overhated

I actually have nothing against this drama. I am a sageuk enthusiast, plotwise it's just very sageuk and historical, every character has such deep emotion and very complex. so I think people are just overhate towards the plot.

personally, I didn't like the show but I don't hate it. as someone who usually simply skipped kiss scene because I don't watch show for the kiss (esp the emotionless), I didn't skipped the erotic scenes in this drama to find the art in it, and to fins the answer why people hate those scenes so much.

IMO maybe it's because of the ML. because my son yejin mama was doing fine, but someone said she didn't act well and the ML carries the whole drama. wrong. XXXXX

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Solida

Devo dire che la GMMTV mi sta sorprendendo sempre di più. Sarà che io ho un bias specifico per quella casa di produzione, però i prodotti che sto vedendo portati da loro sono sempre più validi e convincenti (non che quelli precedenti non lo fossero, visto il voto che ho dato a Slam Dance), però vi devo dire che queste ultime serie stanno girando ottimamente. Teshow e Ping mi sono piaciuti molto e mi sono sembrati molto validi come coppia e devo dire che Teshow, che dei 4 personaggi principali era quello con forse meno esperienza nel campo attoriale, lo ho visto molto solido. Ping lo ho visto migliorato e più spigliato, forse il fatto di essere in GMMTV gli ha giovato (come vorrei dire, a molti, cioè, vabbé glissiamo), quindi sono contenta che la sua prima serie con la mia agenzia del cuore (lo ho detto che ho un bias grandissimo) sia andata bene. Quelli che però hanno rubato lo show per me sono i SingChimon, i queli devo dire coppia inaspettata, ma molto molto apprezzata: sono felice che Chimon si sia ripreso (nel senso che, nonostante lei e Perth non fossero nella mia top 10 di coppie, un po' mi era dispiaciuto, anche perché comunuqe Perth con Santa aveva trovato la quadra, quindi speravo succedesse anche per lui e con Sing lo vedo diverso e in senso molto positivo. Parliamo un momento di Sing, che come voi ben sapete è nella personale topo 5 degli attori di Lucrezia in GMMTV (e visto che prima di trovare un attore che non sia della GMMTV nella lista dei miei attori preferiti bisogna andare, beh bisogna scendere di parecchio in classifica, questa è anche la mia classifica assoluta) quindi sono molto felice tutte le volte che lo vedo sui questi schermi, ma dopo averlo in Slam Dance e aver quindi appurato al 100% le sue capacità di boy kisser (anche perché c'è un bacio in quella serie, e per essere una vecchia sere della GMMTV, boy they delivered) sono contenta che sia tornato alle sue origini (quindi a baciare uomini), cosa a cui si era approcciato inizialmente anche in Love Sick, ma che non aveva mai realizzato. Devo anche dire che visto che siamo in tema di bromance, la bromance fra i padri è stata molto carina, coma da amici siano diventati nemici storici e poi siano tornati amici (anche se io, lo sapete, avrei anche osato di più).
Detto questo devo proprio dire che il format delle serie della GMMTV a 10 episodi è promosso a pieni voti, le storie sembrano più compatte, non ci sono dispersioni della trama e permette di avere un senso di stabilità che alcune volto notavo mancare in molte serie anche solo di 12 episodi (non necessarimente solo della GMMTV, sia chiaro, che per me la GMMTV è sacra, però per esempio anche in serie della DMD noto che la lunghezza potrebbe essere ridotta) e che quindi sono solo due episodi piùlunghi.
E nulla, mi è piaciuta molto, molto valida.

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I said I'd try not to.

Okay, wait, this one was low-key really cute. I would give it a 7.5 out of 10, and my notes for this are pretty short, so I am just going to put general comments instead of what I liked.

On top of being really cute, this was very to the point, so go this company, because I fell in love with the characters, and it was still in that charming short style. AND the two extra characters that they did have helped the plot...or at least one of them did, so another win in my book.

We had a little bit of a misunderstanding trope and jealousy paired with it, so that's always fun. And instead of cheating or some bg reveal, they were both going to propose, so that was even cuter.

One of the guys from the laundromat one was here too, which was cool.

And my final comment is: what is with this company and always making one person unemployed? Like, come on now, why can't we just both have jobs?

Okay, yeah, that's it. I would recommend this one; it's cute and a little predictable, but a fun watch. Okay bye!

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"If i stay here , i will blame him for my broken dream ,"

One of the most realistic representation of youth and one of the most dreadfully real endings . The show manages to capture the spirit of an artist , of a dreamer , of a lover and contrarily also captures the disappointing truth of failed parentship , broken dreams , and parted love . It taught me that a ending does not have to be dreamy and catchy just to be happy , a open path to a future , a reunite with no fixed labels is sometimes the realest and happiest ending . The show really does capture the blue we feel during our youths , It is indeed a comfort show that gives me courage to go through the blues on my half painted canvas .

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Any longer and the professor would have gone to prison.

Okay, I am on a roll with these; let's keep going. I am going to give it a 7 out of 10 and say what I liked and what I didn't, based on the notes I have.

Starting off with things I did like (ignoring the problematic things (the whole show) I will talk about later), this was very to the point, which was nice. All of these shows are so short, and they keep trying to add a whole bunch of things that I really don't care about, but this show didn't really do that, which was nice. We had two other characters that were very one-off, so the main focus was on our main...couple, so good writing regarding that.

For things I didn't like...their VERY problematic age gap. That's what the majority of my notes are talking about. Okay, so for this I halfway read my drama list description, and what do you even mean he has had a crush on his tutor for THREE YEARS, and he is now a college freshman. WHAT DO YOU EVEN MEAN?

Continuing with my ranting and raving. I know that the USA is not the only damn country in the world, but I am going on our school system when judging this crazy ass relationship, and fuck, it just gets worse the more you think about it LMAO. So going into college, you are anywhere from 17-19, and personally, going into my freshman year, I had just turned 18, so we are going based on my own age for this. 18-3 is 15, okay, and that's fine, maybe if the tutor is also in high school or just starting high school, BUT HE'S NOT. THEY HAVE A 10-YEAR AGE GAP, and I mean, once again, that would be fine IF HE WASN'T A COLLEGE FRESHMAN AND IF HE DIDN'T HAVE A CRUSH ON HIM SINCE HE WAS 15; THAT'S FUCKING WEIRD.

So if you can't do math, I will help you. When he started liking his tutor, the guy was 25 or 26, WHICH IS INSANE, AND HE'S NOW 28 OR 29, AND YOU ARE FULLY 18 OR 19, WHICH IS SO FUCKING WEIRD.

Okay, so if you ignore the very big elephant in the room-their gnarly age gap-this was very to the point and a pretty okay watch. Would I recommend it? No comment. Okay bye!

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How do you spell coward?

These BLS are so short, so I am knocking them out one by one (I am just too lazy to write reviews lmao). I watched Unfollow, and then I watched this one, which I guess was okay, so I would give it a 7 out of 10. I am going to say what I liked and what I didn't, and then yeah.

Both of the guys are very handsome, just different types of handsome, my lord. Both of them were such a pleasure to look at, and I loved seeing them. Do I think their acting could have been a little bit better...yes, but you know what, that's fine; at least we are hot! I guess.

Following up with the guys being handsome, the one who was wearing glasses needed to take those off, because he's so sexy; it's just the glasses that make it look like his eyes are too close together.

Finally, for things I like, I was hearing the washing machine in the back, so very lore accurate; love to see it (but THE WASHING MACHINE WAS ALREADY DONE AFTER LIKE TWO MINUTES, THAT JUNK TAKES AT LEAST 40 MINUTES, BITCH I'M SICK. YOUR CLOTHES AREN'T EVEN WET YET)

For things I didn't like, who came up with this? What is our obsession with the laundromat? Like, please, no.

This reminded me that I need to take my bedding to the laundromat, hitting a little too close to home, 0/10 lmao.

No, but being for real, my main critique is that the characters are so one-dimensional (at least they are aware lmao) and I have actually no reason to care about them at all. There was not a lot of plot, and for what it was, it was so fucking meh, so average, so nothing.

Yeah, I would say watch it because the two of them act well together, but fuck, it's a very one-dimensional story because it's short. But yeah, do what you want. Okay bye!

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What happens when suppression, obsession, and desire, combine.

September 2026.
Lots of mixed reviews over this drama, and given how often many actively seek 'hotter' productions, I genuinely wonder whether some (not all of course), of that wasn't due to the cast, and specifically JCW, being seen as never before.

Other relatively recent dramas with adult themes haven't created this divide.
It's also clearly summarised as containing sex and nudity... why would anyone watch it and then complain about that?!!! Any how....

It sticks pretty much to the classic novel, in terms of the agreement made between exes; driven by selfish needs. From the start, they manipulate one another, as much as they do their chosen victims... Lady Cho due to frustration, resentment and bitterness; Cho Won due to his obsession.

It starts off pretty low key, as the deal is struck and a second element is brought into their game.

Cho Won also has a servant whom he genuinely cares for. That servant's relationship, with their counterpart of An Hui-yon, has some comical, and touching scenes. The 'relations' between these 2 I found very amusing.

Out the 2 foremost characters, it is Lady Cho who is the catalyst for almost everything. Under the frosty, calm exterior I saw a woman hanging on to her status and beauty.

Seduction is the name of the game, and Cho Won's first success, I found so funny at times, as well as pretty hot. Most definitely consensual (as were all the adult scenes between characters).

It's so incredibly tangled; other's actions thwarting the twisted plans of the main pair, leading to more and more convoluted situations.

The cruelty of both is lost to them, however, in their own selfish, pity-me worlds.

It's very clever, how the often light-hearted score and moments of wit, just about keep the drama from being overly dark. The gossipy and jaunty narration, shouted throughout the story, is so naughty, funny, and genius.

The drama overall, is no walk in the park, however.

The culmination of Cho Won's ultimate, self-imposed challenge, was beautifully filmed, I thought. Not OTT, but as passionate as the character, although driven by the desire for his promised prize.

One obsessed, the other driving the obsession, at any cost. The Cho cousins are quite the pair.

I felt Cho Won really lost himself by the end, as a realisation dawned on him. JCW conveyed the character really well. I never felt certain of his feelings, and I don't think the character fully understood them either.

In the end, I personally believe he was protecting one woman, whilst knowing he'd never truly escape the other.

Bitterness, oppression, a decision based on feelings of filial duty, and then jealousy ~ out the two, Cho Yun was the most cruel in my eyes.

A well made series, with a slightly different representation of the story, yet keeping to the structure of it.

Not sure I'll watch it again, but I certainly don't regret having done so. It's mature; the rating? Well if I were 15 (which it's rated on Netflix), I wouldn't want to watch it with mum & dad, but it's not porn. The behaviour of the characters had consequences.

I personally feel glamourising violence, and normalising bullying and abuse, is far worst viewing for youngsters than some bare bums, boobs and sex.

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Sweet, Heartwarming & Feel good drama

"Moonlight" is such a heartwarming, feel-good drama! What really set it apart for me is how it handles the romance. In most romantic comedies, the story wraps up or loses momentum the moment the main leads finally get together. Instead, "Moonlight" actually shows us their relationship after they become a couple.

It was so refreshing to watch their everyday life together, navigating their routine, and growing closer as partners. Seeing that part of the story made it feel unique and grounded compared to standard dramas. It's a sweet, cozy watch that focuses on the journey of being in a relationship, not just the chase, which made it a standout experience for me!

Also the acting of both leads and chemistry i loved it. Especially Ryan!!

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A More Realistic Professional Simulation

‒Review‒

While the show premise may intrigue the viewers with the promise of VR adventures, the show itself is far above the typical idol fare because it's grounded enough that the characters and the story feels a more like flesh and blood, rather than just pixels on the screen. Anchoring the drama are the terrific performances by Cheng Xingxu as the CEO figure and Lu Yuxiao as the employee/romantic interest. Yes, the CHEmiSTry is a captivating element for many. But more than just charm and dazzle, it's the fact that the two characters also bleed and have resonating backstories that breath life into the show.

As for the VR-aspect, it was more integral in the beginning but quickly became a forgotten prop. A better title for this show would be Romance in the Alley, the title of another (very good) realistic period drama starring Lu Yuxiao. So to keep things simple, just understand that LYX likes to bait-and-switch her viewers. So if you want to see VR spectacle, please wait for her next drama, "Peasants in the 1960s", where she'll unleash a sizzling VR romance with her Cultural Revolution comrades.

What I liked

✅ 50% less cringe compared to the average idol drama. The leads have more relatable ambitions and backstories, and the characterization stays mostly consistent within the show’s setup. The dialogue also has fewer lines that liquifies your brain.
✅ Chen Xingxu, savior of idol dramas in early 2026. He actually looks like a CEO and speaks like one, and not a boyband fuckboy zipped into a suit. A rare achievement in CDramaland.
✅ Lu Yuxiao looks like a professional. She brings seriousness, ambition, and a few battle scars to the role. She looks like she has actual work experience—not just extensive Sims experience.
✅ Cinematography, visuals, and music was also decent

What I didn’t like

❌ This simulation needs more realism. The meet-cute radius is suspiciously small for the couple. In the beginning of the show, they keep bumping into each other in a city of 20 million. Maybe it's the ultimate test of fate. Just drop two people randomly into Shanghai's Line 2 during rush hour. And if they somehow end up together in a torrent of people for a week straight, just hand them a marriage certificate on the spot, or a restraining order. Also some scene of them shooting ghosts with fireworks in a rendition of Disney-princess meets redneck fever dream.

❌ Zhao Xiaorou doing Wang Guangming dirty. He was NOT cheating. He was putting up with an admirer while trying to land his big break and didn't want to bring unnecessary anxiety to his wife. There was a communication problem, sure, but did it need to become a divorce? I kept waiting for them to reconcile, but no she divorced him at literally the first conflict. WGM was put in an awkward position and getting propositioned by a boss/client. The smarter thing for him to do was just to dump his wife, and just cheat with the admirer, who seems more attached to him after admiring for so many years. And she can be a good contributor and bring clients, steal some server racks from Tencent, and bring free merch. Alternatively, WGM should have just trans'sed into a woman, at which point he will get all the sympathy in the world, and relentless shaming of the spouse for not being more understanding, supportive, and fighting the unjust system.

--Category Ratings--
- Overall - 7 --> MDL 7.5
- Plot - 7
- Theme / Concept / Impact - 7.5
- Acting - 8
- Visuals - 8
- Audio / Music - 8
- Rewatch - 7
- Cultural/Topical Accessibility - 8
- Subtitle quality - 8.5

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The Road to Splendor is Not Paved with Gold.

It’s paved with a shit ton of fucking salt, and blood, and sweat…and tears

We wouldn’t have needed to go through half of what we went through had zhao ling reconciled with his insecurities earlier on (like when it almost cost him his life and the life of his brothers) but that would require him to share them with her and he seemed to be allergic to doing that.

He was convinced that he needed to rise through the ranks to be worthy of her. Like it was his job to make up for all that she’d lost back in huayin. But he never noticed that while in ganlin, tingyun became accustomed to their life. Tingyun became a part of the community, she made it her home. Tingyun was content. He was the one who wanted more, who kept climbing and it almost killed their relationship.

But I digress.

Ding yuxi, please, acting is not 85% posturing. I’m begging someone to direct you otherwise.

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The Scandal

I am puzzled by the negativity this drama received . People seem to want chemistry , romance , plot , pace .
It is a different drama . It is not a romantic drama , when one understands that the main characters play a dangerous game and do not show outwardly any emotions , there is no need for chemistry , because all is fake . The pace is slower because ladies of a certain rank , in the Joseon era , were captives of their status , thrown into arranged marriages all was asked of them was to do was to be supportive of their husbands careers and produce an heir . There was not much else for them to do but smoke , or play games or gossip . The plot develops from a mere bet into a sad , tragic story where the characters are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning . Their entertainment was to destroy a woman's life , as a means of regaining some control over their lives , and love life . It all goes wrong , because in the end their own tangled emotions blur the outcome . it is a drama visually beautiful ( some scenes are framed like in a painting ) , to look at , great script and original OST , but these main actors , at the top of their game , gave flesh and blood to very dislikable characters , gave them feelings and at the end you feel so sorry for them . At least I did . I loved this challenging drama which took us out of our comfort zone . Congratulations to the cast and director . A drama difficult to forget or surpass.

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A heartwarming gift to the queer community

I was wondering whether Servant Prince really needed a special episode, and especially when I heard it was about a camping trip, I felt like it was something I could pass without really missing out.

I'm so glad I was wrong!!

Almost every episode of Servant Prince touched my heart, but this one felt extra special. So many people in the queer community lack the privilege of having elders who can model healthy, long-term relationships. It meant so, so, so much to me to see Naoya & Takaaki build a community with Mori-san & his partner. Mori-san really is the father Naoya never had, and him taking on the role of a queer elder on top of that is so meaningful - I really don't have the words.

In my review of Servant Prince, I talked about how this show is an interesting exploration of desire, even though on the surface it might look like your average BL. This special episode confirms my thoughts that there are important conversations being had here, without it getting preachy or feeling contrived. So glad to have discovered this; Naoya & Takaaki might be gone from my screen, but they'll live in my heart for a long time.

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