Reviews

evenly matched MLs

Overall: I really enjoyed the mutual attraction and evenly matched MLs (it wasn't one was constantly abused and the other the abuser or one was super innocent and the other wasn't). Seems to be patterned off the Chinese BL vertical "Caged Bird". 55 short episodes (vertical). Aired on iQIYI app or Shortime app (can eventually watch for free by watching ads, my invite link which gives a bonus is https://playground.shortime.app/en/invite/NKNIWI - the code is NKNIWI (those are all capital letters, that's the capital letter i). You can view the first few episodes for free on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0vtefTLhn0

Content Warnings: past murders, attempted murder, attempted rape, torture, violence (including choking, slaps, hits), manipulation, drugging, kidnapping/held against will, non con recording

What I Liked
- the characterization of the 2 MLs, I didn't feel that one was a horrid bully and the other a victim
- intimacy, pretty spicy for a vertical (and included mutual want)
- cliche evil woman who wanted to be his wife (but I did not see how that would end so bonus for doing something different)
- the reason for the past split made sense and their actions based on the information they had in the present

Room For Improvement
- nonsense plot stuff, but that's kind of baked in to this style of vertical so I didn't really take off points for it

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Two Hot Guys Dancing

This movie is definitely not for everyone, if you're looking for your average BL this is not it!

Plot:

I would say the plot is the dance and the emotions. The emotions between the leads is the main drive of this movie, and we'll have to thank the actors for not disappointing us with their immaculate chemistry!!

Really though, at least 80% of this movie are dance scenes, so if you try to skip them, you'll be sure to end up with nothing! The dances are what move the plot through, you have to watch them dance and understand the story they're telling you, only this way will you be able to enjoy this movie fully.

Although I'll have to admit, my little heart wanted to see them together at least once, but it's a personal problem of mine. Since it's an open ending, I'll have to imagine the rest myself!

Acting:

Just fabulous! Amazing! I feel like the human vocabulary is not enough for me to describe their acting, even though I'm sure it must've been hard, the actors did a fantastic job conveying the characters' feelings while dancing!

The kisses were so passionate as well, I got worked up just by watching them!

Cinematography:

Very pleasing to the eyes, the lightning and the shots were to my liking, they complimented the atmosphere very well!

Music:

Could've been better for such a high-quality movie. It didn't make me feel what I should've felt, you know?

Favourite moment:

I loved when they danced together at that event instead of going with their partners; "Dance in neither about technique or stamina, Love makes it whole." As far as I've realised, Suguki Shinya must've understood that to unlock his full potential, to dance with "love", he must do it with Suzuki Shinya instead of his formal dance partner. The scene where he asks "May I have the honor?" made me go crazy, I absolutely adored it!

Overall:

If you want something clear-cut and simple, or you just want to watch a spicy BL, this isn't for you. It wasn't perfect, I think I should've made my rating lower, but personally that's the rating I want to give. Pick the time where you have a right state of mind and watch it!

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the story keeps going in circles like this; it’s just too much to bear.

For anyone who feels it’s dragging, you could watch up to Episode 9 and then skip straight to Episode 19 until the end. You’ll still catch the whole story, as the earlier details are revealed in the second half anyway.

A little tease for Neo Hou (Hou Minghao)—if he’s not being stood up at the altar or having a ruined wedding, he’s getting a one-night stand only for the girl to run away. Poor guy! The fate of a Chinese drama lead is truly tragic. At least, luckily, no one died in his arms this time.

There were stretches where Hong Ye completely vanished—like, actually gone for so long it felt strange. Fortunately, Xiao Yao stayed present; otherwise, the connection would have been totally lost.

The plot is a bit too "muddy" (messy/convoluted). They could have cut out the parts that don't impact the main storyline. Honestly, this could have been a 25-episode series.

The leads did a great job, but it’s a shame the storytelling was unnecessarily dragged out.

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High Potential, Poor Execution

Leap Day had a very interesting idea, but the execution was honestly disappointing. The story follows two characters, Day and Night, who were both born on Leap Day and are affected by a strange curse. Every four years, on their birthday, the curse takes away someone they love.

On their 20th birthday, something unusual happens, the people closest to them, Ozone (Day’s brother) and Dream (Night’s girlfriend), survive. This happens because Day and Night meet each other. From there, the story focuses on the four of them trying to understand the curse and find a way to stop it.

The biggest problem with the series is how inconsistent and poorly explained everything is. The characters never really try to understand why the curse exists. There is no proper explanation it just exists, and everyone accepts it. That makes the story feel incomplete and frustrating.
There are also many scenes that feel unrealistic or just badly written. For example, at one point, Day and Night suddenly think there might be a loophole in the curse and start searching their houses randomly without even knowing what they are looking for. It feels forced and not logical at all. The clues are right in front of them, but the characters struggle to understand something so basic. It makes them look unnecessarily clueless.

Another major issue is the timeline. The story jumps from 2020 to 2024, but there is zero sense of time passing. The characters don't change, the world doesn't change, and it feels like four months passed instead of four years. To make it worse, even after four years of "research," They are still confused about what they have to do until the very last second.

Despite all this, there are some positives. The relationship between Day and Ozone was the best part of the show. Ozone added humor, and Day as a brother was genuinely likable. Their bond felt real and was the only thing that kept me interested.
The ending involves a sacrifice where Day realizes he must die to break the loop. While the emotional payoff for the brothers was there, it didn't make up for the inconsistent writing and the lack of common sense from the main characters.

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Good show

The chemistry between Kim Go-eun and Park Jinyoung is soft, mature, and deeply moving..The show reminds us that:Life is a series of chapters, and some people are only meant to be in one of them.What makes this season so heartfelt is its honesty. It doesn't just focus on the "happily ever after"; it focuses on Yumi’s journey of finding herself..The drama beautifully portrays that even when a relationship ends, the growth you gained from it stays with you forever.While the ending is bittersweet, Babi’s role in Yumi’s life is ultimately transformative. He wasn't just a boyfriend; he was the catalyst for her career.
• He believed in her "Writer Cell" when no one else did.
• He taught her that she deserves to be pursued and adored openly.
• Their relationship serves as a bridge, moving Yumi from a woman who defines herself through her partner to a woman who defines herself through her own achievements and resilience.
In the end, Yumi and Babi’s story is a tribute to the people who come into our lives to help us bloom, even if they aren't the ones who stay to see the full garden. It was a love that was necessary, refined, and deeply moving.

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These Two Have My Whole Heart

If you're debating on watching this or not, DO IT. This show is soooooooo good. These two make me swoon and their relationship development is so sweet and natural. One of the only issues is that the dubbing is a little awkward but I'm able to ignore it, some people might not be able to. However, give it a shot and try it out.
I love them so much and I'm hoping hard for a second season. If this is only 1 season, then the show is very unfinished and it would lower my score but there are strong rumors that they've already started filming season 2.
But overall, the show is amazing. These two are so perfect for each other and I can't believe I waited so long to start the show.

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The Joy Is Real

Joy of Life came into my life at a strangely perfect time, right after I walked out of a scholarship interview that did not go the way I hoped. I was not expecting much, but somehow this drama lived up to its title in the most literal sense. It brought me joy. Not in an overwhelming or dramatic way, but in a steady, satisfying flow that kept me grounded while constantly surprising me. It feels rare to find a drama that is this witty, this fresh, and this confident in its storytelling. More often than not, I found myself shaking my head in admiration, thinking, “okay, that was smart.”

The story opens with a young man who regrets a life he barely got to live, only to be reborn as Fan Xian in a completely different era, carrying memories of the 21st century. What follows is not just a typical rebirth narrative, but something that plays out like a carefully constructed puzzle. Raised in Danzhou under the watchful care of his grandmother, trained by the mysterious Wuzhu and the terrifying yet oddly endearing Fei Jie, Fan Xian grows up equipped with skills and knowledge that make him stand out a little too much. When he finally heads to the capital, expecting a comfortable life, reality hits quickly. Assassination attempts, political marriages, inherited power, and dangerous secrets all crash into his world at once. From there, the story never really slows down, yet it never feels overwhelming either. It is layered, but light on its feet.

At the center of it all is Fan Xian, easily one of the most memorable characters I have seen in a costume drama. There is something so refreshing about how he is written. He is sharp, skeptical, and occasionally chaotic, yet grounded by a strong moral compass and unwavering loyalty to the people he loves. His modern perspective allows him to question traditions and authority in ways that feel both bold and oddly satisfying. The way he casually avoids kneeling in a rigid royal court says a lot about who he is, which is why the one moment he does kneel carries so much weight. He is clever enough to navigate political schemes, skilled enough to survive physical threats, and lucky enough to have people who would step in for him when needed. Watching him never feels stressful. It feels reassuring, like you know he will find a way, even if that way is completely unorthodox.

Zhang Ruoyun deserves a lot of credit for bringing Fan Xian to life. This was my first time watching him, and he made an immediate impression. His comedic timing is effortless, and his expressions land perfectly without feeling exaggerated. He knows exactly when to be playful and when to pull things back for emotional moments. There is a natural charm in his performance that makes everything feel believable. He does not just act as Fan Xian, he becomes him in a way that feels seamless.

Beyond its main character, the writing itself is where the drama truly shines. The premise might not sound entirely new, but the execution feels incredibly original. It treats time and memory almost like a quiet scientific riddle, something closer to a cosmic physics problem than a simple plot device. The drama does not overexplain. It trusts the audience to follow along, dropping hints here and there while focusing on Fan Xian’s journey. Sometimes I had to rewind a scene or two, but once things clicked, they really clicked. The balance between humor and politics is especially impressive. The comedy never feels forced, and the political intrigue never feels too dense. Hidden motives, shifting alliances, and unexpected twists are all presented in a way that is easy to digest yet still impactful. Some twists genuinely made me pause and think, wow, that runs deeper than I expected.

The supporting cast adds even more depth to the story, particularly the three father figures in Fan Xian’s life. Chen Daoming as the Emperor and Wu Gang as Chen Ping Ping both carry an undeniable presence. The Emperor feels unpredictable and quietly terrifying, while Chen Ping Ping, confined to a wheelchair, commands attention in a completely different way. Their interactions with Fan Xian are fascinating because they blur the line between care and manipulation. Fan Jian, on the other hand, offers a more traditional form of warmth and protection, grounding Fan Xian in something that feels genuine and familial. The contrast between these three dynamics adds so much texture to the story.

Other characters leave strong impressions in their own ways. Wuzhu remains a mystery that lingers in the background, making every appearance feel significant. Fei Jie stands out as both a harsh teacher and a deeply caring figure, someone who expresses love in the most unconventional ways. His quiet admission of seeing Fan Xian as a son is one of the more emotional moments in the drama. Lin Wan Er, while likable at times, can be frustrating with her hesitation and internal conflicts, though she never becomes an obstacle to Fan Xian’s path. The Fan family dynamic is another highlight. From the fiercely loyal Fan Ruo Ruo to the initially cautious but eventually caring stepmother and brother, their relationships evolve in a way that feels natural and rewarding.

What ties everything together is the production itself. The use of modern-style background music in a historical setting should not work as well as it does, but here, it feels just right. The entire drama has a certain sparkle to it, like champagne. It is light, smooth, and quietly celebratory without losing its depth. Even smaller characters and background moments feel thoughtfully executed, adding to the overall immersion.

By the time I reached the end, I realized I could not easily pick a single favorite aspect. It is everything working together, the character, the writing, the humor, the quiet philosophical undertones, that makes this drama so memorable. Joy of Life is something I would return to without hesitation, especially on days when I need a reminder that stories can still feel this alive.

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The best storyline lots of mysteries and the visuals were amazing

One of the best drama that I have ever watched from the episode one. It was like really hooking.There were a lot of mystery.And when they ended into the starstone illusion, there were also surprising facts about the background. He might look confusing at first but You will get it as the stories go on there were also a pleasing beautiful ending as well. The last 3 episode was really hooking and amazing. There were emotional scenes.I was crying when watching episode twenty eight and twenty nine. But after all the mess, everything will be said. The time will be rewinder, and every characters come back to life ❤️

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Cute Japanese BL with cohabitation

PLOT: Segasaki, a popular student who became friends with Yoh, a hyper-introverted studient and unsuccessful artist, offers Yoh a place to stay after graduation so he can continue drawing. Segasaki becomes a well-known weather presenter, but his relationship with Yoh is full of ambiguity and misunderstandings.

+++ The two actors, Higuchi Kouhei and Mashiko Atsuki, are magnificent, talented, subtle, and have intense chemistry (even the intimate scenes are beautiful).
+++ Good overall cast
+++ Skillful direction, no technical issues.

### Japanese OSTs (super exciting, and they are not my cup of tea :( )
### Ending too short (unless there's a season 2).

=> A beautiful demonstration of the actors' talent :) with a realistic and cute story.
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Cute BL japonaise avec cohabitation

PLOT: Segasaki , étudiant populaire devenu ami de Yoh, hyper introverti et dessinateur sans succès, propose, après le diplôme, à Yoh de venir habiter chez lui pr pouvoir continuer à dessiner. Segasaki devient 1 présentateur météo connu, mais sa relation avec Yoh est pleine d’ambiguïté et de malentendus.

+++ Les 2 acteurs, Higuchi Kouhei et Mashiko Atsuki, sont magnifiques, talentueux, tout en subtilité, et avec une alchimie intense.
+++ Bon cast général
+++ Réalis° habile, RAS au niveau technique.

### OSTs japonaises (hyper excitées)
### Ending trop courte (sauf s'il y a une S2).

=> Une belle démonstration du talent des acteurs :) avec une story réaliste et mignonne.

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Timeless Love and Leaps of Logic

April has been Veil of Shadows month for me as I was pretty much obsessed with this series until the end. I won't lie, I came for the pretty costumes + music + Ju Jingyi, who has a special place in my heart for her combination of looks, personality, and beautiful singing voice. I stayed for the mystery and mayhem and aesthetic angst.

Guo Jingming delivers his usual brand of extravagantly dark and moody work with handsome faces and guys who have to bare their chest at least once in a story. If you know his directing style, you know exactly what kind of story to expect, but for those not in the know I recommend just checking out these 3 joke GJM Drama Bingo posts for a taste of what's up ahead: https://www.tumblr.com/sillekias/815506909428891648?source=share

Honestly? I loved the characters and stories, which wasn't as convoluted as I feared, and there's even a pretty happy ending at the end! GJM has a way of at least trying to tie up all the loose ends even if they're not all done neatly (or sometimes *too* neatly to be believable). The angst was suitably fragile and epic and bloodstained and tearstained which tickles that drama-loving corner of my heart without wrenching it out completely. It really is the kind of pretty + sad you save to watch on a rainy day. Realistically though, the plot carried the emotions associated with it more than the actors themselves—the acting was accurate and fit the scene but lacked a little bit more of nuance to distinguish different flavors of grief from each other.

Also by the end, everyone in the main cast had shed at least like, 10 single perfect tears each in the middle or end of conversations and while it was neat to watch how well they controlled that tear it also got to a point where I was more numb to the emotions behind it. Like it'll never not be beautiful but it was getting silly by the end!

My biggest beef comes with Episode 28 too because what do you mean ONLY the protagonist and main supporting characters were fighting Jiu Ying and her army of hypnotized foxes at Shilin Sect & the 4 world pillars? Did all of the disciples we saw earlier at the sect just up and vanished? Were they too weak to ever hold up? I mean I think they probably were but it's still kinda funny to not acknowledge that at all and jump straight into the 1v1 across all fights. They even had to rope in You Chi, an outsider demon, to fight one of their battles for them hahahaha it was a little unbelievable. (I know VoS cut one episode's worth of material out since they only got approved for 29/30, I wonder if that last episode could've made a difference?)

Other pet peeves (that are also GJM's signature) is repeating the same info over and over again, and using the same phrases over and over again. Mystery plots are less mysterious when you have to analyze every clue from the start, and in the middle of urgent scenes characters somehow have time to stop and chat before coming to a "realization" about things they already knew all over again. Like in the Han Ba arc when Lu Wuyi stole away with Mu Long they should've KNOWN she was heading for the Firefluff Tree because earlier in the episodes they mentioned it was an important spot, but noooo the protag team had to meet up and discuss it before coming to their senses; Ji Ling sits on the steps moping for half a day after Lu Wuyi steals his ring instead of like, racing to get that thing back or ask for an explanation; somehow during the final confrontation of Jiu Ying vs. Wu Shiguang all of the 2-petal demon hunters can instantaneously reach the locations they need to support the world pillars or facilitated Ji Ling's fast-forward rebirth without any travel time (I'm going to assume they all know teleportation off-screen).

Also You Chi had the worst of it in the original time lines! He saw Xie Lingxi (possessed) kill his Master but then Wu Shiguang reunites with an (incorrupt) Xie Lingxi spirit right afterwards (how jarring is that)!! Then he had to fight off a fox (possessed) in Shilin Sect and killed her successfully with the formations in the sect, only for that to be meaningless because Ji Ling comes back later to un-hypnotize them so NOW 1) he's killed one of Wu Wangyan's dear sisters for no reason and 2) Wu Wangyan has to take that sister's place and sacrifice herself to stabilized the corrupted pillar. Guy just had NO luck in the old timeline and I'm SO glad he got the commander glow-up in the new one cause he deserved a break once in a while!!

I also agree with the other reviewers that Wu Shiguang and Wu Wangyan didn't really have time to shine in their roles compared to the screentime given to Lu Wuyi and Ji Ling. I did LOVE the LuJi storyline/romance (I even made Mii versions of them in my Tomodachi Life LOLOL) but I felt like with more time (and less slow-paced dialogue) both sets of leads could've had amazing moments. WSG was really cool in the finale faceoff scenes and WWY was so intelligent, I wished they utilized them more. Then again, I loved every LuJI scene we got...this is the kind of greed they warned us about in the Bible.

Anyways, all rants aside I DID like this drama a lot and I think the romance was lovely. The demon boys and their tragic fates were all lovely (except Han Ba's was a little contrived, like even Mu Long's actress said 'couldn't he have just written something'), the time loops were a little confusing but ultimately understandable, and I loved loved loooooved Ji Ling's kuudere Dragon Deity persona, he was the perfect mix of cool + powerful + moe + gentle to the ones he love.

For that matter I loved Ji Can too. His makeup was like ridiculously pale but his visual effects? Absolute eye candy and I'd love to see him again. All in all, this was a story about love, loss, and sacrifice: the determination to see your choices through, and the determination to pull your cherished people away from choices that destroy them.

From my personal rating this gets a 8/10 - VERY GOOD with some logic doesn’t make sense, somewhat affecting enjoyment.

The OST is a solid 10/10 and I will be looping Tian Jiarui and Ju Jingyi's version of 不苦 (Not Bitter) for weeks. You know what makes me bitter? They still need to release the music box version (from ep 12 here: https://www.tumblr.com/sillekias/815209721778896896/ok-but-last-but-not-least-i-desperately-need-the?source=share) and duet version of that track ahhhhhh!!!

EDIT: anyways my live reactions are on my tumblr under the #sillysees and #veil of shadows tags: https://www.tumblr.com/sillekias/tagged/veil%20of%20shadows
for reaction posts in order it's #react:vos like so: http://sillekias.tumblr.com/tagged/react%3Avos/chrono

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I LOVED THE ENDING

One of the most powerful aspects of Twenty‑Five Twenty‑One is how faithfully its ending reflects the emotional tone of the Jaurim song it draws its name from. The song isn’t a celebration of lasting love, it’s a nostalgic remembrance of a relationship that shaped two people during a fleeting moment in their youth

If the writers had forced a happy ending, it would have completely clashed with the tone of the song and undermined the entire message of the story. The bittersweet ending isn’t just fitting, it’s the only ending that preserves the integrity of what Twenty‑Five Twenty‑One set out to say about youth, love and the nature of growing up

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Of Dragons and Foxes...

I went into this with zero clue as to what it is all about. I just knew that it was partly based on Painted Skin, a short film Guo Jingming directed some years back which I haven't seen. I must admit, the first episode pulled me in like Alice following the white rabbit into a hole new world. Yes, I made a pun. But kidding aside, the world it drew me in was a world of dragons and demons, rich with lore and characters that are not quite what they seem.

As expected of a Guo Jingming drama, the visuals in this are impeccable, from the sweeping shots to the dramatic angles. The costumes and makeup are some of the best I've seen in any drama, including Guo's own works. Everything about it screamed high production quality to me. This was indeed a treat to watch. But... and this is a big BUT, the writing leaves something to be desired. Despite the promising premise and complex characters, the execution is poor with a plot that's all over the place and confusing, and a feverish pacing that ends almost abruptly. Perhaps this is the result of the shortened number of episodes or maybe Guo Jingming is simply not a very a good screenwriter in spite of his artistic approach to filmmaking. I don't think I have rated a drama of his higher than an 8. Even though I largely enjoy them, they don't hit as hard as I want them to and that's mainly because of the not so satisfactory writing.

I do like the fact the drama keeps you guessing and yet also gives you enough clues to figure things out by yourself. I was also deeply moved by the backstories of each character. I never thought I would feel compassion for an obviously CGI blind fox and empathize with his suffering. I have to hand it to Tian Jiarui for breathing life into this character. In fact, he played seven distinct characters if I'm not mistaken and he did it like nobody's business. I have to give credit to Yan An as well, it was because of his believable portrayal that made me grow attached to his Li Jie and his close relationship with Ji Ling.

I'm just a little disappointed that they dropped the ball on Joseph Zeng's character, Wu Shiguang. He started out to be this awfully cool and mysterious character with a badass weapon. I wanted to see more of that, but the moment his backstory was revealed, he started becoming less interesting. So he's a dragon too. Yeah... I don't really care. Ji Ling as Chi Wen was mesmerizingly ethereal and pretty, but the humanity of Ji Ling was what made the character far more compelling to me. Even the weasel demon became more interesting than Wu Shiguang right before the end. And even though I liked the musical score and soundtrack for the most part, I didn't appreciate that weird trap music with the freaky chanting blasting like no tomorrow every chance it got. Did they have a quota for the number of times that song was supposed to play? Seriously, there were scenes that didn't need it, but no, they just had to play that darn song! It drove me nuts! lol

Fortunately, the pairings were a hit. Surprisingly, Joseph Zeng and Chen Du Ling had real chemistry! I didn't think their pairing would work but it did. They did end up looking like an old married couple who had learned and accepted each other's good and bad habits. They were adorable together. But I must say, I liked Tian Jiarui and Ju Jingyi's pairing more. Ji Ling and Lu Wuyi's epic love is reminiscent of romances I've only read in old high fantasy books. Their journey as lovers, the sacrifices they made for each other, and the lengths they went through to be together reminded me of Luthien and Beren's story from JRR Tolkien's The Silmarillion. It was overly melodramatic bordering on ridiculous but incredibly romantic. This kind of love is one that exists only in fairy tales, something people only dream about, but it sure is a beautiful dream. And their love is the core of this story, poignant, tragic, but ultimately triumphant!

So for the stunning visuals, well-fleshed out characters, strong acting, engaging love stories, and great tracks from Liu Yuning, Yan An, and Tian Jiarui, I give this a solid 8.

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