Reviews

Poorly written romance, but not terrible overall

This might be controversial, but I think the romance was the worst part of the whole series. That doesn't mean it's not worth watching, but if you're looking for something with a well written romance plot, this is not it. The relationship felt weird and toxic the whole time up until the second half of the last episode; and maybe that was the point, but it still left me thinking "wow I want to see more of " and then I'd have to sit through another 5 minutes of "Luke and Flora failing to communicate" being introduced as a major plot-point.

In addition, I'd like to call out the obviously AI generated b-roll shots that appeared in nearly every episode, it made the whole thing feel cheap.

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An Addictive and Refreshing Survival Drama

I really loved this watch. The only reason I rated it lower than I normally would for something I enjoyed this much is because it has relatively low replay value for me. Compared to so many top-shelf favorites that I would happily rewatch, this one falls a little lower on my list of ordered favorites.

Some of the characters were incredibly frustrating, but overall, this was an addictive and fresh watch that kept me coming back every day to continue the narrative.

I love dramas like this one, with somewhat futuristic tones and survival plots. They are a lot much fun for me, and this drama followed exactly the kind of formula I enjoy. You had computer-generated grid systems, rabid bats, and zombies, along with psychological elements reminiscent of Lord of the Flies and the Stanford Experiment, exposing human nature at both its worst and its best.

I thought all of these elements worked really well to keep me engaged. There were so many great conflicts, some that affected me deeply, and others that ultimately delivered resolutions that left a lasting impression. Together, they gave the plot a great range and a surprising amount of depth.

Although it may not rank among the highest of everything I've watched, I have to say it sits very high for me within this particular genre, especially among modern dramas. I am genuinely sad to see this one end.

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Light, wholesome, occasionally corny, yet easy to watch

Story

I love wholesome BLs, but we can't deny that this kind of story can get a little cliché, and Your Summer, My Storm does that at times. Some parts felt like a cheesy family drama especially with the corny misunderstandings that make you go like... why would you introduce your friend as your boy(friend) and then act surprised when things get misunderstood??

For me, what makes this show special is →

Characterization / Acting

One thing I genuinely appreciated was getting two male characters who both lean more toward the feminine side. It might seem like a small thing, but I do think it's a good slow step toward broader queer representation in BL. Femme men obviously exist in real life and so do relationships between two feminine-presenting men even if we don't get to see that dynamic very often in this genre

I especially liked that the show doesn't feel the need to compensate by making one or two of them like hyper-masculine or dominant just to fit the usual BL dynamic. Not every relationship needs to have a clear "man" and "woman" role and it's honestly refreshing to see a pairing that doesn't rely too heavily on that kind of heteronormative setup

Hopefully, this is something the industry can explore more in the future and not just two femme characters but like femboy tops, masc bottoms and couples with more fluid, dynamic, and unconventional roles. There are so many ways queer relationships can look so it'd be nice to see BL move further away from the idea that every couple needs to fit neatly into a seme/uke dynamic

As for the acting, I was pleasantly surprised. Knowing that both leads are J-pop idols, I wasn't expecting them to be this natural. There are quite a few idol-to-BL transitions where you can really feel that the actors are still finding their footing especially when it comes to delivering dialogue naturally, but Ididn't have that problem here for the most part. They both handled their roles well and had good enough chemistry to make the relationship work. Props to both of them bc they exceeded my expectations


Ending

I actually liked that they didn't end the series by officially getting together. I never fully felt the romance between them, so forcing a relationship at the end would've felt unnatural. What they have feels more like a mutual understanding. They acknowledge what they mean to each other without needing to put a label on it.

But my issue was the whole "one of them is going overseas" ending bc I think it's lazy. I've seen that so many times, not just in Japanese dramas but in dramas from other countries too. Whether it's "I'll wait for you" or "I'll fight for our love", both routes feel equally predictable at this point

Watching Experience

This is probably the easiest thing to say about the show: it's just really easy to watch

It's not one of those BLs that had me completely emotionally invested, I could relate to, or thinking about the next episode all week. I wasn't obsessing or feeling like I needed to know what happened next

But tbh, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes you just want a BL you can sit down and watch without having your emotions dragged through the floor. Your Summer, My Storm is very much that kind of show for me... light, wholesome, occasionally corny, and easy to watch

Not a BL that completely changed my life, but definitely a pleasant watch

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This show hyped everything up and delivered way more than I expected. It’s a genuinely smart series that forces both the characters and the audience into tough moral dilemmas that go way beyond just trying to figure out whodunit. It throws heavy questions your way where the answers aren’t just black and white. Given how many real-life stories there are where justice fails to catch and punish the guilty, one of the most compelling themes is: if someone suffers a massive injustice, does that give them the right to take matters into their own hands? On top of that, can someone be held guilty or morally responsible for the actions of their dad or a family member? Does a fictional work that inspires someone to commit a crime make its creator morally responsible? These are just a few of the questions the show raises as it forces us to pick apart the conflict between justice, revenge, and the baggage of family history.

Dew, Tee, Off, Neo, Singha... such a heavyweight cast with incredible performances. Dew and Tee have easily become one of my favorite duos, and I’m already looking forward to their next projects together. Saying Off is an amazing actor is stating the obvious. He’s just so versatile and always delivers. Singha is really turning heads with her performances, too. But I seriously need to talk about Dew and Singha.

Dew... what a performance! Absolutely flawless. He built such a multi-layered character that keeps you second-guessing his every move. The moments where he lets that dark side slip through,the inner darkness that drove him to write Nekros, were just next-level. The way his facial expressions shift? Wow. At certain points, his acting had me wondering if Kaye really was the killer, but since he wasn’t, it kind of answers one of the show’s biggest moral dilemmas: you’re responsible for your own choices.

Singha... her character Praew drove me crazy the entire series. So many times, I just wanted to shake some sense into her! But honestly, her acting was spot-on because she never gave away her true intentions for a second. Definitely a young actress to keep an eye on.

Anyway, I could easily write way more about this show, but for me, rather than just finding out who the actual killer is, the real takeaway is figuring out what to do with the truth once it’s out and breaking the cycle of violence. At the end of the day, you’re responsible for your own choices, not the sins of the people who came before you.

Super, super recommend!

PS: Neo is an actor who definitely deserves more leading roles and honestly, he desperately deserves a happy ending. I’m getting traumatized at this point watching him die in every single series! #HappyEndingForNeo

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This is a perfect, sexy, problematic romance that skirts the line but redeems itself by the end.

(a discussion of red flags at the end)

If you've worked a high powered career in a big city, you can immediately appreciate how well this show was put together. Both in terms of the career setting and the relationship. From portraying the highs of feeling so lucky and chosen, (that one slo mo scene with the hands from the elevator to the parking garage! ), to the lows of feeling like an embarrassing, dirty little secret.

This is a relationship between adults, it's quite 'lived in', physically and emotionally which is really rare. Luke embodies an entitled, attractive man at the top of his game. Flora goes from naive and enthusiastic to a competent force to be reckoned with was the harder part, and well done.

The 'flip' where the power imbalance between Luke and Flora starts to switch, doesn't happen all at once. Unlike some dramas, where it takes to the 3/4 mark before the hero cracks, here the hero cracks slightly every few episodes, creating an addictive urge to keep watching as you know just another break, another show of strong emotion is just around the corner.

The clothing, cars, and scenery were all great, the music and OST was better than most, I just really am impressed.

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On red flags:

Luke and Flora are both adults when they meet, and they both have had a relationship history. But, in every other way this is a problematic, power imbalance relationship with some troubling dynamics:

- Luke holds the power over Flora's career, and in general he structurally has a lot more privilege than her (he's older, well established in Beijing, wealthy).

- Luke exploits the structural power imbalance when he's feeling insecure in the relationship. He will become condescending or even use their work together to try and 'feel on top' again.

- Luke insults and uses demeaning language towards Flora on a couple of occasions calling her cheap etc. in retaliation for her not doing what he wants

It's the power + control dynamic PLUS a pattern of harmful behaviour that = a toxic, abusive relationship. And this one does cross that line a couple of times. Illustrating why they need to break up.

As the years go on, Flora also tries to emotionally lash back out at Luke. She also tries to hide anything from him that's too sensitive or vulnerable not trusting him to react well or helpfully. But she doesn't have the same obsession with power + control, and she tends to not try to insult or demean Luke directly.

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Does these abusive and/or toxic dynamics, mean that Luke is a lost cause?

Yes, they needed to break up. By keeping the same destructive dynamic going for 6 years, that was years down the drain and it wasn't going to get any better. Flora needed to leave and seek her independence and figure out who she was without Luke. Luke needed to sort out if he could be vulnerable and approach a relationship as equals instead of trying to dominate the dynamics.

Most men like this can't turn it around after the break up. Their need for power and control keeps them from changing, from truly having a safe, warm equal type relationship. They tend to get more obsessive, more dominating, meaner and crueler as the years go on.

Is it dangerous to depict something that rarely happens in real life? I think in this case the drama puts the roadmap to evaluating the recovery . . . Luke apologises and makes amends, he comes to her home turf and lets her call the shots, he's able to be vulnerable, and he does it for a long period of time etc. So I think it works here, it didn't make me want to turn it off.

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A Superb Bonafide Action Thriller

What do you get when a star chamber organisation meets everyday life: A Bo Na Fide Killer. This is a show that is worth your time and is a welcome outing by the two leads: Gong Hyo Jin and Jung Jun Won. In fact, this show is their best work for a while.

Bo Na (GhJ) is an assassin who works for a clandestine organisation that has selling electronics as its front. The team is the usual bunch of misfits but they work. Her husband (JJW) is a reporter who has spent many years writing about the elusive Kingfisher, sniper extraordinaire.

The show’s tension on whether her husband suspects Bo Na is Kingfisher is done very well. However, the husbands best friend, a cop who has been chasing Kingfisher for the best part of 15 years, is not done as well, and I think Lee Sang Yi overacts in the role from time to time. That being said, the cast is superb and gets 10/10 from me.

Bo Na as a mum is fabulous. As is Tae Song as a dad. This is the shows strength. We have a couple with an adorable daughter. There is no angst around a developing relationship here. It is a loving couple, with a family that is tested by the work they do. There are no love triangles, a welcome relief. The other couples take care of that.

This show is a class production. It uses its sets and scenes wisely. Gong Hyo Jin is suitably dressed instead some of the daggy clothes we see her wear in other shows. Everything blends in so well. We get to see the elusive weapons maker, a key part of Bo Na’s team, and as it turns out, a childhood friend. The backstory regarding both is very good. He starts off as a reclusive, messy, unshowered genius, who changes over time when another member of the team sets her sights on him 😊

Tae Song’s wider family fit the narrative well. We have the critical MIL, the range of SILs all set against the backdrop of that trusty SK institution: the fried chicken shop. Bo Na as the DIL navigates the family challenges well. So much so, that the final transformation sees the whole family embracing her no end.

Be warned, there is some blood. It’s not excessive though (well, not by today’s standards. Some of the story content might be a bit hard to take as it deals with bad, violent people who have escaped the justice system only to meet a star chamber end.

This show would have been a ten but how the final protagonist met there end was a let down for me - it was too easy. However, I am only splitting hairs regarding the final assessment. The soundtrack is hoppy and an earwig. The show is one that is worth a rewatch and I’m sure when you do, there will be things that we all missed.

And the final episode is great. Enjoy…

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A Quirky, Shounen Anime" Style Detective

Fresh Aesthetic & Concept: Instead of standard wuxia tropes, the series heavily incorporates medical knowledge, anatomy, and herbal medicine into its forensic puzzles. The historical costuming mimics the style of Eastern Han Dynasty physicians rather than typical flashy palace garments, lending a unique, gritty realism to the background.
The show plays out with the fast-paced energy, clear-cut quest lines, and vibrant group synergy often seen in youth shounen anime.
The "Mismatched" Trio Chemistry: The dynamic between the socially unworldly medical genius, the practical and authoritative noblewoman, and the street-smart comic relief performer functions seamlessly. The comedic timing hits perfectly without overstaying its welcome.
While individual investigative cases are thrilling and wrap up convincingly, the overarching "treasure hunt" narrative loses momentum in the latter third of the series.
The ending leaves a few narrative threads open.

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Absolute Perfection. 10++++++++. chemistry ?????

Everything about drama is perfection.. everyone from the scriptwriters, directors, actors, editors, wardrobe.. hair...makeup.. everyone understood the assignment. handsdown the best c drama I have seen all year and I have wanted over 30 this year.
it's up there with 'first frost and love in the clouds ' in terms of chemistry was on fire fro. first episode to last episode o my .. it fire never went off. The two leads were exceptional and the the supporting cast and story line was just right to.

Thank you the the entire team for giving us a pleasant drama to watch.. 24 episodes of pure chemistry and true love with some serious office politics. even the love triangles was handled with taste.

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Do not miss this gem

This year's most underrated series for sure.
dont know why the public is sleeping on this gem.
i love the male lead actor, he has acted so well, also lee sangyi is in his element as always! the supporting cast is done so well and they played their parts really well.
ofcourse the FL actress is flawless .the drama has action, sense of justice, family issues, love at its core, and a sense of justice, all in one. the story and direction and acting and the pace of the drama - all brilliant, you cannot pick out a fault. this series has full potential to get season 2!

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Good

I understand why this series makes such an immediate impact on everyone; I think both the protagonists and the supporting characters were really well-conceived and well-written. I feel the only real weak points are the soundtrack and the fact that it fell short by not having more episodes—plus the ending was a bit dull (with the whole "becoming a writer" thing and so on). The main couple is incredible, as are the antagonists; overall, the story is very good. It just needed some minor tweaks and more focus on the suspense, but I thought it was a solid story with a wonderful couple and good supporting characters. People are raising very valid points—some production slip-ups and loose ends—but in the end, it was a good series. Good actors, hope to see they together again.

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There seems to be two camps for this drama. You will either love it or hate it. Both are valid takes. The biggest debate is probably over ML. He is a wolf in disguise. A red flag disguised as a green one. He pretends to have a moral compass, but he's actually a jerk that puts FL down a lot. And FL...she just keeps taking the insults and forgiving him after he compliments her just a little. That being said, the man can still make you swoon. He has charisma and bad boy energy. It is reminiscent of Kdrama MLs back in the 2010s. They had problematic behavior, but could still make you fall for them.

So why am I in the Love It camp? This drama made me feel a roller coaster of emotions. It made me squeal. It made me yell at the screen, cry tears of joy and frustration. I felt grief. FL's whole journey was a beautiful one. Her character growth was excellent. She becomes so strong and capable by the end. Her supportive friends were the best. ML had some growth too by the end, but it is nowhere near as good as FL's journey.

At the end of the day this is still also a Business drama. Luckily, I didn't find the business drama part all that boring. It features a boss/employee relationship, which can make people uncomfortable (myself included). While ML can be a jerk, there is an adorable, fluffy white dog wreaking havoc on his life on FL's behalf. Totally worth it. It really managed to pull me in. This was an easy, binge worthy watch.

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Shiny Surface, Empty Inside

Flex x Cop — Season 2
Propelled into the police force against his will, Jin I Su (Ahn Bo Hyun), heir to a powerful conglomerate, continues investigating cases far removed from his privileged world. After the departure of Lee Kang Hyun (Park Ji Hyun), Ju Hye Ra (Jung Eun Chae) takes over as team leader and becomes his new partner.
The male lead, who brought much of the series’ charm through his presence, exuberance, and completely offbeat personality, is given far less room this time around. Even the directing and costumes, which were already sometimes poorly suited to his character in the first season, seem even less appropriate here, while close-up shots of him become much rarer. And yet Ahn Bo Hyun’s highly expressive, sometimes deliberately exaggerated acting is precisely one of the show’s greatest strengths.
The arrival of Ju Hye Ra, a much more serious, cold and cynical character, only reinforces this change. Jung Eun Chae brings plenty of elegance and character to the role; the problem is mainly the pairing itself, which never feels natural. They save each other’s lives and go through situations together that should naturally create some kind of bond, even a conflicted one, yet nothing genuinely develops between them. There is no subtle interplay, no light tension or playful edge to their exchanges, not even the kind of ambiguity that could have made their opposition lively and endearing.
Instead, Jin I Su suddenly comes across as almost childish in his rejection of his new boss. This attitude could have been a great source of comedy if it had been fully embraced as such. But the humor never really takes off. Some situations clearly seem designed to be funny, yet the direction never manages to make the most of them.
Jin I Su could easily remain extravagant and eccentric while still becoming the man for the job when necessary. Ahn Bo Hyun clearly has that range. It is the writing that seems to reduce his character to a form of inconsistency instead of making use of that contrast.
The plot then quickly shifts into a much more conventional investigation: serial murders, bodies, skeletons, clues… an accumulation of familiar police-drama devices without any genuinely fresh idea behind them. The problem is not the lack of realism — a story can perfectly well depart from reality and still be compelling — but the lack of creativity, and above all, the lack of rhythm.
The supporting characters never really manage to take over. By removing Jin I Su from the center of the staging in this way, the series loses the counterbalance that once allowed its police investigations to breathe. Everything feels heavier and more serious, without gaining any real depth in return. The result is strangely flat.
Even the directing seems less inspired than in the first season. The framing, the way the main character is handled, and the overall direction give the series much less energy and dimension. The music, which was already sometimes poorly integrated in the first season, follows the same pattern, with certain jazzy tones feeling more pasted onto scenes than organically incorporated into them. Instead of giving the series a distinctive identity, they sometimes blur its tone.
And yet, there was so much potential between Ahn Bo Hyun and Jung Eun Chae to create a genuinely compelling dynamic. Their opposition could have become one of the driving forces of the season. They had everything they needed to form a lively duo, playing off their differences and gradually developing the particular kind of chemistry that is so noticeably missing here.
Ahn Bo Hyun has the kind of presence that could have turned this police drama into something much more distinctive. With such an expressive character, there was plenty of room for the touch of madness that could have allowed the investigations to breathe.
Instead, this second season seems to have forgotten what made its character distinctive in the first place. It simply needed to give him more space and allow the series to play with what was most alive about it.

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Great Chemistry, Strong Acting, and Every Shippers Nightmare

Mr. Fanboy hooked me very quickly because it has much more going on than a simple celebrity/fan romance. Wan enters the entertainment industry almost by accident, already carrying a complicated relationship with fame and fandom, and immediately finds himself surrounded by people who are judging whether he belongs there. Third starts out openly antagonistic toward him, but that hostility gradually shifts into reluctant support, then friendship, and by episode 3 there are already some very sweet glimpses that this relationship is heading somewhere beyond friendship.

Auau and Save have fantastic chemistry. Their antagonistic scenes work, their banter works, and once Third starts quietly helping and supporting Wan, the chemistry becomes even better. The small moments between them are especially effective because the relationship develops gradually rather than suddenly flipping from dislike to romance. Save is clearly the stronger actor of the two leads at this point, but Auau holds his own very well, and together they are extremely watchable.

The supporting cast is strong too. Ryujin apparently could have chemistry with a wall, because once again he immediately brings energy to every interaction he has. I’m especially excited to see more of him with Patji as the series develops. And James is doing an excellent job as Nine. Nine initially presents himself as warm and supportive, but Wan’s growing popularity—and particularly the attention Wan receives from both Third and the fans—brings out a much more jealous and threatening side of him. He is becoming a very effective antagonist.

One of the most entertaining parts of the story is that it is basically every shipper’s nightmare. Third and Nine are the established CP the fans expect to be affectionate, close, and happily feeding the ship, but behind the scenes they are anything but the lovey-dovey pair people imagine. That makes the fanservice side of the drama especially fun because it quietly raises an uncomfortable question: how many of our own favorite ships are nowhere near as smooth behind the scenes as fans assume?

Wan’s success also creates conflict far beyond the romance. Multiple people have reasons for wanting him brought down or removed from the production, while Wan himself remains largely unaware of how much resentment his growing popularity is creating. That gives the story real momentum and makes the entertainment-industry setting feel integral to the plot rather than simply background scenery.

Overall, the story is great, the acting is strong, and the chemistry is excellent—not only between Auau and Save, but throughout the cast. The sweeter Third/Wan moments beginning to emerge in episode 3 are particularly lovely, and the show has already given me enough character and industry drama to keep me thoroughly engaged.

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