Reviews

IF YOU LOVE GANGS, CRIME & BROMANCE — WATCH THIS ? ?

This drama is honestly one of the most incredible dramas I’ve ever watched. 🔥

If you’re into gangs, crime, undercover cops, intense bromance, and deep friendships, then this drama is an absolute MUST-WATCH.

I don’t even care whether the ending is happy or heartbreaking. If a drama can give me goosebumps, keep me emotionally invested, and make me feel every moment, then it has already won me over.

And the cast? Absolutely phenomenal. Every character was portrayed with such depth and professionalism that I completely believed in their stories.

This drama is officially joining my list of the best gang/crime dramas I’ve ever watched. 🔥

My top picks so far:
• The Underworld
• Never Say Never
• Under the Cover

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Gripping political noir which fell victim to its writing

Made In Korea had grabbed my attention last year due to its cast and premise. I kept up with it for the first 4 episodes but later on, I ultimately put it on hold. Since the second installment of the series has started airing, I decided to watch the first part again and finish it at last.

Set in the 1970s South Korea, the drama tells a story of power and ambition, driven by the vulnerable political scene and the systemic power during this era. The main characters, Baek Kitae and Jang Gun Yeong, represent two clashing ideologies. The first one works with the KCIA and seeks more power for himself by selling drugs while the latter one is a prosecutor who wants to fight for justice and bring Baek Kitae behind the bars. Their conflict shapes the story and alongside that, the narration follows political schemes, drug deals and a constant fight for power.

From the very first glance, one can tell that this drama had budget. And a very big one, since it was reported that 70 billion won ($51 million) was spent on this series. The production is awestruck to say the least and viewers who appreciate rich settings will definitely receive a visual feast. Like Low Life, another Disney drama which was set in 1970, Made In Korea portrayed this era accurately, not only from the visual perspective only but the political one, too.

The cinematography and camera work highlighted the intense atmosphere throughout the drama. The darker and mundane colours added to the bleak and dark plot, giving a feeling of uneasiness. As for the soundtrack which accompanied the drama, it was very retro and yet dynamic when it needed to. As someone who loves instrumental tracks, the music was very funto listen to and I appreciated the usage of violin, trumpets and the piano. "Inhale the Throne" and "Longing For Love Again" were two of the most distinguished titles for me. The first one was a classical, soothing yet eerie piece while the second one had more jazz vibes, giving a feeling of melancholy and bitterness.

The acting was by all means one of the strongest cards of this drama, if not the strongest. Most of the actors delivered exactly what was expected from them and I even dare to say that they were better than the characters they were supposed to portray.

That was my very first time watching Hyun Bin in a project and I can confirm that people who are obsessed with him are not wrong at all. Not many actors can pull off the role of a villain in a charismatic way and yet, Hyun Bin not only captivated me with his presence alone, but he made me root for Baek Kitae at times, too. He embodied Kitae's cold and ambitious personality effortlessly, allowing himself to express a glimpse of humanity in some rare occasions, thus highlighting Kitae's complexity.

Jung Woo Sung as Prosecutor Jang was entertaining and chaotic, to say the least. He did a good job with his character and unlike other viewers who disliked his laughter, I must say I found it kinda amusing, it was a nice trait to Gun Yeong's character and it added to his kinda unhinged personality. That being said, for this type of role, I would have liked a more mature approach but that is not the actor's fault.

I saw Won Ji An for the first time in Squid Game 2 and to tell the truth, the first time I watched Made In Korea, it didn't cross my mind that she was the same actress. While rewatching the first episodes and after learning that information, I was left surprised because her acting had picked my interest during my first watch, too! She was fierce as Choi Yu Ji, she encapsulated her cold and cunning personality perfectly and she was oh so magnetic to watch. I loved the way she carried herself and how she matched Hyun Jin's experience during their scenes.

But one of the best acting performances came from a guest appearance and that was none other than Cho Yeo Jung as Bae Geum Ji on episode 3. What can I say about this woman, she stole the show with just one episode, during the rewatch for the first episodes, I anticipated her appearance so much. She felt like a breath of fresh air in the story. Elegant, playful and yet tragic, Bae Geum Ji was a woman who longed for a meaningful relationship and someone who actually loved her. Yeo Jung was simply magnificent and she moved with how she conveyed Geum Ji's tragedy.

From a technical standpoint, Made In Korea is almost perfect. But when I watch something, I also want to feel engaged to the story or the characters. And this is where Made In Korea fell short for me (literally and figuratively).

For a political series, which explores themes like corruption, power and ambition, the story came across as rather...bland? There were some good segments here and there and most episodes had their own highlights but overall, the story failed to grab my interest. The drugs trafficking was uninteresting, I understand the purpose but I wasn't invested in this part of the story and how Baek Kitae run his underground business. I preferred the parts which focused directly at the characters' relationships and the power dynamics between them, it highlighted the themes better.

The pacing was so-so. The first four episodes were good but the more I watched, the more I remembered why I had put the drama on hold in the first place. Even for such a short series, with just 6 episodes, the story still felt kinda dragged at times. The last episode in particular was hard to get through. What I noticed is that it was always the middle sections which seemed lackluster to me. The beginning and the ending of each episode was gripping and interesting but there were some moments in-between which dragged the story back.

I am aware of the fact that political thrillers tend to be plot driven rather character driven. That being said, this format can be a hit or miss for me, since I prioritize characterization most of the time. If a plot is engaging enough, I can excuse the writing of the characters to some extent and vice versa. Here, both the story and characters failed to grab my attention as much as I wanted to.

Baek Kitae was the only properly fleshed out character (although, he too had his flaws regarding his writing). Even though I wanted more of his backstory, I understood his desperation to climb higher in hierarchy and establish a better life for his siblings, especially his brother. That being said, I wish we had seen more moments between him and his family. Not necessarily to justify his actions but just to see the humane side the writers tried to showcase. There was a brief moment on episode 6 between him and Baek Gi Hyun, which conveyed his protective side but that wasn't enough to properly establish the drifting relationship between the brothers.

Jang Gun Yeong wasn't as compelling as Baek Kitae. As I mentioned above, I would have preferred a more mature and laid down approach for his character, compared to the exaggerated version we got. His background was interesting and I understood his need for justice and punishment but overall, he seemed pretty one-dimensional to me. I didn't like that he was comedic at times, it kinda took me out and prevented me from taking him seriously. His character shined the best when he was serious and passionate about his goal and that should have been the approach from the start.

Woo Do Hwan felt more like a guest star instead of a supporting actor, to be honest. Baek Gi Hyun was a very interesting character and I definitely expect to see more of him in the second part but in the first season, he was...there. I don't even thing that his screen time can surpass 10 minutes in these six episodes. As a result, the drama failed to build a proper foundation for the relationship between the two brothers and I'm afraid that this might affect my experience while I'll be watching season 2, since I am not very emotionally invested in this relationship.

The discrepancy between the male and female characters when it came to the writing was, unfortunately, very evident. Investigator Oh Ye Jin was fun and I liked her personality, but I would have liked to see more of her development, instead of being treated as a comic relief girl-boss. Baek Kitae's sister was also very reduced as a person, I couldn't bring myself to care a lot about her.

In retrospect, I feel like Made In Korea would have had a better reception had both parts been released together, instead of being separated. It's clear that part 2 will dive deeper into the characters and their dynamics compared to part 1, which felt more like an introduction instead of a fleshed out season. Nevertheless, I am eager to see how this story will end. I appreciate the quality of this drama and I am more than curious to see who will prevail in this battle for power.

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Dumbest thriller ever.

Honestly, I’m a huge fan of Dew’s acting, and while the core concept of the story had potential, the execution and direction were outright painful to watch. As a fan of horror and thrillers, I was expecting a grounded, realistic investigation. Instead, the plot was riddled with gaping plot holes, and the mystery was so poorly maintained that I had already figured everything out within the first five episodes.

The biggest issue lies in the complete lack of basic logic. Why would Phat constantly go hunting for a serial killer without any actual police backup, all while routinely putting Kay’s life in danger? Kay is just a writer, he has no combat training, nor is he qualified to handle life-threatening situations. It made zero sense for Phat to drag him along to every active, dangerous crime scene. On top of that, the finale manufactured cheap drama just to artificially inflate the tension.

GMMTV has produced some fantastic thrillers in the past, but this definitely wasn’t one of them. It’s hard to take a police investigation seriously when the main detective acts like he’s the only officer in the entire department.

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A drama that resembles real people in real life

What I appreciate most about *The Early Spring* is that its characters actually feel like people. It feels like as if we are walking in their shoes. we work, we fall in love, we have bosses, we struggle financially, and life is harsh in the end.

They are not always reasonable. They don’t always say the right thing at the right time. They can be selfish, insecure, ambitious, stubborn, kind, frustrating, and vulnerable. And that is exactly what makes them believable.

This drama doesn’t try too hard to make its characters lovable. Instead, it allows them to be flawed. Luan Nian can be difficult and emotionally complicated, but you can still understand where some of his behavior comes from. Shang Zhitao is not written as a perfect, endlessly optimistic female lead either. She makes mistakes, gets hurt, learns, changes, and slowly becomes more certain of who she is and what she wants.

What I especially liked is that the romance doesn’t exist in a separate fantasy world. Career, money, timing, pride, personal growth, and the different stages people are at in their lives all affect the relationship. Sometimes loving someone does not automatically mean that two people are ready for each other. That feels much closer to real life than the usual idea that love magically solves everything.

Even the unpleasant moments have value because people in real life are not divided into “green flags” and “red flags.” We can care about someone and still dislike some of their choices. We can understand a character without defending everything they do. *The Early Spring* trusts the audience enough to let us sit with that discomfort.

I also love how much is communicated through small expressions, silences, awkward conversations, and things left unsaid. The chemistry between Jing Boran and Sun Qian works so well because it doesn’t feel like they are constantly trying to convince us that these two people are in love. Sometimes you can simply feel it. They are indeed in love!

This probably won’t be the perfect drama for viewers looking for an idealized romance or characters who always behave the way we want them to. But for me, that is exactly its strength.

I applaud the makers of this drama. They created their own version of Masterpiece.


And maybe that is why they stay with you.

Highly recommended. 10/10 and you will end up falling in love all over again.

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An interesting premise

I really enjoyed watching this, and would love to see more of all the actors. I felt like the performances were believable and with the setting being in a high school, i felt like the motivations of the characters was realistic. The writers played with emotions and experiences that are common in high school, but made them have more severe and far-reaching consequences. I liked seeing the reasons for the wishes, some trivial, some deeper but all of them felt realistic to the characters and to the overall high school experience.

My only real complaint is that it was not a self contained story, and led to a set up for a second series. I wish that the series had been a bit longer and we had gotten an overall more satisfying ending.

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We're not too emotional Mr. Lilac

A passionate story. At the beginning of the story, there were many mysteries to discover at university and many obstacles to overcome. While during the second half of the series the protagonists had to deal with real life and the unresolved problems between them. They had to condense a lot of things and cut out a lot of characters from the book to get to their ending, i would have appreciated a few more episodes just to better explain the events and make them more natural (towards the last episodes everything seemed too rushed). That said i also appreciated that the story more or less follows the book but that IT IS NOT the book. Honestly the book is almost scary!! with all the things that happen to Little Jane, so I really appreciate that the series toned down certain things. That said, the characters!! I loved Tee and Heng's performance even though this is one of their first works they were incredible! Absolutely brilliant! Finally i appreciated the music and the colors of the series, makes everything very thematic, very mysterious and compelling!! In short, this is one of those series that keeps you glued to the screen!

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i NEED more of them

I just finished watching Don't Be Too Emotional and I am honestly at a complete loss for words. If you are hesitant about starting this, please just stop whatever you are doing and go watch it right now. This show completely blew my expectations out of the water!
First of all, we HAVE to talk about Tee and Heng because their chemistry as Big Jane and Little Jane is completely out of this world. From the very first moment they shared the screen together, the tension and connection between them was so raw and tangible. You can physically feel the pull between their characters. The way they look at each other, the quiet intimate moments, and the sheer intensity of their acting—it made every single episode an absolute joy to watch. They brought so much depth and sincerity to these roles. Little Jane being so bold and fearless in approaching Big Jane, and Big Jane gradually softening and letting his guard down... I was giggling, screaming, and crying right along with them.
The plot structure itself is such a wild, addictive ride. I absolutely LOVED how the story takes us on this huge emotional journey: going from complete strangers, to head-over-heels lovers, then back to being strangers separated by pain and secrets, and finally building all the way up to their wedding and a happy life together. That "strangers to lovers to strangers to married" trajectory was done so well! It didn't feel rushed at all. The shift from their university years into the adult working world made the stakes feel so much higher, and seeing them mature and fight their way back to each other made that final payoff and wedding feel so incredibly earned and satisfying.
And can we talk about that CRAZY plot in the end with Dan?! My jaw literally dropped. Just when you think you have everything figured out and the story might settle down, the writers completely turn everything on its head. The whole plot twist with Dan injected so much psychological tension and drama into the final act. It went from a dark supernatural romance to a total thriller in the best way possible. It kept me on the edge of my seat, desperately waiting for the next scene because I had no idea how they were going to resolve all the chaos.
Overall, this drama has everything: top-tier acting, unbelievable romantic chemistry, dark supernatural vibes, an insane late-game plot twist, and a deeply satisfying happy ending that leaves you smiling for days. It has easily jumped into my top favorite Thai dramas of all time. 10/10, zero regrets, and I will definitely be rewatching it very soon!
I hope we will get more if them in future.

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Phenomenal Acting Trapped in a Somewhat Flawed Story

I have been into BL for 20 years so I have seen and read endless stories by this point. I also want to start by saying I looked forward to each episode coming out during the original 6 week airing period while I was recovering from a very invasive surgery.

I really believe had the director & editor listened to more of Ayden and Elio's (Lyu Sitong) inputs that it would have even higher ratings. During their watch reviews of the episodes they mention several times scenes being done differently than they would have wanted. I know many outstanding shots Elio did were taken out and I really think they would have added more to the final storyline. This would have truly shown people what a fantastic actor he is, I feel it almost robs him of letting people see him shine. I also wish they gave him a different hairstyle and clothes as they didn't suit him at all. He even mentioned the wigs being awful to wear and the clothes were too big on him.

I watched every episode and often go back to specific parts that I enjoy. The chemistry between Ayden and Elio is undeniable and their kissing scenes are some of the best I have ever seen. From around episode 9, it became much harder for me to watch as that's when it gets the darkest and around 11-12 it felt rather disjointed in places. I believe it needed a few more episodes to make the story flow more smoothly and not feel as rushed. As its over a course of ten years and a lot happens between Yichen and Lu feng.

Considering the original story the show is based off of it was certainly toned down a lot.. but I also stopped enjoying toxic storylines a long time ago. I don't condone any of the horrible behaviors, but I know its a dark romance so I have to be realistic regarding the extremely dark themes: The story explores deep psychological obsession, forced confinement, severe family betrayal, trauma, and non-consensual dynamics.

They all seemed petty at times where just being honest would have brought them closer together rather than hurting one another. I understand its angst based but I am too old for constant miscommunication especially when it can be solved in a single discussion. I absolutely hated the parents as it really was their disdain and homophobic beliefs that caused endless pain and grief. Lu feng's father was incredibly abusive, horrible and when he died I felt relieved he couldn't hit Lu feng anymore.

I am glad they showed a main character dealing with bipolar disorder, if you rewatch the show a second time you will notice there are signs from the start. Lu feng getting treatment as well as seeing a therapist was important and we need more stories that show characters dealing with their mental health. However, I dont know if framing severe domestic abuse and control through a bipolar diagnosis was handled realistically or effectively by the writers. I also didn't approve of the Therapist seeing Yichen locked up in the house and did nothing? That didn't make sense as he would have called the police as a professional if a client is hurting someone.

I wish Ayden could have used his voice for the series and not be dubbed over. I understand its incredibly common in Chinese productions and they mainly did it because of the characters background as a wealthy mainland Chinese heir. Yet, I feel his own voice would have delivered a deeper, more vulnerable weight to his scenes. Because Ayden is Singaporean his accent was apparently too noticeable when speaking mandarin.

The music is great, I frequently listen to the soundtracks still months after the show and found they picked the perfect songs for each scene. I also loved that Ayden's voice was shown in solo tracks and duets, even though his voice was dubbed for the show.

I am really glad the show happened because it brought Ayden and Elio more job opportunities and has shown the world their wonderful acting abilities. I do regret during and after the show, they have had to deal with their BTS content and personal information being sold & released without permission to toxic people who try and use it against them. They have been harassed, mobbed, stalked and insulted a lot which is just disgusting. They are such kind people who are sincere and love their fanbase (little pillows) a lot.

I would say to anyone questioning to please give the show a chance! It might not be everyone's cup of tea but there are many moments I loved and I never would have realized had I not watched the show how beautiful & adorable Ayden and Elio's real life bond is. I hope they can work together on another production soon that really lets both of them showcase their talents.

Finally whoever reads this, I hope you are having a lovely day and or night <3

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Would have been good if not for the disappointment of the final episodes.

Up until e21 this is 8.5/10 for me. The airport setting is fun, maybe not too well researched, but nonetheless interesting enough. FL's acidic & quippy personality is endlessly entertaining & the chemistry may not be amazing or anything, but there is nothing wrong with this pairing. Looking at the first 15-20 epis, for the most part this is about as good as a cdrama romcom can get in 2026.

Anyway I have 2 big issues with this show. Firstly as I already mentioned the final episodes are not great. The nearly last minute breakup is egregious. Yes, it's easy to justify why FL would do this, but the narrative timing & the scenes leading up to it make it horrid. Furthermore FL also makes up with her mom, I understand that skipping this rarely passes censorship, but nonetheless it's still ever so annoying. Is it really that hard to write a toxic parent that just doesn't return into their children's lives before the ending credits roll? (though for all I know it could be hard, who knows what hidden rules exist related to showing parentage)

Secondly ML's behavior is beyond assertive, like he could have been sued for sexual harassment many times over for his actions, so often the FL has to forcefully remove his hand from her wrist, or there is the aggressive walk into FL's personal space. Even for the Chinese audiences this should've been too much toxic alpha male crap.

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I can't believe people are raving about this drama!

I can't believe people are raving about this drama! I was lured into this drama based on people's comments about the chemistry between the lead characters. The ML is abusive and they are romanticizing it! Wth. Don't bill this as a romance if you are going to have a toxic power imbalanced relationship as the main story. I mean the chemistry is great, but so what! I only made it halfway through the series and that was too far. I had to drop this. If you've ever been in an abusive relationship yourself as a woman, this should be hard for you to watch. Men like Luke don't change, they only get worse over time. I am not into these dramas for the struggle love. That's easy enough to find in the real world. If you can watch this and ignore all of the red flags, more power to you. Otherwise, please save your time and your sanity. If I could give this a negative rating, I would.

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The First Cdrama that got me Obsessed

*The Early Spring* is the first C-drama that caught and kept my attention all the way to the end. It is also the first drama that made me want to write a review on kisskh. That is how obsessed and in love I am with it. I have watched and rewatched the episodes more than 20 times and read the entire novel more than 10 times. Somehow, I still haven't gotten tired of Luke and Flora.

What I love most is how flawed and human the characters are. Luke and Flora make mistakes, hurt each other, fail to communicate, and sometimes make frustrating choices, but they also grow throughout the years. Jing Boran is the perfect Luke for me. He captures his arrogance, intelligence, dry humor, emotional restraint, vulnerability, and contradictions so well that even when Luke is being difficult, I can't look away.

I also completely fell in love with Sun Qian as Shang Zhitao. Her acting is quieter and more restrained, and I especially love the subtle changes in her expressions, posture, and body language as Flora matures. But what truly sold this drama to me was Sun Qian and Jing Boran's chemistry. Their physical ease and natural skinship make Luke and Flora feel genuinely attracted to each other, and as the years pass, their closeness becomes so habitual and lived-in that I could believe these two people had really been together for years.

The OST also deserves so much praise. Every song feels perfectly matched to the story and the scenes in which it appears. The music isn't simply playing in the background—it becomes part of the emotional experience, making an already beautiful drama even more immersive.

Having read the novel, I understand why some viewers feel that the ending was rushed, and there are parts of the novel I would have loved to see explored more deeply. Still, I love *The Early Spring* just the way it is. It isn't perfect, and neither are its characters, but maybe that's exactly why I love it so much. Sun Qian first caught my attention, but she and Jing Boran together made me fall completely in love with Luke, Flora, and *The Early Spring*. ❤️

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