Intriguing
I don't want to say too much and spoil the plot. However what I will say is you will not be bored watching this. The acting from everyone was fantastic. This definitely is goes on my top 5 of thriller and crime dramas. The storyline unfolded in a way that keeps you completely engaged. If you're on the fence don't be, it really is good.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
NOT MY CUP OF TEA
I don’t usually write reviews I prefer reading them but this time I genuinely felt helpless watching all the hype around Prisoner of Beauty for absolutely nothing.I tried. I really did. I started skipping around episode 10, forcing myself to continue, and somehow dragged it to episode 18 before finally giving up. That alone should say a lot.
Yes, compared to some of the dramas we’ve gotten in the past couple of years, it’s slightly better but that doesn’t justify the level of hype it’s getting. Not even close. Standards really need to be raised.
The story? Weak. Outdated. The kind of plot that belonged to television years ago. Nothing fresh, nothing compelling. Just recycled tropes wrapped in slightly better visuals.
And the romance? Non-existent. People are calling it “slow burn,” but honestlyit felt more like a slow death of romance. There was absolutely no chemistry, no emotional pull, nothing that made the relationship believable or worth investing in.
And the female lead smart, yes but completely wasted. Watching her fall into such a predictable and frustrating dynamic was painful. She had potential to dominate the situation, yet somehow ends up getting emotionally trapped over the bare minimum of affection. And what affection, exactly? He’s drawn to her looks, manipulates her, lives off her, and still makes sure she knows he could take everything even without her consent.
Instead of conquering, she gets conquered—and blindly at that.
At some point, it felt like she’d sacrifice everything her pride, her home, even herself for something that barely qualifies as a “deal.” That’s not romance, that’s self-destruction dressed up as love.
If people enjoy this, fine—but it honestly feels like glorifying toxic dynamics and settling for crumbs of affection.
Definitely not my cup of tea.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Slow Build Lots of Food
This Series is like a Great Burger it is stacked with all the Best Character Actors -- But like a Great Burger it maybe at times seem a Lot to Eat -- The Premise is very New & shows the other side of Creating -- we've seen i the hardship of Actors but in this we are going behind experiencing the creative Writing process The Main Leads don't ever go Wrong I hate seeing people spit their food but it works with the erratic character that Kyo Hwan Koo is playing -- He does Characters well just like in Extraordinary Attorney Woo he plays an eccentric Character -- As for Go Youn Jung she is the IT girl right now even though she is 30 yrs old--she looks good I would have pegged her at early 20's I pretty much love all her work she just got something on screen that gets your attentionOh Jung Se & Park Hae Joon are practically in every series for the last 10 yrs They bring everything to the table everytime They can make any Series 10000 times better Two of the best Underrated Actors
Was this review helpful to you?
Personally, I get it!
I've seen some episodes a decade ago (SHOCKING!) but I never really watched it in full until like a month ago. One of the few Lee Min Ho dramas that I enjoyed. Stereotyping was a little off but it was the 2010s so what can we do? However, I love the chemistry between Son Ye Jin and Lee Min Ho. Also, I love Wang Ji Hye's acting as a bitch. Love to hate her! HAHAHARyu Seung Ryong's character really encapsulated the loneliness of an aging gay. He deserves better, and I love his interactions with Park Kae In. The unexpected friendship that formed between them was wholesome.
Overall, not bad. Just something that I won't rewatch in the future.
Was this review helpful to you?
Best Drama Ever
Love Love Love it. Not even kidding i have been watching dramas since 10 years way before dramas were famous but this is my no.1 favourite. I was not a fan of rewatch but this drama ufff i rewatched it for 7 times still not bored. This drama is my comfort drama , Main characters are so cute and not cringe. Female lead is funny , she makes me laugh not cringe. My rangrang is so handsome and cute in this drama i am unable to watch him with others. I want a boyfriend like rangrang. Ofcourse i relate to suzaizai. Both of them are my favourites no misunderstanding no love triangle no unnecessary drama everything is so perfect. Second leads are too good , their story has separate fanbase , I love how the makers handled side characters as well. Well everything is so good , please give it a try.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Yumi’s Most Complete Chapter, Yet the Shortest
This is probably the only series where I’ve appreciated each season more than the last, which makes the long wait since Season 2 feel worthwhile. That said, my main concern with this installment is its length. It’s difficult to understand why the relationships that weren’t endgame were given two full seasons, while the one that ultimately defines Yumi’s journey is comparatively brief. After such a long hiatus, you’d expect the final relationship to receive the most narrative space, not the least. This imbalance stands out and leaves a sense of incompleteness.Setting that aside, the season itself is exceptionally well done. Among all three relationships, Sunrok is the only one that truly feels compatible with Yumi on a deeper level. While her dynamics with Woong and Babi had clear chemistry, this one feels more grounded and emotionally stable. Even before the story confirms it, there’s a natural sense that they are well-suited to each other. In hindsight, the earlier relationships feel more like necessary stages leading her toward this more mature connection.
What distinguishes Sunrok is his restraint. In previous seasons, romantic progression was often driven by active pursuit, even symbolized through the cells attempting to enter Yumi’s heart. In contrast, he doesn’t impose himself in that way. His calm, measured, and respectful approach allows the relationship to develop organically. This understated quality makes his character feel more realistic and gives their dynamic a strong sense of authenticity.
Another notable aspect is the shift in perspective. Here, Yumi is the one who develops feelings first, while Sunrok is the one who ultimately confesses, creating a dynamic that feels like she fell first but he fell harder. In earlier seasons, she was more reactive, responding to the emotions of others, but now she takes clear emotional initiative. This progression adds depth to her character and aligns with the overall maturity of the narrative.
The primary drawback, beyond the structural imbalance, is how briefly their relationship is explored once it becomes official. The buildup is thoughtfully executed, but the resolution feels somewhat condensed. Given how strong their dynamic is, it would have been worthwhile to spend more time on this phase. That said, this season delivered some of the most genuine butterflies I’ve felt in a while, moments that felt just as exciting for me as they did for Yumi.
Overall, despite its pacing limitations, this season stands out as the most mature and emotionally grounded installment of the series. It may not have the same immediate intensity as earlier seasons, but it offers a more refined and realistic portrayal of growth, relationships, and self-awareness. It works as a fitting continuation of Yumi’s journey, even if it leaves you wanting more.
And if there happens to be a petition for a Season 4 with them, please send me the link immediately. I’ll sign it, promote it, and probably recruit others too.
Was this review helpful to you?
Dropped
Bland not interesting, not my cup of tea. It could be interesting but was bland. Positives : second lead, fl and second lead connection . friends circle were cute. It had potential to be when i fly towards you but failed miserably. Maybe my standards have increased watching wifty many times but i didn't like this. Negatives: too much of filler scenes than story, fl and ml chemistry felt off second male lead had better chemistry. Overall : DroppedWas this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
mediocre story with not very likeable characters
the FL and ML deserve each other simply because that's better for the ecosystem lmao.the only point i would defend the ML at is that he shouldn't have to be liable of FL's feelings when she had one-sided crush on him. should people just say yes even if they don't like the other person? felt like they wanted to show the ML regretting for rejecting FL way back in high school. only delusional people think their one-sided crushes owe them something and don't respect their right to reject. however, at all other points, the ML was trash nonetheless.
Was this review helpful to you?
Family bond
I could not stop watching after every episode.The performance by the actor playing He Zi Qiu was especially outstanding. His story brought tears to my eyes. The performance by the child actor playing his role was also very moving. I could really feel his pain and later on the struggle he had with his biological father.
Li Hai Chao’s story was so full of love for his children. I wish everyone had a father like that in all C and K dramas.
Why were all the mothers in this series so awful toward their children? Sometimes I wanted to scream and reach through the screen to give them a real good shake.
Every time i heard both songs at the beginning and ending of each episode i wanted to sob, they were so touching. I thing that whenever i hear these songs in the future I will get emotional.
Was this review helpful to you?
A CINEMATOGRAPHIC MASTERPIECE
ITSAY is true art. I don't even dare to confine it to the genre of BL since for me, this is more of a queer coming of age story. Boss Kuno and the whole cast knew EXACTLY what they were doing. This drama shows raw emotion, the fallible nature of teenagers in love and denial, as well as the effects of cultural intermingling in the parent generation on the child's upbringing.Someone on social media phrased it in a really funny but insanely accurate way: Boss Kuno's shows dare to ask the question "what if you were seventeen, gay and also a major fucking loser." And I think that sort of encapsulates how Teh moves through the majority of this story. He is a mess. Let's be honest, he is. But he's also a teenager. The bond between him and Oaew runs deep and they get caught in their emotions, and their expectations of each other. It's a roller coaster of INTENSE emotions. Sometimes it drives them (I'm looking at you Teh) to do insanely stupid things out of desperation and it makes one cringe while watching but at the same time it's so beautifully authentic. Billkin and PP Krit really delivered OUTSTANDING performances. I'd trust them with anything they decide to star in. Their ability to express the characters' inner turmoil and conflict is truly admirable.
Let's talk about Boss Kuno's incredible storytelling. The pacing of this story is zippier than other Thai dramas, which I really appreciated here. Still, nothing was missed. Boss Kuno told this expertly, I'm still in awe, how he created such an organic, tender and heartwarming story while also managing to authentically portray the everyday life of these characters and its impact on them by weaving in cultural aspects such as immigration (see old part of Phuket). It gives deep context and explains the boys' upbringing and the importance of Chinese culture in the story. It aids to make us understand the familial bonds of Teh, his brother and their mother and Teh's difficulty to deal with his feelings for Oaew, a boy.
Beyond that, the shots are stunning, the colouring gives the scenes a nostalgic, wistful summer feeling. Boss Kuno also managed to include and incredible amount of symbolism through colours, specific objects etc. and if you're able to catch on, it adds more depth to the relationship dynamics of the main and side characters. This is expert, artistic storytelling and I will never not watch anything directed by Kuno. That man creates magic on screen.
In short: IF YOU CARE ABOUT WELL WRITTEN STORIES WITH MULTI-DIMENSIONAL CHARACTERS AND CAN APPRECIATE ARTFUL CINEMATOGRAPHY AND EMOTIONAL DEPTH IN A DRAMA, WATCH! THIS! PLEASE!
Was this review helpful to you?
Learning to stop running away
What made this story stand out to me is how much it focuses on emotional baggage and the way people try to deal with it, even in the wrong ways. Both Kanata and Akira carry their own weight, loneliness, past experiences, things they haven’t really processed, and you can feel that in how guarded they are at the beginning. I liked that it doesn’t try to romanticize everything, it shows how messy it can be when you’re trying to understand yourself while also facing feelings you’re not ready to accept. Their connection doesn’t come from a perfect place, it slowly grows as they begin to open up and confront parts of themselves they’ve been avoiding. There’s this constant tension between wanting to move forward and being afraid of repeating the past, especially for Akira, and that made everything feel more real. In the end, it’s not just about falling in love, but about choosing to stop running away and finally face what you feel.Was this review helpful to you?
FAST ROMANCE
start- plot was good, should've been a slow burn, it's fast romance which doesn't make sense and feels forced or random,ml from historical era time travel to future by dream
i do not like the ml character much, he is already confessing proposing by 2-4 eps ? and and FML likes him back ? you just met how come you like eachother already ? i don't like historical but try watching, this is too much old and historical you can tell by clothing, so I still watched seeing what happens so she starts missing him because he suddenly disappeared while talking and then she has time travelled into his place and she's happy there usually people want to go back but she has settled down... now i quit because it gets boring I like focus on main leads less on side characters so they have switched I'm only interested in romance I drop if they're not romance focused
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Everything goes to shit when a man shows up.
Story of the friendship of a lifetime with life and a man™️ getting in the way. This is a look into the beauty of female friendship and how real friends will always be in your heart through thick and thin, no matter how many things get in between them, they always find a way as long as that love stays there.It just reminded me of how much i love my friends and how i should cherish them more 🥲♡. Beautiful cinematography, amazing acting, good music and well written script. Its definitely worth your time.
Was this review helpful to you?
A story that pulls you into the dark
It feels like everything I’ve been wanting from a BL that actually dares to step outside the usual formula. The plot itself is incredibly interesting, blending a long-running murder case with supernatural elements, rituals, and faith in a way that keeps you constantly curious about how everything connects. The crime scenes are genuinely chilling, the ghosts are unsettling, and there’s always this underlying tension that makes it hard to fully relax while watching. I really appreciated how the story balances mystery and horror with more emotional moments, giving space for both the investigation and the connection between the characters without one overshadowing the other. The dynamic between Thup and Singha is what really carries the drama, that contrast between belief and logic creates a strong push and pull that naturally evolves over time. Pavel stands out as Singha, controlled and grounded, while Pooh brings depth and vulnerability to Thup, especially through his ability to see spirits, and their chemistry feels magnetic without needing to be overdone. The pacing stays engaging, supported by music and visuals that lean into darker, more cinematic tones, even if at times things can feel a bit confusing or not fully explained. Still, the originality of the concept and the atmosphere make it a very compelling watch, especially if you’re looking for something different within the genreWas this review helpful to you?
Wonderful series
I loved this and loved the Korean version as well. All of the actors were great, except the FL is so unrelentingly childish and seemed absolutely uninterested in any type of romance. It was uncomfortable to watch those scenes. The ML (Song Wei Long) did his best, but she really let it down. She seems to have this persona in other things i've watched her in.I tried to watch it again after a year and I couldn't watch her, so I put my rewatch value at 6.5 because I liked all the other characters and their storyline.
Was this review helpful to you?
