Reviews

Think of the most unlikely pairing and this jdorama has it

This is probably one of the best romance jdoramas I have seen in 20 years. (My favorite, "Long Vacation" with Takuya Kimura came out 30 years ago, followed by "Hana Yori Dango" which came out nearly 20 years ago. "Bandage" with Jin Akanishi came out in 2010.) Now, we have "Ai no, Gakko." which ranks up there with the best romance jdoramas and will turn the actor (Raul) who played the male lead Kaoru/Taiga into a once-in-a-generation, household name.

From start to finish, the story, production value and acting are top notch AND it's an original screenplay (not a manga adaptation)!

STORY: "Ai no Gakko" is a slice of life jdrama modern day romance about 2 common tropes: forbidden love and opposites attract- this time between a straitlaced, serious sheltered older female teacher and a flamboyant, worldly, playful, younger male host. The two main leads inhabit worlds that couldn't be farther apart from each other, yet remarkably, and, against all odds and societal taboos (e.g., host bar/teacher relations), they are drawn to each other and connect in a way that seems to work. Kudos to the author and production studio for keeping the story nuanced and realistic (for the most part) in spite of an unbelievable premise and to the actors for playing off each other and making their characters likable. Surprisingly, there few plotholes or loose ends (except for Kaoru's search for his dad, which is heartbreaking). Caveat that although it is a love story, it contains darker and mature themes of emotional manipulation, psychological abuse/control and violence. The ending felt a bit rushed as they had to make cuts to the story due to time constraints. I don't know that Kaoru has grown from their last breakup to be able to resolve his inner demons to truly be able to stay with Manami, I think his love letter to Manami is meant to show his acknowledgement of what she means to him upon further reflection.

PRODUCTION VALUE: The editing and cinematography were movie caliber. The cuts are not all seamless however, and the fade to black between scenes is noticeable and a bit annoying. Everything in the story and "set" is meticulously and intentionally planned. Even the way the words "Ai no, Gakko." are written changes as the ML learns to write the kanji, until the last episode, when he is able to write the strokes correctly. Even the misplaced comma and period in the title is explained as he sees it as a metaphor for their relationship. The author and production also place special value on props such as pens, books, scraps of letters, hats, and umbrellas, all which became important symbols of their relationship later in the story. Even the lighting and character hair styling and clothes are used to convey the mood and stage of their relationship (Notably Manami's hair starts in a bun and unravels as she starts to spend more time with Taiga and he teaches her to loosen up.)

ACTING/CHARACTERS: The FL, played by Fumino Kimura, is thoroughly believable as a teacher who really wants to be liked by her students and do right by them but doesn't seem to know how. She starts out meek and becomes the stronger of the two leads towards the end. The ML is played by Raul, a relative newcomer to acting, who is a revelation and his ability to go from sleek, sleazy Kaoru to fun-loving, goofy Taiga really shine to where I don't know whether he's being himself or acting. He proves to be an excellent foil to Manami's staid personality and teaches her how to freely live, highlighting how sheltered she is. He initially tries to take advantage of her naivete but has a change of heart when he is moved by the fact that she still wants to help him learn to read & write. And for anyone wondering what he sees in her, it turns out Taiga is a boy who, like the FL, also has a heart of gold, made cynical by his dyslexia and traumatizing upbringing and family circumstances. She makes him feel seen and feel supported, even when he doubts himself and is able to help him remove the beliefs that shackled him.

The characters all have incredibly well layered backstories and come with their own, sometimes troubled past and associated baggage. However, each character is trying to survive their past trauma the best they can and explain their own motivations for their actions clearly and directly which is unusual for Jdorama and makes the characters feel real and sympathetic (even if some of them do horrible things to themselves or others). Some redeem themselves in the end, including her fiancé, her dad and his mom - all of whom end up rooting for the leads to be together. In fact, I found all the main and side characters (and their storylines) relatable and as a result, likeable.

Interestingly, as an outgoing, smarmy, confident host who has no problem saying "I love you" to his customers, the character of Taiga has a LOT of trouble voicing his feelings for Manami. He is so afraid of showing any vulnerability that he can only tell her he loves her when she is distracted and not listening to him. Instead, he uses his body language to express his love for her: he grasps for her fingers, grabs her hands, steals her food, pretends to fall asleep on her shoulder and on her sleeping bag while holding her hand, and hugs her from behind, He says he can't kiss her because his lips are tainted by the 100 women he's kissed, yet when Manami tries to kiss him, he can't stop himself from kissing her over and over. He treasures the pencil she gifted him and takes her hat which he often looks at to remind himself of her. That said, I did find his goofiness a bit over the top and cringy at times but it made him a memorable character as I've never seen a Japanese actor behave like him.

DIRECTING: I heard the director spent 2 months having the leads rehearse and get comfortable becoming their characters and was open to them ad-libbing some of their lines (as long as it was something their characters would say). This results in scenes that make you feel like you are looking at a documentary (compared to other jdoramas) for its natural rapport and seemingly unscripted dialogue (probably because it is!). This is apparent in the beach scenes which are groundbreaking in jdorama because it feels like they're responding in the moment to each other and having real conversations instead of reciting lines from a script. I read the novelization and while the core dialogue stays mostly the same, much of the dialogue is ad libbed e.g., convo when they are trying to catch the bus, in the restaurant where Taiga asks if Manami wants to change him, when they are trying on hats. Taiga's actions at the beach were also changed to seem more natural (he appears on the train just before it departs, reappears to Manami on the beach and not in the restaurant, they hold hands only after they kiss, etc.)

The series holds up very well under rewatch. Episodes 5 (starting with his confession), 6 (first date), 8 (when he takes care of her after she faints) and the last Episode are my favorites to rewatch.

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I’m going to be completely honest… I don’t think this series moved me

I kept watching, hoping something would click — hoping I’d suddenly feel deeply invested — but that moment never really came. And that’s the hardest part.

It wasn’t awful. It wasn’t amazing. It just… existed.

And sometimes that’s more disappointing than if it had been bad. Because I wanted to feel something. I wanted it to stay with me. But when it ended, I just kind of shrugged.

Maybe it just wasn’t for me. And that’s okay. 🤍

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🌸✨🌈 Hiii~ Welcome to my kawaii corner~ ♡(≧▽≦)ﾉ✨🌸

You can find more of my reviews on Instagram~ 🌟💖

Check my homepage for my account~ (｡♥‿♥｡) 🌷

Some reviews are under 500 words, so I can’t post them here~ (≧ω≦)ﾉ💫

Thank you sooo much~ ☆:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:☆ 💕🌸

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Motifs - revenge, deception, exploitation, power grab, cruelty, forgetfulness, ...

What stood out for me in this drama was its cruelty. I have seen many war and crime movies in my life but nothing compared to the cruelty exercised in this drama. Revenge, deception, exploitation, power grab, cruelty, forgetfulness, ... these are some of the motifs. In my view, everything started going south the moment a scheme was conceived to use a 16 year old free spirited and loving girl as a tool to infiltrate and destroy her people. As if that was not enough, throughout the series, she would go on to lose all the people she loved and cared for. In truth, I felt traumatized watching this drama, and felt that the storyline had nothing going for it other than the constant cruelty exhibited on this one female lead. Then, when one wonders as to how anyone who had gone through such a traumatic experience, and at such a young age at that, could ever come out of it without losing their mind, ... then memory loss was introduced, which not only did it not resolve the problem, but it ended up compounding the problem by creating more confusion and conflict which then resulted in more pain. So, problems never really got resolved in this series, nor was there any discernible character development in any of the leads. Tragedy from beginning to end. Series unnecessarily made long. 35 or 40 episodes could have been enough. The cast was great just the storyline did not do it for me.

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A psychological labyrinth where identity is the perfect crime.

"The Art of Sarah" is not a drama for casual viewers. It's an immersive and unsettling experience that plays with perception, identity, and human greed like few others seen on screen. From the very first minute, the tension of uncovering the killer of "Sarah Kim's" body draws you into a spiral of deception, parallel realities, and narrative twists that defy all expectations.

What's fascinating about the drama is how it constructs two parallel realities around the world of luxury fashion. On one hand, it shows the visible face: the glamour, the power, the exclusivity. On the other, the backstage: the precariousness of those who aspire to belong, the debts, the ruthless struggle for a place at the top. The evolution of Sarah Kim—or whoever is hiding behind that name—is a sociological study of how the system devours and transforms people. She just wanted to live, she just wanted to place her brand on the market, and that obsession, understandable and human, becomes both her driving force and her downfall.

The betrayals she suffers at the hands of her trusted people and her "friends" are not those of cardboard villains. They are nuanced betrayals, driven by power and money, yes, but also by deeper wounds. The case of Kim Mijeong is paradigmatic: she "turns the other side" with arguments that, twistedly, become understandable. Her designs are what command high prices, her work has built the empire, and her desire to be Sarah Kim, to have power, to be the star, stems from a place of legitimate frustration. The drama doesn't justify it, but it understands it, and that makes it all the more unsettling and brilliant.

The great strength of "Sarah's Art" lies in its ability to blur the lines of identity. The plot twists are so clever and constant that there comes a point where you don't even know who the protagonist really is. Is Sarah a name, a character, a mask anyone can wear? The series places you in a state of absolute uncertainty: you could even be Sarah Kim, and that feeling is as unsettling as it is addictive.

The ending leaves you with a lot of suspense, and it's not a gratuitous device. It's the logical consequence of a story built on shifting sands. You have to pay attention to every detail because, if you blink, you'll get lost in the complexity of the plot. Every line of dialogue, every object, every glance could be a clue... or another trap.

"Sarah's Art" is a textbook psychological thriller, a work that demands the viewer be an active participant in the investigation. Its critique of the world of luxury, its exploration of identity as a social construct, and its morally ambiguous characters make it a unique and unforgettable experience. It's not a drama to be passively consumed; it's a puzzle that grips you and doesn't let go. Highly recommended for those seeking more than just entertainment: a true dissection of obsession, lies, and the price of success.

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I’m just going to be honest… I struggled with this one.

Maybe my expectations were too high because it’s ForceBook. I always get excited when they have a new series, so I think I expected to feel more. But I didn’t.

I kept waiting to get pulled in emotionally, and it just never fully happened. It wasn’t terrible, it just didn’t hit me the way I wanted it to. And that’s frustrating when it’s actors you really like.

I still care about them and will absolutely watch their future projects — but this one didn’t stay with me.

Sometimes even your favourites can’t save the story. 🤍

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🌸✨🌈 Hiii~ Welcome to my kawaii corner~ ♡(≧▽≦)ﾉ✨🌸

You can find more of my reviews on Instagram~ 🌟💖

Check my homepage for my account~ (｡♥‿♥｡) 🌷

Some reviews are under 500 words, so I can’t post them here~ (≧ω≦)ﾉ💫

Thank you sooo much~ ☆:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:☆ 💕🌸

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love it

I really like how this movie is completely different from what korean romance movies or series usually present. There aren't the pretty perfect main leads falling in love with no concern at all, with tose silly feelings. This is raw, pure and realistic. This is a really good representation of what real "love" or affection should look like. A handsome man falling in love with a not so appealing woman (based on manmade beauty standards) isn't something we usually see in Movies. Beautiful story, good actors, easy to watch no boring scenes the sound choices fit really well, well written characters (especially the blonde man, i love how aware he is, and i don't often see such realistic characters in koren movies either. His perspective of the world and people really is admirable) A really cinematic movie, lightning fits the scenes and overall to the mood of the movie. Definitely worth my time.

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It’s intense, thrilling, romantic...

Okay, honestly? This is one of the best thriller murder-mystery BLs I’ve watched so far.

From the very first episode, the tension pulls you in and refuses to let go. Every time I thought I had figured out who the murderer was, the show said, “Oh really?” and threw another plot twist right at my face. New villain. New motive. New suspicion. I swear, at some point, I looked at almost every single character as the killer. I kept questioning everyone — who had what reason, who benefited, who was hiding something.

The chemistry between Tan and Bun was just chef’s kiss. The slow-burn tension, the trust issues, the longing it all felt so real. And let’s not lie… Great in that fitted uniform? 🤌🤤
Absolutely illegal.

The second couple? Those kids were SO cute. They added softness and warmth to an otherwise dark and intense storyline. I think they deserved more screen time. They're so underrated 😭💔

But the Plot Twists Deserve an Award🤯

Jane’s murderer genuinely shocked me. I did suspect her at first, but just when I was almost convinced it wasn’t her — BAM. The reveal hit hard. And the things that unraveled toward the end? Slightly traumatizing😭

It’s one thing to know Jane suffered, and another thing to find out why she did what she did.
That part was genuinely disturbing and heartbreaking.

I kept praying for a happy ending. Or at least for everyone to survive. When Inspector M “died,” I was in complete disbelief. I was so ready to cry because I did NOT accept that he would go down like that. Seeing him again?
Instant relief.


The Minor Plot Holes👀

Now, while the series was brilliant, there were a few things that made me raise an eyebrow:

1. Why is no one locking their doors?? People just casually walk into houses at any time of the day or night.


2. They found evidence like the rope from Jane’s case and the injection from Pued’s murder… but never thought about checking fingerprints. Yet suddenly at the end, Por carefully uses a cloth to avoid fingerprints? Now you’re concerned?? 🙃


3. Someone had an abortion three months before their death… and that didn’t show up in the forensic report? That felt like a major oversight.


Despite the minor loopholes, Manner of Death is absolutely worth watching. It’s intense, thrilling, romantic, shocking, and emotionally heavy in the best way possible. The chemistry delivers, the suspense keeps you hooked, and the twists genuinely surprise you.

I would 100% recommend everyone to watch it at least once.
It’s a ride. And trust me — you won’t see half of it coming. ❤️

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BL countryside cute and very funny

PLOT: The MC, law student at his father's request, goes to his grandfather's house (who's in the hospital) in the countryside. He meets a young farmer, the ML, and gradually adapts to local life. This allows him to gain perspective on his current life (cheating boyfriend, giving up music), and his bond with the ML slowly strengthens.

+++ The CL is adorable ♡╰(ﾟxﾟ​)╯♡ with a very funny contrast between the refined and tormented city dweller (Do Won) and the solid, pure, and authentic farmer. Yoon Do Jin is endearing in this role.
+++ The story is solid, well-written, and the direction is effective.
+++ The OSTs are well-suited.
+++ The supporting actors (including the dog) bring a touch of humor without caricature (but with a terrible accent :).

### Almost too short!

=> A feel-good, heartwarming, and funny series. Recommended for anyone who wants a comforting evening.
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BL countryside cute et très drôle

PLOT: Le MC, étudiant en droit à la demande de son père, part ds la maison de son gd-père (à l'hôpital), à la campagne. Il rencontre un jeune fermier, le ML, et s'adapte peu à peu à la vie locale. Cela lui permet de prendre du recul par rapport à la vie qu'il mène (cheating BF, abandon de la musique) et les liens avec le ML se renforcent peu à peu.

+++ Le CL est adorable ♡╰(ﾟxﾟ​)╯♡ avec un contraste frappant (et très drôle) entre l'urbain raffiné et tourmenté (Do Won) et le solide fermier, pur et authentique. Yoon Do Jin est attendrissant ds ce rôle.
+++ La story est solide, bien écrite et la réalis° efficace.
+++ OSTs bien adaptées.
+++ Les acteurs support (dont le chien) apportent la touche comique, sans caricature (mais avec un accent terrible :).

### Presque trop court !

=> Série feel-good, heartwarming, funny. Recommandée à tous ceux qui veulent passer une soirée réconfortante.

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A visual love letter that gets lost in emotional translation.

It's a drama that dazzles with its high-level production. The decision to film on location in Italy, Canada, and Japan is not only an aesthetic triumph but also elevates the visual experience to another level. Watching the characters explore authentic tourist destinations brings a freshness and grandeur that few dramas achieve. Furthermore, the detail of including Japanese actors portraying Japanese characters (instead of Korean actors in disguise) demonstrates a respect for cultural authenticity that deserves applause.

The protagonists are complex characters, built upon traumas and emotional wounds they've carried since childhood. Both are adults with deep scars, and this premise promised a mature exploration of how the past affects the capacity to love. The soundtrack perfectly complements each moment, and the cinematography is simply stunning.

So far, so good. However...

The series promised a psychological drama, but it lost its way. The treatment of the protagonist's personality disorder felt erratic and, at times, exploited more as a dramatic device than as a sensitive portrayal. There were moments when her behavior veered into the illogical, generating misunderstandings that could have been resolved with a five-minute conversation. This constant lack of communication, far from building romantic tension, ended up being emotionally exhausting. There came a point where the overload of drama and frustration psychologically drained me as a viewer.

An interesting point was the introduction of Hiro, the Japanese character. His chemistry with the protagonist was palpable, and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic hinted at between them was so potent that, honestly, if it had been developed further, it might have been more satisfying than the main couple. His charisma and the narrative tension he generated overshadowed the central romance at several points.

There were also plot decisions that I found unnecessary, such as the protagonist's final arc searching for her mother, and other romantic arcs involving secondary characters that I personally felt were added and distracting, diverting attention from the emotional core of the story.

In general, this drama isn't a lighthearted, colorful romance drama. It's a story about wounds, insecurities, and how these influence relationships. Its technical execution is impeccable; the translator-actress dynamic, the reality show setting, the locations are dreamy, and the premise held promise. However, the handling of the protagonist's trauma and the communication between the couple, which at times becomes toxic, ultimately made the experience heavier than necessary. It's best suited for those seeking a visually stunning drama with moments of freshness, but who also have the patience to endure an emotional rollercoaster.

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Sometimes you have to listen to your friends.

My friend doesn't like gmmtv or bl's at all, but I do and he supports that. I didn't know what to watch and let him look at a list of drama's so he could chose my next to watch. He chose this series, best decision I've ever let him make hahhhaha.

Anyways over to the series. One of my favourite actor pairs of all times is DaouOffroad, I've watched all their series and honestly all of their series are in my favs list. Anyways as a buddhistic person this series is just amazing and I just love these type of series. Ofcourse, I'm writing this review after rewatching since that's how most of my reviews work.

Some series add way to many unnecessary scene's when it comes to these type of series. Luckily, they spread the scene's in the past extremely well and we didn't have recap of yearsss over multiple episodes. It was quick but the message came over. It reminds me of the Thai sentence: จับปลาสองมือ. This means trying to do two things at once, which usually fails. Like using past and present to much at the same time.

One thing I wish they had changed was the amount of random plots that feel like fillers. Vee stealing the stone was so stupid and I got second hand embarrassment of it. I get his grandma was about to die and everything but his first instinct was to steal the stone?? CMON VEE

San and Vee are such cuties omg. I love San slowly falling in love and Vee just being all over him. It was kinda hurting me how San slept with Vee but then kept being really harsh to him at first. But as soon as he fell in love swell they had the most healthiest relationship ever.

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watchable but forgettable noona romance

This drama had a promising premise and some genuinely sweet moments, but overall it ended up being an average watch with noticeable flaws. As an adaptation of Something in the Rain, it manages to capture the soft, slow romance vibe, but it lacks the emotional depth and natural chemistry that made the original memorable.

The biggest issue for me was the chemistry between the leads. Individually, they did fine, and there were some cute and swoon worthy scenes with decent skinship, but together their relationship often felt forced and unconvincing. Instead of feeling natural, many of their interactions came across as awkward or staged. The female lead initially appeared naive and overly dependent, often falling into the damsel in distress trope, although she did show more maturity later. The male lead was likable and visually fitting for the role, but his emotional delivery sometimes felt stiff.

The writing was another weak point. Many plot developments were predictable and heavily telegraphed. The female lead’s ex-boyfriend was clearly written to fail from the start, with obvious incompatibilities inserted just to justify the breakup. Some character introductions and situations also felt unrealistic and convenient rather than organic. The drama had a slow pace, especially in the middle, where it dragged unnecessarily and could have benefited from tighter editing.

The secondary couples had potential but were severely underdeveloped. Their storylines felt rushed, especially toward the end, with important moments happening off screen, which made it difficult to stay emotionally invested. This was disappointing because they could have added more depth and balance to the overall story.

The beginning and ending were the weakest parts. The start relied too much on forced encounters, and the ending felt abrupt and rushed, with unnecessary flashbacks that made it seem like the writers struggled to conclude the story properly. The final scenes felt more like filler than a satisfying resolution.

That said, the drama wasn’t completely without merit. It maintained a relatively low angst tone, avoided overly dramatic breakups, and had some genuinely warm and comforting moments. The acting overall was decent, with the female lead carrying much of the emotional weight of the story.

In the end, Love the Way You Are is a watchable but forgettable romance. It has its sweet moments and decent performances, but weak writing, lack of strong chemistry, and pacing issues prevent it from being truly memorable. I’d rate it a 6.5/10.

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FL was burden to everyone

I'm a die-hard fan of this combo and so far this is my least favorite from Ma Xiao Yu and Jin Zi both leads are delivers their respective role, the plot rushed at the beginning, and the pacing was off. Since this is republican drama, 9 of 10 always have bad ending and this drama included in majority of common republican drama.

SML is also very conflicted, his love is full of contradictions, and he keeps sending FL to her death. In the end, everyone helps the FL escape abroad with the intelligence. FL, from beginning to end, treats good people as bad people, constantly killing the ML, conflicted about whether she loves him, and then she leaves.

After watching it, there was hardly any plot, just a lot of chanting slogans, using one lamp to spread the word. None of the characters, good or bad, accomplished anything. Wait, SML killed the FL's parents. In the finale, he suddenly realized his mistake and died with them.

The script has a high theme about patriotism but a poor plot and the production lacks to make this plot conjoined with the premises. ML is restrained and patient, which is very engaging! FL is weak, constantly mindlessly killing ML. FL's sister is well-acted, very lifelike and intelligent. The whole plot can be summarized in one sentence: Everyone risks their lives to send the FL abroad. I felt like I watched nothing and the ending was no better. A drama with good acting, very patriotic, but also very empty.

Only for hardcore fans.

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A Masterclass in Gaslighting and Narrative Sickness

If Part 1 was a struggle, Part 2 is a complete, utter narrative shipwreck. The writing abandons all common human decency. When the ML finally takes rough justice against the people who butchered his family, the story has the audacity to demonize him with foreboding music while his hypocritical parents cry self-serving tears.
The final arc is a horrific soap opera. From the ludicrous cliff-side murder attempt by General Zuo to the explosion caused by Wang Yanji, the plot is purely designed to provoke rage. The 5-year time jump is a disaster, and the FL's cold breakup while the ML is half-dead is the height of heartless storytelling. The most insulting part is the expectation that we accept a "Happy Family" finale where the abusive parents are forgiven with a honey cake and the grandmother is treated with reverence. It is pure sickness to frame this level of emotional neglect as "harmony." Wu Lei and Zhao Lusi give elite performances, but they are trapped in a script that is pure, unadulterated nonsense.

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A Brutal Study of Child Neglect Disguised as "Domestic Comedy"

The first half of this show is an exercise in frustration. Zhao Lusi is phenomenal as a girl who has been marginalized, bullied, and abandoned by a cold, calculating mother and a monstrously selfish grandmother. You feel her isolation and her brilliance as she outwits the bullies of the capital. However, the narrative issues start early: the show tries to make the grandmother’s abuse "funny" with silly music and slapstick antics.
Watching the ML (Wu Lei) enter the frame with such intensity and pain is the only thing that keeps you going. You hope for an epic about two broken people finding justice, but even here, the Emperor’s "funny grandpa" act is clearly a mask for a weak leader who allows a 15-year-old girl to be a political scapegoat. It’s a slow-burn setup that hints at greatness but is already showing signs of the twisted logic to come.

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