Reviews

Queer Village

The film has impressive production value. It’s obvious that the people who worked on it paid attention to every detail, especially inserting the rainbow symbol — the emblem of the LGBT+ movement — into as many shots as possible. But precisely because of so many inserted details, the film felt staged to me rather than authentic. The acting, though solid, is at times caricatured for comic effect, but to me it came across as overacted. I admit that in one absurd scene, when the shouting between the characters resembled a rap battle, I felt a moment of entertainment, but the rest of the film didn’t feel like a comedy.

The film has a mission to promote understanding of queer differences in a small village, but I’m not particularly satisfied with how things were resolved in the end. Those who believe pride parades can sensitize conservatives and skeptics of queer ideology will probably be satisfied. In general, sympathizers will likely enjoy this film, but it wasn’t particularly convincing to me. If i had understood the motivation of the main character Man-ok better, maybe i would have enjoyed the film a little bit more.

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Girl Power Rules, Male Redemption Sells

The Early Spring is a show about a man who says rude and nonsensical things whenever he feels intimidated, and a woman who enters into a relationship with her boss expecting a completely advantageous arrangement. She uses her sexuality to navigate her way out of sticky situations and consistently withholds important information from her boyfriend—both when it happens and even afterward, despite being asked. Forget friends with benefits; this is employee with benefits. The show seems to teach that a woman never needs to apologize, reflect, or reconsider her own behavior. Redemption is a man’s job. Even something as simple as calling a dog by BF's name is apparently not something she needs to reconsider —or even recognize as problematic. The man, naturally, is the one expected to reflect, change, and redeem himself.

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I Knew It Was Too Good to Be True

There are dramas that take a few episodes to win you over, and then there are dramas like The Early Spring that grab you by the collar from the very beginning and make you think: “Oh, this is going to be GOOD.”
Unfortunately, this is also one of those dramas that makes you wonder halfway through: “Wait… where did all that momentum go?”

Let's start with the good stuff, because there is a lot of it.
The opening episodes are fantastic. The story immediately creates an interesting dynamic between Shang Zhitao and Luan Nian, and instead of spending forever waiting for something to happen, the drama gives us tension, attraction, awkwardness and conflict almost immediately.
And then there are Jing Boran and Sun Qian.
These two have chemistry. Not the kind of chemistry where the script tells you, “Look! They like each other!” and you are supposed to believe it. I'm talking about the kind where they can simply stand in the same room and you can feel that something is happening.
A look.
A pause.
A change in tone.
The distance between them.
Sometimes they don't even need dialogue.

Jing Boran is particularly good at playing Luan Nian's complicated personality. He can be arrogant, difficult, controlling and occasionally incredibly frustrating, but he never makes the character boring. There is always something underneath the surface, and Jing Boran knows exactly how much to show and how much to leave unsaid.
Sun Qian is equally important to this chemistry.
I've seen quite a few discussions where most of the praise goes to Jing Boran, and I actually think that's unfair to Sun Qian. She is an essential part of why this pairing works. Shang Zhitao may sometimes come across as passive or uncertain, but Sun Qian gives her enough warmth and sincerity to make the attraction believable.

Another thing I appreciated is that The Early Spring doesn't feel like a typical fluffy office romance.
These are adults with careers, ambitions, insecurities and responsibilities.
Shang Zhitao isn't simply introduced as “the girl who will eventually get the handsome boss.” She has her own professional journey, and watching her find her place in a competitive environment is an important part of the story.
I also liked the contrast between her and Luan Nian.
She is more straightforward and tends to take things literally, while he is much more complicated and often communicates through implications, half-truths and carefully controlled emotions.
The workplace setting also works surprisingly well. The office isn't simply there so the leads can bump into each other every five minutes. Their careers and professional choices actually influence their relationship, which gives the romance a more mature atmosphere.

Unfortunately, somewhere before the halfway point, I started feeling the drama losing itself.
Not all at once.
That's what makes it worse. Instead, you start noticing that the story isn't really moving anymore.
The romance becomes repetitive.
At first, the push-and-pull between Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao is exciting. You want to know whether they're going to take that next step.
Then they get closer.
Something happens.
They pull away.
You think: Okay, NOW they're finally going to talk about it.
Nope.
They go backwards again.
Then the story gives you another moment that makes you think they're finally going somewhere.
And once again… back to square one.
At some point I started feeling like I was watching the same emotional conversation in different outfits.
And this is where the drama lost me a little.
Meanwhile, the final episodes suddenly have to carry all the emotional development that the middle section could have been building gradually. Things that deserved time to breathe are suddenly happening one after another.

I also think the drama could have done more with its characters.
Luan Nian is fascinating because he is flawed. I actually prefer complicated male leads to perfectly polished green flags, so his personality didn't bother me as much as it might bother other viewers. What bothered me more was seeing how often the same emotional patterns repeated.
He has his issues.
She has her insecurities.
They clearly care about each other.
They clearly understand that something is happening between them.
And yet they keep making things unnecessarily complicated.
Sometimes it works because that's who they are.
Sometimes it just feels like the plot needs them to misunderstand each other for another episode.
I don't dislike Shang Zhitao, and I actually like that she has her own professional aspirations. But I wish the drama had given her more consistent development instead of allowing so much of her emotional journey to revolve around Luan Nian.

I wish the writers had trusted the relationship enough to let it develop naturally instead of repeatedly resetting it. I wish some of the middle episodes had been used to actually deepen the characters rather than prolonging the same conflict. And most of all, I wish the final developments hadn't been squeezed into the last couple of episodes.
Still, I can't deny the appeal.
Because whenever Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao are actually together, talking, looking at each other, fighting, teasing each other or simply existing in the same space… the drama comes alive again. And that chemistry is impossible to ignore.
So my final feeling is basically: Amazing beginning. Incredible chemistry. Beautiful atmosphere. Frustrating middle. Rushed ending. The Early Spring gave me a taste of how good it could be, and unfortunately, it never quite managed to live up to that first impression.

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A Warm Hug of a Drama About Love, Family & Healing

The lakorn that will keep your heart warm.To the Moon and Back is, at its heart, a gentle love story about healing, but what makes it so special to me is that the romance is only one part of a much bigger story about family, parenting, acceptance, and the ways the people around us shape who we become. Regardless of the main couple, the story constantly returns to different families and the impact those families have on each character. It beautifully shows that an imperfect family can sometimes be the most loving and complete one, while a family that looks perfect from the outside can be filled with pressure, trauma, emotional wounds, and unhealthy expectations. What I appreciated most was that almost no one here is one-dimensional. The characters are given enough background, usually through well-placed flashbacks, that it becomes difficult to simply hate them. The more you learn about each person's past, the more you understand why they became who they are, and even when I disagreed with their actions, I often found myself sympathising with them.

And then there is Mata.

It has been a while since I have come across a female lead who was this effortlessly lovable. Mata is basically sunshine in human form. She is cheerful, talkative, free-spirited, kind and sometimes wonderfully chaotic, but there is nothing artificial about her kindness. She doesn't go around giving dramatic speeches about being a good person. She simply treats people with warmth and compassion, and somehow that kindness changes everyone around her. Watching her slowly break through Purim's grandfather's gruff exterior, win over people who initially judged her, and even earn the trust of those who were determined not to like her was incredibly satisfying. She doesn't try to change herself to fit other people's expectations either. She remains completely herself, and that turns out to be her greatest strength.

I also loved the fact that Mata's personality has a reason behind it. She was raised in a family where love, acceptance and emotional support were abundant, and that upbringing shaped the way she sees the world. Her family may not fit society's traditional idea of what a "normal" family should look like, but they are incredibly loving and supportive. Meanwhile, Purim grows up in a household where achievement and obedience matter more than emotional well-being. He becomes a successful cardiothoracic surgeon, but underneath all that competence is someone who has spent most of his life trying to be the perfect son for his father. His life is essentially pre-programmed for him, and the emotional pressure has left him unsure of how to understand and express what he actually wants.

That contrast between them is one of the best things about the romance.

The main couple is genuinely adorable, and I honestly did not expect to love them this much. They are such a good example of opposites attracting. Mata is bright, expressive and endlessly energetic, while Purim is quiet, reserved and emotionally repressed. Yet they fit together beautifully because neither of them tries to turn the other into someone else. They complement each other. Purim gives Mata patience and stability, while Mata teaches Purim how to recognise, express and trust his own emotions.

What I especially loved was that they became friends first. Their relationship develops naturally through spending time together, understanding each other's quirks and gradually becoming important to one another. Even before they officially become a couple, there are so many little moments between them that make it obvious why they are falling in love. Their flirting is honestly on another level. There were so many moments where I was sitting there thinking, "Wow, that was smooth... wait, you're supposed to be friends!" Their chemistry feels effortless, and their interactions are sweet without becoming unbearably sugary.

I could honestly compare the cuteness of their love story to When I Fly Towards You. The dynamics are completely different, but they gave me that same warm, addictive feeling of watching two people who genuinely enjoy each other's presence slowly fall in love. I kept smiling whenever they were together.

What made the romance even more meaningful was the way Mata became a safe place for Purim. She gives him reassurance, patience, emotional space and, most importantly, permission to make his own choices. She doesn't "save" him in some unrealistic way. Instead, she helps him find the confidence to save himself. There is a beautiful progression in the way he gradually learns that he is allowed to live for himself rather than constantly trying to satisfy his father.

Purim's emotional journey was probably the part that moved me most. I just wanted to hug him sometimes and tell him that he had done enough and that he deserved to live the life he wanted. His father's pressure shaped so much of his insecurity despite how intelligent, capable and accomplished he is. What I liked was that the drama never makes him suddenly rebellious overnight. His change is gradual, and Mata is simply one of the people who helps him realise that he has choices. The scene where he finally allows himself to break down after trying so hard to remain strong for everyone around him was especially effective. I could feel the weight he had been carrying for years.

His relationship with his father was also far more complicated than simply "strict father versus good son." There is clearly love between them, even when that love becomes controlling and damaging. That complexity made their conflict much more believable. The actor playing his father did an excellent job because you could genuinely feel both the father's love and the harm caused by his expectations.

I also really appreciated Purim's circle of doctor friends. They may tease him constantly, but underneath the jokes they genuinely care about him and want him to be happy. Their advice is often surprisingly thoughtful, and I loved seeing Purim surrounded by people who could support him without controlling him. It made the contrast with his father even stronger.

The family aspect is where the drama really shines for me. The story explores so many different kinds of families and parenting styles without reducing them to simple good and bad categories. It shows how parents can love their children while still hurting them, how children can carry wounds for years because of the way they were raised, and how sometimes the family you create or choose for yourself can be more healing than the family you were born into.

Trai and Paeng's story is another example of this. Their situations were painful to watch because you could see how deeply their upbringing affected them. Even when they made questionable choices, it was difficult for me to completely dismiss them because the drama lets you understand where their behaviour comes from. I found myself hoping that they would eventually find the strength to stand on their own rather than simply continuing the cycle they were raised in.

And that is something I really loved about this drama: the supporting cast is not treated as filler.

The supporting characters are basically the MSG of the whole drama. The dramatic aunties, Purim's nosy colleagues, the neighbours, the family members and all the people who enter the story each bring something to it. They make the world feel alive. Everyone has their own personality, history and relationships, and the drama takes the time to show those connections. Even characters who initially seemed annoying eventually received enough context for me to understand them better.

Grace was another character I particularly appreciated because she represents the kind of kindness and compassion that the drama keeps returning to. Her approach to difficult situations is rarely about anger or judgment. Instead, she encourages people to understand one another and respond with empathy. That message could easily have become preachy, but here it was woven naturally into the characters and their relationships.

I also thought the representation of Mata's unconventional family was handled beautifully. The characters are simply part of the family and part of the story. Their education, personalities, struggles and relationships are explored naturally, rather than making their identities the entire point of their existence. For me, that made the portrayal feel much more genuine and respectful.

Another unexpected highlight for me was the dogs. Olive and the other furry little stars genuinely added something to the drama. I loved seeing Olive slowly accept Mata, and somehow the dogs became these little character detectors. The people they trusted were usually the ones with good hearts, which made their presence even more charming.

There is also a lovely sense of community throughout the drama. The nosy neighbour who initially seemed hostile eventually becomes one of Mata's supporters simply because she keeps responding to negativity with kindness. That transformation was one of the smaller but more satisfying examples of how the drama shows kindness changing people. The party scene where Mata is humiliated was particularly painful, but it also becomes an important turning point for Purim's mother and forces her to confront how much damage has been done within the family.

I should also mention how well the drama balances its tone. This is very much a family drama, but it never becomes relentlessly heavy. There is humour, friendship, romance, warmth, tears and plenty of genuinely funny moments. You can watch one scene laughing at the aunties and then find yourself tearing up over a completely different storyline. That balance is one of the reasons the drama feels so comforting despite dealing with some difficult subjects.

The central message about kindness could easily have felt simplistic, but I think the drama earns it by showing the consequences of kindness over and over again. Mata doesn't magically solve people's lives. What she does is create an environment where people begin to feel safe enough to change. That distinction matters. She doesn't force Purim to become someone else. She gives him the courage to become himself.

There were definitely some heavier family dynamics that were difficult to watch, particularly the controlling and sometimes abusive behaviour from certain parents and the way marriage and family expectations are portrayed. Some of those relationships felt intentionally uncomfortable, and I appreciated that the drama did not present unhealthy behaviour as something admirable. At times, though, those storylines were emotionally heavy.

The final episodes also became a little more melodramatic than the earlier parts, but by that point I was already so invested in the characters that I didn't mind too much. The foundation had been built so well during the earlier episodes that the emotional payoff still worked for me.

What I ultimately loved most about To the Moon and Back is that it doesn't just ask, "Who do you love?" It asks what kind of family you want, what kind of person you want to become, what happens when love becomes control, and how much a person's life can change when they are finally surrounded by people who allow them to be themselves.

And of course, the romance delivers. Mata and Purim are one of the cutest adult couples I've watched in a while. Their love story is warm, playful and genuinely affectionate, but more importantly, they make each other better without losing themselves in the process. Purim learns to choose himself, and Mata gets to love someone who truly understands and appreciates her.

This drama made me laugh, smile, cry and occasionally want to hug half the cast. It is not perfect, but it has so much heart that those imperfections hardly mattered to me.

A beautiful story about love, family, healing and the simple power of kindness. The romance is adorable, the supporting cast is unforgettable, and Mata is basically a human dose of serotonin.

A wholehearted 10/10 for me.

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A story of slice of life and a life lesson

Certain dramas are made to make you not just feel happy or excited. Sometimes it's meant to give you time to introspect and self reflection and second wind. This is one of them.

The plot really shook something in my heart. It showed a lot about life, living, forgiving and second chances. Each character had their own story and had their own arcs where they learnt and grew and became a better person. Not all might have got the ending they were hoping for but for them too, they left without a heavy heart. The plot was mostly character oriented. The only drawback might be the length as at certain points it did felt a little stretchy.

The direction was smooth. The editing between the older and younger character switch for certain scenes were really giving me goosebumps.

I couldn't help but praise the actors in every scene. The older actors are legends so they didn't compromise in delivering every emotion perfectly. The younger actors, Nanon, Piploy, Khaotung, View and Kay did a splendid job at catching the perfect feeling and delivering the perfect emotions. This drama is certainly one of the best GMMTV dramas in terms of execution from their in house actors and actresses. Loved every moment of their acting.

I won't say this was a drama that got me high but it definitely left an impact and made me want to watch till the end. It was great to see a drama that focused on life and gave a lesson to it's viewer to do the things that needs to be done today, whether to enjoy or to put in effort, so we don't end up having regrets.

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I really enjoyed the show, but the way it handled the time jumps was rough. The jumps happen without any clear indication of how much time has passed, and we only get scattered throwaway lines to piece things together. If the confusion was intentional and meant to make us feel the gap in the characters’ lives it didn’t quite work for me. Their interactions often felt like they were missing important emotional context, and it weakened some of the impact.

The pacing up until the breakup was excellent, but the final episodes felt noticeably rushed. It honestly seems like the original plan included more episodes, and the reduced count forced the story to speed through setups that never paid off. A good example is the buildup to her meeting his parents: they teased it multiple times, set the stage for it, and then it just never happened.

Overall, it’s a great show with strong moments, but with clearer time jumps and a less compressed ending, it could’ve been significantly better.

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More Than Just Another Love Story

I've just finished it, so my review will probably be too emotional, but...
But this drama is very, very highly recommended.

It's about true love. Yes, I know, it sounds very trivial and you can think now: yeah, another drama about love... nothing interesting. But, let me tell you something :)

When they met, he was the CEO of a huge company, but she... has just finished her studies, doesn't have any experience, but what's worse - she was insecure. But she knows what she's fighting for. By being hard-working and devoted to the work, she wins more and more to finally be a resourceful, independent and confident woman.

How about him? Well... it's complicated. He gives her a hard time at work, but it's quite a motivation for her. He supports but hurts. Loves but harms. Perfect at work, totally lacking emotional life.

Their love adventure begins from passion and desire, but suddenly ceases because of her anxiety of losing work. She came to the capital from the North China to improve her career and win the most she can. But it's not so easy to stop, when someone tempts you all the time...

By the time they go through uncountable happy, sad, trouble, hard and disappointing situations. Break ups and reunions to finally find out what's more important. The source of misunderstandings? Lack of honesty, which is the most important thing in every relationship.

The drama is highly worth seeking, but prepare a bucket for tears and a lot of tissues ;) you'll need them not only once ;)

By watching the series I realized, after many hardships in my life... that I maybe haven't loved anyone so strong yet. And being loved too.

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✈️ Taking Flight After Letting Go

OVERALL IMPRESSION🌟
I liked that this drama focused heavily on the FL ending her five-year secret relationship and pursuing her dream of becoming a captain. It was a sweet Female Empowerment/Regretful Ex romance with good chemistry, a capable FL and a patient ML who supported her without stealing her spotlight.

WHAT I LIKED💖
• The ex fitted perfectly into 🔥 **THE SCUMBAG ML’S GUIDE TO LOSING THE FL** 🔥—also known as **The Chasing-Her Crematorium Cycle**: ➡️ Neglect ➡️ SFL Worship ➡️ Humiliation ➡️ Divorce/Separation ➡️ Denial ➡️ Panic ➡️ Truth Revealed ➡️ Regret ➡️ Grovelling ➡️ Redemption or Damnation.
• I loved the contrast between the FL’s two relationships. She hid her genuine relationship because with a man that didn’t value her, only to announce a fake relationship with someone who truly loved her!
• The ML had patiently waited for his chance, and I found it adorable that all their classmates knew about his feelings while the FL remained completely unaware.
• When the ex returned begging for forgiveness, the ML allowed the FL to handle the situation herself. He only intervened when the ex became physical, showing that he respected her boundaries and trusted her to make her own decisions.
• The ex’s family treated her with contempt and blamed her for everything, while the ML’s family immediately welcomed her with kindness and respect. Her ex allowed his friends to exclude her and spread rumours, whereas the ML proudly introduced her to everyone.
• Most importantly, throughout the years, the ML remained in the background while the FL achieved her dream through her own ability and hard work.

WHAT I DISLIKED⚠️
• The ex trying to force himself on the FL was completely unacceptable. Their previous relationship did not give him any right to touch or intimidate her—it was still sexual harassment. I was glad the police became involved because far too many C-shorts excuse this behaviour or allow the man to escape without consequences.
• The SFL was unbelievably delusional. No matter how clearly the ex told her that he loved the FL and would never return to her, she continued throwing herself at him.
• Even worse, her jealousy drove her to sabotage an aeroplane, potentially endangering countless innocent lives. Her willingness to risk a tragedy merely because she felt threatened by the FL—and her complete lack of remorse—made her especially disturbing.

PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCES🎭
• The cast did a good job, and the chemistry between the leads was sweet and innocent. The story moved at a good pace without excessive monologues or prolonged abusive scenes, which made it much easier to enjoy than many similar dramas.

FINAL THOUGHTS💭
I loved watching the FL leave behind a relationship that kept her hidden and finally choose herself, her career and a man who was proud to stand beside her. The ML waited patiently, respected her independence and allowed her to reach the top on her own merit. This was an enjoyable Female Empowerment/Regretful Ex drama that I can happily recommend.

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First impression: Just wow!

After watching just one episode, I can already tell this will be a legendary GL. It is incredible with an exciting and extremely interesting plot, with great acting, and so much more. I love the supernatural aspects, and it is definitely something new.
Really excited for more episodes.

You can watch it on WeTV: https://wetv.vip/en/album/2uxsii1m3u1uh2w

Things I liked:
1. Extremely entertaining and intriguing plot.
2. Really good acting.
3. Cinematography.
4. Great chemistry. Honestly, their chemistry is off the charts, which only shows how good the acting is.

Things I disliked:
1. The start is a bit confusing with all the time skips back and forth.
2. Pheem. Okay, hear me out, I don't necessarily dislike her, but she is starting to get on my nerves more and more. I'm sure she will redeem herself eventually, but until then she's staying in here.

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Contradictions resolved by time on an arduous emotional journey

Lovely drama which took us on a roller coaster of competing prides that looked like (despite the attachment they both denied for long), even to go derailing when Luke acted like a possessive stalker from his car in ep.20 and escalated to (expected) breakup when they unawares hurt each other with sharpest word (Luke was unaware of his beloved's grief at losing a friend for a heavy reason, she thought he knew all along although she had not told him). But Luán Niàn made up for all his flaws, without losing his or her special sense of dignity on the way back on tracks. Shàng Zhītáo achieved her bucket wish list and tacitly agreed to let him share in it.

Luán Niàn and Shàng Zhītáo had already had a taste of honeymoon on their road trip together where Luán Niàn agreed to let go of his always impeccably dressed CEO persona to join her in cosplaying to please her, as Tibetan prince with her as his Chinese "princess Wencheng" in photographic match before the Potala palace. Shàng Zhītáo still kept too much for herself in episodes 20 -21 next, in which unforgivable words were uttered.

But the time apart finally led to correcting mistakes and cementing a match which had started when she first saw him in the grand atrium of the company, in first episode and he became aware of a silly but surprisingly resilient "gosling" that he could not help wanting to protect until she grew into the proud "grus virgo" like bird that flies over the highest summits. (She reminded me of the impossibly driven demoiselle cranes seen in the opening sequence of the Qomolangma movie in which Jing Boran [accurate pinyin for his name is Jǐng Bǎirán but the actor's name is consistently romanized as Jing Boran ] played the role of the martyr photographer!) Despite the cuts and sometimes too conventional choices (in the proposal scene for instance), I did not find the end too rushed, amused by the choice of an engagement ring that did not fit the finger perfectly and looked like it still was at risk to slide off ! (reminding of Shàng Zhītáo once commenting that she could slide on Luán Niàn's perfectly straight nose - one which still had a slight bump! )

I was also amused by the clownish disguise of the hairy Samoyed, somehow reminding of Huáng Zǐtāo 's bling bling marriage to Xú Yìyáng in October 2025, where the dogs brought the rings : although I assume the author did not consciously choose the Shàng Zhītáo name so close in pronunciation to that of the other celeb (noting that the two names are homophones in the final syllable tao, differing only in tone (first tone vs. second tone), which does not prevent them from being considered rhyming in Chinese poetry or song lyrics...). Also reminiscent was the choice of lavish flower display and "sentimental journey" for the proposal, it did tie in the drama with the broader celeb and c-drama culture, in a roundabout manner, getting back to the story of the real life CEO who wed his beloved after a long sentimental journey where friends and fans knew but did not tell... (Jing Boran and Sūn Qiān did not attend that high profile wedding, being too busy filming at the time, but perhaps the director got inspired from the widely circulated footage which went viral at the time of The Early Spring shooting)). Will Jing Boran next tie the knot with top model Liú Wén once CP duty with "sister" Sūn Qiān is done, this will be seen in "next real life episode" perhaps? They all but confirmed officially in June 2025 that they indeed were not just strangers to each other ; but "the couple has reportedly not yet announced the good news to the public, as they wish to thoroughly plan their wedding before going public".

Now, I am continuing the pleasure through watching some videos which focus on how the actors played their role : interviews, the video about the "intimacy coordinator" innovation (Tsài Jiāyīn from Taiwan organized the sweet choreography), the "Easter eggs" spelling Love from the moment Shàng Zhītáo broke the L key on Luke's antique, fragile, typewriter and brought it back, repaired to the moment when Luán Niàn had it mounted as a gem to grace the necklace he gave her before the ring....

Admiring in retrospect how the seasons were conveyed in the drama that was filmed principally in Beijing from September 5, 2025 before moving to Harbin in November 2025 for winter scenes, using artificial snow due to insufficient natural snowfall (real Ice and Snow festival there coincides with January and February). Filming officially concluded on November 26, 2025 at Jīnlóng Mountain in Harbin, on which several key scenes were filmed (the mud slide, the climbing to the peak to watch the sunrise and tie red ribbons to a wishing tree, take group photos, also the supposed location of Luán Niàn's renovated mountain bar). The drama took us on real and virtual tours to the West of China beyond the desert of Gansu province, to Tibet, to the southern sultry cities around Guangdong, to Harbin, to many places in Beijing, notably skimming around the hideous slate grey compound named Linked Hybrid : a "prominent architectural development characterized by its distinctive grey, grid-patterned facades and sustainable design. Designed by Steven Holl Architects and completed in 2009, the 220,000 square-meter project is situated adjacent to the old city wall and comprises eight residential towers linked by skybridges".

Edit : And yet, this was not his residence: "he" had chosen even more upscale, the brand-new avant-garde eco-friendly and four color rare jewel like Kamarica granite adorning the facade and living rooms of the exclusive development called Vanke Nava in Beixiaoying, a stone's throw away from Olympic park on 4th ring road, and much longer to Lufthansa center on 3rd ring road. That's where I had to do a double take to check on the etching of the NAVA name when Shàng Zhītáo made her way out after having heard in passing the weather forecast for Saturday April 12, 2013... But but but, yes, mighty Luan Nian had the power to tweak not only the mind of his gosling, but even time-strands, since architect Jean Nouvel only was commissioned to start on that project in 2016 and the apartments were not delivered to über rich owners before 2023! Besides, our shrewd but somber color lover ML had disrespectfully disregarded the "warm yellow and white tones" of the interior design, to make it his dark den. Only take he kept were the electric curtains to let some dim water-laden light in before leaving to torment his clients and the colleagues who did not bow to him, after having slept in his black sheets, prince of Hell like!

This was the barren monk-like minimalist designed, if huge, apartment in which Luán Niàn had chosen to live with his huge fish tank in which the solitary white butterfly koi fish swam to the mirror like limits of the glass panels, until it got a more colorful mate once Shàng Zhītáo got entry to it. That first koi fish mirrored the cold, emotionally closed-off personality of its owner and the contradictions in the drama (koi fish are usually symbols of affluence and happiness in Chinese culture, not of loneliness and forbidding walls, sharp mouth, yearning for relief).

I am also continuing the pleasure through listening to the OST which is lovely : "You should know" caught the attention of everybody in audience when they first heard it in episode 4. It encourages to re-watch and admire the clues thrown in cleverly by the script and director, on the spiky road of the amorous journey to mutual surrender.

All in all a very satisfying watch for me, which stirred a lot of emotions, contradictory until contradictions were finally resolved. 10/10 for me (I am not stingy with rating when I like a drama.)

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Wayy Betterr Than I expected

I honestly didn’t expect to like this drama this much 😭

I came for the youth/time-travel storyline and ended up getting attached to basically everyone. The friendship between the main characters was one of my favourite things about the drama. It actually felt fun and natural instead of everyone just existing for the romance.

Eun Gyeol was such a lovable lead. I really liked how caring he was towards the people around him, even when he was dealing with his own problems. And Ha Yi Chan?? 😭 He was SO chaotic but somehow impossible not to love. Their dynamic was honestly one of the best parts.

I also really liked Choi Se Kyung and Yoon Cheong Ah. Their characters had their own stories instead of just being there as love interests, which I appreciated.

The family aspect was probably what surprised me the most. There were quite a few scenes that genuinely got me emotional, especially when it came to the parents and their dreams. I wasn't expecting a drama that looked this fun to hit me in the feelings like that 💀

The band storyline + the music were also a huge win for me. I genuinely enjoyed those scenes so much.

Was it perfect? Nope. There were a few moments where I felt things were dragged out a little, and some parts weren't as interesting to me. But overall, I had such a good time watching it that I honestly didn't care that much.

It's one of those dramas where you get attached to the characters and then suddenly you're sitting there thinking, "wait... I actually have to say goodbye to them?" 😭

Definitely recommend if you like youth dramas with friendship, family, music, comedy and a bit of romance.

9.5/10 🍉

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This is honestly one of my all-time favourites. It had everything I wanted. A really good story, an amazing male lead, great acting, romance that actually made me invested — everything just worked for me. There are honestly only very slight things I could complain about.
I wasn't that interested in the political side of the story, but I didn't even mind because I was so invested in the romance and everything else that was happening. This drama gave me exactly what I needed at that time. It was one of those dramas where I was completely immersed in it.

Even now, I still go back and watch some of the scenes. That's how much I loved it.

And then there's the cameo in The Return of the Queen. 😭 I was literally bored watching that drama, but the second I realised this couple was making a surprise appearance, I got SO excited. I was literally skipping through the episodes just to find their scenes. 😂

And when they actually appeared, I was genuinely mind-blown because I wasn't expecting them at all. Seeing them again was such a good surprise. It was honestly too much for me to take 😭.

This drama just has such a special place for me. It's the kind of drama that gives you everything you're looking for at exactly the right time, and that's why it's still one of my all-time favourites. ❤️

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A story of discovery but with no real kisses...

Of course I have to rant again, because in this story kissing has a deeper meaning especially in the finale. And both can't do it which sucks. That's a clear de-ranking for me.

But: We get a more realistic story, about disovering feelings one of the MLs did not know he had, about a stupid decision which could have ended a relationship before it began and about how to come together even with all the hurdles in their way. If you don't talk about what you're feeling, it always creates problems. The story was sensible told, some scenes are very emotional and feel realistic. For me, the pacing was off. The first half was very fast paced and there happens a lot, the second half is very slow, too slow imho.

Production quality was superb, even with some bonus landscape pictures which were really pretty and interesting. The intro song is also so "non-BL" and they hired veteran Erina Koyama for the rest. She did a bunch of soundtracks and a lot of BL soundtracks (also for "Love Is Better the Second Time" S1 & S2). You can listen to her work on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpPc7Q4cYWyynGkVls-ugLw

Overall an interesting story, more realistic as I assumed in the beginning. The only downfall for this series are actors not committing to their roles, even when Mr. Oku Tomoya was already in "Minato's Laundromat" S1 & S2. It's especially disappointing because this time the kissing is story relevant. Also the pacing is off in the second half where the story streched too far. Still, I liked the series. It's not top notch, but still good.

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