Reviews

Surely Villain — When the Hero Walks Into the Dark Side

What if the hero slowly becomes the villain? Yep… that’s exactly the ride this drama takes you on. 👀
One thing I genuinely appreciated is how the female lead is written like a normal, thinking human. She doesn’t blindly trust people (and honestly, why should she?). Some viewers might call her foolish at times, but let’s be real — when you’re a criminal yourself, trusting another criminal isn’t exactly a smart survival strategy.
The drama really shines when it comes to the crime planning and mind games. If you enjoy watching clever criminals operate step by step, there’s definitely something here for you. That said, I’d personally call it more of a one-time watch — engaging in the moment, but not something I’m rushing to rewatch.
Also, don’t come in expecting heavy romance or melodrama — this one stays mostly focused on the darker, strategic side of the story.
If this drama works for you, I’d highly recommend Healer (still one of the best dramas ever — and yes, it has a great love story too) and Mad Dog for similar smart-crime vibes. 🔥
P.S. – Sometimes the most interesting stories are the ones where the lines between hero and villain quietly blur. 😌

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It Grew on Me … But Not Enough

I’m sorry, folks, but this just wasn’t my cup of tea. I’m also watching the donghua and reading the novel, both of which I’m really engaged in. However, I struggled with this micro-drama and dropped it last year. After giving it another go this time around, I noticed it grew on me the longer I watched.

I think the basic storyline is interesting, and some of the details were funny or ridiculous—even unique to transmigration or “sucked-into-a-book” narratives. The ending reveal was also nicely executed and would have been gripping, putting the whole drama on its head, had I not already been spoiled. Unfortunately, though, the overall delivery and the silly banter just didn’t land for me.

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Missed the Mark on Me

I’m a huge Yan Zixian fan. I’ve watched 19 of his dramas (and dropped three of them). But I’m sorry, folks—this just wasn’t my cup of tea. The beginning was fun despite its rough edges, but then it devolved into a low-budget disappointment. The banter was funny, and I liked all the characters, especially the main leads and the emperor. There were unique nuances to the premise that made me laugh and kept me engaged. But overall, the drama felt flat. Sometimes an underwhelming production can be elevated by a strong script or a powerful storyline—if one is lacking, the other can make up for it. Unfortunately, neither was delivered here.

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A good story, poorly executed.

I had no expectations for this series, but as soon as it started, I was surprised. First, because the series is very well produced, I could see some new elements from Copy a Bangkok, such as the insertion of the characters' names introducing themselves on screen, the insertion of the characters' thoughts, and the insertion of secondary characters with more presence. These elements were not seen in their last productions, so I found it very interesting. The story as a whole is interesting to follow so far, well written and directed, nothing that leaves viewers confused.

In addition, I really liked the casting choice, because I watched Black Valentine and several actors are from that series, including Mint, who is played by the same actress who in Black Valentine had a character in love with Natty's character. In other words, it's as if Black Valentine fans could finally see what it would be like if they got together. I loved it. Also, the actor from My Imperfect Family is also in this series; He acted alongside Enjoy Thidarat last year, and I really liked his character (I hated his villain role, so he was a good actor, right?). And finally, the series director himself appears as a character. In the series, P'Cheewin plays himself and shows how a TV series works... I LOVED IT!!!

I'm loving the meta-language. Seeing a GL being built within another GL is very interesting. We can see each step of how a GL emerges, from the castings and workshops to the demands placed on the actresses, the criticism about who they date, and their sexual orientation. It's really cool to see this portrayed in the series, to open the fans' eyes to how much they interfere in the actresses' love lives.

The script was confusing and poorly developed in some parts, and the non-conformities weren't good, but aside from that, the series is enjoyable to watch. Charm is a sweetheart, it's not a toxic romance, it's beautiful and cute. The actresses improved their acting a lot from the beginning of the series to the end, and the chemistry between them also improved a lot throughout the episodes.

P.S.: They need to give the character with short red hair a GL series. I'm saying this right after the first episode!
PS 2: I think Mint and Charm have more chemistry; I'd prefer the main couple to be Natty and Nycha... but I'll wait to be sure.

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Not the highest of Thai BLs, but worth watching at least once

That series is one of those, where everything works pretty well with each other and is very enjoyable... except the plot. The plot hinges on induced stupidity and characters not questioning things around them + it's very predictable. 90% of "plottwists" in this series are matters of 2 questions main characters could have (and should have, given the context) asked in the first 3 episodes. It's a bad sign, when supernatural show's story demands more suspension of disbelief than actual supernatural elements. It's not dramatically bad, but induces eye rolls after certain point.

7-8/10 for acting, chemistry and overall experiece (music was ok, but forgetable)
6/10 for the plot

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It all begins when the sister of the lead character gets married and, ashamed of her, sends her on vacation to Jeju Island. There, she meets a handsome man with whom she falls in love, but suddenly leaves him to return home to her mother, who is hospitalized for illness caused by the married daughter's debts.
Burdened by debts (house and hospital) she applies for a permanent job but among the jury there is him, disappointed at having been rudely dumped, who refuses to hire her.
But he finds himself being her boss in this department specifically created by his sister to put him in difficulty. The team works hard and he will protect them even when it emerges that his employee isn't married and falsified her CV to get hired.
The problem is that she's been passing herself off as "married," and he becomes jealous. So, he decides to rush things by marrying the girlfriend chosen by the family. Then he discovers that his employee isn't actually married (but did it to get hired) and that her girlfriend is also in love with her "husband."
They get secretly engaged. After overcoming his brothers and putting his mother back in charge of the company, he gets hit by a car and loses his memory. He leaves her, and a year later they meet again on Jeju Island and start their relationship over again. The situation after a few years: they're married with two children, and the couple they've known are still just friends (too bad).

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Dated Xianxia that's a little too long with noticeable crappy CGI/AI technology

It’s very unfortunate that “Love Never Fails” was filmed in 2021 but didn’t air until 2025 due to former female lead, Crystal Yuan’s tax evasion problem. Even though Hu Yi Xuan did a fantastic job stepping in, reshooting many scenes with the help of AI technology/CGI/green screen and Liu Xue Yi’s help, the drama still looks dated and low-budget.


Plot:
“Love Never Fails” has a very traditional old-school xianxia plot. It’s full of angst, misunderstanding, and noble idiocies. I would say this drama has 4 different arcs. The Heaven Realm was a good (but long) introduction of all the characters. Hu Yi Xuan plays a very lovable red camellia demon Hong Ning. She was innocent and sweet, yet not annoying. Hong Ning’s character growth throughout the drama was central to the plot and great to witness. Liu Xue Yi’s Jin Xiu is the typical stoic King of the Central Heavens. The second arc is the first of two mortal realms. I like the setting of the academy and seeing a more human version of the leads. Unfortunately, I feel that this arc lasted a little long. I also did not enjoy seeing ML turn into a lovesick jealous puppy from a more reserved teacher figure. The white camelia demon also irritates me. The third arc is my favorite as it's shorter, and I enjoy a different dynamic between the leads. I enjoy seeing a more human ML who plays a general that’s not too stoic and will chase after a girl (yet not as lovesick as the previous trial). I was also glad to see that the trials are over, now I am looking forward to the background story of the leads and what the scheme the drama has been alluding to by the Heavenly Emperor. Unfortunately, it drags and I eventually lose interest in the last 5 episodes or so. Looking back, I think the character development of all the major characters is the best part of the show. They have all matured so much, little by little through their different trial experiences.


Romance:
The main romance is very eventful. Hong Ning (FL) and Jin Xiu (ML) have gone through a lot. They have some really sweet and cute scenes, and also scenes where I want to shake some sense in them. There are too many unspoken explanations, self-sacrifices and noble idiocies throughout the drama. I was exhausted. Every time Jin Xiu says he will protect his little red camellia, you know something bad is going to happen. The chemistry between Liu Xue Yi and Hu Yi Xuan is fine. I am not sure if this has to do with the changing female lead. They are both great actors, but given the circumstances, it’s really hard to expect a sizzling, fluffy or heart-wrenching romance when you have to act in front of crappy green screens and AI face swap. I also find the evil, clingy third wheel very annoying, especially when he's there for most of the drama. Many viewers like the secondary romance. I like it fine, and they do have a more fun dynamic compared to the main romance. But I feel that it’s not given enough time to fully execute.


Acting:
The acting for the four main actors carry this drama on their back. As I said, Liu Xue Yi and Hu Yi Xuan are great. A younger Ao Rui Peng shows potential that he can be the main lead in future dramas (and we’ve seen that happen). The 9-tail princess might be the least well-known of the four, but she did fine (not great). However, the rest of the supporting cast is only OK. None of them really impresses me but they are not horrible either.


Production Quality:
Unfortunately, I don’t have anything good to say about the production quality. This drama screams low-budget and old. The Heavenly Realm is blinding me with all the white! I was even missing the pastel colors from other dramas. Everyone is dubbed, even for Liu Xue Yi, and I don’t think the voice acting is that great either. The CGI is dated which makes the fight scenes look like child’s play. The AI technology/green screen is so noticeable. The costumes for our female lead look great and Hu Yi Xuan looks beautiful in her different characters. Unfortunately, the male leads look like they are wearing oversized clothing. The top knot hairstyle does not suit anyone. Thank goodness I get to see Liu Xue Yi looking fantastic when his hairstyle changes when he was dressing in simple attire during the cross of the bridge and in the final episodes.


Do I recommend this drama? Unfortunately, no. I don’t regret watching it though, because I want to support all the actors' hard work despite Crystal Yuan’s departure. It wouldn’t be fair to everyone else. I especially want to support Liu Xue Yi for reshooting scenes with Hu Yi Xuan, and her great work stepping in and probably acting in front of green screens all the time. I just wish this drama aired sooner and the technology/quality is better.



Completed: 2/21/2026 Review #668

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TOP photo shooting

I really liked the novelty of the photo shoot. It's clear the cast wasn't chosen at random. They aim for high standards of beauty, including Miss Korea, athletes, and photogenic people like models and actors. I have no complaints about it, because it's beautiful to look at, but on the other hand, I feel like they somehow "look fake" and are acting rather than truly interested in finding their soulmate.
In this season, compared to the other four, I missed the part where they get to know each other in their bedrooms, where their personalities could have emerged more (where they sleep, when they wake up, small gestures like brushing their teeth together or drying their hair...) than in the restaurant or in a group setting, where those personalities aren't easily revealed.
During the last dinner, I was disappointed that they didn't show everyone's reactions to the two taboo things they couldn't reveal: their age and job. I also found it unfair that the questions weren't asked to everyone, but almost exclusively to Go Eun.
What about the news that one of the commentators, Hong Jin Kyung, was supposed to apologize to Mina for something she said about her? Afterward, there was a real sense of self-censorship and a restraint in the comments, and I'm disappointed about that. Personally, I think they're all excellent and never inappropriate.
Mina, for sure, was a self-centered figure who repeatedly disrupted the stability of some couples just for the sake of getting attention. I also find her final choice purely selfish, so as not to go out alone. A woman like Min Gee, direct and honest, my best, would have been much better. Another woman who made us despair was Go Eun, who, the entire time, kept three men on edge before surprising us with her final choice. On the men's side, I'll definitely remember Jae Jin with his guru-like aplomb: calm, reassuring, and quite intriguing.
"Paradise," the 5-star Inspire Hotel in Incheon, was truly a fairytale.
After every reality show of this kind, I'm always curious to see if the couples hold up outside the bubble that is the show, or if they fall apart in everyday life. In this regard, I saw that six episodes of "Single's Inferno Reunion" are scheduled to air on February 14, 2026, which I absolutely must watch.

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Its a must watch!

As I watched the first few episodes and the storyline, I found the idea of losing money in a business to earn bonuses really ridiculous and interesting at the same time. Since it was unsual and healthy to see the employees treated well, I found solace and comfort by seeing them doing well. Though it was all happened in the virtual reality than in real life. It felt good.
I really like the story premise. Instead of focusing on profits and earning salary for each month, if we could find a way to inspire employees to do what they want and bring out best results without worrying about budget costs, then the real world would be a better place to live.
I also found the line very comforting when Pei Qian says to Mr Ma that in Tengda, we fullfill everyone’s dreams and help them achieving it through financial means.
It was a really good line because so many people give up on their dreams mostly because of money and financial support.
If they had someone they could rely on, so many people would have bring out something beautiful and great onto the table.
I wish Tengda was a real company. I really liked this series. The story's purpose and message has been engraved in my heart. I will never forget such a wonderful story made me feel alive after such a long time.
Thanks to the author who created this masterpiece and the screenwriter/director as well to bring out it in live action version.
God bless them all. It was a great fulfilling time for me.

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Another drama of Pond Naravit and Phuwin Tangsakyuen of course here I come…

The story follows Thee, the heir to a former mafia family that has since transformed into a high-end luxury perfume and jewelry empire. Growing up surrounded by immense wealth, isolation and secrecy, Thee becomes wildly out of touch with reality—emotionally distant, socially awkward, and completely out of touch with everyday life.

His father sends him to Thailand to oversee the business there. Lonely and far from home, Thee spends his time watching his mother’s old soap operas (lakorns). Having grown up on dramatic romance tropes, he believes love should involve grand gestures, orchestral background music, and intense melodrama.

His world shifts when he meets Peach, a grounded and straightforward freelance photographer. Peach is hired as the photographer for the company's new perfume campaign, but he quickly finds himself in the role of a "love mentor."

Peach’s mission? To teach the overly dramatic and romance-deluded Thee how to act like a normal person: how to date without buying entire buildings on impulse, and how to communicate without behaving like he’s in a prime-time drama.

Thee’s original target is Aran, the model chosen as the face of the new perfume campaign. Peach agrees—half amused, half exasperated. However, as time passes, Thee’s interest gradually shifts—not toward Aran, but toward Peach.

With Peach, Thee slowly learns how to tone down his exaggerated behavior and experience a more genuine, grounded kind of love & life.

Now the question remains:
How will Thee’s family—especially his father—react to his relationship with Peach? Will they accept it, or stand firmly against it?

That's pretty much the story without giving the spoiler. Now what I like and don't.

What I like:
+ Seeing Pond act as Thee made me not know what to say… But surely I’m happy seeing him having different kinds of roles…
+ Always happy to see Pond & Phuwin on my screen, their chemistry never fails. And seeing William & Est, Perth & Santa is a bonus aside…

What I not like too much:
- There’re times when this drama makes me cringe so much with what Thee did… Haha…

Overall I’m quite happy to watch this drama…

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I quite like Fang Si Chang attire in this drama

I watched this because of Wang Kaimu and personally i just quite like Fang Si Chang's attire but her acting still average and nothing special for me.

ML is particularly good at flirting, flirting with her from the very first meeting. If you like watching Wang Kaimu's kissing scenes, you should definitely check it out. However, I felt that many parts of the plot were a bit strange. For example, why didn't the ML and FLs recognize each other at first meeting? Later, when they wore masks, they would recognize each o
ther sometimes and not at other times. ML's behind-the-scenes identity was hinted at but not really explained.

if you only watch it for the visually appealing ML and FL, this drama is pretty good.

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Keep your friends close… and your secrets closer.

This was a bloody revenge drama wrapped up in a innocent, soft wrapper. Nobody could have imagined how friendship turned fatal.

Storyline wise, it was intensely scripted. The characters Baikhaw (Pat), Tao (New) and Namo (Boun) circled around one girl, Tulip (Emi), who is a kind-hearted person who is soft-spoken and helpful. Her postive attributes garnered her with some amazing people in her life. But her fate has some other plans, while some only targeted her for the same. Baikhaw was evil not by choice but by mistake. The whole journey of Baikhaw and Emi was not smooth, but when they were together, they truly enjoyed their companionship. All the relationships will make you think how genuine and loyal a friendship or relationships can be.

The characters were highly flawed, raw and fresh. In particular, Pat as Baikhaw was just the most amazing that this series could have. And Emi, as her partner throughout the series, nailed the proper "non-doormat" girl who just trusted people innocently. Throughout the series her character was cold, calculative and chilling. I came here to watch the series for Pat, and I'm 10000% satisfied with her brilliant performance. Once again she showed me why she's my favourite actress. New and Boun as supporting characters were awesome. And not mentioning Jamie and Title for their roles would be a crime!
The OST was sung by Emi, and it was melodious and soulful. I can imagine myself listening to it again and again. This girl is so talented!

Personally, I feel that this drama is an underrated thriller by GMMTV. It was gritty, unhinged and chaotic. But it wasn't without flaws. Some situations start and end abruptly when people face serious consequences. They were roaming free like the law, police don't exist. That's the biggest loophole of the drama. The revenge that once was vague it didn't solve properly, and it lacked explanations. But if you ask me, it would be a great thriller if you turned off your brain and just enjoyed the performance. (Honestly, there were times when I asked questions about things, but I realized that the time limit was too short to give any proper explanation.)

Overall, it's a great bingeworthy thriller that one can finish in a day. I definitely recommend it if you're looking for some adult thrillers that aren't innocent at all and will go all in with unhingness.

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Surprisingly, really good?

Okay, I haven't watched the whole series and will update the review when I complete it obviously. But the reason I am writing a review after just 1 episode is because I have been trying so hard to find good GL series that makes me click next as soon as the episode ends, and I have failed miserably in like 90% of the cases. But this???? WOW.
I liked the poster of the series, so I decided to watch it and since I always give the first episode all the chance I could, I watched quietly. But as the episode progressed, I was like, bro this is top tier material!!! It was good, in fact really really good. The acting? wow! The cast? Everyone is fvcking gorgeous. The dialogue? (and this was the highest factor that contributed to my higher rating for now). It was so smooth and SMART. And I kid you not!! The dialogues are in fact better than many straight or BL dramas I have watched. Whoever wrote the screenplay, good job man. With years of watching experience behind me, I have seen many thai dramas trying to dumb down their dialogues between actors for whatever reason they have and that was my biggest ick about thai dramas (except notable few obviously). But this was done really good. All the conversations flow naturally, no dumb follow up for forced comedy. It just seems natural.
And did I say the casts are gorgeous? Even if I did, hear me again, they are gorgeous and make me excited to watch the romantic scenes between them, the chemistry. Yeah, yeah I have the fetish.
The plot seems good as well, they are moving with good pace, with good amount of suspense. I am looking forward to this.

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