Reviews

Most likely a waste of time

If im being honest i think if the plot woyld have been developed correctly this would have been a really good drama.
First i wasn't 5 minutes in and i was already cringing 😬, every few minutes something happened that made my skin crawl. The lack of not even intimacy but of contact made it so uncertain to know if the relationship was real or not. Two half-assed "kisses" in all 13 chapters and just the feeling that even tho all the dialog portrayed the ML (Sarawat) to be super inloved with tine didn't translate to actually physical touch (hand holding, hugs and kisses) the actors seemed to be really uncomfortable to be together and touching, which would have meant nothing if this wasn't a BL series.

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Relevant to Present Day

This is an epic which goes beyond entertainment and makes you think on so many levels. Even calling it outstanding does not seem to be enough!

As a non Korean, it took me time to understand some historical aspects but a second watch and background reading made a huge difference. It is much more than the story of a friendship which endures the unimaginable. It is also a story of power with many parallels to present day reality.

All leads and supporting cast did a phenomenal job bringing this story to life. I watched it for Woo Do Hwan, who performed spectacularly no doubt ( I am always in awe of the emotions he can convey with his gaze alone! Also how does he manage to cry like that?) but was very impressed by the acting prowess of Yang Se-jong (warm & innocent with but with nerves of steel), veteran Jang-Hyuk (no words, he can swallow the whole screen with his presence!) and a special mention for veteran Ahn Nae-sang, who played one of the most compelling on screen villian I have seen.

The supporting cast was also wonderful, the roles of the female actresses could have been better fleshed out but they made their own strong impressions nevertheless.

It is not without flaws, there is heavy plot armour, the time skips can be confusing, some age aspects between the younger & older versions could have been handled better. But I found these to be very minor compared to what the series has to offer and hence I am giving it a ten anyways.

I will look forward to more work from the makers of this project and this cast!

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Great storytelling, Perfect Cast, Superb Acting

Even before watching I knew this would be good. I was only familiar with Ryu Seung Ryong from Moving, Jung Eun Chae, and some of the other actors. But they all played their roles flawlessly. The family dynamic was so real, even the sister who Lee Se Hee really knocked out the park with her playing a way different character than she usually does.

This is one of those that will stay with you and when I just saw that it is the same director as Atypical Family I could totally sense the similar vibe. It was very soulful. Up there with Misaeng this is easily top 10 for me.

Just another masterclass performance by Ryu Seung Ryong.

My only criticism is the son's romance storyline, its a little bit kdrama cliche. That knocked it down to a 9.5 for me. But the actor himself was really good and he has a very bright future.

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Juu Hoo Jin and Sin Ji Seon Love Backstory

Up to episode 6 the story and the potential ending is very good. But, form episode 7-12 it goes downhill for me because of the conclusion of Sin Ji Seon love story.
I don't actually rooting for Juu Hoo Jin and Sin Ji Seon to be the endgame, but kinda let down on how Sin Ji Seon story end up. From episode 1-6 the buildup on Hoo jin and Ji Seon backstory is quite strong, but the story choice how it end is very bad for me. First of all, the amulet and enoshima island thing is end up unnecessary plot. the story is like shoved to make it Cha Mu Hee is the end girl. Yes, i know that cha mu hee is the female lead but i think it's too rushed for it to end up being end like that. Kim Yong U is listed as main character too but as a second male lead, i didn't feel like he is. I feel no chemistry at all from both Yong U and Ji Seon to being end up together in the end. I feel like Ji Seon doesn't know what love is, so she end up just dating anyone around her that she feels like. it's like cheap soap drama story.
But i like the scene where Hoo Jin and Ji Seon said goodbye to each other on their old feeling in the station. it should be more appropriate ending for me.
Conclusion is Ji Seon and Yong U love story is unnecessary plot for me because it's just to showed to people that Ji Seon has moved on from Na Jin Suk , it's ruining the story. It's like Hoo Jin love to Ji Seon in the past just being glorified but have no impact at all in the end.

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A perfect 10/10!

I wanted to watch this because it looked really intriguing when they first dropped the teaser for it, as well as I wanted to see more of PoohPavel after Pitbabe. This show blew me away. The plot of this show was so good! Everything was well thought out. Every issue and conflict was solved, relationships and character arcs all had a satisfying ending, and the whole show was just so enjoyable from start to finish.

I loved the mystery of the show! Everything with the ghosts and rituals was so interesting. The ghosts were creepy as well! I loved getting to see them all try to figure out what was really going on, and I loved that it mixed supernatural with real life murders. I loved that we needed detective work as well as supernatural and spiritual help from Thup. I loved the reveal of the who the killer was too! I loved trying to figure out who it was throughout the series!

For the characters
Starting with Thup! I loved Thup so much. Poor baby has gone through quite a lot. I was really happy he wasn't involved with the murders just because I liked his relationship with Singha a lot. I loved what he brought to the show with not only being able to see all the ghosts, but his knowledge of everything spiritual as well. I absolutely adored his relationship with Singha from start to finish. They were so cute together!

Now onto Singha! I loved him so much! I think he was my favorite character in the series. I loved that we got to see into his past with King, but also his trauma with his family. It was so cool seeing him be a safe place for Thup when he was seeing ghosts. I loved how he was a cop and wish all cops were like him. Seeing him open up more and more to Thup, as well as come to peace with his past, was so beautiful. And like I said before, I loved his relationship with Thup so much.

King! I hated his character so much at the beginning, but they did such a good job with giving him a good redemption arc. So much so I really liked his character in the end. The way he said goodbye to Singha was so mature as well and I really respected it.

I loved Mek, Darin, and Sey as well! I was really happy with how Sey and Darin's relationship played out over the show and liked them as individuals as well. Mek was great as well and I thought it was funny how often he was with Thup and Singha during a flirty moment.

Other things I loved!
-Everyone did a phenomenal job with the acting! Pooh and Pavel especially! Their acting really got to shine in this series.
-The makeup team did a great job with the ghosts and the bodies for the ritual. Truly creepy!
-The OST is PEAK! I listen to it all the time. I loved all the versions of it they used throughout the series as well, especially the piano version.

Overall thoughts
I just absolutely loved this show and looked forward to it every week! I'm truly going to miss it! I have no complaints about it at all. A true 10/10

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This Revenge mini drama is WORTH your time

This was my first Zhao Xi Xi drama and I LOVE it!! I stumbled upon this drama, on a Saturday night after doing some studying, and I was looking for a drama to make me feel like I enjoyed part of my weekend. The storyline is on point, and the actors delivered, and that includes the child actor as well. Zhao Xi Xi was great, she portrayed the character's emotions well, and I got hooked. I was planning to watch 5 episodes then call it a night, but fast forward to 12 episodes later and at 2 a.m in the morning, I was very much still captivated. I finished the drama ASAP the next day!!! In summary, this drama is worth your time.

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Girl needs revege. And fills for her acrylics.

This is actually my first short-form Republic Era that I didn't have to stop watching for Time Period Crimes (I'm looking at you, Bound By Sin), and over all? I enjoyed it. It was face-paced, and aware of what it was doing, and doing it as hard as it could on its shoestring budget.

Most of the show takes place in closed rooms and courtyards, saving their locations for the finale, but since this is such an intimate story, the claustrophobic nature works. We're mostly watching individuals square off in intense emotional situations. The story is all revenge, manipulation, betrayal, false love and true love, all the best soapy tropes. It is the sort of show where people have no peripheral vision, must hold still while someone monologues, and recover from intense injuries in days. Also, if you're going to die, odds are it will be the tidiest headshot imaginable. But it's a familiar heightened reality that feels pleasantly old-fashioned, and fun.

Liu Nian is doing wonderfully as the betrayed Liang Yu, going from naive girl to the competent bride of a crime boss. She's keeping the tone from being too dark, and holding her own despite the men around her. Wang Ze Xuan is delightfully horrible, as a conniving murdering bridegroom. Ryan Ren... felt a little uncomfortable in some of the earliest episodes, but he settles, and carries his quiet intensity through the remainder of the show. He simmers well with Liu Nian when the characters are on a more even footing. And this is a simmery show; there was a lot of sexual tension between the two that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Now, there are Time Period Misdemeanors. I am particular about that; I hate watching something that has ZERO respect for the time period while trying to capitalize on it. You guys; plastic surgery like this absolutely did not exist, and even if it did, it would take way longer than, like, a month to heal from. But if you can just deal with that nonsense, then there will only be a few other things you shut your eyes and pretend you didn't see. Most of the wardrobe is generally tolerable. They largely avoided the awful 'Gatsby' idea of how women dressed by sticking women in cheongsam most of the time. Granted, they have the wrong kinds of giant tacky jewelry, modern glam make-up and eyelashes, terrible 1980's hats AND horrible 1970's platform shoes, but breathe. Breathe. The men are just in uniforms or modern suits- also with the wrong footwear and big ass modern aviator sunglasses. But, we breathe. We also stare at that that terrible brutalist wine decanter they REUSED THREE TIMES- and exhale. And then there are the nails. OMG the nails. Big thick acrylics that look like claws, that you can see when they grew out in close-ups.

I ended up just being amused by these misdemeanors, because they're trying their best. We're also not supposed to take all of this very seriously, and everybody else is being so earnest, I was able to let it go. They couldn't even afford one car, bless them.

Over all, this is carried on the intricate writing of the close-knit plot, and the wonderful work of the cast. Well worth watching.

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Excellent, the adventure continues ...

This is a great story, with a fantastic cast of characters. At times it gets a little difficult to follow, at least it did for me, but it's a great adventure story following Saichi and a full cast of characters for the treasure of gold.
Kento Yamazaki plays a much different character than we're used to seeing him portray. He's fantastic as always!! Along with Gordon Maeda, who is completely transformed from previous roles, it's great watching them survive in this wild east wilderness.
About half way through the series, it sort of goes into a higher gear, so give it time. You find yourself going from a drama to a blend of some bizarre situations with a touch of dark comedy. Each member of the cast adds something to the story, making you wonder at times, who are the good guys and who are the bad.
The series really pulls you in during the last three episodes, making for some great entertainment. It leaves you definitely wanting more at the completion.
Looking forward toward the next installment in 2026.

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Interesting but lacking

I have to start with they did an ok job with getting actors that look the part, but that's about the only good thing. The acting was limited. I have to say I I was not a fan of Kida Naoya acting as Mito, it felt like dry and lacking. However Tomita Yuki as
Ikushima was very spot on, i enjoyed his acting. The actors sadly lacked no chemistry and there for did not real believable as a couple. I wish the series did a better job with the story as well. The manga was so good but betraying it live action just did not work with this cast to much. There were parts that felt like it was not needed and bored me. I was looking forward to the ending but the over all series was lacking in a lot especially trying to keep my attention. Sadly was not as good as I had hoped.

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This is cute

This was really cute. Will definitely watch again.
I hate that Jin U’s friend/roommate betrayed him. I’m actually glad that when the friend confessed, Jin U said “I’ll resent you forever.” With the kind of rules that boarding school has there’s no way you can convince me that he didn’t know they would be expelled. There’s so many dramas where friends betray the other and the betrayer just apologizes and all is forgiven. I’m glad this betrayer is getting punished as well.
I love how Eun Hyeok’s friend/bandmate played Cupid. She knew he cared for Jin U and found away to bring them back together. And the fact the she even remembered what Jin U looked like shows how much she cares for her friend Eun Hyeok.
Eun Hyeok‘s mom seems like she will leech all of his money. She didn’t want him to be happy she just wanted dad to be happy and send money. And one of sisters can go fall off of a cliff. It made me so mad when she said “he’s not real family.”
I’m happy the boys reunited and will get to be together.
Jin U giving his sister the money so she could pay for tuition and go to university as well was the icing on the cake for me. He truly loves and appreciates her and you can tell. Even though the parents fled, they should have been sending money back to help their kids.

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Escaped the world, Forgot All Things, and Fell Down a Long Romantic Dream...Under Moonlight

I "fell down a long romantic dream...under moonlight." This is it... Xiao Zhi Yu and Hu Xiu 💗 Watching Love Between Lines is like a wonderful dream with falling snowflakes, cherry blossoms, warm light, sunsets, and sitting on the rooftop in quiet conversation. Listen to the OST "Special Nights", and you will feel the vibe that resonates throughout Love Between the Lines. Then watch the love grow slowly yet steadily. It is in the flicker of a smile, the glances, the gestures, and those quiet moments when they were simply in each other's company.....under moonlight💗🌛🌸 This is a "watch and rewatch immediately" type drama. It is that good! There are some thoughtful moments, emotional moments, and some humorous moments. I smiled, I laughed, and I felt a little sad in a few parts, but on the whole, it was a light, uplifting romance drama. The chemistry is so beautiful💗

🌸Love Between Lines begins with the premise "life is like a game." And at first, you might wonder if this might be a virtual game drama. It is not the focus, so don't think too much of technicalities. The virtual game illustrates the theme of dreams vs. reality. The line between the virtual world and reality is not defined —at times, the leads fall out of their game character roles. "Between illusion and reality, parallel lines intersect." (OST) After the first two episodes, the drama shifts more into the real world with visits to the virtual game world here and there. I am one of those who wanted to rush through the first two episodes because I am not keen illusions and fantasy. However, I find myself going back to the earlier games because it all makes more sense now. There is a significant connection between their relationship in the game and their relationship in reality.

MAIN CHARACTERS

🌸Lu Yu Xiao, as Hu Xiu, shines as a natural actress. Her performance was so believable that I can imagine she is really this person in reality because she didn't appear to be acting. Hu Xiu is a kind, intelligent, resilient, and determined FL. She delights and captivates Xiao Zhi Yu/ Qin Xiao Yi, with her vivacious personality. She is honest and not afraid to share her thoughts, and when she does, she is clear and to the point, but gentle and warm. She went to the virtual game to escape the reality of her life. Yet, it is in the game that she faces her inner conflicts when Zhi Yu/ Qin Xiao Yi's asks the question, "Do you know what you want?" She decides to reclaim her dreams instead of keeping a bad option, as those who do "spend the rest of their life with that bad option without realizing it."


🌸Chen Xing Xu, as Xiao Zhi Yu, is captivating with his calm perfection. Zhi Yu is strong, steady, perceptive... he listens more than he talks. He plans his way carefully. He doesn't rush to interfere but rather observes and allows Hu Xiu to make her decisions. His quiet strength gives the romance a sense of calm. He is protective but knows when to step back. I have to mention his expressive eyes, his slight smiles, and his aura. They were everything! There is a sense of mystery as his goal is to clear his father's name and reclaim his original identity, which, due to the circumstances of his father's death, has been kept a secret since childhood. For Xiao Zhi Yu, the virtual game is where he can reclaim his name, Qin Xiao Yi. In the virtual world, he is Qin Xiao Yi, Warlord Commander, described as "cunning as a fox, deep and complex." Needless to say, he is just as cunning in the real world.


🦊THE RELATIONSHIP🐰

🌸 Hu Xiu and Zhi Yu's relationship is mature and based on equality. They work together. They come to trust each other. They come to love each other. Zhi Yu sees Hu Xiu's talent and potential. He knows she is clever, but does not realize till later that she is the clever rabbit who outwits the fox 😂 He sees her as someone who "doesn't need anyone's approval to prove her worth." He allows her to grow, and he doesn't try to make her who he wants her to be:

~~~~~ 💗 " She exists, she grows, and she becomes who she wants to be. That alone is already beautiful enough." 💗

🌸And even though Zhi Yu doesn't share all his plans and thoughts with Hu Xiu at first, she somehow understands him. She senses his needs. He tries to protect her by keeping her out of his problems, but it is Hu Xiu who gives him the "token" he needs to win in both the game and reality. She guides him to open up to his mother because she might never know what he is thinking. And Zhi Yu showed his support sometimes in silence and sometimes in open communication. Hu Xiu knows she has someone who believes in her as she tells him :

~~~~~💗 "Because of you, I have more courage to chase my dreams and make up for all my regrets." 💗

🌸Love Between Lines isn't only about the blending of illusion and reality. It beautifully depicts the balance between two different people who seek to reclaim a loss. Hu Xiu is the gentle emotional rabbit. While vulnerable, she is fiercely resilient and quick-witted. Zhi Yu is the cunning fox who finds himself softened by Hu Xiu's enthusiasm and passion. They come to an understanding and a relationship based on trust, equal respect, and appreciation for each other.

🌸 Episode 7 marks a significant point in the relationship when Zhi Yu brings Hu Xiu with him to a wedding where he plans to have a business meeting. The groom turns out to be Hu Xiu's two-timing ex-fiancé. It is here that Zhi Yu and Hu Xiu grew closer when he helped her face her past and move on. I loved it when he told her that she did nothing wrong, so she didn't need to hide. I loved it when he retrieved her missing shoes and knelt to put them on her feet, even though she said she could do it herself. I loved it when he carried her on his back when he saw her limping. The lyrics from the OST "Closer"fit so well here.

💗How long did we wait, going from strangers
to familiar faces ?
It was destiny that brought me to meet you.
In my heart, there is now a place for you;
Believing in this is the ultimate meaning of life.
Drawing closer to you and closer to myself,
the frozen night begins to flicker.💗


WHAT I LOVE

🌸 I have many favorite scenes, but it was the leads who made me love this drama. Lu Yu Xiao is delightfully natural. She gave Hu Xiu the energy and sweetness that brightened Zhi Yu's life. Chen Xing Xu's expressive eyes, his calm, his charisma made Zhi Yu stand out as the male lead we all want to watch. I cannot tell you how many times I would go back just to watch his facial expressions. He made me love Zhi Yu!
🌸 Beautiful OSTs
🌸 The ambiance: the moonlight, snowflakes, cherry blossoms


OTHER CHARACTER ROLES

🌸Pei Zhen is Zhi Yu's stepbrother and rival. Sadly, Pei Zhen is driven by desperation to prove himself worthy because his father never finds him good enough. He blames Zhi Yu for taking all that is his. I realize many will hate him, but I found myself feeling pity for him at the end. And before anyone misunderstands, at no time did I feel any sml syndrome. I am too in love with Chen Xing Xu as Zhi Yu for any of that! But I don't see Pei Zhen as evil. He is too caught up in his need to win over Zhi Yu. He lacks love and affection, so when Hu Xiu puts a bandaid on his forehead to cover his wound, it means more to him than many would imagine. The fact that he emptied a small box of something that was probably of more monetary value than a Band-Aid to store the Band-Aid from Hu Xiu, is a clear indication of how much her simple action meant to him. The band-aid is a symbol of his inner wounds. He feels he needs Hu Xiu. His desire for her is desperate, selfish, and aggressive, while Zhi Yu's love is steady and patient. Pei Zhen represents the theme of redemption. He knows he is wrong and seeks to know if a building can be changed if the foundation is already set. To this, Hu Xiu tells him:

~~~~~💔"So what ultimately decides a building's final appearance isn't the foundation but your vision." 💔







ENDING SPOILER

🌸It is a happy ending, but I have one disappointment. There is an "elopement", but it is only to the top of the high-rise building designed by Zhi Yu. There is no married life with kids, but you will get a cute kitten that they decided to adopt to make them a family of 3. (I understand the kitten as a pet opens up the converstation that we shouldn't fear loss). After watching the ending to Shine on Me, it is hard to settle for anything less than an adorable child. There is no cute child in LBL. There is no engagement ring. Nothing. Some might say it works for the drama as Hu Xiu focuses on her career goals. I suppose I could try to see it that way too😢 And I suppose it should be enough that it is a solid happy ending, as they are never going to break up the way they love each other. It also helps that they discussed marriage, and Hu Xiu appeased Zhi Yu's frustration saying, "You are not part of my plans. You're already written into my life." And of course, I have no doubt Zhi Yu will get his wish. Eventually.

Don't miss the scene following the credits of the final episode.
It is a new story.
"Welcome to Rongcheng. It's a new world. Embrace your destiny."

I wonder if this means season 2 and a wedding. I know it doesn't, but I can only hope💗

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