Reviews

I can't find the right words...

(only minor spoilers) This film was phenomenal, really. It was engaging and emotional. It was sad. It started sad, it ended sad. Jeff Satur is such an amazing actor and he really sold his character to me. Keng was a ray of sunshine and I loved him. The visuals were very good and the OST was beautiful. Jeff Sutur's Rain Wedding is beautiful. That said, I probably won't watch this movie again. It was very sad and aggravating at some points. In the end, there was no winner in the feud. The end of the film shocked me into silence for a good while. I still haven't quite processed what happened. 10/10 but I don't recommend to people who are extremely sensitive.

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Am I in left field?

I had noticed the overall rating the MDL has by its viewers on Overdo and was really shocked by it being so low. I have now started it and am beginning episode 10, and I actually really like it! I think the costumes and sets are "right on" for this era. The acting is excellent (IMO Zhang Ling He and Chang Wu Ran only get better with each new series). The storyline is intriguing with mystery and twists.

There are reviews on this page left by people who supposedly watched all 33 episodes which are so hostile towards it, and I just don't get it. If it was so bad, why did so many keep watching it until the end? I can't help but think that, as I see quite often, that people who are so negative about a drama only watched the first few episodes yet felt like they had the authority to give a review of it which I find ridiculous. BTW, I have liked all episodes so far and the music is anywhere from enjoyable to lovely and appropriate for that era.

Since I am only on episode 10, I can only comment on my perception of it through this point, and at this point, I am eager to keep watching.

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They ruined Jack and Ten

I just finished episode six and am kinda stumped as to why the producers sanitized the Jack and Ten storyline so much.

There is literally zero tension between them in the show and it's just Jack giving in so easily and doing all the major emotional heavy lifting.

I'm the most recent episode, Jack goes to "confront" ten, but winds up reassuring him that he'll wait for ten and give him the chance to explain himself after the competition. Ten is solely framed as this misunderstood character instead of the reality that he has legitimate grievances while still having no loyalty or respect for others. They just completely undermined the weight of him helping Jack's girlfriend cheat. I read the book specifically about them and it's rife with tension and true expressions of anger, but the adaptation just takes all of that away.

why even include the cheating if they aren't going to give it the emotional focus it deserves?

I think the other characters were so well done and I actually like the heavy Lakorn aspects. When cheesiness is well done, it really does add a lot of wholesome energy to the narrative.

I love how restrained Bas' performance was. He was so expressive and whimsical in Fourever You, but here he is quiet and observant - the emoting is silent a lot of the times. I think it's the perfect role for him. I hope he continues to get both drama and comedy roles throughout his career.

Overall I like this show, just didn't understand the bizarre creative choices in regards to Jack and Ten's adaptation.

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Empty house 2004

Meditative movie about loneliness.

A guy traveling to empty houses and a married woman who was abused by her husband. These two people are definitely lonely.

Clean arthouse. There were no words from the main characters in this movie, but their feelings, emotions and attachment to each other were clearly visible. They understood each other so subtly that words were not needed - it was fascinating.

I think that was the message. True understanding can live in silence, in a gesture, in a look. And when it happens, it's fascinating.

A masterpiece.

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Great show but not for me

I watched it because it was interesting. The revelations from both of them before and after reconnecting were different in such a way that Naoya, whichever social status he was at, always held the power. Takaaki was born to do his bidding, which he understood and willingly accepted. The eccentric portrayal by the father grated against the grain but was fully played to the max. The series ran along as expected and didn't go above or below the meter.

A few things put me off:
Naoya always looked disheveled and in need of a good wash. I said looked not was.
The unseemly mullet seemed to be his signature, an extension of himself. His internal growth happened, externally no.
Takaaki's devotion was single minded but came off at creepy at times.
The foot scene. While it was a power dynamic, for me it was the actual dragging of his tongue over it. The angle covers it from showing it really being done but like a dog with its tongue hanging out doing it was too much. The flashback repetition of numerous scenes didn't help.
The ending felt like an assembly line tying up the loose ends. Father. Next. Brother. Next. Restaurant. Next.
Naoya's face. Flash backs made him look like 25 when he should be 18. Now in present day, a struggling druggie. His walk alone was interesting. Was this the director's vision, could be.

It was very watchable and for the most part engaging to keep me to the end. I enjoyed listening to their internal conflicts and the end results. I loved that though they had some selfish thoughts they never let it get the better of them. For example, Takaaki enjoying Naoya's helplessness and his need of him. He put it aside to see Naoya happy and thriving.

I would recommend a watch because I cannot find any fault with their acting. They all can deliver.

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No romance nor comedy

It is a drama that had lots of potential but somehow the delivery failed.
Everything seems too much, the villagers scene, they are all trying too hard it is like watching an amateur version of hometown cha cha cha.
The characters have no connection whatsoever, the male lead caught between being a gangster and lover boy is stuck somewhere in awkwardness.
The female lead is also trying too hard, and frankly, the cute scenes are very hard to watch.
The villain could have been strong had the story been developed properly.
I could not help it sitting through all those episodes, a greater chore I haven't known.

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Did You Know Weirdo 101 Has One Hell of a Gravitational Pull!!

Before you dive in, if you are looking for a super plot heavy series with constant twists, this isn't that but what you are going to encounter is Cheewa who is so openly fascinated by Niran and has absolutely no shame about making his interest known in the most nerdy adorable way possible, while Niran is this emotionally guarded boy who doesn't even seem to understand what is happening to him, slowly finding his safe space in Cheewa. And honestly, watching these two gradually become important to each other is so worth it. Their relationship is the story, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Also, I wouldn't say this series was perfect or that everything was executed flawlessly, but I absolutely loved the way it made me feel.

Cheewa is probably one of the most delightfully straightforward flirts I've ever seen. This boy doesn't need some elaborate romantic setup. Give him Niran, an astronomy fact, and approximately three seconds, and somehow he'll turn it into flirting. From the very beginning, everything about the way he approaches Niran feels so Cheewa. He is curious, nerdy, openly fascinated by Niran, and completely unafraid to let Niran know it. He literally uses the whole universe to flirt with his P'Niran and trust me if you know the depth and the metaphorical meanings behind it, you'll be stunned. And he doesn't just say it for the sake of saying, he means it. There's always something more behind those astronomy facts, and somehow he manages to make the entire universe sound like a love confession. Oh, to be loved by Cheewa!!

And then there's Niran, who is basically the complete opposite. He's guarded, reserved, carrying so much inside himself, and initially he genuinely doesn't seem to understand what Cheewa is doing. He's just standing there cluelessly listening to this astronomy obsessed boy talk about the universe but trust me Cheewa was flirting with Niran and Niran was just not nerdy enough to understand it. And then Cheewa really said, "Can I hit on you?" Oh my godd!! I love how there is no unnecessary game playing with Cheewa. He likes Niran, so he lets Niran know he likes him. It's so simple, so earnest, and somehow incredibly charming. And once Niran finally realizes what's happening, watching him slowly become aware of Cheewa's feelings while simultaneously refusing to acknowledge his own is absolutely fascinating. He KNOWS. He absolutely KNOWS. And yet this man will still stand there acting like he's completely unaffected. P'Niran, you are such a poser.

But underneath all that, I think what makes Niran such a compelling character is how much emotional weight he carries. He is such a relatable character. His insecurities, his fears, his exhaustion, the way he's constantly burdened by expectations... everything about him feels painfully real. There's so much more emotional weight attached to it, and you can feel how something that once brought meaning to his life has gradually become something he feels trapped by. Beneath the romance and all the adorable moments, it's also about losing sight of yourself under the weight of expectations, trying to make peace with things that have shaped you, dealing with your own emotional struggles, and finding a way to take ownership of your life again.

What I love is that Cheewa doesn't force Niran to suddenly become open or happy or figure everything out. He simply keeps showing up. He gives Niran a space where he doesn't have to constantly be a certain version of himself. And slowly, almost without realizing it, Niran starts becoming comfortable around him. That's what makes their relationship so lovely to watch. It's not just about Cheewa flirting with his P'Niran. It's about Niran slowly realizing that being around Cheewa feels safe. That someone can be interested in him without demanding anything from him. That maybe he can let someone into the parts of himself he's spent so long keeping guarded.

And then we have THE ASTRONOMY 😭

I genuinely love how the series uses astronomy as more than just Cheewa's quirky personality trait. The metaphors actually become part of the way these two understand each other. Things like gravity, stars, planets, comets and orbits aren't just random facts thrown into the dialogue... they become a language Cheewa uses to express feelings that might otherwise be difficult to say directly. And THAT is why his flirting gets me so badly. Because Cheewa can stand there talking about something scientific and somehow make it sound like a love confession without ever losing that adorably nerdy quality that makes him him. It's clever, it's romantic, and most importantly, it feels completely natural to his character.

The writing really knows how to balance the sweetness with the emotional side of the story too. There are moments that are genuinely funny and ridiculously cute, and then suddenly you'll get a glimpse into Niran's inner world and realize there's so much more going on underneath all that romance. It gives their relationship a surprising amount of emotional depth without taking away from the softness that makes the series so enjoyable.

And SeaKeen really brought these characters to life. Their chemistry is so natural that half the time I'm just sitting there watching them interact and thinking, LOOK AT MY BABIES. 😭 The dialogue is especially one of my favorite things about the series. These two can have the simplest conversation and somehow make it feel meaningful, funny, or ridiculously romantic. THE DIALOGUES ARE EVERYTHING. They give me a whole damn zoo.

And I absolutely love their friend circles too. Niran's bond with Hem, Thara, and Thipok is everything. There's such a natural warmth and familiarity between them. And then Cheewa with his two nerdy friends, Jomyut and Newton... PLEASE. The astronomy club really gathered an entire collection of adorable nerds. CheewaNiran are already enough to make me lose my mind, and then their friends come in and add another 10 levels of chaos. I love these people so much.

And obviously, I cannot finish this without talking about the OSTs. SeaKeen's vocals never disappoint. Gravity has been playing on loop in my playlist with all of their other previous osts that I am still not over with and also now Beside you. Oh my godd their vocals!! I am so damn in love with this series.

Highly Recommended!! Also the uncut is available on youtube. So please watch it there. Go let Cheewa teach you astronomy and fall in love with Niran along the way.

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Not Really a Rom-Com, Just Real Life

I’m not really sure why Strangers Again is classified as a rom-com, because to me, this is simply life.

It’s surprisingly hyper-realistic, especially for a K-drama, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting that at all. Relationships are complicated, people make mistakes, love doesn’t automatically fix everything, and sometimes two people can genuinely care about each other and still not be able to make a relationship work.

I really enjoyed the acting, not only from the main leads but from the second leads as well. The characters felt like actual adults with flaws, baggage, conflicting emotions and sometimes very questionable decisions — basically, real people.

Of course, the ending will always be controversial when it isn’t the typical “and they lived happily ever after.” But that’s also what happens in real life. Not every relationship is supposed to end with two people staying together forever, and that doesn’t necessarily make what they had meaningless.

Definitely not the drama I expected when I started it, but I really liked it.

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A warm, fluffy drama to lift your spirits

I loved how this drama had a slice-of-life aspect, and yet kept it light enough for a fun watch. It does not drag excessively, and the plot doesn't have extravagant twists and turns. Its simple, and sweet- which adds to the warmth of it. I thought the leads had pretty good chemistry, and even the second leads had a cute vibe. Its not meant to be ultra-realistic- watch it with a pinch of 'drama wonder". Overall, the theme was quite unique, the struggles were well-portrayed, and there were heart-touching moments, even outside the stereotypical romantic scope of the film. I'd say, keep the expectation of a light-hearted one-time watch, and you'll enjoy it much more!

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I wanted more emotions

Play Me had a decent premise, but unfortunately, that's about where my interest in it ends. It isn't a terrible drama, but it feels incredibly unremarkable, with very little that leaves a lasting impression.

The biggest issue for me was the romance. The leads had some visual appeal, but their chemistry was only a 6/10, and I never really felt the connection between them. This made some of the romantic developments feel forced rather than natural. The confession scene, especially with the cars honking in the background, felt so out of nowhere that it seemed to exist mainly to drag out the romance.

The story itself was predictable, and some potentially interesting conflicts were resolved far too quickly. I initially thought the lawyer best friend's actions might introduce some unpredictability, but that storyline was wrapped up so quickly that his involvement ultimately felt unnecessary. The conflict surrounding Jae On choosing between Yihyun's career and his own feelings had similar problems—it should have carried more emotional weight, but the execution made it feel like barely an obstacle.

The acting was okay but could have been better, while the cinematography, music, and overall atmosphere were largely unremarkable. Honestly, the biggest strength of the drama was simply the visuals of the leads.

Overall, Play Me isn't bad enough to make me regret watching it, but it also isn't memorable enough for me to recommend it. The script and its execution needed considerably more depth.

Play Me is worth watching if you enjoy watching Korean BLs simply for the sake of watching Korean BLs.

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Uncovering the Truth in Three Episodes: A Mystery Told in Pieces

I really enjoyed this one. But I’m also a fan of found-footage films, especially ones where a team of investigators or a group of friends discovers homemade videotapes and pieces together what happened to missing people or an old crime. Or stories where a group of people wakes up to find themselves held captive and being filmed as they try to figure out what’s happening. This isn’t exactly that type of drama—the plot is different—but it still gives off those vibes. The filming and execution feel raw, while the plot gradually unfolds, giving you breadcrumbs that slowly reveal the truth about an event that happened before the drama started—all while everything is being videotaped. It’s a style that always works for me.

It moves back and forth between timelines and I thought it does a great job building the characters, as well as the group and individual dynamics. It was definitely worth the time investment for me. The three episodes were enough to nicely uncover what happened to them in college, and the twist was almost impossible to see coming.

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Great chemistry, terrible writing choices after Episode 20

I really wanted to love this drama. The first half was enjoyable, and He Yu was honestly one of the biggest reasons I kept watching. He was incredibly attractive in this role, and his chemistry with Esther Yu was amazing. Their romantic scenes felt natural, passionate and believable, and Episode 15 in particular was probably one of my favourite episodes. The leads really sold the fact that these two people wanted each other.

Unfortunately, the story completely lost me after the accident.

I can understand Jin Chao initially pushing Jiang Mu away when he was badly injured and didn’t know whether he would ever fully recover. I don’t agree with making decisions for someone you supposedly love, but at least I could understand his fear of becoming a burden to her.

What I cannot understand is what happened afterwards.

This man recovered, went back to school, got his degree, built a successful career, became financially comfortable, bought their old house and even opened the coffee shop they had once dreamed about — yet during all those years, he still couldn’t go back to the woman he supposedly loved?

Meanwhile, Jiang Mu spent years looking for him and wondering where he was. Then when they finally reunited, SHE was once again the one trying to get close to him while HE continued pushing her away.

That completely ruined the romance for me.

I don’t mind a woman fighting for the man she loves. I actually enjoy mutual longing and characters fighting for their relationship. But there is a difference between fighting for love and repeatedly chasing someone who keeps rejecting you. Jin Chao was the person who chose to leave. Once he recovered and rebuilt his life, he should have been the one to find Jiang Mu, apologise and fight to win her back.

Imagine how much more satisfying the second half would have been if Jiang Mu had eventually stopped looking for him, moved on with her life, and Jin Chao came back years later only to realise that the woman he pushed away was no longer waiting for him. Let HIM pursue her. Let HIM prove that he deserves another chance.

Instead, the drama made Jiang Mu do far too much of the emotional work for a separation she didn’t even create.

The whole “I’m leaving you for your own good” trope was unnecessary to begin with. Jiang Mu could have gone abroad to study while Jin Chao recovered. They could have faced that difficult period together instead of manufacturing a six-year separation.

By the later episodes, I was honestly forwarding scenes because I had become so frustrated with the writing.

So for me: He Yu? 10/10. Chemistry? 10/10. Kissing scenes? 🔥🔥🔥. The first part of the romance? Very enjoyable. But the six-year separation and the way their reconciliation was written? Absolutely not.

A drama with this much chemistry between its leads deserved a much better second half.

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