Reviews

BL where? ?

This one doesn’t need the bl tag.
It’s just b without the l 😂
Maybe an action bromance could be the right genre for it not bl.
To be fair watching the first episode I seriously thought I was gonna like this. I’m already very picky with bls, I can count with my fingers the number of Thai bls I’ve watched. I really wanted to like this one but felt 🥱
I didn’t see any hint at romance between the main leads, perhaps it gets better I’ll never know dropped on ep 3.
Don’t get me wrong, I can watch a good bromance or any story as long as there’s sth for me to enjoy, well this one was kinda hard to like. Kudos for trying though. I guess I should just stick to reading manhwas

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Like any other justice and idol drama

The first episode let you see a tiny bit of the dangers of the so called Saseng Culture in Asia.
That moment looked promising to me.
But deeper into the serie it became like any other modern drama about idols and (in)justice.
I really hoped they would focus on the Saseng to be honest.
This drama also showed how Korean dramas became so westernised. It disappointed me.
The classic childhood trauma drama and high school trauma drama were not forgotten to put in this drama as well.😪

Beside this, the actors were good. And did a good job to make this drama watchable.

But if you skip I Dol I you won’t miss out tbh.

The actor Kim Jae-young who played Do-Ra Ik did a good job. I don’t think at all that he is to old to play an idol, he mentioned it in a previous interview.
The music in this drama is good.
Other roles might be more suiting to him.

Actress Soo-Young did a good job as well.
But her character was off.
She supposed to be a great winning lawyer, but acts like a 16yo fangirl in private life felt really off.

To summarise my opinion:
-first episode looked promising
-the drama is just like any other idol and justice drama we’ve watched before
-it’s a westernised drama
-actors were good and did a good job
-poor writing
- good music
- you won’t miss out if you don’t watch this drama 👍🏼

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A must watch !!

Scarlet Innocence was the second Korean movie I ever watched, and I found it completely by accident while looking for something to watch. The poster immediately caught my attention, and I’m so glad it did. Honestly, I don’t understand people who rate this movie low, because for me it was beyond exceptional .
The story is about revenge but not the kind you can easily judge or blame. It’s the kind of revenge that makes you uncomfortable because, in a way, you understand it. The story is captivating and intense, and it shows sides of human nature that we don’t like to admit exist. It’s cruel, emotional, and very real.
One thing I truly loved is how the movie portrays revenge from a woman’s perspective. Women don’t always scream or act loud. They are silent, but their punishments are often the most painful. When a woman takes revenge, she weaves a spider web so carefully that you don’t even realize what’s happening until you’re completely trapped—and this movie shows that perfectly. The revenge unfolds slowly, quietly, and stays with you long after the movie ends.
The cinematography and casting were perfect. And Esom—she was incredible. She is such a talented actress, and like many others, people fail to recognize just how versatile she is. Not many actresses can pull off a role like this so convincingly, and she absolutely nailed it.
This movie left a strong impression on me, and it’s one I won’t forget.

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A Romance Built on Patience and Growth

As a big fan of slow-burning romances, Shine on Me feels like a masterclass in how to develop a relationship in a healthy, patient, and emotionally intelligent way. It does not try to reinvent the genre, but it stands out because of its warmth, emotional depth, and beautifully written characters. Instead of relying on shock value or exaggerated drama, the story focuses on growth, yearning, and the kind of love that helps people become better versions of themselves.

The pacing may feel slightly slow at first, especially with the early college arc and some business related subplots, but these moments serve as an important foundation. They show who Nie Xiguang is before love reshapes her life. We see her insecurities, her crush, her disappointments, and her gradual realization that she wants to stand on her own rather than rely on others. Her development is not sudden. It is layered, natural, and satisfying to watch. She starts unsure of herself and slowly grows into someone confident, capable, and strong in both love and career.

Lin Yusen is one of the best written male leads in modern romance dramas. Formerly a top neurosurgeon forced to step away from medicine after an accident, he carries quiet resilience and emotional maturity. He is a complete green flag. His love for Xiguang is built on patience, respect, and understanding. He never pressures her, never rushes her feelings, and always shows up when she needs him most. Watching him fall in love is gentle and powerful at the same time. His pursuit is not flashy but steady, which makes the romance feel realistic and deeply comforting.

What truly makes the drama special is the dynamic between the main couple. Their relationship is based on security, communication, and mutual support rather than misunderstandings. The chemistry between Song Weilong and Zhao Jinmai is outstanding. Their eye contact, subtle glances, and soft flirting make you feel like a quiet third wheel in the best way. Their scenes feel warm, natural, and full of yearning. The drama also does a great job showing the contrast between a love that makes you doubt yourself and a love that helps you flourish. With Yusen, Xiguang feels safe, confident, and encouraged to grow.


The supporting cast adds meaningful texture. Jiang Rui, Xiguang’s cousin, is a standout with his charisma, protectiveness, and warmth. Xiguang’s mother is another strong presence, portraying a capable entrepreneur who supports her daughter’s choices while navigating her own growth. The workplace family at Guangyu Photovoltaic brings sincerity and realism, and the show even manages to weave in informative details about the solar industry in a way that feels grounded rather than distracting.

Zhuang Xu, the second male lead, is one of the more complex and human characters. He represents missed opportunities caused by fear and insecurity. Coming from a less privileged background, he is intelligent but trapped by his own self doubt. His passive aggression and indecision make him frustrating, yet also strangely sympathetic. The drama does not romanticize him, and his arc becomes a painful study of how hesitation can cost you happiness.

Visually and technically, the drama is not perfect. Some green screen and background effects are noticeably weak and take you out of the moment. A few subplots are drawn out longer than necessary, and certain business arcs feel heavier than they need to be. However, these flaws never fully overshadow what works best, which is the emotional core of the story.

One small wish is that we could have seen more of the couple after officially getting together, since much of the drama focuses on the journey toward love rather than life inside it. Still, the conclusion delivers warmth and closure that many modern romances fail to provide.

What impressed me most is that I watched nearly twenty seven hours of content without feeling bored. Instead of feeling tired, I kept wanting to continue. That alone says a lot. The clichés exist, but they are hidden well enough that the story never feels predictable. There are no forced childhood fate tropes or exaggerated trauma devices. The drama chooses sincerity over spectacle.

Another strong aspect of Shine on Me is how well the female lead and her entire surrounding world are written. Nie Xiguang is not just lovable, she is layered. She starts off a little unsure and emotionally soft, but never foolish. What makes her arc special is how naturally she grows. You see her slowly gain confidence, learn to rely on herself, and become stronger in both love and career without losing her warmth, empathy, or cheerfulness. She is not suddenly “bossy” overnight, and she is not reduced for romance either. Instead, she matures into a woman who knows her worth, stands up for her relationship, and supports her partner just as much as he supports her.

Her family and relatives are equally engaging. Xiguang’s uncle, aunt, grandparents, and cousin all feel like real people rather than filler characters. Jiang Rui especially stands out as the protective, charismatic cousin who adds humor and emotional safety to the story. The older generation is written with care, giving depth to family dynamics instead of unnecessary conflict. Their presence adds warmth, realism, and emotional grounding to Xiguang’s journey.

The business side characters and senior cast are also surprisingly enjoyable. Instead of feeling stiff or decorative, they bring credibility to the corporate world of Guangyu. Their acting feels natural, their styling is appropriate and polished, and it suits their age, status, and personalities perfectly. From executives to relatives, everyone looks and behaves like they belong in the world of the drama. Good styling combined with strong performances makes the environment feel lived-in rather than staged.

What I appreciated most is that almost every side character feels intentional. No one exists just to create noise. Whether family, colleagues, or relatives, they all add something meaningful to the emotional or professional growth of the leads. That sense of completeness is part of why the drama stays engaging for so many hours without becoming tiring.

At its heart, Shine on Me is about yearning, healing, and becoming stronger through love. Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang are both emotionally mature, considerate, and supportive, sometimes almost too good to feel real, yet incredibly satisfying to watch. Their romance is built on warmth, respect, and genuine partnership.

If you love slow burn romances with intelligent writing, healthy communication, and powerful chemistry, Shine on Me truly lives up to its name. It is not flawless, but it shines where it matters most, in the hearts of its characters and the love they build together.

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Dynamite Kiss Review - ZyKuu

"A kiss that sparks a romantic predicament" - The story was very engaging at first but then as the show took its course the plot began to lose me. A lot of topics and key elements went untouched and disregarded. The ending was unsatisfying to be blunt. The female lead Go Da-rim and was great in her role, although I would say that she was not that entertaining for me. The male lead Gong Ji-hyeok was the star of the show for me. For whatever the reason may be I found him to be hilarious. His facial expressions are tremendous and he has a certain way of catching and keeping your attention. The second leads Kim Seon-u and Yu Ha-yeong are important characters whom I felt could have had more screen time. Seon-u and his son Jun could have been explored more as I found their dynamic together to be heartwarming. I find Ha-yeong to be a very attractive woman and I wished to see more of her during the show. With regards to how her plot line went, I was disappointed with the end result. I just hoped that both Seon-u and Ha-yeong could have been focused on more and prioritized. Both Ha-yeong and Ji-hyeok's siblings were characters that helped add some flavour to the plot and I enjoyed their dynamic together. The side cast did well aswell. The OST was amazing and had a different type of song to match each mood. In conclusion, This series did very well in the comedy aspect and had a lot of potential, but it could have been executed better. Regardless it was a nice watch and I would recommend this to any casual watchers.

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"Unified desperation"

The lure of a female serial killer played by Go Hyun Jung was too much of a lure for me to avoid. Jang Dong Yoon as her estranged detective son was the final bait to make me sit down and watch Queen Mantis.

Serial killer Jung I Sin was given a sweetheart deal in exchange for her confession. She lives her life in relative luxury for someone on death row. Everyone but a handful of people think she died in prison. So when a copycat begins using her playbook to gruesomely off their victims Choi Jung Ho cajoles Cha Su Yeol into joining his investigative team, as I Sin will only to talk to the feisty detective, who also happens to be her son.

The format felt overly familiar and parts of it were reminiscent of Alias when Spy Mama was incarcerated and would only talk with Sydney or Silence of the Lambs, etc. “I’ll only talk to…” is a worn-out trope. If you are going to use a classic recipe, execution is key. This was where QM was hit or miss. I Sin was hands down the most compelling character and her screen time was limited in the first 6 eps. I wasn’t heavily invested in the side characters or the numerous scenes of Cha yelling or crying. There was a great deal of repetition which could have been fixed by tightening the script.

The drama served up a whole can of red herrings which diluted the intensity. Despite the numerous killings, QM lacked urgency. Keeping Cha’s past a secret seemed more important than hunting down the killer(s). The cops’ feelings and abilities were often fickle. And Cha’s marriage only served to offer up more man pain, with Lee Jung Yeon being particularly underdrawn. The lovely Lee El’s Kim Na Hui was a basket of contradictions. She couldn’t just be a competent cop, she also had to be alluded to as a bad mom numerous times and unable to stand up for herself when passed over for a promotion.

QM attempted to show how traumatic abuse and sexual assault are often ignored by society leading to broken people who keep the torturous cycle spinning. Authority characters made excuses for men beating and sexually assaulting women and children, because isn't there always an excuse? In this drama, I Sin became judge and executioner, a grotesquely twisted super hero for the weak and unheard.

7.5/10.0 is my rating for an average drama. Watchable but nothing too memorable. What will be memorable was Go Hyun Jung’s understated performance. She wasn’t afraid to go “ugly”---no noticeable makeup or hair styling. Because she was often seated at a table or shackled, she couldn’t gesticulate with her hands or go the glam route with hair acting. She conveyed a wealth of feelings subtly and meted out her emotional explosions when they made the most impact. I Sin was smart, resourceful, and badly damaged--- a lethal mantis---capable of attacking cruelly without remorse or pity. Not a role model by any means, but fascinating to watch.

25 January 2026

Trigger warnings: Severed body parts and heads. Torture. Child abuse. Sexual assault alluded to and in its most cruel form. Bugs in the form of beetles if you are super sensitive to them.

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A ForceBook series that is one of a kind.

The storyline was so good. Makes you think, predict, or theorized what really happened in the past. Something that would make you think critically while having fun watching the series. Actors acting skills were very good, too. Really served us with different emotions that makes us, viewers, felt satisfied. ForceBook as actors are really doing great and put a lot of effort not just MOS but also all the other series they have. From episode 1 till episode 7, I am still hooked up with this series.

Can't wait for the next episodes.

Watch it. You'll love it too.

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Only Friends + Not Me + My Stubborn = Playboyy

If I had a dime for every Thai BL I've seen that features twin brothers separated by divorce, where one gets pulled into danger and the other secretly steps into his life to solve a mystery, even though he is completely different from his brother and the friends still are clueless, only to be discovered by one sharp acquaintance and slowly realize his twin was far less innocent than he believed, I would have two dimes. Which isn't a lot, but it is still wild that it has happened twice.

Playboyy is one of the most mature Thai BLs I’ve seen, and it makes that clear from the very first frame. The content warning at the beginning is unusually thorough, listing every sensitive theme and explicitly recommending the series for viewers over 18. That sets the tone for what follows: a story that is complex, layered, and unapologetically adult.

The series follows seven couples whose lives are tightly intertwined, all set against a backdrop of sex work, drugs, university politics, and the central mystery of a missing twin brother. It is heavy, it is explicit, and it demands your full attention. The subject matter, the setting, and the emotional nuance are all firmly adult territory, and the show never pretends otherwise.

What impressed me most is how well the pacing works. With seven relationships in play, many series would lose their balance, but Playboyy manages to give each storyline weight without letting any of them overshadow the others. The narrative threads weave together cleanly, and the mystery kept me guessing right up until the end.

There is so much here: friendship and camaraderie, brotherly loyalty, hidden motivations, shifting alliances, and emotional depth that goes far beyond the surface. It’s the kind of show you can really sink your teeth into because it refuses to be simple.

For me, it was an amazing watch, and I will absolutely be rewatching it.

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Only Disagreement: SPOILER ALERT

I just finished this drama. I agree will the majority. The cast delivers an outstanding performance, including the secondary and supporting actors and actresses.
The writers corrupted an outstanding fantasy romance with a cheap ending to elicit painful tears and angst. A Shakespearean ending, i.e. "Romeo and Juliet" or heroic deaths, would fit. Here in this FANTASY, the script elevates duty to the clan above duty to the individual (heroine). The demon hunter repeated PROMISES to LOVE AND PROTECT his love forever. He defaults on his oath because he envisions himself as the only one that can save the clan from destruction. No one is indispensable. Others can always arise as needed. Individuals grow old and die, become crippled or senile. The world doesn't end.
In a romance drama, the pain of loss never fully fades.
I suspect this complaint won't be included; nevertheless, this is how an old romantic feels.

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mind-blender and not as bad as everyone says

I'll start off by saying--I still don't entirely know what happened in this series. That being said, the comments are dramatic as that lack of understanding is its only flaw.

The concept/idea was super thought provoking, and given more time to fully flesh it out (longer than just 7 episodes that's for sure) it would have been a really cool production.
The actors are all extremely talented and showcased how each character was complex and had more depth than 7 episodes would allow to explore.

Personally? I enjoyed the series, even if I was asking myself what was going on the whole time.
However, I can definitely understand that this type of series wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea.
If you were looking for a BL with a clear cut love story--then this definitely isn't for you.

I would love to see these actors in more, the fact that all four boys seemed to have some kind of chemistry with each other was what really kept me coming back for the next episode, on top of the fact that I really love apocalyptic-type series, and this one definitely scratched something in my brain.
So once again, in my opinion, the only flaw is that it was too short to fully explain what was going on in the story.
Truly had it been longer I think I would have enjoyed it much more, and all in all I am excited to see what Earth, Leo, Double and First bring to the table in their next series.

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Their translation of love was mostly on track but kept veering off course

I was really into every episode in the first half especially early on, but the second half fell pretty flat and I mainly just continued to watch because I was curious on the ending, almost felt like I was watching a different drama once it got to the midway point. The OST was super sweet on the ears and genuinely a treat, and the acting and chemistry between Seon Ho and Youn Jung was great; I really hope they get another project together because they showed that they bounce off each other really well. Their scenes were really sweet and sometimes bitter, but I loved watching their relationship slowly build, even if it took a while for them to actually translate their love. All the leads did really well, though I wish Hiro had been written a little better, felt like his character was never given the chance to shine despite having the best development in the show in my opinion but seems like they just wanted him to be the guy who would make Jin Ho realize his feelings and bridge the gap.

Plot-wise, again it had me hooked early and I looked forward to each episode throughout my week of watching, but around the midpoint it lost some direction and shifted away from the rom-com sweetness it was building toward to a more uneven drama that felt different every episode, again almost like I was watching a different drama. It wasn’t bad, just unexpected, which I think made the second half not feel as exciting but what did get tiring was the “will they, won’t they”. The back-and-forth between wanting each other and then pulling away happened a bit too often, especially with Ho Jin. Felt like he changed his mind 5 times an episode, while Mu Hui they would have Mu Hui continue to chase him. At a point felt like it should of been the other way around but felt like the writers didn't like that route i guess? Also for as much and long as they tried to build up the relationship, kinda surprised they barely gave them any time to be a proper couple before the story kinda abruptly ending. After everything they went through to understand each other, they really made them speed through their love phase which we barely saw any moments of truly developing after becoming a couple and were just left to instead envision it while they were apart.

Overall, it was still a nice watch with some nice moments that unfortunately didn't fully meet my expectations after the really long wait.

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