Reviews

an overall very positive review

I finally finished this drama and it took me longer than I expected because it's the kind of drama you need to watch very carefully and attentively to enjoy every detail. This drama wasn't my most anticipated of the year but it ended up surprising me. I knew the chemistry between the leads would be good because I like them both, but I didn't expect everything else to be at the same level or to be able to keep up with them.
I must say, this drama is beautiful in every aspect, from the cinematography to the OST, and it's one of the few kdramas that hasn't disappointed me in terms of writing. Everything seems to fit together perfectly and nothing feels forced, especially when it comes to the languages.
I really didn't expect to enjoy this drama so much for some strange reason but I'm glad I was wrong. As I always say this is just my opinion, and I definitely think you should give it a chance and judge for yourself.

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Mixed Emotions but Worth Watching

I honestly don’t know where to begin with this drama. Seeing the rating drop from 8.4 to 7.8 truly broke my heart because I genuinely love both lead actors. Still, I can understand the reason behind it.

Some episodes are really engaging and pass by quickly, while others feel quite slow. Even then, skipping isn’t an option because you want to watch your favorite actors. Open endings are always difficult to process, and the ending in particular made me lower my rating to 8.

Personally, I don’t see this drama going above 8.2, and I believe the lower ratings are mainly due to the ending and the uneven pacing in certain episodes. That said, if you are planning to watch it, go ahead but be prepared to push through a few slow episodes.

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cutest series i've watched all year and i NEED a s2 asap!

this is the fluffiest series i've watched this year. it's very cliche and there are some parts of the series that is kind of lacking, but it's still a good series to watch if you want to unwind or just watch something cute and sweet. i LOVE the characters and the cast is good too. i will not spoil anything from the series but i recommend this series so much and i WILL rewatch it again! WE NEED A SEASON 2!! also, i must say that this is one of the only series that made me squeal and kick my feet while watching and i've watched a LOT of bl series this year, it rekindled the part of me that likes watching bl series bcs it's been a while since i've watched a bl series that made me feel things hahaha (other series that made me squeal this year is me and thee only) AND this series is the reason why i made a mydramalist account just to give a review bcs ppl needs to know abt this!!

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Revenged Love remains my absolute favorite BL of the year, but To My Shore has firmly claimed the number two spot. It is a dark, intoxicating ride that proves why fictional 'red flags' are so much more compelling than typical romances.

The psychological tug-of-war here is top-tier. Yun Qi is terrifyingly good as Fan Xiao, playing a character so manipulative he’d literally bleed just to secure his love. At only 23, his screen presence is insane. Yi Ran Hao provides the perfect emotional anchor; their chemistry is dangerous, and that interrogation scene was pure, high-tension cinema.

You can really feel the effort behind the scenes too. Knowing the production moved to Thailand just to bypass censorship and filmed in that intense heat while wearing full suits makes the final result even more impressive. It’s sleek, obsessive, and emotionally heavy. A must-watch for anyone who loves their romance with a side of beautiful chaos.

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Dear Baek Ah-Jin; Villain to the privileged. Survivor to herself.

I fail to see Ah-jin as evil. Manipulative? Absolutely. She’s also intelligent in using people, things, and whatever resources she could grasp in order to survive and climb to the top. Her actions are calculated, not senseless. Her only wicked act was framing an innocent man. However, the fact that she had to resort to that is another discussion to be had. Bullied, abused, stalked, harassed, etc. Where was the hammer of justice then? Her lack of emotions was a double-edge sword; a shield that protected her when she needed to be strong, but wounded others when empathy was required most but lacking. This is why the end of her 1+ year period with her boyfriend and Grandma was such a tragic loss. I don’t hate the ending. If anything, I found it unsettling in the best way. I even felt afraid seeing the CCTV footage of her in that bloody white dress lol. Her relationships with the two main leads were toxic in their own way- but hey, it works for them… to an extent.

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Worthless, piece of shit.Netflix knows perfectly how to ruin the drama sequels.Its not like season 1 was any good but at least there was a chemistry of FL and song kang to look for,but this have nothing.Worst writing ever in Korean drama industry.

Plot? What plot? It's just 6 hours of people crying in expensive coats while holding their phones like they're cursed artifacts. The app mechanic is completely abandoned halfway through. Chemistry between leads? Evaporated. Logic? Never arrived. I finished it purely out of spite. Do NOT recommend unless you hate yourself and want to suffer beautifully shot suffering.

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This should have been a drama

Ao No Kaerimichi was such a great watch. The reason i am giving it 7/10 is because of the format they used. This should have been a drama and not a movie. The amount of characters and stories were so rich that it could have benefited from being a drama, which would have given more time for better storytelling. With the movie format, the story felt rushed, especially trying to squeeze ten years into 120 minutes, which took away so much depth. The characters were fascinating and went through real struggles, so it would have been refreshing to see it in a drama that could have provided the right space to explore their stories and feelings.

**Plot**
The stories of seven high school graduates unfold in Maebashi.. Some live in their hometown, while others pursue their dreams in Tokyo. Their lives intertwine, and they reconnect when a tragedy strikes, forcing them to confront reality and realize that their dreams didn't unfold as they had wished, revealing how life has taken unexpected turns.

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The best of the best

There is a reason why *The World of Married* achieved the status of the highest-rated K-drama in South Korea, capturing the attention of every household. It's sad that the story resonates deeply with many of us, and perhaps this is the exact reason for its immense popularity. This drama isn't just another series to binge-watch; it's the story of someone you might know or even your own story.

At the heart of the plot is a man who seemingly has everything: a successful and caring wife who works as a respected doctor in their community and a loving son. However, he betrays his family, shattering the trust of his devoted wife, who has dedicated herself to supporting him and their child. The emotional turmoil escalates when she discovers that everyone in their community, even casual acquaintances, knew of her husband's infidelity while she remained blissfully unaware. This revelation is not just heartbreaking but also evokes feelings of anger and disbelief, creating a powerful connection to anyone who has felt blindsided by betrayal.

The characters are intricately connected, each grappling with their unique struggles and strengths. The main actress delivers a stunning performance, embodying the fierce resolve of a mother driven by instinct to protect her child at all costs. Her desperation to confront the betrayal is palpable and relatable as she navigates her grief and rage.

The storytelling is masterfully crafted, drawing viewers in from the very first scene and holding their attention until the final episode. The intricate plot twists and powerful emotional moments keep audiences on the edge of their seats, making this drama unforgettable.

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A pleasant and lovely surprise

This is my first ever review so I was a bit hesitant (and nervous). I felt I needed to give an honest review of Cat for Cash and FirstKhaotung.

What a pleasant surprise. I didn’t have high expectations after watching the pilot trailer and the official trailer. However, the first episode blew my mind. I couldn’t stop crying after watching it. Seeing people online relate to the mother’s struggles and remembering the pain of losing a loved one. That is what good storytelling does.

This is a breath of fresh air for BL dramas and personally, my highlight for the year so far.

First and Khaotung are both excellent and exceptional actors who executed their roles well.

All in all - a great series and must-watch. Bravo GMMTV!

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Lost in the Sauce (So much potential, so little focus)

As most of the audience of this show can agree, it was far from the premise we were initially told. Honestly when I watched the trailer I couldn't imagine how they were planning to make an entire show about an actress/translator and expected it to be chock full of stupid misunderstandings that dragged the plot and insane love triange drama. Ironically, instead of keeping things simple, the writers threw in every possible curveball they could think of.

Contrary to a lot of people in this review section, I actually really liked Ho Jin’s character. The nuances of his personality set him apart from the usual blunt, boring K-drama male lead stereotypes. His relationship with his family, his personal boundaries around love, and his rigid principles all made him genuinely interesting to watch. Kim Seonho executed this extreme T type personality extremely well.

Cha Muhee as a character was incredibly confused, but I think it was that confusion that gave her relatability. e. Her constant awkward rambling and very real pining for her translator man were portrayed in a cute rom-com way that still felt believable. That said, if we start talking about how both her and Ho Jin were completely nonchalant about her having multiple personality disorder and an active alter ego roaming around the world, we’ll be here all day, so let’s just ignore that.

The chemistry between the leads was also fantastic in the first half of the show. The back-and-forth, Ho Jin not outwardly admitting his feelings, and Muhee just sending it and declaring her intentions were all very entertaining to watch. That is… until it wasn’t.

What even was the point of all that angst? I get that they wanted to drag out the couple-getting-together phase like most K-dramas, but this was entirely unnecessary and way too confusing. In the span of one episode, they almost explicitly confess their feelings, decide to get together, and then she stands him up and that’s suddenly the final straw? Or earlier in Canada, when they’re basically confessing to each other but then he gets mad that she’s pushing him away. Like… what? This is your girl, man. You know this about her. What are you so surprised by?

The writers clearly grasped at any available straws to come up with dumb reasons for them not to just get together and be done with it. Unlike most K-dramas, the leads realized their feelings for each other pretty early on, so having them get together around episode 7 or 8 and then working through the remaining plotlines together would have been so much better.

Speaking of those plotlines- I mean what was the deal with her parents? Why drop such an insane reveal in the last 30 mins of the show and have her resolve it by herself off screen?? That was highkey the only part I was interested in man. The whole vibe of the Do Rami and flashbacks and creepy-fun music was very reminiscent of It's Okay not to be Okay, and similar to that show they could have leaned more into Cha Muhee's childhood by showing us scenes of her upbringing in that fairy tale-esque way. The whole show we are told to feel bad for Cha Muhee because of her childhood but we do not see any of it so it makes it hard to actually understand why.

And yet, despite the confused writing, the set designers and costume designers absolutely outdid themselves. The wonderful cinematography in combination with the amazing sets and costumes was such a visual treat and I might recommend the show just for that. All of Do Rami's movie scenes, the childhood house set and all spanning travel shots were so beautiful.

The second leads however, had no purpose to me. Like what even was going on there. Jisun's character was so freaking confusing?? Like who is she as a person? We don't even know what her relationship with Hojin's brother was and we barely even get the full flashback of her time in in Japan with Hojin, so we can't even understand his years long crush on her. And then out of nowhere she decides to get a divorce and embrace her sexuality (good for her). but if that was the direction they wanted to go in, they should have committed to it. If what she needed was a physical release after her engagement fell apart, the tone of that relationship could have stayed fast-paced and heavy instead of turning into yet another random K-drama romance where the guy develops a savior complex.

I loved Hiro's character from start to finish though. What an absolutely funny guy. And the actor playing him gave exactly what was needed to portray a slightly narcisstic A-List celebrity with just enough humanity to make him likeable.

In conclusion instead of unnecessarily keeping the main leads from getting together until the very last moment they should have spent more time fleshing out the other characters (Jisun, Hojin's brother, Cha Muhee's parents and adoptive parents) and giving more screen time to other plots (Cha Muhee's childhood).

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Entangled by a magical fate

That was a really good start for 2026 modern dramas!
“Love between lines” was honestly something I found out about a very long ago but I actually forgot about it. The reason being is that I never understood what it was about. Therefore, I wasn’t interested in it as much as other upcoming dramas. I’m glad to be back just on the right time when it was airing. Now that it has finished, I think it is just the right time for me to write a review.
First of all, I’m a huge fan of Lu Yu Xiao but I never watched Chen Xing Xu’s work. His first impression was very well and I’m looking forward to his next show. As for Lu Yu Xiao, I have watched many of her works and she is such a talent. Her expressions go from playful, cute to fierce at once. I think this is what I like the most about her work. Both talents were met by a good script, it couldn’t be more perfect!
I was drawn to this drama from beginning till the end though I would say the best episodes are in the first half and in some of the last episodes. I love the Virtual reality game concept they used, it just allowed us to see more sides to their relationship. It creates a two side of the relationship, one so magical set in Republic of China filled with mystery but also that sparkle of love and playfulness. The other side of their relationship is more like mature and real love but also with playfulness. I think that the love story in the VR game is like a half of the heart and the rest of the heart belongs to their chemistry in the real world. I imagine it that way and it couldn’t be any better.
In general, what I really love about the characters is that, they are very supporting of each other. Whether it is Xiao Zhi Yu who helped Hu Xiu achieve her dream of becoming an architect or Gong Huai Cong secretly and openly helping Lao Zhao to successfully run her café. I just really appreciate the sense of close friendship they gave us between the two couple.
Love triangle. This was such an intense love triangle because I had hard time picking. Mr.Pei could have been a good boyfriend material if it wasn’t for his intentions from the beginning. But I love all the 2nd MLs, they add a hint of jealousy which leaves us with some funny scenes of ML being jealous all over.
I’m not a CGI expert but it all looked good in my eyes. Especially the scene in the haunted house. It had such an intense romantic vibe. The most handsome NPC playing outside of his role just so that he can protect you from ghosts and turn them into petals or fireflies? Perfect, freaking perfect.
EXTRA thanks to those who made the BGM. My most favorite song is definitely the one in the opening credits. It has very mystical and magical vibes. It is the type of opening credits that I never want to skip. The scenes they picked for this part are so beautiful.
Another EXTRA thanks to all the lovey-dovey scenes they gave us. They felt very real and every moment of it felt special. Crazy to think that they had 27 kiss scenes according to some of the comments I read. Every single hug, words and acts of affection was heartwarming.
Ending wasn’t a wedding as I have expected but I found what they gave us to be much better. Just thinking their first meeting was in a game where he was the Main character and then it ended with FL being the main character was actually something sweet. Love it from start to finish. ∞/10. I would love to come back and watch it again.

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I thought a lot about what rating to give it and I decided to give it this rating. I love the overall idea and I love the cast even more. It was well-crafted, but I was kind of bored at times. Yeah, I laughed, I was blown away by them, but there were really moments when I thought I was a little bored. I'm sorry, because there was such a hype around it that I was hoping to keep it at the 10/10 I gave it after episode 3, but in the end I lowered it by two points. I think even the 10 episodes are perfect.

I wouldn't make it any longer or shorter, it's just right. I definitely recommend the series because it's ideal for, for example, beating boredom or getting to know the characters.

(But I would probably appreciate the romemok ship more, because they only appeared there a few times and it's a shame, it could have been revived somehow)

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This Must Be the Place (To Translate Love)

The premise of Can This Love Be Translated? is undoubtedly appealing.
A drama that plays on linguistic differences, manages to weave Italian into its narrative structure and moves between fascinating international settings such as Canada, Italy, Japan and Korea, it seems to have all the right ingredients to surprise. However, once the initial impact has worn off, the series reveals its limitations: a rather thin narrative, which develops according to familiar patterns and struggles to stand out and really explore the subject matter, getting lost in smoke and mirrors and convoluted musings. Everything remains superficial, proceeding by accumulation and ending in a rambling and inconclusive manner.

And that's a shame, because the set of themes deserved a much more elaborate narrative; telling the story of love, identity and trauma through the filter of linguistic and cultural translation, especially in a meta-cinematic context – albeit reduced to a horrifying case of “dating show” around the world – would in itself be an excellent starting point:
Love, like language, is an imperfect system: Something is always lost in the transition from one heart to another. It is constantly filtered: By the right words, by messages, by unspoken words that must be rephrased so as not to hurt, so as not to lose the other person. The act of translation is not only linguistic, but emotional. The characters try to make themselves “readable”...

It almost seems like a “tragedy of miscommunication”: even though they speak the same language, Ju Ho Jin and Cha Mu Hui do not understand each other, and translators are not needed when the problem is not language, but meaning.

In this game of “emotional translations”, Can This Love Be Translated? introduces an element that is seemingly unrelated and unconventional, but in reality powerful, at least in principle: Do Ra Mi. A character who -initially- functions as the protagonist's alter ego — her lighter, more ironic version, the one who says what she cannot say — but who ultimately reveals herself to be something more trivially introjected.

Not an autonomous presence, but a functional projection that openly “betrays” the narrative construction; initially, the main character’s trauma is introduced with considerable weight (coma, loss of control, scarred childhood) but then it conforms, it is handled as a narrative mechanism, not as a transformative experience; Do Ra-mi - in principle - would be a “valve” that allows the protagonist to say what she does not dare to say, to act on what she cannot process, until the final “explanation” which, unreasonably, overturns everything, bringing it back to a cliché tiredly exploited in the Dramaverse, especially in the golden age; the internalised maternal voice, the one that teaches how to make oneself acceptable, how to survive emotionally, how to love “well”.

However, even this surprise is handled more as a narrative clarification than as a real emotional earthquake; even after the revelation, the conflict does not really intensify. The internalised mother does not suffocate, dominate or ever threaten to take definitive control. She is a tamed ghost, more explanatory than destabilising. In this way, the childhood trauma – which is evoked with great emphasis – never becomes a force capable of irreversibly redefining the protagonist's present. Everything is accepted and overcome with lightness...

Furthermore, from a cinematic point of view, the choice of an “off-screen” solution (... “I'll meet her in Koreatown” ...) to resolve what is, to all intents and purposes, the narrative core of the drama, is absolutely unacceptable and unforgivable!

Unforgivable, like the representation of Italy, once again reduced to a stereotype, to an imaginary concept rather than the real country; For decades, the narrative of the Belpaese, mainly due to Hollywood, has portrayed Italy as a narrative postcard, an open-air museum with its slow pace, almost invisible work, as if we were a nation of slackers, permanent conviviality, and the absurd rituals of coffee, wine and weddings (the whole part about the protagonist's mother's wedding is an anthology of the ridiculous...); and here there is also a touch of irony, where a drama entitled “Can This Love Be Translated?” ends up not really “translating” Italy, but adapting it to a convenient, already familiar language.

A compendium of the most hackneyed narrative clichés of K-drama, ‘CTLBT’ plays on the tried and tested, offering an accessible, elegant and emotionally safe narrative in which it seems that the choice has been made not to make the characters pay a real emotional price. No truly irreversible choices, no net losses. And without loss, the conclusion struggles to feel necessary in a drama that promises complexity but chooses consolation, leaving two doubts that are at least concrete;

The Netflix model focuses on building media hype to capture the “present”, with a young, beautiful, "Instagrammable" lead actress, a beloved actor who never divides opinion – their excellent performances practically single-handedly “save” the drama – and a “clean”, explained, resolved trauma; all set in a beautiful scenario that leads one to think that the whole thing is the result of a major global marketing operation.

"Can This Love Be Translated" is not a creative failure—the series is saved by its craftsmanship and adequate cast—but rather a deliberate choice of narrative safety in a context of global aesthetic ambition. Perhaps for younger generations – or for those who have no memory of the great dramas of the early 2000s or the more radical titles of the 2010s – this series seems mature because it deals with trauma, identity and social issues. But talking about them is not the same as experiencing them, it is simply finding oneself in a comfort zone that works very well at the moment, generates discussion, etc., but which, perhaps in a few years' time, will be remembered as one of those “nice Netflix dramas”.
6 ½

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