Reviews

Fell in love with ep1, but gradually fades....

If this were a really short movie, Episode 1 alone would have been enough, because almost everything was already set up and resolved within that first episode. The main conflict, the characters, and even the direction of their relationship were established very quickly.

After that, the story focused more on the characters gradually understanding their feelings for each other. While I appreciated the emotional development, it felt a little stretched out at times, causing the initial excitement and momentum to slowly fade as the series progressed.

That said, it's still a very cute and heartwarming watch. The chemistry between the leads was sweet and natural, making it easy to root for them.

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Frustrating in the end!

I enjoy watching everything Japanese, since their culture is so different from Europe/America but be warned, this is one of the many J-Dramas in which it's obvious the writers did everything to shock you ! This guarantees you don't forget the drama easily, but it also makes you angry and frustrated because the WRONG message it convenes, even if it has a "happy" ending.
Episodes 10, 11 are especially frustrating because of the inconsistency. Everybody seems to forget the clearly horrible and even illegal things Maya has done and instead she is remembered as such a great teacher, and all the kids cry when she is [justfully] dismissed.
What is the message here? would it be OK for a Army Sergeant to train soldiers as if they were 12-year girls ? NO ? Then, why is it ok to educate 12-years girls as they were soldiers going to the most vicious war? There is a line in which one of the teachers says about Maya: "Probably she received by mistake military training instead of teacher training?". No other teachers react, but it is one of the best lines in the show !
The idea seems to be, "Maya is educating them well because she is preparing them for the harsh realities of life". I DO NOT agree for 2 reasons:
1) she clearly crosses the line, for instance when she takes away the summer break and then punishes Kanda and her friends for missing the last summer classes, and in such an unprofessional way, she removes their desks and then makes 12-year old carry heavy desks on the stairs ?!? Or, while she knows who really stole the wallet, she allows Kanda to be viciously bullied for it, including the risk of death when her classmates try to drown her in the pool, or when she falls thru broken glass and is seriously injured ?!?!? Basically the teacher contributes to bullying ! These are almost criminal acts! For these, she could go to prison, not just to the Reeducation center !
However, all these terrible things are forgotten in eps. 10, 11 and she is just remembered to being "a strict teacher". This is unbelievable and, I say again, just wrong, immoral and unethical.

2) all this Maya speeches "society is bad and cruel, and I prepare you for it, only 6% of the Japanese are happy and in this class NONE of you will be happy", I believe is a chicken-and-egg problem. Society is bad because the are bad people, people who learn from childhood to be bad, and are allowed to be bad, and are even encouraged to be bad, because of teachers like Maya who basically contribute to the bullying and do nothing, and teach an evil system of values and rewards and punishments ["be my friend, spy for me and then all bullying will stop"] and of course, in the future, colleagues like Maya, bosses like Maya and so on. It even contradicts how she criticizes her husband in the prequel episode, after she discovers he did acts of corruption at his company - it is not an excuse to do bad things just because everybody does them!

The 2 prequel episodes transmit a weak message about how and why she becomes a "demon teacher". Her inadequacy in solving her initial class problems when she was a kind and caring teacher is just that - inadequacy, lack of training, lack of support (all the school Principals and Vice Principals in Japanese movies seem to be utterly incapable, spineless and only make things worse).
It's like an engine only has two speeds, 0 and Maximum RPM. You can only be a weak, ineffective teacher who tries (and fails) to love everybody, or a Demon teacher which actively bullies and mistreats everybody. This is the message of the movie.

The only way to enjoy this movie is to try to detach from reality. I always try to think that probably all Japanese writers hold a meeting in which they say "this is the normal, expected course of action. How can we alter it so it is unexpected, shocking and utterly unbelievable, but will make everybody talk about it?". So you ditch morality for views and ratings.

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It was completely worth every minute I spent watching it.

This was such a lovely drama to keep me company during this month of cold, unpredictable weather in my country.

I laughed a lot, truly enjoyed the main couple, and honestly didn't pay much attention to the business and financial side of the story. The best part was seeing dear Tan Jian Ci once again in a lighthearted, gentle, and sweet production—the kind that suits him so perfectly.

I don't really understand all the criticism. We got three adorable couples, a business issue that is actually quite relevant in today's world, and plenty of fun... along with some wonderfully stir-fried eggplants.

I absolutely loved this drama and will keep it in a special place in my heart. It was completely worth every minute I spent watching it.

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I love everything about the story

I didn't read the novel yet, but to be honest I've seen a lot of review already by those who have read the novel. And I can't blame you or I can't invalidate your feelings for not being satisfied because the series have not included a lot of things that happened in the novel. But as a bl watcher I would really recommend it for newbies.

HillTer story really shows each other pov. All the misunderstanding that happend they still waited and waited to come back to each other. It's just so pure, soft, cute and interesting at the same time. For me of all the stories in fourever you this one story really got me to watch the whole series and also the second season. Try to understand their story it will really leave a good memory for all, when I first watch it Hill literally became my standard (not until tonfah came) but yeah he will, definitely will.

While, in JohanNorth they're shown that one person can make a big difference on how you see yourself in the future. The waiting, the yearning, the way Jo changes himself to be someone that does have something to do in his life. It's a fantasy for almost everyone I think. And North being the cutest cupid everytime is a full package already. I assured everyone that if you watch this drama it's all worth it.

It became my fav of all time, my comfort series and everything. I first watch it because of P'Earth and P'Bas but ended up loving all the characters.

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Beautiful Beyond Words

Simply the best. Honestly, this series had me hooked from start to finish — I was completely along for the ride, fully invested. Major kudos to the director, who I truly think is the best BL storyteller out there. He handled such a delicate subject with so much care and skill, and it really showed. The shots, the cinematography, the editing — everything was top-notch. It captured the vibe perfectly, pulling out all the emotions in such a natural way. The script was thought‑provoking too; you can tell how much effort went into making this a high‑caliber series. The acting across the board was strong, but of course, Fourth once again proved why he’s the standout actor of his generation. His eyes alone carry so much weight — they’re expressive enough to tell the whole story without a single word. Truly a gem of an actor. All in all, this series was memorable, beautiful, and inspiring. It’s the kind of show that stays with you long after the credits roll. Absolute 5/5 stars.

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Nice drama, but didn't reel me in.

This was a nice drama about fighting to keep an orphanage alive. The story of a family overcome several difficulties in live together. Though this was a nice drama, it didn't manage to really keep me engaged. There was enough happening, the story was well written and produced, but i still felt bored several times.
The music was all background music, but it was good for this series. There was one song in the end and that was a good song.
The visuals were also good.

All the actors did a good job, the kids did great!
The mains had chemistry, but it felt more friendship chemistry than romantic. The kisses were ok.

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Perth and Santa other drama… Let’s dive in…

Unlike most BLs that focus on two people falling in love, this series begins with the couple already in a relationship.

The story follows Pobmek, an elementary school teacher who, ironically, doesn't even like children. Yet he puts up with the noisy, chaotic school environment every single day because his boyfriend, Solar, is a fellow teacher who absolutely adores kids. Pobmek loves Solar so much that he's willing to endure the one thing he dislikes just to stay by his side and support the career that makes Solar happy.

Their peaceful life is turned upside down when Solar is involved in a terrible car accident. The accident leaves him with serious neurological damage, causing his brain to regress to the mental capacity of a seven-year-old child named Sun. Sun, like most kids, becomes frightened by his situation and looks for his mom. Thankfully, Pobmek is able to persuade Sun to go back home with him.

The next morning, when Sun wakes up, he returns to his adult self as Solar. Thinking nothing is wrong, they go to work. But unfortunately for them, Solar turns back into Sun again—this time right in the middle of the school where they work.

To make things worse, the condition is witnessed by Sodchuen and Jee. Not knowing how else to explain the sudden change, Pobmek finally tells them the truth. To his surprise, Sodchuen and Jee don't judge or punish Solar; instead, they offer their help to navigate the situation. Before long, the rest of the teachers—and even the students—become part of the effort to protect Solar's secret and help care for both Solar and Sun whenever the switch happens.

Now, Pobmek finds himself caring not only for the children at school but also for the person he loves most, whose personality can change without warning. Thankfully, soon after, Pobmek finally discovers what triggers the change between Solar and Sun. Once they understand the pattern, it becomes easier for Pobmek and the other teachers to navigate between Solar and Sun.

So, how does this story end? Will Solar be able to fully return to his adult self without turning back into Sun again? What is the actual secret behind his changing personality? And most importantly, will Pobmek be able to handle both Solar and Sun, or will he give up and just bolt out the door?

That's pretty much the story without giving anymore spoilers.

What I like:
+ As usual, Perth & Santa chemistry & their acting is never disappointing. Although I kinda hope for a different role for them next time…
+ GMMTv put more effort into their dramas. It’s no longer only about school romance… it’s about something that has more meaning…

What I’m not too like:
- The whole situation with Solar and Sun doesn't really make sense. Like: how all the teachers and students just blindly accept the 'orders' to help them.
- And the most ridicules of all is the school… Sometimes I wonder if this is elementary or kindergarten… and where the school is…? Why does 1st grade and 2nd grade combine into 1 class???

But overall it’s a good drama & I’m happy I can watch this…

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An engaging story with an incredible villain!

The production and storytelling were excellent. The romance developed at a slow, realistic pace. I really enjoyed the performances and the lead characters. The concept of a princess falling for a police officer was very interesting. There wasn't much comic relief—since that wasn't the series' aim—nor were there many highly emotional moments. The show maintains a constant "danger is lurking" atmosphere, which sets it apart from other sapphic series. My main criticism is that I would have liked to see more depth in the protagonists; the story ended, yet I feel we don't know much about them. There were no moments that delved into their backstories, their pasts, or what drives them. Another issue for me was that, given today's technology—with so many ways to communicate, travel, and expose situations—it didn't make sense for it to take so long for the truth to come out.

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Stuck in the Same Cycle

I understand that this drama was meant to portray the reality of modern relationships, and I can appreciate that intention. However, I found the overall progression incredibly boring and mundane. It felt like nothing much was happening other than the constant confusion surrounding the leads' relationship.

I was also hoping to see more meaningful character development, especially in a drama built around emotional growth and complicated relationships, but I never really got that. The ML was a walking red flag, which I know was intentional, but honestly... he was just sureki / garbage. 😭

I also didn't enjoy the atmosphere or the pacing. There were so many scenes where I found myself hitting the forward button because I genuinely felt like I wasn't missing anything important. The story just kept going in circles without giving me enough reasons to stay invested.

As for the ending... it was exactly what I expected. Nothing surprised me, and by that point, I was just ready for the drama to be over.

Overall, I understand what the writers were trying to achieve, but it simply wasn't my type of drama. The realistic approach wasn't the issue for me. It was the repetitive storytelling, lack of meaningful character growth, and slow pacing that made it difficult to enjoy.

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Thriller turns into intimacy

A BL story about a serial killer and a friendly police officer visiting his friend. This drama has great mystery elements and you can feel the tension. the length is good, I don't think it needed to be any longer than it already is. The ending is also satisfactory.

The side characters are also confusing; some losers start doing drugs and kill an investigating cop? The "trouble" that the side characters get into are not described well. Since its quite a short drama it is better to focus on the main scenes and the chemistry of the couple rather than all of the details in the drama.

I still highly enjoyed the drama and hope to see more of the main leads.

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An engaging first half, but a bit overwhelming later on

After finishing Reach Beyond the Blue Sky, I can safely say that Shibusawa Heikuro was my absolute favorite character. Mizukami Koshi’s performance was incredible—he is an exceptionally talented actor who made Heikuro so admirable and deeply memorable. His character arc absolutely broke my heart.

Chuichiro was another standout for me, though his storyline goes in an incredibly wild and chaotic direction. His choices and his downward spiral were deeply tragic to witness because he clearly had so much potential. It was really sad seeing his character turn out the way he did.

The show boasts a fantastic supporting cast. Machida Keita was spectacular as Hijikata Toshizo, and I also loved Hiraoka and his wife, Kisaku, and Eiichi's wonderful parents (especially his father). Even with limited screen time, Kamishiraishi Mone was wonderful as Tensho-In, and seeing Kasamatsu Sho in the cast was a huge bonus. On the negative side, the main character Eiichi made some frustrating personal choices that really pissed me off.

Unfortunately, the series lost its spark for me in the second half. From about episode 28 onward, after a major shift in the political landscape, it became a bit of a chore to watch. The political subplots became completely overwhelming—there was a lot of dense dialogue and complex power dynamics that went over my head, and I eventually gave up trying to follow it. Because of that, I couldn't understand why everyone held the last shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, in such high regard. I wasn't a fan of the actor's performance either, and the character never quite stood out to me. If I would rewatch it one day, I would only watch the first half.

Overall, it’s a solid series for its first half, but it gets bogged down and boring in the later portion. Keep in mind this is just my personal take on the drama itself, purely as entertainment rather than a strict historical critique!

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Already on episode 29/36 and they still haven’t kissed yet

every episode felt boring, and nothing in the story made me excited to keep watching. The plot is too simple and lacks the emotional impact that keeps me invested. It might honestly be the worst Cdrama I’ve watched this year.

That said, it’s also one of the most comfortable and stress-free dramas I’ve seen. If you’re looking for something light with almost no major conflicts or heavy angst, this could be your cup of tea.

What I liked:
- The leads have good chemistry, and they look great together.
- It’s an easy, relaxing watch with an unproblematic storyline.

What disappointed me:
- The romance is an extremely slow burn with barely any sparks. There are very few kiss scenes, and after waiting for so many episodes, the romantic payoff just wasn’t satisfying.
- The plot never gave me enough excitement to keep pressing “next episode.”

Overall, this drama just wasn’t for me. I wanted more romance, more tension, and more memorable moments. Sadly, I decided to drop it.

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