Reviews

3 Lifetimes of Everlasting Love

"Everything has started anew"
"Everything is just a beginning"

Even after 3 Lifetimes of being together I still can't have enough of Xiao Yao and Hong Ye
Throughout these 10000 years they laughed and cried, experiencing both friendships and hardships along the way. Every emotion could truly be felt through the screen!

What a touching story of love that is unshakeable by anything!

This is definitely a must watch. The actors have truly become one with the characters allowing the audience to feel as if they are part of the story. The execution is brilliant and the story behind each and every character is absolutely exceptional.

The strong love between the two truly reflects how any conflicts and desires can be resolved by understanding and empathy for all living beings.

Hong Ye and Xiao Yao will remain together in my heart forever and ever ❤️❤️❤️

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So cute and fluffy

Jan. 6, 2025

THIS IS SO CUTE AND FLUFFY. I love this Japanese BL, it is so simple yet it is so charming. There is something about the cast, the execution of the scenes that really carried out how to special this show to me.

The chemistry between the leads are off the charts, and it has attained such cuteness and fluff that I am not irked by it! Rather I am more hooked on as I move on the next episodes. It feels like I have found such show that has been kind of not as common recently.

This is one of those shows that I will definitely rewatch over and over again. I feel like I am such a child being amused with such joy. I am so happy to start of the year with this BL. I will definitely be putting this as those S-tier drama.

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HOPIUM, THE ULTRAMAN

Aaah, Ultraman Geed… what can I say? A very beautiful and well-written story. It teaches about forgiveness, revenge, loyalty, and purpose. There are so many great lessons that both children and adults can take from its narrative.
The visual effects are really cool, the fights are a bit underwhelming but well executed, and the music fits perfectly, adding a lot of emotion to the scenes. This has become one of my favorite Ultras. It’s amazing how a simple story, when done right, can make you feel genuinely good.
The final scene (no spoilers) delivers a very strong message about forgiveness and letting go of certain grudges… honestly, just watch it. Go for it.

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A Painful, but Interesting Watch

The somewhat mundanity of this film is definitely not for everybody, but for me, I liked it. For those who enjoy slice-of-life films that focus on the relationships between characters, growing up in an environment you want to run away from, loneliness, not seeing a real future for yourself, I recommend giving this movie a chance.

I think the most compelling part of this movie is the acting. Bang Minah did an phenomenal job in every scene. It completely drew me in and pulled me inside of Kang Yi's head. I felt myself smiling with her, and I felt my heart breaking with her. She loved her friends a lot, especially So Young, and it was heartbreaking seeing how many times she continued to trust So Young and have faith in their friendship going back to the way it was despite So Young's changed attitude towards her.

It was heartbreaking how the characters' connections developed throughout the film, how these changes affected them and affected their dynamic, and witnessing Kang Yi's growing depression. Once these girls were all each other had and probably their own happiness, and then their own feelings and lives got in between their connections with each other. In adolescence, feelings are so big and confusing, you have no idea how to deal with them. This film is a depressing portrayal of life.

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Storyline

I never write reviews about dramas but this one annoyed me because they wasted a very good plot and characters. They really could've expanded the story and moved in a different direction.

They had 3 perfectly great characters they introduced in ep 30+ and they just killed them off after you end up vouching for all of them individually. Seriously? I think they could've skipped the more of the immortal spirit part as well. You could start at around ep 20? where she goes back into her 2nd life and still enjoy it. The 1st life was more interesting to be fair.

And the ending to have the ML sacrifice himself and the FL goes back to a moment she enjoys with him but he still stays stuck in that way, seems like lazy writing. Could she not have invented something else to go back and change reality. And who is that other female god that promised humans the Yuli spring just to tempt their desires and say they cant be changed? So at the end the takeaway is you still have to repent for your crimes no matter how you have redeemed yourself and you'll be stuck in a loop forever. I mean if that was the end message thats fine but to make it a good thing for the FL to stay in an illusion forever? They can do better then this.

This whole series could've been edited better to 25-30 episodes. I can see how some said messy writing. Omg.

Pros:
You buy into FL &ML chemistry in about ep 20.
The casting was good.
The production development was good.

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Perfectly Imperfect

A really good follow-up to the first season, with the second season maintaining the series' core identity. The already complex situations become even more complicated, and new issues regarding gay relationships are explored, along with some queer matters in general. One of them being the HIV, which was addressed in the first season as well, but in the second, they focus a lot more on it to raise awareness to the audience, which I find really important and praise worthy.

Regarding the addition of new characters, it feels very organic and necessary, as it actually helps to see the established characters in a new light and delve deeper into their lives and backgrounds. As for the acting, it's on point in this season as well, with the cast delivering very natural performances.

For those who watched the first season, I definitely recommend the second. It doesn't flop or become tiresome at all rather it complements the first season's elements in the best possible way.

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Ending wasn't only bad but disastrous

The ending didn't satisfy me at all! Regardless Hong Ye human arc was my favourite but Even after all those suffering, it was again Hong Ye sacrificing himself apparently because every sin is committed by him only and no one else is guilty at all .. It would have been a lil bit better if he could have recarnated atleast in the end .. but it looks like the story maker was a total Hong Ye hater , he couldn't be bothered.. Moreover, Xiao Yao learnt the new technique and went back to the time , when they first met ??? Like girl ?? What do you want? All to be repeated all again? Moreover all this time traveling was just so pointless in this drama .. people going back and not changing anything? She travelled back just to live the past life .. couldn't change anything at all !? In the end , I thought she learnt something new from ancient scriptures so maybe she'll go at the time of sealing the mirror and do something else and Hong Ye will be saved ! But NO 😭😭😭 She just wanted to live again with Hong Ye and watch him suffer all over again!😭😭😭 This drama has so much potential but story kinda ruined it.

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It's Not Amazing, Not Bad, Just Watchable

It’s not bad. The storytelling is not boring enough that you wouldn't want to tune in for tomorrow's episode, but also not interesting enough that you would be raving about it to all your friends. It's not infuriating in that there is no plague of "noble idiocy", unreasonably villainous characters, unnecessary conflicts springing up out of nowhere solely for the purpose of giving our CPs a reason to be pushed together. This author has set up a complex and logical world and the characters are logically flowing along in it.

And the ending is tragic but they set you up well for it (even if you don't have any context from the other drama/books, you should be able to guess who will survive or not if you're listening closely to what the characters say). And there’s not unnecessary tragedy and losses along the way.

+10 points because every male actor is incredibly good looking and makes watching super enjoyable.

I am a long time Ding Yu Xi fan, but before this drama I was starting to doubt his acting ability when re-watching his older dramas (they kind of lose their spark after the 3rd/4th watch). But now in an ensemble cast where he is not the ML and I can do side by side comparison with other lead actors at his level, I can pick out what makes him so great. The way he uses his facial muscles, how his expressions are actually distinct from one moment to the next. The way he tried to give the impression that he is reacting to the situation in real-time and is not just the plot armored “perfect guy”/ “always keep his composure as if I know what’s coming next in the script”. So this drama was good for restoring my appreciation for DYX.

So nice production overall, but only an 8.0 because it has no re-watchability factor.

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Why is the review that low? 7,6???

I definitely can’t understand the bad reviews so far. After three Episodes I’m feeling:
The acting is great, and the story feels different from the usual patterns we see again and again in dramas lately. It doesn’t try to please everyone, and that is exactly why it works for me. From the very first episode, there is an emotional weight that quietly settles in your chest and refuses to leave. This drama is not afraid to be slow, painful, and honest, and that makes it feel real rather than constructed.

The performances are strong without being overdone. Every glance, pause, and broken sentence feels intentional. You can sense that the actors trust the material, and that trust transfers directly to the audience. Instead of dramatic exaggeration, we get subtle emotions that slowly build until they hurt. It’s heartbreaking in a quiet way, the kind of sadness that lingers long after the episode ends.

What truly sets this story apart is its willingness to take risks. It doesn’t rely on predictable twists or forced cliffhangers. Instead, it focuses on emotional consequences, human flaws, and choices that cannot be undone. That makes the pain feel earned, not manipulative. You may not always agree with the characters, but you understand them, and that understanding is what keeps you watching.

I actually think the criticism proves how different this drama is. Stories like this are rarely appreciated immediately. They require patience, emotional openness, and a willingness to sit with discomfort. Not everyone wants that, and that’s okay. But for those who connect with it, the experience is deeply rewarding.

There is something special about having a drama that gives you something to look forward to every single week. The anticipation, the emotional preparation, and the afterthoughts all become part of your routine. It’s not just entertainment; it becomes a feeling, a shared moment with other viewers who feel the same way.

That is why I already know this drama will be in my Top 3 of 2026. Not because it is easy to watch, but because it dares to hurt, to stay honest, and to trust its audience. I’m genuinely excited to continue this journey, even if it breaks my heart along the way, because stories like this are the ones we remember the longest.

Long after the final episode airs, I know I will still think about the scenes, the dialogue, and the emotions they stirred inside me. This is the kind of story that grows with you, changing meaning depending on your own experiences. That depth is rare, and it deserves more credit than it currently receives. I’m grateful I gave it a chance, and I will gladly defend it every single time, because sometimes the most beautiful stories are the ones that quietly shatter you and help you understand yourself a little better than before.

This drama reminds me why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place, and why patience is sometimes the greatest reward of all. It stays with you long after watching.

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A Modern Sci-Fi Comedy Done Well

PROS
Great writing, even greater comedy than anticipated, and I’m IN LOVE with the 羊驼 (alpaca) song. And this drama is yet another data point to convince me that Gao Han Yu (Gu Yu's actor) only knows how to play incredibly likable characters.

CONS
The ML and FL had flaws in the beginning that I was not fond of (the FL was too quick to assume the ML’s bad intentions once or twice, and ML was unnecessarily unapologetic about his rude, yet truthful comments on appearance). Upon reflection, if I were in their shoes I would have acted the same, but I like to place an unrealistic expectation on drama characters to be more righteous, logical, compassionate and merciful than I am (which may be unreasonable, but it is fiction - people should be better and more ideal than real humans). Luckily the flaws were minute and not recurring, and the characters were mostly lovable and cleared up all misunderstandings and gave all necessary apologies in the end.

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Qian Sanyi and Lin Miaomiao ❤️

What I loved most about Growing Pain Season 2 is how naturally it shows the characters’ growth—from proud, playful, and sometimes immature high school students to young adults learning how to navigate life, dreams, and friendships. The transition feels honest and relatable, capturing the confusion and vulnerability that come with early adulthood.

The highlight of this season is definitely the continuation and deepening of Qian Sanyi and Lin Miaomiao’s relationship, which was left unresolved in Season 1. Sanyi’s character development is especially touching—seeing him gradually set aside his pride for Miaomiao shows how much he has matured. At the same time, Miaomiao surprises us by becoming a gentle, thoughtful girlfriend, a side of her we didn’t fully expect but deeply appreciate. More than lovers, they truly feel like each other’s best friends, and that emotional foundation makes their relationship incredibly meaningful and lovable.

Guo Junchen and Zhao Jinmai’s chemistry is unexpectedly beautiful. Perhaps it feels so natural because we’ve watched them grow together from Season 1 to Season 2 (even though I binged everything in a week ?). Their performances make the relationship feel genuine rather than idealized, and it left me wanting to see more of them—whether in another season or even in a completely new drama.

I also appreciate how Season 2 leans more into realism compared to the lighter tone of Season 1. Life isn’t always happy, and the “adulting” stage is filled with disappointments, wrong choices, and self-doubt. This season doesn’t shy away from that. Instead, it shows how growing up means learning, failing, and moving forward together—with friends and loved ones by your side.

Overall, Growing Pain Season 2 feels mature, heartfelt, and deeply relatable. I’m still holding onto hope for a Season 3—maybe one where Sanyi and Miaomiao are married… or even middle-aged and still growing together. That would truly feel like a full-circle ending

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The Best Adapatation in the TBOY Series

So amazing!!!! The peak level of friendly platonic bromance! And the constant subversion of expectations when your main characters are all bad guys just trying to be good.

THE CHARACTERS
Su Chang He (Chuang Hua Sen's character and SML) was PERFECCCCTTTTT!!! I know everyone is agreeing that he is the standout character/actor in this show. So complicated, but ultimately motivated by such intrinsic goodness and loyalty. So willing to lay down all power, control, prestige, for his friends. Gains everyone's following and the highest leadership title so early on, and yet forever acts subservient to others. A real humble king-like character: super OP, but always taking the humblest position.
Gong Jun's character really grew on me as well! It was nice that he was not always a goody two shoes, took justice into his own hands, trusted and understood SCH so unconditionally, and only really got murderous when it was to avenge SCH.

THE FLAWS
The worst 2 parts were 1) the romance, and 2) the unrealistic way that so many people lived for the sake of loving the "art of the sword", and treated every conflict like there were no real issues of life and death or strife in the world. Like when the city is under attack and the OP guys are somewhere playing chess and just commenting on how power is changing hands right now somewhere nearby (like why don't you do something about it and lend a hand???). People have important missions and they are willing to abandon them mid-mission just to fight a "worthy opponent" (unprovoked, not their enemy, just happens to be present). And if they get defeated, they just brush it off and fly away like it was not important to begin with. Most fights have no meaning, most people live so frivolously that you wonder how their society is functioning, because who is actually earning money, doing agriculture, running the city, building infrastructure, etc?
And the romance was just such an obnoxious deterrent from the ICONIC bromances going on, every last one. The only saving grace for this is that **spoiler** none of the CPs worked out in the end ;)

BETTER THAN TBOY
But this is so much better than the other stories in this world - The Blood Of Youth and Dashing Youth - b/c there was actually some MEANING to most of the battles. The Blood River folks had a purpose for their fights and power struggles. They never just fought to test out their skills (even though some non-Blood River people did), but they were fighting to the death to gain the title of the Patriarch, and then to free themselves from their patrons, and then to gain allies to help them re-write their name in society. Always a tangible goal, and always a fight that if it was not won and both sides made it out alive and unscathed, they could not allow the other to continue. Not like TBOY where **spoiler** they had so many fights in the first 10 episodes over the guy in the coffin, and then ultimately he just walked out on his own and kept going in the direction that everyone was trying to take him to (which was the SAME direction btw, I don't even know why they had to fight in the first place).
And also, the friendships here were so real, deep, and full of history, unlike the TBOY friendships that were formed on the fly in real-time and resulted in loyalty and proclamations of brotherhood that seemed to come out of nowhere and be rooted in knowing nothing about each other, very unrealistic.

All in all, so many positives that it cancels out all of the negatives and warrants a near perfect score.

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I LOVE IT! One of the best-produced C-dramas I’ve ever watched!

Zhao Jinmai (Maimai) and Song Weilong’s chemistry and visuals are chef’s kiss—they truly bring Nie Xiguang and Lin Yusen to life. Weilong’s frustration and yearning, so powerfully conveyed through his eyes, paired with Maimai’s beautifully delivered lines, make every scene feel incredibly real. For me, they are truly among the best actors, and I completely fell in love with them.

The story is captivating and engaging in every episode. Although it’s a slow-burn romance, the courting stage is portrayed so delicately and romantically that you barely even notice they haven’t had their first kiss yet—it’s that enchanting.

The soundtrack is perfectly placed in every scene, effortlessly enhancing the emotions. This has officially become my top 1 favorite C-drama 💕 Thank you, Gu Man, Maimai, Weilong, and the entire cast and crew for such a wonderful production

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A sweet story of falling in love—slowly, but surely

I am so happy that this was the last show I've watched in 2025 and the first show I've watched in 2026. This drama is sweet, warm, fluffy, and overall cozy—perfect for the cold weather!

STORY:

This is a masterclass from Gu Man about letting go and finding a love that you deserve.

I saw that some people have commented that this drama is boring because of the slow progress between the main leads, but I think the slow progress between them is actually the highlight of the show. I would like to think of Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang's love as a tree (funny how Lin Yusen's name is related to this)—growing slow and steady. And when it is big enough, it is strong and can withstand any hardships and the flowers that blossom from it is beautiful. The story of how Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang got together basically laid foundation to their future that was shown by the end of the show and it's a very full circle moment for me to watch that. You know that Tiktok trend about "which movie/series couple will definitely break up after the events of the movie/series end"? Yeah, you will never catch Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang in those lists.

So, yeah. The point is: The slowburn is the whole point of the show. So, if you're not into that, you'd probably never enjoy it. (Also, it makes sense for their love to be slow because Nie Xiguang is hesitant after the disaster that was her first love.)

Going to the next point, the story also shows a comparison of what love should feel like. The comparisons are not explicitly said, but you can see it in how Nie Xiguang interacts with Lin Yusen as compared to how she interacts with Zhuang Xu (her first love). On top of my mind, an example would be how Nie Xiguang—even when she was still not close to Lin Yusen and even when they started off at the wrong foot—feels at ease with him and feels confident enough in expressing herself. Meanwhile, with Zhuang Xu, it's like she's always walking on eggshells, afraid that one squeak would earn yet another unsolicited scolding that only breaks down her confidence.

Aside from comparisons of what love should feel like, the story also shows comparisons of what friendships should feel like. They showed two different types of friendship—one from her university days and one from her work days, and you can clearly see which of the two Nie Xiguang was happy with. And I really love how they showed Nie Xiguang's healing not just in terms of love but also in terms of friendship. It's what she deserves.

Another thing that I love about this show is that the love and care is not one sided. As much as Lin Yusen gave light to Nie Xiguang's life, Nie Xiguang also gave light to Lin Yusen's life. The mutual affection was very obvious and you can clearly see how they were very much into each other. They truly lived the title "Shine On Me" because they definitely shone on each other's lives—a constant source of warmth, affection, and encouragement; and this was so consistent until the end.

Special Mention: Lin Yusen's first love (medicine) plot line. I feel so sad whenever I think about how he can no longer operate and be a surgeon like he had always dreamed of. And it's so frustrating whenever someone asks him why he's not a doctor anymore—like, that's a sore spot, don't ask anymore! It's just so regretful to think how a brilliant doctor and a rare talent like him ended up not being able to use his talent at all. At least, not in the way he dreamed of. But one striking line in the show was spoken by one of his mentors, Professor Xi, "If your hands can no longer dance to your mind's rhythm, then perhaps it's fate guiding you to another path to save patients." And I'm so happy he found that other path.

Another Special Mention: I feel like the ending of Nie Xiguang's parents was a foreshadowing (and a warning) of what would have happened if Nie Xiguang ended up with Zhuang Xu. I think it's a good detail to explore because the story did show some similarities between Nie Xiguang's dad and Zhuang Xu. I love how decisive Nie Xiguang's mother was to cut him off her life, though. And it mirrors Nie Xiguang's resolve to shut down Zhuang Xu later in the story.

ACTING/CAST:

Like I said in an old review, my only criteria to say that an actor is good is when I'm able to enjoy the show while watching him or her. If the actor delivers what he has to deliver and make me feel for their character, then they're good in my books. And for this show, everyone definitely delivered. My heart fluttered for Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang. I 100% rooted for them and their endeavors. I got pissed at Zhuang Xu, Ye Rong, Nie Xiguang's father and his little side family, and even Siliang. And I have fond feelings for Yin Jie, Yu Hua, Dr. Fang, Jiang Rui, and Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang's close family and friends.

To be honest, when I saw the first trailer, I wasn't particularly gagged by Song Weilong and Zhao Jinmai's chemistry. But since they were actors I'm quite fond of individually (I always watch the works they release), I still gave it a try and I was blown away by how amazing they actually were together. (Sorry for doubting you, monarchs!) I hope they have another project together, hopefully a costume one. Or maybe a mystery and adventure one.

MUSIC:

Let me just say, I was so invested with this show that I already know which OST is going to play in a specific scene. And Zhang Hao's Coming For You, went platinum in my household and in my heart! That's SOTY for me now. Whenever I need something to make my heart flutter, I'll just listen to Shine On Me's soundtracks and relive the scenes in my brain.

Like, the music is so effective, I can vividly relate scenes to every song.

REWATCH VALUE:

This is such a feel good show, that you will never hesitate to rewatch it. I, myself, will 100% rewatch it when I need something to make my heart flutter.

OVERALL:

My heart was happy the whole time I was watching this show—and that's all that matters. This is definitely going to my Top Idol Dramas Hall of Fame.

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