Reviews

Satisfying Revenge

When you die abused, but wake up reborn with hacking skills and a vengeance list

🏆 THE AWARDS CEREMONY 🏆
MVP: The ML for having zero chill about being the world's richest man. No secret identity, no humble billionaire act, just "Yes, I own everything you can see and several things you can't, what about it?" Energy? Unmatched. Subtlety? Never heard of her.

Crimes Against Logic: An ORIGINAL MONET. On PAPER. ROLLED UP. In dead grandma's GARAGE SALE PILE. I'm calling the Louvre. I'm calling Interpol. I'm calling someone because that painting should be in a climate-controlled vault, not stuffed in a box labeled "old junk." The disrespect to impressionism! To canvas! To MY BRAIN!

Most Rewatchable Moment: Every single time he looked down at her. The height difference was doing heavy lifting in this show. That man had to tilt his head at a 45-degree angle just to make eye contact, and I rewatched every second. Neck pain? Worth it. Chiropractor bills? WORTH IT.

Needs Therapy: That goddamn bracelet. Gifted with love, survived a car accident, got stolen, became forensic evidence, got dropped, thrown, insulted for being cheap, and somehow still expected to symbolize their eternal bond. Baby, if you've been through half the trauma this bracelet endured, you'd be in pieces. Someone get this accessory a support group.

Surprise Winner: Adopted sister's "angry" faces! Girl was committed to being evil, but her facial expressions said, "I'm flexing every muscle in my face." The eyebrow work! The pursed lips! The complete lack of actual rage! It was giving community theater villain and I lived for every second. 🤣

Robbery: Denying ME the opportunity to own those sleek AI glasses. They were GORGEOUS. They were ADVANCED. They probably cost more than my car. And I can't have them? This show really looked me in the eye and said "You can watch him wear them but you'll never know that technological joy yourself." CRIMINAL.

Read More

A welcome change in plot and great direction

To my shore is a welcome change in many aspects… story, direction and acting!
When the story is of a love that is borderline or beyond redemption it needs great story telling to be convincing. The direction is commendable considering that. Both the director and the main leads convinced me that there is all shades to love when the star crossed lovers are as extreme as, yu shulang and fan xiao. One, kind and sunshine like and the other devious and dark. Their journey of self realization, acceptance and redemption was towards not just to each other but most of all to themselves.
The story had a raw edge of grey that was life like…
Both the leads had great chemistry and you don’t need a lot of skinship or NC scenes to translate their passion convincingly. I really enjoyed the episodes when they were falling for each other.
Ofcourse there are gaps and areas that can be improved upon, I chose to stay with the positives of this drama for it was an overall great attempt by the cast and crew! Kudos!!!

Read More

16 Episodes and I surrender

The actor playing Wei Wuxian is the ray of sunshine of this show. His emotions are written all over his face and in his eyes, and he is definitely the best part of the series. The second lead is also good, but Wei Wuxian is my favourite.
What I didn’t enjoy from the very beginning were the ridiculous special effects. I’m sorry, but the cave monster and other beasts look terrible. This is also my first Chinese series, so I’m not familiar with their usual level of expertise, but it all looks very amateur.
Another thing that really disturbed me were the male cast’s wigs. To be honest, I sometimes couldn’t even focus on the dialogues because of those ridiculous wigs. I mean, where does human hair start according to Chinese character designers? Surely not halfway down the cheek.
Unfortunately, I’m dropping the series after 16 episodes, as I couldn’t get involved enough with the storyline. Maybe I’ll try the books one day.

Read More

✨ A Gentle Love Story That Glows Brighter with Every Episode ?

I fell in love with Shine on Me for its emotionally mature romance 💕, natural chemistry 🔥, and beautifully crafted slow‑burn storytelling 🌙. The heartfelt pacing and Lin Yu Sen’s sincerity made every moment feel real and meaningful.
The chemistry between Song Wei Long and Zhao Jin Mai was incredible — deep, steady, and impossible to ignore ✨. The ML’s patience and quiet longing paired perfectly with the FL’s gradual emotional awakening, and their relationship with his mothers added so much warmth 💐.
While the slow pacing may not suit everyone, I found the drama warm, comforting, and deeply romantic. The cinematography is gorgeous 🎥, the OST is dreamy 🎶, and the emotions linger long after the final episode.

Overall, Shine on Me is a satisfying, heartwarming watch that reminds us why pure, positive romance will always have a special place in our hearts ❤️.

Read More

A Twisted Story That Kept Me Believing

The Wicked Game was absolutely amazing from start to finish. The story was so tricky and unpredictable, with constant twists and turnouts that kept me hooked the whole time. Every episode made me question what was really going on, and just when I thought I understood the plot, it surprised me again. One of the most overwhelming moments for me was when Peem was shot. That scene hit really hard emotionally, and I was honestly in shock. It felt heartbreaking and unfair, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it afterward. But deep in my heart, I kept believing that he was still alive. Something about the way the story was written made me refuse to give up hope—and I’m so glad I trusted that feeling. And he is alive. What makes this series special is how it plays with your emotions while keeping the suspense strong. The characters feel real, the tension never drops, and the storytelling is bold and smart. The Wicked Game isn’t just entertaining—it pulls you in and makes you feel everything. Definitely a series worth watching and remembering.

Read More

my top 10! i love IT

If you're wondering whether to watch it, definitely yes! I was skeptical myself when I saw how “low” its rating was. I took the plunge and I'm glad I did. An original plot with excellent acting and an interesting ending. I admire the actors for taking on the challenge of performing underwater in artificial mermaid tails, they really deserve a big round of applause.

I really don't know what's wrong with people who complain. ofc You can complain but if you don't like this kind of thing, why watch it and then complain and give it a low rating? If I don't like a certain genre of film, I avoid it, I don't force myself to watch it and then complain that it's hopeless.

Read More

When the GL subplot is better than the BL itself...

"Ja" had something different in mind, when he left GMMTV. I do not care much for Mr. Ja, but I was happy to see "Tae" again, after his role in "Between Us" in 2022. But sadly the script was more crap than I could have imagined. First, if you know that someone was raped and abused, you would not cast him in a role which has an similar plot in the student short-film project. But even if you don't know all the details, the actor himself would not take that role when his trauma still lingers and has not healed. The more problematic part is, that Mr. Ja has no clue how to act in dramatic or sad scenes. He looks statuesque with no facial expression at all. There is no energy, anger or something else. It's like it does not matter to him. It seems the workshop did not really work. Besides looking handsome there goes nothing for him.

With such a poor acting performance his counterpart can't balance the performance. He tries his best, but it does not work. That's why this series is soooooo bad. The only highlight are the two girls, but if you watch because it's a BL, you won't care about the GL stuff. This may sound harsh, but it's the reality. I'm not a fan of mixing but normally it does not matter that much too me but it's even more sad, that this subplot made the most sense and was acted well.

I don't have to tell you there is forced drama in it, with the cliché "bad" father and house-maid which turns then 180° in a matter of minutes which does not make sense at all. Production quality is good, even the music is good, but the script/acting can't deliver. So sorry, I don't like this show at all and overall it's a waste of time.

Read More

The Love that Never Rose

This is no slow burn, this was a no burn.
It went on and on without actually going anywhere or towards anything.

The plot picks up with Ice returning to university after being dismissed a year ago, and Saint has been tasked with taking care of him, making his student life easier. They've actually known each other for a while though, not talked for several years because of something that happened in the past, but now that they're back together, Ice hates Saint, and Saint wants to win Ice back.

Their entire relationship has been riddled with problems since the beginning - everyone is opposed to them being together for some reason or the other, and the entire story is basically how they get over their past to heal as individuals and a couple, and face all the other obstacles to be with each other.

It's a well established, character driven plot, which always has the potential to be great! But my goodness the pace moved slower than a turtle. Whether it was the conflict resolution or the movement of their romance, it felt like I was the one moving heavy furniture across a room, each episode was a push and a pull, and so much of a struggle.

It's not the worst blunder, especially if you can write brilliant characters. Except..
They weren't really written to be the best.
No argument that both Ice and Saint were quite complex and flawed characters who had good development, but what use is it when the writers seem to have a trauma complex that neither of them can get past?
Saint is always perturbed by his father's presence in his life, which is suffocating, annoying and straight up infuriating. His father's actions made him lose the love of his life, and when he meets him again, the aforementioned love wants nothing to do with him. He has to gain back Ice's trust and defy his father's orders to ensure he doesn't get trapped again. And he was written well.

But Ice.. oh Ice.
He wasn't even the lead in his own story.
He meets someone he loves in a life where he has no one to love him, and gets told that this guy doesn't want him either. He is assaulted, thrown out of space that should've kept him safe, faces the consequences of someone else's actions and comes back to university as a broken man, only to continue breaking everyday because he's dating a POS, and the people who ruined his life the first time around are back in it.
The writers took a hold of this and went 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳?
The man could not catch a break, shots from every direction at all times, like the writers actually hated him. Everytime I saw a glimpse of growth, they just dumped more trauma on him to wreck him more and more until I could take it no more.
Honestly, I reduced my rating just based off of the fact that they absolutely butchered a character who should've carried the story.

If it wasn't for Ja's absolute knockout of a performance as Saint - adorable, charming and enigmatic - I would once again be rating this much lower, but thank you Ja. The rest of the actors were not bad performers by any means, but they barely had the chance to actually showcase their skills or flesh out their characters.
Especially Tae as Ice.. who was the actual main character and deserved much better writing than he got (as covered above) but he did a decent job.

The frustration you feel towards all the characters never really goes away though, because of the bad plot. The affinity towards some of them may come from the fact that they are leads, but the amount of conflict itself is off-putting. Did we really need the dirtbag ex? Or the movie shoot that spans for episodes in a bid to bring the leads closer, only to push them further apart? Or the father who has no boundaries and is an insensitive manipulative jerk just because he cares about his son? Noo
(On that note - let's also stop writing terrible parents a redemption arc? I pray all things in holy BL, let's stop giving horrid human beings redemption just because they shed a few crocodile tears)

The most frustrating thing is not the conflict, but how each one was handled. If you're going to have soooo many things they need to overcome, why not start with actually having the leads talk to each other? If your story is going to be riddled with problems that you can easily face together, why not do it? Or if it's your burden to bear, why avoid the confrontation? It's right in front of you!! Again, the character writing taking a serious blow, we get one step forward and ten steps back for 12 episodes.

The finale was the miserable now that tied it all together - a happy ending for all for the sake of giving one, or forgiveness I guess? This show was filled with horrid, horrid people who should have rotted in prison or in their own misery but yay to extreme pardoning complexes I guess.

This love should've set seven épisodes ago, but oh well. Don't waste your time on this and if you absolutely must? 2x speed is your friend.

Read More

One of the Best Scripted Revenge Saga in a long time!!

Even time, he loses someone close to him, he goes crazy. And whenever he goes crazy, he comes out stronger!

There are very few shows that leave you feeling indulgent, every moment is a worthwhile experience. When I first started watching this thriller, I thought it was a regular revenge saga. Xie Huai An seems like a regular guy, utterly normal and harmless & yet underneath that veneer, he hides an intellect and intelligence that bought down an empire. This show has caustic elements that are unbelievably shocking; it’s like peeling off layers of onion and revealing new details. Just when you believe that Xie Huai An has achieved his end goal, he begins a new journey of retribution. The guy hasn’t known a single moment of peace since his clan fell. He has planning since decades, waiting and seeking revenge. And yet, he can’t rest because the nation suddenly falls prey to outside predators. From weaving a single game of retrieval to protecting his country, Xie Huai An does the unimaginable. He is always two steps ahead and the acumen leaves you stunned. Cheng Yi mesmerizes with a commendable performance that leaves you stunned. He doesn’t fight with swords; his words are powerful enough to make or break the game!

Read the complete article here-

https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2026/01/06/the-vendetta-of-an-series-review/#more-2227

Read More

Amazing & Emotional K-Drama ?✨

Weak Hero Class is one of the most powerful Korean dramas I have ever watched. I have seen both Season 1 and Season 2, and this drama truly left a deep impact on me. It is not just about school violence; it shows inner pain, silent struggles, and the true meaning of friendship in a very realistic way 💔✨
Park Ji-hoon’s performance as Yeon Si-eun is outstanding. His calm expressions, emotional depth, and quiet intensity feel incredibly real. Choi Hyun-wook as Ahn Su-ho completely stole my heart. His strength, loyalty, and emotional presence make Su-ho an unforgettable character 👍🏻❤️
After watching these two seasons, I am extremely excited and hopeful for Season 3. The story feels unfinished, and these characters deserve to continue their journey. I truly hope the creators bring Season 3 as soon as possible.

Read More

“Not bad, not amazing just quietly pleasant”

Love Untangle actually pretty nice but it’s also not something I’d call amazing. I enjoyed watching it mostly because of the cozy atmosphere and the nostalgic 90s setting. It has that soft, warm vibe that makes it easy to sit through and the leads have sweet, natural chemistry that feels genuine. The friend group and school life moments are also cute and comforting.

That said the movie plays it very safe. The storyline is predictable and you can guess where things are going pretty early on. While it tries to touch on themes like self confidence and fitting in it doesn’t really dig deep. The beauty related message especially the focus on changing appearance feels a bit outdated and could’ve been handled better which makes the message less impactful.

I wouldn’t say the movie is bad at all it’s just simple. It’s the kind of film you enjoy in the moment but don’t really think about afterward. If you’re in the mood for a calm, light romance with a nostalgic feel it works. If you’re looking for something emotionally deep or memorable it might feel underwhelming.

Overall, Love Untangle sits comfortably in the middle: sweet, watchable, flawed, and quietly forgettable.

Read More

IN DARKNESS, THERE'S ALWAYS A LIGHT TO GUIDE YOU OUT.

'SPEED AND LOVE' is a rare C- drama that feels more like a movie than a series. The chemistry between Esther Yu and He Yu is absolutely fire; they perfectly capture that 'long-lost soulmate' tension, and their 'stare-downs' and quiet moments feel very high-stakes. Esther Yu shows so much growth here in a more mature role, and He Yu is definitely a new favorite as his portrayal of Jin Zhao is raw and protective. The soundtrack and cinematography are top-tier, making even the quiet moments feel intense.

The Thailand episodes are stunning. It has a gritty, cinematic film look rather than a typical bright TV soap vibe. The main leads transition from impulsive teenagers to stable adults, making their final reunion feel earned. Also, the FL is the one chasing and saving the ML, which is a refreshing change in pace. The racing and underground boxing scenes are well-choreographed and add great intensity.

However, at first, I didn't want to watch it because of the forbidden romance tag or the 'pseudo-sibling' set-up, but eventually I forced myself to watch it, which was really worth it. Also, there are moments where the characters break up 'for others' own good'(Noble Idiocy), which was frustrating for me, who prefers direct communication.

Lastly, I recommend it if you love stories about healing, second chances, and forbidden tropes done with actual depth.(✿◡‿◡)

Read More