Reviews

Mercy for none

I absolutely loved this drama.
I’m not into romance-heavy shows where the female lead is chasing a guy, or where everyone is overly clingy and emotional for no reason. That’s just not my taste. Mercy for None was the complete opposite😊 and that’s exactly why it worked for me.
This drama was straight to the point.
You kill my brothers? I’ll kill you. No long speeches, no unnecessary hesitation, no fake morality. Just pure revenge.
The title says it all. There was truly no mercy. Everyone involved paid the price, and not lightly but in tenfold. Actions had consequences, and the drama never backed down from that. That’s the kind of storytelling I appreciate.
I loved how focused and intense it was. No distractions, no forced romance, just raw anger, pain, and payoff. Every episode delivered exactly what it promised.
If you’re tired of overly romantic dramas and want something dark, brutal, and satisfying, this is for you Habibi😎
For me? 10/10.
No regrets. No mercy. Highly recommended.

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Love Transcends Timelines

Originally added this to my watchlist because I was interested in ZKY playing the ML only seeing him in a few support roles plus the storyline fascinated me. I have no problem with age gaps, after all we had the hit film "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" and there the woman really was 20 years older; in real life as well there was a difference and they still made it work. A few similarities but overall, good. I didn't know the FL at all but some of the supporting cast I knew like the SML and a few others. But this really was the love that transcended timelines.

Pros: ZKY delivered on all counts; all emotions of both younger and older self. I really loved the difference of the two timelines because they weren't abrupt but interwoven so the transitions were smooth as we the audience had to see both characters meeting, growth, evolution. Neither LW or CJ (our ML and FL respectively) were perfect characters. Both were flawed from the get go. That was very important to highlight. As were the other two couples. In the beginning when we meet LW and CJ reconnecting in the current timeline and she learns of his experience abroad and how sick he is basically due to her and their break up, and then we see how angry he is and we see her apologize and it just kind of seems like a flimsy apology so the audience is kind of unsure and angry as we go through the rest of the drama between the two timelines but then as we get toward the end we start to realize that LW has let go of all of that and in the current timeline he's focused now on standing in front of her and getting her back regardless of her indecisiveness, which was very annoying. But we realize that the past timeline isn't about the anger that LW feels but is instead about telling the story of them; telling how they met and all of that and how they got to where they are presently so the audience isn't angry anymore or isn't feeling like she messed with him even though it in a sense was like that, and I will talk about that in the cons. But the fact that we as an audience also evolved as well with the story is pretty awesome because that's usually not something that happens. Also as the story neared the end and they get back together and they were hiding from parents and doing all that other stuff, and though it is comedic at times, we see that she understands how much she hurt him because she admits it to her father and that's a huge step for someone like her. Yes, she was hurt in the past way before because she was divorced with a cheating spouse that was a scumbag, and still is a scumbag in the current timeline, but she was also angry at him and got over him more or less in a good manner of time. She even spoke about that when she and LW first got together in the past timeline. LW meanwhile from the get--I think for him it was love at first sight--was her protector, even if she didn't realize it he always stood in front of her to shield her from anything and everything and continued to do so in the current timeline.

There were two other couples; couple number two got together more or less quickly, though they had a few misunderstandings that were ironed out relatively in a good time matter. Couple number three were a little strange; they I guess were together the entire time but we only found out about it in the current timeline. What was also cool was the fact that as we were nearing the end of the past timeline story, it held off on showing us the current timeline so only when the past timeline ended with the break up and him going abroad and her being miserable and missing him and the way she handled the breakup I suppose, is when we smoothly transition into the current timeline and her realization of her feelings and that's when they get back together.

I like how when he ran into trouble with his business in the current timeline, this is toward the end, this time she stood by his side, no matter what she even went public with their relationship. She didn't care who said what, it was only the two of them together, and she was determined to be by his side and I thought that that was a major evolution for her and great in general. Comedy was nice here both past and current timelines, especially the current one where they were running away from her mom who was a trip all in herself even the actress with the BTS was fun as well as the absolute hysterical portion was the fact that all the BTS is of them kissing in there were a lot of kisses in this one and they were good ones. Chemistry was on point and very spicy. The fact that ZKY didn’t have that much experience, but the director was guiding him and everybody was teasing him because they had to take multiple shots and even Michelle Chen who played the FL was teasing him because his ears would get red all the time and he was very shy so this was such a great environment even during the tense times they would just be joking around and ZKY was a goofball so he would let all the tension out of the room. It was just a great show to watch altogether. She still teased him during the interviews, their livestreams, and promos now lol! Yes, it had some issues but nothing to cry home about, I don't think.

I love her parents. I love how supportive they always were of her past or current timeline so that was great. Both her best friend and his friends were great no toxicity or stupid advice whatsoever. And even the creepy third wheel because he was annoying; got a clue and bowed out gracefully, finally, it took him a while to get a clue, but he finally got it. As this was a modern, drama sets and costumes and everything obviously was fine. OST matched everything perfectly.

Cons: A lot also had to do with her indecisiveness in both past and current timelines. And the way she showed it, was her eyes would just roll around in her head like she was his age or she would just run away. It just looked really strange like you're an adult woman; stop running away from shit! It was annoying as nails, especially in the current timeline because by then she was closer to 40 and she was still acting the same and I am a woman in my early 40s and I don't run away from anything. If I don't understand my feelings or know them or know how to face them I will just say "you know something, I'm going to take a little bit of time and I'm going to think about it," let the other person know so they aren't overthinking. Set an example! But I would not act like that. Grown women, especially who have careers and are successful, don't act like that; it didn't fit.

Even though the break up wasn't as bad as everyone thought, I still thought that the way she handled everything was just weird and strange and didn't fit. For starters, all the lying was so unnecessary she could've brought up the long distance thing, sat him down like an adult instead of a few nights before he was about to leave he found those documents. I thought that was just very immature of someone her age as she was always talking about their age difference in the beginning. She started with long distance and then literally not even five minutes into it, she broke up with him; like what is even happening? I hate the "doing it for your own good" crap. He was an adult. She never consulted him. It was a huge mistake which she later admitted to but at the time I just thought it was absolutely the worst thing she could've done considering his already massive abandonment issues from his entire family, and the reason she brought him from the mountains to school in the first place and gave him a safe Haven. Now she's basically ripping it away from him so the lying and the abandonment where my biggest issues in the break up; the rest of it I get. Even he got it in the current timeline hence he didn't pursue the issue and let her apologize for not handling it well as she said after he called her out on it a few times, she understood, especially after knowing how much it affected his health and that she was basically directly responsible for that.

I'm still pretty unhappy as is everyone that they cut the daughter scene and the him teaching at a university for a class scene that should've been something like six years later from the end of the show, that should've been an extra scene because when they filmed it, there was dialogue. It wasn't like a quick five minute thing, it was like half an episode if not an entire episode. That just left a lot still not brought full circle. And ironically, it's their banner on their Weibo site the very last scene or take from what was supposed to be either part of the series or something extra. Like why leave something so important out?

Also, I wish that at the end when he had the company troubles and he knew who betrayed him I wish that they had perp walked that dude for trade secret infringement instead of LW just patting him on the shoulder and saying something along the lines of "wait for the court to contact you." I think given the fact of how it affected him, the betrayal was so great, it should've been more than just that. I feel like the ending was definitely rushed especially the last episode. It could've been done better and with that extra portion or put it into the last episode; it would've taken maybe 20-25 minutes and it would've been a great way to end. I like the way it ended nonetheless but still. Also, another reason I feel the ending was rushed was because they had the second couple proposal instead of giving us what we wanted. I understand if the FL didn't want to get married right away yet but instead of giving us that whole thing they could've given us that extra portion and the 3rd couple was also very rushed like we didn't even know that they were still together until the last few episodes.

Would I recommend it? I totally would. The pros are way greater than the cons so, go enjoy a great story. Age really is just a number especially when both are of legal age. I'm glad I watched it.

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rough diamond

Bastard Wargod is a testament to what a dedicated team can achieve under the constraints of a micro-budget. While it struggles with the typical hurdles of indie production, the series offers enough flashes of potential to make it a notable entry in the low-budget fantasy genre.

Strengths and Production Value
The production crew deserves significant credit for their visible hard work. Working within tight financial restraints, they managed to deliver impressive props and costumes that feel grounded and authentic to the world-building. These technical elements often punch above their weight class, providing a visual texture that helps distract from the limited scale of the sets.

Areas for Improvement
However, the visual consistency falters in certain areas; most notably, several characters wear the exact same costume for the entirety of the series. While this is likely a budget-saving measure, it occasionally breaks immersion.

The screenplay itself is solid and provides a functional foundation, but the execution often falls short of the script's ambition. Better direction could have elevated the pacing and helped the plot unfold with more clarity and impact. Additionally, while the cast shows flashes of talent, the acting remains uneven and could benefit from more refined performances as the series progresses.

Final Verdict
Bastard Wargod is a rough diamond that clearly suffered from its "low-budget" status. Despite the stiff acting and missed directorial opportunities, the sheer effort of the crew makes it a respectable effort. With a more experienced hand in the director's chair and a slightly larger wardrobe budget, this story could truly shine.

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... and if this never gets a sequel, I am happy with what we have. But I'd really like a sequel

Japanese BL movie, so I was scared about tragedy and a sad ending. Word on the street was so unclear about whether the so called "open end" of this movie comes with a positive or negative connotation, but ALL IS GOOD. All is good trust me. That open end is a serotonin high.

This is a romance. The characters both had past relationships with women, 💜 🩷 💙 , and as the movie plays out, it's revealed that they are each other's professional and artistic inspiration. They're not just rivals.

Then they fall in love. It's implied that it's impossible for them to be together but my boy Suzuki was SMILING in that open end, AND there is this event in the last scenes, it's a stunning and incredible climax of the movie. It's on a level of delusion that it's either a mass hallucination, or 10Dance is coming in at a level of escapism that rivals Red White & Royal Blue, but we have to believe the impossible. We have to dream it into reality. Dance is about LOVE, and about the performers and the audience connecting. This movie does that, too.

The women deserve their own fluffy yuri spinoff. Tajima Aki and Yagamo Fusako are incredible characters, and good friends to Suzuku and Sugiki, and Suzuku and Sugiki are good friends in return. Truthfully, not always, but it is implied that the obstacles in their respective friendships in the end brought them closer together.

It's perfect. Obviously. Costuming is sexy as hell, and the music is phenomenal.

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This is most definitely a masterpiece. All the unsaid things, small glances, pauses, hestitation.. this was built os such energetic intimacy, it left all my nerves tingling, like I needed more of that tension and they executed it absolutely masterfully. What could seem like a simple and cute lovestory has become a staple of how growth within a relationship looks. With Watarai's emotional intelligence, rawness, and restraint, to Hioki eventually coming towards him with nothing but his braveness. I truly loved and lived through every second of it.
I humbly wish for a second season, where the focus is on each of them equally again, where we see Watarai's growth not as just an object of longing, but as a fully articulated inner world, just like we saw in the first half of the show. Remarkable character.
The show trusted the viewer with subtext and instinct. Which to some may seem cute and fluffly, to others might felt electric and alive. This will stay as a favourite for a while, I feel.

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A waste of chemistry and good actors!!

I really expected more than what I got. Be serious, who’s sitting through a 2-hour movie where 1 hour and 45 minutes is just dance routines, and the romance barely gets 10 minutes? The dancing was cool, sure, but that’s not why I showed up 🤣. I came for the romance and the chaos, and got neither!

The leads? Phenomenal actors with insane chemistry. But what’s the point of all that spark if they don’t actually use it?

Visually, the cinematography was solid. And after that train kiss, I genuinely thought we were about to dive into the real drama. But nope, it just fizzled out again 😭. This could’ve been one of the greats if they’d leaned into the romance instead of going full dance showcase.

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Bittersweet modern loneliness

It's too early (only 2 episodes aired) to be sure of it but this drama seems to enter the small realm of bittersweet stories about loneliness and modern life, joining thus My Mister, My Liberation Notes or Lost. The first 2 episodes of Love Me left me with the same kind of feelings, especially with the curated dialogues, the difficult human relations or the confrontation between expectations and reality. It's some kind of hurt/confort show that makes you cry because you recognise so much of yourself in it (especially since my mother died last week, this show couldn' t have come at a "better" - or worse...- time for me) but at the same time that makes you feel good too because you're not the only one lost here. Still waiting for a cute singing neighbour to come around though...

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Incredible: "Freedom Is Not A Coincidence", says the title of the last episode

This drama made me laugh and cry and ripped my heart out and danced on it, and it did so beautifully with a moon marriage and metaphors about freedom. HAPPY END FOR OUR LESBIAN MAIN COUPLE.

It's cinematic. It's queer, it's wlw, it's lesbian, women take the stage. The women in this drama come alive through great acts of selflessness, of love, of sacrifice, and exercising their power. The women come alive through breaking the law, raging for justice in a misogynistic world, being mean, using violence as a defense; we the viewers are left to support women's rights and women's wrongs. This show is about all of that, and as a treat the women can go a little insane. The acting is top, from the main cast to the small roles, everyone gives their best and makes this world and the characters come alive.

Content Warning: sexual assault /rape, a male university teacher exploits a female student and then it ends in that very traumatic rape scene. She then murders the guy with scissors, stabbing him 19 times.

This drama is also about violence. Gendered violence connects all the women's stories like a red string. The side couples are heterosexual. There is straight romance, straight love, straight misery; and straight abusive relationships, though they take the b stage next to the lesbian relationship at the center.

This drama is also about grief. Grief for lost family members and friends and death and all that. This drama is also about freedom. Bell is unjustly imprisoned, her freedom taken away at the hands of others. This drama is also about humanity. Imprisoned, do we hold on to humanity? Love makes us monsters, and the loss of freedom makes us desperate. And yet we try to water the roses just right, so that they can bloom. There is a cat. If we can, we feed. it.

The cinematography is brilliant, the soundtrack is so fucking awesome, and there's an instant noodle ad where our girl Bell prepares the noodles and then takes a bite as the house she set on fire burns behind her, like, HELLO. That's what I want to see!!!!!

It's fucking brilliant and if you have 8 hours to spare and feel ready for the trigger warnings and their themes, you'll have a great time. I promise.

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An incredible story that lets you feel every emotion with its stillness

This drama is a journey that teaches the importance of bonds between people (and demons), while also pondering on the nature of evil and the value of personal choices. While watching this drama, I often pondered about the ways experiences shape us into who we are, and I must say, I had ample time to do so.

I gave the story a rating of 9, because in the end, it was a very strong and emotional story that never tried to lie to the audience about its core. Surely, there are many twists that leave you stunned, but the story knew what it wanted to tell, and it told exactly that. It promised, and it delivered.

When I had to rate the acting in this drama, I hesitated a lot, as I had a lot of mixed feelings. I believe two of the actors in the main cast have carried the drama on their shoulders, making up for the lakings in others. Hou Ming Hao's portrayal of Zhu Yan was incredible, his character captured my attention from the moment he appeared on screen, and he dominated every frame he was in. The other actor who made a major contribution is Lester Lin (Lin Zi Ye), yet I absolutely cannot even begin to describe what impressed me in his work so much here without revealing any spoilers. He had a difficult role to play, and he performed it perfectly.
I was not as impressed with the other members of the main cast. My honorable positive mentions would be Xu Zhen Xuan and Cheng Xiao - their characters were memorable, and their acting was solid. As for the remaining two... I believe this was Chen Du Ling's weakest role out of what I've seen. Compared to TTEOTM and Journey to love, and even Lotus Casebook, she was just not it. I watched FoF before I wached the other three, and I was genuinely impressed by her performance in them, as my first impression of her acting came from FoF.
Tian Jia Rui also deserves a comment from me here. I believe he remembered that he can actually use his facial muscles to portray his character's emotions by episode 10. Or rather, he started using expressions other than blank stare and frown to play his character, which was a welcome change.

The music was a highlight of the drama, with ending song being the perfect balm for your soul after emotionally charged moments that this drama has in abundance. Seeing actors perform their adorable dance while in character outfits was a real joy.

So here we come to the rewatch value. Surely the story is amazing, the music is incredible, and you can disregard Tian Jia Rui's poker face without much effort, but there is one aspect where this drama really loses its rewatch value - framing and pacing.

Throughout the entire show I had a feeling I am watching a comic where every panel is a GIF, so now I actually have to wait for the entire GIF to play before I can move to the next panel. There is a neverending supply of long shots with no action happening in them, other than characters doing one thing. Some thing. Any thing. But one per shot. Every emotion is felt and shown for several seconds while the world stands still and lets the character to feel it and the viewer to absorb it. Action scenes sometimes become a turn-based RPG, where everyone just stands and waits while someone is performing their moves. I believe that if you watch FoF on 2x speed, it becomes an action drama. But as it is right now, it is a comic/manhua that forces you to look at every panel for longer than it deserves.

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This tried so hard... And sadly it failed.
The story is interesting in the beginning, then somehow it gets more and more confusing and not in a Sherlock Holmes way that you have to follow the bread crumbs and arrange the puzzle to get the whole picture!
No it's in a very boring way, I almost fell asleep while watching.

The whole thing could be solved if they have shown him the video, I don't understand the need for all this encryption if they can solve all his struggles in 30 seconds.

Also you can easily watch the first episode and half of the last one and you will understand the whole story without missing a thing, which is weird considering that this should be a psychological drama with story building up and so to reach a final conclusion, but no, you can easily fill the blanks with anything after watching 1.5 episodes out of 8.

One thing I didn't understand was spoiler in the synopsis here, we all knew before starting the show that his "father" is dead which was a secret that was revealed in THE LAST EPİSODE.
Also I respect the "horror" elements they tried to include because it's a psychological drama, but they failed in this part miserably.

I mean after finishing, I don't understand the reason we have to invest all this time and emotions to follow a plot about a secret that needn't be a secret and requires only a few seconds to put this poor man out of his misery.

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Jung Kyung Ho Brings Light to Every Episode

ung Kyung Ho’s acting once again exceeds expectations. He is endlessly entertaining, and it genuinely feels like he consistently chooses thoughtful scripts that carry meaningful lessons—something I truly admire about his career choices.

I’m absolutely loving every case he takes on as an attorney in the Pro Bono team. His character is sharp, witty, and incredibly charming, bringing warmth and positivity to every episode. He has a natural ability to make even the most serious cases engaging, emotional, and enjoyable to watch.

Overall, Jung Kyung Ho completely shines in Pro Bono. His performance is the heart of the show and the main reason it’s such a fun, rewarding, and satisfying watch.

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Even with a Darker Edge

The long-awaited Season 3 of Taxi Driver is finally here, and it does not disappoint. The new storylines are captivating and keep you engaged, but I would say that Seasons 1 and 2 were more elaborated and tightly written overall.

One noticeable shift in Season 3 is its darker tone. This time, revenge often leads to killing, which marks a clear departure from the earlier seasons. In Seasons 1 and 2, killing was never the end goal—the motto was justice through revenge without taking lives. When an assailant did die, it was usually accidental. This moral change may not sit well with everyone and slightly alters the core identity of the show.

That said, the acting remains strong and highly entertaining, which is one of the series’ biggest strengths. The soundtrack and OST, however, could use some improvement compared to previous seasons.

Overall, despite its darker direction and a few shortcomings, I still genuinely enjoy watching Taxi Driver 3 and look forward to seeing how the story continues.

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