Reviews

Fantastic Dance Movie with BL flavor

This reviews contains major SPOILERS!

Before I begin, I should preface this by saying I love dance movies! Strictly Ballroom (1992) is one of my favorite movies ever, and I’ve watched it more times than I can count. After realizing the director of 10Dance made some references to it, I talked to someone about 10Dance and Strictly Ballroom. She reminded me of Shall We Dance? (1996), the iconic Japanese movie about falling in love with ballroom dance. So I bought it and rewatched it just now. Definite references to it as well, namely the dancing solo in the open square in the snow, as well as dancing on the train platform.

Two crucial messages from Strictly Ballroom and Shall We Dance are also present in 10Dance. From Strictly Ballroom, “dance is about love. If you cannot convey love and passion through the dance, it is inadequate.” From Shall We Dance?, “remember you are not dancing alone. Ballroom is about the connection between you and your partner.” (I am paraphrasing in both cases.) Both of these messages are crucial to understanding 10Dance and the relationship between Suzuki and Sugiki.

As such, I believe this is a dance movie more than a BL. If you do not enjoy watching dance, you will probably get bored. However, this is a superb dance movie. The actors did a phenomenal job training, and they truly look like professional ballroom dancers to me. (I’m not a trained ballroom dancer but I am a trained ballet dancer—or I once was. I can tell a really talented dancer when I see one.) It is not just that they are good dancers, though. They absolutely embody their characters through their different dance styles. Suzuki is passionate, wild, full to overflowing with love and desire for others and for life. Sugiki is controlled, disciplined, superbly trained and taught to act like an artistocrat. We see these character differences through how they move. We also see these differences in non-dance scenes as well, like when Sugiki takes Suzuki out to eat. (Quite a humorous scene yet also so insightful.) The restaurant is so button down and oozing wealth. On the flip side, when Suzuki takes Sugiki to see his home and “little Cuba” in Tokyo, we see the opposite side. Rundown surroundings, but joyful drinking, free-form dancing, wild behavior, and general abandonment. (The visit to “little Cuba” is also a direct reference to Strictly Ballroom, when the FL takes the ML to her poor neighborhood to meet her Spanish family and learn the true feel of Hispanic culture and ballroom dance.)

What’s important about the interaction between these characters is what they have to offer each other. They are both aware they are using each other, but also greatly admire each other, and may even be developing feelings of love for each other. Yes, the tension between them is palpable, but it isn’t only sexual. They are both searching the other for what they are missing in themselves. Sugiki is told by his mentor that there is no “love” when he dances. He later describes to Suzuki his compulsive need to keep dancing at when he was previously at Blackpool, even when his partner was falling apart. He calls himself “the grim reaper.” At first I didn’t understand this description, but I now believe he was thinking of how he killed any feelings—feelings he and his partner were experiencing in the past, in order to keep dancing. He sees himself as devoid of feeling. When Suzuki dismisses his story (the English subtitle was that’s “lame,” which I hate, but we get the gist.) Sugiki realizes in that moment that Suzuki is the key to unlocking feelings in himself, both through passion for each other and for the dance. (Again, back to Shall We Dance?, where the main characters are both the key to unlocking each other’s love for and devotion to dance.) After Sugiki’s realization, we get the iconic Japanese BL running scene, before a passionate kiss. This mislead me into thinking this would be more of a typical romance BL. Instead of becoming lovers, however, when we next see the two kissing and heading towards more, Sugiki says no. He is afraid if he gives in to passion he will lose his self-control. That self-control has brought him this far, and he relies on it. He is not ready to let it go. This was so disappointing as a romance viewer, but satisfying for the story because it shows Sugiki’s ultimate motivation and goal: to win above all else. Suzuki, ever emotional, however, cries.

When we are finally reunited with both Suzuki and Sugiki in Blackpool after 6 months, they compete in their respective categories as if nothing has changed between them. But then the demonstration or honor dance arrives, and shockingly (ok, maybe not that shocking), Sugiki picks Suzuki as his dance partner. They then dance like we have never seen them dance before, with restraint on Suzuki’s side, abandon on Sugiki’s, joy in their faces, and a new level of overall mastery. We see what they can achieve as a couple, as partners. Then we are left with the lovely kiss and that (heartbreaking) line “until 10Dance,” leaving us drooling and wishing for more as dance fans and as romantics. But I guess we can’t have it all. Yet, I hope.

Besides this wonderful story, we have a film with two truly phenomenal actors who convey this story almost exclusively through movement and facial expressions, while making us believe they are in fact Suzuki and Sugiki. We also have a director who knows how to film dance. He gives us full-body views to show off the choreography, facial close-ups to convey the emotions, and overhead shots to enhance the beauty of the movement. The cinematography in general is beautiful, with so many atmospheric shots of the different locations and their accompanying emotional beats. The music, while largely traditional ballroom music, was also perfect.

So while I am desperate for a sequel, I cannot really find much fault with this film. It delivered two of my favorite things, dance and romance, in an exquisite package. I really hope others can see what I see here. And I hope for a sequel, of course.

Read More

Doormat Dali x Douchebag Prince

The first episode was really good and then it went down so fast.

Dali is a doormat who can't open her mouth to stand up for herself or ask for help properly and Moo Hak may have a secret heart of gold but he's constantly berating the female lead and causing so many problems for her. Episode 10 was my final straw he basically calls her a whore and she rightfully slaps him and then he kisses her like what?? Moo Hak had cocky himbo energy in the first ep but then he just turns incredibly vile and mean because he's insecure and wants to make himself seem manlier.

I expect better from more recent dramas, this isn't the 2000 or 2010s anymore no one wants helpless female lead who's just a puppet for the whims of all the males around her.

Read More

I'm gonna review each episode as it goes

I don't think i can watch it in a go cz every episode is a new story. This is new and not my style. I like longer stories.

1. Colorverse - it was interesting something new and refreshing. I've never seen a drama with colorverse in it. 8/10 cz when u put things in 2 episode it feels kinda short

2. Cold ceo (bottom) x cute secretary (top) - here i was giving it another go. Idk if it was cz it was uncut but i felt like it was both too long and too short. If u look at the story is was cute❤️. Mick looked extremely adorable and top was extremely hot🤭

Frankly every single episode of this I'd prefer it as an 8 episode drama than 1 cz when it's just 1 i feel like okay so what's the end but when its a series i feel like okay what's next... 😅😅 i don't know how to explain this.

Anyways for now I'm dropping it cz it's really not my cup of tea i prefer 1 story in a series and if multiple stories it should be like P10L from the same universe but different character's story

Read More

Not good not bad kinda above average i guess

The drama was above average. There was something about it that just felt off. Then i realised that every 2 or 3 chapters the plot just goes in a circle.

Tomiya has a problem. Mamiya motivates toma. Toma achieves something. Mamiya becomes insecure and they fight or ghost. Toma does something for mamiya secretly. Somehow mamiya gets to know and then he feels he's wrong and then apology and makeup. This goes on from the start till the end.

Also tomiya's bad boy persona just vanished after ep 2 he became this green flag who is always there for his lover n stopped teasing him too... as for mamiya his character was not consistent at all. Like he had mood swings every now and then.

It's a good watch if u have nothing to watch then pick this up u won't be impressed or disappointed

Read More

Ugly cat

Right from the first episode, there is a major consistency problem with the characters. The ML uses the FL’s sick grandmother to get what he wants, a real jerk move that feels completely out of character compared to how he is portrayed throughout the rest of the series. I could have overlooked these contradictions if the show hadn’t been such a slog overall, especially the last three episodes, which feel stretched as much as possible. To make matters worse, most of the secondary characters are quite unlikable: the vet and the receptionist are irritating, and the minor filler characters like the vlogger and the writer are just awful.

P.S. That cat was one of the ugliest things I have ever seen.

Read More

A Light and Enjoyable Watch

The story is light and fun to follow. The OST is nice to listen to, and the visuals are beautiful—I really like the color tone of the cinematography. The actors did a great job, and the chemistry between Jiang Mu and Jin Chao is strong, it makes you smile without realizing it.
Jiang Mu is cute and adorable, but she also has a cool side. She’s a navigator, knows a lot about cars, can do taekwondo, drives a pink truck, drifts, dances, sings, and even cooks. She’s truly a multi-talented female character.
I hope Esther Yu is always happy, continues to be successful, and is surrounded by kind people and good days.

Read More

I have mixed feelings on this series.

On one hand, there are two healthy relationships with zero stalking, harassment, crossed boundaries, or consent issues. On the other hand, I felt the actual romance was disappointing.

The main couple doesn’t get together until literally the last 90 seconds of the series. They had a lot of sweet moments in the build up, but that conclusion was a disappointment because it meant they didn’t build any true foundation and I can’t have faith that they’ll actually last.

Xu Qi Zhang has been admiring Ye Guang from afar for so long. He takes kindness to an unhealthy degree, like gifting the expensive headphones he saved up for to him, buying him a drink and going without when he only had money for one, and giving him a vest and tie and going without when he had to share his school uniform. And all this despite Ye Guang coming from a wealthy background and having money to treat himself to all that anyways. He’s got some kind of idol worship going and is willing to sacrifice himself to an unhealthy degree.

Additionally, Ye Guang’s parents are emotionally, verbally, and physically abusive (from a western perspective), but everyone including Xu Qi Zhang and his mother encourages him to reconcile with them because they must just be looking out for his best interests. If they found out about the relationship, I’m sure there would be a massive fallout. I have a separate gripe about them randomly doing a 180 in the finale and easing up on the academic pressure, but I’ll chalk that up to bad writing.

Also, Xu Qi Zhang was running for class president in order to get a scholarship to Berkeley. They never address if he wins, and if he does, that would mean him going to the US for college, which would probably also end their relationship.

They barely got together and there were so many obstacles left unaddressed.

The second couple got together a bit earlier and had a lot of sweet moments. But it was a high schooler dating a presumably grown man (his age wasn’t given), and that itself was creepy. I also took issue with the fact that when Ah Jian said he needed time after they kissed, Ray immediately walked away and completely ghosted Ah Jian. Meanwhile Ah Jian chases after Ray trying to talk to him, and when he finally gets Ray to give him a minute, Ray says he needs to think about it. Like what?? Why does Ray get time to process but Ah Jian doesn’t? I didn’t think it was fair that Ah Jian was chasing after Ray and apologizing as if he did something wrong, when it looked like he didn’t even process for a full 24 hours before he was chasing after Ray.

Read More

?⛔️Major Spoiler Alert⛔️?

I didn’t want to watch Love in the Cloud. That’s the truth. The hype around it annoyed me more than it intrigued me. When people talk too much about a drama, when it’s praised everywhere, I already know what’s going to happen — I’ll expect too much, and the experience will feel disappointing, like I was set up to feel something that never comes. So I went in guarded. Almost defensive.
I had no expectations. Less than that, actually. I had doubt.

I’d never watched anything from the male lead before. He didn’t strike me as the kind of actor I usually fall for — not sharp, not overwhelmingly handsome, not that obvious “male lead energy” that grabs you immediately. The female lead is an actress I like, but not one I obsess over. She’s familiar, comforting, but not someone I’d click on a drama for. So I pressed play with a very flat mindset. We’ve got nothing else to watch. Let’s just see.
I didn’t expect to care.
And that’s what made it dangerous.
There was no moment where I thought, Okay, now I’m hooked. It just happened quietly. One scene felt nice. One interaction felt soft. One look lingered a little longer than it needed to. And suddenly I was paying attention — not to the plot, not to where the story was going, but to how they existed together in a scene.
Ji Bozai didn’t win me over with grand gestures or dramatic declarations. He won me over because he couldn’t hide how much he loved Ming Yi. He didn’t even try well enough. It was in his eyes first — they change when he looks at her. They soften. They sparkle. Even the way his eyebrows move shifts, like his face forgets how to stay neutral when she’s around. That kind of acting doesn’t feel performed. It feels instinctive.
And Ming Yi… the way she reacts to his love broke something in me. She doesn’t respond with confidence or boldness. She trembles. She goes quiet. She looks like she’s trying to hold herself together when he’s being gentle with her. It’s messy and nervous and unguarded, and it made everything feel painfully intimate. I could feel my heart reacting before my brain did. Smiling at the screen. Feeling embarrassed for smiling. Feeling like I shouldn’t be watching something so private.
The romance doesn’t scream. It doesn’t chase you. It waits for you to lean in. It feels old-fashioned in the most aching way — like restrained love, like Victorian-era longing where everything is felt but barely touched. It’s devotion expressed through restraint. And somehow, that made it louder than any dramatic confession

At some point, I stopped sleeping properly.
I knew it was late. I knew I should stop. I told myself one more episode and then said it again. And again. By 3am, then 4am, my body was exhausted but my heart refused to disengage. I couldn’t leave them mid-emotion. Closing the episode felt wrong, like abandoning something fragile. I needed to know they’d be okay before I could be.

I didn’t stay awake because of suspense. I stayed awake because I was emotionally attached.
The last time a drama did this to me was When I Fly Towards You. I didn’t start that one with excitement either. I had to push myself through the beginning. And then it quietly became one of the few dramas I rewatch — not because of plot or leads, but because of how it made me feel. Love in the Cloud landed in that same place. Unexpected. Unplanned. Deep.

What scares me a little is that I still can’t fully explain why I love it. It wasn’t logic. It wasn’t hype. It wasn’t even intention. It was feeling — raw, sneaky, unannounced. The kind that bypasses expectations and settles directly into your chest.
And those are always the hardest to let go.

My Heart-Skipping Scenes in Love in the Cloud :

1.The Wedding Stone Scene😍

2.Golden Millet Dream and Scallion pancake😱🤌

3.Making her Acknowledging who is Ming Xian🫠

4.Pool Scene😙😘🤪

5.“Say My Name” Scene🫣🤫🥰

Read More

I loved how the ML actually communicated with the FL instead of making decisions for her or hiding things in the name of “protection.” He told her she could leave because his family is untrustworthy, and she chose to stay—finally, a drama where the FL has agency!

I also loved how healthy and consensual their intimacy is. Unlike typical contract marriage dramas where the FL acts scared or confused, here she expressed her desires openly, and even used alternatives when needed (yes, a toy 😂). Their chemistry is realistic and mature, and it’s rare to see a married couple in a C-drama rolling with intimacy naturally.

Communication between the leads was excellent. When rumors surfaced, the ML directly expressed his feelings and jealousy without assumptions or anger. He shared dislikes and boundaries clearly, and the FL acknowledged them respectfully. It’s so refreshing compared to other dramas where misunderstandings and yelling dominate.

No green teas, no unnecessary drama, and the younger brother’s protectiveness adds a nice touch. Honestly, this drama delivers everything.

Read More

Well Executed Zombie drama with humane touch

I watch this since i want to explore zombie theme on vertical drama and i am quite satisfied.

I don't know since i used to love many Japanese drama with absurd plot i can watch this drama with comedic experience but they actually show deeper meaning that human are most scariest creature, they can betrayed you anytime.

Both of them are quite newcomer and all of them had better acting skill than some of famous short drama actors. I like Ruan Siyao way of bringing FL character joy without being overacting even with the labubus. Min Xinghan is gorgeous and i surprised his expression is not too stiff. The supporting casts on the other hand are not helping this drama especially the antagonist and class partners. ML loyal friends is such a sunshine too.

The ending was meh for amazing drama.

Recommended to watch for comedy and slice of life.

Read More

The Childhood Sweethearts Fated to Be Together

My Fated Boy is honestly one of the most wholesome and unexpectedly satisfying dramas I’ve watched. From the very first episodes, the close-up shots were wow — the chemistry between the leads felt natural, warm, and effortless. There were no plot holes, and the FL’s concerns were always valid. The story handled emotional issues maturely, which made everything feel grounded and realistic.

I really loved the ML’s character. He’s gentle, kindhearted, emotionally secure, and openly devoted without being overwhelming.

The statue deserves its own special mention too and truly is an unpaid character stealing scenes 😂.

The OST fit the mood perfectly, and I genuinely enjoyed every episode title. They were thoughtful and meaningful, and paired beautifully with the monologue voiceovers. Those voiceovers matching the current situation and emotions made the drama feel even more intimate and wholesome, like the story was gently speaking directly to the audience.

The childhood storyline was a huge highlight for me. This might be the only drama where I didn’t mind childhood flashbacks at all. They were unique, purposeful, and added real context to their personalities, bond, and emotional connection. Even their childhood separation scene was heartbreakingly cute. This is truly one of the most adorable childhood sweetheart stories ever 😭.

Some of the early episodes had slightly abrupt endings, which could’ve been smoother, but I honestly didn’t mind. The drama shines in small, realistic details like Boss Ma’s workplace and the receptionist constantly on her phone. Those little moments made everything feel so real. Honestly, if I were a receptionist, I’d probably be watching dramas too.

I was pleasantly surprised by Lu Zheng An’s boss. I fully misjudged him and expected betrayal, but he turned out to be solid and loyal and even got his own amazing woman. The secondary characters were written surprisingly well. Li Tian is a great example. I disliked her at first, but her growth felt natural and convincing, not rushed or forced. By the end, I genuinely wanted her to find happiness, which doesn’t happen often with secondary love interests.

Another thing I absolutely loved was how supportive everyone around the leads was their friends, families, and especially the parents. Healthy parents in C-drama land felt like a miracle 😭. With how smoothly everything went between both families and the leads themselves, it honestly felt impossible for them not to end up married.

The PDA scenes were adorable, and I loved how their friends cringed every time anf it made it even cuter. I also never got tired of hearing him say “wifey.” Ever.

One of my favorite moments has to be the lipstick scene with their first kiss and it was so well-directed and intimate. I also loved the ML’s “falling in love” moment during his teenage years. The way his feelings gradually changed was handled so smoothly and naturally, making it really believable and touching.

This drama may not have big-name stars, but it’s full of joy, warmth, growth, and meaningful conversations. It’s seriously underrated. I loved every minute of it, and it left me feeling comforted and happy. I almost missed this drama, and thank God I didn’t. Watching it without waiting weekly for episodes was such a blessing.

I also really appreciated how the writers portrayed diverse female stories. divorced women, single moms, women who want kids or don’t, housewives, all shown without judgment. It sends such a beautiful message that there’s no “wrong” way to live your life, and it’s okay to change your mind too.

Overall, My Fated Boy is a cozy, heartfelt childhood-sweetheart story about two people who were always meant to find their way back to each other. Huge applause to the cast, writers, and Youku for bringing such a comforting gem to life 🥺❤️

👀 Who Should Watch This

If you love childhood sweethearts done right
If you want healthy communication and supportive parents
If you enjoy soft romance, emotional comfort, and warmth
If you’re tired of unnecessary angst and misunderstandings
If you like slice-of-life romances that feel real and healing

🚫 Who Might Want to Avoid

If you prefer heavy angst, toxic relationships, or dramatic chaos
If you dislike slow-burn, cozy storytelling
If childhood connections aren’t your thing at all

Read More