Reviews

the earth tilts 23.5 degree to the sun and i love highschool lesbians

my titles doesnt rlly correlate but, i think its a really cute show to watch with highschool drama, cliche stories, its not serious at all. Its comedic and fun to watch when you are stressed or just wanna reminisce highschool love.

i have been waiting for this show for years due to it being delayed from covid, so i was really excited watching it. However i felt the plots was kinda weak to follow and sometimes they make me wna scream in my pillow out of frustration. Writing this review after 1 year completing it, i can barely remember anything from the plot too. BUT milklove chemistry is undeniably fun and enjoyable to watch.

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Life is precious

*Don’t Call Me Ma’am* is a warm and relatable drama about four ahjummas in their 40s, each facing different life struggles. One woman is married with two boys and tries to return to work after taking six years off. She feels insecure and scared, but she does not give up. Another woman is kind and gentle, hoping to get pregnant while dealing with pressure and disappointment. There is also a very independent and successful woman who looks strong on the outside, but inside she struggles with loneliness and her love life.

Through their friendship, the drama shows that life in your 40s is not easy. Dreams change, responsibilities grow, and self-doubt often appears. But the story is not depressing. It is honest, comforting, and sometimes funny. The bond between these women makes their hard days easier. It reminds us that life is tough, but having precious people beside you makes it more livable and meaningful.

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a story about being hard of hearing with people who happen to be interested in the same sex.

the romance is more of a subplot so if you approach it with that view i think you will be able to enjoy this a lot more. Hopefully that isn't a deterrance because I genuinely enjoyed the atmosphere and plot points explored throughout the story. Instead I hope the statement would be treated as more of a way to manage your expectations as to not be disappointed for those who come in due to the BL/Gay romance tag.

Review:
Taichi is an unbelievably likeable protagonist and Kazuhi is one that you want to root for. The drama overall follows and explores the life of someone that is hard of hearing and the various things that people can overlook when it comes to such a complicated disability. It's satisfying to watch both Kazuhi and Taichi open up and even more so with the introdocution of Maya. I personally really enjoyed Maya. Where Kazuhi had more of a exhausted outlook, I appreciated Maya somewhat spiteful and harsh one. The actors are unbelievably talented and convey a beautiful depth of emotion and the supporting cast play their roles perfectly as the 'support'. I especially loved Shiraishi Yua (as Maya) and I loved the scenes betwene her and the main cast.

The development of Taichi and Kazuhi's relationship tapers somewhat early-middle and focuses more on internal conflicts and the like. I think they have wonderful platonic chemistry and their romantic development is there, just it doesn't get explored much, if not at all. While I don't neccesarily think this is a bad thing because the drama actually handles most, if not all of the other aspects of the story really well but the majority of the show felt more so like a 'drama' or something idk like it's not painfully heavy but I would put something like that as a genre wayyyyy before the romance part. Overall I would recommend this even to someone who isn't neccessarily into BL and i think it was worth the watch

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I wanna be friends with the female lead sooo bad

I would say the strongest part of this drama is the political plot because it is so intriguing and kept me hooked on what each of the characters plans were next. Both female lead and male lead were so cunning in their own ways and I ate it up. I adored the side characters so much too. I just thought the romance was a good slow burn BUT I did not like his behavior towards her for some scenes because it made me uncomfortable and scared for the female lead. I still found them adorable together though once he started to understand her better. Justice was served and it was so satisfying to watch. I also loved how the plot wrapped up, but I always wish we get to see more scenes of the ending in these type of dramas. <3

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This isn't a traditional romance in all the wrong ways.

Spoilers. Many Spoilers ahead. I have read spoilers before and thought, hey that actually sounds awesome, I'm going to watch it! You can decide after this windfall of horrible. I gave it a 5 mainly because Ni Ni even though her character was all over the place. You may start on the first episode thinking she is a smart, cunning, capable female lead that will overcome everything for her goal. By episode 10 she is crying and spouting lines like a side character trying to move a pity plot along. Even the male lead tells her she isn't appealing when she is crying, but she still pulls at him crying. Anyway... a breakdown of the bad, with all the spoilers that will make you check your refrigerator to see if the spoilage leaked from the computer screen.

If you are looking for a loyal romance or a coherent plot, run far away from The Rise of Phoenixes. What disguises itself as a high-stakes political drama is actually just a frustrating showcase of a narcissistic male lead, Ning Yi, who treats women like disposable chess pieces while the writers try to gaslight us into thinking it’s "epic love." The show is a masterclass in how to ruin a romance by drowning it in a pseudo-harem of political pawns and unnecessary third parties.

The "Harem" and emotional infidelity really illustrates how this really shouldn't even be a romance. The biggest offense here is Ning Yi. We are supposed to believe he loves Feng Zhiwei, yet he spends the entire series surrounded by a rotating door of other women whom he uses for political gain. First, there’s the engagement drama with Qiu Yuluo, used simply to balance power. Then there is the constant manipulation of Princess Shaoning, whom he uses as a tool to bring down his brothers, eventually leading to her tragic death. He even gets involved with the affairs of Hua Gongmei and uses his own mother’s history to manipulate the women around him.

It isn’t just that these women exist; it’s that Ning Yi constantly prioritizes his ambition over his supposed "true love." The definition of infidelity here isn't just physical—it is the constant emotional betrayal. He watches Feng Zhiwei get married off to Helian Zheng (the Prince of Jinshi) for political stability, essentially handing the woman he "loves" to another man. He claims he wants to protect her, yet he is the primary reason she is constantly in danger, surrounded by his enemies and his other political "interests." It feels less like a romance and more like a toxic relationship where the guy keeps his options open while ruining your life. To be clear, it isn't one of those toxic romances to swoon over, it's imagined romance by anyone who didn't watch it or imagines romance as someone who acknowledges your existence and tries to push you away - not because of love, because he just doesn't care.

A convoluted, horrible plot beyond the messy relationships. The storyline is an absolute train wreck of misery. The plot relies on the tired trope of "blood feuds" that just won't die. The writers force a Romeo and Juliet dynamic where Ning Yi systematically kills off Feng Zhiwei’s entire support system—her mother Qiu Mingying, her brother Feng Hao, and her protector Zong Chen—and then expects her to still want to be with him. It’s repulsive. The political machinations are boring and repetitive: a Prince plots, Ning Yi outsmarts him, the Prince dies, repeat.

The meaningless ending really hits you. The finale is the final nail in the coffin. After 56 episodes of suffering, misunderstandings, and Ning Yi manipulating everyone from court ladies to princesses to seize power, the payoff is... nothing. The plot decides that the only way to resolve the corner they wrote themselves into is for Feng Zhiwei to commit suicide by jumping off a cliff. It renders the entire journey pointless. We watched Ning Yi claw his way to the throne over a mountain of corpses, only to end up alone, miserable, and "married" to his job.

Don't waste your time. The Rise of Phoenixes is a depressing slog featuring a male lead who values power over loyalty, treats women as disposable tools, and a plot that punishes the audience for caring. If you want romance, look elsewhere; this is just tragedy porn masquerading as a love story.

That's about all I have to say about this. I regret watching this to the end. At episode 8 I could already tell this wouldn't be for me. I read reviews here and thought, hey, maybe it gets better. It doesn't.

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A duo disguised as a trio

Thirty-Nine is a warm friendship drama,
but I felt Joo-hee’s character was underdeveloped.
Mi-jo was clearly treated as the main character, and Chan-young’s illness naturally gave her more focus, but Joo-hee often felt sidelined.
At times, it seemed more like a duo than a balanced trio, with a clear pattern in screen time.
The third couple could have been explored better by showing how their relationship began.
I do know that mi-jo and chan-young cared about her,stood by her during difficult moments. But that lack if focus on her character was disappointing.
Despite this, it’s still a good watch for those who enjoy slice-of-life and friendship dramas.

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First half was so much better :(

I went into this not knowing about the whole controversy over their real age-gap (19! wow) but just assumed she was 5-10 years older both in the drama and irl. An older FL younger ML never bothered me, so I had no complaints on that end.

The constant back and forth between the different years was a bit too frequent for my liking, but I did appreciate how they made it obvious there was a time jump/rewind by showing which year it was. I also usually like a story where the leads have some time separated and reunite in a new light.

This one though, fell flat for me. Their chemistry was not bad nor the best, but I think it was just the plot that kind of had nothing exciting to have me want to keep watching. A few scenes were cute, but the last 5 or so episodes I watched, I skipped a lot. That's when I just decided to drop it at 24.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this as much as others did.

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Soulless

Personally, very overrated. I have tried to finish this series multiple times and have never been able to watch over half of it. I believe the big popularity stands from the fandoms and loved actors, not the series itself. The acting is good, the soundtrack is good, the cinematography is good, but there is something about this series I just can’t get past to actually be interested in the story and characters.
It feels like this series has no soul in it, only horny young adults with drinking problems. Not even one character seems lovable, or honestly fully redeemable from what I have watched. It gives the same vibe as Playboy the Series: a lot of eye candy and NC scenes that overshadow the plot, storylines, and character development.

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Looking for Fun and don't mind over-the-top humor? This is the drama for you!

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

Before you watch “I’m the Most Beautiful Count”, you need to know that this is a period comedy with a lot of over-the-top humor, raunchy and sexual jokes, overdramatic acting and a male lead character that is feminine, sassy, flamboyant and super flirty. If you are OK with this, then you can try watching it. Otherwise, you will find this cringey and hard to digest.

This is usually not my type of drama and I avoided it when it first came out. But right now, I am in search of a happy drama that will de-stress and let me laugh my head off. “I’m the Most Beautiful Count” fits the bill.

Nut is the star of the show playing the main lead Prince/Woradet. This is my first time watching him and I really want to check out his other dramas where he’s acting more serious’. Nut plays this role so well. You cannot not keep your eyes on him from start to finish. It’s hard to be so overdramatic and not make me dislike him. I do feel that his exaggerated facial expressions could tone down a little. Prince/Woradet is a confident, self-assured trailblazer who is not afraid to be himself and speaks his mind. He stands up for injustices and bullying, and uses Prince’s modern day knowledge to help Woradet and Kosol achieve their dreams.

Ping, on the other hand, is not a very convincing Kosol. His acting compared to Nut is night and day. This is also my first time watching him, and I question whether his acting is due to playing a brute and aggressive warrior, or his acting is just not good. His character is already hard to love in the beginning, and his acting doesn’t help. Luckily Kosol is a character with growth. He is not afraid to apologize and learn from his mistakes, even getting into many hilarious and embarrassing moments, stepping out of his comfort zone in order to be a better man for Woradet.

Unfortunately, the romance between Nut and Kosol is lacking. Oh, the kisses are delicious and the sexy scenes are good. I just don’t feel much chemistry when they are not being intimate. I don’t see how Woradet falls in love with Kosol when he mistreats him in the beginning. On the other hand, I can totally see how Woradet might fall in love with the sweet and kind Banjong instead. Although the romance does take center stage in the drama, it is not a satisfying one for me.

When it comes to the political plot, it’s not executed very well either. I wish the villains were more comical, so that their characters could fit in this comedy. But having over-the-top comedy pairs with rebellions with boring villains don’t quite sit well with me.

On a positive note, the drama isn't shy in showing us nice muscular abs. I quite enjoy seeing Ping and Lee showing off their muscles quite regularly. I also like the period setting, costumes and traditional dwellings. It’s one of the Thai period dramas that doesn’t have the lakorn-style annoying slaves. All the characters are actually quite likable.

I would only recommend this drama if you are looking for something fun and not serious. Just enjoy, laugh with them and laugh at them. Even though this drama tries to have a more serious message of love and marriage equality, I feel that the message is not delivered/executed well.



Completed: 12/16/2025 Review #652

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Love the main leads

I am a straight female & have fallen in love with BL series. I don’t see them as two males. I see them as a couple in love. BL series takes those few extra steps forward in the romance. Most of the shows are more intimate with believable kissing & making love. Other shows fish kiss & go no further. I prefer the more romantic intimate shows that feel real. The majority of these men are BEAUTIFUL & I almost wish I were a gay male., but like all rom coms I know these stories are not real & just a fantasy.. However, its nice to forget our problems & relax while watching a rom com imagining being in love & having such a sweet gentle relationship❤️❤️❤️ Maybe in my next life🫶

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Believable and deeply realistic

I never expected to love this drama as much as I did. I initially clicked on it simply because it was a remake of the popular Korean series Misaeng and I wanted something fresh—an office drama without excessive melodrama. I haven’t even watched Misaeng, but I absolutely loved this one.

What surprised me most was how this drama seemed to just "find" me and quietly teach me meaningful lessons. I’ve worked in corporate lending, so I know firsthand how authentic the story is. The way it captured the core issues of the division was incredibly vivid. Watching it honestly made me feel “alive,” like I was back in that environment again.

That said, one part felt a bit over the top to me—the bullying of new employees. Even at headquarters, no matter how much of a “golden staff” someone is, putting their legs up on the table like Lu Si Qiu did would be pretty unthinkable, and the fact that no one dared to call him out felt unrealistic. The same goes for Lan Qian Yi being bullied into doing “housework.” Bringing tea or coffee for your boss is normal office stuff, but actual “housework” felt like too much. I’m not sure if this really happens in Chinese office culture, but in my country, that kind of bullying simply doesn’t happen.

Overall, this is an exceptionally strong office drama—especially for someone with a background like mine. If you think this kind of story would be boring, absolutely not. This is my second drama with Mark Chao, and once again, he truly impressed me. Seeing him transform from a character known for emotional vulnerability into someone visibly angry and impatient was refreshing—and he nailed it perfectly. Every actor brought their character vividly to life, making them feel real and deeply relatable. The office design, vibes, and corporate environment were spot-on, and it’s clear the production team poured immense care and attention into even the smallest details.

Bravo to everyone involved.

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No So Ordinary Neighbors

The drama was genuinely heartwarming and never tried too hard to appear relevant; instead, it focused on the organic bonding between neighbors, which was truly chef’s kiss. The storyline was simple yet perfectly executed, and the actors delivered strong, convincing performances throughout. I still don’t understand why the drama received such a low rating, as every episode felt like it passed in just twenty minutes. The comedy was well-structured and naturally integrated into the narrative, never feeling forced or out of place.

I rated the drama an 8.5 out of 10 primarily because Sullivan’s revenge arc lacked coherence and felt scattered. It wasn't really relevant to become an issue this big. I think the character needed a more depth for taking this kind of big revenge. Apart from this it was really enjoying.

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