EP1
At first, I didn’t have very high expectations, BUT I knew it was going to be good. Then when I started watching, I was surprised because it actually exceeded my own expectations. I really enjoyed it the whole time. There were so many scenes I liked, and if you’re reading this, you really should watch it.And aside from FirstKhaotung’s chemistry (which is already unquestionable), their chemistry with the other cast members is also really great. I could truly feel the connection between all the characters. Overall, episode 1 was already so good for me and it made me want to keep watching the next episodes.
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Upside down gender dynamics; FL always a scheme ahead
My favorite part of this show might be all the girl power, baked right into the setup. The matriarchal Rong family, powerful enough to hold its own in a patriarchal society, may not be quite historically believable... but it still provides the perfect context to reverse all the traditional gender dynamics! I found it so satisfying to watch, even when these women are unfair or wrong. It’s just so casually a reality in their world, that the women- whether they are protecting the men, using them, or trampling over them- are in control.I think the writer(s) must really like women. The female characters are generally interesting and multifaceted, as are their relationships. There are some typical power struggles and rivalries within the family, but refreshingly, not a whiff of love rivalry. These women are concerned with bigger things.
At the helm is the female lead, Rong Shanbao, who is so completely badass- confident, in control, outsmarting everyone. I did not find her relatable or, to be honest, even that likable. She lacks a certain humanity and genuineness. However, she always acts on the side of “right”, and it’s pretty satisfying to watch her run circles around everyone else.
The male lead, Lu Jianglai, is decently capable, just not quite to her level. I like the way their relationship develops, which allows them to stay in each other’s orbit without turning into a sappy couple. The care and attraction are there, but their interests are not always aligned; this creates some interesting situations and dynamics.
That said, at some point Lu Jianglai goes full sap for her while she stays an ice queen. I get that she is the clever and powerful one, but she doesn’t seem to respect him very much. At least he has the decency to be upset about it at some point, but then he is mollified by... a kiss on the cheek. Right. Like so many other men in this show, he didn't totally have my respect, either.
A special shoutout to the grandma. Her sometimes-misguided authoritarian character is usually reserved for men, here it is fittingly the matriarch. I thought it’s interesting that she enforces “traditional” hierarchies even in a convention-defying family; it reminds us that the Rong family is not “modern” per se, but still a product of its times.
The plot is generally decently paced, though the reverse harem at the beginning gets a bit draggy. Other than that, I was happily binging this show, which involves taking down evil schemers and that sort of thing. Some of the side stories are also quite nice, like the second sister’s, but that one ends up suffering from lack of attention and resolution.
There is a little bit of humor sprinkled through the beginning to middle, but only on a small scale. It’s not quite a funny or lighthearted show, but I found it generally low-stress, mainly because things tend to work out and it’s pretty clear who to like and who to hate. Sympathetic antagonists are largely redeemed; those who aren’t, are revealed to be less sympathetic. Now, I wouldn’t necessarily call this realistic or masterful storytelling, but I was surprisingly relieved that this show takes it easy on my emotions.
My main complaint, I don’t know how to say without spoiling all the “plot twists”... but basically, there are just too many of them.
“BUT WAIT! It was part of her plan all along!” - happens over and over again. I may have been impressed the first one or two times, but after awhile it just feels tired and excessive.
The show doesn’t bring us along with the FL’s plans, it’s all revealed afterwards (plot twist style). Some of them don’t even make that much sense- how could she have predicted all those things with such precision?- but they are revealed in such retrospect that I couldn’t keep track. Of course it’s satisfying to watch the FL outsmart everyone, but it does make her feel even more cold, distant, and unrelatable. And it is, honestly, just a bit too much.
The last arc breaks from this formula. The FL barely seems relevant; in fact, the entire thing seems to be more about other people than about our leads. It’s not my favorite arc, but it’s better than, I would say, the majority of Cdramas, which often fall apart towards the end. At least I stayed interested.
The acting is ok. Gulnezer plays her calm, composed Rong Shanbao well, but I don’t know if there was anything she could have done to make us like her more. Neo is also fine, though I thought his voice (his own) was strangely wispy and weak, and had a lisp. I honestly don’t think they look that good together- Neo just looks so young and delicate next to her, which I suppose matches their dynamic- but that’s not their fault. I thought some of the sisters overacted (the ones who were supposed to be catty), but the grandma did a fantastic job.
The costumes and such are ok. The settings are pretty nice, the tea plantations are pretty. The background music is good at setting the mood, like lighthearted vs intrigue. The songs didn’t stand out for me. The occasional fighting looks very sped up.
Overall this is a fun watch and I loved seeing women kicking ass and dominating. The story and characters are not without flaws, but it kept me interested and hooked.
ENDING – READ AHEAD ONLY IF YOU WANT TO KNOW, CONTAINS SPOILERS
This a fairly happy ending. For a minute it looks like things won’t work out, but it all shakes out last minute, with a path visible for them to stay together.
That said, I wouldn’t consider this a particularly satisfying ending. The immediate situation is resolved but there is no view of what the future would actually look like. I did hear hints of a sequel and I think this is a good setup for one, since it’s somewhat open.
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A neon-soaked cyberpunk-infused drug trip
A feverish, neon-soaked descent into a cyberpunk-infused drug trip at its most excessive and imaginative, Tsui Hark's adaptation of The Wicked City is less concerned with coherence than with spectacle, atmosphere and a restless sense of urban dread. Playing exceptionally fast and loose with its source material, the pacing is absolutely relentless, opting for a mafia-style soap opera with a doomed love at its core, rather than the political ramifications of its origins. The visual insanity of the film feels almost unearned in the grand scheme, with Hark and director Peter Mak unleashing a barrage of practical effects, grotesque creature designs and kinetic action sequences that are truly chaotic. It all oscillates between horror, action and dark fantasy, delivering sex, violence, bizarre sensuality and outrageously colourful lighting. Yet, beneath the excess lies a familiar Tsui Hark preoccupation: anxiety about modernity, urban alienation and the hidden rot beneath a glossy metropolis. There's a deep-rooted obsession with transformation permeating throughout, bodies mutating, realities slipping, identities dissolving, creating a sense of constant instability. At times, this works brilliantly, evoking a city on the brink of moral and supernatural collapse; other times, it overwhelms the narrative, which can feel fragmented and rushed. The performances from the central cast are entirely serviceable; they function well within Tsui Hark's heightened, stylised universe. Leon Lai operates as the brooding protagonist with stoic restraint. At the same time, Michelle Reis brings an alluring, tragic presence that fits the film's noir-inflected tone. A fascinating artefact of unrestrained creativity, where ambition matters more than polish, seductive, violent and perpetually on the verge of completely losing its sanity, there's a method to The Wicked City's madness. Its storytelling is messy, its mythology underexplained, and its indulgences plentiful, but if you're willing to meet it at its level, it's a wild, flawed and ultimately unforgettable ride.Was this review helpful to you?
Unexpectedly fun!
I never write reviews, but this show is underrated. I think maybe you have to have read manwhas to appreciate how crazy and over the top the premise and first few episodes are. It’s cartoon motivations and violence, basically. People make insane decisions and get up multiple times from injuries that would be deadly in the real world. The comedy is, at times, ridiculous, which I usually don’t like, but I think this made me actually laugh out loud more than most shows I’ve watched.The actors are good. As I watched this, Oh Yeon Seo reminded me so much of Bong Soon’s energy. I think it’s the hair, the tiny cuteness factor and the OST which seems to be from the same artist, though I didn’t look it up.
It does take a turn into a mystery around midway through and I enjoyed it more after that.
Overall, I found this is a fun, fast watch and I think it deserves a better rating.
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This review may contain spoilers
I think this series is fine for a one-time watch, but nothing more than that. It wasn’t engaging enough to linger in my mind afterward or make me want to come back to it later. While watching, I had the impression that it had a lot of potential, but that potential was wasted. Many elements of the series felt like filler to me, and even if they weren’t meant to be, the script turned them into such. A lot of potentially interesting topics weren’t developed, and some of the solutions were simply absurd.Starting with the main culinary storyline, which for most of the series was the most interesting and, in my opinion, the best handled one — toward the end it became full of absurdities. Beginning with the fact that no one at the restaurant knew they had been awarded three stars and only found out from other people or the internet. Then there was the biggest flop, which at the same time had great potential: the cooking battle — how on earth did no one verify the results if it was announced as a win rather than a draw? Why did the guy who was the head of Diamond storm off offended instead of explaining the situation? An absurd situation, topped off by the cherry on the cake: a family breakfast and a mother who suddenly allowed them to run the restaurant, even though she herself hadn’t changed for the better at all. In the end, the restaurant that stole recipes and falsified competition results kept its three stars, and no one tried to do anything about it. The falsification of the results of the first competition was also never explained. I also don’t understand what his mother was planning next. Some new restaurant — but why all these mind games?
As for the main couple — Mo Yeon Ju and Han Beom U — I have very mixed feelings. Individually, I find them interesting characters, especially him. I think he was very well written and acted. It was enjoyable to watch his character development, and you could really see how he changed, began to understand his mistakes, and tried to fix them. The only thing that puzzles me in his case is the storyline about his father, which was either never mentioned or handled so superficially that I don’t even remember it. She was also an interesting character to me. I liked her confidence and feisty personality, although at times I felt it was a bit over the top. However, in her case, the storyline about being abandoned by her parents felt like filler. It had potential and could have been interesting if it had been developed somehow — for example, if she had found her biological parents. When it comes to their relationship, though, my feelings were extremely mixed. Sometimes I liked the chemistry between them, especially from his side. From start to finish, his feelings and chemistry were clearly visible. With her, however, it was inconsistent. This was especially noticeable to me when her ex returned (which was also filler, but more on that later). I had the impression that she smiled more around her ex, was nicer to him, and that the male lead was like a clingy nuisance who was getting in their way. Maybe that’s a misinterpretation, but that’s how it came across to me. What also annoyed me was that the male lead never told her that he wasn’t the one who stole her recipes and that he had tried to prevent it earlier — in fact, he never really told her at all.
Next, I want to expand on the storyline with her ex, which I also consider filler — again, mainly because of the script. First of all, the whole idea of going to Japan with him was stupid. At that point, she was already involved with the male lead; they had been on a date, and she informed him about her departure only by letter. On top of that, she flew there with her ex. She could have gone alone, and she certainly didn’t need to spend all that time with him in Japan — visiting places from the past, shopping together, or cooking together. To me, this shows respect — or rather, a lack of respect — for a new, potential partner. Although this alone wouldn’t yet make it filler. The problem is that after the male lead stopped the merger and they returned to Korea, Le Murir was never mentioned again — not the restaurant, not the chef, not his illness, nothing. The whole topic just vanished into thin air, which is why I consider it filler. On top of that, I really didn’t like how Jeon Min, who harmed the restaurant’s founder’s health by throwing away his medication, faced no consequences whatsoever — on the contrary, he was praised and hugged by him because he supposedly cared so much about Le Murir. In what way? By selling it to a company that would later cause it to go bankrupt? I also still don’t understand why he tried to lure the female lead to Le Murir while simultaneously pushing for a merger that he knew would lead to bankruptcy.
As for other characters, I’ll only mention Jin Myeong Suk and Sin Chun Seung. I liked their conflicts and the way they teased each other. They made me laugh many times, so I consider them a nice addition. Sin Chun Seung’s character development was also interesting, and I’m glad he started doing better, finally proved his worth to his father, and took over the restaurant. The only thing I don’t understand here is the storyline with the actor from “Lovely Jogger.” Did they know each other from school? Maybe I just didn’t catch some of the comedy.
In my opinion, there’s no point in discussing the other characters, as they weren’t interesting enough to really stick in my memory or make me want to write more about them. A few pleasant characters, a few “semi-villains,” and that’s about it.
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A Perfect Way to Start 2026
Shine On Me is officially my first completed drama of 2026, and honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better start.From the very first episode, the drama pulled me in with its solid storyline, strong acting, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, the undeniable chemistry between the main leads. There wasn’t a single dull moment. Every episode felt engaging, meaningful, and completely worth watching. It’s the kind of drama where you keep telling yourself, “just one more episode,” and before you know it, it’s already way past bedtime.
Despite my very busy work schedule, I found myself staying up late night after night just to squeeze in a few more episodes... and that alone says a lot about how good this drama is. Every bit of lost sleep was absolutely worth it.
Now that I’ve finished it, I’m already on the hunt for my next binge-watch, preferably one with lots of romantic scenes. Still, it’s going to take some time for me to move on from Shine On Me. This drama set the bar high and will definitely stay with me for a long while.
Highly recommended. 💖
Rating: 10/10
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Quirky gumiho fantasy that dives into life philosophy, psychology and romance in a fun way.
PLOT - A wish granting gumiho decides to live an immortal life of materialism catering to her and her only 💅. Her self absorbed self meets a young man with will of steel who believes in himself and himself only💅. What can you offer to someone who doesn't seek? This encounter leads to an interesting twist in their life. Opposite attract? No! This is "diamond cuts diamond"⚔️. Will these two self centered individuals see beyond themselves? Who will win the battle of wits? Can love triumph self obsession? Will our philosophical questions be answered? What is the meaning of life? Tune in to learn about the characters, the human world and yourself. 🤓☝️I was shocked as to how much thought has gone into some of the underlying themes here. I think the writer had an amazing vision for the drama but couldn't line it up well. SAD! WHAT A MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Cons-
1) This is probably the first time when I found that story was actually pretty nice but EDITING AND ACTING HAS WEAKENED IT. This drama would have suited 15-episodes format more instead of the 12 that it has. Netflix has ruined the natural pace of many kdramas and it is one of them.
2) I found the MALE LEAD to be lacking in screen presence and the female lead has a very high pitched voice which makes her seem irritating at times. You don't feel anything when you see the ML on screen which is quite surprising considering the fact that he is a handsome man.
The director can also be blamed here as the gumiho doesn't have any mystical or magnetic aura around her.
This drama could have become better if these things were fixed. However, its still watchable ...and an easy 7.5 /10 for me.
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Ugh! The story did not make sense
I did not hate this show. I tuned in because I enjoy the actors. But the script just made no sense. The constant misunderstandings and misinterpretations were never spoken about. And just led to more misunderstandings and misjudgments. It made no sense to me that the female lead with such an accomplished journalist yet had no Will of her own when it came to relationships. I didn’t hate the show, but it’s definitely not one that I would rewatch. this could’ve been so much better, especially if the misunderstandings have been cleared up earlier in the show. If we could’ve seen them work out their differences and be successful.Was this review helpful to you?
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Hmmm......ok.
If your looking for sunshines and rainbows, look elsewhere. Turn back now. Final warning..........Dark and dreary and overly complex in its story telling from beginning to the end. But you should know that immediately considering who the FL is. It's not about forgiving. It's not about changing or redemption. I found this drama to be about acceptance? Nothing is forever, basically shite happens, that kind of stuff. Deal with it. But it wasn't really until the end and her last few lines that I came to my personal conclusions.
The 3 in this story were all about wallowing in misery, hiding, wanting to share things but unable to, they believed they'd drag others down. It hurt them all as they tried to move on with lives that had some devastating setbacks. Find that special someone only to let insecurities dmg or keep you from moving further. The trials they all went through in the end were completely unnecessary, it was just a Kdrama things to up the "omg why?!"reactions. Y'all know what I mean.
So I'm glad it wasn't a perfect ending, which is what I find I've liked about FL's dramas in general.
It's possible to be lonely even when your with someone and how you choose to deal with it is on you and you alone, solitude at times being just one out of many ways to address it. At least if you're the one feeling it.
This was messy and far from perfect but it wasn't horrible. I liked how well this was at displaying wide ranges of raw emotions. Mid tier drama but watch for yourself see what you think of it.
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Visual Melodrama and Emotional Isolation
First, the visual filter used throughout the drama plays a significant role in shaping its emotional atmosphere. The muted and soft color palette creates a sense of coldness and isolation, which closely reflects both the emotional states of the characters and the setting in which they exist. These visual choices intensify the feeling of loneliness and reinforce a persistent sense of emotional distance between the characters, even during moments of physical closeness.Zo In Sung’s portrayal of Oh Soo is particularly compelling. His assumption of the role of Oh Young’s older brother due to an accident places him in a morally complex position from the outset. Although his cold demeanor and sharp language can appear cruel, Oh Soo demonstrates a perceptive understanding of how constrained Oh Young’s world truly is. Despite her wealth and constant protection, she lacks genuine autonomy. His form of tough love, shaped by his own experiences living on the streets, pushes her to confront reality rather than remain sheltered from it. Oh Soo’s keen observational skills allow him to recognize Oh Young’s reluctance to ask for help, and he deliberately challenges this tendency, most notably in the scene where she falls into the fountain and is forced ask for help.
Song Hye Kyo delivers a restrained yet powerful performance as Oh Young. While her character appears strong due to both her condition and composed demeanor, it becomes evident that she longs for affection and emotional security. Having spent much of her life emotionally neglected, her desire to be loved feels both realistic and deeply human. Song Hye Kyo’s portrayal of a visually impaired character is convincing within the context of performance, particularly through her controlled eye movements and physical awareness. This attention to detail enhances the authenticity of the character. As a result, Oh Young is depicted as emotionally vulnerable without being reduced to helplessness, adding significant emotional depth to the drama.
Both characters had their internal struggles and the other is positioned to help heal them. Oh Soo starts off emotionally unavailable, shaped by trauma and a life defined by survival rather than connection, yet through his relationship with Oh Young, he gradually learns how to love again. Oh Young struggles with an inability to be vulnerable or dependent on others. Through her interactions with Oh Soo, she learns to rely on others and to accept help. Their relationship shows emotional growth and this wouldn't be able to happen alone.
The side characters, I didn't care for especially, Jung Eun Ji’s character, Moon Hee Sun. While her grief over her sister’s death is understandable, her persistent resentment toward Oh Soo often felt exhausting . Her decision to still be around Oh Soo, despite associating him with the loss of her sister, made no sense to me. I can't imagine having that kind of person in my life. I wouldn't want to be anywhere near them.
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A steamy guideverse with a hot psycopath that makes all your dreams come true
Review after watching the 10 episodes that are available:The story? At first it was good, but now we already have another subplot and i feel we will get many more. Too much action around this plot, i wish he could focus more on the relationship between the leads.
The leads? Chef's kiss. I love the ML to death. Literally. He plays psycho like no other, i even recorded the arrest scene to watch when im ovulating. The FL is ok, i've seen her in other dramas i know shes good in steamy scenes. I don't like her hair though?
The songs? Masterpiece. BUT I SAW ON YOUKO YOUTUBE THE KISSES WITHOUT THE SONGS ND LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING - it reminds me of thai bl uncut. Maybe even better cause they moan even sexier.
I've lost count to how many times i've rewatched episode 1 for the first and last scene, episode 6 for the kisses and episode 7 for the hm.. feast ;) if ykyk
also i appreciate the guideverse universe (with an personal twist of making it a virus/affinities). omegaverse we already had and probablh in the future there will be many more, but this is the first guideverse (i think) and sincerely? it did not dissapoint from this point of view. the only downside is they force too much action in the drama :/
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There is a lot of PDA in this series.
I liked the first half much more than the second. Maybe because of the game being part of the story in the beginning and slowly fading away in the second part. There is a lot of PDA in this series once the male characters get together and I wasn't really feeling all that sexy stuff, but it was well written, well played and well edited. Just not for me to have so much of hot, intense kisses.Both lead characters are very likeable and highly inteligent, talented individuals. But I forgot many times that they are both very smart and cunning (as they show while playing the game). I think I had a little of mental overlap with "Shine on Me" that came out just before this drama. I was making mistakes in what I remembered about characters backgrounds and traits (especially in the 2nd part of the series where workplace played a crucial role). It was a very good drama but it was hard for it to challange "Shine on Me" in my heart when it came out so close.
It was really fun to watch all the characters. The second couple was very heartwarming. I have to be honest though I liked the 2nd ML much more than the main ML. Maybe because of all the shorts I watched in between or maybe because of the actor who made a great impression on me already in "The Legends". It was his face & the character. The way he faced an internal conflict, displayed depth of feelings. Everything that was happening to him and how he dealt with it was very human and I could understand him and feel grace.
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Great bromance action J drama must watch
Oh after so many time i watched a great j drama. My type action bromance story all characters were so good. Daisuke what a men he is ❤️and that red one soji and his sword partner, kendo oh lovely every character just nailed the performance. Wish more seasons ahead. 👍....
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Pleasantly Surprising!
This is a pleasantly surprising drama and exactly what is needed to cool down from passionate and dramatic hangovers from high intensity or emotionally triggering series like SAL or TFF.I started watching with zero expectations, but there it was offering a bit of family, a bit of neighbourly "lane" living in a quaint little house with an attic, and two architects making it their home together for a brief while, there that's how the drama pulls you in!! Republican era virtual game played a big role in setting up the intrigue and attachment between the CP in the initially episodes, quite successfully too! Some elements became repetitive later on but we can give it a pass for the sake of ml's mysterious stares and fl's audacious challenges in return - the push and pull in the game itself to one up each other is quite entertaining!
FL's home is a character of its own, quite in contrast to ML's sparse , spacious apartment. In a way , capturing the bright cosy unencumbered personality of the fl versus the stoic, controlled, sharp subterfuge of the FL. It works really well, but without stirring too many feathers, they are comfortable to watch, having a natural agreeableness without getting overshadowed by overt passion or eagerness. They are just naturally, beautifully existing in each other's lives.
Second ml proved to be quite predictable and felt like a forced villain, He looks uncannily too much like Kang Ha Neul to form any major hatred towards frankly! Senior Peng on the other hand , the entire "bring to justice" story line is a bit forced in the second half and is definitely a weak point in the drama.
It would not be fair if we don't talk about the amazing female friendship depicted in this series. Not only are fl and 2nd fl unconditionally available for each other, but they also don't have impractical expectations from each other. I am here for the women supporting women in any and all choices made, in how independent and responsible both of them are, and how dependable their friendship is. Pure and solid foundation of love and acceptance! A wonderful part of the drama is watching them both being trustworthy friends!
It is hard to watch the cheating angle of the 2nd pair but i must appreciate how realistically it was depicted. Thank you writers, no waaaa waaaan crying, one person realising what a big mistake it was and accepting the consequences like an adult and the other facing her reality and moving on ! the Space they give each other, a tragic ending to otherwise what was a good marriage!
Lu Yu Xiao comes off as extra charismatic in contemporary setting, hope she will do some more modern dramas.
This is my first drama of Chen Xingyu. He can pull off the serious coded actor vibe, not too sure about the romance aspect. I find him to be a bit limited in range, but if anyone can suggest more of his dramas I'll be happy to explore.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to avoid heartaches, heartbreaks, or having attachment issues. Go for it!
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