Reviews

A show that always keeps you on the edge

ZLS just came out of her shell and she is not playing this time. It's the first time in a while that I have been this seated for a drama, The plot is so unique and it always keeps me on the edge like I keep wanting for more episodes. I am so freaking tired of watching historical dramas and I can say that Chinese dramas really have this kind of dramas that are well written, but this one bags to differ. I love the musical scoring for this one, you can feel the excitement throughout watching the episodes and thrill for all of their schemes that they're plotting behind. And can we talk about how ZLS nailed her role girl she's literally carrying this drama and she is everything she is born to play Xu Yan. I love the ants fierce reception and all of the dramas around them this is what you call a drama and I'm very excited for future episodes to come.

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Somewhere along the way, Tempest lost the plot.

If you are a woman with any career ambitions, you have probably heard of the saying, "Work or family. Pick one, because you can't have it all." That is something Seo Munju is all too familiar with. When her husband, Assemblyman Jang Junik, decides to run for president of South Korea, Munju makes the ultimate sacrifice by stepping down from her position as an ambassador to the UN in order to support his political career. She dons a classy white skirt suit, puts on a gold cross necklace, and wears a smile on her face. On the surface, she is a doting wife standing in the shadows behind a perfect politician and God-fearing man. However, the path to the top is paved with danger, corruption, and uncertainty. Munju becomes the witness to a political assassination, and she finds herself in the midst of an international conspiracy that could potentially turn her country, and maybe even the entire world, upside down.

"I had a dream. And in the dream, I was a man." This very first line in episode one immediately hooked me into the world of Tempest. I loved the way it perfectly embodied the overarching theme and set the tone for the entire drama: strong female characters being underestimated and overlooked in favor of the men in their lives — the men that they helped build and uplift. It was the very reason why I was drawn to our protagonist, Seo Munju, who was one of the several formidable female characters in this story. She was complex, relatable, and sympathetic. As always, Jun Ji Hyun did a fantastic job bringing her character to life. Watching Munju step away from the spotlight to assume a traditional gender role for the sake of her husband's political career was painful and infuriating, which made her decision to reclaim her ambitions all the more powerful and inspirational.

One of my concerns about intricate political and conspiracy plots is that, while I love them in theory, I hate how they always consist of unnecessary filler. Tempest only had a total of nine episodes, so I had high hopes that the drama would stray from focusing too much attention on irrelevant subplots. I wanted the drama to prioritize the espionage storyline. For the most part, the drama did just that. It was thrilling to watch Munju piece together the clues she had gathered and try to figure out the reasons behind the political assassination she witnessed. The suspense and intrigue left me mindblown and craving more... that is, until the love arc took front and center.

I am a firm believer that not every story needs a romance, and Tempest is a great example of this. The romance was sudden, with the first intimate scene being so awkward and uncomfortable to watch. While I have a soft spot for a powerful woman and a protective bodyguard dynamic, I found Baek Sanho's obsession with Munju to be unsettling. I liked the tension and chemistry they had in the beginning, and I wish their relationship had just stayed the same as before. The plot started to derail and the pacing started to drag once these two characters got together. After Munju escaped the chaos at her campaign rally, there was a change in the tone, not just in the narrative, but also in Munju's character. For once, she was supposed to put herself and her dreams first, but instead, she ended up getting distracted by a man she barely knew.

When the writers finally shifted the focus from the underwhelming romance back to the main espionage storyline, they ran out of time to properly resolve all of the plotlines that they previously introduced. The final two episodes of Tempest felt like a confusing and rushed departure from the compelling narrative that the drama started with. Plot twists that should've been shocking revelations ended up feeling out of place, failing to make any logical sense to me. It was as if the writers carelessly threw them into the story just for shock value. I wonder what kind of story Tempest could've been if so much time was not spent on forcing the romance down our throats. Would the writers had put more effort into creating a cohesive finale?

What made Tempest so disappointing to me was its wasted potential. Somewhere along the way, Tempest got sidetracked from the very premise that initially captivated viewers like me: What if a woman chose herself for once and put her dreams first? I wanted this idea to be explored more in depth. The way the underdeveloped romance hindered the momentum of the more interesting political storyline was frustrating for me to watch unfold. The writers flawlessly set up a powerful story of female ambition and liberation from the confines of traditional gender roles, only to let these themes fizzle out. In the end, Tempest proved that sometimes, even in fiction, women can't have it all.

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Decent start, draggy middle, confusing end

If anything could be the saving grace of the show, it would be the visual candy of Cheng Yi and Xu Zhen Xuan, along with the fight scenes which were truly quite epic.

Plot: The start was entertaining enough, and felt reminiscent of ADWAD but with a slight spin to the usual delivery, which led to some interest in how they would resolve the time travel (spoiler: the conclusion was unsatisfying). But somehow the pace or direction of the show was lacking, and quite a few scenes were fast forwarded as opposed to watching it in the entirety to understand/appreciate the plot. Said plot ended up being too convoluted, with too many sub-plots without a clear direction, like a cook adding too many ingredients when the focus should be on a few key ingredients and making the flavors pop.

Characters: Not sure if it was the direction or acting skills itself, but most of the supporting characters did not make much of an impression. There's not enough backstory to explain why they acted the way they did, and sometimes the actions of the main villain/antagonists just did not make sense, or overly contrived. Yeah sure some parts could be inferred, but cramming so many different subplots made it feel more like the additions were an afterthought, instead of intentional characterizations to bring the story to life. To be honest, even Xiao Qiu Shui's character growth seemed a bit bizzare, and the portrayal of his headstrong/childish (?) moments also feel a bit flat. The brief moments of supposed chemistry/sparks between XQS and Tang Fang also felt rather dull...

OST: Other than that one main OST, the other songs didn't make much of an impression.

Ultimately, I'm not sure what the show was trying to convey (other than serving great visual candy, lol). Granted, yes, there was quite a bit of exposition on ideals and how to fight the big baddies, with the usual notes of brotherhood, sacrifice and care for others, but maybe the message was not strong enough to hammer in the points? idk. As compared to ADWAD, A moment but forever, there were certain themes or messages that could be gleaned from the story, which made it feel more than surface visual entertainment, and left some food for thought.

Nonetheless, there were some highlights such as the pairing of Li Chen Zhou and Zhao Shi Rong, and the camaraderie in the brotherhood, especially with Tang Song. It's actually really enjoyable to see both LCZ and XQS together, because Cheng Yi portrays them so distinctly - but it also raises some questions on why they look similar. Afterall, they could have just pretended that the characters did not notice the similarities in appearance, but no, the similarities were highlighted multiple times! But even till the end of the show I had no idea why the creative direction was as such, other than wagering a guess that they were representing two opposing approaches to achieving their goals for the martial world/country??

TLDR, can watch just for Cheng Yi and the fight scenes, but don't expect to gain much out of it, and possibly feel a bit disgruntled even at the ending hahaha.

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“Twins” – A Bold, Emotionally Charged BL Series with Depth and Duality

“Twins” is an emotionally charged, well-crafted BL series that brings a fresh perspective to the genre through its unique plot, sports-driven narrative, and powerhouse performances. What truly sets this series apart is how effortlessly it blends personal drama with athletic ambition, creating a storyline that is as gripping as it is heartfelt.

The chemistry between Sprite and First is magnetic. From their very first scenes together, there's a spark – a push-and-pull dynamic that keeps you emotionally invested. Their relationship is intense, complex, and at times deeply painful. I found Sprite and Zee’s actions particularly cruel and manipulative toward First, which made certain moments hard to watch. However, I admire the series for not shying away from these darker aspects of the character. Sprite's journey toward growth and redemption felt earned, and the emotional payoff made the heartbreak along the way feel worthwhile.

A standout of the series is undoubtedly Frame Ritchanon, who delivers an exceptional dual performance as the twins. Playing two distinct characters with such nuance and emotional depth is no easy task, yet Frame pulls it off with incredible ease. At no point does it feel like a gimmick – each twin feels like a fully realized individual, and the emotional contrast between them is portrayed with stunning clarity. It’s genuinely one of the best twin portrayals I’ve seen in any series, regardless of genre.

The sports elements added a compelling layer, enriching the emotional storytelling with themes of ambition, pressure, and self-discovery through competition and teamwork. It’s not just a romance – it's a story about identity, redemption, and the struggle to carve out your own path.

In the end, “Twins” stands out for its emotional depth, layered storytelling, and standout performances. I’m giving it an 8.5/10 – a few points off for the emotionally taxing cruelty from Sprite early on, but the arc of growth and healing brings it full circle in a satisfying way.

Highly recommended for fans of BL with substance, emotional complexity, and heart.

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Good cast, good script, fast pacing - what's not to love?

BEST CDRAMA I've seen so far! My top 1 of my top 3 list. Run, don't walk to see this. If you only see one cdrama ever in your life, this is the one. First off, the pacing is faster than the normal cdrama, which makes it almost on par with western movies. and the leads: Zhao Jinmai and Bai Jingting are absolutely convincing in their earnest attempts to save all the passengers. (I predict both will have long careers ahead of them and are the future of Chinese cinema.)

The suspense feels real as does the frustration of the leads in having to repeat the cycle again and again. (Some loops are unintentionally laugh out loud funny as they try different approaches to save passengers on the bus only to get thwarted), They could have reduced the number of time loop cycles but you start to root for them and then feel as frustrated as they must feel as they repeatedly fail to stop the bomb on the bus from going off, which is both riveting and heartbreaking.

You also learn the side stories of the passengers on the fated bus, even that of the perpetrators which are funny and sad at times. For once their side stories are interesting and not filler and they make you root for every passenger on the doomed bus (even the motive for the criminal masterminds is explained in a way that makes their pain relatable). The Police Chief and his crew as side characters get a lot of screen time and serve a dual purpose in helping to promote the police department in China!

This drama needs to be seen by more international audiences. Netflix would do well to pick up this series over another costume period piece.

Overall rating: 9.5/10

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Platonic friendships between women are truly the highest form of bond humanity has reached

I just finished this drama and honestly, I feel completely drained in the best and worst way possible. As someone who has experienced a friendship very similar to the one portrayed, I could feel and relate to almost every second of it. Watching their story unfold felt like reliving moments of my own life. Platonic friendships between women are truly the highest form of bond humanity has reached. There’s seriously nothing quite like it. It’s a love that isn’t romantic yet still is a soul level connection and those who’ve been lucky enough to experience it know how magical and rare it is.
There were times during this drama when I honestly thought I wouldn’t be able to continue. I almost had to stop because the pain was so overwhelming. I’ve cried more in the last few hours than I have in months. Not just light tears either, the kind of crying that makes your chest ache and leaves you gasping for breath. It was like I could feel it in every corner of my body. This drama gave me something raw and human, something that most shows fail to even attempt. That’s how deeply the script and the acting reached me. It’s not often that a piece of fiction manages to blur the line between reality and storytelling but this one sure did! Seriously whoever came up with this script deserves so much credit, because it’s not just the writing; it’s like they managed to capture life itself. Normally, I’m the kind of viewer who skips scenes here and there especially when I feel like the pacing is off or when filler moments drag. But with this drama, not a single second felt wasted. Every line carried weight and every scene was precious. In fact, I often found myself replaying moments just to absorb them fully whether it was a small look exchanged between characters or a line that cut right through me. That’s how precious it felt. I know I’ll be carrying this one with me for a long time, replaying scenes in my mind just like I did on screen. It’s rare to come across a drama this powerful and deep. I’m grateful (and devastated lol) that I did. I'm giving a 8/10 for rewatch value because although I know it would be awfully painful to go through it again, I would definitly rewatch this masterpiece.

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A ride that lost its spark halfway in

This is purely my personal take after following this drama from start to finish.

If I had to sum it up in one word? Ambitious. That’s the strongest impression the drama left on me. With a massive budget, a star-studded Chungmuro lineup and even some international cast members, this drama feels like it wanted to bite off more than it could chew.

To be fair, the beginning was quite promising. The pacing worked, the intrigue kept me curious, even if things were already starting to feel a bit tangled. But the further it went, the harder it was to keep up. The political plot grew unnecessarily convoluted, conflicts felt rushed and half-resolved, characters lacked proper development, and the editing often came off choppy. There were scenes that jumped so abruptly from one to another that I literally found myself thinking, “Wait, how did we get here?”

As someone who genuinely enjoys the spy/espionage genre, my expectations were sky-high the moment Kang Dong won and Jun Ji hyun were confirmed as leads. His long awaited small screen comeback paired with her star power? That alone could’ve sold the show. And honestly, it did, for the first few episodes. But beyond that… not so much.

The drama repeatedly lost momentum. Tension would build nicely, only to fizzle out because of clumsy execution. Storylines were dangled like they’d pay off, but then they just dissolved into thin air. Throwing in the US and other international politics only muddied the waters further. Personally, I think the show would’ve worked better had it stayed focused on the North–South conflict.

By the time it reached the endgame, everything was a blur, plot holes left gaping, resolutions that never landed, and twists that were far from memorable. The writers seemed overly confident in trying to compress such a complex political narrative into 9 episodes. The result? Half-baked. Maybe if they’d gone the traditional 16–20 episode route, the story could’ve actually breathed.

Even the romance between Munju and Sanho suffered a downgrade. At first, I really liked their dynamic-mature, grounded, no unnecessary fluff. But as the story spiraled, their chemistry started to feel out of place. Politics were a mess, yet they still found time to act lovey dovey in high-stakes situations. Honestly, it felt awkward and tone-deaf.

On the acting front? No complaints whatsoever. The entire cast delivered solid performances, even the supporting actors. I particularly respect the senior actors who gave a genuine effort with their English lines and accents. But no matter how strong the performances, weak writing will always drag the whole thing down.

I get that the writer might’ve been going for “realism” and sure, politics in real life are messy, complicated, and rarely tied up neatly. But at the end of the day, this is still fiction. It doesn’t have to be dumbed down, but it does need to be watchable. This drama leaned so hard into being “realistic” that it forgot to be engaging.

Overall? Nothing remarkable, outside of that train scene in episode 3, there’s barely anything that stuck with me, Definitely not a drama I’d ever rewatch.

And Kang Dong won? Please, for your next project...just give us a rom-com with Kim Taeri.

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Officer Black Belt begins as a light, fast-paced action comedy but quickly shifts into a dark crime thriller. Directed by Jason Kim (Midnight Runners, Bloodhounds), it delivers a fresh premise with a charismatic lead and brutal fight choreography.
The story follows Lee Jung-do (Kim Woo-bin), a young martial arts expert who ends up working with a probation officer (Kim Sung-kyun). What starts as playful adventures takes a sinister turn when they must monitor a repeat child sex offender, pushing the film into darker territory.
The fight scenes are visceral and impressive, though the abrupt tonal shift from comedy to tragedy may feel jarring. Still, it’s a gripping Korean thriller with emotional weight.

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Lost in Promotion: When the Story and Fans Are Overlooked

While the story itself was more enjoyable than I expected, the ending was confusing and dragged on by unnecessary close-ups. Since spoilers had already been circulating in X after the first episode, I wasn't really surprised.

As a fan of Thai actors, I was apprehensive about the Japanese-style direction from the start. Unfortunately, my fears were realized. The Thai actors were tasked with intense love scenes that Junji lacked, and the story relied more on repeated fights and reconciliation than on deep development. Despite being promoted as main characters, the Thai actors were treated like supporting characters, which was disappointing.

There were also problems with the events. Fan groups of actors with large follower, friends, and fans were prioritized, while smaller communities languished. The flower stand became a competition, and it was difficult to express your support without attending in person. Not only through event raffles and social media promotion, but also by building large communities around popular actors, certain fans sent massive flower stands to other actors as well, monopolizing photo opportunities and discouraging smaller fan groups from showing their support. The daily lottery questions were exhausting, and it was depressing to see the same people winning multiple times.

It felt just like a Japanese-style event. Advertising costs and efforts were passed on to fans, the tag campaign was forced on X, and there was even a dress code. Far from being genuinely enjoyable, it felt like they were being used as a promotional tool. I was hoping for a song in the final episode, but the lead actor gave a tearful speech. The Thai actors were repeatedly pressured to praise Mukai, which was unpleasant to watch. It was also strange to see actors in their 30s wearing pale pink outfits.

In the end, the cool, "fun" atmosphere that is unique to Thai drama events was lost, and it turned into a tacky, tiring Japanese version. Despite all the excitement, the drop in viewership for the final episode speaks for itself. And the fact that most of the audience were Japanese speaks for itself.

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Tempest: A Disgusting Recycled Version of Red Swan With Jun Ji Hyun

This drama treats itself as overly self-important, but the execution makes it hard to take seriously. The female lead is portrayed as if she’s the most crucial figure in South Korea’s survival, a diplomat so important that even the president personally interferes in her private life. In reality, ambassadors work behind closed doors, negotiating with careful words and securing national interests quietly, not being turned into celebrity-like figures with the president dictating whether they should divorce or accept minister positions. The idea that the president is heartbroken because she married his political rival, and that she alone can sway the nation’s future, feels like an inflated fantasy rather than political reality.

The attempt at political depth collapses further in the execution. The church scene was outright uncomfortable: the male lead secretly films a married woman, romantic music plays, and she knowingly stares into the camera as if inviting him. It doesn’t read as diplomacy or duty — it reads like an adultery drama in disguise, dressed up with diplomatic jargon that doesn’t mean much, because realistically, South Korea’s foreign policy is dependent on U.S. approval anyway.

The action sequence in the first episode is equally unconvincing. The male lead notices the soldier targeting the FL’s husband but doesn’t act, seemingly waiting for the husband to die so he can “save” her. The soldier miraculously spares everyone else but delays shooting the FL until the ML arrives, and then — conveniently — decides it’s time to pull the trigger. The directing makes it look intentional, as though the plot needed the husband to die for the romance to kick in. What’s worse is the framing: while the FL holds her dead husband and the ML holds the dead soldier, the camera lingers on their eye contact like we’re supposed to feel a budding romance in that tragic moment. It’s manipulative, disgusting, and undermines the seriousness of the setup.

Overall, instead of giving us a believable political drama, Tempest feels like a rebranded Red Swan — but now with diplomats and politicians instead of chaebols and business elites. The forced romance, especially with a married (later widow) FL, destroys any credibility the story could have had. What could’ve been a sharp, serious drama is reduced to another recycled melodrama with dirty, unrealistic romantic overtones.

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It's not just the magic that sparks here...

Got hooked from the first Episode,
The visuals! The Slow- Burn (You may hate it)! The landscapes! The LONG episodes!

And OMG - we have a REAL plot, not just an " It-will-take-us-to the -NC-Scenes -only plot" . You can feel the efford the production-team has been putting into this respecting cultural and religious backgrounds , so the BTS ist really worth a look.
There are many themes touched: Familiy issues, dealing with death, friendship (plus), discrimination - and some time you can tell, that the production wanted a little bit too much because not everything can be discussed in a series for everbodys satifaction.

And Yes- there are some logical clues, yes Khem seems to be the most naive pure soul in the universe - but who cares when Khem and Peem just float the screen with their atmospheric
connection and "Master" just stands out as the greenest flag since green flags were invented and would win every wet T-Shirt ( or business-Shirt) contest.

For me the best Fantasy- BL i have seen so far.

And who knows- Maybe there will be an increase in back -tattoos soon ;)

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Frustrating tale of married strangers who didn't bother to check marriage certificate

I wasn't planning to watch this drama but a reddit friend mentioned that this is her favourite Guo Yu Xin drama. I like both GYX and Zhang Li Ren so I decided to watch it yesterday when I needed a light drama.

What I liked:
1. Main characters - They were likeable despite their lack of communication problem.
2. Relationship - It was apparent that ML was smitten by FL from their first encounter. ML was boss to FL.
3. Styling - I liked the clothes worn by GYX & ZLR in this drama. That white dress gave a Audrey Hepburn twist to her style. Very chic!
4. Supporting characters - FL's supervisor was perceptive, thank gosh.
5. Ending - I liked it even though it's abrupt.

What I disliked:
1. Communication - I'd say the villain in this drama is themselves. I knew ML travelled abroad for work for 1 year but why didn't they keep in touch? It frsutrated me when he made assumption over a background noise.
2. Cheating - I felt like they were emotional cheating even though it turned out that they were married to each other. I didn't like this aspect of their relationship.
3. Romance - Their romance was slow burn since they were attached to other people. It sucks that they never checked their marriage certificate like until 10 minites before this drama ended. Then they were only 2 or 4 minutes of dating before The End appeared. Frustrating.

Favourite scene
The ending

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