Reviews

Cute but not my style

If cinnamon roll was a series that would be this. It was full of fluff and cute scenes. Good for days when you just want to roll up in blanket and watch something sweet and comfy.

The plot was pretty simple. It barely had any twist or thrill. There were moments when I felt the story was going slower than needed but overall the pace was pretty alright. There were not much character developments. The depth of the characters weren't shown enough even though it is a character oriented storyline. I think I lost my interest on some points because the plot was too one dimensional only focusing on the romance aspect. I wish they added more about the university life of the characters. I expected Teerak's character to grow more and learning how to properly say no.

The cinematography and the discography is top notch. The budget was right for this. Even the camerawork left an impression. It was fantastically done. The OST was definitely what actually made me get into the drama.

The acting was pretty good even though I don't see much praise on it. I think they executed the characters well considering they are not the veterans. The support cast also did pretty good. I hope to see them more on screen.

Might not be my type of drama but it was pretty enjoyable to watch.

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When the Chemistry is Chemistrying & the Storytelling is Storytelling-ing

Alright, ladies, gather 'round because I'm about to tell you about your next TV boyfriend. If you're a romantic fiction junkie like me, then Chinese drama "The First Frost" is about to become your new obsession.

All you have to do is find it on your Netflix and click Play.

Now, I'll be real with you—I’m a huge fan of Chinese fantasy, but I'm usually not one to venture into the world of contemporary C-dramas. The culture differences after watching so much Western TV is jarring and I do need to be in the right mood. But Netflix kept on showing "The First Frost" to me since I already watch a lot of international content, so I decided to check it out.

First of all, this show has all my favorite tropes (high school sweethearts, second-chance romance, forced proximity—hello, roommates!), plus an epicly (is this even a word?) swoon-worthy male lead.

And let me tell you, this drama does not disappoint. From the jump, the production value is off the charts. The cinematography is so dang stunning. For someone who has worked on sets and did years of photography, this was so visually satisfying. The angles, the bokeh, the tricks the crew used with lights and fixtures. My eyes were so happy.

Seriously, the way the production team uses the visuals to set the mood and really draw you into the characters' journeys? Chef's Kiss

Now, let's talk about our leading lady Wen Yi Fan played by Zhang Ruo Nan. Yes, she might come across as a little weak at the beginning, but remember, this is a different culture, with its own set of societal norms. So, you need to adjust your expectations accordingly. And typically, a couple of episodes is enough to get into the groove.

As we watch the show, we also see the progress in Wen Yi Fan. The way she's been shaped by her traumatic past reflects on her personality greatly. But she makes up for her weakness by standing up for herself when it counts. Her relationship with her high school crush Sang Yan and how it develops in the present is also showcasing her character arc. I’ve seen some unconvincing leading ladies and Zhang Ruo Nan does an amazing job playing a victim of domestic violence and assault. Her performance is nuanced and believable. It’s endearing to watch her come into her own, to make the right decisions for herself and her happiness, to learn how to trust again. She looks fragile, but she has a lot more power than the viewer expects.

Writers did an amazing job with her character overall, and I think the actress was able to bring it to life wonderfully.

And then there's Sang Yan, our male lead. Fans self.

Honey, this man has been simping for Wen Yi Fan since high school, and let me tell you, the actor they cast absolutely nails it. Just a small piece of info in case you didn’t know: “The First Frost” is a spin-off of another popular TV series “Hidden Love,” in which there’s a different actor playing Sang Yan. He was recast for “The First Frost” because someone with more experience in romantic roles was needed for this drama.

I am so happy with the casing choice. Bai Jingting is a total sweetheart. He is nonchalant where it’s necessary and caring in a quiet, brooding way, but no overbearing. He knows Wen Yi Fan is the one for him, and he does everything to make her life easier. As someone who’s been writing romance novels for ten years and publishing them for six out of those ten, I can tell when the actor really puts his heart into a role. Sang Yan does everything for Wen Yi Fan that a gentleman will do, including sneaking in that cat tree into her room. This was such a sweet moment.

I’m also going to say that no matter how good the actors are, if there’s no chemistry between them, then it’s just not going to be convincing. Well, this show has no chemistry problems. The sparks between these two are off the charts, and the little moments where he shows his devotion? Swoon central, I tell you.

Another interesting thing I noticed is that Sang Yan is a green flag. Mostly, there will be some red flags in male leads in Asian shows, at least if you watch them from the Western point of view. If you are used to Asian content, then you will not notice. I have to constantly switch my brain depending on what I watch and tune in my expectations, but that’s just me.

Lastly, I want to talk a little about intimacy in this show. C-dramas are pretty tame. You’re lucky if you get more than one or two kisses over the course of 40 episodes. There’s no skinship whatsoever. You will hardly see a woman in a bra. Male torso will most definitely be shown. So, knowing how it typically is, I was pleasantly surprised that while “The First Frost” didn’t go full-on Hollywood style and open bedroom scene, there was a lot more steamy moments overall between the couple than in most C-dramas I’ve seen, which will be pretty satisfying for romance fans. These moments are quite important because they don’t just showcase a couple getting closer, but the trust the female lead puts into the male lead, which is part of her character development.

Side notes.

There’s a second couple, and they are cute, but I think the storyline about the grandparents bogged down the main plot a little and took a lot of time. But I also know why it was there, so I just skipped the lengthy dialogues that were meant to be educational.

We also had this hiccup of an arc that happens on almost all Asian romance dramas, where one has to leave the other because they think that the other is better off. (I actually understand why, because I would have probably done the same thing in my current medical situation to let the one I care about lead a better life. But I’m not 26 YO, and these people are effing healthy). I always roll my eyes at this trope because it’s becoming tiring, but the rest of the drama was very good. Overall, the story is so well-crafted, the characters so compelling, and the romance so darn swoony, you won't even care about this bit.

My verdict.

If you're in the mood for a drama that's gonna make your heart flutter, and your eyes tear up, you gotta check out "The First Frost." And trust me, you're gonna be thanking me later when you've found your new TV boyfriend in Sang Yan.

Music.

I need to say a couple of words about the soundtrack. It’s amazing and I even saved a few songs into my playlist.

Favorite song from the show: 想悄悄住进你的灵魂 (Want To Quietly Live in Your Soul) - 萧秉治 (Xiao Bingzhi)


P.S. And yes, it’s in Mandarin and it has English subtitles.

P.P.S. I have been trying to bring myself to watch Hidden Love just to see what the hype is about, but I have started and stopped twice now, simply because the cinematography in Hidden Love is not as good. I will give it a try again at a later date.

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Cute Romance Story That Doesn't Take Itself Seriously with Beauty and The Beast Vibes

"The Princess and the Werewolf" is the perfect drama for those who aren't looking for anything overly extravagant or complicated. As a straightforward, fluffy romantic fantasy, it delivers exactly what you'd expect - a 70% romance, 30% adventure tale that doesn't try to reinvent the wheel.

It's obvious that this drama did not have a huge budget, so the quality of costumes, makeup, and CGI aren’t going to be top-notch here. So I adjust your expectations accordingly.

However, this did not take away from my viewing experience or overall enjoyment.

There were a few things that stood out to me, for better or worse. Like, the camera work had some really strange close-up angles that seemed to be the director's attempt to capture Kui Mulang’s emotions. Since I do have production experience, some of the camera work seemed like it didn't fit in this type of drama or at least in the scenes. But since this only happened a few times, I really do not think that's going to be a detriment for the fans of Chen Zhe Yuan. And let's be honest, most people will find this gem because they have seen something else with him. There aren't any other big names in that drama.

Now, some of the things I really liked is the amount of bare legs we got to see from Qi Pa. It was just hilarious. Or her antics. I thought she was funny and unlike most of the female leads I’ve seen in dramas. It was a little refreshing, to be honest.

The banter between all the characters was super fun, and I loved watching the female lead constantly trying to find her way back home. I think it started to slow down the romance part of the drama at some point. But again, since the drama is only 30 episodes long, it didn’t have enough screentime to get draggy.

I have to admit, I liked the "beast" look over Kui Mulang’s human form. There was just something about that red flag-esque vibe, haha. I also appreciated that Qi Pa kissed both of Kui Mulang’s forms. In a nutshell, this story shows you that looks don't always matter. Or that while you chase after something that may not be real can make you miss out on something that is very real.

Now, I will say, the drama did get a little heavier towards the end, and I was a bit surprised by the writer's decision to kill off one of the side characters. That felt a little brutal, considering the fluffy, feel-good vibe of the first three quarters of the drama. But it wouldn't be a true C-drama without somebody dying, am I right?

At least the story wrapped up with a happy, fluffy ending.

Overall, if you're in the mood for a light, uncomplicated fantasy romance and can look past the questionable CGI, "The Princess and the Werewolf" is definitely worth checking out. Just don't go in expecting anything too elaborate or complex – this one's all about the simple pleasures.

I am also going to add that this drama had a surprisingly great soundtrack. Some of the higher-budget dramas don't have such great music.

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I wonder what made it this popular

This is my lowest rated BL of all time and the reason partially is how overhyped it was and how undeserving it is of that.

The plot s mess. It make absolutely no sense. It's full of toxicity, zero character development. A bunch of sexist jokes being passed here and there. The heteronormativity in this is worse than even older BLs than this. I just couldn't comprehend a single thing that went into the drama.

Cinematography wise it has the old Thai drama vibes. It was not bad considering the time but direction and the camera work was average.

Acting wise also it disappointed me. I would have thought the main actors were really bad at their job if I hadn't watched other works. It was very bland but both Bright and Win are really amazing actors

Highly disappointed.

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Harsh

After watching eight episodes, I have decided to drop the drama Dear X. It is a very loud drama filled with negativity. I was expecting that the female lead’s character would eventually start doing good deeds, but not only was she arrogant, selfish, and psychopathic, she also killed someone in the eighth episode, which made her a murderer.

For me, it was impossible to accept such a character as the lead. I mean, the main character should be morally right at least at some point. For example, the character Ki Ga Yeong from the drama Genie, Make a Wish was also portrayed as a psychopath. However, as time passed and she stayed around good people, she gradually turned into a better person.

I expected the same kind of transformation in this character. Although the themes of both dramas are different, but both characters are psychopaths. One turns into a good person, while the other becomes even more cruel. I honestly don’t know what the ending of Dear X will be—whether she turns into a good person or not—but after she kills someone, it no longer matters to me.

Secondly, I felt bad for all the boys who helped her unconditionally and treated her well, yet she remained the same.
Overall, it was simply too much for me.

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Could have been one of the biggest BLs of all time if they had better budget

It was definitely a roller-coaster ride with really complex characters. Plot wise it was definitely interesting, not too new but at the same time brought something big twists in the table. My only issue is the budget and the lakhorn like execution.

Plot was interesting to watch. Few dynamics and turns were recycled but it definitely bought something new to the table with the main character just not being dumbly toxic but actually having some real negative layers. He actually made me question if I wasn't this couple to end up together or not. Another thing I loved about the character dynamics is how Than knew since the beginning Pheem is using him. It was a very realistic move. The plot definitely had gaps to fill if they bought more elements into the storyline along with focusing on the business and family issue. It just needed 2 more episodes. Some things I felt we didn't get enough time to explore. But overall this is definitely one of my favorite plots simply for the negative character portrayals.

Cinematography wise I loved the color grading and that is probably the only thing I liked because where is the budget? I saw few BTS and I swear the director and the crew put a lot of effort but why the low budget for such high tension drama? Some of the shooting scenes were pretty crap. The way it is filled remind me so much of Thai Lakhorn however they need to remember this is more of a action romance series, the sope opera ending isn't gonna give it the feel. The execution is what held me back from giving it a 10/10 and it is such missed opportunity.

Acting wise it was mind-blowing. While Daou Offoad showed a completely new style and proved their capabilities I specially want to mention Tong. What a phenomenal actor. Every scene he was in, he showcased great emotions nd delivered. The entire cast was great.

Honestly the dram definitely had it's moment of shine and shortcomings but if you enjoy "not cute" dramas give it a shot. I enjoyed it though however I have to say it would have gone even bigger if it was released under a company like BOC with DaouOff and a great cinematography..

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Here's the good stuff.

Here's the good stuff.

I'm writing two separate reviews for both parts and this will be just for the second half In the name of Blossom.

Before we get into anything negative, I want to praise this show for many aspects that I wholeheartedly enjoyed. The cinematography was amazing, there was never a single scene in this show that looked ugly. So many shots from both parts that actually gave me goosebumps on multiple occasions. I really liked the production value, hardly ever did the show have cheap, disposable looking sets or props. You could tell a lot of money and effort went into how this show looks and feels, the production team was most certainly on point. The music was great as well! So many memorable tracks that fit the scenes perfectly. Another positive call out was for the cast. This is the best I have ever seen from Yang Zi! It's so refreshing to see her break out of the comedic scamp role. She's very mature and arresting in this drama. Our ML is played by Li Xian who proves to you once again that he has range, his character hides a double identity for certain reasons. It's amusing to see him flip that switch over the course of this series. The main leads had excellent chemistry, and were so amazing to watch together. The first half of this show really sold me on this couple and I really wanted to see them make it work. I also enjoyed the depiction of the women in this show. In a patriarchal society, it can be very difficult for a woman to find her way in life, even in modern days… Seeing such varied women with their own problems to overcome was also satisfying. In most dramas women are pitted against each other and barely ever understand how one another might be feeling. This show has a female lead who recognizes the difficulties any woman faces regardless of class or social status.

My main issue with FP (part 1) was how repetitive and boring a lot of the scenes are. It was frustrating to be halfway through the drama and our leads are dealing with some really basic issues.

ITNOB completely turns that on its head, it's romantic, exciting and heartbreaking from beginning to end! The conflicts really get turned up and its so satisfying to see our female lead FINALLY operating on a higher level. Yang Zi was the MVP of this story and I loved it. Great watch!

I would only rewatch SOME of part 1 but I would absolutely demolish a rewatch of part 2.

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Loving in Silence: The Tragic Heart of Goddess Bless You From Death

Goddess Bless You From Death is a series that truly surprised me. It delivers a great, well-constructed plot, balancing its horror elements with BL romance in a way that feels natural and engaging rather than forced. The mystery keeps you interested, the horror atmosphere is well developed, and the emotional stakes grow stronger with each episode.

One of the strongest points of the series is the chemistry between the main leads. Thup and Singha feel believable, intense, and emotionally connected, which makes their relationship easy to root for. Their scenes together carry both tenderness and tension, and the romance develops alongside the plot instead of interrupting it.

The performances from the entire cast deserve praise. Every actor brings depth to their role, making even morally complex or controversial characters feel real. No one feels flat or unnecessary — everyone contributes to the story.

But the character that touched me the most is King.

At first, it’s easy to see him as cold, controlling, or even cruel. He interferes with Thup and Singha’s relationship, and he makes choices that seem selfish and harmful. I didn’t like him at first — but I also couldn’t truly hate him. There was something more beneath the surface, and episode 7 finally revealed it.

King is not a bad person at all — he is deeply misunderstood. Everything he does, every morally gray decision, comes from love and fear. His father, a powerful man with the ability to destroy lives, has controlled King for years. Disobeying him doesn’t mean freedom; it means danger for Singha. King obeys, not because he agrees with cruelty, but because protecting Singha is more important than his own happiness or reputation.

He carries the weight of hate, misunderstanding, and loneliness silently, accepting blame that isn’t truly his. Even after Singha stops trusting him and breaks up with him, King continues to protect him, quietly and without complaint. And yet, beneath this burden, there is still a child longing for love, for approval, for recognition — something his father never gave him.

King doesn’t ask to be forgiven. He doesn’t ask to be understood. He just endures, silently, loving fiercely and painfully, choosing someone else’s safety over his own happiness every single time. Seeing his story unfold broke my heart, but it also made me admire him — his love is tragic, pure, and devastatingly human.

King is not the villain of this series. He is its quiet, tragic heart, and his story is the reason Goddess Bless You From Death left such a lasting impression on me.

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Wow, 2025 is full of short bromance dramas.

Accidentally found this on YouTube. However, since YouTube only provides an on/off sound option, I started searching everywhere for the official platform that released this short drama. Finally, I found it.

If you want to watch it in HD quality, for free, and with English subtitles, download the RedNote application.

I’ve added this to my Chinese bromance short drama list.

The main leads delivered great performances, martial art choreography very good, music, but unfortunately, it’s too short.
Of course i love the chemistry between main lead.

Highly recommended.

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And the thunder rolls...

Had I Not Seen the Sun P2 continued the story of pain and retribution which began in P1. Questions were answered, monsters were destroyed and created, and justice was once again slow and ineffectual.

Li Jen Yao is out of prison and working for Big K as a cleaner amongst other jobs. More than anything he is searching for Chiang Hsiao Tung who has seemingly disappeared. One night he helps a blind woman who has Chiang’s butterfly tattoo on her hand. Is this the girl he has been searching for? How could she look so different? Somehow in this town of over 2 million people other interested parties from the past also bump into the damaged pair.

Sun P2 did some things quite well. The romantic parts sizzled and scored. Chiang’s brokenness, not only from the attack by her rapists but by society’s lurid need for despicable videos, and people’s trained response to blame the victim, resulted in her mind’s answer to an unanswerable question to her problems. Alice Ko may have been too old for her role, but I honestly enjoy her performances and was grateful for her screen time in P2. The drama highlighted how Chiang felt trapped in that one horrific moment, not only her, but the boy who loved her as well.

What didn’t work for me as much: The villains became even more cartoon-like completely going over the top, perhaps to justify their gruesome deaths more. Li sinking into monsterdom wasn’t a shock, we knew from season 1 that he would go on a killing spree, but his bloodlust spilled over onto people who didn’t deserve it. His last murder was almost comical, it felt like the old saying, “In for a penny, in for a pound.” “I’ve murdered this many people so, why not?” While Chiang’s mental state was the focus of her story, it would seem the writers underwrote Li’s. His most monstrous act didn’t seem to faze Chiang which was also problematic for me. Li was always portrayed in a simple binary. There was Chiang, his sun, and everything and everyone else in the darkness with him. While I enjoyed watching the romance blossom, it was at best a female wish fulfillment of a guy who would do anything, anytime, anyway for his girl with few thoughts and desires of his own. Finally, after all the angst and mysteries, the drama took a shortcut in the healing of a truly complex mental illness that was jarring.

There was a public service announcement with a number to call “if you need someone to talk with” at the end of the drama, not how to get justice, which just showcased that rape is a part of life for many women. Women who will never see justice. Women who must deal with a patriarchal society that blames the victim, shames the victim, and oftentimes turns on the victim. With the advent of the internet, their pain can be on full display for seemingly all time with few recourses because the silent monsters in the dark feed on it. There were so many important things this drama touched on, not least of which was how abusive parents cause terrible brokenness in their children and society. I was prepared to give Had I Not Seen the Sun P2 a higher score as I was watching it until Li went completely off the rails. A romanticized monster is still a monster.

13 December 2025
Trigger Warnings: Sexual assaults, slicey and bone crushing murders, self-harm, suicide

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I Truly love this series

I’m so happy that this series has finally been released after months of waiting.
I read the novel and absolutely loved it, and I kept imagining the series in my mind—especially Jin Chao, my favorite character.
This series is truly amazing. I was so happy on the day it was released that I cried with joy.
The love in this series is portrayed so beautifully, and I literally scream over everything Jin Chao does. I truly adore him.
Every morning when I open my eyes, the first thing I think about is this series, and at night I fall asleep thinking about it. I hope this time leaves me with many beautiful memories.

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Lu Ji Zhang, Jiang Xiao Jie Cheng Feng Er Xing(2025) is a slice of life miniseries with Zhang Yi Lun (as Lu Yun Chuan) and Wang Shan Shan (as Jiang Wan Ning) in the leading couple’s role. The drama is meant to convey a message about self-respect, making the right choices, and being open to new and better opportunities.
In the meantime, this drama can be found in YouTube under the caption: “【Multi Sub】【完整版】[陸機長，姜小姐乘風而行] 陸雲川逼走了姜晚寧，姜晚寧離開後，陸雲川感到生活中諸多不便，沒了人照顧，想要姜晚寧重新回來，可姜晚寧已經重新擁有了新的生活！#短劇#航空”
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEVlB7Y68c8)

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Love In Simple Gestures

Perfect Propose is a simple yet genuinely heartwarming BL series. Although, romance is not the main focused of the story but it never feels dull as what other people are saying.

Okay. Imagine this: coming home completely exhausted from work and there’s someone waiting for you—meals already prepared, quietly taking care of you to the best of their ability, and never getting tired of doing so. On the other hand, Hiro lets Kai live with him. These two meet during the hardest period of their lives. Hiro is constantly stressed by work, while Kai has lost his job and was asked to leave his boss’s residence.

I’ve never experienced something like having someone cook for me and take care of me without reproach, so it feels especially touching to watch. This series isn’t like most Thai BLs that are full of fluff. Instead, it leans more toward the reality of relationships and work-related stress. The overly romantic, fluffy moments we usually see are often limited to series, movies, or fiction books, but Perfect Propose shows both the warmth of a relationship and the weight of real life.

It highlights the hardship of working every day, having almost no time for others—including romantic relationships—yet still having someone who’s willing to stay with you despite the little time you can give. Food and quiet acts of care become central expressions of love here.

That said, the series is light and comforting, with no real villains or unlikable characters. The chemistry between the leads is palpable—they look really good together. Acting-wise, Kaneko (Hiro) delivers a solid performance, while Nomura (Kai) feels a bit stiff to me. I’m not sure if that’s a deliberate choice for the character or if he still needs some improvement.

Overall, this series isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s enough to make me emotionally invested in the characters—especially Hiro. 💙

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A promising beginning....if only the rest wasn't dragging

The very beginning was very interesting, and I couldn't wait to see more. But around episode 10 the drama started to drag.

The pacing is the biggest problem here. One scene shouldn't last for 20+ minutes. I often found myself falling asleep to it.

Now, the second problem was Esther Yu and Zhang Ling He. Their romance didn't work for me at all. I didn't understand where this instant attraction came from.

I felt no chemistry between them. Like 0%. I do like both actors, especially Ling He, but I hope they will never cast them together again.

Esther Yu acting wasn't bad, but at the same time, she felt flat for me in some episodes. I really enjoyed her performance in episode 23.

Now, the second couple was truly amazing. I felt their chemistry through the scene. Shang Jue was for me the best character in the entire drama together with Zi Shang and Yuan Zhi.

Zi Shang made me laugh so hard. Her comedy is top! I'd love to see her in more dramas.

The twist at the end surprised me quite a bit. I was glad to see that at the end the whole Gong family got together and went against Wufeng together.

The music was outstanding. The dark aesthetic of this drama is something I'd like to see more. Every scene was beautiful shot, and directed.

I wonder what made them add the last 6 minutes of pointless footage at the end. It was totally unnecessary since there won't be a season 2.

Over all, I enjoyed the drama. But it could've been done much better.

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