Reviews

Usagi The Foolish "Rabbit"

Too often throughout the history of TV series, people decide to keep a series going instead of leaving well enough alone, or to push a series, despite the fact that the well has been run dry of good ideas. "Alice In Borderland " joins the fraternity of shows that should have “quit while it was ahead.”

The first two seasons of the show gave us some of the most powerful and thought-provoking storytelling that I have ever seen. Season 3 fails to even measure up to the first two seasons, largely due to the fact that we got some silly ideas to keep the story going, and the games aren’t nearly as interesting or creative. In fact, some of the games are downright dumb. We also don’t get nearly the same level of focus on the characters or depth of the story, either.

Don’t ask me why the writers decided to go off on such a stupid tangent. Perhaps they couldn’t come up with anything else. Usagi is having nightmares about her father’s suicide, and she’s obsessed with finding a way to reach him. We’ve seen this premise before in The Flatliners and other similar stories. She and Arisu are happily married…well, married, anyway. Anyone who’s truly happy would learn to let go of loved ones who’ve passed. Instead, her pain and suffering drag Arisu into the problem as well.

Usagi meets Ryuji Matsuyama, a man who’s obsessed with finding out what’s beyond death, and she’s tricked into taking a drug that takes her back to the Borderlands by placing her body in a debilitating coma, which she’s not likely to survive. There is one last card to defeat: the Joker, and Matsuyama is promised answers if he can bring Arisu back, and is instructed to use Usagi to achieve that goal. Of course, once Arisu finds out what’s happened, he doesn’t hesitate to head back to the Borderlands to find her. Ann, from the previous series, helps acquire the drug to help Arisu.

The games are much different this time. Players are simply instructed to play random games with the hope of getting to the Finals, and potentially getting back to their world. There are no visas. They simply have a day or two to get to the next arena. Obviously, there are no suits of cards left to defeat, and it seems that there aren’t nearly as many players this time either.

For most of the series, Arisu and Usagi are separated. Never mind that Arisu is doing all he can to find Usagi, while Usagi never even questions Matsuyama about her goal of finding her father and why it seems she was tricked in the first place. Also, never mind that after Arisu sees Usagi, he worries endlessly about how to get back to her. Not once does Usagi show even the same level of passion or concern. In fact, she never mentions Arisu again until they finally meet up for the final game. It’s clear we have a very unbalanced relationship between the two.

The Final ends with a few survivors, and Arisu meeting with “The Watchman (expertly played by Ken Watanabe), who gives Arisu a choice: Life or Death. He can let it all go and choose Death, or he can continue the inevitable struggle and pain by going back to his world. There is no suspense, as we already know which one Arisu is going to choose.

Back in their own world, Arisu is fine, and Usagi is brought out of her coma. Of course, there is no explanation, apology, or anything at all from Usagi, who brought the entire situation upon herself and Arisu for really no reason at all. Rather than seek help, counseling, or a number of other choices, she chose the most reckless and dangerous choice, because she thought so little about her own life as well as Arisu’s.

The premise of this season is the meaning of Life. Ultimately, this is a meaningless theme because the meaning of Life is whatever meaning a person gives it. This didn’t have nearly the same effect as the last episode of the second season, when Arisu battles the Queen of Hearts, who profoundly tells Arisu that life is choice, and you decide how to experience something.

The most ridiculous game was the last one, in which players are in 25 rooms in a square grid and have to find the exit. Along the way, they are shown what their futures might be, given the choice of which door to go through. It’s funny that there are still people out there who believe in fate; that their futures are somehow pre-determined. No future is set. It is impossible to predict the future. Only possibilities based on where you are now. The idea was that, instead of players simply ignoring the images and trying to find the exit, we have players only thinking about trying to manipulate the game to ensure a good future. It was bad enough that this one game took up most of the last two episodes. And where we were supposed to cultivate some sympathy, there was none to be had.

Alice in Borderland should have left well enough alone. If I choose to go back and revisit the series, you can be sure I’ll only watch the first two seasons. Overall, a series that was a huge “10” for me has now taken a big hit, no thanks to this lackluster and uninspiring third season that should have never been made.

Read More

Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, 'A chopped bonny apples Joseon 'love' watch

Welcome to the time travel special of 'Chopped' Joseon style, ya'll!!! I have been waiting on this highly anticipated show since it began making its runs on the K-drama circuit. Then once it dropped...I had to suffer through dodging all the nasty little spoilers being shown. I sat in anxiety, hoping that I'd love this show, which, based on the previews, was giving me my other favorite time-traveling Joseon cooking rom-com show, "Mr. Queen," vibes. (I highly recommend that one.)

Interestingly enough...and this is a good thing, it was nothing like that, except in light homage of similar situational feels. That's it and that's all, but that's what sets the two apart for me, which makes me value Mr. Queen more. HOWEVER....Bonny Apples holds its own in giving me joy, laughs...early attraction and kisses, as well as all the different interpretations of food brought into the Joseon period. As a foodie, I was locked in. As a hopeless romantic, the recasting of our ML [Lee Chae-min] was PERFECTION (You all can look up the pre-production drama that happened with that; it was goofy, but eh). He gave all that needed to be given. Regal sex appeal, ruthless callousness...in needed situations and great fighting skills. Our FL [Im Yoon-ah] was an EXCELLENT contrast in bringing her modern sensibility, aloofness, and utter forgetfulness of the era she was in/disbelief in being in it, personality to his abrasive nature, which was being hidden purposefully due to royal intrigue. On top of that...sis could throw down in the kitchen, causing a PG version of my fave anime Food Wars, reactions.

I do recommend watching this show just for the escapism and food. I do have two lingering questions about that ending and epilogue as well. One is a minor little gripe related to my P.S. below. All in all, watch dis ish, and enjoy. My eyes were hit by onions at the end, because I'm a sap, go judge ya peoples!

RATING: As you see, I deducted a point...ONLY because of my two lingering questions, that are just 'wants' that I had. Otherwise, for moi, this drama is a solid 10.

P.S. Let me leave with my fave saying that only those in my Blaque K-drama group understand...

🗣️🗣️THAT SILVER-HAIRED BAMA!!! [Secondary actor: Jo Jae-Yoon] 😍

Read More

I've never seen someone take so long cutting a rope.

Well, I enjoyed the fight scenes in this flick. Some smooth moves. And the pacing was fast. I think it helps that these aren't extra long episodes, because the plot is relatively thin.

This FL, though, isn't the brightest. She keeps telling ppl that she isn't the person they're looking for as if that's some get out of jail free card. If you're not who they're looking for, then that makes you useless to them and since you've seen their faces, they won't let you go. Might as well play it smart and use the identity to your advantage. She doesn't that toward the end, but by that time, it doesn't matter.

I can't tell you how pissed I was when she pulled out a knife in a later episode. I was like "You had that this whole time!?" That's because this is one of those action shows where the good guy doesn't want to kill, it would seem. Which is ironic in a series called "I Kill U". She's fighting the same villains over and over again, making the struggle harder for herself because she doesn't kill them the first time around. And even if you don't kill them, at least make sure they can't get up to hurt you again. Send them to the ER.

And there was this scene where she's using that knife to cut the rope that has her bound. I've seen butter knives sharper than dull ass knife. It must have taken her an hour to cut that thin nylon rope. I've never seen a scene like that, which lasted so long. Like, is that the best you can cut?

She was also gullible as hell, not even bothering to see the video in question that was getting this woman in trouble in the first place before agreeing to the deal. Seeing that video would have helped her make the right decision, but she just said "I want to talk to her first" and that's how she got set up.

Pulling the fire alarm would have saved her a lot of drama too. I bet it worked, but she never tried it.

Bottom line, it was a fun little action flick but I had to take off a star because she didn't physically kill anyone.

Read More

When Culinary Passion Transcends History and Romance…

“Bon Appétit, Your Majesty" is a rare gem that manages to captivate, move, and comfort viewers in just a few episodes. It feels like a mini-drama but carries the heart, depth, and quality of a full-length series.

The story follows Yeon Ji-yeong, a talented modern chef specializing in French cuisine, who wins a prestigious competition only to be mysteriously transported back to the Joseon era. There, she is thrust into an unfamiliar world and quickly comes face to face with Yi Heon, a feared, perfectionist, and enigmatic king. She becomes his personal chef, tasked with satisfying his demanding palate by blending traditional Korean flavors with modern techniques.

This reversal of the usual trope (not a king transported to the present, but a modern woman in the past) is a total success. The contrast between Ji-yeong and the rigid, codified, and sometimes dangerous royal court leads to moments both funny and heartfelt. This is more than just a romance it’s a story of adaptation, gentle resistance, culinary passion, and the meeting of two lonely souls.

One of the drama’s greatest strengths is **Lee Chae Min’s incredible acting** as King Yi Heon. He perfectly embodies a ruler who is at once cold and fascinating, gradually softened by Ji-yeong’s tenderness, honesty, and humanity. He moves seamlessly between dramatic intensity, contained vulnerability, and subtle comedic moments. His on-screen presence is magnetic every glance and silence counts. This is undoubtedly one of his most memorable roles to date and probably one of the best male performances of 2025.

Opposite him, the lead actress (Yoona) delivers an equally convincing performance. She is radiant, authentic, naturally funny without overdoing it, and her love for cooking shines through every gesture. Together, they form a strong, endearing, and deeply human duo. Their relationship develops slowly, filled with unspoken words, meaningful looks, and subtle gestures never forced or clichéd.

Visually, the drama is stunning. The Joseon-era sets are magnificent, the costumes refined, and the lighting carefully crafted. But what really makes you hungry is the presentation of the food. Each episode is a visual feast. The textures, colors, and cooking sounds are filmed with genuine love for gastronomy. Food becomes a language of its own between the characters a means of expression, survival, emotion, and love.

And then there’s the OST Doyoung (NCT) delivers a simply breathtaking song. His voice, soft and sincere, perfectly accompanies the drama’s most emotional moments. It acts as an emotional thread throughout the episodes. The soundtrack lingers long after the series ends, like a bittersweet memory you never want to forget.

*Bon Appétit, Your Majesty* doesn’t aim for spectacle, but it hits all the right notes. It talks about simple yet essential things the need to be seen, understood, loved… and well-fed. It’s comforting without being naive, romantic without being predictable, and funny without ever becoming ridiculous.

This drama skillfully combines fantasy, slice-of-life, historical romance, and gastronomy with remarkable fluidity.

Honestly, it’s arguably one of the best K-Dramas of 2025. It has everything a well-crafted story, a perfect cast, meticulous direction, a beautiful soundtrack, and above all… soul.

Thank you and goodbye, “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty."
You will definitely be missed. 🫶🏻

Read More

Disturbing and gripping thriller with masterful performances held back by it's script

First of all, I hate this pattern of shorter kdramas ending off on a cliffhanger as if they're guaranteed a S2. Anyways, I did not expect this drama to deal so heavily with domestic and child abuse. Expect lots of gore, very-detailed torture, heavy topics, despicable humans, etc. This really make you think about the justification behind killing, nature vs nurture, and how terrible those times were when the police had no authority to act. My first time seeing GHJ, but she completely stole the show as the Queen. All her little ticks in her mouth movement, the cold, empty, and desolate looks, as well as the passionate, love-blind look in her eyes when she talks about the scent of blood and killing as her “hobby” make every scene with her disturbing and engaging. I genuinely felt like throwing up, even though, my work requires me to dissect and see blood regularly. She's THAT good. Easily shifts from frighteningly cold and rational about her actions one moment, to playful, teasing, and secretive the next. There's subtle glimpses of her motherhood that make her sympathetic and pitiful the next, but you feel conflicted in her madness delivering justice, and then her story hits even harder with that final DISGUSTING truth revealed in Ep 8 that ties a lot of things up. She’s a morally grey character, and the story constantly keeps you on edge, as it’s hard to tell if she’s truly doing everything for her son or if something darker is driving her. If nothing else, she alone is a reason you HAVE to watch this drama.

As for JDY, I think he was a brilliant choice to play her son (albeit the complaints about his baby face). As always, he showed a lot of versatility, bringing out many sides of a complex character with growth. There are complaints about how he's initially over-acting and then flat in some moments, but it seems intentional. The overacting seems to be meant to drive home how his character tries too hard to present a normal persona, but then the later moments where he's flatter is for when he's emotionally distancing himself and beginning to forcefully think like his serial killer mother. Also can't imagine it'd feel good having his normal life upheaval suddenly and now he's forced to face and dig up so many hidden truths in his already miserable past. There are a couple of moments in his acting that genuinely made me tear up, and I became invested in his story. He’s also a sympathetic and pitiful character, as someone who refuses to let his feelings as her son cloud his judgment. Unlike his mother, he tries not to be consumed by madness or love the scent of blood, but you can see through his eyes and subtle expressions how his morals are tested, how emotions push him to the edge, and how he struggles to hold onto his role as a faithful cop who saves lives instead of taking them. He learns to truly face his past head-on, and I couldn't be happier for him by the end. I also enjoyed Jung Ho’s and Kim Na Hui's characters, but only LE's acting really stood out in a few moments. The rest of the police investigation team is just poorly written and acted.

On the technical side, the cinematography is fantastic. Many of the shots are framed in unsettling, creepy ways that heighten the tension, perfectly matching the disturbing performances from the leads. If there’s a downside, it’s that most of the other characters outside the two leads felt underdeveloped (more like plot devices) and some moments rely on plot convenience, which weakened the story. Overall, though, this was a great watch if you’re looking for a well-shot crime thriller with a disturbing and mature storyline, gripping twists, strong actors, and plenty of emotional punches. I think 8/10 is a fair rating for me, though I don’t understand why some individual episodes are rated so low.

Read More

All about this BL is good

I really liked the way the entertainment industry is approached in this BL. We can get an idea of how things work and how artists are treated. We also see the artist's side. THEY ARE HUMAN. Obviously, what is depicted here isn't even the half of it, but it already makes us have a different perception of this industry. In my opinion, many people who are fans of idols should watch this to realize that fans also play a crucial role in the artist's life, both positively and negatively.

Regarding the acting: I LOVED IT. I was impressed by how well the group "MARS" managed to portray these roles. That is until I did some research and found out they are a real group! (I absolutely love them, I became a fan).

The soundtrack is SO INCREDIBLE!! I usually don't care much about the soundtrack, but I'm obsessed with "Who Says".

That's it, I don't have much more to say, except that this is, without a doubt, one of the best BLs I've ever seen (if not the best).

Read More

Saved the best flying kicks for last

Everything about Episode Final feels significantly more dynamic, fierce, and exhilarating, clearly benefiting from its theatrical presentation with a dark, supernatural edge. The whole thing plays fast and loose with the show's rules, almost as if they shot themselves in the foot with Zolda's Giga Launcher by making a finale that debuted way before the series had even ended, one that turns up the bleak factor to maximum. Even the happier and more carefree moments come with a silver lining; knowing that the Rider War cannot be escaped, these people will have to die one way or another, and we can do nothing but watch. The result is a much more urgent narrative than what we saw in the show, and a slickly directed one at that, arguably the best-looking of the entire Ryuki saga, with Ryuta Tasaki once again in the director's seat, adding real flair to the film as the camera sweeps and dives around the impeccably choreographed action. Ryuga makes for a fantastic villain and feels like the true 13th Rider, a dark mirror counterpart to Ryuki, who takes no prisoners with sheer brutality. He's one of the major highlights here; another is unquestionably the franchise's first female Rider, Femme. While not as fleshed out as you'd like her to be, she is utterly adorable for all the time we spend with her, definitely helped by Natsuki Kato's enchanting performance. While Episode Final is undoubtedly going to leave you with more questions than answers in a lot of aspects, for me at least, it managed to provide an immensely satisfying end to Ryuki's narrative that didn't feel like a complete reset of the status quo. It makes for a heroic last stand as these characters resign themselves to their fate, yet still fight for all that's good in the world to the bitter end.

Read More

i'm sure there is pay gorn out there less explicit.

the fan service was fan servicing and as a fan i was indeed serviced.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
here are some song lyrics bcs i can't make a short review:
put your hands up in the air x2
(hands oh hands hands)
shake your booty shake your ass x2
(shake oh shake shake)
apaporn from nakorsawan and gemini here from nontaburi
(hey oh hey hey)
from now on, everyone say hey
(hey oh hey hey)
lizard, centipede, lizard, centipede, lizard, centipede
there's a crocodile, croc oh croc croc
hey hey ho, hey hey ho, hey hey ho, hey hey ho

Read More

WTF? I'm so sad about this

The entire cast is wonderful, with top-notch characters, which would indicate a truly excellent drama. It also features fantasy themes, which I love in Korean dramas. Considering all this, I honestly don't know what happened. It's as if these eight episodes were ripped out of the middle of the drama. The romantic element was completely destroyed. It's supposed to be clear what this series is about, but it still feels empty. I can't understand the concept of this production. Besides the Marvel-style special effects, this drama didn't bring anything to the table. I wonder how such well-known names agreed to star in this production. The concept is really good; if the story were told differently, it would be one of the best fantasy dramas. Overall, the rating is still overstated because of the wonderful Park Hyung Sik.

Read More

China Got Talentssss!

First and foremost, I have to commend the sheer professionalism of the cast in The Litchi Road. I only just started watching it, yet it is already very clear that this drama brings together a truly impressive pool of talent. From the veterans to the younger actors, everyone is carrying their role with remarkable skill and conviction. Each character feels lived-in and authentic, and you can tell that the casting team chose carefully.

Another thing that stands out is how realistic the entire production feels. This is not the kind of drama that hides behind layers of makeup, overly polished costumes, or picture-perfect imagery. Instead, it gives us a cast of mature men and women who look like real people. You see men with beards, people with a touch of sweat or even a stain on their face—details that are often avoided in other series. And rather than diminishing the beauty of the show, these touches enhance it, making the world more believable. It feels refreshing when compared to some teen dramas where characters can run a mile and still look as though they just stepped out of a photo shoot.

The dialogue, too, deserves praise. The conversations are natural, not forced, and the delivery by the actors makes it even more engaging. There is an honesty and weight to the way they speak, which pulls you into the story without you even realizing it. That, combined with a storyline that grips your attention from the start, makes this drama stand out from many others in its category.

Of course, I’m still at the beginning, but if what I’ve seen so far is any indication, the journey ahead is going to be both exciting and rewarding. I genuinely hope the quality remains consistent and that it only gets better with each episode.

I would also encourage viewers not to be discouraged by the ratings. In my opinion, the low numbers are likely coming from audiences who are more inclined toward lighthearted teen dramas with heavy makeup and surface-level glamour. The Litchi Road offers something different—something richer and more grounded. For those who appreciate strong performances, realism, and an engaging story, this drama is definitely worth watching.

Read More

If you wanna make a complicated plot, then don't make the series so short.

This is a complicated plot. If u wanna make such a plot make longer episodes, It could be so much better. I see a lot of people talk about the acting but not gonna lie, the acting is not the best but I guess it's alright. My main problem with this series is that everything seems rushed and low budget. I don't mind low budget movies or series, because they can be extremely good too, but the amount of episodes x the playtime is making me cry. The plot is nice, but they used a very short series to work it out. If they made even the slightest change, like each episodes 10 minutes, it would've been such an improvement.

Overall, I liked it but it lacks lore and plot, and it could be at least a bit longer.

Read More