Reviews

One of the good ones

I wasn't going to write a review but I had to come back after a couple disappointments because I truly appreciate how fresh and good this was.

I didn't have the highest hopes for how polyamory was going to be treated in this one, because the leads enter this situation stumbling through the concept, but it's so well done and with such genuine care. It's not a gimmick for a funny plot, it's a genuine development of the concept in a drama that treats it with respect.

They learn though their experience as a relationship what it means to each and to them together this family they're building and explore different aspects of polyamory that are so refreshing to see in a drama: how intimacy works for them, what they would do if there was ever a baby, what it means for them individually, their developing relationships between each and all of them, what it means for their families, what it means for their jobs, it just keeps giving. It also has a refreshing show of bisexuality and the exploration of identity, which we don't get often enough.

I honestly can't recommend it enough but not to those with biases against either poly relationships or bisexuality, if you want a traditional het or gay romance, you're gonna have to look somewhere else, because there's no problems to be fixed here, this is just not for you. For those welcoming of these subjects, you're in for a treat, because this is one of the good ones!

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The Murky Stream is a masterpiece

For those who like realistic stories of human struggles in a corrupted world, The Murky Stream is a must watch. It is a unique Joseon drama that focuses on the lower class people not the nobles. Instead of pretty heros dressed in shiny hanboks and clean shaven face, actor Rowoon is in dirty rags, his face weathered and covered with beard and grit. In return, we get a serious actor who shines not through his pretty appearance but his top notch acting. He conveys his character's raw emotions through his eyes, minor facial expressions and body language without even saying a word. Then he opens his mouth and starts acting more in his raspy deep emotional voice. I cried watching his character's back story and more when I see his struggles today. I especially like the Mapo gang. I can see their strong bonds in the middle of the chaos. The director's storytelling is also excellent, he expertly directs the flow of the story and connects each character with smooth precision. The Murky Stream is a masterpiece and deserves a lot more attention. I hope this drama wins a lot of awards.

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Mobius: Hostages of Time

The future is shaped by small, routine actions that determine tomorrow. If given the chance to go back to a specific day and change one action, how much would your future shift? It’s with this captivating premise that Mobius takes root in our curious minds, drawing us into a game where those who know the past hold power over the future.

The storyline is gripping from the very first episode. We’re introduced to how the time loop works for someone who perceives time in this case, our protagonist Ding Qi. While still in college, he mysteriously gains the ability to consciously relive the same day five times, with the fifth being the definitive version. There’s no pattern or warning: loops happen, and a small intervention can change everything.

I was thoroughly impressed by how the plot evolved with each episode. No loop was wasted; every restart revealed alternate versions of what could have been if a single misstep had occurred. The decision to focus on just one case was compelling, showing Ding Qi that things are far more complex than they seem.

It’s undeniable that Bai Jing Ting’s performance is breathtaking. I first saw him in The First Frost, and here he proves his versatility from well-executed fight scenes to comedic moments that offered genuine comic relief, perfectly balancing the seriousness of the plot. Beyond Ding Qi, the supporting characters were fantastic, each playing a vital role in the story’s progression. Personally, I missed An Lan’s presence in the final episodes (and I suspected MYZ too, he seemed a bit too obvious, but I was side-eyeing her as well LOL).

It was an incredible experience following this systematic game, full of twists, losses, and laughter. And like any good time-loop narrative, the final episode leaves us with that lingering feeling: as today repeats, they’ll keep trying to change the future.

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Some Games Are Wicked, Some Are Messy.... and This One is a Wicked Mess but it's worth a try

"The Wicked Game" wasted no time pulling me into its world of power plays and family secrets. From the very first minute when Pheem stepped into the conference room with his smug face, the intrigue did not stop, it was gripping, stylish and tragic all at once- at least in the beginning. But as the episodes go on, things get increasingly dramatic, messy, and at times downright ridiculous. The CGI does the series no favors, and every gun scene felt over-the-top and hard to take seriously. But hear me out, it's entertaining and worth a try.

Spoilers Alert!!

Pheem's backstory is harsh enough to explain every cold edge he has now, and Offroad brings out his layers so well- the loneliness, the anger, the sharp tongue that cuts like a weapon and the mind games. On the other hand, Dao as Than is warm, grounded, and instantly likeable. There's a sincerity in the way he smiles, moves, and speaks and he's far too forgiving when it comes to Pheem- I honestly don't know if that's a good thing or not. He's an absolute goner for Pheem, and it shows. Their chemistry? Absolutely electric. It's messy, charged, and impossible to look away from - honestly the biggest reason I stayed hooked even when the plot went off the rails. Also, when Pheem shot Than for trying to expose the company, there's no universe where that's defensible, in fact, like the title promised, it was truly wicked. Did it leave me stunned? It did. Did I curse Pheem out? Absolutely. But did I devour the angst anyway? Guilty. I did that too. Their chemistry made me forget everything else at least to some extent.

And I absolutely hate Thanet. He is a complete failure in the name of father and such a misogynist that it's painful to watch. In the very starting, the project idea was clearly Risa's, yet all the credit went to his "legitimate" son, Chet. And then he has the nerve to say very controversial things. But the worst part? People like him exist and it's infuriating. The way he treats Risa is awful, the way he treats Chet isn't much better and the way he treats Pheem is even worse. He abandoned his own son after everything that happened- as if losing his mother wasn't enough. Pheem didn't just grow up alone, he grew up forgotten. No wonder he's all cold edges and quiet anger now.

Also, Chet and his bodyguard, were my eyes playing tricks on me or was there really something there? I mean I could see the sparks flying from the very starting. And Chet himself- what a villain. The kind you want to scream at and yet can't deny the charisma. Not that Pheem is any less chaotic. Jason too was unexpectedly charming; his scenes with Pheem carried a tension that never fell flat. And Risa- I went from cheering for her to wanting to throw something at her. A true mastermind, but dangerously so. And I don't know what to say about the finale. The whole gun fight seemed ridiculous but yeah well it is what it is but I did enjoy watching this every week.

So yes, it gets messy, ridiculous, and overly dramatic. But the cast and their chemistry kept me glued. "The Wicked Game" isn't perfect, not even close, but it is wildly entertaining, and filled with the kind of chemistry that's worth watching at least once.

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Bon Appétit, Your Majesty: Living Around the Table

I never expected that a plot about a chef who travels back to the Joseon era and is challenged to win over the palate of a tyrant would captivate me so deeply! When I saw the first previews, all I could think was how random it seemed yet I couldn’t help but feel curious. It looked fun.

I didn’t know I needed a historical time-travel drama just to start following the fearless and talented Yeon Jiyeong, who wisely did what she knew best: winning hearts through flavor. Full of eloquent words and boldness, Chef Yeon Jiyeong is both charming and solitary. She was alone in Paris, about to return to Korea to reunite with her father, when a strange recipe book in her hands transported her to a time that wasn’t hers or was it? I loved the air of mystery the story builds around her connection to the king and the era. The loop effect is so captivating.

In contrast to the chef’s boldness, we have the hot-tempered King Yiheon, a historical figure known for his violent rule and unstable temperament yet with a refined and sensitive palate, fertile ground for a chef brimming with technique.

The plot stayed true to its premise from beginning to end. The story had already happened, so they simply decided: “Then let’s cook!!” And so, the tensions grew around the table rather than through fiery competitions, with mouthwatering dishes. Amid pots and bites, the characters matured and learned from their own mistakes.

I was enchanted by every character and the bonds formed throughout the episodes the warm friendship between Chef Yeon Jiyeong and Gilgeum, the kitchen allies, the court jester (who was no fool), and most of all, the restorative love with His Majesty. It was beautiful, sincere, deeply touching, and the ending was both humorous and heartwarming.

👩‍🍳💖👑

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Disappointingly mid

I was so hopeful for this one, but it was all surface and no substance. I don't know how some people are calling it stereotype braking and whatnot when it is, in essence, the most traditional romance you can get with almost no depth.

Both Hikaru and Haruka had a lot of potential as characters but were handled really badly, with repetitive conflicts that didn't push them further than the mere superficial and kept them going in circles.

I was so disappointed that Hikaru's gender fluidity wasn't more developed and was treated merely as an accessory to Haruka's "feminine awakening", his queerness is described as "magic", which is very yikes. He doesn't talk about what it means to him, other than superficial "we shouldn't tell people that I'm a guy" or "my parents don't accept me" but without any depth as to why or what that truly means to him or how he found his expression through it. He wasn't portrayed as a drag queen, he was portrayed as gender fluid, which is refreshing, but it was treated as if the writers didn't really care about what that is other than for aesthetic purposes.

Haruka was incredibly bland. She was portrayed as this young naive girl finding her way through life, which is fair given her age, but she never got absolutely anywhere. All her changes were superficial and in aesthetic, not deep enough to have the pretty words really mean something. She doesn't find anything to be passionate about, something that belongs solely to her, she goes back and forth between what the people around her do (Mio's job, Hikaru's job, Keisuke's social circle) and her self-deprecating behavior is swapped for a dependent behavior in which her aim is to be deserving of someone else.

There's so much talk in this drama about what being truly yourself means and how to reflect that outside but, in the end, when your characters don't get meaningful developments and the things that could make them interesting are only superficial tools in yet another by-the-numbers het romance (love triangles, misunderstandings, sharing the same room, getting drunk and being carried home, you name it), it's just the same bland thing pretending to be more.

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Disjointed but good chemistry

Look, for a show that's in 2023, from China, and about lesbians, our standards (unfortunately) can't be very high. And honestly, it was fun to watch.

The show in and of itself doesn't make much sense; the plot is very disjointed. I often didn't know what happened in between transitions until a flashback much further down the story explained it, but even with said flashback I was still a little lost on how (or why) things were happening. All three lifetimes also ended with one of the girls dying, so we're back to China only giving us queer content if it doesn't end happy. (Though I'm grateful for the little behind the scenes wedding!) But even so, I gotta say this little show did all it could to give us what we wanted. The chemistry between the two girls was great, the acting was decent, and the costumes were good. Even though the plot was disjointed, I could mostly understand what they were going for.

It's not the best short drama in the world, but it's a good one to binge (it'll only take you 20-ish minutes). I'm glad I watched it.

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Not Terrible but unnecessary

I am a massive fan of the series and I felt that season 2 came to an appropriate ending,but with Netflix teasing the joker you knew that season 3 would come.

After watching the season it wasn’t that as bad as I thought it was but I felt like it was so unnecessary.Usagi need for her father didn’t really make that much sense,but I felt that ryuji character was good backed by great acting.Episode 5 for me was the best episode,the need for a great future messed up the game for others but gave a great story and some amazing acting in the show.The scene in the chapel was some heart wrenching stuff.

A lot of scenes felt unnecessary,but I felt like the cast pushed a terrible plot and made it watchable.

Some greatly written characters but with a bad plot

Also great to see a chishiya cameo and to see the original cast

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Gorgeous Cast, Little Bite

My Secret Vampire is light, fun, and easy to watch, but the title may set expectations the show doesn’t fully deliver on. For a story that promises supernatural allure, there is surprisingly little actual vampire action. The lack of bite (pun intended) and suspense left me wishing for more tension and depth.

That said, the real charm of the series lies in its cast. All five leads are undeniably gorgeous, and their chemistry shines throughout. The cozy housemate dynamics feel warm and inviting, leaning more toward a cute roommate BL than a supernatural romance. While that shift in tone isn’t necessarily bad, it does make the story feel a bit shallow compared to the potential of its premise.

Visually, the series is stunning, well-shot, and aesthetically pleasing, but the narrative plays it safe. If you go in expecting something dark or intense, you might be disappointed. But if you're just looking for something sweet, easy, and visually charming, My Secret Vampire definitely delivers that.

A charming, low-stakes watch that doesn’t quite live up to its title but still earns a solid 7.5 out of 10.

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A zany time-loop thriller about the unattainability of control & the want of it nevertheless.

My first c-drama was a Bai Jing Ting starrer time loop drama. That gave me such a high that I have been chasing that magic ever since. So imagine my excitement when this new time looping drama with Bai Jing Ting came up on my Netflix feed.

Mobius is a lot of things- a thrilling race against time, a pump-y whodunnit, an array of characters of all shades, an awkward romance, a corny comedy but at its core Mobius is simply a story about control, more specifically the need of humans to be the one in control. The drama uses time as its primary metaphor to drive home its themes of control, ethics and morality and how subjective each of them really are! The writing is nuanced and full of subtext while playing with the familiar beats of a “race against time” story simultaneously.

The drama distinguishes itself from others in the genre of time loops (not that there are many to begin with) by being structured in a set of five loops. This finiteness adds a sense of urgency along with the staple theme of inevitability that this genre runs on.

Bai Jing Ting is agile and clean in the action scenes, while being in absolute control of his craft. The slight romance works as a breather for me, maybe because it is made to be this “awkward in love” trope that I wasn’t expecting. So its a plus for me. What-else is plus is the pace of the drama. It sucks you right into it from the very beginning, though it does falter around the last quarter of drama but not so much as to lose me completely.

The drama also doesn’t explore most of its characters beyond their generic traits and purpose. The cops suffers from this the most. Plus the team dynamic built in one loop carries over to the next when it should not have, given how the cop colleagues don’t have the memories of previous loops. But I digress.

The drama is as predictable in the second half as it was unpredictable in the first! You could see the villains and their motivations way before but the drama lays its tale of morality, of the passion of discovery and the arrogance of it all and lets it all seep through beautifully.

All in all Mobius is this story of the unattainability of absolute control yet the want of it nevertheless, but chooses to tell the story with this zany feel, creating a contrast to its themes, that it all ends up being a deliciously binge-able drama!

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The Wicked Game Has Me in a Chokehold. Dark, Emotional, and Addictive

Story
Is it just me, or is anyone else completely drained after watching these siblings tear each other apart for ten episodes straight? The nonstop fighting, betrayals, and attempts to kill one another felt endless. When they all died at the end, the only thing I felt was relief. The silence that followed the chaos almost felt peaceful.
This drama shows how greed can consume a family from the inside. It reminded me of tragic historical stories where princes and princesses shed their own blood for power, losing everything that once mattered. I have eight siblings myself, and even though we argue, the idea of harming them is unimaginable. Watching this family destroy itself felt painfully personal, like witnessing the darkest possible version of how money and spite can twist human hearts.
Pheem’s backstory is the emotional core. A young boy forced to watch his stepmother run over and kill his mother. Then pushed down the stairs so her own son could inherit the hospital. Abandoned by the father who should have protected him. Deported. Unloved. Broken. That night carved itself deep into his soul. He later covered the scar with a tattoo, but the pain never left. His return is not a reunion, but a reckoning.
Every episode hits harder than the last. The story is dark, emotional, and layered with revenge, heartbreak, and passion. It is rare to see a BL that balances action and emotion with such intensity.
Still, some parts held it back from being a perfect ten. The endless sibling violence becomes draining. The constant shootings feel unrealistic, with characters getting shot and somehow healing instantly. The police feel useless, adding nothing to the plot.

Acting and Cast
Offroad delivers one of the strongest performances of his career. His portrayal of Pheem is raw, wounded, and deeply human. Every expression reflects years of trauma. Every quiet moment holds a lifetime of pain. Daou brings a warm, steady presence as Than, the perfect counterbalance to Pheem’s chaos. Their chemistry simmers slowly before burning into something powerful and magnetic. Seeing this pair again after Century of Love and Love in Translation felt like a small light inside a very dark story.

Music
The music elevates the drama beautifully. Soft, lingering themes bring out the loneliness and grief in Pheem’s journey, while the tense tracks heighten every confrontation. The soundtrack blends seamlessly with the cinematography, pulling you into the emotional weight of each scene.

Rewatch Value
This is not an easy drama to revisit because of the heavy themes and family cruelty. But Offroad and Daou’s performances, along with the powerful emotional storytelling, make certain scenes worth rewatching. The intensity and depth of the characters leave a lasting impact.

Overall
I began this series thinking it would be a perfect ten, but after everything, I settled on a strong nine out of ten. Despite its flaws and overwhelming chaos, the emotional depth, acting quality, and tragic beauty of Pheem’s story carried it through. It left me drained, heartbroken, and deeply moved. And in the end, I can honestly say I truly enjoyed this drama.

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This drama is a feast for lovers of time-travel stories, brilliantly combining romance, fantasy, and, of course, gastronomy. The series offers a vibrant and entertaining mix that, while it has a few stumbles, proves to be an easy and delicious addiction.

The story follows Yeon Ji-yeong (Im Yoon-ah), a modern chef with a successful career in French haute cuisine. Unexpectedly, a solar eclipse and a mysterious cookbook transport her 500 years back in time, directly to the Joseon Dynasty.

There, she meets King Yi Heon (Lee Chae-min), a young monarch feared as a tyrant yet known for his exquisite palate. What begins as a tense encounter turns into a forced alliance: she must cook a new and satisfying dish for the king every day or face execution.

The drama’s strongest point is the undeniable chemistry between YoonA and Lee Chae-min. Their relationship evolves in a fun and engaging way, moving from conflict and orders to genuine affection. The king, initially volatile and demanding, gradually softens thanks to Ji-yeong’s cooking and indomitable spirit.

Food as a Character: The cooking scenes are visually stunning. The drama turns food into the driving force of the story, using Ji-yeong’s dishes (like Butter Gochujang Bibimbap or Doenjang pasta) as a bridge between two worlds and a way to heal the king’s emotional trauma.

While it touches on themes of politics and tyranny (the king’s character is loosely based on the infamous King Yeonsangun), the overall tone is that of a fantasy romantic comedy. The drama doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it perfect for a fun binge-watch.

Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is a highly recommended K-drama if you’re looking for a historical romance with a modern twist and plenty of comedy. It’s a high-quality production, with dazzling costumes and feasts, that will captivate you with the adorable chemistry between the leads and leave you craving the delicious “Joseon-French fusion.”

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The Storyline is Getting Wearisome

This is a sweet journey if you are drawn to sweet genteel cliché ‘friends-to-lovers’ romance narratives. All the characters are sweet. The story is sweet. The outcome is sweet. But be forewarned. You might slip into a diabetic coma from watching this rather short series because of all the sweetness that is pumped into your blood from this saccharin novella. However, I cannot say that it is not mildly entertaining, for it is. Curiously because of the symmetry between the actors. While there is nothing in this series you have not seen in other similar versions before, perhaps done much better and deeper than here, there is still enough hitherto to grab your attention.
You can read the full review at BLBliss.com.

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Sometimes the greatest strength is not ambition, but loyalty.

I don’t know why I never picked up Destined earlier, but I’m glad I finally came to it now. It’s one of those costume dramas that doesn’t hit you with big spectacle, but instead wins you over with a quieter, steady charm.

Romance & Chemistry
This was the strongest part for me. Jiusi and Yuru’s relationship isn’t built on manufactured misunderstandings but on trust and loyalty. That makes their bond believable not just in the “falling in love” stage, but across the long haul. Their chemistry is warm and steady — you actually buy into the idea that they could survive everything together.

Character Growth
Another highlight. Gu Jiusi’s arc from a spoiled young master to someone who shoulders responsibility for family and country is written and acted very convincingly. Liu Yuru’s growth is quieter but no less meaningful — she goes from cautious and reserved to someone strong, composed, and equal to him. Watching them evolve separately and together gave the drama weight.

Politics & Plot
Here’s where it wobbles. The first half kept the political intrigue tight and engaging, but the second half lost some of that energy. The plotting became uneven, and some storylines felt dragged out. Still, it never collapsed completely — the emotional throughline of the romance carried it even when the politics weakened.

Acting & Execution
Overall strong, especially from Bai Jingting, who really embodied Jiusi’s transformation. Song Yi, it took me some to warm up to her character gradually, she gave Yuru a quiet strength that grew on me. Toward the last quarter, though, there were a few moments of overacting, and some scenes felt heavier than they needed to be.

Overall
Destined isn’t flawless — the political plot could have been sharper, and the pacing dips in the later part. But what it does get right, it really gets right: a romance that feels believable, characters who grow in satisfying ways, and a tone that manages to stay serene yet hopeful throughout.

Why Watch (or Skip)

🙘 If you appreciate character-driven stories and slower pacing, you’ll find a lot to love here. (If you’re only in for non-stop plot twists, this probably isn’t for you.)
🙘 A romance built on trust and loyalty rather than contrived angst.
🙘 Strong acting and a couple with believable, long-term chemistry.
🙘 Satisfying character growth, especially the ML’s transformation.
🙘 A hopeful, serene tone that lingers even when the politics wobble.

If you value solid character work and a couple that actually feels like a team, this one is worth your time.

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A recipe for yummy food and tasty mayhem

The path to a successful sageuk dramas can be fraught. It can swing from boring to farcical and every stop in between. This drama managed to land in the Goldilocks zone where being entertaining trumps historical accuracy . . most of the time.

I won't waste time with a detailed recap. Let's just say it is the usual enemy to lover trope plus a big dose of time slip fantasy. The fact that the FL is a quintessential modern woman and the ML is the Jeonha gave half the plot away.

Where the writer-nim did well is to shake up our preconception of their power dynamics right from their meet-cute.

The FL certainly doesn't play by Joseon rules. This sets the tone for much of their early interactions. Of course, the FL has to play nice once she work out who are the apex predators. Yet she is one of the chosen few who can speak their minds to the King without fear or favour.

The writer-nim also hit paydirt with the k-dramas trifecta. Romance, food porn and sageuk makjang.

In terms of romance, the chemistry of our leads is strong. It starts slow but we are left with no doubt they'd die for each other as the show progresses. The palace is hardly a fertile ground for skinship, but there are cute and swoon-y moments. Our ML definitely gave it a good go. Woof!

Next we have the food porn. It is every bit as fanciful as you'd expect. It is an amalgam of French, Korean and Chinese cuisines. I'd consider it a win if they tastes half as good as they look. It is definitely a big step up from shows like Mr Queen.

Is the culinary competition between nations legit? I'll leave that debate to historians. Oh, that reminds me. The actors playing the Ming delegates are all Korean. They are good actors and they would have received Mandarin language coaching. Even to my untrained ears, they don't always sound right. I don't understand why they didn't hire some veteran Chinese actors for the roles. Two of them did speak some Korean as part of the plot, but it would be more convincing to have Chinese actors try to speak Korean rather the other way around.

Finally, we have a full-on makjang bloodbath. As with the loveline, this is a slow burner. The usual palace intrigue, power games and evil eyes from the harem once our OTP's romance blossoms.

There is nothing to hint at what is to come. Forget about tying loose ends with pink bows. This is problem solving with extreme prejudice. It was all over in minutes, discounting any time to count the bodies.

Unfortunately, this brings about the one serious deficit of this drama. It is quite understandable that the FL will return to the present. Everything is geared towards that. It closes the time loop after a herd of temporal elephants have rampaged through it. The butterflies don't stand a chance! ;)

What is less "satisfactory" is the appearance of the ML in the present. Obviously, this is necessary for a HEA ending so I can't complain. However, the how, when and why is largely brushed aside by the show. It is such a significant development yet we are simply told not to worry about it. Are they planning a bonus EP?

This is particularly frustrating as the series is based on a popular web novel so the ending is well known. There are plenty of posts and videos online purporting to be the "definitive ending explained". They all seem convincing, but bear little resemblance to the actual finale. It left the sudden appearance of the ML feels contrived and unsettling.

Regardless, the ML carried the show with able assistance from the FL. This is an unexpected blessing as he was a last minute replacement for another actor who got into a spot of bother with public opinion. Combined with lush food porn and above average production value, this drama is hitting above its weight.

Fundamentally, it is a romantic fantasy loosely based on a troubling time in the 1500's. The steamrolling of some horrible events might not sit well with some. The sweet romance is the grease for the squeaky wheel. Is it believable? I wish it is, but it can feel quite contrived at times when the FL have epiphany after epiphany. While the King watched indulgently from the sideline. This brings about the awkward question of whether the show's portrayal of King Yi Heon is totally fanciful or not.

In the end, the show might not be good history, but it is good entertainment. The Korean ratings will be telling whether the locals concur.

When is fiction better than fact? Peace.

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