Reviews

the game is progress

First impressions: This is reminding me of A Dream within a Dream (transported into novel w/ cheesy plot, death loop--sorta) mixed with Till the End of the Moon (cold ml, warm fl lead replaced w/ cold fl, amazing costuming/makeup, flashy special effects). Also kinda weird that fl shares the same name as me buut oh well

TLDR; Love the comedy in this show, and there's clear chemistry between the couples. Story is a little spotty at times, but overall not too bad. Like what is up with obsessive sibling relationships lmaoo. I like the premise of the story, which is to trust the people you surround yourself w/, so you don't have to carry all the burden by yourself. Acting is phenomenal, and music is also really good. I think this is a one-and-done for me bc it's kinda long and idk I don't usually rewatch shows..but it was quite enjoyable.

Story: Every side character is loveable, and you feel for them when they don't get their way, and you feel conflicted bc you want the main leads to win but the other characters are just as good but just came at the wrong time. Misunderstandings, misunderstandings..sigh...they happen, but it was redeemable in the end, although I wouldn't preferred avoiding the whole debacle in the first place but whatever. I guess they did it for the purposes of what the moral of the story was about. The last arc was definitely rushed, which is fine ig since it's like equivalent to battling a gauntlet in a game--probably not a lot of important story going on there. The ending itself is really sweet, though and not rushed.

Acting/Cast: Honestly, I had doubts abt fl's acting bc she kinda be acting childish, but it wasn't annoying. I love the facial expressions though, very funny. All the facial expressions are very expressive. Whoever did the makeup and costuming did amazing btw. I especially loved all of MM's outfits and the demon outfits were arguably even better.

Music: The songs have both a duet version, and solo versions, which sync w/ which characters are on screen. So when it's just one person, it carries more meaning. Background music was also good as well.

Rewatch value: It was really good while it lasted though, but I don't think it's worth a rewatch imo.

Read More

Mulan but reversed

I have never watched a cross dresser trope before so i don’t have anything to compare it to but this was a really lovely show in my opinion. I don’t watch japanese shows often so i’m not used to how overdramatised their acting and reactions are (although korean shows know to be crazy with their reactions too😭) so that bit annoyed me a little and sometimes it was too cringe to watch but i liked the overall plot of it and the development of the couple! I think its lovely how the FL fell for the girl version and the boy version! It didn’t erase the possibility of her being bisexual and it didn’t demonise the possibility of that either! And i like how the ML kept his girly side even after they started dating. Even telling her ‘i can’t be too manly’ and her accepting it wholeheartedly. Such a cute show. And very quick watch! Episodes are very short!

Read More

MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT IT

Usually never watch a drama with more than 24 episodes but this sounded very interesting. The story is interesting and unique to me. ML and FL were perfect. Up until episode I was really enjoying it. The office politics and gossip found so annoying I skipped through a lot. I was going to give a 9 but three main things stopped me. The office politics and gossip was so unnecessary I skipped through a lot of it. The sister of FL was an interning doctor so why her character acted and sounded like a 12 year old was so irritating I skipped through most of her scenes. The ending left me so disappointed.

Read More

"The day will turn into night"

The Funeral was Itami Juzo’s directorial debut in 1984. In this instance, the film is exactly as described in the title. For three days a family gathers to mourn the death of the father, bringing together a peculiar yet largely relatable group of people.

When Amamiya Shinkichi dies suddenly of a heart attack his son-in-law, Wabisuke Inoue is put in charge of the funeral. His mother-in-law, Kikue, wants the funeral to be held at the house near the Kamome Hot Springs. Inoue and his wife Chizuko know nothing about funerals and make a mad scramble to find help in figuring out all the customs and procedures. Everyone has an opinion on the various rituals, including which way the head should be facing and which way is north!

Itami showed many of the common funeral experiences regardless of customs--children unfamiliar with death playing in the background, laughter and tears as people process their complicated emotions, telling stories, arguing over procedures, and the financial costs. Then there were customs I was unfamiliar with—watching the loved one be cremated, salt being thrown on those returning from the crematorium, and the various Buddhist rituals. It was delightfully human that the relatives unused to kneeling for so long had cramping feet and knees. The funniest bit to me was when funeral novices Inoue and Chizuko consulted a video which might as well have been titled “Funeral Etiquette for Dummies.”

This appeared to be the first main film role for Miyamoto Nobuko, Itami’s wife. I found her face lovely and expressive. Ozu favorite, Ryu Chishu, played the ever-chanting priest with a fine eye for cars and expensive tile. Where the film lagged for me was a main married character dealing with his crazy mistress in the woods which included a fairly graphic sex scene. And she was cray-cray. The deceased was a serial philanderer that everyone accepted matter-of-factly.

The Funeral was a slow story with mostly gentle humor, showing both the reverence and irreverence that accompanies death and mourning. A far more pragmatic than sentimental experience-- because even at a wake, people need to know when to leave, how much money to donate, and how to tell a mistress to pull her weeping self off the casket.

27 September 2025
Triggers: Partial nudity and sex scene.

Read More

Masterpiece

Go Hyun Jung's acting was exceptional! Everything about this series was gripping. I was in the last episode when I consciously noted that the post was remarkable. I'm going to put it on my playlist in Spotify.
The main characters and the supporting cast acted this entire series with believability and depth. The open ended last episode leaves room for a season 2. I would definitely watch it. How the story would develop the mother son dynamic would be interesting. Realizing that Queen Mantis had deep seated phycological reasons for her killing spree doesn't justify the brutality but it does explain it. I think she finally gave herself up so her son could have a decent life and become a good person.

Read More

KDrama Boxers!

Season 2 was incredible as much as Season 1 and inspiring ❤️❤️☺️! To see them evolve, develop again physically and mentally to another level just shows the battle with yourself is important to overcome. I had low expectations in the beginning for KDrama actresses to achieve competitiveness. My bias to achieve competitiveness sooner than the other 3 was Seol In Ah from her previous experiences in taekwondo and soccer with her swift footwork. Uie and Park Ji Hyun did not disappoint because of their Season 1 experiences and achievements. Newcomer Guem Se Roc showed her passion and enthusiasm to learn as the sports “maknae” of Iron Girl members and showed her determination to keep up with the members and without question- earned her status as an Iron Girl. I hope there is a Season 3.

Read More

Queen Go Hyun Jung

If there's one thing to summarize the entire series - it is to establish Go Hyun Jung as the queen.

This gripping and dark slowburn thriller is an exaggerated study of genes vs nurture - is someone pre-disposed to be something because of your blood or do we actually have the freedom to shape what we want to be according to our freewill and upbringing?

Okay lets backtrack a litlle bit, because there was a bit of backlash when the show was airing when they revealed that the copycat killer is a trans character but we also have to understand that this is an adaptation and the same backlash happened during the airing of the original french series which it was based on. Yes in the original the copycat was also a transwoman.

I know the progressives hated that twist and most of the question hovered around the reasoning they had to demonize a transwoman. I have a little bit of theory about the reason and i know a lot of people will hate it. Here it goes - a boy was brutally abused by his father and a woman came to save his life - yes the killing was sloppy and irresponsible but to his eyes it was also empowering and it set him free. He idolized the woman who defeated the demon for him and he fashioned a new life to MIRROR the life of his saviour - thats why he chose to become a woman. Was he actually a transperson or was he just copying the queen mantis? That is the mystery. I didnt see it as an attack to the trans community.

For me this show is a lot better than the original - first and foremost is the acting - Go Hyun Jung's Jung I Sin is so different from the original and made the role her own, her acting was subtle and so much scarier - that scene when she pulled and strangled the first suspect (which is not ont he original) is etched in my mind as it was so calculating believable awesome and terrifying. Jang Dong Yoon also did an excellent job as Cha Su Yeol who showed so much more vulnerability and his dynamics with Jung I Shin is much more believable compared to the original. The support cast also did a good job.

I also liked how they changed the ending a little bit which made it more effective like when Jung I Shil overpowered and stabbed Seo A Ra ,and when she actually prevented her son from killing her father (which kept him from becoming a criminal himself) and did it herself through that fire. And that open-ended ending - were they hoping to do a season 2?

The makeup to deglamorize Go Hyun Jung was also spot on and perfect for the character.

Would i reccommend? Yes the acting alone makes it worth it. Would i rewatch? Probably not as the topic is too heavy for repeated viewing. Overall i give it an 8.

Read More

A true adventure series with emotions and connections ?

So just finished it, which took me a month to complete it and i definitely didn't expect it to be so good. Like the characters were written perfectly with good character development. The story was visibly expanding with each episode, where on ep1 i thought that the bar owner was the main master but was shocked when found out that it was just a part of one of their adventure and then the drama showed great consistency and each episode was anticipating and no boring moment. The locations, scenes, setting, visuals and special effects were satisfying enough. The casting was also very good and actor really did a great job.

People might not try it due to the amount of episodes and a bit complicated start but once you pass 4 to 5 eps you'll definitely enjoy it. Would definitely recommend it to everyone 👍👍

Read More

? Hope Shines the Brightest in the Dark ?

What happens when life drags you all the way down to rock bottom? 💔 Do you give up, or do you fight your way back up? This drama beautifully shows us that even when your career (or life) feels like it’s crumbling, you just need to endure — because better days will come. 🌅
The story is inspiring, the acting solid, and if you’re a fan of Entertainer, Touch Your Heart, or Love From Another Star, this one will click with you. Sure, it may not be a blockbuster hit with sky-high ratings, but some dramas need to exist just to remind us that hope is real. 🙌
So here’s to everyone struggling right now — remember, it might be night in your life, but sunrise is on its way. 🌞✨ Endure one more day, because your breakthrough might be closer than you think! 💖

Read More

What a Downhill

The storyline is new and refreshing, the on and off banter of the two will have you hooked from the start so it was a shame that Jira's character somewhat lost his morals in the last few episodes.

{ML}
The drama—supposedly portraying how his work does not define his morals and how he should not be judged for it lost its point when the ML started indulging with the 2nd FL, even cheating on the FL at the episode.

I don't get why they had to make them make out. Does the ML still want 2nd FL? It's not even a simple make out too, he was all the way into it. A simple scene with him smiling or chuckling when 2nd FL asked for a goodbye kiss would have been a simpler end, it would show that he still cares for her but only as a friend like what he had said before.

{FL}
She's strong, she's brave, she's intelligent. FL was a great woman. She didn't let her family take over her and influence her to be toxic the same way they are. She's very career oriented and there are moments where you'd find her almost unsympathetic but it'll be quickly fixed when you realize how hard everything is for her.

{EXTRAS}

Men in this Lakorn are ass. Cheating is almost very normalized. There are lots of scenes and moments where they depicted cheating as "acceptable". ESPECIALLY THE LAST EP cuz wtf.

Overall it was okay, ending felt rushed.

Update: I found myself rewatching first few eps, I guess I really loved the passive aggressive flings of the two. Cute chemistry and lore, but questionable storyline development, what a waste.

Read More

Young Love in Full Bloom

I had the chance to catch one of the many block screenings of Minamahal: 100 Bulaklak Para Kay Luna, Viva Films’ latest romantic drama written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana. The film stars Andres Muhlach as Raffy and Ashtine Olviga as Luna—two fresh faces given the challenge of carrying a love story that spans youthful infatuation, growing pains, and the bittersweet truths of adulthood.

What struck me first was the sincerity of the film. It isn’t flashy or overly manufactured; instead, it leans on honesty, heart, and grounded storytelling. While chemistry often serves as a film’s main attraction, here it’s not just a highlight—it’s the foundation. The connection between Andres and Ashtine feels lived-in, and Laxamana builds a story around them that resonates long after the credits roll.

Beneath its youthful surface, Minamahal has surprising depth. It’s not only for teenagers navigating their first romances but also for adults who can still recall the ache and beauty of those years. Personally, Raffy’s quiet struggles with his siblings hit close to home—his hesitation to voice his needs, fearing he’s a burden, mirrors how many of us carry ourselves in our own families and friendships. It’s a rare thing for a love story to echo so strongly across age groups.

The film may appear simple at first glance—two students stumbling through love, ambition, and compromise—but it has a way of tugging you back to your younger self. That innocent stage of love, where every glance feels monumental and every goodbye feels permanent, is captured with striking authenticity. There’s nostalgia here, but it never feels forced.

Ashtine Olviga shines as Luna. She approaches the role with both strength and vulnerability, creating a character that feels real and memorable. Yes, there are echoes of her previous work—her Luna at times reminded me of her turn as Jay-jay in Ang Mutya ng Section E—but that familiarity doesn’t detract. If anything, she digs deeper here, showing a maturity in her craft. She breathes life into Luna in ways that linger well beyond the film.

Andres Muhlach, meanwhile, carries the weight of being a Muhlach with surprising grace. True, there are moments where you catch glimpses of his father Aga in his delivery, and his Tagalog accent isn’t always perfect. But what he lacks in polish, he makes up for in raw sincerity. He reminded me a lot of Sam Milby during his early years—green around the edges, but brimming with potential. There were scenes that begged for deeper emotion, maybe even tears he couldn’t quite deliver, yet his honesty shone through. Watching him grow into Raffy felt like watching a young actor slowly claim his own space in the industry. He’s not leaning on his family name; he’s proving he has his own story to tell.

Is the film perfect? Not at all. There are uneven beats and moments that betray the inexperience of its two leads. But oddly enough, that’s where much of its charm comes from. The rawness of the film—the fact that it doesn’t try to be overly polished—gives it an honesty that feels refreshing in local cinema. For a debut outing, it’s a brave and beautiful step forward.

Together, Andres and Ashtine bring a natural energy that makes the film sing. Their sweet, sassy, and giddy moments aren’t forced; they’re heartfelt, even in their flaws. You find yourself rooting for them—not just as Raffy and Luna, but as actors finding their place on screen.

Minamahal may not tick every box for a flawless romance, but it doesn’t need to. It’s nostalgic, heartwarming, and relatable, a film that brings you back to the sweetness of young love while reminding you of the tougher lessons life demands. More than that, it showcases two rising stars who are just beginning to bloom.

And the ending? It resists pure fan service, choosing instead to land on something more meaningful, leaving us with lessons to carry forward. That choice elevates the film, making it more than just a love story—it’s a reflection on growth, courage, and the beauty of simply being honest in love.

Read More

Spectacular! Brings you out of your Kdrama Slump!

It has been so long since I was this excited, thrilled anticipating day by day for the next episode! After Lovely Runner ended, I was in a serious Kdrama slump where I end up not interested in continuing after a few episodes. I did not expect BAYM to turn out GOOD good especially at first I was skeptical about recasting a new male lead after Park Sunghoon decided to bail out in the very last minute due to his tone deaf, inappropriate controversy! Lee Chaemin was not in my list but somehow he made my change my perspective on his acting. He was a great costar and this is a new, unexpected, somehow fresh combination of Yoona teaming up with someone who's so much younger than her. Their build-up chemistry was far beyond my expectation and I somehow enjoyed the drama so much. I cried, I laughed and I loved how they include the chemistry behind cooking & every dish the main character made. It was a well thought project with a reliable & ambitious lineup of casts. Thank you so much BAYM for bringing me out of my Kdrama slump!

Read More