Reviews

So many unnecessaries

Lets start with the good. The first episodes it really felt like I was here for another epic like Hidden Love and First Frost. The cinematography was giving vibes of both. I was hopeful this is the direction it was going. Visuals on the leads are off the charts. Unique sub plot of TCM was fun, to the point where it started to feel like TCM was the sponsor. Wouldn’t be surprised. Green flag ML, yes he liked her from the first moment, thank goodness or there would have been little to show up for in the beginning.

Here’s some things I found irritating for me, and why I knocked off 1.5 stars off of something that was headed in the 10 star rating direction.

The overall story was missing something- it didn’t need to be more angst, as there was enough for the pace this drama was going for. I can’t put my finger on it. Chrmistry struggled with FL. She already had plenty of loving expressions and curiosity about her, but the sudden rejection after we knew she was deeply into him was weird. In fact lets discuss this study abroad plot. I honestly don’t understand the obsession in Asian dramas wuth study abroads. I get it, but what are your reasons? In asian dramas it is always sold as, you’ll have a better future if you do it, and hence nothing should ever stand in thecway of your future career or you will have regrets. Its the same thing every single show. Most people can attain the future with a domestic university. Let’s look at why people in real life study abroad, because lets face it, its not the easiest or cheapest option.

1) They are wealthy and curious, and its about ego or just something fun to have some fun with away from home. So sure why not.
2) The school offers something-either accreditation or unique learning that other domestic schools can’t offer. This is true for a handful of study abroad opportunities.
3) They want to become proficient in the language in that country, and seek immersion opportunities that are easier to apply for than trying to get a job.

Only the second of these would I say comes even close to a reason to seperate for a long period of time, for the sake of future career. Very rarely do we see them heading abroad to a top flight school because its the only place in the world to give them that. In fact 99% of the time that’s not it in dramas. They break up perfectly good green flag relationships. This show is no different. Yes no breakup per say here, but it felt stupid and they rushed through the away time, and then had an unecessary extension-that whole time it felt very one sided, ML was aching for her, she was off having fun. After all of that, masters in hotel management she comes back and rushes in to running a small restaurant with her best friend… ohhhhhkaaaayyyyy then. Her job AT THE HOTEL she had already was already a solid job in that career of hotel management and likely would have got her where she wanted to be had she just stayed. It was the most pointless part of the show. The side story with her mother felt like a typical “give me a reason to stay” moment, but we knew it was there for that plot only and that it wouldn’t stop her trope. For goodness sakes if an amazing relationship with ML isn’t gonna stop you skipping out, nothing will lol.

So no, the study abroad thing ended up a stupid way to add some angst, even if she thought about it early on - I wish they had found a way for her move forward without it. For once can a show, do what no one ever does as a writer and show how important good healthy relationships are, making mature decisions like the fact the ML is already getting on a bit. Who has wimsy to go abroad for a bit of experience she was already getting in her “management job at a fancy hotel”… good relationships can be hard to come by, and can offer great mental health benefits and memories. This is never promoted.

Enough on that. The efforts to push a 2ML & 2FL both were extremely flat.

Occasionally something is in the script thats just laughable and silly. Eg “your room is on the 9th floor” of a hotel that never once shows a building anywhere near as tall as one that even has 9 floors. 5 maybe at most. And every hotel room scene is ground level with outdoor door access lol.

I found some dragging too, which I thought theres too many episodes but then they rushed through things near the end, so I think overall pacing dropped off after a handful of episodes. I started off bingeing and end up trying to keep watching.

So in the end, this was no Hidden Love, not even close. I have zero desire to watch this through again. Even a 8.5 is a stretch, but I’m doing it for what I think they wanted this show to go.

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Underrated Cast, Unforgettable Vibes—I’m in Love with This Drama

This was one of my most anticipated dramas of 2025, and it absolutely delivered. Every time I watch an episode, it feels way too short—I’m that hooked. Honestly, no other drama has made me this excited in a long time.

Even though the cast is full of underrated actors, they brought their A-game. Every single one of them nailed their role, and I ended up loving all the characters so much, I can’t even pick a favorite—they’re all my favorites now!

The couples? Adorable and hilarious. Sweet and chaotic in the best way. The romance and comedy balance each other so well, and the friendship dynamics just made it even better. And yes, I cried at the end. The final episode hit hard.

I’m really hoping for a Season 2—this cast, this story, this energy deserves more. If you're looking for something with heart, humor, friendship, and romance, I highly recommend this one.

Let’s love this drama together!!!

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It started off well and then it fell flat.

Started off well enough. However, the storyline of revenge, framing then eventual redemption got old.....quickly. Villains are too one dimensional and these gorgeous actresses being obsessed with mediocre men was just not realistic enough for me (even if it does tend to happen in reality). The wigs/frontals were a constant distraction but I could ignore it if the story wasnt so bland towards the middle. The heroes are unfortunately loveable but not loveable enough for a 54 episode drama. Lets not get started on the overacting by the side characters.....its giving telenovela.

I like the male and female lead so I wanted to love this plus I am suffering a cdrama drought at the moment. Unfortunately, this would have been better suited for a 30 episode run not over 50 episodes. Furthermore for the heavy content its displaying, the video colour grading is far too bright which "cheapens" the drama despite the expensive costuming and sets.

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Good combination of humour and meaningful messages

'Oh My Ghost Clients' is about Noh Mujin, a labour consultant who, after going through a near-death experience is able to see ghosts. NMJ signs a contract to escape his death and as a result has to help ghosts who died unfairly in industrial accidents to find peace. The plot has a similar vibe to dramas like 'Hotel Del Luna' and 'Tomorrow', just in the context of workers and follows the story of different ghosts as they explore the problems the workers face in their work.

The story does a good job educating people about the role of a labour consultant, at the same time bringing up the drastic safety issues in factories which is the reality for so many people. From what I gathered from interviews, South Korea has a large number of industrial deaths due to lax safety precautions, to the extent of two people dying every day. So, this is a nice way to bring awareness to these issues.

Despite the serious issues, this drama does a good job balancing the dark parts with comedy, so the overall tone is light and it's relatively easy to watch and focus on the messages. The characters also have a good chemistry and interesting dynamic, and their interactions are really fun to watch. The characters themselves are well-written and have potential. NMJ like a lot of Jung Kyungho's characters, is not black or white and JKH did a tremendous job in bringing NMJ to life. He is clumsy, a little slow, a bit selfish and generally flawed, like most people but has some redeeming qualities and his growth is an interesting part of the story as he experiences the hardships of his ghost clients.
Overall, if you like tomorrow, this drama is definitely worth a try.

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Di

This is a captivating drama set in Xishuangbanna, produced by Taiwanese filmmakers. It explores the culture of the Dai people, the indigenous group from which the Thai people originated. In many ways, Thailand can be seen as a reflection of Dai traditions and heritage.

นี่คือละครที่น่าดึงดูดใจที่ตั้งอยู่ในสิบสองปันนา ผลิตโดยผู้สร้างภาพยนตร์ไต้หวัน มันเล่าถึงวัฒนธรรมของชาวไต ซึ่งเป็นชนพื้นเมืองที่มีอิทธิพลต่อการก่อตัวของชนชาติไทย ประเทศไทยในหลายๆ ด้านสามารถมองว่าเป็นภาพสะท้อนของประเพณีและมรดกของชาวไต

It would be better if China company makes this story. The Taiwan did not use real native language here due to the actors are from Taiwan. They can't speak the local dialect. If I have money, I want to make this film and more in Xishuangbanna and Xinjiang regions of China.

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Worth watching!

Disclaimer: I did not watch Red Moon Pact, but started watching this because of the cast, and they delivered! The only weak link in the cast/role was Jin Ren Feng, which is no offense to the actor; I find that often in Cdramas villains have petty motivations and are very one-dimensional as a result, making it hard to take them seriously as villains in the story. I had to skip some of Jin Ren Feng's scenes because it was just eye roll stuff. This was helped by Jiu Huo Lin and Jia Lan, who, although didn't necessarily feel super threatening, their motivations at least made sense, and actually kind of made me pity/root for them in the end.

The pacing of the story is good, I love how Huai Zhu and Hong Ye's relationship progresses and Lui Shi Shi and Zhang Yun Long are incredible in this drama. Hong Ye is this notorious warrior but ZYL plays him in a way that he becomes such an endearing softie around Huai Zhu, it's really cute.

Another thing I LOVE about this drama and the acting is how they handle what happens emotionally after the 'final battle'. In most dramas, this aftermath is glossed over very quickly and tied up with a neat bow for a perfect ending. I love that this drama takes the time to show the horrible trauma that the characters have suffered and the pain that comes with that, and the distance between Huai Zhu and Hong Ye as a result. It feels very real, and I applaud LSS and ZYL for their performance with that.

Two things I did not like though:
1. Zhang Zheng and Qing Mu Yuan's story. DYX and MZY have great chemistry, and I felt like there was such potential for how their relationship and story were going to develop, especially with Zhang Zheng's identity issue. But their story ended before it barely even started, which I feel was a lost opportunity.
2. After the final battle, when they are safe back home and have taken steps to move past their trauma, Huai Zhu and Hong Ye just never meet Qin Lan or Qu Zhuo again??!! What?! This really annoyed me cause it was super unbelievable that Huai Zhu would forget about her sister and that Hong Ye would ignore his (basically) brother, who was also the only other person that survived the battle. Come on, dumb.

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Emotional and lovely!

I have to say that nowadays it’s extremely easy to just write a bad reviews about movies or series, now, it’s extremely difficult to see people actually stopping and writing a good review for a good and well produced movie or BL series.
When I started watching this series I was just like hooked up from the first episode somewhat. I felt like a connection with the main character he’s deception of betrayal, then his boyfriend left him and then the accident and going back to the past I just felt that the way that he looked at people and places it was just like an empty look you could actually feel the sadness and the feeling of emptiness in his look. I cried so much it was really really emotional and it was lovely. When he met His partner and he took care of him. He could actually see that the boy was suffering ! I actually loved it. Loved it loved it.

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Weak story, great cast.

This drama was good, but not great. Mostly because the story was weak.

Kong is a great actor, Thomas is also good, but looks a bit akward at times. It sometimes feels like he is to busy looking good and forgets to surrender himself to his role. The chemistry between them is good, but not amazing.

The chemistry between Por and Teetee was amazing, in those few minutes in episode 8 they completely stole the show!!!
And the chemistry between Auau and Save was also very good.

This drama had a nice OST, especially the song sang bij Por. That song is just stunning!!

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A HEAVENLY CRAFTED MASTER PIECE

When I first began watching The Legend of Zang Hai, a part of me wondered—how could a revenge plot possibly hold its weight over 40 episodes? In my experience, many dramas start strong, only to fumble midway, dragging out plotlines until they barely find their rhythm again near the end. But let me tell you—this is not one of those dramas. This is a new generation masterpiece, a stunning triumph of storytelling, acting, and visual artistry.

From the very first episode, I was captivated. The cinematography is breathtaking, every frame meticulously crafted like a moving painting. The acting is compelling, grounded, and nuanced—each expression, each silence, each word uttered carries weight. But above all, it is the storytelling that truly sets The Legend of Zang Hai apart. The tale of revenge unfolds slowly, not out of laziness, but with calculated brilliance. Normally, I’d grow restless if it took 24 episodes just to eliminate a single enemy—but here, it’s different. It’s so well written, so realistic, that you come to understand: it takes time to lower your enemy’s guard, to be welcomed into his comfort zone before striking.

And this drama does exactly that—with elegance.

Each character, from the leads to the most minor side roles, is meticulously layered. The supporting characters aren’t just filler—they are essential puzzle pieces, enriching the central arc and breathing life into the world around them. The leads, oh the leads! They own the narrative, shaping and reshaping it with each episode. Watching their stories evolve is a slow burn of satisfaction, and it’s incredibly rewarding.

Though the romance is subtle, it’s never shallow. The female lead, Antu, is refreshing—a woman of strength, grace, and depth, far from the overused “princess in distress” trope. Honestly, one of my only wishes for Joy of Life—a longtime favorite of mine—is that its female lead had been as well-characterized as Antu. She truly holds her own.

To the entire production team, bravo. It takes vision, courage, and exceptional talent to deliver something of this magnitude. And now, let me address the heart of this drama:

Xiao Zhan.My boy—you delivered. I prayed for the day you would grace a historical drama again, and you absolutely devoured this role. You didn’t just act—you became your character. Every scene, every emotion, every gaze—pure gold. I dare say, this is the crowning jewel of your career so far. Yes, The Untamed was incredible, but The Legend of Zang Hai? It’s on another level. You left no crumbs.

Zhang Jingyi, ever since Fall in Love, you’ve had a special place in my heart. I couldn’t be happier to see you paired with Xiao Zhan—you brought poise and warmth that balanced the intensity perfectly.

And we can’t forget the OST—my goodness, the ending song is a whole mood. As someone who’s a sucker for good soundtracks, this one hit all the right notes. It’s emotionally resonant and lingers long after the credits roll.

There’s so much more I could say, but I’ll leave it here:
If you come across The Legend of Zang Hai, do yourself a favor—sit down, unplug, and immerse yourself. This isn’t just a drama; it’s an experience, a legend in motion, and it will stay with you long after it ends.

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Quality Keeps Rising

I wasn’t totally sold on the first few episodes, but once the main cast was fully introduced, it became clear that the beginning was really just a long prologue. Honestly, it was too long for a drama with fewer than 10 episodes. I would’ve loved to see more of the legal, economic, and media battles — two extra episodes would’ve made a big difference.

The main villain didn’t get nearly enough screen time. Kitamura Yukiya completely saved the character with his performance — he was a blast to watch! But I really wish we had seen more of the creepy things he does, not just the creepy vibe. He clearly has a strong grip on his "employees," and while we kind of understand how he "does it", we never really see it unfold. Most of his villainy happens off-screen, which feels like a missed opportunity.

That said, his toxic, twisted relationship with Himuro was one of the best parts of the show.

It’s funny because I usually feel like shows are too long (especially with kdramas or cdramas), but this time the short format kind of hurt it. The first half spent so much time on character introductions — which weren’t bad — but it took up nearly half the series (T^T). That was frustrating when the second half was so good.

The first half isn’t bad, but it feels dull compared to what comes after. Acting-wise, no complaints. I liked the directing too, especially Himuro’s scenes with the fish and his hallucinations. The writing was fun, the characters were super charming, and I just wish we had more time with all of them scheming — both the villains and the good guys.

Overall, a really good show! Definitely recommend checking it out :)

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Drama about adopted vs biological family with a satisfying comeuppance

I was in the mood for dramas about sibling dynamics when I saw this drama in the Newly added section of MDL tv shows. This is my first time watching Lin Rui Xue and second time watching Zhou Ling Feng. I have mixed feelings about this drama.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - It's good to watch Jiang Yao's character development. She was nice but naive when she was younger but after the hardships, she was assertive and determined not to forgive those who have bullied them.
2. Ending - Love it! FL never wavered from her stance and those who bullied her got their comeuppance.
3. The Songs - Great to see a very supportive adopted family. I really liked it that they were happy with whatever college entrance exam score that Jiang Yao received.
4. Plot twist - Wow I was very surprised when a bomb was dropped by Mr Jiang in the third act. I liked that line about it's unfair that Jiang Yao was being punished for something that happened before she was born.

What I disliked:
1. Abuse - It was tough watching the harsh treatment given to Jiang Yao when she lived in Jiang household. I was almost in tears during some flashbacks.
2. Mingzhu - Insufferable brat. I hated her!
3. FL's biological family - While I sympathised with her brothers especially the eldest, the whole family of 5 were despicable. The parents were the worst! Anyway I wish the writer had developed third brother character in different way by letting him feel guilty for the actions he had done before he discovered the truths. Because now all three brothers experienced the same trajectory - feeling sorry & regretful after finding out the truths. Why have 3 brother characters when you could do with 2?

Favourite scene
When Jiang Yao received the honour of the school's top scorer

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Nothing really vibrates in this show...

I so wanted to like this show, but after 4 episodes the whole thing imploded. The 'naughty' business of selling sex toys is nowhere naughty, nor are the characters. Which are not well-developed and sometimes just dropped halfway through the show (like the unfaithful husband and his lover).

Whereas I loved Kim So-yeon in Sky Castle, she is acting like a robot in this series. Her facial features are frozen (too much Botox, my dear?) and she plays such a demure and subservient character that she ends up being as interesting as an empty sheet of paper. Which is the case with many of the characters. Not sure what the writer wanted to bring across: Whereas the story is supposedly about the growth and characters of the 4 leading female actors, it feels like domestic bliss and traditional role division is more important. It could have been written in 1992 as well. The pace of the show, where nothing much really ever happens is such, that I managed to read my digital newspapers throughout the series and still found the pace too slow.

And last but not least: the music is sugar-sweet. So much, that it becomes an additional annoying feature. Every unfolding and overly dramatic close-up is accompanied by pinging the piano. Pfff...

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Too Much Drama for Too Few Episodes, But It’s a Good BL

A BL where everything happens by coincidence — in other words, it's all plot-driven and forced. But thanks to the charisma of the characters and actors, it ended up being a good BL. The leads have great chemistry. Even though Phumjai is pretty annoying with his obsession over Tammy, I still managed to like his character.

For me, the main issue is the need to create drama where there didn’t need to be any — the characters just needed to say what had to be said. This kind of conflict caused by poor communication is extremely frustrating. We get six episodes of Phumjai talking only about Tammy, and then two episodes of total chaos with an ending that makes no sense.

Another thing that really bothered me was the excessive product placement in such a short series. So, I’d say what saved this show were the actors, who are genuinely very good.

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So bad it ended up being good

What made me watch it? Joss + vampires.

I've been waiting for Joss to fully dive into the BL world for a long time. He and Gawin made a couple with good chemistry, but I still think their acting needs some improvement. The BL itself has a pretty weak plot and some really bad special effects. But honestly, it was exactly because it was bad that it gave us something to talk about every week. There was always something to comment on — whether it was a cheesy effect, a terrible plot decision, or just to laugh at the series in general. So I’d say it was so bad, it ended up being good.

I actually liked that they took a risk with the vampire theme, knowing it might not turn out great. And I have to highlight the actress who plays Thara — what an amazing woman!

Positives

Joss being hot

Vampires

Thara

Joss and Gawin’s chemistry

Over-the-top scenes (unintentionally funny)


Negatives

The plot

Special effects

Acting was just okay

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