Reviews

A Poorly Written Script With A Great Casting!!!

In the end only she survived and everyone else died!

That was my conclusion after watching this show. Baek A Jin is literally a one woman army; self-destructive, anti-social and callous. In the first episode, the interlude describes her as someone who uses men to her advantage and then discards them at will. For most parts, she remains true to this description. She is venomous and only cares about herself. Her whole personality screams alluring yet dangerous, like a poisonous vine set to kill you even at a slight touch. Joining her on this journey is her supposed step-sibling, Yun Jun Seo, her self-appointed bodyguard, Kim Jae O and three other men she used for various advantages at different points in her life. Even time, she uses someone and discards her, her only logic is that her life is difficult and so, she is exempted from feeling any kind of guilt. She is certainly incapable of feeling any sort of remorse, even for people who loved her selflessly and sacrificed themselves for her sake.

Read the complete article here-

https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/12/06/dear-x-series-review/#more-2191

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Oh wow... Jaw on the floor

I came here for the spicy romance between all the couples... the intriuging almost soap opera-y ABO elements kept me hooked... and then episode 9 happened. When I tell you I never felt my jaw actually physically drop so far before.... I literally had to pause on the twist so I could write this because I am in shock. TBH, can
t wait to binge the rest until 4 am.... I just want to say, I KNEW he was weird! He kept telling Babe such weird manipulative shit and then actually believing that his disgusting, selfish obsession is somehow a good innocent love... F male best friends like this.

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Sniper Butterfly

Watch out as it may contain some spoilers.

I’ve watched five episodes so far, and I find the show quite good—definitely better than many recent dramas. If you enjoy romance dramas, you might want to give this one a try.

Without giving too much away, the story follows a young boy from a village who is supported by an older “big sister” figure. She helps with his studies, brings him to the city, finds him a school, and even lets him stay at her place during school holidays. They eventually meet again at the workplace, although the drama hasn’t revealed why they were separated.

Hopefully, the story will stay good all the way to the final episode.

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dancing and romance with some serious parts

Overall: there are aspects I really enjoyed about the series such as the ex and how it was handled, but there was a very jarring part at the end of episode 7. Based on a book with the same title which I haven't read and I am reviewing this series based on it's own merits. 10 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on Let Me Into Your Heart YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAtoaKETK9k

Content Warnings: vomiting (episode 4 part 3), murder, blood and grief (episode 7 part 4)

Watch Suggestions (to focus on the main m/m couple and side m/m couple sweet moments)
- watch episode 1 all parts for the set up
- watch 2/3 beginning-7:45
- watch 3/1 if you enjoy watching dance
- watch 3/2 beginning-7:30
- watch 3/3 3:20-5:10 and 8-end
- for episode 4 stop part 4 at 9:30
- watch 5/2 and 5/3
- watch 6/1 9:50-end
- watch 6/4 beginning-3:15
- watch 7/2 10:45-end (is emotional but explains some things)
- watch 8/3 5:30-end
- watch 9/4 3:20-8
- watch all of episode 10

What I Liked
- the costume/dance aspect
- clear premise
- non cliche ex, and another non cliche love rival
- Jack was mature about things in episode 7

Room For Improvement
- did not always feel the chemistry between the two
- the side m/m couple dynamic switched very fast and then they disappeared for several episodes
- Ja could have communicated more clearly with Jack
- what on earth was episode 7 part 4, it did not seem to fit with the rest of the story and came out of nowhere, I took .5 off my rating for this
- very cringe to have a tribute concert to someone who has died and then say what Jack said
- nonsense, some people would support them from the announcement
- not sure who that woman was in episode 10 but fairly sure she didn't deserve such fast forgiveness
- unsure of what the ending left us with, he could definitely still perform if he wanted, it didn't need to be the end of his career
(note: I watched episodes 9 and 10 with auto translated English subtitles)

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Only aesthetics

Dear X — a drama obsessed with looking meaningful instead of being meaningful

Dear X has incredible set design, moody lighting, and a premise that could’ve been brutal and smart. Then it becomes a show where characters do things simply because the writer wanted an aesthetic moment.

The story falls apart the moment Baek Ah-jin becomes famous. Her sudden “I want this guy to fall for me” arc isn’t mysterious or twisted, it’s random. There’s no reason behind it, no consequences, no emotional payoff. It doesn’t reveal anything new about her. It’s a time-killer disguised as a plot.

The step-sibling obsession to THAT extent is the same problem. it’s just thrown in, and the show hopes you’ll accept it because the idea of it is dramatic. He was a blind dog on a leash, way too dramatic

Older Ah-jin’s emotional life never lands. The actress delivers anger and pain like she’s checking off expressions, but you never see those feelings change what she does. That’s why her rage feels empty: it doesn’t drive the story forward, it just appears and disappears between pretty shots.

The only relationship with real logic is the protector character. His backstory gives his loyalty weight. He clings to her because he knows what being abandoned is. He’s the lone emotional anchor in a show full of cardboard performances.

The pacing isn’t slow, it’s directionless. Scenes repeat ideas they never develop. Whole episodes exist for mood, dramatic hallways, long stares, expensive wardrobe, but nothing underneath evolves.

Dear X thinks darkness is enough. It isn’t. Darkness needs intention. Otherwise it’s just wallpaper.

The ending tries to go for tragic, but it never earns tragedy. Shock without setup is confusion. The finale doesn’t answer questions, it exposes the fact that the show never knew what it wanted to say in the first place.

In the end, Dear X is a beautiful optical illusion:
aesthetics pretending to be depth.

You keep waiting for the story to reveal something real about trauma, ambition, survival, or cruelty but the reveal never comes, because the writers never built anything beneath the surface.

It’s not a bad idea. It’s a wasted one!!!!!

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Unique Action Story

Impressive storyline, I must say! This is probably the first show I've ever watch that has no-nonsense plot, no fillers just story. The theme, although seems cliche, is actually new and fresh. The cast is packed with star talents. They can't go wrong on the potrayals; they all fit their own characters. There are a lot of characters, and they're introduced thoroughly one by one. The introduction style with back and forth timeline is really smooth, and every past story matters and impactful to the present story. Hence even with 20 episodes, I still feel it's not enough as more explorations still needed here and there.

As an action show you'll expect this to be fast-paced. However the pace is extremely slow, and nearly painful and confusing at the beginning (maybe that's why Disney dropped 5 first episodes altogether). I believe several people lost faith and drop this show after 5 episodes.

Even though it has an impressive storyline, doesn't mean it's flawless. There are a lot of plot armors in this show. People with superpowers are prone to death when being thrown from height, except if their ability is immortal. However, Kim Bong Seok and Lee Jae Man survive this situation multiple times. Kim Du Sik somehow survives every bullets from the first North Korean infiltration only by flying, even though the North Koreans surround him and they have AK-47 in their hands. During Jang Ju Won's Russia operation, it is weird that it takes so long for the force to shoot Ju Won after being dropped from the sky.

There are a lot of unhinged ending on this show, especially why Bong Seok decides to disappear from the school after the incident. Also the reason Frank stops doing his mission also needs explanation, so second season is a must.

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Another rapist storyline

im enjoying it so far alot, but what is with chinese dramas and their obsession with rapist storylines?? Normally watching BL Id want to root for the main couple, but in this case im just hoping it all gets exposed and would prefer a tragic ending than a rapist getting their happily ever after….

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A dark and intriguing story that never quite finds full closure

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 starts strong — the tone, atmosphere, and setup pull you in quickly with promises of revenge, tension, and emotional depth. It has the look and feel of a layered psychological drama, but somewhere along the way, it loses focus and never truly delivers the emotional payoff it builds toward.

The biggest issue lies in how unresolved it all feels. Even though the story is technically complete, it leaves a lingering sense of incompleteness. The relationships and subplots don’t tie together cleanly, and the revenge that drives the narrative doesn’t feel fully earned or satisfying. It’s as if the pieces are there but never fit together in the way they should.

Character development also falls short. The emotional buildup doesn’t quite land, and many of the interactions feel stiff or underwritten. The characters often seem like they’re going through the motions rather than truly evolving from their experiences. There are moments where you can sense the potential for something powerful — but those moments fade before they can make a real impact.

That said, the cinematography, tone, and ambition are commendable. It’s clear there was an attempt to tell a complex, morally gray story about manipulation, guilt, and consequence. It just never reaches the emotional sharpness or closure that such a premise deserves.

Pros:
✔ Strong atmosphere and intriguing setup
✔ Visually striking and tonally consistent
✔ Thought-provoking concept about manipulation and morality

Cons:
✘ Character development feels flat
✘ Emotional tension doesn’t pay off
✘ Unresolved relationships and unfinished revenge arc

Would I rewatch?
Probably not — it’s an interesting watch once, but the lack of closure and emotional depth makes it hard to revisit.

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A disgusting masterpiece that you only watch once

I went into this k-movie blind because I saw comments saying they wouldn't recommend it to anyone, and that it left them sick or ruined. I, of course, wanted to see for myself.

Now, I advice that you please read the trigger warnings first as this movie does deal with very triggering and traumatic events. It's not as graphic, but it will still leave a lasting effect if you're not in the right head space.

When you start the movie, it's a bit overwhelming. Depending on if you went in blind or not, you're going to be a bit lost. All you'll know is Il-Woo has a twin brother who was found dead and the three alleged perpetrators are in the juvenile detention center Il-Woo got sent to. And then from there, the story starts to gradually unfold, and you realize just how absolutely sick and twisted everything is.

The storyline is honestly really nice. I enjoy it's uniqueness. The acting was especially exceptional, especially Jin Young's role as the autistic brother. It's not easy acting out a role that includes a disability or neurodivergency and getting as accurate as he did. He really deserves his flowers because he was the main show for the whole movie.

The plot twist was... Definitely a plot twist. It had me shocked and honestly sick when they played the flashbacks. But I wish they had built up a bit more on the tension and climax, because it was just suddenly.. Dropped. It didn't feel as shocking as I wanted it to be. But it was still really good.

I wouldn't really recommend this. It was good, yes, and if you're a type of person who likes dark movies and dramas, then by all means. But for a casual watcher, I would not recommend it. Even though it was not as graphic as I thought it'd be, it was still really disturbing and the topics being portrayed and discussed were honestly a bit hard to sit through.

'A Christmas Carol' wasn't as jolly as the name suggests. No, it wasn't jolly at ALL. It was a brother who came to 'avenge' his twin brother by dealing with the culprits while simultaneously still beating himself up and partially blaming himself for the outcome of his twin brother's death.

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A Stellar Cast Held Back by Overambition

There is a lot to like in this drama, and you’ll get your fair share of political intrigue, assassination attempts, and large-scale “we need to save the world” arcs. The cast is absolutely stellar, and the inclusion of top American actors for the foreign segments is a refreshing surprise for a K-drama. The result is consistently strong performances across the board.

Despite that, it often feels like the show is trying to do too much at once. A tighter, more grounded storyline might have served it better. The characters were already compelling, even if a bit surface level, and raising the stakes so high ends up diluting some of the emotional impact. The action scenes are solid, and there’s even a touch of romance, but the constant push toward major events leaves no room to explore those personal dynamics.

The narrative also doesn’t stay centered on the two main leads. With so many characters playing crucial roles, the drama spreads itself thin in an attempt to depict every angle of the situation. This choice adds scope but takes away from developing the heart of the story.

Still, the show delivers some genuinely strong moments, and even if it didn’t go in the direction I hoped for, it’s undeniably high quality. And of course, it’s a pleasure to see Jun Ji Hyun doing what she does best, commanding the screen with ease.

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KAO AND JANE CARRIED THIS WHOLE THING

This review is centered on the two lead actresses, Kao and Jane, because honestly, they deserve every bit of praise they’re getting.
Before I go into that, I need to acknowledge the production team. The cinematography, the color grading, the soundtrack, the way each scene is framed, everything comes together so cleanly that the show instantly feels comforting. The sound design is subtle in all the right places, and even the transitions have this softness that fits the tone perfectly. You can tell the crew cared about creating a warm, real world, and they absolutely deserve their flowers for that.
But even with all of that, I can still confidently say that Kao and Jane carried this entire show. Not because the other elements weren’t strong, but because these two elevated everything far beyond what the script alone offered.

There’s something special about Love Design that I didn’t expect. I’m usually an angst lover, the type who looks for emotional damage in every story I consume lmao. So imagine my shock when Love Design, a series with minimal angst, ended up being one of my favorites.
What makes it stand out for me is how it portrays love with this quiet tenderness. It’s not dramatic or chaotic; it’s gentle. It shows how falling in love isn’t always a rush, and sometimes it grows from the small, ordinary moments. Talking, working, sharing mundane parts of your day, and realizing those simple things are enough to pull you in. The show captures that reality beautifully. Love doesn’t have to be loud to be real, especially when you’re balancing adulthood, responsibilities, your past shit, and everything else life throws at you. And this message only lands because Kao and Jane bring it to life. Their chemistry is unreal. They turn a simple “slowly falling in love” storyline into something layered and surprisingly emotional. They carry scenes with micro-expressions alone. I swear, the glances, the pauses, the slight changes in breath, the softness in their voices, you can feel everything in the way they look at each other. There were moments where they weren’t even speaking, yet the entire emotional weight of the scene sat right there between their eyes. They make the quiet scenes loud. They make the simple moments feel intense.
There’s a sincerity in the way Love Design tells its story that’s hard to find and there’s no version of this show that would work the same without Kao and Jane at the center of it.

This is exactly why, if there’s any GL series I’d recommend to every GL fan, even just once, it would be this one. This is also the GL I’d recommend to someone who’s never watched the genre before. Not because it’s perfect or groundbreaking, but because it captures the heart of what GL can be when it’s made with real care: soft, intentional, and honest in the way it tells a story about love.

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lighthearted and fun

if you were wanting a similar remake of the chinese version, this may not be for you, and i understand. however, if i watch it as a standalone drama and i don't take it too seriously, it's very enjoyable.

i have rewatched it a couple of times because it's an easy watch! the characters are cute and the pacing is actually not bad for something in this genre 🤔 i don't think it is meant to be taken very seriously. there is a softness that this version brings to the characters that i enjoy (kim yohan, i thank you), and is a great watch for anyone wanting to de-stress.

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