Reviews

Familiar tropes meet solid execution and storytelling

The perfect blend of tried-and-tested tropes paired with solid, consistent writing, well-paced storytelling, and commendable technical execution. Shadow Love easily earns its place as one of the strongest romance period dramas of the year.

I honestly don’t even know where to begin because there’s just so much to rave about. Sure, the drama has its fair share of hiccups and lapses (I still can’t wrap my head around how the female lead’s blood ended up being swallowed by the male lead during the first part, plus a few other questionable scenes), but these are more than compensated for by how well the series fares overall.

The premise—two powerful generals from opposing states, a dash of fantasy, an amnesia arc and personality shifts, and well-written secondary characters—isn’t groundbreaking. But what makes it work is the consistency in direction, writing, and pacing.

I’ve seen my fair share of historical fantasies and dramas that use “breather” scenes, probably for the sake of character downtime or viewer relief, but they often add little to the plot and end up making half—or worse, an entire—episode feel like a filler. Shadow Love doesn’t fall into that trap. Every part is decisive, pushing the narrative exactly where it needs to go. No unnecessary arcs, no wasted time.

The character writing remains consistent, even with the inclusion of the amnesia subplot. The male lead’s personality shift—uptight and emotionally closed off before the arc, then suddenly carefree and free-spirited during it—could’ve felt jarring or incongruent. But it’s thoughtfully supported through a conversation between the male lead and his brother Emperor Wencheng. It’s a detail I appreciated, especially since shows often leave viewers to fill in gaps themselves.

I also loved how they wrote Crown Prince Su Mu Yang. He’s a morally gray character, and his internal conflict is decently fleshed out.

The secondary characters weren’t sidelined, either. They had meaningful development that added crucial weight to the plot, which is refreshing, especially since secondary characters are often treated as mere ornaments in the series.

From a technical standpoint, the execution is also really impressive for a series.

The use of camera work to emphasize mood and subject was thoughtful. The shots weren’t overly reliant on set design, and the camera movements added emotional depth to scenes.

The lighting wasn’t spectacular, but it was well-utilized and never overbearing—a highlight for me, especially given the awkward lighting choices I’ve noticed in recent historical dramas.

The musical cues were spectacular. The OST is strong, and the timing of each track was precise, elevating the storytelling in key moments.

This good execution was especially evident during Xuan Yi Ke’s transformation scenes. The CGI, music scoring, and acting came together beautifully and it ended up as one of the most stunning transformations I’ve seen in a drama.

Acting-wise, I have to spotlight Cheng Lei. Admittedly, there’s a bit of bias here, but beyond my growing admiration for him, I’m genuinely impressed by his performance.

He portrayed three characters in this series: Duan Ao Deng /Prince Annan, Jin An, and Xuan Yi Ke /masked black man. And while the shifts were subtle, you could clearly see the nuanced differences in each role.

Coming from Legend of the Female General, I can also say he has a knack for building strong and good chemistry with his leading lady.

I was also pleasantly surprised by Bi Wen Jun’s portrayal of Crown Prince Su Mu Yang, a dual-role character. I’ve always seen Bi Wen Jun as the standard male lead, but his take on the anti-hero was unexpected and shows he’s a flexible actor.

As for the ending—it’s a no-brainer, kind of predictable, but this is not a miss. There is a difference that lies in the writing. The writer knew exactly where to take the audience, so the execution wasn’t messy as it flowed well and wrapped up cleanly.

Overall, while the premise leans on familiar tropes, what makes Shadow Love stand out is that the writer never underestimated its audience. They took those well-worn formulas and elevated them with strong technical execution, resulting in a series that truly shines among its contemporaries this year.

Read More

-Deeper the Forest, Closer the Deer (2025) is a romance miniseries with Xing Yiling (as Lu Yao) and Biscuit La La (as Lin Xi Tong) in the leading couple’s role. This drama could’ve been better if the cast was better selected. I have not seen the male lead on MDL nor in chinesemov.com so it is possible that he is a new actor. Both leading actors are too stiff and the romantic scenes are not the best; there’s no romantic romantic chemistry and the subtitles are not the best.
In the meantime, this drama can be found on YouTube under the caption: “The scum had his bro sleep with his blind wife in his place,even kissed mistress in front of her” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM1albjbVME)

Read More

Review: Tastefully Yours (2025) — Disappointment Served on a Silver Platter

I really wanted to love this show. The beginning promised so much: a brilliant female chef (Mo Yeon-joo) with passion, skill, and even that CIA-certificate. The romance was believable, the tension over quality vs. business was interesting. It hooked me.

But somewhere late-midway, this drama lost its head. And the ending? It felt like giving a lukewarm apology when a straight up confession and consequence were due.

Here’s where Tastefully Yours failed—big time:

1. Lack of Accountability
Han Beom-woo (the male lead) had plenty of chances to own up. He didn’t just watch things happen: his company’s chefs stole Yeon-joo’s recipes (his mother, Young-hye, and assistant Yoo-jin). Motto got three stars by using her work. And what does he do? It’s vague excuses, soft apologies. He never publicly admits what they’d done, never faces the blowback fully. That weakens the integrity of his “redemption.”


2. The Mother’s Role Whitewashed
The mother is billed as someone who built the company so her kids could eat, so blah blah. Even if that were true (and the show sort of hints it), it doesn’t erase how many people she hurt. She cultivated an environment where cheating, recipe-theft, corporate scheming were allowed. That needed to be exposed, not glossed over. Yet the ending tucks her “change” into a few nice scenes, as if that undoes years of wrongdoing.


3. Yeon-joo’s Hurt Ignored or Minimized
Every betrayal was serious: her recipes stolen, her restaurant burned, her trust smashed. But the story treats her anger as something to move past, rather than something that demands respect and resolution. The hurt doesn’t get its due. Her being the moral center doesn’t excuse how lightly the show treats what she endured.


4. The False “Happy Ending” Illusion
The finale tries to wrap things with a “we’re still family” vibe, forgiveness, reconciliation. But not everyone is okay. The series needed to show real consequences: public shame, industry fallout, personal restitution. Instead, we got vague statements (“the chef quits” etc.). That is not enough. For a story so built on stolen work, this should’ve been a reckoning.


5. Missed Opportunities & Weak Plot Resolutions

The ex-boyfriend storyline (Jeon Min) pops up, teases things, then fades. Could’ve added more weight to Yeon-joo’s past.

The company (Hansang/Motto) should’ve been affected in reputation. The narrative suggests hush hush, but we never got a clear exposure.

Redemption arcs are fine, but they need to be earned. Beom-woo’s growth felt rushed and under-shown.

---

What worked: The food scenes are beautiful. Yeon-joo is a strong protagonist, the acting is good. I wanted to root for them. The core theme—creativity vs corporate greed—is solid.

What didn’t: The ending weakens the story. The lack of public accountability. The minimal recognition of the female lead’s pain. The scripting choices that prioritize romantic reunion over fairness.

---
If you ask me, this could have been one of the best food + ethics + romance dramas. But instead, it settled for “feel-good enough.” And for all the buildup, that feels like a waste.

Read More

Beware of the Truth

If you liked Oldboy, you will also love this movie. It’s not an action film, but it has the same level of disturbing psychological drama that makes it suspenseful and engaging. My warning is that this movie is not for the faint-hearted.

Also, this movie is weird. It has some unusual directorial choices, but as the story progressed I started to appreciate them because they make the film unique: the subtle scene transitions, the timeline shifting back and forth, actors holding straight faces without responding naturally to situations, slight image freezes on important details, and the light outfits of the main character — the mother, Yeon-hong, who behaves like a frantic woman in search of answers. All in all, this is a unique movie that thriller fans will find worth watching. A lot of effort went into making the mystery as deep and complicated as possible, and it was done in an original and satisfying way. It certainly isn’t easy to know or handle the truth.

The whole movie was captivating, but the final scene gave me goosebumps — something I haven’t experienced in a long time.

Read More

YOU NEED TO WATCH IT, TRUST ME

This is my first review, I've never done a review because I'm kinda shy😅 but this series is so good that I must do a recommendation. THIS IS A MASTERPIECE and I'm not exaggerating, this could rival any Hollywood production. The story is original and I love the fact that they show the "bad" part of Thailand like corruption. The acting is so freaking good, way better than kinnporsche. The songs are masterpieces (y'all should listen to "the far side of the moon" and "hold my hand"). This will make you feel real emotions, I was so invested the entire series. The budget is budgetting and the historical accuracy is on point. This is the best bl I've ever seen in my life.

Read More

Disappointed with Only You

I’ve just finished Episode 10 of Only You, and while I continue watching to support Lingorm, I feel it’s important to offer some honest feedback, both for Lingorm’s growth and to help the team improve.

Unfortunately, I found the storyline, production quality, editing, music, and acting to be lacking. The plot feels disconnected and illogical most of the times, and the overall production feels more like a low-budget, high school project rather than a professional drama. The costumes, are lousy and cheap, and the constant repetition of the same song (Moonlight) gives audience cringy feel.

The frequent, forced placement of sponsor products felt out of place and only further distracted from the narrative.
As a fan of Lingorm, I truly believe they have the potential for international stardom. But unfortunately, I fear that this drama could harm their prospects if it doesn’t improve in key areas. While I appreciate their beautiful presence on screen, there’s not much else about this series that stands out or does justice to them.

Read More

Spiciest BL ive seen

If you want to watch sonething for the spice sake then this is for you. They show almost everything and NC scenes are long and steamy. I like the main couple, but the other 2 couples are completely unnecessary and boring, they dont have much screen time anyway so not sure why they even included them (especially 3rd couple, so boring and brings nothing to the story). I skipped every scene with other couples.
Other than that, theres no real plot, plot are the characters themselves but its not that interesting. Honestly it was an alright watch because ive never seen a BL so explicit and actors did insane job in those scenes, they had a good couch.
Would i rewatch it? Not really. (Only spicy scenes on repeat 🤣)

Read More

Soft lil thang

A decent little fluffy watch.

Acting:

Keen was so lovable as Moo, what a love. Also, he’s not a bad crier, I think he did pretty well with the whole show. Sea on the other hand… He played a good tsundere, but other than that it was a bit rough. Love to see my girl Milk. The supporting cast did alright in their roles, nothing really noteworthy there. Also, a Book smile a day keeps the pain at bay. And a Force cameo is always a welcome sight.

Writing:

It was a pretty darn good story. I think they did a good job with the whole thing. Not a very intense drama by any means. But it was an interesting story and they executed it well. The big conflict was timed well and they did a good job at dragging it out as well.

Chemistry/Romance/Kissing:

It’s hard to gauge whether they had good chemistry or if Keen was just able to captivate me with his loving glances. I just didn’t get enough complex emotions from Sea. This story works as a romance, for sure. The kissing was not it, though. Sea was kissing like a teenager playing spin the bottle for the first time or something lmao. Very clumsy, but I guess it fits a character who has never dated before?

Music/SFX:

Catchy tunes all around here. Solid work with the music. SFX were alright. The cat meow SFX was… a choice.

This was a sweet little watch. I enjoyed it.

Now, for some highlights from my notes:

- I mean, you should for sure at least have a high school diploma
- MIIILLLKK<3
- Let baby do art
- BOOOOOOOOOOOK AAHHHHH EEEEEEE
- Kang being a bitch
- Cool boy superstar idol Louis ayyee
- Poor Tae
- Why is bro sleeping on the couch lmao give your dude a cuddle or two
- *But I see her in the back of my mind all the time. Like a fever, like I’m burning alive, like a sign. Did I cross the line?*
- If you can’t separate a celebrity's professional life from their personal life, you need some serious therapy and/or you’re a literal teenager who should have their access to social media limited
- Shone lost 5000 points with that attempt to take his beloved little cousin’s ex like that
- Don’t worry, there’s something out there. Some… Force or something that will push you in the right direction to love
- Gg to all
- THERE’S MY BOY BEHIND THAT CAMERA

Read More

An Exhilirating Ride

Zhang Chulan is a university student whose life turned upside down when he discovered he is an Outsider, a person with supernatural ability, coveted by many who believed he inherited a supreme skill from his grandfather, the one who wielded one of eight supreme skills of the outsider world - Qi Apotheosis. He was whisked away by NDT Express, an Outsider entity that is like the police force controlling the Outsiders posing as a courier service company. Zhang Chulan’s grandfather, Zhang Huaiyi, died from unknown cause back when he was 10yo, and he had always wanted to know what happened. To do this, the NDT told him to join the Outsider Championship organized by a monastery on Mount Fulong, where the victor will inherit Tianshidu which will reveal the answer to all his questions. With the ever so relentless Feng Baobao, he embarked on a journey to find himself and help Feng Baobao regain her memories back.

This is one of rare dramas that i saw so entertainingly comedic and yet gripping at the same time. Because it’s like a wuxia in modern setting, it is really fresh to see ancient-like characters with modern demeanor. It is really funny to see elders in monk robes donning handphones and even hilariously took photos during their supernatural battles. The first few episodes were rather boring that i even put it on hiatus after ep 6, but it picked up the pace when i decided to continue a few months later. Oh god what show i couldve missed if i really dropped this one. Watching I am Nobody reminds me a lot of A Dream Within a Dream. You laugh like heck at one scene and the next right after they’d make you cry with a sad scene. It would come totally unexpected and you just laugh and cry like it’s on command.

I have never seen the actor playing Zhang Chulan, but he is so exceptional in his embodiment of the character, a person who acts cowardly and never put up any fight against anyone, but deep down wields a supernatural power that could knock down those bullies in a blink of an eye. Because his grandfather had told him to hide his powers, he decided to become a coward, one who would run when he can and beg for mercy when he couldnt escape a fight. But just because he would not fight, it doesnt mean he could not fight, even without using his supernatural powers. His cowardice, shamelessness and underhanded tactics could make the audience suffer from secondhand shame. It is his antics that made up most of the hilarious moments onscreen, other than ever so oblivious and straightforward emotionless Feng Baobao. This is also the first show i saw the actress in, and boy she nailed it perfectly well. In fact, all the casts did a tremendously great job at their roles, even the smallest part. The dynamic duo, Feng Baobao as the muscle and Zhang Chulan as the brain, is explosive.

The CGI looked lame in the first few episodes, too overpowered in some, which also contributed to my lack of interest to continue back then. But when i picked it up again, i realize it was not really bad. I mean, it kinda grew into you. Some of the CGI is really eyecatching like the boulder monster conjured by Wang Ye and the spirits by Feng Xingtong during the outsider championship.

To be honest, I never really watch modern cdrama nowadays, I used to during covid lockdown but lost interest as i found modern kdrama more appealing, but somehow i picked up this one on a whim cuz i am a nerd of shows on superpowers, and this one turned out to be exceptional as it progresses. Can’t wait to start on season 2. It’s just a click away but i decided to write down the review now before starting on next season lest i forget the storyline.

Read More

Epic yandere romance disguised as heartbreaking tale of dysfunctional love.

This story brings yandere love down to a street-level, where it doesn't feel like the mythical obsessive character of anime, but rather like someone you might brush with in real life. It tones it down and explains it, without attempting to justify it. This is - at least to my mind - a heartbreaking tale of 3 people who are all to one degree or another yandere. It all seems so innocuous at first, but by the time the movie is over, you can see the outline of an epic, twisted tale lying beneath it that was never really shown, and yet there it is.

I say 'a heartbreaking tale' because I have a fairly healthy psyche, and it just pains me to see victims of child abuse grow up into such confused people with so much pain, trying to cope with no one to rely on. It's not that the story itself is heartbreaking, just that the characters are.

There is a lot more going on psychologically than what the movie shows you, and you have to infer or extrapolate it. For instance someone is talking to cops, and they are describing a violent act that occurred. But the movie never shows it. In this sense, there are deeper inferences in this story than just what you get on the surface, and some pieces you have to put together yourself. Other things are shown in greater detail, such as piercings, fights, or certain intimate scenes. But though there are several intimate moments between the characters throughout the story, you aren't shown all of them like a smut film. You are only shown certain moments, so it's not as gratuitous as it seems at first. The explicit nature of some intimate scenes are done in a way to portray sensuality and pain being two sides of the same coin.

As an S&M romance this isn't my cup of tea. But as an occasional student of abnormal psych, I can at least understand it. However, aside from being a romance, this is also a sort of mystery plot (I suppose you could say?), and that part was fun to me. The story needed a great deal of depth coming from the characters for it to work, and these actors did a really great job. With lesser actors this probably would have been unwatchable.

And then there's the ending. For some people who are really really in love with truly yandere ML, this might be seen as an HE. Other people are only going to see the OE that it shows you on the surface. Or think that the HE is just way too sinister and mentally back away from actually calling it an HE or seeing it as one. I personally didn't like the ending because I view the idea of penning some poetic/mysterious/vague lines and slapping an OE on a story a copout. I really do. I know it's a distinctly 'Japanese' thing to do and is not that uncommon an ending in a Japanese tale, but I'm sorry I don't like it. I find it very low-effort and too simplistic. But that is what they did here, and I was mildly displeased with it.

This IS worth a one-time watch at minimum, so I gave it a 7.5 because it's decent. The direction and production were spot on, the styling was great, the actors were excellent.

The basic story is awesome af, but I don't like the way that story was fleshed out by the original novel author. The novel did win awards and receive critical acclaim, but it was written by a very very young adult and to me that shows. I think the story would have been a stronger one if it had had a stronger author with more experience and weight. But the fact remains that the plot itself - which is truly artistically awesome af - was penned by that very same author so it's a take it or leave it situation. I think this story would absolutely SLAY with a good solid rewrite.

Read More

Alice in Borderland Review

Alice in Borderland is a Japanese sci-fi thriller drama adapted from Haro Aso’s manga of the same name. The live-action Netflix series first released in 2020 and quickly gained global recognition for its intense survival-game concept, gripping storytelling, and psychological depth. With its blend of action, suspense, and emotion, it stands out as one of the most memorable additions to the survival game genre.

The story begins with Arisu (Kento Yamazaki), a disillusioned young man who spends his days buried in video games and feels alienated from society. Alongside his friends Karube and Chota, Arisu suddenly finds himself in a deserted version of Tokyo after a mysterious event. The city, once bustling with people, is now eerily empty. Soon, they discover that they must participate in deadly games to survive, with each game testing not only physical ability but also mental sharpness, emotional strength, and trust in others. Failure to win means instant death, while victory grants them “visas” that extend their stay in this bizarre new world.

One of the strongest aspects of Alice in Borderland is the clever design of its games. Each game is tied to a playing card suit—hearts test emotions, spades demand strength, clubs require teamwork, and diamonds challenge intelligence. This system adds variety and depth, ensuring no two episodes feel alike. The heart-based games, in particular, are devastating, pushing players into impossible moral dilemmas that leave a lasting emotional impact.

Kento Yamazaki delivers a compelling performance as Arisu, portraying him as vulnerable yet resilient. His transformation from an aimless gamer into a leader who learns to value life and relationships is one of the central arcs of the series. Tao Tsuchiya as Usagi, a skilled and determined climber, complements Arisu perfectly. Their chemistry is subtle yet touching, offering a human anchor amidst the chaos. Supporting characters like Karube, Chota, and later figures such as Kuina and Chishiya, enrich the narrative with their own backstories and motivations, showing that every participant carries emotional baggage into the games.

Visually, the show is stunning. The abandoned Tokyo setting is both haunting and beautiful, giving the series a post-apocalyptic atmosphere without relying on clichés. The cinematography during the games heightens tension, often leaving viewers at the edge of their seats. Combined with sharp pacing and well-executed cliffhangers, the series becomes incredibly binge-worthy.

What truly makes Alice in Borderland more than just a survival thriller is its philosophical undertone. Beneath the violence and mind games lies a meditation on the value of life, the fragility of human relationships, and the desperate desire to find meaning in a world stripped of normality. Questions about morality, sacrifice, and survival are raised in ways that stay with the audience long after the credits roll.

While the show does indulge in some familiar survival-game tropes and occasionally leans on melodrama, its strong character work and inventive storytelling keep it fresh and engaging.

In conclusion, Alice in Borderland is a thrilling, emotional, and thought-provoking series that goes beyond its genre expectations. With its clever games, powerful performances, and deep themes, it isn’t just entertainment—it’s a haunting exploration of what it means to live.

Read More

Spoiler

The first few episodes were really fun. The ML paying attention to every little expression and the FL constantly switching roles for her lies were genuinely hilarious. I thought the whole drama would keep this light and logical tone. But then, I had to watch Si Da’s ridiculous career arc. Until the very last episode, he was madly in love with Rounan, and honestly, it was the worst portrayal of unrequited love I’ve ever seen. I was as happy about the girl who loved Si Da finally giving up on him as I’ve ever been about anything in this drama.

This show gave me 43 episodes of how the entertainment industry works, and barely any meaningful romance. Would rather give me a heartfelt love story than endless shots of Si Da’s career. The main plot of the ML constantly remembering his ex and breaking up with the FL happened at least 300 times. The drama only started to become somewhat tolerable after episode 23—not good, but at least not unwatchable.

The second couple was actually very sweet, and probably the only thing I truly enjoyed here. By the finale, I literally fell asleep while watching. Maybe I fainted, I don’t know. I only watched this drama because of a bet with my cousin, who promised to make me watch a “bad drama” if I lost. To be fair, it wasn’t the absolute worst pick, but still—overall, it was terrible, with very few good scenes.

Don’t watch this, and definitely don’t make others watch it.

Read More

RESONANT JOURNEY OF LOVE AND LOSS

I found myself attached to the characters from the very start. Ae Sun's journey is written beautifully. She feels real, flawed, and achingly true to life. Geum Myeong, her daughter was another I loved. She reminded me of Ae Sun, ambitious, full of hope, yet weighed down by choices and circumstances.

What makes this drama so special is honesty. It doesn't romanticized life, it shows the pain, the losses, and the regrets, but also the beauty of love that lasts even through hardship. This drama reminded me that even if life isn't perfect, it can still be meaningful and full of love. I liked the reincarnation hint and the ending was satisfying.

Kudos to the production team and the casts. The direction was tender yet moving, letting silence speak as much words. And the writing was honest and heartbreaking, and made this story linger with me for a long time.

Plot 9.5/10
Acting and Characters 10/10
Cinematography 10/10
Writing 10/10
Pacing 8.5/10
OST/Score 9/10

Overall 9.5/10

Read More

She really rise like a Phoenix

I love this drama because the FL is not only very beautiful but intelligent and resourceful and talented. The ML Prince is so handsome. How I love to kiss his lips.
The twists and turns of the story are very nice. I love that the two sisters have reconciled and stopped treating each other as enemies. The politics and competitions in the palace were cruel and intense. Glad that the FL was able to go through them with prudence and brilliant plans. She is a very shrewd tactician.
Glad that the ML loved the FL from the very beginning.
The Queen Mother is also loving and protective of the FL.
I love to hear at the end that the Prince stated: "It doesn't matter anymore whether you are my savior or not. I love you."
Their acting are simple but effective.

Read More