Reviews

Ji Chang wook cooked!!

I don’t watch K-dramas the way I used to. If I calculate properly, I’ve watched more than 130+ K-dramas so far—romance, action, thriller, all kinds of genres. But nowadays I can’t digest rom-com K-dramas anymore. No matter how hyped they are, I always end up watching them at 3x speed.
Since I’m already quite familiar with the K-drama industry, I still watch thrillers and action dramas. You could say the addiction is still alive!!

Now let’s talk a bit about The Manipulated.
I watched it while it was ongoing, so my review is based on how much I enjoyed each week’s episodes.

In the first week, four episodes were released—and those first four are the best of the entire series. Ji Chang-wook’s performance was outstanding. The prison scenes were incredible; every character inside the prison was fun to watch. And I can’t skip mentioning one person—Yang Dong-geun (Player 007 from Squid Game). He was absolutely amazing.

Episode 5 is a bit weak, but the next episode has some of the best action scenes of the drama—probably the best action sequence in the entire show. Episodes 7–8 take their time to build up the story.

Episodes 9 and 10 are the best of the second half, packed with great action.
Episode 11 is the weakest episode of the series, but the finale was pretty good. The climax could’ve been a bit better, though—it would’ve hit harder.

As for acting—like I said, Ji Chang-wook literally cooked. And Yang Dong-geun was fantastic too. If the main villain had been stronger, it would’ve been even better.

For action lovers, this is a must-watch!!
The cinematography is beautiful, and the camera work during the action scenes is really impressive. If you haven’t watched it yet, go for it.

You’ll enjoy it more if you binge all the episodes at once.
Definitely one of the best K-dramas of the year!

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Jazz of the City

This documentary has the quality of a feature film, with many artistic details added to enrich the viewing experience. The movie tells the story of the city of Gunsan, a port city located on the western coast of South Korea. We hear a little bit about its history, but only as much as needed to serve as background for life there today. The main part of the film consists of short interviews with people about their experience living in this city. There is also a bit of music, well integrated into the film.

Everything contributes to the movie except, in my opinion, the foreign body artist who wants to touch and spiritually connect with the city through her movements. She appeared to me as a foreign presence, but now when I think about it, she actually represents the influence of foreign culture on Gunsan. And like her, I would now like to visit and explore the city myself, hoping to find a hidden/forgotten pearl somewhere.

At the end, the movie lacks a bit of clear messaging. It feels like we are missing a conclusion about the city’s future. I still don’t know: is Gunsan reviving, or is it sinking deeper into slumber?

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A Dark and Thrilling Ride!

Dear X had me hooked from the start — the acting, the tension, and the way the story unfolded were all top-notch. Baek Ah-jin is one of the most fascinatingly twisted leads I’ve seen in a K-drama, and Kim Yoo Jung absolutely nailed it, and the rest of the cast really brought their characters to life. The drama felt intense, with the music and visuals adding so much to the atmosphere.

The only letdown for me was the ending. After such a strong buildup, the finale felt rushed and didn’t hit as hard as I hoped. It wasn’t bad, just not on the same level as the rest of the show.

Even so, I'd give it a 9.5 because the journey was amazing, and I’d still recommend it to anyone who loves dark, morally complex characters and gripping storytelling. Definitely one of the standout dramas of 2025.

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an insanely good show on an evil villain

what an insane show

(i don't condone or idolize ajin's actions, it was interesting and exciting to watch an unpredictable plot)

we get plenty of shows about sociopaths and all but this one so different and good.
we get baek ajin, a girl from an abused family who gets stuck with other abusers and bullies but she overcomes everything by manipulating people from a young age. a sociopath who uses people left and right. she was morally grey (imo) until the cafe owner part. after that she was the devil who was on a mission to get on the top.

i liked the excitement of finding out how she was going to move and get to the top. her plan to bring down her school bully, her plan to kill her father, her plan to reach the top as an actress, her plan to escape her psycho husband (this was a very interesting part, seeing how the psychopath and sociopath will one up each other). there were so many unpredictable moments. my jaw dropped when we learnt the truth abt ingang's grandmother.

baek ajin was a complex character with so much layers to her. some things which make u want to be on her side and other things which want u wish on her downfall.

i loved the dynamic of her and each of the men she used. my fave would be kim jaeoh. and of them were also fairly complex characters, each of them with their own weakness which she perfectly uses. joonseo might the most interesting one, his dependency on her and desire to be with ajin but ultimately he wants the ajin he created in head and not the reality in front of him

kim yoojung deserves all awards for this. give her all the oscars and emmys, her acting was insane. especially her eyes, so much emotions were conveyed through her eyes and we learnt so much abt ajin without saying anything out loud.

the outfits, the sets, everything about this was perfect. even the soundtrack and osts.

there were some inconsistences to me, like the deep relationship the manager had with ingang, his suicide, seunghui and her last actions etc but im willing to overlook them.
i felt like they tired to downplay her mother's abuse of her sometimes along with making the school bully and joonseo's mom look like the victim, which might the only thing i don't like. ajin is evil on her own, don't make me sympathize with her by victimizing her abusers.

the ending was very good. i don't know how i wanted it to end but i was shocked by the ending. even the last shots were amazing. there could have been a better ending. i don't think we need a s2, keep it as it is.

overall, one of the best dramas of the year, it gave us everything from acting to story and sets. amazing

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Happy for the sequel, but there’s nothing really special about it

I miss them. The prequel was lighter and tender compared to this sequel. It is more focused on the deeper connection between the couple’s individuality and their love for their craft. They went outside the box of delivering a trope of two celebrities getting caught dating by the public. This is commendable; however, the scenarios were too slow, which created a gap between the couple.

What happened to my dear Shirasaki? I have adored him from the first season, but he suddenly felt too focused on himself. I understand that it is one of his flaws when he is being driven by his role. I feel pity for Hayama too. Living under one roof but being separated by their own rules was painful. The couple just needs to communicate and comprehend each other more often. The most disappointing part is that we have fewer romantic scenes in their dating era compared to their flirting era.

The additional character in the story was unexpectedly weak. I love his backstory of losing his roles to Shirasaki, but I know they can create a way better spice-up challenge for the couple. Despite the disappointments, I still enjoyed this show on an average level. The confirmation of the side couple having their own sequel was the cherry on top. The OSTs and the arrangement of the opening were the best too.

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QUICK TAKE ON LOTTL

When I think about Love on the Turquoise Land, the first thing that hits me is how layered the storyline feels. It builds this eerie atmosphere where myth and reality slowly bleed into each other. At times, the pacing drags a little, but honestly that slow burn is what makes the reveals land harder.
The acting really carries it. Dilraba as Nie Jiu Luo nails that balance of vulnerability and strength — you can feel her fear but also her stubborn courage. Chen Xingxu as Yan Tuo has this obsessive energy that makes you both root for him and worry about him. Their chemistry is what keeps the emotional core alive, even when the plot gets heavy.

Casting overall feels spot‑on. The leads fit their roles perfectly, and the supporting cast adds texture. The directing was wise in adapting to the novel. The team leaned hard into shadows and Moody atmosphere. You get the sense that every frame is meant to feel haunted, like the past is always pressing in. As a whole, the drama works because it blends myth, romance, and betrayal into something that feels both ancient and modern. It’s not perfect but the performances and the atmosphere make it memorable.

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Cliche story line and bad writing

Just a random watch for me and not a big reviewer, as this is my own opinion as well, so ignore my review if you want. This review is mainly for those who don't want to waste too much time, as I did.

This seems like a decent story from the description, as well as how realistic it is based on some comment, and the cast looks decent as well. But damn, I was wrong, the story is mid at best, so many cringe moments, it's still watchable, but the worst is the way ML and FL lead their own story makes them look like no-brainers, if that makes sense. I normally don't skip or speed through a TV show, but this one made the list of bad ones that make me do that. The writing is just bad tbh, common sense definitely does not belong here. I get that the writer wants to create many situations so there's something happening in the drama that keeps the viewer watching, but it backfired for me; it pretty much gave me a meh feeling overall.

There are too many things to complain about, and I really don't want to put much effort into thinking about how terrible this drama drama is anymore, so I'd give it an overall rating of 3/10 for those interested. Watch the show or not is up to you, have fun!!!

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BEST THRILLER, ACTION DRAMA OF 2025

The Manipulated delivers a high-stakes revenge thriller where justice and manipulation blur into one. The story centers on Park Tae‑joong (played by Ji Chang‑wook), an ordinary man whose life is shattered after being wrongfully imprisoned. Once he discovers the truth behind his downfall, Tae-joong becomes a force of ruthless determination, consumed by a desire to reclaim what was stolen from him and expose those responsible. Opposing him is An Yo‑han (played by Doh Kyung‑soo) — the chilling mastermind who “sculpts” crimes to serve the wealthy, fabricates evidence and orchestrates lives from behind the scenes. Yo-han’s cold logic and manipulative control bring a psychological edge to the thriller, making him a formidable villain. Adding further complexity is Baek Do‑kyung (played by Lee Kwang‑soo), a powerful VIP client tangled in Yo-han’s web of deceit. On the surface, he appears composed and confident — but just beneath lies a sinister unpredictability that makes every scene with him tense and unsettling. The interplay between Tae-joong’s desperate quest for justice, Yo-han’s cold-hearted orchestration, and Do-kyung’s dangerous ambiguity creates a gripping, morally ambiguous ride. With tight pacing, gritty action scenes, and emotional intensity, The Manipulated stands out as a compelling thriller that keeps you on edge until the final reveal.

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Dear X: Her life was shaped by absence more than presence.

Dear X was Kim Yoo jung’s show, through and through. A character like Ahjin is any actress’s dream, truly a once in a lifetime role. And Kim Yoo jung didnt just deliver, she knocked it out of the park

The story itself was far from a typical romance. This wasnt about two leads meeting, falling in love, breaking up and finding their way back to each other. Instead, it was the life journey of Ahjin, a transformation from victim to perpetrator. The drama explored how she used people for her own survival and discarded them once they no longer served her purpose.

The story was originally adapted from a webtoon and the drama followed the source material closely until In kang’s arc. After that point, it began to diverge significantly. The ending in particular was very different from the webtoon’s conclusion. Before watching the finale, i wasnt sure if i would like the direction the drama chose for its conclusion, especially knowing how different it was from the original source. Surprisingly, the ending worked for me. The drama and the webtoon wrap up the story in completely different ways, yet both feel thematically consistent with what they were trying to say. Most of the characters faced the consequences of their choices, while Moon Dohyuk was the only one spared, which makes me think they intentionally left room for a possible S2.

From childhood, Ahjin grew up without love or emotional support. The way her parents and Jun seo’s mother treated her played a major role in shaping who she became. She learned early on that survival sometimes meant doing things that didnt fit anyone’s moral standards. She spent most of her life emotionally numb and the only time a hint of genuine feeling surfaced was when she met In kang’s grandmother. That brief taste of unconditional parental love began to stir something inside her but the grandmother’s death dragged Ahjin right back into the darkness she came from.

Throughout her life, she used around five different men, each with unique personalities and weaknesses she could manipulate. Jae oh and Jun seo practically worshipped her. The cafe owner was one of the kindest adults she encountered, someone who could have guided her had circumstances been different. In kang was a deeply depressed person who found a reason to hope after meeting her, only for that hope to be shattered. And Dohyuk was a crazy psychopath who could challenge her on her own level. The only ones i truly felt sorry for were the cafe owner and In kang, they didnt deserve what Ahjin did to them.

What didnt work as well for me was Junseo and Jae oh’s blind loyalty. Even with Ahjin’s manipulations, these were grown men who clearly saw her lies and actions, yet chose to brush everything aside. Their backstories didnt fully justify the level of irrational devotion they showed. Still, despite the lack of logic, the dynamic between the three of them was strangely compelling. Their relationship was messy, layered and emotionally tangled, interesting enough that you stay invested even when it doesnt entirely align with realism.

Kim Yoo jung delivered a phenomenal performance as a sociopathic Ahjin. Several scenes gave me goosebumps, like when she killed her father at the end of E3 or when she slashed Sung hee’s face at the end of E10. These moments were pure cinematic brilliance. The rest of the cast also did exceptionally well, especially Hwang In Yeop and Hong Jong Hyun. The director deserves credit for bringing out the best in every actor.

On the production side, everything was top tier. The sets were lavish, the background score elevated every moment and the tension was built masterfully. The direction was so strong that even the average actors looked convincing on screen.

Overall, Dear X is a drama i would recommend to everyone but with a warning, it will stress you out episode after episode. Ahjin is such a complex and unforgettable character that it will probably take years before we see another female lead written this well.

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Fluff, no content

For those who don't wanna read it all: this movie is sht.
I'll keep it simple, because I don't wanna waste more time on it, and spoiler free, so you can still watch it ofc. And I'll say this here, because I must say it again and again. I'll talk about the movie's quality, not the enjoyment factor. Those are NOT the same. You can enjoy bad media, and thats ok (aka "my guilty pleasure"). Just make sure you know it is bad.

Visuals. Meh, or yuck. Like a kid who just discovered the "Contrast" slider, overusing it on everything, not knowing that "less is more". The story happens in a couple of places, all look kinda the same, as setting, same filter plastered everywhere. The colour palette is meh. The cinematography is also meh, when there is any. Just a couple of interesting shots and great visuals. The VFX are meh. Extremely good just for one thing, the rest it resembles what you might've seen in the late 2000s.
Audio. Nothing special, or at least it didn't bother, so maybe thats a plus??
The world-building is meh at best, mostly there isn't one. You're supposed to come with basic knowledge, I guess. The pacing is rushed. Stuff keeps happening. I'm sorry, I meant "no context" stuff keeps happening. Scene after scene, lets go, lets go. Its not a short film by any means, and yet it felt like some scenes were cut, thats how janky the story was. Again, you're supposed to know the myth and fill in the blanks yourself. Character development? Yeah, right. Overall, kinda high production value.

And now the good stuff. The script is sht. OKi, I'm sorry, I should give it the benefit of the doubt. Either the script is sht, either the Chinese people are re****ed. Because thats how the script is portraying them. Oh, thats how it really happened in the old stories? Then the screenwriter should've made a better job! Just to make it clear, you knowing the basic knowledge and filling in the blanks, assuming how the story will end, its bad writing. Period. The dialogue is also horrendous, same as before, banking on the fact that you already know the story.
The acting. Fking amazing for ONE character. Just one. Even with my very very veeery basic knowledge about the myths, when that character started "acting", I was "oh, is that supposed to be X character? Oh, wow". And across the movie, you'll really believe it. The way it talks, the mannerism, everything. Apart from that, one other good actor. And maybe another, but it appears for just a few scenes (sadly, only two scenes, plus a previous one where it just is). And thats all, everything else is sht. Over-the-top acting or just purely sht. From an entire cast, just two (or three) people.....
And now..... Like I mentioned earlier, the script is sht. Plot devices, plot holes and plot contrivances everywhere. Everything is "it just so happens that, it just so happens that, it just so happens that". Why is the story happening like that? Why are the characters reacting in one way or another? "Because thats how we wrote this, don't ask questions. Don't you know how the story is supposed to go? Why are you here?" *sigh* Even just talking about it drains the life out of me, that bad it was...

Lets finish it here. It gets a rating of 4. Barely. For some amazing performances, some visuals, and... thats all(?). Wow... Might you enjoy it? Could be. The re-watching value is low. Skipping scenes, fishing the ones where the acting is good? No, ty.
Have a lovely day.

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MASTERPIECE BUT THE WEBTOON IS IGNORED???!!

As a huge fan of the webtoon, I immediately noticed the numerous differences with the drama. First, the chronological order of events: the news report denigrating AJIN's actions, which appears at the very beginning of the series, actually comes at the very end in the webtoon. Some characters also lack development, and most importantly… the ending has been completely changed, to the point of using the beginning of the webtoon to conclude the drama. Not to mention the fiancé; he wasn't supposed to have that ending either.

Despite this major error for readers, the series manages to maintain constant tension, driven by remarkable acting. Honestly, the cast delivered an exceptional performance! Not to mention the visuals, the music, and the overall production quality.

It's an excellent drama, but I remain truly disappointed by an ending that doesn't respect the original work.

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NOT WORTH YOUR TIME

let me start by saying, I Love Love love Lee Min Ho and MOST of his career choices. this for me was a major fail. I’m not sure what he saw in the script but for me it just failed big time. apart from the fact that the FL can justify the reproduction of fruit flies and mice in space but then turn around and destroy human life as a justification of the ‘roles’ shows just where this world is at regarding life choices. put aside the huge lacking of chemistry in any of the romantic interests particularly the 2 leads. I just didn’t find this one worth continuing past episode 5. my daughter and I have a 3 episode rule, give it a chance but if by episode 3 it’s not got you tgen we can drop it. I found myself pushing ahead, wanting it to get better because of Min Ho, however it just wasn’t worth it for me……
the storyline goes from bad to worse and that’s not the actors fault

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