Reviews

absolutely must watch if you like wuxia or xianxia

I'm actually reading Legendary Siblings right now (a little over halfway through) and it's incredible how closely Handsome Siblings follows the novel and manages to expand upon it a lot as well (so far Hua Wuque honestly feels like a non-charater given the novel exclusively follows Xiaoyu'er). The first ~25% of the show is pretty slow and the first two episodes are borderline insufferable to get through as most of that time is devoted to the Ten Great Villains and the sisters of Yihua Palace, but I was immediately charmed by Xiaoyu'er when we meet him at the end of the second episode and I was even more intrigued when we meet Hua Wuque in episode three. It's a delightful journey watching the two of them change as they wander the jianghu and most of the characters they meet through their travels are very fun as well. Xiaoyu'er and Hua Wuque's dynamic is obviously the highlight of the show and there are no words to describe how psyched I was when they agreed to work together. I also loved Tie Xinlan soooooo much and her dynamics with both Xiaoyu'er and Hua Wuque were top tier. I also just think this is a really valuable watch if you like wuxia or xianxia because you will notice how Gu Long has influenced the genres.

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A good crime drama with many twists and turns, excellent acting from Betty Sun

Breaking the Shadows is a crime drama starring Betty Sun, Luo Jin, and Li Xiao Ran. Betty Sun played Han Qing, a policewoman who investigates the killing of her partner, Zhong Wei, played by Luo Jin.

It has many twists and turns, and the acting was good, especially from Betty Sun. This is the second time Li Xiao Ran has played the bad guy, which was unexpected.

Han Qing's persistence paid off, and her half-sister was the one behind all the murders and drug trafficking business.

Synopsis: Han Qing, a female police officer who is part of the Criminal Investigation Team, is a hard-working woman who only cares about her work. She has had a good working relationship with her partner, Zhong Wei, for many years. However, two months ago, Zhong Wei disappeared after following a suspect. Ever since then, Han Qing has been searching for any clues as to what has happened to him. During the investigation of a new case, Han Qing stumbles upon a connection to Zhong Wei's disappearance. He becomes entangled in a network of organized crime.

My Reviews:
1. Acting: 8.5
2, Script: 8
3, Music/OST: 7
4, Production Quality: 8
5. Cinematography: 8
6. Rewatchable: 8
7. On-Screen Chemistry: 7.5

Overall Rating: 8

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Better Xianxia script than the typical ones; however, I found it boring and draggy.

A Moment, but Forever is an Xianxia costume drama starring Tiffany Tang and Liu Xueyi. This is not a typical Xianxia where immortals are fighting demons. The script focused more on the relationship between Ji Tan Yin and Yuan Zhong. Although it incorporated elements from the heavenly and demon realms, the plot and pace are more human-centric and less reliant on CGI and special effects, unlike other Xianxia dramas.

I didn't like the pace of the drama. I found it slow and draggy. I watched it at 2x speed, and the on-screen chemistry between Tiffany Tang and Liu Xueyi was awkward. I think Tiffany Tang should not participate in idol dramas, especially those of the Xianxia type. She is too old for this type of role. She should focus more on modern dramas that fit her age range, something dramatic that stretches her acting ability.

Synopsis: To retrieve the Heavenly Realm's treasure, Goddess Wu Shuang descends to Earth to assassinate Yuan Zhong, the high priest of the Youhu Clan. In the process, Wu Shuang discovers other secrets, and the two fall in love and join hands to save the world. In the war between gods and demons, the artifact "God's Left Hand," which Heavenly God Taihe uses to seal the demon, is severed and falls into the Mortal Realm. Taihe and the other gods fall into an eternal slumber, and the Mortal Realm hasn't had a miracle ever since.

My Reviews:
1. Acting: 7
2, Script: 6
3, Music/OST: 6
4, Production Quality: 7
5. Cinematography: 7
6. Rewatchable: 5
7. On-Screen Chemistry: 5

Overall Rating: 6

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Business as Usual but Not Much Else

Business as Usual is exactly what the title suggests: predictable, safe, and serviceable. It doesn’t try to be revolutionary, and frankly, it doesn’t come close. But it’s not a total flop either. It gives you just enough to sit through it, but not enough to leave a lasting impression.

It started off with promise. The setup was intriguing enough to catch attention, but as the episodes progressed, it became clear the drama was stretching out a storyline that could’ve been resolved in a single conversation. What could’ve been a more emotionally rich and tightly written series ended up being padded with avoidable miscommunication and narrative stalling.

Chemistry-wise, the leads had something, but just barely. You won’t swoon, but you’ll acknowledge it's there. With more training and time, I can see both actors evolving into roles that ask for deeper emotional work. Jin Hwan’s character carried a quiet emotional burden that resonated, while Minjun’s arc lacked growth, he stayed in the same emotional place for most of the drama. Even by episode 7, he was still whining. There was potential for a redemptive arc, but it never came.

One of the more disappointing aspects was the present-day storyline. While the past/present structure made sense conceptually, the execution was clunky. The present scenes felt shallow and rushed, making it hard to connect. It’s like they had all the right ingredients but cooked the dish on low heat and served it half-baked.

Romantic scenes? Decent. Korea continues to improve in portraying BL intimacy, though still somewhat restrained.

Speaking of clichés, the airport scene made me groan. That trope has been played out enough. Unless you're giving us a Call Me by Your Name level of heartbreak or Your Name Engraved Herein depth, maybe it’s time to leave that in 2024.

The ending? Rushed, disconnected, but at least not tragic. There's some satisfaction in the closure, though it felt more like a sigh than a moment of impact. The familial storyline felt like an afterthought tossed in for some emotional seasoning.

While Thai and Taiwanese BLs continue to push the envelope in plot, performance, and emotional weight, Korean BLs seem to be stuck in a cycle of safety and hesitation. Yes, restrictions may still exist, but if a story can’t be told with full commitment, perhaps it’s better left on the drawing board. Especially with rising actors, a BL role can either build a career or bury it.

The standout elements? Cinematography and OST, both top-tier, as expected of Korean production teams.

And as a side note, I couldn’t help but notice the office setup looked awfully familiar. Turns out, it's the same one from The New Employee. I guess I’ve officially watched too many BLs.

Overall, watchable, but ultimately forgettable.

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Good story about a divorced woman navigate through life curveballs and re-established herself.

A Better Life is a melodrama about a middle-aged woman who finds her husband has cheated on her, gotten a divorce, and is unemployed from her sales insurance job. As she navigated life's curveballs, she teamed up with someone much younger than her. She re-established her career, eventually finding her way again.

Synopsis: Hu Man Li, a thirty-nine-year-old insurance practitioner, lost her marriage and job at the same time when she thought she was about to reach the peak of her life. Competitors secretly interfered, and Hu Man Li was fired from the company. The instigator turned out to be 28-year-old Xue Xiao Zhou. After several encounters between Hu Man Li and Xue Xiao Zhou, they gradually went from misunderstanding to mutual recognition. Hu Man Li decided to put aside past grudges and join forces with Xue Xiao Zhou to start anew. Xue Xiao Zhou has grown into a gold medal seller who cannot be underestimated in the insurance industry, and Hu Man Li has also decided to return to her career home ground.

My Reviews:
1. Acting: 9
2, Script: 7.5
3, Music/OST: 6
4, Production Quality: 7
5. Cinematography: 7
6. Rewatchable: 7.5
7. On-Screen Chemistry: 6

Overall Rating: 7.5

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Beautiful beyond words

There are no words to describe this drama. It was beautiful from start to end and showed that life isnt a fairytale,but they did get their happily ever after. Male actor carried the show, female was beautiful but was very cringe and awkward to watch on some scenes but it could have been the writers vision and he told her to act like that idk. I will most definately rewatch in the future though and i dont really re-watch shows. This show made me cry of happiness and fullfilled what a love story should really be like. Now if only real life could be like the way he loved her :(

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the only worthwhile adaptation of Beauty and the Beast

I decided to watch this because I really enjoyed Chen Zheyuan in Handsome Siblings and the idea of a werewolf romance was intriguing. I am so glad I did because it's so silly and cute and it's an interesting twist on Beauty and the Beast by throwing in the hidden identity trope (something I don't typically love, but it worked really well here). Now I'm not really a fan of the story of Beauty and the Beast now that I am an adult with critical thinking skills, given it's about a woman basically being imprisoned and teaching her captor how to be kind and gentle and then falling for him in the process, but there are a few things that make this adaptation work imo:
1) Kui Mulang kidnaps her because he needs something called the Holy Pearl to save the entirety of his clan, which Qi Pa (unknowingly) has. The point is repeatedly made that if the Holy Pearl only affected Kui Mulang and it wasn't needed for the health and safety of everyone else, he would not have kidnapped her. He understands and sympathizes with her desire to escape back home and is clearly racked with guilt about keeping her in the Beast Clan.
2) Kui Mulang acquiesces without hesitation to basically every request Qi Pa has other than him sending her home. He genuinely wants her to be comfortable and safe and enjoy her time in the Beast Clan and does so many things that are against the rules of the clan to try to make her happy.
3) Instead of Qi Pa having to teach Kui Mulang, he consults romance novels and books that give information on Daxia customs to try to win her affections.
4) Kui Mulang spends a solid half of the show endangering himself and nearly dying to protect Qi Pa.

I loved both Kui Mulang and Qi Pa pretty much immediately and by the end of the show they had both reached near the top of my list for favorite characters in CDramas. I love that the show allows Qi Pa to be angry and hurt and doesn't try to handwaive away her feelings because it wants us to prioritize Kui Mulang's feelings (something that a lot of shows do all over the world bc we live under patriarchy). I loved most of the side characters and the pairing of Liu Jun/Hongxiu was really cute too. Also I honestly liked the "beast" look, it's just unfortunately really underwhelming when you attach the word werewolf to it.

Anyway, I can't bring myself to give higher than an 8.5 bc at the start the romance is just sooooo messy and most of the background romances were super annoying and some of the plot developments are just ????????? But overall I loved this soooooo much and I can't stop thinking about Kui Mulang and Qi Pa, they really are everything once she uncovers the truth.

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This show is just a excuse to show Joss shirtless

Maybe it's a bit of a pickle on my part, since I love vampire stories, but the lack of creativity and originality from whoever wrote, adapted and directed this series is noticeable.

The Golden Blood is unfortunately a generic, poorly produced and extremely repetitive series. The narrative had great potential and it's true that the main couple has excellent chemistry but nothing here works.

It's a fun and easy-to-watch series but it's also a series with an obvious script that follows the same old paths. The performances are mostly pretty bad - I believe due to the script and direction - and at no point does it manage to create that sense of danger, suspense and sensuality that they try so hard to evoke with the countless scenes of Mark in his underwear, which is one of the best aspects of this series.

The photography is, without a doubt, one of the worst parts here. It looks like the series was recorded on a iPhone Pocket in 2019 and they forgot how to colorize the images. Everything is bland, lifeless, with overexposed lighting and a really boring shoots.

There is nothing vampiric about the narrative. If you change the word "vampire" to "immortal being" the story is the same.

None of the symbols and mythologies seen in vampire stories appear here. They don't burn when walking in the sun - they even go to the beach in swim trunks -, they don't sleep in a coffin, they don't need an invitation to enter a house, they are not repelled with crucifixes, garlic or holy water. Silver or a wooden stake through the heart are not even mentioned.

The situation is so critical that you can count on the fingers of one hand how many scenes there are of a vampire drinking blood from a human's neck.

Nothing, absolutely nothing here is suitable for a vampire story. What we have are undefined characters who spend the episodes doing the same thing - Thara grumbling about a danger that doesn't exist and talking about protecting the golden blood; Tonkla being forgettable and Nakan repeating the same lines in every episode and doing nothing manacing.

The whole final revelation just destroys the entire narrative. If Nakan wanted to defeat Thara, why didn't he kill Tong when he kidnapped him? If Thara needs the power of the Golden Blood to destroy other vampires and she's already captured several others in the past, why does she need more? All of this just makes this Golden Blood nonsense ridiculous. In the end, the blood isn't that powerful if she's already taken it before and still need more all the time. And why does she want to defeat other vampires? The series doesn't even talk about other vampires or any conflicts between them.

The ending is pure embarrassment and it seems like they simply gave up trying. It's Nakan dying for "his special someone" that we never even saw. It's Tong giving in and then crying for Thara to free him. It's Thara repeating the same speech about wanting to defeat vampires that we never saw. It's the terrible CGI and fight scenes. It's the fact that these are the weakest and easiest vampires to kill that I've ever seen. It's the serum with the golden blood. It's Tong becoming a vampire at the end and NOTHING changing in his life.

One of the few good things here are the kissing scenes and Tonkla's death, which is really moving.

But it lacks all the magic and enchantment that vampire stories carry and the impossible love between two different beings. It lacks the threat, the fear, the difficulties and limitations of being a vampire. It lacks a more interesting and daring aesthetic, an imagery that suits this vampire narrative. It lacks a world construction that shows the conflicts, how these vampires live, how they organize themselves, the role of the corporation in this society. It lacks interest in creating a narrative that escapes this commonplace.

Unfortunately, it is a very flawed and lazy story.

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Minato Akira doesn't need a boyfriend ...

... he needs therapy.

Because there is really no reason at all for Minato to refuse Shin -- both of the reasons from season 1 are obsolete, everybody who knows them supports their relationship, Minato is both sexually and romantically attracted to Shin ---
Minato Akira has intimacy issues and should seek help.

And where I was a bit uncomfortable with Shin pushing Minato's boundaries in season 1, here Shin is just suffering. They are nominally "dating" but Minato keeps him at arm's length, gives him only crumbs; all the while Shin is feeling guilty for even asking for more affection.

On a meta level, this story feels as if it might have been one of those fluffy manga which find some success in the beginning, get a continuation, and then author and editor are afraid to change the formula, so everything just goes around in circles forever, until they notice they've written themselves in a corner and resolve things with the easiest plot point they can think of.

The whole thing was painful to watch, and if I hadn't wanted to know how the writer intended to escape the dead end they had been writing themselves into, I'd have dropped it in episode 4 or 5.
(The "resolving" was well-intended, I think, with a switch of their usual dynamics, but the couldn't have been more clichéd.)

In comparison, the second couple had much the same dynamic, but at least here we get to see a) a reason for the standoffish behaviour and b) some steady development. Unfortunately, there isn't enough contrast to the main couple to offset the pain of watching Minato refusing every kind of affection, so the secondary couple didn't even give me a respite from that frustration.

What's more, the few things I liked about season 1 -- the summer vibes, the cozy laundromat, the seaside town -- they are almost non-existent in this season.

The only aspect that saved this whole mess was the actors, who gave depth to their characters where there was none.


Was it good? -- No. The story went around in circles, the characters' issues were solved by a cliché.

Did I like it? -- No.

Who would I recommend it to? -- Ony to those who watched season 1, and loved it to bits. Those who were already annoyed by the first season, should stay far away.

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A unique and captivating watch

I absolutely loved this show. This is a drama that I will remember for a while.

It's definitely different from most dramas I watch. I liked the focus on the main storyline instead of just a couple going through the usual drama arc. I personally don't care for the overdone kissing and cliches, which is why this show stood out to me. This has left me wanting more of this type of production.

This is one of the few dramas that had me dying to know what was going to happen in the next episode. The cast also did an excellent job. This show had all the suspense and mystery to keep me interested, along with the hints of GL (another thing that made it unique).

I do wish the ending was more fleshed out. That is my only complaint.... or just make another season.. I'd like that even better.

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I Came for the Bite, Stayed for the Chaos (Regretfully)

Listen. I came in for the vampires, the hot vampire mafia drama, the forbidden romance. I stayed… because I was too stunned to close the tab.

My Golden Blood had everything it needed to be THAT show: sexy immortal vampire, adorable human boy, vampire politics, high stakes. But what did they do with it? Turned it into a confused fever dream with the emotional depth of a TikTok filter.

Let’s talk chemistry— what chemistry? I’ve seen more sparks in a wet cardboard box. The two leads looked like they were trying so hard to sell the romance, but it gave "bro we're just acting, right?" Like, is this a love story or a blood donor campaign?

And the plot? BABES. What even was the plot? It was like a writer’s room full of ideas—but no one said no. One second it’s a mafia showdown, next second it’s a topless scene (PS: not that I'm complaining tho!) , and suddenly we’re in a basket ball court with the personality of boiled rice.

Don’t even get me started on the pacing. It dragged and then sprinted like it forgot it had a finale this week. The vampire lore made no sense, the world-building was held together with vibes and eyeliner, and the product placement? Aggressively shoved in like a jump scare. Yes, I saw the blood-colored tomato juice or food coloring material. No, I didn’t ask for it.

In conclusion:
My Golden Blood had potential, but unfortunately, potential doesn’t pay rent. We deserved better. Justice for vampire BLs everywhere. 🧛🏻‍♂️🩸❌

My Golden Blood – 5.5/10 (and that’s me being NICE)

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Not Bad, But Not Great Either

Resident Playbook is a medical slice-of-life drama that had a lot of potential but didn’t fully deliver. It’s a show that tries to give heartwarming hospital stories and a look into the lives of first-year medical residents, but something is missing in the overall execution.

To start with the good parts: the side stories involving patients are the best part of the show. Some of them are emotional and meaningful, and a few may even make you tear up. The show also does well in showing a few important social issues like IVF, mental health, and women making choices for themselves, which was a refreshing and positive touch.

But the main story, especially the character development of the four residents, felt weak and flat. We don’t get to know them deeply, and most of the time, they feel like background characters. Only two or three stand out a bit, while the others don’t leave a strong impression. The focus was too much on the female lead, and it made the rest of the team feel sidelined.

The romance was slow and subtle, and while it had some sweet moments, it didn’t feel strong enough to carry the show. Also, the humor was light and forgettable, and some scenes were just too slow or too long. Each episode is over an hour, and the final episode is almost like a movie, which made the pacing feel stretched.

Acting-wise, the cast did okay, but some performances didn’t match the emotions the scenes needed. The female lead’s character felt cold and hard to connect with, though that may be more due to writing than acting.

In the end, Resident Playbook isn’t a terrible drama. It has a few touching stories, a warm message here and there, and some romantic moments that may keep you watching. But it doesn’t have the heart or spark that makes a drama truly memorable.

If you’re a big fan of hospital shows or just want something light to pass the time, you could give it a try. But don’t expect a masterpiece.

Final Rating: 6.5/10

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Sharp, Simple, and Solid

«마녀» («The Witch 1: The Subversion») is a 2018 Korean film that sticks to what Korean storytelling does best—build around the human first, and then let the plot follow. It’s a familiar formula, but when done right, it works. And in this case, it definitely worked.

The opening was dark and brutal. A failed secret government experiment. Standard sci-fi setup. But instead of staying in that lane, the film quickly shifts gears and zeroes in on the life of the main character. This shift is exactly where the difference lies. A lot of Western productions would’ve stayed focused on the government or the science. Here, it becomes personal—and that’s where it hits harder.

The action isn’t loud or showy. It’s paced just right. It fits within the story and doesn’t try to outshine it. When the fights start, they feel grounded. Even with the superpowers in play, they didn’t go over the top. No unnecessary flips, no overacting. Just enough to make sense for the story and the characters.

One thing I really appreciated: the fights didn’t turn into full-on conversations. That’s a habit a lot of Asian productions fall into—talking too much in the middle of battle. This one kept it tight. Minimal dialogue during combat, but everything said still mattered. It respected the viewer’s time.

Set design, props, locations—solid all around. Nothing felt out of place or rushed. You can tell they paid attention to detail and didn’t cut corners.

And the story? It’s not just about powers or conspiracies. It’s about control. About what happens when someone is stripped of their choices and made into something for someone else’s benefit. And how that person decides to take that power back.

It’s clean, clear, and had no unnecessary extras. Just a good, well-made film that stayed true to its direction.

Easy 10 for me.

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License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC By-SA) 4.0 International
By: Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한 (YourOnly.One)
Date: 2025-05-29

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