Reviews

Beautiful, poetic, epic: a must watch

PROS: Amazing plot, exciting characters, beautiful production. Ren Ruyi is one of the best MCs I've ever witnessed, and her and Yuanzhou have managed to create the best TV couple I've ever had the blessing of experiencing in my 25 years of living. Great character development for everyone involved, main and support roles, strong depictions of women's struggles and patriarchal affects in society, and an ode to friendship, courage, responsibility, and, above all, love. The fighting scenes were exciting, the royal intrigues compelling. The soundtrack beautiful. I really have nothing else to add.

CONS: I won't say much, since that finale episode destroyed me. In an alternative world, Ruyi and Yuanzhou lived a long, beautiful life, had one or many children, Li Tongguang developed his frontal lobe and his (low) levels of emotional maturity faster, him and Chu Yue became a dynamic, badass couple*, without restricting her role as commander of her tribe, and Yangying managed to get married with someone she loves.

*Despite my adoration for Shisan, (and complete annoyance over Tongguang's constant toddler tantrums and treatment of people in his life), I was never sold into Yue's relationship with him - they had no chemistry, in my eyes, at least. But, unfortunately, if I may add, she had excellent chemistry with Tongguang every time they were on screen together and they became my guilty pleasure ship early on - combined with some notable character and behavioral similarities. She deserved someone better than him, though, and I would have wanted to see her in more scenes outside of love interests, but I was never sold for Shisan in particular.

Read More

Rewatched it 2 times, this is and stays one of my comfort shows

Holy sh1t, where do I begin... first time I watched this, it was extremely confusing, I had no idea what was going on and I just didn't understand the lore. But the thing is, that doesn't matter, this show is about Khanin, who is new to the nation of Emmaly, just like us lol. Even though he grew up hearing about it, it is also his first time coming there. Everything is and will be exlained, aside from that, I was personally really confused with which region was which and who ruled which. But based on the colours of their suits, you can tell them apart.

Now for my second rewatch, I really enjoyed it more than the first time, even though nothing was new, I felt like I understood the series so much better. It was just clearer and still as comforting as the first time. The main reason I love this series is because of the SUPER well written side characters, the story follows a pretty realistic timeline and Khanin and Charan's relationship was soooo adorable. Also I love ZeeNunew and they definitely did a good job once again! :3

Read More

The more you love someone, the more you may hate them.

You and Everything Else is the telling of the story about the relationship between two women who have known each other since adolescence. The show is told in eras from the perspective of Kim Goeun's character, Ryu Eunjung, from the time her and Park Jihyun's character, Cheon Sangyeon met in Elementary, to the time they reunite in the early 40s. This doesn't serve as a spoiler, but Cheon Sangyeon is terminally ill and requests Ryu Eunjung to accompany her on her final trip before his death.

What makes this drama a standout to me is fantastic cinematography and acting from the case ensemble. I felt that the set locations, perspective viewing, and backgrounds in every scene were purposeful, and lovely. There is a subtle blur effect for nostalgia throughout the past eras, and I feel this serves to highlight that the stories are a recollection of the two, and the color palette would change accordingly to highlight the intended mood of a scene very well. Kim Goeun and Park Jihyun are two of my favorite actresses in general, and I feel that their range of acting were really tested here, with the latter personally stealing a bit of the show for me. The raw emotion and full body acting the two were able to display was fantastic, and what I loved a lot was how many one-shots there would be, further magnifying their acting prowess and professionalism.

I loved that this drama was not afraid to tackle complex characters, and intertwine them in the story continuum, with Sangyeon being the personification of toxicity and self-loathing throughout, and Eunjung being grounded and true to her sense of self, with no room for ifs and buts, while also being very sensitive and honest at her most vulnerable. Sangyeon comes from an opulent background, with her family being the ideal Nuclear Family via the eye test, but they're very dysfunctional at heart. Eunjung for most of her adolescence grew up without her father, and her mother struggled to keep them afloat from a socioeconomic perspective. In this presentation of the two, the two girls from completely different backgrounds are able to find comfort and solace within each other, while the threads the jealousy and insecurity continued to grow ever so slightly until explored more in the later eras.

Kim Goeun once again brings about masterful acting in the heavy emotional scenes, really allowing viewers to experience what the characters are feeling. She made me cry during Goblin, and did so once again throughout this wonderful series. I have not been able to watch Park Jihyun in much other than Flex x Cop, and random cameos, but this drama cemented her in my mind as a force to be reckoned with. If the two were in a scene together with their characters being the highlight of the scene at hand, it was a guaranteed hit. Emotions are evoked, thoughts are provoked, and tissues are soaked is where I found myself a multitude of times watching this, and it is an experience I am glad to have been able to have.

The characterization of everyone, the intertwining fates and progression of the story at hand was done very well. While it can feel slow at times, and if you hate a love-triangle this may not be for you, it was a story I could not stop watching once the ball started rolling. Themes of friendship, pity, forgiveness, betrayal were all at play and I feel that everything was fleshed out very well. I laughed, cried, cheered, yelled, at the triumphs and shortcomings that were shown, for this story felt so palpable and real.

This will definitely go down as one of the top releases of 2025 for me, and I hope to revisit this at some time. I had already planned to, but will now most definitely prioritize the future works of the two for my 'to watch' list as able. If you are hesitating to watch this drama, do not, because you will not be disappointed by this wonderful story of life and friendship.

Read More

Where (shadow) love conquers all ?❤️

💕 Romance 💕

To start, I didn't expect too much from the show? It's my understanding that that same lack of expectation was pretty widespread, and that the show ended up surprising a lot of viewers. 🤣

When I tell non-drama watchers about Shadow Love, I say it's sort of like some Marvel superhero meets a historical Chinese drama. I think that's a pretty accurate comp to make, lol.

Now let's take a moment to appreciate Cheng Lei in all three roles: Jin An, Man in Black, and Prince Annan, as well as some combination of those three at various points of the show. He impressed me when I first saw him in MJTY alongside Tian Jia Rui (yeeeeee, crazy poison Didi and tsundere af Gege really stole that show!). But I didn't realize just how talented he was until I saw his range in one show.

The character development was top-notch imo. Li Shuang goes from being a tough, duty-bound general by adoption to a lovestruck heroine who has to make tough decisions. Repeatedly. Song Yi captured Shuang's honorable, serious side but also her adorable, softer sides as she allowed herself to be vulnerable with Jin An.

I'm not gonna lie, I watched this show before LoTFG. It gripped me a lot quicker, honestly. The premise was just too good: enemy generals fall in love through some blood pact, doomed to eventually fight one another.

Earlier this month, I had praised When Destiny Brings the Demon for its romance. The romance in that is still applaudable. But I actually think Shadow Love’s romance topped it. From Jin An creating magical moments all for Shuang (peach blossom pastries, sweetening bitter medicine, that plain but precious hair pin) to Shuang risking everything for her beloved, to their emotional bond overcoming the Jade Linglong, and the blood pact, and war, and AMNESIA.

~SWOON NOISES~ (o゜▽゜)o☆

I also can’t ignore the side characters. Lu Xin and Mo Yin were a delight to watch. Though their love story was calmer, I still loved the way Lu Xin gently teased Master Mo and made herself completely at home at Wuling Mountain. The smile on Mo Yin's face every time he realized just how much he liked this bold healer was priceless. And the friendship between them and Shuang/Jin An was touching and well-written!

😂 Comedy 😂

There wasn’t excessive comedy in this one, but the lighter moments really worked. I laughed out loud when Prince Li called Jin An Shuang’s wife while Mu Yang got stuck with the concubine label 🥴. Mo Yin and Lu Xin brought a playful energy to their scenes, and Jin An was quietly adorable throughout.

🌀 Plot 🌀

I felt like everything was wrapped up quite nicely. I was relieved that Su Muyang was able to turn himself around in the end. I was worried there. And yes, he made some questionable decisions before we reached the finale, but the guy went through a lot.

Satisfying poetic justice deaths:

💀 Prince Li
💀 The Evil Empress
💀 Emperor of Taijin
💀 Jin Wu Jian

🎶 Soundtrack 🎶

There were so many great tracks in this show! Of course, Jane Zhang and Liu Yuning's songs were 👨🏻‍🍳💋 (That Jane Zhang ED theme is rivaling how often Kpop Demon Hunters' "Golden" gets played in my car. Sorry, kids! lol)

Apparently Cheng Lei himself sings "Caressing Shadows", one of the most haunting tracks. Omgggg… and Song Yi sang a track as well? I don't think "Waiting for You" was played as much, but it’s also a lovely piece.

My favorite might be "Bringing Peace" by Huang Xiaoyun. That song is just… it’s so Jin An x Li Shuang 🥺 "Old Age" was another gorgeous piece. This drama did not suffer from a shortage of Spotify-blastable music.

🌏 World-Building 🌏

The world-building was adequate. I was definitely left with some curiosity about the Jade Linglong and the Wuling Mountain sect, but the primary story was set in Taijin. The political strife was designed well, and I was satisfied with the ending. I especially loved how the leads got to live together freely with peace in the realm, just like Li Shuang always wanted.

👁️ Visuals 👁️

This drama had some of the most gorgeous sets, somehow, without it being a xianxia. That floral loft Jin An created early on for Shuang? Their wedding bed in Wuling Mountain? Shuang's little paradise prison during her stay in the Yao kingdom (after Prince Annan moves her out of the dungeon, ofc). These two had some truly beautiful scenes with settings to match.

📈 Binge Factor 📈

The only reason I wasn’t watching 8 episodes a day at first was because I was juggling other dramas (When Destiny Brings the Demon, Blossom). But by the end, it was nearly impossible not to stay up all night for “just one more episode.” 😉

🎭 Acting 🎭

Cheng Lei in three roles = brilliance. His range blew me away and cemented him as one of my favorite rising leads. Song Yi balanced strength and vulnerability perfectly.

The supporting cast also shined. Lu Xin’s warmth, Mo Yin’s subtlety, and even the villains leaned into their roles with conviction.

🔥 Conflict 🔥

The stakes were always high, but I think the most emotional to watch from this show was when Jin An had his memories back and was torn between vengeance for his brother, whom he thought was dead, or the life he wanted as Jin An with Shuang.

⭐ Final Thoughts ⭐

I posted a meme about the existential crisis one experiences after finishing a series. I definitely felt that with this one. It's hard to move on. It will be on my mind for a long time, and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes action, great storytelling, and swoon-worthy romance.

Read More

-Fat Mom Runs with the Ball (2024) is a romance revenge drama type of comedy with Lin Yu An (as Chi Mu Zhi) and Bai Xue Ru (as Ning Sui) in the leading couple’s role. This drama is more about Ning Sui and how she gets revenge on the person who hurts her the most and took one of her children away. The leading couple’s romance is not well developed and their relationship lacks che,istry. One can say that the children are the better part of thie drama!
In the meantime, this drama can be found on this links with subs provided by Jwells on MDL comments section:
Link w/subs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgJW4hxzoX8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL1oIR-wbVo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKSnvrOoAEY

Read More

Let me fix it for you: The Bad Mother.

This is such a mid show I am amazed how many people recommended for me to watch it. The only actually truly good aspect of it were the performances.

Long story short we have a bad abusive mother having a second chance to abuse her son again after he gets into an accident. From limiting food, socially isolating, emotional and physical abuse, to literally wanting to get your mentally 7 years old son to get married and have kids (this was such a “low-key” moment in the drama, but for me it was so gross) - her trash actions had no boundaries. All explained by her “good intentions”. And sure, if the story was about her using her second chance to fix the mistakes she made the first time, I would be fine with the title. But she did not, she willingly made exactly the same mistakes and abused her son in similar fashions the second time around too - blessed with her good intentions.

Just make the show psychological drama, rename it as “The Bad Mother” and it would actually be a good show about the consequences of abuse and how much of an impact it can have on a person even in their adulthood. Because there is nothing wholesome about that parent-son relationship and the fact ML felt guilty about everything that happened is wild for me. He needs therapy. Like most MLs in kdramas.

I enjoyed the village and interactions between everyone living there, but even that aspect brought nothing new nor innovative - pick any slice of life set in the countryside and you will get exactly the same content, but without all the anger and frustration that comes from the main plot.

The aspect of the show I liked the most? Friendship between Mi Joo and Sam Sik. Their scenes were easily my favorite and they actually had fun, wholesome and upbeat chemistry going on.

About the crime plot - it was good when it lasted. It started and ended the show. Now that I think about it, it’s like watching 2 completely different dramas. The whole middle part does not really connect that well with the beginning and the ending - be it by themes or tone. Stil, the investigation storyline was better than the “mother-son relationship” plot. If I had to pick, I’d say episode 13 was my favorite, and yes, it had the least interactions between Young Soon and Kang Ho.

As I said at the beginning of the review - the only truly great things were the performances. Ra Mi Ran aced the awful self-victimizing egocentric mother and Choi Kang Ho delivered solid acting be it as a confident and scheming prosecutor, or confused and cheerful child. I don’t think I have even one complaint about the cast.

The production value was exactly what you expect from mainstream kdrama. They have a really well polished specific flavor to them. They all blend together and have little to no lasting effect on the viewers. They look generic pretty.

Standout soundtrack - Andy Love’s Home and Dry.

Overall, if it was not for the recommendation challenge I would probably not finish it. It does not really have unique takes or plots. And the themes we know are not especially well presented.

Read More

Entertaining with some flaws

Once again i’m beginning to write my review despite not finishing completely (the last two episodes are playing at the background). I have to agree that similarly with many cdramas they should’ve ended things earlier. The last plot twists ruin a good flow of script as well as characterization of the king and Chu Zhao. And i don’t quite understand the need to do so. Maybe we need the required quota of character deaths. Also the character of Chu Zhao might need to be addressed as good or evil since clearly nothing in netween can’t be tolerated.

That being said, I very much liked the fact that Xiao Jue didn’t simply give up his title in the end, since that would’ve contradicted his character in my eyes.

Over all, I enjoyed the drama. Of course many parts needed to be squinted through, since it was filled with cliches and typical unrealistic actions. How amazing this drama would’ve been if it had been more realistically done? I did wish this especially on the matters concerning the military.

I will most definitely watch again, maybe just stop watching at episode 33.

Read More

Novoland Movie (2024)

I found this movie kind of interesting. The detective was an interesting character and so was the princess. They worked hard to find out the truth and they solved murders and palace schemes very well. There was not love between the princess and her fiancée. He was using her. She really did not want to marry him, because she did not want to give up her freedom and she just wanted to protect her country. The princess and the detective did not get off to a great start together, but they worked it out as time went on. Her and the detective found out that the fiancée, the emperor and the uncle were all evil. The princess was the daughter of the emperor and also related to the uncle. After the princess' fiancée was caught, he jumped off a cliff. The princess' father, the emperor, killed everyone in the room except the princess and the detective. The emperor did threaten his daughter. Another woman that the detective knew as a friend was killed in the movie. Her spirit protected the princess and the detective from the emperor's royal guard; they escaped. In the woods, the princess told the detective that she could not go back to her father, city, life, etc. The detective asked her where she wanted to go. She did not know where to go, so he told her to come with her. The movie ended with anticipation of them getting closer and falling in love.

Read More

Enjoyable to watch

This was the kind of series that grabbed me from the very beginning. The characters main characters were mostly likable, and if they were not, you got to like them as the series continued. Hyo Seop and Se Jeong have a great blend of chemistry in watching their strange relationship develop and become strong in the second half of the drama.
The supporting cast fits rather well, but I did find some annoyance in the character of Yeong Seo. No criticism of In Ah, she plays her part well and is a perfect fit with Min Gue. In fact, their relationship is even more believable than the main characters.
The overall story is rather good, surrounded by a little mystery. As usual, there are a few antagonists they do their best to keep everyone apart.
Deok Hwa always plays a part you hate, but also enjoy at the same time. He never disappoints at being the thorn in the side of a happy story. Thankfully, even he isn't as bad as he could have been.
I think my only complaint is the series is that it was rushed at the end. The last episode you kind of get whiplash with them skipping ahead two years and not really showing the stories come together. You kind of wanted to see Da Gu give his blessing to his grandson's marriage, as well as showing his respect toward Ha Ri, but you never see him again after he goes to the United States for medical treatment. It just seems it could have been a bit more with everyone together, even showing them actually get married ... but it doesn't happen.
Other than that, it still is extremely enjoyable and gives a happy ending to all who deserves it. Great acting with a great story to match.

Read More

Rabbit on the Moon: Finding Light in Unexpected Places

🔹 What happens when you meet someone who can see beyond the walls you've built around yourself?
🔹 Would I rewatch? No

📕 Overview
🔹 16 episodes, romance drama
Norraphat Vilaiphan portrays Jira, a bar host seeking meaning beyond his nightly routine.
🔹 Supassra Thanachat portrays Phugh, a real estate agent who balances her professional life with deep emotions.
🔹 The story begins when two strangers promise not to take things seriously. Still, they gradually reveal their guarded hearts to each other.
🔹 At the time of this review, 4 episodes have aired.
🔹 Arriving after a wave of upbeat lakorns, this one stood out to me because every moment felt real and quietly brave.

🌸 How It Felt Watching
🔹 It felt gentle and honest; sometimes slow, but it drew me in with meaningful choices and a believable connection.
🔹 Tone: introspective, romantic, grounded
🔹 Themes: trust, vulnerability, healing, urban connection
🔹 It reminded me a bit of Beauty Newbie. Still, instead of transformation, it focuses on allowing someone to get close for the first time.

✨ Cast & Acting
🔹 Norraphat Vilaiphan portrays Jira in a way that is both understated and sincere.
🔹Supassra Thanachat portrays Phugh as a character who is unafraid to reveal her flaws.
🔹 The supporting cast added humor without overshadowing the main characters.

🎵 OST 🎵
🔹 Your Moon by Ink Waruntorn

🎞️ Production Style
🔹 Cinematography showcasing city scenes illuminated by night lights
🔹 Costumes represent a reflection of everyday life.
🔹 The pacing allows emotions to build gradually.

☕ Tea Notes
🔹 What worked: Authentic performances, thoughtful writing, and a romance that feels well-deserved.
🔹 What didn’t: Some of the side plots and minor characters needed more development, and the series progresses at a slow pace.

☕ SpillTheDramaTea’s Rating: 7.5/10
🌿 Tea-Scale: A slow bloom—worth sipping patiently

✏️ As SpillTheDramaTea, this drama reminded me how much growing closer means letting go of old fears—sometimes the quietest stories teach the loudest lessons.

Read More

I meannnn

I'm not really sure where I sit with this one as a whole, but it was cute. I just felt like it needed something and I'm not exactly 100% on what that missing thing was for me. Additionally, emotionally, this felt very flat at times and I wish it hit a little more in the soft spots. There's supposed to be a lot of heart in this story, but it doesn't really come through.

Personally, I've been more invested in the actors outside of the series than I was with their characters. It's evident that they are really close and I'm happy they were able to find each other through this project.

Read More

Best friends to Lovers Done Right

Secret Lover has a pretty simple premise: it’s about two boys and a girl who grew up together as best friends. But don’t worry—the girl isn’t there to stir up drama. In fact, she’s more like the peacemaker, the one they both turn to for advice whenever they fight.

Han Tuo is the classic heartthrob, the type girls fall for easily. But there’s a twist to his character that I didn't see it coming and I'm here for it. On the other hand, Lujunxi is the complete opposite. He’s never dated before, but he’s open to the idea, and Han Tuo steps in to “coach” him.

The chemistry between the leads is so good, and I’m absolutely here for their sweet little moments. They really brought their characters to life. I especially loved how natural and believable Lujunxi’s reaction was when Han Tuo started making subtle moves—it felt real. Like, that awkwardness totally makes sense when your best friend suddenly starts looking at you differently.

Also, can we talk about the NC scenes? They're surprisingly well-done—passionate without being cringey or over-the-top. The kisses felt natural too, especially since one of them has zero experience. It was actually kind of endearing.

The series also dips into themes like trauma, abandonment, insecurity, and the fear of coming out. But honestly, it’s not as heavy as it sounds. At its core, it’s still a light and sweet story about two best friends slowly realizing they’ve probably been in love for a long time.

That said, I highly recommend watching a few episodes before reading the comments or reviews. A lot of people seem to bash this series unfairly. As someone who’s watched over 200 BLs, I’ve learned not to let online reviews decide for me.

Read More

An Underrated Gem Elevated by Park Hee-soon

Park Hee-soon is truly the heartbeat of this show. While the storyline and production were solid on their own, it was his presence that gave the series depth, intensity, and unexpected emotional weight. Seeing him step into a new kind of role—distinct from his previous works—was refreshing, yet he still managed to carry over the same raw charisma that made his past performances unforgettable.

One scene in particular stood out: when he plays the cop, there's a subtle callback to his role in The Bequeathed. The way he carries himself, the calm but commanding energy—it felt like a quiet echo of his previous character, but reimagined through a completely new lens. That moment gave me chills, almost like watching two worlds collide.

If you’re already a fan of Park Hee-soon, this series will give you a fresh appreciation for his range.

Read More