Reviews

Unexpectedly great drama

Usually, I don't have high expectations for the short dramas, as they tend to have more plot issues than the long ones.
This is definitely not the case here. "Fortune Writer" has impeccable pacing, lots of very emotional scenes, fantastic chemistry, surprising twists and a quite fresh treatment of some usual tropes.
In this last aspect it resembles "Dream within a dream". The ML is not as awsome as Liu Yuning, but the FL is absolutely not worse than Li Yitong, and maybe even better. The secondary characters are not so good, but fortunately they don't occupy too much of screen time, so this doesn't really matter.
The idea of rebelling against the Fate / the Writer (as the narrative takes place inside a book) has been already explored, but in this drama it is presented in a different, very entertaing way.
I especially like the fact that the leads are not intrinsicaly good people and the heroine is not trying to become good person and redeem herself. She is just normal, with flaws and virtues, and just try to save herself.
In some points the plot was showing some inconsistencies or seemed to lack logic, but at the end all of it was resolved in a quite acceptable manner, which is a very good result for a story about fiction characters rebelling against their author, as such concept is already logically challenging.
Overall, I think that this drama really merits more attention and higher rating.

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Wonderful chemistry, Good plot

I want to start by saying that I genuinely enjoyed this show. The chemistry between the two leads was wonderful, and I especially liked the younger sister’s character and her storyline. His family was also refreshing to watch, particularly how their dynamic evolved over time. Overall, I liked all the characters—there wasn’t a single one I disliked so much that it made me want to drop the show (which has definitely happened to me before).

That said, it did feel like I was watching three different shows. The beginning was pretty strong: it felt like a serious, intriguing, slightly sexy drama. Watching her manage all her lies and navigate each obstacle was genuinely interesting, and when his side of the story was revealed, it made everything even more compelling. That’s when I was fully hooked.

The second part, though, felt like a completely different show. The male lead suddenly seemed like a different person, and the tone shifted into something closer to slapstick comedy. Even so, it was still entertaining enough that I kept watching.

Then there was the third part—which was honestly insane, though not in a bad way. It was very dramatic. At times, it felt like I was watching a telenovela, with every possible dramatic plot point happening all at once. Still, somehow, it remained entertaining.

All things considered, I enjoyed the show. There wasn’t a single episode where I felt like dropping it, and I watched it all the way through without regret. I don’t think I’d rewatch the entire series, but I could see myself revisiting certain episodes again, maybe a few years from now.

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English and Portuguese Review

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲
This short film has very interpretative scenes, and even though the breakup is the central theme, director Koo Kyo-hwan delivers everything in a very symbolic way. The story focuses on a girl who wants to end her relationship but doesn’t know how to do it without hurting her partner. Everything I comment on here is just my own interpretation, so different people might feel or read things differently.

Right from the start, the car scene already shows how tired the couple is. When the guy accepts the gum the other passenger was chewing just so he can stay awake, it feels like an indirect kiss, something intimate. Her reaction, almost crying, really reinforces that. Right after that, fireworks appear and she smiles, as if that were the perfect moment to finally put an end to it and look for her own freedom.

Another thing I thought was brilliant is the river metaphor. She says she has already crossed a river with no way back, and he, insisting, says he’s a good swimmer and can return. But in the background there’s a warning sign about accidents that he completely ignores and still “jumps into the water,” trying to force her to change her mind. He cries, insists, tries to be cute, and even brings up a past situation, saying she did the same thing to his friend. I found that very manipulative, especially because in several moments he twists what she says when talking to others, since she doesn’t speak Korean. There’s also a really nice visual detail where, in one scene, she can see him through the glass, but he can’t see her.

At the end, she invites him to eat at her place, and then she regurgitates the kebab they ate on their first date. To me, that kebab represents the memories and feelings that were still stuck inside her. It’s a new beginning where there’s nothing left of him in her, and he realizes that the breakup was already inevitable.

The final line about being a “superhero and a supervillain of love” is amazing. In love, things aren’t just black and white. She became the villain in his story in order to be the heroine of her own life. I really loved how much depth this short film delivers in such a short amount of time.

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𝐍𝐚𝐨 𝐝𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢 𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫
Esse curta tem cenas muito interpretativas e, por mais que o término seja o tema central, o diretor Koo Kyo-hwan entrega tudo de um jeito bem simbólico. A história foca em uma garota que quer terminar, mas não sabe como fazer isso sem magoar o parceiro. O que eu vou comentar aqui são só as minhas interpretações, então pode ser que cada um sinta algo diferente.

Logo de cara, a cena do carro já mostra o cansaço do casal. Quando o rapaz aceita o chiclete que a outra passageira estava mascando só pra conseguir ficar acordado, foi praticamente um beijo indireto, algo íntimo. A reação dela, quase chorando, reforça isso. Logo depois, surgem os fogos de artifício e ela sorri, como se aquele fosse o momento perfeito pra finalmente colocar um ponto final e buscar a própria liberdade.

Outra coisa que achei genial foi a metáfora do rio. Ela diz que já atravessou um rio sem volta, e ele, insistindo, diz que é um bom nadador e consegue voltar. Só que no fundo tem uma placa de perigo avisando sobre acidentes que ele ignora totalmente e “entra na água” mesmo assim, tentando forçar uma mudança de decisão. Ele chora, insiste, tenta ser fofo e até menciona uma situação passada dizendo que ela fez o mesmo com o amigo dele... achei uma postura bem manipuladora, principalmente porque em vários momentos ele distorce o que ela diz para os outros, já que ela não fala coreano. Tem um detalhe visual muito bom também que em uma cena ela consegue ver ele através do vidro, mas ele não consegue ver ela.

No final, ela convida ele pra comer em sua casa, e então regurgita o kebab que comeram no primeiro encontro. Pra mim, esse kebab representa as memórias e os sentimentos que ainda estavam presos dentro dela. É um novo começo onde não sobrou nada dele nela e ele nota que com isso o término já estava previsto.

A frase final sobre ser "super-herói e super-vilão do amor" é sensacional. No amor as coisas não são pretas no brancas. Ela foi a vilã da história dele pra conseguir ser a heroína da própria vida. Gostei demais dessa profundidade em tão pouco tempo de filme.

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QUITE ENJOYABLE.

The Best Thing was, truly, a masterpiece.

Even though the story, as a story, was not perplexing or quite original - just two people slowly, but steadily, falling in love - it was majestic. First of all, I would like to point out that it was one of the few times I have been totally invested in a c-drama due to the chemistry of the leads. I have noticed that, usually, the main leads are either completely awkward between them in the romantic scenes or just overly ''cute-ish'' for my taste. But these two, OMG, I have fallen in love with them (and they ACTUALLY kissed, not just touching their lips together with wide eyes open, who would have thought?)

Regarding the plot, I liked that they showed how a narcissistic behavior mostly works in a relationship, the break-up and the life after a break-up. It was quite realistic and I liked that it was not just a few minutes clip. When she cried, when she remembered, the effects of a bad relationship in someone's health and the turmoil of emotions when they decide to appear again, even though they do not love them anymore, all made sense.

The male lead was so soft-spoken and gentle, yet, he was straight-forward when needed, protecting the FL when needed, and helped her when she was put in a tough and awkward spot by doing the first move unnoticed. On the other hand, the FL actually chased her dreams even when in a relationship, she was smart, independent and had a health relationship with her parents (something that we rarely see in the c-dramas even though they are fully-grown adults and always made me cringe).

As for the ex, I can't help but say he made a good job acting as a narcissist, arrogant, rich guy that gave stalker-ish vibes when hunting down the FL.

It was truly a good drama.

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Great Casting and acting

I love all of their acting everything was very natural also the casting was 🤌✨️ and I LOVE SURFF😍 in this series.Eventhough Java is a red carpet in this still i loved it when they reunited in the end and I absolutely loved the way SURF loved Java in this series. I mean how can someone love someone this much😫❤️.I am soo glad that they casted SURFJAVA as the second main couple this series. Thankyou sooo muchhhh. I'm soooo gladdd. The first couple were alsooo soooo amazing. Great acting i should say sooo natural noting felt artificial even though it involved seeing the future

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This is your not-so-typical kdrama. The vibe is uncommon, very lightweight and yet... heartwarming if I may say? It doesn't have a blunt storyline about something. Just daily life of a policewoman who constantly quarrels with her mother, and the silly events that happen to her almost everyday.

This show weighs heavily on her and her mother, female-centric to be exact. Jeon Hye Jin does well here. Choi Soo Young, though she's a bit off in several occasion, still picks up an excellent job. Casting Park Sung Hoon is quite a waste. The male characters don't get much highlight here, morelike just a supporting role so it's disappointing that nothing much he can do.

The story is very lightweight and easy to digest. However I found the killer story is a bit dragging, especially near his arrest. The story after that event never comes back to the same level with previously. The ending is quite unfavorable for me. I don't mind the unfinished romance, but that world trip is out of nowhere. Her police squad doesn't even give her a proper farewell for the trip. Gong Ga Eul story also left out hanging. I thought they were going to bring up something meaningful from it, but at the end it's just nothing.

Still a recommendation for a rewatch since it's very lightweight and warm.

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Amazing Short Story

In my opinion, this is a true masterpiece of short-form drama. Each story runs only 15–30 minutes, yet within this limited runtime, the director consistently delivers compelling narratives with no unnecessary dragging or dull moments.
As each story is standalone and narrated in either one (15mins) or two (30mins) episodes. with no connection. So you don’t have to watch this in sequence, and can always randomly choose your favourite episode or the episode with your favourite casts in it to watch. Below I have a brief breakdown of the popular casts on the episodes.

Every character is thoughtfully written, carrying complexity and emotional depth that feels authentic to their circumstances. The richness of each scene clearly conveys the essence of its theme. The series explores a wide range of subjects—entrepreneurship, business ventures, social transformation, environmental issues, industrialization, relationships, kinship, choices, struggles, risks, and even sci-fi—creating a tapestry of stories that feel both diverse and cohesive.

Blending realism with heartwarming storytelling, the drama is infused with action, comedy, and occasional adventure. Many of the stories are inspired by real-life events, spanning the era when Shenzhen was still a developing region full of opportunity to its present-day status as a thriving metropolis.

The production boasts an impressive ensemble of nearly 80 well-known actors from the film and television industry, each delivering strong and memorable performances.

Special mentions and brief, low-spoiler impressions:
   •   Ep 1–2 – A poignant portrayal of a mother’s love and anxiety, highlighting how far a mother might go to help her son.
   •   Ep 3–4 – Hu Ge & Yu Shi: A powerful story about an ethnic tribe grappling with modernization, offering insight into cultural traditions and the pain of change.
   •   Ep 5–6 – Bai Yu & Wang Yu Wen: A lighthearted misunderstanding that unfolds into a sweet and fun romance.
   •   Ep 7–8 – Zhang Song Wen: A touching narrative about balancing habitat preservation with urban development.
   •   Ep 9–10 – Zhang Ye Cheng & Mao Xiao Tong: A deeper, more somber exploration of the finance industry, touching on stock market risks, greed, and exploitation.
   •   Ep 11–12 – Zhang Yun Long & She Shi Man: A story centered on friendship, social entrepreneurship, and the courage to take a leap of faith.
   •   Ep 13–14 – A romantic tale set around a bookstore, featuring subtle mystery and a hint of magical realism.
   •   Ep 15 – Wang An Yu: A moving story of a decades-long friendship between a young social entrepreneur and a cleaner who profoundly inspires him.
   •   Ep 16 – Jin Shi Jia: A capable performance in a storyline about early business opportunities in Shenzhen, though it personally resonated less with me.
   •   Ep 17 – Li Landi & Tu Song Yan: A heartwarming story about kinship and friendship, revolving around a young girl helping a man recover his lost memories.
   •   Ep 18 – A cute animated segment, though it didn’t leave a strong impression on me.
   •   Ep 19–20 – A comedic duo and a missing sculpture head—pure fun and laughter from start to finish.
   •   Ep 21–22 – Chen Xiao & Tong Yao: A tribute to construction workers and their resilience in building Shenzhen’s iconic Ping An Financial Center.
   •   Ep 23 – Lei Jia Yin: A delightful and thought-provoking story about an AI butler, ending with an unexpected and clever twist.
   •   Ep 24 – The finale beautifully closes the series with a story about merging Yong Chun martial arts and dance. Having seen such performances online before, I once questioned whether the fusion would dilute either art form. This episode offered fresh insight and challenged my preconceived notions, showing how the two can merge harmoniously.

The cons: I feel that this series would attract more viewers’ attention if the production team could put more thoughts in the episode sequence. Perhaps having the exciting and popular casts in the first few episode or having and overall theme that flows throughout the series so the viewers could be intrigued to follow through.

However, each story is inspirational and resonated with me in different ways. Whether you are someone who lived through that era and might feel a wave of nostalgia, or someone unfamiliar with Shenzhen’s history, this drama is both educational and perspective-shifting. It’s well worth a watch.

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im a freak, im a weirdo

i wanted to begin by saying im not a furry, but i feel strangely maternal with plots like this (werewolves, aliens, cats).
I liked the romance, thats for one, but this drama felt more like a saturday afternoon drama.
it had generic twists, which were still interesting, and a plotline ive already seen countless times but it didn't take away from the show.
this drama still had its moments, it was still enticing and if given the time, i'd rewatch it again, esp for the ml.

if you want a drama to decompress with, while still having a good storyline, then i reckon meow, the secret boy is for you

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Beyond my expectations

I started it because Seo Eun Soo was there. Generally, when a person that I like is not the main main role, I would skip other scenes if I am not interested overall. At first, I got bored in the first episode and struggled to understand the situation, but when it started to unfold in the second ep I was really interest about the story. Overall, it kept the attention that I was looking for till the end. Now, I am really interested in the second part of it. It was good, even though I didn't like some scenes, mostly the cinematography was good, and the characters were on point.

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Second Couple Phenomena

Overall not bad , actually good.
But as my preferences are more to happy happy, the misunderstandings , by the way so stupid misunderstandings are giving to much Angst and Sadness.
Now to the real motive of writing this - THE SECOND COUPLE.
So many dramas the Second Couple just steal the show. This is the same here. The Main Couple is good as well, has flash back of “interesting” scenes but the 2nd Couple is just so cute with the mismatched characters but still cuteeeee.


BIG SPOILER - as i sow the divorce era is in ep 7 for 2ndC. Wanna watch and at the same time dont.
🫣😫😖

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Glory is a drama that mistakes refinement for substance.

Glory is a drama that mistakes refinement for substance. Beneath its elegant visuals and tea-culture symbolism lies a story that is overly predictable and increasingly repetitive.

After the first two male-centered conflicts, the pattern becomes obvious and the drama never breaks it. Every subsequent rivalry unfolds the same way: a mild provocation, restrained posturing, a brief escalation, then a neat resolution that restores emotional balance. Once you recognize the formula, upcoming conflicts are easy to predict episodes in advance, draining them of tension and suspense.

The pacing is slow not because the story is meditative, but because it keeps circling the same dramatic beats. Characters revisit the same emotional positions without meaningful evolution, mistaking repetition for depth. The tea-world setting, while beautifully presented, rarely influences the outcome of these conflicts in new or interesting ways it decorates the narrative rather than driving it.

The leads remain composed and likable, but also safely contained. Their romance follows an expected, polite trajectory, and any hint of sharper ambition, jealousy, or moral compromise is quickly softened. No conflict is allowed to cut too deep or last too long.

In the end, Glory is elegant but risk-averse. Its greatest flaw is not that it lacks beauty, but that it lacks surprise. Viewers who enjoy calm, aesthetically pleasing dramas may find it soothing. Those seeking unpredictability, escalating stakes, or conflicts that evolve rather than repeat will likely find it graceful but dull.

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