Reviews

Great Follow Up

I've waited for this since for so long but only watched it earlier this year. I think I was anticipating for it for a long time that I just kept putting off seeing it?

Anyway this was an amazing follow up to the first season. Completely different feels but has a solid foundation that still made it feel like the first one. It's been months since I've watched this so I can't remember the exact details but I really enjoyed it. The story was complex and well thought of and I love seeing the cast back.

The only criticism would be Hai Yin's character. She had such a major role in the first one, though still a big presence in this season, it felt like she didn't have an exact role in the story that was pivotal or at least had a similar impact as the first. It was almost like she's an after thought. I don't know exactly how to describe it but that's how it felt. There were long instances where we didn't see her onscreen (at least that's what it felt like) and I just keep thinking where she is or that she'd have done something about what's being shown on screen by now.

I think that's the only criticism but it's one of the things I remember about this. But again, I really enjoyed watching it and how the storytelling evolved from the first season. I love the team, how the detective covers for Yi Ren and how Tsai Hsing still caves to Hai Yin. And it's nice to see how they focused on getting Yi Ren and Hsiao Meng become closer and understand each other more.

I would love to see them back again, hopefully not as long a wait this time!

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BOYS over flowers? CRAZY YES!!!!

F4 Thailand was literally a rollercoaster of emotions and the BEST version of Boys Over Flowers I’ve ever seen! From the first episode, I was glued to the screen—every moment was so exciting, dramatic, and full of heart. The storyline felt fresh, the visuals were stunning, and don’t even get me started on the F4 boys—they were all walking green flags in their own way!

But oh my GOD, Bright as Thyme was everything! His slow transformation from a spoiled, angry boy to the softest, most caring boyfriend made my heart melt every single time. And Win as Kavin—ugh, the flirt with a soft heart—I was gone. Dew as Ren was the quiet storm—soft-spoken, deep, and absolutely dreamy. His calm presence and gentle care just made my heart flutter every time he was on screen!

Their friendship, their growth, their love stories... everything was just chef’s kiss! This drama made me cry, smile, scream, and fall in love over and over again. It’s not just a remake—it’s a whole beautiful experience. If you haven’t watched it yet, you’re seriously missing out on the cutest, most heart-fluttering drama ever! My F4 babies will forever live rent-free in my heart!

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Broken in all the right places

# Nocturnal (2025) Review: Broken in all the right places

**Spoiler warning ahead. Proceed only if you've already watched—or don't mind being broken wide open.**

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## A title lost in translation

There’s something quietly frustrating about mismatched titles. The Korean name for this film, 브로큰 (beurokeun)—Broken—says everything it needs to. It’s raw. It’s thematic. It’s accurate.

And then came Nocturnal. Elegant, perhaps, even poetic. But Nocturnal is the name of a novel within the story, not the story itself. A choice that, while likely made for international appeal, ends up setting the wrong tone and wrong expectations.

If you go in expecting a moody thriller about late-night brooding, you’ll come out thinking the third act forgot to arrive. If they had kept the English title as Broken, the story, pacing, and ending would’ve made more sense.

## Acting and atmosphere

For what it is—a revenge thriller—the film delivers. Solid performances all around, led by an actor who wears his role like it’s grown into his bones—a notorious gangster who had already left that life behind but is forced to return after the death of his younger brother.

It gives off the same energy as John Wick—feared, respected, tried to live a normal life, but got dragged back in. Except instead of a dog, it was his sibling.

The cinematography fits the tone: mysterious, crime, gritty, and fitting for a revenge plot. No complaints there.

## Final thoughts

> When mislabeling ruins the mood

The tragedy here isn’t just in the story—it’s in the mismatch between title and tone. International viewers might be left confused by the final scene. There is a sense of something settling, but it’s jagged and unsatisfying—because it was never meant to be about closure. It was about being Broken.

If they had just stuck with Broken, the pieces would’ve come together. Instead, we’re left with a film that feels unfinished, incomplete—not by design, but by branding.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars (8 if you pretend the title was Broken all along)

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- License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC By-SA) 4.0 International
- By: Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한 (YourOnly.One)
- Date: 2025-05-26

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Meandering but exquisite cinematography

Still not sure how I feel about this film. Although at first glance, Viêt and Nam appears to be a romance, the complex storytelling makes it far bigger than just the story of two miners finding solace in one another.

The film meanders, geographically and temporally, between the search for war martyrs and the vacillation of characters Viêt and Nam as they decide whether to leave the country. This film is exquisitely shot. And honestly, I was so wrapped up in the composition of some scenes that I wasn't really paying much attention to the blurring of reality and dream. You can totally see how this made it to Cannes.

Ultimately, I would say Viêt and Nam is more about the processing of post-war trauma than it is about romantic love. Or rather, the latter is a manifestation of the former.

I have mixed feelings about the ending which, though based on true events, feels trope-y compared to the rest of the film. I also feel like that level of pessimism is a bit of a cop out, regardless of whether its depicted as dream or reality, but happy to be convinced otherwise.

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A Time Paradox Not Fully Explained - Tragic but Fascinating Story

If you are looking for a drama packed with first-tier good-lookers, this one delivers—big time. With a star-studded cast including Liu Shi Shi, Zhang Yun Long, Ding Yu Xi, and Meng Zi Yi, the screen practically glows. Even the guest roles are top-tier, featuring fan-favourites like Peng Xiao Ran, Hou Ming Hao, and Chen Yi Qi.

At the heart of the story is Dongfang Huaizhu, who falls for a mysterious masked vigilante—leader of the Mask Gang, a group fighting for justice in the shadows. She does not know his face, but love blossoms. When she discovers that her masked hero is actually Wangquan Hongye, head of the YiQi Alliance and the powerful WangQuan clan - someone she deeply mistrusts, she is devastated—and abruptly ends the relationship.

Things take a darker turn when Huaizhu is captured by the Demon Lord Jiu Huo, transported 20 years into the future, stripped of her memory, and turned into a demon. Hongye and the Mask Gang must time-travel to rescue her, but standing in their way are formidable foes—Jiu Huo and his lover Jia Lan, who seek to plunge the world into eternal darkness.

But here is the twist: according to the history they learn in their time-travel, 18 years ago which is two years after their time-travel, they perished in a devastating war against Jiu Huo and Jia Lan. The YiQi Alliance collapsed, and the noble families were destroyed. This war happens after their time-travel, which means they go into war with full knowledge of who they are against.

If they return to the past, they are essentially walking into the very war they already lost.

Can they win this time? It introduces a classic time-loop paradox that is never fully explained. Logically, if they return, nothing would change as history has reflected the full outcome of that return.

Yet somehow, some things change—and some things do not. How is that possible? The drama does not offer a satisfying answer. In the end, the time-loop logic is left unresolved, relying more on emotion than coherence.

Despite all the loss and sacrifice, I am not easily moved—but I will admit, seeing the team fall apart under demonic manipulation tugged at something. And the ending? Quietly tragic in a way that lingers.

On a brighter note, the OST is excellent, with a lovely closing theme that captures the emotional tone beautifully.

All in all, despite a few narrative stumbles, I still rate this highly. A solid 9/10 for its strong cast, visual appeal, emotional beats, and unforgettable moments.

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Low production, cute/handsome actors

Sukfilm is known for their short series with few actors. While I feel some tensions between the actors, it's not the best chemistry. The series is partly steril. That's the fault of the settings. Even the bar feels lifeless. The locations besides the appartment are not choosen well and as always they can't fill the void with extras.

The story is cliché as usual. Childhood friends reunite and at least one of them is (still?) in love after 15 years! It's a bit much imho. I can't say it's bad, but it's also not good from a story telling view. It also makes the story not believable when you have no background at all. The clumsiness of the "writer" is partly cute but partly annoying. So I'm divided on this series. At least it felt not cringe or childish. You have to deceide yourself if you like this series or not, at least it felt not a waste of time.

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The unexpected drama that captivated me

I never thought I’d fall so deeply in love with a drama that wasn’t set in high school or didn’t center only around high school romance. That used to be my comfort zone, and I truly believed nothing else could ever top those kinds of stories. But because of the hype around When Life Gives You Tangerines, I decided to give it a try—without much expectation. After watching episode 1, I thought, Okay, this is good. But by episode 2, I was completely hooked. GwanSik and Ae Sun’s story pulled me in, and I couldn’t stop watching.

One particular episode that stayed with me forever was when GwanSik wanted to marry Ae Sun, but she had dreams of being rich and independent. She was supposed to go on a blind date with a man from the mainland—something she didn’t truly want, but with a crumbled heart, she went ahead with it. Deep down, Ae Sun actually wanted GwanSik, but her mind pushed her toward something else. But then, she suddenly had a change of heart. While GwanSik was on the ship, heading toward his future, Ae Sun came running to the port and called out his name. And in one of the most powerful scenes I’ve ever seen, GwanSik jumped from the ship and swam through the middle of the ocean to reach her. I honestly thought it was a dream—most dramas make moments like that imaginary—but no, it really happened. And that made me incredibly happy.

This drama shattered all my expectations. I cried rivers and oceans while watching it. The love, the sacrifices, the raw emotion—everything hit so deeply. GwanSik set a new standard for what a husband and father should be. Despite being poor, he treated his wife like a queen and loved his daughter with everything he had. Even after death, his presence remained in the little things. When Life Gives You Tangerines is not just a drama—it’s an experience. It has officially become my number one favorite, and I genuinely wish it gets the worldwide recognition it deserves.

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I am very disappointed.

After the impressive first season of Sweet Home, I was hoping that the second would build upon the tension, character depth, and emotional power that made the original so impactful. Unfortunately, Season 2 didn’t live up to those expectations. While it had a few strong moments and visually striking scenes, overall it felt scattered and unfocused – a season torn between ambition and poor execution.

One of the biggest issues for me was the lack of narrative focus. Whereas Season 1 thrived in the confined setting of the Green Home apartment, creating a claustrophobic and intense atmosphere, Season 2 expanded into multiple locations, which diluted the tension. The idea of a broader world was intriguing in theory, but in practice, it led to a chaotic pace and underdeveloped subplots.

The characters I loved from the first season felt either sidelined or altered in a disappointing way. Many returning characters barely had screen time, and the new ones didn’t manage to connect or evoke much sympathy. Cha Hyun Soo, who was the emotional core of the first season, felt passive and distant this time around. The internal conflict and growth that made him so compelling were largely absent.

From a technical standpoint, the production still shines – the monsters, though less terrifying this time, were well-designed, and some action sequences were genuinely dynamic. However, visuals alone aren’t enough to make up for a weak script and lack of emotional depth. The music, unlike in Season 1, didn’t stand out – it felt more like background noise than an emotional driver.

The writing was the core problem. Many scenes felt rushed, character motivations were unclear, and some dialogues came off as forced. The show seemed to aim for a bigger, more epic scale, but lost the human element that made Season 1 so powerful.

Overall, Sweet Home Season 2 was disappointing. I gave it 5.5/10 because it still had some technical merits and interesting ideas, but compared to the first season, it felt like a step backward.

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Beautifully excellent drama.

Our Unwritten Seoul even by the name I was so hooked. Genuinely loved the acting, cast, story and the soft cinematography of the show. Just watched 2 episodes and they're a really a good start .This drama is so easy - not rushed, not slow no overacting but also setting a strong emotional character development. Park Boyoung outpassed my expectations. Also Park JinYoung is such a great actor. Everyone in tha drama doing an amazing job.Felt like this is going to be everyone's comfort drama.Excited for more episodes.Go for it!! 🙌🏻

Okay so I'm here after completing this drama and I'll still say the same. This drama was so good. 🫶🏻

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Sweet home s1...

Sweet Home Season 1 was a truly emotional and visually captivating experience that exceeded my expectations. From the very beginning, the drama pulled me in with its dark, suspenseful atmosphere, charged with deep human emotions. This isn’t just another monster story – it’s something far more profound: a tale about battling one’s inner demons, holding onto hope in despair, and preserving humanity even in the darkest of times.

The main character, Cha Hyun Soo, played by Song Kang, was without a doubt one of the strongest elements of the series. His transformation—both literal and metaphorical—made me reflect on how pain and loss can completely change a person, and yet, hope and kindness never truly die. Song Kang delivered a powerful performance, capturing the vulnerability and hidden strength of his character beautifully.

The writing was skillfully structured. Each episode ended with gripping tension, leaving me wanting more. I appreciated that the show didn’t rely solely on action and horror, but focused deeply on character development and the connections between them. Every resident in the Green Home apartment had their own backstory, told with empathy and depth. I was especially impressed by the characters of Lee Eun Yoo and Pyeon Sang Wook – they were both tough and vulnerable, making them incredibly human.

Visually, Sweet Home was on a very high level. The special effects and monster designs were impressive, especially considering it’s a Korean production with a more limited budget compared to Hollywood. Still, the effects were convincing, and the atmosphere was tense and claustrophobic. The soundtrack was also very fitting – both the songs and instrumentals complemented the emotional and intense moments perfectly.

The only reason I’m not giving it a full 10/10 is that some storylines could have been developed a bit more, and a few characters felt underused. Despite that, the series remained coherent and compelling overall.

In conclusion, Sweet Home Season 1 was an outstanding experience. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for something different – a mix of horror, drama, philosophy, and humanity. I truly hope the next seasons maintain this level of quality and expand on the unique world they’ve created.

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IT COULD BE PERFECT BECAUSE OF THE PARALLEL AND TIME TRAVEL ELEMENTS BUT...

Memory in the Letter follows Aksorn, who gets kicked out by his dad for wanting to chase his dream of becoming a writer. He ends up moving into a new dorm, where he discovers a mysterious guy named Songjam, who lives inside a mirror. Yup, inside a mirror. The vibe of this series actually reminded me a bit of the Filipino BL Happenstance (2020). I haven’t seen all of Happenstance, but the similarities are definitely there.

I honestly adored Memory in the Letter. The mystery element is super engaging, and the plot keeps you guessing in earlier episodes. It’s unpredictable in a way that makes you want to keep watching.

Visually, the series is stunning. The color grading gives off this old-film vibe, which fits the overall mood perfectly. And aside from the whole parallel universe thing, there's also a time travel element, which makes it even more intriguing.

That said, I wish the episodes were a bit longer. It would’ve been great to see more of Songjam’s world, since the series mostly focuses on Aksorn’s perspective

I don't want to give spoilers but the plot twist is a bit weird that didn’t really make sense, and I think that’s where the story started to make viewers disappointed. I personally felt more chemistry between Aksorn and the original Songjam than with Kyo, which made it a bit frustrating to watch.

Another thing I noticed is they cast a 32 year old actor to play as 45 year old man, the face is young to be 45. It is not very convincing. The show leaves so many questions unanswered, and that vagueness really hurt the storytelling. From episodes 5 to 6, it got kind of confusing, and I honestly didn’t know how to react anymore. Just... watch it for yourself. If you’re worried about wasting time, don’t stress, it’s only around an hour total for episodes 5 and 6.

In my opinion, this series had a lot of potential, but it really lacked detail in the second half. It almost felt like the screenwriter or director got sick after episode 4 and someone else with totally different ideas took over. They changed directions and adding things that didn’t quite land. Still, Memory in the Letter is worth checking out, even if it leaves you a little confused in the end.

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a good but tiring movie

one of the movies that is hard for me to explain, I try to explain it but I feel empty-headed, might because I still lack insight into it. but still gonna try to explain

its start with a very hard-to-understand scene. because at the beginning it tells the story of Rong's family and their relationship with Dream Interpreter, I don't really understand this part because it's too fast. but finally got the hook when Xiao Lili realized Jinzhen's talent and bring his home

and after that the story start flowed easily. this movie even though at the beginning it was like a flashback POV from another character, but its actually Jinzhen's POV

Our wallflower, Rong Jinzhen. well portrayed because his appearance suit a picture of math genius

this movie is also very epic in terms of cinematography, they break the wall with so many 'weird' but 'out-of-box' style of shot. the depiction of dreams experienced by Rong Jinzhen and Liseiwicz also often makes my head hurt :)

the focus of this film is ultimately not just Jinzhen's genius, but the dynamics of the characters while he tries to decipher, and the competition between Jinzhen and Leisewicz.

Leisewicz even said "Don't do Deciphering, because it will drive you crazy"

with so many numbers, conflicts, and dreams, you can imagine how complicated Rong Jinzhen's head is. and don't forget this is set in the 1940s, a time of war & Chinese revolution. with so much propaganda, spying, missions. complete headache 😭

although heavy, but strangely addictive. the pace is solid, very detailed, and every scene makes you curious about what this is all about

the confusion between dreams and reality, plus Jinzhen's iconic action of playing with lamp, is a distinctive feature of this film

I was actually curious about dream interpretation, because he could dream that deep that he could jump to a certain conclusion

I also thought about what would happen to him without dream interpretation, and it turned out to really happen. you all need to watch until the credit scene ⚠️

my impression of this film is 'just watch it once' because it could be like Rong Jinzhen who gets stressed about ciphers and dreams

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An industry shaking BL

I'm going to be honest. Since I started watching BLs in 2022, there aren't many that I've both finished and absolutely loved. I have dropped many shows. But something about this show is so special. From the amazing acting to the beautiful screenwriting. And P'Boss, the director, is so thoughtful. I love watching him in interviews and I'll miss hearing him talk about the show and his thoughts process in Twitter spaces. My only issue with the show is some of the hairstyling in a few scenes. But it's minor enough for me to overlook, especially because everything else works so so well. This is one of those shows I'll probably rewatch every year (maybe even a few times).

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Mainleads mismatched

I was really looking forward to this drama, but now I'm really a bit disappointed.

First of all, the two main actors, who in my opinion have absolutely no chemistry with each other.
In "Everlasting Longing," Song Wei Long and Angela Baby made a truly beautiful couple. That's not the case here at all. There's absolutely no chemistry between the two main actors. It's as if an adult were playing with a child.
How can you pair such a striking, male actor with someone so bland and childlike? It really doesn't fit at all.

Of course, the whole story suffers from this, and I'm now seriously wondering whether I should continue watching.

I find myself constantly fast-forwarding; for me, there's just no tension. Others may see it differently, but unfortunately, for me, it's a no.

The story itself is nothing new. There are a lot of better dramas ongoing, with good pairings (Serendipity, The prisoner of beauty). I feel bad for Song Weilong, because i like his acting.

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