Reviews

This drama is like chewing gum, the more i watched - the more flavor it lost.

I'm going to be honest when I started this drama I was quite excited because while watching hierarchy (despite how mediocre it was) I personally wanted them together in another project as leads and honestly I want to take that back after watching this horrible actualization of my wish.

Cons:
1. Overloaded with clichés : I can usually overlook frequently used tropes in dramaland when executed well but it was almost like the scriptwriter and director were competing to see how many tropes they could fit into a single show. At some point certain things didn't add up and I honestly didn't have the energy to care.

2. Bunny and her boys or as usual Bunny and THE boy? : I absolutely hate it when writers give us the perfect second/third leads but make the character end up with the male lead simply because HE IS THE MAIN LEAD UGH!

3. Lacking chemistry: sadly i did not feel any significant chemistry from the final couple and I frankly could not see why they liked each other besides each other's looks. They also sounded like little kids in elementary for majority of the show and it was so difficult to watch.

4. This show also distinctly felt like a teenager's fantasy after getting rejected by their crush, like why did all the popular guys suddenly take notice of her after she got humiliated and dumped her bf?

5. There were also not much to develop in terms of characters, their backgrounds/personalities/relationships are all pretty 2D and have no depth as such and so there was no personality development or growth.

6. Introducing a New guy: Now we already know she ends up with someone else but they still brought up yet another contender from the past who is also MADLY in love with her YET only confesses to her when he notices she's in a possible relationship? Like whats up with the men in this drama acting out impulsively like men in in love only when they get jealous??

7. Acting: Like many have pointed out both actors are pretty mediocre at conveying emotions via acting but esp the FL, she had absolutely no facial movements, every single shot she either looked like a lost child looking for their parent or like she was spacing out.

8. Storyline: Felt like a typical web drama/soap opera was being marketed as a high budget coming of age show for drama lovers and it was genuinely difficult to watch because I forgot it was airing every other week

Pros:

1. Pretty visuals

2. Supporting cast: Ji-won was a great guy and watching him and yeol's friend was the highlight of every episode


Conclusion:

All in all just like with the chewing gum analogy, if you want to chew just for the sake of chewing something, similarly if you want to watch anything just for the sake of it this drama is perfect. I watched this drama as it was being aired and honestly it was very very difficult to complete but maybe if you binge it might be better.

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It started off strong. I enjoyed each person's story and what brand them to this point in their life.
Fe kei was definitely an interesting one that used everything to his advantage to be in control and hurt several people because of it
The father, I blame as his actions were what caused his daughter's death as you can't force a marriage just for convenience.
The married women I felt bad for as she fell out of love with her husband which don't excuse that she was cheating and got her husband arrested.
However the last 3 episodes were boring and I skipped most of it, most of Fe kei beginning you could say.

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Interesting story - some characters got way more attention than needed

This was a cool modern love story with a great cast. The main and side characters were strong. My main disappointment was the amount of screen time they chose to give to the patriarchs who led with outdated and frankly harmful values, while missing the opportunity to give more screen time to the sisters, positive parents, and cool friend group. I would have loved to see more time with Eun-ho /the trio as well. The sisters' relationship was refreshing and I would love to see more of that. I also appreciated that that main characters had regular, middle class jobs.

I've seen comparisons with Something in the Rain and I personally avoided this series because of that and ultimately found the stories to be completely different. I think this show is worth a watch but I did skip a lot of dialogue when it was the dads and the abusive exs.

The OST was cool! A little repetitive at times, which reminded me of Dawson's Creek. I enjoyed the mellow indie songs.

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A Rare Masterpiece Transcending The BL Niche

I rarely write reviews, but The Top Form needed to be reviewed.

The series was incredibly artistic, with every scene tastefully and intricately designed and seamlessly sewn together. The quality of the series truly transcends the BL industry. I don't know about the budget, but I'm sure it was nowhere near that of Kinnporche or The Next Prince; yet it might as well have been. The cinematography was impeccable, and the execution of the characters was perfection.

The actors Boom as Akin and Smart as Jin were absolutely phenomenal, and somehow their characters felt parallel to their real lives. Boom is easily one of the best actors in Thailand and stands alongside War in terms of his micro-expressions and attention to detail. Smart, much like his character Jin, young as he might be, stepped up and did justice to the partnership, especially with all the improvisations he made. They were perfect together.

Loved:
- The screenwriting, cinematography, scene design, and overall production were top- notch.
- The main characters' mutual obsession felt so authentic, and any conflicts they faced were resolved swiftly- thank goodness!
- While I' m not usually a fan of Japanese works, I really appreciate a good story. This series captured the manga' s essence beautifully, blending Japanese vibes with a distinct Thai flair. The balance in the story' s identity was just right!

Could' ve been different:
- Episode 06 was quite triggering for me; I had to pause a few times to get through it. I really dislike Johnny and would have preferred a different approach to his character. However, I do recognise the series' response felt quite realistic, and that' s a bit disappointing too.
- I wish the venue for the award ceremony had a bit more flair, but that' s a minor issue in an otherwise fantastic series.
- It felt a bit short. Those 11 episodes flew by way too quickly!

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Some Questionable Stuff but Entertaining Overall

I had read all the bad reviews and warnings, so my expectations were very LOW. But curiosity won, and I watched it. And honestly I liked it. No shame.

Both couples start off with one rich guy behaving in weird and questionable ways, but we’ll get to that.

Phayu and Rain’s story was fun. Their story was simpler and more straightforward. It definitely had its toxic moments.Phayu was overly confident and controlling at times, but somehow, I didn’t mind it too much. Their dynamic was playful, and the chemistry felt real. Rain was dramatic in a way that made things fun, and Phayu balanced that with his calm, almost smug energy. Their relationship developed fast, but it didn’t feel forced. Even with the red flags, it was entertaining and oddly charming. I enjoyed watching them grow closer, and in the end, they were a couple I liked.

Then we move on to the second half with Prapai and Sky, and that’s when I understood where all the warnings came from. Prapai was kind of a creep with how he pursued Sky, especially buying SIM cards just to contact someone who blocked him. The stalking and the sexual assault implications were uncomfortable. And yet, he did the bare minimum and somehow became a good guy, I guess. Maybe a bit more than the bare minimum, but still.

As for Sky, I loved him in the first half. He was sassy, sharp, and the reliable one in the friend group. Then in the second half, I couldn’t understand what happened. Why did he suddenly become so childlike?

And using rape as a plot device was just unnecessary. If someone has sexual trauma, the answer is therapy, not falling in love with someone who could also be a traumatizing experience. Apparently, love heals everything? Sure.
Despite all that, I didn’t hate their story.

I’d say the actors had great chemistry, but the characters didn’t. Or maybe they did, I don't know. it's complicated. Their relationship starts really messy but it turned into something more.

My favorite moment was when Prapai comforting sky after the SA from gun in the last episode.

This is one of those shows where you have to constantly remind yourself it’s fictional, because none of these things would be okay in real life.

I liked the friendship between Sky and Rain a lot too. Although it felt a but one-sided from Sky's side.

On a neutral note, I almost dropped it during the first episode because of the outfits. No one was really fashionable, which makes sense since they’re just regular guys, but Rain’s wardrobe bugged me for no reason. He didn’t have a single good outfit.

I hated Gun’s character so much I won’t even mention him.

Despite everything, this show was entertaining as hell. I was never bored, so I can’t rate it low. I liked it for all the wrong reasons, but I did.

And yeah, I talked more about Sky and Prapai, but I liked Phayu and Rain more overall. With Sky being my favorite character.

This is a total hot mess but I couldn't stop watching.

8/10, and that’s me being generous, delusional, and fully entertained.

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An enjoyable watch thanks to some great acting and chemistry

The MLs' acting and chemistry was what made this series such an enjoyable watch. There were some beautiful and iconic moments such as the moment when Akin gave Jin his first lesson on breathing right, the scene where the two main leads were under the sheets and the much hyped honey scene, where the cinematography wowed me (acting, lighting, musicality all came together magically). Choice of music was also refreshing with tracks in various languages.

I do wish more effort was spent developing Jin's character. The actor playing Akin cries beautifully and did a wonderful job smoothing out some of the overly dramatic parts of the story with his subtle acting. I think the series tried to emulate some Japanese cinematography, especially how they tried to build up Jade's character (the incessant smoking, the clicking sounds of the lighter etc), which at times came across as some what awkward. Some parts of the editing were also chunky, disrupting the story-telling Episode 10 was also a bit of a drag and could've benefited from sharper screen-writing e.g. focusing on non-verbal cues to convey strong emotions like deep grief and anger borne from injustice, so that the audience could interpret it and as a result be more emotionally engaged. Casting choice for Akin's grandmother was also a little strange.

All in all this was still a good watch with some very solid acting from the MLs and captivating cinematography.

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Dear Hongrang is a total feast for the sageuk fans.. Top tier acting, well paced story and aesthetically pleasing cinematography, absolutely sublime.. But what really stands out is the OST.. Goosebumps kind of good.. Lee Jae Wook is back in his element.. He served.. He had one of the best entrance scene, simple but perfect.. The powerful soundtrack, the family tension, that chilling look in his eyes.. It was the kind of scene that makes you sit up and pay attention..

At first glance the narrative might feel familiar for this genre.. But once The Snow Man is introduced, it becomes clear there is something sinister and haunting underneath all the family secrets, forbidden romance and political schemes..

Lee Jae Wook deserves all the appreciation in the world for his performance here.. He has always delivered outstanding performances.. But in Dear Hongrang, thanks to a well written script and a character that fits him perfectly, he truly shines.. And Jo Bo Ah smoulders and brings Sim Jae I to life.. Her performance was heartbreaking, tender, emotional and quietly powerful..

Every time I see Kim Jae Wook in a drama, he just blows my mind all over again.. He is extraordinarily talented.. Which makes me wonder why isn't he getting Main Lead roles?? Why are we not seeing him in more dramas?? He is such a great actor.. Its a shame his screen time was limited here too..

For me, two aspects stood out as the most intense and impressive parts of this drama.. Both in terms of its execution and the acting.. Absolute perfection..
First, The action scenes.. The action here is really fantastic and the camera work makes the swordplay totally engaging and awesome.. Grounded enough to not feel over the top but just enough to wow you.. Lee Jae Wook, unsurprisingly, was amazing.. He has truly outdone himself in those intense action moments.. Ep 10 was just pure brilliance..
Second, the romance development between the leads.. Their relationship isn’t a fairytale.. It’s messy, raw and painful.. And I guess that’s what made it feel real.. It was a gorgeously melancholic portrait of yearning and emotional fragility..

I didn't like the SML from the beginning.. His character was questionable.. One scene after the SML finds proof that the ML is not Hongrang, he says
" Once you know that he is an imposter, you will return to your usual self.. It may break your heart to know you have been deceived.. But do not worry.. As always I shall be there for you.. "

For me this is SML's character defining moment where he shows his true face.. His obsession with the FL..
Her usual self?? The one who risked her life just to earn money to search for her brother?? The one who woke up crying from nightmares, haunted by guilt and grief?? He wasn’t trying to protect her.. He was thrilled at the idea of breaking her spirit just so he could " be there for her ".. Even if she was suffering and in pain, for him it doesn't matter.. He just wanted her all for himself.. And when she confided in him about her feelings for the ML, he still didn’t tell her the truth.. He could have saved her from that agonizing shame.. From thinking her love was something forbidden.. But he chose silence because if she knew, he might lose her.. So he just let her suffer.. That wasn’t love, it was selfishness and he was a pathetic person..

He also says.. " I am not trying to protect her.. I intend to claim her.. "

For people talking about second lead syndrome for this guy, you people are sick.. He was as evil as every other villains in the drama.. Sim Jae I nailed it when she said,
" It is but an obsession for what you cannot have.. That is your truth.. "

The last three episodes were intense, story heavy, emotion filled and action packed.. All the revelations, the prince’s monstrous crimes.. The horrifying complicity of the father and the painful backstory that tied it all together.. It was painful and tragic.. The ML finally got his revenge and it was satisfying to watch.. But there was no happy ending for the main leads.. Terribly predictable, that was not a surprise for me..

Overall, Dear Hongrang was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.. There is a deep sadness imbued in all the scenes of this drama.. The ending was sad and emotional but honestly it was never going to be a happy one for them.. I just wish Jae I had a child.. Because now her life feels as lonely as it was before.. I wanted her to have something more to live for.. Something that’s truly hers..

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I love se ri and beom so :(

I’ve never been this emotionally attached to a drama before. Every scene, every line, and every look between them makes my heart race. There’s something about forbidden love that just hits differently especially when it feels so real and raw. I can’t stop thinking about the student and her teacher. The way she looks at him, the honesty in her eyes when she shows her feelings… it’s not just a crush. It’s deep, it’s painful, and it’s beautiful.

She doesn’t care about the rules or what people say she just follows her heart. But he’s stuck. I can tell he feels something too. You can see it in the way he looks at her when no one’s watching, in the way he hesitates when she’s near. He wants to say something. He wants to be with her. But he can’t.

Not because he doesn’t love her but because her family hates him. There’s history, pain, and unspoken words between them. And he knows that being with her would only bring her more trouble. So he stays silent, even if it breaks him. He keeps pretending nothing is there, while his heart screams for her.

This drama is not just a story to me it’s an emotional rollercoaster that reminds me how love can be both beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.

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Dear Hongrang, this is not just a review—it’s a confession.

This drama has everything. And yes—LEE JAE WOOK.
You could stop right there and that alone would be reason enough to watch it (especially if, like me, you’re weak for his historical roles where he’s the quiet storm of yearning, the warrior with eyes full of ache). But what I thought would just be another watch for my favorite actor turned into something much deeper. I binged it in one go—and it wrecked me in the best way.

There’s action. There’s mystery. But the thing that struck me hardest—and what sets Hong Rang apart—is how beautifully it draws the line between yearning and obsession. One liberates. The other suffocates. And the contrast is portrayed with such nuance that it lingered with me long after the screen went black.

I hadn’t read the original novel. I went in blind, letting the story unfold on its own terms—and that made every moment hit harder.
Lee Jae Wook’s character is written with such depth. His yearning is quiet, subtle, slow-burn—and it hurts. There’s a scene where the tears silently fall from his eyes, and I won’t lie—I broke. I don’t cry easily. But when he cries? I’m gone. And those last episodes? Full emotional devastation. I mean it—my eyes physically hurt from how much I cried.

Then there’s Jae-yi. A woman of fire and fierce resolve, bold even when it lands her in trouble—but never once does she regret it. She grows, she learns, she fights back. And when she finally stands up to that vile excuse of a stepmother? I cheered.
(Side note: I refuse to waste breath on that so-called father. Trash in human form. The actors did their jobs so well I wanted to throw toast at my screen. Yes, toast. I now hate that toast. That’s how deep this goes.)

Now to the infamous love triangle. Enter Sim Mu-jin.
At first? I didn’t care much. He didn’t hold my attention. But then the layers peeled back. And what emerged wasn’t love—it was possession. The kind of obsessive claim that says, you’re mine whether you want it or not. As if she were a prize, not a person. And let me tell you: that contrast? Between his twisted obsession and Lee Jae Wook’s soul-deep yearning? Chef’s kiss. Chilling. Brilliant.

Oh—and yes, I had my guesses early on. I figured out who the painter was, but I did not see the supplier twist coming. If you know, you know.

And finally—that scene. The one where he lays his head in her lap. That moment shattered me. In that quiet, aching moment… something struck me.
Out of nowhere, my mind whispered: Is it better to speak, or to die?

That question didn’t come from the drama—it came from me, because of what it made me feel. And in that moment, I knew my answer.

Hong Rang has officially carved a place in my heart. Not just as a favorite drama, but as a feeling. It’s the ache you can’t explain, the silence that says everything, the kind of love that waits. And in the end, it’s not just something you watch—it’s something you feel.

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If it doesn't speak to you, you won't like this

Objective rating 7/10, subjective rating 8.5/10

This story is:
- a vibe (atmospheric)
- heartbreaking
- slow-paced and drawing you in slowly
- glorifying romantic relationships
- not about healthy relationships either
- delivering on all your dramaland fantasies

Storytelling:
We get thrown right into the very confusing relationship between both, no explanations given. Heartbreaking music wants to convince us that every single scene is utterly dramatic, yet what we see looks like a random dramaland breakup scene. Skipping between past, present and trauma, we only get to know each character painfully slowly. What do they like, what is their life like - all we get is melancholic slow-motion with heartwrenching music while watching the characters live their life. Something clearly is off, but what is it?

Tiny pieces of Wen Yifan's past - the only thing that initiates and drives the plot - are thrown out to make up your own mind about it. For me, it was too little too late, but the atmosphere still had me hooked. Until these scenes became too repetitive as we never saw any of them from a different angle or adding a different detail - nothing changes. While at first that felt realistic, it later felt like buying screen time. As we saw Wen Yifan grow in character, so should have her interpretation of her past.

The plot:
There isn't much plot apart from the relationships forming. I really liked how they showed the couple do the most mundane daily tasks together and although it was slow-paced, the build up was made very well.
The family drama was realistic, its closure very anticlimactic. Wen Yifan's story ended up feeling a bit rushed, over the top and lost its relatability when they tried to make it even more dramatic later on. I wish they would have stayed closer to reality instead of one-upping it unneccessarily. For me, that sent the wrong message and the topic could have been handled with a bit more sensitivity, especially after they dealt well with it for the most of it.
Certain archs were understandable, but I still strongly disliked them and wish the drama had explored their neccessity for the characters in a bit more depth. And of course, nobody ever goes to therapy.

The couples:
This story should have centered entirely around the main couple or at least have portrayed the friendships they had a bit stronger. Instead, we got a second couple thrown in that I personally fully could have done without. Their story lacked depth, and as individual characters they got so few screentime that it was almost impossible for me to root for them. They barely had any relevance to the story and seemed to barely impact the main couple's life. It felt like they were meant to include some story about the true meaning of life and love without considering if that was actually the atmosphere this show was going for.

The second couple felt like that one person hitting the light switch after you've gotten cozy in a dark room. You get sucked into the pretty yet cruel world of the main couple, heartwrenching music, warm colours and soft imagery everywhere, just to then get thrown into bright, crystal clear images with standard music, standard bickering and standard "cute petite happy-go-lucky woman". Others might have found that relieving, I almost skipped their parts as I found them too disruptive.

Characters:
Wen Yifan was the star of the show and actually the only one with clear characterisation and character development. She had things she loved doing, a work life, a past and clear issues to resolve. Sang Yan revolved so much around her, he seemed to not have a life of his own. I don't mind romantic dedication, carrying the damsel in distress to her happy end, but he barely had any personality to him. Instead, we had a green flag guy with a big red flag called stalking. No hobbies, no work life, no past aside from her, no issue beside trying to win her over. The side characters in Wen Yifans life all worked towards giving us an impression of her life, adding outside perspectives of her, while everyone else seemed like an NPC without a real purpose.

Acting:
Zhang Ruo Nan did an amazing job at portraing that strong-willed yet always wary character, trying to be stronger than the past that kept haunting her. Her story spoke to me on more levels than it should. Bai Jing Ting did a great job at portraying his character with the few personality traits he was given. His facial expressions were the only reason he didn't come off as the guy with no personality who doesn't really care about the FL either. At least he visibly cared. Apart from that, I am very convinced they tried to pull the face-card with their cast to enhance the atmosphere they were trying to create.

OST:
The music was beautiful, but as mentioned above, seemed a bit over the top not knowing all that had happened. Slowly increasing its intensity through the course of the episodes instead of throwing it at the viewers right away could have helped build and maintain suspense even with the slow pace. The repetitiveness left an impression too, but I wish they used it more selectively. And sometimes, silence can create a lot more tension than any soundtrack could. 10/10 for the music, 6/10 for its use.

Final conclusion: This drama lived from the atmosphere it created, the mysterious depressing aura around Wen Yifan and the viewer's despair to see her have her well-deserved happy end. If you look behind its incredibly beautiful facade, you will find that this drama actually leaves a lot to be desired. But then again, a beautiful fairytale from time to time won't hurt. As I slowly grew to like the silent and calm beauty of it all, Wen Yifan's story deeply spoke to me. I never knew I could fall in love with heartache like this.

PS: I still can't get over the clock in the background of the living room always showing the exact same time.

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Good entry point movie for cis people

I watched this movie around 2 years ago, but I still think about it from time to time.
There are a few things I think are slightly weird/strange within this movie, but it is just bound to happen as a white westerner watching non-western movies.

The decision to make Rinko, a trans woman, and Tomo, a neglected and hurt girl, meet each other, is what made the story worth watching.
While the story is rather sad on some points, it is also really sweet and depicts Rinko is a very good light, showing some of her struggles as a trans woman in a humane way. Tomo's role in the story allows Rinko to really shine, while also serving as an outlet for the cis viewers.

I think it is a good entry point if you wish to make your close ones watch a queer movie with a transfeminine character in it, without it being transmisogynistic.

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A beauty should eat lichis

ep7 What is yours is mine, what is mine is still mine
ep17 we can turn off the lamplight but your light won't vanish
ep20 from now on, look after me inside the doors.
Don't worry. I'll protect you. I'll protect you forever
(ep23 por poco me matan a los gays, HOMOFOBIA. Sabimos donde nos metiamos en China, pero matarme a los gays) A beauty should eat lichis
(ep 27 es el CAPITULO , que triste que se muera el lider de White Deer, aqui nos enteramos de toda la historia)
ep30 -Have you ever thought that the world inside the door is real? And everything we're experiencing now is virtual .
-Of course, I have. But , I can't figure it out.
-If it were you, would you choose a real but scary world or a virtual but safe world?
- I'll choose wherever you are

Lingling a Ruan: I just don't want to leave you

ep31. (me han matado a la Zaozao no puede ser y encima el video, llorando).
Ruan, you may look cold, but you heart is as hot as fire

Call me dad (¿estamos en pit babe?, no por favor)

ep33.I just wanted you to survive, At least don't die for me

ep.34 ME HAS MATADO A MI SEÑORO Y CRUSH? ESTAS DE COÑA? PUÑETERO JUEGO DE LAS NARICES

ep.35 Zhu Meng is dead , I don't care if I can't get out.

Welcome to the world inside the doors (GUAPISIMO, TE QUEREMOS Y TE ODIAMOS A LA VEZ POR JUGAR CON NUESTRO CORAZÓN)
La Zaozao ha salvado a los gays , te adoramos por ser supportive

I couldn't save her but I was saved by her.

ESTE ES EL PUÑETERO CAPITULO

ep.36 I appeared because of you and I'll disappear because of you.

I am greatful for gradually making me feel real, for making me feel like at least I appear to be a person.

ep. 38 All along, I never had a choice. From enterning the door with you,to witnessing your death, I can only accept and understand. But this time, Yan Balang will make the choice for me. If he chooses correctly, I'll stay here with you. If he chooses wrongly, then I'll send you to purify the game.

save some I know or save a group of strangers?

I just want to save the people I care about

La mejor puerta es la puerta 10 aunque la 11 que salgan todos los personajes tanto NPC como jugadores, mola.
Este señor dijo a la mierda el mundo real yo me quedo en el virtual. Yo no lo haría pero le pega tanto

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This series is nothing short of a masterpiece. The cinematography, visuals, acting, writing, soundtrack, everything about it is absolutely flawless. I wish I could rate it higher than 10. Huge congrats to everyone involved in creating such a beautiful piece of work. This series made me laugh, cry (a lot), and reflect. It's impossible not to be moved by its powerful messages.

The three lead actors deliver stellar performances that grab your attention and hold it, showcasing their incredible talent. The symbolism in the series: the lines representing the present, past, and future; the bridge; the room divider, is all spot on and beautifully crafted.

Inthawut was the character I related to the most. He’s imperfect, weighed down by fear and regrets, tragedy and years of repression. Wang is proud to love whoever he wants and is unafraid to stand up for his beliefs and fight for what he holds dear.

I love how their relationship unfolds, from the glances and soft smiles to the deep, philosophical conversations. Their chemistry is incredibly intense, yet filled with subtle nuances that make every interaction feel layered and meaningful.
Sasimol was the character I liked the least. She’s cruel, conservative, manipulative, self-victimizing, homophobic, and selfish. I couldn’t feel any empathy for her pain. She uses love as a tool to control the people she claims to care about: Siam, Wang, and In.

This is a series that’s going to stay with me for a long time.

“To you who call yourself a parent, you can only give birth to them, but you don’t own them. To you who are still young, you have to bleed first before you learn. To you who call themselves wise, don’t let your cowardice get the better of you. Pick a side or throw away what you believe in.”

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