Reviews

A Must-Watch Omegaverse Masterpiece

ABO Desire is my second favorite Chinese BL after Revenged Love, and it stands out as our first uncensored Omegaverse Chinese BL.

I absolutely love all four male leads. Each one is stunning and talented, bringing depth, charm, and intensity to their roles. Their chemistry is electric, making every scene captivating.

Some people have complained that this drama is too toxic, but honestly, if it weren’t intense, it would just be another ordinary romance. The psychological manipulation, possessive male leads, and high stakes make it addictive. Every episode keeps you on the edge of your seat, I was never bored for a single moment.

Wow, that library earthquake scene is my favorite scene so far in this series. It shook more than the library walls, it shook the soul. HuaYong threw himself over ShengShaoYou, shielding him from crashing pillars, from the ceiling collapsing, from the weight of a world that threatened to crush them both. The iron rod piercing his flesh was nothing compared to the thought of losing the one he loved. Blood stained the ground, but love stained his heart even deeper. If this is not love, what else could it be.

What HuaYong did before was wrong, yet was it because he loved ShengShaoYou so much that he could not control himself. Love pushed him to protect, but also to deceive, and now that the truth is out, it cuts them both. ShengShaoYou sees the pieces fall into place, the lies laid bare, and though HuaYong’s body bleeds from iron, ShengShaoYou’s heart bleeds from betrayal.
He pushes HuaYong away, not because the love is gone, but because the hurt is too much to hold. Both of them now drown not in the ruins of an earthquake, but in the ruins of their own hearts. Their pain is not measured in broken bones or blood, but in trust shattered and love left trembling. The body can recover from wounds, but the heart, when torn by both love and lies, carries scars no time can heal.

ABO Desire is bold, thrilling, and emotionally charged. It delivers drama, passion, and heart in equal measure. A solid 10/10 in my eyes, and a must watch for any Omegaverse or Chinese BL fan.

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I just wanted to sit and bask in the landscapes.

The charming natural scenes and the soft, lovely coloring are such a treat for the eyes - —like a little visual spa day. It’s wonderful.

I wish I had liked this more than I actually did, to be honest. It makes me sad because I genuinely loved the premise—it was incredibly unique and so promising. It was cute, beautiful, emotional… but I feel like there wasn’t enough happening, or it became too repetitive. Honestly, ten episodes probably would’ve told the story just fine. Yep. Sadly, the execution stumbled. Not terribly, but enough to trip the magic a little.

I still want to give it credit, though.
This soft and quiet story is about self-discovery, identity, and the freedom the characters slowly uncover. It’s about the relationships they build, making space for your true self, finding love that feels right, and learning to trust—yourself and others. It’s also about facing problems head-on and standing up for yourself. That’s really it. For both couples. Nothing more, nothing less.

And yet… I don’t know.
It had the aesthetic. It had the tropes. It looked like a fairytale.
But under all that pretty packaging was a slow, slightly messy rhythm and a romance that left me feeling oddly dizzy—like eating too much cotton candy. Sweet, but a little much. No. it's never too sweet.

P.S.: Thee had total golden retriever energy, and I adored every second of it.

Would I rewatch? Maybe.
Would I rewatch just for Thee? Definitely.

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Adventure for Love : A Time-Crossing Romance

🔹 Would I rewatch? No, but it’s a bite-sized romance

✨What would you do if you woke up as a princess in ancient times and had to fake a romance with a general to survive?

📖 Overview 🎬
🔹 Drama Name: Adventure for Love
🔹 Episodes: 24 episodes, historical romance fantasy
🔹 At the time of this review: All 24 episodes have aired
🔹 Hei Ze, portraying Qin Che, is a composed yet ambitious general who harbors his own secrets.
🔹 Tan Yanyan portrays Ma Qianqiu, a modern woman adept at navigating palace dangers with both wit and heart.
🔹 Ma Qianqiu wakes up as a princess and pretends to be Qin Che’s lover to survive court struggles.
🔹 Great for fans of palace romance and time-travel plots

✨ How It Felt Watching 💙
🔹 The setup is super easy, and the episodes are short and to the point. 🔹Each one is about 15 minutes long, so it keeps things moving at a nice pace.
🔹It feels like a blend of playful fake-dating and intense palace scheming.
🔹The story explores themes of survival, trust, and bittersweet love.
🔹 I really liked the chemistry between the lead characters; however, the ending felt rushed and left me with a sense of incompleteness.

🎭 Cast & Performances
🔹 Tan Yanyan portrays Ma Qianqiu, balancing charm, humor, and survival instinct.
🔹 Hei Ze portrays Qin Che as a reserved general, but some of his emotional scenes felt a bit stiff.

🎵 OST 🎧
🔹 “Adventure of Love” by Xiao Yun

🎨 Visuals & Production
🔹 The scenes look polished without being over the top
🔹 Costumes are simple but elegant, which works well for a short-format drama
🔹 The pacing feels steady for most of the run, but I felt it sped up too much toward the end

🏆 Final Thoughts
🔹 What worked: The couple's chemistry and the leisurely pacing of short episodes create an irresistible charm that draws viewers in.
🔹 What did not: The finale felt rushed and left several plot points unresolved.
🔹 Would I rewatch? No,

☕ SpillTheDramaTea’s Rating: 7/10
🌿 Tea-Scale: A plain cup, fine but unremarkable

✏️ As SpillTheDramaTea, it felt like enjoying a light drink on a rainy day, nice and relaxing, but over way too fast.

✨ Would you stay for love, even if it meant never going home?

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A Beautiful Step Back in Time

From episode one, watching Memoir of Rati felt like stepping into a beautiful old dream. 🌙 I love period dramas, no phones, no rush, just peaceful, quiet moments. The early 1900s setting is absolutely stunning, every outfit, every little detail feels authentic. 🕰️🧵 It’s clear so much care went into bringing this world to life.

My two handsome princes, GreatInn are back, and AouBoom are just as charming as ever. 👑💫 Twelve weeks of this story ahead, I’m ready for every second. 💖📺

I was honestly shocked by Thee and Rati’s relationship. I expected rejection from the mother, especially given that same-sex relationships were illegal in 1915 CE. Instead, she embraced them with warmth and understanding. That scene genuinely moved me. What an incredible mother, so open-hearted and ahead of her time.

The cast is stunning, the scenery gorgeous. It’s not a perfect series, some episodes are a bit slow, the plot simple, and nothing extraordinary happens at times. But overall, it’s a beautifully crafted BL that’s well worth watching.

Here is a poem I wrote about the second couple

What is wrong with Dech’s father?
Each time he appears, my heart sinks.
He belittles Rati in the classroom,
humiliating him with every word.
He scorns Rati’s mother for being a kitchen maid,
as if honest work were a sin.
And now, he goes further still,
ordering men to strike Mek,
stripping him of his dignity,
leaving him jobless and broken,
all because he is poor,
all because he dared to stand beside his son.

Yet even through this cruelty, love flickers.
Mek loves Dech. Dech loves Mek.
Two hearts that beat in silence,
but cannot meet in the open.
Mek cannot accept Dech’s open heart,
for the world has made him believe
that he is worthless,
that his love is forbidden,
that a father’s pride is stronger than their bond.
What could be more tragic?

And then the bridge…
that bridge destroyed me.
It was no longer just wood and rope.
It was the space between them,
a fragile line stretched across despair.
Dech reached forward with trembling hope,
Mek stepped back with silent pain.
He pushed away the only light he had,
not because he did not love,
but because he was taught he did not deserve love.
In that moment,
the river carried away more than reflections.
It carried away their hope,
their chance,
their tomorrow.

Dech’s father is the cruelest villain of all.
His arrogance poisons everything it touches.
And I pray, I beg, that karma finds him,
because people like him
turn love into tragedy,
and watching it unfold
brings tears I cannot hold back.

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Very beautifull, i loved it!

First of all, i really don't understand the ranting many people do about GMMTV, i love most of their drama's.

This was a very beautiful drama, very slow burn, but i really like a slow burn like this once in a while.
I loved the story and i like period drama's. The visuals were stunning!
I also liked it that they used actors who spoke French in a native tongue for the roles of the french men. It happens to much that they use actors who can't fluently speak the foreighn language they are supposed to portrait.

The acting was amazing, everyone did a great job.
Both couples have great dynamics and chemistry.

Definatly a must watch if you don't mind a very slow burn drama.

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What would you do for those that you love?

What would you do for those that you love? Would you give up your happiness? Would you give up your life?

These are the questions at the heart of Twelve Letters, a fantasy and mystery drama about love, found family, sacrifices, hope, and the power of choice. The story is set across two timelines — Meiwan Town in 1991 and Beixing City in 2026 — and it revolves around our two protagonists, Ye Hai Tang and Tang Yi Xun. The world was not kind to them in 1991; their lives were filled with pain, suffering, and darkness. The only glimmer of light was them meeting each other due to unfortunate circumstances. For reasons initially unknown to the audience, one moment changed the course of their lives forever, resulting in a heartbreaking separation and a lifetime of longing and regrets. That is, until one day when a letter from 1991 arrives via an abandoned and mysterious mailbox in the year 2026, opening a connection between the past and the future. Will fate intervene, alter the timeline, and rewrite this tragic love story?

Right off the bat, the first thing I notice about Twelve Letters is its gorgeous cinematography. It is intentional and artistic — flawlessly capturing the beauty of Meiwan Town in 1991, with its natural rivers and mountainous backdrop in every frame, along with the run-down buildings of its residents that even the breathtaking sceneries cannot hide. There is a greenish tint to the color grading, giving the feel of a different era, teleporting us back in time. The Cantonese music, VHS tapes of old HK movies, landline phones, fashion — everything adds to the 90s aesthetic, making this a believable and nostalgic period piece. With the hauntingly beautiful osts cleverly used throughout the drama, I can't help but praise the love and thought that was poured into this drama. However, the stunning visuals do more than just set the scene; they are a reflection of our protagonists' shattered inner worlds.

Ye Hai Tang and Tang Yi Xun are two broken souls who find solace in each other. At first glance, they seem like polar opposites — a bright student and a troubled delinquent — but they are actually two sides of the same coin. They are pitiful, weary, and yet still so loving, selfless, and kind. They make me want to wrap them both in my arms and protect them from the cruelty of this world. The way they care for each other, only wishing for the other's safety and happiness, is so pure. Their relationship proves that chosen family can be stronger than blood. Like beautiful mosaic art, these two broken souls feel whole together. The raw and powerful performances from Wang Ying Lu and Zhou Yi Ran truly stand out.

And it isn't just the main couple who embodies this spirit of unconditional love and sacrifice — the supporting characters are wonderful as well. I love Cha, Rat, Xin, Nian, Cheng, Manyu, Guan, and Miao Miao. Each has their own distinct personality; all of them are flawed but endearing. There is an overarching theme in this story about how ordinary people have the ability to ease the suffering of others even if they feel like they are insignificant. These characters are prime examples of that value. The sacrifices they make on the behalf of Ye Hai Tang and Tang Yi Xun are selfless and heart-wrenching.

This was not the type of drama I normally watch and it emotionally devastated me. It was dark, brutal, and at times painfully realistic, and I took a considerably long time to complete it despite its short 12-episode run because I had to keep taking breaks in between episodes to catch my breath due to its heavy themes. This drama did not shy away from showcasing domestic violence and toxic family dynamics, putting the ugly reality of growing up in broken homes on display for the world to see. There were many times I felt sick to my stomach and I cried my eyes out until my shirts were drenched in my own tears. Twelve Letters is one of those stories that will touch your soul and make you feel a dozen emotions all at once, and it is not for the faint of heart. And yet, the story drew me in unlike any other.

Despite how dearly I loved this drama, I couldn't give it a perfect score for one main reason: the dual-timeline structure was tricky to follow at times. The 2026 timeline had a linear flow, meanwhile the 1991 timeline jumped a few months forward only to jump a few months back inconsistently. This created disjointed moments in the narrative, and I had to pause the drama a few times in order to try to understand the chronology of the events. Even with this issue though, it did not detract from the genuine impact this story had on me.

After a rollercoaster of emotions, and many days of dragging my feet, I can finally say that Twelve Letters is worth all the tears that were shed. This story will stay with me for a very long time. It is not a drama for everyone. It is triggering for those who are sensitive to topics such as domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, gambling addiction, and violence connected to poverty. But for those who love character-driven mysteries and are brave enough to watch and make it to the finish line, you will uncover a heartfelt and unforgettable journey of selfless sacrifices, persistent love, and hope shining through the darkness.

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Purest, healthiest couple

Did I just watch a few hours of two souls simply existing together, fixing a house, sharing quiet moments, and holding space for one another? It was tender, warm, and filled with a kind of love that felt so real it almost hurt to watch. Their slow journey from separate rooms into one bed was so natural, never forced, just two hearts quietly finding their way to each other.

Jimmy and Sea’s characters are the purest, healthiest couple I have seen, untouched by jealousy, villains, or unnecessary drama. And then came the moment that broke me. In (Sea) finally opened up about the tragedy of losing his parents. His voice carried the weight of years of grief, and in that fragile moment, you could feel his loneliness bleeding through. Thap (Jimmy) didn’t try to fix it, he simply stayed, listened, and became the strength In could lean on. When he wiped away In’s tears and held him while he was breaking, it was love in its truest and most painful form.

And yet, that is the cruelty of love. To see someone so broken and to love them so deeply, knowing that no matter how tightly you hold them, you cannot erase their past, nor can you promise to keep them forever. Watching In cry in Thap’s arms felt like watching love and grief become the same thing. It was beautiful, but it was also unbearably tragic, because sometimes the greatest love stories are the ones that remind us just how fragile happiness truly is.

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The Confession Scene Really Stole My Heart

I just finished watching Legend of Female General, and I’m still not over it! I absolutely love everything about Xiao Jue and He Yan—their healthy relationship, their longing for each other, their fights, their love… everything. Their confession scene? Still gives me butterflies. Honestly, it’s one of the best confessions ever.

One of my favorite episodes is when Xu Jingfu and He Rufei are exposed. That moment when He Rufei summoned the Fuyue Army, but it turns out the Emperor had already ordered the Nine Banner Battalion to be on standby? Absolute genius. Another favorite is, of course, the iconic confession:

“I love the moon, but the moon doesn’t know.”
“Do you still like the moon?”
“Yes.”
“Now, the moon is yours.”

I will engrave this line in my heart forever, haha.

And then there’s the scene where Xiao Jue is about to propose to He Yan—it was so sweet, I felt like I was the one being proposed to! That sweetness didn’t last long though because Chu Zhao had to show up right after 😌.

Actually, the BEST scene might just be when He Yan came to help Xiao Jue at Mingshui, fighting the Wutuo Army. I love how this scene really reinforced the “Female General” title. The action sequences, especially Xiao Jue and He Yan fighting together, were top-tier. Another heartbreaking moment was when Xiao Jue had to deliver the imperial decree for He Yan to marry Chu Zhao. Ugh, my heart.

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Shortcomings

As much as I love this drama, there are a few things that drove me crazy:
1. He Rufei’s Confidence – Where on earth did this man get his confidence from? 😂 He really thought he was better than He Yan just because she used his name and earned the title of General Feihong. At least He Yan worked her way up from zero, despite him trying to kill her.
2. Chu Zhao’s Character – I was so frustrated with him! Why did he even get promoted? Give me three good reasons why he should rise in rank—especially to military supervisor! He can’t even fight a basic battle. He just simply being there, and there you go, a promotion for you.
3. The Emperor’s Weakness – The Emperor started off fine, but once he got brainwashed by Chu Zhao, I just wanted to punch the screen. Honestly, if they had skipped the whole arranged marriage between He Yan and Chu Zhao, the story would have been so much better. And come on, Xiao Jue and He Yan were loyal to a fault—if they wanted the throne, they could’ve taken it ages ago. I wish this Emperor was written more like the one in Love Like the Galaxy. That Emperor remains the best.
4. Character Deaths – Why did they kill off Yan He? 😭😭 That broke me. And Chu Zhao’s attendant too? She knew martial arts—she could’ve easily dodged that knife! Sure, her death made Chu Zhao realize things, but still… On the bright side, I’m relieved Feinu survived—usually writers love killing off the male lead’s right-hand man.

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Other Thoughts
• The marriage between Cheng Lisu and Song Taotao? Extra, but I loved it 🤣.
• Xiao Jue’s brother and his wife? Adorable.
• He Yan’s teammates? Love them all.
• The fight scenes? Incredible!
• He Yan being “too small” to be a general? Doesn’t bother me at all. Don’t judge a book by its cover.

Despite all its flaws, this drama is now one of my favorites. Xiao Jue and He Yan really carried this story. I love Cheng Lei from My Journey to You and Zhou Ye from Back From the Brink. They truly have amazing chemistry, and I’d love to see them together again. Their acting was outstanding.

Also, the OSTs are beautiful—I’ve been replaying them nonstop. I’d rewatch this drama, though I’d probably just skip to Xiao Jue and He Yan’s scenes. 😍

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MASTER PIECE (2 couples )

This series absolutely blew me away. Set in the Omegaverse, it tells the story of a possessive and mysterious male lead who hides his true nature and presents himself as an omega in order to pursue the alpha he has secretly loved for 15 years. The dynamic between the two leads is intense, full of tension, longing, and raw emotion.

What makes the show even more special is the second couple. An omega struggles with his feelings for his class mate and now his boss , who openly dislikes omegas. Afraid of being rejected, he hides his identity and uses inhibitor patches to suppress his scent. Their story is heartbreaking, tender, and full of yearning, creating a perfect contrast to the intensity of the main leads.

The acting is phenomenal, the chemistry undeniable, and every storyline keeps you hooked. The drama balances the fantasy of the Omegaverse with raw emotions, vulnerability, and devotion.

For me, this is easily a 10/10

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BLACK FLAG

My favourite novels out of the all novels are those with a possessive male lead that will do everything for their lover , i'm a big fan of the husky and his white cat shizun and i love moran who is the main character of the novel and the drama version which is called immortality , many people have immortality in their watchlist yet the come here and complain about how possessive hua yong is ,like how they don't know how fiction works and how most chinese novels are full of tragic and black flag characters .
some of the most popular danmei's have black flag mls including (svsss,case file compendum , ERHA, the film emperor ....)
so if you are not interested in those characters this series isn't for you like the most chinese novels .

10/10 for me with no doubt and it's a masterpiece .

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Charming, funny but it could be better

The Winning Try is my first sports kdrama and it's safe to say that my introduction to this genre started with a blast!

From the very first episode, I was immediately hooked by the story and the characters. I love stories about rookies who want to prove their worth. Add funny moments, personal growth and strong bond and you've officially won me over. I rooted for the Hanyang rugby team from the moment I got introduced to the players and I was so excited to see their growth.

The direction of the series was very good, the games were very intense and the editing in the funnier scenes enhanced the comedic elements. The OST was perfect, very charming and hopeful and the intro song is stuck in my head. Kudos to the actors for singing it, when I learned that they were the ones who sang it I was ecstatic! They brought the right energy!

The acting in The Winning Try really elevated the story and the dynamics between the characters. All of them poured their hearts out forthese roles and it showed. Yoon Kye-Sang delivered an amazing performance as Ju Ga-Ram, I literally fell in love with the character shortly after his introduction and that didn't change throughout the series. He owned this role, it was as if it was written for him specifically. He portrayed many different emotions and conveyed Ju Ga-Ram's complexity in a way that made you understand him and feel sympathy for his character. He also had great chemistry with Im Se-Mi, who portrayed Bae I-ji, Ju Ga-Ram's former girlfriend.

I was very impressed by Kim Dan who portrayed Ung. For a rookie actor, he did a marvelous job. He was also given the task to portray a complex character and he gave his everything. The scene with Ung and his father before he went to Hanyang almost brought me to tears. Kim Dan was excellent playing the kind and kinda naive Ung but he did a terrific job in the dramatic scenes as well, showcasing more of his talent. It goes without saying that from now on, I'll keep track of his future projects.

Last but not least, Kim Yo-Han was another actor who caught my eye. He was great as Seong-Jun and as the episodes went on, he won me over more and more. He nailed Seong-Jun's awkward character and he never came across as too cringe. At the same time, he was a determined leader of the team who knew when he had to step up and guide his teammates. The scenes between Seong-Jun and his mother or Ju Ga-Ram where the ones where Yo-Han shined the brightest. He portrayed Seong-Jun's desperation and sadness very convincingly, it always broke my heart seeing him experiencing feelings of inferiority and self-doubt.

One of the best elements in the series and one that has been praised the most was the chemistry between the rugby team. Whether it was between Ju Ga-Ram and the boys or the boys only, you couldn't question how close they were. The chemistry on and off-screen was more than evident and I was always looking forward to their interactions. They were so funny and yet so heartfelt. Comedy blent with emotional impact and in the end, I couldn't help but feel so proud and nostalgic of how far they had come. I could have watched scenes between Ju Ga-Ram and the team for hours, he became the guardian they needed and he really turned into their shield by protecting them from other people's doubtful and belittling words.

As a sports kdrama, The Winning Try did a decent job in bringing light to the world of sports. It portrays both the beauty and the ugliness of it. We see how delighted the athletes were once they got good results but we also see the pressure that is put on them. Just Ga-Ram himself felt suffocated from that. Being the No1 rugby player in South Korea, he had a great weight on his shoulders and he couldn't stand not being able to play well or stop playing rugby altogether - which led him to questionable choices.

In contrast to JU Ga-Ram and I-Ji's gentle and supportive attitude towards their athletes, the shooting coach Nak-Gyeon worked as a reminder of how many incapable coaches are out there. Not only was he sexist towards I-Ji by belittling her and questioning her abilities both as a coach and athlete, but he played favouritism with U-Jin and Seol-Hyun. Out of all the villains in this series, he was by far the most despicable one. It's really sad to think that there are many people like him in the sports industry and my heart breaks just from thinking of all these athletes who break down under the false guidance of incompetent trainers.

The Winning Try gave great emphasis on the importance of a good relationship between a reliable coach and an athlete. From Ju Ga-Ram's relationship with the rugby team to I-Ji's bond with U-Jin, the series portrays howgood coaches should be with their athletes. The coach is the catalyst to an athlete's career. An athlete needs the right guidance in order to succeed. No matter how talented you are, unless you have the right coach, you cannot go far. Both Ju Ga-Ram and I-ji cared about their kids (for this is how they viewed them) so much and they were willing to go to great lengths in order to support them.

In addition to the pressure that comes with bringing good results, through Seong-Jun and U-Jin's mothers, we see another obstacle that halts an athlete's progress: the pressure some parents will put on their children. In Seong-Jun's case, his mother disapproves of him playing rugby because she believes he won't get far and urges him to sacrifice his career in order to support his star football player brother. As for U-Jin, she tries to live up to her mother's dream, who was a former shooting player and who was unable to go far in her shooting career. We have two sides of the same coin: two mothers who ruin the mentality of their children for different reasons. One who doesn't support her child's dream of becoming a rugby player and one who sees her own child as a trophy in which she can object her bitterness for her career. The fact that the athletes felt safer and more comfortable around their coaches says a lot and it was emotional seeing how much Just Ga-Ram and I-Ji cared for them and showered them with the love and support they had been deprived from.

So, as you can probably see, I have praised The Winning Try a lot. It was a refreshing kdrama, with many important messages and one that I mostly enjoyed.

But unfortunately, I must say that even though I had a good time for the most part, it failed to become a favourite of mine as I initially expected.

First of all, the major problem with the series was the amount of subplots. We had so many issues going on at once and the story became messy. The preparations for the Nationals, Ju Ga-Ram's illness, Ju Ga-Ram and I-Ji's loveline, the villains schemings against the rugby team, the drama with the shooting team, the players' evolution...I get what the writers wanted to do but you cannot fit so many things in just 12 episodes and deliver a smooth result. Yes, most of these subplots connected with each other but some of them took too much screen time which could have been used for other aspects.

After the first two episodes, for the majority of the episodes, the drama started to focus less on the rugby team itself Yes, each episode had its own moments but it was as if their bond was not the heart of the series anymore. I totally understand that The Winning Try wouldn't center around the rugby team only. I also understand that we couldn't get them playing rugby matches in every single episode. If the audience wanted pure rugby, they could watch actual rugby matches instead. But it would have been nice to see them playing against other teams or watch them train more in order to observe their development and teamwork even better. We had three actual rugby matches and all of them were against the same school. At one point, you almost forgot you're supposed to watch a kdrama that advertised itself around rugby.

Unfortunately, due to the numerous subplots, the interactions between the rugby team weren't as many as in the first episodes. There were some nice moments here and there but at one point, their relationship was sidelined by the rest of the story. And that applies to their individual development. Besides Ung and Seong-Jun (and Yeong-Kwang, to some extent), the rest of the players got crumbs.

The politics and the drama with the shooting team frustrated me but for the wrong reasons. I didn't mind that the drama wanted to address the ugly side of the sports industry. But I got fed up by the amount of screen time the villains were getting. Too much time wasted on them circling around the rugby team's disband and Ju Ga-Ram's resign when we could have gotten more interactions between the rugby team and Ju Ga-Ram. Politics are nice and interesting but in a sports kdrama like The Winning Try, they dragged the story so much and made it less interesting. The actions of the vice principal felt way too cartoonish, I couldn't take his beef with the team and Ju Ga-Ram seriously. I understand his reasons and why he didn't approve of the rugby team but his philosophy regarding sports was explored in a very poor way.

At one point, the plot began going around in circles. When things seemed to settle, something bad would happen and the characters were called to find a way to solve it. It's a typical structure for kdramas but all of this drama felt way too tiring. I really wish the writers had toned it down. I especially disliked the subplot about Ju Ga-Ram's illness. Again, I understand that it was supposed to fuel the story and add more depth to Ju Ga-Ram's actions and emotions but honestly, had they kept the original concept of him doing dopping, the drama would have been far better. We wouldn't have to play this hide-and-seek game of him hiding his illness and we would see how he would make amends with everyone and grow as a person in the process.

Due to the various subplots and the limited screen time, some characters were not explored as much as they could have. I am very disappointed with how underutilized Seong-Jun's inferiority complex compared to his brother was. We should have seen more of him and the writers should have explored his feelings in more depth. He never had a proper confrontation with his mom and his character lacked some depth in some areas to make me fully connect with him. Another missed opportunity was Seol-Hyun and the aerobics coach. Both characters were handled in a rushed way, the writers clearly intended to make them appear evil at first only to be redeemed later but their writing felt superficial.

It's a pity I didn't get to love The Winning Try as much as many people did. I loved some aspects like the rugby team but they unfortunately couldn't make up for my lack of interest. I admit that the ending was satisfying and provided a proper closure but had the series been 16 episodes long, the plot would have developed more smoothly. Even though I overall liked the plot and the characters, I couldn't connect with them fully because the way they got explored did not allow me to feel anything deeper about them.

Nevertheless, The Winning Try remained a good watch and I recommend it if you're looking for something fun with important messages. I myself do not regret watching it so give it a try! Who knows, it might win your heart!

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