Reviews

I am glad I didn't listen to negative reviews and I decided to watch. It was epic, it was really nerve-wracking. I wish I am just watching it for the first time.
Great acting. Pooh's acting has gotten so solid, including Pavel. I love the other pairing, the chemistry blend, the acting, no over the top scenes everything was just right into perfection. I love the songs as well. I could go on about the series.
The thrill and everything. I love this series, it's been a while I truly enjoyed series, since ThamePo and Reset, Moonlight Chicken and a few. Goddess bless you from death, has entered my charts of favorites. I will definitely watch this again.
Thank you this series.

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The Trauma Olympics

My 2nd review here on MDL, and I just felt I needed to write down my thoughts. It is supposed to be short and sweet (unlike my 1st review lol, which was supposed to be short) but who knows

Disclaimer: These are my opinions, so don't take anything personally. We don't have to agree, and I'm not here to argue with anyone. Just dropping my honest thoughts on something I very much like.

First off, I just want to say Namkoong Min is a fantastic actor; his chilling performance in this drama is reminiscent of King Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones. I have never hated a main villain the way I hated Nam Gyu-man in this drama since Joffrey; he literally carried this entire drama on his back. Oh my, I wanted the nastiest death to happen to him. That's how much I hated these characters. What that shows is how perfectly they acted their roles and immersed themselves in them, so credit where it's due to them. Now that's out of the way, let's get to the chicken.

Why I called this the "trauma Olympics" is because the show is just a collection of "How much can we traumatize the main character as well as the viewers rooting for him?" Every episode was just me waiting for the inevitable "string of misfortunes." It's not for people that want happy things each episode because we don't get those till the last five episodes. So it's 15 episodes of constant "string of misfortunes" for our ML, Seo Jin Woo. The writer didn't hold anything back and poured every misfortune in the kdrama book on him, lol, but he persevered and got his lick back.

The drama is a revenge drama, where Seo Jin Woo tries to get revenge on the people in Inho's group, namely Nam Gyu-man, for framing his father. Initially while watching this, I thought it was going to be him trying to get his father off death row as well as putting the actual criminals behind bars, but when his father died, I quickly understood the route the writer wanted to take the show in. Our ML suffering on his way to vengeance, which he did get, and OH, it was very satisfying.

I've been a fan of Park Min Young since Healer, and I did like her performance in this, but I don't get the people that said she wasn't needed in this drama. I vehemently disagree because, without her, I don't think he would've accomplished his mission. She was his rock and emotional support throughout, especially with his Alzheimer's disease. YES, like I said earlier, they poured every misfortune playbook at our ML.

After watching Park Sung Woong in Man to Man, I took interest in his dramas because he is a very good actor as well. He didn't disappoint in this; it was very good, and I liked his character arc in this one. Also liked the good cop bad cop vibe he had going with Jin Woo; he seems to like bromance to be a thing in his drama (2 for 2 now in his dramas i've watched.)

Then we come to our man of the hour, Nam Gyu Man, an insufferable prick with anger issues. Just wanted to punch him in the face anytime he got on screen 😅 but he was fantastic as the main villain because I absolutely loathed him. He did get his just reward after he was sentenced to death. I also liked the way his final arc was handled because it was fitting the way he went out, a coward's way, because of the way he was portrayed throughout the entire show. A coward that hid behind Daddy and his money/power. A fitting end for such a character. I was a fan after watching The Veil, where he played a good character, but I didn't think I'd enjoy him more as the villain, a nice and welcome surprise.

The rest of the cast aren't worth mentioning like that; nothing noteworthy. Nam Gyu-man's sister was just a spoiled brat airhead till the latter part of the show; the dad was a typical Korean archetype business-before-family type character. Then the Outskirt Law Firm members, the typical supporting cast, literally. They all played their roles very well.

All in all a very good show, an 8.5/10 for me all because of Nam Gyu-man, by the way. So if you're going into this because you came here to see Yoo Seung Ho as Jin Woo, then prepare to be slightly disappointed because the one that carried it was Namkoong Min. This is not me saying his was bad or anything; his performance was good as a lead, but he didn't carry the show for me; that was all Gyu-man. So, prepare to enjoy his performance as the villain. Also if you're into—as my friend would call it—"suffer porn," then this is the drama for you.

Thank you for reading my long-winded review (which was supposed to be short 😅 again), but I hope this was able to help you.

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The best kdrama ever????

Okay so I don't know why I finally watched this show in 2026 even though I've been watching kdramas from 2020.
Like I don't even know how to say it but this, this is why I LOVE kdramas. The plot filled with fantasy, comedy, thriller, love story, family, villains everything ughhh.

First of all Seo Kang Joon mwahhh. Like i get it he's crazy handsome but ignoring that bro's acting skills??? I don't think anyone else is on his level. He made me hate the human Nam Shin and love the robot as if it's another actor.
Let's not forget Gong Seung Yeon, she's so cute and pretty and perfectly did her role here.
Then we also have Lee Jun Hyuk. So handsome and such a good actor again.
There were other familiar faces too and new ones too and damn all did their roles justice.

The plot was perfect for me. I always need to have a love story to watch and this human robot couple is the best honestly. Whoever complains about it is stupid because everyone knows it's just a fictional show so what.
And the plot twists that kept coming like I was continuously shocked!!!
On the side note if only they killed off that villain guy then all their troubles would have been long done but nope he isn't even killed in the end and only in jail.

Anyways 10/10 show

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I looked forward to the bento reveal as much as the characters did

10/10 is my rating (my daughter says 9/10)



My daughter and I watched this Japanese drama together as drama buddies who enjoy bonding over stories, and it quickly became one of our favorites. As a relatively new fan of Japanese content (just a few years)!, I’ve been catching up on dramas while she has a solid 10+ years of manga, webtoons, and anime under her belt. We bring different perspectives—she’s seen similar plots many times, it is fresher to me but we both adored this one. I gave it a full 10/10, and she rated it a 9/10. I'll explain a bit more below. It’s a delightful, heartwarming romance packed with engaging storytelling and so many genuinely cute moments that it’s worth watching just for those alone. 



 If you love Japanese romance dramas, well-acted stories, or anything centered around the gaming industry, this is a must-watch. The leads (Inoo Kei as the male lead and Matsumoto Honoka as the female lead) deliver fantastic performances that make their connection feel real and endearing. I highly recommend it!



Spoilers



One of the first cute moments happens right at the start when the female lead (Karashima Naho) spills coffee on the male lead’s (Amami Haru) shirt. This was during a "catch fall scene" He pretended to be upset while secretly thrilled because it gives him an excuse to have her make bentos for him for 30 days. His interest was immediate so her being the "perpetrator" that needed to repay him, the "victim" (his titles in his feigned outrage) provided an excuse for him to get to know her better. He was genuinely distressed when the maid sent the shirt out and the stain had been removed! I’ve seen other shows drag out similar secrets to the point of near-breakups, but here the male lead (Amami Haru) is so sweet—he tells her right away, and they happily continue the bento tradition anyway. That scene really sets the tone for the many adorable, low-drama interactions between them.

The female lead (Karashima Naho) has such a sunny, warm personality that she makes the male lead (Amami Haru) feel safe and confident. You can tell she cooks her bentos with real love and thoughtfulness, and he feels it deeply. It’s equally touching when he starts wanting to make bentos for her too. I loved the little rating system with stamps they use—it adds such a charming, personal touch to their growing relationship. He has one somewhat bumbling confession where he compares her to something he really likes and she's not sure whether to be complemented or offended and it really doesn't get the point across. That was super cute. They don't make us wait long and he confesses to her for real

Their romance feels refreshingly clear and straightforward compared to some other Asian dramas. Confessions and feelings are expressed relatively quickly and honestly, which mirrors what I’ve observed in a lot of real Japanese relationship videos by Japanese people . The male lead (Amami Haru) falls first and harder, but once the female lead (Karashima Naho) falls for him, they’re both all in and nearly inseparable. It’s pure heartwarming bliss with very few conflicts, and those that exist are brief and passing. They have one little point of misunderstanding when an old friend/his psychologist comes back to Japan and is hanging around him. It seems as though she's interested and even though she says she wasn't I kind of thought she was. FL was angry/hurt with him and she makes him a bento that appears to be all broccoli. Later it was revealed in his flashback that she had buried good stuff under it like the sausages he loved and stuff because she really couldn't be mean. That characterized their relationship well even angry at him - it was sort of like getting punched by a teddy bear, But he got the point and found a way to make it up to her and the sweetest way. 

Throughout I found myself enjoying their bento reveals as much as the characters seem to. I loved when it showed them cooking and all the different camera camera and angles. It really played into my inner foodie. So, if you are also a foodie that aspect might appeal to you as well. The color saturation was a bit high, which drove my artist daughter nuts, but I didn't mind it. Made it "pop" in my opinion.

The ML had so much character growth. And she was both his muse and a person that really helped him heal. I especially enjoyed how the male lead (Amami Haru) regains his inspiration and becomes a top game developer again, and how the female lead (Karashima Naho) helps him reconnect with his mom and gain some understanding there. The Japanese-style makeover scene (where he buys her outfits) and her family’s immediate warm acceptance of him—basically trying to hitch them right away—were incredibly cute. Her family embracing him and wanting to cook for him felt so wholesome.

Now to why we rated it slightly different - we had a few differing views, which made our discussions fun. My daughter found some moments a bit cheesy or overdone, while I thought that added to the charm. She also felt the male lead (Amami Haru) had more of a “pretty boy” look that wasn’t very masculine, whereas I saw it as perfect “gamer boy cute”—youthful and fitting for his character. As an artist herself, she was critical of the female lead’s (Karashima Naho) portrayed art skills and found it hard to believe she’d get a big solo project, but I was happy to suspend disbelief and imagine her even better than shown. She was also bothered by some plot conveniences (like the old man’s millionaire reveal saving the company), but I found them sweet and predictable in the best way—like an angel stepping in. One minor criticism we shared: after the emotional reconciliation with his mom (who has serious cancer), the storyline doesn’t really follow up on it. And in the end, there’s a nice opportunity for the female CEO to acknowledge the irony of trying to separate the very couple who ended up saving the company, but it’s never addressed.

Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable watch from beginning to end. The leads make the cutest couple, and the gaming world setting adds a fun, unique layer. I’d happily rewatch it anytime. If you’re looking for feel-good romance with genuine smiles, bentos, and heart, this one delivers!

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DWY is a BL Gem

There's nothing different that I'll say here that hasn't already been said. Duang With You is the perfectly BL series that has the right mix of quite literally everything. There was a time that I could not wait until the next Saturday to watch. Something as simplistic as a uni love story shouldn't have brought me this much joy, but it did.

Let's Dive In.

TeeTee and Por were born for these roles. It's very rare that I conclude that only a certain pair of actors could plays certain roles, but it is so true in DWY. Teetee plays the perfectly hyper-bubbly neurodivergent lover Duang, and Por as his stoic, black-cat opposite. This is my type of dynamic to a T. Extroverted "seme" and introvert "uke". Oh, how I loved it so much.

There's nothing much to gripe about when it comes to DuangQin. Everything is stellar. The intimate scenes are stellar. This series took the time to have a real open and honest conversation about sex, and it was fantastic.

My slight nit-pick is the side couple and the god-awful English that they had no need to speak. We also receive a good amount of screen-time with them, but barely-there development.

Ratings:

Story: 9/10 - spectacular. small gripes here and there, but great.

Acting: 8.5/10 - TeeTee stole the show. He did an absolutely wonderful job. Por, with his character's personality, fell slightly short, but I still enjoyed his performance, nonetheless.

Music: 7/10 - Skipped all the dancing and singing. Sorry.

Recommendation Value: 8.5/10 - this is the perfect starter BL for those getting into the genre, but also, it was just so good.

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Overall Pretty Good

An oddly good pairing Wang Kaimu and Wu Chunyi. While the amnesia trope is overdone, it was more realistic of the amnesia storylines. There's only so much a person will believe when you tell them they forgot all their memories and they are married to you. I felt bad for the brother. He was a product of a toxic environment and really did love his brother. His facial expression were done really well. He's definitely going to be big!
Overall, I enjoyed it but the storyline was missing something that set it apart from all other tropish shorts. Second, the FL was missing a little bit of chemistry and individual flair. She seems new to the industry so I believe she will get better! Good look Wu Chunyi!

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Supposed To Be A Mystery Thriller Drama But Without Much Mystery

Positive Points
1. The biggest positive point is that the FL is well written, and Bai Lu portrayed the Li Pei Yi character brilliantly. Her body language as the imperial investigating officer was very convincing. She actually looked like a women well trained in martial arts. Though I did not like much how action scenes were choreographed at some scenes, Bai Lu herself covered up for those shortcomings. Nothing to say about her acting. The helplessness, loneliness, and pain of the character was protrayed well by Bai Lu.
2. ML and FL are both smart and rational people who are clear-headed and witty enough to match each other well.
3. The tragic and bitter reality of the women due to the lack of empowerment and high dependence on men due to social circumstances during those days, and their fight for survival, for a better future, was the central character of the show for me.
4. Production value was good.

Negative Points
1. The biggest downpoint for me was the lack of mystery in a mystery thriller drama. The writing is the biggest letdown. The cases felt too generic to me and the screenplay probably was the reason that I hardly felt interested or curious enough to know what happened and who did it. It could not make me engaged with the story. The reason was probably that there were many cases and all were unrelated to each other. The main villain did not manage to blow me over. The main villain in fact felt quite foolish to me. He does not know martial arts but charges to the palace with his army as a commander. What nonsense. He was not witty enough either. This big mystery felt really flat to me.
2. ML is an astrologer who does not have any martial arts but is chasing criminals with the palace investigating team. Visiting scenes and giving opinions, helping with the investigation, is fine. But he was going on the field chasing criminals at many scenes without martial arts and in some scenes writer suddenly remembers that he can't do it as ML does not know martial arts. It is a big writing inconsistency. ML is an astrologer who is solving cases with the palace investigation bureau, while his own job is on pause. Moreover, due to some reasons, Wang Xing Yue looked a bit uncomfortable to me. His expressions looked a bit stiff to me in many scenes. He is a good actor, and I really like him, but this role did not seem suitable for him. Bai Lu and Wang Xing Yue don't have any chemistry, unfortunately (at least not to me).
3. There were quite a few editing inconsistencies, especially during the initial episodes, which felt quite weird to me. Though it got reduced later but this quite spoiled some of the action scenes for me. Moreover, the way of storytelling was quite boring.
4. During the initial episode, the sister of the investigating team member, Mr. Gu gets missing and falls under such a big racket, but the brother, who has a very good relationship with his sister, does not know anything. Later, a common palace worker sealed someone inside a palace wall, which was supposed to be a highly visited place by the king and his consorts. How did he do it without anyone knowing, and where did he have the money to actually do it privately as the materials used in the palace must be expensive. Highly delusional and drunk writing. The so-called mystery and drama felt forced to me.
5. In later episodes, how did a body not decompose even after so many days? Ok, it was preserved with ice/chemicals. But suddenly, several butterflies came that had a certain chemical sprinkled on their wings. The body got instantly vaporized, and only a skeleton was left. What nonsense.
6. An epidemic was going on, and everyone was wearing a thin veil as if it would help. Even though I ignore it, ML was touching a dissecting equipment used for cutting disease-infected bodies open, bare-handed was sloppy writing. The Female doctor had already developed a cure and treated the FL, but was still searching for a cure (to make it affordable for all, which I understand) and dissecting bodies. Though the medical herbs are rare and expensive, it is highly unlikely the royal family will allow infected people inside the palace around themselves when a cure already exists. What nonsense. The doctor was dissecting infected people with her bare hands. Writing prescriptions and formulas with blood and still not getting infected. Also, she just cuts open a dead body (her friend) and bam, she found the cure for a disease that she already had found a cure for. The writer was probably drunk when he/she was writing such sloppy twists. Culprit tried to commit suicide by swallowing poison, and all were waiting for the FL to come and prick her with a needle so she could be saved. Furthermore, no damage was done from a life-threatening poison. Where she even found the poison to commit suicide is even out of question. Logic is dead.
7. All 34 episodes revolved around tracking criminals and everything, not because the criminals here were really smart, but because though they were quite foolish, they all carried bombs which they used at the right moment to throw under the nose of our super smart investigating team, and they got out unharmed. How convenient.
Overall, if you are a fan of the main leads, you might be able to finish it like me. Otherwise, if you are expecting romance or some creepy, mystery thriller, then this drama may not be for you, as it lacks quite a bit of punch in that department.

PS. I won't even question what that giant Alligator was even doing in the storeroom.

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MOST of this story is believable

EARTH PLAYING a character that is meant to be like 40 is not believable. Not because of the performance, it is a 100% believable, but simply because he is way too young.

Any BL series that is not about high school or university already gets bonus points. Even when one of the characters is still in a high school, it is not shown, but his life outside school is depicted, which is great.

Unheard of in BL that they show a former couple, and unique thst they even shown verbal fights between them, as well as cover some other real life circumstances.

It is also important that the series raises human rights issues, which is rare for such a vapid format as BL.

All in all, this is more like a real drama, instead, which is commendable. Especially for GMMTV, which almost never does things like this.

DETAILS of what is believable and not are in a comment with a spoiler tags below.

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Becoming human

Embedded in this long-winded drama is a poignant and profound discourse on what it means to be human. Or rather, one could say the story discusses that we should pursue to be the better version of our selves as humans and not seek for something that is not meant for us. Greed, immortality - these are perennial xianxia themes, but they are explored in more detail here than in most dramas of the same genre.

The execution of this story does hold some flaws, however. The writing is dense and often redundant - perhaps an oversight in direction or editing. There are simply too many scenes of exposition where people sit and talk about the same thing multiple times. Additionally, some characters and storylines feel superfluous and not well-integrated with the main story revolving around Lu Qianqiao and the treacherous immortals. The first half certainly does a better job of balancing all the story strands. The second half loses focus a bit and feels underwhelming at the climax. The story builds to a moment where ordinary men would triumph over evil (RIP Senior Bai), but suddenly Lu Qianqiao becomes a Perfect War Demon? A bit of a sudden turn in the character's journey to become wholly human and in the story's themes, if you ask me.

Nevertheless, this is still worth watching if you are a fan of the genre - it does hold some genuinely stirring moments from a great ensemble cast. However, it is far from a masterpiece and will likely not stand the test of time - certainly no rewatches from me.

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Not a BL and that’s ok

Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge that they portrayed the characters v well, and I loved that the focus wasn’t solely on their sexuality but on isolation, loneliness, and need for human connection. And although this wasn’t necessarily a BL, it felt like they positioned it that way and for the most part, the romance was lacking. Even with the drawings and trips, these gestures and experiences still felt like a deep bromance. Two men completely comfortable with each other and sharing a beautiful bond. Skin-ship isn’t necessary to show romance, but there was barely any longing, tension, or intimacy while they were living together and growing closer. Part of me feels this may have been because Taecyeon was stepping outside his comfort zone as an idol-actor? Whilst he did well, the romantic chemistry didn’t fully land for me. These were grown (fine) men attracted to each other, and yet we never even got something as small as a face touch? Or an unnecessarily long and dragged out longing gaze? Thankfully, the ending redeemed it slightly in that aspect to confirm their romantic feelings for one another :(. Without that ending, it would simply be an incredibly touching bond between two queer male besties. I love but they definitely sold us a romance, so I’m a bit salty the chemistry and yearning was lacking.

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This drama could have been so much better.

Why only 7? Because of the lack of chemistry between the two lead actors. PLEASE stop matching older actresses with baby boys. Both leads are good actors, but could only do so much in this drama. And impossible to make sparks fly when Ding Yu Xi is directed to act like a 15 year old begging for his Mom's approval instead of the grown man the part called for. "Shy" does not equal juvenile. The closest thing I saw to sparks was between Victoria Song and Zhang Tian Yang in the first 3 episodes. THAT was possible chemistry. Sorry all, this drama could have been so much better.

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Soul Mate

Stories like these are important. I went into this expecting a romance, mainly because that’s how the advertising presented it.

Queer stories aren’t extremely taboo in Korea and Japan, but most productions centred around LGBTQ+ characters tend to be lower-budget shows with shorter episode counts and relatively unknown actors. In bigger flagship productions, queer characters are often pushed into minor supporting roles and used for comedic effect, with stereotypes becoming the punchline. Strong Woman Do Bong-soon and Vincenzo are two examples that come to mind.

I would still classify Soul Mate as a romance. It’s heavily implied that the two main characters are gay, and they both say they love each other by the end of the show. There are no real love interests outside of each other. This just isn’t a conventional love story — it’s much more restrained and subtle.

Personally, I wish it had been less subtle. High-profile queer stories in these countries often rely on implication rather than direct representation, and it feels like Soul Mate had the opportunity to do something more daring. The story works as it is, but at times it feels as though the restraint comes from a fear of fully crossing that line. One day we'll get a story that doesn't restrain itself.

I’m also tired of queer stories constantly ending in tragedy. What message does that send when so many of these stories conclude with one character dying?

Overall, I did like the show, even if I think it was slightly misadvertised. I do believe it’s a love story, but one that never fully commits to going all the way. Still, the performances are brilliant, the soundtrack is excellent, and the characters are genuinely compelling.

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IF LIFE GOES DOWN WATCH THIS SHOW.

I just have only and only love to give towards every aspect of this series. I have never seen such a flawless show EVER. This clearly is in my top bls without a doubt. I have INHALED every scene of this show to a point that if you show me a random pic of any scene I could tell you which scene does it belong to. Here is the character breakdown.
1) POND NARAVIT: THIS MAN. I REPEAT THIS MAN IS A LEGEND. The way he portrayed Khun Thee is absolutely phenomenal. NO ONE could slay this role as much as him. His acting, expressions, body language, looks, voice and overall personality is EXACTLY what this character and show needed. Warning: After watching this show you are so gonna start calling him Khun Thee and this image of his is gonna stick with you till the end. I kid you not. His acting didn't seem excessive in ANY part of the show.
2) PHUWIN: I am in love with this man and his character of Peachayarat. His acting was so amazing. His character was SO well written and human, it was the most relatable and genuine characters I've ever seen. Choosing Phuwin for this role was the best decision ever. Every emotion that was portrayed could be felt deep into the hearts of the audience I can assure you that. Again I have nothing bad to say about his acting or any aspect of his.
3) EST: I had never ever pictured him in a role of a bodyguard but he ATE. That firmness, sort of a stiffness that is required to be in a bodyguard he gave exactly that. His special expressions in certain scenes (like he had to exaggerate) it sat so well with the theme of the show.
4) SANTA: My man is such a phenomenal actor. I've reached the point in which I've started repeating certain words as compliments because there are no enough words in English that could compliment these actors/ characters. His acting felt so genuine. I cried when he cried, I laughed when he laughed, I blushed when he acted all cute. First time seeing him act (I haven't watched Perfect 10 liners yet) and he is marvelous.
5) PERTH: He gave it his all and I can clearly see it. He acted so well as this character that I really start to hate him but yeah then I watch love you teacher and I started loving him again so well.
6) WILLIAM: My man got less screentime but that didn't stop from excelling. I loved every scene in which Rome was present. He was such a mood brightener. I LOVE HIM. The perfect brother Khun Thee could ever have.
7) Bonnie: She was such a perfect fit as Peach's sister. Like idk what the team did but Phuwin and Bonnie look so alike, like actual siblings. She is such a cutie.
8) ALL THE OTHER ACTORS I SEE YOU AND I LOVE YOU ALL!!! YOU GUYS SLAYED!!!! THAT'S ALL I'LL SAY!
9) OVERALL COMMENTS: Every scene from the show has managed to give me so much happiness, the tiny bits of the show has made such an impact in my life. It has become a show that I watch when I feel really depressed and it lifts my mood instantly! I don't know what magic this is! Also the music of the show is so accurate I love each and every ost of it!! It managed to make me laugh in the comedy scenes and make me cry in the emotional scenes. It was like I was living the show, I was living the characters, I could relate to them that much!

IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED THIS SHOW PLSPLSPLSPLSPLSPLS WATCH IT YOU ARE SO NOT GONNA REGRET IT!

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