Reviews

Amazing Story made BORING, worth to watch in 2x Speed & Skips

Centered on Male Lead's Innovation:
Interesting AI device containing not only the voice of the person it's copying, but also the person's personality & memories.

What if you could TALK with the voice of a dead loved one, find out through their Memories what they truly thought and felt in past throughout various past moments??

Very interesting intersection of AI + Death, Memories and Healing...

But the slooooooooooooooooow pace unfortunately takes out 90% of the enjoyment, even with sped up watching speed and skips...
(I had to begin skipping since ep7, couldn't take it anymore)
So I can only ever give this one a 7/10, despite VERY interesting plot and the Sweet Love story of our Leads.
The Cinematography & directing is absolutely STUNNING though.

Plot idea 10/10
Pacing 1/10
Directing & Cinematography 10/10
Music 10/10
=
Overall 7/10

..........
Also the SYNOPSIS on MDL is SUPER UNCLEAR!
Here's a better Plot Description for this Kdrama:


PLOT:
ML is an AI Programmer, currently working on a
Mysterious Device, which will perfectly emulate a
real person's voice: It can save a Person's VOICE
AND talk about+/Hold conversations with the user, while answering Questions from the memory of the
person it's emulating.
FL is a sound engineer.
These two meet in the recording studio they both
rent at different times.

Enter Jisoo: The girl ML grew up together with in
Norway as the only 2 koreans in that area "We spoke each others's language", but she suddenly later as
adults chose to dump him suddenly.

FL: Why sound recordings?
ML: Sound or photographs... Both work just as well to keep a memory.
ONE WORD, Just a PIECE OF THEIR MIND...Can bring comforts/Be the only thing that makes one go on.

AS ML reminisces about Jisoo... FL gets emotionally invested in their story and involves herself.
FL: "Some people when you first meet them...Leave
such a strong impression that you remember them
forever. Some can walk up a hill in such a way..." (Her 1st meeting with Jisoo).
FL impression of Jisoo: I love that girl!
FL impression of ML: I love that guy!
....
Later: FL n ML connected by dead Jisoo, talking together w. AI Voice Jisoo

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To the Screen Writer New Siwaj Sawatmaneekul.. BRAVO!!!

My thoughts regarding: "Until We Meet Again."
Deserves no less than 10 Stars
By the end of this drama... I flooded my room with tears.
Excellent Casting of Fluke, Earth, Ohm Outstanding connection with their characters and also
to the rest of the Amazing Casts Thank you for all your hard work.

Having previously watched the side story, "Between Us," I was initially undecided about starting this series. However, after completing it, I found the connection between the two stories deeply moving, though I believe watching them in chronological order would have offered a more seamless experience.

The casting is exceptional, and I would personally rate it ten stars. Sammy (Manow) brings a charismatic, bubbly energy that provides a wonderful sense of sunshine to the narrative. Furthermore, Earth (Intouch) and Fluke (Pharm) are perfectly matched; Earth’s portrayal of Intouch was heartwarming and bringing a unique color to the character that balances the emotional weight of the story.

***I wanted to take a moment away from my​ review to share some thoughts on a topic I frequently see discussed within the BL fandom. There is an ongoing conversation regarding the presentation of BL couples, whether in real-life pairings or within dramas, specifically concerning physical aesthetics and gender expression.
I have noticed many fans expressing that they find feminine-presenting males less appealing in these roles, arguing instead that muscular men are more "shippable" or visually preferable as a couple.
In my personal opinion, I don't believe that every BL relationship is looking for a traditionally masculine partner. There are many handsome, muscular men who truly adore and prefer their partners to have a more feminine expression.
My opinion that those who criticize gay or queer men for how they choose to express themselves are walking a very thin line. In my view, this criticism can lean toward homophobia, even when it comes from within the LGBTQ+ community. Those within the community should understand how difficult life can already be; there is no reason to make it harder for someone who is confident in their identity and proud of who they are. If anything, the most significant support should come from within the community itself. ***

Back to the drama review: The plot’s exploration of reincarnation and the tragic history of Korn and Intouch is incredibly poignant. The narrative successfully captures the heavy emotional toll of carrying memories from a past life, especially the sorrow and fear that radiate through Pharm. The series also touches on the profound impact of parental pressure, highlighting the injustice of restricting a child's identity and their right to love.
Despite the heavy themes, the relationship between Dean and Pharm is a highlight—the chemistry between Ohm and Fluke is captivating, making their scenes together genuinely heartwarming. While there were minor technical and sound issues throughout the production, the overall quality of the storytelling and acting makes this a series I highly recommend.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review.
Stay Healthy, Happy & Amazing 😁

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Zhang Ling He and Tian Xi Wei Shine in The Pursuit of Jade

Another fantastic C-drama! I love Zhang Ling He and have seen multiple dramas with him. He is fantastic in this once again. Tian Xi Wei is also really good; she plays a strong-minded woman well. The chemistry between the main leads is fantastic.

The story is well-written and hooks you from episode 1 all the way through episode 40. I read some reviews saying the story was lacking and made no sense, but I didn't think that at all! I have definitely seen dramas that had very weak stories. Anyway, I had a fantastic time watching this, so I would highly recommend it.

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Every event has a center. Beyond it, ripples spread.

When I first saw the trailer, it immediately caught my attention, but the drama turned out to be very different from what I had expected — in the best possible way.

One thing I absolutely did not expect was for this drama to become such a tear-jerker. While the first 9 episodes contain many natural and genuinely funny moments, starting from episode 10 — and especially during the last 5 episodes — I cried my eyes out 😭

This is a 100% worth-watching investigation drama and definitely one of Wang Hedi’s best performances so far. His portrayal of Ran Fangxu was unforgettable.

The story revolves around the mysterious disappearance of a father and daughter at the elevator entrance of the Yuanlongli building in July 1997. The case deeply affects the lives of detectives He Yuanhang and Ran Fangxu, and it takes 18 years for the truth to finally come to light.

The drama switches between three timelines:
• 1997 — when the father and daughter disappeared
• 2002 — when the father’s skull was discovered
• 2015 — when the case was finally solved

The transitions between the timelines were done brilliantly and never felt confusing.

Even though the drama focuses on only one case, the plot is incredibly complex, filled with twists and turns that constantly keep you on the edge of your seat — and in the end, everything ties together perfectly.

I especially loved the 师父–徒弟 relationship development between He Yuanhang and Ran Fangxu. They truly became each other’s family. The actress Ren Min, who played Xiao He (He Yuanhang's daughter), even mentioned in an interview that for Xiao He, Ran Fangxu was like a mother 😂

After episode 10, seeing how much Ran Fangxu meant to both He Yuanhang and Xiao He was absolutely heartbreaking 😭

The drama also did an amazing job portraying grief, guilt, obsession, and the way one unresolved tragedy can leave deep scars on people’s entire lives.

“所有事件，必有中心。中心之外，必有涟漪。”
“Every event has a center. Beyond it, ripples spread.”

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Best medical drama, maybe the best K-drama

After watching this 8x, let me share:
Overall, this might be the best K-drama. Because it is real, no exaggerations (no mean mom-in-law, just a bit, no forced marriages, no horrible preps for college admission), simple daily life but of amazingly skilled doctors. Their friendship makes us jealous, no wonder that they do not want get married:-) The other positive reviews are great and spot-on. I would like to add what happens if you re-watch. The stories are never boring, the OST becoming more beautiful and the actors becoming even more attractive. After this series, I have become a huge fan of Jo Jung Sook. But all the other actors are fabulous, too. In the first two rounds of watching, I ignored their band performance. And then I even downloaded the OST:-) in summary, it is a bit of a modern and grown up version of Replay 1988.

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A Drama About Politics, Humanity, Power, and Emotional Survival

I just completed A Splendid Match and honestly… this drama completely exceeded my expectations. 🍂⚔️✨

I had no expectations about this drama. I also had no specific intentions about the cast. I did not think they would do a great job. I liked the plot premise but not the cast. Actually, I thought about not watching this drama at all because the cast looked average and not prominent. And I have seen this type of plot before: historical romance with clever female leads, political scheming, wealthy noble families, and the usual marriage alliances.

But somewhere along the way, this story quietly transformed into something far more interesting.

Because beneath its elegant costumes, marriages, dowries, and aristocratic politics, this drama is actually about loneliness, emotional restraint, power struggles, morality, survival, class systems, sacrifice, and the terrifying cost of living inside political machinery.

And what surprised me most is how emotionally intelligent the writing became.

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🌑 FIRST IMPRESSIONS — A DRAMA THAT HIDES ITS TRUE DEPTH
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At the beginning, I enjoyed the drama, but I did not immediately think it would become something better than expected. The early episodes felt familiar: wealthy households, family rivalries, marriage negotiations, clever female lead, political officials, hidden schemes. And suddenly I realized this was not simply a romance drama. It was a drama about people trapped inside systems. Systems of family. Systems of power. Systems of reputation. Systems of political loyalty.

Every single character is constantly suffocating under expectations. And that is exactly what made the drama feel so human. No character here feels entirely pure. No character feels completely evil. Even the cruelest people often act out of fear, survival instinct, ambition, resentment, or emotional emptiness. This drama understands something many costume dramas forget: people are contradictions. 🎭

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🖤 CHEN YANYUN — ONE OF THE MOST COMPOSED YET TRAGIC MALE LEADS
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Chen Yanyun became one of the most fascinating male leads I have watched. At first glance, he appears calm, elegant, intelligent, and emotionally controlled — almost untouchable. But underneath that composure is a man constantly walking on political knives. What makes him so compelling is that his suffering is never loud. He rarely raises his voice. Rarely loses emotional control. Rarely dramatizes his pain. Instead, the drama shows his exhaustion through restraint. Through long silences. Through calculated words. Through the way he quietly carries responsibilities that would destroy most people.

One of the most unforgettable moments was the undated divorce letter. That single scene revealed everything about his love for Gu Jinzhao. Instead of trying to possess her after marriage, he gives her freedom. Instead of demanding loyalty, he gives her a safe escape. That is not performative romance. That is trust.

And the tragedy of Chen Yanyun is that he understands power too well. The more politically intelligent he becomes, the lonelier he grows. After the grain scandal arc, you can feel him emotionally distancing himself from Lord Fu while realizing he may eventually stand alone in court. His relationship with power is deeply tragic because he knows survival often requires moral compromise — yet part of him still desperately wants to remain humane. 🥀

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🌸 GU JINZHAO — A FEMALE LEAD WRITTEN WITH REAL INTELLIGENCE
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Gu Jinzhao — I really loved her as a smart female lead. Not because the drama constantly tells us she is smart. But because the writing consistently proves it. She understands politics, reputation warfare, commerce, law, emotional manipulation, and social psychology. What I loved most is that her intelligence never feels unrealistic. She survives because she observes people carefully. Even during terrifying situations, she remains emotionally composed enough to think strategically.

The Sun Shitao corpse-switch plan was brilliant. Her handling of Madam Wang during the tea gathering was brilliant. Her usury loan trap to neutralize Madam Wang was masterful. But despite all her cleverness, she still feels emotionally human. The night before her wedding day, the way she expressed her real self beneath her cleverness — I really felt it. She fears things. She hesitates. She questions herself. She feels guilt. She feels emotional exhaustion.

What makes Gu Jinzhao special is that she never sacrifices her humanity to become strong. Even when everyone around her prioritizes political survival, she still tries to protect people emotionally. Ren Min did a great job. I did not think she would play her role this perfectly. 👏

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⚔️ YE XIAN — THE MOST PAINFUL CHARACTER IN THE ENTIRE DRAMA
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Honestly… Ye Xian’s storyline devastated me. 🥲 He is one of the most emotionally tragic second male leads I have seen. The drama never portrays him as merely a romantic obstacle. Instead, he feels like a man constantly arriving too late to his own life. Too late to confess. Too late to protect his family. Too late to save his father. Too late to keep Gu Jinzhao.

The wedding and funeral procession scene was absolutely heartbreaking. A bridal carriage moving toward a new future. A funeral procession carrying away an ending. Ye Xian stepping aside and yielding the road. It symbolized an entire emotional era dying.

His love for Gu Jinzhao feels less like youthful romance and more like emotional grief. Gu Jinzhao and Ye Xian understand each other deeply, but they would have destroyed each other emotionally in the long run. They are too similar. Too stubborn. Too emotionally guarded. Too self-destructive. That realization made their relationship even sadder. Ultimately, he died gloriously and just as he wanted. I cried when he was pierced and hoped he would only be injured, but his death was beautifully tragic. 💔

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🏛️ THE DRAMA’S BIGGEST STRENGTH — POLITICS THAT FEEL HUMAN
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One thing I deeply appreciated is how political conflicts are never treated as abstract strategy games. Every political decision affects human lives. The grain scandal arc especially elevated the drama enormously. Two hundred thousand dan of relief grain replaced with wheat bran. That single act exposed corruption, faction warfare, bureaucratic cruelty, and the terrifying reality that ordinary starving people become disposable tools for powerful officials.

Lord Fu is especially fascinating. He is intelligent, cultured, patient, visionary, and yet terrifying. Because he genuinely believes sacrificing people is acceptable if it achieves political stability. That complexity made him far more frightening than a simple villain. Chen Yanyun is so underrated because even in the end, it is clear he was a visionary when he chose to take up his mentor’s book. Others might have disagreed, seeing it as the work of an evil man, but he understood that Fu Hailian’s policies weren’t the problem — it was his actions and power hunger that were evil.

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💔 THE ROMANCE — BUILT ON TRUST RATHER THAN POSSESSION
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One of the best things about this drama is that the romance feels emotionally mature. Chen Yanyun and Gu Jinzhao do not fall in love through endless misunderstandings or exaggerated jealousy. Their relationship develops through mutual respect, emotional understanding, trust, political partnership, and quiet emotional intimacy. They genuinely listen to each other.

Even after marriage, the drama does not suddenly turn them into a perfect fantasy couple. Instead, their marriage becomes another battlefield. Political enemies target them. Families pressure them. Rumors surround them. But they continue choosing each other again and again. Gu Jinzhao’s love for Yanyun is evident as she is willing to take poison and die, which is incredible considering how much she values her life. ❤️

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🌑 THE CHEN FAMILY — A HOUSEHOLD BUILT ON SILENCE AND ROT
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One of the most fascinating aspects of the drama is how the Chen family slowly transforms into something psychologically unsettling.

At first, they appear like a prestigious noble household.

But beneath the elegance lies emotional decay.

Fourth Master Chen especially shocked me. His confession about drowning the fifth brother completely changed the atmosphere of the drama. Suddenly the household no longer felt politically dangerous alone. It felt emotionally haunted.

And Chen Xuanqing’s gradual deterioration is equally disturbing.

At first, he seems like a melancholic young man trapped by regret.

But slowly: obsession replaces affection, silence replaces sincerity, and emotional instability replaces morality.

After that, he no longer feels romantic. He feels dangerous.

Especially during the kidnapping arc, the earring scene, and his emotional coldness toward Yu Wanxue.

The drama is quietly showing how unresolved desire can become destructive. 🥀

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🎥 VISUAL STORYTELLING — POWER, LONELINESS, AND EMOTIONS SPOKEN WITHOUT WORDS
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One of the strongest aspects of A Splendid Match is honestly its visual storytelling.

This drama does not rely only on dialogue to explain emotions or political tension. Very often, the directing, framing, lighting, costumes, and even physical distance between characters quietly reveal things before the characters themselves say them aloud.

And that is exactly why many scenes feel emotionally heavy even when very little is happening on the surface. 🍂
Contrast Between Warmth and Isolation 🌓

What impressed me most is how the drama constantly contrasts warmth and isolation.

Chen Yanyun is usually surrounded by grand halls, political officials, luxurious robes, and authority — yet visually, he is often framed alone. Even in crowded rooms, the camera repeatedly isolates him within the frame, reminding us that power in this drama is deeply lonely. He stands at the center of the court, but emotionally he belongs nowhere.

Gu Jinzhao's scenes often feel more "alive." Her environments contain movement, warm candlelight, busy markets, family courtyards, flowing fabrics, and softer colors. Even when she is suffering, the drama visually connects her to humanity and earthly warmth in a way Chen Yanyun lacks.

That contrast becomes one of the drama's quiet emotional foundations.

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💎 THE UNIQUE CONNECTION BETWEEN ML AND SML
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One thing I noticed in this drama that I have not seen in others is the connection between the male lead and the second male lead. They loved the same woman. They were love rivals. That means they must be enemies. But in their personal lives, yes they fought and were rivals. But beyond that, they worked together for the country. They served under the same ruler. They forgot their personal grudges and fought in the same battle for the empire. They were righteous. They put the people and their country before their personal grudges. When someone faced difficulties, the other helped him. They did not take revenge for love. They worked together against corruption for the sake of the country.

In episode 39, it was so heartfelt and emotional to see Yanyun embrace Ye Xian. The way Yanyun carried him. Even if they did not speak to each other as friends, they were friends at heart. I once thought the most heartfelt scene in the entire drama was the funeral procession meeting the wedding procession. But no, this was the one. Once they fought with each other, then fought together for the country, though they were destined to be enemies hated to the bone, yet Yan Yun cried bitterly for Ye Xian. Ye Xian was jealous of Chen Yanyun but held him in incredible high regard. Towards the end, he thought of him as a teacher and friend. 🫂

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🎭 ACTING PERFORMANCES — REN MIN AND CI SHA
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Ren Min’s performance can score ninety points. She is charmingly playful yet natural. About the mother’s death scenes: some say she was too wooden. But I think that was just right. When her mother apologized, Jinzhao was shocked, not moved. Her lifelong belief was completely shaken. When her mother died, Jinzhao was grief-stricken but even more enraged. She had no space left to feel sadness. Only after things were accomplished, while listening to Yanyun play the xun and reading her mother’s letter, could she cry quietly. That is nuanced acting. She cried bitterly for Ye Xian, her true friend, and I hope no one criticizes her for that. Too many dramas portray detachment from second male leads who were genuinely good, as if ignoring one relationship diminishes another. He was her best friend and held a special place in her heart. 👏

Ci Sha’s performance gets eighty points. His eyes are especially deep. His mouth is distinctive — sometimes slightly smiling, sometimes seeming not to. I especially love his emotionally exposed scenes: slapping Fourth Master, stumbling when rushing to rescue Jinzhao. His features do not fly wildly — fitting Yanyun’s character. As for his scenes with Jinzhao, those are the drama’s essence. Sending the cloak with eyes that drive you crazy. Confessing love directly. Once aware of his feelings, he never hesitates. 😄

🔥 FINAL VERDICT

Is A Splendid Match perfect? No. The OST is genuinely bad. Some shots are awkward. The ending felt rushed. I wish they had given us a longer ending. Even an extra 10 minutes would have been enough. We never saw Chen Yanyun receive the acknowledgement and rewards he deserved, nor did we get to see them as a couple after all the drama.

But honestly? That is exactly what made this drama memorable for me. Because beneath the beautiful costumes lies a deeply human story about loneliness, power, emotional survival, sacrifice, trust, and the painful cost of remaining humane inside cruel systems.

This drama does not simply ask who loves whom. It asks what kind of person can survive this world without losing themselves. And that question stayed with me.

Overall, it is an incredible drama. I hope the couple give us some special episodes, even if just 10 minutes.

Layered political storytelling ✨ Emotionally intelligent characters ✨ Mature romance ✨ Complex morality ✨ Beautiful symbolism ✨ Quiet but powerful acting ✨ Deep emotional atmosphere ✨

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WOW! The Most Unexpectedly Addictive Series

WOW! What a series! This series is like nothing you expect and it blends many different genres into one. I literally could not stop watching.

There are so many good things about Affinity: the crazy chemistry between Fan Jin and Cui Yu Xin, the acting from Cui Yu Xin (which is incredible, followed very closely by the acting from Fan Jin), the story, the twists, the emotions, the music, and especially the train scene at the end of episode 6 / beginning of episode 7. And yes, there are some things that are a little over the top, but if you just go with it, you will have a fantastic time watching this series.

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Step-by-step manipulation

This psychological thriller series follows Yan Ling, a single mother who investigates her best friend’s suicide and ends up pulled into a dangerous web of emotional manipulation.

Suspicious and unable to accept what happened, she starts her own investigation and discovers a secret organization that teaches seduction and manipulation techniques known as PUAs (pick up artist). As she dives deeper into this world searching for the truth, she does not realize she might be slowly being prepared as the next victim.

The most powerful aspect of the series is Yan Ling’s gradual descent. She is highly educated, a university professor with sharp logic and independent thinking, yet she slowly falls into Luo Liang’s manipulative trap.

Luo Liang represents cold, precise and systematic control. Yan Ling’s submission reveals something unsettling: manipulation does not only happen to the naive or uninformed.

Her vulnerabilities, invisible to everyone else, are exactly what he targets. Little by little he weakens her ability to make independent judgments, distorts her sense of right and wrong, and builds an increasing emotional dependence on him. Every word and every interaction has a purpose: to scan, uncover her secrets and later use them against her.

He influences, controls and guides Yan Ling without her realizing it. He repeats that he is doing this for her own good. He isolates her from everything and everyone until only he remains as her source of comfort and the only person who truly accepts her and her past.

What makes it even more disturbing is his method. He takes the truth and places it inside a lie. Half truths pull you in, and before you realize it, you are trapped in a much bigger lie. It is so subtle and well executed that even the audience, fully aware of what is happening, sometimes starts to doubt.

Modern and highly relevant, the series works as a psychological thriller exploring themes that have long existed in society but are now becoming more widely recognized, such as masculinism, redpill culture and PUAs.

The performances of the two lead actors and the sophistication of the writing are truly impressive.
It definitely deserves to be watched and discussed.

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First of all, the acting is good, and I especially liked all the firefighter and medic scenes. The story is also good. I loved the ML, but all the other actors also made it worth the watch. The romance is a very slow burn. It runs throughout all the episodes, but it takes a long time for them to finally get together.

However, there were a few aspects that didn’t work for me:
- There were some small mistakes in the storyline involving the firefighters and the medical staff. Considering I’m not in either of those professions and I could still spot the mistakes, someone working on the show probably should have caught them.
- The FL is written as a character who is torn between her family and the love of her life. She played this very well, but for me, it didn’t quite work in the story. At a certain point, she should have just grown a backbone.
- In the last episode, the FL’s whole family is suddenly back together again, and apparently all is forgiven. I found that totally unrealistic. Who, in their right mind, would act like that with a mother like that?
- It’s too long. Forty episodes were not needed.

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Failure of a sequel

I loved season 1. This feels like a knock off with the same cast.

Chu Chu was charming in season 1. She's very much like her season 1 couterpart... just with odd quirks she wouldn't do in season 1 (like eating things with coronors tools). Sadly she is the only positive.

What happened to Chu Chu's brother??? Wasn't he a coronor 3 years ago? Now he is suddenly something else. It’s a bit inconsistent. They could have at least said he was in some distant part of the country 2 and a half years ago because season 2 starts around the 3 year anniversary of their meeting and Chu He was in their hometown being a coronor.

Okay now to the REAL dissappointment: the cases. They just felt flat and boring. I didnt care. There's nothing more to say. I csnt express how upset I am.

Big disappointment.

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Like the sugar art Zi Lan received - beautiful yet weak

I enjoyed watching this series though at times the political plot got in the way of the core of the story - the characters!
Some episodes went on and on and just became very boring. Though the series started off strongly, it couldn't retain its momentum at the end. Frankly, it could've cut down on like 3 episodes.
It was also a pity that some characters remained mysteries until the final episodes :( - looking at you yin xiang!!!!
And then there was the unnecessary death of multiple lovable side characters for shock value. Not very original. The ending lacked a good conclusion and felt rushed which really messed up the whole watch experience for me. I don't see how this is an 8.6 series.

The cinematography was beautiful and the fighting choreography was also great but it felt like it was just there to be pretty and didn't add a ton of value to the overall story.

All in all, it was an okay series, but don't expect too much as it collapses on its own at the end.

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