Reviews

couldn’t find the depth

I have nothing against the actors and am, in fact, a fan of the FL. She’s so cute and pretty.

However, the show became so boring quickly that I couldn’t continue watching it. I wanted to watch everything and see what the backstory was for the ML and what the future would be for the ML and FL. However, I couldn’t continue watching because the plot was dragging along and nothing much was happening. I really liked the FL’s best girlfriend though. She was so feminine and cute.

Once again, I have nothing against both leads. I would like to find out their backstories and the ending but … I have no patience to drag it out with them.

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A Warm, Funny Take on Time Travel and Family

Anyone who’s seen my profile knows this already, but I’ll say it again: I LOVE time travel. I eat that shit up every single time. So when I found another drama with time travel and romance? I was immediately in 👀✨

What really sold this for me was that it wasn’t just one person time traveling, it was the entire family. That alone made it feel fresh. And honestly? I loved the family so much. Every single member felt necessary. No one felt like dead weight or filler, which is rare. Their reactions felt natural, the humor landed, and the acting across the board was really solid.

This drama is also genuinely funny. Like, not forced “insert laugh track here” funny. The jokes, the reactions, the absurd situations… it all worked. And I really appreciated how often the show set up a cliché only to completely subvert it and do its own thing instead. That was one of its biggest strengths for me.

Now, fair warning: this is very much a cooking drama. Like… a LOT of cooking 🍜
There are long cooking scenes, and they really lean into food culture, recipes, and historical Chinese cuisine. Personally, I think it’s a nice cultural touch and adds depth to the world-building. But if you’re not into cooking at all, you should know those scenes can drag. I’ll be honest, after a while I started skipping some of them ¯\(ツ)/¯

Story-wise, it was surprisingly tight. Not many plot holes, the characters actually figure things out instead of being stupid for plot convenience, and most storylines were handled well. Some side characters did feel a bit forgotten or unnecessary, but nothing that ruined the experience.

The romance? I liked it! At first it’s framed as this forbidden situation, and I spent a good chunk of the show going “something is off here…” and I was right. SPOILERS from here:

The reveal that they’re actually not related was… not great. The brother hitting his head and suddenly remembering “oh yeah grandpa told me ages ago” was such a weird and lazy way to handle something that important. That was easily my biggest pet peeve of the entire drama.

Overall, this was a very fun, very enjoyable watch. I didn’t feel like it dragged, the writing stayed consistent, things wrapped up nicely, and yes it has a good ending, which we love 😌💖

I gave this an 8.5/10, which is a BIG score coming from me. I don’t hand those out easily.

Overall:
Fun, funny, surprisingly well-written, and a good time from start to finish.
Emz recommends.

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Spring of Youth: A Misunderstood Gem That Deserves Better” ?

## 🌸 *Spring of Youth* —

*Spring of Youth* isn’t the typical romantic cliche drama you see everywhere — it’s a **teen + music + campus romance** that flows like a *spring breeze*, but people sometimes miss its real flavor because they expect drama chaos instead of emotional growth and musical bonding. ([Wikipedia][1])

### 🎯 **Plot Summary (Real One, Bro)**

The story follows **Sa-gye**, a **former K-pop band vocalist and guitarist** from the huge band *The Crown* who gets **kicked out of the group** unexpectedly and is forced to start over by going to university — the first time he’ll experience campus life for real. ([Wikipedia][1])

Once at **Hanju University**, Sa-gye meets **Kim Bom**, a bright and talented **music student** who had to give up her dream of studying abroad after her mother died, and the two eventually form a **campus band called Two Sa-gye** with friends like **Seo Tae-yang**, **Gong Jin-gu**, and **Bae Gyu-ri**. Along the way, they deal with music, love, ambition, friendship and inner conflict. ([AsianWiki Blog][2])

---

## 💥 **GOOD STUFF — THE REASONS THIS DRAMA IS ACTUALLY GOOD**

### ⭐ **1. Unique Main Character Arc**

Sa-gye isn’t just “another cold lead” — he’s a **fallen star** trying to rediscover who he is beyond being famous. He’s confident, passionate about music, but also naive and a little chaotic. This growth from superstar to real human being is *so much more interesting* than simple romantic tropes. ([AsianWiki Blog][2])

### 🎵 **2. Music Isn’t Just Background — It’s the Story**

This show uses music as its **emotional core**. The band’s formation, their practices, and performances become symbolic of the characters’ feelings and growth, not just filler scenes. There’s charm in how each song becomes a step in their journey. ([Korea Thread][3])

### ❤️ **3. Kim Bom’s Emotional Depth**

Bom deals with loss, dreams put on hold, and finding joy again — but she doesn’t collapse into a trope. Her arc is about **healing through passion**, not melodrama, and that gives the show a **genuine warmth** that hits differently. ([AsianWiki Blog][2])

### 🎸 **4. Chemistry + Friendship Energy**

The bandmates create a *really sweet dynamic*, from rivalry, shared weaknesses, and goals — especially between Sa-gye, Bom & Seo Tae-yang. That love triangle isn’t just fluff — it’s tension rooted in *mutual respect and musical connection*. ([Sportskeeda][4])

### 🌟 **5. Visual & Vibe Aesthetic**

This drama feels like spring itself: bright, warm colors, campus rooftops, sunsets with guitars — it’s *vibe central* and adds emotional layers that pop visually too. ([Korea Thread][3])

---

## 😬 **THE WEAK POINTS (BUT STILL DEFENDED)**

### 📉 **1. Slow for Some Viewers**

Yes, pacing is chill. It’s not explosive drama — but that’s *on purpose*. It’s about **melodic growth, not fireworks**, and if you watch expecting constant conflict you’ll misjudge it. ([Korea Thread][3])

### ❗ **2. Ratings Didn’t Hit Big Domestically**

The show struggled in Korean TV ratings, but that’s more about timing & competition than quality — *international fans have been really into it*. ([The Times of India][5])

### 👀 **3. Love Triangle Doesn’t Slam You**

If you want big dramatic swings, *Spring of Youth* is quieter with its romance. But that’s part of being realistic — feelings are *gentle push and pull*, not dramatic shouting matches.

## 🔥 **TO HATERS WHO SAY IT’S “BAD” BECAUSE IT’S NOT LOUD**

Let’s be honest: drama doesn’t need fights every 3 minutes to be good. *Spring of Youth* gives:

* **heartfelt connection through music**
* **realistic emotional moments**
* **characters who feel like actual people**
* **a vibe that stays with you long after you finish watching**

That’s **quality storytelling**, bro. The fact that it doesn’t rely on over-the-top melodrama *is a strength*, not a weakness. 🧠💥

---

## 🏁 **FINAL RATING**

**8.8 / 10** ⭐

Not perfect, but heartfelt + original + memorable. If you *feel it right*, it’s easily one of the nicest campus romances with music at its soul. 🔥

---

## 📌 **BOTTOM LINE**

*Spring of Youth* isn’t a low-effort drama — it’s a **love letter to youthful passion, music, and rediscovery**. If you’re tired of predictable plot hooks and want something that grows on you like a melody… bro, THIS IS IT. 🎶💫
STOP SAYING IT IS BAD
---

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Strong aesthetics couldn’t distract from the demon who fell faster than you can say “contract"

A dark, supernatural romance, but delivered a baby-faced demon, predictable villain, and a full moon’s worth of missed potential.

Disclaimer: This review is 100% my opinion — I’m not here to hate, just to share my thoughts! Also, SPOILERS AHEAD, so proceed with caution if you haven’t watched yet. Watch it, come back and let’s see if you agree. Let’s keep the discussion respectful and fun! 💕

The Good

Ga Young’s Character Development
I didn’t expect to like Ga Young as much as I did by the end. While I wouldn’t say she wasn’t annoying, she definitely gave second-lead energy in the worst way. But her character genuinely grew on me. She toned down the obsession, started thinking more rationally, and even formed a healthier relationship with Goo Won. A few people found her annoying throughout the show but when you think about it, her actions are valid. Her constantly reminding Do Hee that she was the problem? Valid. Her wanting Do Hee to die instead of Goo Won? Still valid. Goo Won saved her from an abusive father (more or less), and Do Hee, at least in Ga Young’s eyes, was the reason Goo Won was losing everything. She didn’t owe Do Hee anything, and her willingness to sacrifice Do Hee for Goo Won’s survival came from a place of loyalty. It wasn’t villainous. It was real.


Her “Reliance” on Goo Won
Some people complained that Do Hee became weak once she started relying on Goo Won. I disagree. She was still capable and grounded, just not superhuman. He was literally a demon with teleportation powers and the ability to launch grown men across rooms. And she? She was a regular human dealing with a deranged serial killer and an entire company of people trying to sabotage her. Why would she not depend on him? Hiding behind a guy who could literally bend reality isn’t a flaw, it’s called knowing your odds.


The Bad

The Villain Reveal Was… Exactly What We Expected
One of the biggest letdowns of this show was the villain reveal… or should I say, the lack of one. Most of us thought the villain was actually Seok Hoon but nope, the most evil-looking character really was just evil. That’s it. No subversion, no surprise.

It also would’ve been a great twist to see Seok Hoon as the villain, especially since that actor always plays the second lead who never gets the girl. Watching him step out of his usual role and into something darker could’ve been a refreshing change.

Goo Won Looked Way Too Cute to Be Scary
Let’s be honest, Song Kang is attractive. But not in the “hot, intimidating, soul-snatching, rip-your-heart-out” way. He’s attractive in the soft-boy, pretty-face, “are-you-wearing-tinted-lip-balm?” kind of way. Like, here he is about to drop a man off a rooftop, and all I could think was, “His face is so pretty.” Scene intensity? Gone. Mood? Ruined by the baby face.

The Historical Romance Tie-In Felt Tacked On
Maybe it’s just me, but that whole historical storyline felt random. Yes, the Wolsim and Yi Sun arc was tragic and well-shot, but it ultimately added nothing to the actual plot. If Goo Won had remembered her from the past and been drawn to Do Hee because of it, maybe it would’ve worked. I wanted to enjoy it more but without a meaningful connection to the present, it just became a beautifully tragic detour that didn’t go anywhere.

For a Demon, He Fell Hard and Fast
Let’s talk about the timeline. They fell in love in a month. Not exaggerating. One full moon to the next. The gas station fire? Marked their one-month anniversary.

This man had spent over 200 years making shady blood contracts and mocking humans, but suddenly he’s ready to give it all up for a woman he met four weeks ago? Please. That’s emotionally impulsive behavior with a supernatural backdrop.

This is where the historical flashback could’ve actually served a purpose. If he remembered Wolsim and that connection drew him to Do Hee, their quick relationship might’ve felt less ridiculous. The more you think about it, the flimsier the romance becomes. They’re ready to die for each other by week five. Be serious.

Side Characters Were the Worst
Rom-coms need to stop making their side characters aggressively unfunny. I mean it. Every time those assistants popped on screen, I had to fast-forward like my sanity depended on it. Their “romance” was the kind of forced comedic relief that should’ve been left on the cutting room floor.


Final Thoughts
To wrap this up: this drama was overhyped, to say the least. When everyone started obsessing over it and the leads were giving runway-model energy, I really thought I was in for something great. I wasn’t.
There were just too many cracks to ignore, and after a while, I got tired of pretending I couldn’t see them. Between the painfully obvious villain, the baby-faced “demon,” the plot holes, and that random historical twist no one asked for, enjoying this drama started to feel like a group project where only the OST showed up to work.

~~~

What did you think? I realised this may have been a bit harsh so I can’t stress enough how this is all fun. I meant no disrespect to any of the actors or people involved. Brutally honest is my thing so that’s what you get.

I didn’t include everything, so if you want the full version, lmk!!

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THE BEST BL SERIES RELEASED IN 2025

I didn't expect this series to be so good.
Everything from the story and productions to the music and casting was literally perfect.

It's also crazy that this was KengNamping's and TleFirstone's first series together. They all did a REALLY good job in acting and setting the mood for each character.

This series has many good qualities. It's interesting with a good and solid plot. The soundtrack sets the mood perfectly.
It has many good and interesting characters with solid backstories.
It's just really easy and interesting to watch.

I would totally rewatch this.

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Secrets, Secrets, Secrets, Masterfully unearthed layer by layer

What a masterpiece! It will have you sitting at the edge of your seat with every reveal until the very end! Like an onion, the dark truth about what happened in the 1990s has layers upon layers, and just when you think you are getting to the core, there are several more layers hidden underneath.

The actors did a phenomenal job, especially the two main leads. I started this show for Ma Si Chun, who delivered yet another outstanding performance here. Every beat, every emotion, is always perfectly captured in her expressions, she fully embodies every character she plays, and Wu FeiFei is no exception. And Zhang Ruo Yun was excellent here as well. in the first few episodes, I did not understand why his character was so recklessly obsessed with uncovering the truth behind his birth mother, but by the end he delivered a performance that pieced together Gao Feng's character very nicely.

If you really like to be surprised and constantly caught off guard by how creative a screenwriter can get with their plot twists and big reveals, then this is the drama for you. Not a single character has the full picture (even the mastermind behind it all), and each episode you are encounter a new revelation alongside them.

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Cute i guess?

I started watching this series, because i knew AouBoom was in it. I also really like JoongDunk!

I can see why people really like this series, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
The story wasn't too interesting to me and the whole series felt a bit slow.

JoongDunk and AouBoom were really cute though and I enjoyed watching them in this series.
But the truth is, that if this series had some actors that I didn't know, I would have never watched it.

The soundtrack was cute and I listen to it sometimes in the bus honestly. Nothing too special.

I would still say that you should give this series a try!

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Such a good series!

I started watching the series while it was airing at EP8.

I didn't expect much, but it turned out to be a really good series. The story might be a little confusing on Jinn's and Jerome's part, but I really liked Farm and Van. Everyone's story was a bit confusing/frustrating, but that makes the series interesting and watch wortht. Everything makes sense at the end!

SeaKeen and SurfJava did really well in this series. Their characters were really likeable and interesting. The acting was actually pretty good.
Of course JJ did a very good job being the comedic relief character as aways.

This was a cute and heartfelt series with drama and actions. I for sure teared up a few times while watching lol.

I'm definitely rewatching this soon!

THANK YOU GMMTV FOR GIVING US THIS SERIES

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Light and sweet

The storyline is good with many added funny elements however I felt so bad for Gok Doo for not being the main male lead. What I loved the most is that they really emphasised the strength of the female lead and the consequences and funny incidents it leads to. The female actor is great and super cute. Her acting is perfect for the role. The cuteness of her lines or movements don't come across as over the top but natural. Her strength also is projected and directed well to be believable.

This drama is a mixture of romance, thriller and suspense. I did find the episodes start to drag with the workplace scenes. The concept and story is great I think if they removed the extra scenes and held onto the kidnapping thread that would of been better. It seemed they tried to add quite a bit in. It was balanced, though this balance also takes away the attention and focus of the drama. Hence the main storyline started to feel fizzled out and delayed. That's the only downside.

Loved the female character and the funniest ending.

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Enjoyed it!

I enjoyed this drama, the only thing i didn't like is the over acting to make it comedy.
The story was good.

I love Keen and Sea, they have such great dynamics and chemistry. And it isn't the most romantic chemistry and the kisses are not great, but i just saw they are only 20 years old, so i understand. And to be honest, in the real world not every couple has extreme romantic or sexual energy. Lots of couples have just more of a best friends chemistry. So i am not mad at it, i just like this pairing a lot.

Surf and Java had good chemistry, also not the greatest, but they too are still young. You can see Surf is a bit older, his acting is more mature and his chemistry and kisses are better.

Visuals were great and the music is good.

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A great revenge

Definitely worth watching! I don't usually watch trailers instead go off reviews or YouTube shorts. Initially, you think it's the female lead getting back with her husband but that's not the case. It's even better! The story is different to the usual as she seeks revenge not only on her husband but those close around her. The ending was perfect!

Beautiful chemistry between the both leads you can sense it from the start even with little interaction in the first episode - you know that male character is meant to be in the story somewhere.

Really easy to watch and has a good pace to easily binge-watch. I loved it.

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