Reviews

Short and Sweet

It's a cute, easy little drama. Doesn't demand anything of audience, its pure time passing entertainment and it goes fast, each episode is about 12 minutes. The lead actors are both sweet.0 I quite like Song Ha Yoon having first seen her as a psycho villain in Marry My Husband. She was excellent in that. I know there are some troubling controversies about her in real life but short of something being proven in court I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt. There's way too much character assassination on social media in the Kdrama world that I don't want to be part of.

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Good Show

I enjoyed this show. It's nothing grand just a simple legal drama with some really good cases. Most outcomes were based on someones moral beliefs and I was fine with that. Legal shows will alway be a bit overtly dramatic and blur lines with legality and moral ambiguities. What I found the most different as a person from the States watching is that there were no juries in the cases and some may have had different outcomes had there been. It's also a different perspective seeing the Korean civil litigation aspect.

What I loved the most about the show is the cast. They all meshed well together! Hyo Min is also one of my favorite FLs in a long time. I just really liked her character. I like Min Joeng too! Things I could care less about were the office politics and Seok Hoon's ex-wife and her childish husband!

The case that broke me the most was in the 2nd episode. I bawled my eyes out. I was wishing I found someone who could love me that much.

9/7/25

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If I were a pick, I'd always choose you

This was very cute. I’m a sucker for a fake dating story and having a music trope and college setting just adds to the love.

Acting:

Everyone did a damn good job with their roles in this. I even got a couple good crier moments with Win shedding some tears, which I love. I was pleasantly surprised by the performances in this. The casting was superb for these roles. Bright and Win were absolutely perfect for Tine and Wat. The supporting cast was solid all the way through as well.

Writing:

I love a fake dating situation and add in that Wat was a pining fool for over a year prior is the cherry on top. I think it was pretty darn good up until that 3rd act breakup which I hated. It left no time for me to see a lovey-dovey happy ending. I want more than one time skip scene. But like, I get it, that’s kind of par for the course. I really enjoyed the show regardless, and the script was solid throughout. Didn’t love the use of female characters solely to make the mcs jealous, but it is a tropey bl, so like, not surprising. Don’t love all the misunderstandings and miscommunications, but at the same time it wasn’t absolutely horrendous the entire time and I’ve seen couples who are worse at communicating in my friend group so…

Chemistry/Romance/Kissing:

They had some damn good chemistry. They worked well in every stage of the relationship and it was lovely to watch. This was a very cute romance. The kissing was a but too light for a college romance in my opinion. I expect a little more, especially after they made up like why are we only high fiving.

Music/SFX:

Music was great. I actually loved that they didn’t use overly-produced recordings in the singing scenes, it made it feel real and raw which I haven’t really seen in a drama yet. SFX were good.

Now, for some highlights from my notes:

- Ahh yes a boyfailure
- Bro is dreamy
- Bi panic too real
- This is so cute what
- Bro is DREAMY
- Bro has Nirvana which is obv but also a 2013 Pierce the Veil, Mayday Parade You and me at Six & All Tim Low concert poster????? My man
- This little soon-to-be-awakened bi boy needs to chill
- Oh no baby is hurting stop hurting baby
- That’s so many photos baby down bad fr
- Boy denser than osmium
- *I'm just drunk again. I'll be drunk again. I'll be drunk again. To feel a little love*
- *Don't tell me what I wanna hear. Afraid of never knowning fear. Experience anything you need. I'll keep fighting jealousy. Until it's fucking gone*
- *Tell me why I see you in. Everything, everywhere all the timе. You follow me like a shadow
From you, therе's nowhere that I can hide. Life here without you's so shallow. And I wanna call you, but I don't. Ever wanna be the reason for tears that you cry. Everything, everywhere all the time. Wish I could forget you, but I won't. You’re everything, everywhere*
- Alright, fine. This show gets a playlist too I can’t help myself teehee
- Bro got me giggling
- His friends kinda suck
- *Suburban living with a feeling that I'm giving up everything for yoooooou*
- I hate it here
- Cuteeeee
- Why are we lyyyingggggg boy don’t piss me offfff
- Daaamn boys, moving a little fast, aren’t we
- PRECIOUSSS
- CUUUTE the PICK so CUUUTE
- Still 3 episodes left tho… Don’t put me through too much now
- *Not talk it out, now talk it out*
- Or not…
- Honey, sweetheart, can we take some deep breaths and think this through before we do something we regret
- Yeahh.. You really could’ve avoided all of this if you had explained things about Pam to your boyfriend, recommended a guitar teacher to her, and addressed everything properly when you say issues arising. This is almost entirely on you, Mr Dreamy
- Just talk it out after you chill for a minute, don’t give me this 3rd act breakup bs
- Bro, you walked in on a public hug, relax. The song thing is something to talk about, not flip your lid over. Jesus.
- Okay RELAX there, little man with the Bags by Clairo vibes
- Fucking 3rd act breakups always leave like 2 minutes of joy at the end

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Brilliant drama!!

I really enjoyed watching this drama.
The plot was totally new with the male lead showcasing 3 roles as Jin'an, Prince Annan and Xuanyike(Man in black) and Cheng Lei , effortlessly played the 3 characters perfectly. He was Outstanding in his performance💯and had a good chemistry with Song Yi, who played Li Shuang, the female general of Taijin.
Song Yi's acting was also excellent.
I liked the characters of Lu Xin and Mo yin too. Shi Ce and Darren Chen were perfect in their roles.
Bi Wenjun excelled as Su Muyang and all the other actors were excellent!!
The plot, music, screenplay, pacing, costumes, locations, special effects, everything were good👍
The fight scenes were good, especially when the man in black appeared.
Finally, though there may be few flaws and few boring moments/episodes, but still it is a WORTH WATCHING DRAMA, which made me feel anxious sometimes and kept me on the edge of my seat for few episodes.
A perfect emotional, romance, fantasy drama 👌🤗

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Incomplete / Rushed ending

The drama started off on a promising note, with an engaging premise and enough intrigue to pull viewers in. In the initial episodes, the pace felt lively and the story seemed to have the potential to deliver both heartfelt moments and engaging character development. However, as the episodes progressed, the excitement started to fade. By the end, the storyline had become repetitive and rather dull, making it difficult to stay invested.

One of the biggest letdowns was the chemistry or rather, the lack of it between the lead couple. Their interactions often felt flat, and instead of sparking excitement, their conversations dragged on to the point of becoming monotonous.
Surprisingly, the second lead story was much more engaging. Their arc carried more depth, warmth, and emotional pull than the main couple. Many viewers might find themselves more invested in the second leads than in the protagonists, which speaks volumes about the imbalance in storytelling.

Another major drawback was the unresolved plot regarding the four attorneys. A big part of the narrative involved their journey and struggles to secure a permanent position, yet by the conclusion, the show left this aspect hanging without closure. This incomplete development made the ending feel rushed and unsatisfying.

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Breaking Boundaries -The Untold Story of a Warrior Woman in The Legend of the Female General

The Legend of the Female General delivered a compelling and well-paced storyline with no stagnant moments something that kept me hooked from beginning to end. The plot was consistently engaging, although I’ll admit, it truly tested my anger management at times (in a good way!). The chemistry between the leads, Xiao and Yan, was undeniably strong. The female lead stood out with her incredible strength and presence her fighting skills exceeded expectations and added depth to her character beyond the typical romantic drama heroine. Xiao, the male lead, was also solid in his role. Although he rarely smiled even in scenes where it felt needed his love and affection were deeply conveyed through his eyes and subtle expressions, which made his performance emotionally resonant. The second male lead, however, felt weaker in comparison. His character came across as both greedy and lacking the strength or depth to be a true rival. That said, the supporting cast brought a lot to the table, adding richness and balance to the story as a whole. A major highlight was the soundtrack. The music was beautifully composed, with lyrics that perfectly matched the tone and emotional arc of the series. It really elevated the viewing experience. Overall, The Legend of the Female General was a satisfying watch with strong performances, gripping action, and emotional depth especially for fans of historical dramas with a powerful female lead.

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Short tale of love and sacrifices for one's happiness

I had saved this drama in my playlist for weeks but this morning decided to watch it because I was in the mood for something short. I was unfamiliar with Wang Jin but I liked Zhang Li Ren's acting. This drama is different from the typical Chinese vertical dramas I have seen. I wonder what was in the writer's mind when they wrote the screenplay.

What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - There was character development in ML. He was a miserable man who later received "a guardian angel" in the form of FL. He was silly to entertain requests from bai yue guang but learned the truth and tried to win FL's heart.
2. Acting - I liked Wang Jin & Zhang Li Ren's performance.
3. Opening - Captivating enough for me to finish the whole drama.
4. Ending - Wow, I didn't expect it to end like that.
5. Reality hits - I loved it when the maid scolded ML for being so oblivious of FL's treatment towards him.

What I disliked:
1. Misery - So much misery in this drama. ML & FL felt miserable at one point of their lives.
2. Relationship - The moment Yunli met Yanchen was short but meaningful. I wish there was explanation in the past.

Favourite scene
When FL & ML had fun spending time together

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More like, Thousand Reasons of Regret

With its decent MDL rating and a poster that practically twins Money Is Coming, I walked into this drama expecting a fantasy-romance feast. What I got instead was a buffet of kisses trying to cover up a plot that barely showed up. The premise—immortal love, demon realm politics, and celestial drama—had potential, but the execution felt like someone forgot to include a story arc between the smooches.

After watching him in My Decoy Bride, Yu Xuan Chen holds his own again. He’s charming, and the pairing with the female lead is visually sweet, and the romance is abundant. But every kiss feels like a distraction tactic, an attempt to keep viewers invested while the narrative flounders. The drama leans heavily on over-the-top theatrics—blood-spitting, anguished stares, dramatic proclamations—as if those alone could manufacture the emotional weight the story fails to deliver. Spoiler: they don’t.

The villains are laughably one-dimensional. Their schemes are predictable, their motives paper-thin, and they might as well have been drawn with crayons. They deserve each other, and honestly, the whole “celestial politics” subplot collapses under their petty antics. Any tension evaporates faster than a phoenix tear, leaving you wondering why anyone bothered scheming at all.

In the end, this drama is all style and romance, little substance. Gorgeous costumes, plenty of smooches, and moments of charm can carry it so far—but if you were here for story or stakes, consider this a reincarnation lesson in disappointment.

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It's good but could be great if GMM-TV had some nerve

It's excellent to see Great and Sarin in a series that truly showcases their talents. Memoir of Rati is a series that truly deserves more recognition. It's a very interesting story but unfortunately something is missing.

I love the chemistry between Great and Sarin and they're excellent actors, but the characters are very shallow here.

For a story with the depth and impact of a romance between two men from different nations in an era where such a relationship would be scandalous, to say the least, the script never manages to create the tension or the feeling of a forbidden romance.

The characters lack personality; they're there but they barely add any impact to the plot. They begin and end the series the same way. Rati could be a spoiled and arrogant boy sent to Siam as punishment by his father. Thee could be a man full of charm and dreams that conflict with his image and what his grandmother wants him to be.

But what we have here is a very subtle romance, a very peaceful narrative and characters who simply accept their status quo. Thee has an interesting arc and I like the conflict between him and his grandmother but there's no interesting development there.

The supporting couple works well and while they don't have any big moments, it's great to see Aou and Boom get more screen time and decent development.

It's a fun series, it's light, it has great moments but it lacks emotion. It's all very dull and I miss a greater depth. It lacks conflicts that take the characters out of their comfort zones, it lacks more elaborate cinematography that captures the beauty built there, it lacks courageous direction that can bring out more expressive performances that embody emotion.

Rati's departure for France and his return five years later is an example of this. This should be an impactful and moving scene but it's so boring and predictable with weak dialogue that doesn't convey any feeling.

And I'm really tired of GMM-TV's pattern of adding time jumps at the end of its series and its lack of courage to tackle more serious topics or create more impactful stories.

It's certainly much better and superior to Wandee Goodday and is far from being a bad series but unfortunately, it's a series that borders on forgettable and lackluster.

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the 2ML actor kills in this role

Very good suspense, revenge drama. The FL was outstanding. I don't have time to go over every point, but you felt every single thing she felt. She cried, raged, loved, hated. Beautiful job. The FL and ML do not have a lot of chemistry between them, which is fine, maybe that really isn't the point. There's a lot of other things going on. ML character is pretty stiff. Again, maybe that's the writing. But the chemistry between FL and 2ML is on fire -- love, passion, hate, revenge. I'm a fan of the 2ml actor. In this role he exuded every emotion and flaw: love, passion, remorse, self loathing, evil. You never know where he is or if he's lying. At one point, because I clearly have deep-seated emotional issues and probably Stockholm syndrome, I kind of wanted 2ML to be able to repent and get forgiven by FL. Sadly, SPOILER ALERT
***
***
Here it is below:

after you drug your wife, throw her in a pit, smash her face with a shovel and bury her alive, there's probably no coming back from that.

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an underrated cult classic

I honestly love this Thai GL series. There is always room for improvement, but there are so many qualities. For example, the actresses are gorgeous and do a swell job. Piano is the right fit playing Prey, her innocence comes through and the way she feels so deeply for Earl is relatable and moving! And Sprite playing Earl gives off a vibe of so unattainable and cold sometimes, and at times it shows how she's so sweet and caring towards Prey. Also, Sprite's single Stare at the moon (OST) is one of the best I've heard in a GL series. Overall, the story is beautiful and intricate, so it may take time to understand the relations between the characters, but when you get it, you only wanna watch it again. I've seen backlash from the public towards this GL but I appreciate it to the maximum, and in the future, maybe more people will also see what a hidden gem this is.

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The answer to the title: She's allergic to chemistry.

Transmigration and Chinese short dramas—name a more chaotic combo. It’s like every heroine has a punch card for reincarnation, but with barely enough runtime to unpack one lifetime, let alone two. This drama sets up a promising revenge plot with a reborn general, scheming royals, and a wedding night rewind. But the delivery? More ho-hum than high drama. The acting isn’t outright bad, but the chemistry between the leads is… well, not chemistrifying.

Wu Ming Jing as Qiu Yu looks like she’s emotionally clocked out. Whether her romantic partner is Brian Chang or a decorative pine tree, she barely spares either a glance. And considering they’re supposed to be the central couple, it gives major “I’m just here for the paycheck” energy. Meanwhile, Brian Chang’s Li Jian spends most of the runtime trying to convince himself that Qiu Yu is his wife. Either he can’t believe a general would marry him, or he’s too busy sulking about being the seventh prince instead of the first or second. All along maybe he's just wondering how many siblings had to mysteriously disappear before it was his turn at the throne.

Maybe Qiu Yu’s apathy is less about romance and more about survival. With a scheming stepmother and a sister who wants her dead, she spends most of her time reciting excuses (probably ripped from the “Tragic Heroine’s Bible”) for why she’s still entertaining the 2nd prince—even after his betrayal in a past life. The drama tries to paint this as noble, but it mostly feels exhausting.

By the end, Qiu Yu’s expression is permanently stuck in “let’s get this over with” mode. Unfortunately, so was mine. The drama had the bones of an intriguing palace saga, but the lack of spark, urgency, and emotional investment left me disengaged. If indifference were a love language, this couple would be soulmates.

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A Legal Drama with a Little Love on the Side

Having just finished watching Law and the City, and immediately going into Beyond the Bar, I couldn't help but compare the two. Except for a couple of areas, young junior lawyers figuring out their careers, and each episode bringing the viewer interesting legal cases, the two could not be more different.

The Beyond the Bar series brought a lot more of the personal lives into the storylines of the lawyers. So, we saw more of a total picture. It wasn't just their work. It was the impacts and influences of their personal lives as well. It also included more storylines of the senior lawyers and partners. While Law and the City had a relationship develop between two of the main leads and once that happened it faded into a small detail, BTB's love relationship developed between secondary characters which built over the episodes and cumulated in a proposal. It was nice. It was the romance the story needed. There was a hint of feelings between the two main leads, but in the end it led to nothing. I think because they had too much respect for each other to take the next step. I know a lot of viewers will probably be disappointed, but actually I didn't see them as a couple so I didn't mind that they didn't get together by the end. Surprisingly the last episode was everyone's analysis of what love is. Brought on by the case of a couple who married but agreed to no love and no sex. This case made everyone think about the reality of love and marriage in the modern age. There are so many good quotes during this part, so have a pen and paper ready. Sadly, many of these personal storylines really didn't develop much. I think they would have been a bigger part of the total story if it would have gone to 16 episodes.

The legal storylines are what made this series so good. The ins and outs of the law, the tension of defense versus prosecution, and the effects this has on human lives makes for good drama, and this series had plenty of it. Sometimes the legal side intersected with the characters personal lives interjecting even more drama and tension into the mix. But,there were dips in the energy, some slow parts, sometimes the episodes seem to follow a pattern week after week that got a tad monotonous, but all in all it was a good watch. I liked the characters and that brought me back every week. I also enjoyed seeing places in Seoul that I remember when I visited last year. It's amazing to me that one trip and so many Kdramas, how much I recognize places in Seoul. "Oh, that's Gangnam....that's Insadong....I remember walking in that alleyway in Itaewon." That's pretty much me talking to the TV during a Kdrama. It's a surprising connection I now have with Kdramas and it makes them that much more enjoyable.

Like Law and the City, which so many stated was a slow-burn series, I'm sure many will say the same with this one. And it is. But it was a good legal drama and I think if you give it a chance, you'll enjoy it.

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