Reviews

Second Lead Syndrome, Enemy-to-Lovers, and a Story That Soars

Love in the Clouds was a surprisingly refreshing watch. Even though it centers around fairies and immortals—a theme we’ve seen many times before—the storyline felt fresh and engaging throughout. One of the highlights was how well the enemy-to-lovers trope was handled; it developed naturally and added depth to both the romance and the emotional tension. Easily a 10/10 for me.
The cast was very well chosen. Both the male lead and female lead delivered fantastic performances, with strong chemistry and emotional depth that made their journey together believable and compelling.
A special mention goes to the princess. Her character was incredibly emotional—at times she was mostly crying. Honestly, she deserves an award for that.
I also have to admit I suffered from a serious case of second male lead syndrome. His character was complex, layered, and deeply memorable. While his journey takes an unexpected turn, it only adds to the emotional impact of the story rather than taking away from it.
Overall, Love in the Clouds is a beautifully cast fantasy romance with strong performances, a well-executed enemy-to-lovers arc, and an emotional storyline that stands out despite familiar elements. Definitely worth watching.

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This drama is the best ahhhh chefs kiss

The Trauma Code really surprised me in the best way. I went into it expecting just another intense medical drama, but it turned out to be so much more than that. What hooked me immediately was how urgent and real everything felt—every case, every second, every decision mattered. The trauma center wasn’t romanticized; it was chaotic, exhausting, and emotionally draining, which made the story feel raw and honest.

What I loved most was how the drama balanced fast-paced medical emergencies with the personal struggles of the doctors. You don’t just watch them save lives—you see the toll it takes on them physically and emotionally. The pressure, the guilt when they fail, and the quiet moments when they question themselves made the characters feel human. Some scenes honestly stayed with me because they were so heavy yet meaningful.

The plot twists weren’t over-the-top, but they hit hard because they felt realistic. Just when you think a patient will survive, things take a painful turn, and it reminds you that not every story has a happy ending. Overall, The Trauma Code is intense, emotional, and thought-provoking. It made my heart race, broke it a little, and left me with so much respect for people who work in trauma care.

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A little bit of Dead Poet's Society

This series reminded me a little of Dead Poet's Society, in that it explores themes of conformity versus individualism, and the unstoppable force of purpose and value that can overcome a person and drive them some times (sadly) to their demise.

Shine was as much a series about two love stories as it was about suppression of self (the exchanges between two music critiques in the news columns, the forbidden romance), conforming to societal demands (Krailet) and the difficult choice of 'peace at the cost of ignorance' or 'freedom at the cost of chaos'. So if you're looking for a fluffy romance, skip this; but if politics and poetry interest you, stick around.

Overall this was a well-made drama worth anyone's time; the main characters were well written, music was impeccably curated (can't go wrong with Slot Machine), production and costume smelled like money, script was poetic, screenplay had a good amount of drama, romance, politics and humour, and there was some amazing acting from actors who played Trin, Krailet, Naran, Moira, Dhevi and Victor.

That said a couple of things didn't quite sit well for me, for e.g. the over dramatisation of Grand Paradiso (too over-the-top circus-like) and the hipster/drug life, the one dimensional characterisation of the student protestors (to the point it felt comical) and Tanwa's character felt a little lacking ( I know he's supposed to be a tad screw loose, but there's something else missing that I can't quite put a finger on). I also wished Trin's relationship with his students was more well developed and we could see how his ideologies made an impact on his students.

Memorable scenes include that library scene leading up to Krailet and Naran's meeting (talk about old school flirting before the age of phones and memes), Trin breaking down in Tanwa's arms after the protest (Apo's acting here was truly masterful, he acts with his entire body), and Dhevi serving out her mercy to Krailet. I thought the ending to both love stories was appropriate albeit it being bittersweet, but that's the whole point isn't it.

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It was a SHIT and I fucking loved it!

Believe me there is nothing good about this drama. It was a fucking awful drama which will crack your brain.

Kamol was a freaking mafia boss who love BDSM and Kim was one who was a MESOCHIST and that's how they made up their relationship. Kamol was obsessed with Kim just because in their first NC scene Kim takes all the violence during the sex time and make him freaking happy. Like WTF is this ! Is this a proper reason to be head over heels for anyone ???? Let's forget about the story because it was an absolute SHIT.

When I was watching the drama for the first time my brain was completely cracked up and it makes me feel extremely creepy but in a freaking GOOD way . My brain was trying hard to make me not to watch it anymore but my freaking heart literally manipulated me all the time and make me obsessed with the drama for NO REASON. It somehow catches me off guard. Now I am unaware that WHY THE HELL AM I BEING ADDICTED TO THIS KIND OF SHIT?? Like why I can't stop me.

In conclusion, I FUCKING loved it sooooo much obviously for no reason...After writing this review I am going to watch it again because I am freaking ADDICTED to this shit, man!

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Me, my husband, and...?

Short and fun, but it mainly works thanks to the charisma and talent of its main duo. The plot tries to juggle way too many ideas. She's the best andrologist, he can't get it up, and only her can have his babies ! Cue arranged sexless marriage to the CEO because of course her sick mom is taken hostage by the token evil step-family who wants the bridal gifts ! But suddenly, his twin brother replaces him during their wedding night and it's a success ! But wait, it's actually him, he has dissociative disorder and is having an affair with his own wife ! Or does he ? Anyway, whoever she's sleeping with, they better continue because evil uncle is scheming against them ! It's fun at first since they keep us guessing what is actually going on, but I wish they had picked a theme and stick with it, because once the novelty fades it ends up being very superficial. As I said this is very much a power couple kind of romp, Wang Yi Lei and Zhai Yi Ying are having fun and are a delight to watch, but the secondary cast is very tepid and underwritten, and the story is all over the place. I only recommend it if you're a fan of the main actors or if the story really appeals to you.

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It's Good Until It Goes Horribly Bad, But I'm Not Mad

I don't expect as much from itty-bitty series, so I grade on a curve. The drama started well, and I thought I was going to be pleasantly surprised. Midway through, it began to meander and not always make sense, but I was still entertained and rooting for the beleaguered couple. I considered it one of the better itty-bitty dramas: the leads were appealing, and the story was engaging. Then the last episode hit, and things got bizarre in a hurry. I can only speculate that drugs and a preschooler were involved with coming up with that finish.

Director: "Hey kid, what would make a cool ending?"

Kid: "Make a lady eat centipedes! And she'll grow Wolverine claws. Her name is BLACK WOLF. Good, huh? She's a bad guy and will fight the good guys with her claws and ninja powers!"

Director: "Sounds super cool! There's no budget for a fight scene, though. How about I do a story time with Black Wolf instead?"

Kid: "Boring! Does Black Wolf die in the fight?"

Director: "For some reason unknown to anyone, Black Wolf must have been defeated, and now she is the Story Time Lady."

Kid: "That's stupid."

The kid is right. That was stupid. Stupid ending for a drama that started out well. The leads deserved better.

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Letdown by Zhu Xiao Xue's bland acting. She was miscast!

I was in the mood for Xie Yu Wang dramas so I was excited when this drama was released. I had not watched Zhu Xiao Xue's acting so I was curious. I must say I was disappointed with this drama.

What I liked:
1. Styling - I always see some 90s Johnny Depp in Xie Yu Wang. So when ML dressed like a rockstar for this drama, I simply loved it.
2. ML characterisation - I liked his flirty nature.
3. Supporting characters - I liked ML's assistant, FL's grandpa & FL's bestie.
4. Kisses - Good kisses thanks to XYW.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's fiancé / boyfriend & his adopted sister were mean.
2. Acting - Unfortunately Zhu Xiao Xue seemed out of place. This drama has a tinge of comedy even with revenge focus but ZXX lacked charm to pull off this role. There was no chemistry between her and XYW. I also disliked the acting of SML. His acting lacked conviction for a scumbag who was willing to harm FL. The actor seemed goofy with that styling & acting style.
3. Romance - Sadly I didn't buy the romance arc at all. FL was more focused on revenge against her ex - she couldn't be bothered with ML until the last 20 minutes or so. The lack of chemistry between ZXX & XYW also didn't make me want to root for them.

Favourite scene
When ML was flirty with FL after love confession.

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It's a mess

I don’t usually rant about dramas, but Dear X deserves it. I rarely drop shows, yet this one managed to frustrate me enough that I couldn’t finish without regret.

The first couple of episodes had me hooked. The female lead, Baek Ah-jin, was cold, manipulative, and unapologetically mysterious. I thought I’d finally found a drama that would let its lead stay strong and clever until the end. But instead of building on that, the writers chose the laziest route possible: a complete downfall.

I absolutely hate dramas where the male or female lead ends in collapse, and this one is the perfect example of why. Watching Ah-jin unravel into humiliation and ruin wasn’t bold or thought-provoking — it was hollow. The show wanted me to root for her brilliance, only to punish her for it later. That’s not character development, that’s narrative cruelty.

The supporting cast didn’t help either. None of them were allowed to grow independently. Every single character existed only to dismantle Ah-jin piece by piece, like puppets dancing to the writers’ strings. Do-hyeok’s obsession, Jun-seo’s betrayal, Sung-hee’s rage — all of it felt predictable, as if the writers had no interest in giving them real arcs. They were tools, not people.

The writing itself was a mess. Where was the consistency? Where was the logic? Every move Ah-jin made somehow worked exactly as planned until the script decided it was time for her downfall. It felt contrived, like the writers were more interested in shocking viewers than telling a coherent story.

And the saddest part? The drama had potential. The actors looked great, the production was stylish, and the setup could have been brilliant. But after episode two, everything went downhill so fast I felt cheated. By the finale, I wasn’t angry at the characters anymore — I was angry at the writing.

The ending sealed the disappointment. Instead of giving the lead a clever resolution or at least dignity, the show dragged her into collapse. For me, that erased everything that made her compelling. I dropped it because I can’t stand watching leads punished like this.

Dear X could have been a sharp, character-driven drama about power and manipulation. Instead, it became a chaotic, illogical mess held together by a lead whose downfall ruined the entire experience. I regret wasting my time on it, but at least it gave me something to rant about.

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The Price of Confession

Overall, this was a solid and well-made series. The cinematography was strong and effective, and the cast delivered consistently high-quality performances—there’s little to criticize when it comes to acting.

The series truly lives up to its title, clearly showing the cost of a murder confession and how far its consequences can extend. It also highlights how the person in charge of the case develops a strong bias against the suspect, a bias that ultimately turns Yoon-soo’s entire life upside down.

It makes you wonder what might have happened if Yoon-soo had never met Moo-yoon in prison. At the same time, the story raises questions about how everything aligned so perfectly for Moo-yoon’s plan to move forward. Although the chances of his plans succeeding were realistically low, he somehow managed to control events from within prison.

The character development was especially compelling. Moo-yoon begins as a lively, hopeful person, but the death of his family leaves him deeply traumatized, gradually turning him into someone driven solely by revenge. In contrast, the bold and fearless Soo-yoon transforms into a more cautious character, choosing survival and staying with her daughter over seeking revenge for her husband’s death.

The lawyer’s wife was another striking character—a truly disturbed individual who hid her violent nature behind a smiling face and the respectable social status she and her husband maintained.

However, the motive behind the woman and her husband’s involvement in the murder seems quite weak. The only perspective that somewhat justifies it is the woman’s disturbed mind driving her to kill and the husband’s instability in accepting his wife’s condition.

In the end, I enjoyed watching the series, but I cannot consider it flawless.

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A Life Lived for Vengeance

The Glory features the intriguing journey of Zhuang Han Yan who was hell-bent on revenge. Abandoned right after birth, Zhuang Han Yan grew up facing constant abuse by her foster parents and local kids from the neighborhood. It was not until her foster father attempted to assault her that she killed him and returned to her family in the capital city. Upon her return, she met Fu Yun Xi, a deputy minister with a mysterious illness an an agenda of his own. The story then follows her journey as she attempts to rekindle her relationship with her mother and works with Fu Yun Xi to plot revenge against the people that wronged them.

This drama is the type of drama that gets you hooked from the beginning until the end as you watch with anticipation as to how the story unfolds. Although the writing was a bit sloppy towards the end and the ending felt a bit rushed, it was enough to say that this drama was well-written. This story in this drama centers on Zhuang Han Yan's revenge, which later ends in a bittersweet glory. Zhuang Han Yan was never an innocent, virtuous, or righteous lady. Abandoned as a baby, she has lived a hard life ever since she could remember. She is cunning, resilient, tenacious, and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. She is a survivor and will always fight back. Despite her tough personality, there is also a vulnerable side to her. Due to her lack of social support, she was always skeptical against new people. She would also go on emotional outbursts and make impulsive decisions when something doesn't go as planned or when something unexpected happens. Regardless of her unfortunate upbringing, she knows how to be grateful and is loyal to the people who are kind to her. She would do anything she can to protect the people who are nice to her, even if it means sacrificing herself and her revenge. She is a very well-written character in this story that definitely leaves a lasting impact. Seeing how she has lived and her journey on getting revenge just makes you want to pat her back and hug her. Casting Chen Du Ling for the role of Zhuang Han Yan was the right decision. Chen Du Ling brought life to Zhuang Han Yan, exuding vulnerability and resilience. Chen Du Ling's visual and thin figure were also befitting for the character of Zhuang Han Yan considering the character's upbringing.

The male lead, on the other hand, was a disappointment. Fu Yun Xi is written as a master of political warfare with a calm exterior and impactful depth. With his cool facade, he bears great responsibilities in addition to being chased by time. He is a character integral to the story as he aids Zhuang Han Yan in her revenge. Sadly, his character did not leave a lasting impact due to poor casting. Xin Yun Lai definitely has the charismatic and cool visual befitting for the role of Fu Yun Xi. It is a shame that his acting was far from expressive. Throughout the drama, the only expression he had was a straight face. It was like he just woke up. The only part when he showed expression was when a prince was flirting with Zhuang Han Yan. Even then, he only gave side eyes. I couldn't feel anything from him.

Although the Fu Yun Xi's character could've been improved, the casting of other characters were great. I would give a special shoutout to Wen Zheng Ron playing Ruan Xi Wen, Zhuang Han Yan's mother. Not only did she resembles Zhuang Han Yan, she also exudes the beauty, charisma, vulnerability, endurance, patience, and intelligence of Ruan Xi Wen's character. Her expressions were definitely above par and she definitely managed to leave a lasting impact!

The ending was okay in a way that Zhuang Han Yan got her revenge and Fu Yun Xi got what he wanted. Despite the symbolism trickery in the end through the alive and dead characters' blocking, as well as their outfit colors, I wish they made it clear whether or not Fu Yun Xi ended up dying in the end, hence the bittersweet glorious ending. All in all, this drama is definitely in my recommended list for those looking for a revenge plot.

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