Reviews

Romance Takes Flight

Triumph in the Skies explores the professional and personal lives of airline pilots and crew members, skillfully blending romance, ambition, and interpersonal conflict. The series stands out for its depiction of the aviation industry, combining melodrama with a relatively realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by those in the high-pressure world of commercial aviation.

The production employs realistic aviation sequences, including aerial shots and airport settings, creating a believable backdrop for the story. Despite technology limitations, the series effectively conveys both the glamour and the inherent dangers of the airline industry. Close-up shots during emotional moments are particularly effective in emphasizing character psychology.

However, the portrayal of Isabelle, played by Flora Chan, fell short in conveying the character’s internal struggles. Her attempts to depict Isabelle’s mental and emotional conflicts felt forced and lacked the depth needed to make her arc fully convincing.

Despite this, Triumph in the Skies resonated strongly with audiences because it combined aspirational careers, romance, and personal drama. Additionally, the series subtly challenged traditional gender roles by featuring women in professional aviation positions, a representation that was less common in early 2000s Hong Kong television. This is a classic and I highly recommend to watch it, I tried to watch the sequel, but I couldn't.

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Pure Enjoyment From Start To Finish

I'm a bit surprised at some of the negative reviews. I really found this series to be great in every way. It gives you all angles from the two main protagonists. I think the two actors in this are perfectly cast. Not only do they fit the parts so well, you can feel the chemistry building between the two as you get deeper and deeper into the drama. When Se Na has her first encounter with Laik, anyone who has idolized someone from a far, you know exactly what she's feeling. Soo Young delivers it so well.
Jae Yeong is also fantastic as "The Idol". He makes you feel so much empathy for his character. Someone who had it all and in the blink of an eye, everything disappears overnight. He keeps you rooting for him throughout each episode.
I think what's a rare thing in this series, some of the antagonists in this story, that you really find hatred for early on, do a turn around and show some decency in their character, especially as you get toward the final episodes.
The one thing I always a negative in most series, is when time skips forward as you get toward a conclusion. Where you see that caption "one year later" ... right away I thought, oh boy, they just ruined it. But somehow the writing does a great job at keeping things in perspective. It doesn't turn out to be a negative after all and the final episode it truly an enjoyable sixty minutes right till the end. They keep a blend of drama with a touch of light comedy mixed in.
There's a line used at one point of the series that definitely explains a major story line of this drama ... "Sometimes people's hearts are hard to see, even when they're right beside you"
Excellently written and brilliantly performed drama!

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Brain-rot writing that makes the "strong female lead" trope feel like a total scam

With 36 episodes of approximately 45 minutes each and with an iQ IYI rating of 9.7 I was expecting a spectacular epic but it failed pretty miserably.

Firstly, I liked a few things about this drama including the acting (especially the FL), the ML was alright, nothing special but okay. It’s a good story with good music and they clearly spent a bit of money on everything to give it that high-end production feel which it probably is.

There are many things that I don’t like about this drama, but I’m sure you will see that in other reviews. I’m only going to focus on the FL‘s family dynamics, particularly the grandmother.

I don’t know what other people think, but in my opinion the "filial piety" trap is used as a lazy excuse to reset the plot whenever the writers run out of ideas.
The Grandmother literally casts out the FL, humiliated her and tried to strip her of her livelihood. In any logical world, the FL would use her "Tea King" skills to start a rival business and succeed independently. Instead, the show forces her back into "Dutiful Granddaughter" mode the second the Grandmother shows any hint of vulnerability or mentions "family honour“.
The Grandmother is actively destroying the only thing she claims to care about—the family’s wealth—just to prove she still has the FL under her thumb. It’s illogical behavior. None of the other elders or business partners speak up about the massive financial loss because the script requires them to be oblivious so the Grandma can remain the final antagonist.
It makes the FL look spineless and inconsistent. You cannot market a character as a "strategic genius" who outsmarts imperial officials, only to have her become subservient to a woman who treated her poorly. It’s not "virtue"—it’s a total lack of self-respect that hinders the character's growth.
The fact Grandma face zero consequences while the FL just takes it, is what makes the show difficult to watch. It creates a frustration loop where the antagonists are never punished and the heroes never learn.
The showrunners basically prioritize melodrama over character consistency. They want the heartbreaking scenes of her sacrificing her happiness, but they forgot they spent the last 20 episodes making her a capable character who shouldn't tolerate this treatment.
I have quite a few examples of this behaviour throughout the drama but I would be here all day.

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I have dilemma about FL mother character development

I watched this last year and i quite like this.

Aike embodies FL with a cool and sassy style, and her action scenes are very cool. Moreover, there's no ML no romance, just a pure female lead's personal showcase. FL relies on herself to make money, directly retaliating against anyone who tries to bully her.

My cons is FL's real mother character development seems forced and unnatural. I know this might be for plot advancement, but they should developed FL's real mother in the first half, showing her protecting the FL in crucial moments, making her forgiveness in the end more logical. If FL's real mother hadn't known the adopted daughter was born after her husband's infidelity, she would protect FL for first time she met her FL.

How much saintly compassion does the FL need to forgive her mother? FL real mother never protected FL during conflicts with her adopted daughter, and even chose the adopted daughter when faced with a choice between two options, yet she forgave her in the end.

Another worse character goes to FL real brothers, they are straight creepy people and should go to prison.

If you like strong female lead dramas, go watch it!

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Rewriting Characters, Ruining the Story

This is a drama that never deserved to be written if the original cast wasn't going to return in full. Sammul can't even carry this drama. If anything, Kenneth Ma stood out, as he's a much more versatile actor.

Sammul Chan as Vincent remained the least interesting character to me. While the first installment added some depth to him, in this sequel his acting stayed the same, and if anything his character appeared less confident. If that was intentional, okay, props to him.

I have a major bone to pick with the writers. First, what were they thinking with Jessica and Vincent’s relationship? Jessica’s portrayal in this installment was completely unrecognizable, even in a cameo. I don't mean her physical appearance; I mean her personality. It felt like the writers simply threw in a familiar character from the first installment just to tie up loose ends.

Vincent decides to go to another firm due to his ego, which is understandable. We know he was struggling to find a new firm, but this self-imposed pressure was unnecessary. Back at H K Firm, they had welcomed him with open arms despite his license suspension. Letting his ego once again dictate his decisions completely undermines the character development he achieved in the first installment. In the original series, Vincent learned to let go of his ego and accept help.

Vincent has always been extremely career driven, and this was established clearly in the first installment. Given his suspension, we knew he'd work even harder to prove himself. This scene in Survivor’s Law 2 therefore felt completely out of character for me.

Here’s the phone conversation between Jessica and Vincent:

Vincent: Jessica,
Jessica: Hello, Vincent? If I told you the person I often mentioned, Professor Jackson, proposed to me, would you fly out to London immediately? Even though I'm asking, you still wouldn't come?
Vincent: To be honest, my license was suspended, and it took half a year to find this new firm. I don't think I could step away.
Jessica: If that's the case, let's break up.

This is one of the most confusing and frustrating moments I’ve ever seen in a TVB drama. If you remember Jessica from the first installment, she was extremely naive but loyal, wore her heart on her sleeve, and would stand by the people she loved. Yes, people can change, but who is this Jessica now? I can't imagine her being so inconsiderate. She stood by Vincent while he was on trial. She knew from the very beginning that Vincent valued his career, and that was part of why she fell in love with him. For her to suddenly feel insecure and force a choice between him and his career completely contradicts her established personality.

After the second episode I was done, the people who carried the first installment was really Raymond Lam and Myolie Wu.

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Subtle (not boring) Story of an Idol & Fangirl's Journey through Fame, Prejudice, Murder & Love!

The true beauty of this drama lies in its subtlety. Every aspect - romance, music, suspense, villainy, and even comedy-was delivered with restraint and finesse. Rather than relying on spectacle or exaggerated emotions, the series chose a quieter path, proving that understated storytelling can be just as powerful. I understand that this can be seen as mediocre/boring - and it does run that risk, I won't deny. But for me, as a viewer, the drama tied all the strings it had, it may have not been the most logical (hence it is not a 10/10) - still it did not feel rushed but had a quiet maturity in its delivery and characters, that left me satisfied, if not awe-struck.

I liked the heart of the story as it explores the life of idols and public figures, showing how audiences can be fickle - adoring them one moment, turning against them the next. It also highlights how fame often strips away privacy, with some treating celebrities’ lives as public property. These themes were handled thoughtfully, giving the narrative depth beyond romance or fan service. The plot weaves together multiple threads: the murder of a bandmate and the search for truth, the prejudices faced by the leads, the romance that grows quietly but steadily, and the prosecutor’s moral dilemma between duty and conscience. Villains and allies alike enrich the journey, from father-like mentors to loyal colleagues and quiet supporters such as the manager and chairman. Each subplot adds texture without feeling unnecessary.

Finally, the grounded portrayal sets this drama apart. The acting, chemistry, suspense, and direction were all understated and for me it worked. While I love over-the-top stories, but then I realised that they make me anxious as well. Like they hype me and others so much, that one flaw and everything breaks. This was not the case here - it kept up a quiet, medium rhythm, while unfolding every facet of the story and characters. A close example would be Lovely Runner. While that one was more glitz/glamour, this one radiates quiet warmth. Songs of Eclipse still are on my playlist, whereas Gold Boys tracks were good as they played during the drama, but not memorable.

Overall Recommend it as a one time watch: cause it's short, sweet and subtle - we need stories like these to pace out the much hyped/rushed dramas/movies.

Special Note:
I have already fangirled for the prosecutor in my comment while the show was airing: https://kisskh.at/787814-idol-kid#comment-24969562 and yes, I will write a spin-off cause he deserves one. I hope to share it with my MDL friends here soon!

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Recommend if you're interested in a mystery sci-fi drama and don't mind a budget production

Steer clear if: you want romance or good visuals.

Be prepared for:
• allowing it quite a few episodes to ‘warm up’ before the story becomes engrossing.
• waiting until after the credits in the last episode - There's more of the story.

Positives:
• A high opening Douban rating of over 8/10 drew me (and others judging from kisskh) to the production.
• An intriguing premise and plot.
• Grows to become a gripping mystery-thriller with twists and turns.
• Adequate acting.
• Accomplished action scenes.
• Enjoyable to see the lead squad develop trust and loyalty, leading to character development.

Negatives:
• The earlier episodes are not attention-grabbing (the Douban score made me stay).
• Everything looks terribly cheap, especially the costumes and makeup.
• An unusual premise, but with cliché wuxia stereotypes.
• Open ending? Most things are wrapped up, but I hope there'll be a season 2.

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A brilliantly executed parody!

First off: THIS IS A PARODY!!!! It's apparent from some viewer comments that some folks just never understood that about this show. Those folks were always way too serious and upset about either the ML or the FL behavior early on - which was over-the-top on purpose (because: parody). If you realize this is a parody, just relax and enjoy.

Second: It really helps you enjoy the parody if you are a veteran of watching lots and lots of c-dramas (and k-dramas) because that way you will better recognize the zillions of drama tropes and cliches that this series plays with on purpose. Many will be obvious, such as the SML-is-unrequited-love trope and - OMG - The Cliff scene! Many others are subtle and this show doesn't always hold your hand to point them out. You are expected to see and recognize them and when you do they make many of the scenes -- even the serious drama ones - even more fun.

Okay, those two things out of the way: This show really delivers. It is extremely well crafted in all aspects. The cast is absolutely stellar, loaded with talented actors you should recognize and they are all really great in this. Each of the primary cast gets plenty of moments to shine in their character without the series feeling scattered too far from the leads. Both Li Yi Tong and Lu Yu Ning are wonderful, showing wide range in their characters and they have great chemistry. The script is excellent - which is important because it is very specifically criticizing and sending up all the 'bad script' hacks in the script-within-a-script.

Other production aspects are also fantastic. The sets and costumes are all first-rate and the lighting and cinematography are beautifully done. And the music. Oh my god, the music is done SO well! All the scenes are enhanced by very well thought out music.

I really enjoyed this series. If you miss on the first two points I made up above, you might knock it down a bit on the score. But for folks that understand this is a parody and who are experienced watching c-dramas, this show is pretty much perfect. So much fun.

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I LOVE Hill and Easter and HATED Johan and North

I might have a different opinion from the comments here, but I LOOOOVE Hill and Easter's relationship. Maybe I'm just a sucker for exes to lovers, except Hill and Easter are like ex situationship to lovers. I love that Easter claims he "hates" Hill, but it always shows how he's weak and easily swayed by Hill when he just says "please" or makes a sad puppy face, which subtly shows the kind of relationship only 2 people who used to be close, have.

Easter claiming and saying to North that Hill "probably doesn't like him" or "likes his sister" but can't stop himself from giggling and swooning everytime Hill does something sweet and romantic implies that he doesn't want to expect things. It's understandable that he will initially doubt Hill's intention when his relationship with him in the past was really unclear and ended up with Hill suddenly disappearing. (which is obvs not by choice)

I love that Hill doesn't hesitate to assure him though, because being secure in a relationship doesn't happen immediately. It just grows over time.

Hill's actor is so good at making "yearning" eyes, that even I melt from his gaze. Easter's expressions are so hilarious to watch, and his relationship with North made my stomach hurt from laughing too much.

I'm gonna be honest, I really tried to enjoy Johan and North's story but I really can't. There's clearly a money related power dynamics going on between them and it makes me uncomfortable. I can tolerate the debt because that's obviously North's fault, but I feel pissed when Johan was restricting North's means to pay his debt by buying the place where North is working just because he's jealous of North's boss, then making him quit work (this is about the cafe, not the bar obviously).

I didn't like how their story was written and how it was making North dependent on Johan, until North gave in. Atleast North's assertive when he "realized" he likes Johan, which isn't really enough to make their relationship balanced.

I enjoyed North a lot, but I didn't like Johan.

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Zero Logic, 100% Feral Chemistry

Affinity (2026) is the batshit crazy gateway drug to short dramas i didn't know i needed!

Watching this drama felt like trying to explain a fever dream to a therapist who eventually just gives up and starts asking for spoilers; or to put it another way - it’s like describing a fever dream to someone who just nods, grabs popcorn, and joins in. One sip of its liquid chaos, and you're hooked—asking for the full bottle .

If you have told me a week ago that I’d be binging a Chinese short drama, I would have laughed in your face. I thought they were too much and not my cup of tea. I thought i was too sophisticated for 19-minute bursts of adrenaline and questionable CGI.
But I was wrong. Affinity isn't just a cup of tea; it’s a double shot of espresso mixed with pure, unadulterated chaos .

➤ THE "SO BAD IT'S ACTUALLY GOOD" VIBE ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
Let’s be real: the dialogues are cheesy enough to clog your arteries. The script sounds like it was written by a sentient AI that was fed nothing but romance novels and Resident Evil lore. The plot moves at a speed that ignores the laws of physics and logic but the leads have a "genetic compatibility" so high it should come with a radiation warning. One second you’re watching a genetic mystery, the next there’s a standoff that feels like a fever dream, and suddenly we’re hitting the "Esper-guide trope" (manhwa readers know this trope very well) where the leads literally can’t breathe without each other.
It is ridiculously crazy. It’s the kind of show where you find yourself yelling at the screen, "What the hell? What's with the plot? Don't do that? STAWP that's embarrassing!" while immediately clicking 'Next Episode' because the chemistry is somehow against all odds—absolutely electric .

I have reached a point of no return. I’m sitting here, watching a man stare intensely at a woman because their "genetic compatibility" is off the charts, and I’m nodding like, "Yes, this makes perfect sense, he should definitely kidnap her for her own safety." My brain cells are actively packing their bags and leaving, but my heart is doing backflips every time the Male Lead looks like he’s about to either commit a felony or give a hug .
Its actually embarrassing but you will devour it . You will feel like a raccoon in a dumpster—You know this is trash, yet you would feel it’s the most delicious, five-star Michelin trash you’ve tasted in a while.

➤ WHY IT HOOKS ( Logic Be Damned ) ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
1. Leads Chemistry :- The chemistry isn't just 'feral'; it’s a biological hazard boosted by killer English OST tracks that turn scenes molten . Every time they share a frame, the air tension is thick enough to stop a bullet .

2. The "I Need You To Survive" trope lol

3. Short, fast-paced episodes :- Unlike traditional 40-episode dramas that drag for years, Affinity gives you the "good stuff" every 15 minutes. It’s all "Main Plot," all the time.

4. The Unhinged ML: The male lead is a walking red flag factory . Misunderstood edge makes him addictive .

5. The Zero-Shame Energy: The show knows it's ridiculous. It leans into the drama with 100% commitment. It’s high-stakes, high-tension, and high-cringe in the most delightful way possible.

➤ DISLIKES ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
Jarring Tone Shifts: The drama occasionally suffers from "emotional whiplash," jumping from a dark, life-or-death survival scene to a lighthearted, almost slapstick comedy beat within minutes.


➤ OVERALL ─ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─
If you’ve never tried a short drama because you thought they were "too much" like me, let Affinity prove you right—and then let it ruin your sleep schedule anyway. It’s ridiculous, it’s over-the-top, and It’s the kind of high-quality madness that makes you question your own standards while you’re busy hitting "Next Episode" with a manic grin on your face .
- DO NOT ask me if the plot makes sense - It doesn’t. I’ve stopped looking for logic and started living for the chaos.
- DO NOT ask me to stop - I can’t. I've become a total short-drama binge watcher overnight lol .

There are plenty of "forced kisses" and high-tension skinship, so if that’s a deal-breaker for you, consider this your warning to stay away. But for those who stay? My god. The chemistry is absolutely feral and kiss scenes are so WILD that I’m genuinely questioning how Chinese censorship let this pass without cutting it to shreds?? I don't know who was in charge of the censorship board the day they reviewed this, but I want to buy that person a drink for looking the other way🍸👀.

Spoiler Alert (EPISODE 7): What's with that train kiss scene?! When she’s slowly crawling away and he’s just hovering over her, following her move for move... and the background music?? You will absolutely scream and be like WHAT IN THE WORLD??? It is so crazy and visually insane that you will definitely rewatch that specific scene more than once—I just know it hahahha! And the way he picks her up with just one hand all the time as if she weighs nothing? It’s dark-romance-coded perfection that makes you question your own standards .
and in (EPISODE - 10 ) again he literally threw her on bed with just one hand . That was kinda umm😭 it felt as if he slammed her onto the bed to wrestle with her or he had some grudges😭. But ok i'll stop here, i won't spoil more scenes just yet .

Last but not the least, Is it cheesy? Yes. Is it unbelievable? Yes. Am I watching it again? HELL YESSSS . Bcuz at the end of the day, I’m here for the entertainment, and Affinity is delivering exactly the kind of wild, addictive fun I didn't know I was missing.

So, would I recommend it? ABSOLUTELY. Just a fair warning: you’ll need to throw away the logic and switch off your brain to fully appreciate the chaos of this wild ride .
All in all it’s an 8.5/10 ( unbiased - 8 ; +0.5 bcuz its my first short drama and i enjoyed it ) that feels like a 10/10 when the leads are on screen together.

Thanks for reading! ♥︎♥︎♥︎

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Law, Humor, and Growth in Survivor’s Law

Homer is the heart of HK Firm. As the owner, his law practice is struggling due to ongoing issues and the suspension of his license, which leaves him in no position to be selective about hiring. This situation leads him to take in four fresh graduates with very different personalities. What I really appreciate about Homer is his leadership style. He gives the lawyers freedom instead of micromanaging them, but still steps in to offer guidance, advice, and the occasional push when they need it most. He mentors through trust rather than control, which allows each of them to grow at their own pace.

Raymond Lam as Ben is perfectly cast. This role suits him incredibly well and highlights his natural charm. Ben is family-oriented, loyal, funny, and emotionally intelligent. He brings much of the humor to the drama, which keeps the tone light even when cases become intense. His easygoing personality sets him apart from typical lawyer characters, and his willingness to use unconventional and sometimes ethically questionable methods makes his cases entertaining to watch while still feeling true to his character.

Myolie Wu as Ling is the emotional counterbalance to Ben. Ling is extremely straightforward and honest, often speaking her mind without filtering her thoughts. Her bluntness can be jarring at times, but it also makes her reliable and sincere. She represents integrity and discipline within the firm, which contrasts nicely with Ben’s relaxed and creative approach.

Sammul Chan as Vincent is a character driven by ambition and a desire to become a renowned lawyer, which eventually turns into arrogance as the series progresses due to a case pertaining his dad. His values clash with the core purpose of the firm, which is to help those in need, whereas Vincent is more interested in serving the wealthy. Because of this, he never truly feels like he belongs in HK Firm. Unfortunately, Sammul’s performance does not help the character. In scenes meant to be humorous, his acting feels forced, and in serious moments it is difficult to take him seriously. While Vincent has narrative potential, the execution feels uneven and weak.

Bernice Liu as Jessica is well suited to her role. Her demeanor is not traditionally feminine and instead leans toward a tomboy personality, which gives her character a distinct presence within the group. She is naive and overly trusting, which often places her at a disadvantage, but it also makes her genuine and easy to sympathize with. Bernice portrays this vulnerability naturally without making Jessica appear weak.

Overall, Survivor’s Law works because of its character-driven storytelling and strong ensemble dynamics. The legal cases provide structure, but the true appeal lies in watching these very different personalities grow, clash, and evolve together. I also I have my reasons for giving the story a 8.5, watch the drama and you'll understand why. Something happens and it makes no logical sense, but definitely a must watch as the entire cast had great chemistry.

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Idol & Inconsistency

Good chemistry. Fake premise. A lawyer drama that forgot the law, a murder mystery that ran in circles, and a finale that wasted its last shot. The romance carried this harder than it should have had to.

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I signed up for the ultimate Seong-deok fanfic, saving your bias from a murder charge. The cards were on the table. Se-na is an ace attorney. Ra-ik is an idol in handcuffs. Idol I did not bait and switch me. It promised a lawyer with a murder to solve and then spent eleven episodes refusing to actually show her being a lawyer. Every single beat of potential legal tension evaporates into nothing. Her profession is decorative, it is a typo, it is a fanfic device to justify proximity to her crush. You could have swapped her law background for a barista apron or florist shears or a sushi chef hat or walking dogs and nothing would have changed. Same scenes. Same dialogue. Same total absence of stakes. The script treats her profession like it was a typo that slipped past casting. Watching her do literally anything legal is like staring into an empty room waiting for fireworks. Nothing happens. Court scnes? nah?. Not an investigation she drives. Not a clever legal pivot. Nothing. Nada. Ugh.

The murder mystery is limp. Toxic substances in Ra-ik’s and his friend’s blood appear and then vanish. Who gave it to them? Why? Was it overlooked by sloppy investigators? Did someone cover it up? The show doesn’t care. Eleven episodes of circling the same evidence, pretending it counts as tension. They even run away to a cabin right after Ra-ik is indicted like being officially charged means nothing. Cozy romantic fantasy replaces stakes. I am furious.

Se-na dating her client? Ethics evaporated. Prosecutor Jung Jae-kwang suddenly grows a conscience after one conversation with Se-na. His father Kim Min-sang is cartoonish. Obstruction of justice is a casual hobby. These are not plot choices, they are insults to anyone who knows how justice works. The whole thing is nonsense. The story pretends consequences exist while actively ignoring them.

Romance is infuriatingly effective. Confessions, letter in the morning, Se-na running out late at night to deliver a hat. Cute, impulsive, human. The lawyer-suspect tension should create stakes, danger, stress, legal fireworks. Instead, it is proximity to justify romance. Chemistry doing the emotional labor the story refuses to do. I am charmed and furious at the same time.

The ML and 2FL conversations are pointless. One episode he’s in love, next episode he’s not. Watching it feels like staring into a void while someone waves their hands. Surface-level, invisible, whatever their contribution is, it is nothing. 2ML, the prosecutor, is vapid, and his one personality pivot is laughable. Watching actors try to make sense of this vacuum is maddening.

Han Do-hee as the ex-girlfriend does good work. She acts bitter, brittle, dangerous. But the writing refuses to earn it. Accidental harm escalates to premeditated murder mechanically. I believed her rage, her resentment, her self-pity wrapped in cruelty. I wish the writing cared as much as her acting.

Kim Jae-young and Sooyoung are the only reason this drama limps along. They give weight, pulse, emotional grounding. Without them, it is rubble. With them, it drags itself to the finish line. They fight the script with everything they have. Watching them is thrilling and enraging because everything else refuses to exist.

Park Chung Jae, played by Kim Hyun-jin, exists to pine and hand over evidence. It is infuriating watching him fight a script that cannot write him a single proper motivation. Side characters barely have motivations. I have seen cardboard targets with more interior life.

Idol/fandom moments land sometimes. Goldys waving flags, obsessive fans, parasocial ugliness, constant pressure, glimpses of real fandom intelligence, morse code in a song that makes me laugh and groan at the same time. It is absurd, ridiculous, but it works in the narrow context of fan energy. Still, it is another reminder of how lazy the rest of the writing is.

The finale is such a waste. Her father’s case barely matters, shoved into a single episode, literally a five-second footnote. Se-na finally functions as a lawyer and it barely matters. Romantic awkwardness happens after the relationship is established, which creates weird timing. The rest of the finale should have been ten minutes tacked onto episode eleven. Everything else is random fan-survival footage.

Idol I flashes brilliance constantly and then immediately smothers it. Se-na could have been a powerhouse lawyer. Ra-ik’s suspense could have carried fire. The investigation could have delivered tension. But the show chooses fanfic logistics over stakes, romance over logic, chemistry over plot, flashes of fandom insight over coherent procedural. It teases you, riles you, makes you believe something might happen, and then refuses to be anything other than padded, sloppy, frustrating nonsense.

It is maddening. It is infuriating. It is exhausting. It could have been sharp, biting, thrilling. Instead, it is chaos wrapped in cute gestures, fan service, and actors refusing to let the nonsense collapse entirely. I am furious and I cannot stop thinking about it.

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I like the mystery more than the romance :)

Unlike many comments I read, I actually liked this drama for the mystery more than the romance. It was quite well done because it kept me hooked and I honestly couldn't guess till the end. Was she my suspect? Yes! But so was their CEO and the manager at some point in time. That is exactly what a mystery show is supposed to do - make you question everyone.

I also like how they don't delve deeper into her father's case because unjust or not, no court is going to let you comes 10+ years later and ask for retrial. There's a reason we have the law of limitations. I like when shows are practical more than idealistic in certain themes, law being one of them. I have nothing against creative freedom otherwise. Maybe it's because I'm a lawyer?

I like the subtle romance, great music and a wholesome plot. Yes, things could've been better and the plot could've been tighter. But I like how nothing felt weird at any point to me. I also like the last episode. A fresh take on showing life after and not just ending it there.

Overall, a really nice watch. :)

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PERFECT FROM BEGINNING TO END.

I am not exaggerating when I say Love between Lines is the perfect romance. I am also not bias when I saw Mao Deshu is one of the best directors working today, he has consistently delivered fun, heartwarming and mature stories filled with endearing characters, well developed plotlines and incredibly cinematography. His choice of transitions between scenes is also perfect. He is always planning and creating how to go from one scene to another using the elements present on set.

Most importantly Director Mao Deshu always chooses to show, in all his projects but particular in this one, how the leads communicate properly, not allowing misunderstandings between them and emotionally growing, tastefully and cheekly implying physical intimacy. It’s a staple of his work and very few know how to do it so well.

Xiu is my favourite leading lady to date. She's smart and a hard worker, but never portrayed as a Candy-like heroine, she speaks out her mind, marks a clear line that can't be ignored nor cross when needed. As a romantic partner she's supporting, tender, bold about flirting and showing affection. At the same time, Xiu chooses to see life as a glass half full, but she’s not ditzy or naive. She never needs saving, even in her most vulnerable moments, but gladly accepts help when it calls for without being stripped of what makes her such strong and dynamic character.

Yu will also one of the best written male leads in history of dramas. He is not the typical cold and aloof CEO, instead he has an actual personality that doesn’t revolve around his job. He’s approachable, easygoing and communicates properly. He’s guarded but we see how his walls rise and fall depending on the person (Xiu, his friends or business partner). He respects women and that translates in all aspects of his life, such as having an entirely platonic friendship with Zhao, his business partner, a woman he fully trust to take the lead when he can't be present.

When it comes to Xiu, Yu listens and supports her. Goes out of his way and steps aside, so she can have her own space to develop her career just like she told him she wanted. He is emotionally intelligent and mature, so he knows how to show his love for her in the best way possibly.

Zhen was the most pitiful character of the story. He's not a villain but he's not innocent either. However, it's easy to feel for him and his struggles when you see how badly he had it growing up and how deeply starved for affection he is. This was a very nuanced character that deserved better than what he got but it was only right that was his ending, as the drama developed his story with the male lead perfectly. They should have been brothers, supporting each other through a lonely childhood, instead people around them made it impossible for them to ever be anything but strangers.

Mao Sichao and Li Tingting are the best second lead couple as Xiaorou and Gong. They each have their own individual story, as full-fledged characters outside of the leads’ story, and then their own together. Their presence makes Love Between Lines feel wider and more grounded into reality. They don't bring extra drama nor are they the comedic relief, but instead complement the main story.

Xiaorou has her own marital issues that she resolves with the boldness, as a persona who is secure of herself and what she wants in life. If something is not working, if it hurst you, then you must let it go even if it's painful right now. She's an incredibly nuanced character that among her own problems, still found the time to help out her best friends. I am so glad this go-getter of a woman got her happy ending.

Gong wasn't written as the typical rich man either. Coming from generational wealth, he could have easily being the "playboy", instead he is mature, confident and caring for the people around him, treating everything respectfully and helping out when needed. He has an easygoing nature that helps him turn the worst situation into a win, and that's exactly why he's the perfect man for Xiaoru.

Love Between Lines is, without a doubt, one of the best dramas 2026 has gifted us. I am so incredibly thankful for it.

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