Reviews

Romance Done Right, Plot Done Wrong

Park Seo-joon is honestly unbeatable as a romantic rom-com male lead. Once again, he did not disappoint. I loved how his character was fully devoted, emotionally mature, and completely non-toxic. Watching him as a regular, innocent guy who genuinely earned his position felt refreshing and realistic. And his banter with the team? Pure gold — easily one of the most enjoyable parts of the drama.

Won Ji-an’s character, on the other hand, was egocentric but somehow still cute. Her blunt honesty made her feel real, even when she was annoying at times — which actually worked well for the story.

But I really didn’t understand the breakup. When he found out about the article involving his father, the decision to break up just felt forced and illogical. They weren’t even celebrities constantly chased by tabloids, so the drama around that situation felt exaggerated. Honestly, it felt like the writers just needed a reason to stretch the plot instead of wrapping things up earlier.

I was also expecting a much more satisfying revenge arc against Kang Min-u. It was so rushed — barely three minutes — and he felt like a villain without a real backstory or convincing motive. Such a wasted opportunity.

And don’t even get me started on the mother’s affair and the illegitimate child plotline… that twist was completely unnecessary. It added shock value but not depth.

Overall, I still enjoyed the drama a lot thanks to the characters and chemistry, but the writing definitely felt rushed and messy in key moments. It could have been so much better with a bit more coherence and courage in the storytelling.

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A Slow Convoluted Burn

I want to preface this by saying that my experience with this show might've been drastically different if this were one of my first kdrama experiences. But considering that I've been watching dramas for a while now, what could've come across as unique to others has turned out to be pretty confusing/jarring for me.

So I loved the first 5 to 6 episodes. It felt like I was finally watching something I hadn't before. It had all the tropes I've always wanted to see but seldom ever done well, if at all. The slow burn, the FL falling first, but she isn't manic or clingy about it. The ML is actually kind to her and respectful. Kim Seon Ho as Hojin simply standing and staring at Muhee as she has her big talk show moment alone convinces anyone how much of a goner he is for someone he wants to only see as a stranger he met on a trip. These small moments are what define this drama for me.

Cha Mu Hee is such a lovable, endearing character. She truly makes you root for her, even in her embarassment. Even in her desperation to be loved and accepted by everyone, there is an innocence and sincerity that is hard to ignore. It's why her paired up against someone completely practical-minded like Hojin feels so thrilling, because they're bound to have chemistry simply because of the difference in their approach to life and living.

Hojin is everything I like about a male lead. He knows what he is and wants but doesn't hokd that against anyone else.

I loved this exact dynamic of a struggling actress who met a man on a trip and fell in love with him, a man who doesn't reciprocate her feelings but wholeheartedly chooses to root for her and support her from a distance. Someone who chose to be kind to a woman who never had it growing up. Of course she would fall for this ahndsome good hearted stranger!

There was so much potential in this dynamic alone: A successful actress still pining for a man who knew her before she got all the fame and appreciation she wanted.

I guess this is the story I thought I was getting from those first 5 episodes only for the second half to turn into a completely different dissection into mental health and dissociative identities. Something like My Liberation Notes meets Bad and Crazy (two dramas I LOVED individually but would stay far away from if they were made into one...if you get what I mean...)

Now it's not even the dissociative idenitites part (that I've come to find repetitive in dramas/movies/literature at this point), but the main issue with this drama being that Muhee becomes a patient that Hojin needs to "fix" for them to be together. Thus going back to the eternal trope of fixing someone to be with them, instead of giving them the free agency to figure it out themselves while the partner supports them.

In fact Muhee's lack of agency goes back to around ep 5/6, even before the genre shift when she kisses Hojin, thoroughly breaking his boundaries btw, and magically, that is the moment when Hojin decides that he will finally start thinking about moving on from the fantasy of his first love. Now sure, he most definitely could've had feelings for Muhee the whole time after their first meeting, but I wish her kiss didn't become the catalyst for his change of heart and urgency. It truly felt completely insincere to both Muhee, and the tone the first half of the drama set up.

I also found that the chemistry between the leads sort of just fell off after around ep 7...

Dorami as a character and even altar are all great creative choices but it felt like they didn’t belong in the same font as the first half of this drama.

Aside from the writing and themes, the making of the drama and the performances of the leads stands out. Go Youn Jung and Kim Seon Ho have great screen presence and truly make their characters compelling to watch and root for. But it's tough to keep up with a plot that's trying to be 10 different things in 10 different fonts at once so I wouldn't put that on them.

The OST is beyond memorable and I will be thinking about that aurora scene for a long, long time...

I think I'll have to rewrite this show in my head from that point onwards just for myself...haha!

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a masterpiece for those who love slow burns, great chemistry, and beautiful cinematography

i loved this show! T_T its been weeks since i've finished it and i am still unable to move on. it got me kicking my feet and cheesing the entire time, which i haven’t felt watching a kdrama in years. while i was pretty disappointed to see such mixed reviews online but, i get it. the storyline was slightly different from trailers and not what everyone expected this romcom to be. the genre change mid-show turned a lot of viewers away but i think it was executed flawlessly (the alter ego/mpd was not overdone in a fantasy way).

first, the main characters are so well-written and incredibly portrayed by the actors. the character and relationship developments were very realistic. the little details in the scenes added so much to the slow burn and was satisfying to watch. i’ve never seen a show with go younjung and i’ve never been too interested in kim seonho, but now i’m a big fan of them both. their chemistry was off the roofs; it got me squealing fr >_<

i really enjoyed the themes of anxious and avoidant attachments, and how realistic miscommunication happens in romance. muhee is an actress, emotional with an anxious avoidant attachment style and hojin is a translator, literal but with high emotional intelligence. hiro seems to have a fearful avoidant attachment style and jisun/yongu protray secure attachments.

the show perfectly captured how misunderstandings don’t come from a lack of care, but rather from the fact that everyone speaks their own emotional language, and that love requires learning how to interpret it. at first, i was confused by hojin’s reactions and actions because muhee’s intentions and feelings seemed so clear, but from his pov, she really was sending him mixed signals. she said what she thought he needed to hear and he did what he thought she meant, hence the title. my only complaints are that it would’ve been nice to have a more developed story/love line with hiro and more depth to muhee’s past/mother. although, the jisun/yongu may have seemed random at first, it was nice to see their fast advancement (in contrast to muhee/hojin). jisun wanted a man that took initiative (her language) and neither hojin or his brother did.

the cinematography was SUPERB!! each setting was so beautiful and each scene was filmed so aesthetically. it really felt like the director made sure every second was carefully thought out. i also liked how each country gave a different vibe but the actors did mention they got a lot more comfortable through the year of filming so that may be why. my favorite scene was the aurora scene; i think it perfectly captured the shift in their relationship and it was beautiful, duh. "auroras do not appear in seoul" "i don't want to watch it disappear" muhee self-sabotages as she doesn't think she deserves happiness and then prepares for the loss while she can still control it by leaving (all while hojin asks her to stay for the first time). ugh, i could go on and on about every scene in this show but this review would be endless.

some other notable things that i really appreciated:
- i loved how much they focused on the foreign languages, kim seonho’s pronunciation seemed to be so on point, which really amplified his role.
- i loved how the love line was between two complete strangers (no red string theory), and how they kept the opposite gender managers platonic.
- “why worry about what happens later? we’ll be breaking up anyway.” as we try to love less, hope less, and dream less to protect our heart, we slowly lose color of our life. what is there to live for if we won’t give out our all?

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Interesting, But Not Quite There

I’ll be honest, I started this drama because the synopsis sounded interesting. The mix of idols and a thriller element definitely made me curious enough to keep watching.

I really liked the male lead actor, and let’s be real, he’s very hot. Charismatic, interesting to watch, and easy on the eyes, which definitely helped. I wasn’t familiar with the female lead actress, but I didn’t think she was bad either. On their own, both characters were okay.

The thriller plot started strong. It was fun to create theories and guess who the killer might be. At some point, though, it became easier to figure it out, and the reveal didn’t hit as hard as I expected. Some very serious events (especially involving his ex-girlfriend) were resolved a bit too lightly, which reduced their emotional impact.

Now… the romance. This is where the drama lost me a little. I never really felt romantic tension or chemistry between the leads. The story leaned a bit into a fan/idol vibe rather than a balanced romantic connection, especially towards the end. I personally would have preferred a “quiet pride and support” kind of love instead of devotion bordering on fangirling.

Overall, this drama has a good premise, a strong start, and some enjoyable elements, but it didn’t fully deliver where it mattered most. Still, it’s not bad, just a bit underwhelming in key areas.

Rating: 6/10

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FirstKhaotung is the best ship ever??

From the very beginning, I already knew this series was going to be good — and I wasn’t wrong at all.
Cat for Cash quickly pulled me in with its atmosphere and characters. There’s something very special about the way the story is told — soft, emotional, but at the same time full of tension that keeps you watching.
One of my favorite parts is definitely the eye contact between the leads. The way they look at each other feels so meaningful. Their eyes express emotions better than words — curiosity, hesitation, affection, and growing trust. Those silent moments made the chemistry feel real and deep.
I loved how the connection between them develops naturally. It doesn’t feel rushed, and every small interaction matters. Even simple scenes become intense because of their expressions and the way they hold each other’s gaze.
Overall, Cat for Cash is a BL that made me feel invested from the start.
I truly enjoyed it, and it confirmed what I felt from episode one — this series was always going to be something special..💞

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Just Awful

This was the single most difficult series I ever got through!!!
Do Ha is the most arrogant and obnoxious character I've seen in a long time. How he can be the lead protagonist and we're supposed to enjoy this series? There wasn't one minute in this drama that I found myself rooting for him. It's just beyond understanding how this character was written for us to enjoy.
I like Jae Wook, seeing him in past dramas that were extremely entertaining, but there were times in this one I had to fast forward over him, because it was just too annoying to watch his character so sure of himself, again and again and again.
Equally annoying was the other protagonist, Ha Gyeong. Nothing ever goes her way. She's made to look so pathetic. Watching her in such misery and have so much anger peaking out throughout each episode. How she let Do Ha walk all over her, it was just incredible watching it happen.
I'm not too familiar with Sung Eun,. but I don't put the blame on her, it was just an awful character she portrayed.
Just an all around bad series. I will try to forget this one in a hurry.

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It was an okay drama

ummmm.... it was okay. It was worth the watch. The vibes between the leads gave off the FL being older and she looks older.
I think she would have stand out more as just his lawyer because she gave off boss energy in the courtroom.
I still didnt see the chemistry between them, they gave off more of a friendship vibes to me.
But it could just me be who is blind.
I personally would have liked it if the mystery part of it was more in depth because the "investigating" was lacking to me. Like the investigators hardly did anything and it was the lawyers who they showed putting pieces together.
But it was okay.

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My fav drama. Worth watching :>

Unforgotten Night is honestly one of those BLs that stays in your head for a long time.
From the very beginning, the atmosphere felt intense, dramatic, and a little chaotic — but in the best way possible.

I really loved the dynamic between Kim and Kamol. Their relationship wasn’t perfect or simple, but that actually made it more interesting to watch. The mafia setting added a lot of tension and gave the story a darker, more mature vibe that I personally enjoyed a lot.

The series may not be realistic, but that’s exactly its charm. It’s dramatic, bold, emotional, and sometimes over-the-top — and that’s what makes it fun. I was never bored while watching it, and I always wanted to know what would happen next.

Overall, Unforgotten Night is a BL that knows what it wants to be and fully embraces its style.
If you like dramatic BLs, strong chemistry, and a dark mafia aesthetic, this series is definitely worth watching.
I truly enjoyed it and it became one of my favorite BLs.

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Beautiful series transcending genres while showcasing Thai culture

I did not expect to feel so strongly about Khemjira, but I can't seem to watch anything else at the moment, even after finishing it a week ago. Although it's not a perfect show, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it and can definitely say it's one of the best of 2025. The first half felt a bit stretched out, but the rest really captivated me, especially Episode 11 was a highlight!

You can tell how much DMD invested in production; I'm very impressed with the cinematography, effects, and locations. What makes this BL stand out is of course the fantasy-horror aspect, which was executed very well!
So many interesting themes, such as Isaan culture and Buddhist traditions, were incorporated with respect and accuracy. As it is a novel adaptation, there is also the pressure of executing a satisfying show for the novel readers.

This is the first big series for the four main actors; there are improvements to be made but overall, I liked all of their performances and believe they will only get better. Tle, Keng and Green stood out to me most. When it comes to Namping, I was a bit conflicted as some scenes were done perfectly (e.g. acting as Jet), while others were less realistic (e.g. the crying scenes).

In terms of the character Khem, I also wish he was not portrayed as a "damsel in distress" the whole time. It would have been nice to show more development when it comes to his personal strengths and will to live (since he kept wanting to give up). Although the title of the show ("Khemjira must survive") demonstrates how he obviously had to be saved, it was frustrating to watch someone so helpless while everyone was doing everything for him.

I really love how they approached the topic of queer marriage and adoption – very important to have this representation in the genre! Calling it a BL does not do it complete justice in my opinion, as it is a beautiful queer story that demonstrates both gay and lesbian couples, with characters who are proud of their sexuality and who express love openly.

The OST is wonderful as well, I've been listening to it every day!

Hopefully, Khemjira will inspire other BLs to experiment more with diverse genres and topics like this. Would love to watch more horror/dark shows!

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just some guy’s cultivation journey yet thoroughly entertaining

this is a story that starts with tropes so recognisable, they are almost as trite as “once upon a time.” our lead, Han Li (played by Yang Yang, who really seems to have found his niche in this character), is introduced as a basic teenager from a family so poor that for him and his friend, joining a cultivation sect means eating actual food every day instead of arguing over flatbreads with siblings.

as we initially follow our teenager (for indeed he is no hero, as we learn relatively quickly), his journey begins to diverge from the tried and true cultivation narrative. he certainly has talents but they are not flashy or impressive to others; in fact, they appear invisible to almost everyone except the most crafty of mentors. but Han Li is cool-headed and thoughtful and has mastered, if we are polite about it, conflict avoidance and strategic retreat. if we were less charitable and more into legendary saving-the-world stories, we might be inclined to call him cowardly.

our not-quite-hero does, however, understand how to work both smart and hard, which is quite fortunate because his path is not destined to be an easy one. the focus of the sects on collecting items and on growing their cultivation base with pills and potions is slightly unusual, but this jarringly materialistic subculture holds space for Han Li’s peculiar personality to thrive and gives a sense of this being not just a story but a game.

the pace overall is fairly unrelenting if somewhat uneven. for those of us who have not read the novel on which this is based, which is very long, the information overload and rapid cycling between sects and characters may be a little disorienting and it does feel as if there is insufficient time for character development. Han Li does plenty of gardening and gardening-adjacent chores, which is when you should probably catch your breath, but often these moments arrive too late and you have already processed the previous rapid-fire events. this inconsistency would probably be my only major criticism of the series as a whole.

while there is not really time for explicit comedy, it is still quite humorous at times, which also provides some relief from weeding and fighting demonized creatures. one of the oddest and possibly unintentional sources of humour is the way that almost every character at some time points out how ordinary, plain and unattractive our main character is. meanwhile, Yang Yang’s Han Li gets an obvious glow-up every time he levels up. by two-thirds of the way through, he looks like he has a personal spa in his cave. if they keep on polishing the visuals as his cultivation improves, there will be nothing but blinding light to see for the rest of the story. perhaps the next installment should just be an audio drama.

the CGI has a bit of a late 2000s feel, which sometimes feels slightly anachronistic but does comfortably feed the gamified nature of the series. the fight scenes, however, are impeccably designed and provide a counterpoint to the more mundane aspects of cultivation life.

while large-scale conflict provides the backdrop to the narrative, overall the series still manages to feel low-conflict, in large part because of Han Li’s avoidant personality and distinct lack of interest in interpersonal drama. as an example, when he finds a deceased person, he will inevitably just search them for artifacts then insta-cremate them with very little hassle, whether he killed them himself or they died from non-Han Li-related misadventure. always the pragmatist.

at its core then, The Immortal Ascension is a low-angst series about how people work their way up the cultivation food chain, but it has no pretensions about developing side characters or insisting that you hold feelings for them. the inherent sadness in the narrative is quiet, philosophical and with hidden depth, much like our protagonist himself. Han Li simply has his own path to tread.

though he finds (and by extension, we also find) very few people to care about, there are plenty of people who follow him around, from an entire hopeful harem of women, most of whom he deliberately avoids but still treats with a detached type of respect, to his archenemy, the flamboyant demon lord Wang Chan (Wang Duo with one of his most overtly camp performances), who doesn’t seem to realise that his obsessive relationship with Han Li is unrequited.

the music felt slightly limited in scope but well-deployed. the individual tracks are very strong, particularly Shi Yan’s 蜉蝣志 (Mayfly Will), a raw, rasping emotional journey reminiscent of some of Chen Xueran’s best work. months after finishing The Immortal Ascension, I listen to this OST occasionally and it’s still just as impactful.

all in all, this was an enjoyable and memorable journey, particularly considering the fact that I started this on a whim with zero expectations. the end credits signal a second season and I will definitely be seated!

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An extraordinary, chaotic fateful first love

Such a unique and unpredictable plot line guarantees that you are on the edge of your seat with each episode. Complex characters, mind-bending pot twists, and a touch of every cliche from amnesia to historical royalty transforms this drama into a fun rollercoaster.

The stakes are high for spunky, peppy Dan-Oh as she chaotically attempts to change her fate. If she is the force pushing the story, Haru is the life given to it. He may be a quiet character, but his heartfelt eyes for Dan-Oh proves their chemistry.

Their romance is simply adorable. It's impossible not to root for them.

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Quite like this blind box drama.

I watched this so randomly and there is less than 2 hours so i can watch this while travelling to other city.

The plot is about FL was forced by her husband to go out and find other men to get her pregnant so he can be virgin for SFL. FL feeling to her husband are died and ask him to let her search man by herself.

The kisses aren't as intense since Wen Yuan likes to peck his mouth. The chemistry are still sufficient but not really artificial sweet. The usual generic formula on short drama are still there for example hidden identity the plot is quite smooth and the pace was so on-track. ML is competitive and greedy. So far, I can still finish watching his dramas. FL is also quite unique vibe and she fights back the antagonists. Zhao Fei acting was quite decent.

The cons are FL husband and SML acting quite old-style and their scenes are so terrible. from fast-forwarding to later skipping any scenes with them. If you are quite morally right person, you wont like this drama.

Decent drama to watch.

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