Reviews

Bad Acting

Unfortunately, *East of Eden* just didn’t work for me. I watch a lot of Chinese short dramas, so I’m used to fast pacing, quick scene changes, and storylines that have to fit a lot into a limited amount of time. But even by short-drama standards, this one felt all over the place.

The biggest problem for me was the storyline. Instead of flowing naturally from one event to the next, it felt scattered and sometimes difficult to follow. There were moments when the plot seemed to jump ahead without enough explanation or character development. I found myself trying to figure out how we got from one situation to another rather than becoming invested in what was happening.

The acting also didn’t help. Chinese short dramas can have some surprisingly strong performances despite their smaller budgets and shorter runtimes, but I didn’t feel that here. A lot of the emotions felt forced or flat, and some scenes that should have had a strong emotional impact simply didn’t. I never really connected with the characters or their relationships.

I don't expect every short drama to have a huge budget or perfect writing, but I do expect the story and characters to pull me in. Sadly, *East of Eden* never did.

Overall, this was a miss for me. The scattered storyline and weak performances made it difficult to stay interested, and by the end, I was watching more to finish it than because I wanted to know what happened.

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Eight Episodes Were Not Enough

One of my most anticipated dramas this year, and after finally finishing Season 2, I can say it was absolutely worth the wait. What I appreciated most was how naturally the season continued from Season 1, bringing back familiar characters, answering lingering questions, and expanding on the events we were left with.

This season gives us more insight into Jeong Jin-man, including what happened after he faked his death and what he was doing during the attack on Jian. His past becomes increasingly important as the Babylon Group and its branches emerge as a new threat. Since Jin-man already has a history with them, the conflict feels personal and connected rather than simply introducing another group of villains.

At the center of the season is Jian, who is still struggling with everything she experienced in Season 1. She wants to escape the dangerous world her uncle left behind, but she gradually realizes that running from it won't make it disappear. The more she tries to protect herself and the people she loves, the deeper she becomes involved.

I especially loved Jian's character development. She becomes smarter, more resourceful, and more capable of protecting herself. Her traps, cameras, and ability to anticipate danger show just how much she has grown since Season 1. But what makes her development more interesting is the darker direction her character takes.

Her first kill in Season 1 clearly traumatized her, but as she experiences more loss and betrayal, that fear and hesitation slowly begin to disappear. Her actions become more intentional, and she starts to understand that violence may be necessary to survive and protect the people around her. That transformation is fascinating, but also a little frightening.

The final look Jin-man gives Jian says a lot without needing words. It feels like he's beginning to realize that Jian is entering the very world he spent so long trying to keep her away from. I love how much stronger and more capable she has become, but I also worry about what that strength is turning her into. If we get a Season 3, I hope Jin-man can help her navigate that darkness without allowing her to lose herself completely.

I also really enjoyed getting to know Jin-man better this season. Season 1 showed us what he was capable of, but Season 2 gives us a better understanding of the person behind the violence. He's cruel and capable of doing terrible things, but he's also deeply aware of the consequences of the world he's involved in. His guilt and concern for Jian add another layer to his character and make his relationship with her much more complicated.

The supporting cast was also strong, and I liked how their relationships and motivations continued to unfold. Some of the betrayals genuinely made me angry, but most of them were well executed and made sense within the story. Unfortunately, some character deaths were difficult to accept, especially one that I felt was completely undeserved. Still, I won't say more because I don't want to spoil anything.

My biggest issue was the pacing. The first half felt a little slow in places, while the latter part became noticeably rushed. I understand why, considering there were only eight episodes, but I honestly think this story needed more room to breathe. There were too many characters, connections, past events, betrayals, and plot points to fit comfortably into such a short season. I wouldn't have minded 12 episodes, or even more, because the story had enough material to justify it.

The music was also solid and fit the dark, tense atmosphere of the drama without taking attention away from the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed Season 2. It successfully built upon the first season, gave us a deeper understanding of Jin-man, introduced a threat tied to his past, and delivered some of the most interesting character development through Jian.

My biggest wish is that the season had been longer. Despite the rushed ending, I think they made the most of the eight episodes they had. The open ending definitely left me wanting more, and if there is a Season 3, I hope they take their time and explore Jian's transformation even further.

At this point, I'm not as worried about whether Jian can survive this world. I'm more worried about what surviving it is turning her into.

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Give this series a chance

Normally, when I write an early review it is because the show is so bad I needed to rant about it. I'm writing this for a different reason.

If I'm honest, I wasn't feeling it either after watching episode 1. I hung in there for another ep just to be sure. While I won't say the show is now amazing, it has at least stabilised and I can see a path forward. Please allow me to explain.

This show is basically Border Security: Japan dramatised. It actually feels quite claustrophobic as the bulk of the set consisted of a smallish passenger processing area and a few small auxiliary rooms/office. There are scenes shot in the airport proper, but you know the set is in a studio.

Gate24 is meant to be an experiment where Immigration and Customs are integrated into a coherent unit. Hence it is placed in a separate area. As you can imagine, the friction between the two groups is amplified rather than lessened at first. Lots of sly remarks and feather ruffling.

On top of that, there are no top stars in the ensemble, just semi familiar faces. The characters are roughly divided into key/quirky characters and boring ones. You know who will be waving the flag from the front and who are the well-paid extras.

As you can imagine, the storyline is contrived. A plane full of international passengers seldom go on a crime spree. ;)

It is obvious the writer-san has big plans for the team. They will be sorely tested in time (I hope). I can see the plots are getting more interesting. This goes for the team building as well. There is now a tacit understanding. Who knows, friendships and maybe something more will follow? ;)

I suppose what I'm trying to say is while some show digs a deep hole during its run and ends up lying in it, this one started in a shallow pit and is trying to climb out of it. I know this type of mockudrama is an acquired taste and quite niche. Some viewers might take one look and hit the skip button. I was THAT close to doing the same.

For once, maybe we should give this a chance. While the show is earnest, there is every chance it will fade into obscurity. It does need more time in the oven. The potential is there. Both the setting and characters are starting to grow on me. It is almost quaint to see this type of "old fashion" drama. Trust the Japanese. Just don't sue me if this turns out to be a dumper fire! Peace.

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Love Hurts

I love the Republican Era for the sets, fashion, and neon, but I wish they were less titillating and had better story lines. Maybe I just haven't found the right ones yet. This did offer a compelling couple with plenty of chemistry. I'd love to see them star together in something more substantial. Both lead actors suited their roles admirably.

Circle of Amnesia, er, I mean Love, put the FL through horrible memories, total amnesia, reverse amnesia, and then full memory again. Every time she got Whack-a-Mole'd, she'd have a different personality: sweet, young girl; hardened assassin; helpless victim who grew into a more confident woman; back to innocent, young girl again; and, finally, murderous avenger.

ML was shockingly cruel and violent, but his downfall was that he was a habitual liar. If just once, he'd sat the FL down and told her the truth, there might have been a different ending than the Circle of Bullets. And what the heck was that time skip after the ending about? I despise time skips, but this one was beyond weird and unnecessary. Know when to stop, director.

Watch if you want to watch two attractive people with chemistry, and your cringe level is high.

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How to train your husband

This drama's all about men and women learning to cohabitate together in marriage and not try to one up each other in a relationship. It starts rather fresh, without too obnoxious villains or usual political intrigues, but by the second couple's story (1st sister+scholar) it devolves into some sort of moronic circus, full of convoluted bs and very unnecessary decisions, like noble idiocy, for the sake of angst.
And by the second couple you can start seeing a certain plot pattern. The plot goes on a loop akin to this till the end:
- one of the sisters' gets yet another smug, unlikable guy in her crosshairs;
- they go round in circles until getting married through tricks;
- the guy mistreats that sister and threatens with divorce to a point of actual divorce;
- she goes crying to her family;
- the family concots schemes to turn things around and make the guy come crawling back converted into a docile husband material;
- in parallel, the family is also battling some stupid villains who are after their money, husbands or just to bully them.

I also didn't appreciate how women and marriage here were presented like selling and reselling cattle. No, I think people treated their cattle better than some of those women.

P.S. Also, why everybody slept here wearing their full get up - dresses, hairdos and accessories? It was very ridiculous 🤣.

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Noise over substance

The fictional universe of "Soul Mate" is, by deliberate contrivance, inhospitable to those affections which wander from the procreative norm. Here, gay characters are made to wither in silence. To them is denied the light of joy, or the warmth of intimacy. And such is the cost of upholding a doctrine that reckons human worth by the measure of offspring alone

Time, that most precious of commodities, ought not be squandered upon so homophobic a spectacle. It would be wiser to turn our eyes elsewhere, to a narrative that honours the full complexity of same-sex unions

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Awkward, Cute, and Surprisingly Addictive: Harutora Brings Light Into Sui’s World

Japanese culture is known for being formal and respectful, and having been to Japan 🇯🇵 myself, I have witnessed that firsthand. Japanese people are some of the most respectful people I have encountered, so when the series begins with the male leads bowing and even kneeling down, I saw it as part of Japanese culture rather than something strange.

This series is honestly so awkward and cute. Japanese dramas always seem to come up with the weirdest plots, but somehow they get you addicted every time. Sui is bullied for being gay, which leads him to hide behind a face mask and keep his emotions to himself. He can be really awkward, but I can understand where his behavior comes from. He has built walls around himself because he is afraid of getting too close to people. Then Harutora comes along with his straightforward and warm personality, slowly becoming a light in Sui's nightmare and helping him open up again. And we already got a first kiss!

I was also really happy to see Ishi Masaya from School Trip: Joined a Group I'm Not Close To get the main role of Harutora. He fits the character really well, and I was glad to see him take on another BL lead role. The poster is also incredibly cute and matches the sweet atmosphere of the series.

Overall, Hold on, Harutora-kun is a very light and fun BL to watch. The story is simple, the romance is cute, and the awkward moments make it entertaining. It may not be the strongest BL out there, but it is an easy and enjoyable watch if you are looking for something sweet, youthful, and uncomplicated.

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Finally something worth watching coming out of Thailand again!

I had all but given up on Thai BL's, but I am so happy I fave this one a chance! It has been a very long time since I have watched a BL out of Thailand that was this good. Were there flaws and missed opportunities? Yes, but it was still one of the best thought out, well written and original stories I've seen in a long time. It wasn't the same sloppy, clitche riddled formula that's been overtaking Thai BL's.

The story was a bit shallow at times, it definately could have dug it's heels in deeper. But since it was tackeling some new territory I can forgive that. This writer definately needs to give us more and hopefully will be even braver in the next one.

I don't fall down the hype rabbit hole so I really had no expectation going in. I see a lot of the reviews were dissappointed due to this. But from my perspective with no expectations I was extremley pleased.

Regardless of how much you know about this one before watching it is worth your time! You might want to have kleenexes handy for the last 2 episodes though!

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The Longdong Army

Yeah,the casting is always 10/10 for me bcuz it's a rare commodity to have them altogether in a show.

In S4, there are 4 world buildings (Dungeon Archive) and all the players enter the game worlds to find the truth and solve the cases.

The storyline for each episode is independent ,so you can watch any episode without order but I love the fact they sum up core storyline in final episode.

The backstory of each character is well- written and all the costumes are great.
I love this season explores more on sensitive social issues, AI technology ,mental well-being etc.

All the cast members and special guests have very good chemistry and all NPCs members are very good in acting.

And the props and machines walls are really impressive.

I love all the characters' names 🤣 and their slogan
"""The Longdong Army""".

The Case Number (Episode)---( Part 1/ Part 2)

1.The Heir Battle (Special guest: Wang Yu Wen)
2.Puppet Terror (S.G : Wang Yu Wen)

3.Love and Baristas ( S.G : Sun Qian)
4.The Scam Factory ( S.G : Sun Qian)

Dungeon Archive Bonus : Special Episodes - Reasoning Town 5 bugs

5. The Heroes' Manor (S.G : Yang Chaoyue)
6. The Death of Chancellor Tui ( S.G : Yang Chaoyue)
7. The Three Mischief Makers (S.G : Yang Chaoyue)

8. The Crazy Animal Party ( S.G : Zhang Rou Nan)
9. The Present- Day Visitor's time - travel murder
(S.G : Zhang Rou Nan)
10.The Escape from the Push the Door Game World
(S.G : Zhang Rou Nan)

Have a nice day, everyone.
Love you 🦋🤗🦋

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