Reviews

I finally finished Weak Hero Class 1... and honestly, this drama hit me way harder than I expected. I thought it would just be another school bullying action drama, but it turned out to be so much deeper, darker, and more emotional than that.

What I loved most about this drama;

* Story development ; The story was intense from beginning to end. Every episode kept building more tension, emotions, and pain without feeling repetitive. The drama showed how cruel school violence can become, but at the same time it also showed friendship, trust, loneliness, and survival in such a realistic way.

* Character development ; Yeon Si Eun is honestly one of the most interesting characters I’ve seen in a school drama. He looks physically weak, quiet, and emotionless at first, but the more the story progresses, the more we understand his intelligence, anger, loneliness, and emotional scars. Every character felt human, not just “good” or “bad.”

* Friendship ; The friendship between Si Eun, Su Ho, and Beom Seok was the emotional core of the drama. Watching them slowly become comfortable with each other made me genuinely happy, which made the painful moments hurt even more later on. Their bond felt real, natural, and heartbreaking.

* Action & tension ; The fighting scenes were raw, brutal, and realistic. What made them even more intense was the emotional tension behind every fight. It never felt like action for entertainment only — every punch carried emotions, fear, anger, or desperation.

* Acting ; The acting in this drama was absolutely insane. Park Ji Hoon especially surprised me so much. He portrayed Si Eun’s quiet rage, trauma, and emotions perfectly through even the smallest facial expressions and silence.

* Cinematography & OST ; The dark visual tone and emotional OSTs perfectly matched the atmosphere of the drama. The silent moments honestly felt even louder than the action scenes sometimes.

Weak Hero Class 1 is not just a school action drama...
It’s a painful story about loneliness, trauma, friendship, trust, and how people slowly break under pressure.

This drama made me angry, emotional, frustrated, and heartbroken all at once.

And honestly...
the ending left a heavy feeling in my chest that stayed even after finishing the drama.

Goodbye Yeon Si Eun...
You deserved so much better.

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A youth drama that made me laugh, cry, and heal at the same time

I finally finished watching Twinkling Watermelon... and honestly, this drama became one of the most beautiful coming-of-age stories I’ve ever watched. It’s not just about friendship or romance, it’s about family, dreams, music, youth, regrets, and understanding the people we love more deeply.

What I loved the most about this drama;

* Story development ; The story was written so beautifully. The mix of youth, time-travel, family issues, and music felt emotional and refreshing at the same time. Every episode kept me emotionally attached, and the pacing was so good that I never felt bored while watching.

* Character development ; Every character had their own pain, dreams, and struggles. Watching them slowly grow and understand each other was honestly heartwarming. The emotional journey of Eun Gyeol especially touched me deeply. His love for music and his family felt so genuine and pure.

* Family relationship ; This drama shines the most when it comes to family emotions. The way misunderstandings, sacrifices, and unspoken love were portrayed felt incredibly realistic and emotional. Some scenes between parents and children genuinely made me cry.

* Romance ; The romance was soft, youthful, funny, and emotional at the same time. It never overshadowed the main story but instead blended naturally into the characters’ journey. The chemistry between the characters felt warm and comforting.

* Music ; One of the BEST parts of the drama. The band scenes, performances, and OSTs made every emotional moment feel even stronger. Music became the heart of the story and connected all the characters beautifully.

* Cinematography ; The warm and nostalgic visual tone matched the youthful atmosphere perfectly. Every scene looked lively, emotional, and comforting.

This drama made me laugh loudly in one episode and cry emotionally in the next. It reminded me how precious youth, family, and dreams truly are.

Twinkling Watermelon is not just a school drama...
It’s a heartfelt story about understanding love, appreciating family, chasing dreams, and healing old wounds.

Thank you to the actors, writers, director, and the whole team for creating such a meaningful and unforgettable drama.

Goodbye Eun Gyeol...
Goodbye Watermelon Sugar band...

You will stay in my heart for a very long time.

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Light Hearted Crime Comedy in D.I.E.

D.I.E. is a light hearted and comedic TVB drama that mixes crime investigation with absurd humor in a really entertaining way. The story follows a team of unconventional detectives who handle unusual and often bizarre cases, making each episode feel fresh and unpredictable. Yue Chi Long has a special gift after being struck by lightning, where if he touches something belonging to a recently deceased victim, he receives visions of clues that help lead them to the killer.

What makes the drama stand out is its comedic tone. Even though the team is solving crimes, the atmosphere is never too heavy or dark. Instead, the characters often find themselves in awkward, funny, or completely ridiculous situations that balance out the mystery elements. This makes it easy to watch and very relaxing compared to more serious police dramas.

The cases themselves are also quite creative and interesting. While they may not always be deeply complex, they are engaging enough to keep the audience curious about how everything will be solved. The mix of mystery and comedy gives the show its unique identity and works well for viewers who enjoy something light but still story driven.

Overall, the drama is enjoyable for its humor, character interactions, and fun take on police work. It does not aim for intense realism, but it succeeds in being entertaining and easy to follow from start to finish.

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Some tropes are better left unwritten: the omegaverse edition

Omegaverse has infiltrated the world of entertainment nowadays, rearing its head in books, fanfiction, comics, dramas, etc. Invaluable time and money is poured into it when BL/gay media is censored or underappreciated and left to wither in the shadows

Although I'm a devoted fan of BL, my devotion doesn't extend to "futanari" and its derivatives (e.g., omegaverse, gender bender). They're at odds with my values and a source of frustration for me for 4 principal reasons:
1. Their homophobia,
2. Their fetishistic appropriation of opposite-sex physical characteristics,
3. Their pro-birth ideology, and
4. Their inaccurate branding as BL/gay content

I'll give a quick rundown of my reasoning

*The homophobia*
-2 points

Society craves children as fodder for its ever-churning, self-destructive machinery of exploitation, and it's this craving that vilifies/demonizes gay relationships. By design, and absent of human greed or undue interference with the body's natural functioning, non-straight relationships are non-procreative, defying the demand for a continuous supply of fresh consumers and workers. The natural deviation from the established norm provokes society's irrational wrath, which manifests in the abhorrent desire to feminize male characters or masculinize female characters. The men are feminized through the imposition of female anatomy (e.g., vulva, vagina, uterus) and capacity for pregnancy, while the women are masculinized through the imposition of male anatomy (e.g., penis, testes) and capacity for impregnation

Characters are warped into paradoxical feminine-masculine hybrids at best, caricatures of the opposite sex at worst. Prisoners of their bodies, their worth is degraded to that of a factory-grade "impregnating" and/or "birthing" machine. The omegaverse forces of pheromones, heats, and ruts further strip them of the freedom to carve their own paths and relationships. They're unable to break free from the stifling straightness/heteronormativity that defines their everyday interactions

This dystopian perversion of human bodies proves society's true intention: to erase non-straight/non-procreative relationships and maintain its iron grip on conformity

*The fetishistic appropriation of opposite-sex physical characteristics*
-2 points

People pursue what they can't have in an effort to fill a perceived void in their lives. They've at times coveted the womb's capacity to bear life (womb envy) and the penis's association with dominance (penis envy). Moved by the envy, they appropriate the appearances that resemble those of the opposite sex. Their minds wander to a fictional combination of male and female characteristics within a single form; a futa, an omega, or a Frankenstein's monster of sorts

They turn from the truth that the characteristics separating men and women aren't blemishes or shortcomings to be "fixed." Each male or female body is complete in its own right

*The pro-birth ideology*
-2 points

The contention that omegaverse is but a figment of imagination, a whimsical flight of fancy, does little to nullify my objections against it. Beneath the surface is a troubling fetishization of the pregnant form that espouses a pro-birth ideology. Omegaverse contributes to the sociocultural paradigm that sanctifies birth and ascribes it a revered, near-spiritual status

I take the opposite stance that birth holds no inherent beauty. Pregnancy is a grueling, unsightly process that exacts a heavy toll on the body, compromising the well-being of the being that endures it. Furthermore, "procreation" is an egregious imposition of the highest order, an act that binds a new helpless being to the chains of life's trials, tribulations, and uncertainties. Its media glorification is irresponsible and an affront to the very notion of morality

"Not to be born at all
Is best, far best that can befall, ...
... For when youth passes with its giddy train,
Troubles on troubles follow, toils on toils,
Pain, pain for ever pain;
And none escapes life’s coils
Envy, sedition, strife,
Carnage and war, make up the tale of life" (Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus)

Our society's imperfect. There's no reason to fabricate an alternate pro-birth society burdened with greater cracks and fissures than ours

In the event that one's gripped by a desire to nurture a child, I believe the commendable path towards parenthood would be to consider adoption and provide a secure, loving home to an existing child that's been unfortunate enough to journey through life

*The branding*
-2 points

I believe the capacity for pregnancy is exclusive to women. Men can't experience it, or they'd cease to be men. It's thus incorrect to label as gay or BL the "straight" interactions of fictional characters capable of pregnancy. They belong to a different category

TL;DR The drama earns 2 points for trying, and loses 8 for its omegaverse themes and reluctance to commit to a gay storyline

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A drama that feels like life itself... ??

I finally finished watching When Life Gives You Tangerines... and honestly, this drama touched my heart in a way I can’t even fully explain 😭✨ It’s not just a romance drama, it’s a story about life, dreams, youth, family, sacrifices, and learning how to continue moving forward even when life becomes painful.

What I truly loved about this drama;

* Story development ; The story flows so naturally and emotionally that every episode feels meaningful. It’s slow and calm, but never boring. Instead, it feels comforting, nostalgic, and painfully real at times. The drama beautifully captures ordinary life struggles, dreams that slowly change over time, and the warmth of human relationships.

* Character development ; Every character felt alive and realistic. Nobody was perfect, and that’s what made them beautiful. We get to see their growth, mistakes, pain, happiness, and emotional scars throughout the story. The actors portrayed every emotion so naturally that it never felt like acting — it felt real.

* Romance ; The romance in this drama is soft, emotional, and deeply heartfelt 😭💛 It’s not flashy or overly dramatic, but the quiet love between the characters speaks louder than words. The little moments, silent support, longing gazes, and sacrifices made their relationship feel incredibly genuine and touching.

* Family & emotions ; This drama shines the most when it comes to family relationships. The love, misunderstandings, sacrifices, and emotional bonds between family members felt so raw and relatable. Some scenes genuinely made me cry because they felt too real.

* Cinematography ; Every scene looked like a memory painted beautifully on screen 🍊 The warm tones, peaceful atmosphere, and emotional framing made the drama feel comforting and nostalgic at the same time.

* Music ; The OSTs were absolutely beautiful 🎶 Every song blended perfectly with the emotions of the scenes and made the heartfelt moments hit even harder.

This drama quietly teaches us that life is not always perfect, but even during painful moments, there are still beautiful memories, people, and small happiness worth holding onto.

When Life Gives You Tangerines is not just a drama...
It feels like a warm memory, a healing journey, and a gentle reminder to cherish life and the people we love.

Thank you to the director, writers, actors, and the entire team for creating such a heartfelt masterpiece 💛

Goodbye to these beautiful characters...
You will stay in my heart for a very long time 🍊✨

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Rebuilding old-business AND LOVE ?

I finally finished watching this drama...!!! And honestly, I still can’t move on from it 😭 For 40 episodes, the pacing was built so beautifully that I didn’t even realize when I started and suddenly reached the end...

What I truly love about this drama;

* Story development ; Even though the story is business-centered, it never feels boring or too complicated. Instead, we become emotionally attached to Teng Yue and its rebuilding journey. Watching Jiang Hu trying her best to protect and revive Teng Yue made me emotional too, as if Teng Yue was our own child...! Every success, every struggle, every small progress felt personal.

* Character development ; Every character has flaws, emotions, and weaknesses, which makes them feel realistic. No one is completely perfect. Even characters who seem selfish or egoistic at first slowly reveal deeper emotions and growth throughout the story. The actors & actresses portrayed their characters amazingly well, EVEN the supporting casts were memorable and natural!

* Romance ; Slowburn BUT SO WORTH IT 😭✨ Xu Si & Jiang Hu’s relationship developed so naturally and beautifully. Their interactions were funny, soft, comforting, and romantic at the same time. And when their relationship started falling apart near the end, it honestly broke my heart... But their reconciliation was so emotional and satisfying to watch. Xu Si’s love for Jiang Hu is truly one of the most beautiful things in this drama. At first we see his teasing and cute side, but later we realize how deep his love actually is — he was willing to sacrifice everything he had just to protect Teng Yue, because it meant everything to Jiang Hu...

* Music ; The OSTs are absolutely top tier 🎶💙 Yuqi from (G)I-DLE, Ju Jing Yi, and Wu Xuan Yi’s voices made the songs even more emotional and beautiful. Every lyric perfectly matched the characters’ emotions and story progression. The songs stayed in my mind even after finishing the drama.

* Not much fillers ; This is one of the rare dramas where I never felt the need to skip scenes or increase the speed. I watched almost every episode in normal speed because every moment felt meaningful and enjoyable. The drama kept me emotionally invested from beginning till end.

* Cinematography ; The visual tone of the drama is BEAUTIFUL. The bluish vintage color grading perfectly matched the old-style atmosphere of Teng Yue. It gave the drama such a nostalgic, elegant, and emotional feeling. Every frame looked soft and comforting.

I seriously fell in love with Xu Si & Jiang Hu 😭💙 This is definitely one of the best 2023 dramas for me. This drama is not just about romance or business, it’s about dreams, legacy, healing, growth, and learning how to move forward after pain.

Thank you director, writers, actors, and the whole team for creating such a beautiful story...

Goodbye Xu Si...
Goodbye Jiang Hu...
Goodbye Teng Yue...

You all will truly be missed 💙

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Gay subtext meets historical drama

"She already knows how to make women fall for her without consciously thinking about it ..." (episode 6, 17:43)
"I never knew those two [girls] could have such chemistry, they're bringing out the best in each other" (episode 6, 51:47)

"Jeong Nyeon" is more than a glimpse into a woman-centric world of acting. The setting of a woman-only theater that positions women as both the objects and subjects of romantic desire naturally lends itself to a subtextual exploration of same-sex attraction. It's a glimpse into the potential for better gay representation in Korean media

Though the production team’s decision to remove Jeong Nyeon’s female love interest (Kwon Bu Yong) and the explicit same-sex romance is a regrettable concession to society's homophobic expectations (they should've done better), the drama remains commendable for its efforts to integrate elements of gayness throughout the narrative. I was impressed by everyone's performances

"The stars that graced the gukgeuk stage went on to continue their paths as artists, pansori singers, outdoor theatre performers, or even film actors. They have merely dispersed, not disappeared"

That the curtain has fallen on Maeran's story need not spell the end for female gukgeuk. The genre deserves to rise from the ashes, and girls/women should have the chance to soar on its stage again

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The Last Breakthrough: A Journey from Ambition to Compassion

The Last Breakthrough is one of those TVB dramas that leaves a lasting impression because of how heartfelt and grounded it is. The series follows Wong Fu Fun, a successful cardiologist who is deeply focused on advancing his career by performing highly complex surgeries and building his professional reputation. His girlfriend, Ha Hiu Tung, volunteers with Life Force and often encourages him to travel and help those in need, but he repeatedly refuses because he prioritizes achievement, recognition, and status over humanitarian work.

Everything changes after a tragic accident takes Ha Hiu Tung’s life. Her death becomes the turning point that reshapes Wong Fu Fun’s entire outlook on life. He begins questioning what it truly means to be successful and slowly shifts away from treating only wealthy patients toward using his medical skills to help the less fortunate. He also starts volunteering with Life Force, partly as a way to better understand Ha Hiu Tung and see the world through her perspective. One of the most memorable scenes that captures this transformation is when he helps deliver a baby on the roadside, a moment that reflects his growing compassion, humility, and renewed sense of purpose.

As the drama progresses, Wong Fu Fun gradually rebuilds his life while continuing his volunteer work with Life Force and establishing a clinic that serves his local community. He eventually transitions into obstetrics, showing how far he has moved away from the prestige driven mindset he once had as a cardiologist. He also develops a new romantic relationship, showing that even after deep loss, it’s still possible to heal and move forward.

Wong Fu Fun is sometimes viewed as a controversial doctor by others because many of his decisions challenge professional expectations and strict legal boundaries. For example, when he helps deliver a baby and later discovers the mother was carrying drugs, he refuses to let police officers enter the room until the situation is medically stable. He also makes difficult decisions during high risk pregnancies, prioritizing the safety and dignity of both the mother and child even when others disagree with his methods. A lot of what he does exists in a moral grey area, but the series repeatedly emphasizes his intentions and his belief that every life is precious. His goal in his career is to be the best doctor he can be and do everything he can to save a life. In many ways, the series shows how Wong Fu Fun’s outlook on life positively influences nearly everyone around him.

Ken, who is also a cardiologist, is born into privilege and initially has a far more rigid and by the book understanding of medicine. Through his interactions with Wong Fu Fun, he slowly begins to see medicine in a more compassionate and human way rather than purely through rules and professional standards. His perspective changes noticeably through both their friendship and his own volunteering experiences.

One of the drama’s strengths is how it introduces a wide range of medical and health related issues in a way that is accessible and easy to understand. Although some topics are only explored on a surface level, they still add emotional weight to the story and make the series feel more grounded in reality. The medical themes also make the drama especially engaging and can even inspire a stronger interest in the healthcare field.

Overall, the series is touching, emotional, and meaningful, highlighting how a single life changing event can completely transform a person’s values and understanding of what truly matters. The cast delivers strong performances throughout, but the most compelling aspect of the drama is Wong Fu Fun’s character development. Watching his worldview shift from ambition driven success to compassionate service is the heart of the story and ultimately what makes the drama so memorable.

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"The Uncanny Counter" returned with a charming and stunning 2nd season

Season 2 is an underrated gem. It's a new story with new conflicts and dynamics to watch on its own. The counters navigate a falling out with their firefighter friend. So Moon moves forward and grows stronger for his uncanny family. Jeok Bong's funny clumsiness carries the counters through the darkest times. And So Moon and Ha Na shine bright with their younger brother/older sister dynamic

I would have loved to see Gelly, Wong Yeok and Pil Kwang join the counters or the Yung territory flow through So Moon's body. Season 2 could have adapted the part of the webtoon where So Moon, the Yung territory that he is, casts out spirits without having to summon them. But I'm satisfied with the Yung tears So Moon sheds for Ju Seok. They are a sign of his pure heart and strength

The humor, action and level-headed storytelling mesh well together and have plenty of room to breathe. I'm not overwhelmed or frustrated

Retaining the jovial charm of season 1, the 2nd season is a seamless, breezy watch

The uncanny family, thank you for your hard work. I will miss you!

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An okay drama that could've been better

My first impression of "Love in the Big City" wasn't entirely favorable (the drama was too depressing for me to handle); however, I was impressed by the cast's performances. One standout was Nam Yoon Su. He took a courageous stand against the homophobic attitudes that plague society by playing a non-straight role and partaking in same-sex intimacy without any reservation. Each kiss, each moment of physical closeness, was an act of trust, a man's willingness to open himself up to another man. The directors' attention to detail and depth was evident in every frame, and it was impossible not to be moved by the beauty of it

Yoon Su deserves the utmost praise for bringing warmth and sincerity to his scenes. He held nothing back, conveying raw passion and vulnerability in equal measure. His performance left a lasting impression on me, one that was haunting and memorable

Having paid due attention to the positives, I'll analyze the elements that require improvement, as "Love in the Big City," even with its noble efforts to redefine "queer" storytelling, remains short of fulfilling its promise. Among its flaws, none are as detestable as the violation of a gay male space (a gay club) by a "straight" identifying woman (31:07 of episode 1). The sanctity of a gay male space is not to be disturbed, it's a space for men of like mind and heart to be unabashed in their same-sex desires, away from the harsh gaze of the heteronormative society. Entering a single-sex space with the intention of pursuing someone of the opposite sex to carry back to one’s bed reveals a lack of understanding of, and respect for, the space's true purpose

What was that sudden, unceremonious reference to HIV? HIV isn't a gay disease and a character's (homo)sexuality doesn't warrant the inclusion of HIV in a storyline. The doctor's assumption that the main character's HIV was sexually transmitted is inconsistent with his assertion that the chances of transmitting HIV through sex are low (39:50 of episode 5). The main character's life was unaffected by the disease, and there was no reason why he should be among the rare cases of sexual transmission. HIV is being used for dramatic effect

The narrative device of "straight" identifying female characters befriending gay male characters and becoming the medium through which gay stories are told is tiresome and troubling. Why a "straight" identifying woman, and not a gay woman, a fellow member of the community who shares the same struggles and experiences of discrimination? Can't a gay woman and a gay man get along and be depicted as friends for once?

The conclusion of the story was an anticlimactic question mark, tinged with the bitterness of an uncertain future. Sad or open endings are a trademark of most "queer" stories, and their writers seem to have a vendetta against gay happiness. Time and again, the main character experienced the crushing revelation that the men he believed to be his perfect match were either prejudiced against his (homo)sexuality or not a good fit. It pained me to see him isolated and dejected. I find greater comfort in happy BLs/gay stories that celebrate the joy of the romantic fulfillment and validation denied to gay couples. They surpass their sad or open-ended "queer" counterparts

The depiction of a gay person's life prevents me from rating "Love in the Big City" too low. I've decided on a score of 8 that acknowledges the value and the flaws of the story

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A bittersweet saga of lies, secrets, and acceptance

A family is plunged into a thrilling game of cat and mouse as a mysterious blackmailer threatens to expose their secrets. They race against the clock to uncover the truth, confronting the lies and secrets that have festered in their family along the way. Frustrated, they rally together against a common enemy to protect their own

The drama takes an unexpected turn when one of the family members (Jae Chan/Do Hyun) comes out. Initially met with doubt and confusion, the family soon realizes that being gay isn't a phase, and that acceptance is more powerful than societal norms. They vow to protect the son/grandson and his truth, no matter the cost. The family emerges from the bitter darkness of their lies, secrets, and betrayals, stronger and more united than before. This act of bravery and acceptance elevates the drama from a typical thriller to a thought-provoking examination of family dynamics

The ending was bittersweet. Jae Chan/Do Hyun was happy with the boy he loved (sweet), the family members "practiced being strangers" (bitter). Family should be a source of unity and strength, not estrangement, and I wished to see them reconcile, walking hand in hand once more

My rating was going to be a 7/10, but the sensitive handling of coming out and support for the gay community deserve an additional 0.5 points. They bumped the final rating to a 7.5/10

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Snail Paced Plot

The Junior King of Nanchen, Zhousheng Chen has been in the battlefield since he was 14yo with zero defeat, which earned him a revered reputation throughout the kingdom. When Zhousheng Chen’s elder brother, the emperor, died and empress dowager Gao tried to usurp the throne, he came to the rescue just in time to quell the coup-de-tat, and pledged allegience to his 6yo nephew, with Empress Dowager Qi rising to power. Meanwhile a 14yo Cui Shiyi of the reknowned scholar lineage Cui clan of Qinghe, the supposedly bethrothed crown princess is denied the position as empress by empress dowager Qi, and instead she pushed another prince, Liu Zixing, to step in as the little emperor’s study partner while promising the crown prince position upon him reaching 20yo. Thus to diffuse the Cuis clan’s anger at being sidelined, Cui Shiyi is to take Zhousheng Chen as her teacher, sealing the relationship with the royals before she weds the crown prince later. Having spent significant time in the King of Nanchen palace, Cui Shiyi developed affection for Zhousheng Chen, while Liu Zixing plots in the background to take what he believed rightful to him, a plot that would eventually turn the realm upside down in turmoil.

I seriously think the tag of “slowburn romance” to be misleading, because not only does the romance is slowburn, the whole freaking plot also developed as slow as a snail!

I generally could care less about romance, problem here is the show seem to spend so much time trying to push the mainleads’ idea of attraction for each other and simply dumps the plot’s pacing into the drain. When the plot is put on hold to make way for romance buildup, and yet the romance aint romancing, the show comes off boring and empty instead. If not for Forever and Ever (the modern setting of the novel, which is where the main plot actually is), i honestly wouldve dropped this show before i reach Ep10. The plot only picks up at Episode 18-24, so I’m quite relieved that I stayed on with the loyal company of FF button and 2.0 playback speed.

What’s disappointing is that 18 episodes were used up to build the romance, and yet here I am failing to see or feel the spark. No juice. Dead batteries. Nada. I didnt get any emotional connection for the rest of the characters too - the Cui clan, 10 Zhousheng Chen’s disciple, etc. The first 18 episodes were so bland I couldnt wait to jump straight to the end. I’m glad I didnt though, cuz the plot went into overdrive at Episode 18 onwards.

All the emotion tuggings happened from then on, with the peak happening when Cui Wenjin (Shiyi’s mom) finally managed to see her precious daughter held in the palace. Yep all those characters dying didnt manage to get a reaction from me, until Shiyi met her mom who broke the news. Man, Bai Lu could really cry. Eventhough I didnt feel any chemistry between her and Ren Jialun’s character, i teared up seeing her take the news. She’s really good at this! I liked Shiyi when she was in the palace because that’s when her character took real control and shine, compared to the previous 16 episodes where her character looked bland and one dimensional.

Ren Jialun is great here, he really did pull off the great general role, someone who is too strong with unbendable upright stance that rulers keep seeing him as a threat, so much so he had to take the high road and step away, vowing never to marry and have children so the emperor would be at ease and stop being wary of him. But human being humans, even eunuchs have desire, let alone a powerful man with no physical disability. He could not help but fall for his student, though he is upright enough as not to act according to his feelings and risk turning the world upside down.

A special mention for Wang Xingyue whom I first saw in The Double (which I didnt like) and The Wanted Detective (which I dropped). This time, his performance awed me, and to think that he was a newcomer here at only 19years of age, i am thoroughly impressed. He’s very good at portraying the spare part and later almost discarded prince Liu Zixing. Not only he had to endure emotional and physical torture from the empress dowager growing up as the little emperor’s study companion, he was also slowly poisoned by the same vile woman to make sure he would never become a threat to the throne. The last straw is of course when the emperor was about to have a baby that would mean Liu could kiss his crown prince position good bye. Not only would he lose his promised position and a chance at the throne, he would also lose his bethrothed Cui Shiyi whom he had admired ever since the little emperor promised him of this crown princess. His sadness, angst and regret was remarkably portrayed by Wang Xingyue without flaw. What a talent for such a young man.

I love the addition of Prince of Fengyang, although this character seem pointless (and never even mentioned in the novel), he turned out to be the pivotal role who keeps the Nanchen army whole, especially when their general is gone.

Basically if youre a romance lover, i reckon this would get into your good book. As for me whose interest lies mainly in action/wuxia, it’s pure torture to finish this, and the show only managed to reel in my interest in the last quarter. For the third time, yes I am glad I stayed on long enough to reach Episode 18 where the action really starts, but to say I enjoyed this? Naaahhhh no way. If not for the novel that caught my attention and my curiosity to see how the production expand the little plot of Shiyi’s memory of her previous life, I wouldve dropped this so fast I wouldnt even bother writing a review.

Honestly i hope the sequel would give a different vibe and proper closure to main couple as per the novel.

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Epitome of aesthetic ✨

It's my first time writing a review.... I must say this drama is everything! Periodt!
Azure spring really lives up to the name.
When a person is feeling low or is demotivated... Highly recommended to watch this... It is a very soothing drama.. From my perspective it is really worth to watch... The story, acting, music... Everything iss just sooo calming! 💗Haven't watch something like this for a time... It's sad that it only has 6 eps... I want moree of this... Cinematography is absolutely marvelous 🔥.... The scene uffff!!! Everything is justttt marvelous...
The ML is just an eye candy🍭 ... I'll not post any spoiler here.. But the story is lit🔥 it's very very emotional &enthusiastic.
Give it a try... It's different from other dramas.... This genre is fabulous... I don't know what this genre is called but it has my heart.. I'm gonna miss this..
I'm really drawn towards this drama.

I'll give 8-9 ratings from my perspective.

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A promising yet unfulfilled journey

Prior to touching on any unfavorable points in the adaptation, I would be remiss not to honor the quiet revolution unfolding on screen: Ahn Ji Ho and Lee Sang Jun, rising stars in Korean cinema, have chosen paths less traveled. They performed resistance, stepping into characters whose very existence defies the heterosexist orthodoxy and setting an example for other mainstream performers to follow in their footsteps

The interplay between Ji Ho (Hee Su) and Sang Jun (Seung Won) is, without a shadow of a doubt, endearing. Sang Jun (Seung Won) is a reticent and emotionally guarded suitor, yearning to draw closer to Ji Ho (Hee Su). True to the source material, the glances that linger just beyond propriety, the verbal exchanges, and the physical proximities that tremble with implication accumulate with intentionality and culminate in a long-withheld romantic confession

Seung Won: "I don't like Ji Yu"
Hee Su: "Why did you lie?"
Seung Won: "Because I wanted to keep hanging out with you" (chapters 42-43)
A screenshot: https://imgur.com/a/7ElUfSX

Drama Seung Won, too, nudges drama Hee Su to acknowledge his true feelings and discover the solace and happiness that await him in drama Seung Won's arms

Complementing Ji Ho (Hee Su) and Sang Jun (Seung Won)'s chemistry, the adaptation gains narrative sophistication through drama Hee Su's empathetic disposition. This is exemplified in the first episode (5:10-7:04), where he lends an impartial ear to a woman's self-exploration of same-sex desire/introspective reckoning with her attraction toward another woman. He invites us into a space of uncoerced emotional authenticity

Now, it's conceivable that my observation might provoke debate; however, I'm disengaged by a dissonance between the performers' mature appearances and the adolescent characters they're tasked with embodying. Their mature appearances suggest individuals well into their late twenties, if not beyond

The cognitive dissonance elicited by witnessing adults enacting the affective and behavioral tropes of high school adolescence proves jarring. A more coherent and plausible alternative might've been to transpose the setting into a university or workplace

I can be lenient with these matters. What troubles me is the pacing and the straightwashing of the source material to cater to the squeamishness of homophobic audiences wary of encountering too many rainbows on their screens. The central gay relationship spends the bulk of its runtime vying for visibility and relevance against the privileged "straight" script that overshadows it in both duration and execution. "Straightness" centers the stage by force, reasserting its dominance and softening the gayness for broader consumption. It has no rightful place here

The source material refrains from constructing a non-platonic Chan Yeong x Ji Yu storyline. To fabricate one where none exists, and to do so by excising the secondary gay pairing of Sun Woo and Yoo Dahm, is a move I find dishonest and regressive. A screenshot of Sun Woo and Yoo Dahm from chapter 56: https://imgur.com/a/OInfwbQ

How mind-boggling it is that our same-sex ships/pairings are condemned as corrosive to friendships, while society destroys opposite-sex friendships by defaulting to non-platonic arcs with nary a consequence

Some might rationalize the excision of the secondary gay couple by appealing to their placement in the second season. It's a dubious, flimsy excuse at best. Being classmates and friends, Hee Su's acquainted with the secondary gay couple. Their early introduction could've contributed to the exploration of identity, intimacy, or social belonging and accelerated Hee Su's journey toward self-acceptance. Sun Woo and Yoo Dahm need not have been "useless" or "irrelevant"

Timelines are malleable. The screenwriters were afforded the opportunity to recalibrate the timeline of the source material/fine-tune the sequence of events in order to optimize the seamless integration of two seasons into a compact drama format. Nevertheless, their creativity wasn't exercised in service of non-straight visibility. They delegitimized non-straight modes of subjectivity and relegated them to an inferior, irrelevant, or disruptive status

Those reading might pose the question, "are you a hater?" To which I'll respond in the negative. Neither animosity nor resentment informs my evaluation. That'd be incompatible with my 8/10 rating

My contention is that preserving one of the two gay pairings is not a sufficient or ambitious act of fidelity. It is, in fact, justified for audiences to experience discomfort when confronted with deviations from the source material. The phenomenon is not unprecedented; public discourse surrounding the cinematic reimaginings of "The Little Mermaid" (2023) and "Snow White" (2025) demonstrated how even superficial modifications precipitate public disapproval. By parallel reasoning, it follows that modifications to gay source materials would precipitate scrutiny and disapproval

Questioning the producers' call to accommodate societal prejudices against gay-centered narratives doesn't amount to prejudice or -phobia. The public dissemination of a creative or intellectual work instigates a dynamic feedback mechanism, wherein audience reception, positive or negative, re-enters the production process and compels producers to adapt to the cultural climate and evolve or risk obsolescence

I do appreciate the effort invested in the part-BL/part-gay adaptation. Moving forward, I'd love to see BLs exclusive in focus that center and honor gay love without compromise or dilution

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Try it if you're unsure

I totally get why this series isn't for some people, but if you love cute, flirty and easy to follow series, I fully recommend this one! They totally had me fooled with P'Oh in the beginning! I thought he was so sweet the way he brought flowers for P'Rak and how he got kinda shy around him, and then BOOM he was such an a-hole!
I completely fell for the chemistry between the main leads too! The giddy and adorable smiles from P'Rak, and the shy and kinda panicked looks P'Fah had just made me fall completely in love with the series!

And when P'Rak dad freaked out over their relationship I almost wanted to cry! It hurt so much to see P'Rak so sad and heartbroken about his father's view on their relationship, I'm so glad it worked out in the end!

There are a few things they could've done better ofc, like I would've loved it if we got a proper apology from P'Oh for what he's done, because what he did to P'Rak at his birthday party is straight up sa, trying to force someone to kiss him like that!

And I would've loved to see more of P'Fah and Lee being siblings. We got some good scenes where I could see their sibling dynamic, but I kinda wished we had gotten a few more.

In total, I really loved the series, so if you're unsure whether you wanna watch it, I say give it a shot! The worst thing that can happen is that you don't like it and want to watch something else instead.

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