Reviews

A Rare Combo

I placed spoilers at the end of this review.

It is very rare to find a BL series that is both super cute and very mature. This script did an incredible job at combining both elements together. Although it’s not perfect, the script was very endearing and addressed some important issues. It’s always very refreshing to watch adult characters act like adults and talk to each other about their problems. This also did a great job slowly giving us the backstory of the main characters. Overall, the relationship development between the main characters had a good pacing with the exception of episode 9. This cast did an incredible job. Although the main leads were cute together, the was one negative aspect that bugged me. The use of cinematography to distinguish Kanade’s negative and positive memories in episode 10 was amazing.

Random Note:

It may not be completely realistic, but it was nice to see very supportive co-workers and family members.


******Potential Spoiler Alert******

The pacing went to a ridiculous speed in episode 9 with Mashiro mentioning they should live together to actually moving in together.

Only exception were the kissing scenes. It is often very common that we get the typical dead fish lip kiss once or maybe twice. However, this series has multiple kissing scenes with this which does not make sense. At least Korean BL series only force the leads to kiss once or twice.

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Editing a Mess, Wigs a Bigger Mess

the story itself isn't terrible, but the execution is a mess... the editing feels rookie, the structure is all over the place, and there are wayyyy too many random characters for such a short show. it legit feels like i got dropped straight into season 3 with zero buildup or character development...how am i supposed to care about anyone?

im on episode 6 and will finish it (it's not bad enough to drop), but what a wasted opportunity...

side note: Park Hyung Sik saved this for me, he fits his character well (and is also not too bad on the eyes😋). I think hes story alone would have worked better.... but I doubt we're getting a spin off now 😫

side side note: i really cant get over the wigs! awfullIII... do better lol

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The good parts were great the bad parts dragged

For me the 1st part and last part were the best, they both made me fall in love with our wonderful leads. Sima Jiao is the best and softest lover boy and Tingyan is so relatable and so devoted too. The whole demon realm arc felt like it contained several repeated plot points.
Sima Jiao almost died so many times that I wasn't really affected by all the close calls, it ruined my emotional investment in the drama. I was so sure that no one is ever gonna die because they kept being revived that the stakes never felt like they mattered, I feel robbed of a good cry.

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I'll continue living bc to us loving myself means loving YOU!!

Underrated MASTERPIECE!!! I started to cry from the very first episodes last scene where she said but you died 4 years ago. Wasted 27 tissues after binge watching till 6am morning so worth it!! At start i was getting irritated by the highschool switch becoz they were shy to confess and thought the present time line is interesting stupidity of me haha! I desperately wanted them to be together from the start but this reality check that past doesn't come back and we should move on while treasuring the memories with that person instead of living in guilt that what would happen if I didn't let him go that day!! even tho this was the real motto of movie and of real life too but tbh in the corner of my heart I want him to come back to her or atleast both be grim reaper and spend their life together becoz from the very start the fate was so cruel with them specially when that lady grim reaper asked ram woo what would you miss or leave the most precious moment and he thinks of himself saying her to LETS SIT TOGETHER WHILE GOING BACK!! that hurt alot and the irony they never sat other in bus even him as a grim reaper okayy I can't type my screen is flowing with my tears af bye!!!

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a solid 10 from me

I was not expecting a lot as I started this drama. first episode and she gets killed, falls of a cliff and wakes up a bit later. i was thinking wth. but I have to say it was great. no stupid women jealousy storyline with bullying and all that. a hint of it but it was squashed. i loved that because we are not like that. yes there are women like this but we support each other and I always hate how this stereotype of women fighting each other over a man is portrayed. the fl was amazing. i loved her so much. i loved her acting, her fighting, her entire character and her beauty. the fact that she saved him in the end just made it perfect for me. i loved that the ml gave her space and let her be who she wanted to be. the only thing that bothered me was that the storyline of the scholar was left open. I wanted to see him fall despite his soft and gentle demeanor I wanted to see him suffer lol. i liked most of the ost but I feel Liu Yuning would have been the better choice to sing it. the chemistry was great and the fight scenes of all of them was breathtaking. the happy ending made me happy too 🥰

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A mixed bag

The series is primarily an action/comedy. There is also a romance, but it is more in the background. The series was okay. All in all, I would give it an 8/10.

The acting and cast are the highlights. ML, FL, and the main villain carried the series. The supporting characters were generally hit or miss. The students were strong. I would have liked a little more background, especially in the second half of the series. For example, the relationship between Lee Ye Na and An Yu Jeong could have been explored more. Then we have the NIS Team 4. My feelings about them are very mixed. In the first half of the series, they were fine, but especially in the second half of the series, where things get more serious, I found the characters here rather weak. Again and again I thought: These are supposed to be secret agents? Please act like it. And then we have the teachers. For me, they were the one of the biggest weakness. At best, some scenes were funny. But especially later in the story, their behavior bothered me. They literally behaved like NPCs. No opinion on anything, zero criticism of what was wrong at the school.

The music was good. Not outstanding, but nothing bad either. The premise and mystery of the series started off well and promisingly. But over time, it got weaker and weaker.

The secound big weakness of the series is the story itself. The first 5-6 episodes are promising and fun to watch. But the second half of the series in particular is a huge mess. There are so many inconsistencies and scenes that make you want to bang your head against the wall. I got the feeling that they weren't sure how to end the series. Above all, the comedy that worked well in the first half of the series was more of a hindrance in the second half. I kept feeling that the comedy was supposed to hide the weak story, but it didn't do a good job of it.

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Reaper Madnes ⛏ A Peek Under the Hood of Life & Death °8° °excellent°

Death is certain. Not everyone will live to see TOMORROW. Some can't bear the thought of it. “Did you think that was the end? NO. Compared to the price you'll have to pay for your sins, this is just the beginning for you.” Grim reapers are pros at delivering grim news. A 2022 release, rated 90 on AWiki, T is 1 season consisting of 16 60-minute episodes. We're following grim reapers around. Ryun is on an experimental team (RM) assigned to reduce the suicide rate, but her team is understaffed. Nobody expects them to be made permanent.

It opens to black, red, and ghostly blue. A woman in a chili red suit (Ryun) stops a van full of people from committing suicide and hurridly drives them to the hospital. Her cargo is frightened as she weaves in and out of lanes and daringly skirts over to the opposite side of the road. She doesn't understand. Why are they valuing their lives NOW? “Didn't you guys get together to die?” She's genuinely curious. They start begging for their lives. “We want to live!” “All humans are faced with choices, and each of those choices comes with consequences,” she'll comment. Too many times, we only get 1 crack at the right choice. Unbearable pain might make a person want to kill h/hself, but suicide is never the right solution to problems.

When a homeless man attempts to jump off of a bridge, Joon stops him, but they both end up going in the water. The RM team really screwed up, which is why the rescue fell on Joon. Now Joon is in a coma, and they're going to have to make it up to him. Right now, he's scheduled to be in that hospital bed for 3 years. BUT, if he'll work for the grim reapers they'll wake him up in 6 months. Oh, that job he hasn't found yet? He'll land the job of his dreams in 6 months, too; only if he helps them.

So Joon becomes temp at the reaper facility. Besides the escorts to the afterlife, there's all kinds of jobs. His assignment isn't set at first as nobody wants him. He ends up at the unit that everyone thinks is useless: RM - Risk Management, or suicide prevention. The unit manager isn't even from Heaven! She's from HELL!

Kim Hee Sun (Woman of Dignity, Remarriage and Desires) is our hellish Goo “Ryun”. Her fashion is outstanding. She must play tough, hurt, vulnerable and strong. She has insurmountable pain that has kept her down for centuries. The actress handily portrays all of this. The full-faced Ro Woon (The King's Affection-8.3, She Would Never Know-7.3) plays Choi “Joon” Woong. He's a good actor but his looks are so other-worldly that it nearly distracts from his performance.

Lee Soo Hyuk (Doom at Your Service) is Park Joong Gil. He has a narrow mindset to go with his narrow face. He hates the RM team and he loathes Ryun. Any feeling that intense isn't simple, is it? She used to work under him but left for the just-formed RM unit. He's a cheerless rule follower and is plagued by nightmares. He asks Ryun why /she/ is always appearing in his nightmares? She deflects and says she has no idea. As the show develops, the last third will be devoted to their past.

Yun Ji On (Love Next Door, Memoris) portrays Im Ryung “Goo”. I wondered about the occasional nose-picking, but that's actually a glitch he picked up from the way he died. Still, I wish they hadn't. Kim Hae Sook gets around. Her first credit is from 1977. In Start-Up she's a sweet grandma. In Hospital Playlist-9, a weary mother and widow who is finding love with her old best friend. In Inspector Koo-8.4, she's a rich dame who is really a thug. In Revenant-7.4 she's a committed rageful villain. She has unlimited range. Here, she's the boss, the Jade Emperor. They have her in protruding shoulder pads that look like wings under wraps. The directors are Kim Tae Yoon (New Trial) and Sung Chi Wook (Kairos). Llama, of Webtoon Singer is the original creator, and this is a first effort for the 3 screenwriters: Park Ran, Park Ja Kyung & Kim Yu Jin.

Joon's start is less than perfect and no team volunteers to take him. Ryun figures she can abuse him as a pawn. Her unit is so understaffed that he's better than nothing, she's thinking. Next (or first, rather) they give him the rules. Here's the code of conduct for Jumadeung Reapers:

⛏ A Reaper may not dress or behave in a way that compromises dignity. We cut to Joon getting fitted for a custom-made suit. He's elated until Ryun says: “You look like a rag doll” 😆

⛏ Complete secrecy. He gets a new resident number. A new name as well. His face will appear differently, so if he runs into any of his acquaintances, they won't recognize him. His body is still in the hospital, afterall.

⛏ Reapers are forbidden from using their powers in front of humans, and they are forbidden from involving themselves in human affairs. They must abandon all ties to the land of the living. This proves to be quite impossible for Joon. When Joon comes across an online troll who assists people in committing suicide he /has/ to take matters into his own hands. That's not the only time. He's not the only one, either, actually. They're actually pretty sloppy with the rules.

⛏ They even make him sign a contract.

The show is about love, loss and acceptance. It's a celebration of life and reinforces that when there is life there is possibility. This isn't a romance. It looks back on love tragically lost and has a promise of potential future romance. There's more loss than love in T: Following a show centered around people who are about to commit suicide is heartbreaking.

Ep2 delves into the life of a women who is being cruelly bullied. It's difficult. “It's like a tunnel that will never end,“ says one victim of bullying. She desperately wants relief but sees no chance of ever experiencing an amelioration of her suffering. “There is no salvation unless you save yourself,” we learn. That is true, in part, but for some to fly they might need a push. Next, they help Joon's friend who failed the civil service exam… again. They make 🍗🍗🍗 in the past and deliver it 20 years into the future! Then, it's helping a deceased woman prevent her widower from self-termination. They break all the rules on that assignment, but they end up doing the RIGHT thing.

Ep6 brings us Jeon Mu-Song (Blues) as Lee Young-Chun, an elderly man who, for a living, collects cardboard to be recycled. There's something sincere and endearing about this actor. I've only seen him in The King: Eternal Monarch-8.3, in which he made a strong impression as the King's elderly uncle. Perhaps it was his performance, or the way I was feeling on the day I watched ep6, but I teared up. Here, he's playing a 91 year old Korean war veteran. As he pushes his loaded handcart down the street while wearing his distinguished service cap, a child asks his mother: ‘Why is he doing that?’ “He didn't work hard enough or study properly. Make sure you study hard so you don't end up like that,” is her cold under-thought response. She probably fashions herself a great mother, but she's going to raise a monster. How difficult is it to teach your children to treat every human with dignity? The evidence is that the idea is incomprehensible for an ever growing number of parents. Anyway, he gets a proper send-off. I had tears welling up during the entire episode.

In ep7 they have to go undercover and work in an office. They're completely miserable clicking on the computer all day and putting up with their obnoxious, harassing, egotistical boss. Since June's been pining for a job in the backstory leading up to the show, it's pretty funny how, when he actually gets to work in an office, he finds it to be a level of hell.

Ep8 is a big moral dilemma. They have to decide whether to save a ruthless scammer or not. What's lacking is whether they'll call the police on this criminal who deserves to be in jail. Saving the person's life is one thing, but the rest of that life should be spent in prison. I had trouble enjoying the episode thinking that if someone doesn't call the cops, Ima be quite displeased. They do get round to it, so the angst was wasted.

In one episode they deal with the doggy who attempts suicide. I rolled my eyes a bit, but that 🐶 is S😍 CUTE.

Ep10 deals with a r@pe and it's very sad. The victim will tearfully recount how, after the attack, everyone in the family blamed /her/. “Why were you out that late at night alone?” ‘Why did you do this, why did you do that, why did you WEAR that?’ It's brutal. Then they get into the online commenters who find fault with the victim. Monday morning quarterbacking is too easy. After going through trauma myself, I've noticed how other people habitually downplay and minimize someone else's pain. Trauma and pain are painful enough, but the reaction of others is what makes a victim feel completely isolated and alone. At some point, every bad experience should be evaluated so that one can learn from it and avoid things like that in the future. However, the time to Monday Morning QB is once the crisis has passed. It's never time to do it in the middle of the crisis. A person traumatized and in pain needs to feel loved, supported, and protected. Period.

From abuse of women in current day, ep13 takes a trip to the past when it dips into World War II and how the Japanese used Koreans as “comfort women”. More tears. T segues into the backstory of one of the team members. As the latter episodes come into play, we'll go more into the past along with mysteries that continue to have an impact on today.

The filming is excellent. The effects are sophisticated and beautiful. They make the city bend in one cool effect. Goo's reincarnated mother from the past is featured in current day. She works at a store called The South Face. It's clearly The North Face, but in Korea they, apparently, must avoid such references to the “North”. That's pretty interesting.

T is funny in spots too. Most of the humor is a contrast of personalities. Imagine Joon’s shock when he learns that his partners have been reapers since the Joseon era. Ryun's been one since the Qing invasion (December 9, 1636). He's at a loss. They don't have honorifics for that!

They do a nice job with the wrap up and send us to tomorrow with a smidge more hope.


QUOTES🗣

You have to be born like that to be that annoying.

My pride made me misunderstand you and do those horrible things.


IMHO〰🖍

📣8.5 📝8 🎭8.4 🎨8 🎵/🔊7 🔚7 🤗4.5 ▪ 🌞4.5 ⚡6.5 😅3 😭7 😱3.5 😯3 🤢3 🤔5 💤0

Shazams: My Only One by BEN

Age 14+ for heavy and sad material life and death struggles that could be disturbing. Rated: 15+ - Teens 15 or older


Re-📺? The future is unclear


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Just finished Nine Yin True Sutra and honestly, this remake of the Condor Heroes version is amazing. It really digs into the characters like Mei Chaofeng and the Peach Blossom Island crew showing their backstories and their own sense of justice. You can see why they fight, what drives them, and it makes them feel way more human than just “greedy” or “irrational.” Chaofeng finding love and family only to lose it all because of her quest for vengeance? Heartbreaking, but it adds so much depth. Even the Golden Heroes and Yunhai Manor plotlines feel more layered, showing how actions ripple out and blur the lines between hero and villain.

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Insanely good!!

Twelve letters is one of the best series I've ever watched, I swear it's not an exaggeration! It truly deseves the high rating if anything it could be a little higher.

The story grabbed my attention from the very first scene right up until the ending credits, no boring moments, no draggy unnecessary subplots just perfect story telling it starts with a mystry that slowy unravels and leads to another one and another one, never overwhelming never disappoiting. The fantasy element feels very grounded like it could actually happen and the caracheters are beautifully written I truly loved this one and the only reason I am giving it a 9.5 instead of a 10 it's out of pettiness I just wanted a teeny tiny more, just one more scene of them together yes I'm greedy I know it's perfect the way it is but still i long for just one more smile.

If you're still doubting, stop, and just wach it, trust me, it hurts, you'll cry, you'll laugh, you'll scream at your screen and want to choke a couple of MFs, and you'll love every minute of it.

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Season 2!

Season 2 of Running Man Philippines kept the hype alive from start to finish. Even though Ruru wasn’t able to join the whole season and only appeared in the finale, it didn’t feel lacking. Miguel’s addition also blended in nicely and added fresh energy to the team.

Kokoy’s win as the ultimate champion was well-deserved—he consistently showed fairness and strong gameplay. Angel remains my personal favorite runner, thanks to her smarts and her teamwork, while the rest of the cast also brought plenty of laughs and entertainment.

If there’s one downside, it would be Lexi’s competitiveness. At times it came off as a bit too much, especially when it crossed into questionable play—for example, hiding her egg in her sports bra. While undeniably clever, it felt a little excessive and distracted from the fun, comedic spirit that Running Man is all about.

Overall, though, Season 2 was exciting and entertaining, and it only builds up the anticipation for Season 3.

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One of the few JBLs which is guilty of lazy writing...

The start of this series was not bad at all, they are building even a dark past for both characters. But the solution for both of the traumas for each character is a) unbelievable and b) just vanishes in a puff of smoke. Especially Kos'ke is traumatized since childhood because of his Mom, but the writers did not find the time to have a serious conclusion and waste lot of time with long-winded static scenes which do not progress the story.

The chemistry between the two leads was just ok, but there was not really the feeling of longing for each other conveyed. Besides that the dead fish kiss at the "wedding" ruined most this. It's ok, if they don't want to do a NC scene, but in 2025 you should kiss otherwise don't act in a BL, period.

So production quality was very good, but the story wasn't. Just "cute" does not cut it nowadays. While not as bad as some Thai shows, it's only medicore with a weak story compensated a little bit by acting and cuteness, but overall a big disappointment for me. It's one of the shows I have no interest in watching again, but your opinion may be different.

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Beyond the Bar might not win any awards for originality but it still stands out as one of the better KDramas of 2025 and a solid addition to the legal drama list.. This could easily be called one of the most fine dramas to be made.. The acting and storytelling are fine.. The directing, cinematography, editing and music are all fine.. The drama maintains a smooth, steady pace right up until the end.. While Beyond the Bar doesn’t pack a lot of surprises, it’s still an enjoyable and heartwarming legal drama.. The cases themselves provide a solid structure that elevates the overall quality of the show..

Before anything else, I have to talk about the main leads.. Yun Seok Hun and Kang Hyo Min are among the most rational and level headed characters I have seen in a drama.. Yes the ML lost it a couple of times, but it was obviously justified.. What stood out to me most was how restrained their romance was.. They were never going to share the kind of romantic moments the other couples had because that’s not who they are.. They are reserved, introspective people carrying painful pasts.. In the final moments of the drama, they reflected on what love truly means but never reached a clear answer.. Much like their own relationship.. That’s exactly why I appreciated the ending.. It felt like they were quietly considering the possibility of a romance without facing the full personal and professional implications... They started as unhappy individuals but finished the story side by side, having resolved most of their struggles..

I read people say the FL can’t be shipped with ML, but did they miss the slow burn?? Their bond began with admiration, grew through mutual respect and deepened as they spent time truly understanding each other.. It wasn’t loud or flashy but it was mature and undeniable.. Even their eye contact carried more weight than what many romance dramas manage to deliver..

Apart from the leads, my favorite character was Heo Min Jeong.. One of my favorite moments in the drama was when she stood up to her ex-in laws without backing down.. She was really cool. Her chemistry with Lee Jin U was good, though they didn’t get enough screen time.. I also liked the FL’s two friends and their dynamic, but honestly they didn’t add much to the overall story.. Loved the Yullim Litigation Squad, I first thought one of them might be a malicious individual, but so glad that was not the case.. They were all so good to each other..

Bit curious about the bar scene in ep 6.. A stranger touches the FL and her friends go all “awww”.. But it made me wonder, if he hadn’t been a rich, handsome man but instead someone poor, plain or not so good looking, would they still have reacted the same way??

I liked all the cases that were presented in the drama.. They didn’t go overboard but kept things simple and engaging.. My favorite was the Doctor’s case.. I liked how the drama didn't portray prosecutors as power hungry individuals always at odds with lawyers.. That episode really highlighted the goodness in people, helping one another not out of obligation or familiarity or for recognition, but simply because it was the right thing to do..

Three things that irked me.. First, the last divorce case.. I think it was just absurd.. The only case where I wanted them to lose and I was glad the verdict went the way it did.. Nowadays people really seem to be making a mockery of marriage.. Second, I don’t understand why every opposing legal team is always Lee and Seo and why it’s always her ex.. I mean, aren’t there any other law firms or lawyers?? Third, the ads.. Way too many of them.. Seriously, tone it down a bit..

Overall, I genuinely liked Beyond the Bar.. I enjoyed it from start to finish.. Even though it didn’t provide a fully wrapped up ending for the main leads story, I feel it's the beginning of their love story.. I think the drama may have lost a little, perhaps 0.3 points in ratings because of viewers who were just upset with the ML and another 0.1 from those bothered by the open ending.. I would say an 8.6–8.7 rating feels about right for this drama.. There is positive talks ongoing about another season and I hope it happens.. I would love to see how their romance develops and how it affects both their professional and personal lives.. There’s clearly more to explore in this story.. And also, what happens to Hash??

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