Reviews

THE QUEEN IS BACK !!!

The first three episodes of this series burst onto the scene with an electrifying energy, establishing a benchmark for storytelling that’s hard to beat. With exceptional acting, top-notch production, and breathtaking choreography, these episodes deliver a masterclass in how to launch a show. Each installment builds on the last, creating a captivating narrative that leaves you hungry for more. This is a series off to a phenomenal start, and I’m already hooked, eagerly awaiting how the story unfolds.The acting across these episodes is nothing short of stellar. The ensemble cast brings a raw authenticity to their roles, making every character feel vivid and relatable. JUN JI HYUN shines with a commanding presence, effortlessly blending strength and vulnerability in a way that anchors the show. SOOOO EXCITED 💚

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True love always exist no matter what

My goodness this is not a series for me like a real story.....both actors were fantastic and outstanding in this series.Very touching,emotional and full of emotions in this series.......true love always make a way for me this is not a series this is a emotion which i can't forget.....means bestest BL series i have watched tons of bl series but for me kill to love is just on top although end was very emotional but in the end both are together happy and in peace. God bless both the actors. Wish them come together in a bl series with happy ending....this series is really a masterpiece i don't know how much time i had watched badly addicted but hats of both leads actors chemistry was so real and natural just all the best for future waiting for both in a new project soon. Lots of love and wishes from India.

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Selfless Love

For me, Love Take two was the drama of the year. Maybe it was because of the timing I watched it. I loved how each and every character was so selfless and was always ready to help each other. There was not a person who thought ill of another person. It made me inculcate the same thing in myself. It showed how you can help others by maintaining your boundary. I loved the relationship of every character with each other especially jian seon yeong and hyori suk. Their friendship was so pure and exceptional. relationship of Hyori and byeon ho was also very cute and bubbly. We can't forget Dr. Jung's role in providing a mother figure to jian. Like I said every character was so beautifully written i fell in love with this drama. I even cried a lot which shows the acting was exceptional.

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Sink The Hermoso Screams The Director!

The best way to describe this series is to define it in terms of a psychological disorder. It is schizophrenic. It has all the symptoms of this condition. It is befuddling, full of mood swings, capricious, shows severe personality changes, weird periods of agitation with obvious emotional disorders as well, and psychological instability throughout. I could go on, but you get the point. It is not tethered to thinking, operating, or behaving clearly. The story is an incoherent mess yet sometimes just a whole lot of fun to watch. It was entertaining for some time but then lost its direction in the end as it did not seem to know how to conclude the story. This series started out so promising. And I enjoyed a goodly portion of it. The screenplay and directing did them all wrong. You can read the full review at BLBliss.com.

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A fast thrilling ride with beautiful visuals

A woman is given a second chance in life when she finds herself reborn 3 years before her death. She sets out to take revenge, romancing 3 men along the way whom she uses as chess pieces in her revenge plan.

This is a well-produced mid-length drama with gorgeous cinematography and lavish costumes and set pieces. From the set decor to the multiple wardrobe changes they had for the main cast, including matching accessories for each outfit, you can tell a lot of effort was put into the art direction. A short drama that doesn't look cheap!

The story is fast-paced packed with a good assortment of office romance, two women fighting over art pieces, family feud, mystery and action, love triangles, birth secrets etc, so there is never a dull moment! The drama boasts a good OST that is used effectively -- I especially liked the choice of music at a breakup scene in ep 13, the lyrics of the song matched the events so well!!

Although the story is centred on the female lead, I was more invested in the story of the 2nd and 3rd male leads. My favourite was episode 14 which was more focused on the two of them, I thought it was a pity that there wasn't enough time to further explore their backstories. For example, in a later episode, we are told that Song Yanzhou managed to secure his position in the company and in his family, but we were never shown how he went about doing it.

Despite being a reverse harem drama, I felt it was no mere silly love triangle drama. Each of the 3 men served a different purpose in FL's revenge plan, which I thought was cleverly written. At the end, there was also a good explanation of why she chose 1 guy instead of the other two. Although she didn't end up with the guy I was rooting for, it was fine for me because I found myself wanting to ship the other 2 guys together instead, lol.

Acting wise, I think all the cast did a good job. I'm still fairly new to cdramas so I didn't know any of them apart from Lin Zehui (he's the sole reason why I even watched this). Lin Zehui did an impressive job as Song Yanzhou, his micro expressions and the way he shifted between a cold manipulative boss to a softie who unknowingly fell in love....it was simply amazing. Zheng Chunjing was an unexpected discovery for me. I thought he looked strange at first (I'm sorry) but I found myself liking and sympathising his character, plus the actor himself seemed quite likable in the behind-the-scenes and promotional activities.

What I didn't like about the drama were the horrific scenes of abuse inflicted on the female characters. It's strange that a female director would include such scenes in her show, I guess maybe she wanted to show how much women had to suffer under men? Those scenes were quite uncomfortable to watch.

Trivia: This director seems to like working with the same actors so you will see many familiar faces from her previous dramas "Money Is Coming" and "Ban Xing Fu Sheng", both also starring Lin Zehui. The poison that is mentioned in this drama is also almost identical to the one in "Ban Xing Fu Sheng", although the poison goes by a different name in both dramas.

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A simple yet unforgettable drama that heals the heart. ?

Love, Take Two is one of those dramas that feels like a warm embrace. It doesn’t rely on flashy twists or over-the-top romance. Instead, it focuses on what truly matters: family, second chances, and the quiet beauty of everyday life.

At the heart of the story is the relationship between a mother and her daughter. Their conflicts, misunderstandings, and reconciliations capture the real ups and downs of family love , a bond that may be tested but never breaks. Watching them heal and grow side by side is both emotional and comforting.

The coastal town setting adds a healing atmosphere, almost as if the drama invites you to pause, breathe, and reflect. It’s not just a backdrop, but part of the soothing journey.

What makes this drama truly special is how it reminds us that love has no age. You can start again at twenty, forty, or whenever life gives you the chance. With tenderness, nostalgia, and warmth, Love, Take Two delivers a family-centered story that feels deeply human.

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Does not really follow on from Go Go Squid (GGS)

The title of this drama is misleading as although there are a sprinkling of characters from the first GGS, only about 4 of them are played by the original actors and the plot line follows the one from that drama a lot of the time.
If you ignore the original, then this drama stands ok on its own but if you are expecting a story that weaves into and is intertwined with GGS then you will be disappointed.
Wu Bai is still played by Hu Yitian (Li Xian is still Han Shanghai and Yang Zi plays Squid) but both Solo and Appledog are played by different actors so the feel of the plot is very different even though the characters they play have similar traits to GGS (but they ARE played by different actors so no matter how hard you squint they’re not the same). Additionally, K&K and SP compete in a very different arena - that of robot wars. Additionally the buildings they operate out of are completely different so again this highlights the difference.
The acting is believable and you feel for them as they go through the ups and downs of their relationships. For example, Appledog’s manager (before she joins SP) is brilliantly flaky and slimy so for me his is a stand out performance, winning the plonker of the drama award. Hu Yitian as Wu Bai conveys so much with just his facial expressions as, just like in GGS he says very little, but you really know what he is thinking just from his body language etc.
I first found Li Yitong in Dream within a Dream and in this story she doesn’t disappoint either. She has great chemistry with Wu Bai and still has to deal with conflicts created when Team Solo splits up (though for different reasons).

Would I watch this again? Probably not as for me GGS had so much more to offer and I found this plot (and the KK building), lacking and a bit sad as on the whole the wonderfully funny antics of the original Team K&K weren’t there to pick up the tempo. That said the way the boys keep tabs on their captain’s burgeoning romance and subsequent proposal balls up (caused by a couple of the team players ) are funny and endearing.

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Terrible ending, og little nonya better

The start was still alright and got me hooked for a while (maybe bc i was in a drama drought). This was available in netflix so i watched it. I watched singaporean dramas growing up, this was a shocker as it seemed higher budget but plot was definitely full of holes. Some parts of the show were extremely confusing/not explaining the story/vague and pretty weird? The ending was really bad and it seemed VERY RUSHED. This rushed ending (consisting of last 2 eps) just makes the whole drama (from middle to end of plot) seem very draggy in comparison. To conclude, watch if u have nothing to expect. Would NEVER rewatch! :)

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I stopped 80% through episode 1 to write this.

One of the most unbearable kdrama's ever, and I'm only almost just done with episode 1. It's not serious, it's not humorous, it's not anything. It's annoying, and the only saving grace is Song Joong Ki and his handsome face—which is the only reason I survived up till this point.

And for the people who are saying "Give it a watch till episode 3/4..." and "Push through and it will eventually get interesting". You are just a complete idiot, and you're probably not very bright. A good show should not require me to wait till the 3rd or 4th episode (literally having to watch over ~4 hours since each episode is over an hour) for it to get good/interesting. If the first episode (ok fine, for leniency let's give it until episode 2) is NOT enough to keep the viewer invested, it has failed and is a bad show. Period.

I was so excited and looking forward to watching it because of the very high ratings, but I've been ferociously fighting the demons in my head that are telling me to turn it off and get out. And judging by the other comments here and on Reddit, it's very clear that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

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This was an absolute waste of time

My Girlfriend Is the Man! (2025), directed by Yoo Kwan-mo, promised a fresh take on romance with its gender-swap premise, but it stumbles disastrously, delivering a production that feels tone-deaf, poorly executed, and riddled with offensive undertones. Adapted from a Naver webtoon, the drama follows Kim Ji-eun (Arin), who transforms into a man (Kim Ji-hoon, played by Yoo Jung-hoo) due to a hereditary condition, and her boyfriend Park Yoon-jae (Yoon San-ha) as they navigate this change. What could have been a thoughtful exploration of identity and love collapses under the weight of shoddy direction, lackluster performances, and deeply problematic portrayals of gender and relationships.
Directorial Missteps: Yoo Kwan-mo’s direction is a significant weak point, failing to harness the story’s potential for meaningful commentary. The narrative swings inconsistently between slapstick comedy and half-hearted philosophical musings, leaving viewers confused about the drama’s intent. A Carl Sagan quote opens the series, hinting at depth, but Yoo’s execution feels superficial, as if he’s uncomfortable fully engaging with the gender fluidity at the story’s core. Critics have noted the director’s insistence that this is “not a BL drama,” which seems to reflect an underlying unease with queer narratives, resulting in a story that shies away from authentic representation and instead leans into outdated tropes. The pacing is erratic, with pivotal emotional moments rushed or undermined by ill-timed humor, making it clear the director lacked a cohesive vision.
A Cast That Falls Flat: The performances, particularly from the idol-heavy cast, are underwhelming at best. Yoon San-ha (ASTRO) as Yoon-jae tries to convey emotional turmoil but often appears wooden, unable to carry the weight of his character’s complex feelings. Arin (OH MY GIRL) and Yoo Jung-hoo, sharing the role of Ji-eun/Ji-hoon, struggle to create a cohesive character, with their performances feeling disconnected—Arin’s bubbly Ji-eun lacks depth, while Yoo’s Ji-hoon feels like a caricature rather than a nuanced extension of the same person. Chuu’s Kang Min-ju, the “queen bee” pursuing Yoon-jae, is reduced to a misogynistic stereotype of a manipulative woman, her actions (including ignoring boundaries) played for laughs rather than critiqued. The cast’s inexperience is evident, and the direction does little to guide them toward authenticity, leaving scenes feeling like a circus of exaggerated expressions and missed emotional beats.
Problematic Themes: Homophobia and Misogyny: The drama’s handling of gender and sexuality is deeply troubling. Reviews have pointed out a persistent undercurrent of homophobia, particularly in how Yoon-jae reacts to Ji-eun’s male form, Ji-hoon. His discomfort—marked by physical distancing and a refusal to engage romantically with Ji-hoon—feels like a rejection of queer intimacy, reinforcing harmful stereotypes about same-sex relationships. One review notes Yoon-jae’s “disgust” at the thought of kissing Ji-hoon, which undercuts any attempt at portraying love that transcends physical form. The use of “gay panic” humor and jealousy-driven subplots further cheapens the narrative, trivializing serious themes.
Misogyny also permeates the show’s portrayal of women. Female characters like Kang Min-ju are depicted as shallow and manipulative, with Min-ju’s relentless pursuit of Yoon-jae despite his clear boundaries painted as comedic rather than predatory. Ji-eun’s own agency is often sidelined, with the story focusing more on how her transformation affects others than on her internal journey. The show’s attempt to add depth to female characters in later episodes feels like an afterthought, failing to undo the damage of earlier caricatures. Additionally, disturbing subplots—like Ji-eun’s sister Jihye’s inappropriate flirtations with Ji-hoon, played for laughs—border on incestuous and are profoundly uncomfortable, further highlighting the writers’ and director’s poor judgment.
Jeon Soo-jin: A Misplaced and Poorly Acted Character: The character of Jeon Soo-jin, the coffee shop owner, is a baffling addition to an already flawed drama. Portrayed as a supposedly wealthy individual who inexplicably falls for a “loser” character, Soo-jin’s storyline feels contrived and disconnected from the main plot. Her arc lacks any grounding in reality—why would a character with her supposed status and resources be drawn to someone so mismatched without deeper development? The performance is equally lackluster, with zero emotional range that makes her scenes feel like filler. Soo-jin’s presence adds nothing to the narrative, serving as a shallow plot device rather than a fully realized character. Her inclusion feels like a desperate attempt to add drama, but it only underscores the show’s inability to craft meaningful relationships or believable motivations.
A Missed Opportunity: My Girlfriend Is the Man! had the chance to explore gender fluidity and love in a groundbreaking way, but it squanders this potential with a director who seems out of his depth and a cast that can’t rise above the weak script. The show’s low ratings—hitting a record-breaking 0.5% for its tenth episode—reflect its failure to resonate with audiences. The homophobic and misogynistic undertones, coupled with shallow portrayals of women and a pointless character like Jeon Soo-jin, make it a frustrating watch. It’s shocking that a premise with such edge was greenlit only to be executed so poorly, leaving viewers questioning the creative choices behind this misfire.
Rating: Zero! – A bold concept ruined by terrible direction, uninspired acting, and offensive tropes.

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An American Remake

I love the Korean Drama Crime Series genre. If done intelligently, one can explore the mind of the criminal and this dramas become great character studies. Of course, these highlight heinous crimes, so the Crime genre is for select taste. Queen Mantis is an remake from a popular and recent American Crime Show, The Prodigal Son. This series has a highly intelligent premise. There is a parent who is a heinous serial killer and the parent has been locked up for years. Their now grown estranged son is now works for the Crime Division. A copycat Killer emerges. This forces the estrange son to have to work with the serial killer parent to find the killer. Killer OST

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B grade production, barely passable, catchy title song, spirited FL

tldr; OTT acting all around. passable plot, FL is not passive but shown taking lead in romantic scenes. Can get through with 1.5x and help from FF buttons. If you want something cozy with your wife/GF, this one will work because the romance will work for the girls and unintended hilarity will work for the boys.

There's a barely passable excuse of a plot. Undercover policeman infiltrates a shady business group. Tries to turn the bad guy brothers against one another, evil mob boss wife has own scheme & FL's aunt was murdered by her to tie all characters' motivations. It ends well. They tie all loose ends together and managed well in the time/budget they had

As many viewers have pointed out, the FL is written as a spirited girl who knows what she wants and will take steps towards it. Once she takes an interest in the ML she's shown to be doing most of the pursuing and initiates the romantic encounters more than once. Had they made her a damsel in distress along with all the cliché tropes they added here I would have rated it a 1 or 2. It's the only "special thing" this run-of-the-mill B grade web drama has going for it. The acting is so OTT it's hilarious. You end up laughing even in supposedly dramatic/suspenseful scenes too.

The acting from all parties is in the "so bad it's good" category. It's one of those mini 15 min web dramas where if you deduct the two title sequences, the story is +/- 8 mins. At 1.5x-2x speed you can get through.

The title song's catchy/hum worthy and subtitling is hilarious ("deducting like Sherlock Holmes" while the term never comes up in her song! LOL, really!?). The OCR they used for transcribing english titles for chinese film crew was unintentionally hilarious "Pedolicer" for Producer, "Propaganda" instead of "Publicity and Stills" and so on.

Watch if you have nothing else to do.

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Because even in unrequited love, I loved myself - Hye Ri

I added this to my list because of Shin Hye Sun, I know not a lot of people enjoyed her in Welcome to Samdalri but that was my second Shin Hye Sun drama and I liked it. So far this one is even better. I have always enjoyed dramas, movies, and books that tackle dissociative identity disorder, so this was bonus for me.

With the way their relationship unfolded I wouldn't have been surprised if they hadn't ended up together. What I wanted to see was the moment the other personality (Hye Ri) came into existence.

Eun Ho & Hyeon O's relationship was such a tangled mess, both stuck in that love-hate relationship since they can't get over each other. Poor Kang Ju Yeon, I like him better because he has been much kinder to Eun Ho (Hye Ri), but at the same time Hyeon O is kinda fun to watch. I like watching Kang Ju Yeon & Hye Ri together, they are so adorable but with the intense feelings between Hyeon O and Eun Ho, he might loose and it is going to be sad. I am okay with her ending up any one of these two as long as they decide to communicate well in the future.

When it comes to Shin Hye Sun's characters here, I do prefer Eun Ho to Hye Ri. But all of them are interesting.

The one thing that I can't get over is Hyeon O being unnecessarily mean to Eun Ho.

Is it absolutely necessary to humiliate her like that when she is already down?

If you have broken up, then move on and stop dragging her down. If her work is not up to the mark then whatever critic he has, he can do it officially instead of going mean girl outside office hours.

At times, I want to dissect Jung Hyeon O's brain so bad, we get that you are trying to help her in your own way but my boy it doesn't hurt to say nice words. It is so easy to say all those mean things why not just put in some effort and say something nice to her.

Eun Ho and Hyeon O are such a hot mess. They have such a strange and toxic dependance going on, on the plus side, at least he was there for her after the breakdown she had while anchoring. What he said wasn't wrong, since they both wanted different things in life, it made sense to break up. But they were together for 8 years, none of them thought to sit and talk about where there life was headed? He was harsh when breaking up but that seems to be his personality trait.

I might have liked Hyeon O a bit better if the creators had showed her more of his side after the breakup, we barely got a glimpse. I wanted to see how his life went on after their break up, the raw emotions and not the mask he puts on. But we can't deny that whenever she was with Hyeon O she seemed more like Hye Ri than Eun Ho.

I would have rated it 10 if not for the sloppy hair on Hye Ri, it bothers me so much I feel as if it were on my own face. Also, I just feel that they should have discussed all the hurtful words he threw at her, it just seemed like that was glossed over.

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A legal drama that speaks softly but stays with you long after.

Beyond the Bar is more than just another legal drama; it’s a beautifully woven story about ambition, morality, love, and personal growth. Every case, every decision, and every quiet moment carries weight, shaping the characters in ways that feel deeply authentic. Unlike many courtroom dramas, the narrative flows seamlessly, with each episode connecting like threads in a larger tapestry.

The romance is subtle yet powerful, built on unspoken understanding rather than flashy gestures. Kim Soo-hyun and Han Hyo-joo deliver performances full of restraint and quiet intensity, and their chemistry feels natural and mature. The supporting cast adds depth, making the world of the drama feel lived-in and layered.

The writing balances legal tension with emotional storytelling, keeping you invested without overwhelming you with technicalities. While a few side characters could have been explored more and some cases could have had stronger dramatic weight, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise beautifully crafted series.

Beyond the Bar stays with you long after it ends. It’s a thoughtful, emotionally intelligent drama that blends legal battles, personal struggles, and heartfelt connections into a single, memorable journey.

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