Reviews

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! :)

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

Finally, a Japanese BL That Gets Intimacy Right

I have watched every Japanese BL released this year and honestly the kissing and NC scenes have been disappointing across the board. But this one is easily the best I have seen. The NC scenes in episodes 2 and 3 were hot, steamy and beautifully done. Japanese BL is finally stepping up and shining in this area.

Since I only watched the Thai version a couple of months ago, it is still fresh in my mind. This remake is almost identical, about 90 percent the same, right down to the lines and even the NC positions. That said, I did not mind because the chemistry here really works. The male leads are handsome, comfortable with each other and their intimacy feels genuine instead of forced.

Overall, it is a solid and enjoyable watch. If you loved the Thai version, you will enjoy seeing this story retold through a Japanese lens. For me, it is a well deserved 8.5 out of 10.

Read More

Charming Start but Slows Down

The first few episodes were really enjoyable. I especially loved the height difference between the two male leads, and the light plot made it easy to watch. However, there was not much chemistry between them, which left me wanting more. The show mainly focuses on Tojo-san as a 40-year-old man trying to tick off life goals, which worked well in the beginning.

But is it just me, or is this show going downhill? The early episodes were fun, and I honestly thought we would see Suzume and Keishi working through a list of things together before he turns 40, just like the title suggests. Sadly, that idea never really happened. Even up to the finale, and still there is little to no chemistry between the leads.

Instead of focusing on their bond, we got random distractions: first a work colleague drama, and now Suzume suddenly babysitting three kids who appeared out of nowhere.

My favourite scene was in episode 9 -
I know many people are angry with Keishi for saying, “Even if I was gay, it wouldn’t be with Tojo-san,” but my heart honestly aches for him. Those words were cruel, but I cannot forget the situation he was in. He was cornered, forced to respond in an instant, and out of fear he chose to protect himself the only way he knew how. It was not right, but it was very human.

Maybe he was also trying to protect Tojo-san in that moment. What if Tojo-san himself was not ready to come out? They never even discussed it, and they are not officially a couple yet. Saying something quickly, even if harsh, might have felt like the safest choice in that situation for both of them.

In Asian culture, especially with strong family values and generational expectations, being in a same sex relationship comes with enormous pressure. It is not as simple as just being honest, like it might be in some Western cultures. Keishi is so young, ten years younger than Tojo-san, still trying to find his place in the world. His fear of rejection and shame is understandable, even if the way he handled it caused pain.

The fact that he later called to apologize, and the way he visited Tojo-san when he was sick and cared for him, shows that his feelings are real. If this is not love, then what is.

I feel deeply sorry for both Keishi and Tojo-san. What happened between them is heartbreaking, but it is also painfully real. Many people in real life go through the same struggle, torn between love and fear, truth and survival. All we can do is hope that together they find the strength to face it, because their love deserves that chance.

That scene was only a couple of minutes, but it was so powerful that I wrote a poem to describe it. Hope you enjoy :)

“Even if I was gay
it would not be with Tojo-san.”
Cruel on the surface
yet my heart aches for him.

In that fleeting moment
he was cornered
his voice trembling
choosing fear as a shield
choosing survival instead of truth.
Not right
but so very human.

Perhaps it was not only himself he guarded.
Perhaps he was protecting Tojo-san too.
What if Tojo-san was not ready
what if silence was safer
when they had never even spoken of love
never yet named themselves as a couple.

In a culture heavy with tradition
with parents and generations pressing close
love between men is no easy path.
Not as open as in the West
but bound by duty and silence.
Keishi is still so young
ten years Tojo-san’s junior
carrying shame, fear, and longing
all at once.

And still he came back.
He called to say he was sorry.
He stood by Tojo-san’s side when sickness came
tending to him with gentle hands.
If this is not love
tell me, what is.

I ache for them both.
Their story is tender and cruel
a mirror of real lives
where love and fear wrestle
truth and survival collide.

May they find the strength to face it together
because their love
fragile yet burning
deserves its chance to shine.

Overall, I rate it 8/10. It has charm, a light and easy start, but the lack of consistency and emotional build-up holds it back from being truly great.

Read More

Will catch you off guard!! ?

💖 Spoiler Warning of course 💖

Since there are 4 couples to talk to, I am going to talk about the plot in general.

Starting this series, I have very low expectation because the actors are from the new generation of GMM actors so I was just watching it for fun since I have nothing to watch and oh my it caught me by surprised. While the plot is seem fairly simple on paper and actually it is, it works. The production caught the feeling of the high school vibe really well, with the teachers, the students, the music, the costumes and the filter. this weirdly bright and colourful filter they use for this series work so well in their favour. there is not one character from the main/support role that I do not like, I truly feel for every characters here which is new for me because I don't like BL series where they have like a dozen couple in one series.

the casting here also is so good because surprise surprise, they actually look like a bunch of high schoolers and the casting of Pod and Papang as the teachers also work surprisingly well. They all look like their characters which you can't say a lot in the industry where they snatch every good looking person off the street to be on tv no matter the character. (these kids highkey act better than some of the seniors from the company ngl) 🎉

One thing I appreciate the most from this series is it is in the universe where being gay is so normalized for high schoolers and everybody that we as a viewers can focus more on the trope like jealousy, etc, we need to bring that energy more to in real world.

🎨 Kit (Luke) & Shane (Mick): The story of Shane and Kit is fairly cliché as one is the smart kid that needs to tutor the not so smart kid which is an overdone trope at this time of era but for me personally, I do love a little bit of cliché in the world where every BL series try hard to stand out with their out of the box plot. Each characters bring the best of each other's which is nice to see as its not only one sided character development. their struggles as a couple and individual slowly unveil as the series go on and none of it feels rush from my view and I appreciate that a lot. (also I almost chocked on myself when I learnt that Mick is Win Metawin biological little brother)

🍦 Chokun (Kim) & Aston (Mon): this pairing is absolute fluffball, they are so cute together and both of the actors look very natural doing the characters they were assigned for which brings a very smooth watching experience. Their story is actually really weird to analyse because they became a couple really quick even before they knew each other that well which actually happened a lot among teenagers so their whole deal is they learning about each other and facing struggles together such the possibility that Mon is Bisexual or Kim is very paranoid as a person. at some part you would be like "ugh miscommunication" but then they actually talk like talk talk and not I am sorry and that is which I appreciate (this also intended to the other couples as well). Overall I love their dynamic I would like to take a second to applaud Chokun's acting improvement since I first saw him on My Love Mix Up.

🧸 Ken (Rer) & Paul (Tar): their story is even weirder to analyse because they actually did not officially became a couple like the other two BUT for some reason I like it because they actually do care for each other and have feelings for each other but there is this silent agreement that they will not leave each others side and I interpreted their dynamic that both of them are not ready for relationship yet but neither wants to leave the other side so I hope they make a little mini series in the future to see everyone in the university setting instead to show their growth.

🥂 Pod (Nut) & Papang (Tan): making an older couple among these teenagers is such a smart move because it gives the viewer a break from watching teenagers for 12 episodes straight and also it shows that adult also has a relationship and self problem and that being adult does not just instantly remove the problems teenagers face. anyways, these two as pairing work surprising well and I don't have a lot to say since their story is very straightforward so it's easy to understand.

overall, the plot resonates to me a lot especially the plot where they all struggle what path they want to take for their future. this for me is the definition of adorable to the max, everyone I just want to pinch their cheeks and this might be my comfort series in the future. I highly recommend it 🏫

Read More

Short but Sweet, a must watch!

Way to go, season 2! It really took everything from season 1 and leveled it up into such a sweet, heartfelt watch. The chemistry, the story, the overall vibe—it all just clicked so much better. If season 1 hooked me, season 2 totally sealed the deal.

I’m really glad they finally paired BMine and Mashii together—choosing her as the partner was the right call because their chemistry is undeniable. BMine has that dominant, quiet vibe, while Mashii brings this clingy, energetic energy, and the contrast works so well. Both of their looks also improved 100% this season—the styling and makeup were on point.

I’m also relieved they didn’t go down the threesome route and instead stuck with one solid pairing. The jealousy scenes were a nice touch too—short but very real. And that love scene? Honestly, superb. They didn’t have to show much skin; their expressions, the way their lips met, and even the little hand movements made it all feel so believable. What really sealed it for me was the final moment—both of them in bed, hugging each other. That’s exactly how you’d hold someone you love after making love. For me, that was the best, most authentic moment in the whole series.

Overall, this was an excellent watch, and I’m excited knowing BMine and Mashii will be starring in another series together. They better, because their chemistry is just too good to waste. Hopefully, their next project won’t be a short one but something more mainstream—they really deserve that spotlight.

Read More

The Stars Have Spoken, Falling All Around Us

This drama was such a rush!! And so brilliant! The actors really made this a work of art! There’s your average run-of-the-mill dramas, then there’s THIS, and I was not disappointed! This drama had cohesion and consistency in this well-composed story of love, betrayal, and manipulation.

This drama focuses on Da-On, who works for the Strategy Dept of a large company in Korea. For the past 11 years, he’s held long-time romantic feelings for Jaemin, who’s been his friend and colleague since their days in University. He’s made multiple attempts to profess his feelings to Jaemin, much to no avail for the fear of rejection outweighs the urge to come clean with his desire to be with him.

Seong Hyeon is a new colleague that just joined Da On’s dept. Hyeon has just arrived the scene, and he is already very curious about who Da On really is. Even though he’s in the dark at the start, he starts developing a special interest in Da On, wondering what makes him tick, and doing his own homework on his new favorite subject…

Su Hyeon has known Da On for 7 years, and has been weaving himself in and out of Da On’s life over the years with his volatile and demanding attitude. But behind all that anger, he’s been hiding a secret that no one else knows about…

Throughout the series, it tells a vivid narrative of how the most unsuspecting individuals have the most to hide, and how easy one can be moved like a pawn with just the right twisted strategies. Friends are not always who they pretend to be, but you’re in so deep with them already, they’re like a snake ready to devour you.🐍

This drama was so immersive in the way these characters interact and flow with each other. The chemistry amongst these characters is so palpable its static that’s felt though the screen. The acting was so strong, it was inspiring and made this series that much more elevated. Also, i love the music in this series, greatly contributed to the drama.🎵


This would be the 2nd time I’ve watched a drama and it felt like an exclusive event that only a select few get to experience(the first time was Tempted). Watching characters be possessive with each other has never been so enticing nor as delicious as this…💜

A quote from the series:-
Love isn’t about levels, it’s about heart. As long as we have unwavering trust, and offering sincerity to each other, that’s all that matters for love.




P.S. the ending reminds me of the premise for the manga Boys Abyss iykyk🥲

Read More

A unique storyline that will keep you CAPTIVATED.

This series is actually pretty surprising for a low-budget mini web series. The actors aren’t well-known in the Thai GL industry, but they pulled off their roles really well—honestly, even better than some mainstream GL actors. The music was spot on too, perfectly matching the emotions in each scene. If I had to point out a downside for season 1, it would be the makeup and overall look of the cast, which wasn’t as polished compared to season 2. But I’m glad they really leveled up in season 2.

The story only has 3 episodes, each under 30 minutes, but it really makes an impression. The plot is unique yet very realistic—it’s about a young wealthy woman who’s lonely and ends up finding companionship through an app. Honestly, if that kind of app existed in my country, I’d probably give it a try too, which is why it feels so relatable.

What I like is how the series shows both sides: the loneliness of someone who just wants a bit of happiness, even if it means paying for it, and the perspective of people who see it as a way to make money, almost like escort work. Despite that, the story never feels dirty or cheap—it just feels real and very in tune with modern life. And for a GL series, that’s a pretty refreshing and interesting angle.

Now, about the actors—BMine is such a refreshing presence. She gives off a bit of that Freen vibe, with this quiet but strong, dominant energy. And the fact that she’s only 22? Just imagine how many more projects she can take on and how much her skills will grow. She was already good in Unlock My Love, but in this series—and even more so in season 2—you can really see her improvement. Her eyes are super expressive, and the way she handles facial expressions and even the kissing scenes feels so natural and believable. Honestly, kudos to her—this kid definitely deserves more spotlight.

I can’t say much about the other two main cast members since this was the first time I’d seen them. What stood out more to me was the chemistry between BMine and Mashii—it definitely felt stronger than with the others. I’m glad the series decided to focus on pairing them up in season 2 instead of going sideways with some kind of threesome angle. Honestly, I was a bit worried it might head that way, but thankfully it turned into a story of love growing from something a bit deceitful into something real. And the improved chemistry between the two made it all the more worth watching.

Overall, this series is such a good watch. With only 3 episodes, there’s really no reason to skip it—and honestly, none of the episodes feel boring. If you’ve seen this one, definitely check out season 2 too—it takes everything up a notch and is absolutely worth it.

Read More