Reviews

Beautiful, philosophical and poetic

This is definitely one of the dramas that I looked forward to watching, mainly because of the cast, but also because the story seemed interesting.

For the most part, it didn't disappoint.

Tang Li Ci's journey is very beautiful and profound and by the end of the drama he comes full circle. His journey is complete and so is his character growth. This drama is clearly all about him. The other character don't really get to shine as much or at all in some cases. The biggest problem there is that there are a LOT of characters that this drama focuses on at some point or other, so they never really get enough time to develop properly. In some cases the characters are rather boring or their story is bland. This is not only true for the supporting characters (which would be normal as they don't get as much screen time anyway), but also for some of the characters that are labelled as main.

While I liked the story, I didn't always like how it was told. The pacing is uneven, the story was a bit repetitive and the revelations lacked dramatic tension, most of the time because of the predictability or timing. That being said, the story itself is beautiful, philosophical and poetic.

This drama is impeccably cast. Luo Yun Xi absolutely shined as Tang Li Ci. Ao Zi Yi was the perfect bright, bubbly and loyal sidekick. Xiao Shun Yao was great as the silent, but observant assassin. The three shared amazing chemistry. I loved watching them just walking around in the woods and bickering. Fang Yi Lun was a perfect fit for Liu Yan, a character that you can't outright hate even though the are plenty of times when he makes you angry. Jeremy Tsui was magnetic. Whoever cast this drama did an amazing job.

This drama is also a visual feast. It's very beautiful and colourful and the costumes were gorgeous.

All in all, it managed to keep me entertained and I loved the overall story.

Read More

This is a fun and easy binge most of the time. Offering us a bunch of teens in desperate need of guidance who in the lack of such seem to make rules of their own. they hurt, they get hurt, they are put in a lot of situations that they should not have to face. While there is this grownup vibe about them their adolescence and need of reel support and guidance shines through in every single episode.


Our female lead is mostly adorable and fun to watch, however there is a lot to her that uses helping others as a form of self medication instead of actually getting help to deal with her problems. Strong and extremely vulnerable at the same time.

Our male lead has his charming moments but so many rad flaggs so little fabric is shown in this shown. he is nither a pertculary good brother, friend or lover.

Our secound male lead is so sweet most of the drama, a little scaredy cat. A boy who is timid yet strong Talented, broken, kind.... I loved him the first 15 episodes or so bu thten the writers did him wrong oh so wrong that I am goint to pretend that last episode never happened.

The ending, as well as several plot-lines are rushed. The whole he helping people gets slightly repetitive and I do beliee the second hand embarrassment was a bit to much.

Read More

Intriguing for about 5 eps but became stale very fast.

I really liked the initial premise, the murder mystery starts off very strong but I couldn't help but be disappointed with certain twists and turns that required an absurd amount of nonsensical decision making , especially on the part of the heroine but also the blind to red herrings prosecutor and police investigators. I feel the writers wanted each ep to end on a cliff hanger but the way they made that transpire was recycled , utilising an inordinate amount of kidnappings, jail breaks and misdirecting of who the true villain is. The repetitiveness quickly became boring. Even the final reveal was quite lacklustre and I found the reasoning behind the villains actions comically pantomime. In the end, the show is another iteration of dramas highlighting how the S Korean justice system is too often after "wins" and not the truth, and has a tendency to let rich people - including juveniles, get away with a slap on the wrist. But don't we already know that by now? I just feel far better dramas have been made looking into this very premise, ones that don't drop the ball and remained engaging though out. Overall the acting was great, I usually enjoy both female leads and enjoy most of their projects, so there's that. But the plot, I felt, really took a nose dive around the mid way point.

Read More

All Schemes, No Payoff

Baek A Jin had all the makings of an unforgettable sociopath—smart, beautiful, manipulative, and utterly broken. Kim You Jung delivered brilliantly, especially in the early arcs where A Jin’s calculating nature kept us hooked. Watching her outwit everyone while escaping her father (a shoo-in for Worst Dad Ever) was peak drama.

But then... the spark fizzled. The sociopath we were promised faded into the background as the story shifted to her getting rich, famous, and drugged. The tension? Gone. The excitement? Flat. And Moon Do Hyeok? A one-dimensional rich guy obsessed with breaking her—yawn. Even her cult followers’ sacrifices felt pointless. By the time she climbed that cliff with a Chucky-esque grin, we were left wondering why the show abandoned the very thing that made it so compelling.

Read More

Iconic acting

What a performance… what a brilliant performance by He Jianqi. My god, babe, I’m still crying... and you know I don’t cry easily. They say an actress proves her talent in ruthless scenes, but an actor becomes a legend when he nails the emotional moments… especially the loss-of-beloved scene. Only a few men can pull it off like Luo Yunxi in TTEOTM, and now He Jianqi just joined that league.

As for the plot? Ahh… let’s call it what it is — mediocre.
FL is exhausted from seven years of a failing marriage.ML blames her for his ex-lover’s death.
Broken and defeated, she attempts suicide.
She disappears… and then the ML finally realises what she meant to him.That’s literally the story.

But Jianqi? He carried this entire drama like a one-man army. The FL did well, though her character barely had anything to do. The actress playing the vamp… honestly, she needs a full acting workshop. Imagine being in a cast with such strong leads and delivering that performance... painful.

Still, the drama hits. Best enjoyed with a bowl of noodles and a cold can of Coke.

Read More

How to tell a story without telling a story...

The first episode delivers impressively nuanced storytelling, weaving together emotional mystery and criminal intrigue with a confidence that immediately pulls the viewer in. By pairing Botphleng’s memory loss with Tankhun’s claim of being his first love, the narrative creates an instant emotional charge, one that feels both intimate and unsettling. The diary adds another clever layer, serving not only as a fragment of Botphleng’s past but also as a potential tool of manipulation, leaving us unsure which character is telling the truth. Tankhun’s line “If you were faking your memory loss, you wouldn’t have come here” lands with striking ambiguity: it could be reassurance, a confession of longing, or a subtle attempt to control the situation.

This blend of vulnerability, suspicion and unresolved affection gives the episode an emotional depth that feels genuinely human. It’s a smart, compelling foundation that promises a complex and emotionally charged story to come. Interestingly, this is just about how most of the trailer looks like, meaning there is much more for us to know in coming weeks!

The dynamic between Botphleng and Tankhun is clearly positioned to deepen, whether toward genuine love, emotional manipulation, or a revelation that recontextualizes everything we’ve seen. The diary hints at a storyline where memories, secrets, and evidence become increasingly intertwined, especially as the criminal investigation advances. Most importantly, the episode’s willingness to leave questions open rather than rushing toward answers shows that future episodes are likely to peel back layers slowly, revealing new motives, shifting power dynamics, and emotional complexities. In short, episode one promises a series that values tension, ambiguity, and slow-burning character development, suggesting we’re only at the surface of something far more intricate.

The strength of this first episode sets up a future that feels emotionally rich and narratively unpredictable. Its careful balance of romance, mystery, and psychological tension suggests that the series will continue to blur the line between truth and perception, keeping viewers unsure of who to trust and what Botphleng’s past really contains.

Read More

Why is he still single? Well, because he acts like a narcissist..

This is a story about a middle aged single guy who is quirky, stubborn, socially awkward and most of the time unintentionally rude.. Someone who just isn’t like other people.. And then we see how the people around him and the few who enter his life later, deal with that.. That’s basically it..

The story isn’t driven by a strong or fast moving plot.. It takes time to connect with the main characters.. But as the drama goes on what really gives us a satisfying experience are the characters in the story and the nuances in their relationships..

I surprisingly liked the drama, despite the lack of plot, heavy conflicts or major twists and despite it being 16 episodes when it honestly could have been shorter.. I just wish it had a little more substance.. I don’t mind slow paced dramas as long as they have something worth watching.. The premise of this drama is what caught my interest and the main reason I watched it.. It’s not every day you get a story like this..

And frankly I liked that the romance was kept to a minimum.. It’s a romance between grown ups, not teenagers.. So you get fewer dramatic scenarios, more emotional honesty and the emotional chemistry actually works.. And their bickering was fun to watch.. Simply put, it’s a bit childish, yeah but still mature and meaningful..

I liked the ML’s character growth and how he grows not because the drama forces him to but because life and relationships finally reach him.. How he becomes more self aware about his own problems and slowly comes out of his shell.. It felt more real..

The supporting characters were rather interesting and each had their own quirks.. That short story arc with the photographer was interesting too, but it felt a bit disappointing in how it concluded.. I really thought they could have done more with it, because she herself was an interesting character and would have been a nice addition to the group..

Overall, there’s nothing fancy about this story but it will relate to a lot of people.. It’s just a good story with some fun characters trying to get through life in their own ways.. Definitely worth a one time watch..

Read More

If you are looking to escape from reality, Cherry Magic is definetly for you!

At first, I'm not typically interested in this kind of story, especially after reading the synopsis of the series. But after It kept on appearing on my TikTok For You Page, I think I might give this series a shot. And I'm glad I did! At first, I deem the magic/wizard theme kinda tacky, but when I started watching I was immediately drawn in. I really like the unique concept. Especially with the acting of both actors of Kurosawa and Adachi, makes me ever more into this series. It's the type of JBLs that gives you butterfly and tingles while watching! What I like the most from this series is the unrealistic happy LGBTQ couple (I know It's weird but hear me out..). Kurosawa is literally a "Perfect Man".. He's sweet, EXTREMELY understanding and a loving man. You aint getting anyone like that IRL LMFAOO... But I really get the backstory on why Kurosawa started to like Adachi. Adachi is the only one that understand his feeling and actually remember that he IS an human being. Moreover, with the numerous amount of JBLs I've watched, I would definetly put Cherry Magic on number #1!!!! You should go ahead and watch it if you haven't!

Read More

Surprisingly enjoyable!

I started watching this drama with no expectations whatsoever, only because of the chocolate theme. However I was drawn in and binged it in one day! Sure, there are some clichés and some overall cringe-worthiness, but at the same time, you might find this story surprisingly interesting and deeper than you'd originally expect. The story deals with loneliness and unrequited love, and I liked how we are given many perspectives from people who seem different at first, but who are all united in feeling like there is something missing from their lives, no matter how perfect they might look on the outside. Also, I liked how the story unfolded in general, surprisingly mature and with a satisfying conclusion. It's also pretty funny and doesn't get really heavy, even in its sad moments :)
All in all, I enjoyed watching it!

Read More

A BL series which defines "PERFECTION"

I just want to say one thing—**this BL is DAMN GOOD.**
It hit me with such a powerful wave of emotion that for a while my brain literally stopped responding. I just sat there, staring, trying to process what I had witnessed. This wasn’t just a series—this was **absolute cinema**.

This is the kind of BL that **raises the standard of the entire genre**. It proves that BL can be deep, artistic, and emotionally overwhelming without trying too hard. The acting? **PHENOMENAL.** Honestly, words are not enough to describe how obsessed I am with their performances. Every expression, every silence, every emotional breakdown felt painfully real. The actors didn’t just play their roles—they **became** them.

The story and the acting complemented each other perfectly. Nothing felt forced, exaggerated, or unnecessary. It was raw, immersive, and deeply moving. I was hooked not because of shock value, but because of how genuinely it made me *feel*.

This BL is absolutely **worth watching**—no hesitation, no second thoughts.
Just watch it. Feel it. Let it hit you. And enjoy every second of this masterpiece.

Read More

A Realistic Depiction of Depression

Let me start by saying that I doubt there is anything I can say in this review that hasn't already been said better by other reviewers. Even so, I still wanted to give my thoughts.

As someone who has Major Depressive Disorder and has struggled with suicidal ideation for a long time, I can see myself in Shin and the story this drama told.

Going in, I could tell that Shin had depression long before the events of the second episode. Not having friends, not wanting to be seen, constantly feeling that every bad thing is directly his fault, etc...Unless you've struggled with extreme depression, it can be a hard concept to grasp. Speaking purely from my perspective - when you have depression your mind is already in such chaos that even the mundane things people take for granted can be too overwhelming. Even if your days are easy and without 'worry' depression will always find a way to make something from nothing. For most people, going through 'the motions' is normal, not even something they think about. For someone with severe depression just getting out of bed and showering is a huge accomplishment. The way Shin behaved, even from the beginning, screamed depression at me.

When the event in episode two happened, it was more than heartbreaking. Someone you admire doing something so traumatic is life changing....hell, even if he was a stranger it's still life-changing, let's be honest. This drama did a great job in showing that. Even if he wasn't depressed before, it wouldn't have mattered. It fundamentally changed him. Which leads me to the third episode and my take on it.

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD:

I've seen people say that the (first) suicide scene was too much and not needed, but I disagree. Personally, I think most of us just don't want to see it. It's too uncomfortable. To me, it didn't glorify the act (there is no glory in it), but showed it in a realistic light. Like it or not, people do this. Given his mindset, it was an action I understood, probably because I've been there myself and could see where he was at mentally. Nothing in this show hit me harder then when he asked his parents why they couldn't just let him die. It hit so hard because I've asked that exact question myself to my loved ones, practically word for word. Whoever wrote this knew what they were doing. Same goes for the actors as well. They all did a phenomenal job and deserve all the praise for their work.

Now onto the ending...

It is my opinion that Shin died at the end. He could say he was better, but saying so and being so are two very different things. I think he purposefully stepped out in front of the car because doing so, in his mind, was the only way to free himself of that parasite we call depression. I see people say it was an open ending (and truthfully it was), but to me it was so clear what happened. Again, though, just my perspective. His interaction with his friends, his thoughts...they never convinced me he was finally happy and at peace. It sounded and felt more like a goodbye to his friends as he struggled to convince himself (and everyone else) he was finally okay, yet knowing he never would be.

The irony of someone who has already decided to end it is that they can often feel at peace and, in some small way, find a sort of happiness after reaching that decision. That's partly why it seems so sudden from the outside looking in. They seemed happy...and they were in a sense as they know it'll be over soon. There's relief in that. We saw that relief when he tried it the first time and saw it again before the screen went black. It's also no secret that those of us who struggle with this will often hide it because we don't want anyone to worry because of us. In the end, I think he gave up and found his own peace in that decision.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Some people are able to rise above their trauma, to manage and perhaps even overcome depression. I think that's great, if not a miracle into itself. Others can't. I love that this drama had the guts to show that. Sometimes it doesn't matter how strong your support system is or if you're taking meds or seeking help from a good therapist. Sometimes depression is so deeply rooted into the brain that nothing can really touch it to make it go away or even ease up. Sometimes no amount of help can ease a troubled mind. So, understandably, the conclusion some find is that the only way to find peace is through absolute silence, whether we agree with that decision or not.

Now, I've seen a lot of comments of people saying that if you suffer from mental illness, thoughts of self-harm, etc...you should avoid this show. In some cases, I think that's true. It may give the impression that suicide is okay. As someone who's been there, part me can't refute that I see it as a valid option. Another part of me, however, disagrees. The fight sucks...but I've learned that ending it only ends your pain, not the pain of those around you who love you, even when you don't understand why. That's why people say it's selfish. You end your suffering by causing suffering to others. Even though in the depths of your mind you see it as a mercy to them - a sort of relieving them of the burden of you, it's really not. Not at all. Depression is weird like that. The way it can twist and warp one's perspective is really messed up and really not talked about enough.

For those of us struggling, but not in a place of utter nihilism, I think the drama is a gift. I felt heard, seen. There's a twisted sense of comfort in knowing you aren't the only one struggling with this, that you aren't alone. Sometimes that tiny bit of validation is enough. It opens the door to honest, compassionate conversations which are often unvoiced due to many factors such as social taboo, shame, and fear.

This drama was great representation and I full respect it, even appreciate it. While I will typically avoid anything with a sad/bad/tragic ending I have no regrets watching this nor do I feel particularly sad about it's ending. In all honesty, I don't even feel it was a bad ending, because he finally found peace. Regardless of how one views the ending, that part is irrefutable. It's hard for me to explain how it made me feel and why because there's just so much there to unwrap, I feel I'd be trying to put it into words all day yet never giving it the justice it deserves.

Suffice it to say, this drama is a 10/10 for me and I thank all those involved in making it. As hard as a topic as it was, it's a story that needs to be told and heard. Even more - it needs to be talked about in a humanizing way. If you think you have the mental strength/awareness/compassion to watch it, I'd say to please give a shot. It's a great introspective that can really make you think. If, however, you question your ability to not hurt self today....best to avoid it, at least until you're at a place where you no longer view your death as your best friend.

Read More