Reviews

Add Merman to the list of supernatural romances you can't really pull off

I went from incredible curiosity to weird enjoyment to mild annoyance to general apathy, finally landing upon an honest feud with this series. The story itself didn't have as many dimensions as my feelings towards it.

At the outset, Lover Merman had the potential to be metaphorical about so many things including identity, found family, hostility towards things we don't understand and finding love and connection in the rarest of situations. But they didn't care to think deeply enough about any of this and decided to go with "ocean vibes" as the plot. Which is honestly fine but you mess even that up and hey, well I don't like it.

The series begins with a crash course on the lore of the Merman of the island Khen, where Phu has come to take over the operations of a bar he owns with his friend Phana, a native of the island. His very first interaction however is with Nawa, a bartender and Phana's childhood friend, and they of course begin with a bit of flirtation. But the minute Phana sees this, he asks Phu not start anything up with Nawa, for reasons he won't say.

But because Phu is a rebel, he flirts anyway, an action that is not taken to lightly by Nawa, who is actually falling for the bad pickup lines, or by Phai, someone who has known Nawa since they were kids and is sort of a de facto older brother to him, only he has a big secret crush on the man. Sorry. Merman.

Surprise surprise, Nawa and Phai are Mermen and Phai has a deep distrust of humans because apparently humans have been hunting the mermen because of "greed and beauty" (that's the entire explanation), and for that reason, the mermen who once lived freely and cordially with humans on the island now have to hide their identity. But living on land has it's consequences - because every full moon night, they're required to dive into the depths of the ocean and "release the poison", cleanse their blood that has turned poisonous from being away from the water for too long. And when their blood turns increasingly poisonous, a tattoo shows up on their lower back, indicating that they need to "release the poison"

The characters in this series spend half their time flirting and the other half drinking, and Phu of course gets wankered, stumbles onto a secret cove to sober up and sees Nawa. Nawa right after he's "released the poison" and is in his merman form. Before he can figure out it is Nawa, he disappears and Phu chalks it up to an illusion.

This is all in episode 1 by the way, because nothing else happens after this. Atleast not until episode 7 because between the first and seventh episode, we got declarations of love rivalries, a step brothers plotline, absentee parents, a ton of drinking and some unintentionally hilarious NC scenes. There's no plot, no character development, things just happen. Episode 7, and everything is out in the open - most importantly that Nawa is a merman, which has been a secret from Phu for six episodes now.

But this is where the series hit a new low for me because I would rather have a story that hinged on vibes than a shallow attempt to make a point. I did say they could've made a wonderful allegorical plot but key word? Could've.
They didn't. And I'm furious with how they chose to go all preachy in the last couple of episodes, like they didn't actively avoid every semblance of difficult conversations for six episodes and like the audience needs every single action explained to them.

And by then, we got a terrible couple of episodes, yet again with no character development and one very bad redemption arc.

This is far from the worst thing I've watched but it's still not good. Episodes 1-6 were a whole mood. Episodes 7 and 8 will leave you in a bad mood.

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Three Different Generations, Three Arcs Ordered from Best to Worst

As the synopsis says, this drama follows the journey of three different women across three different generations. Many came for Ryan Cheng and left immediately afterwards which was the correct choice in hindsight.

Arc 1
-Setting: A vibrant Shanghai with undertones of war
This was the best arc for many reasons. The actors and plot was head and shoulders above the other arcs. This follows Lin Si Yun who is a woman ahead of her time. Educated abroad and raised in a well-off family, LSY is an aspiring ob-gyn. Upon her return to the country, she realizes her family has become bankrupt after her father's passing due to her brother's gambling debt. Her brother and mother both want to marry her off in exchange for a fortune to clear their debt. When the debt collectors arrive at her family's house, she meets the gang's lawyer Cheng Ao who takes care of legal disputes.

Girl, when I say Ryan Cheng outdid himself in this role, I mean it. He played the role of well-educated bastard/smooth 'criminal' so well. He is what Wattpad girlies dream of. Coupled with Jelly Lin's excellent portrayal of LSY, it was quite good in terms of chemistry and plot.

Arc 2
- Setting: A devastated Shanghai rebuilding after the war
This was an interesting yet frustrating arc. Again, the actors were quite good in this arc but the plot made me raise a couple of eyebrows. Given how strict China's censorship is, especially regarding historical events, I was surprised this made the cut and was shown as it didn't really paint the new society after the war in a completely good light. The main character of this arc is YiYi who is LSY's niece. From the previous arc, we know that YiYi fell in love with a young man who later joined the Kuomintang army. Our starting place with YiYi was already rough as she's being sidelined and poorly treated as the widow of a KMT official. She insists on staying in Shanghai to await news of her husband but in the mean time, she's being interrogated and questioned every other day by everyone around her, including her own sister-in-law. It gets so bad that even her own thoughts written in her diary were considered revolutionary and nothing is 'private'. Her room is searched multiple times; she cannot drink coffee without it being considered a luxury/bourgeoisie, and she's framed a couple of times based off of prejudice. When it is revealed that her husband is actually a martyr and her status changes, she again is not given any peace. Now she has to 1) speak of her husband's heroic actions, 2) cannot grieve or have negative emotions regarding her husband's death, and 3) has to be even less bourgeoisie because she needs to be a model for others as a martyr's wife. At the same time, her stinky sister-in-law is demanding all sorts of things from her despite also participating in her ostracization, reporting her for revoluntionary thoughts, and ignoring her (and her brother) because of ties to the KMT.

As frustrating as this arc was, I still watched through it because I wanted to know how it passed through inspection. Surprisingly, I think because the prejudice, sidelining, and framing were done by people and not necessarily condoned by the party itself, censorship let it slide which gave the arc a sense of realism. In real life, China did go through a period of societal unrest/distrust in one another because of the Communist party takeover. The only part I found to be unrealistic in this arc was YiYi 'staying' for her new love. Respectfully, she did not come across someone who was willing to take things down lying. Given the amount of crap that they put her through, I was sure she would have left for good after they found out that her husband was a martyr. And then later when they continued to persecute her for liking art, literature, etc. and then barring her from falling in love with an official in the Communist party. From Arc 1, we know what a spitfire YiYi is but it was like they completely changed her character. The number of times she had to make clear that she didn't blame anyone or that she wasn't resentful seemed unreal. Sorry girl, no man is worth having to live your life being persecuted for liking coffee or literature or having 'revolutionary' thoughts. (Edit: I skimmed this part too because it made me mad but apparently she did leave but her ending with Wen Pu was kinda unclear)

Arc 3
- Setting: An increasingly commericalized Shanghai
Honestly, I skipped this arc but caught glimpses. This arc follows Ye Xi Ning who is YiYi's granddaughter and LSY's great grandniece (?). Ye Xi Ning is an aspiring entreprenur in a society that had become more lax towards capitalism. She as a female business owner is navigating a male dominated field, scams, and pitfalls. Her love interest is a grad (?) student who hold more lofty ideals than her which kind of sets up the issue that later follows. The premise wasn't that interesting and so I didn't bother watching it.

TDLR: Just watch the first arc and treat it like a short drama.

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Sweet, Addictive and Surprisingly Romantic

Please, Yes is an incredibly charming and loveable short BL that delivers sweetness from start to finish. With eight episodes at only ten minutes each, it is easy to binge and even easier to enjoy. The story is simple but never dull. Every episode moves quickly and I found myself completely hooked.

Su Hyeon is tall and handsome which pairs perfectly with the cute and adorable Eun Ho. Their chemistry feels natural and effortless. They are playful, sweet and genuinely convincing as a couple. The kissing scenes are surprisingly great for such a short series which makes their relationship feel even more satisfying.

What makes Please, Yes stand out is how refreshing it is. Sometimes a light ten minute BL can offer more charm and enjoyment than a full fifty minute drama. This one definitely proves that. Sweet, quick and addictive. A delightful watch and well worth the 8.5 out of 10.

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A door into a world where danger and desire collide

They say the city changes people, but sometimes it exposes them. Jack & Joker: U Steal My Heart! opens like a door into a world where danger and desire collide, where every choice is a gamble and every glance carries weight. Here, romance isn’t a soft escape; it’s a pulse beating amid chaos, a promise that even in darkness some sparks refuse to die. From the very first scene, the series sets a rhythm of tension and unpredictability, pulling viewers into a game where loyalty, love, and power are always at stake.

The show plunges the audience into a tangled world of underworld romance, high-stakes power plays, blackmail, and carefully plotted schemes, all underpinned by a social critique sharper than it seems at first glance. Every confrontation and plot twist feels deliberate, as if the series is daring the viewer to anticipate the next move. Risk runs through every scene, chaos lurks around every corner, and despite occasional rough edges, the story pulses with energy, tension, and life.

The drama’s atmosphere blends suspense, tension, and humor with a stubborn kind of courage, whispering to the audience that they can trust the journey. At times, the series itself isn’t entirely sure where it will go next, and paradoxically, that uncertainty works in its favor. There’s a genuine freshness in the way the story moves, shifting locations, escalating conflicts, and showing with a touch of irony how absurd and ruthless power games can be. The Four Horsemen, the elite group controlling more of Thailand than they probably should, are the clearest example of this elegant cruelty.

It is in this world of disproportionate forces that Jack and Joke find room to flourish. Yin and War form an emotional axis so solid it carries the entire series. Their connection is more than chemistry; it is understanding, commitment, and a shared sense of where their characters come from and where they are trying to go. Together, they make the screen ignite, while apart, the story feels suspended, waiting for their return. Few duos hold the backbone of a story so firmly.

The romance is handled with great care. There is no melodramatic excess, no overnight passion. Love grows amid danger, blossoms in vulnerability, and asserts itself through quiet, unspoken loyalty. The scene in which they declare this love in the face of death, ready to confront the end together, is one of the most powerful images in a BL drama last year. Courage, love, and stubbornness are compressed into a gesture that feels undeniably true.

When the series expands its universe beyond the central duo, Jack & Joker demonstrates bold ambition, though it does not always follow through on execution. Tattoo, Aran, Hope, Save, Hoy, and Rosé appear as sparks of potential, each carrying layers of tension, hints of backstory, and the promise of complex relationships. Some suggest unspoken alliances, others flirt with romance or rivalries that could have enriched the narrative, yet the series rarely grants them the space to develop fully. Their moments on screen feel fleeting, flickering like embers that could ignite into something substantial but instead vanish before taking root.

This leaves a lingering sense of untapped possibilities, particularly in the realm of romance, where glimpses of connection, subtle chemistry, and emotional stakes hint at stories that remain just out of reach. The secondary romances are suggested with care, offering tantalizing intimations of passion and heartbreak, but are never allowed to breathe long enough to leave the impact they promise, reinforcing the bittersweet feeling that Jack & Joker’s world is much larger and richer than what we are ultimately shown.

Missteps are most visible in the finale, perhaps the series’ most uneven episode. Long, audacious, packed with twists, and marked by narrative disorder, it juggles the ring saga, the Boss’s maneuvers, and the actions of the Four Horsemen. All elements are entertaining but not always coherent. The ideas are strong, yet the consistency falls short. Even so, the care poured into the project softens the impact of these flaws.

The conclusion restores the sensitivity that has accompanied the series from the start. The school finally opens its doors, Joke’s family offers the embrace he needed, Jack finds his rightful place, and the future hints at possibilities for both characters. Everything is delivered with care, like a farewell that refuses to be bitter. The ending may not resolve every plot detail, yet it secures what matters most: the emotional core.

And that is what lingers. The empty days without new episodes, the lump in the throat during the credits, and the warmth toward a nearly independent project daring to step beyond comfort zones. This is more than a technically competent series; it is a work made with soul, with tangible emotional investment. It is easy to see why so many ended up hugging a pillow while War sings “One Hundred Ways.”

Ultimately, Jack & Joker does more than tell a story. It immerses the viewer in a world where danger, love, and chaos collide, leaving them both shaken and exhilarated. It is a drama that invites audiences to replay scenes, dissect choices with friends, or simply sit in silence and let its weight settle. Imperfect? Absolutely. Bold beyond measure? Without question. But alive, daring, and unforgettable, that is what it is. It is a rare spark in a genre often satisfied with repetition, and it is exactly the kind of story that makes Thai BL feel vibrant, unpredictable, and alive.

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The title of this drama is wrong it should be “The Evil Father and the Unloved Child.”

The story is extremely messy and doesn’t make any sense. I’m honestly surprised at myself for even watching this drama. The characters are very strange. I can’t blame the actors, though — they must have worked hard to follow the script.

Wangquan Fu Gui — is he a god, or just very foolish? Why didn’t he hate his father until the end, or at least hate the world for treating him so badly? His father only saw him as a tool that needed to be sharpened, placing him in terrible situations and punishing him harshly. Even though in the end he tried to show a little kindness (if he truly were a good father, he would have fought against the people who wanted to kill his son. Why did he claim he wanted to save the world, yet allowed his own people to torture the only family he had — the one who should have been his whole world)?

Qing Tong / “12580” — I feel quite sorry for the female lead, because she feels more like a side character, the kind who stays a loyal servant until the end but is never truly valued. She has a brother who craves attention (honestly, they should’ve made this character female, because many people find this pairing questionable). She should have tried to make the person she likes and her brother get along, but I never saw that happen. In the end, she chose the one she liked. I thought there would be a very emotional scene about this, because in the beginning her brother was shown to be very important to her — but when he died, she didn’t seem very sad, which was actually quite absurd.

Quan Ru Mu was fairly normal since he fell in love with his savior, especially since she was beautiful.

Long Wei Yun is a tragic character, but I was really confused by how shallow his hatred for Quan Jing Ting was. He had the chance to kill him but only managed to slightly injure him. He should have at least cut off his dragon arm. He was portrayed as very weak, even though he was a real dragon, yet Wangquan Fu Gui — who was only possessed by a dragon — was portrayed as stronger than an actual one.

Fan Yun Fei and Li Xue Yang were the best characters.

As for the villain, Quan Jing Ting, he was incredibly lucky. I almost thought he was the main character because of the amount of plot armor he had. Everyone pitied him just because he was Ru Mu’s father, and no one killed him until the very end.

This is the first time I’ve seen a drama where all the fathers are the same. I genuinely feel sorry for the three main male characters for having such terrible fathers

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this is not pure romance. the plot is heavier than that.

i came for milesapo, i stayed for the plot.
the story resolves around Dr Trin and the people around him. if you came for a specific actor, you will be dissappointed (especially for Miles's fans) coz the screentime is equally divided among all other 4 main actors beside Apo.
this drama is my first bl drama that i root for the 2nd love interest. yes, i do think trinvictor has more chemistry than trintanwa.
the uncle and the reporter? damn. their chemistry is chemistrying. im looking forward to their next project together. hopefully soon.
the plot is great. not dissappointed at all.
Apo's acting is excellent as always.
the cinematography and the music are good too.
highly recommended for those who are looking for a good plot thaibl drama.

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Is Our Love Temporary or Forever...?

Without spoiling anything, I will leave it short and say that this show was extraordinarily beautiful. The soundtrack, the cinematography, the message- the beauty of it all is unforgettable. Every moment between our loved ones runs on a clock, and it that clock is controlled by fate. Is it the question of when, or the confidence in forever? The happiness shown in this series was poetic. It was obvious who Ton's true love was, but he was also given a second choice- a perfect choice- which made his true love all the more beautiful. The beauty in love, the beauty in choice, the beauty in sacrifice, and the pain of it all. Enjoy, smile, feel what you're meant to feel. I hope you cry your eyes out:)

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The Most Beautiful Summer

To keep it short, I'll just say that this series was so good. I watched it right after the last episode was release, not expecting anything that great, but I absolutely loved it. I finished it in a day. The plot, the acting, the cinematography- it was amazing. I even cried. I'm so glad WinnySatang got their own series and I hope they get more in the future. They have great chemistry. Every scene, the soundtrack- the producers and actors did an amazing job.

There is one thing though... without spoiling I'll just say I never like time skips. It wasn't THAT long, but it shouldn't have taken that long for him to make that decision either. If you've finished it, you'll understand what I'm talking about. Still, this series was so cute and beautiful, I love Wave with all my heart and I'd 100% recommend it to others.

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This BL merman series could have been so much more

Disclaimer

What I am writing here are my views and thoughts about this series. Some of you may not like it. That does not give you the right to try to come at me with your opinions on why this series should get a higher or lower score and why it is better/worse than I think it is. You have your own opinions, and I have mine. Kindly respect that.

I was super excited to watch this series, as this would have been something new for me in the BL world, as I had never watched a series that was dealing with mermen. However, I felt disappointed by (nearly) all of the episodes when I watched it weekly. There were parts that were good in this series, but as it continued on, I felt that there was no need for some of the supporting characters -what was the point of the introduction of Phurit's brother and adoptive (?) brother? Just picked up screen time that could have helped to develop Phuirt and Nawa's relationship or even their characters.

Pharaphai was hella annoying, and he just made me not enjoy this series at all. Look, you can have a character that is a dick, and if something happens to that character, you can feel empathy for them. But for me, every time Pharaphai was on the screen, I got very annoyed and just wanted him off the screen. When you get to (finally) learn the story of Nawa's parents, it's heartbreaking. I wish that he did not have to suffer through that, especially when you learn whose fault it was.

The story between Phurit and Nawa was actually okayish – just that I felt that the same trust that they (Nawa and Phana) wanted from Phurit, they should have given it to him earlier, because that episode where they were only telling him to trust them was annoying me because it clearly shows that they did not trust him enough as yet to tell him the truth, and trust, to me, is a two-way street.

I felt that the secondary couple was also not handled properly; when they finally got together, I felt nothing. But, it was good to see that Ping resolved his family issues in the end. There are many more issues with this series (background music playing too loud for my liking in the early episodes and scenes not flowing properly from each other, just to name a few), but I am glad that something new was tried with CGI that was actually good. I'm just dissapointed as this series could have been so much more.

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“I'm a prince who doesn't want a princess, I'm a prince who wants a prince of his own instead.”

This series felt like a breath of fresh air on a sunny summer day. It’s lighthearted and fun, yet it balances tender, vulnerable moments with serious themes, touching on class, identity, and personal choices. The amnesia storyline was surprisingly well done and really helped the characters grow.

Winny and Satang have been two of my favorites since We Are, and their chemistry is undeniable. I love their playful push-and-pull dynamic. I’m so glad they finally got their first lead roles, because they have so much to offer, especially Winny, who lets his characters’ emotions shine through in his facial expressions with a strikingly sincere and natural authenticity.

Mond (Pheng) and Ryu (Dr. Wut) were such a pleasant surprise. They’re absolutely adorable together, and their storyline added real depth by exploring acceptance of one’s sexuality and confronting homophobia. Seeing them married, adopting a child, and building a family was easily one of the highlights of the show. Neo and Mint were delightful too.

The cinematography is simply gorgeous. Overall, this is a feel-good series about love and acceptance, and it’s definitely one I’ll be rewatching.

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"The Person I Like the Most is Myself."

I can't believe that I have put this drama off for so long. I've been hearing about it since I first started watching them and was planning on watching it after I finished Queen of Tears but obvious recent events put me off. I won't be mentioning any of the controversies regarding the main leads because this review is purely about the show.

I had no idea that this drama was so heavily focused on mental health or that most of the drama would take place in a mental health facility but as someone who's not only a psych major but also has mental issues of my own, this drama hit very close to home.

I loved that we not only got to learn about the main characters and how they started to accept their past and work on themselves but also seeing the characters in the facility and their stories was amazing. Usually when I watch dramas, I don't care at all about most side characters but I got so attached to this drama. There wasn't one single weak episode and even the side characters were amazing actors.

I also love how this drama went against so many common tropes that typically upset me, for example: didn't make Munyeong forgive her father when he was dying because the trauma doesn't just go away just because he's dying. This is genuinely one of the best k-dramas out there and I will 100% go back to this and bring up everything it did correctly whenever other shows make me mad lol.

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