Completed
Oh! My Emperor
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 13, 2025
21 of 21 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 9.0

Chaotic, low-budget fun with lots of laughs and one tragically emotionless male lead

FUNNY AF. Had me laughing out loud the whole time, but I do wish they’d shown off the characters’ powers a bit more. Most of them barely get used, if at all, which might be a budget thing.

Also, I have to talk about the costumes because....wow. I think this Reddit user summed it up perfectly:

“Costume design and styling ranges from gorgeous to ??? (mesh undershirts and fashion collars, no I am not kidding) to laughable, and it’s glorious.” (credit u/glyphsinateacup)

I’m not bothered by low production value or beginner-level acting. If I’m having fun, it’s usually a 9-10 star show for me. But the ML tested my patience. His performance is so stiff it drags down every scene he’s in. Just stares straight ahead for 21 episodes (and no doubt for 21 more in season 2).

Got a massive case of second lead syndrome in this one, boys. I knew going in that XZ wasn’t the ML, and I told myself I was fine with that. I lied. He’s the better actor, hands down, and it would’ve made so much more sense for him to be the main love interest. Beitang Moran is nicer, more mature, and honest with his feelings — everything Beitang Yi isn’t.

That said, I get it. Luo FeiFei is 20, and it tracks that she’d be drawn to someone less emotionally mature. Bad decisions build character. Still, it’s hard to root for someone whose face barely moves.

Overall: 8/10 for the laughs, -2 for the ML’s emotional range (or lack thereof). Still totally worth watching if you’re in the mood for something ridiculous and fun — just be prepared to fall for the wrong guy.

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Completed
Prison Playbook
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 13, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers

My October 2025 recommendation

Watch this because of the Recommendation Challenge from 𝑴𝒊𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕0_𝒐𝒅. So far this is the most challenging drama to finish. Not only because of the duration per episode, but also because of my daily activities that make me hardly have time to watch.

The story revolves around Kim Je-hyuk (JH) and his time in prison—the people he meets, the bonds he forms, and the events that unfold behind bars.

JH is a famous baseball player who gets arrested after using excessive force on a man trying to sexually assault his sister. Shockingly—to him and the whole nation—he’s sentenced to one year in prison.

Luckily, inside, JH reunites with his childhood friend and fellow baseball player, Lee Joon Ho (LJH), who gave up baseball after a car accident and now works as a prison guard.

In prison, JH meets many inmates who become his cellmates and comrades:
> Kim Min-chul – imprisoned for gang-related violence, acts as the leader of their cell.
> Kim Yeong-cheol (YC) – Known as "Jailbird". A repeat offender always getting caught for petty crimes like theft and pickpocketing. JH once helped pay YC mom’s hospital bills, and ever since, YC has been deeply loyal to JH.
> Kang Cheol-du, aka KAIST – a clever con artist who repeatedly scams people with fake engineering credentials. He’s smart but uses his intelligence for shady dealings. In prison, he’s the go-to guy if you need something built or fixed.
> Yoo Han-yang, aka Loony – in for drug use. Comes from a rich family and is actually intelligent. Throughout the drama, we see him struggle to overcome his addiction
> Go Park-sa aka Doctor Go – a former manager at a big company convicted of embezzling 10 billion won. In truth, he was forced to take the fall for higher-ups who orchestrated the real crime. Quiet, polite, and always well-mannered.
> Ahn Dong-ho, aka Crony – in for attempted murder and organized crime assault. Initially ordered to kill JH—but fails. After that, JH shows him compassion & protects him instead of hating him. Slowly, Crony starts changing. Becomes more human. And eventually, loyal to JH.
> Captain Yoo Jung-woo – accused of accidentally killing a soldier under his command. Starts off bitter, feeling wronged. But over time, support from his brother and cellmates helps him soften and grow.

Beyond his cellmates, JH also gets support from the guards—some of whom genuinely care about the prisoners. Not as criminals, but as people who made mistakes and can still change.
> Paeng Se-yoon – their block guard. Seems strict at first, but he’s a classic "durian man"—soft-hearted beneath the surface.
> Kim Yong-chul, the warden – is eccentric yet kind. Gives JH special treatment whenever he can. Looks weak when pressured by his vice, Na Hyung-soo, but stands firm when it matters.
> Na Hyung-soo – takes his job seriously, no nonsense. But deep down, he’s a good man.

As the story progresses, alongside JH’s journey, we also follow his cellmates’ personal stories and how they grow as people in prison. We witness their struggles, redemption, and how they form a small family inside the prison. But the show also exposes the darker side of the system through characters like Yeom Sang Jae, someone dangerous and manipulative.

Outside prison walls, we follow the lives of JH’s and LJH’s families, giving a fuller picture of their world.

That’s pretty much the story—without giving away any spoilers. Now, what I like and don’t:

What I like:
+ How they show prisoners as human. Not monsters, not jokes—just people with pasts, regrets, and the chance to change.
+ How slowly, naturally, JH and his cellmates turn into a little family. It doesn’t feel forced. It feels real.

What I don’t like:
The episode length feels a little torturous sometimes. Haha… a bit too long for my taste.

Overall, this drama does a good job showing how people adapt to their environment—and how even in the hardest place, humanity, growth, and connection can still happen.

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Completed
Deep Affection Eyes
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 13, 2025
26 of 26 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

Stumbled on it and happy I did

I thought that the storyline was intricate and interesting. First C drama in a while that had both a great ML and FL and didn't seem over the top. The friendships and family dynamics were great. Their affection for each other did not in the least bit seem forced or unbelievable. I looked forward to each episode and that doesn't happen very often. It just seemed like genuine love and care from main roles and even supporting roles.
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Completed
Moonlit Order
5 people found this review helpful
Nov 13, 2025
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 7.5
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 7.5
This review may contain spoilers

Underrated but Solid

Compared to its competitors, Moonlit Order does not boast a star studded cast or a unique plot and (to my knowledge), it is not inspired by any C-Novels. Given this, Moonlit Order does a fantastic job at drawing us into the story.

The plot can be smelt from a mile away and viewers can probably easily guess how the other 23 episodes will play out just by watching the first episode. While predictable, the aptly placed comedic relief and complex, changing roles of each character bring the story to life and make Moonlit Order subtly different from the recent influx of historical dramas featuring strong FLs who are all either generals or commanders.

Huang Jun Jie pulls off his role quite nicely as ML, but if I had to cite a flaw, it would be that his portrayal of characters is too overt. I find that he lacks the ability to subtly convey a character's nuanced emotions or change of heart. In this role, that didn't work against him too much as his character is a more down-to-earth, forthright fellow. HJJ could shape up to be quite a household name if he learns how to do this and becomes a little more charismatic in his acting.

Hankiz Omar was quite a surprise as the FL. As she is of Uyghur descent, she probably is most often compared to actresses like Dilabra and Gulnezer. Of the three, she probably is the least expressive when she acts and has had trouble gaining main roles. While there was significant improvement in her acting, she still has very flat expressions and emotions which make it difficult for viewers to understand the character's mind. The one thing that did catch my eye was her exquisite hand movements during martial arts sequences where she is unarmed. The sequences were most likely inspired by wushu and is reminiscent of 80s-90s Hong Kong style martial arts films. Not only was it a nice touch to highlight her strengths as an actress, it gave credibility to the character as a true martial arts practitioner (and not just another 'strong' FL suited in armor).

The support cast did a nice job as well (huge props to Yan Zi Xian for playing the bad guy, the good guy, and the comedic relief). The production was good as there were no discrepancies in audio, visuals, transitions, etc. The costumes did not look tacky and off-putting. All in all, it was an underrated drama that was solid in execution. Its current rating (at the time of this review) is 7.7 which is slightly lower than it should be when compared to other Cdramas of similar ilk and their inflated ratings, but is truthful in its reflection of the drama.

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Completed
Love in the Clouds
19 people found this review helpful
Nov 13, 2025
36 of 36 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 7.5
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 6.5

Did not live up to the hype for me

I went into Love in the Clouds with incredibly high expectations. I honestly haven’t seen people praise a drama this intensely since Blossom last year. It felt like this show exploded everywhere, and that level of hype definitely affected the way I watched it. I truly wanted to love it but because everyone kept calling it a masterpiece, I expected something extraordinary, something that would blow me away. Instead, I finished it feeling strangely empty.
Looking back, I think if I had started it without all that pressure and hype, I probably would’ve enjoyed it much more. The drama seems to be praised mostly because of the main couple, but everything surrounding them just didn’t work for me.
The plot had potential in the beginning, but they dragged the lies and secrets across the entire show. Misunderstandings piled up nonstop, and just when she finally told the truth, he started lying. I found it difficult to fall in love with a couple when their whole relationship felt built on deceit.
Yes, there were romantic moments, but many of them didn’t feel genuine. The few truly sincere scenes were actually rare.
As for the obsessed second male lead — I just didn’t buy it. The actor is honestly too handsome and too soft-looking for me to believe he was evil or unhinged. Nothing about him carried the menace the script wanted him to have.
And the second couple… I skipped most of their scenes. I hate to say it, but the second female lead did absolutely nothing for me. I couldn’t feel the chemistry, and I didn’t find her character compelling at all.
The real highlights of the show, for me, were actually the dragon, the cat, and even the granny. They were fun, cute, and genuinely entertaining every time they appeared. Their dynamic with their masters was adorable — those scenes felt alive in a way others didn’t.
Visually, the drama is gorgeous. The cast looked stunning — they truly looked like fairies, especially with the translation constantly calling them “fairies,” which only reinforced the vibe.
LYX was adorable as always; she just radiates cuteness even off-screen. Her crying was cute too. This was my first time watching HMH and I loved his acting — and his styling was incredible. His outfits, his hair, especially the white hair when he turned evil… perfection.
The OSTs were amazing too, and Liu Yuning really dominated this year yet again.
I rarely say this, but I don’t think any of the characters were particularly smart. Not even JBZ. He got lied to for so many episodes while the truth was right in front of him, and it made the plot feel frustrating rather than dramatic.
I think viewers who are new to xianxia might find this drama magical and romantic. But for people who have watched a lot of xianxia, this probably won’t hit the mark.
It’s disappointing when a drama with an 8.8 rating and overwhelming hype ends up feeling just okay. It makes you wonder whether the issue is your expectations or the show itself. I don’t think the drama is bad — it just fell far short of the level of masterpiece I was promised.The show had more talk than action for a Xinxia.
Would I recommend it?
Maybe — if you want to enjoy the main leads and ignore the messy plot, the continuous lies, and the lack of smart character writing. But if you’re looking for an addictive storyline, emotional payoff, or true heart-fluttering moments (which xianxia usually excels at), then this is probably not the one.
I genuinely wish I loved it more.

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Completed
The Scandal of Chun Hwa
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 13, 2025
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

New to my taste and i liked it

Historical drama meets modern issues. Yes, this is what the story is all about. I love the series from start until the end. The only complaint i have is the love story of the crown prince. He both lost his wife and his lover, which is kinda bum. He deserves to be loved you know.

Kudos to Son Woo Hyun. He is so great of an actor he is so hot and elegant at the same time. I wish for more projects and main role cast for him.

Overall i am satisfied with this drama series.
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Ongoing 12/12
Spirit Fingers
1 people found this review helpful
Nov 13, 2025
12 of 12 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

Peak Loserism in Love + Coming of age drama!

After seeing so many tiktoks of the next loser in love I just had to start watching Spirit Fingers! I never actually read the manhwa (when I was still in my webtoon phase—IM NOT IN MY WEBTOON PHASE ANYMORE at least not for now) but always heard good things about it, and might actually end up starting it after this ends!

Spirit Fingers tells the story of Song Uyeon, a student in high school who has played her entire life safe. She only has 2 close friends, does average in school, isn't known for being the prettiest or the most stylish, and spends majority of her life comparing herself to others. Growing up with a strict (lowkey verbally abusive) mom and 2 genius brothers (one older and one younger—oh man, middle child problems...) hasn't exactly boosted her self-esteem, and instead has been a great part of why she always thinks less of herself. She continues playing the role of a background character she thinks herself to be, that is, until one day she encounters a drawing club who asked her to model for them. They call themselves Spirit Fingers, an unusual group consisting of college students, middle aged adults, and eventually, Uyeon herself (and also very soon some loser named Gi Jeong). They meet every Sunday, choosing a theme to dress up in and sketch each other's costumes. And while it really does sound weird, it also becomes a place of comfort, as well as Uyeon's strength when it comes to facing problems in life. The more meetings she goes to, the greater her self confidence grows, and seeing a found family be formed is always one of the most heartwarming parts in these types of dramas. They all play a part in getting her to open up, to be brave when she should be, and to love herself more! This drama explores many different themes and relationships, such as friendships, romantic relationships, lifelong connections, as well as the harder to watch ones like divorced parents, bullying, and family strains. They might not be given a lot of time to explore each one further, and I'd describe them as small, but impactful.

Onto the romance !!!
Like I mentioned, Gi Jeong, another high school student who's also the little brother of one of the members becomes part of Spirit Fingers too. He's known for being popular, a model for a shopping mall, but he does very poorly in school. I love that he's a little dumb like that because why should these guys always be the entire package. He's terrible at spelling, grammar, says the wrong phrases, but he makes up for a lot of that with his endearing personality! While his encounters with Uyeon don't start off very pleasant, the 2 eventually hit it off and become close friends enveloped in an unfortunate one-sided love for Gi Jeong. He's the type of person that Uyeon envies the most, someone who seems to have it all, the looks, the attention, the style—unfortunately, not the academic brain—but he's confident in what he does and who he is. That's something that Uyeon has never gotten used it. He becomes a pillar of confidence for her whenever she runs into trouble. And let's not act like Uyeon doesn't have anything to offer. She's such a kind person and always a reliable friend, it's just sad to see her make so many self sacrifices for the people she loves at the expense of herself. However, she helps Gi Jeong grow into someone more mature, and more caring about the people in his life. You get to see their chaotic friendship turn into something more as their relationship grows deeper and they're genuinely so cute!! Honestly one of the top losers in love that I've watched so far. Also in case anyone else loves love, there are actually a lot of hinted romantic relationships in this drama and it seems like everyone's gonna be coupled up soon! Unrealistic, who cares, they're all so adorable and made for each other. I will say tho another prominent couple are the college students, Geu Rin (total girl crush btw), and Koo Seon Ho, who've been friends their entire lives. Another poor guy stuck in a one-sided crush!

The actor for Gi Jeong, Cho Jun Young, does an AMAZING job of portraying his character, literally one of the most animated people I've ever seen. He was absolutely perfect for portraying Gi Jeong and even without reading the webtoon I know he brought the character to life and did him justice. Really hope he gets an even bigger breakout role soon. Also always awesome seeing Park You Na—loved her since true beauty! She plays Geu Rin so well too, and them as siblings is exactly the chaos I want to see on screen. All the side characters were also great. I do want to comment on Bo Min and Park Ji Hu's acting though. Bo Min does have the image of the gentle and handsome college student down but acting comes off just a bit stiff at times. Park Ji Hu plays the awkward low self-esteem character decently, but I can definitely see room for improvement. It's awkward but a little wooden, and no I definitely don't believe it's because she's "supposed" to be awkward. I think I would have enjoyed her portrayal more if it seemed a bit more natural. Nonetheless, she's still a young actor and doing a great job.

Overall this is a really great coming of age drama and a good reminder to love ourselves a little more. Check it out if you're looking for something unique, fun, messy, heartwarming, and romantic!

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Dropped 3/32
One Spring Night
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 13, 2025
3 of 32 episodes seen
Dropped 1
Overall 3.0
Story 1.0
Acting/Cast 5.0
Music 1.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers
I started watching this on a whim since the trailer was interesting. I'm okay with one of the leads starting out in a different relationship and then finding the other lead. I'm not a fan of one of the leads falling for the other lead while IN a different relationship. And I am 100% against cheating- it is not justifiable, it is not romantic, it is not okay. In the past I have always dropped the show when I realize that's what the plot is. This time I held on a little longer because the ML's acting was so compelling.
Other problems:
-the FL was entirely unlikable. She was pouty, she was cranky for no reason, she was selfish. She reminded me of the FL from She Would Never Know, whom I couldn't stand. She said she hated lies, but her entire screen time was one big smush of lies. She was wishy-washy with her boyfriend, while telling the ML she wasn't interested in getting involved but stringing him along the entire time. Which brings me to...
-what the duece did the ML see in her? Can someone please explain what her allure was? Never mind, I don't actually care.
-there were two songs that took turns filling up the airspace like a Groundhog Day of folksy elevator music.

The ML did a great job of pulling me in to his character. The little boy was really cute. That's about all I've got.

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Completed
Petrichor: Uncut
1 people found this review helpful
by Swivla
Nov 13, 2025
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 5.0
Music 3.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

Very mixed bag

THE GOOD

About half of this show is well written and treated with respect for the viewer. It actually feels like if a writer or director just made a strong effort and changed like 15% this would have soared from a 5/10 to a 9/10. Sadly big problems do more damage than the strong foundation on this one could stand.

The main romance is mostly well handled. Not like very deep or nuanced, but pretty good. It is nice to see fully adults leading romance dramas.

Refreshing to not have many of the usual overdone GL tropes. Since there's thriller plot we dont bother with the usual tropes.

...the friendgroup vibes are pretty good

THE BAD

Honestly there is a lot of bad

Most side characters are utterly flat, written with no nuance or depth and acted as though it is highschool theater. This is constant and it is a majority of the characters. It is so painful, that this aspect alone begs you to drop the show every single episode.

Massive plot holes at every turn. Pretty much everytime the thriller plotlines would reach a head, the reasoning for what happens just falls apart as though the writers are just slapping together the idea of what a cop show plot would do there. Glaring issues.

Nearly no character who does evil stuff gets any consequences. And there are so many characters being utterly corrupt and doing atrocious stuff. Zero justice here.

Fundamental misogyny in the crimes, just never addressed? In a GL? Why do these shows use so much of this stuff and just never deliver a moral?

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Ongoing 14/14
Dynamite Kiss
43 people found this review helpful
Nov 13, 2025
14 of 14 episodes seen
Ongoing 3
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 10

One of the Best 1st Eps of a K-Drama I’ve Seen!

I often fast forward the 1st episode of a KDrama impatient for the story to get going. Not for Dynamite Kiss! What a start to a series! The episode was fantastic. The chemistry between the ml and fl is SO good! I honestly wasn’t a big fan of the fl in My Dearest but she’s so charming and funny here, and when she appears in the expensive dress and all made up, I was absolutely blown away by how beautiful and elegant she looked! Wow. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her during the entire party scene. But it’s really about the chemistry and I can’t wait to see more of their interactions in the upcoming episodes!

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Completed
Blemish Flaw
13 people found this review helpful
Nov 13, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 7.5

Lens of Obsession or Rationality

This will be a short review, as revealing too many details would take away the thrill and suspense. If you enjoy a well-crafted psychological drama, this one is definitely worth watching.

I recommend it not only for its intriguing storytelling and the unexpected twists in every episode, but also for the fantastic acting and undeniable chemistry among the cast. If you’re familiar with Qin Jun Jie, you might recognize him from the underrated yet excellent drama Hero. Here, you’ll see several familiar faces from that series, and their natural chemistry truly elevates the show.

As the synopsis suggests, the story begins with an investigation into a missing ex-girlfriend, which slowly spirals into obsession as more suspicious clues emerge. The main lead, Yang Zheng Hui (aka Da Hui Hui), a full-time detective blogger, becomes entangled with Zeng Jie (played brilliantly by Wang Duo), his wife Bai Xiao Ling (Maggie Huang, who gives an equally compelling performance), the police officer Li De, and the lawyer Zhang Ye. I especially loved the friendship that developed between Da Hui Hui and Li De—it added warmth and depth amidst all the tension.

Kudos to Qin Jun Jie, Wang Duo, and Maggie Huang for their exceptional performances—especially Wang Duo, who shines as a complex, morally grey character.

The storytelling perspective is particularly well done: we begin through Da Hui Hui’s eyes, then shift to the perpetrator’s point of view, and finally reach a neutral perspective through Li De as the evidence unfolds. I noted that episode 15 felt like the author’s intended ending, but episode 16 adds a meaningful layer—showing how every crime leaves behind loopholes, and prompting us to question whether we analyze things rationally or through our own biases.

One of the strongest messages here is that revenge should never be taken into one’s own hands.

Another reason this drama stands out is its excellent direction and cinematography. The framing and camera angles heighten the intensity and tension of each scene, making the viewing experience even more captivating.

In short, this is a gripping psychological drama—intelligent, emotional, and beautifully executed. Highly recommended, just don’t fast forward and avoid skip watch as you will miss the details.

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Completed
Fake Bride, Real Revenge
2 people found this review helpful
Nov 13, 2025
65 of 65 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

Determind FL, sizzling chemistry & ML with fabulous abs - what's not to like?

I had seen a short behind the scene clip of Qian Zhe and Meng Na but I wasn't sure if it was from the earlier collab drama that they did. It turned out to be for this drama. I am a fan of Qian Zhe's acting and must say I like this collab between him and Meng Na. I enjoyed this drama a lot.

What I liked:
1. Romance - There was allure in their first encounter. The tango was sexy even though less fluid movements. There were great spicy and sweet moments between FL and ML. I loved their second dance, which they did in private.
2. FL characterisation - I liked her determination in ensuring her father's patent not going to the wrong hands. She was smart to seek alliance.
3. ML characterisation - Tactical & resourceful. I liked that he genuinely wanted to help FL.
4. Styling - FL's engagement dress had a gothic feel. I liked! I also liked ML's outfits.
5. Rival arc - Riveting! I like the rivalry in business, sibling & love.
6. Supporting characters - I liked ML's mother, FL's father.
7. Duration - This drama is less than 2 hours. A plus point for me as I struggle with dramas longer than 2.5 hours.
8. Acting - I finally found a Meng Na drama that I liked! Enjoyed her performance here and she had great chemistry with Qian Zhe, I enjoyed his performance here too as there was a moment of vulnerability shown there.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - I found ML's assistant a bit handsy. She went over the boundary. ML's brother was power hungry. FL's cousin was envious. ML's ex fiancée was annoying.

Favourite scene
When FL seduced ML who was pretending to be vegetative

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Completed
My Secret Vampire
0 people found this review helpful
by Behry
Nov 13, 2025
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers

A Sparse But Moving And Romantic Korean BL

Despite it being a somewhat minimalist, austere (low-budget?) production without much lore or special effects, I really enjoyed this one. The acting was good, and got better as the show progressed. But the chemistry of the two romantic leads is what really makes this one work, I think. I found myself really rooting for them. The writing was good as well, though I do wish they'd included a little more vampire lore for fun. These particular vampires seem like perfectly normal guys who just happen to need to drink blood. I.e., they can walk around in sunlight, eat human food, etc. But that's ok. I definitely wouldn't mind a second season of this one. It'd be fun to explore the developing relationship between human Dong Ha and vampire Ju Won some more. Overall, I'd recommend this one to anyone who might enjoy an understated but moving and romantic Korean BL.

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Completed
Khemjira
27 people found this review helpful
by oxenthi Big Brain Award1
Nov 13, 2025
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 5
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

Bound by fate, kept by love, strengthened by never giving up

Khemjira stands as one of 2025’s most unexpected triumphs, not only within the BL sphere but across Thai television as a whole. What appears at first glance to be a mere romance quickly reveals itself as something far more layered, weaving love, destiny, forgiveness, and spirituality into a production guided by impeccable direction and elevated by unforgettable performances. It’s rare to encounter a series so complete, where every frame has purpose and every choice resonates beyond what the eye can see.

From the opening episode, it becomes clear that Khemjira is committed to charting its own path. By blending horror, drama, and romance, the series crafts an atmosphere both gripping and deeply moving. The story of Khem and Peem, or Pharan, unfolds with a tenderness that feels disarmingly genuine. Their love grows in cautious steps, shaped by hesitation and longing, and it’s precisely this slow burn that grounds their relationship in something recognizably human. Watching the master finally yield to love after so much resistance is profoundly rewarding. And when both characters find peace at last, granting themselves permission to love freely, the experience delivers a relief as tangible as a breath you didn’t realize you were holding.

But Khemjira’s strength extends far beyond its central romance. The writing gives every character depth and intention. Jet and Charn, for instance, form one of the most thoughtfully crafted secondary couples the genre has seen in years. Their easy, playful connection serves as a gentle pause amid the narrative’s emotional weight. Every storyline flows naturally into the next, building toward a conclusion that is as cohesive as it is moving.

And what a conclusion it is. Nearly two hours of uninterrupted storytelling, and not a moment feels superfluous. Every farewell, every reunion, every gesture of forgiveness lands with purpose. Ramphueng’s redemption, her long-awaited reconnection with her son, emerges as one of the year’s most affecting scenes. A character shaped by grief and rage finally finds peace. Khem’s act of forgiveness, more than symbolic, breaks a cycle of hatred and reminds us that love, at its most sincere, is inseparable from compassion.

DMD’s direction deserves particular praise. A company often acknowledged for technical competence but not necessarily for narrative strength, it surpasses expectations here. Pacing, performances, visuals, sound, everything aligns with striking precision. The series treats Thai spirituality and cultural elements with a level of respect and intentionality that elevates each moment, transforming the entire production into something quietly profound.

KengNamping and TleFirstOne prove themselves perfectly cast. Keng’s portrayal of Pharan commands every scene with a calm power, while Namping infuses Khem with tenderness, courage, and a steady emotional depth. Their chemistry is undeniable, but more compelling still is the sincerity with which they portray vulnerability. Tle and FirstOne, as Charn and Jet, deliver warmth and charm that balance the narrative beautifully.

Visually, Khemjira is nothing short of breathtaking. Each shot is composed like a painting, every interplay of light and shadow deliberate. Costumes, makeup, and visual effects are exceptional, especially when you consider that we’re talking about a Thai production, where technical polish is still far from the norm. The spiritual sequences, in particular, are impressively executed, elevating the narrative without ever feeling excessive. The soundtrack ties everything together with emotional precision, enriching the story without overwhelming it. At its core, Khemjira is a meditation on love and destiny, on bonds that outlast time, death, and even karma. It’s a story about forgiveness, renewal, and the courage to choose love despite the pain that often comes with it.

Watching Khemjira becomes an experience rather than a simple viewing. It invites you to feel everything, fear, longing, joy, ache, and few series manage to offer something so complete or so lasting. It’s one of those rare stories that ends but refuses to leave you, filling the heart while leaving a quiet, familiar ache of missing it already. A gift for anyone who still believes in stories that reach the soul.

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Ongoing 14/14
Dynamite Kiss
31 people found this review helpful
Nov 13, 2025
14 of 14 episodes seen
Ongoing 1
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.5

Has the best pilot episode for RomCom Kdrama in 2025

The first episode is insanely good, and interesting. The two leads have this amazing chemistry together; every scene with them feels electric and totally natural. The male lead is super charming—he draws you in without even trying, like he's got this easy magnetism. The female lead matches him perfectly with her lively energy and sweet vibe, balancing his cool style in the best way. As they share the screen, the sparks fly, their interactions crackling with a palpable energy that's both intoxicating and believable. I'm hooked, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

-Episode 1&2

Ps: The writer did know what to do in the last episode, so she just added the amnesia thing out of nowhere, but I like the way it ended – happy, married, with kids. But I still believe that Seon U isn't good for my Hayeong; the writer did her dirty. Dynamite Kiss may not be the best Kdrama, but the ML and FL chemistry is undeniably one of the best in RomCom Kdrama history. The first two episodes are undeniably the best pilot episodes for a RomCom Kdrama. 😊

-end and final review

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