Reviews

face cards delivered, writing did not

Overall: I think the actors did their best with an underwhelming plot. 8 episodes about 25 min each. Aired on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/peach-trap-episode-1-25v64vqz458?lang=en_us ; GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5964/peach-trap-2025-e01 (not United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Mexico, Spain, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Taiwain) & Heavenly (South Korea)

Content Warning: non/dub con kissing, punch, manipulation

What I Liked
- visuals
- peach references
- easy to understand premise
- Do Ha showed some initiative in episode 8

Room For Improvement
- even with the fantasy element, I couldn't believe 3 gorgeous men were all in love with the human equivalent of a damp rag, in the end I wanted Do Ha to be alone, talk with a therapist and learn to be an adult human
- too much of the ML moping/being indecisive and flashbacks
- one character punched a character and the line afterward was maybe supposed to be romantic but came across as creepy
- another character manipulated Do Ha and he managed to get a love interest at the end

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Whimsical & Lighthearted

A truly whimsical tale done with love and executed well. Animations provide backstory and they are illustrated with a classic timelessness that truly sets the mood for the early episodes.

It is a fairytale plopped right into the contemporary world and much like Secret Vampire, offers a humorous glimpse into how otherworldly creatures acclimate to being a part of- yet apart from- the human world.

The acting stays solidly grounded in realistic performance, ensuring the fantasy tone and story elements also stay grounded.

This is a lovely piece to watch on a cold night with your favorite blanket and a cup of cocoa with marshmallows.

It was delightful.

While it does complete the narrative arc, the slight open ended final moments leave the door open for a second season or a few special episodes.

Fresh characters, fresh folk tale presentation and some adherence to trope and genre does make it a little predictable, but the cast is so likable, you won't mind that you know where it's going.

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A love story that felt real and kind

This drama completely stole my heart in the softest, most unexpected way. From the first episode, it wrapped me in its calm, healing atmosphere that makes you want to just stop and feel. The story moves slowly, but every moment has meaning: the quiet exchanges, the lingering glances, the gentle growth of two people learning to love and heal together.

Zhang Ling He and Xu Ruo Han’s chemistry felt so natural and sincere. Their connection wasn’t about big, dramatic moments but about the smallest things, a look, a smile, the kind of silence that feels safe. It’s the kind of romance that stays with you because it feels real and full of warmth.

More than just a love story, The Best Thing is about finding peace, rediscovering yourself, and learning that sometimes love arrives quietly. It’s a comforting, emotional journey that feels like a warm embrace, tender, genuine, and unforgettable.

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Hooked from the first ring!!!

I was completely hooked by When the Phone Rings. It drew me in from the very first episode with its gripping mystery, emotional depth, and the quiet tension that kept building throughout. The pacing, the atmosphere, and the way the story explored human connection and loneliness through something as simple as a phone call really stayed with me. The performances were strong and the characters felt layered, each carrying their own secrets and regrets.

Some scenes in the last episode didn’t quite work for me... they felt a bit out of place or unnecessary, and I think the finale could’ve been stronger and more impactful without them. Still, despite a few stumbles at the end, I genuinely enjoyed the drama overall. It was emotional, thought-provoking, and left me thinking about it long after it ended.

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If it weren't for Pock, the series would have flopped

Let me make it clear here, if Pock wasn't in the series, I would have dropped it right away. The protagonists are annoying, seven years pass and they still have the mentality of children, anything is a reason for a fight. How irritating! The old (poorly done) cliché of the couple who meet in school, date, and break up for the good of the other. It seems impossible for Kee and Pee to have an adult conversation in the series or to reason like adults. Seriously, a good conversation and this series would have been different. Is it so difficult for two people to make a plan to date long-distance in secret or something like that? Is it so difficult not to tell a secret but to sincerely apologize and ask for a second chance? Everything has a limit, and this series, FOR ME, goes beyond the line of funny and makes jokes about situations that shouldn't be jokes.

But anyway... There's a lot of worse GL out there, it's still a good distraction.

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I can't believe this series is so underrated.

This is definitely the most entertaining and sweetest kbl series I've watched this year.

Okay, the story starts off completely cliché: a boy living in the moves to Seoul with dreams of becoming an actor.
But the course of the scenario is completely different. I was happy to see a goblin in a kbl scenario for the first time.

Bi Hyeong is definitely the cutest goblin I've ever watched. The cute story of both couples made me so happy and moved me in so many ways while watching it that I can't even begin to describe it. You know those weird moves you make behind the scenes when you're texting someone you're in love with? I was imitating those moves while watching the series.

12 episodes seemed so insufficient to me. If Korea paid attention to the bl industry and produced one-hour episodes like Kdramas, I think they could produce great scripts.

Watch this series and let each episode make you laugh like lovers.

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“Can’t help but come by often.”

Finally, I have finished the drama. Well and it was a miss but it played well. It was one where I hanged on but no clippings caught me. I was blown away. But came back. Yes, I did enjoyed most of it and admit the flaws. This was a case where there were a a lot of evidences and witnesses but they were kind of too much and irrelevant. I liked the happy happy friendship vibes also the drop bit of romance. For the rating

**7.8ish/10 but I’ll give an 8**

It is a rating which was pushed up at start of very last episode. I had my hopes down during the last quarter. It was just I was being pushed with so much of information, that I was stopping it at times. But, wrapping up something plays a lot to me. Even the dramas with bestest acts and writing fail to merge the lines at end. This drama really gave me a good insight at end. For my part of review, I’ll discuss the factors below,

> The end
It started with Seochodong and terminated to see you around there. I was captivated by this circle. The start had the lines emerge which looked coincident and together but as story progressed they went parallel. The Seochodong was the converging lens. “You’ll be comfortable here”, Mr. Ahn said. As, whatever and however excruciating it is. It’s home. It’s a reunion. Maybe a hug? The detach was just for something new. I am glad it wasn’t the drama where they just go like “here we go again” trope. But rather I saw a new line at end of circle. There were changes. Which were necessary to move on. Cause to move on, motions shall be possessed.

> The Friendship
The drama showcased friendship in a more natural and engaging way. There were many moments where I thought, “Ah, I have experienced this”, you much to say but you keep it in. They were always there supporting each other, yet had storms of their own, still calmed down others. But eventually, they did poured it. “When you can’t hold, I’ll be there. When you stop, I’ll be there.” Writer didn’t pushed the friendship rather made it grow. It cooked on a low flame, like the hotpot.

> Perspective
During a case, ML and FL were arguing over case in initial episodes. I was annoyed by MLs thought, like FL, but as he polished the case. I was AWED. It was a new eye. Towards end, the case of grandmother. How well fl took it, she wasn’t there to prove her innocent and chug the case. But, make her hidden soul shine. Grandma did murdered, but circumstances which lead to it shall not be taken lightly [Ik it’s not fair, I have no right to say it, but things don’t stand own their own there’s something behind]. I was myself at barbaric consultation with my inner self I did thought for a while. You may too!

> Parallelism, Cinematography and Eggs
The strings which connected today’s Fl and ML with the ones young in their youth a making it run in a congruity was well. Some transitions were smooth. There was a scene at end of ep 1, where camera focuses on a half filled beer glass, suggesting that there is something still bubbling. Their backstory was fresh, where the leads had a different charm.
The earthquake things which came at the entry of FL and building owner suggested changes and unseen initiatives. There were so much small of details and eggs scattered here and there, but I’ll keep it short.
I enjoyed subtle boxing and lines of division used throughout. Honourable mentions were the subway scene of ML and Fl which was at end of an episode. And in the one of the last few eps, there was a scene where they all were eating a restaurant where they order gyoza with something. And camera moves out boxing them in groups. Which indicates some similar thought alignment and likability. In most meetings of Fl and ML boxing was used to describe the intimacy.

> Acting, Plot and Theme
Acting was well. I really like the actresses acting and it was my first time with ML. But my fav ones are 2nd FLs husband and Attorney or I should say Prosecutor Cho. I clicked with Cho as he’s one at centre yet shadowed. Talkative yet one left not talked. I was annoyed at once when all leads were just cutting him off. Actor was well. I enjoyed each aspect of acts and didn’t felt it went low enough. Ofc few misses were there.
Plot, not much of a plot was there. It was just like new episode new talk with side stories wiring around.
Theme, the law based theme and everything was just not too much great either bad but wasn’t avg. The subtle calming tone catalysed by food like a warm hug did some for me. Their interactions were always so much of inviting and exhilarating. I find no obnoxious things about this tone. Whereas the serious, volatile nature during cases was fine. Not much of talk.

For ost, I only enjoyed “can I love you” by doko other ones didn’t really reached to my ear. Should’ve used them better imo.

Misses
> Too much at once
> Some cases were left at void
> I don’t think it classifies as Romance, cause I got a bare minimum of Romance. (Not to mention the screen time of leads.)
> Should’ve given more screen to pregnant phase to deepen it at end.
> Was perplexing at time. Writer might’ve been rambling stuff at one point.
> No gravity was created for cases, like come yes ah go
> Would’ve liked more of a proper context of Building owner. At least a support system underneath. (Or she was meant to be like that idk but ya)

That’s all!!!
My nutshell review would be, give it a chance. Just don’t go with a lot of hopes. And you won’t be disappointed, we can’t really hope dahlias in brisk of winter dusk. Bustling and hustling life’s of attorneys fighting inside out. New ideas and ideologies scattered waiting to be induced. Happy watching! I am open for discussions, critics and more of your thoughts!!! Cyaaaa till thennn new drama comes idk what I’ll watchhh! Hearts!

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Funny cute, but.....

This was a funny cute series but.... Yes, the but is there and glaringly so. I don't think this was delivered with the right formula. Placing Cheoyong throughout the series would have given it a little more balance and might have made the hap hazard scenarios funnier. Gil Dal's dramatic seriousness would have weighed heavier and not felt as tho, he alone was bringing the drama. Geum Bok and Bi Hyeong felt like a continuous joke, enjoyable yes, but their plight seemed trivial.

Overall, their moments were humorous. The love between the both couples were unique to themselves and didn't feel generic. I liked the way Ji Gwi's presence was introduced within the main's love story. I didn't like the interjection of the ex who wanted more. Gil Dal and Ji Gwi's story didn't need this. Please, stop with the random pathetic exes. The playful banter between Geum Bok and Bi Hyeong was really funny. Bi Hyeong's ego was on a bigger scale but easily put aside for Geum Bok. Their moment of anguish appropriately done.

The ending implies their trials are not over which suited their 1000 + year old relationship. Gil Dal's and Ji Gwi's final meeting showed how easily all could be forgiven in the name of love. Tho the implication is there, I'm hoping this is the end. The cast and storyline didn't grab me as much as it could. Still, it was a nice watch.

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