Reviews

A Kpop stan's dream come true!

Idol I is a cute watch— its basically a dream come true for every Kpop stan. Se Na, a stan of the Kpop group Gold Boys, but specifically the lead singer, La Ik, gets to be his defense attorney when he gets accused of killing his fellow Gold Boys member and good friend. What follows, is a "mystery" that was pretty easy to see through, and a cutesy love story between Se Na and La Ik, which was strangely vanilla, like they were highschool teenagers instead of adults in their 30s.

Still, I thought the acting was amazing by both leads, and the chemistry was there. Since it was just 12 episodes, it did not feel very draggy, and was overall a cute watch. I just wish this show did not follow the classic Kdrama trope that I am now seeing EVERYWHERE. Which is, the leads were somehow connected when they were kids, and that's when their relationship "actually" began.
*sigh*

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masterpiece

It is beyond me, how they managed to make this story with only 15 minutes episodes? I guess this is prime example of how well a story can work even with such a limited runtime if the writing and directing is good. Lots of series with over 10 episodes and 45 minutes don't show the quality and depth this one managed to deliver.

We have two high school friends, who had to part ways as the mc's family moved out of town right after his graduation. As a hopeless, last ditch effort the mc uses their last talk with his best friend to tell him that he likes him. The best friend misunderstands at first, and says that he likes him too so mc clarifies that he means romantically and impulsively kisses him. Seeing his friend's bewildered reaction he apologizes and runs away - quite literally as afterwards the friend is unable to reach him ever again.

After, I believe it was seven? years, due to pure random luck the mc runs into him again at a job interview. MC is obviously shaken by the most awkward reunion and even worse, his old friends seems to pick on him at work as he keeps pestering him. Except, when he confronts him about it, the friend confesses his feelings to him and tells him that he actually tried looking for him all these years..

I liked that the characters' reactions were believable and they talked out their past grievences and actively discussed what they want from each other. At the end of every episode there are cute segment of the supposed game they are working on together - but it is essentially flashbacks about the mc and his friend from when they were in school together. These snippets reveal a lot about their relationship in school and makes you understand why they liked each other and why mc had some hopes that their feelings might be mutual. I really loved the actors chemistry and that consent was clear all along. The directors clearly did a really great job and their kisses were phenomenal.

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weak writing but otherwise OK

I finished this in the end, despite the weak start. The story was OK but didn't really show much originality. It felt like most of the issues could have been resolved within 5 minutes if the MC and LI just sat down and talked, instead we got each of their issues drawn out into full episodes. It felt like the writing wanted to make this story really wholesome, but for that the characters were acting out too much. And they shyed away from making the characters truly problematic.. so in the end we got these rather meandering fights and conversations which did resolve their issue but didn't really hit that emotional reaction they were going for.

The LI started out with some red flags: lowkey threatening the MC with blackmail - which he never followed up upon, nonconsensual touching at the workplace, a noncon first kiss.. and acting as if he could emotionally manipulate the MC to date him. Yet, somehow he turned into the most vanilla and loving bf once the MC gave him a chance, and followed MC's every whim as if his life depended on it.

MC was incredible passive and barely did anything by his own volition for the first few episodes, then actually started to grow into his own and make his own choices. I have really appreciated this, however, he quickly turned into one of those guys who wants to make his partner's decisions for them once they got together. I honestly didn't understand most of the time how he came to certain decisions, as it wasn't explained by the narration. And then he tried to force his own views onto the LI - eg. the LI was low contact with his neglectful family and MC kept pushing him to keep in touch with them and insisted that this was the right way, instead of trying to listen to the LI and accept his choices.

Overall, the story often felt boring, and a bit frustrating but it had a few cute scenes and they had surprisingly good kisses - especially for a J-BL. The characters could have used more depth and personality, instead of relying so much on the narration.

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This series is not about burnout.

STORY - 5/10
"burnout
- extreme tiredness or mental or physical illness caused by working too hard or trying to do too much"

I genuinely think that none of the characters in "Burnout Syndrome" are actually burned out. At least the story doesn't portray them that way. Overall this series tries so hard to make complex, morally grey characters but fails because they aren't given enough screentime by themselves. Nobody feels fleshed out or even remotely likeable. You'll be stuck in a loop of endless, useless drama. The love triangle tries to look more like a Bermuda triangle, tbh. The ending is terrible. None of the previous issues were addressed or fixed. There's surprisingly absolutely no character development. Instead, there's just a time skip where we are meant to assume that some reflection has happened. Forcing this ending was the worst possible outcome for this show.
In the beginning I was intrigued by all the themes that the show wanted to address, like, e.g., burnout, AI, toxic selfishness, art, and a lot more. But in the end none of these issues were discussed thoroughly in a way that is satisfactory. The story wanted to be character-driven and at the same time address all these bigger issues and in the end failed at both aspects. I'm really disappointed.
Pheem and Jira never clicked for me, even though they did for others. They just felt kind of awkward to me. Koh and Jira were better (especially in the beginning), but Koh was being really toxic, and that's why their relationship also didn't seem quite right to me.
I hate Jira because he was just a little indecisive bitch the whole show and basically the root of all his own problems and the suffering of all the other characters.
There were a couple of things I liked, though. Especially in the beginning, I really liked Jira's relationship to Koh as art and muse. Other than that, I also appreciated that Koh could only sleep when Jira was near him. The aspect with the burnout bar also was really interesting to me. Generally the show had a lot of really good and interesting ideas with lacking execution.

ACTING/CAST - 7/10
This show was also Dew's first BL, and he did an excellent job at acting (as Pheem), which I hope to see put to good use in another BL in the future (maybe as the main lead (not in a love triangle)). Other than that, I didn't like how some characters sometimes hold these somewhat longer monologues, which kind of sound like a lecture to me.

MUSIC - 7.5/10
I liked the music, but it was nothing special.

REWATCH VALUE - 1/10
I will never watch this again, and you should not either. The story is way too messy and annoying for that.

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pushy love interest

I liked the premise- childhood friends who don't realize they are in love with each other, until both of them starts dating. The main character asks his friend to coach him in dating so they can ask out their crush. Said friend uses this opportunity to seduce the mc under the guise of going on practice dates.

I feel like this could have been such a good story, to show their already existing chemistry and use the "fake dating" excuse so they can make out.. but the problem is that the friend is extremely inpatient and keeps pushing the mc's boundaries at every given chance. He kisses the mc forcefully and keeps touching him, even after the mc asks him to stop several times. It is clear to the audience that they both like each other, but the mc never gives him the green light to go ahead in the first ep. In the next the friend started to get even worse with acting jealous of mc's crush and getting in between them. I will be dropping this bc I don't like redflag love interests and noncon.

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ima be the odd one out - yes this was hilarious at times & even sexy at others. BUT if u take out those parts & looked at the meat & bone of the thing, this was so bad (& not talking about the acting, which wasn't always good). but the plot or rather the MC = Bing was a selfish, self-centered a**hole - sorry not sorry.

yeah i get he was traumatized by the bullying he suffered as a child (leave the fact that i know people that suffered worse & they didn't turn out, like him) but i also know that u can't judge how deeply something can effect an individual.
same with judging beauty standers; cause IMO Bing wasn't ugly, like didn't think Max was fat - but kids being kids they will notice something insignificant & blow it up, just to make fun of whomever their target is. like i get that kids lack the tools to ignore or disregard crap that's thrown their way.
so i get Bing not being able to shake off insults, that were not a real issue, as anyone knows u grow out of being a gangly child-teen as u grow into ur own & get comfortable in ur own skin - they don't call it growing pains for nothing. everything changes, the "ugly duckling" effect is a real thing for some. but Bing was so insecure he had to seek professional help to change - fine. but how did that help him? as he then choses to live a life or promiscuity cause getting even by sleeping with all the guys that wronged him, is the way to go - what?!?? i don't get the logic behind this thought process - if it's just fun & games i get the frivolity in thinking this somehow gives Bing some power. but with a logical mind, it doesn't - if anything, this revenge plan would back fire sooner or later & blow up in Bing's face. like it did -

& if this wasn't enough, really didn't like what he did with Fuji, WTF was that? he not have enough d*ck, he targeted someone that was an innocent bystander (family at that - even if they not blood related & Fuji was the son of a close family friend, that he called Uncle, that's family & f*cked up) just for the fun of the conquest?!? cause like it or not - what he did to Fuji was basically grooming. the fact that it backfired spectacularly (where Fuji used him as a pocket pussy, was ironically hilarious & just deserts) but gaslighting Fuji, confusing his feelings of kinship, making him second guess the love that was platonic, making him wonder was it more...?!? was that anything by an ego massage?!? & people got the audacity - saying they should just be a throuple, cause Bing needs both to satisfy his needs... f*ck that! Bing is a selfish prick that wants to eat his cake & keep it whole. but more importantly, given his mentality there is nothing that will actually satisfy Bing, not Max, not Fuji... not them together - cause the problem is internal, so maybe therapy.

& just to be clear Max isn't the one in the wrong, he isn't the selfish one. when u love someone u want them to only be with u & not bed hop. u want them to be only ur's, to be considerate of u like u r of them - this a logical type of possessiveness. making this normal reaction towards the person u love - abnormal, is what's f*cked in this BL! trying to redefine the norm's of a relationship, is a b.s strategy to brainwash the viewer's & sadly there will be a gullible few that will buy this sh*t. u wanna be in an open relationship - say so, but don't try & sell that sh*t like it's normal, good or healthy - as if having rules & boundaries is now the abnormal thing - like plz with the gaslighting.

so if u r just watching this for the fun of it, great - it's fun. but i can't ignore how f*cked up the plot or the main character really is. personally i think both Fuji & Max should cut their loses short & leave Bing to "fend for himself". dude needs professional help, not d*ck -

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Jung Kyung Ho is a hella strong actor. I love how natural his acting feels, it never seems forced, and every emotion just lands perfectly. The other actors was good too but So Joo-yeon's character pmo so bad.The cases were really compelling and beautifully written, and now it makes sense knowing that the writer used to be a judge. The whole Pro Bono team kinda disappointed me for not trusting him at first, but honestly, if I were in their shoes, I’d probably react the same way in real life. I also loved how Kang Da-wit fought during the court hearings, his arguments were intense and satisfying to watch. I literally screamed when he pleaded guilty but still, the way he handled everything and still managed to win was so impressive. I really hope there’s a season 2 because I’m definitely rooting for it

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There is no chemistry between Yuyin and Yao Guanyu

I watched this last year when i was skeptical about Yuyin acting eventhough i like her. Yao Guanyu was fine playing madman ML (it's basically his expertise) but they don't have any chemistry as couple.

FL has ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). To fulfill her mother's dying wish, she sends her younger brother back to the Xie family. She approaches the ML. Six years ago, FL helped ML and he fell in love with he but FL dont remember him. ML manipulates her, luring the innocent girl into his trap. When her brother is kidnapped, FL begs him to save him, agreeing to be his lover.

This plot summarized melodrama plot that wont have Happy Ending and they make this drama Open Ending to make hope for fans. This version's plot is rather bland and not as engaging. The melodrama emotion are feel artificial and it was flat as surfboard.

Basically it's just not my cup of tea.

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Enjoyable pilot romance drama but wish the kisses were fiery

I discovered this drama when I visited Sun Qian Xun's douyin account for a reddit assignment. Wang Nian Jiang Cheng caught my attention when he acted alongside Peng Yao. I became interested in this drama and I must say it was a good watch.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I thought she would have the same background as other FL in pilot dramas but to my surprise, it wasn't. Her parents were rich but she never acted like a spoilt heiress. I liked that she was serious about her career.
2. Romance - She chased him. I liked that her moves weren't aggressive (like many Xue Zi Qi's FLs). ML slowly realised he liked him too and they had a sweet romance.
3. ML characterisation - I liked his cool & calm demeanor. If I am not mistaken, his parents were also rich but he was never a snob.
4. Acting - I liked the performance given by both SQX & WNJC.
5. Tone - It was an easy watch and the length was good.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - As usual, there is always a woman envious of FL. So yes there was green tea.
2. Kisses - I wish there were hot & fiery kisses. The drama was PG 13 for me.

Favourite scene
When ML realised he had fallen for FL

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The story follows Pat, an incredibly efficient but exhausted secretary working for Elyes, a young, successful, and... absolutely unbearable CEO. Elyes is demanding, cold, and has a volatile personality that tests Pat's patience every single second. However, behind the shouted orders and overtime nights, there is an undeniable attraction and a history of loyalty that begins to cross the professional line.

The relationship between Elyes (James Hayward) and Pat (Kad Ploysupa) is the engine of the series. They have that spark where you can tell they want each other as much as they want to strangle one another. The pair plays perfectly with the tension between the dominant boss and the employee who, while appearing submissive, is the only one who truly knows how to handle the "monster." James Prescott ensures the character isn't just "bad," but someone with a magnetism that justifies why Pat stays despite everything.

While Elyes is pure fire and control, Pat represents stability, creating a "push and pull" dynamic that truly gets you hooked.

The intimate scenes are well-choreographed and possess an intensity that BL fans usually appreciate when looking for something more mature than a high school romance.

Unlike other low-budget dramas, this one features a very polished aesthetic. The wardrobe, the offices, and the cinematography scream "luxury and power," which helps immensely in immersing the viewer in the corporate world.

If you don't like toxic personalities, this drama isn't for you. The series is called Bad Guy for a reason. If you're looking for a healthy relationship with "assertive communication" from Chapter 1, this isn't it. Elyes can be quite toxic and frustrating at the beginning.

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Cute but plotless romance

I would recommend this drama if you like cute romantic scenes (the drama is packed with them), healthy relationship dynamics, cute but protective male leads, and the appearance of Lee Junho. It definitely is a fluffy romance with a bit of drama, which doesn't really affect the main couple.

What I liked: the chemistry between the leads, the male lead's selfless personality, the bickering between the main couple at the beginning, the hotel setting, and the supporting couple's story.
What I disliked: the plot was very boring and predictable, the cute scenes got very repetitive, the characters' motives/goals were all over the place, tempo of the whole story was incredibly off.

This drama left me very indifferent. It is definitely not a good story, but the drama has very likeable characters and good production. The leads were somewhat enjoyable, but their dynamic got boring really quickly. Maybe it is also my personal assessment here because I am a slow-burn fan, which this drama was not. But if a person prefers a cute and quickly developing romance, then this would at least be a cute watch for them, despite the plot being boring.

The decisions and reactions the characters had were unsatisfactory. No character development arc, different plot points just happened to them without any deeper emotional immersion. I almost dropped the drama after episode 10 because the plot was basically non-existent (you cannot build a good drama just from cute romance scenes). I am relieved I decided to continue because the whole interesting part of the plot was in the last 5 episodes. Which was annoying since a) why not sooner? and b) they could have made the drama at least 3 episodes shorter. The supporting couple I think was the best developed part of the whole series; it actually had a realistic development and some personal doubts along the way.

At times, it reminded me of a fanfiction story; all the attention goes to romance, and the other parts are of bad quality. If you are a Lee Junho stan, it would definitely make your heart flutter. If you are not, you will admire his likeable acting and be occasionally irritated about the story development of his character. Overall, I think most people would get most of the satisfaction from this drama if they watch the romantic scenes on YouTube.

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FL knew her worth & scumbag ML never got second chance

I saw this drama poster on reelxia and I became intrigued. I had watched Zhang Yu Jiao but Li Hong Yu was unfamiliar to me. I decided to watch it last month and I quite liked it.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I liked that she knew what she was getting from the deal.made with ML & she never saw herself as a victim. She knew her bottom lone & worked very hard to complete the deal.
2. Supporting characters - I liked her colleagues from the first workplace. They saw her value to the company and were never toxic towards FL.
3. Styling - FL wore beautiful clothes. I loved the red jumpsuit.
4. Ending - Surprised by kindness.
5. Romance - Spicy scene between ML & FL but their relationship was transactional and toxic. FL was lucky to find love - she had sweet romance with SML.
6. Tone - Despite ML's toxicity, I liked this drama. It was well-paced.

What I disliked:
1. ML characterisation - A scumbag who thought he was FL's saviour because of his financial aid.
2. Green tea - She was stupid, mean & snobbish.

Favourite scene
When FL accepted SML's love confession

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W wasn't great and this one wasn't good. FL passive & uninteresting

Li Meng Ran is one of vertical drama actors that I can instantly recognised but never interested in his dramas. This drama appeared on iQIYI few weeks ago. I was intrigued by the premise so I watched it. It didn't quite meet my expectations.

What I liked:
1. Opening - The first few episodes reminded me of Korean drama W. I was compelled to watch the series till completion.
2. ML characterisation - I liked that the story is from ML's perspective. I liked seeing his emotional struggles from hatred to love. I also enjoyed his sneaky ways.
3. Tone - It had a lighthearted feel. The comic book feel also one of the reasons I liked this drama.
4. Ending - I liked it because it matched the state of FL during that time.

What I disliked:
1. FL characterisation - She was passive and bland. Her arc developed too slow. The memory lapse arc was simplified.
2. Romance - There were good kisses but their romance was underdeveloped. I didn't buy the fact that FL really loved ML especially when she was hung up on her boyfriend most of the time.
3. Antagonists - Female antagonist arc was underdeveloped. FL's ex was a typical scumbag with a snobbish mother.

Favourite scene
The tennis / squash match

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Good romance arc but I didn't see chemistry between ZX & YLQ

I noticed this drama when it was fresh release. The title implied ML was a playboy. I added to my watchlist and only watched it last week. It was a good watch though I expected something more.

What I liked:
1. Romance - I liked that they went into partnership after FL outsmarted ML. They liked each other and the kisses were good.
2. FL characterisation - She was smart for wanting to protect Pei inheritance.
3. ML characterisation - I liked that he was self-made businessman unfazed by family wealth. He wasn't interested to fight with his relative over inheritance.
4. Supporting characters - I liked ML's assistant & grandma.
5. Styling - I liked the outfits picked for both FL & ML.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - ML's bro & sis-in-law were greedy for wealth inheritance. I also didn't like the antagonist introduced in the third act.
2. Acting - Even though I enjoyed the romance arc, I didn't sense any chemistry between Zhang Xuan and Yang Luo Qian.

Favourite scene
The kiss on the counter

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