Reviews

I kind of liked it

Things I loved

1 The food component. I loved watching the preparation of the food. It was relaxing and so interesting. Truly I loved that part.

2 The actresses and especially one of them, the more carefree. I loved the three of them. I'm not sure why others say the acting was bad. They were funny and warm, and I believed in their friendship. No bad acting as far as I'm concerned.

Things I liked

1 The whole drama. It wasn't perfect but it was original, soothing, and made me smile quite a few times.

Things I disliked

1 The lack of romance. I was expecting a little bit of romance but there was literally none. A small part was related to a relationship but there was no romance per se. I understand that it wasn't that kind of drama but I wish there was something related to romance for each of them.

2 The ending. I didn't hate it, actually I loved some parts, but it could be better. It left me wanting more and I want a second season.

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Times flies like dragons, but don't change.

Finally finished it!

I'm a massive fan of "Queen Seondeok", and that's the main reason I watched watched multiple dramas from this writer duo. I have to say: So far, it's 3 out of 3. All three historical dramas they created were entertaining even if there were flaws with the story.

Overall they they didn't disappoint me. I gave it a 7/10 because let's face it, a long drama can't be perfect, it was dragged and but most importantly it was a bit repetitve, so just like with Seondeok, I can't give this a 10/10, but the acting, the directing, the score are top-tier and it has to be in my fave list.

I really don't want to go into details, because it's 50 episodes, and there's a LOT to talk about, but the MAIN STORY, the MAIN MESSAGE is the most important reason everyone should watch this.

You can take sides and even empathize with some of the "villains." or opposition, whatever we should call them, because ultimately every main character just wanted to build a better world. It's just a matter of which one harmed more people.

Just like Ddang Sae said:

"Don't look at the trees, look at the forest? You have no concern for the wild flowers that get crushed and die in the process."

Also, Gil Tae Mi:

"Since the beginning of time the weak have always been trampled on by the powerful. 1000 years ago and even 1000 years from now the weak will be stolen from by the powerful."

So, it doesn't matter how much good you want in the world, you're gonna hurt people in the process, and sadly Do Jeon was a really naive character and Bang Won was too agressive.


Imagine if they combined their power, they could've changed the world... or not, because even you can achieve peace and everyone can have a good life, it won't take long.


This is the ultimate message of the show in my opinion.

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Wickedly Unimpressed

I was expecting something wickedly good because I really enjoyed DaouOffroad in Century Of Love. Acting-wise, they delivered. The chemistry between them was undeniable, as always. No doubt about that but the story itself wasn’t so great.

Seeing Pheem wreak havoc everywhere wasn't exactly a surprise, given the title of the show. However, what really got under my skin was Than's character being such a pushover. I mean, Mr. Ex-Cop, have some self-respect, dude! After getting shot twice and nearly buried alive, I'd have expected him to have some sense of self-preservation and leave Pheem's toxic ass behind for GOOD. Never gonna happen because it a bl after all.

Pheem's character was cruel towards Than, to say the least. The way he manipulated Than was nothing short of emotional abuse. I mean, how do you keep breaking someone over and over again? And don't even get me started on how Pheem fakes his death and once again makes Than into a mess, only to return with a lame explanation and Than goes, "I love you". Lmao, bro is a real masochist. I couldn't help but feel that Pheem should be grateful that Than loved him enough to forgive him every single time.

The family drama was exhausting to watch. The dad was a piece of work. The way he delivered hot slaps every two seconds was just abusive.

And then there's Jet, who was just a hot mess. His overreacting every five seconds had me pulling my hair out. I mean, come on, dude, get a grip! Yelling and throwing tantrums like a 5-year-old? Be for real. I was relieved when his dad sent him away for a while, it gave my ears a break from his ear-piercing screams. On the other hand, I did enjoy the dynamic between Jet and Park. There was definitely something going on between them that was more than just a boss-employee relationship. There was something.

As for the sister, yeah, let's just leave it at that. She’s not worth discussing.

What really took the cake was the shooting scenes. Oh. My. Days. What were they thinking? If bullets are going to be flying around every episode, at least make it somewhat realistic. The cartoonish shooting scenes were laughable, to say the least. It took me out of the story and made me cringe more often than not. I mean, come on, if you're going to do action, do it right.

Was this wicked? Yes. But was it great? Not really. Just okay. I just expected more from a DaouOffroad show. Gave this an overall score of 7.0 because of the chemistry between the leads.

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Disappointing at all levels

Things I loved

1 The premise. I thought it would be interesting and it was for a few episodes. Then I stopped caring.

Things I liked

1 The FL. She's one of the actresses I like, but here something was amiss. I can't put my finger on it, but she didn't fit the role for some reason.

Things I disliked

1 The ML. Unfortunately I didn't care about his acting and I found him disturbing. Maybe he's a good actor but here he didn't deliver for me. I didn't want him to be guilty but I didn't care either and that's what ruined the whole drama for me. That he wasn't a compelling enough character to make me care.

2 The romance part. They didn't have chemistry in my book.

3 The ending. Not riveting and at that point i didn't care for that ether.

4 The fan part. I thought it would be good but it was limit disturbing. I didn't hate it but it wasn't dealt well with and that diminished my enjoyment. All in all, not as good as I was expecting and hoping.

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A journey between two realities, with visual and narrative successes.

"Love Between the Lines" presents an interesting and engaging concept from the outset: a virtual reality game that transports the characters (and the viewer) to the exquisite and turbulent Republican China. Although this setting wasn't extensively featured on screen, the in-game atmosphere and costumes are visually stunning, creating an immersive experience. The contrast becomes even more powerful when the protagonists return to their modern reality, a drastic and refreshing change that allows for a deeper exploration of their personalities in two completely different situations.

The protagonist, played by Lu Yuxiao, is a breath of fresh air. Her determination, cheerful, funny, and decidedly non-submissive personality make her an easy character to love and admire. Lu Yuxiao, besides being beautiful, once again demonstrates her great chemistry with her co-stars. This time, she creates a strong connection with Chen Xingxu, who takes on a more serious, complex, and reserved role, resulting in a perfect dynamic with her energy.

The romance unfolds organically; mutual interest and attraction flow naturally, without any forced elements. One aspect worth highlighting is the integration of architecture into the main plot. Far from being a technical or tedious theme, it's handled with interest and lightness, adding depth to the characters' motivations and enriching the story without slowing the pace.

The supporting cast also shines, especially through the story of the protagonist's friend. This subplot offers the other side of love: a raw and realistic portrayal of how affection can erode in a marriage, where a loss of interest and indirect infidelity act as the final trigger. It's a powerful and well-executed complementary narrative. And the construction of the protagonist's stepbrother. Far from being a one-dimensional antagonist, he's a character with whom you come to deeply empathize, as he carries the weight and expectations of his father. He's not evil, but rather another victim of family circumstances, and his interaction and chemistry with the protagonist add a layer of complexity and tension that is very well handled.

However, the drama falters slightly toward the end, at the emotional climax, when the male protagonist is blamed for his father's issues—a burden that, while not directly his responsibility, falls unfairly upon him. Even the female protagonist, Hu Xiu, unconsciously blames him through external influences (regarding her father and his friend). This conflict, while narratively understandable, created a certain unease, as the character seemed to be carrying a guilt that wasn't entirely his. And, although the resolution is satisfying, the ending itself feels somewhat bland and predictable, lacking the emotional impact that the characters' journey deserved.

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Episode 1-2 – The Hypocrisy of Plastic Empowerment

When Honour premiered, it tried to sell itself as a bold manifesto for female empowerment. The marketing promised complex women fighting a corrupt system and defending victims.

But even in the premiere, the cracks were obvious.

The show introduced three supposedly “independent” women, yet their independence quickly revealed itself to be either financially supported by others or morally shielded by the script itself. What was framed as empowerment often looked more like hypocrisy protected by plot armor.

Unfortunately, the finale only confirms those early concerns.

The "Independent" CEO

Take Kang Sin Jae.

The drama portrays her as the visionary CEO of a pro bono law firm, someone rebellious and independent. But the illusion collapses almost immediately when we learn that the entire operation is funded by her mother.

This creates a strange contradiction. The show tries to frame her as a rebel fighting systems of power, yet she is effectively a nepo-boss playing office with family money.

Instead of feeling like a strong professional figure, her constant rebellious antics often resemble a teenager acting out rather than a serious legal mind running an organization.

The Hypocrisy of Hwang Hyeon Jin

The most glaring problem of the show is Hwang Hyeon Jin (HHJ).

Promotional material describes her as an “elegant, fiery lawyer who resists anything that goes against her principles.”

The show itself proves the opposite.

From the start, HHJ is portrayed as a champion for rape victims. Yet her own actions consistently contradict the professional ethics and moral standards the drama claims she represents.

And as the story progresses, these contradictions only get worse.

The Professionalism Paradox

HHJ visits her ex-boyfriend’s house at night under the excuse of discussing work.

This is framed as normal behavior for a professional lawyer, but the scene immediately turns into an affair. The show unintentionally reinforces the very stereotype it claims to criticize — the idea that women cannot separate personal relationships from their professional responsibilities.

For someone who is supposed to be a serious attorney handling sensitive cases, this kind of conduct would be career-ending in any realistic legal environment.

Yet in the world of Honour, it barely matters.

The Cheating Narrative

The drama also tries to frame her cheating as a tragic “mistake.”

But cheating is not a single accident. It is a series of deliberate choices.

HHJ:

goes to her ex-lover’s house late at night

stays when things become intimate

continues the encounter fully aware she is married

returns home to a husband who is faithfully trying to build a family with her

Later she claims she “wasn’t in her right mind.”

That explanation might work for a moment of anger or panic. It does not work for a calculated sequence of decisions that lasts an entire evening.

Yet the show expects the audience to sympathize with her regret afterward.

The Ethical Collapse

Things escalate even further.

After her ex-lover is murdered, HHJ tries to protect herself by tampering with evidence and manipulating the investigation.

This isn’t just morally questionable behavior. For a lawyer, it is a serious crime that could end a career and potentially lead to prison.

And yet the story never seriously addresses these consequences.

The same character who is supposed to defend victims of sexual violence ends up jeopardizing legal cases and interfering with a murder investigation simply to hide her own mistakes.

The Finale and the Myth of “Realism”

After the finale aired, many viewers defended the ending by saying the drama is “realistic.”

Their argument is that in real life not every criminal receives justice.

That can absolutely be true.

But the problem is that this supposed realism never applies to HHJ.

Across the story she:

cheats on her husband

becomes pregnant from the affair

hides the truth

tampers with evidence

manipulates a murder investigation

behaves unprofessionally as a lawyer

Yet somehow she walks away from the story essentially untouched.

No legal consequences.

No real career fallout.

Not even a believable collapse of her marriage.

Instead, the narrative bends itself to protect her.

Her husband — who spent the entire drama loyal and supportive — is ultimately written into a doormat, accepting both the betrayal and a child that isn’t his.

The show wants the audience to believe that this outcome is realistic.

But it doesn’t feel realistic at all.

It feels like the writers simply refused to allow their protagonist to face consequences.

Final Verdict

In the end, Honour tries to present itself as a complex story about flawed women navigating a corrupt world.

But flawed characters only work when their actions have consequences.

Instead, the drama repeatedly shields its female lead while condemning nearly every male character as either a predator, a manipulator, or a pathetic fool. The result isn’t nuanced storytelling — it’s a narrative where accountability exists for everyone except the protagonist.

Ironically, the show ends up reinforcing the very stereotypes it claims to fight.

It calls itself realistic, but only when that realism applies to villains.

When it comes to HHJ, the story suddenly becomes fantasy.

And that contradiction is exactly what made the entire drama feel hollow from the beginning to the finale.

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SWISS ARMY KNIFE

Imagine a world where the sins of the parents aren’t just a metaphor—they’re an actual pirate radio broadcast from the 80s that resurfaces to haunt everyone. Seo Jung-hoo is a high-tech “night courier” dreaming of solitude on a deserted island. Chae Young-sin is a tabloid reporter with zero chill and a heart of pure gold. Kim Moon-ho is a star journalist weighed down by heavy “older brother” guilt. And the true MVP? The Ajumma—an ace hacker who lives on kimbap and yells instructions at the ML through an earpiece.

Usually, the “hidden identity” trope drags out 16 episodes of avoidable frustration. Here, it sparks a partnership. When Jung-hoo plays the bumbling rookie “Bong-soo,” the chemistry isn’t just romantic—it’s laugh-out-loud funny. And the action? Not just brainless brawls. It’s parkour-packed, rooftop-leaping, “how did he fit through that window?” brilliance—tactical and sleek over flashy.

That tired trope where leads break up “for the other person’s own good”? *Healer* flips it. These two actually communicate, leaning on each other when things get rough. The mystery of the five friends and their illegal radio station is genuinely gripping, giving the modern-day stakes a weight that turns the story into a multi-generational epic.

And honestly, it’s the gold standard for a reason. Ji Chang-wook is in peak “brooding but soft” mode, while Park Min-young proves she’s the queen of the game. It’s a 20-episode ride that somehow feels over in five.

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A new fairytale from the Hong Sisters

'Can This Love Be Translated?' is the third drama I've seen written by the Hong sisters. It's once again a fairytale story (as the lead actress, Go Youn Jung, has rightly noted in interviews), set in our own reality. However, unlike 'A Korean Odissey' and 'Hotel del Luna', it doesn't feature any fairytale characters. The fairytale feel was more due to the stunning beauty of the filming locations: in addition to the colorful landscapes of Canadian lakes, mountains, and parks, I especially enjoyed filming in Italy, a country I love and have visited many times.

Go Youn Jung is back as the character similar to the one I've seen in 'Resident Playbook'. Cha Mu Hui is an unfortunate child been forced to adapt and pretend starting from childhood to not only be liked but also to survive. A very useful skill for an actress, right? Especially in SK.

Childhood trauma runs deep within her, embodied in the character Cha Mu Hui played before falling into a coma and waking up to become famous. The writers walk a fine line, making a personality disorder caused by profound trauma seem almost normal. Every time I watched Ju Ho Jin play along with Cha Mu Hui while she imagined herself as Do Ra Mi, I couldn't understand how come he was not terrified of interacting with someone with a clear mental disorder. A girl like that shouldn't have been invited to dinner; she should have been sent to a clinic, and not to that nice guy in a white coat.

It's clear that this is a way to draw a parallel between translation from foreign languages, which allowed people to communicate and understand each other, but it was truly eerie upon closer look. This in no way detracts from Go Youn Jung's charm and her brilliant performance as the two-in-one role. She's rising higher and higher in my personal ranking of actresses, and I eagerly await her new roles.

Well, Kim Seon Ho was pure love. Anyone who couldn't get enough of his wseet Park Cheong Seop in 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' was fully rewarded in this drama. Well-mannered, well-educated, handsome, stylish, and very sensitive, Ju Ho Jin is a dream! He has a house with a huge library, he speaks several foreign languages, works as a translator, loves good music, has excellent cooking skills, and wears stylish coats. Could you resist? I couldn't.

Kim Seon Ho and Go Youn Jung formed a beautiful and harmonious on-screen couple, but the 'third angle' was lacking: Kurosawa Hiro had every chance of being a worthy rival to Joo Ho-jin (and, admittedly, I would have rooted for him with all my heart), but Fukushi Sota was given a poorly developed character who never was a threat to the main couple. From a complete ***hole, Hiro suddenly (!) transforms into a compassionate wise man, and I saw no motivation for this change, because the viewer's attention was always focused on Cha Mu Hui and Ju Ho Jin, and Hiro's arc came off as very, very complimentary.

Overall: I liked the drama, but credit goes to the stunning scenery, Go Youn Jung's lively presence, and Kim Seon Ho's beautiful eyes, rather than the incredibly engaging plot. While there wasn't much intrigue, it was a beautiful fairy tale the Hong sisters are so good at.

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Had high hopes but...

Goddess Bless You from Death should have been my favourite show this year. It had everything that I love. An MC that can see ghosts and is tortured by it, a murder mystery, police getting involved, a love interest that doesn't believe in ghosts but is still overprotective of our MC. I adore these things and I was ecstatic that we got a BL with an interesting plot. But I was disappointed by the end.

Why? I had two major issues. One, was that the plot went downhill fast. At first, it was very intriguing but by episode 6 it started getting boring and honestly didn’t make sense.

The other thing was the acting. Pooh’s performance was such a disappointment. I honestly hoped he had improved since pit babe but nope, still the same. Thup’s character was so interesting, but Pooh didn’t manage to do him justice. You could really see that when Thup was getting attacked. You just couldn’t really see him being genuinely scared. On the other hand, Pavel and Topten were phenomenal.

On that note, I actually found the second couple more interesting that our main couple. I wish we could have seen more of them.

Overall, I was disappointed by the show but it was still somewhat enjoyable.

PS. The special effects and make up were some of the best I have seen in a series of this genre.

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New Romances, Strong Performances, and a Season Worth Watching

I liked the second season a little less than the first, but it was still very good and well done.
I love the character of Pooh and I loved this jealous side of him that we didn't see in the first season.

This season we see a new character played spectacularly by Milk. Willy's expression and laugh are wonderful and perfect for the character in this story. In addition, we see new romances and stories that finally come to fruition, as well as stories that, in my opinion, could have been avoided, at least in this season.

Obviously, my comments are all about the series and not the book, as I haven't read it.

However, I recommend it.

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Serious Themes, Great Storytelling, and One Truly Green‑Flag Character

This series introduced me to ForceBook and NeoMark.

My favourite story is the one between Ray and Sand, in fact I watched it more than once.

Having been introduced to ForceBook in this drama, I didn't have a very good opinion of this couple because I didn't see any chemistry between their characters, but luckily I've changed my mind after watching other series.

However, it is a very good series that tackles different and serious issues, and it is the first series in which the characters (except Sand, a green flag, and Nick, a yellow flag) are all powerful red flags.

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