Reviews

First Impression: Moon and Dust

Overall: decent so far for an indie series from China. 6 episodes under 15 minutes each. Airing on PPeachStory YouTube channel https://youtu.be/81-EFRHQbXE?si=XlJ0V6IjmBTRA0no This production also made Uncle Unknown.

Content Warnings: arson, past child abuse, past beaten up, violence, coercion

What I Liked
- visuals
- tension
- how the younger guy is the unhinged one

Room For Improvement
- the sound effects like the hits or footsteps are cheesy/unrealistic/too loud
- annoying how free episodes only stay free for 1 week

Note: the two are not biological brothers as the older guy says he adopted the younger guy in episode 2, but it does show that they were raised together (the younger one seemed to be in elementary school). Right now their dynamic/relationship doesn't bother me, but I can see how it might not be everyone's cup of tea.

Read More

The ball was majorly dropped

Crushology 101 started off SO fun and cute but it was unable to keep that good vibe going.

The lead’s relationship had me giggling and kicking my feet in the first few episodes but it then turned into cheap, unnecessary drama. Precious story time was wasted with the ML confused about and eventually getting closure with his ex.

After that nonsense was resolved there was another great offense, they did a freaking time jump past the period where the leads were dating happily to when they start having problems! Now who thought that was what we’d want to see? I much prefer shows where once a couple gets together they face their obstacles as a team, instead of having back to back issues then a breakup.

ML kinda sucked by the end and it seemed like he didn’t even consider getting back together with FL until a couple people pushed him. Meh, they were cute for the last ten or so minutes of the series but by then I was over it. The one thing I was happy about was that the 2nd ML ended up having a little love interest, he deserved it.

Read More

Man is Stone, Woman is Water; W/Time Water Flows Over Stone, Becoming Smooth, Complimenting Water.

I'm so glad this drama got cleared to air. I watched for LYN primarily and not only did he exceed any expectations but everything and everyone did too. I can't put into words how proud of him I am. To think we never nearly didn't get to see this wonderful drama is eye opening. I only knew the FL (at the time) from a variety show she was on with ML but that show which was filmed earlier the same year this drama was, gave them a chance to build their friendship and the chemistry that flowed naturally. I knew many of the supporting cast as well. As someone who goes into each drama without expectations, this went beyond mine.

Pros: "A man is a stone, a woman is the water; with time as the water flows over the stone, it will take a smooth, round appearance, and complement the water." This paraphrasing was essentially said by QX's (FL's) grandfather explains this drama in a nutshell. What started as a 14 year blood feud between the Wei and Qiao states/clans due to a betrayal by the aforementioned grandfather but for the sake of his people that caused many deaths including that of ML's (WS') grandfather, father, and brother resumed as a marriage alliance between a very smart and strategic QX and strong, powerful lord of Wei State WS. For him it was love at first sight but he was still hard to come around regardless how much she helped him at first and they bickered, schemed against each other though not enough to cause real harm. After all it was an alliance to be able to work together to unite the states and bring the country together. QX also had to deal with internal conflicts within his family as his stupid mother and random chick were always trying to cause problems. The fact that she had his grandmother on her side was a good thing and after some time his 4 generals and advisor also very strongly had her back. Her first priority were the people of all states and safety of her family before they grew together from cohabitation to bickering friends, to love and trust.

The story telling was very well done. The comedy was ever present and even when it didn't seem more than just getting along domestic life, the comedy made you howl sometimes. The chemistry was liquid fire and even though we only had two real intense scenes of intimacy, they were very well done, smoke was coming off the screen. I was really surprised that it passed censorship even though both were fully clothed. It can't be described but seen for oneself. Both actors did very well; we now know not to trust anything LYN says in livestreams or interviews. In one he said his shirtless scene he was just skin and bones pork ribs from a local super market with his face stuck on it lol; when in reality he had a full 6 pack. And when asked about kissing he first said there weren't any until SZR told him to stop and that they had two and that the audience should really prepare themselves. And did we have to ever! He was a total tease and actually let her take control at one point which was very hot. I better stop or my review will get flagged as rated R lol. I can write a whole review on just their two really hot scenes; one sadly interrupted but they made up for it a few episodes later and then some.

The friendship and love between the generals, assistant, advisor and their Lord which was both as boss and employee and brothers. Losing one towards the end was very sad but you knew it was coming especially when right before they spent a lot of time together. And he was nearly engaged to the maid; them two chubby folks were great. I loved how after his death the other 3 generals kind of adopted her as one of their own. Then there was the very complex and multi layered creepy and sleazy cousin or SY who fell for FL. That whole thing was very cringe but he really was a lonely soul that eventually found his way in the world and became his bastard father's successor. I really liked how they evolved his character and the actor did a great job. The other well done characters other than those mentioned were the other maids, BZ, FL's family (subtract uncle and his advisor), especially her younger brother, another general and awesome leader in the making. Eventually WS' mother came around as well.

You guys, I can't write absolutely everything I liked because then it wouldn't make a point for people to watch! But there were so many great moments of symbolism like for example; when one of the generals helped QX with her backup plan of blowing up the dam to release the river, (very LOTR style though on a much smaller scale); to back up ML when the enemy was invading on multiple fronts since she couldn't get reinforcements, thanks to her selfish cousin. The general (WX; who by the way used a bow and arrow and was probably half elf when it came to fighting) that was helping her and had her back in every single second was the same general that in the beginning of the series was ready to kill her because his family was murdered during the betrayal 14 years prior. It just showed how far this particular character had come from that time to absolute trust and faith in protecting this woman and backing her play. Another moment happened to WS himself at the end of the series when he had to make the choice of either returning and protecting his home or continuing with the original plan and finally understanding the why of QX's grandfather making the choice that he did. Because his choice was the same exact one that WS chose as well, which was to save the people as opposed to just save his family; whom WY appeared in the knick of time and saved. These little moments of symbolism really brought the entire story of many characters and many reasons full circle, and it was so important. They didn't sleep in the same bed for a year in respect for her grandfather's passing; the fact that he allowed her that bit was a big step. Also was a little less than the timeline of most of the show.

Another great point was that misunderstandings were very quickly resolved between the leads because they essentially had great communication skills and misunderstandings didn't stretch for 10 episodes each. Plus with the help of maids, generals, advisor and everyone in between those were handled very well because they both had great people on their sides to help them. WS in particular didn't know how to be gentle or say things that came from the heart as opposed to just blurting things out, but they figured out how to do it and many times it was comical because he would blurt something out and then realize it was the wrong thing to say because he pissed her off and ended up sleeping in the study more times then not in the beginning, which itself was a comedy show. But then he would try to get back on her good side and it was just very funny to see. Not to mention WS' hysterical jealousy.

The series had a smaller budget, which was obvious from a lot of the scenes, but it made up for it with the storytelling and the relationships and the acting. Costumes were beautiful sets were all right, OST's were very well done, especially the opening and closing credits by their respective artists. There are many many many more positive things, but I cannot possibly put them all into a review. This show is worth watching because there are so many small things that end up mattering later on and conversations that have incredible symbolism and mean a lot from start to finish.

Cons: Not a lot for me. Because of the smaller budget, I believe the battles were shorter that could've been longer instead of focusing on villains that were very lackluster. CGI was used and though decent, it was short. When they did fight in skirmishes and battles, it was really great to see, but they were always way too short. Another point of contention were the villains themselves or "the snakes" as I called them which included FL's uncle and his advisor, as well as SY's bastard father. I also did not like FL's cousin; there were people in the comments on both sides of her explaining why she said this or why she did that, but I really felt that she was a coward and selfish because after everything FL did for her including take her place in the marriage alliance, which ended up actually being a blessing for both, but she did not provide reinforcements because she wanted to live a peaceful life; but you can't live a peaceful life when you have war at your teeny tiny states borders from five sides and your husband is the commander of all of these troops. She said very hurtful things to FL and her decision to return back to her home even though neither she, nor her husband were accepted originally by her father, and it was such an obvious trap because he had by that time betrayed everyone and joined the snakes was very gullible and stupid; I felt that she was just waiting to be captured. I did not feel bad about her death; I felt bad for her husband and her child but she reaped what she sowed.

The deaths of all the snakes were very lackluster. The chick villain after she had her nose sliced by WS--who should've taken her head off then it would've been less problems--just took herself out after she realized that her entire life with her fake empress fate she had screwed up herself when there were literally three or four men that truly loved her for real and she just used them. And LY, who was drunk and delusional with power just got harpooned by BZ and WS at the end while he laughed or cackled maniacally felt off; I very much felt like the last two episodes were rushed. They could've had a bit less of the domestic life in the middle and made the villains feel more like antagonists as opposed to just clowns in the middle that threw wars in that for the most part, they couldn't win, even if they had more troops came and went to get power. It honestly just seemed like the villains were there just to say that the series had villains and nothing else.

Would I recommend it? 100%. It didn't get a perfect score because of the cons but it came close. LYN has outdone himself yet again; love him in his role here. I can call him Mr. Sexy for sure! I very much love this series and it's forever in my heart and in my rewatch pile.

Read More

You too will be a Prisoner of this drama’s Beauty

I just wrapped up Prisoner of Beauty, and I can’t stop thinking about it. What a powerful, beautifully crafted series. From episode one to the finale, it delivered on all fronts - storytelling, acting, visuals, pacing, and emotional depth.

I saved the final six episodes to binge (which took a lot of discipline!) and I’m so glad I did. That last stretch was an emotional rollercoaster - tears, joy, anxiety, pride, heartbreak, laughter, and moments that absolutely crushed me, in the best way. I savored every one of its 36 episodes.

This is, without question, one of the best dramas I’ve watched in years - and if you’re only going to commit to one series this year, let it be this one.

Liu Yu Ning
I’m so glad he’s getting more male lead roles, and I sincerely hope he starts landing first-billed parts going forward. His acting has grown so much with each project, and in this series, he was truly magnetic. He plays a darker, more brooding character this time - serious, measured, and restrained - but his facial expressions alone speak volumes. He brings such depth and complexity, seamlessly shifting from commanding and stoic to caring, gentle, and fiercely protective.
He’s definitely built for these layered roles - general, head of household, the type who can command a battlefield or melt hearts in an intimate scene. His tall stature, slim but defined physique, and striking presence made him absolutely shine in period costume. And one day, I’d love to see him in a CEO or modern lead role - he has the gravitas and charm to pull it off.

Song Zu’er
She’s grown so much as an actress. In this drama, she plays a composed, intelligent, and emotionally nuanced woman - a true lady of the house. What I appreciated most was how she balanced grace and strategy without leaning into overdone “pouty” tropes. She retained a warmth and lightness that made her lovable, but never naive. Even in her most calculating moments, she never came across as evil - just smart, self-possessed, and quietly powerful.

Xuan Lu
This was such a departure for her, and she nailed it. From what I recall, this is the first time she’s played an overtly villainous character, and she made me despise her- in the best way possible. Her performance was sharp, manipulative, and full of surprising layers. It was such a pleasure seeing the range she brought to the role, and it left me excited to see what she takes on next.

The supporting cast brought so much color and energy, especially in the comedic moments. But what I truly appreciated is that the writers didn’t veer off into side stories just to pad the episode count. So many Chinese dramas lose focus by overdeveloping secondary plot lines - but not this one. The balance between the main and supporting arcs was refreshing and tight, which kept the momentum going and made every episode feel essential.

A huge shoutout to Ivan Ai, the costume designer - his work was exquisite. The attention to detail, the use of color and fabric, the silhouettes - every piece elevated the storytelling and made each scene visually stunning. The costume design alone is a reason to rewatch the series.

And the final scenes in Guilin? Absolutely breathtaking. The natural beauty of China was captured with such care and reverence - it made the emotional ending even more poignant.

Prisoner of Beauty is a rare gem - elegant, emotional, beautifully acted, and visually mesmerizing. It’s a drama that lingers in your mind and heart long after the credits roll. I loved every second of it, and I’ll be recommending it to everyone I know.

Read More

The Story of Pearl Girl: A Journey Through Trauma, Revenge, and Personal Growth

The Story of Pearl Girl is a drama that stays with you long after it ends, not because of a perfectly happy ending, but because of the raw and realistic portrayal of childhood trauma and its long-lasting effects on the characters. At its core, this is a story about survival, healing, and the pursuit of justice, framed by a historical backdrop filled with tension and intrigue.

Both the female lead (FL), Duan Wu, and male lead (ML), Yan Zi Jing, are survivors of childhood trauma, though their experiences couldn't be more different. Duan Wu spent years enslaved on a pearl farm, enduring harsh conditions that shaped her into a fierce and reckless woman. Her desire to build a future for herself is both inspiring and heartbreaking, as she struggles to accept help from others, especially the kind-hearted second male lead (2ML), a rich scholar. Instead, she chooses the harder path, becoming a servant to Yan Zi Jing, a man consumed by revenge.
Yan Zi Jing’s trauma stems from the annihilation of his family. Now a wealthy merchant, his singular goal is to seek revenge. Their paths cross by fate, and their fates become linked in ways neither can escape. The psychological realism of their characters is what truly makes The Story of Pearl Girl stand out. Watching these two characters, both shaped by their pasts, try to carve out a future is both poignant and gripping.

The first arc is nothing short of epic, filled with travel, battles, and the gradual realization that the FL and ML’s families are intertwined in ways they never expected. The story is engaging, and the pacing feels right as the characters' paths begin to converge. One small gripe is how often the 2ML seems to pop up. While his character has purpose, the frequency with which they bump into him feels a little contrived.

However, the second arc, set in the city, shifts focus towards Duan Wu's ambition to become a successful businesswoman. While female empowerment is a central theme, the repeated mantra of "women can do anything men can do" feels somewhat overdone and cringeworthy at times. The antagonists, too, are defeated too easily, robbing the latter half of the drama of any real climax or tension. By this point, the audience is mainly just waiting for the ML to succumb to his illness, which adds a layer of inevitability to the plot.

What kept me invested through the slower second arc was the tragic growth of Yan Zi Jing. His journey from a man consumed by hatred to someone capable of love and redemption is beautifully portrayed, and although his life ends on a tragic note, it feels symbolic of how long the healing process from trauma can take. When you finally begin to heal, life may feel like it’s almost over — a sentiment that adds layers to the narrative.

The second female lead (2FL) also undergoes a fascinating arc. She crossdresses to fulfill her father’s preference for his sons, and her transformation from a cruel, ruthless character to a confident woman is powerful. It’s a poignant commentary on how society’s bias toward sons harms girls and denies them the right to express their full potential.

The production and atmosphere are impressive, especially in the first arc. The settings are beautifully shot, and the OST complements the mood of the drama perfectly. The scenic backdrops during the traveling scenes, as well as the interactions with supporting characters, make the first arc memorable.

However, the city-based second arc lacks the same level of excitement and visual flair, and the pacing feels off as the plot slows down.

📌 Final Thoughts
The Story of Pearl Girl is ultimately a tale of healing, revenge, and the complexity of human emotions. While the pacing falters in the second arc and the empowerment theme feels heavy-handed, the psychological depth of the characters and the personal growth they undergo make this drama worth watching. If you’re drawn to stories of tragic heroes, personal growth, and historical settings, this series delivers. Liu Yuning’s portrayal of the ML is a highlight, and his emotional journey is what kept me glued to the screen, even if I had to fast forward through certain slower parts.

Read More

Best Drama of 2025 for me!

Just finished all 36 episodes and I’ve been completely hooked from start to finish! I didn’t know what to expect going in, but this drama really blew me away. It’s one of the best takes on the enemy-to-lovers trope I’ve seen in a long time. No toxic nonsense where the ML is constantly hurting the female lead to prove some twisted point. He’s dealing with serious childhood trauma after witnessing three generations of his clan get massacred by the FL's clan.

What I loved is how the romance in this drama focuses on healing. It’s a story about overcoming trauma and building trust and true partnership. The FL is absolutely amazing. She’s smart, but also kind and gentle. Watching her slowly earn the ML's trust and bring peace between their clans was so beautiful.

POB has everything. Dramatic moments, great action and battle scenes, LOL moments (especially from the ML’s hilarious group of generals), and a great cast of side characters, from the wise grandmother to the goofy MIL.

I have to say, Liu Yuning has really impressed me here. I’ve been watching him since The Long Ballad and he’s grown so much as an actor. He’s honestly just perfect as Wei Shao: imposing and rough around the edges, but also kind and gentle when needed. As for Song Zuer… I’m blown away. Her eyes, her facial expressions, the way she plays fake helplessness, she completely OWNED this role!

This is easily my favorite drama of 2025 so far, and I’m already thinking about rewatching it!

Read More

Fighting to Feel: Bruises, Bonds, and Buried Trauma

This series is a pretty typical high school action drama built around the theme of bullying, a topic that seems to be popping up more and more in Korean dramas these days. It follows Kim Eui-gyeom, a quiet and respectable student who’s dealing with a lot of pressure to be the “perfect son”, especially after his brother’s apparent suicide. He carries the weight of trauma and mental health struggles mostly on his own, and it shows, he’s always on edge.

After transferring to a new school, Eui-gyeom immediately catches the attention of the class bully. The tension escalates when the bully targets Eui-gyeom’s most treasured possession, a walkman that belonged to his brother. That moment pushes Eui-gyeom over the edge, and the fight that follows pulls him into even more trouble, drawing the attention of senior bullies.

Meanwhile, Kang Yun-gi, a chill and seemingly bored classmate, starts showing interest in Eui-gyeom and becomes an unexpected source of support. As their friendship grows, the two of them begin fighting not just in school, but outside of it too, all while Eui-gyeom’s home life slowly unravels.

The show tries to tackle some heavy themes, trauma, suicide, bullying, and abuse, but with only eight episodes, it doesn’t always dig as deep as it could. There’s also some confusion around Eui-gyeom’s fighting ability. At first, he seems inexperienced, but later he’s holding his own like a pro. The show doesn’t really explain if he had past training or if he’s just picking things up along the way.

That said, it’s still an engaging watch. The acting isn’t particularly standout, especially when compared to something like Weak Hero Class 1, where the lead gave a phenomenal performance. Here, things feel a little safer, and the bullies can come off as trying too hard. But the story itself is entertaining, and the bond between Eui-gyeom and Yun-gi is one of the best parts.

One character who really stood out to me was Kim Seung-jun. He doesn’t get a ton of screen time, but he’s definitely one of the most interesting. He starts off as a bully with a sense of honor and eventually decides to step away from all the nonsense. There are hints at a deeper story with him, especially involving his mother, and it’s a shame the show didn’t explore that more.

In all, it’s a small but promising series. If you’re into character-driven stories and watching unexpected friendships form under tough circumstances, it’s worth checking out.

Read More

Worth watching until the last episodes

I have seen this kdrama being recommended many times. I can somehow understand why but I despise the ending. I don’t trust the FL.

The first episodes looked promising, it was the usual contract marriage cliche but I liked it.
The ML is really respectful with boundaries and much more mature than the FL, he has a weird side but that side makes him attractive.
The FL started being likable but as the episodes go on I started to despise her. How can a character not grown when the whole point of the show looked like the development of her character.

Most of the things she said where none sense, she didn’t communicate anything but expected him to communicate, she also expected him to open up but she was not opening herself either, and is not like she didn’t have a chance. Her acting as the episodes go on gets worse, starts to look like she is a robot with no feelings for anything.

I don’t understand how there is so many 10 stars reviews, did we watch the same show? I can’t see how anyone would like the ending. Making the FL leave the ML for no reason whatsoever. She even knew he was gonna confess that same day. I still don’t know why she left and lie to him saying that she is going far away. Also the letter that she left for him is useless and doesn’t mean anything, I was actually expecting more from it.
It was devastating watching the ML suffer like that, even give up his house for a girl that just lied and confused him, just for him to forgive her as soon as he sees her.

Also the way she reappears in his life is awful, acting like nothing happened and considering leaving again. The ML had a valid crashed out but I wish it would have last longer than 5 seconds.

I don’t understand how you can torture the man you love like that and smile about it.

Read More

Great beginning but falls off later.

I want to get to the good before the bad. The cast for ML and FL was great. They had such amazing chemistry and their acting was on point. The first 10 episodes had me in a choke hold. The hate, angst, and attraction was so yummy. I adore friendships and this drama had a really funny bromance between 4 (5 if including ML). I love their interactions and they mesh well with each other. I also really like the maid and the soldier relationship (😭). I love it when the ML isn't a spineless mama's-boy. I do like that they both standup for each other. I am just so used to the ML caving in and not doing shit when the FL is obviously being set-up.

What I didn't like was everything else. The reason this fell off so much for me, was that the political parts and villains were such a bore. It feels like nothing was happening in that aspect. Meanwhile, the romance department was flourishing. I thought the random ass one-sided love triangle with the cousin was a waste of time. It doesn't add any value to the story or plot. There was no chemistry between FL and the cousin. They didn't have a lot of moments together so I don't get how he was in love with her.... The side characters (not including the cousin) was so... meh? like omg they did absolutely nothing for me.

Would I rewatch this again? Yes and no. I think I would would the beginning again if I am craving for enemies to lover. But I will absolutely not finish it again. I will watch MV or clips once in a while LOL. My rating is between a 7 or an 8. The acting and chemistry between the leads was banging. The leads carried this drama. I would have dropped this around 25-30 episodes in because everything else was not keeping my attention. Honestly, if the actors was different, I would have rated this 5 or below.

Read More

The synopsis of this drama looked promising, so I watched it, not expecting much from a low-budget, short length drama.

While it started out hot and heavy, the show veered into a territory that is toxic for my taste. I enjoy noona romances if done well, but I dislike them when they show the couple’s incompatibility, particularly if the male lead is too immature for the older female. Don’t get me wrong: their chemistry is sizzling on screen, but that does not justify a union that lasts. Although the quick development of their relationship is due to the show’s short length, I’ve seen other dramas do it better in the same time frame.

Instead of open communication, they gaslight each other and play stupid mind games. Not one character here is likeable, and though I know humans are flawed and are not perfect, but there’s nothing savory about trying to control another by using dirty tactics. I think it’s unfair to criticize Jiang Nan’s ex-boyfriend for being obsessive and stalker-y, but excuse Shi Jie for behaving similarly just because he’s attractive and the main lead.

In my opinion, the fundamental issue here is cramming too many story arcs into a short drama, preventing proper character and plot development. A more effective approach would have been to focus on two or three key aspects and delve deeper into them.

Although Jiang Nan and Shi Jie might have redeemed themselves towards the end, it wasn’t enough for me to applaud them. Otherwise, this drama is mainly for the eye candy and gratuitous intrigue.

Read More

the best way a season 2 could ever be.

Under the Skin S2 is probably the best 2nd season for a cdrama ever. dont get me wrong, things did change, but they were for the better. one thing that i noticed was that shen yi's ASMR sketches did decrease here. which imo, i think was bc UTS S1 focused on not just the bromance and mysteries, but also on proving that shen yi did in fact belong there. hence, constantly, they showed us the satisfying process of his case-solving. if someone were to make an entire playlist of the ASMR, i'd be the no1 viewer. anyway, by S2, there was really not much of a reason to show his skills as often anymore, as the audience already now knows that yes, shen yi belongs where he is, and he is a fucking genius.

moving on to this season, i actually enjoyed these new techniques! for example, when solving the case of the "suicide valley", shen yi used this box house thingy to solve the mystery of chang feng's metal state, which i found really interesting. shen yi's approaches with art + psychology were also really captivating. the time he noticed the shrine that chang feng made for his dead little sister really impacted me tbh.

although i did laugh my ass off when i saw "inner demon" being mentioned, i have to admit, there is no better way to describe shen yi's dilemma than this term. shen yi who already faced years of guilt, was healed by his team and ofc du cheng in s1. this season, shen yi's guilt with knowing that through his intuition, he could've saved a poor little girl from death, was healed with his own self-discovery and du cheng's endless support and care. the several times he almost lost control of himself, did, or almost died (again) were probably all related to that guilt. the time he was in danger bc of that fire that one girl (i forgot her name, but its the case where this one girl has two guys commit arson for her) was most likely caused by his desperation for a case like that to never happen again, especially bc he knew he could prevent a tragedy.

one of my fav parts, the bromance. just as i thought it couldn't get better, s2 tops! fang kai yi & du cheng basically fighting over shen yi was hilarious. i also loved du cheng's unconditional support for shen yi as well. another factor that i adored is that specific sound they play whenever a funny scene happens.

Read More

From Promise to Pure Nonsense: Good Cast, okish ost, and a Storyline So Dumb It Should Be Illegal

Let me give credit where it’s due — the cast did a solid job with what they were given, and the OST was genuinely enjoyable at times. That’s the only reason I made it through to the end.

Now onto the absolute trainwreck that was the story. Where do I even start?

This drama began with a sliver of potential, but that was quickly thrown out the window. It started good, ended bad — and then repeated that same loop, over and over. Just when you thought it was finding direction, it veered straight back into nonsense. It made sense for a moment, then completely lost the plot — like the writers were just pulling random garbage out of a hat each episode.

And yes — they even tried to subtly (or not so subtly) slide in an incest subplot between a so-called brother and sister. Why? Absolutely no clue. It was uncomfortable, unnecessary, and added nothing. Instead of shock value, it just came off as desperate and gross.

The "kill rate portals" or whatever sci-fi-fantasy element they were trying to introduce had zero context or explanation. Characters were killed left and right without any emotional weight or logical progression. No backstory, no world-building, no consequences — just violence for the sake of filling screen time.

The plot had no spine, no direction, and no payoff. It was like the writers had a dartboard full of random plot twists and decided to go with whatever they hit that day. Conflicts were introduced and dropped at will. Motivations? Nowhere to be found. Continuity? Who needs that?

By the end, it was just a mess of pointless scenes, forced emotions, and empty action. A waste of a talented cast and a decent soundtrack.

Read More

1st outing with BL couple Joss and Gawin

Disclaimer

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

Okay! So, of course I wanted to watch this series because I love watching series/movies with vampires—where sometimes it's done properly and other times it's not. I am a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Series as well as The Vampire Diaries. I have watched Interview With a Vampire (the series and the movie), Buffy the Vampire Series (the movie), Angel, the Underworld movie franchise, and The Originals, just to name a few. So, this series got me a bit excited as it was my first Thai vampire series that I was going to watch, and it was a BL!

Now, I must admit that it did start off well for me personally. But then, it kind of dwindles a bit when Tong and Mark get together. However, it got interesting and better for me by episode 9, with a strong episode 10 , followed by episode 11 having me on the edge of my seat, only to be kind of let down in episode 12. I know that people find it a perfect and good ending. But, to me, personally, I felt underwhelmed. And this has happened many times with GMMTV series and me.

This series did have its pros and cons, and that's why I gave it the rating of 8.5/10 due to these reasons.

Pros:
💕Joss being shirtless in many (if not all) of the episodes
💕The chemistry between Joss and Gawin is just top-notch, and I cannot wait to see them in their next series together
💕For you to loose my attention and then just drag it back from episodes 9 to 11 and some parts of 12, yeah, your good
💕The storyline was easy for me to follow and it kept my attention (for most of the times)

Cons:
💔I felt that some of the deaths were not really necessary (Tonkla, Nakan, and (especially) Wan)—I know that they would add emotions for the other characters, but I still don't see the need for them.
💔Having watched so many vampire series/movies, it really did not cross any of their minds that another option for Tong was to turn into a vampire instead of killing him? Because that was the first thing I kept thinking to myself when they kept insisting that they had to kill Tong
💔 The ending felt (of course) kind of rushed to me. But hey, Tong and Mark got their happy ending at the cost of other people's/vampires' lives.

All in all, a very good series with an excellent introduction to us viewers to this new BL couple, Joss and Gawin.

Read More