Reviews

Not bad but too stretched

İt started off great, and somehow in the middle lost it's charm.
İt's a basic arranged marriage (marry first them fall in love) romance, the most common guilty pleasure genre I believe, and they did a good job with it.

But it is full of cliché, too stretched despite being short drama and utterly unrealistic.

I know it's weird to call a drama "unrealistic", a vertical drama nonetheless, but still it was filled of things that was completely weird.

The whole parent thing was unnecessary, if you want to show bad relationship with strict parent it would be weird to show a whole 10 mins of a child scolding his "strict parent" 😂
Also the ML is probably ET, because in my whole life I've never seen such a sensitive and kind guy, who is that selfless and loving towards someone he barely knows, ever!! They don't exist!! The guy cries and shows his vulnerable side openly and does housework and cooking too, if he isn't an ET then he is probably a Unicorn or something ~

Story generally isn't good but I can't really say This is a flaw, I'm probably just too old for the "handsome prince ML on a white horse who'd come and save Cinderella-like FL" though I'm still too young to be this cynical 😂😂

All I'm saying is, this was a good one, and the good acting made it better, except for some scenes the FL was terrible but overall well acted VD.

I would recommend it if you are a teen or a hopeless romantic, or simply love fairytale love stories.
İt's just, not for me~~

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You need to Watch This !

An anticipated drama that revealed a poster reminiscent of Aladdin, we couldn't help but think about it. Despite the extravagant ensemble, there are several points where I have mixed feelings.
What I like:

Original concept: The story of a genie forced to grant three wishes to a woman who feels nothing is intriguing and adds a modern fairytale dimension.
Direction: The sets, lighting, and scenes shot in exotic locations like Dubai create a visually stunning atmosphere!
Leading couple: The reunion of Suzy and Kim Woo-bin, which I wanted to see again, and screenwriter Kim Eun-sook is known for writing popular dramas.
The music!! Finally, an album for a Netflix production.
The kissing scenes!
The problems:

Uneven atmosphere: I found them alternating between romance, comedy, and fantasy in a somewhat awkward manner. Characters: The heroine, played by Bae Suzy, is deliberately distant and cold, which is unsettling.
Pacing: A somewhat long start that lacks fluidity.
Sensitive references: The use of terms related to religion or myths may bother some fans.
The numerous characters and underlying plots

This is a drama that plays on magic, love, and the fairytale side, but can be disconcerting due to its sometimes strange tone and irregular pacing.

It will especially appeal to those who enjoy fantasy K-dramas with a strong visual dimension and atypical characters, but it might be less suitable for those looking for a classic or very realistic plot. Overall, it's not perfect, but to attack the acting, as I've read in some places, I don't agree. For me, it was both a challenge and a reunion, like a gift for us (fans of this pairing), so I'm satisfied with the whole thing because there's still a huge amount of work in 13 episodes with lots of elements and special effects throughout!

I recommend it despite its imperfections.

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Started off strong with a Cute romance before a few frustrating episodes towards the end

Many compared “10 Things I Want to do before I Turn 40” to the other very popular drama, “Old Fashion Cupcake”. They are similar, yet not the same. I think “10 Things” has a simpler, younger-at-heart and lighter storyline. It’s more slice-of-life. On the other hand, “Cupcake” delivers a more mature romance with a similar premise of self-discovery and change. I personally like “Cupcake” more, but “10 Things” is also very enjoyable.

Change has to come from within, and you have to be the one to take the first step. Suzume was lucky to have found Keishi, who walked beside him as he tried to check off his To-Do list before he turned 40. Taking this first step already takes a lot of courage. Eventually, he realizes it takes more than that first initial step and more than having someone to lead him and push him.

Suzume and Keishi are cute together. I enjoy all of their dates to check off the To-Do list. It’s nice to see Suzume open up a little, and show Keishi his love of cuteness and fluffiness. But what matters most is his feelings and he has a hard time opening up. Keishi is the one that took 99 steps forward and Suzume just took 1. But that doesn’t mean Keishi is ready to openly date Suzume. Technically, this is Keishi’s first relationship, yet Suzume acted like he’s a 40-year old virgin with no experience. Afterall, he’s had a boyfriend before, though it’s been a while. The last few episodes were heartbreaking when the reality of dating really dawns on them. Both chose to run away, before eventually resolving the conflict in the end.

I am not going to lie, it was quite frustrating watching those two in the last few episodes. It’s like they forgot they have been honest and communicative for most of the drama. They obviously like each other very much. Did they forget they can actually use words and talk to each other?

“10 Things I Want to Do before I Turn 40” is still a cute and enjoyable drama for the most part. It might not have delivered the same mature romance, chemistry and emotional impact that “Old Fashion Cupcake” has, but Suzume and Keishi are adorable together. Hey, at least they end with a nice kiss, not like THAT other popular JBL that ended with the elevator door closed in our face. LOL



Completed: 10/3/2025 Review #630

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Good Beginnings, Bad Endings

The hype got me to watch the series. The pro of this series is that its a short watch, with only 12 episodes. The con is its ending. Don't get me wrong, it's not an unresolved ending. True to typical kdramas, everything is neatly tied up in a bow and spoonfed to the audience. But my biggest glitch with the ending is its execution.
I could see the writers' fatigue towards the end of the drama. They'd used all their brains in setting the story up, but when it came to a logical resolution, they just lost steam.
This is another one of those typical Kdramas that are extremely trope-y but also addictive because we know what we'll be served. So the joke situations are the same, the hand grabs are endless, and consent is sketchy, to say the least.
What I particularly liked about this series was its attention to detail when it comes to food. And it is very commendable that the makers consulted proper chefs to show very standard Michelin star recipes. The exaggerated visuals while tasting their food is again, not new (Food Wars has done it, Haunted Palace has done it), but they are stupidly funny. If only they could put this much attention to detail to write a better ending to the story, it would've made so much sense. To use a food analogy, the series felt like the writers spent a LOT of time and effort whipping egg whites to make a meringue, only to misuse it towards the end and bake a flat cake out of it. The ending felt as unsatisfactory as a flat cake coming out of the oven.

In terms of acting, Lee Chaemin was quite convincing as the tyrant turned softie sweetheart. Im Yoona also did a good job in her comic parts. But when she was explaining the dishes, it felt like I was watching King The Land again. The other actors also did a good job, but given that its a CJ Ent and Studio Dragon production, I don't expect bad acting at all.

I do wish, however, that they stop the body showing fan service. I get it, we all thirst to see glimpses of the male actors' well built bodies, but being shirtless at random episodes is just meaningless.
The music was quite meh, nothing stood out. The food production and the food photography was top notch though: that was easily the best part of the series. Which is why, even if it didn't have a very dense plot, I wasn't bothered much: the food was enough to make up for it.

This is the 2nd kdrama I've watched recently that features isekai elements (First Night with the Duke is another). And both of them failed the teleportation element so horribly, my opinion of the dramas reduced substantially. Overall, its a fun watch, starts off very strong but becomes tepid at the end.

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The Good:
⌲ The writer had some good & not that mainstream ideas for this show!
⌲ FL's male friend / underling
⌲ The ending, more specifically the final episode is top tier fluff!

The Neutral:
⌲ The comedy could've been better.
⌲ The second FL, Tang Tang (the character & her complete rewrite makes no sense, but the actress acted really well nonetheless)
⌲ The third FL, Ding Ming (a feelgood accessory with no depth or impact)
⌲ The main FL (carrying all the comedy, but see below..)

The Bad:
⌲ The love triangle may have been very short lived, but Bai Yuze's strong courting where the FL dumb dumb ignored all the skinship & semi-skinship sucked.
⌲ I feel FL had been miscast for this role. I get it, this is not a serious show, still there are plenty of Chinese actresses that could have pulled off the sexy javelin throwing athlete. Wan Peng is not it, as much as I like her otherwise.
⌲ ML's acting performance is super bad, this is the single biggest problem with the show. His expressions all look super fake & robotic.
⌲ ML's dad

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Fated Hearts: When Fate Is the Storm

🔹 Would I rewatch? Yes, for the lingering tension and the way the leads spark off each other.
🔹 Do you ever start a drama and just know it's the right pick?

📕 Overview
🔹 36 episodes, historical romance
🔹 Adapted from the novel "Yi Xiao" (一笑) by Chi Yi Qian Yu (炽翼千羽)
🔹 Li Qin plays Fu Yixiao, askilled general and a master archer whose honesty and resilience anchor the story
🔹 Chen Zheyuan plays Feng Suige, a guarded prince who carries both strategy and vulnerability
🔹 The story begins when a single arrow turns the tide of battle, throwing enemies together in Yujing City
🔹 At the time of this review, 10 episodes have aired
🔹 Coming after other memory-loss romances, this one worked for me because the tension never drowned out the vulnerability between the leads

🌸 How It Felt Watching
🔹 From the first episode, I felt swept into high stakes and emotional pull
🔹 The tone felt suspenseful and romantic, with pauses that let the tenderness breathe
🔹 The themes of love, betrayal, courage, and hope stayed constant in every scene
🔹 It reminded me a little of The Princess's Gambit, but sharper in its focus on survival and trust between reluctant partners

✨ Cast & Acting
🔹 Li Qin as Fu Yixiao: I saw both strength and vulnerability, and every big moment rang true
🔹 Chen Zheyuan as Feng Suige: I felt his icy exterior crack in the right places, and his inner conflict read clearly on screen
🔹 The supporting cast helped fill out the world, though a few of the side plots I felt moved a little too quickly.

🎵 OST 🎵
🔹 "A Laughter Follows the Song" by Sa Ding Ding
🔹 "Raging Waves" by Huangzi Hong Fan
🔹 "A River of Eyes" by Where Chou
🔹 "Don't Cry" by Tian Yun (天韵 Aria)

🎞️ Production Style
🔹 I loved the sweeping cinematography in the opening scenes, setting scale and tension before a word was spoken
🔹 I noticed how the director framed the leads, isolating them to heighten pressure, then pairing them in two-shots to show their growing connection
🔹 I felt over-the-shoulder shots made conversations intimate and personal, pulling me closer to each reveal
🔹 The red, silver, and stone color palettes created a stormy mood that reflected the story's weight.

☕ Tea Notes
🔹 What worked: The intense romance, the visual composition, and the impact of each reveal all contributed to the overall effectiveness.
🔹 What didn't: A few subplots moved too quickly for my liking, and the pacing dipped slightly in the middle stretches.

☕ SpillTheDramaTea's Rating: 10/10
🌿 Tea-Scale: Perfect Cup
✏️ As SpillTheDramaTea, I noted the captivating visuals. Could love and destiny be two sides of the same storm?

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Disappointing and disrespectful regarding religion

This drama disrespects Islam and spreads a distorted image of the religion. When the story was written they should research it properly. Iblis is an important figure in Islamic belief.
Who he is: Iblis is a jinn who refused to bow to Prophet Adam (AS) when Allah commanded the angels and jinn to do so.
Because of his arrogance and pride, he was cast out of Allah’s mercy.
From then on, Iblis became the enemy of humankind, vowing to mislead people away from Allah’s path until the Day of Judgment.
Unlike angels, who never disobey Allah, Iblis was a jinn and had free will—so he chose to disobey. Overall very disappointing 😒

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The lighthearted romance that stole hearts

If you're looking for a sweet, lighthearted, and feel-good romance, 2gether is the perfect pick. It's the kind of series you can turn on to escape from a stressful day and just smile for an hour. The plot isn't overly complicated, with its classic fake-dating setup that slowly evolves into real affection, but that's exactly what makes it so charming.

The chemistry between Bright and Win as Sarawat and Tine is a major highlight. Sarawat's smoldering stares and quiet devotion to Tine are enough to melt even the most cynical heart, while Tine's evolution from a love-seeking "cute boy" to a genuinely caring partner is incredibly satisfying to watch. The pair's journey is a masterclass in slow-burn romance, proving that a relationship doesn't need to be rushed to be deeply compelling.

The music is another star of the show. The indie band Scrubb's songs are woven into the story, perfectly capturing the emotions of each scene and becoming an inseparable part of the series' identity. You'll find yourself humming "Close" and "Everything" long after the credits roll, as the soundtrack is just as integral to the magic as the actors themselves.

While some might argue about the ending, what truly matters is the journey. 2gether serves as a cozy blanket of a drama, a series you can revisit time and again for that warm, fuzzy feeling. Its wholesome portrayal of young love, coupled with the undeniable charm of its main couple and its unforgettable music, make it a worthy and essential entry for any drama list.

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We need season 2 right away!

The story is really good and I can’t wait for season 2. There’s a S2, right?? There has to be. Producers, get on that right away! Even if the original novel continues the story or not (I don’t know), find a good screenwriter to write the script!! 🙏🏼

I really enjoyed the ML & FL’s chemistry although it was really slow at first. Although I enjoyed ML Chen Fei Yu’s performance, his emotional expressions are somewhat limited so I think he needs to work on that in future projects. I understand the ML’s character is pained and cynical but he always has the same expression. His smile sometimes looks very forced as well. I felt the same in Lighter & Princess. I agree that he has a great voice.

My first drama with Wang Ying Lu as FL. She was a little annoying at first but definitely grew on me. I feel like she’s always gulping before she says her lines. I guess she’s still young and new. But, I got over it. I enjoyed her performance and was invested in the story and their characters.

The storyline was full of tropes but well executed. The supporting characters were all really good—with their faults and all. As others mentioned, many of the supporting male characters are foolish and dense. It was frustrating at times but I guess the writers could not find a better solution to progress the story.

I felt like the latter half was a little slower but hoping for a season 2 to extend their “lifetimes”. Otherwise, the ending was such a tease and not satisfying.

As others mentioned, there was a LOT of kissing. In the beginning, it was really awkward but they definitely got better at it. 😂 I guess practice makes perfect. I felt this was more risqué than the other (non-soapy) c-dramas I’ve seen thus far without being explicit.

The name Sima Jiao is emblazoned in my mind like spirit fire. It keeps ringing in my head.

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Interesting :)

This drama is very western concept in some ways bc it addresses "rare" "special" pepple, a high level diplomat who becomes a President of a country (FL) and Paik San Ho, a man with a very shady and for-most-part-unknown past....

Paik San Ho was a professional assassin, he was a cold blooded killer, and he still kills people like moskitoes, to the very end of the drama. YES.
Yeah he was a strong silent type and he fell in love with FL. And she too.

But in this drama, we saw Paik transform into someone in love - not only to the woman, but to the PRINCIPLES of peace and unity that the woman stands for. And he vows to help her accomplish that, and puts his skills and his life on line to help her accomplish that.
.
In this drama, paid assassin and bodyguard Paik was used as a vehicle to bring peace to the world. He turned out to be a hero who saved the world from nuclear holocaust. And that is an interesting message...

The ending? You have to decide. The ending looks like an open door to possible season 2. Maybe... and also looks like an advertisement for Catholic church. The entire drama is...

This drama has cat and mouse game that is really really really intricate, if you are going to watch it, you have to pay attention to every detail, the twists, the games, the betrayals are out of left field, all the time.

The drama is very western as it feels like whiplash, they are always in life danger and everything is so hyper, your adrenaline will be severely tested...

So there is some character growth but it happens in midst of chaos... This drama is CHAOS

The real fun part is commentary on the state of the world and the politics. It looks very very real LOL Not that I know for sure but we all suspect LOL

The ending is of course a very artificial happy ending. In real life, FL and ML would have been dead by ep 2 or 3, the latest.

PS - So this drama is 100% different than Ms and Mr Smith american movie, those two were assassins and stayed assassins... for the sole purpose of lining their own pockets.

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Master chef goes Jeoseon

This is basically Master chef Jeoseon with the usual power struggles on the side. Trying tp answer the ols qwesion can food change the world, make peace in the far east or just change history....

The characters are decently made, lovable, horrible and at times even complexish... The plot is however very repetitive, mouth watering yes but extremely repetitive. The romance between the food and those who taste it shows greater chemistry than between the leads but also feels slightly silly.

The ending has a few to many loose ends and nothing really makes any sense, beside the amount of secound hand embarrassment does get overwhelming at times.

Still there is enough good in it to make me say it is an okay watch, just not very good watch.

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