Reviews

The best thai gl I've watched till date.

I will confess I love to start watching thai gl's but can never bring myself to finish them because most times I find them to be overly dramatic or unrealistic. To this date the only thai gl I had watched completely was The secret of Us until Rollercoaster came.

It totally took the bar for thai gl's to a whole new dimension. I really loved everything from the story,cinematography, the music and finally the absolutely amazing cast. All the things in the story were managed with so much care and attention to detail. I never felt a moment of discomfort watching it.

The series was highly emotional and deeply satisfyingly aptly named Rollercoaster. I would love to see more stories from this team (the production and cast). I'm so glad I could be a part of this wonderful ride from start to finish. This is my first time commenting on a series ever and I am doing this because I really hope more people can find this drama and give it a chance.

Please give Rollercoaster a chance you'll be pleasantly surprised!

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Men who say they will protect...

This drama is dark, tragic, and sophisticated—cinematic in its pacing, slow and deliberate, with a melancholic atmosphere. The story is compelling, though it could have benefited from a tighter episode count. Still, its orderly rhythm suits the tone.
As for the characters, He Ye stands out as a hypocrite. The conflict began because he broke the rules, and then his parents—suddenly consumed by ancestral ambition—led a brutal slaughter of a peaceful neighboring tribe. Their tribe was punished, and rightly so. Yet after his own people are wiped out, He Ye turns his vengeance toward the Muyun family. But didn’t they just annihilate the Suqin clan moments earlier? If that was justified, then so is this. His moral compass feels selectively applied.
Muru Shuo, on the other hand, is a portrait of blind loyalty gone wrong. Yu Xin Ji did what Muru Shuo should have—he actually tried to protect both the Muru clan and the empire, which was a surprising and admirable move. Muru Shuo, despite his reputation, fails to protect his soldiers, his sons, his wife, even the emperor. He clings to honor but takes no real action to uphold it. In my eyes, he’s more ornamental than effective.
Muyun Sheng, Han Jiang, and Su Yu Ning represent something different—a path toward destruction and eventual rebirth. Sheng follows his own priorities, Han Jiang is manipulated because his family offers him no protection, and Su Yu Ning stands at the edge of transformation. These three feel like the seeds of a new world.
But He Ye and Muru Shuo? They’re relics of a broken system—frustrating, self-righteous, and ultimately hollow.

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Refreshingly creative

I loved, loved this show. Refreshingly creative and very funny. Loved the actors and the young, happy vibes, creative, positive energy of this C drama. It had lots of funny scenes, like when the FL begins the snowboarding lessons ( reminded me of myself when I started learning skiing). I was laughing out loud throughout the movie, very funny/hilarious scenes. I also loved the cartoonish characters at the end of each episode, extremely creative. The scenery/photography was superb and the music perfect for the scenes. I also really liked the customs, stylish, latest styles. This is one of the best C dramas I have seen, perfect to cheer you up and put you in a sunny/happy mood. Bravo!!! Thank you for giving us this fantastic entertainment. Definitely a 10 rewatch value.

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loved it

I started this one three times and kept dropping it. then someone on a fb page told me to keep going because it will be really good.
i’m so glad I did! it was amazing. I wasn’t really a fan of the goddess but that was mostly the role she was playing. the actress is better as a evil character than something like this. i just couldn’t go past her powder throwing nonsense. then in another scene everyone fights for their life. everyone is bleeding and almoat dead and she pulls out the recorder and bam she wins. wth was that?! but justifies learning that instrument in elementary school.
the demons….omg! one more handsome than the other. Neo Hou…. he was perfect! he was everything and without him I don’t think the drama would have been this remarkable! Yan An… first time I saw him in a drama and I thought daaaaamn I do have a type and it’s that one right there! he was fabulous! he was seriously hot and evil and you couldn’t decide if you want to murder or smooch him. the music was amazing. especially Liu Yunings part of the ost. but he can’t do anything wrong. the martial art was captivating and the dialogue interesting and entertaining! this is a 10/10 from me and I will definitely rewatch it. i just wish they would make another special episode to see this amazing demon reborn and reunited with everyone! the bromance was almost better then the romance in this one. a real masterpiece

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Darkness in the Light

‒Spoiler Free Review‒

I had heard rave reviews of The Bad Kids as one of the best crime dramas. And by the end of the show, I could see what a meticulously crafted story this was. And after reading additional commentary and analysis, I realized all the intricate layers and themes that made this so talked about. So be sure to watch all the way to the end, and then some‒as that's when the mental marination and perhaps rewatch begins.

‒Slightly Spoily Review‒

In terms of timing, I picked up TBK after having watched several very solid, though less acclaimed mystery/thrillers, and partly wanted to calibrate against the best of the best. While the viewing experience was fast and gripping, it was tempered with a nagging disappointment as many of the characters seemed too naive, and some of the actions didn't quite make sense. But when the story ended, I realized that the show had pulled a fast one, and that the oddities are the deliberate result of an unreliable narrator, which TBK only revealed in the final scene.

After reading several excellent analysis, I came to realize the genius of the show. Just as the scariest villains put on the most deceptive camouflage, the storytelling amplifies it on a meta level by showing how we are easily hoodwinked in the end. While it's evident that our unreliable narrator had taken a dark turn at some point, it's even scarier to ponder at what point did that happen. We are shown clues of the fairy tales about the events and the world. But what about the mental planning of our narrator? Given the inherent unreliability, I'm left wondering whether much of the extended engagement with Zhao Dongsheng was a meticulous plot to use a borrowed knife.

--Update--
Upon watching some more analysis, especially on the even darker book version of the story, it seems our narrator was indeed puppeteering much of decisions throughout the story. The book is so disturbing and harrowing--think Dexter--that there was no way it passes review in China. So kudos to the team for this adaptation that tells a very coherent story, while still hinting at the darker secrets. I would have probably enjoyed the book version much more, as the reveal would hit much harder. Though I suspect it would be too psychologically perturbing for most people and this version would be the preferred version for most people.

This is also the reason why I've rated TBK highly but not even higher. My biggest issue with the show is that 95% of the story is the sanitized, naivified version told through our unreliable narrator. While the show introduces plenty of psychologically eerie elements throughout, I still spent much of the show mildly frustrated that the kids seem innocently nonchalant about dealing with a merciless serial killer and even trusting/sympathizing with him at various junctures. On the other hand, the book version sounds like a terrifying escape through a haunted house, before being snatched into the infinite abyss of mind-breaking hell.

--Reflection--

The thematic element that was the most notable for me was the fairy tale, which has two layers. One layer is the darkness of the human heart that allows us to lie to ourselves and pretend we have a clean conscience even as we pursue wicked deeds. This is evident in the show.

The other layer is the the willingness of people to believe in the fairy tales. While this was mostly shown as benign innocence, I wonder if this is actually the most pernicious fairy tale of them all. Evil occurs because of evildoers. But evildoers triumph and proliferate because the gentle, kind, complacent masses like to believe in their own version of the fairy tale‒that by indulging in spotless conscience of good intentions, one is not complicit in allowing evil to roam free. Admittedly, this is not directly emphasized in the story, but is my extrapolation. But as scandals flood the news, foundations of societies crack and crumble, and preventable tragedies flood the world, I'm forced to confront this fairy tale as the most damning of them all.

If anything, the first half of 2020s has shown that the media and conventional narratives are also an extremely unreliable narrator. Yet even as gaping fissures emerge and people's prior assumptions and lives are turned upside down, so many still cling to delusions for comfort‒especially in the West, sorry just the messenger. While I have full sympathy for people seeking comfort to get through the day, and avoid unpleasantries beyond their control‒after all we are watching TV here‒I cannot easily forgive those who have abundant energy for outrage or hedonism, but little for examining fairy tales. Just as those evil will run rampant if justice look the other way, societies will crumble if the public blinds itself. If you see many societal narratives crumble and being replaced at an accelerating pace, perhaps it's also time to wake up and scrutinize the narrators of society.

A few links to in-depth analysis on the internet:
https://cyn-lynn.blogspot.com/2020/06/the-bad-kids-review.html?m=0
https://kisskh.at/discussions/cats-cradle/125701-ending-spoiler-analysis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tX5YGxajYQ&pp=ygUVYXZlbnVleCB0aGUgYmFkIGtpaWRz

--Category Ratings--

- Overall - 8.6 -> 9
- Plot - 9
- Theme / Concept / Impact - 8.5
- Acting - 9
- Visuals - 9
- Audio / Music - 9
- Rewatch - 8.5
- Cultural/Topical Accessibility - 7.5
- Subtitle quality - 8

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better than the reviews

first of I want to express my deepest and heartfelt thank you to whoever had the idea of casting this man to be the ML and have lots of close ups and single shots of him! you are my hero and may you always have tp when you need it and your children be blessed with common sense, healthy teeth and good hair!!!
i agree with most reviews that the mother was annoying and selfish. but in the end she redeemed herself…kind off. the ml was……well he was hot. also a good actor and all but seriously hot! i do have to say that the pool scene was too short in my opinion!
the fl lead…. cute and talented.
after reading all the reviews I was a bit biased against her. i agree she was a bit slow bug she had good reason. being bullied all of her life because of her mothers choices. her hesitation to open up was understandable. she really dragged the poor ml through the drenches. as understandable as it was, her leaving him again for the second time while he was sleeping was just plain unforgivable. he had already told her about his trauma and hownhis mom disappeared while he slept and there she goes. obviously hasn’t listened to a word he said or just didn’t care. i also agree with the reviews that the last episodes were a drag and the flashbacks are most unneccessary. boring and annoying even. I loved the ending. it is a happy ending for everyone around. if i rewatch it than mainly for the chemistry between the cast. the beginning was really funny and then it turned into sadness. but all was good in the end.

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Swoony Romance Meets Soap Opera Energy

I really wanted to love Reset, I swear I did 😩. This kind of concept is exactly the kind of thing that usually hooks me right away. When I saw Thailand was dropping another time travel BL, I was honestly super hyped. But the more I watched, the more I kept thinking, wow, this feels way more like a messy “sinetron” than the sharp, emotional time-bending drama I was hoping for. Endless melodrama, exaggerated tropes, and way too many dragged out scenes made it hard for me to stay invested. Instead of diving deeper into the “what if”s of changing fate, we got a lot of unnecessary filler that just stretched out the run time.

One of my biggest gripes? The 25-year time jump that looked like… well, no time jump at all. Like, come on! You can’t tell me people look exactly the same after two decades without even a wrinkle, a hairstyle change, or some aging makeup. It really pulled me out of the story. On top of that, the pacing often felt bogged down by overly long bed scenes that didn’t add much besides fan service. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-romance, in fact the chemistry between Pond and Peterpan is undeniable, and a lot of fans are swooning over it. But when those moments eat up runtime instead of letting the time travel plot breathe, the whole balance of the show feels off. I guess I’ve gotten used to Chinese dramas where the episodes are shorter but tighter, so this slower, more draggy style just didn’t click with me.

I can’t pretend the series is all bad. The leads are honestly what save the whole thing. Pond brings this magnetic presence to Armin, and Peterpan’s Thada is all in with his devotion. I totally believe Thada loved Armin with his entire being. Their chemistry is strong enough that a lot of people are watching just for them, and I get that 👏. There are even some standout side characters (I’m with everyone who loved the bodyguard/assistant for his charm and comic timing). Plus, the cinematography is beautiful in parts and the production clearly wasn’t cheap. It just sucks that the writing didn’t match the same level of care.

Reset had the potential to be something clever and emotional. A story about using hindsight to change your fate and maybe even repair your heart, but it didn’t dig deep enough. Instead, it leans heavily on melodrama and romance, which works if that’s what you came for, but is disappointing if you wanted a more layered story.

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Entertaining but flawed story with missed opportunities for character development

I can understand why this drama was popular — it’s both hilarious and heartwarming, with likable leads and a great ending.

But it’s not perfect. If there’s a weakness in the story, it’s the way the female lead’s character is written.

Kim Hye Yoon has a lot of emotional range to cover as Im Sol, the female lead, and gives a mostly convincing performance. She can switch from a sweet smile to sobbing in an instant. Sol is perky and determined, but acts like a teenager, not like a woman in her 30s (having a crush can do that, I suppose).

Her obsession with protecting Sun Jae and thinking she can “rewind” all the bad situations in life can be grating (not to mention unhealthy). I would have preferred to see her living a full and happy life with her disability. Plus, It can be hard to sympathize with her as a main character because it often seems like she’s just making things more difficult for herself with impulsive or illogical decisions, and it’s frustrating watching her torture herself (and break the heart of the man who loves her) trying to control the future.

Byeon Woo Seok has a lot of charm as Ryu Sun Jae, the male lead, and has great comedic timing. He delivers a convincing performance showing the two sides of his character (sweet, slightly awkward student vs. more confident, polished performer who still has a goofy side). The fact that he did his own singing for the role is impressive.

However, the leads’ relationship never really develops, and seems more based on infatuation and destiny than any kind of meaningful connection. The actors’ good looks and cute dynamic do a lot to gloss over the show’s missed opportunities for more character development.

But the way the show gradually reveals what the leads remember about each other is compelling, while the multiple timelines make for a plot that’s fast-paced and keeps you guessing.

There are also some standout supporting characters — the second male lead is a scene-stealer with his shameless flirting and dimpled smile, and the FL’s grandma is great (the touching scene between her and Sun Jae in the last episode might be my favorite moment in the whole drama).

While the series has its flaws, it’s still an engaging watch. Viewers should be aware that the story touches on some darker topics (depression, suicide, kidnapping), but overall this drama lands firmly in the rom-com genre. It doesn’t always strike the right tonal balance, and the time travel elements can be confusing and leave some unanswered questions, but the cast and the against-all-odds love story manage to hold things together.

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The most love moments

I thought love of the divine had a lot of lovey dovey moments! This definitely had much more intimate ones I didn't not expect.

Pros: the fl was hilarious, I thought the fl wasn’t physically a fl but realized it made her even the more charming, the story was interesting, ml was great, the love in this was great so much sometimes I was like hmm is this like girl corn??, it was a happy ending, the twist was also interesting, good side characters, songs were good, I adore all the physical contact it was soo good

Cons: the amnesia and constant good byes are a bit annoying but they are lucky they made the story pretty interesting so I was able to move on, the ending in the real world was good but a bit short

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Shin Eun Kyung made me finish it.

Shin Eun Kyung was absolutely the best part of this drama. She was the driving force and motivator for me to complete it because I wanted to know what happened to her character.

TBH the weakest link in this drama is Han Soyoon (Moon Geun Young) which was a surprise to me, since she's a good actress. But something about the way she played this role, plus the way the role was written as well - it was the least compelling aspect of the story for me. HOWEVER, the character is so necessary just because her tie up with everyone else brought in all the really fascinating parts of this drama.

I loved all the twists and turns this took me.

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I loved both KR and JP Versions in different ways

Let me start by saying - I _LOVED_ the KR Marry My Husband drama. Loved it. I wasn't even like a huge Park Min Young fan when I started it, but I understood her charm by the end of it. By the end of this drama, I was also COMPLETELY charmed by Fuka Koshiba. I already liked Takeru Sato from other projects he did - I first remember noticing him in Mei-chan's Butler (LOL A THROWBACK IF THERE EVER WAS ONE).

Anyway - I refuse to take part in the discussions about which version is better because it's all a matter of preference. I love them both. And for me, I look at both of them and I just see them as completely different forms of the same story.

The pacing of this drama was wonderful. It was very well-balanced and it's definitely the story from the source but told with very distinct cultural characteristics. I loved the choice of the candy as an indicator (IYKYK), I also liked the parts that they chose to keep in this adaptation of the story. I really like the way Fuka Koshiba played Misa, it made me want to check out her other work. And also THAT FACE. As for Takeru Sato - RAWR thank you Sir.

The second leads were extremely effective - which means that they were EXTREMELY ANNOYING - but I also recognize that that was the point. Sei Shirashi in particular has some scenes where she played her crazy slipping in and out so well that I would actually check out her next projects if I liked the premise enough. And our lovely friends for our leads are just as endearing and lovely as I hoped.

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Mature pacing and tone.

Love Scout has a gentle, almost understated charm. It’s an office romance on the surface, but what stood out most was its focus on emotional timing—how connection doesn’t always arrive in grand gestures, but often in quiet, unnoticed moments.
The dynamic between the cold-but-lonely boss and the emotionally intuitive assistant isn’t anything new, but it’s handled with maturity. Their relationship doesn’t rely on forced tension or power imbalance—it grows slowly, through shared routines, unspoken trust, and the awkwardness of two people who’ve both been burned by love and ambition.
The acting is strong, especially from the female lead, who gives a grounded, warm performance that balances out the male lead’s more emotionally closed-off persona. That said, the drama plays it safe in a few areas. The middle episodes lose a bit of momentum, and the ending ties things up a little too cleanly for a show that otherwise tried to reflect real emotional messiness.
Still, there’s something very watchable about it. It’s a soft, modern romance that knows when to breathe and when to hold back—something a lot of newer dramas rush past.
Pros:
✔ Mature pacing and tone
✔ Quiet but sincere emotional beats
✔ No forced tropes or dramatics
✔ Solid performances with believable chemistry
Cons:
✘ Midsection loses a bit of energy
✘ Predictable ending that wraps up too neatly
Would I rewatch?
Maybe not all the way through, but I’d revisit certain scenes that felt quietly powerful or emotionally real.

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I was excited for this because I loved Mr Queen and it's the same director, and a few of the same cast members. I also really like both Kim Ji Hoon and Yook Sung Jae.

After finishing this, I actually enjoyed the ride this drama gave me BUT I agree with some of the other reviews here - the first half was really good, but then it slowed down as it headed to a close. And weirdly enough, while the pacing was slow in the latter half, it wasn't because there wasn't anything happening - it was almost like they suddenly ran out of time to close the threads for some topics so they just addressed it quickly in favor of the other storylines. BUT they cut off too much of the other stories, so the pacing of the remaining storyline became quite slow in comparison.

I would definitely rewatch a chunk of this series again. The first half and a little bit of the second half probably. I was excited to see it streaming on a plane ride and I took advantage of it. Haha!

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