Reviews

Truly Interminable

A while ago, I wrote a review where I said there's no show but this that could be more aptly named, but I could not have been more wrong. The winner of the best named drama goes to Interminable, because this nonsense was truly interminable. It just went on and on and on until I was begging on my knees, praying that the torture will end. Every once in a while you come across a drama that makes you wonder who signed off on it, and I really wonder - why would you sign off on this?

Right from the beginning, it could not have been more confusing, because the story is told in parallel storylines, and it switches between the past (1910s) and the present (1940s), with no sense of coherence. There's no rhyme or reason to the scenes we see, it's in some random order, like they decided it would appear in the episodes based on the Q it was shot in. Almost every single actor plays the same person in both timelines - their names, their characteristics, their personalities are all so similar, so similar that the only way to identify what the timeline is is by looking at their clothing or hairstyles, and even then it's confusing because most of them are dressed in one outfit for the entirety of the series.

The actual story begins to unfold with Kaew recieving an inheritance from a distant relative on his father's side - a huge house that has affectionately been dubbed the Huge White House.. (subtle)
Anyways, it's his, ready to move into, only a small problem, he's got to share the space with a friend of this distant relative who also lives there. They won't bother him, but they're going to be there.

The minute they move in, Kaew starts having even more recurring dreams about a man, and even thinks he sees this man in the house - he's an apparition in white who comes and goes, and he gets the sense that they're acquainted with each other/have been for a long time. This person is none other than Khun Yai, a man who has been waiting for Kaew in that house for almost thirty years now.. because of a promise they gave to each other. Or he gave to Kaew, they're not very clear on that.

But thirty years ago, he gave a promise to the person he loved (also Kaew), and him, along with his assistant Saen and his nanny Yam have been bound to the house since then. With Kaew now reincarnated and back in the house, all he needs to do is fulfill that promise, but first, Kaew needs to regain all his memories of their past. And this fragmented attempt at creating tension gives us no real information, except
a) they were lovers
b) a person named Sophee hated that they were lovers

Sophee was in reality Yai's adopted sister who was in love with him, but he loved Kaew. Sophee is obviously shrill, jealous and vindictive, because her only role is to yell about Yai not paying attention to her, try to ruin his life and attempt murder. The huge narrative is that Yai and Kaew's love was cut short because of her, and that Yai's promise has something to do with this.
And to her part, Sophee has also reincarnated and the girl is smart in some sense, because she regains all her memories before Kaew does. I guess vengeance does run deeper than love? But once again, she can't get him, because one - he's a ghost, two - he's a ghost who still loves only Kaew. She schemes and threatens to try and get her way for no real reason other than a portrait that Kaew has drawn (he's an art student) of Yai, and she's convinced he must have reincarnated as well.

All this while, in the present, Yai has been a nuisance. He won't let Kaew live his life, he's jealous, possessive and incredibly intrusive - but he's also so secretive. To get some answers about his behaviour, Kaew ventures into an underground dungeon that is restricted to him, it's Yai's space and he's not allowed in there. But going into the dungeon gives him some answers about why Yai is so secretive, comes and goes as he pleases, disappears for days on end.. he finally finds out that he's a ghost. He runs away to a temple to talk to the monk there, who knows everything that happened thirty years ago

From them on, we're left to watch as Kaew slowly loses his sanity, not knowing what is going on, except that they were in love, before he gets a sudden influx of information conveniently put together in a couple of episodes, ensuring that any and all possibilities of creating a grand narrative is flushed down the drain. This continuous flashback is also of no use because suddenly there's a political uprising on the horizon that has more screentime that Kaew and Yai do, and their story goes no further - it's once again a ton of scheming and threats and the grand nature of all that is good but no actual story.

Because as it turns out, the entire story had actually been revealed in the trailer. If you've watched the trailer, you know the story. They were in love, they were killed because of someone's jealousy, one of them reincarnated and the other didn't. And that big promise that made the whole thing possible? I won't tell you because if I had to sit through this nonsense to find out - so will you (don't watch it, it's actual nonsense).

Interminable was a snoozefest, I'm not even sorry. There wasn't a single episode where I didn't accidentally doze off, only to wake up and see if I missed something. I missed nothing. Because nothing happens in there. For some huge love epic, they couldn't even convince me that they were in love. Things happen because they're supposed to happen, but why? Give me one good reason why Yai fell so madly in love with Kaew. Give me one instance where it looked like Kaew was also in love with Yai. They literally fell for each other because the plot said so.

Everything in this was just so.. mechanical. They're all just so frigid and statuesque in everything they do - are they trying to tell me that it was supposed to be expressionless ? Not a single emotion came through for me, again are they trying to tell me that two people who have apparently been tied by a promise so strong that their love has lasted over three decades.. cannot afford to actually look like they're in love?
Three decades and all they do is show Yai pine, pine and pine over Kaew while he looks on with a blank expression. No longing, no pain of seperation, no angst - no nothing. This is a classic example of "tell, not show" because every second scene has someone singing the praises of their love story, but I don't see it??

They keep telling us that something terrible has happened to all of them in their past life, but there is no sense of tragedy or urgency to their love story, the fleeting sense of every moment between them in the past was as amplified as a mosquito buzzing by your ear.

All the characters are so one dimensional - reduced to a single characteristic, I mean is that all they can be? Like caricatures, you can plot the exact route each character will have, in fact, if you must watch this make a game out of it. See if you can predict the exact storyline for each character. And if you're right? You win nothing because there are no winners here.

The cherry on top? The amount of plot holes. One or two, I can forgive, but the entire story felt like a pothole I accidentally tripped into and the thing was riddled with plot holes. Who was Sin? Why did he keep calling Saen his father? Who was Kan? Was he reincarnated? Why was there a sudden doppelganger who's body Yai inhabited? Who on earth wrote this story? Seriously who? I need to have a talk with them.

I'm so disappointed in almost everything - even the acting was so bad. I don't know if it's the actors or the writing but the last three minutes had the best acting in the entire series. May just be the writing because they finally let Kaew have some personality, too bad it lasted mere minutes.

I'm saying the +1 is for Billy and the 0.5 is for the chemistry.. but it's really because I cannot go lower than a one while rating it. My extra 0.5 is me being generous, I genuinely implore that you think twice before you watch Interminable. What a shame. I was so excited for this one and we got THIS. Trust me. Just trust me on this and stay far away.

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a chain of justice: when cases, pain, and purpose collide

this drama is honestly on another level, especially when u look at it from a character perspective. every character feels carefully written, purposeful, and emotionally grounded, which is what makes the whole story so powerful. yan dong, in particular, stands out as the heart of the narrative. he is not portrayed as a flawless hero, but as some1 shaped by pain, injustice, m an unbreakable sense of responsibility. his pursuit of justice is not loud or dramatic 4 the sake of it, but steady, persistent, n deeply personal. watching him fall, struggle, and eventually rise again makes his journey feel earned rather than forced.

the supporting characters are just as impressive. each member of the investigation team has a clear role n personality, n none of them feel like filler characters. their strengths n weaknesses complement one another, creating a realistic n believable team dynamic. what makes them special is their loyalty n trust. they argue, doubt, and face fear, but when it matters most, they stand together. this sense of solidarity makes the investigation feel human, not just procedural. u can really feel that they are not just coworkers, but people who rely on each other emotionally and morally.

one of the strongest aspects of the drama is how character development is tied directly to each case. every case leaves a mark on the team. instead of resetting emotionally after each arc, the story allows experiences to accumulate. this continuity makes the ending incredibly satisfying. when yan dong finally achieves justice n chooses to continue his path, it feels like a true continuation of his mission rather than a simple conclusion. the ending does not just close a story, it reinforces the characters’ values n promises that their fight for justice will go on.

overall, this drama succeeds because its characters feel alive. their motivations make sense, their relationships feel sincere, and their growth is consistent. it is rare to find a drama where plot and character development are this tightly woven together. this is not just a great story, but a great study of people, teamwork, and the cost of standing up for justice.

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The best drama, don't look at other reviews, just go for it.

This is like the more emotionally intense version of When I Fly Towards you. I can't state how much I love this drama. I really really loved how the story progressed, I really love Shen Juan and Lin Yujing both, and how they handled differences between them and their families. I have heard lots of criticism about Zhuang Dafei's acting being emotionless, but I absolutely fail to see what they mean. The confession scene was so good I have watched it a dozen times already. The soundtracks are the cherry on the cake. I don't have much to say against it... except that it could have been longer and I'd really love to see them and the side characters mature more.

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STRONG FEMALE LEAD WITH A GAME OF WITS

Firstly, the story follows Lu Jianglai, a brilliant imperial scholar and magistrate known for his ruthless efficiency in solving cases. However, after becoming entangled in a dangerous conspiracy, he is ambushed and left to die. Enter Rong Shanbao, the daughter of a powerful 'Tea King'. Recognizing him as an old political rival, she doesn't just save him; she exploits his amnesia. She brings him into her household as a lowly stable boy to exact her own brand of petty revenge. The drama quickly evolves from a 'rich girl/poor boy' dynamic into a high-stakes struggle for control over the tea trade and the resolution of the murder case that ruined Jianglai.

### CRITICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Hou Minghao delivers a standout performance that differs significantly from his usual 'upright immortal' roles. He successfully navigates two distinct personas: the sharp, calculating magistrate and the cheeky stable boy. Also, Minghao's subtle smirks and 'eye-winking' musicality bring a sense of unpredictability to a character who is usually three steps ahead of everyone else.

Furthermore, one of the drama's strongest points is the Rong family dynamics. Unlike many dramas where women are sidelined, 'Glory' presents a strong female lead ( Gulnezer) whose character is ambitious, professional, and unconcerned with traditional marriage expectations. Also, the backstabbing and political maneuvering between the Rong sisters provide a 'Palace Intrigue' feel within a merchant-class setting.

Moreover, the production quality is undeniably high-budget: the series integrates traditional tea-making culture and trade as a coreplot device, rather than just window dressing. The costume design, notably the use of fur headpieces and a fusion of Eastern and nomadic aesthetics, sets it apart from the repetitive look of many 2024-2025 period dramas.

## POINTS OF CRITIQUE
While the reception has been largely positive, some parts of this drama have minor flaws. Purists have pointed out that the Hanfu styling occasionally sacrifices historical accuracy for runaway aesthetics ( eg, modern silhouettes or fits). Also, like many dramas of its length, the middle sections can feel slightly draggy as the investigation takes a backseat to family squabbles, though the outsmarting chemistry between the leads usually keeps it afloat.

In conclusion, this drama is very engaging, with stunning visuals of tea plantations and unique costume design, and a relaxing yet suspenseful vibe with 'who will out-smart who' chemistry. I RECOMMEND IT(*^▽^*)

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A Drama That Asks the Wrong Questions on Purpose

Story & Plot
---
"Meet Me After School" is intense, messy, and morally complex. The story focuses on a controversial relationship between a teacher and a student, layered with societal pressures, personal insecurities, and forbidden attraction. The premise is uncomfortable—Akira is a minor, Hijiri is his teacher, but the drama does not shy away from this, which makes it uncomfortable to watch.

The initial five episodes are particularly gripping, with push-and-pull tension, awkward silences, and unexpressed feelings keeping you constantly on edge. Two timeskips which is interesting , but the ending feels rushed and wanting a better closure for the two leads.

Aside from the romance, the drama raises bigger questions about adulthood, societal expectations, and "normality". It reminded me of my own youth of "what kind of adult I want to be" and how to navigate societal norms. Certain conflicts, like Hijiri's passivity and Akira's relentless pursuit are irritating, yet they heighten the tension and keeps you engaged.

Characters & Acting
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Mizukami Koshi as Akira is the standout. For a debut role, he conveys teenage rebellion, vulnerability, and emotional intensity well. Kasumi as Hijiri handles the moral dilemmas and emotional uncertainty well, though her passivity can be incredibly frustrating at times.

Runa and other supporting characters add tension and complexity, although certain actions feel unnecessary. Overall, the cast is cohesive, and their emotions feel believable, particularly Akira's anger and Hijiri's inner conflict. While there's minimal character growth, the raw emotional performances makes it easy to stay invested.

Music
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The OST is truly outstanding. Piano-driven background tracks by Akira Kosemura and with the main theme, "Prologue" by URU. It enhances nearly every scene, amplifying tension, angst, and unspoken emotions. The music doesn't just accompany the drama, it also shapes it. It turns uncomfortable or tense scenes into emotionally captivating moments. I was completely obsessed with the soundtrack; it lingered in my mind long after finishing the series.

Rewatch Value
---
I binged this drama in one go (because of Mizukami Koshi), which says a lot about how intense, nerve-wracking, and emotionally gripping this drama is. With the exception of Mizukami Koshi, I don't see myself rewatching it often. The taboo themes, moral tension, and angst can be tiring at times.

Mizukami Koshi's visuals, the cinematography, and the OST make it tempting to rewatch. Returning primarily for aesthetic reasons rather than reliving the tension or story again. Watching it again, I don't get too tense about rewatching specific scenes as I already know what comes next.

Overall
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"Meet Me After School" is visually striking, emotionally intense, and a morally challenging drama to watch. It's messy, uncomfortable, and occasionally frustrating—Hijiri's passivity, Akira's persistence, and the abrupt ending can test your patience—but it's also thought-provoking and well executed.

The romance is unconventional, awkward, and anxiety-inducing, yet it captivates viewers. the cinematography and OST enhances the drama, Kasumi brings depth to a conflicted character, and Mizukami Koshi's debut is the biggest highlight.

If you're into messy, taboo stories with heavy emotional stakes, this drama is definitely worth watching. If you prefer comfort, clear romance, or traditional narratives, then this drama is not for you.

It's not perfect, but it's unforgettable. It's a drama that lingers, keeps you at the edge of your seat, and makes you reflect long after the series ended.

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great telling of mental health mixed with silliness

i loved the portrayal of mental health here compared to other shows that mention it. in doctor slump, at least they acknowledge that depression and anxiety are ongoing struggles, even ptsd. it’s not something you overcome within a few episodes and some heartfelt and inspiring speeches. and the two main leads helping each other though the worst of it was a nice touch 🥹

i loved jeongwoo’s silliness and puppy attitude, even when he’s going through touch times—very accurate depiction of someone who could be struggling with mental health. it doesn’t always look like gloom and sadness.

also haneul’s struggles as a woman in a male-dominated field leading to her breaking point was very important, and i’m glad they didn’t shy away from it, and even made a good friend the bad guy even if he wasn’t inherently bad.

overall enjoyable, wonderful family and cast, and relatable asf 😭💔💗 thank god jeongwoo didn’t reconcile with his parents LMAO frick that. 🤠

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Another Underrated Romcom Found!

What an underrated show! I don't understand why people rarely say this title when recommending romcoms. Coming in 2020s, this show has an old-schoold romcom vibes with hefty amount of romance and comedy, and of course cruel side stories such as family rejection and triangle love. The romance is very nice and the comedy is quite generous compared to so-called "romcoms" nowadays. It clearly has far better story and character development, rather than just a couple cluelessly fooling around like in several romcoms lately. There are a lot of side stories in this show, but I don't think they overpowered the main romance storyline. Other plus points are no childhood connections and no White Truck of Dooms.

The chemistry between Kim Da Li and Jin Mu Hak is exceptional. I like how the writer depicted Mu Hak. Even though he's slightly behind in intellect, he still has a great business sense. He was able to smelly fishy schemes on multiple occasions. Mu Hak has a very silly family, and thankfully they were able to avoid drastic personality change and keep this silliness even with the addition of malicious intents. Additionally, this show has an oustanding soundtracks too!

However, a romcom is always a romcom. A sudden change of vibes, especially due to malignant side stories, is always unpleasant for me. In this show, the sudden vibe change lasts quite long. I don't like how Da Li responded her uncle's request. He had a beef with her father and she even barely met him, so why did she even consider his suggestion? After that he for no reason decided to give up the idea and return to the US which is adding more ridiculousness. Song Ji Won didn't do well as the museum intern. The way she bumped into Da Li looks very awkward. Also why An Chak Hui is in the Main Role list? Her screentime is minimal, same things goes to her character's impact to the story. And the most annoying after all, it looks like Jang Tae Jin didn't get what he deserve at the end.

To sum it up, it's a great romcom with an appropriate number of romance and comedy, that will bring you back a vibe of old-school romcom kdramas!

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didn't feel the chemistry

Overall: 8 episodes about 8 minutes each. Aired on Lovememory YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwW9ZsuS2FnYxGa2hkgRv7hMGCneDNfdA&si=XMjQlQBH_K9FXIr_

Content Warnings: manipulation, manhandling, college professor/student (did not bother me)

What I Like
- a forthright character
- a character talked about something right away to get answers in episode 3

Room For Improvement
- did not feel chemistry
- some awkward kissing
- why did a character lie about his feelings? it didn't seem that he had that low of self esteem
- the line "you can use me and throw me away"
- hopefully it was a mistranslation but the line in eps 6/7 that all female students were pitiful

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start at episode 44

Overall: I did not find the actions/approach of the ML romantic. You can start at episode 44 to skip that. 50 episodes about 2 minutes each, 1-5 free on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LvtMmuuDqE Aired on the Shortime app, My invite link is https://playground.shortime.app/en/invite/NKNIWI - the code is NKNIWI (those are all capital letters, that's the capital letter i)

Content Warnings: non con kisses, manhandling, non con picture taking/sharing/outing, punch, fight

What I Liked
- supportive sister
- visuals
- tried to clear something up right away
- good kissing (when finally it was mutually wanted)

Room For Improvement
- the non con/ignoring boundaries
- quack noises
- several times jumps
- that a character didn't recognize another character
- love rival
- too many flashbacks
- the "I don't like guys"
- fought over him like he was an object and not a person

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Full of plot holes/unexplained events. Bromance is fun, but sequel is better

short review: The ending of the series is a happy one. but IS he a human ? The big problem is that the eternal beings seem to treat life as one long yawner. it's all about the game to them, not about winning as soon as possible.
Long review:
I normally don't care too much about small plot holes, but I rated this lower because there are ALOT of holes in the story, & even more stupid & bad choices made by the characters.
Spoilers of things that made this less than perfect & the reason why it has no rewatch value for me:
A) Foxes can zip around super fast from here to there- but there are times when they seem to forget that.
B) ok, you're a human- you tranquilize a guy & then transport his unconscious body up to his high rise apartment all by yourself by.... ?
C) Characters constantly go into situations knowing it's stupid to do so & do it anyway-it's like they really can't hold themselves back, they just have to do the first dumb thing that pops into thier head!
D) The evil snake guy. WHY is he so lazy? He shows up to terrorize people, then backs off . Come on; He knows where they live ! Is it that he knows that once his enemies are gone he will have nothing to do ?
E) No one actually tries hard to hide from the bad guy! (Let's just stay in side our house & hope he doesn't come ?)
F) Villain can hypnotize people, but he rarely does.
G) The plague. Why are people coughing up snake eggs,.... that DON'T hatch ?? or if they did then WHERE are the baby snakes ??
H) Most people die right away, but 2 side characters linger & inexplicably survive
I) How does the decider of everyone's death date come back from bein turned to stone ?

There is alot of good story & acting. The guys ALL steal the show and are the only reason to watch this as their bond to each other is great fun.
There is a 2nd & 3rd (?) season BUT Jo Bo Ah does not return as they they change the female lead & go back to the Joseon era. Both Seasons 2 and 3 will have 10 episodes each.

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The tension and angst killed me

Production:
- The aesthetics, colors, and cinematography in Thailand are amazing. Its giving Tokyo Drift.

- Impeccable wardrobe and styling for all the characters. Esther Yu wardrobe never disappoints.

- I adore the OST.

Plot
- The plot is nothing special. The drama focused more on its characters and their interactions.

- Zhao and mom’s whole interaction wasn’t shown in the book. It was the most heartwarming part of the show so Im glad it was added. Seeing Zhao plead and be accepted 💚


Chemistry:
- The romance is pure intensity and sexual tension. I give most of the credit to HeYu for this. Man knows how to make tension out of thin air.

- The book was a lot more adult. After their first time, Jin Zhao initiated sex whenever he was alone with her. Im shook.
“The soundproofing here is excellent. No need to hold back.”

“Some traditions shouldn’t be broken. A woman doesn’t take the lead her first time.”

Characters:
- Zhao is such an acts of service guy. He provides princess treatment and spoils her rotten. But he keeps making decisions on her behalf. He didn’t even grovel for ghosting our princess for 6 yrs and never making an attempt to reach out. Like why is she the one chasing you again sir?

- The burden of making the first move ALWAYS fell on Mu’s shoulders. She initiates all the clinging, flirty remarks, love confessions and skinship. Her efforts alone started and rekindled their romantic relationship. Without her trying, their story might have never progressed past yearning stage. The real green flag.

- Sin Lai is an amazing friend. My shaylaa
“Why are your shoelaces always untied?”
“Im afraid if I squat down and tie them, no one will wait for me”

- Ngl, I expected the father’s role to play a bigger part in the story. Wasn’t a very impactful presence.

- Lin Sui also felt like such a randomly written character that served no purpose. He wasn’t the villain nor the love rival we initially thought. His role is basically be the rich guy offering Zhao help at random moments.

Casting:
- Everyone was SO HOT 🔥.

- HeYu has great yearner/ bedroom eyes. His stares and little smiles make me melt. Perfect for a role like this. My pick for standout actor this entire drama.

- Esther has a good mix of baddie and cutesy diva princess. Mu’s styles and personality actually matches hers irl.

- Mike Angelo’s chemistry with Esther IRL is so much fun and makes for such a funny third wheel.

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Yuan Yi Qing Zhou Du Yu Sheng(2024) is a very good romantic comedy miniseries with Zuo Ming (as Chen Jing Zhou) and Zhai Yi Ying (as Jiang Shi Yuan) in the leading couple’s role. The cast did a great job bringing their characters to life and the leading couple has great team and romantic chemistry. The male and female characters are both strong minded characters and will fiercely protect each other. The drama is quite short but it really delivers a well developed plot and a few heart fluttering romantic scenes, enjoy it!
In the meantime, this drama can be found in YouTube under the caption: “
Cinderella saved the blind poor boy, but she didn't expect that he was the CEO &love her!” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWSLzPemYw4) or “Escape Danger Find Love Richest Chen Jingzhou Dotes On Her｜Wishing Light Boat For Life” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DwMUnI64uI)

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