Reviews

The leads have great chemistry and loved Lee Je Hoon in this!

When I started this drama, I was so surprised and it was such a pleasant surprise to see Lee Je Hoon portray a character so different from the one in Where Stars Land, because that was his only other drama I had seen so far.

From the near robotic yet solemn guy to this charismatic jovial guy, he has done such a good job in bringing both characters to life. It was fun watching him.

The story could have been better. I have gotten used to some family dramas so I expected things to be a bit over the top when she finds out the reason why he married her. But I like the way things turned out.

It might be worth a rewatch just to see these two cuties work that chemistry.

Read More

will rewatch anytime

Captivating the King gave us a complex, emotionally layered portrayal of power, love, and identity, and Jo Jung-suk and Shin Se-kyung brought such intensity to their roles. The chemistry, the tension, the longing—it’s the kind of drama that leaves you wanting more. “Captivating the King” left me emotionally wrecked—in the best way. Jo Jung-suk’s portrayal of King Lee In was magnetic, and Shin Se-kyung’s duality as Hee-soo/Mong-woo added layers of intrigue and heartbreak. I’m still thinking about that final baduk scene under the tree. I’d love to see a Season 2 that explores their journey now that the masks are off and the throne is secure. There’s so much more story to tell, and I’m not ready to say goodbye.” Captivating the King wrecked me—in the most beautiful way. Jo Jung-suk and Shin Se-kyung gave us a love story wrapped in secrets, strategy, and soul. That final baduk scene? I’m still not over it.

We need Season 2. Not just for closure, but to see how King Lee In and Hee-soo navigate love and power now that the masks are off. Their story isn’t finished—it’s just beginning.

📣 To the writers, producers, and tvN: the fans are ready. Let’s continue this masterpiece. #CaptivatingTheKing #Season2Please #JoJungSuk #ShinSeKyung #KdramaLove

I’ve found a few stunning visuals that would work beautifully with your post. These include:

Jo Jung-suk in regal attire, radiating quiet strength

Shin Se-kyung in disguise, eyes full of secrets

Their emotional reunion under the tree in the final episode

Teaser posters with dramatic lighting and palace intrigue vibes
Captivating the King” was more than a drama—it was a poetic storm of love, betrayal, and redemption. Jo Jung-suk and Shin Se-kyung gave us a story that deserves more chapters.

We need Season 2. Let’s see King Lee In and Hee-soo face the future together, not just the past.

Read More

repeat watch

Review: “Trigger” (2025) – A Dystopian Masterpiece That Hits Hard

Trigger is not just another action-packed K-drama—it’s a chilling, thought-provoking dive into a dystopian South Korea where gun violence suddenly erupts in a society that once prided itself on strict firearm control. Directed by Kwon Oh-seung and starring the magnetic Kim Nam-gil and Kim Young-kwang, this Netflix original delivers a potent mix of suspense, emotion, and social commentary.

From the very first episode, the tension is palpable. Lee Do, a former sniper turned detective, and his enigmatic partner Moon Baek navigate a surge in illegal firearms and the psychological unraveling of a nation. The storytelling is razor-sharp, and the pacing never lets up. The Trigger | Official Trailer | Netflix sets the tone perfectly—dark, intense, and deeply human.

What makes Trigger stand out is its emotional depth. The characters aren’t just heroes or villains—they’re people pushed to their limits. The Trigger Review : bhai! intense ride..|| Trigger Kdrama Review ... captures this beautifully, highlighting how the series blurs moral lines and forces viewers to question their own sense of justice.

The cinematography is sleek and haunting, and the action sequences are brutal yet meaningful. But it’s the social critique—on class disparity, mental health, and systemic failure—that elevates Trigger into something unforgettable. As explored in Trigger (2025) Netflix Review, the show doesn’t just entertain—it challenges.

If you’re looking for a drama that combines edge-of-your-seat thrills with real-world relevance, Trigger is a must-watch. It’s a bold reminder that even in fiction, the echoes of reality can be deafening. Hopefully there is a season 2

Read More

Perfect example of rom-com and fantasy✨

I was confused among 3 Dramas.. but I'm so glad i chose to watch this. As we've seen, when a drama contains 16ep it gets boring at some point.. or myb sometimes you dont enjoy it / dont feel connected to the drama.. but speaking of this, It wont disappoint you!! The romance was on peak, the funny moments and the story..it was all so good>>
.
Big shout-out to the EDITORS, they made it more funny and enjoyable😭
.
And also the support roles having their own love story was so admirable💫
.
But this is not a drama you'd watch 2nd time, it doesnt contain lots of plots or anything.. simple romcom with a little touch of fantasy. This is what you are getting!!!
.
just dont give it a 2nd thought and watch it right away, your time wont be wasted!!!

Read More

This drama is, quite simply, a rare gem.

Starting a drama review is always a challenge, and this one is no exception. It is a production that, despite not having reached a wide audience, leaves a deep impression on everyone who has watched it.

Reading through fellow reviewers’ impressions, I felt much of what I wanted to express had already been voiced. Still, this drama touched me in such a personal way that I must share at least a glimpse of how profoundly it resonated with me.

At its core, this is a drama of mystery and suspense, fractured blood ties, found families, and an unforgettable story of love, sacrifice, and resilience.

The narrative unfolds across four distinct timelines, cleverly interwoven:

Timeline 1 (Mailbox No. 1): Though never shown directly, it represents the permanent home of two enigmatic figures—a scrap collector and a yellow cat. The latter becomes a whimsical yet pivotal messenger, carrying letters across timelines through different mailboxes. (A quirky detail: the director revealed that six different cats were used for this role—seamlessly so, I never noticed the switch.)

Timeline 2 (Mailbox No. 2): Set in 1991, where we meet our young protagonists.

Timeline 3 (Mailbox No. 3): Set in 2026, where the next generation seeks to alter the fate of the past.

Timeline 4 (Mailbox No. 4): Revealed only at the end—a twist best left for viewers to discover.

In 1991, Ye Hai Tang (played by the versatile Wang Yinglu) lives under the shadow of relentless abuse by her father, Yi Yibo. Her home is broken, her father mentally unstable and consumed by gambling, stripping her of dignity and survival alike. The scenes of physical and emotional torment are painfully raw, often demanding a pause just to breathe. Her only solace lies in her passion for learning and her dream of university, a way out of her suffocating existence in Meiwan.

It is at school that she encounters Tang Yi Xun, an unlikely savior. A troubled orphan raised in an institution, Yi Xun has carved a harsh life alongside two friends, Li Cha Dong and Zhang Hao (“Rat”), surviving through illegal debt collection. Violence, betrayal, and despair haunt him, yet with the support of a caring teacher, he longs to return to his studies. When fate brings him to Hai Tang through one of her father’s debts, an improbable yet tender connection begins to grow.

Their bond is one of the most beautiful aspects of the drama: two broken souls finding comfort in one another, becoming each other’s chosen family. Yet fate proves merciless, and their fragile happiness is constantly tested.

Fast forward to 2026, and Hai Tang has mysteriously disappeared. Her son, Shen Cheng ( Ren You Lun ), returns from England in a desperate search for her. Along the way, he meets Yu Nian ( Zheng He Hui Zi ), who is also searching for her missing father, Yu Zhi Hong—a man in his fifties with Alzheimer’s. Yu Zhi Hong’s vanishing seems intertwined with Hai Tang’s, and in his final days he was seen lingering near a mailbox in a shipyard, waiting to send a letter under the quiet watch of a sympathetic security guard.

What unfolds is a puzzle that viewers themselves must piece together, as the timelines converge and unravel with both suspense and poignancy. To say more would diminish the impact; the surprises, mysteries, and emotional weight deserve to be experienced firsthand.

This drama is, quite simply, a rare gem: intense, immersive, and meticulous in every detail. The direction is masterful, the performances nuanced and compelling, the writing sharp and layered, and the cinematography stunningly evocative.

It is a story that lingers long after the final scene. For those willing to immerse themselves in its intricacies, it is absolutely worth the journey.
Rating: 10/10.

P.S: To better understand the division of the four timelines, I am following the perfect reasoning of one of my fellow reviewers on kisskh. I won’t mention their name out of respect for their review, but I am truly grateful for their explanation. It helped me a lot in understanding the whole plot. Thank you!

Read More

A feeling that breaks my heart in pieces.

Kim goeun what a great actor you are, watching you act and feeling all the emotions together is such a fine art. It shows how wonderful actress you are, at every scene I cried so much. I completed this drama in one watch, it's such a rollercoaster ride for me. I understand that her friends past is full of heartbreaks, but girl it's your best friend boyfriend and you keep trying. She is so selfish, irritating and I literally hate her nope I didn't like her character as human being, every time she is giving suggestion to eunjeong I was like you only doing the wrong thing. I understand why eunjeong break up sanghyuk, the way running to the college to find out the letter and feeling miserable like she is not that type of person and what a person she became. And worst part without discussing with her you ran back to her friends after lying about the exibition, what a loser you are. I guess I am not so good understand human but I really wish she never accept him again. The pain I feel at their break-up is too much to handle. But I hate the ending, why give her such a hard life and a painful death. Why? And what is whole story about? Betrayal and pain I just hate it. Except the acting of all actors and ofcourse kim goeun, it's so painful to watch all episodes.

Read More

Slow burn drama and lots of laughs

Soo young the queen you are. She is so funny every line she said made me laugh. The f*** you scene was GOLD. The ML and FL relationship progress legit made me break into a small shy ass smile. Idk about yall but I think they have chemistry. I might be the only but I thought the secretary of the SFL and her (step bro?) had something going on 😂. But I was wrong very wrong. The communication between ML and FL is what all relationships should strive to do and go for. When ML gets upset or angry idk why but I can feel it thru the screen. Nah but what’s wrong with that father?! Bro sees his kids as his little spawnlings to control and tell them what they should do. LIVING UR DREAM THRU UR CHILD IS SOOOO icky. Now this drama is a 6.5 for me cause I genuinely wouldn’t want to watch it again because idk why it’s just a drama I was curious on and it was good I won’t regret watching it at all! And I was also curious about ML because I thought he only went for roles that are psychotic. He did well here. This drama isn’t a reach for me that isn’t a bad thing though it’s just I don’t fully love this drama but I’d put in the category of more than decent it was lovey dovey cute teddy bear kinda feels. But if you’ve seen my other reviews I am not that FOND of romantic dramas they aren’t my thing but this was pretty good cause it wasn’t all romance based.

Read More

you will not miss much if you do not watch it

The drama was decent—not great, but not bad either. The story was truly fascinating and eye-opening, especially because it's based on real events. It's a sad truth that the themes it explores are still so relevant today, showing how people often have to pay a high price for fame.
The acting was great, with Jung Ho delivering a standout performance. He truly nailed the character, making him a personal favorite.
I found the storyline about friendship to be particularly well-done, highlighting the struggle to survive in an industry where, especially back then, women were often seen as objects. The show did a good job of trying to expose a terrible side of society, but it's disheartening to see that so little has changed. It feels like no one cares; everyone is still driven by power or money, and people blindly believe what the tabloids write, which continues to destroy lives.

Despite having only six episodes, the pacing felt slow, and I found myself losing focus. Honestly, if I hadn't watched it, I don't think I would have missed much.

Read More

Low ratings? This was AMAZING!

I'm glad I watched this series. Every episode was entertaining and I pretty much love everyone besides the bullies. There were times when I hated the characters but they evolved or make up for it. Everyone had a valid reason to feel how they feel. Definitely a roller coaster ride with feeling lovey dovey, laughing, and crying. Everything just made sense and it was relatable.

The characters were the greatest of the story. Uno was always reasonable even if you may not agree with what he did. Farrah was a supportive person. Everyone in the volleyball team had a personality even if they were all gay. Even the stereotypical gay character had a personality. Everyone was likable. Although, I would say Jared was the least likeable in the volleyball team. At first, I felt for him, but then he became a drama queen, yet whatever he said or did was still valid because I would've probably felt that way too in the heat of the moment. Again, everything just makes sense! They're just high schoolers learning and becoming better people.

The way it ended was fine. I'd prefer it that way. The LGBTQ was involved, but don't expect this to be total BL. I don't think there was queerbaiting because Uno had chemistry with Farrah in the beginning of the first episode and he clearly stated that he was not gay. While the gay romance wasn't as expected, the things they talk about with LGBTQ was great. Totally recommend this show if you enjoy great friendships and volleyball. (The volleyball matches was pretty intense)

Read More

Short, to the point, still a slow burn, no toxicity

While Strongberry struggled with it's last series, GND did it mostly right. This a lovely friends to lovers story. While a short one (6 ep around 10 minutes), it's still a slow burn. On the other hand there are no misunderstandings or toxicity. The only negative is that we had to wait for each episode for a week which does not make much sense. I would have prefered if they just released it as an movie - which they will do not so far in the future if I think about their last production "My Damn Business". This should be binge-watched!

The characters are not super complex but they are well enough written, they avoided classic BL clicheś with a love triangle from the friends but inserted a sunbea in the later half of the series. This forces Ju Do to act, to take the courage to confess and leave his angst behind him. They even left an open end for his friend because sunbea may have an interest in him too. The third friend is surprised but supportive and understandingwithout any drama introduced.

Production was more eleborate compared to Sukfilms series, so this feels more organic even when they have only four characters in the whole series. The school could have been more livelier but they had some extras at the basketball court. I also wished they had some extras in the cafe but of course they had little budget to expand the scope of the production. The chemistry was nice and acting wise there is nothing I could complain about.

Overall it was really heartwarming to watch and this is a show you should not miss!

Read More