Reviews

Be Careful What You Wish For!

this was an interesting watch!

I feel like the drama had a killer concept (pun intended 🤣) and had the potential to be amazing, but it couldn’t really live up to its potential. it started off really strong, but somehow fell flat towards the middle/end.

I liked the underlying message of the drama, “your wishes have consequences, no matter how stupid or insignificant they may seem”. the mix of shamanism with modern technology was a great idea.

the acting was incredible. unfortunately, the same can’t be said about the characters. some of the characters were so one dimensional that you couldn’t care less if they died.

there were some things i found stupid or didnt like, but I didn’t find the drama as bad as some of these reviews made it out to be. overall, I think it was an interesting drama to binge on a Saturday night. I will probably be tuning in if they make a second season!

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A Mind Game You Don’t See Coming

The Art of Sarah really pulled me in with how smart and layered it is as a mystery-thriller. It’s not the kind of story that just gives you clues and expects you to follow—it actually plays with your mind. Every episode made me question what’s real, who to trust, and what Sarah’s true intentions are.
What stood out to me the most is how Sarah is such a skilled manipulator. She doesn’t rely on force or obvious lies—she reads people, understands their weaknesses, and uses that against them so subtly that you almost don’t notice it at first. There were moments where I caught myself believing her, only to realize later that I was being played too. That’s how convincing she is.
The tension builds so well throughout the story. The twists don’t feel random—they’re carefully placed, and when they hit, they actually make you rethink everything that happened before. It’s the kind of thriller that keeps you mentally engaged, not just emotionally.
Overall, The Art of Sarah is gripping, clever, and honestly a bit unsettling in the best way. It shows how dangerous someone can be not because of power, but because of how well they understand people—and Sarah proves that perfectly.

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The Perfect Mix of Danger and Heart

I’ve already looped this series three times, and I’m still not over it. The way Zong Yi gets dragged from his quiet life into a dangerous gang world is so gripping. The romance feels warm and real because of the constant grit and pressure of their reality. The second couple, Chen Yi and Ai Di, is just as charismatic; their intense, messy energy makes it feel like two top-tier shows in one. It’s a story about loyalty and choosing the person you’d die for. It doesn't feel like a typical staged drama; it just feels intense and real, which is why I keep going back to it.

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Watch the second couple through episode 8 then bounce

Ugh. This was so painful. And let me be clear, it was painful before the writers completely gutted the best part of the story.

The 3 best things were the second couple, the Black support character, and the kids.

I liked the main couple's acting but I hated their story. It was a strained premise that was made worse by drawing out the unearned resolution for almost the entire series. Ridiculous.

The second couple gave me life. I tuned in specifically to follow them. But the writers destroyed it unnecessarily but literally killing their relationship. The same point about cherishing the one you love in the moment could have been made without offing one of them.

My other complaint was the misses on the NC scenes. Don't act like we are seeing everything because the timing is too short to be the real deal. It feels weird. And dont get into impossible positions. Its distracting.

Overall, blech. Decent to great acting was wasted on a crap script. So annoying.

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Two Love Stories, One Big Lie

Scams, Schemes, and Sincerity

My Romance Scammer is a morally grey BL that leans into deception and turns it into something surprisingly heartfelt. The premise is simple but effective—two con artists, Tim and Yu, scam wealthy heirs Pai and North through fake relationships and marriage. But as the lies deepen, so do the feelings, blurring the line between manipulation and something real.

The series works best when it contrasts its two main pairings. Tim and Pai represent a slow, calculated deception. Their relationship is built on quiet tension, subtle emotional shifts, and a steady push-and-pull dynamic. It’s controlled and psychologically driven, though at times it can feel a bit too restrained. Personally, I struggled to connect with Pai, as his character often comes across as arrogant and dismissive, which made their romance harder to root for.

On the other hand, Yu and North bring a completely different energy. Their story is chaotic, emotional, and immediately engaging. From an impulsive marriage to high-stakes conflict, their relationship feels raw and sincere. North’s openness clashes beautifully with Yu’s unpredictability, creating a dynamic that’s messy but compelling. This pairing easily became the emotional core of the show for me. For me, the real heart of the series will be Yu and North. Their impulsive marriage and the resulting financial fallout create high-impact drama that feels incredibly urgent. Poon Mitpakdee (who stepped into the role originally slated for Fluke Jeeratch) brings a brilliant, romantic energy that balances perfectly with Ohm Thitiwat’s mysterious, unpredictable Yu.

The acting is strong overall. Ohm Thitiwat and Poon Mitpakdee stand out with their natural chemistry and charisma, while Junior Panachai and Mark Jiruntanin deliver solid performances despite a more challenging dynamic. It’s also nice to see familiar faces in the supporting cast, adding depth without overshadowing the main story.

Thematically, the series explores betrayal, vulnerability, and redemption, asking whether love that begins as a lie can ever truly be real. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it executes its ideas with enough care to keep things engaging.

In the end, My Romance Scammer succeeds because it tells two versions of the same story—one slow and controlled, the other fast and emotional. And while both have their strengths, it’s the messy, heartfelt chaos of Yu and North that truly leaves an impact. It’s a series that asks tough questions about accountability and redemption. Can you truly love the person who scammed you? The show doesn't give easy answers, and that’s exactly why it works.

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Decent rom com, Wickedly funny satire/parody/office rom com, great acting, camera, music

THIS DRAMA IS INCREDIBLY WICKEDLY FUNNY, such a satire and parody on so many things!!!! I was laughing in ep 1
It is a decent rom-com, not a masterpiece, but it is still worth a watch. ML actor is a fantastic actor and comedian and he gives a great performance here. FL actress is ... hm.. not my favorite.... to cold. She has some moments where she acts deeper but by ep 6, not enough for me to actually enjoy her acting

==== WRITTEN AFTER EP 6 ========
The cliches are there - FL has a past, is cold and reserved to ML, who is chasing her, i.e. he is trying a lot harder than she is - the classic trope.
Still there are some refreshing takes - FL is a competent professional and his boss.. ML is a green flag, speaks his mind directly, and is a rather realistic male

===WRITTEN AFTER EP 1 =====
There are zillion enthusiastic comments in the Discussion yet 166 ppl gave 7.6 rating, and online 25 ppl gave 6 and 3.5 stars for ep 1 and 2 - CLEARLY THERE ARE ORGANIZED TROLL GROUPS, FAKE ACCOUNTS, WHO DOWNGRADE SUCCESSFUL KDRAMAS
So i wrote this review after just ep 1. the drama is too good to pass :) Dont Believe MDL rating!!!!

yeah there are many issues in the drama, e.g. FL is the only female on her team, etc etc - and I am not sure if HRs really investigate this kind of stuff for real LMAO
but you don't have time to think of that bc it is just so wickedly funny

And the acting, camera and music is amazing! ML actor is such a great actor and a phenomenal comedian. FL actress provides comedic effect in contrast with him. Her character would not be funny at all on its own.
And then there are other great actors in there, like Once Again bro.

I think FL denoted ML bc she/someone saw the staircase kiss, and I suspect she is already hitting on him. He is definitely a catch :)

And... last but not least... isnt it nice to see a real man as ML and a man who CAN ACT a wide range... an not a porcelain doll with plasticized glazed androgenous triangular face and super skinny body AND ONE FACIAL EXPRESSION - gloomy serious. Pursuit of Jade kind that will be replaced by AI bc they all look alike and cannot act. I am so glad we dont have to watch plasticized ppl in this drama. FL kinda smells of it but her acting luckily is ok for her tsundere role.

The reversal of gender roles is hilarious

=====================================
The drama is built on amazing surprises, it is like a roller coaster...

I understand why Koreans are concerned that the end of ep3 can start a new wave of dramas trying to up each other and going the lewd way of Hwood... We already have lots of scenes of guys in a shower, Dynamite Kiss pushed the envelope into bed, now FL almost doing a striptease,.... so what's next... I understand why Koreans are worried we are standing too close to the cliff edge of turning into Hwood cheap.....

I personally think that end of ep 3 was on the edge of acceptable, and it was cheesy, and to me it was made hilariously funny by the comments of the audience, who totally nailed it. Omg the comments are better than the drama in those scenes LMAO

I analyzed why the scene at the end of ep 3 was funny - bc it was so unexpected, bc the drama baited us to believe something else.. yet trained us to trust the drama :) So being so swindled was funny.... See https://kisskh.at/793102-secret-gratitude#comment-25998698
(Hm why is the comment labeled as "secret gratitude"??? )

Also, notice the SOPHISTICATION of this wickedly funny humor and also very compassionate and revealing. The last scene in ep 3 is effective precisely bc we see only their faces. Hwood would destroy that scene by showing everything. Then all the mystery and the fun of seeing their faces very closely and for a long time and feeling compassion and comraderie with the characters would have been GONE.

This sophisticated humor is the trademark of kdramas, it is a certain elegance and intelligence, parody, satire, jestering, exposing difficult heavy serious issues with tact and compassion, that only kdramas have.

In any case, whoever thought of this script, is a mastermind manipulator and jester :) sooo familiar with people and how to play them and in that contrast, make it super funny and also super educational. A master storyteller :) And the director and camera and production and the actors are the same kind, on the same page, they totally understand the concept. VERY VERY VERY SKILLED TEAM.

RESPECT!!!!!

And the audience here in their comments showed they understand the concept too. Very impressive. This is one of the best chat rooms. Respect!!!

On its own, the end scene in ep 3 to me is on the edge of acceptable and also very cheesy, one more step and it would have been gone off the deep end cliff of Hwood
To me, that last scene became funny bc of the comments of the audience - so incredibly funny.

I hope that other dramas will not start a competition to updo this drama... We already have plenty dramas with scenes of guys in the shower, etc... I would stay on this side of the cliff, not go any further, would rather use the time for quality content.

FYI I find it very funny, my review has 11 likes and yet was listed last. Why was that so? I reviewed 1 ep out of 12 and the others reviewed 2 or mistakenly 12.

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It’s great please watch!

Those who gave it a bad rating please watch it again. I haven’t the foggiest clue why you didn’t like it. I will admit I thought the villains were too evil. But I really like Zhuge Yue and Xing Chu. The only complaint I could have is that they focused too much on everyone else instead of these two and the music wasn’t very well thought out. For the two leads you kept getting small scenes here and there with those two, sometimes longer but mostly just short ones. I just started episode 16 so maybe it will get better. Otherwise it’s great. I’ve seen the actor who plays as Zhuge Yue in another movie series and was glad to see him in the lead role not the second male lead. He is a great actor. Him and the Xing Chu, they can act with just their eyes, it’s crazy 🤣! Please watch, no it’s not the same as Princess agents but the road they chose for this sequel was actually a good one. And I’m glad they actually made a sequel for it unlike this other movie series I watched, can’t remember the name, but because the two leads were dating off set and then broke up they decided not to make a sequel when the way it ended it clearly said, “sequel coming up!” Replace one of them then like in this one or both of them for goodness sake. It’s okay it’s been enough time now ☹️. Okay that’s all.

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I like the storyline

Chu Yunchang hid her identity as the head of the Sengshou sect from her lover, Mao Buyu. Initially, she told many lies, but Mao Buyu loved her deeply, even after knowing Chu Yunsang's identity, he still protected her.

It was very sad to see the fathers of the male and female leads die because of Luo Shixun's conspiracy he even framed Chu Yunsang's father for killing Mao Buyu's father. However, the misunderstanding was resolved at the end of the story, it was a relief that the ending was happy even though it didn't match my expectations because Chu Yunsang and Mao Buyu didn't get married.

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EXCEPTIONAL, AUTHENTIC, HEARTWARMING PEOPLE

A show of rawness, kindness, loving and caring to impossible heights. Authentic people, families, workers, sharing and giving of themselves, in a community of innocence. Grandmothers, with so much history and life stories; kids, grandkids, neighbors watching and protecting the habitat. A true show of Reality. It was the grandmothers, especially Ms Ja; the three friends: Seon Hee, Da In, Ji Hee, and of course, the Barber Shop “Uncles”/“Brothers”, who stole my heart. I grew quite fond of the actors: Bo Gum, a known sex-symbol, Sang Yi, unknown to me, although I’d seen his work, and Dong-Yeon, a great young actor—all displayed honor, respect, patience, and went the extra mile. They seemingly forgot the cameras and were just caring human beings. No vanity, no superiority, just commonplace authentic selves and generosity. Sang Yi and Mrs Ja! Her tenacity for hard work and learning was astounding! This is a show of admiration. The ramp without railings was unnerving and the fee to the soldier had me scratching my head, but overall, a very enjoyable show of laughter, sadness, growth in competence, skills sets, and cultural awareness.

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A Soft Slow Burn That Gets It Right

Duang With You is the kind of BL that keeps things simple—and that’s exactly why it works. It follows Duang, a cheerful and determined design student, who falls in love at first sight with Qin, a reserved and emotionally distant music major. Instead of forcing instant romance, the series takes its time, turning a one-sided crush into something mutual, earned, and deeply comforting.

The highlight of the show is the chemistry between Duang and Qin. Their dynamic is built on contrast—Duang is warm, open, and persistent, while Qin is quiet, guarded, and slow to trust. But what makes this pairing click is consistency. Duang doesn’t just chase—he listens, adjusts, and respects boundaries. Qin, on the other hand, doesn’t suddenly change; his emotional growth unfolds gradually, making every shift feel real.

The push-and-pull between them creates a gentle tension without ever becoming toxic. Qin allows Duang to try, which reframes the “persistent pursuer” trope into something more consensual and healthy. It becomes less about chasing and more about earning space in someone’s life.

The slow burn is handled well. Their connection develops through shared moments, especially during a performance project that brings them closer. The intimacy is subtle—quiet glances, shared silences, and small gestures—making their eventual closeness feel natural and rewarding.

The supporting cast deserves a mention too. Their friends are refreshingly normal, supportive, and genuinely invested in both Duang and Qin. The series also does a good job showing how their family backgrounds shaped who they are, adding emotional context to their actions.

Overall, Duang With You doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it executes familiar tropes with care and sincerity. It’s light, fluffy, and emotionally grounded—a comfort watch that quietly stays with you.

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Lighthearted, Feel-Good Drama Done Right

This drama is a refreshing watch that leans more into humor and warmth than heavy emotions. While there are definitely emotional moments sprinkled throughout, the overall tone stays lighthearted and enjoyable, making it an easy and comforting binge.
The casting was perfect.. every actor delivered, and each character felt distinct and well-played. What stood out most was how every character had their own secrets, yet they gradually came together to form a strong, touching bond. The friendships were beautifully portrayed and became the heart of the story.
The humor was consistently on point natural, well-timed, and never overdone. It kept the narrative engaging without feeling forced. I was completely hooked the entire time, never once feeling the need to skip or fast-forward.
Another highlight was how the drama avoided cliché storylines. It initially felt like it might go down the usual love triangle or ex-lovers route, but it surprised me by choosing a fresher, less predictable path.
The 16-episode format was perfect Instead of rushing through the story like many shorter dramas, it allowed the characters and relationships to develop naturally.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this show... it’s been a while since I binged a drama like this. I’d definitely love a Season 2, especially with the four girls (Go Bok Hee, Hong keum Bo leading) something fun and dynamic, maybe something like Charlie’s Angels-style.

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