Reviews

Beautiful Roadtrip

Besides the fact that i don't liked the overdosed screaming from Hong-Chul (that made me mute my TV after Episode 5 everytime he starts screaming again 😉)
i loved this show very much !
It made me happy in any way possible through the amazing landscapes, the amazing meals, the beautiful bikes, the Laughter, the Music, the "Guest-stars" and their private bonds & talks, and the hunger and charisma of Rain whom i didn't knew before and fell a little ;) ....what a Man 👍🏻
And all this funny Hommages towards Netflix hits my Humor totally and made it kinda sweet. Wished very much they would have done another Season. But thank you for this little treasure!! Hopefully i am able to see myself the Beauty of Korea one-day before i die🙏🏻🍀

Read More

Very cool.

I watch this not knowing anything about the source material or anything. I of course, now know that there’s some controversy about this show in China, but I’ve gotta tell the people in charge in China, never once did either of these characters come off as anything but straight teenagers. They literally just look like really good friends. That was enough to drive this story for this season and another one! The chemistry between these two guys was over the top amazing. There’s literally nothing not to like, except for the annoying acting of the little girl, and The fact that one of the actors seem to be voice dubbed. Being that I was watching it with subtitles it wasn’t that big of a deal, but when I watched interviews later, it was very obvious that WuBi doesn’t have the same voice in real life that he does in the show.

Read More

Glass Case of Emotions.

I had to double check the kisskh ratings for this one after watching the first two episodes because there was NO WAY it got rated an 8.0+

Here are my jumbled thoughts:

• For starters, there are very few braincells to be found and the only ones present belong to the Jiangs, Shao Peng's bestfriend Shu He, and Jonathan/Cheng Feng Jie. And Jiang Shao Peng's story is the strongest aspect of this drama in every way. It's also the reason why it had a solid rating.
Yes, we do begin with Yang Zi Xian, a spoilt, but repressed brat who had been sent back to Taiwan to oversee an important project for his Dad. His PA quits, unable to bear his shenanigans and Zi Xian handpicks Shao Peng due to his deafness and muteness.
His scheming hurts Shao Peng, who had diligently taken his duty and he quits in a fit of rage when he realizes that Zi Xian's plan was to get someone who wouldn't be able to discover his attempts to evade duty.
Realizing that he had insulted and looked down upon Shao Peng, who, in spite of his disability, worked hard and sincerely to make it to his goal, Zi Xian decides to apologize for his attitude and re-hires Shao Peng. Slowly, they develop a rapport and Zi Xian begins to open up about himself.

• The major highlight (or rather a depiction of the harsh reality for people such as Shao Peng) was how he had to learn to overcome situations and smile during difficult times. Initially, we begin to feel that he had grown used to his deafness as he had lost it as a child; but Zi Xian sees right through him. EP9 has an deeply impactful and intense confrontation between the two -- Zi Xian was brash, but he was also intelligent and empathetic, once we slowly begin to see him change for the better and spend more time with Shao Peng, going so far as to learn sign language to make him comfortable.
Their romance was slow, yet sweet. It had it's roadblocks, which is impossible to avoid, considering both of their backgrounds. Yet, the drama portrays that being 'disabled' is never a disgrace as it not a choice; rather, it becomes a part of your individuality -- your normal. Their feelings felt 'real'. Not to mention, Shao Peng's relationship with Shu He and his parents.

• By the way, Zi Xiang is actively pursued by a gang of goons for money -- there is no who-did-it, because we are shown who had done it. Xin Jia, an amateur and rising assassin, takes up the job by himself to prove his worth. He spectacularly fails and gets successfully captured by Chen Feng Jie in incognito mode. None of these parts of the plot matter, but they provide a sense of respite because in spite of the absolutely hilarious side couple and laughable attempt at being a 'thriller', the creators used all their efforts for Shao Peng and Zi Xian and I'm not unhappy.

• I had no complaints in terms of acting as everyone depicted their roles well, even during silly situations - yep, Feng Jie and Xin Jia. Kudos to Jin Yun, who seamlessly manoeuvred sign language, and later, Raiden Lin, though he and the rest of the cast had the advantage of being able to talk to each other.

• Not a huge fan of the songs. The backgroud instrumentals were good, though.

• Honestly? I titled my review as 'Glass Case of Emotion' because one moment I'll be scoffing at their shoddy 'thriller' vibes and then the next moment, it'll be bittersweet or funny. There was no stable emotions as all four main characters had different vibes. (Serious Vs. Funny.) And all of them had almost equal screentime, too.

A solid 8/10, considering that they did manage to hold up one storyline thoroughly and convincingly in the middle of the river.

Read More

Not for the logic but for the dopamine...oohh and the OST

Every now and then, we all need a break from the heavy plots,those emotionally charged, well written dramas like Weak Hero Class 2 or The Prison of Love. Sometimes, it’s okay to set aside logic, suspend common sense and dive headfirst into the chaos of a show like My Lethal Man.

Let’s be honest: the plot was a rollercoaster with more holes than a fishing net, and the writing often went wildly off track. But here’s the thing,We Personally I stayed for him. Fan Zhi Xin.He delivered yet another magnetic performance, reminding us why he's a fan favorite. His on-screen presence? Unmatched. The chemistry with the FL which thank goodness she reciprocated once she grew a pair.This man is Electric,even at a young age of 26 And let’s not forget that killer combo of EQ, IQ, and effortless charisma of his character that the writer soberly put together.

And then there's the secret ingredient that made this drama unmissable—the Viki comment section. It's a treasure of sharp wit, shared laughter, and a communal love for the absurd. Sometimes, that collective experience is what truly elevates a helps to get through some painful cringe fest.

My Lethal Man may not make it to the top of anyone’s “Best Script” list, but it earns a spot in your watch history—for all the right and wrong reasons.

Read More

Thai romcom with some heaviness

Overall: I support Saint and all the actors but the the comedy didn't mesh well with some heavy plot points. Based on the book "Wanjai Phuyai Jom" by Naoto which I haven't read. 12 episodes about an hour each. Aired on Idol Factory's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4D0KlUVq4IyHCM1l3v94GC0SJ3EUG8fl&si=EmHX_4KfrB2NSdKr

Content Warnings: fight, non con kissing, intimate partner abuse, pretended to commit suicide, attempted murder, beaten up, violence, blood, manipulation, bullying, coercion, sexual harassment, past child abuse, cyber bullying, kidnapping, beaten up, dub/non con kiss, manhandling

What I Liked
- chuckled a couple times
- happy to see Saint on screen again
- good they called out that teacher/student relationship and the teacher had consequences though I wish he had had other consequences
- the grandma
- his brother, though he should respect boundaries
- the end of the finale

Room For Improvement
- jumps from serious moments to ridiculous moments (like that inflatable mall thing in episode 3)
- they brushed the intimate partner abuse under the rug, in the real world she'd likely be dead in a couple of years
- nonsense writing: why couldn't he have gone to another school or studied at home?, the parents weren't concerned about what almost happened to him?, if it's that dangerous then they should have had him go out of the country
- though I didn't have an issue with the age gap per se (Yo was 19 and Jom was 28-31), it was not appealing to see Yo in high school wearing the high school uniform and Jom acted like a parent with a rebellious kid many times
- the villains were cartoonish and practically twirled their mustaches
- zero interest in the high school bullying stuff and redemption arc
- love rival and his redemption arc
- noble idiot trope/refused to communicate cliche
- most humor didn't work for me

Read More

A Tragic Romance of Memory, Forbidden Love, and the Search for Identity

“Dear Hongrang" is a historical K-drama that blends mystery, forbidden romance, and family drama with rare finesse. The story begins with the disappearance of Hongrang, the son of a powerful merchant family. Twelve years later, a man returns, claiming to be him but with no memory. His reappearance disrupts the balance of power, reopens buried wounds, and rekindles long-suppressed emotions.

*The characters are the beating heart of this drama.*
Hongrang (Lee Jae-wook) is a living enigma. He shifts between coldness, pain, and tenderness. There’s a sense of a broken past and a fragmented identity that creates a constant tension around him. By his side, Jo Bo-ah plays Jae-yi, his half-sister a strong yet wounded woman torn between family loyalty and a forbidden love she tries desperately to suppress. Their relationship, full of lingering glances, restrained gestures, and unspoken words, is both heartbreaking and magnetic.

The character of Mu-jin (Jung Ga-ram) also deserves attention. As the adopted son of the family, he hides his own wounds consumed by jealousy, unrequited love, and a longing to be acknowledged. His arc is one of the most tragic and human in the series.

*The OST is exquisite.
The music perfectly accompanies each scene, enhancing silences, amplifying tension, or wrapping emotional moments in a delicate soundscape. Some melodies gentle, haunting stay with you long after the episode ends. Moments of confrontation and intimacy are elevated by the soundtrack, which adds incredible emotional depth to the story.

This is a drama of contrasts: there are genuine moments of joy, when reconciliation or a future seems possible… but they are often quickly overshadowed by the harsh realities of the era, political games, or secrets too heavy to stay buried. I laughed at times, but I mostly cried. Not because of grand tragedies, but because of those small, fleeting moments—when everything could have changed, yet the characters remain prisoners of duty, name, or past.

- In conclusion, *Dear Hongrang* is a visually stunning and emotionally intense drama, carried by actors at the peak of their craft. It’s not fast-paced or action heavy, but it grips your heart and doesn’t let go. It speaks of memory, forgiveness, impossible love and above all, identity. A must-watch for those who appreciate deep, melancholic storytelling.

Read More

No Surprises, Just Red Flags - Love Minus the Lessons

Crushology 101 presents itself as a quirky teen romance but quickly falls into a cycle of overused tropes and predictable plotlines. The main leads share a toxic dynamic—his avoidant attachment style and hot-and-cold behavior are romanticized rather than addressed. The female lead’s choices make her feel unrelatable—especially in an era where female empowerment and emotional independence should resonate more strongly.

The second male lead—and other love interests—feel unnecessary. From the start, it’s obvious who the female lead will end up with, leaving no real tension or surprise. Side characters serve more as distractions than contributors to emotional depth. While the show has visual appeal and moments of light charm, it lacks emotional depth and narrative risk, resulting in a glossy but forgettable watch.

Read More

It was a good series in general. The story was solid. However, while writing the script, some simplifications, mistakes, errors, impossible things were made, Korean praise was still at the forefront. For some reason, Korean praise has become an indispensable thing in every series and movie. Now I started to wonder if it is while watching. This arrogance is too much.
I especially liked the cast. The action was very good. I found the painter incidents a bit exaggerated, the sibling relationships exaggerated in terms of sexuality. I think they are wrong. I don't want to go into details, but I had these and similar concerns about the series. The series, which was excellent until the 5th episode, started to decline after that because it got into such incidents. It seemed to have strayed from its own subject. My opinion.
Jo Bo Ah especially carried the series. Good acting, I liked it. Uhm Ji Von was excellent. He was like the superstar of this series. Very good acting, congratulations. Lee Jae Wok, Kim Jae Wook, Jung Ga Ram and Park Byung Eun were also actors I liked.

Read More

painfully straight

it is i, the niel.

can we first acknowledge the fact that the entire basis for the two characters getting together is because of green going after tine? it is a flat-out problematic representation of a flamboyant gay man and is a weird portrayal of queerness in general. not to be a party pooper, but it perpetuates the stereotype of queer men being predatory, which is not the vibe guys.

with that out of the way, my real problem comes in the form of every other thing this show has going on. it was rated a 2 (generous) since 2 is in the title. i'm giving it 1 star for each straight man in the main couple. the chemistry between these two guys was like if you smashed two ken dolls together and pretended they were kissing. sarawat was kind of just there the entire time. he's supposedly interested in tine well before they start "fake" dating, but the whole nonchalant approach feels like a cop-out for bad acting.

these two business bros aren't into men. i'm sorry. you can't just put two actors on screen and justify it by them both being "attractive" when they literally cannot act or pretend that they are interested in each other. even if you argued that this is tine figuring out his sexuality, the whole timid, shy approach does not work for tine when he is clearly seen actively pursuing his female love interest. it just doesn't make sense for his character.

the acting...as i've already said... is questionable. win certainly does a better job than bright. if he hadn't been acting with bright, win could've sold this a little bit better. also, i cringe every time i think of bright's singing because of his performance of heather by conan gray. this is unrelated, but if you haven't seen it, i do recommend checking it out (it's hilariously bad). aside from that, bright just plays into being attractive without putting forth any real skills to interact with the other characters in the scenes. i know that's part of his character and the writing, but also, he's the epitome of "go girl, give us nothing". it makes the entire show feel central to him, when frankly, i just don't care.

it's not like any of these actors were working with the most incredible, groundbreaking story, but this could've been a cute little thing if some adjustments were made. as it is, you're done. watched the whole thing. in essence, it was dropped. no wonder why it was a covid hit. if you had literally nothing else going on in 2020, sure. even then...no.

thanks guys!

best,

the niel.

Read More

RomCom where Com is before Rom

I dunno when was the last time I saw a rom com that made me laugh so I much. I would categorize it as a comedy before a romance though romance is certainly a bulwark of the plot. It had a plot that certainly used the general tropes of romcom genre but they were used well, the cohabitation, the cold powerful CEO and the bubbly cheerful FL. Yet they were not mere props but actually used to move the story forward. ML definitely made me a believer in the character he was portraying, as did all of the support cast. If I had to pick one thing, I'd probably say the FL while good in her own scenes, left me feeling a bit empty in her scenes with the ML. I don't know why, but their chemistry was better when they were not in love. Which is weird to say the least?
The comedy was perfect, the supporting cast did an amazing job and their characters were just adorable. I do like my romcoms with a dash of bromance and this was bromance X 6 (let's not forget the prosecutor nyim). Speaking of, I wish his story arc was also closed to some extent. While I agree that to show him switching to another woman right away would be depicting him as a shallow person, which he is not, I wish the closing scenes had shown his movement forward, we know the officer in his office likes him, would have been nice to at least see him realize there is a spark there.

The story of preconceived notions, society's harsh views and redemption, was relevant, we often forget that our criticisms and harsh judgement can deter someone from trying to do better, because we push them back towards the path they are trying to escape, simply because it is what they know, it is comfortable or it is all that is left available to them in order to survive.

All in all I highly recommend this story if you like fluffy, rom coms with focus on comedy, bromance and what it means to be family.

Read More

It's kind of a Chinese take on La La land with a tremendous amount of filler..

Sure this one is not at all a musical, but the mood, the ambiance and the circumstances felt quite similar to me. Instead of one couple there are two main couples here, but this comparison still fits alright for either of them. What they've shown of Macau is absolutely magical -and probably not all that realistic, but who cares- and in the first half of the show the romance is also mostly excellent.

So why is it only a 7.5? Well the second half of the drama only had like 30-40 mins of what I wanted to watch & there were all kinds of miscellaneous plots. While I knew very early on that we're faced with sort of an omnibus style storytelling & but there was so much there that I found incredibly boring. (Casey + kid | Older Brother + wedding | divorcee parents) The ending here is better than La La Land's, which is honestly not very difficult, however I expected way way more from a show this long & one that had so much filler and I mean SO EFFIN MUCH filler.

The OST & cinematography are top, about as good as it gets in this genre, It's almost worth it just for that.

People compare this to `Fake It Till You Make It`, other than Elvis Han acting in both there are not all that many commonalities I think. Even if we approach this topic with the "mature love" angle, I think everything is just too different..

Read More