Reviews

Disappointing

Let me start by saying that I’m dropping Jbls for a while until they can show me a realistic gay romance and not a Disney story for kids under 7.
I’m so freaking tired of stories like this one or the one in “10 things I wanna do before I turn 40” where men in their 30s and 40s act like blushing 18th century virgins and kiss on the forehead for the entire show (when they’re not talking with their couch-pillows that is) or asking their bf in their own house , after they fucked to put a shirt on because it’s indecent… I know Japanese are repressed, polite and bla bla but I refuse to believe that one of the biggest consumers of porn and the inventors of Hentai act like that when they’re in a relationship. Japanese men fuck. Japanese men (especially gay men) sometimes fuck even on the first date. Please stop with the same ol rancid stories where they’re 40 and act like a 15 years old girls. I don’t wanna see porn, like.. at all but please don’t treat us like fools, your audience is not 12.
I wanna see realistic couples , couples who kiss and hug and cuddle (if not in public at least in their own freaking home). Less stiff and awkward interactions and more natural dynamics, less bowing and apologizing and more “Let me give you a hug when you’re sad and crying because your dad caught us kissing “ , less dead-fish-lips kisses and more natural lovely kisses. I don’t even need passionate kisses (it would be too much to ask I bet) but for the love of all that’s gay, please let them give each other some pecks once in a while. And please make the bottom DO something in bed instead of (to quote another reviewer here) lying there like a wet dog. Can anyone tell me what was that kiss in the last episode?? Anyone ? Did they really touch their lips? They didn’t. You could slip a paper sheet between their lips . I’ve never seen a more ridiculous, uncomfortable, insulting wedding kiss in my life. And they were alone in that damn restaurant. Their entire relationship was stiff , uncomfortable, awkward, polite , dull, flavorless and boring. I blame Kanade, his character was most of the times unlikable, annoying and so oh so boring . Mashiro was a bit better, more daring and straightforward but not by much and damn,.. he would have fucked the hell out of Kanade if Kanade weren’t such a pearl clutcher. Too bad because the story had potential . So yeah, this is where I part ways with Jbls until they stop selling us bullshit .

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Three Roles, One Actor - Cheng Lei’s Masterclass in Shadow Love

I just finished Shadow Love starring Cheng Lei and Song Yi and I loved it!! It has a happy ending too!

Basically, the story is about a female general who falls in love with the male general of her enemy state. The twist? The ML loses his memory, so he doesn’t know who he really is, and the FL also has no idea of his true identity.

Later on, the ML regains his memory but loses all memories of his time with the FL. That’s when they go back to being enemies. Eventually, he remembers everything, and the two of them are reunited.

I really enjoyed the storyline and plot. The pacing in the middle episodes was a bit slow, but don’t worry, hang in there, because from episode 28 the plot regains its suspense and becomes much more engaging. For me, the intensity lies in the early episodes and the final arc, while the middle part is slower, probably to build the characters and their relationships.

What stood out to me the most was Cheng Lei’s performance. He basically carried three roles in one drama:
• Prince Annan (General of Yao State): cold, proud, and intimidating (and his face fits this vibe perfectly. I loved it). His authoritative voice when giving orders honestly gave me goosebumps. He truly embodied the commanding presence of a general.
• Jin An: the version of him with amnesia, playful, sweet, and affectionate.
• The Man in Black: insanely powerful, almost otherworldly.

He pulled off all three roles convincingly, but my personal favorite is definitely Prince Annan. That authority in his tone made the character terrifyingly believable.

As for the FL, I loved her portrayal too. She was strong, badass, and extremely protective of Jin An. What I found beautiful is that she fell in love with him when he was weak and powerless, which made her feelings pure and unconditional. She stood by him no matter what. Meanwhile, Jin An (and later the Man in Black) was fully devoted to her, even willing to sacrifice his life for her. Their relationship was so dynamic, intense, and full of mutual devotion, exactly the kind of romance I adore.

The visuals and battle scenes were another highlight for me. They were stunning and really added to the epic feel of the story.

Overall, Shadow Love had everything I enjoy. Strong leads, emotional depth, and breathtaking visuals. Absolutely loved it!

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Standing on the precise centerline of the standard measure.

This is a standard film by every standard, and I mean that as a compliment. It feels like watching characters step out of a novel, with a complete script, well-embodied characters, pitch-perfect emotions, and visually evocative scenes. Everything exists within a standard framework that met my expectations exactly. And as it happens, that was everything I needed from a period film like this.

If you are looking for a romance in the vein of "Romeo and Juliet," with family feuds, tragic partings, and high drama, "Memoir of Rati" is not that film. If you are seeking something emotionally heavier, or a deep dive into history, that is also not the prominent color in this palette. But if you are like me—searching for a breath of fresh air, a palate cleanser, a romantic and poetic love song that is gentle and lilting—stable, following a classic path, delivering visual splendor and telling its story through imagery, then "Memoir of Rati" is precisely the memoir for us.

The love between Thee and Rati blossoms from their very first encounters—if not from the very first moment Thee sees Rati from afar on the pier, his gaze already captured by the young Frenchman. Their love unfolds as gently as sunlight on a river, troubled by little more than small misunderstandings resolved in a moment, or a few situations that allow them to understand each other more deeply.

Perhaps I should be grateful, for the film arrived at the perfect time, after I had sat through a series of rather heavy-hitting dramas and was in need of just such a gentle touch. It strikes the exact chord of my taste for Thai period pieces. I adore the dreamy, poetic feeling of that era; for some reason, the hesitation, the shyness, and the touch of formality from that time easily make my heart flutter. The love between Thee and Rati is one of such romantic stirrings. It is certainly not thrilling, dramatic, or passionately fiery; "romantic" is the only keyword I can think of to describe their love, and it is also the primary atmosphere that envelops the entire film. Every trial or obstacle they face is crafted from the most classic of clichés, and it is this very old-fashioned quality that so deeply satisfied my expectations for a film set in a bygone era.

Speaking of the film's polished craftsmanship, the light, the colors, the flowers and the rivers, the fireworks during the festival, the architecture and the costumes—in short, the entire visual landscape—testify to the filmmakers' dedicated investment. Everything reaches a necessary maturity, and there is no room for debate: the acting is skillful enough for me to perceive the delicate inner stirrings of the characters. This subtlety, fitting for people of that time, bearing their responsibilities with romantic hearts, is a key element in creating such a sincere love story.

Within its nostalgic and vintage palette, the film weaves progressive ideas from a century ago, asserting its humanistic values in a way that feels appropriate for the time it was made, yet not anachronistic to the time it depicts (women have always been strong, regardless of the era's constraints). Although the characters' mindsets felt more "modern" than I anticipated—particularly in their easy acceptance of a same-sex romance—perhaps that issue was never the film's focus. As I mentioned, the romantic element is what takes precedence. And of course, aesthetics and aesthetic pleasure have never been unimportant in cinema. In this case, I see nothing wrong with prioritizing the beauty of nature, of people, and of a historical era above all else. The film may not push the viewer's emotions to their absolute limit, it may not make you weep in sorrow or tremble in fear, but the sublime beauty, with its poetic and romantic qualities, was more than enough for me to feel that aesthetic bliss.

Perhaps that is all that is needed for the "standard" of a good film—everything is measured, just complete enough, perfectly timed, and expertly balanced. Although there are a few regrettable shortcomings that may not fully satisfy every viewer, when the film ends, the feeling that rises above all else—the final impression it left on me—is one of happiness and wistfulness. It is a feeling of being both filled up and having something taken away, that necessary, beautiful emptiness one feels after watching a truly good film.

To speak on what it lacks: the ending follows a well-trodden path of separation and reunion. I can understand why some might have hoped for a tragic conclusion and disagree with the "happily ever after" endings often seen in GMM films. While I won't comment on the five-year separation, I think the happy ending is justifiable. From start to finish, the film's dominant theme has always been one of optimism, a look toward the future. It’s only natural that the ending would open a door to that future, to hope, to a new world. Furthermore, my personal taste doesn't usually lean towards love stories that become sweet too quickly; I prefer hardship and drama, so some parts were less compelling for me. Yet, on the other hand, even though the film is brimming with romance—with the two leads falling in love early on and barely a moment of conflict lasting more than half an episode—it still held my attention. It satisfied me aesthetically, and it still managed to excite me and make my heart flutter. In that, the film has done its job wonderfully.

And so, it is the chemistry and the aesthetic impression that I value most in this film. They delivered the necessary romance, in just the right measure for everything. And that is all that is needed for a good film.

***

(P.S. Besides Great-Inn, whose acting needs no further praise, Aou-Boom also made me understand a part of their popularity. Whatever the reason, I am certain that between them, there is that tension, and also a very lovely spark. They inhabit their roles so well that I never felt disconnected. Their secondary couple storyline doesn't feel forced, it doesn't crowd the main couple, and it serves as an interesting, colorful contrast to the central romance—playful, cat-and-mouse, humorous, and goofy. In short, utterly charming. I have much more faith in Aou-Boom's future series now.)

A final compliment for Inn - suay mak!

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Great drama with shamanism essence but loosing its memento towards the end

I finally understand all the hype about this drama! I was completely hooked from the start, especially the first 10 episodes. Young Woo acting as both main characters was incredible, and he showed the same
impressive talent he did in Tale of lady Ok. I particularly loved watching his character Bae Gyeon mature and find redemption, shedding his guilt along the way. Another highlight was seeing Young Woo to
play the evil spirit. It was fascinating to watch him, and even though he was a villain, you couldn't help but feel a sense of sympathy for him.

I was completely invested in the dynamic of the main trio. Even with the love triangle, their chemistry was undeniable, and I found myself strongly rooting for Bae Gyeon. The plot was both captivating and unique, with the incorporation of shamanism providing a welcome andfresh twist on the romance genre.

However, the drama did lose some of its steam in the final episodes. The narrative didn't feel as tight or exciting as the beginning, and I was genuinely bothered by how the central villain was allowed to run
rampant without any consequences, which led to a rather unsatisfying resolution.

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Could’ve been much better

This was one of the rare instances where I liked season 2 better than season 1. It was such a treat to watch the military and psychological battles between Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi unfold. I especially appreciated that the battle scenes and strategic planning were shown properly and in full detail rather than simply being narrated after the fact. But just like the first installment, the show peaked around episode 30, and it wasn’t really worth watching beyond that point. The other characters were not compelling and engaging enough, and not to mention, I was never fully invested in the character Sima Yi in the first place.

The actor that portrayed Sima Yi gave a strong performance, but I feel like a more nuanced actor could have brought greater depth to the character. I would’ve been more emotionally invested in the character as I did with Cao Cao, Xun Yu / Wen Ruo, Zhuge Liang, and Zhang Chun Hua. There should have been a subtle difference between Sima Yi’s calculated emotional outbursts and his moments of genuine desperation, but unfortunately, I could never tell the difference. One can say Zhang Chun Hua was the glue that held the Sima family together, but the family dynamics changed so abruptly after her death that I was utterly disappointed with the storytelling. It was also such a shame that Liu Tao’s character was largely implied most of the time instead of showing her character development since the first part. Not only that, the female characters, especially in the second installment, had little impact and substance, regardless of their screen time.

I thought Sima Yi treated his wife Zhang Chun Hua poorly, but oh my gosh, I felt so bad for Bai Ling Yun at the end, even though she is not one of my favorite characters.

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A promising thriller psychological drama

ATE!

The plot of the story was well written. I didn't see any plot holes in episodes by episodes. It's quite stressful to watch for me since the police work was so slow and why they always leave the traces every time they investigated to some places, especially the episode when they came to the owner of laundry's home. Like... bro... c'mon!

The conflict between the forensic team makes this drama even more exciting. So, it didn't just focus on the villain, the defendant, and the police, but also shows that everything starts by forensic team.

I love the way all the actors also acted by their eyes.
It's giving more goosebumps!

Thriller drama played perfectly by the top notch actors.
9.5/10 for many reasons🎩

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What an amazing ride

This is a really good drama divided in 2 parts.
Just like GOT if you can manage through first 10eps you will not be disappointed.
The first half is plain boring. I have a review somewhere in this thread saying I might drop this. But will stay mostly because of the ML. YES! HE iS HOT but is also an amazing actor. The FL has also done a good job but the role and acting she had to do for the first half did not feel convincing. Second however was right up her Ally, which is where it becomes super interesting too.

I think for me personally the drama became absolutely to obsess about from ep 30 onwards.
I will say that the story is divided in 2 parts. 1-29ep and then 30-38ep.
I know I will definitely be re-watching later half of this drama from time to time. It's just that good. I think the FL finally got the role to play that actually suited her best in the later half.

TLDR
30 ep onwards it's amazing. You can actually watch it directly from there and not miss too much context if you ve watched multiple chinese dramas.

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Have Seen Better

Not so much a review as an opinion.
I am watching episode 20.
Firstly, I do not like the FL He Wei Fang / Mu Dan, I did in the beginning, but she has become a greedy, money hungry person who cares little for other people’s feelings unless they are her best friends.

Understandably she had a very bad experience with her first husband and his parents, but she has become an unlikeable person and I really don’t understand what our hero sees in her.
Sure, it may have been her money hungry brain in the beginning, but as her ambition grew, so did her character change and not for the best. She is very good at trampling over our hero (ML) Jiang Changyang.

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Empathy and Healing

I had watched this series twice.
First reason is because of Yoon Kye Sang and Ha Ji Won.
Second is to understand more deeply the main characters and the people surrounding them.

The whole story with flashback from their childhood reveals little by little who they were and the reason who they are in the present. Some people may think of it as depressing, too much opposition, the wicked powerful seem to win, the struggles of those who just want to accomplish their purpose in life but found so many hindrances.

The Actors
Both Kye Sang and Ji Won have displayed their characters as matured people who have been honed by the challenges of life. They are the type of people who seek to understand the people they interact with and along the way, found themselves more and more involved with each other. It is good that there was no hate between them, but perhaps some kind of misunderstanding only of their past. I love how their love story unfolded and how they were healed together.
The antagonistic relatives of Dr. Kang did deliver well their hateful characters that sometimes you would like to smack them to stop their whining and fighting.
I think the most transformed character is that of Lee Joon. All his life, he hated Lee Kang but didn't really understand why. As the story unfold, he gets to see the true colors of his parents and learn to make his own choices.

The Story
I think 80% of this series is focused on several people dying. It gives us a picture that death is inevitable. It shows how friends and family are important in one's life while we are living. It teaches us how to be compassionate and more understanding towards those who are suffering. It presents to us the value of life is far and above ambitions and riches. We may not have seen what will happen to the hospice as both Lee Kang and Cha Young are in Greece at the end of the series. It just gives us hope that together, they can help others heal also wherever they may be.

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When I Fly Towards You — A Tender Journey Through Youth

This drama is a gentle treasure, like stepping into a sunlit memory where youth comes alive. It beautifully captures the excitement of first love, the warmth of friendship, and the courage to chase dreams.

From laughter in the classroom to sunrises and walks by the sea, every moment is sincere and full of heart. The cast makes you feel part of their world, and the music wraps the story in a soft glow.

More than anything, When I Fly Towards You is a reminder of how precious those fleeting years are a show I’ll cherish whenever I want to remember the beauty of growing up.

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A masterpiece that blends youth, music, and heartfelt family bonds

Twinkling Watermelon (2023) Korean drama…
It’s truly a masterpiece in its own time slot. Watching this coming-of-age drama with a touch of music was an exciting and emotional experience. It teaches the value of family, friendship, parenting and all .

ACTING AND CHARACTERS:
The cast was perfectly chosen, making the drama feel alive. The innocence and charm of each character were worth watching, and every role was carefully written with well-crafted stories. Ryeoun gave one of his best performances, perfectly capturing Eun Gyeol’s emotional growth and innocence. Choi Hyun Wook (well-known from Weak Hero Class 1) and Seol In Ah added even more depth and endless charm. My favorite was Shin Eun Soo — her breathtaking performance was full of emotion and surely captured every viewer’s attention. Not a single character was wasted each had depth and purpose.

MUSIC:
Since this is a music-centric drama, the OST deserves more recognition. The songs were not just meant to be heard, but to be felt. They carried emotions, elevated important key moments, and sometimes even told the story better than words could.


HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if you enjoy heartwarming youth K-dramas blended with music and emotional twists.
For me, it’s a perfect 10/10, a drama I’ll always recommend
one you should watch at least once in your lifetime.

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A crap shoot and a half

I don’t usually write reviews for shows this terrible, but this one is almost laughable. For all intents and purposes, I dropped it half way through but skimmed through to see what happened…

This show is everything wrong with minidramas. I was literally laughing out loud at how inane the plot is. Pseudo-sibling romance where half the time he actually does think their siblings? Check. Another actual sister who is actually in love with him incestuously? Check. Oh wait they’re not siblings either? Check? I honestly can’t figure it out.

Memory loss? Check. Absolutely psycho second FL? Check. Evil mother who somehow gets forgiven? Check. Abuse, self harm, rape? Check. It’s like we take terrible tropes and put them in a blender…. OH AND THE FL DIES AT THE END IM SORRY WHAT THE ACTUAL HECK IS THIS STORY AND THEN WE GET A PARALLEL UNIVERSE FOR TEN MINUTES THIS IS INSANE.

I don’t know if I’ve ever watched a drama this level of crap—which sucks because the first few episodes were awesome. Then it all went spiraling down the toilet.

Goodness, someone fire the writers.

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ML, literally just him

TLDR: the ML is the only reason to watch this show.

Overall: This show never quite found its footing with me and I would point to the tone as the driving factor. It didn't know if it wanted to be a funny action comedy or a serious romance and the bullying aspect did not do them any favors when it came to mixing the two. I'm not sure what the obsession is with Korean media and extreme portrayals of bullying but it is pretty difficult to watch at times. I've never been through any Korean schooling so maybe it is that bad but in every depiction I've seen thus far (drama or manhwa) it goes from extreme bullying straight into full on criminal offenses in no time flat. I think bullying is a pretty tough topic to get right, especially when you try to include comedic moments like this show does because its quite jarring to see some kid quite literally left for dead in a dumpster then cut to some quirky music/one liners.

The ML is fantastic and his raw charisma carried me through 5 god awful episodes where everything without him was borderline unwatchable. Acting on point. Character on point. Only good things to say. Deserves better than the FL.

The emphasis on bullying hits the FL's character really hard because you have to remember the show is trying to be a romance so we need to like her. But they also pull the Kdrama trope of making one of the leads completely irredeemable for no reason at the start (so we can see them grow? I guess??). I'm not a teacher but even I was personally offended watching her debate the merits of just letting one of her students get bullied so she can get a full time job. Like what??? We are supposed to like her. After seeing her do that on top of her blatant incompetence before the ML got there (because if its happening then its happened before and she hasn't noticed), I no longer care about her character. Yes she does end up doing the right thing but it shouldn't take a secret agent rolling through your school for you to do that. Just as a teacher it doesn't seem like she cared any more than surface level about the well being of her students from what I saw so pretty difficult to get invested in her character and as a result the show since romance was such a large component.

Last thing I wanted to say was that the writers were clearly competent because there is an excellent portrayal of bullying in the sister's (cousins? I truly forgot her relationship to the ML) friend group. As the audience we get to see how the little comments, remarks, and gestures stack up to be a condescending relationship between the her and the rest of her 'friend' group. This was made even better because we can see how she might brush these things off as no big deal since they included her in the "cool kids club" so she might rationalize some stuff. I loved this portrayal because it hits all the right notes while being completely believable. The vast majority of bullying is not seen. No bully with any functioning brain cells does things that can obviously be traced back to them. Mad props to the person that crafted this portrayal because I feel like it both fits the characters and show really well while also having the IRL impact of showing people that bullying doesn't require you to get punched or something. This is probably the single best portrayal of bullying I've seen in Korean media which makes it so much more frustrating to see the main focus put on the other side where people should've been arrested ages ago.

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