Reviews

Overall Well-Acted and Entertaining, but Doesn’t Quite Live Up to the Hype

I’m not as overwhelmingly positive as many of the other reviews here, but I still think Top Form is a good series worth watching. It deals with an important and current topic: the pressures of the entertainment industry and how little control celebrities have over their private lives. The main actors deliver strong performances, and their chemistry is one of the highlights of the series. Many emotional scenes feel real and touching.

The series is generally well-produced, with high-quality visuals and a professional feel. However, the pacing is a bit uneven. Some episodes move very slowly, with scenes that feel overly stretched out, while others are packed with drama and events that happen too fast. This inconsistency makes it hard to stay fully engaged at times.

One of the biggest weaknesses is the script. Conflicts and storylines appear, build up some tension, and then disappear without being fully explored. It’s as if there wasn’t enough time to develop each plot point properly before jumping to the next. Some side characters’ actions, especially the antagonists, also lack clear motivation, which makes their role in the story confusing.

Despite these issues, Top Form remains enjoyable, especially for fans of romantic dramas. The love scenes in the uncut version —many of which are quite long and explicit—will definitely appeal to a certain audience. If that’s what you're looking for, there’s plenty of it here. The series was heavily hyped before its release, and while it has many strong moments, I don’t think it fully meets the high expectations. Still, the ending hints at a second season, and I’d be curious to see where the story goes next.

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So beautifull!

As a huge fan of Hidden love, i was a bit afraid that this would be somewhat dissapointing, man i was so wrong!!
Though this spinn-off is a bit darker than Hidden love, is is just as beauifull. They really did justice in giving it the same feels when watching it. Also very good to see there were several moments from Hidden love in it, so it really felt like the two drama's belonged together.
Sang Yan and Wen Yifan reminded me so much of Sang Zhi and Duan Jia Xu. Though it was a darker drama, it still had enough funny and sweet moments. Sang Yan and Wen Yifan had amazing chemistry.

I also adored the second couple, they also had very good chemistry.
The visuals and music were also very beautifull. Really no flaws to find in this drama.

I won't rewatch it as much as Hidden love, but i will definatly watch it again!

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Breathtaking and lingering

Although it is an adaptation it managed to give us something unique and long-lasting.

Reasons:
- great acting
- tension, heartbreak, romance, strong personalities, moral messages, laughter, EMOTIONS, TEARS and HEALING

I knew the series was good even before actually watching it because I saw some snippets of it at the very beginning when it started airing. However, I'm not the type of person who can watch series one episode at a time so I decided to wait and try not to see some big spoilers whilst following airing schedule. I didn't expect anything breathtaking but I was curious nonetheless so I gave it a shot. It turned out I was the one getting shot straight to the heart by the series. Getting attached to this extent and bawling my eyes out at 4-5am over certain scenes caught me off guard even though I'm an emotional and hypersensitive person, which only speaks volumes of how great the series turned out to be. I knew I would probably like it, but to love it this much and ranking it as my number 1 BL is pleasant and long-overdue breath of fresh air which was more than worth the wait.

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Overhyped & Repetitive – The Truth About Moonlight Mystique

🌕 REVIEW: Moonlight Mystique
⭐️ Personal Rating: 4/10 (and that’s mostly because the cast is strong)

I’m already at Episode 21, and honestly, I’m struggling to finish it. Despite having a top-tier cast with great chemistry between Fan Yue and Bai Shuo, the storyline is repetitive and dull.

🌀 Main issues:
• Fan Yue keeps repeating the same cycle : risking his life, getting injured, saving Bai Shuo… over and over again.
• The plot about collecting the five “Contemplation Stones Power” feels like a basic video game quest. Every few episodes, it’s the same formula: search, face danger, save Bai Shuo, move to the next stone. There’s no meaningful character development, no emotional payoff, and definitely no real plot twist to keep me hooked.

It’s frustrating because the actors are genuinely good, and visually the drama is decent, but the story just doesn’t go anywhere. It lacks tension, mystery, and depth. Nothing that pulls me in or makes me want to know what happens next.

💭 Honestly, if this drama starred lesser-known actors, I truly believe the ratings would drop fast. It feels overhyped, likely riding on the fame of the leads rather than the strength of the script.

📉 Verdict: Boring, repetitive, and overrated. I’m not sure I’ll even finish it and I rarely drop dramas this far in. There’s just nothing intriguing enough to make me care anymore.

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choppy indie series (watch suggestions)

Overall: way too many characters/plot threads in this series. 6 episodes about 35 minutes each (taking out the intro/outros/etc) Aired on Loy Kaew YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLsPniimXTgfDEGMCYnL_MGY_Ic96dsM6&si=TgztkVxn1VRCg7z6 (note the playlist is in a different watch order)

Content Warnings: murder, blood, gang rape off screen, bullying, beaten up, blood, sexual harassment, non con touching, manipulation, punch

Watch Suggestions (focuses on the m/m couple, sweet & steamy parts, removes the content warnings)
- watch episode 1 part 1 4:30-6:15 and 12-14:45; part 2 9:30-end; part 3 beginning to 5:15
- watch episode 2 part 1 13:40-15
- watch episode 3 part 2 1:30-end and part 3 11:30-end
- watch episode 4 part 1 beginning-9:20
- watch episode 5 part 2 8:10-end; part 3 3:30-end
- watch episode 6 part 1 13:55-end and part 2 beginning-3:50 and 6:05-13:25

What I Liked
- vistas/countryside (or historical, not 100% sure) setting
- 1 kind mom
- good kissing/intimacy

Room For Improvement
- super long intro
- too many characters, I couldn't figure out who they were or their relationships to each other, choppy
- love triangle/s?
- the implied gang rape was horrific, I don't care what that character did, she did not deserve that
- the ending was disappointing, we've seen it done many times before, at least they could have cut out some of the other plot threads and added a reincarnation part at the end

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HANDS DOWN THE BEST SERIES OF 2025 (this is a tough one to beat)

Alrighty so this is my first time EVER writing a review, however I feel compelled to after viewing this masterpiece. (This is purely how I feel so if you disagree with me.. it's totally fine!)

First things first... Boom's ACTING! I mean boy can he act his heart out! Boom's onscreen presence as Akin truly garnered by attention. The way in which he expressed himself in every scene (especially the emotional ones) made me feel for his character and the struggles that he goes through within the series (ngl plenty of tears were shed). It's like he takes us on this journey with him wherein we get to see how isolated and alone he once was... that is until he met Jin. But in all seriousness though, Boom made his character very flawed, very human which I truly appreciate as it gives us a glimpse of the harsh realities for most actors out there who have been in the industry for so long, expecting to remain on top, yet are threatened by newcomers. I'm really looking forward to seeing him in more projects, cause he definitely needs more exposure!

Moving on to our surprising scene stealer, Smart.. now he definitely held his own throughout the series as Jin. To be honest, I was not quite sure about how the dynamic of Jin and Akin would play out in the first few episodes, but my doubts were instantly cast aside as the series progressed. As Jin, you could really see his thoughts and feelings expressed through his eyes (referring to when his bangs were not covering his eyes... I feel the need to call out his hair stylist fr). In the beginning he appeared really cute and aloof (aka that wooden boy phase), but whenever he showed anger or sadness, there's an aura that can't be explained (like ep 6 for instance iykyk). As a viewer, you could really feel Jin's compassion... *coughs* or passion towards Akin, like being his support system, wanting to be on his level to be "worthy" enough to be with him and have the power and means to protect him (hey, if that ain't love idk what is :/). Though Smart has not been in many projects unlike his acting partner, he did a fantastic job playing the role of Jin and I only wish him the best throughout his acting career.

As for the supporting characters, Johnny and Naru, I can't really decipher their dynamic for now since they have not gotten as much screentime together, but I can see some banter going on... would love to see their relationship develop further. Though Johnny is most definitely a POS (he still needs to be accountable for what HE did to Akin... still upset about that), I want to see how he could grow as a character, now that Naru (sweet baby boy) is going to be a part of it.

Also who can forget about P'Jade... best friend, manager, companion ever! He truly is one of the MVPs of this series, helping out Akin solve his mistakes (there were truly many) and standing by him through the ups and downs of his career. He is such a gem and I'd like to see him happy as well.. with his mystery partner (s2 please come faster!).

Now I can't really say a lot about the plot following the original manga (tbh I watched a few episodes of the anime but dropped it.. just was not my cup of tea), though I can tell that the writers have chosen a different route in depicting the relationship between Jin and Akin as well as handling other difficult topics. Kudos to them for producing a series that follows the same template, yet adds different elements to make the series fresher, interesting and more palatable for audiences. I'm sure they wanted every component to be perfect and their hard work really shows!

Alas it is the end of my review... needless to say I thoroughly LOVED this show (we fans need more series like this). I'm going to miss being excited for Thursdays again *sigh*... Till the next review :)

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USUAL BACKSTABBING STORY, FAMILY N THEIR RELATIVES OR ENEMIES FIGHTING FOR POWER N WEALTH.

ML = SHAMELESS MAN, CHEATS ON THE WIFE, HIDE THE FACT THAT HIS BROTHER KIDNAPPED HIS OWN SON N TELL LOTS OF LIES

FL = RICH BUT NO BRAIN, HAVENT WATCH FINISHED BUT HOPE SHE REALISED THE TRUTHS N KICK THE STUPID MAN OUT. SHE IS BLIND EVEN WHEN SHE SEES THE ALDULTER COUPLE HUGGING TOGETHER. SHE NVR SUSPECT FOR ONE SEC THEY R THE ALDULTERESS N ALDULTER.

2FL/MISTRESS = SHE SAYS SHE IS KANG JAI INN. SOMETHING LIKE FATAL ATTRACTION, SHE HAVE A MORE SINISTER MOTIVE FOR GETTING CLOSE TO THE ML, MORE LIKE REVENGE. SHE IS THE MOST EVIL BITCH, EVERYBODY SHE WANTS TO KILL.

2ML = HE WANTED TO TAKE REVENGE BUT I THINK HE IS FALLING FOR THE FL, FEELING PITY FOR HER.

FL MOM = SHE WAS SO NAIVE AS A RICH MADAM BUT SHE GOT NO COMMON SENSE ALSO, IN THE END GETTING CHEATED FOR EVERYTHING INCL HER SHARES N MISPLACE TRUST FOR HER SIS IN LAW.

ML MOM = SHE IS ALSO EVIL AS SHE N THE OTHER DAU IN LAW , DRUG THE FL N SENT HER TO THE MENTAL HOSPITAL.

MORE EVIL STUFFS GOING TO BE HAPPENING , BY THE EVIL MISTRESS WHO SPREAD HER EVIL WAYS N THE ALDULTER WHO IS CONDONING HER ACTIONS EVEN WHEN THE SON IS KILLED BECOS OF HER . BOTH EVIL THEY R SO SUITABLE FOR EACH OTHER. WAITING FOR THEIR BAOYING IN THE END. 100 EPS TAKE SO LONG.

DONNO WHY RICH PPL GOT SO MANY PROBLEMS EVEN WITH MONEY. THE STUPID CHAIRMAN N THE STUPID DAUGHTER JUST SO STUPID, WHEN U WANT TO FIGHT , DONT EVEN HAVE BACKUP WITH BODYGUARDS TALKING TO A SCUM. DIED ALSO DONNO WHY. JUST LET THE STUPID SON IN LAW TAKE OVER THE BIZ WITHOUT BACKUP PLANS. MOTHER GO JAIL. DAUGHTER DONT TRUST THE MOTHER BUT TRUST THE HUSBAND EVEN WHEN HE IS IN THE BEDROOM WITH THE STUPID MISTRESS.. THE SON SAW THEM KISSING BUT NVR REPORT TO THE MOTHER. STUPID SHOW WITHOUT LOGIC. IS ALL RICH PPL SO STUPID IN DRAMALAND ONLY OR IN REAL WORLD. WATCHING THEM MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL. SO EASY TO TOPPLE A CO N BIZ MEH. DRAMALAND IS SO STUPID.

NOT SURE WILL WATCH FIN ONOT. SOME SHOWS WILL GIVE U HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.
THINK THE WRITER JUST WANT US VIEWERS TO KEEP WATCHING. MAKE UNTIL 100 EPS. IN THE END ALL WILL CRUMPLED DOWN HOPEFULLY.

MAYBE I WAIT UNTIL THEY BROADCAST FIN THEN WATCH THE END.
SAVE MY ANGER FOR LATER .

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When no one hears your sound, you begin to doubt whether you made one at all.

When no one hears your sound, you begin to doubt whether you made one at all. 52Hz isn’t the frequency of loneliness—it’s a fervent call to the vast, silent blue, not expecting an answer, only yearning to speak to the sea.

Extraordinary Attorney Woo isn’t just the story of South Korea’s first autistic lawyer. It’s a story—or countless stories—about a whale with a singular, unreachable frequency. 52 Blue, the loneliest whale on Earth, whose call at such a unique pitch no creature can hear or answer. Woo Young-woo, a soul adrift in her own world, misunderstood by others who can’t grasp what she feels. But when no one understands you, do you lose yourself, too? Without others to see your essence, your individuality, your unique self, do you fade?

Yet, is there truly only one such whale on Earth? Or is 52 Blue merely a shadow cast by the ocean’s depths?

Woo Young-woo is special, singular, but never alone. Because everything human is like that—special, singular. That shared uniqueness binds us, even if no one fully understands another, even if we barely understand ourselves. When we dare to sing our song, we’re wrapped in a rare energy, no matter the frequency, melody, or tune. That song makes us exist, makes us swim, keeps us there, at the ocean’s floor. Young-woo, with her autism spectrum disorder, is unlike any of us. Even among others with autism, no two are alike—they don’t easily “connect” with shared struggles. They face discrimination, scorn, pity, and misconceptions. Yet she’s also like all of us— with her own voice, her own tone, daring to sing, to join the vibrant anthem of sea and sky, to dive into timeless love. She’s like us because we’re all different, because everyone is. This isn’t the first series to amplify a specific “minority” community’s voice. Like others in its genre, Extraordinary Attorney Woo carries the distinct flavor of its creators, its story, its characters—everything. That’s its greatest charm, its most lovable trait.

Extraordinary Attorney Woo isn’t merely a legal drama about a lawyer and her cases. It’s a story about humanity. What sets it apart is its deep dive into civil cases—stories that seem simple, relatable, yet burn with urgency and deserve more attention. Humans are flawed; the good aren’t always virtuous, the bad not always wicked. The heart of the 16 episodes revolves around this truth—humans and their choices, their consciousness, their actions. Justice and law are measured by conduct and moral compassion, but isn’t the law, created by humans, meant to protect them, too? Lawyers stand for people, regardless of their goodness or flaws. The law protects humanity, not just legal principles.

“Do you choose to be a lawyer who defends justice or your client?”

In the series, Woo Young-woo and her team, after many steps, choose justice. Sometimes that justice is their client, sometimes it’s their faith, sometimes it’s themselves. But justice isn’t perfection. Facing justice doesn’t always mean facing evil. A villain isn’t inherently bad—just opposed to the hero, sometimes standing on a different angle, not clashing, not converging, simply apart.

Ultimately, the law regulates human behavior, not a yardstick for right or wrong.

Because human actions aren’t dictated by reason alone—they’re the embodiment of the heart. Every character, whether central or fleeting, right or wrong, paired or merely stirred by a fleeting spark, has loved and been loved. Love in Extraordinary Attorney Woo isn’t just romantic—it’s a kaleidoscope of emotions, some named, others too vast for simple words. At the start, Young-woo mimics expressions from pictures; by the end, she feels her emotions without needing to label them. Each episode brings a new case, a new story, but the thread weaving them together is emotion—a distinct current of feeling. Marital bonds, neighborly ties, parent-child love, ambition, desire, kinship, or even a fiery devotion to personal ideals. Everyone has their own ideals, their own way of thinking. “Every action and thought stems from love or fear,” because humans love themselves, love others, love life—loving with reason, with adjusted behavior, fearing mistakes. Each episode illuminates these truths.

Beyond its profound, moving, and wonderfully strange story, a great series needs more. It’s the stellar acting—actors nailing their roles and connecting with the audience, conveying characters’ emotions with striking clarity while leaving room for interpretation. The performances are truly remarkable, whether portraying champions of justice or those defying it. Every tear, every smile, every message shines through meticulous care. The visuals and color palette are sweet, serene, and utterly lovable, fostering empathy. The pacing is neither rushed nor sluggish, never frustrating. The male lead, our beloved “green flag,” is a standout, and the supporting characters are well-crafted. (Though, perhaps because Jun-ho is Young-woo’s light, his individual arc feels a bit sparse beyond their shared moments.) Team Leader Jung is phenomenal, the colleague and Geu-ra-mi are fantastic, and the friends, passersby, or those who linger all fulfill their roles beautifully. The whale CGI is impressively magical. Overall, the series is meaningful, humane, healing, gentle, polished, and deserving of its high ratings.

(My nitpicks: it didn’t fully grip me, maybe because it’s slice-of-life. The twists and actions are sometimes great but occasionally predictable, which frustrated me when characters didn’t see them coming. I also longed for the surprise I craved—it didn’t quite hit that peak. Imperfect characters are a strength, but some felt too perfect. I wished for a more cohesive flow; at times, it felt a bit disjointed. The main and supporting couples’ chemistry is solid, but their wholesome vibe left me slightly restless—sorry!)

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It’s just a story of lovers.

Out of nowhere, I find myself musing on the beauty of tears. When I cry during a film, am I mourning the fictional characters’ fates, captivated by the story’s brilliance, or touched by something deeper? If I had abandoned this series, as I nearly did at episode four two years ago, would I feel this same ache now? Would my tears have flowed as freely?

Tears, no matter how you view them, carry an undeniable grace. In Just Between Lovers, the characters weep often, yet somehow sparingly. I wonder what I hoped for before watching, what I felt as the story unfolded, only to sit in quiet awe at the end, whispering to myself, “It’s just a story of lovers.”

For a perfect 10/10 film, I either write briefly or pour out pages. With this one, I want to write endlessly yet struggle to find words, as everything I feel lives in the quiet of my heart. Still, it would be a shame not to capture this moment—I fear forgetting the tears I shed today. So, I’ll write.

This is, at its core, a story about what it means to live.

“How do you stay sane in a world gone mad, if not by embracing madness?”

Kang-doo said this once, and he lived it—wildly, desperately, unapologetically unhinged. When society spirals into chaos, how can anyone live “normally”? What even is normal? No one has the answer. People are just trying to survive, dragging their weary souls through the unyielding passage of time. Kang-doo sees this with piercing clarity, yet he’s no cynic, nor does he flee or surrender to fear. He was terrified every day, and even later, doubt and insecurity lingered. But like the moment he clutched a stone and rushed to save a stranger—who later became a cherished sister—he lived madly. If the world is unhinged, it’s people who make it so. To be mad is to dare to act, to face the world’s raw truth, because true heroism lies in seeing life’s harsh reality and still loving it fiercely. Not just Kang-doo, but every character in the film—and countless souls in real life—who dares to live authentically, defy norms, defend their beliefs, and press on for those they love, lives with that same madness. They cherish this beautifully imperfect life.

This is also a story of pain that lingers, refusing to stay buried.

In a world gone astray, life hurls misfortune without warning. Just Between Lovers weaves a tapestry of broken lives: a young man who lost his father in a mall collapse, his dreams of soccer shattered, haunted by trauma, losing those closest to him and teetering on the brink of losing himself; a girl who, on her first outing to meet a crush, watched her sister die before her eyes, her memories erased by grief, her once-warm family torn apart; a woman who loved the wrong man, endured unimaginable abuse, only to trust wrongly again; a comic artist confined to a wheelchair after an accident; an assistant scarred by childhood cruelty; a mother haunted by not seeing her daughter one last time; a father grieving his child; lovers parted; families still waiting for loved ones to return. These sorrows cut deep, seeming distant yet achingly familiar. They’re the inescapable shadows of human existence, in film and in life.

“You once said life is a cycle of regrets and failures. I laughed. You said, ‘To make those regrets and failures shine, don’t hesitate.’”

“ Humans are woven with pain and tragedy,” and that’s why they endure. Though Kang-doo, Moon-so, and others share a common loss, not all grief stems from one moment, nor would their joy have been certain without that tragedy. Some things are unchangeable—like the truth that lovers will find each other, even in the darkest times.

Facing fate, Just Between Lovers blends optimism and melancholy in how people confront a fractured world, yet these perspectives harmonize.

Moon-so once sighed, “If emotions could wear out after ten years and be replaced, how wonderful that would be, Mom.” But emotions aren’t like a broken appliance, easily swapped. They may fade, but they can’t be replaced. Instead, they can grow into something more beautiful. The pain of those wronged by others’ mistakes doesn’t end with the disaster, in death tolls, compensation, or cold memorials. It lives in the survivors, in their longing, their grief, their hauntings—in the families of the lost, in those who shared the same risks, and in those fighting to prevent such tragedies again.

“To heal a wound, you must face pain greater than the injury itself—only then can it mend.” That pain lingers forever, a reminder of old scars. Healing comes from facing it, even if it breaks you, even if you feel it tear open, exposing blood and bone. By revealing pain and the courage to confront it, Just Between Lovers is a profoundly healing story.

Kang-doo buries his pain beneath a reckless, carefree mask, nursing his wounds like a lone wolf. Only when he meets his love does he reveal the vulnerable pup within. The tragedies of youth shadow us lifelong unless we grow through them. Maturity is such a journey: even if it shatters you, you must break free from the self you once were.

For Moon-so, it’s unclear whether it for luck or misfortune, but her mind chose to forget. She often blamed herself for moving on while others suffered. Yet, like the tale she shares of a squirrel hiding nuts for winter, only to forget them, those nuts sprout into a forest. When the pain is too great, bury it, for “forgetting is a kind of healing, too.” In the end, Moon-so chooses to remember, after a lush forest has grown within her heart.

Then there’s Grandma—a remarkable figure whose name we learn only after she’s gone. She lives by embracing both pain and love. People whisper about her past: a soldier, an America-hater, an aide who couldn’t save her husband, returning to a poor alley as a pharmacist, reaching for the last spark of hope for the sick. Whatever her story, she was the first to urge others forward, pointing to the brightest path. She left to rejoin her husband in her most radiant form, gifting those she loved a final, dazzling smile.

Grandma once said,

“Do you know why so many die? Not from cancer, accidents, or suicide. Poverty kills. It leaves no room for treatment, no escape from disaster. That’s why I fear nothing.”

And also,

“The suffering of all beings fuels my strength. Pain, injustice, hatred—they’re your strength, too. Use that power in this cruel, frightening world. Find a way to keep living, no matter the cost.”

She was a true friend, gloriously mad—living madly, dying madly, and cherished in her own fierce way.

Each person faces their inner wounds differently in this cold, unyielding world. Some flee, some hide, some confront, some draw strength from pain to carry on. Ultimately, people endure, at any cost. They live for those left behind, for families who need them, for gnawing guilt, for burning vengeance. Because their hearts still beat. Yet, “It takes only ten muscles to smile, but all to frown. Instead of grimacing, I hope you find a smile today.” Smiling, embracing your true emotions, feels just a little lighter, doesn’t it?

And in the end, this is a story of love—of lovers. Nothing more, nothing less.

That love blooms in human bonds.

Family isn’t always blood. There’s a pure, selfless love, like Sang-man offering half his liver to the brother renting his home; gratitude from those touched by kindness; a childhood glance that lingers in the heart; confessions shared in a steaming bath; trust placed rightly; understanding that reaches the soul’s depths. A doctor once asked Jae-young, “What kind of man is your brother that so many offer to save him?” The heart isn’t easily given, but when it is, it endures, saving lives forever. Whether kin or stranger, the familial love in this film is a quiet miracle. Even amid misunderstandings, “We don’t lash out and then regret it.”

That love is a fairy tale—not the usual rescue or healing, but a shared breaking, gathering sharp fragments, and holding them close despite the cuts. I can’t fully capture their love—a madman and a saint, both gloriously mad. It’s breathtaking, yet steeped in sorrow. They love with raw, beating hearts, the kind we all carry. It’s sacrifice, trust, faith, devotion, the final balm. It’s fleeing a sudden miracle or whispering, “I miss you,” the courage to face your heart.

“Look at yourself. Is this the time to fall in love?”

“Who’s asking about your situation? I’m asking what your heart says.”

When Kang-doo finally listens to his heart, he says, “I can’t be the man everyone calls good, so I gave up long ago. But I realized that if I try with all I have, I can be good to one person. So I want to try.”

Even staring death in the face, when she asks what he did to deserve such unfairness, he smiles, “Unfair? Since meeting you, I feel like I saved the world.”

Be it the first popsicle, the first kiss, a love enduring through winter’s first snow; a hummed tune or a dusty construction site; a bus stop, a hesitant handclasp, a swing, soft whispers, tender kisses, unguarded glances—it’s all singular. It feels unlike any film of its era or beyond. Their love is fierce yet gentle, perhaps grounded in reality, perhaps a dreamlike escape. I don’t know. The way Kang-doo, so adept at hiding, can’t fool Moon-so; the way Moon-so’s tears and kindness shine in his eyes; the way they reach for each other, smile at each other, stand together—it’s a fairy tale, luminous and true.

For all this, I wept endlessly, from episode nine through the finale. The story doesn’t lean on shocking twists, yet every moment grips your heart. Unspoiled, I met the ending with raw openness, bracing for tragedy, only to find a miracle “in someone’s misfortune.” Yes, miracles rise from pain, and pain lingers in miracles—that’s life, where sorrow and wonder intertwine. Death hovered close, a breath from parting. “They say living is learning to say goodbye, but no one ever does.” Just as I began to accept that truth, Sang-nam’s words rang out: “When you have someone to protect, you don’t die easily. So don’t worry—we won’t die.” Kang-doo lives. He’s not ready to meet Grandma yet. He’s busy holding his lover’s hand, basking in a golden sunset, savoring life’s details with care. Because, in the end, he and Moon-so are simply lovers.

“We suffered so much before, so now we must live joyfully.” —Kang-doo

Just Between Lovers, where people and their love endure, through sun or storm, side by side. The film isn’t perfect. The workplace plot didn’t draw me in, feeling a bit dry and hard to follow. The secondary couples were vibrant, though the comic artist’s arc felt rushed, not fully explained—but love doesn’t always need reasons, does it? I skipped parts, nearly dropped it twice early on, frustrated and weary, even thinking the lead wasn’t handsome enough or imagining another actor. Now, that feels absurd. I’m grateful I pressed on, or I’d have missed a masterpiece. The cast is stellar—Lee Jun-ho is stunning! The main couple’s chemistry is electric; I adore both leads’ spirits. The supporting characters have depth, with no villainous rivals. The story feels real, yet tinged with fairy-tale magic. Across sixteen episodes, a somber veil of grief and tears lingers, but beneath it glows a warm, sweet, healing light. The themes sidestep workplace drama, focusing on people—their journey from brokenness to wholeness—deeply moving and true.

In the end, it’s a profoundly emotional, richly layered story, as powerful in 2017 as in 2025. It’s remarkable how a film can wound and heal in the same breath, in a single glance. It feels like an embrace.

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Good acting makes the not so-original story worth it

The story is not very original, quite the contrary – it contains a lot of well-used tropes. They are just scripted and executed without going "over the top", or kept at a more realistic level. And I would say the strong cast helps a lot too.
So: All in all this is worth watching if you like workplace romance dramas.

The "successful CEO helps woman in her career" story also felt quite familiar, but I can't quite pinpoint the drama it reminds me of.

The cast:
Tan Song Yun as the FL Ji Xing is good as expected. I find that she always brings great energy to her characters, and delivers strong and convincing performances.
Xu Cai is quite fitting as the ML Han Ting, except I sometimes thinks he looks a bit too young, lol. I kind of wish he could bring a little bit more personality to his character, though – he sometimes felt a little bit "flat", but that could also be how the character of Han Ting was interpreted.
Most of the supporting cast was also good in my eyes.

I liked how the characters developed and grew, and even though there were some predictable elements, it wasn't annoyingly so.

Thanks to me coming across a post about free viewing on Viki for a limited time, I binged this over a period of 2,5 days!

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XIE WEI IS EATINGGGGG

That man was starving.
I love it when toxic men YEARNS.

I've heard and seen zlh and bai lu since I discovered cdramas last december—they're popular on the scene—but haven't seen them on action PROPERLY. Till now, and they are so good.

What I love:
+ zlh suits this type of characters. I need him on another one now. He looks hot when angry and toxic. Manifesting Zhu Yu will have this 🤞
+ Xie Wei's hair deserve a special mention. That is gorgeous. There was also one scene I caught where he flicked his hair, so sassy I love it.
+ I also love the detail where Xie Wei's real identity is implied throughout the series and not immediately declared. Makes the 'uncle' much more impactful.
+ The Jiang father always protecting his daughters 10/10
+ PRINCESS ZHIYI MY POOKIEEEE!!! "One day, when Yanlin brings down the State of Yue with the troops of the State of Qian, come to me with the soil of my homeland and bring me back to the capital of my home country." TEARS. JUST PURE TEARS.
+ Xie Wei getting caught kissing her forehead. THAT WAS SO UNEXPECTED I SCREAMED!!!!! and Xie Wei just nonchalantly staring.. PERFECT.
+ Xie Wei crashing out and begging Xuening to stay?????? MY MAN WAS DESPERATE BUT VALID.
+ "You're mine." "I'm not." "Then I'm yours." JUST KILL ME RN?????
+ The twins!!!

What I do not like:
+ Xue Shu
+ That dramatic lighting. I love and hate it.
+ What happened to my Fangyin 😭
+ Yinzhi, when I catch you, istg

The gasps I let out from this series. The kisses 🤭 ep 36 🤸‍♀️ Fangyin getting burned and stabbed (I will not accept it, that was so fucked up and for what), Xie Wei's hand (boy I understand, I knew you were gonna do it but my god that was intense), Xue Shu sleeping with the Emperor (girl what was the point, you still turned back to your father's leash), Jian Shu getting stabbed?! I was so worried meanwhile Xie Wei and Xuening are talking in the middle of it all and I thought he was bleeding to death on the side.

I miss them now. My girl fangyin, you deserve better.

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Perfectly Predictable but still Comforting

Just to say at the beginning: this is my fourth drama with Miles Wei as the lead, so I started watching it just because of him. Also, I really enjoy contract marriage or marriage-of-convenience stories. They are fun, light, and usually end happily—just how I like it.

Perfect and Casual is a drama that follows a story we’ve seen many times before—a fake marriage turning into real love. But even though the plot is full of common romance drama ideas, it’s still enjoyable and well done. The drama doesn’t try to be too serious, and that’s part of its charm. It knows what it is and doesn’t pretend to be something deep or emotional.

The best part of the show is the main couple. Miles Wei plays a quiet, serious professor, and he does a great job showing his softer side. The female lead, played by Xu Ruo Han, starts off a bit silly and overly kind, but she grows stronger as the story moves forward. Their chemistry is amazing—you really believe in their love and want to see them together.

One thing I really liked was how the couple talked to each other. They solved problems by talking honestly, not by fighting or having big misunderstandings. This made their relationship feel healthy and real.

On the downside, some parts of the drama feel slow. The side couples are not as interesting, and I skipped through a few of their scenes. Also, the story stays on the light side—it doesn’t have big emotional moments or surprises.

Overall, Perfect and Casual is a sweet, relaxing drama that’s perfect when you want something simple and romantic. It’s not the best, but it’s still worth watching for the main couple and their lovely relationship. I would rate it 7.5 out of 10.

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Fresh storyline with compelling characters and brilliant acting by Yang Qi Ru and Zhen Zi Qi

I miss Zhen Zi Qi and to my delight, found out about his new drama at reddit. I was ecstatic! This drama uses a time loop trope, which means a main character gets to reset and start a specific day again.

What I liked:
1. Writing - I was impressed by the plot twist and surprises. I couldn't predict where this drama was heading. Oh I also loved one line said by ML - it was about fashion trend. Very clever! I also liked the dialogue about how the choices we make. It's great that writers tried their best in giving arcs to most supporting characters.
2. FL characterisation - This drama is told from her perspective, which is fantastic. We got to see her made rash decisions and learned from them during the first few time loops. OMG, I didn't recognise Yang Qi Ru until I checked her MDL profile. I love My Lady General! She impressed me with her portrayal of a character who got life bombs dropped one after another.
3. ML characterisation - ML is out to seek justice for his parents. I enjoyed seeing the character growth and there were moments of vulnerability. It's great to see Zhen Zi Qi in this role because he's excellent in playing a man plagued by his family's past.
4. Romance - We already know that romance was bound to happen at the start because of Nannan. I liked how FL - ML romance developed - great pacing and believable considering ML's back story. They fell in love because of each other, not because they were following fate. Their intimate scene was beautifully shot as they exuded desire and passion.
5. Supporting characters - I love Nannan. The child actress who played it did a good job. I also liked FL's stepmom. I enjoyed antagonists' arcs as they were well fleshed out.
6. Styling - OMG, Zhen Zi Qi looked really fine with that long hair and rocker outfits. He gave me 'Sungjin of Korean band DAY6' vibe. Yang Qi Ru looked amazing in her outfits too. Her wedding dress is beautiful.

What I disliked:
1. Time loop - I didn't get the part in which the antagonist had & took advantage of the technology. I also thought the prison break scene did not make sense.
2. Ending - It is fine but I wish there were 2 or 3 additional episodes focusing on FL and ML's relationship as a couple.

Favourite scene
When ML taught FL a self-defense move

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