Reviews

Why Gaya sa Pelikula Is Totally Worth the Hype

Gaya sa Pelikula totally lives up to the hype! As someone who’s a sucker for enemies to lovers stories, this one hit all the right notes. But what really makes it stand out is how real and relatable it is.

At its core, it’s a story about self-discovery and identity. Karl's journey through an identity crisis felt incredibly honest and personal, something a lot of us can relate to, especially in a society like the Philippines, where the LGBTQ+ community is often just tolerated rather than fully accepted. It’s not just a BL series, it’s a coming-of-age story that tackles coming out with depth and sensitivity.

Although it is deep, it’s still a romantic comedy, and that’s one of the reasons I loved it so much. I’ve always had a soft spot for romcoms, and this one got the balance just right. The humor feels natural, and I especially loved Vlad's sister, she’s hilarious, but not over the top or cringeworthy at all. Her character added so much charm without taking away from the emotional weight of the story.

The chemistry between the leads is absolutely amazing. Every scene between them felt genuine and engaging. You can tell the direction was top-tier, which makes sense because it’s the same director behind the Marahuyo Project. That quality really shows in the storytelling, visuals, and pacing.

Even though it’s an easy watch, Gaya sa Pelikula is deep, meaningful, and never feels like it’s dragging. There’s no filler, everything has a purpose, and it’s all delivered in such a heartfelt way.

Highly recommend this series to anyone looking for something romantic, funny, and deeply moving. It’s not just a love story, it’s a reflection of real struggles, identity, and finding acceptance in your own skin. Definitely worth watching!

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Love, sacrifice and magic. Prepare for c-trauma heartbreak.

This is 10000 times better than Red Moon Pact. I admit, the early episodes are very weak and I almost dropped the drama, wondering if the stellar cast is enough to keep me going, until I reached episodes 8-10 when I was suddenly hooked till the very last episode.

The main focus of the drama is the love stories between many different types of characters and their fight against the evil Black Fox. At the centre of the drama are the two main characters from prominent families, the female lead who is a strong-willed fighter with special blood and the male lead, a strong leader and number one swordsman.

✨WATCH OR SKIP RED MOON PACT?
I’d say they’ve made this drama pretty much self-contained and I don’t necessarily think you need to watch Red Moon (I personally would never recommend this disastrous drama). But I have to say, Red Moon does establish the world better, such as the conflict between the demons and humans and explains the Dongfang’s special blood. Love in Pavilion kind of throws you into the world without much explanation which may confuse some viewers at the start.

✨PLOT BREAKDOWN

Ep 1-9 Intro arc
Getting to know all the characters and setting up the plot. The weakest part of the drama for me.

Ep 10-18 Time Travel / Demon arc - my favourite.
Time travel / female lead as a demon / sexy villain / Black Fox’s backstory. Basically, lots of sexiness and fun angst.

Ep 19-28 Beast Realm arc
Mostly heartwarming, romantic and fun. Ding Yuxi stole the spotlight here. I think I loved it just as much as the demon arc.

Ep 29-36 Tushan / Grief Tree arc
The final showdown, emotional and very angsty. Prepare for c-trauma. Raw and well-written ending.

✨POSITIVE:
- Lots and lots of romance. From friendship, unconditional love, meet-cute scenes, sacrifice, yearning, heartbreak, it delivered all.
- Character driven. It’s rare but I liked all the characters and I think that’s the main reason why I enjoyed this drama so much.
- Great chemistry between all the couples. It’s rare but I enjoyed all the couples. The main leads in particular were my favourite and they suited each other really well.
- Fantastic villains. A good story needs captivating villains and this drama definitely delivered on that.
- No love triangles, misunderstanding or typical annoying immortals.
- Engaging story after episode 8 til the end.
- Great fight scenes with different weapons and magic. The boss fights were always intense to watch, they went all out.
- Unexpected spice - I’m looking at episode 13, that's one of the most spiciest scenes in xianxia.
- Marvelous BGM (background music) that elevated the scenes, especially the fights.
- Well-written ending that wrapped the story well. It was real, raw and very emotional. I cried buckets of tears.

✨NEGATIVE:
- Weak start. As mentioned above, I almost dropped the drama because of how boring the beginning was. But after episode 8 till the end it truly captivated me.
- Decent CGI but unfortunately not on the same level as Red Moon Pact, which is a shame.
- Plot flaws. The story is told fast with many things happening which sometimes means details are not delved deeper and certain parts may feel rushed.
- C-trauma. This drama delivers on the ultimate heartbreak which can be too much for some people.

✨OVERALL:
Like everyone else, I had very low expectations going into this drama. The previous installment Red Moon Pact set the bar very low. Still, does this drama have its flaws? Yes, of course. But in terms of plot, characters and romance, it’s miles and miles and miles better than RMP. In fact, having watched both, I can say Red Moon feels very much useless, as Love in the Pavilion directly sets up the story for the final chapter Sword and Beloved.

Aside from the weak start, after episode 8, this drama captivated me till the end. It’s very character and romance driven so if that’s your thing, you will enjoy this. The plot felt different from the typical cliche xianxia with annoying misunderstandings, love triangles and stupid immortals. You have none of these things here. The plot is fast with many things happening. There were lots of unexpected twists and turns that kept me watching. The main cp was strong and the side couples enchanted the story for me. It’s rare but I loved all the couples and characters, especially the villain duo.

The cast did a stellar performance. The highlight for me was Ding Yuxi, as he totally captivated the screen and his character’s story was just as strong as his chemistry with his romantic pair. A special mention to the main lead, Zhang Yun Long. It was my first time seeing him and he was marvellous. Actually, in January, I watched the variety show ‘Random Tour’ where he opened up how he has been in the industry for a long time but never given the chance to star in a high production, and that LIP was finally his opportunity. I can only hope it’s not too late for him to receive more amazing projects. He deserves it.

Conclusion, if you want lots of romance, magic, fast plot and are prepared for c-trauma heartbreak, try this out.

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✨COUPLES / ACTORS PAIRS

💗Liu Shi Shi & Zhang Yun Long (main cp / frenemies to lover / fighters duo / hands down my favourite ship)
Poster: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/fa/e3/0e/fae30e7c86a1025d21d4d3917f1c64cd.jpg

💗Wu Xuan Yi & Zhai Xiao Wen (second cp / childhood friends to lovers / carefree girl and her protector / adorable)
Poster: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GqI1HpTWAAAVIUe?format=jpg&name=large

💗Ding Yu Xi & Meng Zi Yi (side cp / school friends to lovers / confident girl and her tsundere crush / my second favourites, their chemistry was effortless / ep 20-32 )
Poster: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GqRs5AXWwAE6w74?format=jpg&name=medium

💗Charles Lin & Peng Xiao Ran (side cp / best villain couple that stole my heart / ep 27 + more)
Poster: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GqjI9UObcAAg-uZ?format=jpg&name=large

💗Qin Xiao Xuan & Zhou Jie Qiong (side cp / feisty demon with split personality and shy human / loved them / ep 12-17 )
Poster: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d4/82/16/d48216ecf5bce428d9a5048cb7ef0347.jpg

💗Zhang Ruo Nan & Chen Ruo Xuan (side cp / marriage / emotional but not as strong as the others / ep 2-8 )
Poster: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/60/00/f6/6000f6e8c355cdf24bbfe018f9ebd9b1.jpg

💗Hou Ming Hao & Chen Yu Qi (side cp / demon couple / too short to make an impact / ep 1)
Poster: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GpsexlqaAAArC6x?format=jpg&name=large

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As someone who has read the books, I'd like to, first off, compliment Theodore Boborol, because for once, the series actually remains faithful to its source material perfectly. Usually directors have this habit to change everything and just leave the names as canon material, but fortunately this wasn't the case. The actors are also quite amazing too, but the one who undoubtedly dominated is Ashtine Olviga, her acting is outstanding. She is basically how I imagined Jay-jay to be; the way she's able to portray the same habits, personality, charisma and dark side is impressive. This does not mean she massively outshines the other amazing actors though, because they gave their character a pleasant change in (some of) their mannerism compared to the book, but it didn't feel forced because ultimately, the personalities didn't change, they still felt like the characters I love so much.
Now, talking about the story:

- Plot: A classic enemies-to-lovers high school romance with heavy themes of social hierarchy, self-worth, traumas, found family, discrimination, redemption and the list goes on...the show balances comedy, drama, and romance without jarring tonal shifts. It has that familiar Wattpad charm but with more structure, but I shall give you a warning, it can be cringy at times. As I already said, the subplots are nice, many characters receive attention, even though some of section e are kinda forgotten...still, we can't complain, there's a lot of them. As a Wattpad-originated romcom, certain tropes (rich boy, bullied class, transfer student) are cliché, but they're not without meaning, so it's not exactly a flaw, just predictable at times.

- Pacing: As I said, the series mirrors the novel’s episodic storytelling, which appeals to fans. Each episode often ends on a outrageous cliffhanger, keeping viewers engaged, similar to how Wattpad chapters are structured. Secondary characters like Mica, Ella, Grace, Percy and the rest of Section E get time to breathe, with their backstories and changes unfolding steadily across episodes, so if you like a story that doesn't neglect the side cast, this is for you. A thing that I wanted to say is that many complain about the unresolved mysteries, but in my opinion it should follow the book's pacing, because let me tell you, everyone's life in this series/novel is MESSY, DRAMATIC, COMPLEX and it's not easy to unravel like some might think, so they did a good job by finishing season one like the first book. Still, there are also some flaws...the first 2–3 episodes compress a lot of exposition, jay-jay’s transfer, introduction to Section E, and initial conflict with Keifer, which I feel like they could’ve used more buildup. The same basically goes for the last 2 episodes, it was way too rushed for me, still, it's not easy to do an adaptation of 127 chapters in 16 episodes, so I can see why they tightened it up.

- Romance: Let's start by the main couple. Keifer and Jay-jay have a nice development, their banter, rivalry, and frequent confrontations build thick romantic tension, so their attraction hides beneath their bickering. The romance obviously doesn't come quickly, which makes the emotional payoff stronger. Their relationship is built through small moments, unspoken concern, acts of protection, and reluctant admiration. Keifer starts out cold and hella prideful but softens over time. His emotional development is tightly linked to his growing affection for Jay-jay. While Jay-jay, who is strong and confident, has her insecurities, especially about fitting in, considering her whole life. Keifer sees sides of her others don’t, and this intimacy deepens their bond. So their romance isn’t just cute, it’s transformative. Keifer becomes a better version of himself through loving Jay-jay, and Jay-jay finds strength in being truly seen and valued. Ashtine and Andres Muhlach (Keifer) have really solid on-screen chemistry, too, it feels really natural to the point I think they're in a relationship in real life haha, they're just THAT good! As for the side couples, what can I say, they aren't any less! They're way more "calm", not too dramatic. One complain is that every single guy in section E (Calix, Denzel, Keifer, Yuri...), in a way or another, used their girls for a specific goal, then regret it because they fall in love with them...I think it's overused but hey, as a book reader, I can't complain since they became cute.

The true question is, how will this look to people who do not read Wattpad or webnovels and only watch TV series? Eh...that's a tough question, to be honest I think most of them would drop it midway (lol) because of the little "cringe" or "cliché" scenes, but here I'd like to clarify something, this was written by a Philippine author, and there the humour works differently, so actually, those scenes aren't cringe for them...they just joke in a different way generally speaking. Season one was more of an introduction to all the complex drama that will come in S2, so they should give it a chance.

So, overall, I'd say this is something anyone could watch, since it explores many topics and isn't just romance oriented. My rating is probably a bit biased because I read the Wattpad version since it released, but seriously, it's not mediocre by any means! A solid 8/10 is fair all things considered, so run to watch it.

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a skip for me

i watched this bc twitter was raving about how this was going to be "my dating sim's son" and i watched it, episode one felt promising i loved the chemistry and acting the actors are great the plot was weak and nothing really held the show together, there was so much back and forth it annoyed me. by the last ep i just hoped they'd breakup. but no they kept going. the last episode really hit the nail on the head felt so extremely rushed and had a wedding scene that felt so incomplete and provided no joy tbh. i hope the actors find better scripts and stories because the chemistry did chemistry

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Sigh, what a ride despite me not watching it till the end.
Coming into this drama without any expectation, the story failed so hard to make me engaged. More to be exact, is not interesting. It just medicore at best.
The production team seems confused of how to balance the romance and conflict aspect, causing either of each not well expanded.
ML is have good IQ but low EQ, to much immaturity to the point he is basically a pushover. He is confused whether to became good person or bad person. He is good at scheming but act and talk like upright person. That is hypocrite.
Only FL character that seems good enough here, specially since she forgotten her memory, her showcase as innocence little capable girl is good.
But the romance is not unfolded naturally. The way thing end up is just to rushed, causing the chemistry not presented. It's different when they still in sibling phase, which build up slowly and naturally.

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Hidden Love ?

If you're someone who finds comfort in quiet moments, soft romances, and the charm of everyday life, Hidden Love will likely speak to your heart. This drama beautifully captures the innocence of first love and the bittersweet warmth of growing up.

Watching it felt like flipping through an old photo album—familiar, gentle, and deeply comforting. The story doesn't rely on grand twists or heavy drama, but instead unfolds in a way that’s tender and true to life. After long, exhausting days at work, it became my happy pill—something that reminded me of the simple joys of youth and connection.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy romance with a slice-of-life feel, and who are looking for something soft, sincere, and soul-soothing.

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A Marriage in Turmoil-

The Main leads had a serious issue of communication issues, they only communicated in bed at ehmm nights but there were never real tokens and showing of affection or even care at day times, although the husband did secretly stuff to his wife`s sake. Still, she had no idea that he is madly in love with her which was obvious to all the other people around them. She wants divorce and he refuses to give it to her, so it becomes a battle of wills between this married couple...and ahhh the ever evident sexual tension is always there! The actors did a great job in portraying their emotional depth and their struggle to honestly communicating without the fear and pride stopping them.

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Some love endures. Some love fights. And some… refuse to die.

The First Frost is, without question, one of the finest modern Chinese dramas today. The cinematography is a quiet masterpiece — with breathtaking shots that perfectly capture the changing seasons and emotional nuances of the story, every frame a portrait, every landscape a poem.

The storyline is highly charged and emotionally relentless, a beautifully painful exploration of destiny, sacrifice, and devotion. But what truly sets The First Frost apart is the love story at its core — a love that refuses to be a victim of circumstance. The emotional weight of the story is heavy, a narrative that doesn’t ask for your heart, but takes it completely. It’s a tale of love that refuses to die, no matter how cruel time and circumstance become.

The chemistry between the leads is exceptional — effortless, natural, and achingly real. Together, they paint a portrait of a love that suffers, survives, and ultimately triumphs, not through luck or destiny, but through sheer human will.

A standout element is the male lead’s (Bai Jing Ting) performance. In my opinion, this is easily his best work to date. He delivers a performance so nuanced and breathtaking, it feels less like acting and more like living. His micro-expressions are flawless, capturing every flicker of emotion with raw honesty: a twitch of the brow, a flicker of longing, the quiet breaking of a heart held too long in silence Yet what makes his portrayal unforgettable is the soul he lends to the story’s most profound truth — he did not leave their love to fate. He didn’t leave his character’s fate to chance — he willed it, embodying every moment with quiet strength and heartbreaking vulnerability. His presence alone elevates the entire drama.

He did not leave their love to chance.

He endured.

He bled for it.

He gave.

He waited through winters of loneliness.

He gave everything, piece by piece, until all that remained was a heart that still whispered her name with unwavering and unyielding purpose. Every moment, every sacrifice, every quiet agony was a declaration of love that needed no words

This is a love that survived because one man willed it to exist when fate had long since turned away. A performance, a story, and a bond you’ll feel long after the final frost falls.

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ROMCOM IS BACK!

Okay, firstly, lemme start by giving Haneul oppa & Minsi unnie, the best comedian humourous award...they really uplifted my whole spirit just from the start of this drama...the chemistry between them is just WOWOWO...The way Hanuel oppa character is here is so like him in real life, his character is the director of a large restaurant company, and he is not a spoilt brat , but he doesn't do the cooking, he is just in charge of the sales, like marketing the foods, and like keeping trouble in order for peaceful sales, but on the other hand Minsi's character is completely the opposite and really contradict him a lot...she deals with traditional style cooking, like she likes to hand her ingredient for her things, she literally in the drama hiked just to get one single mushroom , like GURL (just go buy it at the market but despite all of this she really isn't making loads of money at all), but yh, i know for the first few eps, whenever these two leads meet, it is not gonna be easy to get along as one is a modern sales food manager restaurant and the other one is a local hardworking passionate cook...i just know the chemistry and the comedy will be so off the charts...

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TOO MANY CHARACTERS

Sky Valley isn’t a perfect BL series, but I genuinely enjoyed it. The title comes from the resort where most of the story takes place—Sky Valley itself. Majority of the scenes were shot in Zamboanga City, Philippines. It’s nice seeing a place that’s not as popular as Manila, Cebu, or Davao getting the spotlight.

The series is a mix of romance, comedy, and a touch of action. That said, there were way too many NC (rated) scenes for my taste. 😂 Honestly, some of them felt unnecessary. It's like I was watching something a little too private! Total secondhand embarrassment at times.

The main couple, James Lucero and Tim Tuppil, had okay chemistry—not super memorable, but decent. James' acting skills is great. While Tim needs a little improvement. Surprisingly, the girls’ love side couple had way better chemistry and were actually really cute together.

There are a lot of characters, though, and it can get overwhelming trying to keep track of everyone’s story. Some of them felt like they were added just to fill space. A few of the supporting roles also had cringey acting, but I’d say there’s room to grow.

I did enjoy the trio of staff at Sun Valley, they were hilarious! Production-wise, the series was impressive. You can tell they put in a lot of effort and resources compared with other Filipino BL series. They even brought in veteran actor Tirso Cruz III, which shows they were serious about this project. The cinematography was stunning, especially the scenes shot at Grande Santa Cruz Island, Zamboanga (yes, the pink beach—it’s beautiful!).

If you’re sensitive to NC scenes, this might not be for you. And it’s definitely not a light, fluffy watch. Like most Filipino dramas, expect some intensity. Still, despite a few plot holes, the story kept me engaged from beginning to end.

Where to watch: YouTube (Oxin Films)

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I'M SO CONFLICTED

Okay im sure you’ve seen all the very polarised reviews and honestly i get it i really do. I wanted to love this soooo bad, ive been facing a terrible drama slump nothing was working for me watchee 4-5 and i could just not stick through the first two eps of any of them and then i found this gem.

It starts off AMAZING first 1-5 eps are so good im hooked, i didnt even know when i started that the main leads were the ones from Go Back couple which i just watched last week ! But then it starts to not make sense anymore...

Id like to say before getting into what went wrong that everyones acting was absolute *chefs kiss* kudos to all of them.

Now getting into where it all went down hill: the husbands death. Or maybe the faft that when she found out that her daughter isnt his SHE DIDNT BOTHER FIGURE OUT HOW AND WHO?

Anyways after the death things start to go off the rails ngl like her friend whos not her friend is insanely jealous of her, and so her actions for the most part makes sense... untill she turns out to be an absolute psycho??? Huh?? She starts making so many dumb decisions like girl at least be good at being bad ? AND THEN SHE DIES ?!?! LIKE WHAT ?!?! WHAT ABOUT ALL THW TERRIBLE THINGS SHES DONE ?!?1

Idk the plot holes were piling up and the direction of the plot became non existent, the twists are now too tangled to enjoy and im sat here hoping till the end that the ending at least will make up for it... but the ending is quite meh tbh :(

Now despite all of this the acting was soooo good i acc enjoyed it regardless it was still an upgrade to a lot of other dramas that are rated so much higher on here which shocked me lol

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This healed a part of me!!!!

This drama is like a dreamy, bittersweet fairytale with a dark twist. It’s visually stunning, emotionally deep, and full of magic—both literal and metaphorical. Ji Chang-wook plays a mysterious magician who’ll make you question what’s real and what’s not, and he’s so good at pulling you into his world.

It touches on growing up, pressure, and losing innocence, but still holds onto that spark of wonder. Plus, the music is beautiful and gives the whole thing this soft, almost haunting vibe. It's different from your usual K-dramas—but in a really refreshing way.

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if you are hopeless romantic :)

This drama feels like flipping through a diary full of raw, honest feelings about love, heartbreak, and everything in between. It’s shot like a documentary, which makes it feel super personal and real. Ji Chang-wook plays a heart-on-his-sleeve romantic and absolutely nails the emotional rollercoaster. His performance is seriously underrated here.

It’s not your typical K-drama—short episodes, fast pace, and very real dialogue. It shows how messy and beautiful love can be without sugarcoating anything. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it’s hilarious, and sometimes it just makes you go ugh, been there.

If you’ve ever had your heart broken or fallen too fast, you’ll definitely find bits of yourself in this one. It’s refreshing, relatable, and kind of comforting in its own way.

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