Reviews

One of my the best Korean dramas i have seen

**Buried Hearts (Treasure Island) is one of those rare K-dramas that immediately hooks you with its intensity and refuses to let go.** At the center of it all is Park Hyung-sik, who once again proves why he is among the most versatile and commanding actors of his generation. His performance blends vulnerability with raw charisma, and the way he carries the emotional weight of the story makes you forget you’re watching fiction. Alongside him, Hong Hwa-yeon as *Ye Eun-nam* delivers a nuanced portrayal that balances warmth and steel—her character isn’t overshadowed but instead shines as an equal force, giving the drama even more depth.

**The casting overall feels pitch-perfect.** Each supporting actor contributes layers to the story, never feeling like filler, and instead creating a tightly woven ensemble where every line and expression matters. Personally, I loved every single character, with Seo Dong-ju and Ye Eun-nam being my favorites. Eun-nam especially gets a lot of hate from viewers, but I think that’s debatable—and honestly, I won’t spoil anything, but she remains one of the most memorable parts of the drama for me. Park Hyung-sik’s presence on screen is magnetic, but it’s the balance and chemistry between him, Hong Hwa-yeon, and the rest of the cast that elevates the show.

**The OST is where Buried Hearts cements its place as unforgettable.** “Break Through” by Seo Ho-seung is easily the crown jewel of the soundtrack. The timing of when the song plays—especially when Park Hyung-sik appears on screen—is goosebump-inducing. It’s not just background music; it’s storytelling through sound. That surge of emotion, the satisfaction, the way it perfectly syncs with the visuals, makes you want to hit repeat endlessly. Few K-drama OSTs reach the iconic level of *Goblin’s* “Stay With Me,” but “Break Through” feels like it’s destined to join that elite category.

**Buried Hearts proves that a K-drama becomes truly iconic when cast and music merge seamlessly.** Park Hyung-sik and Hong Hwa-yeon anchor the show with brilliance, while Seo Ho-seung’s “Break Through” turns already powerful moments into unforgettable experiences. Add in layered side characters like Eun-nam and Seo Dong-ju, and you have a drama that feels complete and deeply satisfying. For me, it’s a flawless ride from start to finish—an easy **10/10**.

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A Love That Wouldn't Die

I can not let go of the hold this series has on me. In 12 ep, they managed to break me over and over again. Perfectly paired they have delivered the best yet. The desire, the angst, harsh decisions, resolute convictions and in the end, a love that didn't die.

Caught between two kingdoms, political plots and selfish ambitions, Zi Ang and Shu He, fought to be but in the end, on opposing sides, they fought each other. Finally, left with no other option, Shu He takes revenge but ultimately creates the only world they can live happily in. Free to be as they were meant to be, they greet each other with a smile. I will not go indepth with every detail as this entire series is worth viewing with fresh minds.

I easily bypass how small the production was Zhang Zhe Xu and Min Jin performances blotted out what was lacking. Central to the plot that delivered, was their meeting and the intense love borne of it. One raging and rash and the other sure and serene. Yet, both were bonded forever

The supporting cast is worthy of a mention. All of their parts were handled believably. This is a series I can fully recommend as its execution was effectively painful as it was beautiful. A period piece that will never age. It's worth watching time and time again.

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at first I didn’t really enjoy this drama partially also because I couldn’t move on from tlofg, Cheng lei’s other drama. But I saw the trailer and was drawn to his character in shadow love. First few eps were rather slow and boring but starting from ep 12 onwards IT GOT SO GOOD!!! The ost eats and they’re not overplayed. Ppl who say main leads don’t have chemistry is WRONG. I’ve seen enemies to lovers but lovers to enemies?? That’s new! I rly lovee Prince annan soo fine omg and song yi’s acting was rlly good! This drama is on par with tlofg… I fear Cheng lei only pick GOOD scripts

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The way the female lead is written is ridiculous

So I understand the script is a complete disaster and I also understand why the female lead was written as she was.

However you’ve made her a pilot and yes, she’s immature but why make her so childish, reckless, impulsive and annoying.

I am not rooting for her, and I hope she gets fired. I will eventually get through it, but I have a feeling it’s gonna take me a long time..

I got she’s talented, but her attitude and temperament stinks and I hate that she’s being constantly protected where she shows absolutely no gratitude or understanding for what is happening in her own selfish and absorbed existence.

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Brilliant acting and production makes the series shine far beyond its budget

Kill to Love is an astonishing masterpiece that swept me off my feet from the very first episode.

💜 The Acting - Zhang Zhe Xu and Mi Jin delivered absolutely breathtaking performances, carrying every scene with grace, power, and soul. Their chemistry was magnetic, their emotions palpable, and their portrayal of love and sacrifice will stay with me forever.

💛 The Production - Every detail, from the costumes to the sets, was crafted with such artistry. The cinematography was rich and vibrant, immersing me completely in this world of kingdoms, assassins, and star-crossed love.

💙 The Story - Painful yet profoundly beautiful, this tale of love against fate is unforgettable. It weaves together longing, betrayal, reunion, and unshakable devotion in a way that touches the heart deeply.

💖 The Experience - Watching Kill to Love was not just entertainment, it was a journey. A journey of tears, wonder, admiration, and endless love for the story, the characters, and the team who brought it to life.

✨ I will wholeheartedly recommend this series to everyone. It is a jewel - a rare and dazzling work that proves how powerful storytelling can be when talent, dedication, and passion come together.

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Tragic romance due to class difference but there is happy ending

I became a fan of Chen Tian Xiang after watching his modern romance drama with Chen Yu Ling. I also enjoy Yue Yu Ting's acting. I decided to watch this drama yesterday and wow, I liked it a lot!

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I liked that she stood by her principles and wanted people to respect her. Never settle as a concubine / mistress.
2. Romance - It was tragic because of status / class difference. At first FL seemed like a plaything to ML but there were actual feelings involved. Their kisses were hot and passionate and there were also sweet & tender moments.
3. ML characterisation - I perceived him as an anti-hero because of the secret affair between him and FL. He loved FL but couldn't openly show his affections because of societal pressure. I liked that he was protective of FL.
4. Supporting characters - ML's right hand man was an unofficial confidant. He gave acceptable advice when ML was irrational. I also liked FL's servant for her loyalty.
5. Styling - Chen Tian Xiang looked regal / noble in this period drama. Yue Yu Ting was beautiful in her hanfu.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - Su Fang Fei was atrocious & cunning. I also disliked FL's aunt & cousin.
2. ML's actions - I didn't like that he staged an assassination attempt on himself to gain FL's sympathy.
3. FL's career - I wish there were episodes on FL's career as a healer. I found the ending too abrupt because we were told, not shown, of her career success.

Favourite scene
When ML rescued FL from kidnappers

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Adorable drama <3

This drama have flexible acting from everyone even some acting looks awkward.
I like old kdrama because they have different kind of vibes from recent kdrama.

For me, the weakness from this drama is the script wnd plotline, the script somehow aren't suitable for certain scenes and feels like other characters know what happen other scenes that they aren't appear. And when they jump to the next scene, sometimes its looks suddenly and doesn't have flow

But its fun to see younger donghae <3 but its made me sad that some actors didn't pursued their acting and only have several works :')

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Action-packed crime drama not for the faint-hearted

I am a Zhen Zi Qi fangirl so I was excited when There is No Turning Back dropped on 8 September - after being postponed twice! My reddit & MDL friend sbranflake & I watched this drama and wrote a joint review in subreddit CShortDramas. This drama is different from the usual vertically shot dramas. I enjoyed There is No Turning Back.

Trigger warning: Rape, Violence

What I liked:
1. Acting - Superb acting by the cast led by Zhen Zi Qi. I was impressed by the actors who portrayed ML's two right hand men: Zhao Si Hai (the muscle man) and Huang Tie Xin (the one who looked dorky).
2. Main character - Wu Xiao was an anti-hero - a ruthless gangster who upheld a certain set of principles. I liked him because he was protective of his family and he knew what’s right and what’s wrong (every single decision was carefully thought out).
3. Brotherhood - It was wonderful that the viewers got to see how this brotherhood was formed. The set of principles that they follow led them to be gangsters with conscience.
4. Writing - Supporting characters were fleshed out. I must say that the antagonist had one of the best villain arcs in vertical dramaland. The plot twist just blew my mind.
5. Styling - The drama took place in 1998. I liked outfits for ZZQ as they added edge & ruggedness to his character. I really liked Feng Xiang's outfits although I found them very 80s looking.
6. Action - Plenty of fighting scenes. So satisfying to see ZZQ fighting those thugs.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - Damn, he was vicious!
2. Duration - The drama is 3 hours long. It was a challenge for me to watch in one sitting because of its duration and dark / heavy themes.

Favourite scene
There was a fight between ML and his two righthand men and their brotherhood was tested.

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Went to the top of my favorites list.

I just finished this drama and if anyone told me I would feel sad and empty after I finished it, I wouldn't believe them. Honestly, very few dramas leave a lasting impression on me and this one definitely did.

I am not a perfectionist when it comes to judging dramas. I believe no drama is ever perfect and there will always be something other people wouldn't like. But what makes a drama a solid 10 in my opinion is how much I enjoy the time watching it. This drama has 36 episodes and as someone who only watched a few cdramas in my lifetime, that is too long. But with this one, there was no dull moment and I enjoyed every minute of it. I didn't want it to end. I could even watch another season of just the main cast living a happy life. That's how attached to them I was. 😭

I won't get into too much detail why this drama is worth a watch. There are so many good reviews already. I'm just so glad I listened to them.

P.S. I just found out Liu Yi Ning sang the OST that I like the most. I am in love. 😭

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Don't waste your time on this!!

The problem with The Next Prince is that it doesn’t seem to know what story it actually wants to tell. It throws in a little bit of everything—royal politics, romance, family drama, even random side plots—but instead of blending into something powerful, it ends up feeling scattered and unfocused.

The first few episodes were quite promising, almost making you believe this would be a solid series. But as it goes on, it feels like a roller coaster that never finds its track. The storyline gets messy, the pacing uneven, and the excitement quickly dies down.

By the middle, the series becomes boring enough that you don’t really need to pay full attention. It’s the kind of drama you can put on in the background while scrolling through your phone or doing chores, because missing parts of it doesn’t change much—you already know where it’s going, and it’s not anywhere interesting.

In the end, The Next Prince feels like wasted potential. Beautiful visuals and a talented cast are let down by weak writing and lack of direction. This is something that you would want to watch while multitasking without minding if you missed out most parts of it.

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To the mountains and rivers

oh what good times were that, waiting for this to be airing. at the end i was smiling and crying simultaneously, at least they got the life they longed for. I'm happy for that, death necessarily doesn't mean of a sad ending.I think what shu he did was reasonable, he still wanted to take revenge but didn't know how, because he loved this man undeniably.It'll be too painful if one has to die at the end and one has to live afterwards.He knew duan zi ang didn't have much more time,so he took his revenge by taking what ZI ang loved the most, shu he himself. He had what he wanted, Zi Ang suffered before he died at the thought of shu he dying before him. what is painful more than the feeling that the one we loved to die infront of our own eyes. I've realised that, They only needed to be together , and they had it at the end. I'm truly greatful for the cast and crew for bringing out such an amaizing master piece. I'll remember u forever,farewell Duan zi and and xiano shu he.

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If You Make Excuses, You Lose

"We lost because we didn't have enough money? I didn't go to college as I didn't have tutors. I lost because I was sick. Everyone can't be in same environment. They are fighting with what they have. If we make excuses, we'll lose in same way again." -- Baek Seung Soo

That encapsulated the driving force in Stove League: to face the obstacles and overcome them without excuses or whining.

I love baseball (go, KC Royals!) and Namkoong Min's acting, so this was a treat to watch. There was a huge cast of great actors but no cardboard characters; they all existed for a purpose. The story was superb with twists, losses, wins, and great personal development arcs. Oh Jung Se played a complex villain. Watching his story develop was satisfying.

I was a wee disappointed with the ending, but I reminded myself that the Korean drama culture is more about enduring rather than winning.

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Heartwarming tale about adapting oneself after a memory gap

I had seen Ma Le Jie dramas when I first explored vertical dramas. After 3 dramas, I deliberately avoided her dramas because she always played damsels in distress and cried a lot. However this drama came with positive reviews and since I had not seen any Li Bo Yan dramas, I decided to watch it today. I enjoyed it immensely.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - FL had the mind of her 18 year old self when in reality she was 10 years older. I liked that she was sensible & righteous despite the confusion. She did act impulsively once but that was based on her strong gut feeling which turned out to be the right decision.
2. Romance - Slow but rewarding. There were good kisses but what hit me the most were the conversations they had with each other. For example, FL asked ML what she was like at 28 years old. That was heartearming moment because it showed that ML knew FL through and through. I also loved the big argument because that was when their relationship was really tested. When trust is broken, a relationship falters.
3. Pop culture - I liked the scenes of idol worshipping because it reflected real life. Delusional fans are PR nightmare. Anyway I liked how FL tackled that challenge.
4. ML characterisation - The moment ML made his entrance at the start of the drama was amusing because of Lighter & Princess song. Anyway ML was patient and loving man. I liked that he was supportive at work - helping FL with her work challenges.
5. Acting - I liked Ma Le Jie's acting in this drama. I wish she upped the emotions when FL was slandered by the antagonist & their colleagues at the work event. Anyway MLJ got good chemistry with Li Bo Yan. I liked his acting too and will check out his other dramas.
6. Styling - Great outfits for both FL & ML. I liked FL's black top & black skirt she wore to work. Li Bo Yan's shirts were rarely buttoned - nice chest!
7. Length - The running time is 1 hour 45 minutes. Easy to watch & digest.

Disliked:
1. Antagonist - ML's secretary was unprofessional. She did some scheming to get FL into trouble. She should put her personal feelings aside at work.

Favourite scene
When a misunderstanding escalated into a big argument.

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Falling for Demons Again – Judge from Hell Had Me Hooked!

Damn, I absolutely loved it! Why do I always end up falling for demons, whether it’s Guwon or Kang Bitna? 😅 This drama had me hooked from the start. My adrenaline spiked every time she punished sinners in the exact way they killed their victims—it really made them realize how painful their actions were.
The male lead also did his part so well. Even though he didn’t do anything “cute” in the drama, I still found him adorable—just like the female lead. Their dynamic worked perfectly.
That cliffhanger ending though! Totally unexpected, and now I can’t stop wishing for a Season 2. Fingers crossed they give us one! 🙏✨

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