Absolute Perfection (Or, as close as you can get)

This was a very powerful and touching drama. I especially loved how, in this world of Japan, things appear hopeful by the end. It seems that because of this terrible law, people are now taking notice and caring more about minorities, those who are LGBT+, disabled, ill, of a different nationality, etc. 

Regarding Representation: I have only praise. I would recommend it just for the rep alone and how it showcases/discusses Queer people.

Can be found on Rakuten Viki 

I'm just blown away by this!

Other reviewers already did an excellent job talking about this movie, so I really don't feel I have anything of value to say.

Link to watch it: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7xrjoj

Surprisingly the limited dialogue made it much more interesting. They were able to play more with tone, spacing, and atmosphere. It was also very interesting to see how the 3 different couples' actors changed up the lines in small, but subtly beautiful ways. This has to be the best short film I have seen in years. 

Go read my review for a better explanation. This was just a small part of what I had to say about this short film.

Link to watch it: https://youtu.be/5ZUbouRb0oM

Wow. This was one hell of a journey. I'm so glad I gave this a chance.

This was everything and more I was looking for in a Historical C-Drama:

A mentally strong, kind, and rounded FL✅
A smart, respectful, and understanding ML✅
A romance that is skillfully developed from an intimate friendship/bond✅
Plot twists and tragic events that are fitting for the characters and story✅
Engaging side characters✅
Gorgeous costumes✅
Sweet smiles✅

Can be found on Rakuten Viki or iQiyi

What can I say about this season that others haven't already said?

Somehow, they effortlessly managed to jump right back into the heat of things. It felt like we didn't even skip a beat since the last season! I would even say they ramped everything up. They leaned into cat-and-mouse games, presented already interesting characters in a new light, and, of course, got creative with the comedy.

Fan Xian was a force of nature but also a seething and hurt man, driven by morality almost against his will. He was also straight-up fine. His passionate anger toward injustice and willingness to sit with his grief but not allow it to overwhelm him brought fire into my own eyes.

Because I watched the first season not that long ago, I didn't have to live in agony for years on end like the rest of you. Here's hoping I don't have to take my turn and wait five years for Season 3.

Side Note: Can we talk about Second Prince? Because this man straight up chewed up the scenery like a damn goat. He was devious, he was childish, he was almost pitiful; he was a delight.

Can be found on Rakuten Viki

or

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpghCOjR4QqouvusCZTvAgO2evXgYs1cy&si=rcY2GIDyuOwj4r9e

This drama was a true delight! It was somber and complicated, yet at the same time, threw out pure nonsense and refused to take itself seriously. It was as audacious and coy with its mysteries as its characters were with their scheming. Yet again, I am humbled by another quality C-Drama.

Thank goodness I only watched this this year, though, because if I had to wait 5+ years for a second season? I'd go crazy!

Can be found on Rakuten Viki

Or

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTB73Ibi_X3H0oT42WnzzY_6lo3pQjNMW&si=44trDDHdIe65qcmq

I'm in awe and disturbed. This is pure corruption and despair that is perhaps beautiful? Sincere yet the worst lie ever told? I'm not sure how to explain how it made me feel. All I know is I couldn't tear my eyes away from the darkness I was staring directly into; my soul may have been dragged into the Abyss by the end.

Watch it or don't watch it; just don't sink.

Can be found on Rakuten Viki

Or link to Subbed Episodes: https://furritsubs.wordpress.com/2022/09/06/shounen-no-abyss-engsubs/ 

Note: As if this didn't radiate confident Queer energy enough—or at least make this Queer lose her damn mind—the cherry on top of this magnum opus is that they straight up threw in a hinted Gay side couple, so how could I NOT give it a 10/10?!

This was . . . Everything. From the way they neatly executed an entire political plot with only two minutes to spare for each episode to the engaging romance and all-consuming and breathtaking chemistry between the gorgeous FL and ML, and, finally, to the dominating yet calming presence the FL exuded with every fiber of her being which made the dynamic between her and the ML a truly unique delight to witness. I was sat so far at the edge of my seat I was about to fall off.

Also, Ep 20?! *vigorously fans self* I am going back to replay that shit ten more times!

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX0w6rCQl3mfoZjnddCNYgNfFfXKXRlYJ&si=44kkbyfPsE6ygzUm

This lovely, heartwarming drama managed to perfectly capture the sparks of young love and the limited time of our youth that, in the moment, feels limitless.

It certainly doesn't hurt that it also made me squeal from pure cuteness!

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7SneaZWMW0otehz3rmR_7xVEaoW8yNVA 

Go ahead! Fight me for putting it here!

I have a soft spot for this. It was one of my first K-Dramas. And, it's really funny. Plus, the soundtrack is everything. "Without words" is in my music library.

Can be found  on Netflix (with a VPN)

Or on free websites

I will be starting this today after seeing a friend was watching it on the feeds. It looks cute. And, it's only about 20 minutes per episode which works great with my schedule right now.

Update after completion:

At first this drama started out as being quite silly and almost following the enemies to lovers trope. However, over time as more background and detail was revealed about the characters, this drama became much more than I imagined. The beginning premise is basic. But, the characters are real, raw, have baggage and many imperfections, and have many deep conversations with each other about themselves and life.

It's entirely believable when we start to see feelings develop between them. And it hurts when they make mistakes and say/do things to each other they shouldn't have. These characters work through a lot and we go through it with them.

I don't know if I'm doing this drama justice in the way I'm describing it. Anyway, this is a surprising 9.5/10 for me.

How on earth did I forget about this?! How? It's SO good and SO memorable. This made my heart bleed when I first saw it. And upon rewatch, it still does.

Link to watch it: https://youtu.be/Ach8i-PdqTo

A drama that discusses mental health in a respectful way and has a couple that feels incredibly real and honest about who they are.

Life-changing drama.

Boy, was this a captivating watch with a Bromance that seemed burned out only to come back with a scorching vengeance. Let me tell you, all the leads were engaging and worthy of my investment (the only thing I found just "okay" was the romance). But Jang Hyuk as Bang Won ? This man chewed the scenery like a straight-up GOAT. Like, forget everything and everyone. His powerful presence commanded him to be the center of attention. Sometimes I mistook him for being the main ML, because how could he NOT be?

Can be found on Netflix

"An ordinary day passes and another ordinary day comes. But life is still worth living. The past filled with regrets and the future filled with anxiety . . . Please don't let that ruin the present. Please love today radiantly. You have that right."

A comedic and sincere drama that cleverly snuck in the beautiful and heart-wrenching experience of aging and appreciating life with all its regrets and anxieties. Truly, radiant.

Can be found on Rakuten Viki

When I tell you this was one of the most gripping K-Dramas I have ever seen! The fucking stress this caused me! I was biting my nails, screaming/hyperventilating, unable to relax for a single second!

As a person who can't handle face stuff (biting of the face/neck, poking out of eyes, etc.),  the mute button was my best friend here.

I demand consequences in S2, though, for the wrongs that happened here. Some people need justice, others need serious comeuppance.

Can be found on Netflix

I feel like the intro to this drama tells you everything you need to know. They saw what they never should have seen, and now they are running and hiding in the maze, trying to find some way out, only they get turned around as shadows lurk behind them and in front of them. There is camaraderie, clever and not-so-clever lies, brief smiles in a painful reality, failed plans, and blood-splattered footprints left on the path. "How did this all happen? If I'd never . . ."

This horrifying and engaging experience chilled me to the bone. It was a fateful car crash I couldn't tear my eyes away from. I fell hook, line, and sinker. But the question is, what did I fall for?

Can be found on iQiyi

Tell me how did I not watch this sooner?!

Layered cultures and conflicts, politics, race wars, class struggles, power plays, prophecies, and religion, all told within a new imagined age featuring the coexistence of the fantastical and the creation/advancement of civilization itself. The grand scale of it all astounds me.

And the costuming and commitment from the actors are just the cherries on top!

It's like if they took one of my favorite guilty pleasure TV shows, Reign, took out a lot of the unnecessary crap, actually made the pagan gods real, and gave some of the characters fairy wings and devil horns. Except make it make way more sense than how I just pitched it!

When I first put this on my list, I was only planning to watch Part 1. Now I see that is an impossible task! 

Can be found on Netflix

Now this was excellent! The bromance was bromancing and the crime-solving was criminally-engaging.

Sure, if I want to point out flaws, I can: I wasn't a fan of how they handled some more sensitive topics. But on the flip side, they really surprised me with their more liberal takes. On the part of Shen Yi in particular, there was a rather open and freedom-oriented perspective not only being voiced but being promoted by the drama itself.

I will warn you that you will get seriously sucked into this. So I hope you have enough time to watch two episodes at a time because limiting yourself to one each sit-down is challenging, if not impossible.

Can be found on Rakuten Viki (best subs) or iQiyi

This drama turned me into a dessert snowman melting into a sugary sweet puddle!

Other people have praised this drama enough. All I'll say is that if you like romance dramas that are sweet and slow, have little to no drama or conflicts, and feature a couple with great chemistry and communication who support each other and have a relationship as healthy as kale; this is for you!

Side Note: Seriously, if I start talking about how much of a green flag the ML is or how the FL is the embodiment of a prince who sweeps you off your feet, we'll be here all day! *blushes in "My Queen"*

It didn't top Hidden Love, but it did bandage my heart. Consider it highly recommended by yours truly.

Can be found on Rakuten Viki

Pure heart and awesomeness—that was Cross Fire. Each match was an exhilarating experience, and I was constantly taken aback by the sheer creativity of the game sequences.

E-Sports was taken seriously here to the extent that I believe, regardless of your opinion going in, by the time you finish this drama, you will have no choice but to allow admiration to wash over you for these players' passion and fight to continue fighting.

My hat goes off to this drama. Even the sub-par subtitles couldn't dampen my enjoyment. 

Can be found on free websites

A few years ago, if you told me I would willingly sit down and watch a 78-episode-long C-Drama, I would have told you you're out of your damn mind!

I was taken on a carefully mapped journey that wasn't always pleasant, but great companions and an assured end made it all worthwhile. I wasn't always on board with the choices Ming Lan made or the positions she was put in. But what of my desires? I was happy if she was happy. And what a resourceful and intelligent FL she was to root for. Within the confines of rigid rules, societal standards, and ill-willed family members, she carved out a space of her own. Ming Lan earned my admiration and love.

And in the end, she got her revenge: A life well-lived.

My only real criticism is that I think they could have cut some scenes down, as it did seem to drag a bit. We don't have to see the entire process of walking from one location to the next, etc.

Side Note: I don't think I'll get over the insane use of the term "muddled." Even in serious situations, I couldn't help chuckling because, yet again, a pot is calling the black kettle "muddled."

Can be found on Rakuten Viki

The main character is so different from the female leads I've seen before. She's not the typically goofy girl who trips all the time and blurts out whatever she thinks. She's incredibly reserved and says what she wants to say with her small physical actions and tells instead of words. 

The best comparison I have is Ram from My Engineer, but he's male. Both are characters in romantic stories with personalities I haven't seen before. I wish I had more like this! Then again, perhaps the novelty would wear off if that happened.

I loved the way it was shot, not to mention the music. And the emotional build was so satisfying. It reminded me of the classic movie Gaslight. It had a very similar tone to it, especially with the beginning episodes.

I don't think they managed to portray a romance with the FLs due to the censorship. But, I didn't find myself upset about it. The deep, caring, and cute friendship satisfied me enough :)

Link to YouTube Playlist: https://youtu.be/GU4DJf2_jqE

Really sweet, and heartbreaking at certain points. This movie dares you to challenge the way you think about people with trouble hearing, and gives you a different perspective. The relationship between the leads was also very natural.

It's absolutely ridiculous, cheesy, makes you scratch your head and ask why, self-obsessed with a mix of laughingly-bad-side-character-acting, a dash of awkward fight scenes, a healthy dose of suits and abs in rags, chemistry that chemistrys, leads that act like the rent was due two months ago and the power bill is coming in the mail on Monday, and, above all, just a shit ton of fun.

When you have a drama with nonsense characters, over-the-top plot points, and cheap effects that is self-aware of its soap-operaness and also has a main romance with sizzling chemistry and sly grins from both parties (one more mischievous Cheshire-cat and foxy than the other though), you have yourself some quality entertainment.

I had a blast not only watching this but pondering what could possibly be awaiting me in the newest episode.

Goodbye, Cheeky Bastard Charn and Good-Two-Shoes Tin. I will miss you.

My recommendation? Pop some popcorn, kick your feet back, hit play, and have a good time.

Can be found on YouTube or iQiyi

Great, yet frustrating for one reason: What school would possibly tolerate a student repeatedly assaulting another, and not expel them immediately?!

I love the chemistry between the couples, and this drama is a slow (despite the shortness) and intriguing watch.

I also have to commend them for their showcasing of some difficult topics such as violence, heartbreak, and the lingering effects of a physically/emotionally abusive relationship.

The actors did an amazing job. So amazing that I have reconsidered my rating, and am rating this drama 9/10.

I really didn't expect to love this so much!

Can be found on LineTV

I'm not exactly sure what I just saw. Or, at least what REALLY happened. But, it was REALLY good though. Not just good, great. Truly.

The acting was amazing, the shots were fantastic, and it almost made me cry. Scratch that, it made me cry.

Can be found on GagaOOLala or YouTube

An illuminating short film with an absolutely wonderful little romance.

Link to watch it: https://youtu.be/3y5zBY96Mio

My thoughts were too many to be contained in a simple description on a list! So here's the link to my review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/8835865/reviews/160577

The short version: Go watch it!

Link to Eng Subs: https://www.ichihachisubs.com/aoki

This really was very Classic K-Drama reminiscient. I felt very relaxed and light while watching it. Took me back. At the same time, things were improved here.

The FL could be silly, but she was also very thoughtful, quick-thinking, empathetic, and not to mention snarky in the best way possible. At the same time, while the ML could be arrogant due to his skills and status, he was also childish himself, considerate, and a sappy romantic.

I really grew to love the main leads together and root for them in all their endeavors.

Now, onto the pièce de résistance: My favorite side couple.

It took me a bit to see it between these two, but once I did, I was all in. I loved the way Wang Mai Zhi was not only charmingly and hilariously cocky, but also almost a tsundere, and Wei Qi Zhen took his teasing but didn't let herself get walked over.

I heartily recommend giving this drama a shot! 22 episodes will feel easy, trust me.

Can be found on Rakuten Viki

This was great! Strongberry always seems to do an amazing job with their short films.

I really liked the dialogue, acting, and the way it was shot. I'll definitely be watching it again. Honestly, it's amazing how much you can accomplish in 7 minutes with a short film.

Link to watch it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTa92oDTLqA 

Wonderfully shot and subtly told! Loved this!

Can be found on LineTV

That was so sweet and beautifully shot. Amazing what you can create in 7 minutes!

Whoever wrote/directed this truly understood the concept of love and train stations.

Link to watch it: https://youtu.be/EVNzrGvEZxY

Let me take this moment to be a spokesperson for this drama: If you're looking for consent like in Lovely Writer, it's to be found here. If you're just looking for good consent in general, it's to be found here.

There are flaws in certain plot points of course, but I still felt things played out in ways that made sense taking our characters' personalities and backgrounds into account.

Some of you may come for just those "scenes" but will hopefully stay for more, that being the consent and communication shown between not just the main couple but the side couple as well.

Regarding representation, because I would be remiss not to mention it, we had a confirmed Pansexual SML who was specifically called Pansexual at least twice and was described as being interested in/having dated men, women, and nonbinary people.

 Link to Review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/8835865/reviews/171825

Can be found on LineTV