An underrated series that serves as an inspiration to not just women but also life and ones' career

Realistic and Relatable : An underrated series that serves as an inspiration to not just women but also life and ones' career

The best drama that I've watched that truly has an exceptional female lead. Out of all the dramas I've encountered Shen Rouxin is definitely a character that can be an inspiration to not just women but also people striving hard in building their careers. In our society today in which ones' career depends on its success, one may face troubles such as stereotypes, discrimination or even racism in the work place. Every now and then, these situations hinder people's career and I find it admirable that this show has characters that have more depth and that show what really happens in the working industry.

Applause also for the actresses and actors who portrayed their characters well. Not to mention, the cinematography as well as the soundtracks used in the series that fits the theme of the series.

In addition to that, I also love how the main couple's relationship in the series is mature but also adorable. Shen Rou Xin and Qi Xiao talked their problems rather than having miscommunication troubles which is common in most teen / youth dramas. We also get to see the struggles of the other relationships that are portrayed in the show. Like for Song Zi Yan and Zou Cheng, we see the problems they have in their marriage and how they overcome it. We also get to see the insecurities of Su Yang and by accepting and learning from those insecurities, his relationship with You Si Jia had developed. What's more, I also commend the struggles of not just a mother but parents in general in the society - how parents have demands for their children and how these demands affect their child etc.

The Rational Life indeed is a series that gives us a unique taste for it portrays different relationships that are breaking the stereotypes that they have to face in the society while also staying true with their ideals and not minding what society says about their relationship.

Furthermore, the series also gives each characters a time to shine for we get to see their individuality and complexity (how each of them struggled with their insecurities and how each of them grew and develop as a person). Props to not just the main characters (Shen Rouxin and Qi Xiao) but also to the supporting characters Song Zi Yan, Zou Cheng, Su Yang, You Si Jia, Mother Shen and Mother Qi.

While the plot is slow burn and the romance between the main couple takes time to develop in the series, I find this to be appropriate for the highlight or focus of the series is not just the relationship but Life in general : People's career as well as issues in the modern society which can be an eyeopener to young people who haven't yet entered the working industry.

Some viewers may also claim that this show is too old fashioned and I personally and strongly disagree with this one. The reason for it is that first of all, the series shows what is really happening in the real world most especially the working environment. It gives a lesson to viewers that not everything in life, love and work is all about sunshines and rainbows. People striving to build their career may encounter problems and it is important to have a positive mindset about it . There are also the demands and expectations that people have. Not to mention, having a relationship or not even having a relationship can lead people to be prejudice towards others. Moreover, as a person who is still in my youth and who just recently started in building a career, I can definitely relate with the characters in the series for I have also encountered these complications which is why this series is definitely not old fashioned for it is Real and Raw and relays lessons that are useful especially for the youth.

While I also see that this show might be targeted for older viewers / audience, it actually entirely depends on the viewer's taste or perspective. Some youth may like it, others may not. That is why I won't be discouraging people in watching this. If you're interested in watching it then you might as well give this one a try. Don't let reviews or other people's perspective sway you in watching this for its a matter of choice.

In conclusion, The Rational Life is a series that is more of a melodrama than romance for it does not just gives Life lessons but also serves as a Revelation to viewers for it depicts Realistic situations that people face and reflect upon in the modern society.

Read More

REMARKABLE AND REALISTIC : TRULY, A BEAUTIFUL STORY OF LOVE, ACCEPTANCE AND FORGIVENESS

Everything about this series will give you a lot of realizations as well things to love and lessons to be learned for the following reasons:

1. This series strays away from the university tropes because of the setting (rural village) that the characters are in. In addition to that, the series focuses on one couple (Tian and Phupha) and it does not rely on other side couples just to sustain the interest or attention of the viewers. Personally, I prefer a series with just one couple so that we could focus on it like Manner of Death instead of scattered side plots or side characters.

2. This series is REALISTIC AND WHOLESOME because of the situations that the main characters are facing like the considerations that they have to ponder in their relationship (their age gap, how society will see them and also the fact that Tian comes from a different family background etc.).

3. This series is not the typical fast paced plot with hot steamy scenes or kissing scenes because the relationship of the couple here is slow burn and I'm glad they put it that way. We need more dramas that portray relationships in a manner that there is progress and development. If you're into slow burn relationships, you will surely love this because of the wholesomeness of Tian and Phupha. I'm also glad that the director made this drama in a manner that it flows naturally in which the sweet or subtle moments of the characters are enough.

4. The series itself is giving a MESSAGE to the audience because of the life lessons that it's giving and it will surely touch you.
"Happiness can be found in the simplest things that we have."
"We all make mistakes. What is important is what we can learn from those mistakes."
"Where we feel our happiness is where we feel at home."
"Do your best and don't be discouraged by the obstacles that you have to face."
"Things might have been damaged or broken but nothing can bring us down so long as we have Love and Unity."

5. The ACTING, PRODUCTION AND OST USED IS BEAUTIFUL.
-I love the way Mix had portayed his characted in the story (Tian). I'm amazed by his facial expressions especially his eye expressions. Mix definitely stole the show from me. The way he expressed his character is amazing (Tian's happiness and sadness etc.)
Let's also not forget about Earth. How he expressed his character Phupha is remarkable. Their subtle flirting as well as their stares are ❤️👌... I'm also amazed by their chemistry. Kudos to them as well as to the other supporting characters most especially Tul (Tian's bestfriend) and Longtae!!
For the OST, I can say that it is definitely one of the best soundtracks of dramas I've heard because of the emotions the OST is giving. Also, the PRODUCTION AND VISUAL for the drama is well thought. You can really see the effort everyone had put through into making this series. Lastly, the CINEMATOGRAPHY IS STUNNING. You get to see places that are beautiful as well as everyone who was involved in the series who made it aesthetically pleasing that it will also touch your heart. This series is definitely a MASTERPIECE.

In conclusion, I thank the people for creating this series and be looking forward to more series like this in the future... :)

Edit : I just finished watching the last episode and this is definitely what we (viewers / audience ) need. A good ending. No cliff hangers, No open ending but A Wholesome ending for a Captivating Story..

Read More

Overrated : Plot and Character Inconsistencies with great Cinematography and good OST

I'm always fond of Mafia related stories, shows and movies and to say that I have great expectations for this series is definitely not an understatement. When I watched the trailer of this show, I was blown away with the acting and cinematography until I eventually watched the series and somehow my view of the show albeit slowly changed...

The Pros of the series are definitely the cinematography, acting and OST... The actors / actresses did their best in portraying their characters well.. The soundtracks are also good and I'm definitely loving the songs...

What really fell through for me was the plot and illogicality of the characters.

The story got really really REALLY draggy too.. There were a lot of scenes for me that were unnecessary like you know the feeling that you're just watching some fillers before you get to the main point of the story.. That's exactly what they did with Vincenzo.. For me, the show could have just ended with only 16 episodes or even 12 episodes because each episode has more than an hour of running time... The 20 episodes is just too much..

Aside from the plot, the villain in the story got downplayed... Like really downplayed..
After watching a lot of crime thriller kdramas that have psychopathic killers, Vincenzo has one of the most unique villain in all of the shows that I've watched and I'm sad as well as disappointed that they didn't use the full potential of the character. The villain in the story was described to be cunning as well as a genius with his eccentricity and someone who is SUPPOSED TO BE ON PAR with Vincenzo, yet they made his character underwhelming in a way that if I summed up all the scenes that the villain did, he didn't have any scenes that justified his character because Vincenzo always won and like everything seems to be pretty convenient for the main character etc... The show really favored the hero to the point that it had me questioning a lot about what was even the relevance of the villain being on par with Vincenzo but not even having a chance to shine.. This really frustrated me... If you're going to make a series with a premise like this, it should be balanced... The wasted potential of the villain's character got me facepalming to no end.. Even the main character (Vincenzo) had a lot of out of character moments... **sigh**
The female lead also has a sassy character but the way they introduced her was just so bad and it annoyed me... It felt like she was over reacting too much or trying too hard and it wasn't even funny.. Although, I'm glad that her character had some improvements in the end...

I also find the Geumga Plaza residents to be annoying.. I find some of their scenes to be irrelevant... This would probably the show which I will comment that it has too many side characters that the show definitely does not need.. While the Geumga Plaza residents are a source of comic relief, I find it to be awkward in this show.. Like it doesn't fit the whole Vincenzo thing...

Another thing is that I understand that this show is a slap stick comedy with a sprinkle of mafia.. but seriously though, the mafia thing here is just mehhh... Not even a MAFIA genre in all honesty.... They sugarcoated the mafia tag here and if you're looking for a serious show.. then this would be not your taste.. The comedy, action and seriousness of this show is not balanced well... Too much comedy in a show that started off in a serious and bad ass note...

And also, an important thing that we must also consider in the series is the fact that there were some scenes (the homophobia and misinterpretation of a gay character) that happened in the show that left a bad taste to the LGBT+ community. The fact that this issues weren't even addressed well disappointed me. In our society today where media is a powerful outlet, viewers can be easily influenced by what they see or hear and I find it to be disappointing that yes this show is popular however, it failed to address or give respect or even importance to the LGBT+ community.

There were a lot of questions that weren't even answered well.. I've always been curious of the past of the main character and although they used flashbacks for Vincenzo's past but it's technically not enough.. It would have been better if there was an episode or even 2 episodes in which we really got to see how he grew up in Italy, eventually meeting his "father", joining the Casanno family and becoming the legal adviser of the family...
Furthermore, it would have been better if they also showed the back story of the Babel Siblings - how Han Seok became an eccentric psychopath, how his brother put up with the expectations of the family and what did their father felt or do at that time. These would have been more interesting to see rather than those unnecessary or irrelevant scenes in the series...

In conclusion, Vincenzo had an epic beginning with the main character starting of the story in a bad ass way but in the end the inconsistencies of the plot and characters got the best of it.. This is entirely my opinion so I won't be discouraging people to watch it.. but I just want to say that kdrama writers should try to improve in writing their characters and plot.. We need female leads that are not just supporting characters.. We need main characters and plots that are consistent / logical... And lastly, we need villains that are on par with the hero because with that, it will leave an even deeper impact or impression with the audience / viewers..

P.S. I'm not hating the show.. This is just my opinion and I won't discourage people to watch this show..

Read More

Emotional : A movie that gives meaning to life and death

I'm glad that SK (South Korea) is producing more series and movies that will surely give not just an impression to the viewer, but also meaning or value and I find that this movie is one of those. With its sci-fi take, a bit of action and melodrama tag / genre, this one did not disappoint me. The balance between those tags were good especially the bits of humor inserted to lightened up the mood of the movie. In addition to that, the acting is top notch for both of the action and emotional scenes.

Apart from the good production as well as the intriguing plot, good pacing of the story and solid cast, what really caught my attention are the emotions portrayed by the main characters and the lines exchanged between the two (Seobok and Kiheon) about life and death.

We get to see their desperation - Someone who wants to live, Someone who wants freedom, Someone filled with regrets, Someone who just wants to be loved... In the end, the choices the main characters made are what gave meaning to their life. These are definitely heavy and powerful moments depicted in the movie that will to surely touch the viewer / audience.

In conclusion, props to the director, producer, writer, actors and all the people involved for making this movie. If you want to watch something that is emotional or melodramatic, you can add this to your list. This is a highly recommend watch. Enjoy watching... :)

Read More

Heartwarming and Wholesome

He's coming to me is something that we most definitely need especially in BL Dramas because of the fact that this show really addressed the important issues in the LGBT community unlike some. What we need in these shows are not the toxic relationships that are portayed by some or the over cliched ones, but rather we need those that are addressing the LGBT community. The characters in the story had their own issues and struggles with themselves which I find to be realistic. The relationship portrayed between the couple is also realistic, pure and wholesome. Even if the plot is common (Ghost x Human), I love the way that the characters relationship developed or progressed in the story, the way they cared about each other until the end. If you want to watch a BL DRAMA that is melodramatic and sweet, you should definitely watch this.

Read More

It's real and it's giving a message to everyone

One of the underrated and best BL drama that I've watched that really gave me an impact because of its message. What I really love about this series is that even if it is short (it only had 10 minutes running time per episode) the drama managed to address the important issues in the LGBTQ+ community.

We can see in the series the struggles the characters are in, how society views them and how the characters try to put up with those struggles.

More than that, I'm glad that these issues weren't taken lightly, unlike some BL dramas where the important issues in the LGBTQ+ community are just mellowed down and not addressed properly. We need shows like this that don't sugarcoat these issues. We need shows that are Real and not just make the viewers relate to the characters but also sympathize as well as understand that the struggles the LGBTQ+ community are facing are in fact Real.

What also amazes me in this series is that the actors portrayed their characters well. They weren't stiff or awkward in their scenes and they manage to catch the attention of the viewers. The ending credits and OST (Soundtracks) used for this series is also beautiful. Props to the producer, director, actors and everyone who put an effort in making this show possible.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a BL drama that will really give you an impression as well as insights, this one is a must watch... :)

Read More

Nothing notable happens in the series : cute but short..

I'm glad that SK is taking baby steps in producing more BL content. Even though most of the previous shows that they produced have short running time, the cinematography, acting and OSTs used on those shows were still good.

This time we have another BL show with a different setting (historical).

It's a good start for SK, a stepping stone for future historical BLs. Nobleman Ryu's wedding had the typical fast paced plot with the main characters briefly meeting and falling in love with other. There were scenes that were cute and funny, however, it somehow fails to appeal the viewers. (This is just my perspective as it depends on the viewer's taste)

It could have been better or it could have been sweet and adorable if the story focused more on them getting to know each other because the downsides of this series is that they had to add a rival and then a sibling that doesn't approve of the main couple's relationship who constantly interferes and annoys the main lead which overall made the side characters be of a nuisance than a help and the entire series to be pretty much, bland and overly dramatic for just a short series..

In addition to that, due to the short running time and fast paced story, I actually wasn't much invested on the romance between the main characters.. Moreover, I didn't see much of the chemistry between them..

In conclusion Nobleman's Ryu's wedding is something worth watching I guess if you want a series that is short and fast. You can still be entertained despite of its shortcomings but all in all, it entirely depends on your interests. Personally, I would give it a below average rating but since the production value for this series is not that big and SK is taking a few steps forward in producing BL content, I gave it a chance.. Enjoy watching.. ;)

Read More

Heavy and Dark : The end justifies the means..

Can I just say that after watching a lot of crime thriller dramas, this would be the most unique one because of how the narrative of the series was masterfully relayed from start to finish.. This drama is definitely a psychological thriller at its finest.. With its melodramatic and slow burn pacing that will surely enthrall the viewers / audience, you'll get to only understand the whole picture of the plot once you've finished watching it.. And truly, this is worth the watch..

The complexity of the characters, how they were introduced in the series as well as their major developments are outstanding..

In addition to that, can I just say that the soundtracks are daebak! (amazing). Each soundtrack fits the characters as well as the theme of the series so well, most especially when we're feeling the emotions being portrayed by the characters.

Although I have to admit that Beyond Evil took me a while to finish because of its slow burn pacing but at the end of the series, I now completely understand the relevance of its pacing... Some viewers may find this drama to be dull or monotonous.. Furthermore, I actually find the twists in the series to be predictable for it did not shook / surprise me that much..

However, Give it a Chance if you're not into the slow burn type of drama.. Each characters in the series had their own time to shine and I find that to be much appreciated.. Also, the interactions of the main characters most especially Lee Dong Shik and Han Joo Won are unforgettable... From start to finish, we get to see the intricacy of their relationship : Their Conflicts and Doubts turning to Trust and Respect for each other.. **applause**

In conclusion, Beyond Evil is one of those unforgettable psychological thriller dramas of 2021 which is definitely on par with Mouse : Both dramas have its unique take on the complexity of the characters and plot.. I highly recommended these shows if you're looking for a heavy and dark plot.. I actually finished watching Beyond Evil first before Mouse then I posted my review for Mouse first before Beyond Evil (lol) and no words can best describe these two series for both of them are really good in their own way...

Indeed, Beyond Evil is a brilliant show in which the end justifies the means...

Read More

Is the TRUTH REALLY THE TRUTH or is it just built upon LIES? Truly, a Game of Twists and Deception

P.S. I'll first give a warning because this drama has themes of violence, abuse etc. that are not suitable for viewers who are sensitive with these tags... Furthermore, the plot gets darker as the story reaches its climax so if you're uncomfortable with this, then you can sit this one out.. I'll also try my best to give a review that will not contain any spoilers.. lol

To be honest, I cannot understand what I felt after finishing this drama, the emotions I felt at that time were conflicting... However, as I thought about the events that transpired from the beginning until the end, everything ended the way it's supposed to end... Some may find it bittersweet while others may find it miserable but it all depends on the viewers perspective... One thing I can say though is that punishment was served fittingly..

Hands down, Mouse relayed its story well with its deception and emotionally thrilling situations that surely captivated its viewers... A drama befitting to be the Best Crime / Psychological / Thriller Drama of the year.. **applause**

With its gripping start as it revolves around psychopaths : Who killed who?? Who is the real killer?? What are the causes of their psychopathic tendencies?? etc. - One would argue if the Truth is really the Truth or just simply built upon Lies.. As the story moves further, everything slowly unravels to the point where what everyone might see in the beginning might not be true in the end..

The main cast did a really great job in portraying their characters actions and emotions most especially Lee Seung Gi and Lee Hee Jon.. From start until the end, they bombarded us with an array of emotions : Anger, Desperation, Fear, Frustration, Guilt, Sadness, Suspense, Sympathy or Empathy and most especially, Pity...

The soundtracks used for the drama also fits perfectly with every suspense that cliff hangers gives us for each episodes.. Furthermore, the cinematography was befitting especially with the heavy and dark atmosphere of the drama.

There were some scenes though that happened in the series for me which I find to be questionable or unnecessary for it dragged the plot a bit but overall, the introduction, climax and episodes near the end were quite good since the plot flowed well.. Some viewers may also find the pacing of the story to be slow however, I actually see this an advantage most especially that this drama is focused on the complexity of the crime and we also get to see progress or good development of not just the plot but also the characters in order for the story to not be rushed..

In conclusion, if you're looking for a long watch that will surely give you a roller coaster of emotions, then this will be for you... Although, this drama is fictional, we also have to understand that all the things the character had done in the story should not be taken lightly for those things are happening in real life. Still, the societal issues tackled within the series regarding psychopaths or serial killers are important and should be taken note of...

Finally, I'd also like to share the last line mentioned at the end of the drama said by one of the main cast...

"Did the deity / almighty gave that as a punishment for him or perhaps a chance for him to be saved?"

Indeed, it's a perfect rhetorical question for a great ending that will surely evoke all the viewers to ponder about it...

Moreover, this drama reminded me of what Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, “You know how confusing the whole good-evil concept is for me.” “In each of us, two natures are at war – the good and the evil. All our lives the fight goes on between them, and one of them must conquer."

These lines said by Martin Luther King Jr. would best describe the character in this drama... Applause for Mouse for doing a great job in transporting viewers in the mind of a Complex Character : A Psychopathic Killer...

Read More

EMOTIONAL, SWEET AND SLOW BURN ROMANCE

Reincarnation and Red string of fate bl plot...Okay, Hands down, I'm in for this one..

I'm glad that this BL drama put a twist to the common university themed/setting dramas by placing this premise. I love how the story is slow burned and I'm sorry that some might prefer a fast paced plot in which the main characters get together immediately and have some steamy scenes but in all honesty, This drama is so wholesome and I'm glad that it didn't take that route. The way the main couple's (Dean and Pharm) relationship progressed or developed in the story is beautiful. The struggles that they had up until the end in which they overcame it was great.

Another thing that I love about this show was also the fact that it tackled the important issues of the LGBT community (acceptance and forgiveness).

This drama definitely is a must watch for those who are into wholesome and slow burned romance or melodrama.

Although, the execution of this drama was not perfect because some of the acting scenes of some characters tend to have long pauses or there are unecessary scenarios.. I can definitely say that what brought me into finishing this drama was the story of how Dean and Pharm loved each other - the acceptance and forgiveness...

Cheers to the cast for portraying their characters and cheers for the one who had written the story..

Read More

RELATABLE, REALISTIC, WHOLESOME, SWEET

This show is definitely one of the most unforgettable BL drama that I've watched. This show not only addressed the LGBT community, it also gave us scenes or situations that are relatable and realistic. We see this in all types of relationships and I'm glad that SOTUS : S pulled it off well. The way the relationship of the main couple began in SOTUS and how their relationship mature in SOTUS : S is beautiful. We saw their ups and downs, the issues they have to face themselves, the love they had for one another and how they were able to stay together until the end is so wholesome for me.

While some of the viewers might be disappointed because of the lack of physical intimacy in the show like also in Season 1, I actually didn't see this as a problem or a nuisance because what's important in this show is the fact that we get to see how the couple's relationship grow like also in other shows (Dark Blue Kiss and He's coming to me). We need shows that portray good relationships and addresses the important issues in the LGBT community, not just some toxic relationships.

SOTUS and SOTUS : S (INCLUDING DARK BLUE KISS AND HE'S COMING TO ME) are definitely a highly recommend for viewers who are looking for good BL dramas that are properly addressing important issues in the LGBT community.

Read More

The typical fun romantic comedy series that can be relatable at times...

Well, if you're looking for a fun and entertaining watch, then this BL series is definitely for you.. The premise is the typical school youth drama in which we have Pi (the nerdy character) who meets Mork (the popular and extrovert character). Basically, the nerdy guy meets the popular guy : A common trope especially in the university setting..

Although, it might be cliche, corny or common and there might be scenes or lines from the characters that are cheesy, the light and fun mood / vibe of the series will make you smile and laugh. The pacing of the story is good, not too fast or slow, we get to see the progress of the characters relationship. In addition to that, the soundtracks used fits the theme of the series. Although there was just this one song that randomly pops out of nowhere in the series which definitely did not fit the vibe of drama. **lolz**

While it may be the "typical" BL with its university setting once again, I'm glad that this time we have a dental and medical student instead of the usual engineer students. I find it funny and maybe a bit cheesy too that some of the lines or dialogues said by the main characters are related to the pandemic..

"You are my Vaccine..." / "Maybe you haven't found the right vaccine yet for your heart?" etc..

Although, it's also cute that they made use of a metaphor for describing their relationship (The title : Fish Upon The Sky)..

What amazes me too is the fact that the actor of Pi is 17 years old in real life. At the beginning I thought that he was 19 but the fact that he's 17 and is good at acting and had good chemistry with Mork needs praise... Applause too for the other actors for giving their best in portraying their characters.

Anyway, those are the points that I love about the series.

As for the Cons, (This is basically my perspective so it depends on the viewers' taste) what I didn't like about the series is the character Duean (Pi's brother). I actually find the side couple's relationship to be cute and adorable but Duean basically ruined it for me. I thought that I might start to like his character as the series progresses but in the end, I still didn't. He was such a jerk to Meen in the very beginning and I find his acting or portrayal Pi's brother to be so overdramatic like most of the time you find him shouting / yelling which is kind of annoying. Even though, he later on apologizes for his actions to Meen, his character is just way too childish and unlikeable for me.

Another thing that I dislike is the ending. I won't spoil the entire ordeal for the viewers but the way they used the female character (Bam) as a source of conflict for the main couple is downright insulting for me. With the 12 episodes that the series had, it would've been better if the conflict of the main couple (Pi & Mork) would have come out from themselves. Since, we all know that Pi has insecurity issues and Mork needs to be more understanding etc... Moreover, the conflict would have been great if it wasn't on the last episode so that the ending wouldn't be rushed. I personally like slow burn romances but the development of the main couple's relationship was a miss for me. It had a goal in mind at the beginning but lost its way as the series progresses.

Let's also not forget the shipping fans or characters in the story. Personally, those are definitely not necessary because it's borderline "stalking" the characters privacy life. I find it to be really uncomfortable. Hopefully, future BL series will not be using this plot device because it's unhealthy or may even give a bad taste to the viewers.

In conclusion, Fish Upon The Sky has its upsides and downsides. It is not the most unique BL series that one can find, however, if you're looking for just a fun watch then consider adding this to your list. The plot is easy to follow plus the series has a good cast... Enjoy watching.. :)

Read More

A coming of age as well as a coming out story..

I Told Sunset About You is a BL drama that has everything that we need in a teen / youth drama.. The slow burn development of the romance between the main characters as they start off as friends to rivals then as to more than friends deserves applause for the acting as well as the pacing of the plot.

Moreover, the beautiful cinematography and the mellow soundtracks fits the series so well that every scenes or moments of the characters were captured aesthetically.

The drama is more on the melodramatic side as it tackles issues that teens have to face in the society such as finding their career and identity. We see the constant struggles of the main characters (Teh and Oh-aew) as they try to understand the feelings that they have for each other most especially on the part of Teh.

What really caught my attention when I was watching this series were there eye expressions. The intensity as well as the tension of their fleeting glances towards each other kills me... Whenever Oh-aew and Teh looked at each other most especially at the middle of the series were damn fervid...
To be honest, I have never watched a BL series that had so much tension whenever the main characters just looked at each other. Moreover, the little things they do like their brief touches tells us A LOT about their burning desire / longing love for each other.

This is by far one of the best BL series in which the eye expressions of the main characters portrays a lot of what the real intentions of the characters are.. Like how they really feel about each other..

I'm also glad that the series really showed us the fear as well as the confusion of the characters as they try to grasp the emotions they have. It also tells us that actions have consequences (not just in relationships but notably, LIFE) as recklessness can lead to maturity if one truly understands the consequences of the decisions they make.

Teh indeed showed us in the series his issues and confusions of his self, family and most importantly his feelings.
The only thing that didn't sit well with me in the series is his "unclear" confession to Tarn at the end of the episode in which Tarn asks Teh if He did use her and Teh didn't admit that he used her. This is just my opinion but Teh used Tarn and it was pretty obvious too and I was so disappointed that he didn't admit to it. Not to mention, when Teh was saying his confession to Tarn for his confusions and feelings were pretty vague.

Anyway, Oh-aew in the end deserves an applause for his bravery. He was clear with his feelings and convictions although he struggled at the beginning, however, I'm glad that after his realizations of who he really was, gave him more confidence.

In conclusion, this series will take you on a journey of the main characters (Teh and Oh-aew) coming of age as well as a coming out story. If you're interested in watching a teen / youth drama focusing on the struggles of youth for their Life and Love then you might as well add this to your watch list... Enjoy watching... ;)

Read More

A Journey of Character Development

Some viewers may drop this series because of the rough start of Episode 1 due to the explosive anger and rash move of Win, but try to give this series a chance like I did. I'll also try to relay my review with not too much of a spoiler for the entire series.

Anyway, to start off with this review, I'm actually part of the group who is really not fond of the body switch trope. However, I tried to be open minded about this series even if it stars the famous actors, EarthMix.

1. Plot
> The story focuses on the journey of Win getting the holy water from the temples, along with Korn, in order to save his sister. The introduction had a rough start because of Win's resentment with Korn. But, as the series progresses, there were comedic moments between the main characters. Although there were scenes that were angsty, the ending wrapped everything about the story.

2. Setting
> Now, this one actually intrigued me the most since the series is first set on a dairy farm. It's unique because most shows that are being aired (not just Asian shows, but also Western shows) don't really cater much to the rural setting. I'm glad that we get to see a refreshing sight, how a dairy farm operates and this series also showcased some of the wonderful spots of Thailand. Since, this series was more of a travel or a trip between the main characters, it was fun to see them enjoying the ride.

3. Pacing
> The pacing is actually good. The 10 episodes of the series is perfect seeing that the whole point of the plot was a 7 day journey of getting the holy water. It started of well with the development of the plot. My only qualms about the pacing is the last 2 episodes of the series. I feel like it was just rushed and that they just added something to end it.

4. Characters
A. WIN
> Some viewers didn't like one of the main character in the series which is Win because of his aggressive temper and his over bearing attitude. I for one immediately gave him a red flag at the start of episode 1 because of his treatment with his sister which ultimately led them into a car accident and switching bodies at the end. If you really think about it in another perspective, it was due to his rashness that led them to that problem.

NEVERTHELESS, his character had a redeeming CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. If you'll watch it until the end, you'll see him apologizing and admitting to his mistakes. Afterall, the show primarily catered to Win's Journey in letting go of his resentment, understanding and realizing his faults as well as discerning that he wasn't alone, that he had people to help him.

At the beginning of the series, Win had struggled alone because of the burden in running the farm his late father had left. He thought that he alone was enough in managing the farm. In the end, Win realized the importance of what he was lacking and that was enough.

B. KORN
> Get a man like Korn. That's it. Lol...
Kidding aside, Korn undoubtedly, is one of the most patient and caring character I've seen in a series and despite how Win treated him, he still kept thinking about Win.

We see that both of the main characters are quite stubborn since both of them didn't want to admit the truth, but in the end, they learned that their words can hurt. Like what one of the monk had said in the series,

"When the mouth closes, the mind opens."

That was one of the turning point in the series that made Korn and Win realize how important their feelings were rather than the words they had said to each other : The words that intentionally and unintentionally created a drift between them.

Despite that, if you look at it in another perspective, both of the main characters had their flaws. None of them were perfect. Like what I've said above, Win is quick to his temper and Korn is too meek, and in the long run, it is due to their faults that they were finally able to understand each other. So, I believe that it wasn't entirely Win's fault.

C. MOTHER
> Can I just say that the mother definitely disappointed most of the viewers? I don't want to be rude but the mother in the story is naive to the point that it saddened me that she didn't recognize her children switching bodies. I don't want to spoil but, there was one scene in the series which really pained me. It was the moment in which she spoke to Lin (Win inside her body). She assumed that both of them (Lin & Korn) have feelings for each other and and she will convince Win if he wakes up to not be angry about it, especially with Korn. That one hurt because, at that point, we already know that Win is hiding his feelings for Korn.

If you'll watch it until the end, her actions is what led them (Win and Korn) having miscommunication problems.

5. ACTING
They really did threw a unique move with the body switch trope, it wasn't cliche or typical. I enjoyed watching how Jan portrayed her role as Win and it was smooth. She did a great job in portraying the character so well.

But lemme just say that Mix stole the whole show for me. He really did well in portraying Win - the different emotions and facial expressions he had to show in the series were a lot. The intensity and the sweetness of Win was done well. I'm pleased that Mix is getting better in portraying his characters. I just love the way Win and Korn sarcastically teased one another in the show. Their funny banters were so smooth, natural and comedic. It gave me quite a laugh and it overall balanced the melodramatic scenes of the series.

The chemistry of EarthMix is genuinely one of the best I've seen in BL Thai series. I still haven't forgotten about A tale of thousand stars and I'm glad that EarthMix is still growing strong. Cheers to them for more projects that they'll do with another in the future. They really don't disappoint. Their chemistry is just top notch. *APPLAUSE*

Lastly, Earth is definitely one of the actors who've been in the industry for so long and I'm genuinely glad that despite him being in the industry for a long time, he's still getting better. He doesn't sleep on his acting. We can see his improvements. Don't sleep on Earth, That's all lol.

Credits to Jan too, for starring in the series. She did well and hoping she'll get more projects after this.

6. PRODUCTION
I'm glad that the production is making progress. The transitions and editing are being done well and it made the flow of the episodes smooth. Their were some minor cut scenes that were still awkward, but overall, I'm glad that the production is steadily improving so that new viewers can enjoy and watch the series better.

7. CONS
I was expecting more of the ending in this series though. After the character development of Win, as a viewer, you'll be expecting more of the ending. Sadly, I felt somewhat disappointed with it. You'll find that the aunt and the uncle did not serve their purpose much.

And the title of the series itself got me questioning what was the point of it all. What's more, I find Win's friend (the doctor) to be just mehhh. Though he did have good intentions in the beginning of the show, he didn't really do much though, like with some of the side characters. I felt like some of his scenes were lacking too, especially with the acting.

Anyway, despite the underhwelming ending, the funny and sarcastic banters of Win and Korn, the sweet and good as well as the angsty moments of the two saved the show.

In conclusion, this series was a journey. There were fun, comedic and heavy scenes but it was good. Not to mention, the travel of the two main characters felt like a MUKBANG hahaha. Even so, the acting and chemistry are honestly the one that captivated me the most. EarthMix is not a disappointment. Kudos to the main actors for portraying their characters well.

Read More

Sadly, I am conflicted with this drama...

If you've read the synopsis then you'd be expecting the drama to fall on the psychological thriller side with heavy angst, drama and romance but no... Don't let the synopsis fool you.. Because, this drama (although had its moments of mystery and thrill) is mainly focused on the mellow side and slow burn romance between the ML and the FL..

Before I will discuss the Cons of this drama, I'll be first pointing out its Pros..

1. The Chemistry
- The ML and FL had a good chemistry. Both of them complemented each other in a way that despite their flaws, they were able to communicate with one another. This is what we definitely see as a "healthy relationship." I love the way how both of them were so cute and understanding. Their slow burn romance paved the way for their character development. Not to mention, their relationship is mature. I actually love how mature their conversations are and not the cringey or childish romances that we occasionally in some romantic comedy dramas.. Props for the writer for giving us an underrated mature couple.

2. Yoon Park Stole the show for me
- The way the actor portrayed the complexity of Ian Chase was actually good. The dark sombre vibes from him and the cold and unreadable gazes he gave to the people he interacted with was quite compelling. From the very beginning, his character captivated most viewers due to his mysterious character.

3. The Side Couples were interesting and they all showed different sides of relationships which are actually relatable.

4. Some of the OSTS are actually good. Especially the OST titled "In ruin" by Raiden. The lyrics are quite meaningful and symbolic. A perfect OST for the show, most especially the twin characters.

The Cons..
1. Execution of the plot
- I'm actually disappointed with how everything had turned out from the middle of the series until the end because the synopsis and genre tags of this drama doesn't do any justice to the content of the show. I repeat, don't let the SYNOPSIS fool you because like most of the viewers who watched this, the drama is purely focused on the melodramatic romance of the couple and less about the mystery or the psychological thrill. Unfortunately, I just find the first episodes to be so disconnected with the rest of the episodes.

- You indeed watched and felt the thrill and the mystery of the murder because that's how it all started, how the ML & FL got involved with it, but you won't be feeling that much on the rest of the episodes because most of the scenes are about their mundane life. The psychological thrill and mystery just faded out and seemed to be forgotten most of the time which is truly disappointing.

- Although, the back story provided information about the case and the people involved, it still (in the end) felt dry and lacking. The slow burn romance indeed was good because the ML & FL got to develop their relationship, but, it got boring and it was just too much for me. Every episode had its moment of cliff hangers and to be honest, I was mostly looking forward to the case or the murder and Ian chase because of his enigmatic character.

2. Ian Chase was an interesting character but the drama didn't show and explore his true potential. He was pitiful at the same time someone who is need of redemption.

- His character is somehow complex and deep for me. I find it disheartening that he had less screen time at the middle of the drama until the end. It would have been better if the character had more chances to interact with the ML & FL as well as within the case. His thoughts and perceptions regarding the unfairness of the world and how people like him just wants to be loved is depressing. His actions until the end are something that are hard to be forgiven, however, it actually makes us realize the importance of help or a pillar that one can lean on just like what the ML had said. The show also talked about Mental Health and it would have been better if it was addressed more since the ML is a psychiatrist.

3. Fillers that didn't have much significance to the plot that somehow managed to drag the show . Their were fun, cute, sweet, angsty, romantic and melodramtic moments in the drama that made me laugh and cry, but I find some to be just plainly boring and unecessary. Especially, if you're looking forward to the case, you'll find some of those scenes to be skippable.

4. The ending is mehhhh....
- What I dislike in most K-dramas are the endings and what I was expecting was proven to be true in this drama. If you were anticipating if all of your questions regarding the murder mystery be solved in this drama, then don't. There were still questions that were left unsolved like why did Ian Chase treated his twin so coldy and how come in the end, their case were not explained well and that they didn't get the punishment or consequences that they deserved because of their actions. The last episode clearly didn't have a solid aim of the story / plot for me since it was just there because it's already the last episode.

In conclusion, if you want to watch something romantic but with a twist of mystery and thrill, you might as well consider watching this one. However, don't expect much with the thrill and mystery tags because the case / murder got wrapped up pretty much hastily. Not enough development and backstory. Nevertheless, the melodrama / romance here is undeniably sweet and healing because it portrays a healthy and realistic relationship in which people can relate to.

This is entirely my perspective so feel free to watch it. Enjoy!

Read More