"Wherever we go, as long as we stay together, we are fearless."

I started watching this drama without high expectations, but after just a few episodes, I realized that I was completely captivated by the suspense of the criminal cases, but especially by the well-developed characters and the heartwarming friendships.

The First Shot is set in 1997 in a city called Halan. There, the police establish a Special Investigation Team to track down and finally put a large drug-dealing syndicate behind bars. Along the way, the team faces tough challenges and surprising twists. Some members also have to confront tragic events from their past, which suddenly become painfully relevant in the present.

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First, let me introduce the heart of the series, the five central members of the Special Investigation Team + one man who influenced them all.

Zheng Bei (played by Johnny Huang): He is the leader of the Special Investigation Team. He remains calm and keeps a clear head, even in difficult situations, because he takes responsibility for his team very seriously. He has a big heart and is always willing to listen to others' problems. He is very observant and can read between the lines.

Gu Yi Ran (played by Wang Zi Qi): He is the chemistry nerd of the team. What he lacks in combat skills, he makes up for with his intelligence and creative tricks. He’s a master at hiding his true feelings until they come out in an overly emotional moment and take over his rational thinking.

Zhao Xiao Guang (played by Liu Run Nan): He is the goofball and lovable dork of the team, always able to put a smile on everyone's face. On one hand, he is adorable and funny, and on the other, he strives to become a cool and capable hero.

Zhang Xue Yao (played by Chloe Xie): She is the strong fighter of the team. Often underestimated by others, she uses the element of surprise to show off her excellent combat skills to take down enemies. She is fearless and protective.

Ding Guo Zhu (played by Zhao Yu Tong): He is the cinnamon roll of the team. (He must be protected at all costs.) Although his shyness and insecurity often take over, and he sees himself as a coward, this doesn’t make him any less valuable to the investigations. In crucial moments, he knows exactly what’s at stake and can overcome his own fears to be of great help.

Jiang Xiao Hai (played by Zhang Yu): Although he isn’t part of the Special Investigation Team, he quickly comes into contact with them and gains special attention from Zheng Bei.

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The Teamwork:

The teamwork and interpersonal relationships of the main characters are the best part of this drama, in my opinion. I’ve grown really fond of the characters. They are designed to be three-dimensional and multifaceted, with interesting traits that are brought to life wonderfully by the acting talent of the cast.

I was especially impressed by the friendship between Bei and Yi Ran. The two of them learned to trust each other deeply. They understood and supported one another. There were so many emotional conversations between them that touched me deeply.

But also the moments with the whole team — whether during a shared meal or in the midst of a mission — worked beautifully. There were some initial difficulties, and it took a while for them to work well together, but once the ice was broken and trust prevailed, the blossoms of an indestructible camaraderie and friendship began to bloom.

They definitely became a big family. Together, they were stronger and unstoppable. Xiao Guang described this in one episode: “Special Investigation Team members are all in the same boat. Wherever we go, as long as we stay together, we are fearless.”

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The Atmosphere:

The entire setting of a city in the 90s, struggling with a drug crisis, was designed to be very immersive. We visit dark, smoky clubs full of partying people, alcohol, and illegal activities. We see shady alleys, bustling markets, old factory buildings, and cozy restaurants. We ride in old, cramped cars and live in small and charming apartments. There’s a pleasant and often suspenseful musical score, along with a very well-executed outro song that reminds me of retrowave and synthwave music. The characters wear simple, functional clothes. Overall, the atmosphere feels raw, oppressive, exciting, and realistic, pulling me in relentlessly.

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The Plot:

I don’t want to say too much about this because it would venture into spoiler territory. You really have to experience the story for yourself and let it surprise you. But I will say this much: alongside tension and action, there are many funny and wholesome team-bonding moments. We get to know the good guys better, and we also gain insight into the lives and criminal activities of the bad guys.

I really liked the pacing of the drama. The story flowed at just the right tempo, and I didn’t notice any filler moments. There were emotional twists at the right points and a well-thought-out script with gripping and profound dialogue. The final episodes are a real spectacle and absolutely cinematic.

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My Conclusion:

The First Shot made me think, laugh, get caught up in the action, and also brought out tears. It might sound exaggerated, but I can’t think of any major negative points — which, of course, doesn’t mean the drama is flawless. But I enjoyed the story from beginning to end and grew incredibly fond of the characters. I'm truly impressed with the entire production and recognize how much heart and passion went into this. I tip my hat and applaud the entire crew.

The First Shot is my highlight for 2024, and I give it a rating of 10/10.

[finished watching on 20 September 2024]

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Colorful clothing and sweet romance

I've been looking forward to this for a while because I like Cris, Toptap and am a fan of noona romances. For me the wait was worth it. Don't expect a groundbreaking plot. It's much more a fresh and light breeze of nice entertainment that puts you in a good mood.

The series is about Rin, a seemingly cold-hearted fashion designer who has no one that cares about her. She meets the young college student Ray, who wants to do an internship at the fashion company with his two friends. Ray has a secret ability: when he touches people, he sees their last few memories. However, it causes him huge pain. Except when he accidentally touches Rin. With her, he feels no pain which makes him curious. He tries everything to win her heart.

I love the fact that this series, which focuses mainly on working life as a fashion designer, added a supernatural element. There's also a BL side couple (with Toptap and Fame). It was nothing too special, but still a sweet extra.

The noona romance was cute. I think Cris (Rin) and Blue (Ray) have good chemistry. Also, they are both really charming and their smile is adorable.

What stood out for me was the colorful scenery, the soft and bright lights and the interesting and colorful clothing. The first half was more exciting than the second. The last episodes were a bit draggy for me. But overall I still liked it. And the kiss scenes in the end were amazing!

If you enjoy a simple and sweet plot, combined with noona romance, some BL, working life, fashion and very colorful scenes, you should give this series a try.

[finished watching on 27 February 2024]

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You can reach a better, a Wonderful World

This series is now one of my favorite thrillers. Every episode was exciting, full of emotions and tears. It's sad, heartbreaking and bittersweet. It makes you hopeful that good things can arise in the midst of pain and suffering.

The plot is about the mother Soohyun who loses her little son in an accident. But was it really an accident? After that her whole world falls apart and she makes a decision that has many terrible consequences for her and others.

Even though the twists were mostly predictable, it didn't change the fact that I was excited throughout. The pacing was okay. There are a lot of quiet phases, don't expect too much action, but to be honest... it doesn't need action to be memorable and thrilling.

The main characters are morally grey. I often hated their actions and decisions... but sometimes I understood them. I cried with them and for them. Romance doesn't play a role in this series, but that's okay because it's really not necessary.

I'm so glad that the story didn't feel rushed. Everything was put together naturally. I was very pleased with the happy ending. In my opinion, Wonderful World is a heavy, cruel and sad thriller series that leaves you satisfied in the end!

On a side note... I really love Seonyul's apartment.

[finished watching on 26 February 2024]

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Learning sign language because of love

I started this drama sometime last year but only watched one episode and then kind of forgot about it. Shame on me. But this year I thought about it again and watched it on two evenings. It was worth it!

The drama is about the 35-year-old gynecologist Suzu. On a starry night she meets Issei, who is ten years younger and works for a packing company that clears out houses of deceased people. Issei is deaf. So the two communicate through gestures and text messages.

The love story is very heartwarming and positive. Issei is such a cheerful young man. His smile is contagious, his charm is enchanting. However, the drama doesn't focus on the couple all the time, but rather on the working lives of the two and their friends.

I wanted to see so many more interactions between Suzu and Issei. They really captivated me. Especially their kiss scenes. I want more. I was happy that Suzu was motivated to learn sign language so quickly. She did great!

What I didn't like was the fact that they didn't call the police during some scenes. I think the villain should have been held more accountable.

Nonetheless I enjoyed this series. It's a wholesome age gap romance about deafness, work life, friendship and healing.

[finished watching on 13 January 2024]

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Be ready for a heartwarming and emotional journey

This drama is about the college student and ex-convict Mhok, who desperately needs a job and ends up becoming Day's caretaker. Day is also a college student and was a passionate badminton player before he became partially blind due to infectious keratitis. The two get off on the wrong foot, but soon build up a great deal of trust... and finally fall in love with each other. But Day continues to struggle with his failing eyesight and Mhok tries his best to support him. Can they overcome the challenges together?

I was really impressed by JimmySea's acting! They both portrayed the characters very authentically. I had tears in my eyes almost every episode, I was so moved by Day and Mhok's conversations, actions and emotions.

The two had their flaws, especially Day could come across as unlikable in many situations, but his sometimes negative behaviors were mostly understandable to me - considering his eye-trauma and the difficult relationship with his brother and his overprotective mother.

Mhok is my personal highlight of this drama. I just love him! He's so warm, caring, empathetic, funny and creative. Truely the best caretaker and boyfriend for Day.

Overall, I liked episodes 1 to 9 the most. For me it was a real masterpiece that made my heart beat faster, made me smile, laugh and cry. Sadly, episode 10 to 12 had some disappointments in store for me. In my opinion, the break-up was too sudden and too incomprehensible in its intensity. In particular I mean the complete standstill in their communication for several years. And I think they didn't pay enough attention to Mhok's personal trauma (the death of his sister).

I'm very happy for Day that he got his sight back in the end. However, this scene in the hospital had nearly no emotional impact for me and that makes me really sad. After the unnecessary time skip everything was too rushed and kind of bland.

Since I experienced a "high" in the first nine episodes like I haven't in a long time, the disappointment with the rushed, kind of bad plot and the often weird behavior and decisions of the characters in the last few episodes hit hard. I experienced a huge "low".

Nevertheless, this series has a place in my heart and I still think about many of the beautiful messages, the amazing and interesting side characters, and the sweet moments between Mhok and Day.

[finished watching on 26 January 2024]

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Pending Train to character development

The drama is about a group of people who board a train that ends up in the middle of the wilderness due to mysterious turbulences. With no civilization in sight, they must try to survive in extreme conditions and figure out how to get out of this place. Don't expect an overly action-packed survival adventure. Most of the drama is rather quiet, with slice of life elements, friendships and a little bit of romance. Sometimes people make stupid decisions until they realize that it can't work that way. I also really enjoyed the nature setting. It's beautiful.

I must admit, I watched this survival drama for Yamada Yuki and it was worth it! He plays one of the main characters, Kayashima Naoya, a charming hairdresser who has trust issues and problems to speak about his real feelings. He was by far my favorite character.

The other two main characters are Shirahama Yuto, a selfless firefighter, and Hatano Sae, a kind-hearted teacher. The three developed a wholesome friendship. However, I wish Hatano would be a bit more interesting. She was often too bland for me. The character traits of the two male leads stole the show for me.

I really liked that the supporting characters received enough attention. Over time, you learn more and more about their personal history, problems and strengths.

In addition to the friendship and detailed information about the supporting cast, another strong point of this drama is the character development. For example, let's look a bit closer at Kayashima. At first he wasn't into "buddy-buddy energy", wasn't open about his emotions, prefered to only rely on himself, but that changed drastically. Kayashima and Shirahama, who were hostile to each other at the beginning, supported each other very much after some time. Same goes for Hatano. She became Kayashima's safe zone! The other characters have also necessarily undergone a development.

Actually, I would be very happy about a second season of Pending Train. Let's see what the future holds.

[finished watching on 17 January 2024]

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Two hearts, two different times, one epic lovestory

I can't believe what a wonderful journey this was. My heart is still beating fast from the events of the final episode. I would like to go back to this story immediately and find out what happens in the past and also in the future of Jom and Yai. At the same time, I have to take a deep breath and process everything.

What impressed me right from the first episode was the beautiful cinematrography and the good acting of the main and supporting roles.

After a car accident that throws Jom into the water, he reappears in a different time, 1928. Suddenly being in a place almost 100 years in the past has triggered a chaos of emotions within him. He was stunned, shocked, afraid, overwhelmed, sad... I was impressed by how believably and detailed his initial problems were shown. It doesn't take long before he meets Yai. From the first moment they lay eyes on each other, it is clear that they are meant for each other. That they are somehow connected. That they have history.

Yai is so loving, gentle, considerate, kind and concerned towards Jom... and also confused and fascinated by him. The actors did such a good job. Every scene they shared felt natural, impressed me, made me excited and made me blush. One of the biggest highlights for me was the kiss in the rain. The passion and love between them was breathtaking, I can't stop thinking about it.

I loved the music. It fits beautifully into the historical setting. The songs reflect the feelings and thoughts of Jom and Yai, with tender and soulful sounds. At the same time the songs show their pain and sadness, their spark of hope and their love that transcends everything.

I'm so happy about the GL side couple. When the two women were first introduced, I was already hoping that they would have deeper feelings for each other.

I also became particularly fond of James and especially of Ming. Jom and Maey really couldn't have a better friend. I'm glad that Ming provided a lot of support for Jom as he struggled to come to terms with his difficult situation. Ming is definitely a new comfort character.

I'm grateful for this fantastic series.

[finished watching on 3 January 2024]

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Badass street fighting, crazy gangs, great bromance and amazing music - best combination!

Okay, first of all: This series is so much fun!

The story takes place in a town whose territory has been divided into 5 parts - each part belongs to a gang. Together they form the S.W.O.R.D. area - each letter represents a gang.

S: Sannoh Rengokai (Hoodlum Squad)
They protect the people of the Sannoh Shopping Street. Their leader is Cobra - intimidating but actually soft and selfless. He originally belonged to Mugen but this gang no longer exists. We learn more about Mugen in season 2.

W: White Rascals
They fight to protect defenseless women. This gang always dresses entirely in white and owns a nightclub - so stylish. Their leader is Rocky - I love his teeth.

O: Oya Koukou (Oya High School)
A school that is pretty much in ruins and without teachers!? The gang consists of full-time and part-time students. They refuse to graduate and prefer to fight - best attitude. Most of them are over 20. Their leader is Murayama - best boy.

R: Rude Boys
They are orphans who live together as a family on the very dilapidated and dirty Nameless Street. Their leader is Smoky - what does he use for his hair!? This fluffiness can't be from this world.

D: Daruma Ikka
This gang is all about revenge on former Mugen members. They stay in the Daruma Temple and wear red haori - I want one too.
Their leader is Hyuga - another man with beautiful messy hair.

In addition to these gangs, there are other interesting groups. You'll get introduced to a lot of characters, which can lead to confusion, but once you've made the jump and become amazed by HiGH&LOW, you'll quickly find your way around this chaos of gangs and action.

It's very important to emphasize that every gang has its own song. And all these songs are awesome. Listening to them immediately evokes this unique HiGH&LOW vibe. They make the fights even more fun!

I'll list a few of my favorite things of HiGH&LOW Season 1:

My favorite gang: Naah, I can't choose. Each of the main gang has something very interesting.
Most wholesome: Sannoh Rengokai
Most respectable: White Rascals
Most amusing: Oya Koukou
Most heart-wrenching: Rude Boys
Most mysterious: Daruma Ikka

My favorite song: The theme of Daruma Ikka (= DJ Daruma from PKCZ® - "Voice of Red feat. GS").

My favorite fighting style: The specialty of the Rude Boys: parkour. They are so agile, nimble, skilled and take advantage of their surroundings - it's just epic!

My favorite fight scene: Murayama vs. Cobra. I could watch them flirt... ehhh fight like that forever.

My favorite fighter: That's easy because he stole my heart in an instant. Murayama, my little crazy cutie.

I finished watching this series this year in the beginning of January and then finished watching the second season as well as the movies and mini-series in the months that followed. The HiGH&LOW franchise is now definitely one of my favorites. It just puts me in a good mood, it's light entertainment and I can't get enough of the songs. I absolutely recommend it!

[finished watching on 5 January 2024]

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She may lose her heart but not her goal

In Stealth Walker, the focus is on the young aspiring police officer Lin Qiang, who unfortunately experiences one misfortune after another. First, she fails the exams at the police academy, and then her foster uncle (a police officer who raised her) is murdered during a mission related to a drug cartel. From that point on, Lin Qiang takes the investigation into her own hands. She is determined to find the murderer and is soon officially placed undercover by the police to bring down the drug dealers.

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The Characters:

FL - Lin Qiang (played by Lin Peng)

She is strong, fearless, and ready to fight. There were moments when I felt she acted impulsively and without much thought, and then there were moments where she was very deliberate, clever, and cautious before taking action. This made the drama exciting and fresh. The story is mostly told from her perspective. Although, surprisingly, she didn’t captivate me emotionally as much as I expected, I was rooting for her and hoping she would achieve the goal she was striving for.

Overall, I feel rather neutral about her. Something was missing, but I can't quite put my finger on what it was. Additionally, I found it unfortunate that her voice was dubbed. There were many moments when I felt the new voice didn’t really fit her. Over time, you get used to it, and I can imagine others might not find it as bothersome.

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ML - Zhang Xianhe (played by Zheng Yecheng)

For me, he was the highlight of the drama and definitely a scene-stealer.

Xianhe is the adopted son of a major drug lord and, as a result, is involved in the drug business in various ways. He also has a adopted daughter—I estimate she's of elementary school age, between 6 and 8 years old. The fact that he has a child made his story all the more intriguing for me. He’s a fascinating character that I kept questioning. What is he really like? What secrets does he hold? Early on, I realized that this man definitely has a soft heart, and it was a joy to get to know him little by little and see him as a father. He’s definitely caught in a complicated situation.

I can imagine that if the drama had been told primarily from his perspective, with the FL playing a secondary role, it would have been just as captivating—perhaps even more so for me. I see great potential there. On a side note, the truly stylish look and the fact that the actor kept his own voice made my enjoyment of this character even greater.

It’s sad that we won’t be getting a second season. I would have really liked more content, just to learn more about Xianhe's life.

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2nd ML - Cheng Jinsong (played by Li Zifeng)

A very lovable, caring, and selfless man. Initially, he's a member of a S.W.A.T. unit, but since he and the FL have been close friends since childhood and the murder at the beginning of the series also affects him (the victim is his biological uncle), he joins the undercover operation. He's a very likeable character who grows on you. He often provides great support and is crucial to FL's mission and being there for her after difficult situations.

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The Romance:

First and foremost, this drama is not a love story. It’s a crime thriller with action and mystery. The romance is merely a subplot—but a lovely one, in my opinion. It's the little cherry on top that makes the series even more exciting. The push-and-pull dynamic between Lin Qiang and Zhang Xianhe is entertaining, fiery, emotional and often quite amusing.

I also appreciate that Lin Qiang always prioritizes her mission. Let's be honest... just because you suddenly develop feelings for someone while working undercover, especially someone on the opposing side, it’s definitely not a good idea to act on those feelings and jeopardize the investigation—or your own life. This is a major plus for the drama, as it feels quite realistic.

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The Undercover Mission:

The drama has 24 episodes, and the fact that I watched them all in just 3 days says a lot. The plot isn’t episodic; each episode flows smoothly into the next. It’s fast-paced, exciting, and action-packed. The beginning is a bit slow, but once the undercover work kicks into gear, there's no stopping it. For me, there wasn’t a single boring episode.

Of course, there are unrealistic situations, but that doesn’t take away from my enjoyment of this thriller. And the fact that the FL has a bit too much plot armor and should have died several times by now doesn’t bother me too much. I just go with it and find amusement in her negotiation skills.

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My Conclusion:

I believe that if the ML hadn’t been such an endearing and complex character, and if the actor hadn’t fit the role so well, the drama would have only gotten an 8.5/10 from me. However, since Xianhe was such a major highlight for me and the plot kept me hooked until the very end, I’m giving it a rating of 9/10.

I highly recommend this drama to anyone out there who enjoys crime thrillers. Stealth Walker is a hidden gem.

[finished watching on 17 September 2024]

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Rising With the Wind - and my heart rate is rising because of the female lead

Rising With the Wind really surprised me. I was looking for a business drama with a romantic subplot and chose this because I like the poster - especially the autumnal color scheme with the brown, red and gray colors - as well as the fact that it's about a shoe business and focuses on the female lead and her personal growth.

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My highlight: The female lead Jiang Hu

She is confident, strong, goal-oriented, cunning and sentimental. The plot focuses mainly on her personal career path from a daughter of a wealthy businessman who lives in a gilded cage to a grieving and devastated woman who suddenly loses her father and has to watch helplessly as the family business goes bankrupt. She has to sell her possessions to avoid being left completely empty-handed. But she doesn't give up and manages to buy Teng Yue, the almost 100-year-old family business that is practically doomed to failure. She uses all her strength and her heart to save this shoe brand.

What I liked:

- Jiang Hu's style of clothing wonderfully portrays how she suddenly loses everything but at the same time gains a whole new self-confidence. In the first episode, we see her with a lot of make-up, styled hair, and wearing expensive designer clothes. Her entire demeanor radiates wealth, elegance, and arrogance. But after the fateful event, everything changes. She has to sell her clothes and, for almost the rest of the drama, wears only comfortable, ordinary everyday clothes, with a big focus on (oversized) sweaters, sweatpants, and sneakers. There's no more striking make-up or styled hair. And one thing I can say: This look suits her absolutely fantastically. She even attends business meetings in these clothes, and I love her for it. One scene particularly stuck with me. Jiang Hu is out jogging and is invited to a spontaneous conversation in a café by a potential business partner. Jiang Hu attends this meeting… in her jogging clothes!

- Jiang Hu and her love for Boss, the company dog. The scenes with the two of them were very sweet and wholesome.

- Jiang Hu learns how to best run her business and overcomes hurdles either on her own or in collaboration with other employees. It was nice to see how the company gradually gained a sense of unity. In the end, she had a really good relationship with the workers and came to appreciate everyone very much. Her character development is very satisfying to watch.

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My favorite romance: Jiang Hu and Xu Si

In my opinion, Rising With the Wind delivers a really well-done and natural slow burn. Jiang Hu and Xu Si start off as enemies or rivals. For the first ~20 episodes, we have an entertaining push-and-pull dynamic between the two. Jiang Hu is trying to save the shoe company Teng Yue, and Xu Si, as her investor, is constantly involved and often puts obstacles in her way.

What I liked:

- No love at first sight.

- A natural, slow, and heartwarming development from rivals to friends to lovers.

- Work was always the priority. Even after they started dating, they didn’t forget their respective duties. Sure, you could say it’s a bit disappointing when, for example, Jiang Hu cancels a date because she wants to keep working, but I found it so realistic that I had to applaud. Jiang Hu had embarked on a major mission, and just because she fell in love, it doesn’t mean she would drop everything for this man. The same applies to Xu Si. Even though he was the one who was sometimes saddened by her work focus, he also had a lot to do and fulfilled all his responsibilities. Both of them are basically married to their jobs. That’s how we got to know them, and that mostly stayed the same. I appreciated that in this drama.

- There was no love triangle and no toxic jealousy. We only learn that Jiang Hu had a childhood crush on Gao Yi, but it didn’t get in the way of her relationship with Xu Si. What I particularly liked here was the scene where Jiang Hu casually tells Xu Si about her former crush. That helped prevent more misunderstandings, and Xu Si didn’t need to be jealous.

- Xu Si pulls Jiang Hu into his car against her will in one scene, and Jiang Hu simply gets out the other side and walks away – queen behavior. I cheered so hard.

- No toxic relatives. Both leads have relatives who support their relationship and are quite happy about it.

- Beautiful kiss scenes (though sometimes a bit short) and, above all, very heartwarming hugs and hand-holding.

- In one scene, Jiang Hu and Xu Si are coincidentally wearing the same sweater, even though they weren’t together yet. Of course, there are some funny comments about it.

- At the start of their dating phase, Jiang Hu didn’t take much initiative. You could see that she was still unsure and wasn’t able to fully let herself go and embrace the love like Xu Si could. I found that very realistic, and it suited her character. She eventually warms up and you can see how deeply in love she is. It just took some time.

- The angst and breakup in the last quarter of the drama, in my opinion, were really well done, logical, and exciting. Finally, a 40-episode Chinese drama that, for me personally, didn’t get draggy towards the end. I was really rooting for them and was so proud of Jiang Hu for not letting herself be beaten down again. In the end, we got the well-deserved happy ending.

What I didn’t like:

- Two kiss scenes under the influence of alcohol. In my opinion, they were unnecessary and didn’t build any tension for me. What I found especially disappointing was the fact that Xu Si never revealed that they had kissed. Jiang Hu was always so drunk that she couldn’t remember it, while Xu Si was sober every time. He should have mentioned it but didn’t. At the same time, these flaws also make his character interesting. Xu Si, the red or gray flag?

- Jiang Hu and Xu Si often acted maturely and thoughtfully, so at times, I wished for better communication between the two after they started their relationship.

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My favorite friendship: Jiang Hu and Yang Jian

The friendship between these two was so cute. They initially met as enemies but eventually worked together and formed a wonderful friendship. Their scenes always put a smile on my face. Yang Jian was always there for Jiang Hu, especially in the second half of the series. Yang Jian was the only one Jiang Hu didn’t feel betrayed by after the collapse of her business. He was also the first person she reached out to again. He was the first to visit her in her hideaway, bringing her food and showing his support. I love these two so much.

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My least favorite romance: Yang Jian and Xiang Zhaoyang

This side couple didn’t need to exist, in my opinion. The two characters themselves were important to the plot, and I wouldn’t want to miss them, but they didn’t need to be placed into an additional romance storyline. I feel like Yang Jian – this lovable and selfless green flag – deserved someone better. Not much more to say about that.

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Last thoughts:

Overall, I really enjoyed Rising With the Wind. It’s a good slice-of-business-life story with an exciting romantic subplot that kept me hooked all the time. Jiang Hu has now become one of my favorite female leads. It was a pleasure to witness her journey.

Since I really had way too much fun with this, I’m giving it a rating of 9.5/10.

[finished watching on 9 September 2024]

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A game that tests your emotions

This series is really good. I finished it in February. I'm still very much in love with the concept. A group of people end up in a VR game every night and have to pass dangerous levels that take them to different places. They have to fight against beasts and solve riddles. This alternates with events outside the game where the characters have to deal with personal problems like their imperfect family life. At the same time they have to figure out why the VR game was created and how to escape and - more importantly - how to survive it every night.

Unfortunately, the suspense wasn't quite balanced. There were very exciting phases and then very calm and perhaps rather boring phases - but I actually liked this duality. It worked for me.

The plot is very character-driven, and it's done well, which is a BIG PLUS for me!

One of my favorite characters is female lead Chun Yu. She's smart but not very talkative, seems cold and unshakeable at first. I love her tomboyish style. Her hair is usually slightly disheveled and her lips rather dry. It felt so natural to me. And she rides a big motorcycle!

My other favorite character is Zhang Tian Qiang. I didn't like him at first. He was so annoying. But that changed quickly. Well, he is still annoying but at the same time such a dumb and lovable cutie. He has the best character development. Very believable and heartwarming.

I cried happy tears because of all the good teamwork in the end.

P.S.
The outro song of 19th Floor is such a banger~!

[finished watching on 17 February 2024]

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Most chaotic high school

For HiGH&LOW fans this mini drama is definitely a must-watch. The story takes place between the 2nd and 3rd HiGH&LOW movie. It focuses on the students of Oya High School. Conflicts arise after new boys arrive and try to become leaders of the full-time students. And most importantly, it introduces Fujio - a boy who will be of great importance for the following movies.

What can I say except that HiGH&LOW is simply fun and puts me in a good mood. After watching and loving ~The Story of S.W.O.R.D.~ and the movies, I really enjoyed this little extra series as well. Especially because Murayama gets more time to shine.

The series also has a large amount of bromance. But this isn't a surprise. HiGH&LOW can't exist without bromance. My personal highlight: Tsukasa constantly thinks about Fujio and longs for him, which ultimately ends in their pretty hot fight in the rain.

[finished watching on 13 January 2024]

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Sweet and soft like a cherry

It was my first TayNew series. I couldn't wait to experience their dynamic. Before that, I only watched series where one of them played a role, but not both together. TayNew did not disappoint me. I enjoyed their couple and Cherry Magic TH in general very much.

I have to say that I neither know the manga nor have I seen the Japanese series adaptation, so I can't make a comparison as to which version I like better. Overall the plot is veeeery sweet. It's stress-free, happy, without angst and with many wholesome moments.

Karan and Achi are very cute together. At first they were colleagues and then slowly became more than that. While Karan had a crush on Achi for a long time, Achi was surprised and overwhelmed by it. But Karan's smile and charm quickly became irresistible. The kisses were so soft, I'm still spellbound.

Besides I like Jinta a lot. He is loud, overdramatic and can be annoying, but that's exactly what I find charming and very entertaining. Such a sweet and chaotic dork. I want a bookstore date like JinMin. It looks like so much fun.

And I really like Tanaka! Sometimes I thought he was going to have some kind of nasty surprise for his employees, but in reality he is just funny, nice and understanding. Best boss!

I'm looking forward to more TayNew content in the future!

[finished watching on 3 May 2024]

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The falling in love of two lovable dorks

Exaggerated and playful humor is my weakness, I just love it, and this series was able to make me laugh A LOT. For that reason alone I can't help but give a high rating.

Let me introduce you to the two main characters:
Hajime, 25 years old, unpopular actor, he is always associated with the orange juice commercial he starred in as a child.
Yuichiro, 23 years old, popular actor, seems cold at first, but is actually Hajime's biggest fanboy.

The two have landed the lead roles in a BL drama that is being adapted from a famous manga. Since the characters they play move in together in the story, Hajime and Yuichiro are also supposed to share an apartment for promotional purposes. Great idea? Yes, the best idea!

Over-the-top comedy is mixed with some seriousness and a simple, but very entertaining plot. There are lots of funny, creative and crazy ideas here, combined with two extremely amusing main characters who have a special and interesting personality.

I always stared at my TV screen during the scenes they shot for the BL drama and during their private rehearsals. Between all the funny things, they also had intense moments. Seeing their interactions just puts you in a good mood and makes you hope for more than 3 episodes.

What really made me feel connected to Hajime was the indoor climbing scene. Yuichiro was already at the top, while Hajime was still struggling at the bottom and ultimately flopped down from a height of just a few centimeters. I LOVE HIM!

What convinced me that Hajime and Yuichiro are meant for each other was the scene in which Yuichiro runs up a ramp (like a madman) with the Hajime standee in his arms, closely followed by the real Hajime. They filmed the whole route. Really, the whole route. It's perfection.

If you're a fan of over-the-top comedy and cute romance, you should watch this series.

[finished watching on 3 January 2024]

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Adventure is in the air

I finished watching Ultimate Note this year in February and it still leaves a lasting impression and brainrot to this day. It's the first series I've seen from the Daomu Biji universe - also called The Lost Tomb. Ultimate Note is an adventure series. It focuses on the three men Wu Xie, Xiao Ge and Wang Pangzi. Together they roam through forests, deserts, caves and many other beautiful but dangerous landscapes. They are always looking for graves, treasures and secrets.

Chronologically speaking you should actually start with a different series. But it worked for me to start with Ultimate Note. You have to be prepared to be thrown into the story without being introduced to the characters and their backgrounds. You only get a quick recap. After a few episodes, it helped me to read some guides with general information about the Daomu Biji characters. It may contain a bit of spoilers, but it's good if you want to understand more without watching the previous series or reading the books first.

The highlights of Ultimate Note are without a doubt the exciting adventures amidst breathtaking landscapes, the heartwarming bromance and the great teamwork. I was rooting for the characters and really felt the thrilling sense of grave robbing.

The bond between Wu Xie and Xiao Ge is strong and emotional - #PingXie. Even though Xiao Ge is not a man of many words, his eyes are showing all the important feelings. Both deeply care for each other. It really touches my heart.

The friendship between Wu Xie, Xiao Ge and Wang Pangzi was also beautiful. Together they are known as the Iron Triangle. Their team spirit is impressive and very wholesome.

But despite loving the Iron Triangle, my favorite characters are Xiao Hua and Hei Xiazi - #HeiHua. They stole my heart! Their dynamic is funny, crazy, warm and always puts a smile on my face. This constantly bickering couple is now among my top 3 bromances of all time.

[finished watching on 6 February 2024]

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