I have so many issues with this season I don't even know where to start.

Argh, this was frustrating.

How can they tackle a story such as abuse of power, sexual abuse, and waste so much time on James and Ait's relationship? My problem isn't even that I find them boring or that Ait is annoying and immature. My problem is that they could have had something actually valuable to say and they bailed. The endless speech about James and Ait being in a relationship bore me to death. Even while acknowledging that shipping actors together is huge in the BL industry and makes sense to talk about (the way Lovely Writer also did), Tee's problematic behaviour comes last and is barely addressed. Honestly, I was more satisfied with the first season's ending... It felt open ended and optimistic whereas this one felt rushed and unresolved.

Now, don't get me wrong, I wanted to see Bas and Marco get together, but somehow when they do, it fixes all of Bas' issues? The depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, the constant self-blame? I can even excuse that they picked the weirdest time to have sex, I can believe that would happen, but it was way too rough considering Bas' history which made me really uncomfortable. Oh, and that's without even mentioning it's mere hours after Marco confessed his love to James. Yikes...

I'm trying to remember positive aspects but the end got me so upset I think I forgot everything else. I mean, if you exclude what I said above, Marco and Bas kissing in front of the cameras is quite cute. Apart from that, Bas' struggles are very real and definitely what I wanted from this season, brilliantly acted by Michael as well. Everyone say thank you Michael for giving this season a reason to exist. He single-handedly raised all of the scores.

I wouldn't say don't watch it because Michael is amazing but... gosh it's flawed. If it was any longer, I would have said don't bother.

Read More

This one's getting filed away under "What Happened?"

Another one with a superb start that made me think I was going to have a new favourite but went off the rails. First five episodes were pretty stellar and then it gets messy. The pacing is off, it drags a lot, there are inconsistencies in the characters as well as from one scene to the next, the plot is okay but for added drama and angst, some of the characters' reactions are unreasonable and disproportionate. Don't have characters break down crying just to make it seem like it's sad when it's just... not that big of a deal?

In terms of talking about the BL industry, yes, it's great. You've got multiple talks of consent and a lot more which I think vastly explains the high ratings despite the fact that it's kind of a mess.

However, I really did love Gene and Nubsib. Up and Kao's chemistry is pretty unreal. I had very different expectations of Nubsib, turns out he's the cutest of the cuties! Gene is the type of characters that I love and he's also super cute so there's that. Out of all the couples I discovered this year, they're easily nearing the top.

With Tum and Tiffy, I thought, finally a straight side couple I adore! But then their first drama is fairly silly (although I will admit I understand they're trying to break stereotypes and that's great, however it was way too long) and then the second one, once again, I just straight up didn't understand the big deal... and suddenly everything's better but literally nothing happened or changed?

In terms of acting, it's pretty good. I really loved Up, Ken, and Kao; Bruce not so much.

The ending? Too long. The first of the three scenes is very cute but it should have stopped there. At some point I was like ok is this ending today or...?

Overall, I'm pretty sad. I was super excited about that one but after the first five episodes, they lost me a bit. Anyway, I hope to see more of Up, he's a highlight of the series for sure.

Read More

Strong start, such a confusing ending...

Up until episode 7 I was really defending this drama. It's very aesthetically pleasing, the actors have nice chemistry, plus they're gorgeous, and the soundtrack is wonderful. I was really enjoying it! It's a cute and short drama. They don't all need to be groundbreaking.
But episode 7 and 8... The conflict is confusing and the resolution even more so. The angst went from 0 to 100 so fast and back to 0 just as quickly... Jung Woo says let me explain and I thought we'd get some clarity but we don't even get to hear it because Do Gun's already moved past it. Just when I thought it couldn't get any more confusing, suddenly it's three months later but they've not seen each other? Why?
I'm glad I watched it, they're cute and there's definitely some noteworthy scenes but in terms of the story, while I was fine when it didn't look like it had a solid plot at first, they lost me when it all stopped making sense. I genuinely do not get Laura's problem...

Read More

Wow… Just wow…

No one’s doing it like these guys. The acting is phenomenal, the directing is insane, the soundtrack is gorgeous, and the new friends are so great, there’s no time to miss the high school friends.

I’m reading a lot of reviews saying not to compare ITSAY and IPYTM, that they were going for something different; personally I disagree. I absolutely felt that IPYTM was following in ITSAY’s footsteps. It was very much giving me the same vibes. It’s perhaps somewhat darker but they’re growing up so I was prepared for that.

The way these characters are written is honestly brilliant. Even in the most frustrating moments, when things start happening that you wish weren’t happening, looking back at their past, it makes sense. It’s not drama just for the sake of drama. I genuinely think people dropping IPYTM aren’t trying to understand these characters and that’s a shame.

I was so happy to first find a very sweet and adorable Teh being affectionate and being just generally so happy. It was lovely. As for Oh-aew, he's still a beautiful angel. Then, I thought I was prepared to get hurt considering how painful ITSAY already was, but I didn’t expect to literally feel my heart breaking inside my chest. Thankfully, that gorgeous ending mended my heart back into one piece.

(Warning for vague spoilers) Obviously there are things I wish were different: I wish we got to enjoy the end a bit more, but I felt that way about ITSAY as well so at least it’s consistent; I wish the final time jump wasn’t so long, and I wish Teh’s friendships had a more satisfying conclusion. Yet at the end of the day, I wouldn’t change a thing; it’s beautiful the way it is.

Read More

Great start, boring middle, rushed ending.

This type of rushed ending is seriously my pet peeve ; way too much happened in such a short amount of time.
Overall, it was cute, but reading the comments I knew to expect to get bored around the second half and I did.

I'll start with what I did like :
- Zen is seriously adorable.
- The chemistry between Meen and Ping is definitely there.
- Frank's pretty good in this. I've avoided his most recent series but he does a good job and he looks great!
- I don't always love sport series but I really liked the team and the games.
- Coach Ton is great, and I really did get attached, his story’s interesting (that could be said as a negative though, because his story is more fleshed out than Ryu’s).

But there's so much I didn't like, especially near the end :
- Atom was fine until he wasn't anymore. Constantly intruding into his home, even if to Zen and his grandma it didn't feel that way. Kowing the way Atom feels, it's actually so weird. Pushing to stay over and kissing his forehead in his sleep, and that's without even mentioning actively trying to get him away from Ryu by taking him to Phuket. It could be argued he's only trying to help him out since his club is disbanding but I don't buy it. His words are fine but his actions say otherwise.
- The side couple doesn’t bring much, in my opinion.
- Lin and Ryu never talk again after she ambushes him with his mom. I just thought it was weird they never cleared the air. Also, was Lin’s crush necessary? Did Ryu even realize?
- I really hate this type of parents where they make them super evil and unreasonable but they can suddenly change their mind in a heartbeat. Ryu’s mom saw him play once and suddenly she’s ready to let go what she’s been fighting for for years.
- I was so confused when Ruy and Zen met Ryu's mom after the game and she tells him she cancelled his flight and Zen looks all happy but like... did he even know about it? He didn't look surprised at all!
- I actually didn't hate the way the street basketball story ended, but it would have made much more sense not to have Q come back at the end.
- Zen is adorable but talking about Atom to Ryu on the phone without mentioning he's sleeping right next to him in his own bed is so sketchy. And again, that's never actually addressed. I thought it would add to the jealous side of Ryu we saw a little bit of but it was just a bit pointless and made me see Zen differently ; surely he's not that naive.
- I liked Zen coming back. It made sense. He didn't wanna leave in the first place, he just needed the scholarship. I have no qualms about that except for the fact that it went ridiculously fast ; Coach Ton announces the club gets to live on without much of an explanation at all…
- They saw people literally get shot in front of their eyes because of street basketball but when they need money they're ready to do it again just like that. And when they do, it looks like a children's playground...
- Also, am I stupid? I know we saw Ryu’s mom kicking out his dad but I don’t think that scene really explained what happened between them. I know he missed his game with Zen because of her but when did he move away? I’m confused as to when he decided to leave and how he figured living in the street was a better option? Plus, Zen made him promise to tell him what happened but we never see that conversation.
- They kiss at the retreat and never talk about it ever again! Excuse me, what the hell? And did he leave because of Zen initially? Or was it all because of his mom? Because if it was only because of his mom, why was he so reticent to ask him out? I hate that I still have so many questions!

Okay, there’s a lot more I didn’t like than I thought and it all could easily be summarized by “lots of plot holes” so I’ll stop here but yeah honestly it’s too bad cause I think they really did the sports aspect of the series really well and I don’t have anything bad to say about anyone’s acting.

Read More

Trying to write a review for Utsukushii Kare is going to be hard considering how speechless it's left me...

After the first episode aired and the criticisms started, I defended Utsukushii Kare primarily on the fact that the contrast with the adorable Kieta Hatsukoi airing at the same time was startling. While I adored Kieta Hatsukoi, the premise isn't exactly unique. Utsukushii Kare came in and brought something so vividly different, I was hooked from the very beginning. Yes, it's not sunshine and rainbows. It's messed up kids, obsession, mistreatment, and other troubling behaviours, and I loved every second of it. Every episode gets wilder and wilder, more and more intense. The tension building progressively is truly remarkable. Their dynamic is one that while, yes, I would disapprove of in real life, I would love to see more of in dramas. It's a very flawed, intense romance, with a happy ending nonetheless, and I honestly couldn't ask for anything more.

The story is captivating, the acting is very solid, the soundtrack is perfect, and the complexity of their relationship definitely warrants a rewatch in the future. Easily 10/10.

Read More

Thought I Would Hate It and Loved It More Than Words Can Express

Oh my god, okay. Let's talk about this.

So season two begins and I start whining that Shu Yi and Shi De didn't stay together after "No. 1 For You". Instantly, I think: "ah shoot, I'm going to hate this, Shi De's betrayal is just too much to get over" and then... oh but then... it turns out to be uhh... incrediBLE??? The TENSION in the first few episodes is the single greatest thing this drama has to offer. I spent the entirety of episode two my jaw on the floor. Sam and Yu's acting is absolutely stellar. The way Yu does hurt and hatred so well, but in a flicker can express so much love and understanding.

These types of conflicts driven by miscommunication are often insanely frustrating, especially in BLs, but I thought it was done pretty decently here, although I was very confused by the timeline of the events when Shu Yi and Shi De were apart. I'm still not sure I understood fully what happened when which is a shame but not crucial in the end.

Then, Pei Shou Yi and Yu Zhen Xuan are interesting and definitely an original story but I was a bit confused where they were going, if anywhere at all?

We don't get too much Zhe Yu and Bing Wei but they're cute, I like them.

Read More

Wholesome and gorgeous

This is my first 10 across the board! Such a special series.

I adored it, plain and simple. It was really sweet, really wholesome; it has top tier acting, an incredible OST, as well as really unique characters and pairings. I don't normally vibe with love triangles/squares but this was done so well I had absolutely no issue with it here. It also has some absolutely hilarious moments. I can't give you a single reason why you might not enjoy it.

I'm very new to K-dramas but wow... "Romance Is A Bonus Book" was one hell of a way to start getting into them. I'm not about to forget this one anytime soon. It was also my introduction to Lee Jong Suk and, yes, I've fallen for him hard. Jealous Eun Ho was a highlight for me. Eun Ho just in general is going onto my favourite characters' list in my brain, he's so soft and gentle, but also really funny and confident. And his outfits! Anyway, everyone is a gem in this. I could easily see "Romance Is A Bonus Book" becoming a comfort show for me in the future.

Read More

Gripping until the very end.

I haven't written a review in a while but I feel compelled to write one now since I consistently failed to understand the scathing reviews after each episode. Why Her? was a wild ride and I enjoyed every minute of it. The acting is wonderful with no exception. The soundtrack is really beautiful and perfectly fits the atmosphere. We get a really strong, resilient, and flawed FM and deeply wronged yet sweet, loving, and intelligent ML.

I will say that I had higher hopes for the romance. Although, since the most common critique I read was that the romance was out of place, this should sound like a positive point for those less interested in this part of the drama. I thought their chemistry was greatly enjoyable and to me, their story was set to be absolutely incredible. It started off so strong in the first half but, in the end, I was sad not to see more development for them, especially with Gong Chan appearing less in the last quarter of the show.

I'm not entirely sure what else to say to convince others that this drama is worth their time, other than I was on the edge of my seat for most of it and that I'm not about to forget about these characters anytime soon.

Read More

Keep your expectations low and you could love it

I felt I was in the minority looking forward to a new episode every week, but I really loved Don't Say No. From the start, I loved the synopsis; I thought a new couple struggling to go from best friends to lovers sounded really sweet. Both couples are adorable, and I very quickly found myself super attached to everyone. When Don't Say No was first announced, I thought "uh ok... but Fiat's the worst, though?" but his growth from Tharntype is really lovely to see and his main storyline is actually really good.

That being said, you can't expect too much from it. It's true that although Ja and First are really cute, they struggle to look natural and their intimate scenes are pretty awkward. But in all their other scenes, I really can't find anything to complain about. They're so sweet and they love each other so much.

Leon and Pob absolutely contributed to my willingness to ignore the less polished parts of the show (except that one episode where the scenes' order makes zero sense, that still irks me...). James is the best actor of the bunch, in my opinion. And he's so ridiculously loveable as Pob. James and Smart's chemistry is pretty unreal. I mean, they're just so good. Highly recommend.

It's too bad they only mentioned An and Nat in passing, though, cause I would have loved to actually see them together. Even Leo's parents got to be cute, why not them?

Read More

Very sweet but a bit all over the place

Let's start with what I loved:

Wu Zheng is wonderful. Watching him be so gentle with Yu Shi was possibly my favorite part. I respect the fact that they chose to tackle DID and didn't make a complete mess of it (in my opinion). The acting is quite good, Wu Zheng is obviously head over heels and I really appreciate that Yi Da Dian wasn't overacting for Yu Shi. Not only that but he was very believable playing two different personalities.

Now, what wasn't so great:

First of all, the pacing is off, to the point where it's pretty jarring at times. Then, introducing a new couple out of nowhere. In the end, you're left wondering "Who is Jun Zhe?", "Who is Shang En?", and "Why should I care?" Either make a longer series with two couples who both get time to have a well developed story or keep it short with one couple. Finally, it's too short. I actually mean it's too short, not that they didn't use the time well. I think they needed at least two more episodes to come up with something that feels satisfying in the end. It's a compliment saying I wanted more, though! Now in the end, I still think it was very cute but it could have made such a bigger impact on me had we had more time to understand their relationship and understand why Wu Zheng fell for Yu Shi.

Read More

Very sweet and a good time spent

Ah, this was cute! I watched it essentially as an introduction to OffGun and thought puppies and kittens would make this enjoyable but I really liked Emma and Porsche! They're really cute, the story's interesting, the drama makes sense, I was into it! It's not groundbreaking but also not too long which makes it perfect to watch when you're not sure what else to start that might be more of a time commitment.

I was happily surprised by the amount of Pick and Rome considering the synopsis for Puppy Honey 2. I don't know that I particular felt that incredible chemistry that I was advertised but yes, they're great, I do see why people like them together.

What I particularly appreciated is the small cast. A lot of series set in a school, they usually have a billion friends whose names I'm still trying to remember by the end so this was so great for that reason. It's just their small group of four friends and I loved it.

Someone on that show reeeeeally loves the fall into the other's arms trope.

Read More

Sweet but not anything special

I didn't really have any clue what I was getting into but this was cute. Nothing really happens, to be fair, at least not anything that could constitute a plot per say, but some scenes are worth a watch, it's quick anyway. Plus, Tops is ridiculously cute so he alone makes it worth it.
I will say that the last episode is actually much better than the rest of the series.
Oh also, if you want to avoid covid related content, skip this one. I mean wash your hands and all that but I understand wanting to watch something without those constant references to get away from the current pandemic.

Read More

Instant Favorite

I have nothing bad to say about "Manner of Death". Seriously, at this point, every new drama I watch gets compared to this one.
I think it was refreshing too, to have a BL with a solid storyline and not littered with plot holes. It's also not a school setting, which... thank you for that. A pretty heavy subject as well the more the plot progresses, actually, but again it's so different to what BLs have us used to that it's insanely enjoyable. I wouldn't even call it a BL, but Tan and Bun get enough attention that it still feels right. The side couple is cute too.
Max and Tul's acting is on point, as always. Their chemistry is off-the-charts, that's why we know and love them. The tension between Tan and Bun between what happens in episode 1 and before they're really friends is so good.
I didn't see the twists coming which is awesome. I love these types of stories where it's fun to do a rewatch to see if you notice anything now you know who did what, and then when it comes to "Manner of Death", you can rewatch it again after that just because it's that good.

Read More

Beautiful, a must-watch

The first three episodes are absolutely incredible, just so good. After episode 3, I was really thinking this would be an instant new favorite but the last two episodes personally let me down so I'm a bit sad. Episode 4 takes a turn I didn't see coming (you know, for the angst, it was to be expected) and sadly I thought the aftermath felt rushed. I honestly think the first three episodes set my expectations too high for the last two.
However, you absolutely do need to watch it. It's really gorgeous, both in terms of story and directing. There are so many incredibly beautiful scenes simply through the setting, the colours, the music or the meaningful silences. Oh-aew and Teh's chemistry is off-the-charts. I can easily get annoyed when there is too much focus on the main couple's other interests but they do a pretty decent job showing that no one can compete with what Oh-aew and Teh feel for each other.
That being said, I am ecstatic about "I Promised You The Moon". I'm also looking forward to seeing if doing a rewatch will change my mind on the last two episodes.

Read More