Reviews

Don't look at the rating and rush to judge, this series is much better than the number above, I don't know why it is rated so low but it deserves a rating of over 8.0. The chemistry between William and Est is very good, the two are a very nice couple and I believe they will do much better in the following episodes. This is Est's first leading role and also William's first leading role debuting as an actor besides being an idol before. Please give them a chance because this is all their first chance. You can check the positive reactions of many other directors and many others towards this series on X App. Please support these cute 2 kids and LYKN because they put a lot of effort and time in this project. 💯

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A Heartfelt Tale of Friendship

One of the most striking aspects of the drama is its exploration of friendship heartbreaks, an often-overlooked theme. Friendship heartbreaks can be some of the most painful experiences, and this drama captures that emotional intensity with remarkable authenticity. The portrayal of this dynamic is brought to life by the characters Saint and Shin, whose journey of friendship is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Their bond, its challenges, and its eventual evolution are handled with such care that it feels incredibly real and relatable.

Acting Excellence

Sky and Nani’s performances are nothing short of extraordinary. These two actors have proven their mettle by delivering some of the most emotionally charged scenes with finesse. Their ability to convey a wide range of emotions through subtle expressions and body language is commendable. At times, even without dialogue, their eyes alone communicate volumes, allowing the audience to feel the depth of their characters’ emotions.

This kind of nuanced acting is rare and speaks to the skill and dedication of the actors. Whether it’s a moment of joy, a heated argument, or a tearful reconciliation, every scene feels genuine, pulling the audience deeper into the story. Their chemistry on screen is undeniable, not in a romantic sense, but as two individuals navigating the highs and lows of a profound friendship.

Themes and Impact

What sets this drama apart is its focus on relationships that are often overshadowed in mainstream storytelling. By emphasizing the significance of platonic bonds and familial connections, it offers a refreshing perspective. It reminds viewers of the importance of cherishing these relationships and acknowledges the emotional weight they carry.

The storytelling is complemented by a well-written script, meaningful dialogues, and a narrative pace that keeps the audience engaged. The director deserves praise for weaving together the various elements acting, cinematography, and music into a cohesive and impactful production.

Final Thoughts

In a world where relationships are often reduced to romantic entanglements, this drama stands out as a genuine celebration of friendship and familial bonds. Contrary to common misconceptions, this is not a BL (Boys' Love) drama and has never been promoted as such. Instead, it delves into the profound beauty and complexity of friendships and family ties, offering a narrative that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced the joy and pain of such relationships.

This drama is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates stories rooted in emotional depth and authenticity. It is a testament to the power of platonic relationships and the profound impact they can have on our lives. Sky and Nani’s performances elevate the narrative, making it a memorable experience that will stay with viewers long after the final scene.

In celebrating friendship and family, this drama offers a poignant reminder that love exists in many forms, and each one is worth cherishing.

For me it is a 10/10.

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Severe Second Male Lead Syndrome

The first episode (or two episodes as it’s listed on MDL) was amazing. It was one of the best first episodes of a drama I’ve ever seen and set my expectations sky high. Unfortunately, the first episode was the highlight of the show.

The execution of the romance was one of the biggest issues. While the connection was there at the beginning, it really seemed to fade throughout the show and they stopped seeming romantic. Both the male and female main leads were odd characters on their own, and the two of them together seemed to magnify their awkwardness. Jung Hae-in plays one of the best second male leads in history and it was impossible not to root for him. I loved his character on his own, I loved his friendship with the leads, he was great. The show did handle his character’s feelings towards Hong-ju, the female main character, very well. His character deserved more screen time and a romance plot line of his own.

The psychic dreams started off extremely interesting but the show continued to complicate the lore so that by the end it was just very confusing. It did make for exciting storylines because they were all foreseeing each other’s deaths and then coming to save them. The thing that seemed crazy was that they weren’t better at saving the day when they would have all the details about a tragic event and somehow barely get there in time. It’s just to add the drama but it was a little annoying. Hong-ju made a lot of really bizarre decisions, even while having the knowledge from her dreams.

We all know childhood connections are very overplayed and this one did not work at all. The “twist” of the flashbacks was so unbelievably obvious but the show kept drawing it out as this great supposed mystery. If they were going to have their pasts connect, they could have done it in a much more interesting way. With all the time spent on their connection, the show didn’t spend enough explaining other parts of the main character’s backstories.

While You Were Sleeping has a pretty large cast of characters and a lot of the side characters were great. Firstly, Hong-ju’s mom was very funny and she got to interact with a ton of the other characters. The way she kept score of her daughter’s love interests was one of my highlights. The other prosecutors in Jae-chan’s office started out annoying but became funny and charming over the course of the show. The office romance was another really great side plot.

The beginning of While You Were Sleeping started off so strong for me and it just felt that it had lost some of the magic along the way. I did really enjoy a lot of the show, but the boring main romance and stupid character decisions brought it down a bit for me.

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You’re cute in every universe out there

Played by the same male leads, the characters are hopelessly drawn to each other in all of the universes they inhabit. This series is perfect for people who get bored easily. 

What’s commendable is that the characters in various storylines not only look different, but also behave extremely differently in terms of how they display their emotions and respond to difficult situations. The dynamic between each couple is also not the same.

The clever part of the series is that it ties together a collection of several storylines involving vastly different characters, played by the same actors.

Top and Mick have done well on this front, as versatile actors who are able to capture every character’s unique essence. They also have superb chemistry across all their characters (some obviously more electric than others), which is quite a feat if you ask me.

While you’ll be able to grasp the storyline completely even with the cut version, the unfortunate reality is that the story comes out a little choppy and truncated. Watch the uncut version for maximum enjoyment!

More reviews: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/

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This is a GEM

The Untamed is a popular Chinese drama (C-drama) that aired in 2019. It's based on the BL (Boys' Love) novel Mo Dao Zu Shi (also known as Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation) by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. Unlike the original novel, which explicitly depicts a romantic relationship between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, the drama presents their relationship with more subtle, implied affection due to censorship rules in China.

Major Themes:
1. Friendship and loyalty: Despite societal pressures, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji remain steadfastly loyal to their beliefs and to each other.
2. Moral ambiguity: The show explores themes of justice, revenge, and what it means to truly do the right thing.
3. Found family: Many characters build relationships outside their bloodlines, showing the importance of chosen bonds.

One of its greatest strengths lies in the chemistry between the leads. Xiao Zhan delivers a charismatic performance as the free-spirited yet misunderstood Wei Wuxian, while Wang Yibo’s reserved portrayal of Lan Wangji provides a perfect counterbalance. The supporting cast also shines, with memorable performances that bring emotional weight to the complex inter-clan rivalries and alliances.

Visually, the series is breathtaking, with its traditional Chinese costumes, picturesque landscapes, and an evocative soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere. However, the production is not without flaws. Some CGI effects are inconsistent, and the pacing can feel slow in parts, particularly during flashback-heavy episodes.

While the drama skillfully conveys the deep bond between the leads, it must rely on subtlety due to censorship, which may feel unsatisfying to fans of the original novel’s explicit romance. Despite this, the emotional connection remains palpable and moving.

Overall, The Untamed is a richly layered drama that rewards patient viewers with a heartfelt tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption. It’s a must-watch for fans of Chinese fantasy and anyone looking for a story that combines action, mystery, and emotional depth.

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Give it a watch and see if you like it for yourself

Prior to watching, I read comments that left me thinking that this season would pale in comparison to season 5. I decided to give it a watch nonetheless, and I would say that I still like this season a lot! I will just only comment on my favourites though:

Jin Chen:
My absolute favourite! I like how she's unpretentious and being her goofy sensitive self. She is so gorgeous and I don't feel she flaunts her beauty at all, always preferring to appear funny or self-deprecating.

Hou Minghao:
I don't know him before watching, but I find him to be very gentlemanly, always quietly sacrificing. Giving up watching the olympic table tennis though he was really looking forward, always carrying luggages, and looking out for Victoria and not wanting her to wait alone at the museum first. His award ceremony was quite underwhelming. I felt that he deserved more praise from the group. I feel that he would have appreciated it more than it being a funny award.

Deng Enxi:
Just a sweet, humble and pleasant girl to be around. She was really responsible with her role as tour guide too.

Tian Jiarui:
Jiarui has a great personality that can brighten up a room easily. He is extroverted and has high EQ. He is the kind of person that will know how to cheer you up when you are down. I can see why the girls in the group liked him so much. I feel that he got the praises that he deserved, and I'm interested to see his growth as an actor.

Rong Zi Shan:
I did not like him initially, but grew to like him more as he opened up, joked with the rest, and opened up to us his world a little bit. His growth arc towards the end was huge and cool to watch.

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Antiheroes, villains and wild beasts

Inspired by the comedy "The Taming of the Shrew" by English writer, poet and playwright William Shakespeare, the Thai BL series 'The Heart Killers' brings back four popular and talented actors: Kanaphan Puitrakul, Khaotung Thanawat Rattanakitpaisan, Dunk Natachai Boonprasert, and Joong Archen Wiraphakul, who play Kant, Bison, Style, and Fadel, in that order.
The series addresses themes such as love, courtship, disguise, deception and crime, while love arises both in the case of Bison and Kant, and in that of Fadel and Style. However, unlike Shakespeare's work, whose secondary plot serves as a counterpoint to the main plot, in the Thai series both stories balance and measure equally, that is, there is no preeminence of one over the other.
Directed by Jojo Tidakorn Pookaothong, the story is not set in the Italian city of Padua nor are we in the 16th century, but in Bangkok, in the present. Instead of Katharina, the main character, it is Bison, a young man with a boisterous, stubborn, disobedient and indomitable personality, but also famous for being attractive. This in principle would not have any mystery nor would it be transcendent for the series, except for the detail that the father of this young woman, Baptista Minola, does not want to marry his youngest daughter, Bianca, until Katharina, or rather, Bison, does not has found a boyfriend.
But the story, which has a script by Kanokphan Oraratanasakul, Issaraporn Kuntisuk and Fleur Irene Insot, known for writing 'This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans', will bring us other changes: instead of Baptista, it will be Bianca herself... or better yet said, Fadel, Bison's intelligent, handsome and responsible brother, who will oppose Bison having a boyfriend until he himself finds the right person to love.
Fadel, who is the complete opposite in character of his older brother, has never shown interest in any of the men who have disputed his love in the past.
Protector of his brother, Fadel scares away all the suitors who are interested in Bison, to the dismay of the latter, who has just succumbed to the charms of the handsome man... no, don't be hasty, he is not Petrucio, but Kant, a young man with a strong character and intelligent, who will have the courage to pretend to Bison.
The love, which is taking shape between the two lovers, will pose a serious problem: will Fadel accept Kant when he himself has decided not to allow his brother to have a boyfriend until his heart also trembles with passion?
Faced with this dilemma, Kant and Bison, who is devoted to annoying others, especially Fadel, will plan to find a suitor for him. And who wouldn't be a better choice than... stop there, it's not Lucentio, but Style, the happy and smiling automotive mechanic and Kant's best friend.
Style must fulfill the task of helping the two lovers as much as possible to get Fadel to accept Kant as Bison's boyfriend, so the three of them develop a plan: Style will pursue and woo Fadel until he makes him yearn for her him and in this way allows Bison to also have a boyfriend. But when Style sees Fadel he falls in love, and he will try to win him over, but to do so he will not have to pretend to be a Latin teacher.
But the most interesting twist in the story is that both Bison and Fadel are two hitmen. As you hear, dear reader: while the authorities are not clear how to respond to organized crime in the Thai capital, these two young antiheroes are a curious solution. These brothers are hired to murder drug traffickers, rapists, corrupt politicians, dishonest businessmen...
If in "The Taming of the Shrew" that would be the main approach of the work, the Thai series brings other ingredients. Of course, in both one and the other, various situations of entanglements and abundant witty dialogues await us in which verbal wit undoubtedly becomes the most forceful of weapons.
Owners and workers by day in a hamburger restaurant, Bison and Fadel are, by night, two expert shooters and assassins. While the first dreams of not spending his entire life chasing criminals, the second believes it is necessary to carry out, for life, his mission of exterminating all villains.
But who is Kant? Is he really in love with Bison or does he have a hidden agenda? Kant is a young tattoo artist who has a history of being a car thief. He was caught by the Police some time ago for this crime. In order to have his criminal record archived and even be lucky enough to see it disappear completely, he must complete undercover police missions. Otherwise, they could reopen their case and end up in jail, so Babe (Kenji Kanthee Limpitkranon), his younger brother, would lose his only protector in life.
In this way, Kant will be forced to be an informant and spy for the Police on the same parasites of society that Bison and Faude eliminate daily.
And it turns out that, at the request of Chris (Peter Tuinstra), the police agent handling his case, Kant will have to secretly investigate the brothers Bison and Fadel, suspected of being the two hitmen who have taken the law into their own hands.
It is interesting how the series rewrites the work of the Elizabethan playwright that deals with the theme of "taming a brave woman by her husband", giving it a personal touch that does not leave anyone indifferent. The dialogues are full of wit and the wordplay is remarkable. That's something I love about Jojo, who plays with language and shapes it as he pleases to create series considered true gems of the BL genre with insightful, intelligent and even cynical characters, as he demonstrated in 'Only Friends', 'Never Let Me Go', 'The Warp Effect', 'Our Skyy 2', 'Nobody Happy', among others.
It is also striking how instead of machismo, the submission of the woman to the designs of the husband, marriage and the struggle between the sexes that permeates Shakespeare's work, 'The Heart Killers' takes an unexpected turn to address topics such as crime, flirting and a pitched battle between different personalities or characters.
As in "The Taming of the Shrew," the Thai series notes the ingenious use of duplicates. The contrast between the two brothers, the two love stories, the day divided into two, the different dreams of Bison and Fadel about their futures, the two scenarios that will involve one the laborious life as a front in the hamburger restaurant and the other the crime, among others, all aimed at giving rise to an agile and continuous dramatic counterpoint that very effectively helps the two romantic stories intertwine in an effective way.
In addition to a battle between totally opposite personalities, 'The Heart Killers' is a battle between wits, all the themes: seduction, crime, the relationships between best friends and between the two brothers, the professional tasks of the protagonists, namely that of a tattoo artist, a car mechanic, a chef and a restaurant worker, all of this to give rise to a display of deceptions and tricks, and the winner is always the one who demonstrates the greatest practical intelligence in all matters.
Furthermore, 'The Heart Killers' is a series of transformations that relies on the conventional resources of intrigue comedy; disguise, deception and false identities.
As far as the characters are concerned, above all I would like to highlight the two brothers, since the contrast in their personalities is overwhelming. On the one hand there is Bison, who has a lot of character and does not always agree with what is said to him and, in part, likes to bother others. Meanwhile, Fadel is very serious, responsible, and has always managed to maintain his composure... until Style enters his life.
Khaotung is a convincing actor. He has had meteoric growth since his debut as an actor in the 2018 series 'Cause You're My Boy', in 2018. The construction of his character allowed him to deliver a performance full of subtleties, where Bison's surly and indomitable character contrasts with the moments of introspection and the decisions that lead him to confront his most intimate feelings.
First once again demonstrates his talent, that each role he plays is comfortable for him, despite the challenges, the volume of work, and the archetypal experiences that he has to express on screen, no matter how new they may be for him.
Both make up a dream ship. Their interactions are natural. They know each other well, after being a couple in 'Only Friends', 'The Eclipce' and 'Our Skyy 2'. On this occasion, not only are their sex scenes a gift for the viewer.
Joong Archen Wiraphakul's Fadel is the most important character in this rising star's promising career until today. In his social accounts, the actor, model and singer recognizes that the recognition and affection of the public is the greatest reward received, in addition, what he has been able to grow and learn as an actor and person during the process. I never imagined seeing him "masturbate" in front of the cameras.
But of the four, Dunk has the most growth from a role prior to this. To my surprise, his Style overflows with provocation, sexuality and impudence. As an actor, he has been able to increase his acting skills through training and giving his best in each project. His evolution as an actor is based on extracting valuable lessons from each experience to apply them in future projects.
In the series he had to face things that he had never experienced, such as harassing Fadel, speaking with brazenness and determination, adopting a much sexier pose than on previous occasions, no longer in a university uniform, but in a car mechanic's outfit, T-shirts and shorts and occasion clothes. He had to face situations he had never experienced and search the depths of his emotions to interpret them. For this reason, I consider that 'The Heart Killers' and Style have been a school in his life.
Dunk and Joong Archen are also two actors who have managed to get along after pairing up in 'Star and Sky: Star in My Mind', 'Star and Sky: Sky in Your Heart', 'Our Skyy 2' and 'Hidden Agenda'.
Only the first two episodes have aired. I'll come back later to update the review.

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Refreshing story, great chemistry ad Strong Natural acting performance from main leads

I was so looking forward to this movie when it was first announced few months ago and it did not disappoint.
every movie that Seven Tan appeared, She became the character as she portrayed it so well and naturally.
I love this drama as it started slowly to develop the background stories, introduced us the cultural history of the Shu brocade and how much process it had to go through to produce one and how they are being treasured by the country. I love this story how Seven Tan and YeCheng interact with each other so well and naturally. They have such a great chemistry and comfortable with each other. Ji Ying Ying portrayed by Seven Tan showed how resilient and persistent she is to protect her mother and brother and also to avenge the death and misjudgment to her father. the story has lots of twist and it also showed the challenges and trials that Ji YingYing had to go through and Ye Cheng was there to protect her even from the start when he knew YingYing was already engaged. the original boyfriend made a big mistake of giving up on Ji YingYing thinking this is his way of protecting her. It was so refreshing to see how the main leads love each other and support each other. there were so many touching scenes that hit us and we couldn't help but feel their pain and cried with them. Seven Tan is so good in her acting that you cried along with her when her tears keep flowing down on her cheeks on those tear-jerking scenes. I have rewatched so many episodes so many times because they are really good and refreshing..

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Quite a surprise

I’m not going to write some crazy in depth review like a ton of people do for these shows. I’m simply just going to review this on my emotions and how I felt watching this. Personally I am not really a fan of mystery mixed with BL. I am the stereotypical BL lover meaning I love the high school, college and office drama. Given that I have seen almost every BL on Viki and IQIYI, I was just seething for something else to watch. It took my a good thirty minutes to decide if this title is going to be worth my time. But I ended up giving it a shot. So far, the chemistry between the two mains is so/so. I feel the connection they have, but it’s just been such a slow burn which I love and hate, considering the fact that I just binged the first five episodes and now have to wait to see the rest. I was not expecting to love the mystery aspect of this. I think the cliff hangers and the not knowing is really hooking me onto this. Well that and just the face that the mains are such eye candy, I’m dying for them to get together. But they are playing this mystery off so well, like I could even tell you what is going to happen next. I also really like the idea of how they are using such a controversial topic as the main hook for the series. It’s risky in the public eye, but they have done it so well. I really would recommend this series, and please pray I don’t loose it before the next episode comes out, the stupid preview for episode six has really got me going crazy.

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probably underrated

This was too long, but not a bad watch. A few weeks later, I’m finally done ahaha

- surprisingly, I wasn’t annoyed by the back and fourth, repetitive things, the issues between them, etc… maybe watching this over a few weeks help, none of this was really annoying to me like it would usually do.
- I love the ost so much (at this point it’s now even an argument 😂😂I say this for almost every drama)
- Both leads did good for the acting, I don’t really like ML’s actor for some unknown reasons ahah but I liked him here. FL’s actress is pretty good. I remember 2 dramas with her that I never finished, « Use for my talent » and « meteor garden ». the emotional scenes were well executed, the crying scenes also looked real to me
- I liked the romance between the leads, the development of their relationship. they both had their flaws and grow to be better. They helped, supported and loved each other very much. Their romance was pretty sweet, gave us good sweet moments through the drama. It took a while for officially getting together, but we got some good moments long before that. The kissing scenes weren’t bad and we got a few
- It was a lot focus on the leads which I liked (still a bit of filler with side characters though, I’ll get back to it)
- I loved FL’s mom so much. she was such a good character. Kind, sweet, understanding. I liked her conversations with ML and FL. Her advice too. Her scenes with the leads were really good, their sweet memories. She became close to ML almost like a mom, the portrait he painted of her and the like display with the pictures, I loved that. I cried when she died
- I liked the friendships
- the comedy show were not funny at all, maybe a few joke that actually weren’t bad, but very very few
- I was anticipating the second couple after few meetings with them and I was mad when I learned they didn’t even end up together (open ending) when I was what, maybe pass half way. But in the end, didn’t really felt anything. I was mad at her at some point. Anyway their story ended up being disappointing and annoying. we got almost nothing (think they didn’t get enough screentime to develop correctly their story or maybe it was how they wrote it). did we even get one good sweet scene of them while they were dating ? I remember nothing. we got a kiss, I think that was before becoming a couple ? The only thing I remember is that we only saw problems. The issues with her non biological parents, her job, her lying to him. I felt bad for him how he was trying to be more « suitable » for her (because her trash parents didn’t find him suitable for her, too low and wanted them to break up), working more jobs to get money, etc… She was suffering too, but at some point I was annoyed, she had no spine letting her parents control everything in her life, etc.. I never understand in drama when they have their trash controlling parents and in the end, « oh they are my parents, blah blah blah » nothing happens and they stay with them. Just like in Fireworks of my heart.
- FL’s boss and the guy (her ex that SFL worked with) : that was complete filler to me and wasn’t interesting at all in the end. It wasn’t written interesting. there was no point to give us that, it lead nowhere, except maybe them finally moving on ? That should have been removed from the story
- It was funny when ML came back and started to get better. He was like a changed man and we got some good funny scenes
- very minimal love triangle. At some point he annoyed me a bit because I was like « stop confessing bro, she doesn’t like you and you even know it », it tooked him what 2-3times before that was over. Still not really much happened, it was coworkers, friendship and seriously not much scenes just the 2 of them. Also FL only had eyes for ML since the beginning. here it was like love at first sight between the leads. His presence created some jealousy moments.
- no unnecessary problems between the leads in the last few eps that we get in some dramas. Their relationship was strong after they got together. No breakup, I think their was no problems between them (I forgot already ahah)
- I liked the last scene of the drama, the dialogue, love confession and proposal. that was a good speech from FL

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Could have been a gem

I saw the trailer for this, and it looked insanely bad, so if course I decided to watch it. It's a mini dramas, so what harm?
I was greatly taken by surprise to find it hilarious. Every overused trope in xianxia was used and ridiculed. Even when they were being 'serious' the cast were sending a little wink our way, and it was delightful.
At some point however, roughly half way through, this little comedy, no budget drama, that had used it's shortcomings as strengths, decided to take itself very seriously indeed. The comedy flew out the window, the acting flew out the window, and left us with no option but to be held to notice, almost at gunpoint, everything lacking in this drama that the comedy has previously used to captivate us. The episodes may have been short, but this is still bloated at 48 episodes.
I thought this was going to be a little hidden gem, but alas, yet another disaster from xianxia storytelling. If I found out that there were two different directors for the first and second half of this series, I would not be surprised.

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unlike everyone else, i liked it a bit.

while i do agree that this k-drama wasn't super insane or anything. here are the things i liked about it:

- we could see what everyone was doing and thinking and in think that's really cool
- we could see the personal improvement of each character and how they changed as the drama moved on. for example Jae-i's and He-ra's friendship, Jae-i's emotional state and fears improving, Kang-ha and Ri-an's feelings which were mostly relatable as Ri-an always loved Jae-i and also had a strong value of what he wanted in his life and how he was mature enough to show his feelings to his mother even though she didn't understand him and slapped him.
- the diversity such as the student dating the teacher who ended up to be the culprit and also the student with his principal mom.
- the production was very good
- compared to others I've watched its not the best but it's definitely a good one as its only 7 episodes so it definitely isn't a waste of time as others say.
-stable connections. if you paid attention to the characters you would've noticed from the beginning that Jae-i was never actually over Ri-an and that Woo-jin liked He-ra.
- happy ending for everyone.

i'd say just watch it for yourself and see because its very short and it could be quite interesting for you too.

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