Reviews

Enjoyable drama with heart touching moments

Plot - the plot has teenage love, misunderstandings, separation and reunion.

Actors - Both couples (the young and the older ones) have given their best. They have chemistry and the supporting cast has meaty roles. The negative character will make you want to rip your hair out. Basically, all of the actors have done a great job and it is the biggest strength of this drama. The choice of the director for the younger couple is especially worth praising.

This drama is not a thriller so there is obviously some level of guessing that a viewer can do. It still has the ability to surprise you with a new "point of view" of the characters. You get to unravel their emotions and that journey makes the show interesting.

Overall, I found it to be enjoyable and it delivered more than what I expected from it.

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The Dark Horse of The Year

"Blossom" shows that a great story and solid execution can outshine big budgets and famous actors. This drama, though simple on the surface, stands out as one of the best of the year.

It's such a heartfelt story, pulling you into its world with raw emotions and thoughtful storytelling. The casts, while not A-lister, delivers powerful performances that feel genuine and natural. Their chemistry brings the characters to life in a way that’s truly captivating.

What makes "Blossom" special is its direction and script. Every scene feels purposeful, and the pacing keeps you hooked from start to finish.

"Blossom" proves you don’t need flashy effects or big names to make something unforgettable. It’s a hidden gem that deserves all the praise, truly the dark horse of the year.

Note: I will update my review after I've finished watching

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Really well done and fascinating plot.

I really enjoyed this series. It was a romance, but a romance with a deep plot and emotional storyline. It had all the romance and drama you could ask for, and also some wonderful lighthearted moments., striking just the right balance. The actors were so good. From first to last, they all did so well and I was really impressed. I would not say that the two male leads have wonderful chemistry together, but it wasn't bad. With the music and their acting skills, it was fairly realistic, it just didn't jump off the screen feeling like they were meant for each other. Still worthwhile romance.
The relationships (family, friends, romantic) are complex and very well thought out. The plot was also very interesting and I thought it was such a good story to tell. The music was good. I recognized one particular song that they played a lot at the romantic parts as one I often hear in Thai BL and I enjoyed it. Because there are so many valuable plot points, I believe this series has a high rewatch value. I don't want to give any spoilers in this review, so I'll just leave it with: highly recommended.

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Refreshing take on the reincarnation romance

The two things I thought was interestingly explored was how the familial structure would work with one really long lived immortal relative actively living with his descendants and how the reincarnated soul is completely their own person or even persons separate from their former lives. The weaker elements was how sudden and arbitrary the abilities and the punishments of the miracle stone are. It can heal, which is broad enough that anyone could figure it out. But how did the savant guy suddenly know that he can feed half to San and it would give him exactly 100 years of immortality with him being stricken by pain every midnight, and transforming into a child every 15 days until he is able to find Wat's reincarnation for a blessing/curse breaking ceremony? Maybe a scene of him divining instructions from the goddess or having a instruction book from the ancestors would have tied things together better. Also the youngest generation of the savant guy is pretty much San's best friend, which is kind of odd since San would have been like his uncle, having been part of his family's life for generations and there is no sense of that from their interactions. Also the show doesn't deal with why San deserves the destruction of the healing stone for him? Especially when the story immediately follows into scenes with Vee's terminally ill grandmother, the type of people the stone could be used to help. The stone could be used to heal and help people, but now it's used up for a pretty random guy in the grand scheme of things.

I really liked that Vee and Wat have no memories or any personality quirks or similarities to their past life as 1920's Wat aside from Wat having the same face and that they were incarnations split from the same soul as confirmed by the stone reacting to both of them and they both needed to be present to lift the blessing/curse from San. Vee and San may have been drawn together supernaturally, but they fell for each other on their own terms. Though San didn't treat him very nicely for a lot of their meetings, so maybe Vee may have been more influenced that it seems. It's so fascinating and there isn't much media that I can remember that explores this aside from the mention of splitting souls, which was mostly from older Cantonese supernatural stories. But then the implication is that Wat is somehow exempt from San's promise to love and cherish her in this current life even though she's also the soul that was bound to the promise. The potential for a bisexual polyamorous thruple is just plain ignored. Wat was a rich girl and reborn as a regular guy and a girl that seem to both be in the lower income bracket and both get intwined with San. It would have been nice if the show explored why Wat's soul was split, like as a side effect of her soul being tethered to a rock and a man or something? Doctor Tri is also an interesting case who has also been reborn looking like his past self who was a violent jealous man, but his current self is an amazing friend who goes above and beyond. He didn't really get any karmic punishment that was evident in the storytelling except for falling for Vee in this life as well, but he's also deals with it with the utmost maturity which was really nice to see.

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Adorably sweet!

I was very pleasantly surprised by this drama! I picked it up without knowing much about it, just looking for something short and cute, and that was exactly what I found!

The chemistry portrayed is incredible, from friends to crushes to boyfriends, it felt real all the way through. The pacing of the story was laid out skillfully, it never once felt too rushed or like it dragged on. Plot points have purpose and come back around, and the side characters get a decent amount of screentime as well as supporting characters!

The themes are explored and are given time to breathe, which is impressive given that this is such a short series. The actors did a beautiful job, and the production felt just right.
I loved that Gi Tae's feelings are explored as well as Lee Wan's, the episode that explored Gi Tae's fear of Lee Wan disappearing again was probably my favorite episode.

I think occasionally, things in the story can be a touch on the nose, but I don't see that as a negative, especially since it's not at all to an irritating degree.
I suppose my only one silly "gripe" (moreso just a funny thought; I understand the framing of the scene probably took precedent over the logic, which is fine since it's so minor) is how Lee Wan was still taking the couch even a year after living together with Gi Tae. Still, the scene, like the drama as a whole, was so incredibly cute that it made up for any fault I could possibly find for it.
Definitely somewhere in my top favorite BLs!

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A cute quick series to watch

I watched this series on Netflix. So, of course I watched the first six episodes and then had to wait a lot of weeks until the final six episodes were released (with subs) to watch them. I must say, this series was cute and very quick to the point. It was easy to watch. as well as enjoyable.

I love the two main characters, especially the character of Shiba Ryoma, who is first described as the cold and merciless Ice King of Law in his workplace due to his mannerisms to his many work partners he has had (Haruto becoming his 100th partner). This gradually changes as he falls for Haruto along the way. This series had some surprising moments that I was not expecting at all, and it was still able to work together with the storyline. Also, the closing song was addictive, and I know that I am going to miss hearing it.

The cast did an incredible job with their acting and being able to portray the story of Shiba and Haruto in such a good way. And although it ended in a way that a sequel can be made, it was still a realistic and happy ending for Shiba and Haruto that did not affect my final score in the end if they do decide to have a sequel to this series.

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Cringeworthy but Surprisingly Heartfelt Story of Friendships and Romance

If you're looking for a classic KDrama to fill the gaps between your current watchlist, A Gentleman’s Dignity is a solid recommendation. Written by the renowned Kim Eun-sook (The Inheritors, Goblin, The Glory), this drama offers an engaging mix of romance, humor, and friendship, despite a few plot inconsistencies.

The series stars Jang Dong-gun and Kim Ha-neul in a story that revolves around four middle-aged men navigating their personal and romantic lives. The drama is packed with layered relationships, from the tumultuous marriage of Min-sook and the flirtatious (womanizer) Jung Rok, to the unconventional pairing of widower Choi Yoon and the younger Meahri, which brings tension to the friend group.

While it occasionally stumbles—such as the cringeworthy high school flashbacks of the four leads—the drama compensates with heartfelt moments, well-executed humor, and a nostalgic early KDrama vibe. It’s a treat to see young Kim Woo-bin in a supporting role as a high school student, offering a glimpse of the star he would become.

Despite its flaws, A Gentleman’s Dignity is surprisingly rewatchable, thanks to its strong cast chemistry and timeless storytelling. If you can embrace its quirks, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this charming series.

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Love, Lies, and Secrets

My Secret Zone is one of those dramas that feels very real. It stars James Ma and Nychaa Nuttanicha Dungwattanawanich. I’ve watched a few dramas from both actors before, but I started this one because I recently saw Rivalry with Nychaa, which was really good.

This drama has a lot of twists. Nychaa’s character, Nam, has a tough life. Her parents were killed, and after their death, Nan’s family took her in. She grew up with them but still has PTSD because of the tragedy and the attempts on her life. Nan always protects her and keeps her company. On the surface, Nam seems to be in a good place, but she’s actually surrounded by danger.

As the story goes on, we learn that Nan’s father was the one who ordered her parents’ deaths. Fah, who likes Nam, is also connected because his uncle was involved in the killing. Even Nam’s friend Korn, who has feelings for Kaem, struggles because Kaem’s father is another person behind the murders.

When it comes to the romance, Nam and Nan’s interactions are cute, and they do have chemistry, but I don’t really ship them since they grew up together like siblings (even if they aren’t related by blood). I also don’t ship Nam with the second lead, Fah. If I had to pick a favorite couple, it would be Kaem and Korn. Their bickering is fun and cute to watch.

As for the acting, I think everyone did a decent job, but Nychaa really carried the show. Her emotional scenes were great. James Ma is okay, but his acting didn’t feel convincing to me this time. Maybe it’s the character or just how the role was written.

The pacing was slow, though. This is a 16-episode series, and I think they could’ve handled things better. It felt like everything was dragged out. It would have been nice if Nam found out the truth earlier, maybe in the middle, so the ending could focus on her taking action. I get that it’s not a revenge drama, but Nam had so much potential as a character. She’s calm and quiet, but after all the lies and betrayal, it felt like there could’ve been more to her story.

Overall, it’s a decent drama with some good moments, but it could have been better.

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RARE WARM NOONA JAPANESE DRAMA

Its not a secret that Japanese writers' mission on earth is to break hearts of viewers with the most heart wrenching stories and sad endings.
They do melodrama like its just a csual walk in the park and its hard to find something that doesnt make you cry your eyes out but I was craving
for some aregato Kozaimas and I scrolled hard on Viki and here was "On a Starry night". Just by the look of the poster,Japanese dramaland has a
way of warning you that this is about to be a rollercoster but i trusted the synopsis and the reviews thta it was warm and fluffy so I sailed on.

I have seen quite a number of japanese dramas with deaf and blind tropes and to be honest You learn a lot about the community and how their
families and friends work with them to survive everyday.
The story was a typical back to hometown for the FL after she lost her job due to a lawsuit and she came to a seaside town to start over and met
the ML who is younger than her and he is also deaf..
The editing was a bit confusing if you are not patient because they started it in the middle of the story but It comes around and connects well.
Its a comfy story of love,There is no angst,no love triangle,no push and pull.They meet,fall in love and all they want is to be together.
The supporting cast did a good job,Its one of those drama that is set around a community of individuals that support each other.

Finding a japanese drama that will not leave you traumatized and when you find one,it becomes a treasure.

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aimless guys looking for something to hold onto

Overall: it was decent for a vertical series, but I've seen better. 40 episodes less than 2 minutes each Aired on Swipedrama app (also has Can a Freeloader Make it as a Secretary). It took me 5 days to watch the series for free which is pretty good (the worst took 13 days for Please Teach Me on Topreel). Note - episode 1 starts out as a preview and then goes into the episode. App information below.

Content Warnings: manipulation, suicidal thoughts, child abuse, slap, non con kiss

What I Liked
- realistic characters trying to figure things out
- sweet/caring moments
- non cliche female character
- intimacy

Room For Improvement
- started with a flash forward and then returned to a month before
- O Christmas Tree music
- although a character apologized I think he should have had more consequences for his actions
- noble idiot trope


How to Watch For Free
Day 1: check in, ad after check in = 7 coins, 3 ads = 9 coins, watched episodes 1-14 (free to watch), 15-17 used coins, 18 & 19 (when I ran out of coins I touched outside of the coin packages and then I could watch an ad to watch 2 more episodes 20 & 21). I then got the 6 coins for watching 5, 10 and 15 minutes and watched ep 22. There are other ways to get coins (ie sign in, social media, get notifications) so you could watch more. Leftover coins day 1: 2

Day 2: check in, ad after check in, 3 ads (17 coins plus 2 from day 1) - watched episodes 23-25, then watched 26 & 27 daily ad, checked in 5, 10 & 15 min and watched 28 & 29

Day 3, 4, 5 (same as above, about 7 episodes watched per day)

App Notes: unused bonus coins might last for a year (so this is a good app to do daily check ins to accumulate coins), episodes don't re-lock, you can't skip to different episodes (must watch them in order), no wait time between watching ads is nice

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A Short Web Series Worth Watching!

“Blue Boys” is a short and earnest portrayal of a couple falling in love while facing challenges to their relationship.

Jaemin (Choi Seungjin) meets his old high school classmate Nami (Lee Hoorim) after years. They have a one-night stand, which leads to something more than their feelings develop for each other. However, they face obstacles to their relationship both from other people, such as a jealous acquaintance who wants Nami for herself, and from their own miscommunication.

“Blue Boys” ended up being quite an entertaining watch for me, especially the first part, which introduces Jaemin and Nami’s relationship up until the point of the first major conflict in their relationship. The issue there stemmed from their very different perspectives, to the job market, and to life in general. Nami has a carefree outlook on life, while Jaemin is a lot more reserved and conscious of what others would think of them. It is ultimately this that is exploited by Sori (Lee Sooha), an acquaintance of Nami’s, to try to break them up.

Read the complete article here-

https://theblxpress.wordpress.com/2024/12/12/blue-boys-series-review-season-one-two/

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Have a drink... or two

After first couple episodes (which were very slow) I thought this is going to be drama revolving around struggles (over)sensitive people have living in such loud world. And, since it was male lead who was sensitive, not typically FL, I was more interested to see how drama will explore his world and how he will "adapt" once he falls for FL. Unfortunately, they shifted focus on FL, her struggles and it became just one more drama with "ML is there for FL" and "wow, he is such a sweet guy".
Do I regret watching it? No, I don't. Would I watch it if I knew half way writers will forget about his sensitivity and turn it into simple plot device? No, I wouldn't.
It is sweet drama about family and friendship and people should try it, with or without FF button.

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