Reviews

Arranged marriage, what could possibly go wrong?

Man I did not expect to love this show as much as I did. The couple gave me so much butterflies and their chemistry was really something. I loved their dynamic, and although they were often described as ‘opposites’ of each other, somehow I found them the most similar to each other than any other character.

I loved everything about this show. The plot, the characters, acting, the pace. I think everything plot wise was perfect, and everyone got their closure in the end.

I can’t exactly say I was happy with the ending, although it was hinted that everything ended nice and happy but I just had wished after all these 8 sad episodes we would get a nice ending with them. Still, I won’t say the ending was bad but it was a little disappointing to say the least.

Like I said before, 8 episode K-Dramas never disappoint! It reminded me a little of My Mister since it started off very melancholic and it ended like My Mister as well. I love when sad characters find each other and help each other be happier.

I recommend this a lot! It includes a lot of psychological messing with your head as well as childhood trauma/ past marriage issues. I recommend it. Give it a go!

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To see all without being seen.

Deep Lurk 深潜 is an intriguing and immersive Republican era spy thriller; one of the few that pulled me in from start to finish. It is set in 1939, at the prelude to the first Battle of Changsha. Changsha was a strategic city that the Japanese tried and failed to take four times from 1939-1944. As a result, they were never able to consolidate their territories in Southern China. At the time, the Republic of China's Nationalist Army had seriously considered abandoning the city but Xue Yue, the commander in charge of Changsha's defense refused to budge. As a result of terrain, Changsha could only be flanked from the east or the west, making it a difficult city to both attack and defend. In this kind of set up, intelligence and counter-intelligence can make a win-or-lose situation difference for both sides.

After a botched assassination attempt on Xue Yue, a traitor escapes to Shanghai with strategic Changsha defense intelligence. Multiple parties converge upon him in Shanghai to intercept the intelligence. The players include both the Changsha and Shanghai station of the KMT Military Intelligence (NBIS), the Wang Puppet Regime, the Japanese Military and hidden CPC operatives. Yun Hongshen, the idealistic young second master of the illustrious Yun family is sent by his father Yun Muzhi to observe. Predictably, this sharp but impetuous young man raring to make a difference does more than that and his path tangles with that off brave young NBIS agent Wen Yeming tasked to hunt down the traitor. An auction for stolen intelligence relating to the Japanese army's plan of attack for Changsha results in a deadly scramble to obtain or retrieve the intelligence. This coincides with the re-emergence of Kunwu, a long dormant Japanese spy and Muzhi's nemesis. Hongshen is lured back to Changsha, where he must crack the code to the intelligence and smoke out Kunwu in order to save his city from the encircling Japanese army. He reunites with Yeming at NBIS where they pit their wits against this master spy who seems to be able to see all without being seen.

The first three episodes are fast paced, exciting and littered with clues and character introductions and needs to be watched (and re-watched) carefully. But the setup and the storytelling is so intriguing I was compelled to re-watch; to make sure I didn't miss anything. It's been a long time since a drama pulled me in so deeply that I was literally unable to watch anything else at the same time. Even though there are some logic holes, the overall plot is tight and riveting. All the important characters are introduced early on and they are multi-faceted and grey with different loyalties and motives that reflect the clash of culture and ideology and the rival factions within the KMT during that pivotal era of change. The narrative brilliantly builds a credible case around several key characters with motive, means and opportunity to be Kunwu and maintains the suspense into the final episodes.

This drama has an all-round stellar cast anchored which by veteran actors including Wang Jingsong and Liu Huan and brilliant character acting by Hou Mengyao's disingenuous Milan, Han Chengyu's ruthless and competitive Ling Han and Zhang Tianyang's well-meaning Yun Hongqi. I really enjoyed watching Hongshen meticulously narrow down the suspect list and try to out-scheme the hidden master spy who eluded his father for years. The young Cheng Yi brilliantly captures how this character's intelligence and survival instinct makes up for his lack of experience and the shattering consequential mistakes he makes along the way. It is a shame that this drama has not enjoyed wider viewership. For this genre however, I don't need romance and I didn't enjoy Ying'er's acting or the couple's chemistry. I was far more invested in the Yun family's close bond and amused by how Hongqi and Hongshen are so different and resourceful in their own unique ways. Zhang Tianyang is a subtly hilarious actor and his brotherly scenes with Cheng Yi are among the drama's best moments for me.

Despite many cut scenes, the pacing, suspense and excitement holds up into a strong finale that delivers a good ending twist that deftly avoids one reversal too many. My only disappointment is that I had hoped for a more complex villain origin story. I won't say more to avoid spoiling the reveal. This is by far the best Republican spy drama I have watched since The Rebel (2021). I am happy to rate it the same at 8.5/10.0 despite its lower budget. It is a good watch if you are in the mood for some mental gymnastics but it can also be enjoyed simply as a fast paced spy thriller.

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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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