Reviews

Terrifying and creepy enough

Story:
As a psychological thriller lover, this was totally my type. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole journey and often forgot to eat while binging. Not to mention it was enough to make me lose my sleep those 2 days.

Acting:
10/10 Can you expect anything less from LEE DONGWOOK & IM SIWAN?? They're both legendary and so versatile. Apart from the the other actors were incredible too. Their perfect acting made me lose my mind abs question my existence for the time being.

Rewatch value:
I usually don't rewatch anything. My watchlist is too long. So probably not.

Overall:
It may not be your liking if you're not familiar with this genre. It may seem a little boring to you if you're used to too much melodramatic stuffs. But trust me psychological horror lovers this will blow your mind. I'm very much satisfied with the open ending. You can interpret it however you want. This is my ultimate favorite thriller drama.

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Good ingredients, bad recipe

First things first, you are going to start this confused, and then by the end, you are going to be more confused.

The drama has a small and okay cast. Shout out to Jang Woo Young, which I believe is his first main role and is extremely well delivered. I hope we see more from him, even though his profile is not available anymore on his agency.

Let's start with the character itself. Two men, who are brothers(?), stepbrothers (?), or old friends(?). I don't know because they didn't care to explain the family drama to us. Anyway, there are two men who are somehow related, one of whom is living a hard life with a lot of work and no time for nothing, and another who is cranky and does nothing with his life. 

The plot has a lot of holes and nobody cares to explain anything to us.

So in the end we end up with nothing but confusion. 

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A story closer to real life than the usual BL and an ode to indie cinema

Hope (Night Yodsakon Khamnang) is a fried dumpling seller. Nine (Kong Chindanai Boonruang) is an actor from the Chiang Mai BL production company, who reluctantly accepts a leading role in a new boy love series. The young man is reluctant to the proposal of York (Sak Kidtisag Makongrach), the director of the company, to be part of a new couple to replace the one formed by the main cast, whose members were forced to abandon the film project after the expiration of their contracts.
The worlds of Hope and Nine intersect when the former parks his sales cart in front of the production company and in one of those turns of life the young people meet. The two begin a journey when they realize that they are united by unexpected and uncontrollable feelings.
I highly value series like 'My Star', from Wayufilm Production, for the same reason that others will surely deny it: good execution, level of acting, filming and production, despite its low budget; characters far from the clichés of attractive boys that populate BL series, many of them with nothing to contribute other than their beautiful faces and contoured bodies; simple stories that are much closer to real life, truly passionate actors and a production team in each installment, and a firm determination not to kneel before the giants of the entertainment world with their very common mediocre stories interested only in making money, and whose proposals frequently fail, among other reasons, for not taking their fans seriously.
We are faced with a Thai BL that is not cheesy and unpleasant. The couple has very good chemistry. They are actors who have starred in other projects, such as 'LGBTQ+ Dramas Season 2', 'Our First Time' or 'Midnight Love', among others, and they know each other well.
Furthermore, the editing team chose exceptional music to accompany the miniseries.
I also appreciate the tenacity of the creators to not succumb to the dictates and whims of commercial companies, eager to contribute funds to the production of many BL audiovisuals in exchange for advertising their products, something that we frequently criticize in other series of the genre, thus respecting Wayufilm Production its ethics and principle of being a production company that is committed to indie cinema.
'My Star' can be considered within the name of independent cinema because it has a low budget, is made in more precarious conditions than the so-called official cinema, deals with everyday themes and is closer to the public, lacks mass distribution and, therefore, having fewer possibilities of obtaining large income and being made by a director outside the world of large production companies.
Being able to film without falling into the rigid schemes of the studio system is one of the highest aspirations of every director.
Written and directed by Thai filmmaker Nitchapoom Chaianun, CEO of WayuFilm and founder of MongKlong Studio and GoodJob VDO, 'My Star' joins other dramatized films of his authorship that address issues related to sexuality and gender identity, such as since he debuted with his first short film 'Fresh' (เฟรชเฉิ่ม), in 2006, which was followed by 'Fresh Cool Story 2' (เรื่องเฟรชเฉิ่ม 2).
Determined to delicately portray the diversity of human relationships, dismantling the prevailing stereotypes regarding what is "normal", and contributing to the struggle of Thai LGBT people, Nicchi, as he likes to call himself, has obtained popular recognition with his films and series BL-themed feature films such as the feature film 'My Bromance' (พี่ชาย, RTGS: Phi Chai), 'My Bromance 2: 5 Year Later: The Series', 'My Bromance: Reunion', 'Key Love', 'NightTime', ' The Rain Stories', 'Yantra' (อาถรรพ์ยันต์มหาเสน่ห์), among others.

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A story of healing, love and the fusion of two opposite worlds

No one can resist the charm and cuteness of pets; Regardless of whether it is a parrot, rabbit, dog or kitten, they win your heart and little by little they end up being part of the family. Most human beings enjoy spending time with their pet, which is not surprising since while you indulge in the moment, your brain feels happy and secretes "the happiness hormone."
'Love is Like a Cat' (사랑은 고양이처럼), also known as 'Sarangeun Goyang Icheoleom', the romantic comedy from South Korean director Kwon Nam Ki ((권남기), revolves around Piuno (Mew Suppasit - 'What The Duck ', 'TharnType' and 'TharnType2: 7 Years Of Love'), a well-known Thai star who doesn't like animals, and her romance with Lee Dae Byeol (Chu Jimin, known as JM, from the South Korean idol group JUST B), the director of a pet daycare.
Every time he crosses paths with an animal, Piuno remembers a traumatic episode he experienced in his childhood that makes him not want them around. Pets do not awaken that feeling of love or tenderness in him. He suffers from zoophobia. He is aware that this phobia is considered an irrational act of human beings, but he cannot help it.
It has been suggested to him that his "illness" can be treated with professional help, since he can find the necessary support to overcome the trauma and gradually manage to coexist with the animals. But he has not paid interest to the matter, thinking that it would not be of much use to him, and he has moved on with his life.
However, when he finds himself threatened by those who wish to see him brought down, there is only one thing he can do to save his reputation and his career: work at a pet daycare in South Korea.
Putting aside his severe dislike for animals, Piuno begins working alongside Dae Byeol, who will help him find ways to overcome the trauma that first inspired his hatred of animals. This is how he will end up appearing in a reality show set in a pet cafe in Seoul.
But these will not be the only surprises that the protagonist encounters: as his heart begins to soften, unexpected feelings begin to arise for the young owner of the daycare center. What will happen between the cold and enigmatic actor who doesn't believe in love, and the outgoing and romantic pet daycare owner when their lives intersect?
Lovers of the BL genre in general, and of Mew Suppasit, in particular, will be pleased with the reappearance of the renowned Thai actor, singer and producer in a romance drama between two boys of the same sex. On the other hand, JM, his co-star, shows his youthful charms and the dreamy aura of the idol, as well as his talent as an actor, in this, his first appearance in a drama.
In addition to the aforementioned actors, on screen we will see GeonU, also a member of JUST B, also in his acting debut, playing Gi Min, one of the pet daycare workers; and Kim Kyoung Seok ('Hot And Sweet' and 'Someday Office'), as Jun Hyuk, a friend of Dae Byeol and one of his biggest followers. These secondary characters play a very important role and contribute intensity and complexity to the conflicts.
With a seductive cast, in addition to wonderful chemistry, the direction, cinematography, writing, music and staging transport the viewer to a dream and fairy tale universe in which everyone involved, including the Animals, especially dogs, contribute their own, to achieve a series capable of marking a milestone within the genre, as it escapes stereotypes, and shows human beings with their nuances and in various circumstances. The narrative maintains a good rhythm that enhances the emotional closure of each episode and the series in general.
All these details give an idea of ​​the story told to those who still do not know it, a narrative firmly based on the love stories between two young men of different personalities, countries, professions, languages ​​and cultures, but determined to sustain their idyll against all obstacles. , prejudices and cultural, linguistic or temperament divergences. One looks like a dog, while the other looks like a cat.
What an actor lacks because he is new to these issues, the other provides, due to his extensive experience. It's fascinating to watch the couple navigate their uncertain feelings. One of the main reasons audiences will admire the series is the simplicity and relatability of the story, as well as the good visuals.
Once the romance escalates, 'Love is Like a Cat' shows one of its greatest strengths. The series has the ability to create many tender moments between the two young people. We will see them flirting in the garden of the animal nursery and kissing in the sunny corner of the clinic room, under the knowing gaze of their friends, including the four-legged ones.
Every affectionate interaction is like a treat for BL fans, making these scenes even better thanks to the beautifully polished visuals. The public will witness the generous abundance of romantic images. The cinematographer captures every intimate look and every loving gesture with pinpoint precision.
Dae Byeol is a well-defined protagonist. He knows his work and loves animals. He is sincere, responsible and faithful to his friends, both those who bark and the others who accompany him on this journey of taking care of pets and falling in love with a famous television star. His qualities create a memorable character with nuances. His charm emerges once the performer gains confidence in the role he plays. Just then the couple's chemistry strengthens, going from being a little embarrassing at first to building a more comfortable and deeper relationship.
In comparison, Piuno's backstory will also draw the viewer's sympathy with high marks. He likes it more and more, especially when he overcomes the somewhat mysterious, reserved, fearful attitude when encountering the animals for which he has always felt rejection, when leaving behind the weight of the circumstances that forced him to move away from his comfort zone, and when you begin to adapt to the people, the language, the customs, the culture of a foreign country.
The series explores the couple's bond physically, emotionally and spiritually. When I think about how Piuno and Lee Dae Byeol started the story of "strangers to friends and friends to lovers", both of them, side by side, went on an eventful journey. They overcame personality clashes, misunderstandings, and even cultural and language differences. Best of all, there's a lot of cute BL content.
One of the strong and striking points of the series is the fusion of two worlds. Piuno and Dae Byeol come from two different countries and cultures. Their universes will collide when their paths cross. Everything that separates them will not be an impediment for the two main characters to get closer, fall in love and begin a journey in search of happiness.
Each episode aims to ensure that the viewer is not disappointed, that they remain hooked, that they have a closure that lives up to expectations. The technical and artistic teams worked to achieve it. The arc of the characters, their development, as well as the events and conflicts, are very coherent.
The script, the depth of the themes addressed, and the aesthetics with which they are presented, the attention to detail to be as realistic as possible, the convincing performances, with a cast made up of established and young actors and actresses, determine, among others , the elements that mark the success of 'Love is Like a Cat'.
'Love is Like a Cat' is a story of healing and love. In addition to the entertainment factor and the fun and tender interactions between Piuno and Lee Dae Byeol, the series tells a story about overcoming trauma, opening your heart, and falling in love.
The inclusion of the adorable animals will provoke a positive reaction from pet lovers and the general public.
This is one of the four joint Thai-Korean BL projects from Hanyang Studio, from the same WeTV Original production, 'Peach Of Time'. The remaining dramas are 'Eccentric Romance', 'Wuju Bakery' and 'The First Love Manual', scheduled to premiere in 2024.
This collaboration between the two countries demonstrates once again that BL series defend the correct formula to sustain and consolidate the genre with the aim of satisfying an audience that craves authentic and moving love stories.
Personally, I liked the way the plot was executed, subtly exploring the characters' personal stories.
This romantic comedy is designed and taken from the script to the images with the potential audience being fans of the romantic genre in general, since love is universal and knows no genres, as well as fans of romances between boys in particular, and makes it clear that its objective is to portray love, acceptance, self-discovery, sexual diversity, the search for happiness, the influence of reality shows on viewers, the perception of the image of actors and idols by the public. , the pressures of the entertainment industry on artists, the challenges that come with being a queer person in today's world, themes explored through the dynamics of the characters.
Conceived to move people and involve audiences, through the main story and secondary plots, the series proposes to generate controversy about other dominant, current and universal elements, such as the tumultuous relationship between father and son, the love of animals and how they influence children's behavior, workplace camaraderie, sexual exploration, positivity, self-validation, and maturation issues. There are cultural debates and topics related to veterinary medicine and animal adoption, which helps make all the stories relatable.

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Unlike audiovisuals from other latitudes in which the acting couple rarely meets again in another program in the same role, Thai BL series usually pair the actors, especially when there is chemistry and they are popular with the public.
This is the case of Jumpol Adulkittiporn (Off) and Atthaphan Poonsawas (Gun). With the formation of OffGun, both have participated in numerous projects, from the first of them in 'Senior Secret Love: Puppy Honey' (2016) and 'Senior Secret Love: Puppy Honey 2' (2017), 'Theory of love' ( 2019) and the critically and fan-acclaimed 'Not Me' (2021), and in the special anthology of couples boys love titled 'Our Skyy', from 2018.
With the drama 'Cooking Crush', of the romantic comedy, food and BL genre, released in November 2023 on the GMM25 network, the two reappear. Like good wine, both actors, now 33 and 30 years old, respectively, underpin their artistic talent and consolidate themselves as ships within the BL universe.
The series reminds me of one of the most famous romantic comedies in history, 'Pretty Woman', from 1990 and directed by the American Garry Marshall. In it, the protagonist (Richard Gere) hires a prostitute (Julia Roberts) to accompany him for a few days, and they end up loving each other.
In 'Cooking Crush' the characters also come from two different social strata: Ten (Off), a rich medical student, hires Prem (Gun), a humble cooking student, to teach him how to prepare exquisite food dishes.
Prem dreams of becoming a chef who revolutionizes the culinary art. Determined to compete in a reality show that will choose the best chef in the nation, he must improve his culinary skills. That is the reason why he accepts Ten's proposal. Prem uses this as an opportunity to make money. The clash between both worlds will end up causing both of them to end up deeply in love.
A skilful script written by Pong Pattarawalai Wongsinwises, Noolek Sureechay Kaewses, M Rittikrai Kanjanawiphu and an effective staging, in addition to the good work of the two protagonists, allows us to find ourselves before a sentimental and romantic comedy with a lot of fairy tale and little of everyday reality.
The main characters add depth and emotion to the plot. The series promises a mix of touching moments and immersive drama, as both boys navigate between Ten's causes of stress and Prem's desire to overcome challenges.
The Thai setting adds a unique cultural backdrop to the seductive love story between medical consultation rooms and kitchens, offering viewers a captivating journey through the complexities of discovering sexuality and romance. While the information provided provides insight into the series, watching it will certainly offer a more complete and immersive experience.
'Cooking Crush' stands out with its tone of sentimental and romantic comedy and a talented cast, also composed of Pakin Kunaanuwit (Mark) as Dynamite, and Jaruwat Cheawaram (Dome) as Samsi. These two, along with Prem, will make a trio of friends. It also features Trai Nimtawat (Neo) as Fire and Warawut Poyim (Tum) as Metha, who make up the other friendly shortlist.
The members of these groups, who are not united by anything at the beginning, will not only find love in each other's members, but also strong ties of friendship and companionship. Together they will contribute humor to the program.
Rounding out the cast are Chatchawit Techarukpong (Victor) as Changma, Bhasidi Petchsutee (Lookjun) as Jane, Sukhapat Lohwacharin (Suam) as Bun, Pimwalee Phunsawat (Pim) as Paeng, and Lapisara Intarasut (Apple).
The trust in the ability of each of the members of the main couple in the other, and the way in which they promote each other, is striking. An example of this can be seen in the fact that Ten does not believe he has what it takes to succeed as a doctor and Prem encourages him. Prem, for his part, operates in a very competitive world such as culinary art, and if he has any doubt or circumstance, Ten supports him. Ten's love for Prem's cooking is what finally convinces him to sign up for Super Monster Chef.
Without being the best in the filmography of this acting duo, 'Cooking Crush' is a visual delight and fulfills its purpose as a romantic comedy, showing Off and Gun's undeniable chemistry while Ten and Prem flirt adorably in every interaction. . Theirs is a charming, beautiful, fun, natural and wonderful couple.
Although dynamite is so stable that generally new dynamite cartridges in good condition do not explode even if exposed to fire, Dynamite will not need a detonator and detonator to explode as soon as he meets Fire and encourages a fun game of cat between the two. and the mouse with a slight and subtle harassment on the part of the former at the beginning of the plot.
Without a doubt, 'Cooking Crush' is guaranteed to be popular for various reasons. The breadth of social media, such as YouTube and others, allows more people to connect with this and other BL series. The Western mentality is today much more open to viewing (without prejudice or hatred) content that is part of the LGTBIQ+ community. And finally, a growing need for the viewer to have the possibility that all sexual diversities can be expressed through the artistic formats within their reach.
Just as 'Cooking Crush' is another successful Thai BL by being a media product with an undeniable communication effect, we, as viewers, must be able to appreciate the content without ignoring its hidden meaning.
However, I must add the following criticism: throughout the history of film and television, homosexuals have been portrayed in a stereotypical way or in roles of ruthless killers, disturbed suicides, caricatures of human beings. On many occasions their effeminacy was exaggerated so that an audience could distinguish the gay characters without words. In this way, the audience could easily identify them as homosexuals because they reflected the clichés that still existed in society towards them. These consisted of portraying them as extremely mannered, prim characters, with thin mustaches and often grotesquely made up. In addition to repudiating this “perverted behavior,” filmmakers and television channels or film companies seek to provoke laughter in the viewer, since in comparison to them, men could feel more masculine and women more feminine.
This has been the case since the short film 'Lot in Sodom', by James Sibley Watson and Melville Webber, produced in 1933, which treated homosexuals as depraved sex-hungry satyrs. A film like 'Brokeback Mountain', by Ang Lee, from 2005, had to arrive, already in the 21st century, to present homosexuals to the general public as "common" men, with traditionally masculine appearance and without any type of pathology. that justified the presence of the character himself in the film.
This situation has been gradually transforming to the present day in which the major film and television production companies, especially European ones, pioneers in this subject, make films and series aimed almost exclusively at the LGBTIQ+ audience, showing more realistic characters and settings, films that are shown in commercial theaters or in the numerous film festivals on this theme that are held on all continents, or series broadcast on television channels in much of the world.
Although these current audiovisuals show how difficult it is to “come out of the closet” and project to the viewer the reality in which homosexuals find themselves, series like 'Cooking Crush' do not escape from reveling in stereotyping queer characters. Thus we see how Prem's three fellow students and also participants in the culinary contest, only with competitive, malicious objectives, are able to constantly harass and mock another member of that human collective.

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Food for thought, Dear spiky mommy, darling daughter who doesn't lose her aims in life

As most audience noticing in headlines Yang Zi and Xu Kai, I had got sold on an office romance when indeed it is a family drama about, at center, the conflicted relationship between a mom and daughter. But there's more than just that, it's a dark cuisine take on sustenance and food for thought

That mom was to start with extremely grating on the nerves : a character one loves to hate ? As episodes went by, it looked like it, but of course, lack of reason and shrewish behavior had to run their course until spent.

From the moment the mom realized how important it was for all to be more appeased, she became what everyone hopes for, a caring and doting person, who wraps the worst heartaches in warmth and nourishment. Could she get the same when she needed it? It was not easy: she did not wish to have roles reversed. What she was faced with is ultimately what many women fear, not divorce, not sudden death...

Redemption does not always bring sweet rewards as we also saw. Although it was rather expected, it was very well performed and logical.

It was a roller coaster of an emotional journey. "Liu Wan Yu", the alley queen mom, will certainly be a memorable role for He Saifei, who showed so many sides of what moms can be. She indeed should have been billed among the main roles.

Yang Zi and Xu Kai were, as expected, good leads, in an almost too reasonable adult relationship (so those who crave hot fire will be disappointed, but those who like it more down to earth will feel the warmth of realistic human touch). Their Huan Huan and Ming Ming were sometimes very funny, scaling walls and catching all sorts of fish although the returnee initially preferred raw sashimi (and raw treatment of peccadilloes) and the "alley princess" looked less for pearls and fairy tale frogs, more to the fabled crucian carp white soup with tofu. One image of simply, lovingly held in hand, half peeled soft skinned immaculate hard boiled egg struck me. Breakfasts should never be skipped...

Most of the other actors and actresses are good in their supporting roles. The father, who can shout but prefers to play the role of peace maker. The son, who looks to find his own way with the best friend, helping her and himself ultimately. The ironic but faithful male secretary. The insufferable in law hicks with their fat bully offspring. The scheming colleagues and bosses, those who care more for money than for honesty. The queen bee grandmother who provided the fairy honeyed glue to bind the leads. The repentant father who strayed like a cat craving for a family. They formed a rich dark cuisine of varied tastes, some disgusting, some wholesome, and some surprising in their changeability.

The music score and songs was very appropriate, especially the episode end song sung by the two stars, Yang Zi and He Saifei: "It’s mother, it’s daughter" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcljQOCYmg4 with translation and pinyin). This is a simple, but gripping song that resonates for all who are or have been mothers... It also embodies well the struggles of the generational gap the characters faced.

The last handful episodes were very good and healing --ok, I know : as expected, but so well performed, with beautiful cinematography, and a snippet of performance of a favorite Huangmei opera (The Female Consort), that Zhou Shen a few years back included in one of his endearing songs titled Huangmei Opera, where he weaves in his song the nostalgy of attending those performances and a short snippet, that is easy to recognize for those who reach episode 37 of BCE, warts and all. Here is the link to the Zhou Shen song : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z325SnsDIU

By the way, the dishes featured in BCE are not bad either, I was relishing the gamut from raw fish sashimi to crucian carp white soup with tofu, and of course that mandarin fish dish which gave me a literal craving to up and storm the stores to get ingredients and start cooking!! These were some of my best take away from the roller coaster of emotions that audience were subjected to, in the mother-daughter relentless sparring. Now why do I come back to that... Just finished it, so digesting.

Don't look down on that drama because of its tepid Douban opening rating; it is worth much more, in the end.

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Every existence, have its meaning.

This drama simply depicts people's lives & pain and how they overcome it, not dramatic or confusing scenes to make you curious, it is just a drama with a slowly warming color theme that gives a comforting, homely countryside life, and a loving vibe throughout every scene.

Zhang Jie is a positive girl who always smiles, is talkative, thinks to other people, and comforts ppl when they are in pain although she is the one who needs it the most, deeply inside she is just a lonely, and self-deprecating because of disability. Chen Mai Dong is a funeral makeup artist with a cold personality after a harsh childhood without parental love. These two complete each other so well with their personality and circumstances.

The chemistry between the main leads is so good, the height different, and their appearance is eye-catching. Zhou Yu Tong is that girl, she's undeniably attractive and charming, the way her admiring loving eyes when looking at Chen Mai Dong made me weak, even her voice is nice to hear, and her lines are quite good, ahh why is she so perfect!!!

Plus, the soundtrack is soothing and good for my therapy!

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The rowdy Dino finally has his own apartment, a safe space to embrace his sexuality. So closeted that he doesn't even tell his parents or almost anyone about his sexual orientation: only his sister knows.
Look for safe sex and a decent chat. Through a gay dating app, he has scheduled to meet Vince, the attractive and discreet neighbor, but the sexual encounter is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of his parents, and before them he will once again restrain his deepest but most difficult desire: "come out of the closet."
However, Dino cannot prevent the brand new dildo from being seen by his mother.
Vince is willing to wait. The wait is worth it: a friendly relationship begins to emerge between the two that may very well lead to something more.
With solid performances, a beautiful script, magnificent camera work and charming surroundings, the short film 'This Is Not A Coming Out Story' (2022), by Filipino filmmaker Mark Felix Ebreo, brings us fun moments and an irresistible visual chemistry of its two protagonists: Dino, played by AJ Sison, known for his role in 'U-Turn (2020)', 'Dito at doon' (2021) and 'Love in the Ungodly Hour' (2021) and Vince, a character assumed by Jel Tarun, actor known for his role in 'Silent Cries' (2023).
The short film also tells us about homophobia.
The soundtrack fits perfectly with the film story.
With a script by Mark Felix Ebreo himself, the cast closes with the performances of Jun Nayra, known for his performance in 'Bonifacio: Ang unang pangulo' (2014), 'Darna' (2022) and 'Sandwich' (2023), and Gigi Hernandez, known for her role in 'Sandwich' (2023), 'Ikigai: Life Is a Beautiful Ride' (2023) and 'Alapaap' (2022), playing Jerome and Liz, Dino's father and mother, respectively.
Committed to bringing queer narratives to spaces to increase the visibility of the stories of people who have not yet discovered their true identity, Mark Felix Ebreo won with this short film the Best Director award at the 1st Pelikulaya LGBTQIA+ International Film Festival, as well as a Honorable Mention in the Short Fiction category at the 34th CCP Gawad Alternatibo.
Additionally, 'This Is Not A Coming Out Story' won the Cardinal Gold Award with the highest honor, as well as the award for best screenplay at the 20th CineMapua International Student Film Festival.

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The power of goodwill

After the men of the Hua family are forced into exile and the women and children left to fend for themselves, Hua Zhi, the eldest daughter and our indomitable female lead, takes charge and seeks to bring the family back together against all odds. Her family and her story become entwined with that of Gu Yanxi, nephew to the emperor with his own share of family troubles, albeit of a very different nature being born into the royal bloodline.

There is a lot of story to cover in 40 episodes, and what we are left with in the drama is a bit uneven in pacing and tone. A lot of the first half of the story follows the Hua family's ups and downs in their endeavors to recover from the disaster forced upon them by the paranoid Emperor. Some of the most moving and heartbreaking moments for me occur in the quieter moments within the Hua family household as they learn to brave their hardships and share their triumphs with each other. The latter half features more of the palace/political story. If given enough time, this part of the story may have been able to develop its themes and antagonists better. Instead, things are taken care of far too neatly and swiftly before anything really resonates. Hai Yitian as the complicated Emperor of Daqing makes an impression, but with his arc in the story as a whole and his relationship with Yanxi not fully explored, it is a bit of a shame how it all ends for him.

All in all, this is a heartwarming story worth watching for some great performances from all the cast, including Zhang Jingyi as Hua Zhi and Hu Yitian as Yanxi. I wish they had more to do with their roles as far as range of emotions (we get a little bit towards the end), and I hope to see more of them in period/costume dramas in the future.

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Story: A boy gets "saved" by a life-guard who mistakenly thought that the swimmer was in dire danger. However, Wu doesn't protest and lets himself be assisted by the lifeguard to shore. Wu fantasizes about this encounter, especially when their bodies were touching. He tries to dispel these carnal thoughts by meditating, but this doesn't seem to work when he finds out that the lifeguard also happens to be a patient at his father's clinic.

Wu incorrectly assumes that the lifeguard's frequent visit is due to mutual attraction, and therefore is present whenever the lifeguard was there. Whereas Wu wasn't motivated before to study acupuncture, with the lifeguard's presence at the clinic, he becomes fascinated with the different types of therapy that his father uses on his patients.

Acting: The actor who plays Wu is expressionless, despite his supposed infatuation with another male. The other actors were even less memorable.

Music: Ho-hum.

Rewatch Value: Once is enough.

Overall Impression: Not abysmal enough to get a 1, but still a snooze-fest. The film was trying to be profound until it got convoluted in its attempt at symbolism.

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story takes center stage

I don't quite have time or mindset for a detailed review, but I'll just say this drama was a pleasant surprise. In Blossom is a show that lets the story take center stage. It's a complex murder mystery intertwined with an almost equally complex romantic tale of two friends from noble families, betrothed by royal assent since childhood, working together to uncover a deep political conspiracy involving the imperial court. The writing was very good & the show kept me guessing right until the very last episode with a cliffhanger ending highly suggestive of a sequel. There's comedy as well as tragedy. Highly enjoyable.

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Story: The premise is simple. A young gay couple comes at a cross-roads upon graduation. They have opposing ambitions: one wants to be a pastor, and the other wants to be a soccer player, but neither wants to give up their dreams for their relationship to work.

Actors: Not too shabby portrayal of two boys who are supposedly in love, but conflicted.

Music: The religious hymns brought back memories when I studied at a Christian school. I was surprised that I even remembered some of the lyrics. Not sure if that's a good or a bad thing.

Rewatch value: Only to figure out what really happened at the end.

Overall impression: After watching this short, I found that the more important part of the boy's relationship is that neither of them communicated to each other what they were planning to do with their future. They had to find out from their mutual friend about it. And then after they confronted each other about the possibility of one going into a seminary and the other going abroad to play soccer, they had to rethink what is more important to them.

At one point, when they tried to dissuade their partner from going through their plans, it seemed like they were bitter that their partner wouldn't compromise and support their own respective dreams. Kai's excuse was that his father wouldn't have approved his lifestyle choice since he came from a very traditional, religious background. Jay, on the other hand, thought that the opportunity to study abroad is hard to come by, and therefore, he had more potential to go further.

Actually, what surprises me about this film are the secondary characters, in the form of that mutual friend who served as a catalyst between Kai and Jay. She's the mediator in their relationship, like a voice of reason. Kai's father also wasn't as restrictive as he was presumed to be. Although he might not know the exact nature of Kai's relationship with Jay, the dad instinctively knew that there's something troubling his son, and Kai's decision to apply for the seminary might be misguided.

With this new revelation, you would have thought that the boys would have made different choices, but it goes to show that the thing you thought you might want, might not be the thing that you need. Would you give up on your dreams to have a chance at love, or would you abandon your partner to pursue your chosen career? This is dilemma that this short film is trying to address, and some people may choose differently than others.

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