Reviews

Ai De Shi Cha (YouTube "title": Everyone humiliated her cuz scar on her face, but CEO fell in love with her after one-night stand). This drama is nice to watch if there is nothing else because the miniseries' plot is mostly about a male lead that has been looking for a girl he always wanted to marry, a female lead that is too naive and lets herself be coerced over and over again by the antagonist, and an antagonist that is insufferable and keeps her shenanigans all the way to almost the end of the series. Although the cast did a decent job bringing the characters to life, the male lead that, for the most part, carries the drama's romance feel even though there’s barely any romance.

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Nostalgic Time-Travel and Laugh-Out-Loud Moments: A Fun Ride Through '90s K-pop Drama

This drama might be polarizing, but I genuinely enjoyed it, even rewatching some of the funnier episodes. What captivates me the most is its nostalgic evocation of the '90s.

The story follows Yoo Hyun Jae (Yoon Shi Yoon), a self-absorbed K-pop boyband star from the early '90s who time-travels to the present day. In this modern era, he encounters his former manager, ex-girlfriend, and, to his surprise, his future son. The series is brimming with humorous moments, as Yoon Shi Yoon masterfully portrays how a '90s star would react to today's world—interacting with smartphones or navigating automatic water taps—creating endless laugh-out-loud scenes. Additionally, I love how they recreated the vibe of a ‘90s hip hop music video. It was so authentically old-school and perfectly captured the essence of that era. I couldn't stop smiling while watching it.

Yoo Hyun Jae starts off as a self-centered character, and the drama centers on his journey of self-discovery and redemption. Expect some unlikable actions from him, but they are essential to the main theme. Some viewers have found his relationship with the main female lead, Choi Woo Seung (played by Lee Se Young), uncomfortable due to their significant age gap and the fact that she is his son's crush. However, I see no issue since Yoo Hyun Jae has time-traveled to the present. His mind and appearance are still those of someone in their 20s, and he has no knowledge or experience of fatherhood.

Some also found the character Choi Woo Seung a bit annoying and criticized Lee Se Young's portrayal. While I agree this might not be her best work, the character is intended to be a hardworking girl from a humble background, striving to achieve her goals. This is meant to create a sharp contrast with the main lead and highlight the "opposites attract" dynamic.

Lastly, there are plot holes in the storyline, but the main thing is that you need to put your logic lens away while watching this fantasy, time-slip, romcom drama. It's not a masterpiece, but it is a fun ride for me.

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A Heartwarming Childhood Friends to Lovers Reconnect

Sometimes, the security and self-assurance we need is in a person who pushes us to feel secure and needed.

Living with Him, an adaptation of Miyata Toworu’s manga of the same name, finds security in love inside the complexities of friendship and need through the shared living arrangements of childhood friends Tanaka Kazuhito (Sato Ryuga) and Natsukawa Ryota (Sakai Sho) upon entering university. Ryota is reserved and accustomed to responsibility, whereas Kazuhito is outgoing and universally liked. Despite Kazuhito’s popularity and striking looks, his inability to sustain relationships confounds Ryota and sparks a journey of self-discovery. As Ryota probes the reasons behind Kazuhito’s fleeting relationships, he confronts his own emotions and insecurities.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/06/01/living-with-him-series-review-ep-3-to-8/

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An Entertaining Watch Indeed

An egoist Prince paired against our very own eccentric Cinderella!

If you are wondering whether they will marry or kill each other, I had bet on the second option. Starring Pyo Ye Jin & Lee Jun Young as the main leads, “Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale” is the very opposite of a classic fairytale romance. Our Cinderalla Shim Jae Rim is left alone after her father’s untimely death, with her step family, only her stepmother doesn’t torture her unnecessarily, nor does her stepsisters hate her. So, what turns Shim Jae Rim’s life into a Cinderella story? Her unruly father leaves her a will stating that she shouldn’t worry too much, and instead get married to a wealthy man (yup, the father is as crazy as the daughter). Following his advice Shim Jae Rim decides to try her luck at finding her new husband by getting a job at a well-known social club. The only glitch, the club owner Moon Cha Min (Lee Jun Young) is quite weird and doesn’t trust anyone easily. What happens when a tigress meets a lion? They spar and tear at each other. TVING’s Friday romance is freaking hilarious. Both main characters are abnormal; Shim Jae Rin doesn’t care much about Cha Min’s social status and our Prince is charmed. Thus, begins a romance of epic proportions!

Read the complete article here-

https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/06/01/dreaming-of-a-freaking-fairytale-first-impressions/

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Sharing a roof with complete strangers may seem risky, but over time, unconditional friendships are built... and possibly even more. On the other hand, making new friends who make you reflect and with whom you can share expenses is always encouraging.
Having roommates will definitely go from "sharing the house" to sharing everything; the bad jokes, the bad times and the existential crises. Although it is impossible for everything to be rosy, returning home to be yourself and having someone to talk to about the good in all circumstances is always a relief. The constant company of other people around you helps to observe the panorama beyond the tip of your nose.
The premise of this 'rom-com' may seem corny and implausible: Latte, Tawan, Peak and Almond are four young people who share a rental house. One night of drinking and playing spin the bottle, the first three discover that Almond is still a virgin.
In this way, the young man who has never enjoyed sex makes a bet: if one of them manages to connect him with the person he likes, he will cover a year's rent.
However, the creators of 'Knock Knock, Boys!' (Thai: บ้านหนุ่มโสด โหมดพร้อมเลิฟ/Ban Num Sot Home Phrom Love), make this 'fairy-tale' story a hilarious and emotional delight. This is how the story of love, dreams and friendship begins.
The series stars Nokia Chinnawat Phattharathanachot, who we saw in one of the episodes of the drama 'If I Love a Boy', specifically in 'Han on Me', and in 'Thank God It's Friday', both from 2019, playing this time to Almond.
Carrying out the daring and romantic mission is carried out by Latte (Boss Jaonine Jiraphat), who we know for his role as Tar in the drama 'Find Yourself'; Thanwa (Seng Wichai Saefant, star of the dramas 'Secret Crush on You' and 'War of Y', and Peak (Best Vittawin Veeravidhayanant), an actor we remember for playing Pluto in 'Love With Benefits' and Daonuea in 'Check Out'.
Directed by Natavut Leewairoj, the youth comedy-drama with an LGBT+ theme leaves us with a great lesson: living with roommates will mean that the jokes and fun will not stop, and the complicity and support at home, whether to set up night games, to prepare food, doing the laundry or helping you find the love of your life will be nearby whenever you need it.
The upbeat music, composed and produced by Susui and performed by Smart Wattana, makes 'Knock Knock, Boys!' remind us that true love and soulmates are also in our closest friends, which can even be those we just met. It also commemorates that in the same way that a loving relationship is built every day, so is friendship. Furthermore, an external look always helps us see more clearly.
Together with Almond, we will learn that not everything has to be perfect if you have the right roommates, because any difficulty or setback will be fixed as we go.
They are four opposite but complementary roommates, real, fun and imperfect young people who explore their sexuality, embrace their ambitions and face their insecurities while dealing with the difficulties of youth, such as coming of age, conventions, secret loves. , bisexuality, the discovery and acceptance of homosexuality without dramas or tragedies and a commitment to normalization, in a beautiful and fun youth story.
I would like to highlight the use of humor to dedramatize difficult moments such as coming out or recognizing one's virginity or pansexuality.
The drama aims not only to fulfill what one expects from such a premise, but also to overcome any idea or preconception, entering from a perspective full of love and humor into the lives of four friends in their early twenties in constant existential crisis. that oscillate between love dramas, student and work confusion and identity doubts finding their salvation in each other.
I recommend this hilarious and unprejudiced Thai series, with its satirical humor with heart and its commitment to cultural, sexual and gender diversity, through the vicissitudes of four strangers who go from friends to lovers.
Nokia leads with Almond's desperation to fit in and purest innocence. Jaonine puts security and emotional independence into her Latte; Best brings the bed entanglements with married women and sickly perfection of Peak, while Seng brings the carefreeness and sexier self-love of Thanwa.
The four complement each other, argue, hug each other while drinking a drink of alcohol and, above all, they never fail each other.
Much of its success lies in the perfect chemistry between the four young people, especially between the two couples in love.
The cast closes with the performances of Mon Taechin Phaisanwan as Sean, Pak Varayu Pusomjitsakul as Jumper, Tuss Thotsawat Sing-uppo as Max and Ten Tosatid Darnkhuntod, among other actors and actresses.
'Knock Knock, Boys!' It is a fantasy that we have all been able to or wanted to have, but that is more bewitching, natural, genuine and immensely fun in this production that has just begun and will bring us many surprises before its conclusion.

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Comments for Gray Shelter episodes for those who finished watching

[EP-1] As it is a Korean production, it was only a few minutes per episode to be expected, but from start to finish this ep always managed to keep me attentive and curious to know more about what is happening in these family problems. Yoon Dae and Soo Hyuk, due to some family problem, Yoon Dae no longer had anywhere to live and ended up moving in with Soo Hyuk. With a deep friendship and love between two men who meet again and start to live together under the same roof due to some circumstances.
[EP-2] A dysfunctional family, a heterosexual romance that was not going well and soon comes to an end, the return of a friend from the past, these are the problems that Yoon Dae will have to deal with, until then he will return to this friend's (Soo Hyuk) house again. It's a friendship that isn't shown at first, but internally we know that Soo Hyuk has affection and cares for his friend, and it's clear that he's doing this to try to fill the void of not having had a united family, since since He soon has to leave school and go to work to help his mother with the bills.
[EP-3] And here we discover what Gray Shelter shows us "Passivity, darkness and opacity conveying a cloudy atmosphere, a deeply rooted sadness", And this is how I can describe this episode, the atmosphere of sadness and a bad relationship with his father makes it very clear how this affected Soo Hyuk, his father's apple analogy with the family's happiness status was one of the saddest scenes in the ep, which shows us that even though we are going through difficult times We still continue to show others that we are fine.
[EP-4] The tension of the two's argument before this scene leaves us ecstatic, thinking are they going to fight? Will he be expelled? No, no, he just followed the impulse of his heart and drove us crazy.
And when a lie can benefit you, do you continue with it? Here the lie was discovered and a new truth was exposed, Lee Yoon Dae couldn't hold back what he felt, but also people, who would hold back with Soo Hyuk in front of him? And then came what everyone had been waiting for, the moment when despite all the turbulence in their lives, they liked each other and kissed.
[EP-5 Final]
The contorted heart, restless and warm, but addictive. A reflective and interpretative episode, nothing is clear and everything is grey, we need to breathe in and out from start to finish to try to understand what is internal.
Gray Shelter, how is it so complicated to have a shelter? Why is it so difficult to understand? How to deal with this?
Having a shelter in the midst of the chaos of life becomes almost impossible to deal with, you are in a storm alone without asking anyone for help. It is evident in episode 2 that both are trying to escape emotional and domestic violence. The two tirelessly search for one thing in common: home.
From beginning to end we hear screams, screams in an empty gray place with no return, all these screams are not said on the screen, but in their poetic melody, looks, breathing, touches and silence. Shouts of "I love you", "I miss you" and "I need you".
The ending causes an explosion of thoughts, and leaves us with the question "What is shelter? What is a normal life?" The relativity of response is broad and different for each person, while normal life in one person's interpretation is having a place to return to at the end of the day, for another it is having someone to share a good meal with and go home together. Yoon Dae is looking for a home in Soo Hyuk and with that emotions clash.
Imagine a closed box and you're inside it screaming as loud as possible, but no one is hearing you because everything is closed, dark and gray, that's what happened in this work from beginning to end, although the ending was a little comforting with the two together, several topics were covered in a few episodes. And we know that it deserved a continuation to address the resolution of some problems.
That said, it is a cinematically impeccable work.

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Cute but pointless

I didn't really get the point of this - it was fluffy but static. There was more than enough time to explore an element of their relationship, like what it's like for one of them to grow old and the other to stay young forever, or how annoying someone who is too neat and tidy can be - anything. The actor playing Ever 9 has an amazing body - I would have liked to see Yi Ping feeling awkward about being sexually attracted to him shirtless or something. I'm sure we've all thought about what sex with a robot would feel like emotionally - and since that's a very likely future for many or most people, it could stand to be explored.

Ever 9 looked hotter with his hair like that.

The bumper car scene and the competition after that were the highlight of the episode for me.

Anyway, if you liked Anti-Reset, you'll probably like this, but nothing happens and the kissing is so-so at best.

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Titled "Anti Reset is my law", 'Anti Reset Special' follows in the footsteps of the special episodes of the Taiwanese LGBTIQ+-themed romantic drama series 'Stay by My Side' (2023), 'VIP Only' (2023) and 'You Are Mine' (2023), which each have the objective of reflecting the progress of the love relationship of their protagonists.
Produced by Vidol, the Taiwanese streaming platform that has made the aforementioned BL series, the special episode brings us back to Chu Yi Ping, the emotionless university professor with few social skills who learns what it means to be human when he meets Huang Li Feng, an android caretaker who inadvertently steals her heart.
Full of romantic scenes, the special episode will take us, along with the two young people, on a trip to a playground in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, a place where lovers will visit to enjoy a tender and warm day of walking and romance.
Starring Wu Ping Chen ('Stay by My Side', 'One Afternoon', 'Komorebi'), as Yi Ping, and Huang Li Feng ('Stay by My Side', 'The Ambiguous Focus', 'Kinematics' Theory', 'The End of Our Youth') embodying Ever 9, the episode will confirm to viewers that the couple is happy and plan the future in the company of each other.
The audiovisual in turn will allow the viewer to appreciate the resumption of family ties between Yi Ping and his uncle and creator of Ever 9, after the events narrated in the series.
Directed by Lian Yu Zhe, who is also in charge of directing 'VIP Only', the episode, which lasts just over 24 minutes, also returns to Jiang Chi (Isaac Yang) and Gu Bu Xia (Hong Wei Zhe ), the protagonists of 'Stay by My Side' and 'Stay by My Side Special, who on this occasion will coincide with the main couple at the amusement park.
Based on the script written by Cai Fei Qiao, Kao Ru Ping and Nikki Hsieh, 'Anti Reset Special' has another important mission: to close the special episodes of the four Vidol BL series broadcast until today.
I only have one question: Vidol, what do you have in store for us right now?

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Epic and cannot be obsolete ever

If you are in bl- this is a must watch and still relevant.

It is a shame I watched it only in 2024. Nevertheless, it is still one of the best bls I have watched.

OST: I listen to osts almost daily and all of them are awesome, each time experience the same emotions and warmth as during watching the series.

Acting: probably not professionals, it was a cast of newbies. They managed to deliver natural youth awkwardness in the best way - sweet and naive, at the same time with personality growth and decision making abilities and no toxicity.

I will definitely rewatch that for music, for the story - altogether 48 episodes, and I would be happy to have 2-3 times more!

I never skip scenes, the first s with 12 ep was strange, I was not even able to understand who is the main couple at first. Second season - 36 ep, side stories were drastically reduced, and still - the story was rushed at the end. That is in itself fenomenal - bl drama, long enough, and I still was craving for more!

What caught me? Sincerity, real life situations and conflicts and their reconciliation. There is not over performance or exaggeration.

To conclude, after 100+ bls, this is the inly one, when I can say I would love to forget everything and watch again!

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Terrible is too high of praise

Watching this, my overwhelming thought was how could a collection of people so absolutely stupid be enrolled in a university. Too many shallow characters, and it seemed like none of them actually took school seriously or studied. The entire show would have been more believable as a story about students in their first year in high school. The best characters by far are Yoo Eun and Oh Hyun Jung - they seemed completely out of place with the rest of this cast, and both actresses deserve high praise for their performances.

The description of the show claims that Mi Rae is insecure and begins to regain her lost confidence and discovers true beauty is on the inside. Funny, since while finally in episode 16 one could generously say she began to gain some self-confidence, she absolutely remained self-absorbed and shallow to the very end.. The character who actually grew as a person is, surprisingly, Soo Ah.

Extremely disappointing, True Beauty did this plot so much better

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Just a bit too slow

I really liked the characters! they are all more or less likeable and interesting. 6 is my usual rating for shows that were okay to watch, but are nothing special or didn't hook me emotionally + annoyed me here and there a bit, but I liked the crew so much that I added 0,5. And for people who care for looks: Eyecandy is served well. I mean, especially the main couple and Seji and Japan look so handsome, geez. Seji really stole my heart, lol. But the female couple is also absolutely gorgeous! Everytime I say Freya i was like "goddamn, what a pretty human being T_T".

The music was okay. the title song is nice, but sometimes the bgm was weird. :D

I don't really get why the throuple is so hyped, since they only got together in the last minutes of the last episode. ^^' The dynamic between those three was so weird (Ken obviously didn't like Pan much most of the time) till this point and as much as i crave relationships that are different from monogamy, i would have loved to see a proper built up here. Pan just offering this because Seji looks so sad all the time left a bad taste behind. The scenes afterwards helped a bit to clean this feeling, but I would have just loved to see how they are properly established and behave in a relationship. To see that Ken and Pan also get along well and not just Pan tolerating it, because Seji and Ken look on the edge of tears all the time. x)

I watched a bunch of scenes in double speed, because it was just sooo slow, geez.

But for the rest, it was okay to watch. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, because I don't think the story is strong or the relationships are fleshed out enough. It's a lot of the same, repetitive stuff.

Addition, that doesn't influence the rating: Oh. My. God. The subtitles on iQIYI were horrible. :'D

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Slow but consistent

For an action drama, its on the slow side but thats also what makes it different imo - its slow but builds up nicely. The pacing is definitely refreshing as the story slowly unfolds.

The implementation of superpowers is on the subtle but visually interesting side as it isn’t utilized for the entire drama while also being present where its needed.

One of the aspects I really enjoyed is the consistent unfolding of the main plot and how each cases and characters are connected to each other and the clear resolves.

I did find some superpower scenes to be hilarious (even when its not supposed to be) but it isn’t a negative part

Overall a solid drama! Ending was done nicely

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LOVE LOVE LOVE ITTT

“Cause I'm falling slowly love with you”
every time that line played, my heart MELTED
I don’t like yapping a lot, for someone who wants to read a short review before watching:
Watch it if you’re looking for a cute light hearted drama. It’s not too complex, yet very intriguing to follow. lots of lovey scenes that gets you kicking your feet, (the second lead in this one is less miserable so you won’t get a heart wrenching feeling lol) also if you’ve never experienced teenage love watch it, because it healed something in me.
the cast did such an amazing job that I laughed with them and cried with them.
THE OST are very emotional and beautiful, they have been playing in my head ever since I finished it

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