Not my cup of tea?
I’m on episode 10, about 30 minutes in, and I don’t think I’m going to continue Oops! I’m in Jail. When I first started it, I genuinely thought this was going to be something I’d really like. The beginning felt fun, lighthearted, and clearly unserious in a way that worked. I enjoyed the humor, the dynamics, and especially the bromance. It felt like a show that knew what it was.As the episodes go on, though, the show starts leaning more into “serious” territory, not in terms of the main plot jumping around, but in the way it introduces a lot of personal backstories and emotional subplots. And that’s where it starts to lose me. A lot of these moments feel kind of random, like they’re just placed there without enough buildup or time to really land. Some storylines feel like they needed more development, or maybe even their own episode, instead of being dropped in and then quickly moved past.
There were definitely sad moments that could have hit harder, but instead left me feeling like, “Wait, oh okay?” Some character choices also didn’t fully make sense to me, and not in a subtle or intentional way, just in a way that felt off or underexplained. It’s not bad, it just feels uneven.
Since around episode 7, I’ve kind of felt like I’m forcing myself to keep watching, and I don’t love that feeling. There are only a couple episodes left, but if I’m already checking out mentally, I’d rather stop than push through. Overall, I’d give it around a 7.5 or maybe an 8. I really liked the humor, acting, and overall vibe at the start, but where it goes with some of the emotional and character-focused stuff just isn’t really for me. This is all personal taste, though.
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Silly drama
If you've watched enough Taiwanese comedies, then you'll understand this drama's very unserious and nonsensical ways. If you're not familiar, then I think you can get the vibes just from watching the opening. It's my favorite drama opening in a long time; the song is good too. The writing is not polished, but it's easy to watch. If you're just looking for nonsense to pass the time, this will do.Was this review helpful to you?
This Drama Made Me Laugh, Cry, and Now I’m Emotionally Arrested?❤️
I’m currently at Episode 4 and I’m honestly enjoying this drama so much. The storyline is easy to follow, the pacing is good, and every actor matches their character perfectly. The mix of sad, funny, mysterious, and heartwarming moments is just chef’s kiss.
Each character has their own charm — Zhiyao is hilarious but still caring, Jiang Yi Jie is handsome AND funny 🤣, Zhongwen is super adorable, and Zhang Long Ji… he actually looks like a “good” inmate and I really like his character. He’s handsome, gentle, and has that gentleman vibe hahaha. But I’m still unsure if he’s truly good or hiding something (jeng jeng jeng).
The chemistry between Zhiyao and Yi Jie is pure love–hate chaos and I love every second of it 🤣.
Four episodes in, I’ve cried, laughed, cried again, then laughed again — a full emotional roller coaster.
I seriously can’t wait for the next episode… the waiting is stressing me out 😭.
Totally worth watching!
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Am Now Hooked on Taiwanese Comedies
It's been a hot moment since I have watched a Taiwanese drama (my main staple of the early 2010s) or written a review on this site, and this show has gotten me out of the woodworks for both.This drama was fantastic. Stumbled upon it on an Air Canada flight of all places, watched the first two episodes, and was promptly hooked. Finished up by marathoning it on Viki.
Here is what kept me seated:
- The chemistry between the cast. This was a very character driven ensemble cast drama, and space is given for everybody's story arc to breathe and grow. Do I wish that more attention was given to some characters over others? Yes, I definitely had my favourites. But everybody got an episode to spotlight their story while our two MCs drive the main story line.
- The chemistry between the two MCs. The relationship between Zhiyao and Yijie is the core of the story, and their changing dynamic is hilarious to watch. Their first encounter was a disaster. Their slowly building respect and trust was heartwarming.
- The ending. Is this drama idealistic? Yeah. I don't think prisons are actually this united in reality, and I don't think bad things get resolved this easily either. But this is a comedy drama. It's okay to turn off your brain and laugh at the truly hilarious shit that these characters go through, and to have your heart healed by the power of friendship. It's okay to embrace the world rather than to reject it, which is an important lesson that some of the prisoners learn throughout the series.
- TOP TIER COMEDY. This is an homage to mo lei tau comedy Stephen Chow style. I nearly bust my ribs trying to hold back my laughter out of my respect for my fellow passengers. The comedy is ridiculous and over the top and borderline offensive (sometimes actually offensive) and it is incredible. There is a lot of physical comedy and it works. A breath of fresh air from the many dramas right out now that focus on all-knowing, all-powerful leads. Here, the MC has no idea what is going on or how to deal with it. He's literally along for the ride and that is most of the fun of it. Our MC may be brawn over brains, but he's also got a heart of gold and a back that easily bends out of self-preservation. This drama drew me in with the ridiculous premise and the ridiculous workplace comedy, and then kept me going as the characters grew me on and some of the more emotional arcs started to rip. But even throughout what could otherwise be heavy emotional material, the drama never lost sight of its light hearted core. Sometimes its okay to laugh through tears.
I loved this drama to pieces. Thank you Jasper Liu for getting it enough traction that it's on Iqiyi and Viki so that more people can see it and resonate with it. This may be the first time I've seen MDL and Douban scores so close to each other. This is really underrated on MDL - it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it's a damn good break from reality.
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This review may contain spoilers
this show is a gem!!!
this show was a blast to watch. I laughed, I cried and enjoyed it till the last episodes. (don't skip the credits in episode 12😌).our protagonist is Yao, a young ex taekwondo athlet who ends up in trouble. after his injury he has to give up on his passion and ends up making some debt to a local mobster.
to pay his debt, he accept to cater to the mobster's brother who is currently in jail.
he "unlawfully" gets a job as a guard and has to juggle between his duties as a guard and his loyalty to the inmate.
through this journey we get to know the other workers of the jail and the inmates.
the main plot stays the same along the entire series but in every episode we explore more the personal lives of guards and inmates.
through their personal stories we learn to empathies with the guards and the inmates of course.
some of their stories are really touching and we see the person behind the inmate "clothes".
being a comedy drama, we laugh a lot. i don't know why but there is a weird obsession with fecal matter in this show🤣 they poop a lot..like..A LOT.
the length of the episodes and the show it self is really good. you never get bored.
the characters are all interesting and the acting is really good.
the ost is a banger. I usually skip the opening theme after the first episode, but I let play in this drama all the time.
definitely recommend if you are looking for a perfect mix of lighthearted, comedy and deep emotions.
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