I'm left frustrated because this just needed more time ?

Does this series deserve an 8/10? Probably not. But will I give it an 8? Absolutely.

Hear me out. There is seriously only one real annoying flaw with this production that's hindering it significantly: the runtime. The two minute recaps at the start of every 15-minute episode was too much. We only really got around 11 minutes of content (give or take) because of those recaps, the intro, credits, and the next episode's teasers.

The issue is that this storyline has too much depth for 110 minutes. It needed longer to really develop the characters and the depth of their emotions. Not going to lie, the only reason I ended up connecting to their relationship is because of how great the acting was. Denis' character also didn't get the development or explanations the audience needed. I'm 99% sure the reason he started acting out the way he did was because he was the one to kill Dongbaek in his past life (based on his eyes and his present actions). However, their are certainly people who simply won't come to that conclusion themselves since it wasn't fleshed out enough.

I didn't mind the ending. I would have loved if Yoodam recovered his lost memories but I also like how they concluded the show, so I'm not too upset.

This k-bl is honestly a lot better than some others which have been airing recently... (*cough* oh my assistant *cough*) because at least we got better kisses--well one great kiss and others that were mediocre--and great chemistry and great acting and a unique plot. But it definitely could have been SO much better with a longer runtime ?

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AHH this was so cute ?

I know, this drama was a little confusing and slow the first 1-2 episodes but STICK WITH IT! I was originally watching Plus & Minus (another Taiwanese BL) and ended up dropping that halfway through episode 8 ? then I started this and at first, I was kind of confused and you could definitely tell they didn't have the highest budget ? however, the dynamic between Amber & A'Le is so freaking cute. Their chemistry is insane and DAMN, they can ACT. This show is so wholesome and attacked me with the PERFECT amount of angst. Despite the shorter runtime, nothing felt rushed and everything felt genuinely built up and developed. I loved it. Even the arguments, emotional scenes, and points of conflict were so well executed. I can't gush enough about this bl.

The main twist wasn't a shocker to me (I guessed as much in the first episode) however, I don't believe they wanted it to be completely hidden. *SPOILER WARNING* Even though I typically hate lying or hidden identity as a main trope, it was completely understandable in this case. Plus, I appreciated the development between the two leads as they are now--before the secret is revealed. *END OF SPOILER*

Another think I loved was the soundtrack! It was SO GOOD. At times, it was slightly too loud in certain scenes but other than that, I loved the music and how it was utilised.

I also just have to say that the actor who plays Amber did an amazing job. He was, for sure, the standout among the cast and probably had the toughest role to execute.

Anyway, I seriously recommend giving this bl a solid chance!

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I wasn't expecting to rate this highly (spoilers at the end of the review)

I haven't written a review for anything in a while but since I was so surprised and touched by this drama, I felt as though I should express why.

Before I start a kdrama, I always read the spoiler-free reviews and comments to see if it's going to be something I like. I almost didn't watch Devilish Joy because of this.

Story: yes, this drama is jam-packed with cliches but they were executed well (or perfectly imo) most of the time. I also typically stay away from the 'amnesia' and 'misunderstanding' tags, which might be why I'm so shocked that they didn't put me off the story this time round. I think it's because of how these themes and plot points were handled. I read another review that mentioned how everything that happened was very "convenient" and this is completely true. However, I think it depends on your perspective while watching. 운명(unmyeong) or fate/destiny is a major theme throughout the story; their first meeting, his accident, the flowers, meeting again, and everything that follows. Despite the obstacles, they always find each other. The story is romantic, cute, frustrating at times, melancholic, funny, and wholesome. The villains had roles that were good at moving the plot forward, the side characters were all charming in their own ways, the pacing was pretty great imo, the chemistry between both couples were great, kisses were fantastic (ahh), and I loved the ending. I didn't even fast-forward any scenes which I have gotten into the habit of doing if I get bored.

Cast/Acting: I think most of the actors performed great. Obviously it wasn't perfect but there was nothing too specific to complain about. The FL was a huge standout for me, she executed all the scenes and emotions perfectly. I found the ML's crying scenes a little awkward but he did great otherwise. And they had fantastic chemistry, they had some of the best kisses I've seen.

Music: nothing incredible but the soundtrack was pretty great and memorable. I think the music was very scene-appropriate too which is important.

Final Spoiler-free Thoughts: Give this a try! I really enjoyed the roller coaster that this drama was and I don't think it deserves all the intense negativity! Honestly, as the drama went on, I loved it more and got more invested. I really think it's worth the watch. I don't give high ratings out easily! I also want to say that I felt wholy satisfied by the end and that rarely happens for me.

**SPOILERS ahead**

What I loved specifically:
- The pacing really was perfect for my tastes. We got a passionate kiss in the first episode (which was fine because of the whole losing his memory thing after) and then the follow episodes were paced so we'll which how their relationship progressed. They officially start dating in like episode 9 I think, which is over half way.
- The kisses between the leads were so intimate and natural, I loved them so much.
- The second couple were also very cute and I think they had perfect pacing as a second couple. Because their relationship progressed later than the main leads, it keeps the romance viewers still engaged even after the main couple gets together.
- How Ki Joon resolved his feelings for his first love/crush before confessing (and committing) to Ha Im. I really appreciated that they did this so it didn't feel like Ha Im was just a consolation prize.
- Gi Bbeum's family! ? They were so supportive, eccentric and wholesome.
- Secretary Yang! Ahhh I was basically in love with him by the end of the drama.
- How they interwove the flower throughout the story, and the same with their time spent in China where they met. It's incorperated well and I love how they were there in both the pilot and finale. The juxtaposition was beautiful.
- The finale as a whole! I'm very pickup when it comes to endings. I need to feel satisfied. Devilish Joy did that for me. The entire 70 minutes were spent perfectly on closing the story. Usually, I hate time skips when they're 1 year+ but they executed it so well here and it made sense too. They didn't just jump from the ML's disappearance to a year later. They showed all the goodbyes and him leaving; one week later when Gi Bbeum comes back from her trip to find out he's gone; the next few weeks of heartbreak and worry; Ma Seong in China at all the places they met, savoring his memories with Gi Bbeum before they hide; Gi Bbeum receiving the letter he sent her from China; her going to China as a last attempt to find him; another letter and her acceptance; then it finally skips a year. Not too much has changed, which is realistic, but some things have and subplots have been tied up nicely. Then it shows Ma Seong and how he's been living the last year and the progress he's made. His reunion with Ki Joon had me crying. Then finally, after all of this closure, we get his reunion with Gi Bbeum.
- I love that his brain wasn't magically healed. I was really expecting them to just have him back to normal at the end, but that's not the case at all. He still forgets everything every day and is working (positively) toward remembering more and more slowly.
- I love that they emphasised that he hasn't 'lost' his memories, he just struggles with recalling them but they're still in there
- FOURTH WEDDING because he couldn't remember the others. This was so cute and funny ?? it was refreshing too
- The curtain call at the end with all the cast was adorable!!!!
- One more thing. It's a quote that made me laugh so hard "don't mouth off at my woman ever again. I have a yellow belt in taekwondo." ?????????? please, Ki Joon was hilarious.

What I didn't like:
- How the ML spoke to the FL half the time from episode 2 until like episode 6. He came across a little unsympathetic and critical in regards to her situation. I just feel like he could have been a bit more outwardly understanding but then again, I guess it was more realistic that he didn't understand how she felt.
- The fake 'rain'. You could really tell it wasn't real and it bothered me immensely to the point where it would take me out of the scene (and the rain scenes were pretty emotional so...)
- How obvious they were about covering the ML character's tattoo after the first couple episodes just because it would have been a lot of effort to apply the fake tattoo before every single scene (which I understand but it did take me out of the story sometimes)

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Honestly Loved This Drama More Than MLFTS

I have a confession to make: this is my first LMH drama. I had always known about him and almost watched the kdramas he had been in. But then the reviews or tags would put me off watching them. I'm happy I chose to watch this.

LOTBS doesn't seem to have a lot of praise in the top MDL reviews. However, I have a feeling that's because of how hyped this drama was when it came out and the fact that the two leads are MASSIVE stars. So maybe people had overhyped it to themselves and had higher expectations. For me, I had watched JJH in MLFTS (which everyone compares LOTBS to) but I hadn't watched any LMH dramas. Therefore, I basically had no expectations going into it.

Now let's get into the review.

Story: I REALLY enjoyed the plot and how well executed it was. There were many twists and turns but none of them felt excessive or unnecessary to me. It never once felt draggy to me and I absolutely loved most of the characters and their relationships/friendships. If you've read any of my reviews before, you'll know that I'm a huge fan of found family tropes or just really amazing family/friend dynamics. And this had all of that. It was the perfect mix of comedy, romance, friendship, and mystery for me. Plus, almost everything made sense. Of course, there are some plot holes but they didn't really alter my experience and I just held onto my suspension of belief for some things. ONE MORE THING: This drama had superb villains. The main one legitimately scared me because of how psychotic they were (using these pronouns to avoid revealing the gender for spoiler reasons.) Okay I swear THIS is the last thing for this section: I enjoyed LOTBS more than MLFTS (I gave that an 8/10). I felt more satisfied by the ending of LOTBS. I didn't have as many questions and I actually liked it way more. Plus, I loved JJH in this more too and the relationship dynamics.

Acting/Cast: AMAZING! Well maybe 95% perfect. Don't send the pitchforks but I think LMH had one of the weaker acting performances during certain scenes. But overall, he was really great in this role. His chemistry with JJH (who did a perfect job btw) was adorable and believable. Their on-screen romance was honestly so cute and I was most certainly invested. Now, onto the side characters and their actors. I can't fault any of their performances; they played their roles effectively. Shin Hae Sun was a nice surprise and although most people dislike her character, I didn't at all. I felt bad for her and liked that she was a good friend and didn't interfere all that much with the main pairing. Plus I loved her final pairing. Onto Shin Won Ho's character Tae Oh... AH my favourite. What a cutie omg I just wanted to give him a hug the entire drama. So precious. Lee Hee Joon did amazing as Nam Doo too and I really enjoyed his character because he always kept me guessing. I thought I had him figured out and then he would flip my thoughts onto themselves. The next two actors really outdid themselves when it came to their acting performances; Lee Ji Hoon as Chi Hyun and Hwang Shin Hye as Kang Seo Hee (his mother). Like wow. I don't want to say too much but I will say they played their roles perfectly and incredibly.

Music: This review is getting a little long so I'll keep it nice and short - typical kdrama soundtrack. It was nice and fitting, but nothing outstanding.

Rewatch Value: I would definitely rewatch this but not soon. I really did loved the romance in this and friendship dynamics (plus the comedy was great too) so I would enjoy rewatching it.

Overall: Sure, some aspects of LOTBS was cliche and predictable but I still felt like it was unique. Don't ask me for specifics because I don't think I could really give you any. I just really loved it and recommend giving it a watch.

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Lee Jun Ho *claps loudly*

Story: I'm giving the story an 8/10 because there were things that felt unresolved for me by the end. Plus, there were some scenes that lacked impact (particularly ending scenes on episodes) and it would just cut to the next scene weirdly. This isn't an editing issue, but a writing issue. However, with the negatives out of the way, I loved the story overall. Obviously, as a melodrama, it was quite the tear-jerker and played my emotions like a fiddle in a way that left you thinking about it. If you've read any of my other drama reviews, you'll know I'm a sucker for themes of friendship and family. Especially when those relationships are developed in such a beautiful way. I love sismance and bromance dynamics and this show had both. I also loved the developing friendship between the ML and a certain female character (that's not the lead). I appreciate what the writers did with her character and how they didn't make her into the classic "evil female" character. She was never threat, but rather a helpful pusher. That's all I'm going to say about the story, otherwise I'll walk too far down the spoiler city. OH wait. one more thing; I LOVED Gang Doo as a character. He's so loyal, sincere, lives with raw emotion, determined, hard-working, selfless, and caring. I loved how honest he was about his feelings and how determined he was about them if Moon Soo tried pulling away. He had some amazing lines. Moon Soo was also a pretty solid character with great qualities, but she did get on my nerves sometimes.

Acting: First thing's first, I need to talk about Junho's acting in this because WOW *chef's kiss*. I honestly couldn't fault it and I'm very critical when it comes to acting performances. I've acted before and grew up acting in drama class too, so naturally, a drama or movie can be easily ruined for me if the acting doesn't feel real. Thankfully, I didn't have that issue with this drama whatsoever. I didn't find myself analysing the casts' techniques or possible awkward gestures, simply because if there were any flaws, I didn't notice them. And Junho in particular was fantastic. Every facial expression, enunciation and gesture was perfect for the line and scene. I feel like I should note that I wasn't a fan of his before watching this drama - I don't listen to 2PM and I haven't watched Wok of Love (or anything else he's been in). Therefore, my review of his acting is completely unbiased. I'm so excited to watch his future works and maybe his past ones; can someone tell me if I should watch Wok of Love? I really don't like love triangles so I wasn't planning on giving it a try, but now I'm wavering because of Junho.

Music: Great soundtrack! I love when kdramas have a fitting soundtrack that you remember, it makes the experience so much better than if it didn't.

Rewatch Value: I rated this low because I don't rewatch things often anyway, but if I did, I wouldn't rewatch this. Mainly because it's a melodrama. I love melodramas and would rewatch them, but only if there was a good mix of comedy in there or something to make it worth the rewatch (e.g. It's Okay to Not Be Okay, Goblin, etc). Plus, this drama is 16 hours long so I don't think I would want to.

In conclusion: I recommend this drama and thoroughly enjoyed it <3 especially Junho's acting. I don't think I would have enjoyed it this much without him.

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Had So Much Potential To Be Amazing (but was ultimately just okay)

Abyss was a rollercoaster unlike no other. It had me changing my opinion of it with every episode.

STORY: Some episodes were really great with the right balance of crime, comedy, romance, and thriller, with the addition of well executed storytelling. Whereas, other episodes were plain messy and had left me feeling frustrated with the characters' dumb decisions. On one hand, I disagree with a lot of opinions out there about this drama being to confusing or lackluster. But on the other hand, I agree that the story could have been executed waaaaaaaaaay better. I followed along pretty fine most of the time, so I wasn't having a hard time in that regard, but it still felt clumsy at times and the rules of Abyss (the marble itself) felt awfully convenient when they revealed themselves. So yes, plot holes are there. But I don't think the plot is as badly written as others make it out to be. Plus, the romantic storyline really held this show together - personally, I found it to be perfect and the leads were so cute together. I loved the themes of friendship too and how they developed slowly (and convincingly) throughout the drama. The only story aspect of this drama that let it down due to some messiness and senselessness is the crime (supernatural? alien? thriller?) part. And the ending. But that's completely personally preference. I'm sure a lot of people are satisfied with the ending but I really wasn't. I don't know, it lacked something (emotional impact?) for me. And I hate that kind of ending - I can't say without going into specifics but there's something (related to time) that I don't like. If you know, you know. Plus, I was still left with questions.

ACTING/CAST: Okay, why is everyone lowkey hating on AHS's acting performance in this? They say things like "... he's a little green, but he's done an alright job..." In my opinion, he did great! He nailed the right emotions during his scenes without overexaggerating and he does exceptional in romance scenes (especially kiss scenes lol). Also, he gives off that puppy vibe in this that vaguely reminds me of The Great Lee Jong Suk. Obviously, there's some improvement that could be done in some areas of his performance but I don't see the importance of nitpicking. PBY did a great job too and they had amazing, natural chemistry which is all we could ever long for.

MUSIC: Nice, fitting, and catchy.

REWATCH VALUE: Low for me because watching this storyline play out again would just exhaust me - OH that's another thing. This drama somehow felt draggy because it wasn't (? I don't know how to explain this). Basically, so much was happening in every episode and it almost always felt like I was watching a finale (or the build up to one) and therefore, it felt like the show went on forever.

IN CONCLUSION: I gave Abyss a 7/10 because I think it was good, had a great romantic storyline, the comedy was great when it happened, and I definitely recommend watching it at least once! And despite it's outward appearance - and the premise - this show isn't trying to say that "looks are all that matters", it's trying to say that "what's in the inside is what counts". Your soul. It's not like Cha Min was reborn handsome and Se Yeon was suddenly in love with him. If that had happened, I would have dropped this drama straight away for being shallow.

Anyway, give it a go and form your own opinion!

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Please Don't Let The Negative Comments Sway You!

Honestly, I'm writing this review purely to encourage others to give this show a go! I really thought I wasn't going to enjoy it because of all the negative comments and reviews I read beforehand (plus, I can be a harsh and picky critic). But, I was pleasantly surprised.

Story: Obviously, this drama isn't flawless - it would have gotten a higher rating if it wasn't for my own nitpicking. However, it really isn't as bad as everyone says. At all. I would only say stay away from this drama if you're only interested in light, cute, fluffiness. It has these moments, but it also has quite a bit of angst. Which would be expected from the premise alone. I cried a lot and I was extremely invested in the lead characters.

Acting: I sincerely thought the acting was pretty good! I hate how there are people who automatically assume idols can't act or judge them unfairly. I like some Red Velvet songs but I've never been a stan. So I didn't have any biased opinions on her or see her as an 'idol' while watching. I love how she portrayed her character and I didn't find her acting awkward at all. The ML and FL had amazing chemistry also, I'm going to miss them as a couple.

Music: Great soundtrack - I don't have much to say on this except that it was a little repetitive.

Rewatch Value: Usually, I will rate this part low if there was a lot of angst but I loved the couple so much that I probably will rewatch it just for them in the future!

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Better Than I Expected

Okay so I wasn't expecting A LOT but I had been putting off watching this drama for a while. Mainly because it didn't look as complex/intense as how I usually like my dramas. And it's not. But it was soooo good.

I'm no way implying the story was simple or lackluster. The plot was well formed and well executed. It kept me engaged and I didn't feel bored at all while watching - I don't think I even skipped a scene! The plot and the diverse characters was refreshing to experience. There was nothing unnecessary and I loved the messages this story tells. There was also quite a bit of development within friendships and dynamics that I really appreciated and loved. It's hard to really say my thoughts on the story and such without spoiling it but I hope y'all get the idea.

I think the cast did a great job with their acting performances and everyone had great chemistry. Personally, I loved the second couple - and their chemistry - more but the main coupling was also great to see develop. Since I know a lot of people are probably wanting to know about the kisses before watching, I'll say that I've 100% seen better and there aren't many but I hardly noticed because the chemistry between the couples were great nonetheless. I didn't feel like I needed to see them kiss a lot or anything. I would say this show focuses more on character development and plot rather than fan service, which I liked.

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Loved this so much (ugh Seo In Guk is an adorable puppy)

I LOVED THIS AND BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH IT IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY.

^ that's my opinion of this kdrama in a nutshell.

Story: Honestly I had a lot of fun (and emotions) watching this drama. Watching the friendship and relationship grow between the leads was beautiful and so wholesome. I know a lot of people get fed up with how childish the ML is (esp when it comes to money) but I never once got annoyed. And a childish lead would easily annoy me. This one didn't. Louie was adorable and very puppy-like, he was extremely kind and loyal. Sure, he was childish and had no clue how to value money, but that's to be expected considering how sheltered and babied he was growing up. He was never made to do anything himself and he wasn't allowed to really go anywhere because his grandmother was worried he would somehow hurt himself or die - so she isolated him in a mansion in France with a lot of maids and his butler. And that's how he lived most of his life. So he goes from the life of having limitless money and help to losing his memory and belongings and waking up on the streets by himself. Anyway, I loved the whole story really, there was barely a moment I didn't enjoy and I rarely skipped. Obviously it's not the most unique, mind blowing drama but it's still unique in how it was executed and the quality. I loved the characters and was very attached to their stories.

Acting/Cast: Love the cast for this! Especially Seo In Guk (Louie), this role was really perfect for him because he even looks like an adorable puppy. I think all the actors did great and I adored the chemistry between the leads. They were so fluffy and cute and I loved their kisses too. Plus they appeared really natural with each other, which I think is important. Nothing worse than sensing awkwardness/stiffness between the lead actors during romance scenes.

Music: I don't have an actual rating for this because I believe the version of this drama I watched on Viki didn't have the original soundtrack (maybe due to copyright reasons idk) because the lyrics that would display at the bottom of the screen were completely different to what I was hearing. Even so, the replaced music was fitting enough which is good.

Rewatch Value: I make sure to say this in ever review - I rarely rewatch dramas. I only rewatch ones I've absolutely loved/would be worth a rewatch and therefore, I rarely give this section a 10/10. But, I would 100% rewatch SKL in the future. Seo In Guk was just too cute in this.

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Just Watch It!

Seriously, I would recommend not even reading reviews and just dive in to form your own opinions of this drama. If you're into melodrama, badass leads, female chasing the male first, darker stories, found family and a side of comedy, then I 100% recommend this kdrama.

Story: I feel like I've read a few reviews/comments from people saying that this dragged or was overrated but I loved the story and never skipped. It was a unique melodrama that honestly had me crying way too much. I found myself completely invested in the storylines and characters and this has become one of my all time favourite kdramas. Obviously, if you're looking for a light fluffy drama, then this isn't for you. But if you're into deep/4D characters, with even deeper stories, then look no further.

Acting/Cast: Wouldn't change a thing. The casting was perfect and the acting was truly amazing. And the chemistry was incredible. The ML and FL had some of the best chemistry I've ever seen.

Music: LOVED the soundtrack! It was so good and I found the songs getting stuck in my head.

Rewatch Value: an 8 is high for me when it comes to the rewatch value of a kdrama! I rarely rewatch anything but this is a drama I would definitely want to rewatch in the future.

Overall: WATCH IT! I hesitated with watching this for a year until I ran out of things to watch and finally decided to give it a go. I don't regret it at all.

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If I Had To Choose Between A Korean Odyssey & Gu Family Book...

I would choose A Korean Odyssey.

Obviously the two shows are different and where one is a historical drama, the other isn't. However, they both have Lee Seung Gi playing the ML who is non-human.

Story: Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed GFB and I didn't find myself bored or wishing for more throughout it. It didn't feel draggy and I don't feel as though it was lacklustre when it came to the romance - as other reviews have suggested. In some ways, this was a lot better than AKO and I also loved the communication and chemistry between the leads in this a lot better. But the ending did kind of ruin it for me (and not for the reason a lot of people probably think). I want to keep this spoiler free so I won't say anything except that it wasn't as beautiful and magnificent as the rest of the drama. Sure, there were plot wholes if you look closely, but that never took away from my enjoyment. Plus, I appreciated the amount of loyalty and trust present within the friendships/relationships. It was a nice break from other dramas that are built on miscommunication, misunderstanding, and lack of trust.

Acting/Cast: This drama was perfectly casted in my opinion. Most of the actors did amazing and even though I'm not really a fan of Bae Suzy's acting usually, this was probably my favourite performance from her. But that might have something to do with Lee Seung Gi being her partner; they had really great, believable chemistry.

Music: It was good but not amazing? It did it's job at the right moments and all that, but I've heard better soundtracks.

Rewatch Value: I gave this a 5 because of the ending and slow burn romance. It's not really something I think I would find myself rewatching. In saying that, I'm not someone who rewatches shows often anyway.

Overall: I would say this is definitely worth a watch. I genuinely love the drama and loved the experience of watching.

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Pretty Good But Not A Masterpiece (worth a watch)

I'll start this by saying I'm pretty picky when it comes to the shows/books/movies I enjoy. And this review is for the most part spoiler-free (some things I wouldn't call a spoiler but some might).

Story (6/10):

Two of the themes I hate (especially in kdramas) are 'misunderstanding' and 'miscommunication'. And this drama is basically driven by them. It was really frustrating at times because honestly, if the ML just asked the FL a couple of obvious/logical questions then we wouldn't have had to go through all the unnecessary-ness. But it didn't hinder my enjoyment too much because the rest of the plot was keeping me entertained and interested. The 32 (basically 16) episodes flew by really quickly and I rarely found myself skipping scenes. There wasn't a single moment where I thought "should I drop this?" and you would be surprised how often I debate dropping a drama when I'm watching it. Another trope I hate is a love triangle or square/reverse harem. Which put me off of watching this for a while (well, that and the fact that I love SHS's other drama 'Angel's Last Mission: Love' so much that I wasn't ready to see her paired with someone else haha). However, this had the kind of love triangle that I don't mind - the one where it's obvious who she has feelings for throughout the entire drama. My favourite theme throughout this drama is 'found family'. It was so cute how everyone's relationships developed and how they became a family.

Acting/Cast (8/10):

I didn't feel as though anyone did a particularly bad job when it came to their acting performances and the main cast all did pretty amazing. The only thing lacking for me was chemistry between the leads. Don't get me wrong, it was there and they were super cute but it still felt a little awkward or unnatural between them. ALSO Sieun from STAYC was in this which was a pleasant surprise. I knew she had done some acting pre-debut but I had no idea she was in this until I saw her and was like "AYY MY BIAS".

Music (7/10):

Not all that memorable but was good so yeah.

Rewatch Value (6.5/10):

I don't think I could sit through all the bad timing/lack of communication again. I'm not a huge rewatcher anyway but if I were to choose something to rewatch, this wouldn't be my first pick. I would choose 'Angel's Last Mission: Love' over this.

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Almost Perfect (In My Opinion)

This is the best kdrama I've watched. Usually I wouldn't give a show a 10 unless it's completely flawless and really hits the feels too. But even though I have a few minor critiques when it comes to this drama, they're so minor that I decided to give this a 10 anyway.

Story: I gave this a 10. Almost gave it a 9.5 but ultimately, if you read between the lines, I think the story itself deserves a 10. All the plotlines tied up perfectly by the end, they took their time with the ending too and everything was plausible. I wasn't frustrated with the way anything turned out and honestly, even Investigator Choi's death made sense and added the right amount of angst and drama for the climax. It didn't feel like they decided to randomly kill him off to drive the ending climax either, it genuinely felt natural to the story. The characters were all really well developed and lovable, each having their distinctive personalities that really added to the depth of the story. This kdrama, by far, has the best second male lead storyline ever. Woo Tak was so kind-hearted, never once made a move on Hong Joo out of respect for both her and his close friend, he was happy if she was happy. He was honest and I'm happy that he was such a main character. As someone who HATES love triangles, I'm really really amazed with how they went about the second male lead. It wasn't really a love triangle, despite Woo Tak clearly being in love with Hong Joo. She wasn't in love with him, he didn't try to interfere or confess, and our bb Jae Chan knew about his feelings but still cared for him. The trio's friendship was beautiful and I'm glad no one was treated unfairly. All of the juxtaposition, cinematography, writing and subplots were superb. This kdrama has the perfect mix of love, friendship, family, crime, and drama. The only question that wasn't outright answered was about Hong Joo and how her premonitions started. But I'm okay with that being more or less a mystery since sometimes, you don't always get the answers you want in life. Like, how is she supposed to just magically find out how they started? If we follow Woo Tak's theory then maybe she had a near death experience when she was younger and that's how the premonitions started. And maybe she wasn't saved specifically by one person, hence why her premonitions aren't just about one person. Then she saved Jae Chan so he started having them again once they were re-acquainted. Then he saved Woo Tak, so he started having them. Either that or it's all related back to Hong Joo and that's why they started getting premonitions; because of her. They were supposed to die but ultimately didn't either, because of Hong Joo or in relation to her - since Jae Chan actually saved Woo Tak because he wanted to save Hong Joo and her mum. Therefore, since she originally had the ability to dream of future events, when the future she saw was changed (because of or in relation to her) to the point where lives were saved that were supposed to die, that's why they also gained that ability. That's just my theory though. And it's also the reason I don't mind that we never got a clear answer. Everything else was wrapped so nicely that I don't think it was due to laziness.

Acting/Cast: I really enjoyed everyone in the cast and their acting. However, I gave this a 9/10 because of two reasons. I want to first say that when I started this kdrama, I was unfamiliar with almost all of the actors in it. Now I bet everyone is appalled that I haven't seen anything Lee Jong Suk has been in, I know, but I'll get around to watching them. Anyway, the only actors I know are Kim So Hyun (guest role), the fried chicken serial killer guy, and Jung Hae In (Woo Tak). I know I'm going to get hated on for saying this but Bae Suzy's acting wasn't as phenomenal as I was expecting. Majority of the tears she spilled were fake and not genuine and her acting was a little one note. It wasn't bad by any means, but I struggled to really connect to her. Also, I really loved Hong Joo and Jae Chan as a couple. They were cute, non-toxic, and their kisses were great. However, I'm sad to admit they were lacking a little in the chemistry department. I don't know why exactly, but yeah.

Music: I LOVED the soundtrack for WYWS. Every song was perfect, memorable, and were used perfectly throughout the show.

Rewatch Value: A solid show that doesn't make me endlessly frustrated with enough angst, cuteness, and comedy to keep me entertained.

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BL KDRAMA HISTORY BEING MADE

I wasn't going to write a review until that last episode urged me to. Usually, I wouldn't praise a show/director/producer for giving us great kisses or whatever because I'm not that type of BL fan who just wants to watch two guys make out. I actually watch BLs because 1, I find them cute if they're done well, and 2, I 100% support LGBTQ+ media exposure and awareness. HOWEVER, I do have to praise the director/producer/writers of 'To My Star' for going against the grain and how the LGBTQ+ community are considered in South Korea. We all know how conservative and heteronormative society (and the governments) are in Asia. Especially Korea. And all the BL kdramas usually contain one or two "pecks" - if you can call lips barely touching and not moving a peck - at the end of the series or movie. 'Where Your Eyes Linger', 'Mr. Heart', 'Color Rush', and 'Wish You' all follow this formula for kissing. They either have decent pecks or the lips touch. 'To My Star' took a few steps forward, past its predecessors, towards a more progressive and positive direction. TMS had a total of THREE kisses and each one was better than the last.

Sure, the first one was one of the aforementioned type of pecks but within the context of the scene, it made sense. The second was a more decisive, passionate kiss but still within the realm of what South Korea has given us already. It's the third kiss in the last episode that was hook, line, and sinker for me. The chemistry was amazing, there was OPEN MOUTH KISSING, they were all close and intimate in a bed together, and it lasted longer than 5 seconds. Like, wow. I was in shock as it happened, thinking that the camera would pan away before they actually kissed or right after but nope, they actually kissed. Properly.

I'm still in shock tbh and even though the production wasn't the most amazing, the writing wasn't incredible, the story was too short, and the editing wasn't impeccable, I'm still giving TMS a higher rating just for being progressive. Standing ovation to the actors too for being comfortable/supportive enough to not only act in a BL, but give their full passion into their performances. As I mentioned before, their chemistry is amazing and they didn't make their kisses look awkward at all. Which I appreciate.

Rewatch value is 10/10 because the show is short and easy to watch. Plus it's cute. I definitely recommend giving TMS a go if you haven't already!

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Just Watch It

Since I binge watched Gen Y after it finished airing, I probably had a different viewing experience to those who watched it as it aired. It allows me to see the story as a whole, from start to finish and therefore, allows me to judge it as a whole without being tainted by the weekly wait. This definitely wasn't as messy as how others are describing it.

Story: I only gave this a 7.5/10 because it's nothing original, really, but the writing is pretty good for what it is and I love a lot of the characters. The plot wasn't chaotic or confusing, making it easy to watch, and I absolutely loved watching MarkKit's story. My second favourite ship was/is PokTong and I wish they had more screen time but I'm keeping in mind that there are still another two seasons. If this season of Gen Y was all there was, I would rate it lower but instead, I've decided to rate it as if it's a chapter in a story. That's what it felt like too and I actually like how slowly everything developed. I don't like PhaWayu because even if Pha was trying to do what's best or had legitimate reasons for leaving Wayu, he should have gone about it in a more caring way. He also shouldn't have played with his hopes and feelings after just because he didn't like seeing other guys interested in him. Pha was extremely selfish, it doesn't matter what his reasons were. I'm rooting for ThanuWayu but honestly, I couldn't be less interested in Wayu and his storyline. I liked Gen Y solely for MarkKit, PokTong, and even KohJack/JackKoh. The only thing I really wanted was for PokTong to kiss in the last episode but I also understand that it's better for the story if their relationship develops slowly and more logically than that. I also think people are saying that what happened between Pok and Tong in the finale was non-consensual. But that wasn't the case at all. Pok told him to leave because he wanted to kiss him that badly and Tong (even though he was considering leaving before knowing Pok's reason) shuts the door and tells him to do what he wants - except the kissing since despite all the sexual tension, they are too stubborn to admit their feelings. If a viewer couldn't tell that Tong also wants to be physically involved with Pong, then they might need to rewatch their scenes. All the longing from both sides is right there and plus, it was Tong who almost gave in to kiss Pok by the lockers.

Acting/Cast: Kimmon did amazing. He was the best in my opinion. Others that also did extremely well were Bank (Pok), Bonus (Tong) and Jet (Jack). I didn't find myself being distracted by their acting at all throughout the show. Copter was also really good and Bas was good too. What's funny is that I started this show being a CopBas shipper (since they're so close and kiss irl) but I found myself falling completely in love with KimCop. They had amazing chemistry. Best chemistry and tension goes to Bank and Bonus though, hands down. I need them to have their own series together STAT.

Music: Average. Nothing really stood out for me and I won't be adding any of the songs to my spotify playlist.

Rewatch Value: high enough because I'll rewatch season 1 before the 2nd season comes out and also, I might rewatch for KimCop and BankBonus. I'll probably be skipping other parts of the story as I go though.

Overall: If you're on the fence at all, I recommend just giving it a go! If you don't like it after two or three episodes, then you could always drop it :)

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