This couple killed it

This drama is about a whole lot more than romance, but I will start by showing some love in honor of the lead couple, Gu Yanxi and Hua Zhi. They were classy in their cuteness and made our hearts flutter with every interaction. The chemistry was undeniable; whether they were adorably close or longingly apart, they were always in tune with each other. They understood each other, supported one another, and sacrificed for the other. From potential enemies to friends to lovers, they became each other's greatest allies. What I appreciate the most though, is the strong communication and the unbreakable trust between them. This delightful duo embodied how love can endure, even in the face of conflict and circumstance.

Apart from our leads, the other couples have also left a memorable impression on me, and I truly enjoyed watching how the relationships developed and blossomed. Even when romance did not always lead to the happiest of endings, the stories were touching and, at times, really tugged at my heartstrings.

When Blossoms in Adversity started airing, I had high expectations because of the director, Chu Yui Bun, and the cast, and the show delivered more. There was a strong theme of female empowerment, and a quote by Goethe came to mind, "The Eternal-Feminine draws us upward". Almost all the women characters had character development for the better, but sadly, most of the male characters did not. Save for a handful, most of the male characters were a disappointing lot.

Zhang Jing Yi's Hua Zhi was solid, and she proved again to be an excellent actress. ZJY portrayed an FL who was plucky, intelligent, precocious, quick-witted, but also very human. With her entire family thrown into chaos when a power-tripping Emperor exiled all the men, HZ had to grow up quickly. Through HZ's struggles and triumphs, the show provided a lesson: in times of need, we can step up and be the kind of person others need us to be.

I threw shade at Hu Yi Tian in the beginning saying that ZJY was carrying the show, but in the end, I was won over yet again by our handsome ML. He shone in his fight scenes, and his usual stoic expression fit his role as Gu Yan Xi. This ML was also brilliant and was a skilled fighter. As the Commander of the Security Bureau, he was savage with everyone who deserved it but so gentle with the FL and the ones important to him. GYX started out conflicted, torn between gratitude to his uncle and his affection for Hua Zhi. Ultimately, he became a source of strength for HZ as he gradually determined that any amount of gratitude did not warrant the blind loyalty demanded of him.

GYX had background music dedicated to him, one that played whenever he turned up, ready to take the bad guys down, and it was just so bad-ass enjoyable. HYT should consider more historical dramas since this role is my favorite of his to date.

The supporting cast was terrific too, notably Lu Yu Xiao, who showed off how versatile she was. While Caesar Wu did not appear as often as I would like, he nailed his character as the overly earnest, idealistic Shen Qi. Bian Cheng as Shen Huan is someone to watch out for, and as the Emperor who demanded nothing less than everything, Hai Yi Tian delivered a great performance that had all of us wanting to see a painful death for him.

Apart from being amazingly acted, this drama was well-written and nicely executed. I applaud the show for keeping most of us engaged until the very end, throwing in something unpredictable just when I thought I figured out what would happen next. That said, the show didn't fall into the trap of using plot twists for the sake of creating last-minute melodrama.

The pacing was interesting to me in a good way. The plot went through the ups and downs of the characters lives so smoothly and quickly that angsty moments were not that dramatic and happy moments were more like normal events. No one really has an opportunity to dwell on the good or bad.Even with 40 episodes, the show never felt draggy, and best of all, it stuck its landing. I for one, am satisfied with how the show ended. It wrapped up the characters' journeys nicely and sent them off in such a way that left me feeling that this drama was well worth the watch.

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A thought-provoking masterpiece

One of the most enjoyable and engaging shows for me from 2023. This drama evoked so many emotions and carried strong messages that resonated well with most of us. It was realistic, relatable and thought-provoking.

Zhang Ruo Yun and the other actors were excellent and the characters they played were well-written. Great character and plot development, and there was a feeling of gratification as certain “bad” characters were properly punished.

The OST was really fitting and many songs were memorable. Each piece was chosen well and served to heighten the appropriate mood or feeling.

Some viewers were not satisfied with the epilogue but I actually liked it. The ending fit the rest of the story which did not steer away from stark reality. Not everything ends up in a bed of roses and not every love story has a happy ending. It was more important for me to see the kids and teachers of Class 11 thriving in their own ways. The show succeeded in that aspect and left this viewer properly satisfied.

It’s been awhile since I’ve rated a show so highly and this show is a 10 for me.

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Only if you are a fan of fight scenes, Mik or Louis

Would I recommend this lakorn?

Yes - if you like action, more specifically hand combat because even though everyone went around carrying guns, they would rather fight. The hand combat is probably the better part of the show with Mik as Dave and Louis as Drago coordinating well and duel fighting against the bad guys.

No - if you are looking for romance. Very little chemistry between the main couple. Visually, they looked good together, but their interactions were rather stiff. Other than some hugs and a forehead kiss, and lots of "Are you OK?" from the ML, there was nothing else to satisfy the viewers. There was much more chemistry between the two male leads with their constant nodding and exchanging of looks with each other. There was definite romance for the secondary couple. Even then, it was a little unbelievable since the girl did so much bad stuff to the guy, so he's a total doormat to me.

No - if you are looking for a good story execution. Everything is kind of weakly linked together and some loose ends were never explained. This drama could have wrapped up without the extra 10 episodes, but the director must really like fight scenes since that was at least a showdown between the good and bad guys in every episode. Also, the bad guys were always around because the good guys must really wanted to make merit and they would never kill the bad guys. In fact, they constantly welcomed them back into the group. With this group of leads, you get infinite chances to do all sorts of evil stuff because the leads just never learn their lessons. It's like rinse and repeat - "Oh we got attacked doing this...that's ok, let's do it again because it cannot possibly happen again...ooops." Or someone is told not to leave the safety of the place because she's targetted and the next minute, she does exactly that...

Maybe - if you are a fan of Mik or Louis. They carried the show, more Louis in my opinion. They looked good and they did well in the fight scenes. Preaw did not impress me at all. She constantly had a shell-shocked look and her character was just ok, a little weak and useless. She's pretty much there to be a damsel in distress. Even though she can shoot a gun, no one gave her one to protect herself even though everyone else had one. She was constantly hiding in the best spots to be caught. Her strength is that the Naga won't eat her.

Speaking of Nagas, they showed up during some crucial moments but they were not featured much. The story was connected to them but as I mentioned before, kind of loosely. The story was also about past lives, but the plot development there was bad, and I think they cut out scenes since those scenes were shown in the ending credits but not in the show itself.

The best part for me is the romantic OST. The intro rock song was interesting but way too long. It was about 3 and half minutes long and really dragged into the start of the show.

Overall, I started off enjoying the show but it got too draggy. I would ask people to give it a watch and feel free to skip some episodes since you won't miss much.

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Destiny & Fate - Pope & Bella are just meant to be (on screen)

I enjoyed this drama but it was not as engaging or absorbing as Season 1. They did not pay a lot of attention to events and even skipped over major scenes that would have made the viewers very happy. Everything was just skimmed over and it felt like the story was spread too thin. At least they did not omit the love scenes.

Rid the ML in Phrom Likit was not as charismatic as Por Dech in Bhuppae Sunniwat. To be honest, I found all three characters played by Pope in season 2 to be somewhat disappointing. Por Dech despite being married to Karaked (Kedsurang) for so long, felt to be stuck in the old ages still, Rueang was not featured much and when featured, was sort of boring and finally Rid, despite given all the right prompts was way too passive for someone so in love.

I liked all the other characters especially the ones in the court and the Khun Luang. It was a bunch of good-looking men. Great was just so handsome as the King and despite being annoying at times, he turned out to be such a decent, fair character. He's got a fun scene in the last episode that he just stood out.

The final episode almost redeemed the show for being draggy towards the end but I don't know why it had to include certain events. It would still have been a memorable show if it ended on the best note ever but it seems nowadays, writers seem to think that they have to include something unpleasant in order to make an impression on the viewers. Still one could assume that the ending was meant to show how destiny and fate come into play in the cycle of life.

That said, I did enjoy this show and looked forward to each episode. I ship Pope and Bella a lot and I was imagining that what Rid was saying to Phuttarn could be applied to Pope finally confessing to Bella now that she's single - haha! The chemistry was undeniably good and I love that they still show the older couple as being all lovey dovey.

Also, I love the outfits - the way they matched the couples' clothing in color and style was so well done! All the guest stars were also a nice addition to the show.

The OST included songs that I liked from Season 1 and the ones introduced in Season 2 were also pleasant.

Overall, I would recommend this show. It would be difficult not to compare this to Season 1 but it is still a very entertaining watch.

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Overbearing CEO Trope With a Twist

OK, I may be biased here with my rating since I love the chemistry between Bailu and Dylan, and their visuals. I will gladly watch them stare at each other with background music playing any time...lol. Also, the journey to love for Shu Yue and Yu Yao added a lot of good flavor to the show.

Eps 31 - 36 plus the bonus clip of 36.5 were satisfying and romantic. There were lots of kisses and skinship; the leads did not disappoint in that aspect. That made the 4-5 previous episodes of prolonged misunderstandings/miscommunication forgettable for me. The starting episodes until ep 26 were also very entertaining.

I watched with the full expectation and anticipation that it would be about the "domineering CEO trope," and Dylan did so well with that character. Love how overbearing and arrogant Shi Yan was even when he showed love and affection to the FL.

Luckily, the show did not make the FL character naive, overly enthusiastic, bubbly, and kind of dumb like the usual ones in such CEO shows. I did have a love-hate feeling for Bailu's FL character, though. Shu Yi was smart, sharp, and sassy in her professional life but totally clueless about her personal life. It didn't help that she kept listening to her friend, Shan Shan, who was the worst relationship guru ever! Still, most of the FL's actions and thought processes were relatable and quite realistic. Many of us often back away and assume the worst immediately, but unfortunately, in her case, the show dragged on too long for most viewers. Also, the show did not make the FL grovel enough, the ML should have gotten many more apologies and more appreciation from the FL.

The second couple's path to their relationship was so fun to watch, and honestly, the ML's niece, Shi Yue, was the MVP. She was the youngest, but her approach and pursuit of her man were well done, and she was often the catalyst that helped Shi Yan and Shu Yi move forward with their relationship. Shen Yu Jie shone as Shi Yue, and she was gorgeous throughout the show. Miles Wei was awesome as the dorky professor who ultimately could not resist the lovely Shi Yue.

We could have done away with the third couple - their push-pull dynamic became annoying to watch, and it was the same friend of the FL that was just so wishy-washy. I think that the female character was not written well. There's only so much Jiang Pei Yao could do, and she looked beautiful playing this disastrous character, which I did not like much throughout the show.

Love the outfits in this show - especially the leads and Shu Yue. Very branded, though, so I can only dream - haha!

Overall, I did enjoy this drama, and I had fun reading and commenting along with others. There was a lot of venting and frustration, but somehow, many of us continued on. I was addicted because of the cast and the fact that I do actually like the domineering CEO trope when it is done with a twist.

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Satisfying Romance Amid Mystery and Intrigue

Without a doubt, this is definitely one of the better lakorns lately. Romance-wise, it was satisfying. Nadech and Kimmy have really good chemistry and they are not shy about skinship. It was just right and felt very natural. What's even better is that unlike many other lakorns, we don't have to wait until the last episode (or the last 15 minutes) to see the main couple get together.

I absolutely like the ML character, Khunkao - very smart, calm and composed. The show definitely portrays him as the "hero" and Nadech totally played the part. He's particularly attractive to me in this drama although some of the "drama" and heroics scenes made me laugh...they were a tad overdone.

Jane, the FL, was plucky and a go-getter. She can get on one's nerves at times, and she had her cringey moments, but overall, she was a good fit for the ML. Kimmy acted her role well and you can see her bubbly personality coming out as Jane.

How the 2nd couple worked out was also good, and the 3rd couple was cute although it did break one person's heart.

It was a good emotion-filled show with lots of ups but also some tear-jerking moments. The show did get draggy during a few episodes in the middle, mainly because the investigation and reveals felt slow. There were a couple of surprising plot twists but still, the show could have cut down a couple of episodes.

I was happy with the ending. Usually, I don't like the whole redemption approach used in most lakorns even though I understand it is a cultural aspect. I just prefer to see the villains properly punished but in this show, it actually made sense, and that particular sub-plot was done nicely.

I like the OST and my favorite songs were:

รักครึ่งๆกลางๆ | INDIGO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmbNHLaCZ1Q

ให้รักนำทาง Ost.สืบลับหมอระบาด | Wanyai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em8igUpefF8

Overall, I totally recommend this drama. You will not be disappointed if you are a fan of either lead and if you are watching for the romance. The mystery and investigation part was actually pretty good, other than the fact that it probably could have been resolved earlier.

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When Mr Wrong Turned Out To Be Mr Right!

I was anticipating this drama not only because of Chen Xing Xu as the male lead but also because of the director, Chu Yui Bun, whose works included "The Long Ballad" and “The Blue Whisper”. He also directed the other two dramas that made up the “Honey Trilogy” - “Ashes of Love”, “Skate into Love” and now “The Starry Love”.

Well, I was not disappointed. The Starry Love has beautifully captured the twists and turns of destined love based on the theme of marrying the wrong man who turns out to be the right one.

The plot centered around a pair of twin sisters, the older sister Qing Kui, favored by the human race, and was betrothed to the Heavenly Empyrean. The younger sister, Ye Tan was considered a jinx and was bullied all her life.She was promised to the Voidwalkers (demon world) as the consort to the Crown Prince. On their wedding day, the brides were switched, setting off a series of trials, tribulations, rescues and romance.

This high-budget xianxia delivered what is expected of its genre, an engaging ride that takes the viewers through a journey filled with a myriad of emotions. Well-paced, the show swung from romantic to dramatic to funny quickly and smoothly, and it keeps the entertainment level high throughout the show.  The ending was not what I had hoped for but I cannot lower my rating because the drama on the whole, was so well-executed.

The story never lost its momentum, and just got better and better. I like that the tropes that can take up to several episodes in other dramas, did not get dragged out and instead were resolved quickly. I never felt tempted to skip, and there were many scenes that I would rewatch just so I could appreciate the gestures, effects, and dialogue again.

The production was undoubtedly high-quality, and a lot of attention paid to the details. The cinematography, costumes and sets provided a striking visual impact, and the special effects/CGI were well-done, immediately evoking feelings of wonder and fantasy. Furthermore, the choreography for the fights, flying, and other action shots were done so superbly.

Overall, the script scores points with dynamic characters who struggled with their actions, who were not always clear if they were doing the right thing or what the right thing even was. Most good characters had flaws, and the villains had backstories that made them relatable and their actions justifiable. Viewers will come to understand what the characters went through, the reasons for their emotions, and their circumstances. I find myself connecting with the characters and rooting for many of them.

I have nothing but praises for the cast. Chen Xing Xu proves his acting chops again as Youjin, the ML. He did so well not only in the intense emotional scenes but also in simple scenes where the audience only needed to watch his face and feel the love that he had for YeTan, the FL. In the drama, CXX had to play 5 different characters of the same person which he pulled off wonderfully.

Landi Li’s acting as the FL left a firm impression, and I was blown away by her superb performance. I did not like her character, Ye Tan at first but I warmed up to her quickly especially after finding out more about her tragic childhood. I came to respect Ye Tan, someone whom I would describe as resilient and resourceful.

Still, Qing Kui, Ye Tan’s sister remained my favorite as she was the epitome of the strong FL. She was truly the iron fist in a velvet glove. Brought up refined and elegant, Qing Kui was the opposite of Ye Tan, but she was also intelligent and tough when necessary. She was brave and unafraid to love. To be honest, I shedded the most tears for her as for me, her sacrifice was the greatest. I also enjoyed Luke Cheng’s portrayal of Chao Feng who displayed conflicting motivations as he strove to protect his loved ones.

The entire ensemble did so well, and the supporting characters helped to carry this show. There was such good rapport among them, like the endearing sismance and bromance among the various characters.

Not surprisingly, the OSTs were on another level featuring Sa Dingding, Liu Yuning and Mao Buyi. The songs were very fitting and set a dramatic and emotional tone that is infused throughout the show. Interestingly, just like The Blue Whisper, there is a male and a female version of the same song. For posterity, I have listed the main tracks below.

Soundtrack list (I will add the Spotify links once available):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-PBZ8ZbSCM
1. 星落凝成糖 (The Starry Love) - 萨顶顶 (Sa Dingding)
2. 与子成说 (Speak With You) - 刘宇宁 (Liu Yuning)
3. 双花儿 (Flower Pair) - 双笙 (Shuang Sheng)
4. 天地无瑕 (Flawless World) - 萨顶顶 (Sa Dingding)
5. 天地无瑕 (Flawless World) - 毛不易 (Mao Buyi)

My verdict: I do recommend this drama! I love a good love story, and this was definitely that along with the angsty melodrama that is typical of a xianxia drama. Those looking for a complete story will likely be left wanting for more by the lackluster ending. However for me, I enjoyed the complex yet enduring love among the 2 main couples and prefer to imagine a bright future ahead of them.

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Going On Strike Against This Thing Called Life

Summer Strike started with messages of self-discovery and how one should take a step back to move forward, but it ended with more than that. To me, recovery from grief and trauma was also one of the main themes of this healing drama.

Through the journey of Lee Yeo Reum, who decided to go on strike from her life by breaking away from the confines of her job and Seoul, this drama is relatable to viewers who are tired of their busy lives. We all, at one point or another, just want to do nothing.

Yeo Reum was an overworked girl in her 20s who had to deal with a series of hardships in her personal and professional lives before making a life-changing decision. Realizing the hopelessness of her mundane life, Yeo Reum decided to stop enduring so fiercely and simply just be.

However, leaving the stressful city life and starting anew in an unfamiliar seaside village, Angok was not as smooth as Yeo Reum hoped. Encountering prejudice and unfriendliness at first, our young female lead had to go through some pretty harrowing experiences before finally finding herself at a comfortable point in her life at the end of the show.

Meeting a shy librarian, An Dae Beom was a pivotal turn in Yeo Reum's journey of self-discovery. Dae Beom's kindness and calm were like an anchor for Yeo Reum, but he was also tortured by his past. With a tragic family history, Dae Beom had his own reasons for saying in Angok. As the relationship between the leads blossomed, the show covered themes of support and comfort.

The romance between these two with scars was a slow-burn one, enjoyable for me because it was so natural. The emotions and the steady, growing attraction built around an interesting storyline were satisfying for me. There was no culminating intimate skinship, but the pace made sense. There was no doubt that there was something solid between the couple at the end.

I enjoyed watching the sisterly love develop between Yeo Reum and Kim Bom, a high school student, and other heartwarming relationships, especially between Kim Bom's grandmother and Yeo Reum. In addition, other characters with their own demons to face and romance between different couples added flavor to the story.

Interestingly, even though the show was touted as an escapist healing drama, there were sinister undertones throughout some episodes. Therefore, I was not surprised as the later episodes featured darker scenes including a murder scene. However, there was no true case to crack because the show gave no opportunity for the viewers to figure anything out. There is no mystery tag for a reason.

Instead, the ensuing tragic events were meant to serve as a further catalyst for Yeo Reum's and Dae Bom's personal healing and growth.

Some viewers criticized Yeo Reum's character as a doormat, being taken advantage of at work and at the end by the villagers in Angok. Similar criticism was made about Dae Beom and how he was easily manipulated by certain people.

I disagree.

To me, both lead characters have a quiet dignity about them. They chose their battles and fought for what mattered. Even during moments when the viewers preferred for them to stand up and fight back, their perceived passivity was relatable and understandable. They were consistent throughout the show, and the little changes the characters made in their lives had a more substantial impact on the story. Good character development does not always mean 180 degree change.

Without a doubt, the entire cast was great. How the characters interacted with each other and dealt with life, in general, reminded me of how the people I know and I would behave in real life. The show did a great job showcasing the layers of human nature, including its selfishness and selflessness.

Acting-wise, I have nothing but praise for the leads. Kim Seol Hyun and Im Is Wan impressed me with their quiet intensity and ability to emote so much with the smallest expressions.

Finally, to top it off, the soundtrack was memorable for me. The way the show wove the songs and background music into the story was fitting and perfectly set the scenes and moods. I especially like "A Strange Day" by JiHyo from TWICE and "Color" by Sunnie. Enclosed below is the link to the OST list.

Overall, I hope more people will give this drama a chance. For me, the beauty of a "slice of life" series like Summer Strike is how well the show depicts the everyday experience, the struggles of daily life and trying to find oneself during the process, and the stark portrayal of human nature's good and bad sides.

OST list on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIZ81nIsbgM

OST list on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4QoX21xv9cN6oVHumGfdZM?si=5b7d0c33e7cc400d

* JiHyo (TWICE) - A Strange Day
* The Boyz - Summer Night
* Fromm - A Slow Summer Song
* ENHYPEN (Sung by Heesung, Jay, Jake) – ZERO MOMENT
* Jiyoon (ICHILLIN') – I'll Wait
* Tearliner – We Swim in Dreams (Feat. Bang Jaemin)
* Tearliner – Me, the Protagonist (Feat. Love X Stereo)
* SEOLA (WJSN) - Lover
* Kum Junhyeon - Hello, Stranger
* Sunnie - Color
* Hwang Inhyeock - I Will Remember You
* Low-end Project - I See You Like I See the Sun

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Simple and Sweet With Just The Right Dose of Comedy

This is a super cute rom-com about first romance, highlighting the awkward journey of inexperienced young adults as they try to develop their crushes into relationships.

A show with lots of heart and on-point comedy, it was all the clichés rolled into one, but also a mood booster. The show was such a pleasure to watch that it made me want to go back to my first relationship in college and enact all the drama tropes.

The leads, Wang Xing Yue as Ren Chu and Tian Xi Wei as Lu Wanwan were endearing together and very entertaining to watch. Both leads have engaging visuals suitable for their characters. Ren Chu was classic good looks, whereas Wanwan was doll-like lovable. There was some cringey overacting from TXW and robotic under-acting from WXY, but nothing bad enough to distract me from enjoying the fluff.

Our FL was often misunderstood by the audience as too dumb to be in medical school, but after a few episodes, many, including myself, realized that she was actually intelligent and resourceful. However, Wanwan suffered from anxiety, especially during stressful moments like exams or performing in front of others. Anyone suffering from fear of public speaking, for example, can relate to her freezing up during stressful moments. Wanwan was generally cheerful, optimistic, and had a good EQ.

Unfortunately, Wanwan was burnt by her first crush experience and was slow to acknowledge her feelings for the ML. Hence the slow-burn romance…

Ren Chu was the brilliant and handsome campus king, a star swimmer, and talented in many ways. Despite being popular, his EQ was very low, and he was not inclined to be sociable to most. Of course, him being all cool and detached increased his popularity. Even though it was not clear how Wanwan caught Ren Chu's interest, I did enjoy watching his attempts to get closer to her, trying to confess his feelings and deepen their relationship. I shared the poor guy's frustration.

I found it charmingly funny that when one could not expect to squeeze an ounce of romance out of the most scientific moments, Ren Chu could still be romantic. He was also steadfastly committed to Wanwan, and I love how he completely shut down an annoying admirer who was clearly out of touch with reality.

The sincere and straightforward romance between the leads was adorably nerdy. Despite being new to love and still trying to work through their feelings, they did not shy away from sharing their thoughts. Both were emotionally immature in their own ways, creating plenty of opportunities for funny scenes. I smiled and laughed so much throughout the show. Even their "love tokens" were hilarious!

The development of skinship appeared natural, including the kissing scenes, starting with awkward pecks to more comfortable kisses.

I love how the drama used the supporting characters as devices to voice out or prompt the growing feelings of the leads. Little comments and setups here and there helped the romance along for our fumbling main couple.

The supporting cast was fine, doing what they needed to do. It is a mostly young cast, and while they did ok, there was room for improvement. There was some over-acting but nothing much to complain about and nothing much to praise. A second and third couple provided extra entertainment, but I was not particularly interested in their development. Wanwan's parents were awesome and provided some great comic relief.

Another high point for me was the OST. The opening song was catchy and reflected the happy, bright tone throughout the show. My favorite, though, was the ending credit song, 不知不觉 (Unconsciously). For me, it heightened the romantic feels of the drama.

Overall, I recommend this light, sweet rom-com, especially if you are looking for one with little angst and the main CP are so darlingly adorable in their unadulterated, innocent love.

Full OST list on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9aFD7zCaP0

Full OST list on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/1ybsFTzVK5SZaLc1PWzCe8?si=TZ9guaKtR6GAtwNwN3MW2w

不知不觉 (Unconsciously) - 康子奇 (Kang Ziqi)
不知不觉 (Unconsciously) - 徐秉龙 (Xu Binglong)
遇光 (Yu Guang) - 嘉羿 (Jia Yi)
奇妙物语 (Wonderful Story) - Joysaaaa
初次爱你 (First Love) - 彭雅琦 (Peng Yaqi)

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Made for Mindless Binging

Double Love is a good pick if you're looking for hearty laughter, fluffy romance, and fun engaging characters.

Adapted from the novel "Master, your wife is AFK again" by author Da Ju Mao, the story centered around Lu Wanwan, a female actress who is trying to make her mark in the acting industry without counting on backdoor connections, and Han Jingmo, a star, and expert game player.

The plot itself was the usual idol drama - a bumbling yet bright and warm rookie actress meeting a cold but admirable popular male artist and how they fall in love online and offline. There were cliches like past encounters leaving a deep impression on one of the leads and the usual show business shenanigans like scheming actresses trying to sabotage the FL's career and get between the two leads.

The storyline may not be new, but the show was fun to watch. The main CP's love story was endearing, and I love watching their journey to success in their careers and personal lives. The humor and wit were on-point, and the interactions between the characters were so heartwarming that they pulled me into the drama. Plus, issues and misunderstandings were resolved quickly, making it an easy watch.

Unfortunately, the show suffered from some terrible editing, and key scenes were cut, leading to viewers' frustration and confusion. I strongly recommend looking through the comments for links to the cut scenes for a better understanding.

The CGI for the game was pretty good, and I enjoyed watching the matches and the characters. There were some hilarious setups in the virtual world, especially when juxtaposed against the characters in real life.

The chemistry between the main couple as well as among all the characters was organic and engaging. I was rooting not only for the main CP but also for the low-key relationship with BL undertones between another pair. I adored the dynamics of the Lu family and the sibling relationship between Wanwan and her brother Lu Guang Han. They were hilarious, teasing and bullying each other but also so supportive and protective of each other.

Zhang Sue Ying was the highlight, honestly. Her character was full of energy and spunk and brought so much life to the show. ZSY's acting was so natural and realistic, like she became one with her character, Wanwan.

As for Bi Wenjun, he was somewhat stiff in the beginning, but he got much better in the later episodes. I was not wild about how they styled him as the top star Han Jingmo, and I preferred his look in the game. However, he was still eye candy, and together with ZSY, they made a great-looking couple, especially during their scenes on the red carpet. Han Jingmo was the perfect ML - faithful and consistent, always looking out for Wanwan...although he can be childish at times.

In general, the cast was great, and there was a fun rapport among them. I did find the side couple's story unnecessary and uninteresting. I would much rather them show more sweet moments between our main CP.

The OST was awesome. I never skipped the ending credits because of the song, 'I Wanna Be Your Love' sung by Bi Wenjun. It is a sweet song played during the main CP's romantic scenes. The opening song, Tiptoe, by Xu Mengjie, was catchy too. For posterity, I listed the song list at the end of this review.

Overall, do give this show a try! It would be a shame to miss out on the comedy, fun and satisfying ending. Whether you need to cure bad-day blues or just a distraction, watching this show might just do the trick!

OST List:
* Bi Wenjun (毕雯珺) - I Wanna Be Your Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztJE7NwDhOg

* Xu Mengjie (徐梦洁) - Tiptoe (踮脚尖)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLq-5sam6O0

* 打扰一下乐团 - Fearless (无畏)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uFefnf9A9o

* Jin Wenqi - No Trace (无迹可寻)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umsk7wFO8Bo

Album on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/52w5EV0C36g1EsEmGX4nDK?si=mX8-ZjeRQBiiMuPIBNS-cA

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Fated Love - Neither Time Nor Distance Can Prevent It

First Love: Hatsukoi has beautifully captured the twists and turns of destined love. With Fate pushing two people together but also pulling them apart when tragedy occurred, it was an addictive emotional roller coaster ride filled with the rapture of first love, the regret of lost love, and the joy of second chances.

A wonderful story about a love that transcended the sands of time, this drama fell into comfortable and familiar tropes. However, in this show, I found the cliches charming. With such strong chemistry between the leads (younger and older versions), I was happy just to be along with the ride and watch the heartfelt romance unfold.

Using distinct color palettes and compelling imagery, the director, Kanchiku Yuri, and the cinematographers breathed new life into tired story elements. Fluid camera movements transitioned the viewer seamlessly from the flashbacks of the leads' past into the reality of their present circumstances.

I liked how the director used elements like the snow, the sea, and the sounds of planes; many scenes were like expressive photographs with period details. In this show, color was not only an emotion, a state of mind but also part of the story itself. The way the show filtered and focused on the colors allowed me to experience the story through a unique lens that drew me further into it.

Of course, the music was one of this drama's most notable aspects. After all, Hikaru Utada's songs- First Love and Hatsukoi, inspired the story. In addition to these two, the drama music, including instrumental pieces by Taisei Iwasaki and other songs, captured the emotional moments flawlessly - joyful, nostalgic, or heart-wrenching. The music evoked empathy for the characters and was crucial to the narrative.

Despite a few rough spots that needed smoothing out, the story was well-written and flowed nicely. I appreciate that the plot was not only about romantic love but also about coming of age and the consequences of choices. There were also risque scenes which was an interesting change from the more conservative Chinese and Korean dramas.

The excellent acting also made this drama enjoyable for me. The characters were likable and relatable. The female lead's mother had moments where I wanted to smack her, but her heart was in the right place.

I liked and respected Mitsushima Hikari's Noguchi Yae, a character that I would describe as resilient. Society forced the idea of some being better than others and imposed unfair judgment on people like Yae's mother, but regardless, Yae knew that she and her mother deserved just as much as anyone else. Hikari was so lovely to watch, and her beguiling performance, along with Satoh Takeru as Namiki Harumichi, added the depth that completed the show. Takeru, with his melt-your-heart gaze, portrayed Harumichi perfectly. He is a really subtle actor whose eyes and micro-expressions speak volumes.

I also enjoyed the portrayal of the younger versions of the leads by Yagi Rikako and Kido Taisei. They were able to convey the feelings of an all-consuming idealistic young love, and Taisei's earnestness won me over as young Harumichi.

In summary, I do recommend this drama! I love a good love story, and this was definitely that. It is a story in which you cannot spend too much time thinking about the details. You just have to accept that the universe has plans for everyone, and everything will play out splendidly. As long as you enjoy the show in its little contained, cliched world, there is plenty to relish. Don't forget to watch the ending credits scene to the very end.

For posterity, I have included the Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWTSDEMZlKWZw?si=282686721a124f1d
Other songs:
- Escapade by Emro: https://open.spotify.com/track/71Pu8L7LWuig8tY3zuKH8C?si=44416f6cad1c4963
- Sleep With You by Egil Olsen
https://open.spotify.com/track/6dJabU4OhnOfyByP8NQeOF?si=caf81692d1dc4e4d
- Hard Work and Fate
https://open.spotify.com/track/29mpuWWmRUdH9P2zXz9a4k?si=858ee21bbd2040e4

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Be prepared for your heart to ache but also to be disappointed

Medical-themed C-dramas are pretty much the same: solving complex cases, doctors with different philosophies getting into conflicts but ultimately making the right decisions, and romance bubbling between people in white coats. "Thank you, Doctor" also had the "arrogant but brilliant doctor" trope, but unlike other shows, the drama added the back stories of the main leads to freshen the storyline.

This show was a lot better than I expected. The writer's ability to write a touching story for each medical case that truly tugged at one's heartstrings and the excellent acting by the main leads were the combination that saved this drama from becoming yet another run-of-the-mill medical show.

The cases were the usual amalgam of challenging ones that medical shows always feature, and not surprisingly, the doctors miraculously were able to solve most of them. However, the show provided a good balance. Instead of only celebrating idealized superhuman doctors, it also observed societal prejudices and problems, as well as the unpredictable nature of humans. All of which forced the doctors to attempt superhuman feats. I appreciate the show's acknowledgment that for doctors coping with impossible pressures, being good at one's job was not always enough to win the battle of life and death.

There were light moments to temper some of the heaviness of the medical stories, and the slow-burn romance added extra flavor for me. It was a slow burn done well, with lingering longing gazes, little selfless gestures, and secret unconcious smiles.

In the first few episodes, Bai Shu was an arrogant ass, undermining Xiao Yan, but she was always able to stand her ground. She was not scared of his gruffness or intimidated by his medical brilliance. This sequence repeated for a while, but they learned more about each other through the implicit rivalry between them. Along with Xiao Yan, the viewers saw more depth to Bai Shu, which made us appreciate him more.

Overall, Bai Shu underwent character development that made Xiao Yan like him and found him more charming over time. At the same time, the more they worked together, the more Xiao Yan impressed Bai Shu, ultimately earning his respect and admiration, professionally and personally.

Bai Shu was more assertive once he realized his feelings, but Xiao Yan had her inner demons to overcome, causing the relationship to stall for the whole show until the very end.

Yang Mi and Bai Yu were compelling to watch, individually and together. With their great chemistry and good writing, "Thank you, Doctor" rose slightly above the other medical dramas. Sadly, the other relationships and characters did not evolve well enough for me to deem this show a masterpiece. Certain characters were poorly written and not only were they one-dimensional, they were annoying too.

"Thank you, Doctor" had much to recommend it, but the disappointment of most viewers about the romance should be acknowledged. Framed as a romantic drama, it should have been more accurately described as a medical drama with some romance in the background. Additionally, this drama's ending did not deliver at all. It was clearly a rushed ending, too abrupt, and it felt like the details were cut out. It was frustrating when the show did not even feature both leads in the ending scenes.

Despite the unsatisfactory ending, I still rated this show highly because it kept me entertained and engaged throughout the 40 episodes. It was an enjoyable emotional roller coaster ride, and I stressed, cried, and rejoiced so much with the characters. Last but not least, no matter how secondary the romance was to the overall story, the dynamics between Xiao Yan and Bai Shu were the focal point for me. Watching the romantic tension and build-up between them was achingly good.

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Never Give Up and Never Give In (In Sports and In Love)

There have been other good Noona romances in recent dramas, but Falling Into You tops the rewatch list for me.

The theme centered around track and field athletes and their passions, dreams, and doubts. However, it was the love story that was candy for me. Those looking for good romance will not be disappointed by the great mix of sweet yet flirtatious, innocent yet sexy, complex yet enduring love between an aspiring coach and her idealistic student.

This show was already off to an awesome start when it featured two gorgeous actors as the main CP, who also had fantastic chemistry with each other. Nothing could get in the way of sparks between these two, especially when the romance began to heat up. I love that the actors were not shy about the kiss and intimate scenes, and I have to say they did remarkably well in this aspect.

Perhaps part of the credit should go to the director, Yi Zheng, who also directed "Love Between a Fairy and Devil", in which he was able to draw out excellent emoting from the leads.

Fun fact: Gina Jin is 8 years older than Wang An Yu, the same age gap as the main characters that they portrayed. Despite the age difference, they did an excellent job as a couple whose journey of love was so organic and wholesome. It was so enjoyable to watch our CP grow from the natural conflict of their budding relationship and going through the challenges of other people's prejudices to becoming a couple that inspired relationship goals. Once committed, they were unwavering in their support of each other and their faith in one another.

I was not surprised by Gina Jin's wonderful performance as Luo Na, the older woman who resisted at first but eventually fell for the charms of her persistent student. She is definitely a talent and simply stunning, even in plain athletic gear. She has played a similar role in "Why Women Love" and I hope she will not be typecasted.

Our perfectly handsome male lead was no doubt an eye candy. Perfect face, flawless skin, great physique. However, Wang An Yu wasn't all looks. This pretty face can cry! I am impressed with his emotional scenes, and there were many of them. After all, our adorable Duan Yu Cheng was still a 20-year-old boy on a path of self-discovery and smitten with Luo Na while trying to achieve his dream of being a top high jumper. I also liked Duan Yu Cheng's sportswear and casual outfits. This guy looks good in everything.

Some other characters fell flat or were unnecessary, but the cast did well overall. Watching the interactions between team members and coaches was fun; there were many hilarious and heartwarming moments. The show could have done away with some filler episodes and given us less of a rushed feeling toward the end. Still, it was a satisfying ending.

The OST was memorable, and I particularly liked the various songs played throughout the episodes. The two leads also sang a song each, and for posterity, I have listed all the songs I could track down at the end of this review.

All in all, Falling Into You was refreshing, entertaining, and binge-able. I could not recommend it more!

OST list:
* Love Blinds (Kéren)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dneyEcIm0Hg
https://open.spotify.com/track/7iwGlPC4KxQ96CjYFD2YvU?si=bb90e03c45be43b4

* The Biggest Part of Me (The Home of Happy and Dane Etteridge)
https://open.spotify.com/track/29CBEod7xU7sVqpb7XaK5d?si=bbff9b8140134d2d
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YStkj_2m2Ko

* Everybody On Your Feet (Amphibious Zoo Music)
https://open.spotify.com/track/00vS1coaTZjwiA4MKQbCnR?si=53314df83ca84768
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87LdNYETuGI

* Standing in the Moonlight (Soul Mechanic)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad91jxkTuak
https://open.spotify.com/track/0GVYSKXYMn4NzQC6DMnXNs?si=a4e5938621624d52

Call it What you Want (Antisocialites)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zRCUXKCkJM
https://open.spotify.com/track/0u60YRwLtd4HnaxkB7hmg9?si=2b820d94f7c04beb

* Girls Like You (Corban Shane Calhoun & Gabriel Canadian & Joshua Joseph Wilcutts)
No link

Brighter Days (Hanna Lynn Miller)
https://open.spotify.com/track/7ecwUJoCpwrfeN9tb5Vxgj?si=4857cadc31a14015

Uncorrupted (Julia Church)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5t_9ydDJm8
https://open.spotify.com/track/7tOu3piRvStm3BCk5CH7Q2?si=960e749f8cd94f8b

* 阳光 海浪 我和你 (Sunshine, waves, me and you) - 刘宇宁 (Liu Yu Ning)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk1o2AnIO_k

* 阴天转晴 (Cloudy and sunny) - 王安宇 (Wang Anyu)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLLr3K7aQDA
https://open.spotify.com/track/6OPvc0ghjjsXwG1Dh4xYzA?si=4b1a8b99e2234e29

* 度过此刻 (Spend This Moment) - 夏日入侵企画 (Summer Invasion Project)
https://open.spotify.com/track/5DmlNe79sX7LUHJrPZ9gSj?si=02df7f3e1e404ada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnj8v43ktdA

* 怦然心动 (Heartbroken) - 汪睿 (Wang Rui)
https://open.spotify.com/track/6UosPIGzBTMm3psQapq6ps?si=f0f989ec59994978
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y4MlP4H8jU

* 要不要留下来 (Do you want to stay) - 金晨 (Jin Chen)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjAE5v2pyQM
https://open.spotify.com/track/4jilfKy9z2tYwUN4jV57Pn?si=df0fc232693a4526

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Flawed Characters You Will Learn to Appreciate (Updated Review after Finale)

Most dramas start off with the notion of a perfect lead, with a personality and qualities that the viewers can admire. Well, not this truly underrated show.

Centered around civilians who were part of a volunteer rescue squad, Light Chaser Rescue focused on character depth instead of likability, which made it much more interesting for me.

One of the show's strongest points is the way it executed the stunts, the rescue scenes and the cinematography. The camerawork created the realism that drew me in completely and I cannot help but be immersed in the moments. It was indeed an emotional roller coaster ride with the different types of rescues and most had me watching with trepidation!

Add to that the unexpected plot twists, when revealed, were simply shocking, the result was a story that kept me engaged from start to finish. Throughout the series, I have already stressed, cried and rejoiced so much with the characters.

The show scored points with dynamic realistic characters who were shades of gray, who at times struggled with their actions and made bad decisions in the heat of the moment. Depending on whose viewpoints, it was not always clear if they were doing the right thing or what the right thing even is.

The main leads came off as confident powerhouses at work, Luo Ben as a brilliant lawyer and Zhan Yan, a gifted doctor. However, as their lives collided, we quickly recognize that both characters were flawed. Their internal struggles became obvious as the story delved further into their past, the tragic events that shaped a fundamental level of their personalities.

In addition, other characters with their own demons to face, and romance between different couples added flavor to the story. Romance-wise, there was the calm, restrained and mature love between the main leads. The comfortable steady kind of relationship that I appreciated. There was the second couple that delighted many with how they overcome challenges to stay together and a third couple who did nothing but irritated me with their rash, impulsive, entitled spoilt love. That said, there were viewers who liked them too.

As the show moved forward, it also built the viewers’ empathy for our two leads. The more we find out why they were the way they were, the more we understood them including their arrogance and aloofness that put us off at first. Still, many viewers would find both characters frustrating at different points of the story, especially in their interactions with their families and with each other.

However, the beauty of having such multi-dimensional characters was that the show engaged different viewers with various opinions. Along with many commentors, I was often torn between ranting against our main couple and feeling empathy for them. Ultimately though, Luo Ben's character development was the most well-written and he very quickly became a ML that impressed many. As for our FL, even though I felt that Zhan Yan's emotional development could have been better, the character was very consistent. I liked her but at the same time felt that she could have shown less restraint and be more human-like. Towards the end of the show, she became quite flat, too passive.

Acting-wise, I have nothing but praises for the leads. Both Luo Yun Xi and Janice Wu impressed with their quiet intensity and ability to emote so much with the smallest expressions. I first watched them together in “My Sunshine” and even then, they had great chemistry. They have certainly earned their reputations as excellent actors and in this show, they truly become their characters. Luo Yun Xi is amazing and I still cannot get over the fact that he did almost all of his stunts. Dramas come and dramas go but his performance was above and beyond.

To top it off, I love Liu Yu Ning’s Chasing the Light, the ending song. It has been instrumental in shaping some of the memorable scenes for me. The opening song, sung by Liu Duan Duan is also good and reflects the hopeful aspiring tone of the underlying heroic theme throughout the show.

Overall
I do recommend that you try this drama out and see for yourself.

The show did a great job showcasing the layers of different relationships.Thematically for me, it is a show that encapsulated life in many aspects and topics. It touched upon self-identity and personal growth, love (romantic and familial), respect and loyalty (to self, family, friends, and principles), societal pressures and opinions, friendship, and more.

Those looking for good romance between the main leads will likely be left wanting for more by the lack-lustre ending but for me, I did enjoy their complex yet enduring love and prefer to imagine a bright future ahead of them.

OST
追光 (Chasing the Light) - 刘宇宁 (Liu Yu Ning)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1U-mGyjmdE
https://open.spotify.com/track/70fYAAt5GK2nVdSb593FmE?si=0b77ce6952f64a3d

星空 (Starry Sky) - 刘端端 (Liu Duanduan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9QB7jd1SaY
https://open.spotify.com/track/1frmPu6bc0I8HkLtTfh9mt?si=ca7ac126ede94d38

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More of the Adorable stuff that made us love Season 1!

Like Season 1, the viewers also had a lot to enjoy in season 2!

I was expecting a lot of fluff, and that is exactly what this show delivered. This is a show with lots of heart, cute romance, and on-point comedy, one that is guaranteed to be a mood booster. It's cheesy, it's fun, it's tropey, and I enjoyed it!

Despite the expected light-heartedness, the show balanced scenes of poignancy and melodrama with humor well, and everything was tied up nicely in the end. It is definitely a bingeable show now that it is fully subbed.

Where the show excelled was the great chemistry among the cast and watching how everyone made the story come alive was time well spent! Continuing the love story of our main Lengqi CP - Bie as Fang Leng and Wang Peng as Xiao Qi, season 2 added two more couples for our entertainment. The relationships may have developed differently for the other couples, but their path to being together was also a fun watch. One couple was so dorkable and the other one was a more mature kind but sweet nonetheless. The supporting cast like Shi Yi, the SML, and Fang Lie's mother also deserved credit for adding flavor to the story. Assistant Han was one of my favorite characters with his outrageous outfits and played a big role in helping our leads learn more about love and progress in their relationship.

Everyone was great in their roles, and I can really feel the warmth they had on-screen. Yes, I did cringe a lot but in a good way.

There was so much that I liked about this show, and to be shamelessly honest, much of that has to do with Bie. That man is just so hot and attractive and he played so many sides of Fang Leng so well. I practically had to un-swoon myself off the floor every single episode after watching him. It is really too bad that he does not act in more dramas and that most of his Thai ones are not subbed.

Wang Peng has an interesting visual - attractive but not your typical classic good looks. Her look seemed fitting for a character who was not from this planet and she portrayed Wiao Qi perfectly, a bumbling, clumsy but endearing female lead who was also kind of adorably clueless. My only minor complaint is that she could improve in the kissing department =D

Music-wise, the tracks were great. The opening song, which was used in Season 1 was as catchy as before but my favorite was Don't Forget by Jin Wenqi, the romantic song that heightened the emotional scenes for me. Bie also showed more of his talent by adding a song to the track. For posterity, I have listed those songs below.

I do recommend that you try this drama out and see for yourself. Whether you need to cure bad-day blues or just a distraction, this drama might do the trick.

不忘 (Don't Forget) - 金玟岐 (Jin Wenqi)
youtube.com/watch?v=Vdx1m7g2Z4M
https://open.spotify.com/track/7pbZVBFnHrHyq3VOoMT1dX?si=24e2db5be34c4004

专属星空 (Starry Sky) - 陈卓璇 (Chen Zhuoxuan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mm1-uPReNg
https://open.spotify.com/track/1drTVQpmPoC7k2v87fvON7?si=6e32af1a137443bb

"Destiny Lover" by Thassapak Hsu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGdvym6pa_Q
https://open.spotify.com/track/0MIfLnjXDdhCPapiz21cV0?si=5a167628ae8d4e91

万有引力 (Gravity) - 李子璇 (Li Zi Xuan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niz0Wmig2XQ
https://open.spotify.com/track/6YHmCkAYWP97X2trI6R6Th?si=5e247f4a5e224436

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