Anais

Death will save our humanity.

I don't write reviews for movies in general, but I really wanted to talk about this one.

The subject that it touches is that of our humanity. If humans ever arrive with technologies to prevent the inevitable - death - from happening, what are we left with ? Insatiable desires for more money, power, in short, an endless life to take possessions but give nothing. Humans are already so self-destructive, the only thing that is certain is death, if we take it out of the equation, it's the worst we could do to our specie.
Also, as the subject of the death of humans is approached, so is that of being worthy of being saved. Do we deserve it ?
In the end, all humans die, whether from disease, accidents, or by other humans, that is a certainty. But what makes a person more worthy to be saved, and should we save those who are designated as worthy, because nowadays we treat everyone, but especially those who don't deserve it too.

In the end, there is not necessarily an answer, I know that human beings will one day arrive at a stage where in some way we will become immortal, just as I know that one day we will populate our solar system and even our galaxy, it may not be for now, or in a hundred years, but it will come. Well, if our planet Earth has not left us before because of our relentless destruction of it.
Human beings are going to die out, one way or another, just like our galaxy is going to die. It's written in the universe and life, death is part of it, and even if humans manage not to kill each other and survive the death of planet Earth, our hope will die in this solar system.

Now, it may seem tragic, but I think we've done enough, we'll discover enough, our existence in the history of space is nothing but a drop. And I find it reassuring, it all started in silence, and it will all end in silence, and if other species ever come to live long after humans, let's just hope that their intelligence won't be a path to self-destruction too.

Anyway, this movie is one of many on the subject, and I'm glad it helps get people thinking. Immortality in human hands would mean our end, and that I am sure of it. But I know the human greed, and we'll achieve immortality but not invincibility, we will die among ourselves, if that's not ironic.

Well, good movie, the production is pretty good, the characters too and the story benefits from a good script.

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Filler drama

It's the story of a group of people who find themselves working together two years after a suspicious airplane crash took place. Choi Kang Woo created his own investigation team, after he lost his wife and son in the accident. He and his team meet Kim Min Joon, a genius former swindler whose brother was also a victim of the crash.

Now, overall the series was nice, I have to say that it actually started off very slow, and even though I wasn't super entertained by the story, I think it's not bad. The story is pretty basic actually, we've seen it before, it's the typical trope of people banding together to uncover the truth behind a tragic incident that ultimately has to deal with powerful people using their power to make money regardless of the victims. Here, the only change is that we have the insurance aspect.

So afterwards, I don't think anyone will be amazed by the story, but they did an overall good job.

I saw a review called Woo Do Hwan a "show-stealer" and I can only agree on that. This actor, whom I have seen now in a few series and different roles, is truly a talent of his generation. Not only for me he is the one who made the show interesting, but all the scenes in which he appears are just really good. The character Choi Kang Woo, who is the grieving father and husband, is supposed to appeal to my empathy but I haven't once felt like I connected to his character. While the only time Kim Min Joon, Woo Do Hwan's character, cried, I had tears in my eyes. He had quite a mischievous character played, I could see his eyes fill with mischief, sometimes he was bold and cold, sometimes touching, sometimes funny, he was everything.
It's to say the contrast, a young actor, so I want to mention that here it was only his second main role in a series manages to touch the viewer while a veteran actor does not even make me smile.

Now, I don't want to slander Yoo Ji Tae, but he's not a fabulous actor to begin with, I've seen him in a few other series, and no matter the role, he always seems the same to me. His tears are just overrated, his character here is basically dumb as he gets out-smarted by Woo Do Hwan most of the time. For his role, I expected him to live up to Woo Do Hwan who shone. I don't know if it's the script, but even Woo Do Hwan managed to shine in it, so I'd say it's really the actor who is the problem.
However, don't take my words as saying he sucked into it, I'd just say he was pretty decent, he was there to be there, to fulfill his role, it's just that his acting wasn't good enough to rival that of his co-star Woo Do Hwan.

As for the other characters, I would say that Ryu Hwa Young was written and performed with some depth, and even though we don't get to dig deep into her character, she does shine the most after Woo Do Hwan, which is a surprise for me because female leads tend to be annoying. She shows several layers, and I would have liked her to be explored more as there was so much potential.
As for Kim Hye Sung and Jo Jae Yoon's characters, they were there typically for the comic relief moments, they didn't bring much else, but their characters were enjoyable for what little light they got.

I won't drag this out any longer, but if I had to sum up this show, it's kind of a filler after a show that's been very intense, it was long and to be honest I skipped several scenes but it's got a bit of everything - comedy, action, emotion and drama, a bit romantic echo - it's pretty basic and enjoyable for the most part. The production is good, the script correct and Woo Do Hwan was THE highlight.

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Interesting story on the Justice System

This is the story of Hyun Soo, an ordinary college student, suddenly becomes the primary suspect in a murder case. Shin Joong Han is the only lawyer willing to help Kim Hyun Soo.

I'll try to keep it as short as possible, but I enjoyed this story. It reflects the justice done by man-made laws, in reality, justice and truth, it is not what prevails, there will be things overlooked, people biased and half-truth.
It's really just telling two different stories about the events of a case, and the one that's better told wins the case.

Here, it was clearly seen that the prosecution wanted to paint Hyun Soo as the murderer at all costs, and at the same time, they overlooked other possibilities, which ended up coming back to bite them later during the trial and after.

Now, about the series, I must say that Kim Soo Hyun did an outstanding acting, he is really very talented. The overall story of a young man who found himself just doing what young people his age do, and later awoke to a nightmarish reality, and those bad choices out of fear painted him as the murderer in the eyes of law enforcement. I really liked this story, and Cha Seung Won too, who showed us a somewhat pathetic but determined, kind and supportive lawyer.
I was also surprised to see Kim Sung Gyu as an inmate, who although he is feared by all, takes under his wing Kim Soo Hyun and really helped him, he is a talented actor whom I discovered in "The King of Pigs" which is also a thriller that looks into the heavy bullying at school. I can't wait to immerse myself in "Kingdom" to discover him in another role.

Now, to stay in the story, I don't want to say too much more, but as for the production, I must say that the story holds up very surely, the tones/colors are dark and suits the heavier theme, it is presented with a lot of realism especially on the aspect of the Korean judicial system.
Honestly, it's not ground breaking but it would be a shame not to discover this mini-series which is very well done, and the characters very well acted whether from the accused to his family, the lawyers to the opposite side with the prosecution, the police.

I don't think it's a series that necessarily needs to be seen several times, but at least to be seen once.

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Nice thriller to discover.

The Veil is a spy investigation series that tells the story of a top National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent, Han Ji Hyuk, who during a mission that ended up with the death of his two colleagues and the revelation of many agents Korean secrets in China, disappeared and was presumed dead. A year later, he reappears without the memory of the past year.
He therefore begins to investigate to discover an internal traitor who wants his downfall, but he confronts a much bigger enemy behind a secret organization. He is joined by Je Yi, who is a young NIS agent with her own motives and becomes Han Ji Hyuk's partner.

The series is very mysterious, honestly we are suspicious of everyone, especially those who wish to "help" our protagonist, without forgetting that he himself because of his mental state makes us doubt his character.
Who is he really ? How far can he go to complete a mission ? What happened a year ago ?

It is really a complex character that plays Namkoong Min successfully. This character is cold, distant and determined, he wants the truth at any cost and has little pity for those who are his enemies, no matter how "close" to him that person was.
He quickly understands that he cannot trust anyone but despite this, he still goes from disappointment to disappointment.
I must say that the mystery thickens with the passage of time instead of the opposite, until the last episode.

I thank the writers of the series who did not want to invest in a ridiculous fast romance, so we were able to focus on the intensity of the series entirely without scenes made to satisfy fangirls in search of romance. And oddly, it makes the FL enjoyable, we can understand her motivations, and appreciate her character.
The series is dark, the tones are dark, the characters are all mysterious and complex, it is difficult to know who stands on which side, they all have multiple layers and even the antagonists are relatable and on the contrary sometimes we asks if our protagonists are that "good" and if they are not the "bad guys".
The action scenes, be it the fights, the car chases, they are all done with realism and excellent choreography.

The theme of the series revolves around the truth, the truth which is always different and altered according to the person, his memories and emotions. But also the series speaks of sacrifice, of those people who hold power and who according to them work for the country when in truth they only want power. The sacrifice of common people in the service of these people in power, ending up being nothing more than pawns and collateral damage, but also of the revenge that comes from suffering.
If there is cause for revenge, how should it be done ? On who ?
It's really a series that addresses these aspects of being human is this search for truth, for a goal to accomplish that could pull the most desperate people out of the arms of death.

I must say that this series managed to produce what it wanted as a result, it is impactful and intense.

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Basic k-drama.

Well, this is the story of a young man, Lee Hyun, a young profiler, who returns to Korea after years abroad - in the USA - and who is interested in an investigation and murders that are related to the death of his father and the disappearance of his brother by a psychopathic criminal, Lee Joon Young. Of course, he has little memory of that time and the fateful day, so he tries to recall his memory and solve the mysteries.
He meets an investigator, Cha Ji-an, with whom he will team up to find Lee Joon Young.

Well, the set-up is typical of lighthearted k-dramas, the atmosphere of the series is rather comedic and not very serious, the inspectors are all nice idiots who don't know how to do their job, the "bad guy" Lee Joon Young is smart enough and manipulates everyone as he wants. The FL is stubborn, clingy, acts like an annoying stalker but she gives off the same energy as many other FL, she does not stand out with her acting.
It's really a series in k-drama fashion : comedy, a bit silly, some emotional scenes, a clumsy and boring romance with a decent ML.
Honestly, it's more the plot that stands out here, not that it's extremely well executed but the starting idea is good, it's also the story of two brothers.
I would have liked to see what this series would have done with a more serious psychological thriller and crime k-drama production. It would have been a gem among the genre.

People have painted this k-drama as one of the best but the storyline is basic, without surprises, the course of the story has been gently followed, the characters are just there to complete and without particular acting.
Honestly this k-drama is just one of many, nothing special, that doesn't need re-watching, with empty characters and no complexities.

However, special mention to Park Bo Gum, who plays the role of Lee Min, the little brother who is a killer, his acting is the one that stands out the most and makes us think that he has a lot of potential.
I hope to see him again in a crime and thriller series with a better production and script to match his talent, and not a banal comedy k-drama made to not make the audience think too much.

The ending is just as banal and even bad, a killer is just released into the wild thanks to the kindness of some of the characters, and I wonder what kind of ending is that which is far from realistic. Killers may indeed never be caught but people never release a killer because "he promised" to change.
So they are "bad guys" but not too much because be careful, they have extenuating circumstances and sometimes they show human emotions. So bad but not too bad.
The killers here were very romanticized for the audience. In short, really basic k-drama.

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A journey to love yourself.

This series is one of the last to come out this year, and I didn't expect to be hit with such a captivating story only a few weeks before the new year, iQiyi jealously guarded this gem. The story itself is rather simple about two assassins, Ren Ruyi and Ning Yuan Zhou from two warring and enemy countries, Wu and An. Of course, it wouldn't be exciting if the two didn't fall for each other.

The premise begins when in a bloody battle, the Wu state loses and the Emperor is taken prisoner to the state of An.

Yuan Zhou is the former leader of the Six Dao Hall, an assassin organization, who found himself accompanying Emperor Wu during this battle and one of the only ones to survive. Long story short, he is later pressured to accompany the delegation, with the Princess Yang Ying trapped by the Empress schemes into cross-dressing as a prince, and save the Emperor. At his side are other assassins who accompany him in his task, of course the audience is led to discover each character and fall under their charms.

As for Ren Ruyi, she is a former assassin of the Scarlet Guards who had to re-infiltrate the ranks of the organization to find the murderer of the Empress of An who was like a mother to her. Due to lack of luck, she finds herself having to abandon her scheme due to circumstances that will be detailed in the series, and she cross paths with Yuan Zhou while she tries to hide. Yuan Zhou agrees to host her and eventually, through other circumstances, she accompanies the delegation to enter the state.

I won't reveal more about the story, but I will touch on a word about how their love story was. First, it doesn't seem forced, then, refreshingly, it's Ruyi who runs after Yuan Zhou, who from a charismatic leader becomes timid in the face of these attempts. The two quickly learn to understand each other due to their unique position and much is conveyed emotionally through their gestures and facial expressions. It's mature and above all healthy.
Ruyi is probably the most badass female character I've seen, they didn't try to build her reputation too much, and on the contrary let her skills do the talking to later reveal that Ruyi is in fact a legendary assassin. Yuan Zhou is equally impressive, especially his wits and adept at playing mind games with his enemies. They are a power couple in all their glory and it is a pleasure to follow them.

The pacing of the story is really good, we don't dwell endlessly on misunderstandings, it's generally resolved within one episode and we stay focused on the main story. The secondary characters are just as interesting and often touching, they all have a story that is revealed. The overall production is really good and also the fighting scene, nothing on the level of "My Journey To You" (a series released this year whose cinematography is breathtaking) but really pleasant to see.

I have mixed feelings about the ending and the last episodes though, I think the writing could have been better and it's a let down by the writers.

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A very interesting series that perfectly mixes Korean police history and a good thriller.

The story revolves around the 1990s, where the citizens of Seoul were gripped with a paralyzing fear after a series of brutal attacks and murders occurred. The habits of striking randomly made it impossible for the detectives to predict the criminals next move.
Aware of the American F.B.I. and its successful use of criminal profilers to identify serial killers, Gook Young Soo recruits Song Ha Young, a quiet, reserved, incredibly perceptive former detective for his team. Gook believes using this new psychological method will give the police an edge in capturing these killers.

Well I'll be honest, the first episode wasn't amazing in the sense that, me as a viewer, I wasn't captivated by the story. The first episode is supposed to do this to make the viewer want to find out more, but the show lacked in this as it was too slow for me. That's why I had only seen the first episode, and paused this series until I resumed it weeks/months later because I was bored.

Now, I want to establish that the series separates itself from other thrillers for several reasons.

First of all, its pacing, we discover a lot of detective work (door to door, documentation and archiving ... etc.) so it gives a more realistic impression of really observing what is surely the daily life of the police at that time, and that may be redundant. I have to say that the show is really about two episodes long for each killer in average, with the full story, starting with the POV of the killer and his victims, the police work, the arrest, and the aftermath - when they're in jail. It's really quite a process, and sometimes the show made us jump months or even years forward to showcase the realism and the time it takes for investigations to be solved.

Secondly, I would say it's really a series that was focused on showing how the Korean police integrated profilers and how they helped, it's a long process again, with many backlashes coming from superiors or colleagues who at that time didn't see why profiling a killer could help them solve cases. So there are a lot thrilling moments, I wouldn't lie, but it's really a series that focuses on the police and historical aspect of such an approach.
It reminds me of models, in the fashion industry, runway models are chosen for their very thin, almost characterless features and bodies to showcase the clothes. Well here, I would say the actors were good in their roles but ultimately they were more part of a bigger picture where the story was more important than the characters.

And lately the show hasn't been overly focused on drama, like no big shenanigans from superiors or rich, no backstabbing between friends or colleagues, no revenge, no love dramas, no overly character strong and intelligent. All these elements that are generally part of drama thrillers in Korean, here have been set aside to focus on realism and tell the story - a little fictionalized - of profilers in the police.

I would like to mention, also, that all the actors did a good job of bringing their characters to life, especially actor Kim Nam Gil who played the main role of Song Ha Young, showing how much this kind of profession - profiling - weighs on these people, and that it requires a certain mind, composure and discipline, and above all intelligence.

So I recommend sticking with the show after the first episode, I believe the story is very well written - the characters and the story, especially from a detective perspective, and despiste the sometimes slow pacing, realism cover that well.
It's really a series to see, and I must say that I really enjoyed it, the killers were real monsters, not romanticized, who often committed the worst crimes.

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Love hidden behind a mask

Essentially, the story follows Ming Xian, a young warrior admired by all, who has won the annual Qingyun Conference every year since he was thirteen. However, in the most recent tournament, he faces Ji Bozai, a former slave who rose through newfound strength and carries a mysterious past. During their battle, something strange happens, Ming Xian’s spiritual power becomes fatally damaged, leaving him with only one year to live. The more he uses his power, the faster his life shortens. Ji Bozai defeats him, ending Ming Xian’s long reign as champion.

But here’s the kicker, Ming Xian is actually a woman. She uses an illusion to disguise herself as a man so she can fight in the arena, but moreso to bear the burden of being the “crown prince” in general. Her true identity is a closely guarded secret, known to no one who has not given birth to her, not even her greatest rival, her step-brother.

With her life now slipping away, she must find a cure. Convinced that Ji Bozai is tied to her mysterious injury and possibly holds the rumored antidote, she leaves home and approaches him in disguise. She adopts the identity of Ming Yi, a beautiful but naive “fairy” courtesan, pretending to be hopelessly in love with him in order to infiltrate his circle. Ji Bozai doesn’t believe her for a moment, but due to political pressure, he keeps her close, essentially choosing her over allowing his enemy spies to remain at his side.

For a long time, Ming Yi and Ji Bozai simply use each other. Ming Yi searches for the cure in secret, while Ji Bozai pursues revenge and fights corruption. They constantly help one another while plotting against the other, yet slowly, inevitably, they fall in love. Their relationship becomes a tangled push-and-pull, their hearts are sincere, but their goals, past traumas, and secrets keep them at odds and entertain misunderstandings.

The series is entertaining in the beginning, emotional, romantic, filled with scheming and dramatic reveals. I’d say the first 20-ish episodes are the best. After that, it begins to drag a lot, and many of the plots and twists become predictable. There are touching moments, and both leads have beast companions who act as their confidants and comic relief. There is also Situ Ling, who loves Ming Xian/Ming Yi so deeply he’s willing to sacrifice everything for her. His unrequited devotion who turned into obsession over someone who simply showed him kindness once and gave him hope really got to me, I almost wished Ming Yi could have returned his feelings, even just for a little while. But unlike some dramas where the female lead wavers between two men, here she never truly sees him as more than a clingy and obsessed man.

In the end, it’s a lovely romantic series, great chemistry, some frustrating moments, average plotlines, and vaguely entertaining. It just loses momentum later on, to the point where I eventually watched in x2 speed. But overall, it was still a enjoyable to watch, I recommend if you are into the romance primarily.

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Empress Dowager : A Tale of Power Lost in Rushed Politics and Unfulfilled Promises

This is the story of Sun Ruo Wei, whose parents are executed on the orders of the Yongle Emperor in 1402. However, she narrowly escapes death after being secretly adopted by Sun Zhong. Later, Sun Ruo Wei becomes the concubine of the Crown Prince Zhu Zhan Ji.

Tragically, Zhu Zhan Ji dies after a decade on the throne, and Sun Ruo Wei is honored as Empress Dowager when her 7-year-old son, Zhu Qi Zhen, ascends the throne.

This series is lengthy, so my review will be a bit long, though I'll try to keep it concise. I usually don’t review shows I’ve stopped watching, but I felt compelled to give my thoughts on this one.

First Part (Episodes 1-20)

The story begins by introducing key characters and exploring the historical circumstances that led the Yongle Emperor to the throne. The change in power brings a wave of killings and massacres of those loyal to the previous regime, including Sun Ruo Wei’s parents. Sun Ruo Wei is separated from her younger sister, who is saved by the Emperor’s grandson and the Crown Prince, later being handed over to a high-ranking official’s care in the palace.

Sun Ruo Wei is adopted by a friend of her parents, who saved her during the massacre. She grows up amidst rebels and orphans, plotting the death of the Yongle Emperor and the return of his nephew to the throne.

Zhu Zhan Ji, the Crown Prince’s son, is the favored imperial grandson. His relationship with his grandfather, the Emperor, is the highlight of the first two parts of the series. Despite the Emperor’s suspicions of his sons, Zhu Zhan Ji is chosen as heir. Though the Crown Prince excels at governance, he lacks the imperial stature the Emperor desires in a successor.

In the first part, we see the complicated relationships within the royal family. The Emperor, despite his paranoia, doesn’t want his sons to harm one another, leading to some dramatic yet sometimes comedic moments. For instance, when the Prince of Han argues with the Emperor, he celebrates his own funeral and lies in a coffin, almost wishing/daring for an imperial decree to announce his death. The Emperor, angered, locks him in the coffin as punishment until an apology is given.

The relationships between the princes are filled with tension, and the interactions are often humorous as they navigate the Emperor’s wrath. The most significant relationship is that between the Emperor and Zhu Zhan Ji. The Emperor shows a rare tenderness toward Zhu Zhan Ji, who is deeply devoted to his grandfather. They share many moments of affection, with Zhu Zhan Ji even earning the nickname “little monkey” from the Emperor. Despite being mischievous, Zhu Zhan Ji acts as a confidant and helper to the Emperor, even assisting with personal tasks. The Emperor, in turn, entrusts him with a precious gold totem that signifies the Emperor’s authority.

Zhu Zhan Ji and his parents have a more strained relationship with his uncles, who plot to claim the throne. They view Zhu Zhan Ji as their main threat, and the animosity between them and Zhu Zhan Ji intensifies. The first part focuses on Zhu Zhan Ji and Sun Ruo Wei’s relationship, which begins somewhat one-sided, with Zhu Zhan Ji falling in love with Sun Ruo Wei while she maintains feelings for Xu Bin.

Second Part (Episodes 20-30)

The tone shifts in the second part, becoming more serious and dramatic. Sun Ruo Wei is reunited with her sister, Hu Shan Xiang, and both marry Zhu Zhan Ji—Sun Ruo Wei as a concubine and Hu Shan Xiang as a consort. This part delves into the border wars between the Mongols, Uighurs, and the Ming Empire, as well as Zhu Zhan Ji’s wedding celebrations.

The mood darkens when both the Emperor and Crown Prince fall seriously ill, and Zhu Zhan Ji’s emotional scenes with the Emperor are heart-wrenching. His family is caught in a precarious position as his uncles wait for the death of the Emperor or Crown Prince to seize power. Amid this political turmoil, the country faces the threat of civil war.

Some viewers have criticized Sun Ruo Wei’s performance, noting that her character becomes more passive. While the change may seem abrupt, it’s understandable. Sun Ruo Wei is no longer solely driven by revenge but instead prioritizes the well-being of the nation to prevent further suffering. Her actions become more selfless as she helps manage the country while Zhu Zhan Ji is away at war.

During this period, it becomes clear that Zhu Zhan Ji and Sun Ruo Wei will not be a romantic couple, but rather partners who respect each other and must work together for the good of the country.

Third Part (Episodes 30-40)

By the third part, my interest waned. While I typically enjoy series that focus on political intrigue, power struggles, and minimal romance, this show fell short of its potential. The strategic plots are rushed, and we barely see them unfold. The female characters, especially Sun Ruo Wei, become sidelined after the Emperor’s death. Sun Ruo Wei is rarely seen after the former Crown Prince’s death, and Zhu Zhan Ji’s character, which had so much promise earlier, becomes one-dimensional. His scenes are reduced to fits of anger, lacking the cleverness and depth from earlier episodes.

Hu Shan Xiang, who becomes Empress, is suddenly pregnant with no build-up, and there are no meaningful moments between her and Zhu Zhan Ji. The lack of emotional depth and character development in this part is disappointing.

This part also focuses on the Emperor’s death, the Crown Prince’s ascension, the scheming of his brothers, and the eventual defeats of Zhu Zhan Ji’s uncles. These events feel drawn out and lack the intrigue and excitement I had hoped for. It was a frustrating and empty section, which left me feeling disconnected from the show.

Ultimately, I dropped the series. While I still recommend it for those who enjoy historical dramas, I don't otherwise for romance lovers and those who care for an intriguing script. This one failed to live up to its potential. The actors were excellent, but the writing and character development left much to be desired.

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Fighting to Feel: Bruises, Bonds, and Buried Trauma

This series is a pretty typical high school action drama built around the theme of bullying, a topic that seems to be popping up more and more in Korean dramas these days. It follows Kim Eui-gyeom, a quiet and respectable student who’s dealing with a lot of pressure to be the “perfect son”, especially after his brother’s apparent suicide. He carries the weight of trauma and mental health struggles mostly on his own, and it shows, he’s always on edge.

After transferring to a new school, Eui-gyeom immediately catches the attention of the class bully. The tension escalates when the bully targets Eui-gyeom’s most treasured possession, a walkman that belonged to his brother. That moment pushes Eui-gyeom over the edge, and the fight that follows pulls him into even more trouble, drawing the attention of senior bullies.

Meanwhile, Kang Yun-gi, a chill and seemingly bored classmate, starts showing interest in Eui-gyeom and becomes an unexpected source of support. As their friendship grows, the two of them begin fighting not just in school, but outside of it too, all while Eui-gyeom’s home life slowly unravels.

The show tries to tackle some heavy themes, trauma, suicide, bullying, and abuse, but with only eight episodes, it doesn’t always dig as deep as it could. There’s also some confusion around Eui-gyeom’s fighting ability. At first, he seems inexperienced, but later he’s holding his own like a pro. The show doesn’t really explain if he had past training or if he’s just picking things up along the way.

That said, it’s still an engaging watch. The acting isn’t particularly standout, especially when compared to something like Weak Hero Class 1, where the lead gave a phenomenal performance. Here, things feel a little safer, and the bullies can come off as trying too hard. But the story itself is entertaining, and the bond between Eui-gyeom and Yun-gi is one of the best parts.

One character who really stood out to me was Kim Seung-jun. He doesn’t get a ton of screen time, but he’s definitely one of the most interesting. He starts off as a bully with a sense of honor and eventually decides to step away from all the nonsense. There are hints at a deeper story with him, especially involving his mother, and it’s a shame the show didn’t explore that more.

In all, it’s a small but promising series. If you’re into character-driven stories and watching unexpected friendships form under tough circumstances, it’s worth checking out.

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A Charming Rom-Com About Fate, Love and Destiny.

The series is actually quite enjoyable, especially if you're a fan of classic rom-coms. It has all the right elements—lighthearted fun, romance, and a bit of drama. However, it does feel very reminiscent of True Beauty, from the character dynamics to the overall execution, which makes it less original.

I started watching because it was trending, and the premise intrigued me. The story is sweet, centered around the idea of changing the future while navigating fate and destiny—are the coincidences really just coincidences? At its core, it's about two people fighting for each other against the tragic events in their lives, which is quite touching.

This was my first time seeing Kim Hye Yoon in a lead role. Though she has appeared in other series I've watched, she never particularly stood out to me. She did a fine job, but her performance wasn’t especially memorable. Byeon Woo Seok, on the other hand, caught my attention. I had seen viral clips of him from Strong Girl Namsoon (which I haven’t watched), and I was curious to see if he had more to offer beyond his good looks. I think he does—his acting is solid, and with his rising popularity, I wouldn’t be surprised if he soon takes on more complex roles beyond the charming boyfriend or attractive villain.

Overall, I’d recommend this series. It’s light, fun, and an easy watch.

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Another good thriller.

This series is really something. I believe that along with "The King of Pigs", these are the two best revenge thriller series of the year. This series takes you to the guts until the last episode. There is a lot of suffering, and that explains the choices of certain characters who in turn have also caused other people to suffer.

Some of the characters were some of humanity's worst trash, what they did to those kids is just awful. And the fact that years later they refuse to restore the truth to save their asses, it's really unbearable, and I also understand the "why" of the actions of certain characters. This series is an excellent suspense thriller, from beginning to end we have no idea of ​​the revelations to come, even though I guessed the murderer quickly and his potential accomplices, I believe that the mystery does not lie in the "who ?" but in the "why?". Why these murders ?

The characters, including the murderers all have motives, and sometimes even if as an audience we judge their actions, we understand why. And I honestly think it was all done with a certain realism in every aspect.

The series is therefore really well done, the tones are dark, enigmatic. The music is memorable. Well detailed script. The characters are striking with a sometimes sickening realism. I must say that I finished this series with the ending that it deserved, and I don't feel the need for more episodes or less, everything has been explained and makes sense.

So honestly, a good thriller that I recommend for sure.

Ps. From what I get, it was inspired by real events, which is the more tragic. In light of this, I do wish the kids here, the victims were more highlighted rather than the antagonists who did horrible things to them.

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Lovers Against Fate

This story follows a classic transmigration setup. A young woman, Wang Cuihua, is reading a novel when she suddenly finds herself transported into its world, inhabiting the body of Yu Wanyin, the infamous demonic concubine of the tyrant emperor Xiahou Dan.
In the original plot, Yu Wanyin is destined to die and serves as a cruel antagonist to the story’s main couple: Prince Xiahou Bo and the concubine Xie Yonger. Xie Yonger is meant to fall in love with the prince, overthrow the tyrant, and bring justice to the empire.

But things immediately go off-script. Now aware of her fate, Yu Wanyin refuses to follow that path. She doesn’t want to die, nor does she want to play the villain. On her first night in the palace, when she is presented to the emperor, he initially dismissed her, which leads to them interacting and something in his speech catches her attention: a modern expression that shouldn’t exist in this historical setting. Testing her suspicion, she greets him in English. When he replies, they both realize the truth, they’ve both transmigrated into this novel.

What follows is a mix of political intrigue and comedic moments as the two form an unlikely alliance. Together, they try to avoid their doomed fates, navigate palace schemes, and counter the prince’s rebellion, as they begin to wonder if the supposed “hero” couple has transmigrated as well, all while keeping their shared secret hidden.

The male lead really delivers a standout performance. His portrayal of a ‘tyrant’ is layered and deeply sympathetic. Poisoned since childhood by the empress and his brother, he suffers from constant headaches, emotional trauma, and isolation. He was forced into adulthood through abuse and control, he’s a puppet emperor teetering on the edge of madness, yet he still finds the strength to resist and fight back. What makes his story even more tragic is that he has been trapped in this world for over a decade, enduring years of loneliness before Yu Wanyin arrives.

Xie Yonger is another compelling character. Though initially framed as the “destined heroine”, her story is far more tragic. Manipulated by those around her, she tries to survive in this ruthless environment, even facing the devastating loss of her unborn child, gutted by the knowledge that the father, the prince, wanted her dead. Her character arc is emotional and well-executed.

Yu Wanyin herself is charming, mischievous, and kind-hearted, though there are moments where the portrayal could have explored deeper emotional nuance to me. As for the prince, he perfectly embodies a self-righteous, paranoid figure whose moral superiority quickly becomes insufferable. He’s easy to dislike from the start, and never really redeems himself.

The ending in the drama is simple and somewhat abrupt, implying a happy resolution. However, the original version of this story offers a much more complex conclusion, where the emperor eventually dies from the poison and wakes up in the modern world, while Yu Wanyin remains behind, raising their child alone. She lives out the rest of her life in solitude as the empress before finally dying herself and returning to the modern world, where the two are ultimately reunited. This ending adds a bittersweet layer that the adaptation chose to totally skip.

One clear weakness of the drama lies in its action scenes, which were poorly choreographed and almost cartoonish at times.

That said, the central relationship is a major strength. The chemistry between the leads is strong, and their bond develops naturally. They begin as strangers relying on each other for survival, gradually growing into something deeper. The male lead is protective without being controlling, embodying a quiet support that feels genuine and heartfelt. Their romance unfolds in a believable, gradual way that makes it all the more engaging.

The pacing is another highlight for me. Unlike many dramas that drag eventually, this one has a steady, dynamic flow. The plot progresses fast while still allowing time for character and relationship development.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable and engaging drama definitely worth watching.

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A follow-up that keeps the spirit

Good season. I’m a bit torn, I do think it kept the essence of the series, still felt grounded even though it had having some subtle surreal elements without going over-the-top (ahem, Taxi Driver, full shade).

But... I kind of regret that they spent… what, six episodes with Gunwoo mostly crying and then just showing up to fights, beating up some thugs, and repeating that cycle. I feel like he used to be more proactive than this. On the psychological angle, it does make sense, back in season 1, he just went with the flow and reacted to what happened to him. Now he has hindsight, carries guilt, trauma, and seeing people get hurt again reminds him of what he lost. I actually really like that aspect.

But I’m a bit frustrated that they leaned so much on other characters at either extremes, telling him to toughen up or coddling him. To me, Gunwoo’s charm is his resilience, his pure heart, he doesn’t give in to the criminals’ methods and keeps pushing forward even when he’s scared. I felt less of that here. They kind of made him give in into the whole ‘to stop a monster you must become one’. On another character, I wouldn’t have minded, but... this is Gunwoo. Dreaming of having the ‘heart of a boxer’.

Also, Woojin felt kind of nerfed, literally. I don’t mind him being retired as a coach, and I do think the fights (in general) were better choreographed and more realistic this season. But I expected him to play a more active role like in season 1. Back then, it really felt like he and Gunwoo were a team trying to set things right. Here, it felt more like Gunwoo did most of the fighting while Woojin struggled to keep up and sometimes even needed saving like a damsel in distress. In this season, I found myself just hoping Gunwoo would show up so the beatdowns would stop.

The end of the season does hint that in the eventuality of a 3rd season, they would basically train even more to hunt bloodhounds, so I’m guessing becoming stronger.

Du-yeong being back was truly an emotional moment though. I did wonder what had happened to him since his dead body was never shown, so I’m glad he didn’t die, but they again left us on cliffhanger on not knowing what happened to him after he got stabbed, multiple times. Anyway, I could really feel Gunwoo and Woojin’s emotions when they saw him, it definitely got a few tears out of me.

To conclude, I liked the season, it keeps the spirit of the show but I do think they can do better. Hoping for a season 3.

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A Captivating Story with Strong Performances, Despite Its Flaws

The story takes place in a desert region where three rival cities fight for dominance. Princess Huang Beishuang, fleeing after the fall of her clan, seeks refuge to the Northern Lord, Huo Qingyun.
However, when she reaches his city, he turns her away at the gates, and tragically, her mother is killed in the process. Barely escaping with her life, Huang Beishuang wanders the desert, where she meets Princess Ge Xin Wei, who is being forced into an arranged marriage with Na Zhan, the Lord of Yunpei City. In a desperate bid for freedom, Huang Beishuang and Ge Xin Wei swap identities, one seeking vengeance, the other adventure.

Unbeknownst to Huang Beishuang, she soon crosses paths with Huo Qingyun once again, the man partly responsible for her pain, and their growing bond becomes more complicated as Huang Beishuang and Huo Qingyun fall in love, but his past actions eventually come to light. She is torn between her duty, revenge, and maintaining her false identity for the newfound clan that now depends on her.

The drama is driven by intricate power struggles, shifting alliances, and characters who must navigate their ambitions while protecting those they care about. Ge Xin Wei, in her new freedom, crosses paths with a ruthless bandit named Ruo Wen. While I personally found him irredeemable as a viewer, Ge Xin Wei falls for him despite his violent past, including an attempted sexual assault on Huang Beishuang, she remains drawn to him, even as he fixates on Huang Beishuang.

Besides the romance, the main plot of the story revolves around ancient texts that the characters are trying to find and decipher, said to hold the secrets for surviving and thriving in the wilderness. These texts seem to be based on knowledge of nature, geography, and other studied fields.

The series delivers intense drama, compelling characters, power struggles, and romance, including surprisingly pretty uncensored skinship scenes, which is rare for Chinese dramas. The acting is strong, with a standout performance from Hankiz Omar, whose stunning presence leaves a lasting impression.

Just be mindful of the trigger warnings before diving in.

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