Brilliant

Be prepared to fall in love with the characters, their development is so well handled and their acting is on point.
Everything in this drama screams acting masterclass.

I was pulled into their court intrigues and felt deeply about our main couple who are world weary and have been betrayed by the very people they admire and have vowed to protect. Their relationship is a constant, the chemistry and respect is palpable.
Ruyi is one of the strongest female leads I have encountered. She is proud, fierce incredibly talented, flirtatious, outrageous and admirable.

The young naive princess Yang Ying is a hidden gem. Her emergence from terrified female out of her depth in dangerous situations to a person who weighs up the difficulties and makes informed choices is terrific to watch.
There are lots of bad/evil characters but one of the most interesting is Ruyi's disciple, Li Tongguang, his plotting and machinations make him an easy fall guy target and his obsessive stalker behaviour to his shifu creates lots of opportunities for conflict.

If you come on this journey and hold out to climactic last episodes you will probably need several boxes of tissues. For me the most heart rending is watching the youngest member of the delegation. Yuan Lu, who despite his heart issues pushes his body to exhaustion delivering the vitally important message requesting military back up for his brother. Then there is Shisan, known as a playboy and lover of all things beautiful in life, making sure the woman he loves is safe before making a final heroic stand fending off the enemies.

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Delightful rom com cleverly executed.

Nichika as Aoyagi- imbues his character with the right amount of introversion and angst as he fights his low esteem issues to try and make a success from this BL drama opportunity.
Aran as Akafuji- on the surface a successful, experienced actor dedicated to improving his acting until he actually meets his stan Aoyagi and has to try very hard not to be a gushing fan.

Lots of lovely comedic scenes as each ML misunderstands the motives of the other, Their inner world is given to us as inner dialogue and this highlights the inner and outer conflict each is feeling.

Despite the briefness of only 3 episodes the story is cleverly plotted and unfolds at a good pace revealing their feelings and growing romantic interest,

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Burgeoning romance

Ichika and Amane show great character development as each has to step out of their comfort zone to make this arranged marriage work.

At this time in Japan the role of females was very prescribed and Ichika has to overcome her upbringing, lack of confidence and the constant reminders by her Aunt and others that she is not worthy to be the head chef. Amane, being younger, has more modern thinking and his ideas are the catalyst for the ryoten restaurant and Ichika to solve the dwindling financial situation.

I liked the scenes where the couple work together to solve problems;
the American delegation not wanting Japanese prepared food
the US Japan women's group charmed with the bento boxes and making sushi rolls
the wedding reception on a budget
the competition to save the inn

The couple show a lot of consideration and respect and we can get glimpses of their feelings slowly changing to romance. They do not declare love at the end, however, they step closer and make a pact to continue together.

The manga is ongoing so it would be nice to get another season.

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Delightful!

Season 2 outdoes itself in allowing us, the audience, to watch from the sidelines as their day to day activities play out. The details are where we feel the love between these mature men who have been a couple for around 8 years.

Slowly permitting more of the outside world to interact with them and acknowledge their cohabitation. we are given insights into the Japanese societal norms and lack of legal support for same sex couples.

Meeting each others parents, discussions on retirement, death and funerals is refreshingly explored in their shy way.
This season gives us dialogue around commitment and the last episode is extremely touching.

Love is demonstrated in action rather than emotive displays of affection and their mutual caring and respect is heart warming.
Hopeful for another season XXX

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The online dystopian community exposed

I am wary of the whole online opinion makers who rush to trash people for their own gratification. The individuals who make the deliberate choice to become online influencers are also a mystery to me.

I started watching this drama out of curiosity, similar to reading the gossip magazine found in a doctors waiting room, and discovered a world previously unknown to me.

I liked that the FL had a pretty gamin beauty, like Audrey Hepburn or Audrey Tatou, fresh and vulnerable. This made her likeable and watchable and her wardrobe choices are terrific. She is depicted as having a great instinct for fashion and this is what sets her apart from the other females who we learn have less desirable traits. The men are shown to be quite misogynistic even the main love interest believes he should save the FL because she is out of her league.

I am not very drawn to revenge motives, however, as the drama unfolds and Ah Ri's online narration reveals all the background machinations, lies and personal attacks I was lured into needing to know more. There are many twists and reveals and some heart pounding moments that kept me watching.

The acting is okay and the plot-line exaggerated for dramatic effect but if you can let yourself suspend logic and just enjoy this distorted view of an online community bent on creating a luxury illusion you will be entertained.

The online dystopian community is exposed everyday where public personas are destroyed overnight by a cacophony of keyboard armies spewing their hate and outrage into the void. I find this tale a good warning of what might be going on in the world of fashion influencers.

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Well worth watching and a cut above most BL offerings.

I was totally pulled in to this depiction of mature age BL story of love and breakup.
The acting was wonderful and all the small nuanced gestures kept the feeling real. This couple have reached a rocky point in their relationship and the more conservative Fumiya calls it quits. This breakup on, Ritsu's birthday, is incredibly real and raw.

Then we are taken on their journey as Fumiya learns that Ritsu rushing out that night has been involved in an accident. Fumiya realises Ritsu has lost all memories of him and any associated with their life together. He resolves to assist Ritsu and makes the fateful decision to label himself as his roommate.

This decision seems counter-intuitive here. Fumiya has the perfect opportunity to 'reset' their relationship and regain the love. I can only surmise, as he avoids all of the 'signals' from Ritsu to form a love relationship, that he is worried that Ritsu, upon regaining his memories, will recall the ugly break-up.

Their relationship is shown in a series of flashbacks as places they have previously been to are revisited. The love and care is beautifully shown and I was very invested in their getting back together.

The writers do a wonderful job of slowly revealing the arc of their story and there is a very satisfactory and believable ending.

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Sweet, clumsy shy love.

This is a cleverly written and acted slice of life BL that is heartwarming.
The young actor Maeyama Kuuga is so natural and spontaneous he also has the important role of bringing the two boys together and defusing tensions. He nailed the role of Tane.
His brother, Minoru, is very relatable as a young man who has dropped out of college to care for Tane and is grieving the recent death of his mother.
The chance meeting of Yutaka sets of a series of small, positive shifts in all their lives. Yutaka is pulled into their caring family dynamic and begins to open up to the world.
We are given flash backs to understand how each of the two boys have been shaped by their past. Their blossoming love is a slow, respectful journey initially broached by Minoru in a shy confession then later firmly accepted by Yutaka.

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A gentle love encounter

I was totally captured by the 4 actors in this drama.
The two main leads were perfect as the main love interest. Each was given enough backstory issues to create the misunderstanding that almost topples their slow burn romance.
Their attraction is subtle and wonderfully depicted in their body language and facial expressions.
The confession is very touching and I could feel the anxiety in his trembling voice. The hugs are beautiful and almost make up for the dead fish kiss.
(BL actors and directors need to be comfortable displaying love. Acting is acting and if a kiss is called for then use your craft to make us believe it).
The second couple help make the ensemble even more interesting, I want to know more and see more about their burgeoning love relationship.
The production has captured the artistic mood with settings and lighting and suitable wardrobe.
In the story-line the ML Tae Joon is, understandably, feeling hurt and betrayed by Won Young's actions. What makes the difference is Won Young also feels wounded by Tae Joon's stance and pursues him to clear up the misunderstandings.

The director, Eui-Soon Jang, was an assistant director on the wonderful Coffee Prince and also directed the sweetly, sad BL Peach of Time.

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Worth watching for the child actor

Lennon Sun playing the child, Xio Bao, stole the show. He was so cute and precocious in every scene he was in that it kept me engaged for the first half of the drama. His interactions with his stepdad, Qiaoyan, are very natural, affectionate and believable. The FL, Yiyue , bonds with him and handles the awkward situation of being put into the mommy role when she is actually a child psychologist hired to help him overcome muteness due to PTSD.
The inevitable quibbling and quarrelling between the two leads is the much used trope towards romance. This is also fine initially.
I did like the generous friendship support offered by Ruo Wei for YiYue and Wen Gu for Qiaoyan.

Where it all starts to fall apart is the latter episodes.
The entitled actions of Lin Wei and her families attempts to destroy Qioyan's company are never addressed.
The Aunts hiding vital information regarding the car accident tragedy is unnecessary manipulation of her, already affected, nephew.
The stupid trope of now we are together and lets breakup but I wont tell you why is annoying.
Poor editing and sloppy ending spolt the overall for me.

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Clever use of time travel

This is a beautiful and sad love story.
The ML puts his love ahead of his own future.
Through a magical watch he is given the chance to change the future to help the FL fulfill her destiny.
In the times they are together as a couple their love shines out.

The time travel has unexpected consequences and he continues to love and support her from a distance. His rapid ageing is done really well.

I kept wanting a fairy tale ending and we are offered this but it is not the truth. At the end there is a sad redemption and throughout the story we are given glimpses via the diary he keeps.

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Entertaining reminder of young love in it's first passion.

For males or females who can recall either being the object of the desire or being the desirer in a relationship.

The couple in this J romance have a lot to overcome before they open up to each other.
The female is an introverted bookworm who would rather lose herself in the printed page than anything else and this means relationships as well. The ML, in a tired and sensitive time at school, steals a kiss. This tiny action has a lasting impression on him and so 10 years later, when he returns to Japan, he contrives a chance meeting and pursues her. The timing of this encounter is perfect because the Fl need somewhere to live that will contain her many books.

Once they are living together he tentatively but relentlessly puts into action all the supportive, sweet romantic gestures he can without scaring her away, The Fl comes to like and expect these offerings and so their intimacy progresses,

What I liked was the ML straightforwardness. He also knows how to play the push pull game to get the Fl to initiate more. The Fl keeps believing her past trope of only needing books until she starts to realise she also needs him.

What stood out for me was the consistency of the ML's pursuit. At first I thought it was too one sided but as their relationship develops the Fl surprises herself with her awakened lust and jealousy.

There is a lot of fantasy and skinship all done in a soft dreamy way. Gentle but still far and away better than the K drama and C drama efforts that pass for romance.
Entertaining reminder of young love in it's first passion.

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Love eased their pain

What made this drama stellar are the actors. Good looks aside they portray their characters in a way that made me care for them. I love that the two main leads have their own successful businesses. They are liked and respected at work and this makes the power dynamic in their relationship more equatable than is often portrayed in couples (of any sexual persuasion).

There is plenty of romantic gestures, hugs, kisses, love gifts exchanged, meals prepared with cute notes and lovely banter between the MLs both before and after their love confessions.

Bl tropes are in evidence, however, a different slant is employed. For instance when Lang realises he was fearful and jealous of the ex two memorable scenes - the hug (haha) and Xun An putting in boundaries when he said “I like you, but it doesn’t mean that you can do anything you want to me,” stand out. Their long walk is also a master class in cinematography as the camera follows them.

There are lots of (too many) side couples all vying for screen time so I can only hope there is a 2nd season.

People are fragile egos so both come with their own baggage and these issues are slowly revealed.

Lang displays typical PTSD behaviours when triggers are set off. His toothache and a storm are the perfect environment for him to regress to the point of an early trauma. Xun An handles the situation and is kind and caring allaying Lang's fears temporarily. Xun An recognises that this has event had long-term effects on Lang and, whilst offering his support and protection. acknowledges it is upto Lang to get professional assistance.

Xun An is a fairly introverted character and has created a lot of life rules that moderate his more natural behaviours. this trait is more in evidence as the pair become closer and Xun An begins to relax and change. His own severe upbringing and parental expectations are also revealed. Unfortunately the scenes in episode 11 are jarring and brutal and over emphasise his earlier home environment.

- I will skip this when I rewatch and I believe this has good rewatch value.

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I found this drama fascinating.

Push through the odd beginning and make allowances for some of the script meanderings and you will be rewarded.
The cinematography is first rate.
There is a twist in regarding the 2ML that is handled well with sensitivity and understated use of flash backs and vague language.

(I have not seen this topic depicted in dramas previously and it prompted me to do a little research).

The friendship of the three main characters from childhood to the present day is emphasised and their different personalities are well defined by the actors.
I love that the FL has to self reflect on her motives and her reluctant acceptance of the role she can play in this trio of friends.

The budding love relationship of the two MLs is gently depicted in their actions rather than words. It lacks any sizzle but has a solid yearning feel.

The ML is slow to comprehend his feelings of love yet when he does he unambiguously takes action and the scene of coming out to his mother shows his deep caring and love for their relationship. He comes across as brave and protective and very straightforward.
The 2ML has returned, ostensibly, to renew his friendship with the trio but quickly realises his ulterior motive is to remain close to his first love. His past experiences have made him secretive and afraid of others reactions so he guards his identity from the ML.

A truly lovely BL with many layers and some fun scenes where Ching Lung fantasizes the two ML leads in two well known K-drama scenarios.

This is a short drama and has short episodes so I recommend binging.

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Brings a smile

I decided to watch this straight after enjoying Choco Milk Shake.

This was delightful and, I suspect, what I liked the most was seeing James, Prapatthorn Chakkhuchan, as Meow. The lighting, makeup, wardrobe all added to this total package of cuteness. I kept commenting to myself on how lovely he looked. If he wore a halo instead of those adorable twitchy cat ears I would have believed it.
To me he stole the scenes at every appearance.

The whole story is very innocent and nothing inappropriate occurs, although there are participants that wanted more they were respectful. Meow is so youthful in his actions (it is hinted that he may be 13 or 14 but acts very much younger) I had to look up his real age (23) his actions are sometimes closer to a six year old.
Gap in real life is 27 and we are not told his characters age, however, he does play the role of older brother (with a crush).

So although there is cuteness overload I feel that all the actors did a good job and possibly the director was at fault and needed more input from the real world for Meows character.
I smiled a lot.

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Quirky and layered

This seemingly simple drama has some subtle layers that kept me interested.

Topics that are touched on - lightly because this is a comedy romance drama in that order;
how someone can create a lie and use their position and influence to cause harm,
betrayal by a friend can have serious long term effects,
not facing your fears can be debilitating,
fans can cause damage in social media.

Even though our FL has chosen to live in seclusion her thoughts are beautifully written and conveyed as inner dialogue.
The ML is almost the polar opposite to her and like a burst of summer sunshine he invades her life and heart.
There are some wonderfully lol moments and cuteness abounds.
Supporting cast are terrific too and the character development of both leads is believable. He used his smile and optimism to mask hurt and learns to be more realistic and she learns to stop hiding and confront or challenge what hurts her.

I liked Enrique's character so much I am checking out his other dramas.

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