This is my happy place
I loved this so much! It was cute and funny. The actors took their job seriously but didnt take themselves seriously. The support roles were also well done. I want a tutor this cool and I also want to be friends with Toru-san and his delinquent crew. Even the grumpy teacher won me over! I watched every episode twice. True comedy. Can't wait for special episodes, which seem almost certain.UPDATE: special episode #1 has arrived and I'm very excited to see where this is headed! I know folks are saying this isn't BL. Maybe that's true for the main series, but unclear that that will continue to be the same for the extra episodes. And I'd make the argument that it is, in fact, BL in the main. Read on if you're interested in my take, but know that there's a spoiler involved.
SPOILER ALERT--STOP HERE IF YOU CARE: Also, I would argue that it's BL in the main (albeit unfulfilled) because they already established mutual attraction that I think goes beyond bromance. Toru-san at the very least wants a kiss (and probably more, although that doesn't have to mean physically) and Kishi-kishi wants...well we don't know exactly what he wants but he's clearly smitten because he already confessed--つきがきれいですね？(Tsuki ga kirei desu ne? Translation: The moon is beautiful, isn't it?) That phrase is a poetic and indirect--and beautiful--way of saying I love you. Right now, Toru-san, Kishi-san, you, and I are all on the same page about that. Let's see where that leads.
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There better be a second season (and third?)
What just happened? Not one issue resolution in the entire finale!? This is killing me! I hope we get season 2, because otherwise I'm going to pine for closure for the rest of my days.This show has me hooked. The leads are adorable. They have amazing chemistry and comedic timing. Liuyi's facial expressions are everything. The character is great. The actor, He Yan Zhao, is fire. He should change his headshot to the caramel-colored deliciousness that we see in this series. He looks divine. I don't know if the asian entertainment industry generally has figured this out yet, but many of us prefer a little melanin.
He Chusan is great too. Sweet on the outside and a fierce protector on the inside. And since were talking about beauty, actor He Chang Xi is also truly handsome.
I dont know how to feel about the second couple. But we can sort that out during season 2.
I love the supporting actors. The dad is great. The main lackey is great. The number 2 is great. I want more of them all.
So go ahead. Start production on season 2. I'll wait. And don't feel like you have to resolve everything there. I'll watch season 3, too. I'm just saying...
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A little wonky but I keep going back
This is a great little series. There's something about the love between the mains that sat exactly right for me. Its not often that you get a series involving mental illness, especially where it gets this treatment. No tear farming with tragedy, but also no sugar coating. No big reveal or magical cure all. Just people living their lives. I dont feel bad for the character struggling with mental health issues, but I see him clearly as well. I really like him. And I like his partner.I agree with others that I could have used a lot more episodes. I wanted more about the mains. I wanted a LOT more about the second couple. That was disappointing but not devastating to my enjoyment of the show.
Also, the timeline was a little choppy. I wasn't disoriented, but it didn’t seem necessary or artistically helpful to do it that way. Just show their chronology with necessary flashbacks. That's it.
But overall I really liked these characters. I liked their imperfect love story. I liked watching the care they showed each other. And I liked that they were grown-ass men! I liked the theme song.
It's a short series, but even if it were much longer it would be worth your time.
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You had me at cats...
This is a combination of a few of my favorite things, so maybe I can't write an unbiased review!First, I love cats! A drama based in a cat cafe is calling my name. It's cute and cutesy. Everyone had fair warning of the silliness to come right there. I'm here for it.
Second, I'm a kifujin. So now we have cats in a cat cafe with men kissing? Yeah, let's do this. Who knows the Japanese word for old cat lady that watches yaoi?
Third, while I'm not the biggest fan of all the ships, I do enjoy this one. They can convincingly do hot and sweet. This was such a silly story but their portrayal was never cringe. Good job, guys!
Honestly, I probably wouldn't watch this a second time. But I'm glad I watched it the first time around. I like dramatic, emotional, intense BLs too, but sometimes you just need a cleanse. This was perfect for me! Happiness restored!
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So beautifully done!
Almost perfect! Just, wow! The feels be feeling.This is a good story. The acting is good. The costumes are good. The sets are good. The locations are good. There was a good mix of humor, drama, suspense, romance, etc. The main couple is fire. The second couple is fire. I love the supporting cast. Chuay is my hero. I love both moms. Just so many good things happening!
My very small complaints are with production issues. A few too many zany sound effects. And the sound in the NC scenes was sometimes distracting, which is a real shame because they were beautifully done.
I was crying at the end! It really hit me in my soft spot.
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It needed more time to tell this many stories well
Overall I liked it and I was invested in the characters. But there were some ham handed elements and places where it felt rushed. All drama is setup, tension, resolution (repeat). But there were so many story lines and so little time. It got garbled up.One of the highlights for me was anytime the family came together to support or just enjoy each other.
The main couple is good, but I wanted them to grow more. Theres a lot of trauma, which they lay out but then dont exactly work through. (Honestly, they might want a trigger warning because as someone who is NOT an SA survivor I still felt some kinda way about seeing all that pain.) Sailom stays a little more doe eyed than I wanted. Pi Doc is the greenest green flag and I loved that.
Tawan and Dindin are my babies. And in a lot of ways thats the story I enjoyed the most. But there were a few ridiculous plot lines that I could have done without. I really could have watched a lot more content with the two of them. I liked the actors' chemistry the best of all the couples (with the mains as a very close second).
Sky and Nava had a somewhat tortured story arc. I like them a lot too, but some weird unearned moments happened with their story.
The daughter and the mom! Yes please! Loved them both. More substance from them would have made me happy. I really like kids and family storylines in bl. It changes the dynamic.
Thanks for dealing with the mental health issue even if not entirely to my satisfaction. And thanks for making this about grown men! (Anyone who reads my reviews knows I appreciate seeing mature adults in bl series.)
Overall it needed more depth and finesse. The writing could have been better, and some of the director decisions were questionable to me. There was a lot to work with and they missed some opportunities and blew others. That said I'm not mad I watched it. I'd even say I enjoyed it!
But there's a lot of bl out there, especially in Thailand. And, again, Khemjira is making y'all work for it!
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That's how it's done, son!
This series has ruined other shows for me! I get to the end of another program and I'm like, why wasn't that resolved as well as Khemjira? Why wasn't the music as good? Why wasnt the acting as good? Why wasnt it as visually appealing? Why wasnt the chemistry as fire as Khemjira? You know, maybe don't watch it because it will set the bar so high you cant enjoy other series!First couple is obviously great, but the second couple had me living for every interaction. The actors seemed really comfortable, which made the chemistry between the onscreen characters 10 of 10. It was chemistry so good I can't wait to see them in a future project.
And the music! OMG! I almost never comment on the OST, but this time I gotta. Mantra? Just wow. The version with Keng singing lives in my soul now. The instrumental version may be even more transcendent. It sets the mood perfectly, and when I rewatched the series I was filled with anxious anticipation each time I knew it was coming. It may have outflanked Why Don't You Stay from KinnPorsche and the OST for Thundercloud Rainstorm (both of which I really love).
Bottom line, I need a shaman, an amulet, and friends like these in my life right now! I'll pass on the vengeful spirit, though.
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A good watch for those not easily triggered
This wasn't easy to watch. It made me angry a LOT. But I kept tuning in because I wanted to know what happened to Lu Feng!The story was tortured in a lot of places. There were some acting fails. But I loved the chemistry between the mains when it was humming. Honestly, I disliked pretty much every character other than Lu Feng, including Yi Chen (Xiao Chen?). And the show's treatment of mental illness was shit. It was such a missed opportunity to really shine. Ugh.
Overall I enjoyed myself. It kept me wanting to know what was next. Not perfect but still a solid watch.
And I am unapologetically team LF! Look, I watched the whole thing. I know all the facts. And I stand by my decision.
First, his story was compelling to me. He's struggling but he never strays from his objective. He's absolutely devoted and completely obsessed. Second, he grows over the course of the series. He makes mistakes (that's an understatement, folks) and learns from them. Third, his suffering at the hands of every other character shredded me. Despite his despicable behavior I felt for him.
Also, my shallow side will never get over how beautiful the actor who portrayed LF (Ayden Sng) is. He's approaching He Yan Zhao (Sammy's Children's Day) gorgeous. He's Takeuchi Ryoma, Bible Wichapas, Apo Nattawin level gorgeous. He's Denzel Washington gorgeous. As my list suggests, his type is not my normal bias; I like 'em melinated, chile. But here we are.
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Season 1 was better than Season 2 for me, but I have the answer!
I love PoohPavel! Pavel has the most expressive face I've ever seen. And the man is also a top shelf drop dead gorgeous cryer. I mean, like Ziyu in Revenged Love level of crying game. How does he ugly cry and still look both convincing and hot AF? His O face is pretty sweet too.And Pooh is so adorable. I enjoyed watching my baby boo try to run things. (I thought his acting was better in Goddess Bless... but maybe that's just me.)
And thank the lord for a dominating bottom and pretty top. Honestly, can someone start writing vers mains into BL? Part of what I enjoy about BL is the break from the patriarchy. Dont bring it back through uke/seme tropes!
I love so many things about this show. But I wasn't totally feeling the presmise underlying the second season or the storytelling. That made it hard for me to fully enjoy because I was like WTF all the time. Write a more cogent story (in S2) that I can care about. And dont do ridiculous things.
There's a sorta kinda spoiler below so if you care stop here.
Seriously, you guys could have called me. I would have written the second season for you. I dont have it completely worked out, but Charlie would have absorbed an enigma's powers in season 1 so we could have the big reveal in season 2. And at some point this would have resulted in Charlie impregnating Babe. I dont know whether this is an Incredibles situation where the baby has a shit ton of powers or if its a kidnapping plot or both. But it ain't what you fools wrote in S2. Anyway, writers, call me. We can work out the details. Season 3 will be great!
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Amazing acting with some strange storytelling
I miss both couples already, but especially the mains! Both love stories were so emotional and romantic. The chemistry of the first couple is beyond amazing. Their intimacy was unreal. I mean holy damn. I won't recover from that anytime soon! It was hot and so incredibly emotional. Really well done. (If you want a treat, go find the actors reacting to the mains NC scene. It's one of the best reaction videos I've ever seen.)The second couple is so good to watch too. Their chemistry is also fire. They are more playful but also full of emotion.
Honestly, both couples seemed very confortable with each other, which makes everything better to watch. It feels natural. Thank you actors!
The other characters are also great. The dad, mom, and uncle made me so happy. They were very genuine characters that didnt feel forced.
There were a few weird storylines that were confusing and one or two characters who I didn't think were propely tied into what was happening (and their stories were definitely not tied up).
But overall I liked the story despite the sometimes awkward flow. Definitely watch this one!
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Seven years later this is still a good watch
There are some cheesy acting moments, especially in the fighting scene choreography.Other than that, this was divine. The story was interesting. The chemistry of the main and second couple was great. The mains were so so good. Their interactions felt so sincere. The second couple was adorable.
The story wasnt entirely predictable but it wasn't outrageous either. The flow was good and the emotional peaks and valleys were earned.
I'm glad I decided to watch this one!
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The music alone makes this worth watching
Damn, the music is good! And I can't find the entire OST! Please, for the love of humanity, release the soundtrack in its entirety. It's really that good.I love the chemistry between the leads. The acting was good. And actor Jeong Ri U just does it for me. He is so handsome and his voice is so sultry.
They could have leaned into the dom/sub aspect more but I won't complain too much about that. When it was steamy it was so good. When it was sweet it was adorable. When it was painful it was brutal.
The story could have had a better flow. There were some unnecessary plot lines. But overall I enjoyed watching these two.
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Good chemistry, weak storyline that had potential to be better
There really was sufficient material here to make this way more interesting. And it started much stronger than it finished. I liked the mains and I'm a sucker for a vampire story. (Yeah, I went there.) The story didn't explore many things that could have made it more satisfying. More about their individual histories. More about the conflict with the brother. More about vampire v non-vampire issues. And they took time (precious time in a short format like this) to do things that didnt really advance the plot. Its actually harder to make a short format piece, imho, because you have to be really efficient with the time you have. No filler at all.It was cute. I'm not mad that I took time to watch it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Watch the second couple through episode 8 then bounce
Ugh. This was so painful. And let me be clear, it was painful before the writers completely gutted the best part of the story.The 3 best things were the second couple, the Black support character, and the kids.
I liked the main couple's acting but I hated their story. It was a strained premise that was made worse by drawing out the unearned resolution for almost the entire series. Ridiculous.
The second couple gave me life. I tuned in specifically to follow them. But the writers destroyed it unnecessarily but literally killing their relationship. The same point about cherishing the one you love in the moment could have been made without offing one of them.
My other complaint was the misses on the NC scenes. Don't act like we are seeing everything because the timing is too short to be the real deal. It feels weird. And dont get into impossible positions. Its distracting.
Overall, blech. Decent to great acting was wasted on a crap script. So annoying.
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This pulled me in more than I was expecting and didn't let go
This popped up while I was looking for my next Netflix watch. I loved BKPP in I Told Sunset About You—the acting was incredible, and their chemistry was almost unbearable in that series.I haven’t seen the Taiwanese original of this one, so I didn’t know what to expect, but it ended up being a really satisfying watch. The comedy worked well, with strong timing and natural chemistry, and the drama hit the right emotional notes without feeling overdone. I especially enjoyed watching the gradual warmth develop in their relationship. Grandma was a standout and added a lot of heart.
The story included a few twists, but nothing felt out of sync. Even when I knew what was coming, the emotional moments still landed because of how thoughtfully they were handled (and the acting).
I enjoyed this from start to finish, and no scene felt wasted. Highly recommend. I’m only taking off half a star because it came a little too close to body‑shaming one character, which stood out in an otherwise enjoyable film.
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