Amazing acting and Chemistry by Seven Tan & Xu Kai - Business-heavy with slow romance

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75

I am very surprised that I like “As Beautiful As You” so much. What cemented the 9.0 rating is the amazing chemistry and acting by Seven Tan and Xu Kai. They have proven that they are more than just good-looking idol actors.

However, there are a couple things that might prevent you from loving this:
1. This is a VERY business-centric drama. The main plot revolves around Artificial Intelligence and 3D medical device and printing industry. You can’t fast forward all of that, because you will then miss the intricacies of the business scheming, the character development and basically the whole main plot.
2. Slow burn romance. If you are expecting a cute and fluffy romance, you will have to be very patient. The journey is slow and full of emotional highs and lows, but it’s totally worth it in the end.

If you are fine with the above-mentioned two points, then you might enjoy this drama as much as I did.


What I Like:

1. Seven Tan & Xu Kai
I cannot sing their praises enough. I’ve seen many of their dramas in the past. I know Seven Tan is a good actress, but I don’t remember thinking she was awesome until this one. There’s so much growth in her character, and seeing how Seven Tan brings her character to life is a beautiful thing. I see controlled emotions, happiness/shock/pain in her big expressive eyes, and the subtle facial expressions so beautifully executed that she doesn’t need to utter a single word. Adding to that is her ability to dub her own lines very well. I believe has always done that, and it shows her experience in this area. Similarly, I’ve always been a big fan of Xu Kai and believes his acting is so much better than the projects he picks. He’s one of the actors where he can convey a myriad of emotions with his big expressive eyes as well. With a good script, these two experienced actors elevate themselves to a different level. They have so many good tension-filled scenes together before the characters get together.

2. Main Romance
As I said, this is a slow burn romance. But that doesn’t mean the leads do not have scenes together. They actually have many scenes together and the chemistry is evident, even though half of the drama is focused on their business relationship. I enjoy how But Han Ting (ML) guides and supports Ji Xing (FL) to make her own decisions, face her own consequences without always there to save her. Their relationship develops slowly and steadily. Once they get together, you can tell how they are meant for each other. It’s no wonder FL’s ex-boyfriend comes to the realization that he just can’t give her what she needs. The best part for me is not the cute and fluffy part. It’s the anticipation of the big blow out and confrontation. I knew it’s going to happen and I was DREADING it. When it did happen, I was heartbroken while watching Seven Tan and Xu Kai act their hearts out in those gut-wrenching scenes. That confrontation and the subsequent episodes are what cemented my 9.0 rating. The last 10 episodes of this drama is a roller coaster ride of emotions.

3. Backdoor scheming
I personally find the business part of this drama interesting. There are enough plot twists to keep me invested when in actuality, I really don’t know much about the industry. However, as I follow along, I can see everyone is playing chess. Who is a chess piece and who is the chess player? Who is the behind-the-scenes master controlling everyone? There are so many smart dialogs exchanged between ‘villains’ and ‘villains’ vs ‘the good guys’. The subtle and the not-so-subtle digs at each other, the condescending and fake congratulatory messages....all of this is exciting for me (but maybe boring for you). I wrote on a Feeds post and admired a scene between two ‘villains’ and their scheming inside a teahouse. That scene was so well-shot and acted. The lipstick mark on a tea cup, offered to the other. The subtle evilness going between them and the secret pact formed when he took that tea cup with a lipstick mark. The lighting, the tension, the meaning behind all this

4. Ji Xing’s path to success
In a way, this drama reminds me of Seven Tan’s other drama “Master of My Own”. Both are business romance dramas with a strong focus on her character’s journey to professional achievements and success. I enjoy following Ji Xing’s growth in “As Beautiful As You” more, partly because the male lead is there to support and guide her along the way. In “Master of My Own”, the male lead isn’t as supportive, but we do have a great female mentor. I think her challenges of starting her own business are realistic and believable. Just because you have the talent, ideals and drive, it doesn’t make you a successful entrepreneur.

5. He Rui Xian as Li Li
He Rui Xian is such a beautiful and sultry actress. She plays an amazing Li Lil, showcasing her sassiness, charisma, and a very free lifestyle. I also think He Rui Xian’s acting has improved a lot. There was a scene at a wedding when she was discussing marriage with her boyfriend. I can see the change of emotions in her big eyes from happiness, shock, disbelief, sadness, anger… all in 10 seconds. I was amazed!

6. Love the Mother/Son Duo. Love FL’s parents. Also like ML’s grandfather (wise, cautious but not too stubborn).


What I have Mixed Feelings and Don’t Like

1. Enough of torture for Ji Xing
As much as I enjoy following Ji Xing’s road to success, at one point, I just had enough bad things happen to her. I feel so bad that time after time she’s put to the test. I feel tired watching her overcome all these challenges, and I wish for her to just get a breather!

2. Make Up
OK, this is my pet peeve. I cannot stand overly white and thick foundation, especially on male actors. I know Xu Kai has pale skin, but he is sickly pale here. Not only him, but all the other male actors don’t seem to look good at all. Luckily, the ladies fare better and don’t look as ghostly.

3. Loud Music
Another pet peeve of mind is super loud background music playing, especially when the actors are speaking.

4. Dubbing/Recording
I was praising Seven Tan for her dubbing, but unfortunately I can’t say the same for Xu Kai and for Gao Han. Xu Kai dubbed his own lines, but he obviously still needs a little more work and practice. Gao Han has a voice actor, but his voice and his acting don’t quite match. I also wish there’s more live on set recording, instead of mostly studio recording.

5. Gao Han and Luo Ze Kai
Something about Gao Han and his role (Dr Shao) doesn't quite gel with me. Maybe because of the more soft-spoken character he’s playing, or the ugly makeup or the dubbing or his hairstyle or his acting. Something is not right and I can’t pinpoint what that is. Luo Ze Kai on the other hand was fine when he’s playing ML’s best friend and confidant. His personality is livelier and he’s more comfortable. But when he plays the role of Li Li’s boyfriend, his personality changes 180 degrees. In the beginning, he is charismatic and sexy when he’s trying to seduce Li Li. Then the acting switches and he becomes boring, bland and emotionless.



This review is getting too long. Anyway, I would recommend this for you if you are fans of Xu Kai and Seven Tan, business plots and slow burn romance. It reminds me a bit of “Master of My Own” (business plot) and “Fake It Till You Make It” (business-heavy, and great leads chemistry but a very different type of romance).



Other Random Observations:
1. Xu Kai looks like a little boy when he’s playing basketball. When he doesn’t have to be the boss, his eyes change and the inner child shows.
2. Han Ting (ML) teaches Ji Xing (FL) how to fish; but Xiao Yi Xiao fishes for Li Li (2FL)
3. I also like the character development of Su Zhi Zhou - from a boy to a responsible man.
4. I might have shaken my head when the childhood connection was introduced.
5. Ji Xing’s cell phone case changes as she progresses to different stages of her career.
6. Interesting games of blowing cards and weighing soups
7. So many printed contracts and proposals for a tech company. Where are the tablets and e-signatures?
8. That’s one huge diamond engagement ring!


Completed: 8/5/2024 - Review #469

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Well-executed and acted roller coaster ride of emotions.

Subjective Gut Rating: 9.25 (going to be generous and rounding this up to 9.5)

Wow.. I had zero expectation going into this as I haven’t watched “Unintentional Love Story”. I was just hearing good things about “The Time of Fever”. Am I glad I watched it! It’s been a very long time since a Korean BL made me feel all the different emotions. The last one was “To My Star” Season 2.

The plot is really simple. But what this drama excels in is its execution, acting and the range of emotions that it brought out of me. I was smiling, giggling and crying throughout these couple hours. It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

The acting of the two main leads and their chemistry is electrifying. I can feel their innocence, confusion, shyness, happiness, sadness, desperation and hurt. The two kiss scenes were beautifully shot and full of tension. Go Ho Tae and Kim Dong Hee are like yin and yang, and complement each other so well. Ho Tae is outgoing and wears his feelings on his sleeves. He’s not afraid to push through the thick barriers that Dong Hee put up. Dong Hee is gentle and mature, but there are moments when his teenage self couldn’t resist the temptation of touch or a teeny bit of jealousy.

The ending leaves it up for viewers’ interpretation. I would have loved to believe that they finally expressed their honest feelings for each other in the future. I am not sure if “Unintentional Love” will provide me with more happiness from this pair, but this drama makes me want to check out the other story to see more of Ho Tae and Dong Hee.

I am rating this a high 9.25, from a subjective and objective point of view. If a drama makes me feel this way, it deserves at least an 8.5. Coupled with excellent execution, it deserves high ratings and rave reviews.



Completed: 9/22/2024 - Review #489

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Thai female characters really need to stop screaming.

The premise of “Love You My Arrogance” is actually quite interesting. I knew going into it that I have to lower my expectations because this is really short - 8 episodes of 15 mins each. Unfortunately, I still came out frustrated because the execution is really not there.

My biggest complaint, and the most subjective complaint, is how loud these women are. My ears were bleeding when I was watching the first couple episodes. Brownie can’t stop screaming at the top of her lungs, professing her love for Sun. Then she yells and cries and I want to stop watching so badly. I persisted, thinking it will get better and it’s only a short drama. Then Anna keeps this annoying tradition going. She can’t seem to speak normally and raises her voice even when she’s not arguing. She also acts like a know-it-all and is very argumentative. I know this probably only affects me and I understand Thai dramas can be like this. My tolerance is just not there, especially when I don’t like the two female characters.

Luckily, the boys are better and they have a cute little brotherhood going. How they like to grab and hug each other is funny. Sun is handsome but Pete is the MVP.

Acting wise, it was OK. I expected a little more from Nine and Mild. Plot wise, they spend too much time on Brownie screaming and apologizing. I wish they had spent more time in the Anna-helping-Sun part. The final twist in the end is interesting but it’s so short and casually mentioned that I couldn’t grasp the full impact. This short drama also seems like a tourism promotional production.

I heard season 2 is a little better and I might check it out. As a standalone, I am not sure if I will recommend it, and definitely not fellow viewers who are sensitive to screeching and screaming.




Completed: 9/22/2024 - Review #488

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An OK simple watch that is comforting but not unique.

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

“A Breeze of Love” is a short Korean BL about two students reuniting in college after their friendship was halted and parted ways in high school on an unhappy note. There’s tension when they reunite again in college. The story is simple and easy to follow. Don’t really expect plot twists or anything out of the ordinary. In a way, this is simple and comforting. There are some cute and sweet scenes of longing looks and shy smiles. The chemistry between the leads is pretty good and the acting is decent. There’s a very small supporting cast which doesn’t take away screen time from the leads.

I enjoy finding out their high school days through flashbacks and didn’t think they were too confusing. However, I would have loved to see more depth to the present-day relationship. Do Hyun is obviously upset with Dong Wook when they reunite, and for legit reasons. But he seems to have forgotten all these reasons after the basketball game. Even though Dong Wook tried to barge into his life, Do Hyun didn’t seem to put up much of a fight after the initial episode or two. I wanted a little more resistance. The time they spend together doesn’t involve much talking or conversations of substance. I guess they communicate through 1 vs 1 basketball scrimmages, and being next to each other is enough for them. I am the one that wanted more. And what is the cause of Dong Wook’s insomnia? Why is Do Hyun the sleeping pill? Is it just because Dong Wook likes Do Hyun and feels comfortable and relaxed around him?

It’s weird how I feel that the drama is too short and couldn’t explore more of the relationship, yet most of the last episode also feels like a filler. Why introduce the water boy in the very end and try to pair him up with a supporting character? Is there going to be a spin-off about them?

If you don’t think too much and just go with the flow and the feel of the drama, this is a very lovely watch.


Completed: 9/15/2024 - Review #486

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Unique plot with taboo subjects but with busy and messy storylines.

Subjective Gut Rating: 6.75

Wow… was this drama really a production from the Philippines? I would have never thought such a dark drama with all these taboo topics and red flags would be from a Catholic country. I really applaud the effort in producing a dark BL amidst all the rom-coms out there. It’s dark from start to finish, and maybe with 5 minutes of sweetness and fluffiness. Unfortunately, I couldn’t love it more, so I'm giving it a 6.75-7.0 for its courage and creativity of the plot twist.

The drama features a pretty good-looking cast but some amateur actors. “Cheat” is the inaugural project for the actors. The acting is OK for first-timers. It wasn’t too cringey but there’s definitely overacting.

The drama is really short but it jam packs with soooo many different stories and schemes. It was fine in the beginning, but at mid-way point, I was exhausted. There’s no room for me to breathe before another crazy person stirred up shit again. Witchcraft was not used to its full potential. Instead of a stronger focus of witchcraft, it introduces jealousy, blackmail and evil schemes and lies every step of the way.

This drama is full of hormonal and horny teenagers who don’t know how to love properly. There is only one sane person in the whole drama. Everybody else is insane and twisted. In a way, the ending is satisfying and unpredictable. I was feeling so bad for Vee and I only wanted happiness for him. I was thinking to myself that I just want Vee and Dong to live happily ever after. I wanted more sweet scenes with them, but this is not the type of drama.

In the end, the smirks make sense and I also hope I interpret the lack of a smirk in the last scene correctly.

Would I recommend this drama to you? Mm.. it depends if you are up for something dark with taboo subjects and twisted individuals. If season 2 comes out, I don’t mind checking it out again.


Completed: 9/15/2024 - Review #485

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Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

It’s nice to have a peek into the beauty advisor world in “Cosmetic Playlover”, since this is not a profession that’s prominently featured in many Asian dramas. I actually would have loved to see a deeper dive but with only 4 hours of playtime, the drama doesn’t have the luxury to have a good business romance. Instead, we get a very shallow look into the industry and the drama focuses more on romance.

I quite like the initial setup of the romance. The leads have good chemistry together and the acting is decent (but not great). I enjoy the straightforwardness of Toma and his brave declaration of love. It’s not surprising that Natsume is taken back by this sudden confession. But Toma’s bravery seems to have subsided after initial episodes. He didn’t really aggressively chase Natsume, but acts more like a lovesick, jealous puppy.

I personally like the development of this short romance and how the leads finally get together. They have some sweet and flirty scenes together, and a couple good kisses (though the camera pans out and you can’t get a closer look). Unfortunately, the lack of a plot with substance affects the second half of the drama. It becomes repetitive when Toma has to constantly fend off guys who he perceives as interested in Natsume. And Natsume constantly displays low self-esteem before and after they get together. I would have liked the drama to have better writing and not dwell on these two issues.

This is a light and short watch. If you need a palette cleanser from a serious watch or want to know a little bit about beauty advisors, this is a good one. But I feel that there are stronger JBLs out there.



Completed: 9/4/2024 - Review #481

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Could have been great with better writing, acting and execution

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

I can’t help but compare “Century of Love” a little bit with “I Feel You Linger in the Air”. Even though they have completely different plots, the historical context and the main house give me a very similar feeling. Unfortunately, IFYITA is so much better in every single way - acting, writing, chemistry, production quality and cinematography.

“Century of Love” is unique and a breath of fresh air among the sea of Thai BL’s with a focus on high school or college students. The plot is interesting but unfortunately the writing is not. There are so many plot holes and unexplained storylines. You will have to suspend reality to truly enjoy it. How can a 100-year old man who couldn’t ‘perform’ have grandchildren and a family? How come Vee can help reduce San’s pain when he first moved into the house, yet never ever repeat that again? Who are those villains? What is their background story? How did the sick guy come to know of the stone? Is the reason for the betrayal due to debt and nothing else? How come the other character does not have the same healing aftermath of the stone? I have so many questions and I can’t seem to calm my brain to ignore them.

But I am not surprised there are plot holes. After all, it’s hard to do that with a supernatural/fantasy plot. I might overlook some of these shortcomings if the acting is good. Unfortunately, I find Daou and Offroad’s acting only average and somewhat inconsistent. I think Offroad performed a little better, except for a few crying scenes. He looks great as the fox demon. Daou’s grumpy personality is a little awkward and his acting is not subtle enough. The exaggerated ‘thinking’ is all over his face. However, I do think he got better as the drama went on, especially when he doesn’t have to act like a grumpy old man anymore. Among the cast members, I am most impressed with Pond (Doctor Third) and he gives me a little bit of second-lead syndrome. Pond almost made me want to check out “180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us” just for him. Cookie (as Wat) also did pretty well. Luckily, there aren't any annoying characters. I like San's descendants. The 3 generations are quite fun and provide some pretty comedic and heartwarming moments.

The chemistry between the leads is decent with a few good kisses. I was more interested in the first half of the drama before the leads are officially together. The pace starts to slow in the second half, especially the last few episodes. The plot becomes predictable and there’s more repetitive crying. I think the drama will benefit from a couple episodes shorter.

It’s unfortunate that an interesting general plot was not executed well. The drama seems to be of a lower production value (maybe that’s why there are so few product placements), with poor CGI. Luckily, the fight scenes are decent, even though they are not of good C-drama or K-drama quality, they are better than other Thai dramas.

“Century of Love” is not a horrible watch due to its more mature and interesting plot. If you have time and are fans of the actors, it’s worth checking it out.


Completed: 9/1/2024 - Review #480

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Cute couple with honest communication, yet slow-paced and uneventful

“Kare no Iru Seikatasu” aka “Living with Him” could easily be a movie instead of a short drama. The plot is very simple - childhood friends-turned-lovers + cohabitation + unrequited love. It’s a comforting and predictable watch, but it was too uneventful. Nothing much really happens in this drama, therefore, I feel that the pacing is quite slow, even if there are only 8 short episodes.

The leads are cute together and have good chemistry. Both of them are very likable and they actually communicate openly and honestly. However, I do find Kazuhito’s character too perfect. I guess that’s the whole premise, to find out why such a perfect guy doesn’t have a girlfriend.

There isn’t any annoying character, or over-the-top acting. The supporting characters, friends and family, are actually supportive of the leads.

I want to like this drama more, especially when it has all the tropes that I like. But the pace is slow and there’s not enough pining and longing looks for me to keep me interested and not feel bored,

Completed: 8/28/2024 - Review #478

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Good Moral of the Story but Lacks Good Execution (repetitive and boring)

Although the English title of this drama is “Man Without Love”, this drama is not just about one of the male leads, Kume Masakazu. He might be the narrator, but the drama includes stories of 6 other friends. It talks of perseverance and pursuit of your dreams, knowing and loving oneself, learning to love others, the courage to love and be loved, forgiveness of past mistakes and familial bond. This all sounds really good, right? Unfortunately, the execution for me is lacking.

Each of the main characters has their own challenges, and primarily challenges about love involving the three main couples. I understand each couple’s issues and hesitation. Unfortunately, there’s too much back-and-forth, arguing about the same thing over and over again. This is a character-driven drama with no real central plot. Therefore, the pacing is off and it feels like nothing of substance actually happens in the 9 episodes. It is really rare that I think a Japanese drama is too long.

The acting is OK, except for Maeda Goki’s character of Go Yuma. He’s just way too over-the-top and ‘fake’. He is so much more likable when he acts normal.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this drama. It’s OK if you are a fan of one of the actors (Fukushi Sota is still very good-looking in a more gruffy look). “Man Without Love” is unable to hold my attention and I was bored.


Completed: 8/18/2024 - Review #473

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As I started watching this short special, I was thinking to myself, what's the point? The drama ended on a beautiful note. It's not like we need an alternate ending, or we are dissatisfied.

Then I thought, maybe this is the drama's way of repaying me for sticking around for the slow burn romance. The drama is compensating me for putting me through the emotional roller coaster of their relationship. It's giving me the cute fluffiness that I didn't get enough in the full-length drama.

In the end, it comes in full circle. The monologue of Han Ting describing his definition of love. The montages in reverse motion on the TV screen as we witness their love story again.

And last but not the least, Han Ting using his very last special boyfriend card. It's the perfect ending to a love story that I love so much.

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Cute and Sweet - a Perfect stress-reliever

“My Little Lover” is the perfect dose of sweetness and cuteness that I needed. There are many different adaptations of this drama, and this is the only one I saw. So, I am unable to compare to see which adaptation is better.

The plot is very simple. Close childhood friends grew apart for unknown reasons (to the girl). Due to some conflicts, the girl woke up and found herself to be only an inch tall. Luckily, she was discovered by the boy, otherwise she would be so lost. The rest of the story is very predictable and you can probably tell how living together means growing feelings.

I am usually not a fan of over dramatic acting, and Japanese dramas are known for them especially when it is an anime or manga adaptation. Luckily, I was not annoyed with the acting. Instead, I found the leads super adorable and likable. The drama started off on a perfect note showcasing a very, very cute version of the leads when they were young. The young actress is cute as a button and reads her lines very well. The adult leads are handsome and pretty. I gotta check out other dramas of the handsome Nakagawa Taishi. They make a good-looking pair and I was really rooting for them. On another note, I don’t find the secondary leads very attractive, so definitely no second-lead syndrome here.

The only thing that annoys me in this drama is the trespassing. No one seems to think barging into someone’s home and bedroom is a problem. Worse than that, they are snooping around and invading people’s privacy. This also makes the side plot of ML’s father a little weak for me. Even though this is a 9-year old drama, it doesn’t feel too dated to me.

I had such an enjoyable time that I binged all 10 episodes in one go. I might be a little more lenient in rating this a high 8.5 because I am in need of a cute and fluffy drama.



Completed: 7/23/2024 - Review #464

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Great women bonding and empowerment; Several anger-inducing characters

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

Revenge seems to be a popular theme recently. However, in “Alliance”, it’s not a central plot or at least not the main reason for Lin Shuang (FL) when she started out her journey of re-discovering her former self and becoming independent again. We have two strong women who bonded because of an extramarital affair: the wife and the lover. Throughout the drama, we witness how they break free from the chains of men and families, and grow to be self-reliant and be the best person they could be.

What I Like:

1. Lin Shuang/Jiang Xi Unlikely Friendship - Most of us are probably drawn to this because of their friendship. From enemies to scheming partners, and finally becoming each other’s support system, their unlikely bond is front and center in this drama. It’s lovely to see how they support each other without sugar coating anything. They are there to provide encouragement, constructive criticisms and celebration of big and small accomplishments. They would not have become the person they are in the last episode without each other.

2. Jiang Xi - I especially like the story of Jiang Xi. Midway through the drama, I pray that she will have a VERY happy ending. Not only does she not have a happy childhood and loving parents, she also gave her heart for a man who is evil on all levels. If this is not a women-empowerment drama, I would love to see her be spoiled by a rich sugar daddy who loves her to death. But I will settle and wish her a guy who treats her right. Jenny Zhang plays the character so well. She has this beauty that is alluring and sexy, even if she’s not doing anything intentionally sexual. She has an aura that makes her very attractive just by the way she holds herself. Jenny is perfectly casted for her role as Jiang Xi.

3. Strong Women Cast - Although not all the women are lovely in this drama, there isn’t any weak damsel in distress in this drama. Women portrayed in this drama have a very independent and strong light shown on them, and not only for our leads. We have supporting characters who are opinionated with strong and explosive personalities, and even minor roles as computer engineers and programmers. However, most of the CEOs and executives are still men in the drama, except for Sister Wei (Ark CFO),

4. Acting - Strong acting from the four main leads. They are all experienced, so that does not come as a surprise. “Alliance” also has a very strong supporting cast of other veterans (parents and executives) and the younger cast also does not disappoint. I have no complaints with anyone’s acting performance.


What I have Mixed Feelings:

1. Little Apple (daughter) - This little girl is really cute and she speaks her lines very well. I adore most of the scenes she’s in, especially with her mother and Uncle Gu. But gosh, she screams so much that it hurts my ears. Every time she calls out her grandparents, her high-pitched scream would kill me. There’s an episode when she was crying for her mother at the top of her lungs and I had to fast-forward it. It’s a personal pet peeve. She does act really well and major props for her ice skating and ice hockey skills.

2. Lin Shuang - As the main lead of this drama, I empathize and sympathize with what she is going through. Afterall, she IS the drama. But for some reason, I am not connected with her emotionally. Do I feel bad? Yes. Does her experience move me to tears? No, not really. As mentioned above, I feel for Jiang Xi more, even though I can’t relate to her experience. With Lin Shuang, I can relate to her on a more rational level since I am a mother myself. But emotionally, something is missing. Is it Zhang Xiao Fei’s acting? The writing? Most likely, I am the problem.

3. Wei Ming/Li Ze Feng - I have a love-hate relationship with Wei Ming. I HATE everything he does and he makes my blood boil. But you can’t deny the writers did an amazing job in writing out his lines (or shall I say lies). You have to give him props for being cautious, detailed-oriented with a great memory. Li Ze Feng does such a fantastic job in playing this slimeball and he just spits out these ‘beautiful’ lies so convincingly. I love the acting but I hate the character.

4. Plot/Pacing - In theory, there’s a lot going on in these 36 episodes. We started from the happy family to the discovery of cheating. Oh, by the way, did I miss Lin Shuang feeling heartbroken because her husband cheated? Like she loved this man and now she’s sad because he doesn’t love her anymore? All I get is that she felt betrayed and she regrets her decision to give up her career. Then we have women bonding, fighting and growing. Don’t forget the family drama and child custody. We throw in a slow-burn romance and another side romance. Add to the drama is the business side of things, a start up, and corruption. It took Lin Shuang less than a year to discover the cheating to start her business. That seems really fast for anyone, let alone someone who hasn’t worked in years. All of this is covered in 36 episodes. YET, for some reason, it felt repetitive in the last 5-8 episodes for me. The scheming back-and-forth doesn’t end, the same lies are told and it’s no fun when you know who the villain is, and his tricks from the very beginning. The romance isn’t fun or angsty or fluffy. The drama loses my focus in the last few episodes (maybe the tech and coding talk) and I didn’t like the last episode either (especially the proposal). I like where the female leads end as a person, but I don’t like the writing of the last episode.


What I Don’t Like:

1. Frustrating Characters - One of the main reasons I did not watch this drama initially is because I heard of the frustrating characters. Gosh, there are so many and they make my blood boil. If I am only watching Wei Ming’s lies, I can deal with that. But his parents, Jiang Xi’s mother and the spoiled brat Joyce? They never go away and stay for the whole drama. I want to jump into the TV screen and beat them up so badly. If you do not like these frustrating and anger-inducing characters, don’t watch this drama.

2. Make-up - Who approves the make-up for these male characters? Huang Xiao Ming looks absolutely horrible with the white, cakey thick foundation on his handsome face. Has he aged that much that he needs such makeup to make him presentable? The other one with bad makeup is Zhao Shun Ran (Martin). He’s so handsome but he has uneven makeup on. At times, you see makeup on the face but not the neck. Huang Xiao Ming’s makeup distracts me whenever he comes on screen.

3. Lin Shuang/Gu Xu Romance - I hate to say this, but this slow burn romance is not working for me. I am not moved by Gu Xu’s dedication and I can see why he’s the perfect guy for Lin Shuang in my head. But the writing of the romance plot does not convince me that Lin Shuang feels the same way as Gu Xu. Did she like him when they were in high school? Or did she only see him as a rival this whole time? When did Lin Shuang fall in love with Gu Xu? Was it love or gratitude? Unfortunately, I am not feeling the chemistry between them.


Despite my rants, I do feel that “Alliance” has a lot to offer. I’ll recommend this for those who are looking for a women-centric, empowerment drama. As a working mother, I reflected on my personal experience while watching this. It’s hard to balance career and family, and you do need to give up some. If you are a working mother, you might be interested in this as well. However, if you can’t stand frustrating characters (those you want to punch their faces), it’s best to skip “Alliance”. You might get angry and it wouldn’t be fun, except, of course you are looking to be angry. LOL



Completed: 7/7/2024 - Review #457

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It COULD have been a just simple and cute love story, BUT....

What is up with the ridiculous and over-exaggerated acting by Yim (Jade)???? Why can’t he act normal like all the other characters?? It was so over-the-top that it was unbearable for almost the entirety of the show. Yim looks so handsome and normal in the special interview episode. I would have dropped this drama within the first 5 minutes if I weren’t watching this for a clown watch challenge.

I was confused when the show started. Was I watching the right show or was I watching an anime? Three to four minutes in, I realized I was in for a very bumpy ride. The acting is ROUGH.

The plot is very simple. Mai is adorable and is a super green flag. Thank god for supportive parents and family. It was cute following Mai's attempt to court Jade, who has no idea Mai is in love with him. As a rom-com lover, I love it and it’s my jam. But…. Did I mention I hate Jade (Yim’s overacting)?

The secondary romance between the other two interns is boring. I forgot about them after they left my screen. The writing and the acting are not good. What a waste of time.

The saving grace is Uea and King. They are so pretty to look at, and so fun to watch. They have great chemistry and almost make me want to check out “Bed Friend”. Uea (James) is so pretty and I love his aloof sassiness, and he knows he has King at his fingertips. King (Net) is such a good-looking guy. I love that he’s tall, DARK and handsome, and totally smitten. The two of them are also great friends to Jade. They are supportive yet never cross the lines in exposing Jade’s secrets/feelings/history to Mai.

The second half of the drama drags. There isn’t a lot going on aside from Mai’s internal conflict and indecisiveness. I understand why he feels this way, given his upbringing and failed relationship. But that lasted too long and I became very bored in ep 5-7. There’s a lot of filler in this short drama. Do we really need to spend so much time at the sports day, which has no sports but a bunch of party games like a fraternity party?

Once Mai and Jade finally get together, it’s full-on cringey, sweet, fluffiness. This is a little hard to tolerate, but at least I expected this much. The drama jam packs all the kisses, skinship and sexy scenes all in one episode to make up for lost time. However, I can’t say I did not enjoy Mai’s (Tutor’s) enthusiasm in those kisses. LOL

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this show, unless you REALLY love Yim and can tolerate that exaggerated acting. Don’t waste your time.



Completed: 7/3/2024 - Review #456

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“Gray Shelter” is one of the few darker Korean BL out there. It’s short and dark, and you really need to take the time to understand and feel what’s going on. The premise isn’t difficult. Two step brothers bonded through surviving difficult family lives. Yoon Dae tried to cut off his relationship with his father, and moved away from home. But that doesn’t seem to bring him much happiness or hope. Soo Hyuk, though not living with his parents, is still burdened by duties that he doesn’t seem to be able to shake off.

The two reunited by chance and rekindled a complicated brotherhood bond. It’s a push-and-pull, give-and-take relationship. It’s a never-ending cycle that was finally broken. The ending can be open to interpretation. I want to believe that they both need to work on themselves, before breaking off whatever is preventing them to lead a much happier life together.

I was quite impressed with Lee Jae Bin’s acting as Yoon Dae after seeing him in “Choco Milk Shake”. He’s still new to the industry and already has the opportunity to act in two vastly different roles. This is Jang Woo Young’s first drama, and he did fine. His character, Soo Hyuk, is so solemn that he can’t really deviate too much away and show us if he has any acting range.

This is a small budget production, and it shows. The sets are simple, the transition and editing appear jerky at times. The storytelling and the execution of the plot could be better.

“Gray Shelter” is a quick watch if you are in the mood for something darker and more mature. It’ a breath of fresh air from all the rom-coms out there.


Completed: 4/28/2024 - Review #435

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Deep and thought-provoking conversations & quotes - BUT could be too much and boring to some.

I forgot how I stumbled upon this drama, “Is Love Sustainable?” aka “Jizoku Kanona Koi Desuka: Chichi to Musume no Kekkon Koushinkyoku”. It’s either from the feeds, or as I was browsing through dramas of the male lead, Tanaka Kei, after watching him in Ossan Love. I wanted to see him play a slightly more normal character, not crazy and over-the-top.

I was very impressed with the first episode. It was full of meaningful conversations, great chemistry between daughter and father, and good romantic chemistry between Kyoka and Seita. It has some nice cinematography, and thought-provoking enough for me to be interested in their views of relationships and marriages. But as the story progresses, I realize some of these positives could be negatives for other viewers.

This is a pretty slow-paced slice-of-life drama. The plot is character-driven, and really nothing too exciting happens. There are many wonderful quotes of life and marriages, and a lot of yoga and yoga teachings. I don’t practice yoga, and especially not understanding its deeper meanings and lectures. Dad is a lexicographer and dictionary editor. He loves words! Throughout the drama, you can see him explaining the origin of words and seeing him trying to learn new slangs is quite interesting. All of this could either be very wonderful and interesting, or super boring to the viewers. I was initially impressed but it did get to be a little too much towards the end.

I enjoy watching the romance development of both couples. They are mature, communicative, and have some cute moments. Both couples have great chemistry. The drama also challenges traditional gender roles at home. Not all wives want to be home and are good at doing household chores. It also talks about the difficulty of balancing work, family life and personal time.

Overall, I had a pretty decent time watching “Is Love Sustainable?”. The pace at times is slow and I think 10 episodes are too much, maybe 8 would be better. If you enjoy thought-provoking quotes/teachings and deep conversations, this is the drama for you. But if you like something faster paced and more plot-driven, then I would not recommend this for you.


Other Random Observations:
1. Tanaka Kei is a very normal-looking guy, but there’s something about him that I like. He also looks pretty good in suits.
2. It’s quite interesting seeing a bunch of old guys (dictionary editors) discussing ‘kyun’ and other modern slangs.
3. Who knew match-making services are that involved and comprehensive. They even teach you how to start and carry a conversation.
4. Igawa Haruka (Ortho surgeon) is so beautiful and elegant!
5. Ueno Jury (FL) makes me believe she’s a yoga instructor. Her body type and yoga moves look very legit from my novice eyes.
6. Pleasantly surprised to see a Jdorama (or Asian dramas) to feature a body-positive yoga class.


Completed: 4/27/2024 - Review #434

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