Reviews

It's not fancy, but it's weirdly addictive.

This drama reminds me of eating an entire bag of potato chips in one sitting.

First you're like "meh i'll pass, i'm cool." But there's nothing else to snack on and they're just sitting right there staring you down, so you think "ok i'll have a few." And it's not like if someone asks you your 10 favorite foods that potato chips would be on that list. They ok. But you eat a few, and you just want a few more, and a few more, and before you know it you're like "THERE'S STILL SOME CRUMBS" and you're eating chip crumbs with your fingers like 'what am i even doing rn',

Well that's this drama. In most ways we normally describe shows, this is mid. The costumes, sets, acting, plot premise, production quality, bgm/ost... mid, mid and mid. But there's something so addictive about the SCRIPT, and the PACING. And on top of that, all the supporting characters with significant screentime are really handsome and gorgeous. ML and FL are too. The enemies and villains are given only as much screen time as necessary to fulfill their obligation to the plot. I wish more directors and producers would take note of that.... but anyway I digress....

My point here really is that this might not be the best thing ever, but if you start it, you're probably gonna finish it, because there's face cards everywhere, and the storyline and dialogue just flow in such a comfortable way that it's all too easy to just watch another ep and then another and another.

But just like eating an entire bag of chips, this doesn't truly satisfy. The show spends most of it's episodes with an emotional tone that's just a mellow flow of ups and downs. But then the final episodes take quite a strange turn and suddenly the emotional tone shifts very dramatically to "so, that happened..." You get something pretty different than what you bargained for, and... much like a bag of chips... you finish it and then say to yourself "why did I do that." And you're still hungry. Just not for chips.

It's a good way to pass the time if you have nothing else to watch, but I can't think of anyone I would recc this to. Spiceless, a lot of B and C tier acting performances by key characters, odd and fairly unpleasant ending (though it technically counts as an HE I guess???) Worth a bored, one-time watch if you straight up ran out of shows to watch.

Leggi di Più

Gel nails, Airdrops, Blackpink and Teenage Angst

While these boys and their crushes and rejections had them peeing themselves on zoom calls, mine had me saving someone son’s name as ‘Psalms 45:2’ on my phone. Also, these boys had me out here frustrated and stressed. Cuz: Fou4Mod is in love with Chian, who is in love with Bua, who is in love with Baabin, who is in love with Fou4Mod, who is in love with Chian. It was a love circle and it gave me a headache. Let me explain.

The CRUSH CIRCLE OF GELBOYS.
Chian—>Bua—>Baabin—>Fou4Mod—>Chian

See, a love square. Everyone had a crush on someone who didn’t like them back. Children please put that phone down and see the life happening in front of you. But of course, that would have been too easy, and there wouldn't have been any drama. No, but really, this whole show was a giant headache of stress and idiots in love. I was stressing for someone to shut up and be with someone, so we'd have some peace. Then of course, all the nonsense ended with Chian—>Fou4Mod & Baabin—>Bua. People, I could have told you this family tree weeks ago. All that teenage angst and for what?

These boys, oh these gelboys. Was having a crush ever that serious? YES, yes it was, and I'm sure we all understand why. Most of us have been there: Crying your eyes out at 2am to a sad song while going through their socials, stalking them in person and online, the panic when you see them and you aren't prepared, the stress of what to wear on days you know you’d see them, the delulu scenarios you make in your head to love songs, then the absolute pain and heartbreak when your crush announce their dating Janet from Class B. Like, what does Janet have? Sure she looks good in lipgloss and her hair always does that thing, but… whhhhhy Psalms 45:2 why you didn’t love me back when in my head we married to a Taylor Swift song???

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that, although all these 4 characters should pay your decision is dumb taxes, having been in their shoes and understanding the angst that is being a teenager, I don't blame them. I'm actually surprised they figured it out in the end and everyone went where they were supposed to be, and those who needed to apologise did, and those who needed closure got theirs too. Me, I'm still stalking Psalms 45:2 on instagram. Janet's hair still does the thing... love that for her, but also not.

Fou4Mod
This boy broke his own heart over and over again. He knew he was being kept on the hook, knew Chian was in love with Bua, but still he went ‘ah, it’s fine let’s be whatever’ and then made a whole delulu relationship out of it, thinking it would turn real. And the whole time, my arse was like: 'This aint disney honey, that frog aint gonna turn into a prince'. Then of course he decided to hurt two innocent people for his own selfish reasons, poor Baabin and Faifa did not deserve what he did to them. Did I feel sorry for him, yes, cuz we all do stupid things when our heart is involved, but really, most of the problems he had were caused by himself, so at the end of the day he deserved some of the hurt. I'm glad he wised up in the end, put himself first until he was ready to give Chian a fair chance.

Chian
Yes, at some point everyone hated him for how he treated Fou4Mod but he was honest about where his heart was, sure he led Fou4Mod on, but he was also being kept on the hook and looking for a way to heal his broken heart, so really can we fault him for everything that went wrong? He did learn in the end, when he lost Fou4Mod and saw that he’d been stupid. It was good on him that he kept fighting and waiting after knowing his true feelings. I also felt bad for him at some point, and after he came around, was okay he ended up with Fou4Mod. Frankly would have been fine either way.

Baabin
Poor boy had me wiping pixelated tears from my screen during that episode when he got his heart completely shattered. No, baby was so sad. That scene broke me, made me form a protect Baabin squad, only to immediately regret it when he started putting Bua on the hook as well. Like, that was not on the bingo card child, reset. The whole time I was like: 'boy if you don’t stop your nonsense and love Bua back this instant, dafug you mean all that meant nothing?' No, but our kind-hearted baby immediately denounced Bua when Fou4Mod started his ugly crying, dude??? But I can’t fault him, the heart wants what it wants, so…

Super glad he later explained his reason, that yes he liked Bua back, of course he did, but he kept denying his feelings cuz Fou4Mod didn't like Bua and he didn't want to hurt his friend's feeling. Glad Fou4Mod came around on Bua, and was happy for Baabin, it's what those two deserves. If they hadn't end up together, I'd have been a bit sad.

Bua
I never blamed this dude for not liking Chian back. And after learning about his family situation I understood him more. He’s deprived of attention at home, and Chian gave him some, so of course he didn’t want to lose that. I don’t know about you, but you can get jealous when your friends get new friends and you start feeling like you are losing them. Yes, he was wrong for keeping him on the hook, but I felt so sad for this boy the last two episodes like... no honey, if he don't like foreigners with blue eyes and brown hair, it's alright, I don't like his stupidity either. In the end, I was glad he said his peace, and Baabin came to his senses, cuz if I had to see these 4 characters cried more ugly tears I'd have rioted.

Listen, the overall matter is that, all these 4 characters were wrong and right at one point, none of them were saints or completely green. But given that they were teenagers dealing with first loves and whatnot, I don't fault them for being dumb and downright mean in some cases. Now they’ve experience it, and they are more wiser for it. I hope.

I knew the very moment I finished episode 1 that this drama was going to be a favourite of mine. Everything from how it was filmed and directed, the documentary feel of it, to the cast, to the music, to the script made me enjoy it a lot. Sure it was very relatable and made me remember some stupid mistakes I made not so long ago, but I enjoyed it for that reason too. The way this was filmed put us right there in the moment with the characters, it felt so raw, and I liked that a lot. Look at that, Thai bls finally giving us something new to gosh over after a long time. Kudos director-nim.

Anywho, great show, the best out of Thailand this year so far. Looking forward to seeing more work from the 4 leads in the future. I recommend this to all bl lovers, and those who loved the director's previous work, it's worth a watch. Be warn though, it's teenage stupidity and angst in full force.

For anyone wondering...Psalms 45v2...: 'You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.'

Leggi di Più

This drama is like 30% romcom, 20% melo & 50% outlandish school life plot. I liked the cheesy romcom, I accepted the melo, but I absolutely hated the school life part. I consider myself very tolerant, when it comes to kdrama logic, or fiction in general, but this was just really really bad. Starting with the 27 years old guy goes back to school to get revenge, then moving onto the "let's save the school" plot & all the other various events that happen at school, it's just a plain terrible script, or at least it is bad from an adult viewer's perspective. Maybe the target audience is 14-16 years old kids, for them this drama might have been a lot more fun, I don't know. I didn't buy Seho's character development either, it's not believable to me. Some positive points to note are like the chemistry between the main leads, or that the writers didn't make the triangle too annoying, the OST is quite okay, also Boa is like the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

(I have no problem with the slice of life in a school setting genre in general, this drama specifically is just below average)

Leggi di Più

Steamy Fun, Zero Plot, All Chemistry!

Wow 😳 First time I’ve seen a BL series with intense NC in every episode. Honestly, the creativity every week had me eagerly waiting for the next drop! 🔥 Who doesn’t love a little heat mixed with their drama? 😏

What plot? 😂 After 12 weeks, we still don’t even know what the characters actually do at the office. Are they working, or are they just... distracted by their growing feelings? 😂 Just a bunch of horny workers navigating their emotions, and honestly, I’m here for it. Sometimes you don’t need a deep plot to enjoy something—this series is so silly in the best way. I laughed and cringed at the same time, loving every moment. 🙌

The dynamic between Jun (the mischievous intern) and Sorn (the serious, no-nonsense guy) is pure chaos in the best way. Jun’s pranks? Iconic. Sorn’s reactions? Hilarious. The slow-burn tension between them? Unbeatable. 💖

Episode 1 - The outdoor handjob scene in the first episode? So intense and full of chemistry—it was a perfect start to a wild ride. 😳🔥

Episode 2 - first ten minutes blew everything out of the water — the heat was absolutely palpable. Jun sliding onto Sorn’s lap, the teasing lip kiss, the slow-burning music, and the pink and purple haze created a scene dripping with seduction. It delivered one of the most electrifying and provocative kisses I’ve seen in a long time. Jun’s innocent belief that Sorn was merely “teaching” him how to kiss made the moment even more sinful, especially with Sorn savoring every second with unmistakable hunger. The first ten minutes of Episode 2 didn’t just maintain the tension — it turned it into a smoldering fire. The plot might be wild and utterly ridiculous, but honestly, I’m completely addicted.

Episode 6 - After watching Episode 6, one thing’s clear: Jun is not innocent. At all. 😈
First, the couch scene — he could’ve sat anywhere, yet he deliberately chose to sit right in front of Sorn, between his legs. The tension? Palpable. That wasn’t just casual — that was silent seduction. 🛋👀
Second, the infamous banana car scene 🍌🚗 —
These were his actual lines:

Jun:
“Want my banana?”
“It’s a big one though.” 😏
“Perfect in my hand.”
“Big, juicy bite.” 👅

Then, without missing a beat, he peels the banana slowly… locks eyes with Sorn… and takes a long, deliberate bite. 🔥

Sorn:
“Can’t you eat like a normal person?” 😵‍💫
Let’s be honest — Jun knows exactly what he’s doing.
He’s not innocent — he’s dangerously seductive, and he’s loving every second of it.

Will it win awards for intricate storytelling? Probably not. But did it give me 12 weeks of pure entertainment and laughs? Absolutely! And I will always come back here to re watch all the NC scenes.

Leggi di Più

Barbenheimer Couple✨

Is he just a Ken? NO, he's the Barbie and she's just a Ken 🤣✋🏼 Mobster? WHO? Man goes on mute mode whenever he's with the FL. Peak girlboss energy.

Here's the story: Seo Ji Hwan is the CEO of a company named "Thirsty Deer," run by ex-convicts. Eun Ha, on the other hand, is a YouTube content creator for kids. Their paths cross, leading to a series of misunderstandings and embarrassing moments🤣

Seo Ji Hwan is such a simp, and I love him for it! 🤣 He's always protecting everyone in his company like they're family, and those wholesome moments with his brother? Pure gold✨

Eun Ha is naive but not a plain old damsel in distress. I love her caring and loving personality, and she still has that strong, fierce side💪

Their love story is so cute and cringey and well put out down honestly. It's slow, they are hesitant, awkward yet so respectful, communicate so softly with each other and it is so natural that no one is chasing anyone they both develop their feelings gradually grow over time.

But the second lead? Ugh, soooo annoying! I skipped through most of his scenes. Man wants to be FL's daddy but acts like her father. 🤡 Why does he make choices for her and decide what's right or wrong for a grown-up adult? It's beyond me 🙏🏻

✅ The chemistry between the leads and their relationship had just the right amount of angst to keep me hooked!
✅ Loved the brother-in-law and Eun Ha's bonding moments!
✅ All the events they put together were super cutesy and fun, like a feel-good montage!
✅ The ML's in action scenes?! dang, i wish we had more scenes, such a versatile actor!
✅ The conversations were well-written and felt so natural.
✅ Personally I liked the SL couple! Their mature romance was like a breath of fresh air, so intriguing!

❌ The prosecutor? Totally unnecessary. Plus, why does he act like he's part of the police force? 😂
❌ The whole gangster subplot was a snoozefest. I couldn't care less and definitely couldn't take them seriously! 🤣

Overall, it has its fair share of clichés and melodrama, but with that nostalgic old romance vibe. It’s a feel-good, heartwarming rom-com that I’d definitely recommend! Hehehe!

Leggi di Più

Lots of plot holes,
Main actor is too bad and uncaring to the women he claims to love and care for, with no remorse,yet doesn't suffer the consequences for his actions,
Every one manipulates everyone for personal gain even their loved ones, except for two lead females,
Second lead seamed to have a better ending but was all a lie ,she didn't deserve that terrible ending,
Finished with a cliffhanger, ending of a lot of casts not explained, the evil people had very good ending.
I don't recommended watching this drama, wastage of time.
From now you better review the ending and other comments before wasting your time to watch such a drama.

Leggi di Più

I have never read the novel that this was based on, so I don't know how faithful it is in regards to the story.

The story in the movie is good, interesting and although not a fast paced movie, the pace fits the story. This version seems a little darker than the drama series The Painter of the Wind.

The actors were mostly ok. Shin Yun Bok played by Kim Gyu Ri, was really well done. She managed to convey all the conflicting emotions of her character quite well. You could see within her the joy she had for painting, the pain and guilt she carried with her from her family, and the odd mixture of innocence and experience.
The other actors did well with their characters, but due to the limitations of time, most of the other characters were pretty flat.
I really disliked the portrayal of Kim Hong-Do, her mentor. Kim Nam-Gil had no subtlety in his portrayal. He went from nothing to all, out of no where (Sorry, I can't explain that more without spoilers). Park Shin Yang did a much better job with this role in the drama series The Painter of the Wind.

The music went very well with the movie, it swirled in the background like a brush on canvas.

I would also note that this movie is quite sexually explicit, and definitely not for younger viewers, though I thought that most of the sex scenes were relevant to the plot, so not completely gratuitous.

Overall, if you want to see this story I think I would recommend The Painter of the Wind as a better choice. The series is a piece of artwork in itself, with sweeping cinematography, breathtaking music, and outstanding works of art. The characters are richer and fuller, and the story is all encompassing and not quite as dark. However if you don't have time to commit to the drama and just want a quick movie, this is fine.

Leggi di Più

Great Actors, Bad Writing

I want to start with that the show actually started out really strong but declined a lot because of bad writing and scene balancing. I understand that they wanted to emphasize on the victims and families and not the police work but the priorities and balancing of scenes were still very off. Like I was waiting for them to solve that main case and then we got no reunion in the end??? Instead we had so many boring and way too long scenes of side characters that added nothing to the overall story. Like sorry, but after the 10th times of watching the villain drinking his wine for literally minute after minute of precious screentime, I know by now that he is an alcoholic. Why don't give this time to the actual "main character" to give them more depth? And yes, I'm using quotes cuz both of them could have benfitted from way more screentime. I'm especially angry about how bad the interrogation scenes were handled writing wise. They were written by someone who did not do their homework about interrogations.... anyway...

That being said, every actor was really good, despite the writing flaws!!! Especially Zhang Jian Xin.... just wow. I cried a few times because it was really touching. Just from watching the trailer and also seeing the cover, I had different expectations of the series. I was sad that Jin Shijia barely had screen time and that his character barely had any story. I guess coming from “Under the Skin” I had higher expectations, especially towards the story writing. But it was still lovely to see him, even if his character was mostly used as pretty background decoration T_T (like seriously guys, you cast him and then not use this brilliant actor? why?) When he had scenes though, he was brilliant as always. So yeah acting wise the show had a lot to offer, but the writing... oof. I also appreciated that there was no romance! We need more strong female leads with no romance story! (but give them more screentime!)

Leggi di Più

Having watched "Playful Kiss" the original, I was a little uncertain how these shorter clips would pan out. Personally, I liked "It Started With a Kiss" better than PK because of the dynamics between the main characters. I felt like Seung Jo, while an amazing character, failed to get as much out of the relationship as Ha Ni in the original show. ISWK does a much better job at showing him falling in love as much as she did. However, this special edition more than made up for that weakness in the original show. I liked PK, but I loved this special edition. They are short enough that I've actually re-watched them several times when I want to see something sweet and romantic. They give Seung Jo a more loving character and he seems to have matured more than he did in the original show. I think this actually went a long way towards developing his character for me, and I feel much better about re-watching the original now that I have seen these specials. If you are watching or liked PK, I would HIGHLY recommend watching these.

Leggi di Più

Good one-time-watch

Recalled is a decent psychological thriller. Nothing too extraordinary, but slightly better than the average thriller.

With no further prelude or introductory elements the viewer is pulled right into the story, seeing things through the eyes of the main character Soo-Jin (Seo Yea Ji) , who has lost her memory due to an accident and struggles to distinguish between reality and illusion, going to the extent that at some point she even starts to suspect her husband.

The actual "mystery" is pretty predictable, but seeing things through Soo-Jin's eyes and witnessing her emotions, her horror and fright uncovering things actually made the plot interesting, far from gripping or engaging but enough to keep one invested. Seo Yea Ji once again proves her versatility as an actress and her capability to convey conflicted emotions to the viewer with ease. Kim Kang-Woo got some bigger parts in the second half and the chemistry of this on-screen-couple was also surprisingly pleasant. The rest of the cast had some minor roles and were frankly, quite forgettable.

The last 30 minutes or so were quite surprising, leading to a switch in genre and making this movie stand out from other psychological thrillers of this kind. While the rest of the movie, plot- wise felt more like a 6.5- 7 rating, the later parts turned it into a 8 for me.

So is it worth watching? Yes, if you are up for a decent thriller, do not expect too much from it and have spare time, go for it. And especially yes, if you like Seo Yea Ji's acting and her unconventional choice in scripts.

Leggi di Più

以恶制恶 Yǐ è zhì è (Fight Evil with Evil)

The Chinese drama Riverside Code at Qingming Festival weaves a captivating tale of mystery, murder, and resistance against corruption, resonating with audiences worldwide. Its theme of "fighting evil with evil" brings to mind real-world incidents, such as the recent controversial U.S. case where the murder of a CEO—a powerful yet allegedly corrupt figure—drew public support for the killer. Similar to the drama, this highlights a broader societal frustration with the unchecked power of elites, offering a powerful parallel to the struggles depicted in the show.

Historical Inspiration: Qingming Shanghe Tu
The drama is rooted in the famous Chinese painting Qingming Shanghe Tu (Along the River During the Qingming Festival) by Zhang Zeduan from the Northern Song period. This five-meter-long masterpiece is considered a national treasure for its vivid depiction of everyday life in Bianjing (modern-day Kaifeng). Unlike typical artworks of the era, which focused on aristocracy or nature, this painting showcases over 800 figures engaged in various crafts and daily activities.

The painting’s mysteries are as intriguing as its details. Scholars debate whether it symbolizes the kingdom's prosperity or foreshadows its decline. Even the title, “Qingming,” is ambiguous—does it reference the Qingming Festival, or does it literally mean "clear and bright"? This ambiguity adds layers of meaning, making it an ideal foundation for a fictional story.

The painting includes fascinating details: fortune tellers, flower sellers, barbers, teahouses, wine shops, bustling city gates, and even early equivalents of modern conveniences like food delivery. It paints a picture of a progressive society, alive with the vibrancy of urban life over 1,000 years ago. Against this rich backdrop, the drama reconstructs many of the painting’s scenes, breathing new life into its legacy.

Storyline
Riverside Code at Qingming Festival delivers a dark yet humor-infused tale of murder and justice. The plot revolves around the killings of corrupt officials and wealthy socialites despised by the common people. Drawing inspiration from The Da Vinci Code and its integration of historical art, the drama masterfully uses elements of Qingming Shanghe Tu to drive its suspenseful narrative.

What I Loved
֍ Historical Integration: The drama’s creative use of a historic painting brings the past alive. Iconic scenes, like the red bridge, are given intriguing backstories.
֍ Educational Value: Each episode ends with fascinating insights into Song dynasty inventions and culture, such as the construction of the red bridge (Hong Qiao) and the creation of moving horse lanterns (Zhou Ma Deng). These snippets enrich the viewer’s understanding of ancient Chinese ingenuity.
֍ Focus on Commoners: The absence of palace intrigue and the spotlight on everyday life is refreshing. The familial love and resilience of the characters shine without reliance on romantic subplots.

Areas for Improvement
֍ Acting: While the cast is commendable, Bai Baihe’s portrayal of the assassin could use more nuance. Her calm demeanor suits the role but lacks subtle emotional depth, which could have added realism, especially in private moments.
֍ Plot Holes: Key elements, such as how the vigilante obtained a diary containing a murdered official’s confession or his resources for elaborate schemes, are left unexplained. Filling these gaps would have made the story more cohesive.
֍ Ending: Though full of twists and turns, the final episode felt overly straightforward compared to the preceding suspense. A more layered conclusion could have been more satisfying.

Final Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed this drama’s unique premise, rich historical setting, and focus on commoners’ lives. It avoids overused tropes, offering an intellectually engaging narrative. Riverside Code at Qingming Festival not only entertained me but also inspired me to delve into the mysteries of Qingming Shanghe Tu. This series is a must-watch for anyone interested in history, art, and thrilling storytelling.

Leggi di Più

Why on earth did I throw away 50+ hours of my life on this

Fist drama I watched after seeing clips on youtube
My god please tell me all dramas are not like this
50+ hours of suffering for 10 minutes of happiness
Kind of like my wedding night.

I should have have done my due diligence
Kim Sa Kyung screenwriter has previous form
They literally threw everything at this drama

Amnesia tick
False identities tick
Pregnancies tick
Abandoned child tick
Amnesia (AGAIN FFS)
A FL who cried every episode or so it seemed
A ML who believes everything people tell him
Only saving grace for this dogs breakfast were the child actors

Leggi di Più

Best charachter development ?

Really loved how this drama turned out. I really enjoyed the drama. The lessons we get to learn are very good.

I'm also preparing for college entrance so I was feeling guilty that I'm watching dramas and not studying😅. But know I know how my teachers feel and also they are desperate for our success in the exam.

Lee Sina is such a good charachter, in the starting she went crazy when she knew she was going to die and was taking revenge on Noh Go Jin but when she came to her senses it was so emotional 😔 I really felt bad for her..

Noh Go Jin was really so rude in the start, I didn't like him but his character development is one of the best in kdramas.
In the end he turned out to be such an emotional person I really felt bad for him. Glad he found himself and started to open himself more with his surrounding people.

Lee Sina and Noh Go Jin are such a perfect match and sina is such a good gf she was always supportive of him and always believed in him.
Okhee was so cute, I always smiled whenever her scenes came and her relationship with sooho was so cute😭.

Almost every messed charachter got their own charachter development and I'm glad everyone went to the right path in the end.
Overall loved the drama Crazy Love ❤️
Really loved how this drama turned out. I really enjoyed the drama. The lessons we get to learn are very good

Leggi di Più