Reviews

Boys’ Lockdown (2020): A Super Cute Pinoy BL Series

“Boys’ Lockdown” was a super cute Filipino (Pinoy) boys’ love (BL) series. It’s charming and endearing. It isn’t pretentious. It’s made to provide its audience joy and romantic excitement by depicting two innocent and good-looking leads falling in love against all odds.

Like most Pinoy BL series, “Boys’ Lockdown” was also contextualized during the Philippines’ enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The plot/storyline was simple -- a chance meeting between two boys who eventually fell in love with each other even with all the environmental, psychological, societal, and even technological challenges thrown at them. While its plot/storyline was straightforward, “Boys’ Lockdown” didn’t lack political substance. It had subtle digs about the government’s handling of the Philippines’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wifi network names such as NeverAgain, NasaanAngPlano (Where’sThePlan), and DefendPressFreedom somehow revealed its politics. And with the long, natural-looking, and wonderful kiss at the end, even with due considerations for personal safety measures, “Boys’ Lockdown” was also defiant.

There were a few cheesy dialogues here and there but the screenplay was generally natural and realistic -- at least for middle to upper class Pinoys. I would have preferred less coño talk (that of middle to upper class Pinoy who speaks Taglish -- a combination of the English and Filipino Tagalog languages -- in a fussy way) but I can live with it. Pinoy coños need representations too, lol. There were cute lines (“Bump me once, shame on you, but bump me twice, it’s a sign!”), defiant lines (“I felt like I was giving the coronavirus a big middle finger in its giant ugly face because I won.”), and dramatic lines (“This stupid pandemic! This fucking lockdown! Everything feels a thousand times harder…”).

The entire cast delivered with their acting -- not particularly outstanding, but largely alright. Both Ali and Alec were adorable and fit their roles perfectly. Both were really charming and endearing. Ali and Alec had good chemistry together. Teetin was at her best during the dramatic scenes. All the supporting cast members are gorgeous. Crystal and Teetin are beautiful. Carlo, Ivoy, and Luis are hot. I still don’t know why Dicky and Whilce kept taking off their shirts but I have no complaints, lol! And Laksa, who needs more screen time, was lovable!

“Boys’ Lockdown” was also pretty solid in terms of the quality of production. Audio-visuals were cool and clean. Cinematography was neat and nice. Editing was precise. The soundtrack “Home” by Reese Lansangan was also ok.

On the whole, I would certainly recommend rewatching “Boys’ Lockdown.” It’s a super cute Pinoy BL series made to provide its viewers joy and romantic excitement. I’m glad it will have a second season which I’m so looking forward to next year.

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This is a great drama written by Noh Hee Kyung, who has written other top-tier dramas like Live and Dear My Friends. At 4 episodes, it tells a very simple story about a middle-aged woman who gets terminal cancer, and how that affects her and her family.

It's a heartbreaking story, and I guarantee you will cry, or at least have tears in your eyes while watching. You slowly see this kind and loving mother, who treats her family with such care, becoming sicker and sicker, and there's nothing anybody can do. This is not a comedic story by any means. It's dark and devastating, and you should definitely prepare yourself before watching. However, it's a very important drama to watch, and I would recommend anyone to watch it once, because it is so realistic, and shows something that can easily happen in real life. It presents many life lessons which are valuable to any human being.

The performances are all great, and I hope by the final episode, all the actors got their tear-ducts filled back up with water, lol. Won Mi Kyung, who plays the mother with cancer, gives a stunning performance which makes you care and feel so sorry for her. So does Yoo Dong Geun, who plays her husband, who is also deeply affected by the tragedy. You will empathise with all of these characters, and cry with them.

However, this drama is so depressing and sad, that I will probably never re-watch it again. Usually short dramas like this make me feel like that it could possibly go on further, but by episode 4 (the finale), I was worn out with emotion and glad that it was over. It's relentlessly sad, and I don't really want to experience it all over again, at least not for the distant future. But, it's still something I'm glad to have watched once, and it has made me think about my own mother and family even more.

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The summary seemed insane, and yes! that's what attracted me!

In a word, I liked this drama. Or maybe more, the concept of this drama. The intriguing plot was very unique. There are a lot of twists, you really need to watch each episode until the end!
Above all, watching those people watching their life was really disturbing. That corporation gives you to watch the dark side of humankind. Throughout the episode, your point of view about the protagonists changes, sometimes in a radical way. and makes you wonder : what if I knew everything about my life ?
The episodes are short, but each scene gives you one piece of the truth. there are also very touching episodes.
The music was nothing really special imo (i hardly noticed it) but suits the atmosphere and conveys the feelings this drama brings to you.
Finally, the cast was good. Not a lot of famous actors (or at least I hardly now them) but in some kind of ways that's a good point. You can focus on the story, and all the actors are doing a great job!

What I disliked :
- the episodes are not connected (positive aspect of this bad point : you can miss some episodes without being lost in the next ones).
- the episodes have mixed value. Imo, the two first episodes were great (the first one really amazing), but the good point of the drama (the twists) also makes you reflect a lot on what will happen, and there are less surprises. re-watch value is bad for the same reason.
- I didn't understand the final episode.

Nevertheless, I would recommend it. At least make the experience of the first episode! And ask yourself: do you want to re-watch your life on your TV screen?

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A fascinating tapestry of life

A masterful period drama that is well worth seeing even if that isn't your usual cup of tea (like in my case).

An excellent script about the life of one Xiao Chunsheng and people around him, starting from the turbulent times at the end of Cultural Revolution onwards, brought to life by incredible acting is the shortest way to sum up this drama. Something that is probably the biggest problem currently in Chinese entertainment - good writing - was annulled by the expert pen of Xu Bing, the scriptwriter of this drama and then flashed out by an excellent group of young actors, led by a masterful performance by Xiao Zhan.

Can the strongest friendships of our youthful days survive the trials and tribulations of adult life? At the most difficult times that no person should face, what are the choices one will make and why? Why do some stray off the moral path and why do some stuck to it? Are idealism and realism two incompatible ways of looking at life? Are our first loves, no matter how memorable, the ones that will last through the trials of adulthood?

Can a person stick to their original righteous intention and live their life through according to their core principles no matter what life keeps throwing at them?

All this and much more is answered and presented to us while the characters grow in front of our eyes, wondering the very authentic streets of Beijing in the 70s, suffer in war fields and finally live their adult lives, changed by the harsh realities of life itself from the youth they once were. They are all distinct characters, fully realised and their actions are always understandable. The viewer may hate some of them but will always know the why. There is no excessive or unreasonable emotion. All scenes are there for a reason and help tightly weave this fascinating story that will keep you glued to the screen.

Is it a perfect drama? No, there is no such thing as perfection and there are always things one can nitpcik but this one, like Xiao Chunsheng himself, strives to get there, sticks throughout to what it set out to do from the start and ultimately succeeds in delivering. It does not get any closer to perfect than that. You will not be sorry if you give it a chance.

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I didn't wanna be the first to write a review for this just bc I'm really bad at writing these but bc I actually really liked this drama (for the most part), I might as well. Bear with this long-ass lame review.

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Short review:
The first 2-3 eps will be annoying but the story will definitely pick up from there on! If you're looking for a light office romance that actually has a balance of love & life with interesting side story/ies, this is definitely recommended! I even said at one point that this had the potential to be one of the best office romances out there. The story drags towards the end tho so it's up to you if you'll want to continue by then but this is definitely worth checking out, even at least for Marcus Chang! Try the first 6 eps and see for yourself! Also the CEO isn't an ass so that is a big plus.

Long review aka ramblings (no spoilers..except for the ending at the end):
First of all, I watched this bc I adore Marcus Chang & this drama definitely sealed the deal! How I wish he could've gone to the drama world sooner so I could watch more dramas from him but better late than never!! I definitely recommend his past dramas. I didn't wanna watch this bc I wasn't over Behind Your Smile yet but I saw this was an office romance and I love those so I gave it a go.

Episode 1 was absolutely UNBEARABLE to watch. Everything was so annoying esp the female lead. I continued hate watching until ep 3 but the story really picked up from there on and I found myself finally enjoying the drama. Now THIS is an office romance done RIGHT. It's not always fluff as they also tackle office problems, the work aspect didn't stop even after they got together.

I liked the way they wrote the ML's character as he's always professional and I LOVE how he isn't the typical jackass CEO who hates everyone. He's honestly so adorable! I also realized this towards the end but they always let us in to his thoughts and feelings. We don't just see him brood with a whiskey on his hand and we assume that that's him feeling sad. He's vocal about what he feels and always wants to talk it out.

Now the FL; yep, a little annoying. She's the main reason why I wanted to quit watching after ep 1 lol. I didn't really like her character but the ML made up for it that's why I still cheered for them. Her character became even more annoying by the last leg of the drama. She's not unbearable tho so don't let this stop you from watching!!

As for the love triangle, the story didn't really revolve around it so the synopsis didn't suit the overall story. It wasn't well-developed as it's always wishy-washy; you thought he's going to make a move but he doesn't then, you thought he's going to give her up but he doesn't (this continues until the last eps which was also why it dragged). I hated that aspect of the story also bc the second lead's story wasn't explored properly.

The second main couple were cute too! They had a very interesting story and the character development was great!! 10/10!

As for cute moments, there were tons!! Great kisses too (expect that from Marcus lol)! Overall, this was a decent drama that I would recommend to watch if you're really bored and want some light office romance! I didn't intend to watch this til the very end but I did! If u don't know who Marcus Chang is yet, check out his other dramas: Behind Your Smile (good one but more on the angsty side) and Back to 1989 (haven't seen yet but heard great reviews). I really love him, you see lmao.

>>>>>>spoiler>>>>>>>>
(Will talk about the ENDING from here on so just skip this paragraph if u don't wanna be spoiled)
That ending was so unsatisfying I actually screamed. Is it so hard to at least let us see them reunite & hug or make out or sth? Damn. How I wish I didn't watch the last 5 eps lol I'm laughing but I'm actually so frustrated rn. I feel so cheated.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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An Interesting Variety Show with a New Concept

This is a very interesting variety show where six pairs write their own love script. I'm describing their stories first then the cps.

Ranking them on the basis of my liking:

如果爱情有味道 (If Romance Had Taste): This story by Wang Yanlin and Li Yitong is the best among the three, the only one having no science-fiction elements. Their romance is the most believable, as they have known each other and are friends for years, and Yanlin and Yitong's characters always liked each other. And no over-the-top, cheesy characters and dialogues!! And that scene when Yanlin+Yitong dance to All Izz Well in Indian dresses in the drama lol (Yitong jiejie looks gorgeous)XD XD but as someone who understands what the song was trying to say (which means, in simple words, letting go of all the unnecessary pressures in life), I don't think this suited the theme, but it's alright as they don't understand the language. Overall, this story is the most realistic and down-to-earth, and it's a lot about life.

我一定记得你 (I Should Remember You): This story by Neo and Chaoyue revolves around campus romance and memory erasing. So far, it's good. I heard one person say that their story is pretty "meh", but I don't think so. This is an interesting story, because of the memory-erasing, campus, and cohabitation concept, although it's sci-fi. And ofc Neo and Chaoyue have great chemistry. They make me smile whenever I watch them :) And I liked that in this, no character was perfect, which shows that the characters were human, and not fairytale-like, and there was a twist in the second-last episode (not spoiling any further). This drama was also realistic if we exclude the memory-erasing concept.


你是我时光的秘密 (You Are the Secret of My Time): This story by Jasper and Qin Lan is ok. But that time travel concept is...
I wish they would have thought about something other than time travel, as there are many more concepts that are much better. And some of their dialogues also sound a bit cheesy to me (my personal opinion), although they have good chemistry, but not as great compared to the other two cps. And Ming Dao's (he's the host of the show, as well as the guest in two episodes) character looked over-the-top (I don't think arrogant men speak like that in real life!). And the romance was too quick, as in, the characters don't know each other THAT well and yet they still fall in love. They enjoyed the chase (there was a chase scene here), which is weird because usually, someone panics when they are chased by big men. It would have been better if the chase scene was like Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (if you have watched the film, then you would understand what I'm trying to say) but shorter. And there was one episode showing Qin Lan as a damsel in distress (which is disappointing as she did characters like Mo Xiangwan from We Are All Alone and Shen Ruoxin from The Rational Life, who are strong, independent female leads). Episode 7 of their drama is the best for me, it had a lot of funny scenes, but otherwise meh, as most parts were confusing. I wish this was a May-December or office romance. Both of them have the maturity to do dramas of those themes.

Ranking Couples:
My favorite is Neo+Chaoyue!!!
Their chemistry stands out the most. Their interactions are the least staged, interesting and entertaining, as seeing their trademark bickering and love/hate relationship put me to splits XD. They're like Tom and Jerry; they bicker a lot and yet they have each other's backs. I started liking Chaoyue because of this. First got to know her because of Dylan Wang (she played a character in Ever Night 2. Those who watched it would recognize her as Haotian, the other-self of Sangsang, and seeing her offscreen persona in this show won't make you believe that she was the same actress who played the stone-faced goddess in EN2!), but didn't really follow her till I watched this show. As for Neo, I never actually knew him till I watched this show. But he's not that much experienced with reality shows, so initially, he appears more reserved yet straightforward, while Chaoyue is more chatty and spunky. As the series progress, we see how they compromise, as well as how Neo starts opening up even more. I liked them the most in episode 5, where they were composing their OST 平行轨迹/Paralell Tracks (Neo+Chaoyue wrote the lyrics, and Neo was the music composed of this song) for their drama, and that Neo helped Chaoyue improve her vocals, as she was struggling. (Neo graduated from a music school, and he's a very talented singer). That part was the best. This is why the majority of the viewers loved the Neo+Chaoyue tandem.

Second favorite: Yitong+Yanlin
They give BFF vibes, and their conversations on love and life are very interesting and meaningful. You'll get engaged in their conversations. Also, Yanlin is genuinely funny. So even they are fun to watch. Their interactions are as natural as the Neo+Chaoyue tandem except they don't bicker in general. I like that they have each other's backs, and they have good teamwork and knowledge about life and love, as they're older (and this is obvious for WYL as he is married now, and his current wife, Ai Jiani was his longtime girlfriend back then. So of course he knows a lot about love and romance. Can't ship Yitong+Yanlin because of this reason though), which is why they made the best story out of the three. In short, they are the wisest among the 3 couples. Looks like I should check out their works!

Least favorite: Jasper+Lan
And guys! Please don't hate me for that! They have good chemistry, friendship, and teamwork, but for me, their interactions seemed the most unbelievable, forced, and unrealistic, like all that constant hugging, acting romantic and all. But I don't blame them. It can be a possibility that the producers are making them act like that so that the show could sell or something? Their BTS interactions (as in when they were filming their drama) were more natural tbh. They only got interesting when Ying Cai'er visited them, or when Jasper video-called Yanlin. *Spoiler alert!* In episode 7, they acted all romantic, when Qin Lan surprised Jasper by coming to Xiamen to visit him, Jasper fed soup to Qin Lan after feeling "touched" that she made such delicious soup for him, and then watching the sunrise when Qin Lan clung to Jasper and put her head on his shoulder, which is pretty funny as they aren't an actual couple! Also, in their farewell part, as they parted ways, Jasper ran to hug her tight after Qin Lan asked him to hug her through her walkie-talkie Jasper gifted her in the last episode. It looked unbelievable and forced. It would have been better if they acted like buddies/siblings, because all these kinds of interactions may give false hope to the viewers.

So that's it! That's my perception of this show, the stories, and the CPs. If you agree/disagree with me, then please feel free to express it in the comment section (just be nice). To someone who reads this, thanks for sitting through this LONG review XD.

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I had no idea what to expect from this movie when I started watching it. I read the synopsis but I wasn't very intrigued. Well, the cast looks amazing which is why I decided to give it a try and thankfully, I wasn't disappointed. Well, I love the screenwriter, so I really hoped I won't be disappointed.

''Kim Ji Young: Born 1982'' is truly an important and meaninful movie. The script is excellently written, the directing is absolutely brilliant. It's definitely a slow-paced movie which I don't mind since I never felt bored. However, I felt like this movie had no climax? There are a lot of emotional and depressing scenes in the movie, but I didn't really feel anything? I guess the problem is in me, maybe I wasn't in the right mood. But overall, the movie is very realistic.

The acting was amazing! Jung Yoo Mi is simply perfect as Kim Ji Young, her performance was mind-blowing! The same goes for Gong Yoo and Kim Mi Kyung. The rest of the cast did a brilliant job, too, such great actors in one movie!

I don't rewatch movies and I don't think this deserves a rewatch, it just won't be the same. I do recommend it though, especially if you're looking for psychological, realistic and slow-paced movie which mainly focuses on feminism. There should be more movies like this one, honestly.

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I watched this drama long ago and while editing my dramalist almost bingwatched it again ( with 200 dramas behind at this moment (i am more of anime person) it is a big thing.

The drama itself was very pleasant and easy to watch. the Fangirling and Fanboying made this drama very lovely.
The cast was excellent for this love and there was really good chemistry in this drama.
Plot is well written, no major disturbing holes or never ending breakup period.
Overall I would give 10 to the drama- very few in this genre that can be watched easily and enjoyed till the end.

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KelpiView : Angsty love at its best.

Overall Impression:
I had to stop for a while to ponder on the words that I might use to describe my overall impression of Love Mechanics, but in my totally unbiased opinion, I have settled for a few words. Awesome. Perfectly paced. well casted. Enough romantic and comedic scenes to go around. Adequate amount of skin. In my totally biased opinion, it is nothing short of a masterpiece.

What i liked about it:
Awesome cast!
The cast has done an awesome job of bringing the characters to life. Main leads, Yin and War, was perfect for their role. Other notable cast members that has left a good impression on me was Ormsin (Yiwaa), Got (Bar), Bonz (Yoo). Pharoah (Tee), Saran (Lee). Apart from good acting, the production team's choice of actors/actresses are well placed as well. Usually when a series's character get complimented that he/she looks like their mum/dad.. I would often give a slow chuckle and roll my eyes because they look nothing alike. BUT! this series, for the choice for Mark's mum.. it was funny how i feel that both of them has a similar smile / facial structure. They did not even need to go on the "you look like your mother" route for me to take notice.

Not to slow, nor too fast!
The pacing of the whole series was done well. it wasnt too hasty at the end nor was it too slow to watch. there's something in almost every episode. be it either a major issue or some character development. I guess this is as far as it can get from a slow romance. lol. i appreciate the pacing that kept me wanting more. Honestly even though i have watched the first tester series (En of love : Love Mechanics), meaning i know most of the plot already. But with the little addition and changes feels refreshing and it was like a totally new series to me.

Great flow in terms of storytelling!
Part of a good show is not only the cast members, but also how the story is told, how it unfolds and how it would be perceived. In terms of storytelling, Love Mechanic has a top spot in my rankings. Story climaxes are dealt with resolution as it comes one after another. In turn, i would need to credit the production team for their good choices in terms of cuts and placements. it was totally coherent and made the story more impactful than it already is.

What i disliked about it:
Inadequate side couple moments.
Ok, this may be just a personal preference, but i wished the side couples are shown a lil bit more than what is was shown. I know the story centers around VeeMark, but having a lil more side couple moments would make my heart fuller than it already is. GunBar could use a few more scenes. oh! i liked that fact that they showed tidbits of their upcoming shows namely Future (AnaFuse) as well as Call my name (YooKamphan) which i wish was also teased a lil bit more, but i shall wait patiently for the release of respective shows. though, my side couple syndrome aches. like a lot. lol.

Did i enjoy it?:
From the way i was gushing over the show up above, yes. I think i enjoyed the show a lot. a time well spent.

Would i recommend it to others?:
If angsty love is your favourite trope, then definitely give this a try. you will definitely fall in l ove with Yin and War for their character portrayal. That being said, I do think the show might not be for everyone, due to its angst. Yes, there are sweet moments in the show, but the most impactful scenes are the angsty ones lol. But give it a try if you have not, you might find yourself liking it more than you should. maybe. i guess.. hopefully. do what you want LOL. :shrugs:

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I'm struggling to think of things I *didn't* like about this drama.

I'm a fan of Park Min Young and that was the main reason for picking this one to watch, she always delivers an amazing performance and does a great job creating a realistic and believable character on the screen.

First drama i've seen with Kim Jae Wook and I enjoyed his performance as well, initially he came across as a bit of an arrogant twit (which is fully intended I suspect) but as his character develops it quickly becomes one you can really understand and believe.

The title of this one is "Her Private Life" and it implies focus on the dual life of the main character - as a museum curator professionally, and a fangirl for a pop idol privately. She has a separate name when fangirling and it's a completely separate part of her life. In reality, this same concept applies to other characters when you consider the hidden pasts and different lives.

I thought the overall pacing was really good, if perhaps let down in the tiniest of ways by a slightly *too* drawn out conclusion. Seeing the directors husband get out of jail was pointless, I had no real care for him (first time you'd seen him) and honestly the directors character herself was one I was happy when she wasn't on-screen anyway (though I do like the Actress in other things).

I really liked the development of the early antagonist Cindy / Kim Hyo Jin played by Kim Bo Ra (she was also in SKY Castle and I enjoyed per work there too). Starting out as a typical Ssaesang fan and see her character develop when around the right people and influences was really good to see. It was good to see her product design make it to being sold but some kind of "we sold out already!" would have been a really good reinforcement that not only did she deliver the product but it did actually sell well too, just to back up the reward for the hard work that was put in by her character.

The main leads chemistry was spot on, their relationship was believable and natural, there were never bad moments or stupid breakups. The story does get to the inevitable "throwing popcorn at the TV" moment for a while where you just want to slap them both upside the head because they're drawing stupid conclusions - but otherwise they both resolve problems easily through good communication, it's a blueprint for how all couples should be with each other in my view.

Aside from the romance storyline there was an undercurrent of sadness through a tragic past which bubbles up eventually and creates some tearful moments late in the story, as with the rest - it was all handled superbly by everyone. It's a bit convoluted and unlikely - but hey - this is kdrama, put those thoughts outside and just sit back and enjoy the story.

There was only ONE thing that didn't happen that I wished had, I won't say what it was because technically I guess that would count as a spoiler, and in the grand scheme of things it's minor.

The final episode did feel a bit like the air was now all out and we were coasting a bit. It didn't have the remarkable intensity the rest of the series had but honestly i'm exhausted from the emotional energy that this series demanded anyway :) It's not an ending to be disappointed with at all, just compared to every other episode it felt a bit loose.

Great to see Park Jin Joo in a lead role and I hope to see more dramas coming out and utilising her skills and instantly recognisable and unique face.

Should you watch it? If you want a fluffy romance, positive, no stupid breakups, tons of emotions throughout and some really great and believable characters, imo it should be on your watch list, yes.

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Quick-witted banter, intriguing mysteries and a somewhat steady stream of awkward jokes make Trick a very enjoyable and fun series to watch. As someone with the humor of a 14-year-old boy at times, it was very easy for me to laugh out loud at the running boob and penis jokes throughout the series.

Anatomical humor aside though, this series does a great job of balancing fairly low-brow humor against thought-provoking mysteries. While in one moment you may find yourself genuinely pondering how this alleged psychic’s “trick” could have been accomplished, your train of thought might be suddenly broken upon glimpsing the inappropriately shaped bento box on the table. I actually enjoyed this dichotomy, because it helped to keep the series interesting, and from taking itself (and the characters) too seriously.

Dr. Ueda, who is a bit like a handsome mad scientist, is one of the oddest characters I’ve seen in a drama. He takes himself seriously, but then again he doesn’t at all. He has confidence, and yet, maybe not. It’s hard to pin point who he is as a person, because if nothing else, he is consistent in his inconsistencies. Is he a genius or is he an idiot? I’m genuinely not sure, but for me he’s just a lot of fun to watch!

Naoko is more the “straight woman” in the series. Naoko sees the big picture in the mysteries and is usually the one to solve the case. Even so, she can’t help but get wrapped up in the awkward hi-jinks that occur all around her. But she handles it with frankness and confidence and I adored that about her character.

Be warned though that this is not a particularly exciting series. Often, the mysteries unfold slowly (over the course of two episodes, sometimes) and there is a slice-of-life quality to this drama that deflects any air of fantasy or whimsy. But I actually like it this way!

Sometimes it’s good to watch a drama that is enjoyable, but not necessarily crack addicting to where it consumes your life. Trick is a pleasant refuge from the cracky, high-intensity dramas out there.

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an energetic and relaxing sitcom

Overall, I don't think this is a bad sitcom. Yes, it has its flaws, but I think this is a great show to watch if you want to cheer up and want something easy to watch. (at least lately, Doom At Your Service and Hospital Playlist have been stressing me out so this sitcom was a breath of fresh air). Also, can we talk about the diversity in this cast? I loved the concept of international students in a Korean dorm and it brings a very nice spin to your typical school setting TV show.

While the story has some clichés and jokes that fall flat, it also has great and hilarious moments. The story touches on friendship, relationships, and family and (most of) the characters are not their initial one-dimensional stereotypes. I thought the plotlines were interesting for the most part and they definitely made me want to keep watching. A few of the plotlines were pretty predictable. However, I couldn't stop smiling pretty much throughout the entire show.

I thought the acting wasn't bad at all. I personally liked Park Sewan's acting. I was pleasantly surprised by Minnie and Youngjae's acting, and the actor who played Jamie did a pretty great job for a newcomer. Han Hyunmin was hilarious. I thought the other 3 (actors of Carson, Terris, Hans) had okay acting for the okay plotlines they were given. Overall, nothing bad enough to ruin the whole thing.

This show has its good moments and I would recommend it to anyone who wants an easy watch and lots of cheerful, positive, youthful energy. :)

And of course, I have to talk about some extremely memorable scenes in this drama that will probably live in my mind for the next year.
- the kimchi slap
- Hyunmin's rap
- Minnie and "Captain" (actually Private) Yoo
- Jamie declaring his love for Sewan to the reporters

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Melted my cold, cynical heart

When I started to watch this series, I didn't expect to love it this much. This series may not be perfect, but it definitely becomes one of my favorite series this year.

[Story]
The plot is actually very simple, you can literally summarise it in one sentence lol. This series is more on character driven rather than plot driven, so some people may find it frustrating at how slow the development was. However, I love how this series portray (almost) realistically the inner struggle of gay-teen couple in conservative country. The other strong point of this series is how lovable all the characters were, even the supporting roles, that I ended up care for all of them. It is the first time that I love both main leads equally, usually one of them will annoy me at some point. Ida and Aoki are truly the bestest boys.

[Acting]
Surprisingly, I love the acting in this series. Usually the acting in Japanese drama bother me a lot as it's kinda 'anime-ish'. Kudos for Aoki for having so many silly expression without making me cringe. I also love Ida's acting, his character is actually the one that more tricky to be portrayed. I am glad he wasn't just a stoic, one-dimensional calm character. The acting of all supporting roles are also superb. Shout out for Rumi and Hiromu, the first het cp that I truly enjoy in BL lmao.

[Music]
I love both the OSTs, and how fitting the lyrics are. Wish there were more OSTs, though

[Rewatch value]
Man, the number of rewatch that I have done is sickening lol. I am usually the type that move on so fast to another series, but this series managed to make me rewatch it so many times without skip.

[Overall]
I gave this series full score for how much serotonin it gave me. This from a person who is usually very picky and cynical about romance drama as I am easily cringe at sappy romance. I do hope there will be season 2 for this series, but for now I am satisfied with how this series end.

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