Reviews

The Most Underrated Drama

This drama will forever have a special place in my heart. Not only is it a joy to watch, but it contributes to a special moment in my life for my father and I’s relationship.

When I first put this masterpiece on, it was like love at first sight; from the beautiful places in Taiwan, the emotional story of a one of a kind soul, and the endless life lessons and quotes that truly hit the heart so hard you rethink your entire life.

For any of us that are on this site, it’s probably because we love the dramatic plots, crazy twists, emotional roller coasters, and the unrealistic, yet beautiful love stories Asian dramas have to offer. Those kinds of dramas are always what we look for, but this drama is what we all need, but didn’t know we did. It’s an emotional, beautiful, heartfelt, and more realistic twist on an average drama that just somehow makes it that amazing. We still get the romance, the drama, the mystery, the twists, and the beautiful story, but it’s presented in a way that I’ve yet to see in a drama; a way that grasps your heart so hard it’s not easy to let go.

Plot:
The plot is a story about an insanely kind father’s death leaving behind 2 beautiful daughters with the mysteries of his life. We’re then taken on a beautiful train ride through the beautiful places in Taiwan experiencing the beauty, the people, the traditions, and the legacy left by the star of the story. We also get a look at his daughter’s growth and discoveries not only about their father, but themselves as well, along with the support of their lovers.

Cinematography:
The feel-good, calming, and emotional visuals truly made this story even more enjoyable to watch. It was never boring.

Why it’s so important to me?
My father and I don’t get to spend a lot of time together, but while I was just starting it, my dad came and sat in the living room. Keep in mind, he doesn’t ever watch with me, but this one made him put his phone down and watch and ask questions. The emotions on his face said it all, he really liked it and was feeling the emotions presented just as much as I did. I glanced back and forth at my dad and the tv and I remember tearing up and thinking, “I’m so lucky to have my father by my side always there for me”. I know a loving father isn’t something everyone has, but this drama truly made me realize the value of his presence in my life as well as give us the opportunity to spend time watching this beautiful story together.

This may sound cheesy, but I truly cannot express how therapeutic this drama is to watch. It’s definitely a slow-burn drama, but never boring. When you’re really in your feels, this is the best one to watch for sure!! I’ve never liked a Taiwanese drama, but this truly captured my heart.

Thanks for reading :)

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I really enjoyed this Thai Drama, though I may be biased because the ML is so darn good looking ;-)
It was cute & fluffy and filled with adorable moments and great side characters that though we didn't get to dive deeply into them as characters, they were still somehow memorable and great support for the lead cast. (honestly, shows with super complicated side character plots kind of annoy me in Thai dramas anyway because they are rarely well done/interesting enough for me not to want to just skip through. Personal Opinion.)

I (opposite of others, it seems) actually was not that convinced by the acting of the main antagonist, the evil step sister, so her role and how important it was to the plot/story was probably one of the only issues I had with this show. It felt off to me.

One other minor "issue" I had with the show was in a scene we see people deceive the FL to "test her feelings" which really hurt her, enough to call a BFF and cry. I felt this whole scene was played off way too easily and the ML should have really had to pay for this mistake and rethink what he was doing/how he made her feel by doing that. I think her insta-forgiveness (literally) was unbelievable and ticked me off as a woman/viewer. That kind of emotional manipulation is not OK and it could have been handled better in the show.

BUT, other than the two minor issues above, this show is lovely and I would DEF re-watch! I LOVE the cast and I LOVE the REAL kisses and REALISTIC emotions from the ML & FL. Adorable.

OH & an FYI. I started to watch this show with Eng Subs on a random website, but noticed in the first few minutes that the subs seemed "off". I found the show on YouTube and the subs there were GREAT, so I definitely suggest watching on YouTube for the better subbing experience :)

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This could have been considered a decent movie had it not touted itself as an adaption. Since it did, I could not rate it above a 7. The main reason for that is, quite simply, besides the names of a few characters and the time travel thing, A Time To Love has absolutely nothing in common with the original Startling By Each Step at all. It is a completely different story altogether.

In this version, there are three princes that make appearances. Crown Prince, 4th Prince and 14th Prince. The Crown Prince is seen as the villian for most of the movie and is determined to capture and kill Rue Xi for some reason, though I never could understand just what the motive was there. 4th Prince is a mash up of the 4th and 8th Princes in the original. Rue Xi is living with him, but again, this is never explained why, as there was no sister in this version. She was basically just living there, as a princess, though they were not married or related. Made no sense. 14th Prince is another mashup, this time of 13th and 14th Princes. He's the playmate and drinking buddy.

So, story wise, thoufh it does not follow the actual story like it claims, and though some of the reasoning and motives of certains aspects were not explained or did not make much sense, it was still pretty good on its own. However, because of the whole adaption thing and being that I am a fan of Scarlet Heart, I could not ignore the differences. Plus, there is a plot twist near the end that totally made me go WTF.

In conclusion, if you are looking for another version of Scarlet Heart because you love the story, you will be very disappointed with this version. On the other hand, if you have not seen Scarlet Heart and don't know the original story, you will probably be able to enjoy it.

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This movie left me with a hole in my heart because I don't have the kinda friendship they have.

Story
I personally felt that the plot was a little bit fast faced and we were rushing to complete it. I know there is a drama version of this and haven't watched that yet, but I wish we could have this cast in the series instead because man I really loved the relationship of jae hee and heung su.
I got to know that this movie only covered the first part of the novel 'Love In The Big City' by park sang young(there was a little foreshadowing in the movie lol). And that made sense because we kinda got very less back story of jae hee and I will like to know it. I also wished to see more of jae hee's love story rather than directly jumping into the marriage.
I really wish they complete the other three part of the novel too.

Other than all this, loved the story. It was wholesome. Them fighting and then switching to caring each other, man that was so wholesome. I cried like a baby in the scene when jae hee was being assaulted by jae seok (that bastard) and how instantly heung suu knew what happened. The way both of them helped each other be truly themselves, loved it. After jae hee broke up with ji seok, she started to feel more like herself and went back to her carefree self because heung suu said so. Heung suu coming out because jae hee pushed him a bit. Loved all these moments. It was a comforting watch to see wholesome friendship moments.

Judging purely on the basis that it was a movie and might not have other parts, I will give it a 7.

Acting/Cast
Do I even need to say anything? Ugh, another kim go eun banger perfomance. I have been meaning to watch her whole filmography and this just makes me want to binge watch her. Steve noh was so good too. The cast was perfect, no complaints.

10/10 rating, without a doubt.

Music
Nothing much to say but the french songs were good to hear. So I will not use it to rate the movie.

Rewatch Value
I will definitely rewatch this! This movie left me with a hole in my heart to find a friendship like theirs, so pure and supporting. I will rewatch this just to cry that I lack a friendship like theirs for sure.

Oh a definite 10/10.

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Not Me shows how much potential BL Thai series have - It's addictive!!!

Not Me is awesome, all the elements work well together. There's great acting, especially from Gun portraying multiple characters and personalities. There's the music that follows brilliantly love, hate, dangerous and sad scenes setting the mood perfectly and making you feel excited. And there's a story full of social justice issues being discussed, so here I have to pause to applaud and reflect on that.

It is rare for me to see a series not only tackling social issues but also making the viewers stop and think about their realities. I'm originally a jdrama fan, that's how I entered the world of asian dramas, but honestly I never really felt connected to their reality. The cultural difference is what attracted me. With Thai dramas, and more especifically BL Thai, however, it is the opposite. As a third world country citizen I can empathize and see myself in many things, and this series blew my mind. All the human rights, corruption, same sex marriage, law enforcement and issues presented here are part of my life as a Brazilian under my current government. I don't trust the police... This series really made me happy to see people fighting against the system. Kudos to the writers. It was impossible not to root for them and cry along when they got caught. The only thing that fell short for me was the open end, I really wish we could see if they're going to jail or not, and we have the unresolved issues with Todd. I could watch much more of it and there is enough material for that. You don't even get to know what happened to Tawi... Like, please, have another season or a movie to tell me?

The acting is superb, you understand both White and Black, you see the small differences in Gun's acting and you love their interactions. Gun is exceptional. I felt like hugging my sister even tighter next time we see each other, bc brotherhood should be like this, having each other's back no matter what. Off was also amazing, his Sean was so sweet under his hard skin, their love was beautiful to watch. Yok and Dan were also great, I totally understand Dan, he was forced to help the status quo, and although I'm happy they got to end up together, I wouldn't mind him dying lol. Kudos to the actors.

I can't recommend and compliment this series enough, if you ever come across this gem please don't wait and watch it. It is amazing!

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Romance for the Perfect Couple

This drama is a sweet story of two people falling in love. The beautiful Park Min Young in another significant role. Whenever she does a drama, you get the impression that she was born to do that role. Her role as Sung Deok Mi, the curator of an art museum and a secret fangirl, was believable and cute. Kim Jae Wook portrayal of the stoic Ryan Gold, the director of the museum, was the perfect complement to their relationship. Together they had enough chemistry to satisfy any romantic junkie, like myself. It was refreshing to see a couple come together and compliment each other with their love and care.

At times it will seen like a slow process of getting there, but make no mistake about it, this drama is a romance. There were distractions to create the necessary bumps in the road to happiness, but they survived it all. The girl interested in Ryan, a distraction. The brother who wants to be Deok Mi’s boyfriend, a distraction. Director Eom, a distraction.The entire fangirl thing, a distraction and even the comedy was a distraction. Be patient, unlike me, and you will take a journey with a couple oozing with chemistry.

There were plenty of emotional moments that will tug the heartstrings and there were lots of amazing kisses.

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Unique, intriguing and mysterious. I wouldn't be surprised if many people overlooked this drama expecting another generic detective show, I can't express how sorry I feel that they will miss out. This drama will challenge your preconceptions and keep you interested to the very last minute.

This drama isn't for everybody, I can imagine the quirks and humour won't appeal to many. I, however, really thought they influenced the overall feel in a positive way. It isn't your typical drama, if you take everything too literally you will miss out on a lot of the symbolism and underlying messages. It's one of those drama you can keep coming back to, every time you re-watch you will notice something new, a small detail you missed the first time around. These little details, in my opinion, really show how wonderful both the plot and execution are.

Acting wise, no complaints there, they all did a fine job portraying their characters. As for the music, the choices really helped build up atmosphere and fit well with the drama's mysterious vibe.

All in all, a drama I highly recommend if you want something completely different to the majority of other drama out there.

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Favorite Thai Drama To Date!!!

This is an ongoing drama (at the time this was written)..., so I haven't seen the end yet. But I felt compelled to write a review of this drama from what I've seen so far. The male lead is absolutely amazing! He's so adorable, and as the drama goes on, you can see the look of love in his eyes when he sees the female lead. He is green flags everywhere. I love how accepting he is of the female lead despite her crazy family and weird personality. I absolutely love it. The female lead, I absolutely love her too! She's adorable, kind, funny, and brings out more goodness in the male lead. She also gives him love that he never received while growing up. They are such a perfect match for each other.

The story line is impeccable. The cast is so well picked, and the characters are so funny! They just add to the story. If you are considering watching this, I definitely say, "GO FOR IT!" I can't wait to see how the story will end.

UPDATE:

I have officially finished the drama and let me tell you. This drama is worth watching. Most people say it's a slow burn romance, which... it is. But for me it didn't feel that way. It didn't feel that way because I was entertained the whole show. The main leads romance was cute and adorable, and I loved seeing how the ML fell first. Were there characters that got on my nerves? Sure. But there are always characters we don't like. I enjoyed pretty much the whole cast, and they did a splendid job with this drama. If you like romance with green flag main leads, which includes a cute and perky FL who helps the ML break out of his shell, with fun friends, coworkers, and family, this drama is definitely for you. Watch this drama, you won't regret it.

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Some dramas entertain. A rare few illuminate…

Set during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, this drama could easily have fallen into the trap of being another historical epic heavy on costumes and light on substance. Instead, it delivers something far more ambitious — and far more meaningful. It is breathtaking in its commitment to historical authenticity, not just in aesthetics but in its portrayal of governance, reform, and the fragile art of holding a state together during turbulent times.

A Drama That Understands Governance

What has impressed me most — and what I reflected on in my recent Strategic Teams post — is how deeply this series understands the work of governance. It doesn’t romanticise leadership. It doesn’t flatten history into hero worship. Instead, it shows:

• the complexity of decision‑making
• the tension between moral ideals and political realities
• the weight of responsibility carried by those who choose to serve
• the quiet, unglamorous labour of reform

This is a drama that treats governance not as a backdrop, but as a living, breathing challenge — one that demands courage, restraint, wisdom, and sometimes painful compromise.

Historical Characters Brought to Life

The show’s greatest strength is how it brings actual historical figures to life with nuance and emotional depth. These aren’t cardboard cut-outs of “good” or “bad” officials. They are human — flawed, principled, ambitious, weary, hopeful.

The performances, especially from the Wuyue leads, are exceptional. Their portrayals carry a sense of dignity and restraint that feels true to the era, yet emotionally accessible to a modern audience.

A Visual and Emotional Feast

The production design is meticulous. The lighting — especially in the intimate indoor scenes — is atmospheric and painterly.
Ceremonial and wedding stills are rich with cultural detail. Ensemble scenes capture the scale and uncertainty of a fractured era. Every frame feels intentional, reinforcing the drama’s themes of unity, resilience, and the pursuit of stability in chaotic times.

Why This Drama Matters Today

What elevates Swords into Ploughshares beyond entertainment is its relevance. The governance lessons embedded in its storytelling resonate strongly with modern organisational life:

• the importance of ethical leadership
• the need for clear purpose during instability
• the value of steady, principled reform
• the power of listening, humility, and collective responsibility

It reminds us that good governance is not a slogan — it is a discipline, a practice, and often a struggle.

Final Thoughts

This is not a “slow” drama.
It is a thoughtful one.
It rewards viewers who appreciate depth, historical fidelity, and leadership stories that don’t shy away from complexity.

For anyone interested in history, governance, or simply beautifully crafted storytelling, Swords into Ploughshares is a standout of the year.

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It started off great then fell flat

I was very excited for this show because we were getting another story that wasn't highschool/college centred, and the BL genre needs more shows like that. Initially the series showed great potential but unfortunately it didn't fully deliver. The first half of the series was quite good. It was exciting, the characters were really intriguing and the chemistry between the main couple was excellent. There were some plot holes especially with the Singlehood rule, but they were things that could be looked past.

What the show really struggled with was pacing. Initially the slow pacing worked well to tease the audience but eventually it began to drag and felt like the director and writers were trying to stretch 8 episodes of material into 12. The most frustrating part were the main characters, Jin Yu Zhen and Shi Lei who both repeatedly continued to not make a move on each other. It became severely frustrating. Then when the show became uninteresting around the 10th episode, the writers tried to add a new character which initially did bring some interest but the plot continued to get weaker and less interesting.

Okay, so back to what I actually liked about the show? Again Aaron and Hank's chemistry was good and they are both so good looking. The side couples were sort of interesting, but not enough to cover up my frustrations with the main couple. The straight couple didn't really get much screen time but I still liked them and they were funny sometimes. The acting for me was excellent and the production quality was top tier. So I must commend those who were responsible for that.

I believe this series may be more interesting if you binge it. Waiting every week for 25minutes and seeing basically no progress is almost torture.

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This is such a great movie. It starts all oldschool but it catces up with present time and we get to see the story through the eyes of a grumpy old ahjushi mr sung chil. He was a marine and hes strict and meticulous. He needs and commands order including his house and friends. A grandma with a daughter and granddaughter moves across the street as his neighbor and has an interest in this old mans life but it all starts from a misunderstanding. The whole neighborhood gets nosy and involved in this relationship which makes it all fun. Then the real story comes back with a twist. Be ready with tissues.
Great cast and storyline

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Strong Start that Petered Out in the Middle But Came Swinging for the Fences at the End

Wanted something cybercrime-CSI-ish and this seemed to fit the bill. Didn't know anyone in the cast save for actor who played ZY and Xu Lu a bit from previous series. Had a strong beginning that petered out in the middle only to come out swinging for the fences in the final 3 episodes. Definitely needs a season 2 with the same cast to properly finish the cliffhanger.

Pros: Probably the first drama ever that I will say had a really catchy opening theme that I didn't fast forward before I get into favorite character and other things. It made you actually anticipate what you were going to watch even when that failed to deliver. Favorite character was the ML or QH; man had the patience of a saint and his straight path towards justice and finding out who wronged his best friend and Godmother were beyond admirable. Next favorite character was Ms. Lin the lawyer; even though she didn't know until pretty much the end that her boyfriend was a class A douchebag, she never changed her morality or ethics towards her partners or friends.

Though I liked CM in the very beginning and once he got on board with QH, his whole arc with MT was very unnecessary. The two ladies who worked in QH's office were alright additions and out of the villains, the only ones that made any real sense were MPC and LB, though the latter needs season 2 to figure out. Had some semblance of comedy here and there and meaningful moments of care between the protagonists.

Cons: This plot took a nosedive in the middle and became very boring and confusing. The MT/CM arc (shoving a relationship into somewhere it didn't belong) just like the MT/General arc were unnecessary and very confusing. We assume it was the General who scammed Godmother in the beginning though there's no real confirmation or admission of that. ZY also an alright character; great in the beginning but then was dumbed down into an arrogant and dumb kid who spilled personal information to complete strangers online. None of it made any sense given the industry he worked in and the responsibility placed on his shoulders. He regrew his brains towards the end.

For seasoned hackers, they couldn't pick up on pretty obvious things and it just slowed the entire show down. When they "killed" the General off, he should have stayed dead. Bringing him back just to give the running of the bulls ending some semblance of action after a lackadaisical middle that was constantly seeing QH getting nailed by one villain after another by pretty much brain dead problems, was honestly laughable. Instead, in the last episode the General nearly beats QH and CM to death and then is just nonchalantly arrested. And still the LB plot was not exposed so the reasoning is that there will be a season 2? Writer and director must have gotten drunk together.

Would I recommend it? I'm not sure to be honest. TJC did a great job as QH, so much so that I want to see him in other, better things. So if you're a fan of his, maybe you'll like this too. The beginning and end were the strongest even with the open-ended cliffhanger finale, the middle could have been totally cut and you probably wouldn't have missed much. So decide for yourselves.

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One of the Best Thai Lakorns

Having watched quite many Thai lakorns, I got to say this is one the best Thai drama's I have watched. The acting of the cast- main leads & support cast were all amazing, story is interesting , good editing (I have noticed some Thai drama's the editing is sloppy) & it was well executed. The male lead's character was really non toxic, kind, loyal & dreamy.- he's really hot - I don't know why I haven't noticed him earlier - after this drama's I have become a fan of the male & female lead. It was a happy ending for the main leads, but the death of brother was quite sad. There is great chemistry between the leads & the height difference between them was cute.

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I hated this drama, Vin Zhang is the only good actor in this drama that why I sticked to the end

I like Esther Yu acting better in Moonlight than in this drama. The character she played in this drama was annoying, and the nasal voice didn’t help much. The storyline is so stupid and ridiculous. The drama could have been better if it was 20-24 episodes; instead, it dragged to 30+ episodes. It was too painful to watch, and I hated Esther Yu's character in this drama.

In addition, the script is bad, and the 2nd CP for more screen time than the main CP. 2nd CP's acting is horrible, especially the 2nd ML. Overall, I am disgusted at this drama. It was a waste of my time.

I am giving it a 4.0 rating.

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