Reviews

KinnPorsche, close but not quite

Overall: I rated the first episode a 9.5. Unfortunately the series kind of fell apart for me, but there were some really good aspects. Although there's crack comedy (and some stupid comedy) parts, I would label KP as a mature series with major content warnings. Make sure to watch past the credits for the final episode. Watched on iQIYI (watched the uncut La Forte and also several episodes of the cut TV version)

Content Warnings: murders/deaths, attempted murder, suicide, threatened suicide, non con kissing and sex (drugged), dub/non con kiss (drunk), torture, manipulation, violence, fight scenes, blood and gore, kidnapping, pet death, breaking & entering, trauma/past trauma, physical abuse, self harm, drunk driving? 17/18 year old with 22? year old (this personally didn't bother me the way it was presented)

What I Liked
- intro song and the music fit the scenes well
- acting, especially Apo and his microexpressions
- some of the funny moments like that light shining on Porsche in the bar as if he's sent from heaven in ep 1
- really lovely cinematography such as the bathroom scene in episode 7
- beautiful and well thought out lighting
- Porsche and Porschay brother relationship was super sweet
- that Kinn and Porsche were realistically horny after they got together
- a more unique premise (we don't have many BL mafia series)
- fun product placements like that bread in the bed
- the free, shorter TV versions are cut really well and it doesn't ruin the series, they toned down/cut some of the violence and sex/nudity in the shorter versions as well as other parts (like cutting the toilet humor from ep 1 which I appreciated)

Room For Improvement
- disappointed with Porsche's character. In the first episode he's shown as a good fighter and intelligent but then it all goes downhill. He does some of the stupidest things, speaking of...
- really stupid decisions from multiple characters (somehow Tankhun is the smartest brother...), Kinn saying he forgot something - really???
- back to Porsche. It's so odd how the character felt about the mafia in episode 1 to where he ends up in the finale with apparently no internal struggle.
- lack of character growth with KinnPorsche, they are terrible at communicating and trusting one another. I wanted to see them work thru this and grow together. Kinn continued to seek his father's approval and I wanted him to start breaking away.
- stark tonal changes. At the end of episode 10 there was no time to grieve, just farting in the bed. I think humor can go well with a darker tone (like Our Flag Means Death) but going from torture to silly scenes did not work for me.
- non logic: owning an expensive motorcycle and having no money, going clubbing with only 3 bodyguards when someone wants you dead, knowing how to spearfish but not that a small knife won't cut through bone, clean shaven after 3 days in the wilderness, lack of police, no one wears bullet proof vests ever
- the dub/non con with KinnPorsche although I appreciate that it wasn't immediately glossed over, there was apologizing and some selfless acts
- Vegas and Pete needed more screen time. I really wish we had seen Pete have a wet dream with Vegas and Pete as a masochist earlier. Also that he purposefully got caught because he was attracted to Vegas. Their relationship felt Stockholm Syndromey and was very rushed. The sex scene needed less music and more actual sounds from them, a steadier camera and some research on BDSM.
- Kim/Porschay, they needed more screentime as well. I was confused by Porschay's intensity as it seemed they were together for a short time but in a later episode Kim looks back at a bunch of pictures of them together and it made me think they dated for longer than I thought.
- camerawork was a little too shaky during action scenes
- replacing swear words with things like "fudge" WTF? We see multiple murders but using swear words is too much (I didn't take off points for this though as maybe the production couldn't control the subs)
- it felt like maybe too many twists at the end, definitely felt like a set up for season 2

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Cellphones Do Not Have Silence Options in the Only for Love World

Okay…

I started this despite not being a fan of modern/contemporary Chinese romance dramas because these usually feature nonsensically convoluted plots and too many misunderstandings. However, I like both main leads and wanted to watch something with Dylan since I will not be watching his other dramas from this year. I thought that having other cast members, like Bai Lu, Wei Zheng Ming, and Lui Dong Qin, all of whom I also liked even if I didn’t fully enjoy the shows they were in, would make it more bearable. It did not. I never expected a masterpiece, but had hoped for a decent story with relatable characters or at least characters who would allow me to live vicariously through them. This, also, did not happen.

The premise of the show was all based on a misunderstanding which dragged on for too long. On top of this, there were other couples whose dynamics were fun at first, but later entered the realm of toxic and stalkerish. As if having already three dysfunctional couples wasn’t enough, at around the 20th episode yet another couple was added.

Another part that bothered me was the romance between the main leads. I usually like slow burn romances, it gets me excited for when the fire finally consumes them and they cannot “fight that feeling anymore”, but for the love of all sacred monkeys, this wasn’t even a slowburn, it was almost no burn and the damned cell phone ringing was the main character, as one of the watchers so aptly commented. Someone wanted to clarify something, the phone rang. Someone wanted to confess, the damned phone rang again. Someone was about to kiss, you guessed it, the phone rang. It’s as if they didn’t know phones have silence options.

On top of this, some scenes that looked like they were finally going to get things rolling ended too abruptly. For the first kiss scene, I blinked and almost missed the kiss. There were too many filler-like scenes which featured their workplaces, business dealings, conferences, introduction of new antagonists, and talking about things I had no desire to listen to, or more specifically read about since I read the subs, especially in Shi Yan’s case. So I fast-forwarded these scenes or, in later episodes, just watched the drama as background noise. This leads me to another issue, this is a romcom. This drama is 36 episodes and personally, I believe romcoms should not be this long. This drama would have probably been a lot more tolerable to watch than it was if they had focused on less, because sometimes less is more. The addition of all those unnecessary subplots made it draggy and boring.

I don’t remember the OST and I do not plan on rewatching or recommending this to anyone. I added .5 because despite the drama being terrible, I still like Dylan Wang , Miles Wei, Lui Dong Qin, and Bai Lu.

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Some people might really like this Drama, and some people might hate it. I started watching this cause of Yuki Yamada, ended up loving the heroine too.

This is one of the best Drama out there which potrayed Psychopath in the most realistic way, yet so fascinating. The plot twist gonna make your heart pumped and surprised dozen of times. You wouldn't stop after you watch the first episode, the story is just the best.

And the best thing is Yuki Yamada acting skills, he's the right person to play this character, i can't imagine someone else bring the character so alive other than him.

This is really recommended by me, you should watch it!! but don't expect ending the way you want, i don't know you gonna like the ending or not, but remember this is not a love story, it's just psycho Lol

Enjoy watching!!

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flow of events mostly congruent with the plot, but bad finale spoils the show

I'll start by saying that I watched Season 1, and I did enjoy it, but the disappointment manifested in the last 5 episodes or so. My memory still holds the feelings of that time, but not the specific storyline. Since Season 1 was aired two years ago, I had completely forgotten what the main case was about. So when Season 2 was starting to air, I went back and restarted S1. And just from the first ep, most of the memories of the case came rushing back! I remember why I was disappointed with S1 in the first place.

Now in S2, Do Chang is now the guardian for Eun Hye, whose father they had wrongly convicted for a murder charge in S1, whom they eventually failed to save from death row. I was really pissed about that in S1. I guess that's somewhat realistic, but being part of the audience, I want some form of satisfying closure. S1 didn't provide that.

Nothing came out of the brief attraction Ji Hyuk had with Seo Kyung in S1. That was also disappointing. While I didn't care much for the couple either, I would have been happier if something happened between the two of them. A development of a new relationship, or something. Overall, S1 had a sense of discontent hanging all over it, although the thrill of the chase made it a pretty decent drama for me.

I wasn't expecting much from S2 because of the lassitude I was feeling from S1. But as I followed episode after episode, I was quite surprised to find myself easily absorbed into the story. S2 started off rather slow, but it gave a cogent follow-up on Ji Hyuk getting a transfer back to West Incheon with the same team and same partner. While in S1 he had faced various oppositions and "attitude" from existing members in the investigation team, he had smoothly cemented his place with the team with his return in S2. Do Chang's younger sister who was a mess from her divorce back in S1, now owns a fried chicken shop, and Eun Hye who Do Chang is raising, helps with the shop.

The plot for S2 began with the serial killings of several girls, which overlapped with the battery case of a woman by a son from a rich conglomerate. It felt straightforward at first glance, but it was soon revealed that one of the girls whom police initially suspected was the serial killer's victim was not in fact, murdered by him. So, as the story steadily gains momentum, it begins to present a new problem and revelation of a new mystery that requires digging into the core of an affluent but heartless and dyfunctional conglomerate family.

Most actors and actresses are well-trained -- and I'm actually a pretty easy person when it comes to grading acting skills. I usually don't have much complaint where acting is concerned, unless it's so bad that even my great-grandmother in a stupor would have been a better actress. That rarely happens. However, I'm extremely picky about the script and storyline. As such, there's nothing to complain about the acting, which I quite enjoyed, especially Kim Hyo Jin's performance. She's an amazing actress.

I wrote this review when I was 8 episodes into the drama. I gave this an 8.0 back then, but now that I have completed all 16 episodes, it is with much regret that I have to dock the rating down to a 7.0 and rewrite my review. I find the final three episodes of S2 underwhelming and nonsensical. The new developments that transpired, which I'm sure almost everyone could see coming, were handled badly. I mean, there are still wholesome humour injected in some scenes, which I thoroughly appreciate. The humour is what I love about the vibe of The Good Detective. This drama gives me a light and pleasant feeling while following the cases, compared to a dark investigative series. But that being said, I have issues to pick with some details in the writing of this show.

Now, it is clear by Episode 13 that Cheon Sang Woo was not the actual killer of Jung Hee Joo. Sang Woo, having been sentenced to 15 years for soliciting Hee Joo's murder, was suddenly deemed "innocent" and freed. This is where I have a big glaring issue with the writing. He's not at all innocent. He did order the killing, and although his solicitation of murder by hiring Ki Dong Jae to murder Hee Joo did not directly result in her death, he was nevertheless still very much guilty of hiring Dong Jae as a contract killer. This is just common sense, and a law in many countries. South Korea is not an exception. According to Statutes of the Republic of Korea (aka South Korean Criminal Law) under Chapter 24, Crimes of Homicide, which covers Article 255 in Preparations and Conspiracies, it was explicitly stated that, "A person who makes preparations or conspires with intent to commit the crimes of Articles 250 through 253, shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than ten years." Articles 250 through 253 include Murder and Murder Upon Request. All these can be found on the Korea Legislation Research Institute website.

Even if Jung Hee Joo did not die by the hand of another person, it was still very much assured that she would be killed by the assassin Cheon Sang Woo has dispatched, aka Ki Dong Jae. So why should Sang Woo go free?!?? It doesn't make a shred of sense. Why would you release someone who had been proven to hire a killer with the intent to take another person's life!? The whole retrial bugged the shit out of me. Why would you need a retrial? No retrial should have been needed, Sang Woo is a scumbag who contracted a killer, he violated a law with the intent to take the life of another human being. He should have stayed in jail. The part where Kang Do Chang and Oh Ji Hyuk requested for Cheon Sung Dae's cooperation with their investigation was unnecessary, and looked really silly at execution. What was the point of Cheon Sung Dae asking for the help of 50 other old men at a villa dinner again? That bit was preposterous. It went nowhere.

Choi Yoon Geum committed a range of crimes. He accepted money to cover up a murder. Why was he free and walking about in Episode 15 and 16??! It was utterly ridiculous. All of these people have been caught red-handed on tape yet they are all released. Lmao. Hello? They were all involved in conspiracy to murder a poor girl. Again, even if she didn't die by Cheon Na Na 's hands, Cheon Sang Woo would still have her killed. He showed no remorse whatsoever even after he was caught hiring a killer on tape, was sent to trial, and put in prison. He acted like his own psychopathic self from start to finish. The final 3 episodes made zero sense.

Dude I really, really enjoyed this drama for 13 episodes and then this whole dumb "retrial, release Cheon Sang Woo" garbage happened. Ugh. Another issue that I have is the writer's treatment of female characters like Moon Bo Kyung. Girl was introduced as a mess in S2, but she grew as a character over time and honestly I have grown to love her too. She has a crush on Oh Ji Hyuk and how did the writer give her closure? Nothing. Space silence.

The really big plus about S2 of The Good Detective is that there are plenty of comedy and camaderie spirit abound compared to S1, and I personally feel it that way because I actually ran a concurrent rewatch of S1 up to Ep 7. Really, S1 wasn't terrible, but I'm ambivalent about it. S2 is definitely the better season for me, and that is very rarely the case with sequels. It almost never happens. Honestly, S2 would have been such an awesome sequel, had it not been for the disappointment in the finale.

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It's definitely not "better late than being single" but "better late than to be taken"

As me being single since birth made me think of how I wish I was from this show?? WAHAHAHHA'

It has been a fun ride with them, and it feels like fresh from an oven while watching the first ep. Mostly it was bubbly but it got all sudden to be serious and intense when they already realized and knew that some of them are "competing" with each other on who they'll end up with. While some of them are trying to fix their own things and managed to survive remaining to be single until the end...

Honestly, I've been posting some tiktok clips (@nugumars on tiktok) from this show and its my second show after watching my first ever dating show, nineteen to twenty. Well, I was expecting for more since the first ep and the ending was really unpredictable for me. I think I haven't seen some of the main couple's lovey-dovey and first move scenes in a detailed way but definitely these singles who never had a relationships also reminds me of how hard it may also be, especially thinking twice of what would possibly come up, it may be predicted or it may be in the worst case-scenario. I also understand how some girls we're been underestimated by the other guys, the other where just there for a show, competition and rivalry was there, but I would never forget the maturity as well from them. I also love the progress and the pain that they have carried all the way, and how they made few changes to make the first step to other singles who they we're interested in.


Perhaps, these girls really made an impression for me since the first ep:
~ Yi-do
~ Min-hong
~ Ji-su
They really stood out for me the most because every eps, there are progress and changes. They adjusted and think of possible outcomes and predictions, while the other, like Yido, really felt bad for her for crying like girl you've cried 5x from my list already T-T Yi-do for me was one of the weakest but yet she still had so much expectations and dreams of ending up with Jeong-mok but erm he's kind of a jerk from this show tbh. I really hoped for the betterment of Yido and finding the perfect guy for her, despite jeong-mok might be her first love and first heartbreak.

One of the strongest singles out here from this drama is definitely Min-hong, she was totally my favorite from this show and especially the mindset of giving so much advices to the girls, her roommates and the other guys like jae-yun. I liked her personality and the bravest part of her in giving reassurance to others who she gave advices makes her even more attractive.

Ji-su has been the most favorite and ideal partner among the three guys, Sang-ho, seung-il, and Hyunkyu. The competition of the guys we're entertaining, but to the point as well where I was totally disappointed of the guys really chasing her. I mean its their first time but who knows? Also, she does not rush anything because each day comes by since the first day she really had the chance to talk to them one by one while the other was getting so suspicious of their acts. I mean my girl ji-su was promising, but I felt a bit shocked that she chose Seung-il despite the little incident while they were a bit drunk and talking about their first day and the serious question from Ji-su about her past trauma of why she really choses the right guy as carefully as she is. Ever since the firs day, she really made a n impression to most of the guys since they we're introduced the first day. Hoping that while she ended up with Seung-il she would really find interconnectedness with each other.

For the guys, they we're pretty neutral to me, but definitely I was hoping more for some of them to interaction (and not being late) like seung-chan and mi ji T-T. Actually Seung-chan was one of my favorites, and as well as Jae-yun. I feel like I have not quite things to say but ever since few days passed by I think he had lots of progress and its really obvious that they are surrounded by their own worlds because they we're too shy to interact with the girls within the building or even their dates. I feel like I had a favoritism with Seung-chan and there was one episode where he gave an advice to one of the guys after the singles inside a room were talking about the guy who consumed almost two hours of talking to Ji-su.

Seung-chan, Jae-yun and Sang-ho were my favorite guys who stayed by their own preferences but they had at least few changes and progress of knowing themselves more, and that was the point of entering the show for them.



I think I do really understand the decisions that the eternal singles made at the end of the episodes because they weren't there for fun, but finding answers of where they actually belong from the two questions of "staying single?" or "finding or looking for your first love?". The emotions and confusions were all came with purpose and meaning, and I also love how the crew and production made this show very interesting and yet more intense. Also, the casts from this show were very entertaining, as this has been my first dating show that made me so damn interested in watching aired and being so impatient as I waited for few days or even a week to watch all eps.

But overall, it was okay for me, but then I really wished that they would reunite (but not possible because it might be awkward for them already)

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Personal Review (No Major Spoilers)

I found Flying Up Without Disturb to be a wonderfully rare and enjoyable discovery. I started the drama because of curiosity, stayed because of its charm, and finished it with a heart full of emotions that lingered long after the final episode. For me, it’s a solid 10/10, and I genuinely think it has the potential to move you just as powerfully. What makes this series shine is not simply the romance or the fantasy elements, but the way everything comes together with sincerity, intention, and beautiful storytelling.

What impressed me the most is that the drama is not just about love, but about identity, growth, healing, acceptance, and the quiet bravery that comes from choosing your path even when everything around you feels uncertain. Rather than following the typical fantasy romance formula, the show allows its characters to breathe, to fail, to rise, and to let their emotions mature over time. It respects the viewer enough to give space for reflection instead of forcing constant twists. By the end, the emotional investment pays off in the most rewarding way.

Let me start with my absolute highlight: Li Hong Yi as Zhong Xi / Huan Zong. His performance carries the entire emotional weight of the series. He delivers a layered portrayal that makes his character feel both ethereal and grounded, powerful yet vulnerable. From the first episode, there is this quiet, commanding presence in his acting. He doesn’t rely on exaggerated expressions. Instead, the emotions slip through in subtle gestures, the tightening of his jaw, the way his eyes soften when he looks at Kong Hou, or the controlled tone when he’s trying to hide the pain he refuses to name. Everything feels intentional, lived in, and deeply consistent.

What makes Zhong Xi unforgettable is how he balances two identities. There is a gentle tension running through his performance, like he is constantly negotiating with the weight of his responsibilities, the burdens he carries, the secrets he protects, and the longing he tries so hard to suppress. Even when he doesn’t speak, the screen feels full because his emotions are always present. Li Hong Yi is a master of controlled expression, and this role truly showcases how skilled he is at making silence speak.

In contrast, Lu Ting Yu as Kong Hou brings a warm, bright, grounded energy that complements him perfectly. Her performance is graceful yet spirited, full of sincerity and a quiet kind of strength. Kong Hou isn’t just a love interest. She is the emotional pulse of the story. She is compassionate without being naive, brave without needing to be loud, and loyal without losing her individuality. One thing I love about her portrayal is that she grows gradually. Her character moves through innocence, discovery, heartbreak, and eventually profound understanding. But she does it in a way that feels natural, not forced for dramatic effect.

What truly took my heart is the way Li Hong Yi and Lu Ting Yu interact. Their chemistry is not loud. It’s not about flashy tension or dramatic declarations. Instead, their connection grows from small moments. A glance held slightly too long. A soft exchange that carries more meaning than the words being spoken. A hesitation before a touch. This drama understands that romance does not always need explosion. Sometimes the most powerful love stories are the ones told quietly. Their bond feels like two souls slowly learning to trust each other in a world where trust can be the most dangerous thing.

The relationship between Zhong Xi and Kong Hou is a slow burn, but not the frustrating kind. Instead, it is the kind that rewards viewers for patience. Every interaction builds upon the last. Every shared moment adds depth to the connection. Even the challenges they face, including those rooted in secrecy and identity, feel like natural extensions of who they are. Light spoiler: there are scenes where their emotions come to the surface in ways that feel almost poetic. A single sentence, a touch, or even a moment of silence becomes charged because the characters have grown enough to let vulnerability show. Those scenes are crafted with tenderness and respect, and I treasure every one of them.

Another strength of the drama is its atmosphere. The world feels alive without overwhelming the viewer with unnecessary explanations. The fantasy elements are woven smoothly into the narrative. They support the story instead of overshadowing it. The cinematography is beautiful in a simple, non-overproduced way. There are sweeping shots that capture the vastness of their world and quiet, intimate frames that draw the viewer closer to the characters’ emotions. Nothing feels wasted. Nothing feels out of place.

The soundtrack deserves praise as well. There are scenes where the music elevates everything happening on screen. Sometimes it’s melancholic. Sometimes it’s gentle. Sometimes it’s hopeful. But it always fits the atmosphere of the moment. There is a particular melody that repeats during emotional turning points, and by the final episode, just hearing it again made my chest tighten. Music becomes an emotional echo in this drama.

Now let’s talk pacing. For me, the pacing is one of the strongest elements. It never drags, even though the story takes time to unfold. It doesn’t rush to deliver answers or emotions. The pace allows you to sit with the characters, understand their struggles, and connect with their journey. The story trusts the audience to follow emotional logic instead of constantly relying on dramatic twists. The ending is satisfying but also slightly bittersweet. Not tragic, but shaped by the sacrifices the characters make along the way. And that makes it feel earned. It’s a conclusion made meaningful by everything that happened before it.

As for light spoilers, I’ll keep them gentle, but I want to highlight a few emotional beats that stood out without giving away the major storyline. There are moments where Zhong Xi must hide his true identity, and the way he navigates those situations adds incredible emotional depth. There are scenes where Kong Hou confronts her own fears and insecurities, and her growth feels powerful and real. Their relationship faces moments of distance, moments of misunderstanding, and moments where the truth threatens to break them apart. But instead of using these moments for shock value, the drama uses them to deepen the emotional resonance. Nothing feels cheap or manipulative.

One of my favorite scenes shows how Zhong Xi’s feelings spill through even though he tries to hide them. Another scene shows Kong Hou making a choice that proves her love is not fragile. These moments are full of tension and tenderness, and they stay with you. By the time the final episode arrives, everything feels complete. The emotional payoff is strong without relying on dramatic chaos. The show respects its characters too much for that.

Now let me shift to a more personal perspective. Watching this drama reminded me why I love immersive storytelling. It made me feel deeply connected to the characters. It made me reflect on themes like inner conflict, emotional honesty, and the courage it takes to choose love even when the world seems to be working against you. I found myself rooting for both leads not just as a couple but as individuals trying to navigate complicated lives. They earn their journey. They earn their love. They earn their ending.

What makes this series special is the sincerity behind its storytelling. Every episode feels like a piece of a puzzle. Every moment feels like it has purpose. The drama has a soft, elegant beauty that stays with you. There’s no unnecessary drama. No pointless arguments. No exaggerated villains. Instead, the conflicts arise naturally from character choices and emotional truths. It’s the kind of story where the real enemies are fear, doubt, destiny, and the secrets we keep. And watching the characters confront those things creates a compelling emotional arc.

I especially appreciate how the show portrays emotional maturity. Zhong Xi’s growth is subtle but meaningful. Kong Hou’s strength is gentle but undeniable. Their relationship evolves through communication, trust, shared pain, and shared hope. Even the supporting characters add value without taking the spotlight away. The show knows what story it wants to tell and stays committed to it from beginning to end.

By the time I reached the final episode, I felt a sense of completion mixed with affection and gratitude. It’s rare to find a drama that is consistent, emotionally rich, beautifully acted, and visually stunning, all while staying grounded in sincerity. This one achieves it. It’s the kind of series you hold onto after finishing. The kind you think about again days later. The kind you might rewatch just to experience certain scenes again. For me, it’s easily a perfect ten.

If you love emotional depth, slow burn romance, magical atmosphere, and characters who grow through vulnerability, this drama will probably become a favorite for you too. It’s a journey worth taking, and Li Hong Yi and Lu Ting Yu give performances that elevate every moment. The show is quiet in its approach yet confident in its delivery. It understands that love, identity, and connection don’t need to shout to be powerful. They just need to be true.

In a world full of noisy dramas chasing attention through constant twists, Flying Up Without Disturb dares to be calm, heartfelt, and deeply human. And that is why it stands out.

If you felt what I felt watching it, then you know. And if you haven’t watched it yet, there’s something beautiful waiting for you.

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It is based on a true story

The book took 44 years to write, based on a true story, the story is complex but you realize why it had that ending, prison can be cruel, it makes you make decisions that you don't like just for your own benefit, the series itself is very good, totally recommended.
The story is a bit slow, but entertaining, it catches you and gives you a new perspective, it is not a common and current series, it is not the typical Thai bl, it is very different but that does not mean that it is bad.
Both actors played their roles really well, you could tell their feelings and what was going on in their minds. The entire cast and production were excellent, I loved the songs chosen.

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This drama is BRILLIANT it adds a supernatural element to a revenge mystery/crime story and that what makes it unusual. The writing and characters are well balanced.To really appreciate the depth of this drama you have to be willing to watch something with less romance, and lots of psychology. It really powerful to see how one of the characters uses other greed, sins and fears, to exact revenge. Since he is a manipulator, he is like a "devil" working in the background... and you won't be able to pin any of the crimes on him. The Devil is perfection in terms of production,scripting & acting, the music could have been better.It was intelligently-written and incredibly well-acted.JJH was phenomenal!! Granted it is dark,intellectually perplexing and tragic.In fact,I am going as far as to say that it's not suitable for the faint-hearted. It really shows in a simple manner that people are not completely good or bad.That there is a cost of in everything that we do but that no matter what we choose be it revenge or ignorance there's always a way that allows us to contemplate the possibility of redemption and forgiveness for people who,because they have lived in darkness for so long,have committed unforgivable deeds for the sake of a purpose they deem justifiable.I still in shock that this drama is so unrated and really not see as a blockbuster. The Devil is very a deep and complex drama that actually lets the viewers immerse themselves in the story and feel for all of the characters, making you pose at each turn and ask yourself would I have done better.People who are used to watching more mainstream dramas would probably not be able to appreciate it if they do not watch it with an open mind.

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Cold Face General in Intensive Romance

I love this series! This is a warm, easy to watch and adorable drama with funny scenes of an unpretentious female lead who is direct and sincere. There are intensive romance, mysteries and deep plot with supervillain. The female lead is forthright and that has resolved or prevented a lot of misunderstandings. Also, kissing and wedding are right at the beginning, so there's no long waiting for romance to happen and blossom, like in other dramas, usually at the end.

The Story
To rein in the power of General Chu Xiuming (Wu Xize) who is guarding the warring border up north, the ministers press the Emperor to decree a marriage of the second daughter of Rui Wang (Prince Rui) to the General. The bad name of the General - ugly, fearsome, and having killed 2 previous wives - scares the appointed daughter, and she wriggles out and passes the marriage over to her younger half-sister, Shen Jin (Tang Min), whose mother has lost favor from her father. Shen Jin accepts the marriage because she just wants to get away from the household which she abhors. At the General’s manor, she helps fend off intruders and receives admiration from the General’s subordinates. Very soon, she realizes the general is not what she has imagined and she falls head over heels in love with him, and he her. Together, they uncover the greatest conspiracy and put the perpetrators away.

There's always a mystery - who was the mastermind behind the death of the 8th prince the crown prince and his entire family 16 years ago? All indicators point towards the Emperor and Chu Xiuming is determined to find out to bring justice for his uncle, the crown prince. The conspiracy unravels in the last 2 episodes and the show becomes nail-bitingly intense. The ending is heart-warming and satisfying; there’s no random killing off of the characters.

The Characters and The Acting
I love the Shen Jin character. How she has grown up fighting for territories in her childhood has made her courageous and proactive. She knows she has to fight for what belongs to her and what she wants so that she would not be taken advantage of. She is sensitive and not naïve, and she doesn’t sit around waiting for things to happen. Whenever she feels an imminent threat, she would jump into preventive action to protect herself and those around her. After marrying Chu Xiuming, her greatest fear is losing him to another woman as how her mother loses her father; she vows she would not take her mother's footsteps. But her schemes are mostly naïve, brainless and hilarious, causing headaches for her husband who forgives her again and again. It’s nice to see this couple resolve their misunderstandings very quickly, and both are quick to apologize to each other. She eventually grows to trust him and not jealous over any women that he may come in contact with. Tang Min’s portrayal of Shen Jin is marvelous.

General Chu Xiuming is a cold face general who becomes a romance buff after marrying Shen Jin; he sticks around her, lovingly and protectively. He is handsome, wealthy and powerful. When they are recalled and return to the capital, numerous eligible women, including Shen Jin’s own sisters, come forward offering themselves to the General, but he rejects them all; his eyes are only on Shen Jin. Tall and handsome, Wu Xize’s portrayal is believable and his action scenes are pretty good.

There’re two great second couples, one loyal to Shen Jin and the other to Chu Xiuming. They act as conduits between the General and his wife, helping them resolve any misunderstandings there may be. And I love their ingenious makeshift wedding ceremony for one of the couples - simple, warm and beautiful.

The OST
This fluffy drama gives us a few amazingly beautiful official sound tracks, in particular the OST Only For You, conjuring images of the loving General and his wife.

My Verdict
I have really enjoyed watching the two love birds telling each other their love and admiration for each other constantly. Every day, every moment when they're together, the General recites love verses to his wife, confirming his love for her. His words are sweet and his love verses are romantic. They're like glue, sticking at each other’s side all the time. There are many kissing scenes. This is an ideal husband/wife relationship - loving, understanding and forgiving, which also plays an important part in the plot when the story unravels. There're no hidden emotions nor hidden feelings. She always tells her husband exactly what she wants. I love that because men are usually slow to catch hints. Her forthrightness is inspiring.

The drama is cut in an interesting way: at the end of each episode, the cut scene is played, giving additional information to the viewers without affecting the flow of the story. These cut scenes are enlightening and can make the story clearer.

Admittedly there is a lot of flaws and holes, inconsistencies and lack of details in this drama. For example, some scenes are jumped and characters are switched without warning, the couple wear shoes on their wedding bed, the abrupt change of character for the evil sisters, etc. Nonetheless, these haven’t reduced my enjoyment.

If you love supervillain, evil sisters, some palace politics, a protective powerful general with an easily jealous wife, you may like this fluffy drama like I did. Don’t miss it. And don't miss the epilogue.

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If you did not watch The Heart Killers, then you don't have the right to breathe

The Heart Killers is not gruesome as some may expected. If you are not watching The Heart Killers while it was ongoing, then what are you doing in your life? Just kidding. To be honest, I am glad that I watched this series' episodes come-out one by one, because the pressure the time each episode comes-out and the need to trend it was different. The recognition and reward of seeing one of your favorite Boys Love series is an overwhelming feeling to yourself.

Story - 9/10
I gave the story a 9/10, because it was great, but definitely have some improvements to be made of just for it to become perfect.

The Heart Killers' plot revolves around a thief (Kant) being tasked by a police captain (Christ) to sneak or investigate on a notorious hitmen brothers (Bison and Fadel). When Kant saw one of the hitmen brothers, Bison, he knew that person is a one night stand he cannot forget. So, what he did was flirt Bison. But he was stopped by Bison's scary older brother, Fadel. Fadel is the older brother of Bison and they own a burger shop.

Bison told Kant that Fadel has a closed heart, meaning that he do not and cannot trust anybody that easily. So, in order to fix that problem and continue spying on the hitmen brothers, Kant asked help from his best friend, Style. Style is a mechanic in their family business' car shop, hence fixing cars are his main job. At first, Style did not agree, but when Kant said that he will exchange his car for his help to flirt Style, he agreed immediately.

Style and Fadel met unexpectedly already, because of a car accident. Fadel's precious car was hit by Style. Since he is a mechanic he offered free service to Fadel and said that he'll fix his car. Fast forward, when Style knew that Fadel was the person that Kant wants him to flirt, he tried all ways in order to be near Fadel, with the help also of Bison giving Fadel's diary to Style.

Basically, the story revolves around Kant being tasked by the police to investigate and find evidence about a hitmen brothers, with added romance since Kant and Bison had feelings for each other, and Style pursuing Fadel to have a mutual feelings also with each other.

Acting/Cast - 10/10
You know, the precious gem of a story is really the actors and the characters that they are portraying. Even if the story and script was great, if the acting and chemistry of the characters suck, the series will be a total hit and miss.

Kant (First Kanaphan) - What would you do in exchange of freedom? Are you willing to sacrifice your love's freedom in exchange of your own? His character is really a chef's kiss main character because of how the occurrence of events happened because of his actions and decisions.

Bison (Khaotung Thanawat) - Wow, just wow! Khaotung is really a good actor, I think anyone can agree with me. Bison is such a menace and a crazy character. The way he decided what to do when he knew that Kant is spying on them, investigate them. The actions he made when he knew he was being used by his lover, I FUCKING LOVE IT. This is another time that a character and an actor really got into me, in a way that I love it so much.

KantBison (FirstKhaotung) - The chemistry is really good. Watching them in this series really satisfies me, because I saw their other series and the way they acted on those. Those NC scenes, really mesmerizing and admiring to watch. I did not even skip a single second on their NC scenes because of how natural they acted on those. It feels like they are not acting, rather just enjoying the moment they are doing those scenes.

Fadel (Joong Archen) - It is my first time seeing Joong acting and to be honest, he shocked me. His character is someone who cannot trust that easily because of valid reasons and as a person who is like that also, he got me. Fadel's acting is so good that he really felt like he is embodying the role given to him. Also, he is really hot as a person hehe

Style (Dunk Natachai) - Also my first time seeing Dunk's acting and I love it! Style's mannerisms are really good. His iconic lines such as "Good Morning Kub" is really what the viewers love about him. Another, I want to applaud the stylist because of how good his outfits are. An example is the iconic crop tops he wore during the series, it was really good. Dunk is really great on portraying this not so serious but series role he got.

FadelStyle (JoongDunk) - Many viewers really love their enemy to lovers? trope that their plot has. From Fadel being cold to Style at first to the efforts that Style took in order to become near Fadel. The efforts both their characters did in order for them to become lovers. The sacrifices and moments that broke them and the viewers are really good. No one can portray Fadel and Style better than Joong and Dunk, I must say.

In totality, I gave The Heart Killers a 9.5/10 because in my own opinion, it was really good, but close only to perfection. If the casts was not great, the plot and script will not be well executed and the viewers will not love it. A must recommended series to watch, because you will not only fall in love with the plot and the characters, but also to the actors as well. If you are not watching or you did not watch it yet, you do not have the right to breathe, just kidding. Go watch it!

EDIT: I just finished watching the last episode and to tell you guys, it was truly worth it watching this series. Just a caution for the last episode because if the first episodes' NC scenes are hot, then the last episode was blazing in purgatory as it was that hot! WATCH IT ALREADY!!!

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Thame & Po were the draw for me (watch suggestions)

Overall: because the title had the two lead characters' names in it, I had assumed that the focus would be on them. Unfortunately, a lot of time was spent on love rival/business drama. For example, in the finale, Thame & Po had about 16 minutes of screentime together (some of which was in a group setting) out of 50 minutes. 13 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on GMMTV's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLszepnkojZI6eWPdbwhJyylqwlR63KrTz&si=cyrNicpZBAKiWPWl as well as Netflix

Content Warning: punch, manipulation, cyberbullying

Watch Suggestions (to focus on Thame and Po)
- watch episodes 1-3
- episode 4 part 2 watch 4:30-6, and watch part 4
- episode 5 part 1 watch to 10:30 (or can watch all), part 4 skip 4:30-10 unless you enjoy group singing and more group time
- episode 6 part 1 watch beginning to 6, part 2 watch 5-end, part 4 watch 7:30-end
- episode 7 watch all of part 1, part 3 watch 3:20-5:20 and 8-10, part 4 watch 8-end
- episode 8 watch part 1 beginning to 3:45 and part 4 5:40-end
- watch episode 9
- episode 10 watch part 1 beginning-5:40 and 13:30-end, part 2 watch 5:10-7:35, part 4 watch 11:40-end
- episode 11 watch part 1 2:30-10:15, part 2 2-6:30 (and then skip the rest unless you enjoy angst)
- episode 12 part 4 watch 8:25-end (unless you enjoy angst/making plans)
- episode 13 watch part 2 0-1:10 (unless you enjoy making plans/performances), part 3 6:20-end and all of part 4

What I Liked
- the set up was woven in well (with the interview and information about the band) instead of a blatant exposition dump
- Po's supportive friend
- how both Po's and Thame's past experiences shaped their current views of the situation
- liked getting to know one another in episode 4 over the phone
- how Nano put the tent together really easily and his facial expressions/reactions
- caring moments
- intimacy
- showing the stresses of being a celebrity
- some of the kisses were not dead fish lip presses
- production value/music (the lack of "comedy" sound effects is nice)

Room For Improvement
- the love rival had way too much screentime which could have gone to sweet Thame & Po moments
- too much with the other bandmates, wanted more interaction with Thame & Po
- the "I can explain" but doesn't explain/other person doesn't wait for an explanation
- gulp sound effect
- the interruption and then felt a bit sudden when they entered Po's apartment
- that Po didn't get rid of that stuff until he was forced to
- nonsense stuff i.e. phone battery lasting 10+ hours, not being on the down low in public (not wearing a mask and holding hands in public), a character was an antagonist and then in the finale had a sudden change of heart
- two dead fish lip presses and the angles/drawn out time made it worse
- the ex was wasted screentime, overall this could have been tight 8 episodes focused on Thame and Po

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Keeps you guessing...forever

This is an ensemble drama that had to balance so many pieces of a puzzle and characters to make a complete piece. The cinematography is gorgeous and the costume and sets are beautiful as well. This director really knows how to shoot actors, the lighting in the dark Gong residences was excellent. Instead of looking dull the actors looked ethereal and darkly beautiful. Gong Shangjue is often shot like a viper who sits in the dark on first watch, but on a second watch he looks like a lonely man who holds a lot of pain and responsibility. Ryan Cheng was a stand out for me in this show. He had to bear two weeks plus of everyone hating his character, poor him. I never doubted that he was always rooting for his gallivanting brother to get responsible and protect their family.

Esther Yu especially impressed me in this show, in LBFAD I liked her character towards the end but in this one she handles a meatier role in stride. Her crying scenes are actually heartbreaking and not grating, you get the sense that she put a little of herself in order to bring out the grief, not the persona she wears for the character. I'll definitely follow her projects after this. I must commend Lu Yu Xiao as well, in another drama she appeared in this year I found her annoying but in this one she is electric. You never really know what she wants even in the end. She kept the audience guessing, if c dramas were not so reliant on flashbacks I would have never known what she really desired or cared about. An excellent spy in that sense.

Now, the writing in this show was a little wanting. I liked that all the characters were taken care of, instead of using the supporting characters as tools to prop the male lead, each of them holds weight that creates an emotional heart of the story. This always gets a plus from me, no matter how messy the main plot is. The writer/director was able to make us care about the supporting characters so that a big loss is felt if we lose any of them, even the ones we hated. The humor was not my style at all and I skipped many Gong Zishang's scenes. Sorry but she was overdoing it. The main problem I had is that not enough time is given to the part of the plot that moves the gears forward. Ziyu's actions move the plot forward, the three trials he must take are how we get to the next bit of the story, yet this part was the slowest moving part of the plot. This is why I found the third trial and Master Hua's arc wanting. Often important developments were paused after making the audience think there should have been an immediate consequence. As much as I hate to admit it, Yun Weishan was often conveniently covered by plot armour. In C drama writer fashion, the villain is revealed in a cartoon like fashion who describes their plan and declares "if it wasn't for you meddling kids!" And so much exposition. But I hardly think c drama writers will ever change this style of writing. The final act needed either tighter writing or the drama should have done the full 40 episodes. It is as if the writer was rushing to solve the mystery by writing twists in for convenience (some of which were predicted by the audience, but still). However, probably this could be justified if that ending means there is going to be a season 2. How that will work in the C-ent industry would be nothing short of a miracle. Unless all the actors signed up knowing it might end this way. If there is no season 2 then I'm afraid that ending was clumsily done.

It is absolutely worth watching even twice, the first to work out what is going on in the plot because the drama was good at leaving clues for the audience to figure out, the second time to decipher the truth from the lies. The ending will not be satisfying for all, but I thought there were great enough elements in this to deserve a 9. This is one of the high quality outputs from c drama in 2023.

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A show about a teen girl who constantly makes bad decisions against her own judgement

It was interesting in the beginning, but it took a downward turn for the worst and the story was being rushed. There were plot twists, but not real character development or lessons to be learned.

They could've made a great ending, but they left it open for possibly another season. I believe the writers got lazy when it came to arguments and bringing the story to a close. No hate towards the cast, they seem like they could've played out a better written plot and script.

The music was weird, like some songs seemed random for the outro or off theme for the show. I was honestly trying to get to the next episode to finish off this Kdrama.

If you watch this, think of it as something to watch while you wait for other anticipated Dramas.

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