Reviews

This show made you excited in the beginning, then you wonder halfway "How did they miss the mark?"

Head over Heels is one of those dramas that leaves you asking for so much more. It had a dynamic storyline with something new in every turn. The casting was great all around, and the plot gave such a dopamine hit when reading about it. I even digested and waited till I reviewed this one, simply because it was like a climax dream that you woke up from halfway in.

I’m not entirely sure if it’s because of the westernization of dramas through Netflix or what, but while the story offered a lot, it didn’t deliver enough emotional pull for all the characters, only for the main female lead. It missed the mark when it came to fleshing out the other side characters, and it also left you confused as to why major plot points were introduced at random peaks in the story. It wasn’t like these additions brought a new dynamic that changed the direction; it felt more like, “Well, we only have so many episodes, so let’s just slap this important information here now so viewers won’t be left questioning.”

The drama had so much potential with its story, actors, and viewership. It simply left me feeling like, Damn, this would be so much better as a novel or with a full, well-developed script that included emotional plot points to draw viewers more deeply into the entire story.

Don’t get me wrong—it was okay. But it had so much room to be something truly great. It kinda missed the fullfilment of fans for these drama types, honestly.

Leia Mais

Okay for those people going to blabber about the similarities between meteor garden and this drama I have to say. Stop it! Just watch it! It’s more like a parody than a copy of the typical F4 situation. The first couple episodes are like an nearly exact same. However take a deep breath and by some episodes later you’ll notice that actually this is a pretty damn good drama. The plot leads to different paths from story we are use to. It is more modern than you might think, pretty cute too. While watching this drama, there were of course parts that I wanted to skip really quickly. But those moment are overtaken by the actually great parts to it. In this drama they brought in many current day aspects to it too. Such as the immense amount of phone usages and that the female lead doesn’t have to be a frugal girl who is ugly. The male lead at first looks a typical dude who is not that good looking and just exist. But over time while watching him, especially when he puts his hair down (hair down I mean - Kpop Star bowl cut down) he’s so GORGEOUS!! The main female lead also looks like a a random actor the director just picked off the streets. But do not judge the book by its cover, she is actually really cute and enthusiastic. You know those cringey weird female leads where you want to rip off the screen. Congratulations she isn’t one of them. Just sometimes a little tiny bit annoying but that can be avoided. I’ve watched so many dramas who have such similar beginning story line and I have to say this is a pretty good-lighthearted one. Of course there were few tears but isn’t any of that melodrama where every episode = crying. So I have to say, forget all you past F4 dramas experiences and Give this a chance. Really recommend! :D

Leia Mais

This is a film about the exposition of vanity and the price people pay for fame, and this theme carries the story through all of it's tragic intensities. No, this isn't your run of the mill cutsie story, but it is a mature, edgy, dark piece of art. I love how visually spectacular every scene is. You can tell they put a ton of effort into every set. I can't get over how aesthetically pleasing the film is. And Erika's acting was exceptional! Most of us know how amazing she was in 1 Liter of Tears, and she is no less amazing here even though the roles are worlds apart. In 1 Liter of Tears she played a sweet, strong, optimistic girl battling a terminal disease. In Helter Skelter she plays an adored celebrity who behind the scenes is lost in a very dark place. And let me say one thing, tortured people torture people. This film shows the extreme end of overdose on the drug called fame. One reason why I've never envied celebrities too much. And I should warn you that this film is for mature audiences only. Seriously, be prepared for some mature scenes. But all in all, it's a 10! I loved it! There's a lot that can be learned from this film.

Leia Mais

Being perfectly honest, there was close to nothing I liked about this show. While at first I liked some supporting characters, in the end I was done with everyone except for Na.

Technically speaking, the plot is nothing new: guy who didn’t know he was gay, finds out he is gay and liked his best friend (ignoring the bullshit plot twist by the end). It’s simple, you can make it work, but not the way they did it here. The biggest problem was the pacing. Good majority of the episodes showed Tonhon being a homophobic asshole, to magically be all “love is love” and accepting about his new found attraction in one episode. It was not gradual - he went from no homo to “love is love” in a matter of a few minutes of screen time and one day of drama time. Because of the poor directing and writing, the scenes that would usually indicate his jealousy (which would hint his feelings for Chon), truly just felt like he was angry at any gays getting close to him or his friends.
And don’t even get me started on “I loved you for a long time” bullshit, because I am about to (┛ಠ_ಠ)┛彡┻━┻.

Speaking of Tonhon… What a mess of a human being he was. The show tried to convince me that he was so homophobic, because of his dad, but I didn’t buy it. He was a grown up man, he was not living with his parents, no one from his circle of friends was openly homophobic, and looking at some scenes in the 2nd half of the show, only his ex-girlfriend was homophobic. This leads to one conclusion: he was ignorant, unwilling to learn or to change his mind. I already talked about his unrealistic switch of personality, but what makes it even worse: he gives shitty excuses after breaking promises. The fact he kept claiming that he did not cheat on Chon was laughable. You kissed your ex. That’s it. There is no excuse that would make it not cheating (in the scenario they presented). Except for his looks, he had no redeeming qualities. I have to ignore the revelation of him loving Chon since they were kids, because it contradicts everything that was shown in the previous episodes.

At first, I enjoyed Chon a lot. I liked how he did not judge people based on their looks, occupation and sexual orientation. He was a sweet boy with a massive crush on his best friend. But then a whole “let’s bait/force Tonhon to come out and admit his feelings, even though he is obviously not ready” plot hit me in the face, and the only thing I could think about was: this is gross.

Ai, Ni and Miriam are guilty of the same “crime”. Again, I adored their characters at first, especially Miriam. The more I thought about the situation though the more borderline toxic they became. One could ask, what was toxic about the adorable Ai and Ni? Well… For starters, they enabled Ton’s homophobic behavior. How the guy was supposed to learn that being gay is not bad, when even his closest friends were agreeing to every homophobic line he was saying and went with all the crazy ideas of “what a real man should do” he had? I call that being bad friends. Miriam was quite a busy body and one of the biggest supporters of forcing Ton to come out. Enough said.

Amp was just trash. That’s it. Nueng was trash 2.0. He tried to rape Chon is a toilet, when Chon was drunk. And no one had close to any reaction to it. Like it’s not a crime. Like what he did was not disgusting. I am so done with this trope, and the fact the perpetrator is never dealt with in a just way. Yes, let’s just ignore and not seek any punishment for attempted rape. No big deal in the land of many BLs I guess ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

I liked Chon’s mom, but then she went “if husband and wife have a disagreement they should sit down and talk about it”. LADY! This is not a disagreement. The dude cheated on your son. Honestly, her whole speech about “don’t let that one woman ruin your relationship” was out of place.

And now, the only saving grace characters wise: Na. His behavior at first was a bit frustrating. He seemed extremely overconfident and too full of himself. The more I got to know the guy, the more I started to adore him though. From the beginning he was honest and straightforward about his feelings and intentions. He was clear about the fact he is truly going to “hit on” Chon, and for him it’s not about making Ton jealous. Even after he got rejected, he was the one to support and talk with his love rival, making sure he is ready to accept his feelings and it’s not too much of a burden to him. He was just truly a good guy surrounded by trash and semi-trash.

Also, can anyone explain to me why they censored Ni and Ai kissing scenes, because that was one of the most ridiculous things I have ever seen. It was so obvious Toptap and Mike did not kiss once during the whole show, and that’s why the scenes of them being lovey-dovey with each other were cut in such weird places. If the actors for any reason cannot kiss on screen, either don't write any kissing scenes for them, or recast the characters.

Anything else I enjoyed except from Na? The production value was high. The show was pretty. I also did enjoy the cute scenes we got by the end between Ton and Chon. Don’t get me wrong, I was still pissed how nothing makes sense plot and pacing wise, but it was cute for the few seconds here and there when I was able to turn off my brain. So yeah… that would be it.

And you know what is the worst? All the problematic things in the show were added, and they don’t exist in the novel. And I’m just sitting here asking: why? What is wrong with people?

Overall, this ain’t that guys. The only reason I finished the show was to see how bad it will get. And let me tell you, it got worse with each and every episode.

+ Can we talk about the fact Miriam is pregnant? Okay... no. I don't want to think about that ridiculous plot line at the end.

Leia Mais

Just Beautiful and Natural.

The Oath of Love is a much-anticipated drama that literally went to hell and back, leaving fans in an awkward situation. The Oath of Love, which was supposed to premiere in September 2019, was repeatedly postponed due to "Operation Qing Lang," which targeted celebrities with large, often chaotic fan bases. The drama was thought to have been postponed solely to put fans on their best behaviour. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the first episode of The Oath of Love after the very long two-year wait. And now I understand why the things we desire are usually the things that bring us the most joy.


The Oath of Love is based on Bo Lin Shi Jiang's(柏林石匠) novel "Entrust the Rest of My Life to You" (余生，请多指教). Because of the success of the novel, The Oath of Love already has a large fan base, and as proof of the cast's star power, the drama surpassed 700 million views in three days.


This drama centres on an uplifting romance between a doctor and a cellist. To be honest, the story isn't particularly unique. It's just a typical rom-com like we see in c-dramas. Except for the medical aspect of the drama, there is nothing unusual about it. But it's the characters and, of course, the cast and their acting is what makes this drama so endearing.


I was expecting a typical, ice-cold, and serious-looking male lead and a confused and senseless female lead based on the synopsis. But I'm really impressed by the character arcs and portrayal in this case.


Lin Zhi Xiao (Yang Zi), the female lead, is a third-year university student majoring in cello. She is energetic, positive, and kind but, sometimes acts on impulse. She is determined to achieve her objectives and does not give up easily. Although she is a little inexperienced and slow when it comes to relationships, once she is certain of her feelings and intentions, she will move forward boldly.

The love from family is irreplaceable in a person's life. This is an important life lesson that this drama teaches us. Difficult situations can make us more mature in all aspects of life. This is what one should learn from Lin Zhi Xiao.

Gu Wei (Xiao Zhan), the male lead, is the chief surgeon at a gastroenterology unit. He is a very capable doctor, but he takes failures and setbacks far too seriously, which led to psychological issues. Finally, after meeting Lin Zhi Xiao, he learns to look past the setbacks and learn from them. They transform into each other's suns and shine brightly.

One should not take setbacks to heart and stumble there, unable to rise. One should learn to learn from them and make their life more colourful with love. This is what one should learn from Gu Wei.

Gu Wei has a cold and aloof personality, but he is actually very warm and caring towards the people he should be. Lin Zhi Xiao, on the other hand, is equally warm and caring, in this case, to everyone. Lin Zhi Xiao's character development is one if the best I have seen to date. When in comes to Gu Wei, he is already and adult and naturally, there won't be any more development for him. But, his personality is so endearing that you would wonder if such a person would ever exist in this world. Their distinct personalities is one thing that makes this drama really cute and charming. You will know it when you watch the drama. The supporting characters in this drama are good, but their relationship advice can get really annoying at times.


I must say that the romance in this drama is both healthy and consensual. Nobody forces themselves on the other, and no one intentionally hurts the other's feelings. Despite the characters' 9-year age difference, the plot's romantic development felt very natural. Even I, who is not really a fan of age gap, which can become really creepy if not excecuted well, liked this drama very much. This is all due to the cast's efforts in bringing the characters to life.


Speaking of the cast, this drama has a star-studded cast that will compel you to watch it no matter what. Actually, I came to see this drama solely for the cast, as they are my favourite actor and actress. If you've seen at least one drama with them in it, you'll understand their allure. Both Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi deliver excellent performances, particularly in serious and emotional scenes. They have serious acting skills that only a few people have or can have. Their chemistry was on fire, and their interactions were adorable to watch, which, combined with the naturalness of their development, made one wonder if it was all real.


Special appreciation to the cast:
I'm really happy at the fact that Yang Zi can portray a character, who is much younger that her, flawlessly but, I think she should broaden her horizon and take up more serious roles.
Xiao Zhan's glamour is growing year by year and so is his acting skills. But, I think and hope he should take up more roles like Wei Wu Xian form The Untamed.


If a drama features Xiao Zhan or Yang Zi, the OSTs in that drama are bound to be fantastic. This drama's OSTs and BGMs too were fascinating and were amazingly in sync with the mood of the story. Here is a list of OSTs:

"The Oath of Love (余生，请多指教)" (Theme song) by Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi (This felt incredible because of the combination of their voices, and it is my personal favourite.)

"The Greatest Fortune (最幸福的幸运）" by Xiao Zhan

"Somebody Liking Someone （一个人喜欢一个人）" by Yang Zi


Even though it has its flaws, this is a fantastic show in general. This has become one of my favourite modern c-drama rom-coms that can make your heart skip a beat. This drama is not overly depressing and contains numerous comedic scenes. Of course, not everyone will enjoy it, but if you're looking for a light and fluffy drama with an amazing cast and lead chemistry, this is the show for you.

Leia Mais

I don't know if I would recommend My Daughter Seoyoung to EVERYONE. For starters, this drama is 50 episodes long, so some parts are bound to drag and it needs patience. It's certainly not for people who make ep-to-ep analysis. I don't even know what I was thinking when I picked this one. Usually I pick dramas with episodes not more than 20. This was my first 50 episodes drama(Ok, Technically, Lee Soon Shin is the Best is my first 50 episodes drama, but that one's still airing). I guess I was bored.

Anyways, coming to my opinion on this drama, I loved it (I guess that's pretty obvious from my ratings. lol). This drama didn't drag for me at all. I didn't skip anything. The relationships were so beautiful. The father-daughter relationship full of emotions that every daughter can relate to. I mean, let's face it, at some point we've all fought with our dads. But we still love them unconditionally. That's how kids are programmed into this world (wait, did I just quote Anastasia Grey? I think I did). Obviously, things between Seoyoung and her dad are at another level. But she still loves him and their reconciliation is beautiful. There are other amazing relationships that took my breath away. The brother-sister, the husband-wife. I loved Seoyoung's mother-in-law and OMG HER BRO-IN-LAW IS SOO HOT!! I really like him (not just because he's hot though, lol).

I can't believe Seoyoung felt so lonely when all these people were in her life, loving her and encouraging her in their own ways. Her husband is just..PERFECT. I think I'm going to rewatch this whole drama in a couple of decades. In fact, I think I'm going to buy this on DVD. All the high tv ratings for this drama aren't for nothing. This drama fully deserved them. One of my favorites.

Leia Mais

Queen Go Hyun Jung

If there's one thing to summarize the entire series - it is to establish Go Hyun Jung as the queen.

This gripping and dark slowburn thriller is an exaggerated study of genes vs nurture - is someone pre-disposed to be something because of your blood or do we actually have the freedom to shape what we want to be according to our freewill and upbringing?

Okay lets backtrack a litlle bit, because there was a bit of backlash when the show was airing when they revealed that the copycat killer is a trans character but we also have to understand that this is an adaptation and the same backlash happened during the airing of the original french series which it was based on. Yes in the original the copycat was also a transwoman.

I know the progressives hated that twist and most of the question hovered around the reasoning they had to demonize a transwoman. I have a little bit of theory about the reason and i know a lot of people will hate it. Here it goes - a boy was brutally abused by his father and a woman came to save his life - yes the killing was sloppy and irresponsible but to his eyes it was also empowering and it set him free. He idolized the woman who defeated the demon for him and he fashioned a new life to MIRROR the life of his saviour - thats why he chose to become a woman. Was he actually a transperson or was he just copying the queen mantis? That is the mystery. I didnt see it as an attack to the trans community.

For me this show is a lot better than the original - first and foremost is the acting - Go Hyun Jung's Jung I Sin is so different from the original and made the role her own, her acting was subtle and so much scarier - that scene when she pulled and strangled the first suspect (which is not ont he original) is etched in my mind as it was so calculating believable awesome and terrifying. Jang Dong Yoon also did an excellent job as Cha Su Yeol who showed so much more vulnerability and his dynamics with Jung I Shin is much more believable compared to the original. The support cast also did a good job.

I also liked how they changed the ending a little bit which made it more effective like when Jung I Shil overpowered and stabbed Seo A Ra ,and when she actually prevented her son from killing her father (which kept him from becoming a criminal himself) and did it herself through that fire. And that open-ended ending - were they hoping to do a season 2?

The makeup to deglamorize Go Hyun Jung was also spot on and perfect for the character.

Would i reccommend? Yes the acting alone makes it worth it. Would i rewatch? Probably not as the topic is too heavy for repeated viewing. Overall i give it an 8.

Leia Mais

FINALLY after 3 years and it did not disappoint

my favourite medical drama is back!! i didnt think i could wait 3 years for this season to come out but i waited and its finally here and it definitely didnt lower my expectations.

this cast is one of my favourite casting, ever i think. also the new additions to the cast, Lee Shin Young and Lee Hong Nae is the best thing ever.

i might change my rating depending on the ending but right now its amazing, the plottwists and storyline is amazing. (i have changed it and the added info is below)

this is the second drama ive watched with Lee Hong Nae in it but hes such an amazing actor must i say, i couldnt get over his acting in 'the uncanny counter' that i honestly thought he would be evil in this drama as well because of the impact he made in that drama.

and now i have finally finished the drama and can i say that it did not disappoint ONE BIT. kang dong ju coming back was so unexpected but definitely not random. it helped the storyline go from a 9 to 10 in my opinion. i loved the fact that there was plot twists and other surprising things like seo woojin knowing kang dong ju and the history behind that.

i also saw someone say that yoon a reum and park eun tak breaking up was unnecessary but i thought the total opposite, it helped their relationship grow and taught them a lot.

ALSO THE LITTLE ENDING SCENE, hopefully its hinting at a season 4??? i really hope to see season 4 with both season 1 and 3 casts combining to make doldam a great hospital. 100% the best medical drama ive ever watched

Leia Mais

54 and a half hours, 3 days, countless of emotions and I am finally done with the phenomenon that is Empress Ki. I am not one to generally make sweeping statements but if I were, I'd adamantly insist that this is one of the best dramas I have ever seen as of yet.

I am sure that if someone with a critical eye was to peruse through this review, they'd "Tsk Tsk" just like El Temur did to show his condescension for things he thought beneath him but I am past the point of caring. For I am hopelessly and utterly in love with everything about this drama, blissfully ignorant to all of its flaws and honored to have witnessed characters that made me feel all there was to feel and more.
After I was done with it, I felt so emotionally spent that it was almost physical. Every waking moment of my existence had been consumed by this production and the withdrawal symptoms were kicking in with a vengeance. Now, there is so much to say, but not enough words. I want to shout its praises from the rooftops but I'll settle for writing this review that can't possibly ever truly deliver the amount of feeling I had for this drama.

This is a story about vengeance, lust for power, loyalty, sacrifice, the blurry line between good and evil, the ugly side of human nature and lastly one woman's quest for justice. You cannot go into this if you don't want to get invested because trust me you will. It will possess you and maneuver you around like a puppet until its characters' emotions are your own, their pain your pain, their heartbreak your heartbreak and it will make you want to burst from all the sensory overload.

If I am to be honest, I admit that I have never seen a more brilliant piece of acting before. From the minute roles to the colossal one's every single act is done with perfection.
This was my first time watching Ha- Ji Won and six episodes in, I had already added her to my favorite actress list and vowed that I will not stop until I had followed her into every show she ever starred in. Simply put, she is my Queen. Her acting is so real and raw that it breaks you every time and leaves you in awe. It's really no surprise that she won a Daesang for her role.

I don't think I have ever felt more strongly for any female heroine before Niang. The intensity of love that I felt for her was crazy. She's a woman of power, deadly beyond measure, a master mind and the definition of strength. In Asian Dramas, there is always more talk than walk about how intellectual the heroine is. Producers use the classic element of make believe and create so much hype that people really start to see the MC as smart and witty even when there are no visible actions to back it up. In the synopsis it would be stated repeatedly how much of a genius she is, the characters in the show would boast about her relentlessly but in reality she usually turns out to be a hollow personality-less beauty vessel constructed on baseless compliments.

Niang doesn't roll that way. She is the real deal from the start; a highly intelligent woman, a schemer, a warrior, a meticulous planner and a ruthless executioner. She doesn't need other people to gass her up, because everything she does speaks for itself. She doesn't require saving because she is the savior. She is a Queen in every sense of the word and honestly, I would rather kill everyone -love interest or not- if they dared hurt her. My heart clenched whenever she faced a setback, my fists pumped and I screamed joyfully every time she was victorious, I cried with her, I smiled with her and I rooted for her every single time. I can honestly sing odes in way of her perfection and it would still not be enough.

Before I started with the drama, I had heard a lot of praise for Ji Chang Wook and when I saw his face and got a glimpse of the character he played I had instantly stuck my nose up, jutted my foot out and turned the other way. I thought that there was no way that I'd ever root for such a privileged, weak and spoiled wimp of a Prince. It didn't help that I had hated characters like him in the past (See: Goo Joon Piyo from Boys over flower, Mike He from Full house, Yune from MiSa) but as I watched, piece by piece the ice around my heart fell off until I was effectively boarded and happily sailing on his ship.

Ji Chang Wook is a gem and I truly believe he deserved a Daesang too. Ta Hwan is a highly flawed character and an anti-hero at best. He's selfish, cowardly, naive and obsessive. For one good deed is followed by a hundred missteps on his part and there were multiple times where I wanted to just slap him senseless. But despite all this, JCW made me fall in love with him. A lesser actor or any other actor for that matter, couldn't have even dreamed to do the same.

He's the type of character that you'd love to hate and hate to love but soon enough you see the deep scars he harbors, the purity of his heart and you understand him. In a palace full of people under his command, he's utterly lonely, horribly abused by everyone he trusts, constantly forced into his insecurities and you cannot help but weep for him and the pain he has had to suffer. Once you understand him, every horrible action he commits doesn't make you hate him, rather it breaks your heart. I had so much affection for him that I bawled every time he was either volatile, helpless or bordering on insanity. I honestly prayed for his relief.

As for the other male lead, I had my doubts about Joo Jin Mo at times but soon, I realized that he held his own too. Even though I felt like Wang Yu was way too likable I did come to adore him. The loyalty his men showed to him, his persistence in fighting for his country and his devotion to Niang warmed my heart. Plus, the guy has really beautiful and expressive eyes.

As far as the couple ships are concerned, Ta Hwan and Niang was the only one that made sense to me. Sure, Wang Yu and Niang have some heart warming moments and their love for each other is supposed to be strong but the moments between Ta Hwan and Niang are simply emotionally intense. There is so much misery between them but their relationship is powerful. She builds him up when he's nothing, she's his support system and his love for her is obsessive because in the midst of so much cruelty she is his only friend and confidante. The only time he attempts to be selfless is when he's with her and she makes him want to be a better man.
Tbh, they both were my babies and they absolutely dominated the show.

The beauty of this show is that everything bad that could possibly happen; happens. In most shows you don't have to guard your heart because you're sure that when things are their absolute worse, a convenient plot device will somehow come in handy and save the characters from catastrophe but here, there is no such luck. The villains are extremely fleshed out and three dimensional which makes it all the more easy to despise them. This drama truly depicts that 'evil is bad that believes it's good' and that is the most dangerous thing about the awful one's because somehow they all have reasons that are wholly justified in their eyes. People I liked transitioned into horrible power hungry monsters and people I hated with a passion tried to force me to feel pity for them. It was such a mixture of charcoal and pristine that I was constantly in a whirlwind.

I'm not going to lie; I bawled a lot in this drama. However, none of my tears flowed when people died or were killed rather they were for the tiny moments; the moments where the helplessness of the characters was shown, the moments where they are trying their best to hold on but falling apart, when they are striving to fight madness but stumbling and it's so beautifully heartbreaking that it wrenched out sobs from me.
This drama is filled with small immensely impactful scenes that combine to make the whole production powerful.

The side characters are very strong and multiple story-lines make the drama diverse and interesting. I majorly love me some Tal Tal; the smart, loyal and brooding man that you just can't get enough of. Wang Yu's men were always a source of happiness; Jokho and many others too make the list.

One thing I agree with many reviewers was that I too wanted the MC's to take a breather. From start to finish they are battling complication after complication and I desperately wanted the sweet moments to be drawn out and for them to bask a little more in the fleeting happiness they were granted. I mean, I wanted to see the faces I love express joy so badly that after finishing the show, I spent hours watching behind the scenes and blooper videos to lighten my heart and seeing those actors laugh and goof around filled me with inexplicable warmth.

As far as the ending is concerned, I'll dole out the same advice a friend gave to me and that is to not dread the tragedy too much for it's something that's bound to happen and you might actually find it quite acceptable. Who knows?
I have said so much, yet I feel that there is so much more to say. I am positive that I can write a thesis on my love for this drama and still not be satisfied so I'm going to end this here.
Every single second of this is nerve wracking in some way, the violence isn't over-produced, the action scenes are beautiful, the dialogues are excellent and although I never really re-watch seasons even when I say that I will, this is one season that I'm absolutely certain that I will binge re-watch and will most probably once again, be strung like a live wire because of all the feels.

An undeniable must watch.

Leia Mais

Have you watched a drama that you want to know how it ends but you don't want it to end because if it ends, you wouldn't find anything equivalent to this? Well look no more. The story of this drama is one of a kind not the regular thief and criminal, cat and mouse hunt. If you're tired of the gooey romance and the common love triangles, and you want something more substantial go for it because this deserves all the praises it can get.

Story : the story is almost flawless and fast paced enough that there isn't a single episode that wouldn't give you a high. The twists and turns that happen are almost realistic and you will find yourself getting slipped into the story.

Acting : Ma Dong Seok and Seo In Gook. DO i need say more? the characters in the drama are played so well, you start believing in them. They take you a roller coaster ride and they do it well!!

Leia Mais

Not too bad. But not too good.

This is probably worth watching - probably most of the first half, and the rest with judicious fast-fowarding. I'll start with the bad to end on a positive note:

- Gun is not a good actor. He's a good comedic actor, and when this series is being OTT or comical, it works. When it strays into sappy melodrama, which it unfortunately does far too often, then it's excruciating to watch his scenes. Lots and lots of melodramatic crying, and anger all at a loud volume with teeth bared. You'll learn to FF.

- The plot is totally predictable, and almost every moment you can see coming. The enemies portion of the story ended way too soon and suddenly you could almost hear the Tchaikowski Romeo & Juliet overture firing up. Actually, that would have at least made it funny. The problem was that you didn't get enough time to invest in the relationship, which for me was carried entirely by Boat, who is extremely attractive and also a good actor.

The good:

- Bank's storyline
- Bank's smile
- Bank shirtless
- Bank.

I'm being funny, but Pitch & Bank are likely to be what keeps you watching what is otherwise a forgettable experience. But be forewarned, they are not in it much, and apparently a large portion of their scenes were not included, which seems mystifying and criminal. Maybe the actors woudn't allow any producer "bad touch" and were being punished.

Boat is a really good actor, He does drama, comedy, and action very well. He's good at subtle expression and letting his eyes show you what he's feeling, as opposed to Gun, who only has one setting: OTT loud and teeth-baring. There are a lot of action scenes, and they're actually pretty good by BL standards.

I would advise you not to do what I did, and watch too much of this on normal speed for fear of missing any Bank.

Story: 7. The predictability was unfortunate, but the overall plot was decently laid out and coherent. The romance went from 0-90 too suddenly, but all-in-all it wasn't bad. There were no toxic females - there were women who liked the boys, but they weren't at all manipulative or scheming, and they never really got in the way of the main ship. They were sincere, honest, and mature, and if anything they were cruelly used by Sky. Although Juno needs to learn to take a hint faster. There are a lot of tropes, especially early on, but some of them are obviously exaggerated to the point of satire, which I appreciated.

Acting: 7. I'd probably have rated it 8 or 9, but Gun was a 2, so he dragged down the average. Boat is very good, and Tenon (Bank) is strangely enthralling - I guess he manages to pull off a sincere innocence that's endearing.

Rewatch value: 5. I'd give it a 1, but there's a scene with Bank in a tank top and a scene with Bank shirtless that I'm likely to rewatch many, many times. It may not be coming through, but I like Bank.

Overall: 7. I generally don't like to go below 7 unless it's really terrible. This is not - it's entertaining, although it loses steam by the end. If they had left out some of the repetition (how many times does Sun need to leave Sky unattended resulting in his abduction before he learns not to do it? He never learns not to do it.) and put in more of the secondary couple, this would have worked much better.

Leia Mais

Don't Shy Away From Being Yourself ❤️

Life becomes a little easy - when you find people who accept and love you for who you truly are. This message is exceptionally narrated in this movie through the main leads who are deemed "different" by society but manage to hold on to each other and fight through prejudices/biases of society, friends, family and their own self to eventually loving and accepting themselves for who they truly are.

From the moment we're born, society judges us for our looks, height, skin color, skills, sexual orientation, behavior, and more. Biases and prejudices are ingrained in people’s minds upon first meeting us, and while some may change with understanding, many remain. Despite progress, there’s still a long way to go to eliminate these judgments in today's world. "Love in the Big City (2024)" is a commendable step in the right direction, and I applaud the cast, crew, and original novel creators for this remarkable film.

The movie powerfully portrays the challenges of "being different" through a heartfelt narrative that evokes a range of emotions—smiles, tears, and everything in between. The female lead is someone I've admired for a long time, but this was my first time seeing Steven Noh in action. Known from "Pachinko," his portrayal, even within a limited emotional range as his character demanded, showcased his immense talent. The main leads bond together on the common ground of being labelled outcasts and the movie progresses from their 20s to early 30s showing us how they fight the societal prejudices, missed chances at love, inner fear of showing their true self, facing their family, overcoming failed relationships to ultimately accepting their own true self, and being proud of it.

The line "How can being yourself be a weakness?" resonates as the film’s strongest message. Personally, as someone who has faced various judgments from young age from strangers/close relations alike movies like this offer a solace of sorts - a feel-good factor that reinforces the importance of learning to love your true self, before seeking it elsewhere.

The film does not come across as preachy - but rather resonates with me (and am sure others) because it does not shy away from showing the good/bad and ugly side of journey towards self-acceptance. Profound, Powerful, Engaging - from start to finish, would highly recommend it as a must watch ❤️

Leia Mais

realistic. relatable. refreshing.

ik we are here for the "dimple couple" Shin Min Ah and Kim Seon Ho (atleast I am) so I'll skip the introduction. I haven't seen the original work so i won't mention any comparison to it. the plot seemed like something new to me and trailer gave fresh vibes so I didn't hesitate to start (nor do I regret). I'd discuss some aspects in the drama I particularly loved so you may relate to it or consider watching :)

PLOT/PALETTE:
so. back to the drama. a girl leaves her job and goes to some rural place and sees a guy who's... everywhere? I thought it would be cdrama style cliché but it's actually far from that (thankfully). color palette of episodes are really relaxing to watch. I'm not an artsy person and I don't know much about palettes but it's really calming and definitely suitable for the picturesque sceneries.

CHILDHOOD CONNECTION DONE RIGHT:
what i really loved in the drama is that despite the leads having a couple of childhood interactions, they don't give much importance to it and (rightfully) move forward because it was simply a part of their past. it was refreshing to see such an arc because in most dramas, the leads who hate eachother suddenly fall in love because they "vowed to marry each other as 3 yo kids" or whatever, you get the idea.

BEST PORTRAYAL OF LOVE TRIANGLE:
the characters are written realistically and mature. props to the crew for including minor details that may seem unimportant but really adds on to reality. there's no over the top cheesy lines and exaggerated portrayal as seen in many other rom-coms. every single arc (including love triangles) is carried out so well that no part of the drama bores the viewers. I simply can't stop admiring how beautifully the love triangle was carried out because in most case it would simply ruin the overall drama experience.

SIDE CHARACTERS HAVE THEIR OWN LIVES TOO:
the side chracters had their own story to tell, not just being comedic clowns or matchmakers for the main leads. ofc their story slightly depends on the leads because they are centres of the drama but we can agree the writer gave justice to the supporting casts by not always placing them in scenarios where leading characters need them. EVERY character had their own situations and struggles but the way each person grew through the story made me happy and proud.

overall, the drama kept it charm throughout. 100% worth the watch! long story short, start watching now!!

Leia Mais

"Love when you are ready and not when you are lonely"

What can I say? NADAO really isn't playing when it comes to the production of this series. Ever since the first season to this one, I actually believe they have improved and given us this delightful first episode, filled with many captures and panoramic views of the city, and also of course the always so aesthetically pleasing scenes with our main leads, Teh and Oh-aew.

The shots where they enter and the whole dynamic with the colors Blue and Red (just like in the first season), will be very significative along the series and probably has a plethora of symbolic meanings associated to them.

What I do love about this story is how realistic and relatable it truly feels. Teh and Oh-aew really do represent all of us in terms of chasing our goals and dreams, while questioning our own sexuality and passions, to graduating high school and applying to college that not always is close to home, having old and new friendships, and many more... all in all, the ordeals of a lifetime.

Am sensing that a lot will happen this time around too...

The first season was more like an awakening. Like a realization of a blooming of youth.
Meanwhile in this, it will depict the changes that come with college life and access to adulthood.

BK once again awe us with his skills in conquering both of our hearts with the way he takes the character of Teh, the always avid dreamer and aspiring actor and then we have PP being his adorable self, taking us in an emotional ride by how well he shows Oh-aew struggles through the screen. The way they can draw emotions in their roles is truly amazing. PP with just his expressions alone can really makes us see the pain and suffering that his character is going through, that talent hasn't changed from the first season to this one, on the contrary their acting has only gotten better. Am looking forward to see more of it.

Teh is a constant, while Oh-aew is a variable.

That is only reinforced through the outcome of their own life changes and decisions within their personal journey here. Hard not to feel empathetic towards the characters when they give us an insight that we can without a doubt relate. Not everyone is set on their dream so passionately as Teh is, some of us are lost like Oh-aew until we do find our own dream. Changes are always the hardest to accept, mainly when the fears speak louder than reason. However some are inevitable.

What I do love about the episodes of this second season is the fact that we are able to witness their coming of age, along with how their personal choices affect others and their own perceptions of what is right or wrong, bad or good, and the maturity they need to overcome the obstacles that might settle in their own way.

And somehow, I like those odds.

"Love when you are ready and not when you are lonely"

It's a phrase that can easily apply here and also when it comes to temptation. Still, it's quite enthralling the way they film the turmoil of conflicted emotions within the scenes between Teh and Oh-aew. Every single scene is made with the sole purpose of pleasing the artistic eye, therefore to engage the viewers with the complexity of feelings their characters are feeling, all through their intimate and personal journey and paths.

If we go beyond and past all prejudice here, we might see the levels of maturity this season and characters deal with when it comes to the ordeals of life and relationships, be it love, betrayal and even friendship and family. It teaches us valuable lessons if we are able to see between the lines, if we manage to decipher the symbolic value of each and every scene.

People keep on commenting and comparing about ITSAY and IPYTM, from my point of view they are both masterpieces in their own unique way. Both series are different but with the same characters, they are shown to take a step towards adulthood while making mistakes and losing the moon while counting the stars, but it's also shown how to overcome obstacles, how to change paths and chase new dreams, how to deal with breakups and failure, the bittersweet feeling of loneliness and the good friendships we make in life we do carry in our hearts. To not give up on ourselves and on others, and most importantly to learn our own worth and to love ourselves first before opening our hearts to love once again.

It's a trial and error this thing called LIFE.

We're never too sure of whatever our decisions be won't uphold consequences of appreciation or regret.
Sometimes we have to swing it, be bold, learn how to overcome our mistakes. Be mature enough to admit them or to forgive them. Not everything can be forgiven, that's certain, when it comes to relationships communication is one of the most important things to have, without it there's no foundation to begin with.

Teh and Oh-aew have shown that they have come a long way. And it's okay.

Coming to the start point is not always a step back. The beach in Phuket is always their start point.
It's the place where they matured from boys to men. Where they shed uncertain and sorrowful tears, and where they discovered themselves and their over growing feelings towards one another, their sexual awakening was written in those grains of sand and witnessed by the crashing waves, and their very first time was shared and covered by the blanket of the twilight sea as the beaming moon testified up in the night sky above them.

It was their safe place, where they started it all and I found it was the perfect place for them to end their final scene.

They did it, they fulfilled a full cycle ever since ITSAY all the way until here and now in IPYTM. And I am one to admit I would love to have a third installment but at the same time am pleased with how this one ended as a whole in all the symbolism.

Both of them were able to show that it's okay to have new interests, new paths, different dreams and goals, and jobs. It's not okay to cheat in anything or anyone in life, but there are those who overcome it, those who regret it, and those who don't mind at all.

I am just glad that Teh and Oh-aew were able to show where they stood in both of their point of views in that matter.

Don't blame one character, to err is human. Humanity is bound by several mistakes it makes, no one is a saint in this life. And not everyone have or deserves any second chances. For some mistakes it does not take one person but two. If people blame only one in a scenario, then what about the other party? It was the trouble the minute it showed up and the way it used it's own way and merit to climb up top too success without caring about the lives it would ruin by allowing so...

Meanwhile let me add another thing to this long review xD sorry not sorry...

The only flaw I might point out to this, or rather my expectation when I learned that ITSAY was going to have a second season. I was looking forward to have a better insight of Oh-aew. In the first and last episodes we are somehow granted that. But in the middle it felt off. Almost like Oh-aew was a support and not a main character because the attention seems focused on Teh once again just like it was on ITSAY and although on that one it's totally understandable, here it would be better to have both or more screen time for him to shine as well. Nevertheless, they tried to include a variety of characters each one with their own struggles and at the end they even brought the old friends from the first season into the screen to show their roots and connection between the series and the main characters. It was a nice touch I give them that.

The OST is cute, to have BK and PP song as an intro makes it even more special.
They made this one for this and the lyrics are all about Teh and Oh-aew.
And I also like the fact that it has an instrumental version too. They have outdone themselves with the OST of many songs for this season and I am loving them all. NADAO really spoilling us with MVs from the songs and promotions that I can't complain.

I might change the ratings at the end, but so far I am given a high score even though I know they will make me suffer :')

Visually appealing, the emotional scenes are nicely done too, not to slow or fast paced, it doesn't dwell on too silent moments and it also doesn't have those overbearing music scenes. Cinematographically they give us plenty of good shots, while playing with angles, taking advantage of the natural and artificial light and even using the zoom in such a smoothing way that it's very pleasing to see. In certain scenes it gives us a warm like filter, and in others a cold filter which makes me think again of the colors they are paired with, Blue and Red (detail on that also on the plushies they have, and also their college ties ;3)

This drama is the reason I will be anticipating the next few Thursdays of the moon cycle schedule.
Because this season started on a full moon and it will end on a full moon :') therefore completing a full cycle.
And I really wonder if both Teh and Oh-aew will complete their own cycle as well after everything they will go through...

Leia Mais

You are probably asking yourself how I came up with an overall 7 after ranking all the rest so low.

Fact is, for once I've decided to write a review which is very personal and not at all objective. It's based upon the emotions it gave me, not the cinematographic quality of the drama.



Also, I think it's necessary to say that among the 3 versions of the same story, this was the last I watched, despite its being the first live-action based on the popular manga.

And while I consider the Japanese version the best one regarding acting and music and the Korean one better in terms of photography, colours and characterization, I'm ready to face criticism and admit that the Taiwanese version was the most satisfying to me on a romantic level.



The chemistry between Shan Cai and Dao Ming Si is what makes this into a worth watching show. For the first time, I was not rooting for the heroine to end up with the second lead, but for the main couple to finally be together. While watching hana Yori Dango and Boys Before Flowers I found myself constantly thinking: throw that arrogant brat away and choose Rui, or Ji Hoo!

You are allowed to laugh.



I ascribe this to the actors and the way their interactions were portrayed.

While Shan Cai can be annoying at times, she is a consistent character and once she finally realizes who she loves - it takes her some time - she is truly convincing. The same can be said about Dao Ming Si, whose candour as a besotted lover is quite endearing.



Therefore, although I recognize this show is pretty cheap when it comes to costumes, screenshots, photography and overall acting, I still have a fond memory of it and will probably rewatch it in the future.

Leia Mais