The Honest Verdict ;"Oh My”, This Was A Dire Drama ...
Have you ever found yourself watching a show, and generally wondering whether the screenwriter had a dartboard, was blindfolded and throwing randomly to see what random plot point to come up with next? Well, most drama watchers out there can probably agree that this perfectly describes ” Oh My Ladylord".
Before critiquing the drama , it is important to start on a high note.Against all odds of the female animosity trope, there was a surprisingly profound relationship between female lead Oh Joo In’s mother Yoon Jung Hwa ( Kim Ho Jung) and male lead Han Bi Soo’s mother Kang Hae Jin ( Lee Hwk Hyang). However, this is also where the series hits a major snag also. The main leads’ mothers were simply more interesting than either of our main leads.
It shouldn’t have been this way by default. Nana ( playing Oh Joo In) and Lee Min Ki ( costarring as Han Bi Soo)are both really good actors. ( Alongside Kang Min Hyuk playing second male lead Jung Yu Min.)Sadly, however, whilst the actors did put effort into their performances, they were fairly limited towards what they could actually do with Jo Jin Kook’s questionable script.
To start off this problem, it is important to talk about our female lead Oh Joo. Oh Joo wasn’t an inherently " terrible" character in the beginning. She had a strong, heartfelt relationship with her mother and seemed to defy the typical cliches of being the " spoilt and aloof actress" also. However, the show soon goes down hill when Oh Joo is introduced into her romantic pairing with Bi Soo. It isn’t necessarily the chemistry between the leads which was " bad", but, rather how she was reduced to the equivalent of storyline cannon fodder not even halfway into the show.
This moves us onto the next prominent issue. The dreaded creme de la creme of tropes; the love triangle. There’s nothing entirely wrong with love triangles per say in a drama, but, the problem with " Oh My Ladylord”’s love triangle happened to be that it was incredibly hard to root for any
chemistry in Jo Jin Jook’s trio of one-dimensional main leads.
To give Bi Soo some credulity , he wasn’t entirely a “terrible person at heart”. However, as this is a formulaic romantic drama where flaws have to be exaggerated for plot development, Bi Soo’s aloofness, jealousy and selfishness at times just became tiresome and repetitive .This is exemplified when around the halfway point of the drama, Bi Soo was so caught up in his attempts to make Oh Joo fall in love with him, that he did not make time even once during a pivotal revelation in this episode to visit his own dying mother. (Then, there is also the poorly-written fantasy element tied-in with Oh Joo, which did not add anything of relevance to Bi Soo’s characterisation.)
The final component of our love triangle is Jung Yu Min. The archetypical ” second male lead” who has ” been in love with Oh Joo for a long time”, Yu Min was just shallow and uninteresting . He had potential to be intriguing and well-written ,but (typical of cliches), Yu Min’s biggest problem occurred by his infatuation with Oh Joo. This is because Yu Min exists only as an obstacle in the story for Bi Soo’s affections . He had no sense of individuality with family, friends or his job outside of the romantic pairing. Even after Oh Joo confessed her ambiguous feelings whilst they were " dating" , it was predictable that Yu Min lashed out manipulatively at Bi Soo rather than just sitting down to talk with Bi Soo and Oh Joo like a decent human being .
Then there’s the biggest elephant in the room with the drama; the genre. Genre shifts can work well to a show’s advantage, and then there’s " Oh My Ladylord".
Admittedly the screenwriter does attempt to make amends by bringing the fantasy elements again into the storyline, however , this resorted in the overall genre shift being nothing more than a lazy plot Macguffin. ( In an attempt to make a poorly-written romance story interesting with little success. ) The ending was even worse, attempting to deliver a tearjerking solution to an otherwise horrible storyline , but , with little success.
So, is " Oh My Ladylord" actually worth watching? This is entirely dependent upon expectations. If you’re a fan of trope-filled, terribly outdated storylines with toxic relationships then " Oh My Ladylord" is right up your street. However, if you’re looking for a modern, well-written and dynamic romance tale with a supernatural twist, then look elsewhere because " Oh My Ladylord" certainly isn’t it.
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As for the female lead and male lead, they portrayed their roles very well done, they both nailed it.. They acted naturally. 👍🏼
The storyline is also unique, no cliches and I swear you wouldn’t get bored watching each of 20 episodes.
Music, acting, rewatch value, storyline, etc. good job to those directors and screenwriters...
Hoping to watch whatever upcoming roles they are into...
I’ve heard KJH issue,the way he handled it and the way he apologized, he’s forgiven... everyone of us makes mistakes, we all have our own flaws... In other words, we are not perfect individuals.... So let us move on and look forward to more of his shows... He’s an amazing actor in any way.....
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I have never seen such an amazing chemistry between the lead couple. EVER. Whenever they were together it was like seeing fireworks. Seriously.! I have seen so many dramas but this has by fare the best chemistry ever.
Wallace was amazing at his role. His acting was superb and so believable. As was XiaoRans. An amazing female and male couple. APPLAUDS!!!
The acting was generally great from the whole cast and deserves a perfect score.
Wallace was so great at his jealousy scenes that I melted every time. Not only by that but the kisses killed me on the spot. That's how good it was.! xD
And yeah the guy is FREAKING HOTTTTT. Ahhhh. I will never get a guy like that.
The story was great and really intense. It hooked me really well and kept me wanting to watch more and more. Episode by episode.
A lot of stuff happens but not at the same time so it's build very well. I liked the flow. It was almost perfect. ^^
I got MAD, SAD, IN A KILL MODE, DEVASTATED, HOT, HAAPPPYYY, OVERJOYED and COOLED down again. So this was a very joyful ride since it ended happy too. YEAHH
Though I'am still in a mood of not knowing what to do with my love for the 2. lead guy. He was soo sweet and deserved more too. But I already knew and wanted her to end up with by BIAS, the lead guy!! :D
Anyways I would say this is a very recommendable drama for u guys who likes HOT chemistry beside some action and drama. Especially if you are in a drama-slump. It will wake you up right away. If I were you I would watch it! Believe me you have never seen anything like this. The chemistry! WOW.
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A GUILTY PLEASURE NO ONE WILL ADMIT TO.
How do I explain My Day? A perfect storm, a chaotic mess that keeps you coming back for more like the series is just all over the place that it makes it super interesting, I mean the fact that it has an 8-star rating generally and I am giving it a 6.5 despite everything should tell you enough.On to my review, I will first start by saying if you come to My Day with expectations of Oscar level acting and scenes, then you will be disappointed, annoyed, and disgusted. But if you have an open mind you will actually come to enjoy this so much. BTW, gmmtv have NOTHING on oxinfilms in terms of sliding in advertisements, like in fact, gmm can learn from oxinfilms, lol. When I was watching My Day I was watching 17 other ongoing BLs weekly, yet out of the 17, My Day, Gaya Sa Pelikula, and Still 2gether kept me excited for the next week's episode. PLUS EPISODE 8, IT HITS YOU OUT OF NOWHERE, OMG
I am going to be reviewing this as episodes 1 to 3, then 4 upwards because I warn you now, 1 to 3 have been some of the worst episodes I have watched in a BL or series, by episode 4, they step up their game a bit and by episode 5, you have hit some good stuff.
NOTE; Some shows are just to be enjoyed, not necessarily analyzed, discerned, methodically detailed, or examined for ultimate correctness. Sometimes, a show is just for a little humor, laugh, and entertainment. I totally agree that this series is "campy," a little "off-beat," and possibly somewhat politically incorrect at times. But, it does have some "heart," and an occasional "feel good" moment
EPISODES 1 TO 3
Episodes 1 to 3 are just plain chaotic, weird and happens so fast you get whiplash. Like the scene where Sky was begging Ace for a job or how fast Ace suddenly went from mean and terrible to cute and fluffy with Sky. Like then the driving scene and restaurant scene were just......... To summarize it all, episodes 1 to 3 will make you want to lose your mind
EPISODE 4 BEYOND
It's not like I am saying after episode 3 you will start getting perfect episodes, but the series gets better and more enjoyable there is still some cringe here and there but overall, it does not take away from the fun of the series. So the thing about My Day is more of the story of 2 people falling madly in love, giving us the gay version of romcoms and Disney movies per se, than being a story with a specific storyline, like struggling with sexuality or family or any of that. It's meant to be about Sky and Ace Tan getting together, I mean there is the layer of Ace's dad being the worst and a homophobe but it is not the focus of the series, the series is about them falling in love mainly.
There were parts that were like loud and obnoxious but like they are ultimately okay, sometimes their acting was sport on and good, then other times, you would be so perplexed by the acting, as their facial expressions, expressing emotions and tonations were just kinda bad.
There are parts that were like the scene draws out or a part that is so unnecessary to the story but like I don't mind them, anything to make an episode longer is worth it cause I didn't want them to end, like Moira and the entire dog kidnapping scene was such a waste of time but I mean it gave us Sylean insulting Moira savagely, lol.
EPISODE 8
The blessed episode, they sealed themselves in the league of MaxTul, MewGulf, and SaintZee... Like everyone that watched that episode thought that was the ending after the fireworks, then BOOM, they hit us in the face, like Woah Ohh.
Episode 11
Episode 11 so far has been one of the best episodes in terms of control of everything, emotions, acting everything as a whole, like I never expected to feel pain in My Day but episode 11 did that, but the ending confused me a little I won't lie but it wasn't bad or anything
OVERALL.
I love the chemistry between the actors, they go so well together and their ever-present sexual innuendos made it so much better. They were cute and fun, easy-going and a nice way to relax, like episode 6 'dry and wet' remarks or the 'he is used to big ones' or 7 and the reference to 'prove to me you are the top' and all the Sky is the top chant. I loved seeing them on my screen. I mean there was the acting misses but ultimately it was an okay series
Miss Becky was a guilty pleasure, lol, I stan her.
Then also the music is kinda great like I got a few songs from the series so far.
the found it in was interesting like Banana Ketchup or Yam Flavoured Ice Cream or Yam Bread. it picked my interest in trying food from the Philippines
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"CHEAK OUT" ON RISK OF LOSING YOUR BRAINCELLS!!!
I Officially CROWN THIS BL AS 'the bane of my existence and the object of all my regrets *100000'GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK!!!!!
THIS IS REALLY FRUSTRATING!!!! AND I WILL BE BLUNT HERE!!!!!
I HAVE SKIPPED THROUGH 80% OF IT, EVEN THE NC SCENES!!!!!
I LOST MY Remaining braincells Watching this AND had to put bleach [3 TRUCKS FULL OF BLEACH] in my eyes to forget this horror>>> rip braincells💀. RIP EYES AS WELL☠️
Where do we register for our "I SURVIVED "CHECK OUT"!!" t-shirts???
WATCH IT ONLY IF YOU LIKE-
Cheating, like the actors, basic story, just want NC scenes, want something other than high school BL's, attractive guys, toxicity, bitchy female character, liars .
WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM ACCORDING TO ME-
bland music, Bad NC scenes, Cheating, Long and cringy dialogues, No character development, No chemistry, boring/slow paced[ I watched at 3x speed], jerk characters.
Seriously, I’m proud of those people who are wasting their time into this long and messy af series. The characters were too problematic in many ways.
A FRIENDLY ADVICE TRY TO IMPROVE THE PLOTHOLES OF THE SERIES NOT FOCUS ON SEELING US PORNO!!!
*Nine- Narcissist in a way. It wasn’t sexy at all to covet other people’s boyfriend. SUCH A CHARACTER 🚩🚩🚩
*Daonuea- Childish af! This character is probably one of the worst BL characters of all time. Naiveness to its highest. CHEATER!
*Tee- A BOY WHO LOVES A NAIVE BOY. Ughhhh also a character. I can't stop laughing at how Tee was all like trying to guilt trip Ice to give up his dream job, and Ice was ice-cold!! Literally, Ice was like I'm gonna have a hot makeout session with you, but that's about it. I'm totally leaving you tomorrow. And I couldn't stop laughing.
*Boat, Ice and Candy- MESSY AND IRRELEVANT CHARACTERS! Dust of the series. only good thing here>
*Preaw- A GIRL! SHE ALWAYS SPILLS HER TANTRUM ALL OVER THE PLACE. DESERVE TO BE CHEATED FOR HER ATTITUDE.
The series was too long and too messy. Not recommended for those people who had heart failure due to its boringness. Expectations was far from fair. ALSO IN EP8, THEY COULD’VE JUST MADE A FOR NINE AND PRAEW!
I really really DO NOT understand the need to complicate things. Put the damn uncut version on IQIYI and finish it!!!!!
FAN ONLY???? 25+??????? UNCUT??????? BRO are you giving us a BL or selling us PORN.
8 EPISODES IN AND I WILL SAY IT MAY GET BETTER BUT FOR NOW ITS NOT WORTH IT!!!! TRY TO WATCH IT AFTER ATLEAST 10 EP ARE AIRED!!!! FOR ME NOT WORTH WASTING TIME!!!
ONE LINE WARNING- "It is so bad I want to give you a zero, but that is not possible, so I give you a 1."
This is by far the worst drama I have ever watched, and if you look at my list you will see that I have watched a lot over the years.
Story: BAD
Acting: BAD
Directing: BAD
Editing: BAD
Product placement: BAD
All of it was bad. Am I sorry I watched? YES. YES. YES. I LOST MY BRAINCELLS HAD TO BLEACH MY EYES TO REMOVE THIS HORROR AND BASH MY HEAD TO A TREE SO THAT I COULD FORGET I EVEN SAW THIS EVER>>
Better to remember the name of the director and the screenwriter in order not to lose another 12 hours of your life.
note it>>> for future references> fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me>
"Unforgotten Night" and "Check out" were in a competition for the most ridiculous Thai BL of all time. PEOPLE ARE really not sure which one will win.
I think check out won with flying colors >>>>>
WORST BL EVER>>> EVER>>>
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wish Lom had a different "plan"
Overall: if Lom had just been honest at the beginning (ep 1 or 2), then I could have enjoyed their cute moments. This is based on a book written by MAME which I haven't read and I will review the series on its own merits. MAME also wrote the screenplays for Don't Say No, Love By Chance 2 and TharnType specials. 7 episodes 45 minutes each aired uncut on iQIYI (had steamy scenes starting at the end of ep 4) and cut on YouTube (the steamy parts cut out/shortened). There will be a special episode.Content Warnings: non con kissing/touching, manhandling, body shaming, manipulation, slaps, homophobia
What I Liked
- cameos/characters from Love In The Air characters (episode 3 of part 4 was great)
- m/m steamy scenes are done well (need the uncut version to see them)
- MAME cameo/reference of signing the guestbook
- the line of "you look perfect now, don't listen to others" (though he's the one who brought Nuea to the gym so...)
- GL couple (but strange that an established couple avoided kissing in the beginning)
- Nuea's family/friends
- Nuea stood up for himself with that farm dude
- production value (especially the color/light)
Room For Improvement:
- Sailom had a terrible "plan", if he had been honest in the beginning then I would have rated this series significantly higher, but all I saw was Sailom lying and hurting Nuea and he knew he was hurting Nuea, it would have been a 2 minute conversation or a text message but Sailom couldn't find the time??? other characters even told Sailom his plan/method was bad
- Yiwa and Sailom had a bad plan as well, how would that work in the long term, what a disservice to their significant others
- Yiwa had to take all the blame and Sailom got everyone's sympathy and lied to his mom, this really rubbed me the wrong way
- the non con kiss
- too many "comedy" sound effects including the gulp noise
- why make them speak English during the wedding vows when they didn't speak English in their series, also the English subtitles were wrong
- unnecessary long water skiing scenes (2 in the first 3 episodes)
- not a good kiss for an established f/f couple
- fictional drunk character who is so drunk he needs help walking but then a few minutes later is an active participant during sex
- nonsense things: Sailom was a sound sleeper, wasn't the wedding supposed to have a huge guest list, looked like 50 guests
- the moms yelling/fighting
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But the story is quite interesting and cool, I like how it wasn't focused around a guy struggling with his sexuality or any of that drama but rather they knew what they wanted and they kind off went for it straight. Yes, there were moments when I physically cringed but on an overall basis, I liked the show, because they were able to pack everything into 4 episodes and gave it a good finish.
STORY: So when the series kicked off after Vee and Mark slept together, I thought it was going to be a Together with me remake when Vee said his girlfriend cannot find out, but then I like the fact that they didn't make it the stereotypical struggle with being gay or not but rather a struggle with love itself that so many people have. The struggle between a loveless love but love you have grown used to, and new exciting love with all the ups and downs that come with it. I like the fact that they were a bit appropriate for once, not portraying them as backstabbing cheaters, but allowing Vee to "properly" break it off with ploy before appropriately getting with Mark. The only downside to this may be the fact that the big drama was not all that (btw never agree to the last kiss with your ex) and the story was cringe and unnecessary sometimes, like Pack, he literally was just a tool to get Vee and Mark back together
Music: They were superb with this, I actually enjoyed the music
Acting: Acting was good too
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This review may contain spoilers
If you ever watch "Go Princess, Go! (2015)" , they have pretty much the same plot. Although there were some differences in the storyline, it somewhat still feels the same. But, I must say, I personally prefer Mr. Queen. I liked the execution and the actors were great with their roles. It gives thrill and excitement one episode after another. I remember watching it and waiting for the next episode for a week feels like a decade (LOL) and what makes it worse, the one with the English subs wont be released until the next day the original was aired. This drama does not disappoint. Was this review helpful to you?
1Almost a slam dunk!
At first glance, this drama may seem like another campus romance, but there is a surprising amount of depth and freshness in how characters were written and how they behaved compared to your typical University BLs.The story follows Han Ji Won, a retired gymnast, as he steps away from the limelight and tries to adjust to a more ordinary life at university.
He may seem timid , socially a bit awkward and reversed. Zooming in, it may look like he hesitates a lot but he also reflects on his actions and reactions, and then acts on it. I agree that he is emotionally guarded but I feel he was very kind and thoughtful!
His decisions may be seen as cowardly and frustrating at times but considering his star background and how he would have endured both admiration and harsh judgment, it's understandable he sees through the world with caution. Deep down, he fears not only getting hurt but hurting others, especially those who grow close to him. Once I look at his decisions from that point of view, I do understand where he is coming from. I like how the drama handled this.
Coming to Kwon Jeong woo, initially he comes across as the classic campus heartthrob who is confident, well-liked and effortlessly charming. But rather than playing into expected tropes, his presence balanced the story. His openness, both in acknowledging his feelings and expressing them so clearly was really refreshing!
It's rare in BL drama to see a lead who is so self aware about his emotions and doesn't go into "panic" mode and mess with others 'emotions. I really liked how Jeong woo came out so casually in front of his friends. I like how less dramatized this was and how respectfully everyone handled that. This was definitely a stand out aspect for me.
The chemistry between them was strong and from the get-go! It was our "timeless opposites attract" setup. The little glances... The accidental touches here and there... Their personalities did clash but in the right way. It never felt forced. They had these small genuine moments that build up to something meaningful and intense with an actual emotional weight.
Also, the kisses were done so tastefully. I felt like I was intruding on them by just staring at the screen! Lol. Again a surprise!
The supporting cast also did a great job though there weren't many of them. I enjoyed the dynamics between Jeong woo's friends with him and with Jiwon. They definitely brought a dose of light heartedness but the support they showed made their presence more endearing.
Also, even though they never actually showed the two friends in a relationship, the subtle "I like them" moments totally got me. I just know they liked each other, it was really cute.
I do wish the drama would have been slightly longer so that the story and characters could have breathed more. The pacing was decent overall but in some moments things moved a bit too quickly. And I am also not a fan of leaving conflict resolution to the last episodes. But considering the standard 8 episode KBLs , I am very happy with what was presented.
Acting wise, I did the actors did a great job. I hope to see more of them in future. Production also seemed quite decent! But what bothered me a bit is the background music. Sometimes it was too distracting.
I didn't think I would vibe with it, this much but here we are. It's very binge-able and genuinely adorable. Yes it does lean into some of the overused tropes we have all seen before, but the way it’s done is well. Maybe I do see things through rose-colored glasses, but compared to a lot of other BLs in the same lane, this one actually felt like a fresh take.
I would definitely recommend it!
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The romance is unique. In many ways I find it extremely realistic. The actors made the romantic scenes look fun and the chemistry was strong. The type of love they portray is very meaningful too, because it's a couple that was first friends, and really consider each other family. It's not a flighty love, but a deep rooted love of loyalty and understanding. But even knowing this, love is challenging and there are often obstacles.
I think the re-watch value of this drama is high, because there are subtle things that can be missed. A lot of imagery and symbolism is used. The side stories and side characters were also really good.
I think if you're in the mood for a very artistic style drama which focuses on characters, it's a good way to go. If you want something fast paced where you don't have to think too much about it, Bubblegum might not really hold your attention for all 16 episodes. There's so much love and beauty in this drama though. I personally feel it's worth watching. I really enjoyed it a lot. I guess what I really loved is, it doesn't feel like every other drama I've watched; it has it's own lovely vibe. It pops and makes you feel happy, want to smile - like bubble gum.
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Crime, detectives, action, invenstigation, blood, killers, victims, secrets, don't just by reading it excite you? I'm the biggest sucker for those kind of dramas and they always manage to make me feel good and give me exciting and indescribable feeling of happines and joy. But this drama was way more different than the others. Unique, original and rare.
Did you ever get a feeling to kickass somebody? Like some person that you can't stand, or is annoying to you? I know you do, cause there is no human being that is nice. Well you can pretend to be, but you can't run from dirty and ugly truth of you. And I know that I'm not wrong, even if I tried to deny who knows how many times. And this is what this drama is about. Speaking from my own angle of view while I was watching this drama I had that badass feeling and I got so into the story that I actually felt their pain, joy and a happiness of putting bad guys in jail to rot. Title "Bad guys" actually says itself so you can at least imagine what I think right?
As I said before I never watched a drama similar to this one. The story is simply brilliant and I want to thank the writer's mind and writer to bringing this drama into a dramaland. Former Detective Oh Gu Tak got a mission from Police Chef that in order to stop rising violent crime he must form a team and catch the culprits. He form a team by taking men with the worstest crimes' cases: a contract serial killer Tae Soo, the youngest serial killer, intellegent Jung Moon and a gangster Woong Chul. Bad guys killing bad guys, doesn't sound original? Every character has it's own story and secrets that are hidden deep inside their heart. By gaining trust the strong bond was formed and they started opening to each other. But, where's a trust there's a betrayal, but if you want to believe that person no matter how deep inside you think that he's wrong and bad betrayal again can be replaced by trust. This is a case of these guys. No matter how bad and dirty they were by learning to betrayal and trust they finally believed in each other. And those moments were so strong, emotional, powerful that they moved me to the bones.
Oh my how much I love Kim Sang Joon ahjussi. He is my love of older actors and I always say that he is born to play badass roles. That style suits him the best and in this drama he was no different. He potrays a former detective Oh Gu Tak who's lost his daughter due to a serial killing where his daughter was the last victim of it. Since then, his only goal was to put the bastard in jail.
Jo Dong Hyeok potrays a sexy contract killer, but very clever men. He's heartless, but when he develops feeling for a woman that he musn't love he changes.
My love Park Hae Jin potrays Lee Jung Moon, the youngest serial killer and very intellegent man. People see him as a psychopath and he has a bad past with Oh Gu Tak. Personally he was the most pitied character. His sad, teary eyes and innocent look were the moments where I couldn't help but cry whenever he was crying.
Awww my badass teddy bear will always be in a heart. Ma Dong Seok potrays Park Woong Cheol, a gangster who in a jail for almost 30 years. His character I experienced as a man who everything resolves with a fist and even though he's a bad man he hates evil people. He can be straight and very protective towards the people he cares.
I don't want to spoil anything to you anymore, but I'll simply just say this: These are guys who play by their own rule!
Every second of this spectacular drama was precious and worth. A deep, dark, violence drama with it's deep and strong characters, wonderful music, well made action scenes, twists that keeped me glued to screen for 11 hours brought me an enjoyment which I haven't enjoyed in a long time. Bad guys simply won my heart and will stay there forever. I LOVE you Bad Guys <3
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A light entertainment meant to be enjoyed without heavy emotional demands
By the time Duang With You reaches its finale, what initially presents itself as a simple, chaotic university romcom reveals a surprising emotional core beneath its bright and playful surface. The early episodes establish a tone that feels intentionally exaggerated, full of awkward encounters, comedic timing, and almost cartoonish reactions, but as the story unfolds, that lightness becomes the foundation for something more grounded. The series never abandons its cheerful identity, but it gradually allows quieter, more vulnerable moments to take space, creating a balance between humor and emotional sincerity that feels earned rather than forced.Much of the show’s charm comes from Duang, a protagonist whose expansive personality drives much of the story. Optimistic, impulsive, and completely transparent about his feelings, he turns his pursuit of Qin into a constant stream of awkward yet surprisingly endearing moments. Qin, in contrast, serves as the perfect counterbalance. More reserved and seemingly cold at first, he occasionally lets small reactions slip through, hinting that there is far more going on beneath his composed exterior. The contrast between them creates a romantic dynamic that is simple but effective, keeping the story engaging even when it follows familiar paths.
A large part of why Duang works so well lies in TeeTee’s performance. Characters this energetic can easily become exhausting, but he gives Duang a charm that keeps the character consistently endearing. His bursts of excitement, exaggerated reactions, and playful high-pitched tones feel natural rather than forced. What stands out most, however, is how smoothly he shifts between moods. When scenes turn serious, his voice lowers and his energy changes, revealing a more grounded side of the character. In emotional moments, that shift becomes even more noticeable, with Duang’s usual brightness giving way to a heavier, more vulnerable presence.
What truly elevates the series, however, is Qin’s development. If the beginning frames him as distant and emotionally guarded, the later episodes carefully peel back those layers, revealing a character shaped by past pain and unresolved trauma. His journey is not rushed; instead, it unfolds through small, meaningful changes, including lingering glances, hesitant honesty, moments of jealousy, and eventually open affection. By the final episodes, Qin is no longer simply reacting to Duang’s presence; he actively chooses him, and that shift carries significant emotional weight. His growth transforms the title itself into something more meaningful, as “with you” becomes less about proximity and more about emotional safety, trust, and the ability to love without fear.
Their relationship benefits greatly from this progression. What starts as one-sided persistence evolves into a partnership where both characters support and heal each other. Duang’s role as a steady, almost unwavering emotional anchor becomes especially important during the series’ more dramatic conflicts. Episodes that introduce misunderstandings or external interference, particularly the arc that places strain on their relationship, push both characters into uncomfortable emotional territory. Duang, usually so bright and confident, is allowed to feel insecure and lost, while Qin is forced to confront his fears of vulnerability and abandonment. These moments, while at times frustrating, ultimately strengthen the narrative by giving the romance real stakes.
The series also deserves credit for how it handles intimacy. Rather than feeling like a superficial addition, the romantic and physical moments between Duang and Qin are carefully built and emotionally grounded. When they finally come together, those scenes carry a mix of tenderness, longing, and vulnerability that reflects how far both characters have come. It is not just about attraction, but about trust and emotional openness, which makes their connection feel believable and rewarding.
Beyond the main couple, the supporting cast continues to play an important role throughout the series. The friends remain active participants in the story, adding humor, warmth, and occasional chaos, while also reinforcing the sense of community within the university setting. Their presence helps maintain the lighter tone even during heavier narrative arcs, preventing the series from becoming overly dramatic.
From a production standpoint, Duang With You remains consistent in its strengths. The soft visual palette, steady direction, and cohesive soundtrack create a comfortable atmosphere that complements both the comedic and emotional beats. While the music may not be particularly experimental, it supports the tone effectively and reinforces the series’ identity. The direction, in particular, deserves recognition for maintaining a clear vision: even when the plot follows familiar tropes, the execution keeps it engaging.
That said, the series is not without flaws. Some comedic elements, especially the exaggerated sound effects, can feel overused, particularly in the earlier episodes. Certain side storylines, such as the exploration of Qin’s family, could have benefited from more depth and nuance. Additionally, one of the mid-series conflicts leans heavily on miscommunication, which may feel frustrating to some viewers. However, these issues rarely overshadow the overall experience, especially as the emotional core of the story becomes more prominent.
By the end, Duang With You proves that it never needed a complex or groundbreaking plot to leave a lasting impression. Its strength lies in execution: in the chemistry between its leads, in the gradual and believable emotional growth, and in the way it balances lighthearted charm with genuine feeling. What begins as a fun, slightly chaotic romcom ultimately becomes a story about healing, emotional courage, and the quiet but powerful act of choosing someone, and being chosen in return.
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1A Fever Dream
Affinity (2026) is the batshit crazy gateway drug to short dramas i didn't know i needed!Watching this drama felt like trying to explain a fever dream to a therapist who eventually just gives up and starts asking for spoilers; or to put it another way - it’s like describing a fever dream to someone who just nods, grabs popcorn, and joins in. One sip of its liquid chaos, and you're hooked asking for the full bottle .
If you have told me a week ago that I’d be binging a Chinese short drama, I would have laughed in your face. I thought they were too much and not my cup of tea. I thought i was too sophisticated for 19-minute bursts of adrenaline and questionable CGI.
But I was wrong. Affinity isn't just a cup of tea; it’s a double shot of espresso mixed with pure, unadulterated chaos .
➤ THE "SO BAD IT'S ACTUALLY GOOD" VIBE ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
Let’s be real: the dialogues are cheesy enough to clog your arteries. The script sounds like it was written by a sentient AI that was fed nothing but romance novels and Resident Evil lore. The plot moves at a speed that ignores the laws of physics and logic but the leads have a "genetic compatibility" so high it should come with a radiation warning. One second you’re watching a genetic mystery, the next there’s a standoff that feels like a fever dream, and suddenly we’re hitting the "Esper-guide trope" (manhwa readers know this trope very well) where the leads literally can’t breathe without each other.
It is ridiculously crazy. It’s the kind of show where you find yourself yelling at the screen, "What the hell? What's with the plot? Don't do that? STAWP that's embarrassing!" while immediately clicking 'Next Episode' because the chemistry is somehow against all odds, absolutely electric .
I have reached a point of no return. I’m sitting here, watching a man stare intensely at a woman because their "genetic compatibility" is off the charts, and I’m nodding like, "Yes, this makes perfect sense, he should definitely kidnap her for her own safety." My brain cells are actively packing their bags and leaving, but my heart is doing backflips every time the Male Lead looks like he’s about to either commit a felony or give a hug .
Its actually embarrassing but you will devour it . You will feel like a raccoon in a dumpster; You know this is trash, yet you would feel it’s the most delicious, five-star Michelin trash you’ve tasted in a while.
➤ OVERALL ─ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─
If you’ve never tried a short drama because you thought they were "too much" like me, let Affinity prove you right and then let it ruin your sleep schedule anyway. It’s ridiculous, it’s over-the-top, and It’s the kind of high-quality madness that makes you question your own standards while you’re busy hitting "Next Episode" with a manic grin on your face .
- DO NOT ask me if the plot makes sense - It doesn’t. I’ve stopped looking for logic and started living for the chaos.
- DO NOT ask me to stop - I can’t. I've become a total short-drama binge watcher overnight lol .
There are plenty of "forced kisses" and high-tension skinship, so if that’s a deal-breaker for you, consider this your warning to stay away. But for those who stay? My god. The chemistry is absolutely feral and kiss scenes are so WILD that I’m genuinely questioning how Chinese censorship let this pass without cutting it to shreds?? I don't know who was in charge of the censorship board the day they reviewed this, but I want to buy that person a drink for looking the other way🍸👀.
Spoiler Alert (EPISODE 7): What's with that train kiss scene?! When she’s slowly crawling away and he’s just hovering over her, following her move for move... and the background music?? You will absolutely scream and be like WHAT IN THE WORLD??? It is so crazy and visually insane that you will definitely rewatch that specific scene more than once—I just know it hahahha! And the way he picks her up with just one hand all the time as if she weighs nothing? It’s dark-romance-coded perfection that makes you question your own standards .
and in (EPISODE - 10 ) again he literally threw her on bed with just one hand . That was kinda umm😭 it felt as if he slammed her onto the bed to wrestle with her or he had some grudges😭. But ok i'll stop here, i won't spoil more scenes just yet .
Last but not the least, Is it cheesy? Yes. Is it unbelievable? Yes. Am I watching it again? HELL YESSSS . Bcuz at the end of the day, I’m here for the entertainment, and Affinity is delivering exactly the kind of wild, addictive fun I didn't know I was missing.
So, would I recommend it? ABSOLUTELY. Just a fair warning: you’ll need to throw away the logic and switch off your brain to fully appreciate the chaos of this wild ride .
All in all it’s an 8.5/10 ( unbiased - 8 ; +0.5 bcuz its my first short drama and i enjoyed it ) that feels like a 10/10 when the leads are on screen together.
Thanks for reading! ♥︎♥︎♥︎
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DRAMA OF THE YEAR 2021? YESSS!
Life is not all about pain and regrets, but about the experiences and learnings. The best thing about life is that it keeps moving forward. No matter what happens in our lives at one point, it keeps going on while letting us learn from it. This is my interpretation about the entire drama.갯마을 차차차, literally, "Seashore Village Cha-Cha-Cha, truly is a story living upto it's title, giving justice to its essence while capturing millions of hearts worldwide. It is a combination of coming of age chapters and healthy, warm as well as healing RomCom, accompanied with numerous life lessons, portrayed in the form of various relationships that also throws light upon uncountable shades of life, love and living. So what does it become? A PERFECT SLICE-OF-LIFE KOREAN DRAMA.
Plot is simple as you know. Oh Hye Jin, a capable and righteous dentists resigns from work and unable to find another clinic decides to open her own in the seashore village of Gongjin, which she had gone to visit on her mother's birthday. There she meets Hong Du Shik, an talented yet unemployed man who willfully does all kinds of odd jobs to help out the villagers and wish to continue his simple life. As they encounter each other multiple times and find each other's presence during respective critical times, the bond between them grows closer making them fall in love. All these happens in the premise where lives of the villagers go on parallely, accompanying continuous build-up, growth, healing giving away love & care, as a community which is more like an extended or chosen second family.
This shit is indeed hell of refreshing because of the scenario the drama has choosen as it's set, i. e. the fictional city of "Gongjin" which in real is the seaside village near Daegu-Gyeongbuk of Pohang, a South Korean city located in North Gyeongsang Province. The seaside milieu, the village settings, the city architecture and the awfully ecstatic frame of nature are the elements that undeniably attracted a lot of people to it. And what made it even more eye-catching is the cinematography skills of the production; brownie points please.
What also makes this drama stand out is the method of execution and the very natural way of diegesis (plot narrative). Relationships, regardless of it's type, are unquestionably complicated but life becomes a lil easier when we put efforts make it simple, this also is an underlying message of this drama. It's so natural that i felt I have been there with those people. Obviously, melo is an important element of any show of any genre, which is here too, but events should be as simple as a glass of water that makes it realistic in order to be appealing and relatable to the audience. I feel the drama successfully achieved that outcome.
Another thing that made me go awe was the fashion sense of the characters, please give the stylists bonus, okay? T T. Not just the young and adult characters, the kids and the oldies wore beautiful clothes of different kinds all the times, no matter how simple or flashy they were. I loved the florals that Hongbajang wore and sometimes the loose fit shirts. Hye Jin's one piece long skirts made her look so beautiful. The 3 old women in their usual outfits looked cute. Village chief Young Guk's simple yet loose fit big shirts and pants oof. Hwa Jung and Nam Sook's country-side dotted tops and pants looked nice. Chun Jae ahjussi and his half pant outfit plus scarf, my goodness. Geum Chul's entite country bumpkin style outfit and hairstyle. Bora's peach creamy hair and I Jun's decent clothes toooo. Eun Chul in both police uniform and civil clothes (soooo hot) and Mi Seon in her different kinda outfits. Sorry for the terms Idk bcs of my lack of fashion sense TT.
One of the most notable things about the drama should be all the female characters who made us see various sides of life and learn from it. Potential & stupendous female characters is nothing new for Kdrama industry but this drama should stand out in this regard for perfectly creating and nourishing such beautiful-hearted women. Different women trying their best for people around them and struggling for them isn't something new but these women, from young to the old, understood it better, I felt. Extra points for that for sure.
Since it's a slice of life story where day-to-day happenings are portrayed, drawing a definite plot development in overall is difficult. So, what we can witness are 2 kinds of developments. First the relationship between the leads along with others and secondly the individual character development. Let's talk about that...
Relationship Development of Lead Couple:--
Well, healing romance troupe has become a common factor nowadays but this surely is unique and let me explain how. Not bragging or saying I predicted it but I sure had assumed the way the chemistry between Hong Du Shik & Oh Hye Jin will develop, which happened for real making me so happy. Both of them obviously cared for each other and had liking as persons despite all the bitter encounters but until the point they fell for each in their conscious, the romance was very subtle. It was like they grew onto each other unknowingly and that feelings were piling up bit by bit over time. One day the the sac of love got so heavier, it burst open into an love relationship bonding, that was meant to last for eternity. They were definitely opening up to each other lil by lil and healing the other's pain gradually in the process but in their subconscious, it was love that was blooming up inside their hearts which one day led to prosperity and nostalgic emotions of happiness.
What made me happy how they proposed to each other at the perfect point of the story and even after officially getting into a relationship, the story showed us the following development. This was a gesture that, our lives and stories don't come to an end when we become each other's life because we have a long way to travel together, parallelly healing each other while helping both individual and coupled growth. Tbh, I was worried their relationship will turn typical following the proposal but guess what? They made me and in fact all of us, learn an important lesson of life, i. e. continuity. Obviously, there were many fluff moment's but the way of executing everything through the storytelling method abd screenplay techniques made it maintain own's naturality.
We're at a point where we have run out of new ides about events and stuffs to showcase in a relationship but what matters is how they're showed to us, how natural & relatable they feel and how realistic the outcome becomes. I am cent percent sure, this drama gave off that vibes.
NOTE: HONG DU SHIK & OH HYE JIN, uri ShikHye or dimple couple are one of the best Kdrama couples with one of the best chemistry development and a healing romance.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT :--
This is probably the best thing about the drama. Not just the individual development, the buildup plus nourishment of different kinda relationships were also well drawn. The character arcs of different roles came out so well, making us relate and learnt. Let's talk about them now...
# Hong Du Shik (Kim Seon Ho) aka uri Hong-bajang, the definition of "Jack of all trades, master o̶f̶ ̶n̶o̶n̶e̶ at
all". Talented yet no proper job carrying numerous small job certificates can help fix any kind of situations of the villagers. Loved by all yet orpahned and loner with thanatophobia (fear of losing someone close), he doesn't let anyone into his heart easily. Cares a great deal about the villagers tho.
# Oh Hye Jin (Shin Min Ah), the perfectionist dentist and very righteous at workplace who is also very calculative about her life. A dating rookie and doesn't want to be easygoing abd never gives in to people easily. A definite development as she changes into a warm women who admired everyone and got love in return. Very sensitive to her life decisions and helps Hong bajang in the end in healing his heart.
# Ji Sung Hyun (Lee Sang Yi), a variety show PD and Hye Jin's university senior who comes to Gongjin to shoot his show. He really went from romancing with Da Shik (Da Hee) in Once again (2020) to bromancing with Du Shik in this drama, haha. I can't say he's a potential 2nd ML affecting the lead couple's storyline but ge surely helped them in his subconscious. Very simple and decent character he had.
# Kim Gam Ri (Kim Young Ok) halmeoni, village supervisor and Du Shik's closest who have fed and cared for him since a young age. Very stubborn because of old age. Doesn't like spending money but fond of trying different dishes. Loves Du Shik the most and liked spending time with him.
# Lee Ma Ji (Lee Yong Yi) and Park Sook Ja (Shin Shin Ae) ..wish these halmione-deul had some more story for themselves but they were basically used as sidekick of Ga Rim-ssi. Regardless, very cheerful and cute. Their annoying and active faces plus the halmeoni trio made me cry outta happiness even when they were just fighting, that was so cute uwu.
# Yeo Hwa Jung (Rang Bo Ryun), the zone chief, restaurant owner and owner to both the places used by Hye Jin. Divorced for reasons known only to her and a single mother. Very sane, humble and understanding person she was though a lil insecure about his ex-husband and has hidden stories to tell. Loved the way she walked in here hahaha.
# Jang Young Guk (In Gyo Jin), village chief and Hwa Jung's ex husband, a lone man living alone and a loving father to his son. Irresponsible and indecisive at times. Not knowing the actual reason of divorce he deviates from his path for a while but eventually finds himself back in the same spot.
# Oh Chun Bae (Jo Han Chul), a failed singer, coffee shop owner, a widower and single loving father to his daughter. Still brags about his past achievement and wants recognition tho still a tender-hearted person who cares for his daughter to a great deal and misses his wife.
# Cho Nam Suk (Cha Chung Hwa), Chinese restaurant owner, loner who misses her deceased daughter. She loves to gossip and is the most definitite source of all the rumours that revolves around in the village. Very lively and cheerful as person. Loved her nasal accent and acting.
# Choi Geum Chul (Yoon Suk Hyun), Du Shik's only friend and hardware store owner. Married with a girl child and another to come. Somewhat naive and stupid but loves his family so much.
# Ham Yun Kyung (Kim Joo Yun), Geum Chul's wife and Bora supermarket owner. Very cheerful and mature for her age. Loves and cares for her family a lot and continuously nags her husband to do better job.
# Pyo Mi Sun (Gong Min Jung), Hye Jin's BeFe and the dentist nurse. Very clever and straightforward yet falls for guys instantly. Her chemistry development with constable Eun Chul was surely a sweet thing to watch.
# Choi Eun Chul (Kang Hyung Suk), Police substation constable and Geum Chul's younger brother who's very determined at job but stupid when comes to dating. Mi Sun helps her learn about relationship and they form the cutest couple of the show.
# Oh Ju Ri (Kim Min Seo), Chun Bae's daughter, a high-schooler and diehard fan of the boy group DOS (fandom Hacker). Misses her mother whom she lost right after birth. Can be stubborn and annoying at times still loves her father. A wannabe stylist.
# Choi Bo Ra (Go Do Yun), Yun Kyung & Geum Chul's daughter who's good at studies but have hidden talents. Loves Taekwondo and a lil aggressive. Adored by the villagers.
# Jang Yi Jun (Yi Eun Yoo), Hwa Jung & Young Guk's son who's the definition of genius. Too humble, polite and rationale for his age haha. BeFe with Bora and is always with her. As thoughtful as Hwa Jung.
Other than these major characters are some other actors who justified their decent roles and are indeed notable; Yu Cho Hui (Oh Ji Hee), Ban Young Hoon (Kim Sung Bum), Kang Do Ha (Lee Suk Hyung), Wang Ji Won (Park Ye Young), JUN (Byun Sang Tae), Yoon Tae Hwa (Seo Sang Won), Lee Myung Shin (Woo Mi Hwa), etc.
OSTS:
"Romantic Sunday" by "Car, the Garden" is undoubtedly the best OST of this drama which is the remake of a 2007 hit by "JISLAND". I love all the other OSTs so muxh as well. The lyrics are all so beautiful and were relatable as well suitable for various moods of the drama. "One Sunny Day" by Kassy, "My Romance" by Cheeze, "Wish" by Choi Yu Ree, "Be the Light" by Kim Jae Hwan,
"The Image of You" by Sandeul, "Here Always" by Skz Seungmin are all good. Some of them are romantic and others are soft soulful ones.
Both the writer and director have done a very good job, individually and as partners. It didn't feel like the writer doesn't have enough experience. I mean the number of work she's done is less but who'd say so after watching this drama? The PDnim obviously have enough experience, in fact one of the best drama PDs in Korea and that shows. Cinematography, sound production, screenplay editing are also very well done. Kudos to the entire crew for this amazing outcome. Thank you so much.
Technically, I love the various colour palettes used to showcase the beauty and aesthetics. The subtle presentation of props to connect and relay the storylines are quite alluring. Story progression is smooth and relaxing with multiple peaks as perfect points. Not a single thing felt exaggerated or boring. No twisted and complicated factor except for Hongbajang's mystery; very simple. The 1st ep is basically the introduction so stick to it in case you think it's not good. The childhood and teenage encounter and destined-to-be-together trope might have become a cliché but it's fine as long as the present story is well painted and HomeCha successfully built-up a unique love story.
Let me also add important things included in the drama: mental health issues, loneliness, lgbt+ inclusion & acceptance, gender & clasa equality, dreams and determination to fulfill it, negligence to old parents as well as kids, ways of parenting & parental love, a kid's expectation from parents as well their hidden feelings, mutual understanding, overcoming past trauma, essence of aging and importance of old age, meaning of death, the art of healing other's pain, the difficulties of pregnancy, the urge of marriage, the hopes from your partner, community life & it's importance, self-love and it's vitality, process of opening up to your closest ones, learning to seek help from others, acknowledging the help and care you receive, understanding the gestures, facing life problems & tackling them, essence of independence, appreciating life, respecting other's efforts and their urge to do well, holding on to life, bringing out the best of you..... And many more that will cost me a notebook to mention.
NOTE: The last 3 episodes are the peaks of the episode where you might have to cry continuously, so make sure to take care of yourself if you're highly sensitive and very overwhelming to cry over small things.
Hometown Cha Cha Cha is definitely very realistic, refreshing and relatable with all the elements of a perfect slice of life Kdrama. I repeat, this is the best Kdrama year for 2021. Not only the healing romance of the lead couples, other side storylines that ran parallelly left us with lessons that we seek in our everyday life. Setting the rewatch value at 10/10 bcs this is something that can be easily watched as many as times you wish, even for random watch. PLEASE GO AHEAD WITH IT IF YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR. THIS IS DEFINITELY WORTH ALL YOUR TIME AND INVESTED ENERGY PLUS EMOTIONS. *cries under blanket*. In fact been crying throughout while writing this review.
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