Reviews

ZHANG RUOYUN!!!!!!

Before I say anything I would love to know if Zhang Ruoyun is actually a genius in real life. This is the third drama am watching him (After 1. Joy of Life 2. Sparrow) and he's still not disappointing. And why is he always a genius when I meet him. It's too early to review after just 4 episodes but 4/14 is a percentage and with such a drama every moment is worth it.

1. STORY
I wont say much because I don't want to spoil for the ones that haven't started. So I'll generalize and say it's a wonderful story in a wonderful world about a mathematical genius in those historic times. And so far so good on that part, no disappointment in the scripts. I wonder how rich he would have been if it was actually someone living among us in our current world with these betting stuff and lotteries. It's a story worth your time, so if you haven't, then better go ahead.

2. CAST
This part they really got me. Ruoyun(ML also in Joy of Life and Sparrow), sentiments aside, was the only best person to take on this role. He does it so well and as I said, he actually looks like the genius he plays. I wouldn't imagine anyone else in this role but maybe Yang Yang (ML in Who Rules the World) would have given it a meaning but in this case he can't beat Ruoyun.
Next perfect placing was the second ML(Also second ML in Lost in the Kunlun Mountains). I watched him last just recently and he's a top notch actor. He's always beside top talents 1. Xu Kai in 2022's Lost in the Kunlun Mountains 2. Zhang Ruoyun in 2016's Joy of Life. and now once again with Ruoyun for the second time am watching them together. He should quit acting acting and become a head of police or a huge business person (Lol, just joking, he has that face).
Over to Wu Gang who also am watching second time together with Ruoyun after Joy of Life. This 'old' man is a talent and he does so great as a villain. I wonder what he would look like if we met on the road. Scary? He reminds of Jin Mu in 2022's KDrama Alchemy of souls.
**This casting was so good and having such three high profile actors would be beneficial to any set-piece.**

MUSIC
The OST is great, not too much noise with vocals and personally I like it that way. The OST carries you into the episode and prepares your brain on what you're about to watch and the world you're about to enter. I liked the same from Princess Silver, Sparrow, Royal Nirvana, Nirvana in Fire, Game of Thrones, Westworld, HOTD and a few more(On the Hollywood side, not Asian), Martial Universe, Legend of the Phoenix, …
Not too much of SFX and it's great where used.

REWATCH VALUE
So far so good, the 4 episodes are rewatchable but early to determine if the rest will be up to standard which I hope they will be.

OVERALL
A must watch if you love historical dramas. Good acting and production. Good story. Let's meet when it ends. Happy watching till then.

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Dropping

I’ve made it through 2 episodes and I just can’t anymore. Why is FL so short snappy and angry? ML always so nice. Its unbearable to watch. The editing is so weird too. And the “romantic scenes” so strange they title the past flashbacks like that. Who made this series?!?!! A child? A clueless man?

I don’t know how to move forward. I like the light and fluffy nonsense shows, but unles this FL has a complete 180 I can’t see how its going to improve.

Theres a few gaping plot holes too but I usually skip over all over those things as long as the casting is good and the personalities are fine.

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felt like it’s mocking me

The casting of Sangtae was poor.
Sangtae is supposed to be an Autistic character, but the actor who portray him is not. And as an autistic person, I didn’t like that…
as for autistic representation, its fine. ive seen way worse, but that doesnt change the fact that the actor is doing reverse masking.
The actor is ‘acting’ autistic, or reverse mansking, he can stop being autistic wheneber he wants, while I can’t. I live with struggling social cues, communicating my feelings, masking, getting tired easily of social interactions and trying my hardest to fit in, but the he doesnt have to deal with that doesn’t.
He ‘acts’ autistic and gets priced for a good performance, but I am autistic and gets bullied for it.

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Worse spinoff ever

This is by far the worse spinoff ever. Either they should have made it good, in par with GGS1 or never would have made it at all. I dropped it but gave it many chances. I watched till ep 4 -5, then jumped to ep 12 because read somewhere here or on viki comments maybe that GGS1 will align from there...well, it did not and this drama is _______. Sorry, don't wanna say more bad words. Well, in tradition of me saying what I want to say, and I will not be a fake about it: GGS1 is one of my fave C dramas, considering its 41 eps and I hate dramas that long, but it held my attention that long because it was cute and entertaining.

Then this DT Appledog's Time came, well, it definitely flunked in comparison to GGS1. Like read: Do not waste your time. I surely wasted mine.

Sorry to Hu Yi Tian because they botched up your drama...I know that is the reason why you stuck being the "extra" in GGS1 despite you being a leading man material because it was promised to you that you will have your own drama too...

P.S.: Why did they have to change the actors of the main players like Appledog, Solo, Ou Qiang, Grunt, Su Cheng...etc...that actually made it messed up that it already is...ugh

PPS: No bashers please, I am just telling the truth. I just don't want to mislead my fellow drama lovers that is the reason I joined this website or community in the first place, to contribute and may we have the best viewing experience ever! I, thank you!

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Mediocre Plot, Mediocre Chemistry Acting

Summary: I’ve seen the main actors in Military Arsenal and I know how they act. If you haven’t watched many costume fantasy story, then you will like it. It’s a spin off of the same old plot from Fuyao, othe school academy theme and hidden identities.
I’m giving up because the main girl cannot project well on screen. No wonder the cover photo shoot for this drama looks odd as well.
Pro:
- the graphics is way better now that in the early 2010-2018.
- story is predictable and ok

Cons:
- if you have seen the cover for the drama, then it does show the non-existent chemistry between the main characters.
- I don’t know if the main girl wants to be like the Sweet Liar drama type of girl or Fuyao/Peach Blossom type. Her facial expression is just so-so. It is not convincing at all. She did project well as a sophisticated rich girl at the Arsenal drama. With this drama, there is just that blank emotion. She was trying though.
- main actor is good.
- supporting roles were mediocre as well. Who casted these?

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I can't!

I like the idea but the execution is really bad. I am real lenient when it comes to acting. I understand BL usually has rookie but this show is really hard to watch. I must say some of the fetish are quite interesting, quite refreshing concept but i feel NOTHING.

The execution of the scenes, the acting or expression or emotions are really bad. Plus, I am so confused with who is who and what's happening even after 2 episodes lol

Also, the guys aren't all that cute or hot for a show called Playboy...

Maybe its just me, but boy...I guess show like KP or only friends have set the standard too high lol

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a road to nowhere

**Updated**
I held out as long as I could I swear, but I just could not finish this series. Every time I finished one episode, I just was not looking forward to what would happen next.

As a viewer who had to wait a week for one episode, the episode has to be captivating, should incite curiosity and excitement, and leave us wanting more but all it left me with was a bitter taste.
When it was time for the next episode, I just didn't have the energy to fool myself that I was enjoying the series.
To make it short, the story was boring, the acting was awkward, the dialogues were cringe and lacked any emotions.

Every scene looked like it was improv and the chemistry just fizzled out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for intense scenes or anything but even the kissing scenes were awkward and both the leads looked like they wish they were somewhere else but there. I don't understand?? their chemistry was so good in s1! I don't know what happened. maybe it was due to the lockdown or due to previous issues but I wish they took more time to think this out. I wish they attended more workshops and thought about their characters more.

The BL industry is growing by leaps and bounds. so many noteworthy BLs like tharntype, gameboys, gaya sa pelikula, cherry magic..the list could go on. they need to step up their game.
OVERALL: I would not recommend it. It's just not worth it.

**previous review**
I was excited about the second season. like legit hyped up. I was a TinCan shipper from s1 and the cliffhanger had me on the edge of my seat.
BUT THEN S2 HAPPENED.
My disappointment was immeasurable and my day was ruined.
Story: Warning: the timeline is different. So yeah, tin and can never meet, Can never knew Pete, Tin never got around to confessing his love and the shower scene never happened. We didn't get to see Can chase after Tin, also SPOILER ALERT: Pete and Ae ain't together anymore. This was necessary considering all those issues during the production of s2 but it's okay I guess since TinCan is the main couple this time.
I honestly think they should have stuck with the first timeline because the chemistry and interactions were so well acted in s1. Just continuing the story would have been so much better. They could have shown us how Tin deals with the rejection, maybe showed Can regretting his decision and there was so much avenue for character development. Instead, we are now stuck with the same storyline with tweaks here and there. The scenes are redundant and I can legit predict the next scene. It is tiring watching the same scenes but in a different lighting
Acting: Despite my dislike towards the story I was still eager to watch TinCan on the scene again. Their chemistry is no doubt there BUT the dialogues are awkward, cringy and delivery is just not what it was in s1. Maybe they want to slowly build up to the climax so I will reserve my judgment for now and hope it gets better as the episodes proceed.
Music: I like the music. BG music is the same as s1 and is fun albeit a little overused. The OSTs are really good.
Rewatch value: I mean it just started so I refrained from rating it too less or too much. I will come back to rate it after the season ends
Overall: if you haven't started it yet then maybe you should wait till it ends to see if it's worth it or not. The recently aired episodes don't give me much hope for the future so I would recommend putting it on hold, especially if you were expecting something of the same caliber as s1 then maybe you should wait.

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It's not even complete, but I need to praise it!

I've watched it last night, all four available episodes once and I'm craving for more. Made a game design isn't such a new thing, we had it in another Korean BL before, the main this is, it still catchy, warm and emotional. I can't really describe how powerful it feels, when the main character loves he knows he do, and don't deny it, but the sweetness of discovering love isn't gone because of his assurance. The guy-who-he-fell-in-love is so adorable, they made it naive, they play hide and seek every episode like two teenagers starting to love.

I'm in love with this work, I'm seeing grief and preassure in a mood I've never did before, thank you Cha Yeonwoo <3
ALSO I'm showing here my support to the whole cast, they're amazing actors, last but not least all my love for Woongi, waiting for his character to appear a little more, because he's lovely!!!

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I'm not a fan of Supernatural, Curse, Reincarnation, Flashback To Past, Past And Present, Karma... basically all the motives listed as Tags here are those I avoid, by now. And Nychaa Nuttanicha in the main role? Not that she is not pretty, but problem with her was that most of her dramas she came across as immature. Young and looking even younger than her age, her kiss scenes were always too careful and awkward. Will she get better now she's now 25, and was already paired with Tono Pakin once previously?

This lakorn, I skipped all the other people. Like Lorena Schuett (I always skip her), Peter Corp Dyrendal (too old now), New Chaiyapol Poupart (also too old now, lol) and Prang Kannarun (unlucky to get paired with Peter Corp Dyrendal here). I watched this for Tono Phakin, really. He is hot, he even has attractive voice. There are only 3 other shows with him left that I still haven't watched, one is crime, one is another supernatural and one is about flash marriage, neither of which is my favourite so the options to enjoy him as a pra'ek are getting slim. That's why I did not drop this after first 3 episodes.

The story plays on the thai very popular buddhist theme of reincarnation. You can see it in any similar series. The characters are always binded to each other due some shared ancient fate, which repeats over and over. Personally, I find it rather boring that just because in one lifetime the character happened to do this or that due to some circumstance, the character then wows to do that (or be that) again in all their next lifetimes for eternity. But, thai seem to love it, so never mind.

But, by episode 5, I had enough of more and more past lives flashbacks. I started to skip those entirely. Some episodes, the rest of the runtime I got to watch was just a few minutes:) They might as well saved it and this didn't need sixteen of them (episodes). I was getting impatient when the guy will learn which girl of the past the main girl actually was. I always like when things are addressed quick. I don't like things to drag. Not that it mattered that much to me, lol... With 2022 year's end nearing, I happily resolved since 2023 to not watch any Supernatural. Which was so long due, should have done it ages ago;)) So, let's hope I'll be able to wrap this up soon.

Ugh... 1st kiss is epi 7 and it's not a good kiss.
So no, Nychaa didn't get better.
If this is what I am skipping though all the stupid "historical" flashbacks FOR, then I'll probably drop it after new year lol;-))

Episode 8: Okay, it's after new year's, now. Looks like I didn't manage all 16 episodes and it's 2023, and my "no Supernatural" rule is already in place. So, I'm wrapping this up early:) In the past, I did not care about the whatever stupid "magic" plot, as long as there was good romantic tension, this lakorn, we get to the bedscene in episode 8 (it's hospital bed, lol) with TonoNychaa kiss, which is cute, but save it for some drama where you're playing uncle & niece, please and good luck next time:)

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The Hypocrisy of Unreal Perfection in Korean Dramas

The S Koreans are smart, so they don't like this series,

What bothered me most of all is that the series' greedy creators themselves use all the vile means possible to show how greed can bring you to a low point. It's contradictory. There's nothing real in this series except for one beautiful and chilling scene where the maid removes the shoes of the rich man while he keeps walking.

Why do we need to be exposed to this immense wealth and perfect detail in every scene, with the glowing screens? There's not a single moment that's real and simple, without makeup, with dark circles under the eyes.

It's a disgraceful series meant to distress the Koreans and push them to the edge, but the Koreans are probably smart enough to understand and are exploding with anger inside.
How can you not criticize the actors and the mismatch between them, or how someone looks one way or another, while they swim in money without limit, and all they want to tell them is that it's not really justified, that money blinds and dazzles and darkens. This hypocrisy is truly unbearable.

Where are the days when you would watch a series where the house wasn't perfect, not to show poverty, just an imperfect house to show truth? Reality? This no longer suits their productions.

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Great show...but only for the main leads

So I am only halfway through this show but I wanted to discuss some thoughts, especially those which will help people decide if they want to watch it.

Let's get the bad things out the way first. I might have written a lot about the negatives, but trust me, the good heavily outweighs the bad.

My main point is the fact that I am only watching for the main leads. There are around 3 or 4 side couples with their own storyline, which they do get quite a bit of screentime and attention each, but I don't seem to care too much about them. And that's simply because they aren't connected to the main plot of the story.

The primary couple I will talk about is Kom and Jeed. Kom is a member of the swim team and his first attempt at flirting was with a new girl from the neighbouring school - and from there we watch their relationship grow. We get introduced to these 2 characters separately, before they meet, however after that, the only time they show up is in their couple scenes. Neither No nor Phun is in the swim team, so we never see him with the main leads. And because this show is set in an all-boys school, we don't see Jeed other than these scenes too.
This is the same for all of the couples. Yes, some of the guys are No's friends, but we never see them hang out. Honestly, I don't even recognise these characters or know their names simply because they aren't seen often enough.
Because of this, these couples feel irrelevant and disconnected from the story. The scenes aren't bad and they're definitely not bad couples, but you don't feel a connection to them. I could easily skip their scenes as they add nothing to the story.

Obviously, since I've not finished the show yet, this might change and the couples might become significant. But for now, they drag the plot and bore me.

The second negative is Phun's little sister. I hate her with all my being. She is one of those toxic BL fans who idolise gay men and put them on a pedestal. The whole reason Phun has to ask out No in the first place is that his sister won't help him unless he has a boyfriend. If that isn't toxic behaviour, I don't know what is. She is quite literally sexualising and fetishising her own brother and I find it so uncomfortable to watch.
Pang and her friends also ship 2 boys in their drama class. This is because they acted as a couple in 1 play...PLAY...and these girls think they're a couple. Sure, they do act like it, but that does not give them the excuse to fangirl in front of them like they are celebrities.
The only good thing about this is the cinematography. In the scene is just described (episode 5), we see these 2 boys through the eyes of Pang. The screen develops a pink hue and the harsh colour decrease. I don't know the proper names for this stuff but basically everything looks fluffy and magical, with romantic music in the background. It's a great way to visualise her thought process and how she literally sees them as TV characters.

Anyway. The good parts!

As I said, I'm mostly watching for Phun and No because their storyline is the most interesting and most developed. I love their story so far. It is a great example of the 'friends to lovers' trope. Their story is a little different as the idea of being lovers was apparent straight away, with Phun asking No out in the first episode and the two having to act like a couple, despite only just meeting, one episode later. Their friendship blossoms and eventually so does their love. It's a gradual but apparent change and the viewer can watch it happen in 'real time'.
My favourite part is, again, the cinematography. There are moments where the audio cuts out to play the OST, and a montage plays. Usually, the montage is just one task - i.e. washing No's motorbike and playing videogames - but it gives the illusion of catching the couple in a moment of intimacy, something we shouldn't be watching. Of course, it's nothing sexual, it's literally just the boys throwing soap at each other. But the moment feels private, that we feel like we are on this romantic journey with them. It's a really unique feeling and makes for some incredible scenes.

Overall, this show is great for fluffy romance and is really sweet and light to watch. I highly recommend it.

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