Reviews

This is not a love story

Rather, this dorama is about the changing societal expectations of relationship, the roles of gender, and their interplay. Questions like what does 'to protect the woman' in a relationship or the significance of a piece of paper to define your romantic connection is discussed in modern society where nuclear family is no longer the norm. So, this is not a love story. It's a story on navigating modern relationship, both platonic and romantic. It doesn't necessarily give you an answer but it treats the audience as intelligent and invites you to ask these questions yourself. This is probably one of the most thought-provoking dorama I've watched ever that questions self-love and the relationship without shoving an answer down my throat, which I so much appreciate and recommend this.

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Meloholic is the type of drama where you can skip half of the episodes and you'd still be able to understand what happened.
Why? Because it's a bunch of clichés thrown together with an unoriginal serial murder mystery, a dangerous mental illness that is taken as a joke, and a ridiculous love story.

Story/Plot
Pfft. Is there even a plot/story? From the first episode, you'd probably be able to predict the ending scene. There was an absence of character development and twists.
Ye Ri's DID was unrealistic, and portrayed as some sort of jest. Every aspect of it made me roll my eyes to another dimension, particularly when she "transformed".
The characters were copies of each other: bland, dense and slow. Even the killer was inadequate.
I couldn't believe in Ye Ri and Eun Ho's love, there was no build up and it seemed forced.

Acting/Cast
I have never watched a drama with U-know and Kyung Soo Jin, but it's pretty obvious to me that Kyung Soo Jin did a better job. At least she was able to play two distinct personalities.  U-know could barely act out his one character.

Music
Didn't really pay attention to the music. Actually, the only time I did when Another Miss Oh's OST was playing at Ye Ri's cafe.

Rewatch Value
Um.. No. There's no reason to watch it in the first place.

Overall
Meloholic is the perfect drama to watch when you're looking to facepalm, roll your eyes and curse at utterly stupid characters that lack common sense.

No, but seriously. Find something better to watch.

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[Warning: long review]

This isn't just a show. It's a story close to life; a story of great moral value and lessons to be learnt. This is an amazing journey through the eyes of a man who can be similar to many of us at some point in our lives. And I believe many people, including myself, have come out of this journey a better person. The below is more an in-depth review more for people who've already watched the show, but if you are curious to what exactly is so good about the show, feel free to read on, since there are no big spoilers in this review.

The story is simple enough; Ken is a shy guy who never managed to express his love to his childhood friend, Rei, and now he is attending her wedding to another man. A fairy pops up to grant Ken the ability to correct some regrets of his past so that hopefully he will face an improved situation in the present. The idea of time-travel seems to contradict the idea of the show being close to life; if you think about it, however, everyone faces some regrets of action or non-action in the past; time-travelling back to change these is an ability we always wanted, and we simply see Ken doing what we wished we could do. These timeslips create a blueprint in the show which becomes obvious very quickly; in fact it is so faithfully replicated that the show is always in danger of becoming repetitive. However, each episode is executed masterfully such that the repetition doesn't become tiring; it instead gives the viewer a standard framework from which to view the characters, their story and the outcome of Ken's actions, making them seem all the more clearer and connected to the present. More importantly, you get to see Ken's gradual emotional development through the series. It is argued by many watchers that this format isn't the best way to present the show due to the repetitiveness; but for me it possesses a mesmerizing charm and cuteness that endears me to the show.

The characters are excellent, and I totally mean it when I say that. Many shows out there create characters to suit the story, which results in disjointed personalities and actions that seem out-of-character in some scenarios; ProDai is one of the rare few that have wholesome, complex characters whom you get to understand and relate to as the story progresses. It is as though the story is written to suit the characters, which is how real life works; this makes the show so much closer to life. Sometimes, it even angers the audience when they see how stubborn a person's personality in the show can be, because at times the show simply stagnates when Ken cannot bring himself to change the past; to me however, this is also one of the charms of the show, the rigidity of personalities is just so like life. Nevertheless, the genius scriptwriters have churned out enough twists and turns in the story to keep it interesting throughout, and effortlessly blended in moral lessons which never seem to be forced into the story (something J-doramas are bad at). Most importantly, the show was brought to a complete end, albeit an open-ended one, which was satisfying for most, but completely amazing for me.

Acting is top class as well; vintage performances are seen from Nagasawa Masami, Hamada Gaku and Mikami Hiroshi, as well as of course the star of the show, Yamashita Tomohisa. His acting isn't particularly fantastic, but he gave his character a personality unique to himself; he became Ken, Ken became him. In all, his was an absolutely memorable performance. The OST is another highlight of the show, with BGM that is always at the right places, at the right time, and invoke heavy doses of emotion and goose-bumps that really bring the show up to another level. Who could forget the inspiring themes of Rising Road and Hallelujah Flash, and their rearranged emotional renditions that play in heart-tugging scenes? The ending theme, Ashita Hareru Kana, and the insert Chiisana Koi no Uta are, well, I don't think I have to say more. Personally I have Ame Agari (translated as 'after the rain')as my favourite as well, because of the scenes that it plays in, and the meaning of the song towards the show: after the rain, sadness will vanish and everything will start anew.

With all that being said, the show has its flaws as well. Particular aspects that stuck out include the lack of development in one of the main characters, Mikio, and the convenient shafting of Tada, portrayed as the guy everyone hates but really, is just a good man fighting for his own love. Even so, I give the show a 10. I have to admit that I'm biased in the score and in this review; but it is really because I love the show so much. My advice is really to follow the show in its entirety, indulge in the characters and feel the fun, the anguish, the anxiety, and the exhilaration in the show. And most importantly, learn from it, and I promise any watcher that it will be a enjoyable and memorable journey for you as well.

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Just finished this drama and have so much to say about it! Man From The Stars was a really good, one of the best this year, and I really enjoyed it. The plot was pretty interesting throughout. An alien living on our planet since 400 years and only after 400 years, when he's about to leave, he falls in love with Jun Ji Hyun's character. Kim Soo Hyun did a great job in this drama. The way he acted and presented himself, you could feel like you were looking at someone with a lot of life-experience. Someone you could call an old-soul. Honestly I've never had a crush on Kim Soo Hyun. But I've always admired his acting. He's one of the few actors who can move me with his crying. Seriously, the guy has some great crying skills that move me every time!

Coming to Jun Ji Hyun, she totally stole the show. I mean, I won't say she overshadowed Kim Soo Hyun exactly since he did hold his own, but her character made me laugh so much. Except this movie, I've only watched her in My Sassy Girl (best movie eveer) but these two works are enough for me to say that she's the reigning queen of Korean industry. Her style is just so irresistibly sassy (no pun intended).

I loved the side characters. Especially the guys. Hehe. Like seriously, her little bro was H-O-T. Same goes for the second lead. I loved the actor in My Daughter Seoyoung and I loved him equally here. Interestingly, he was supposed to play the psycho killer but thank the lords he didn't because he totally killed it with the lover boy character (again, no pun intended).

The music was alright for me. Overall I loved the drama and I might watch it again sometime. But there's just something that stops me from giving it a 10. Maybe it's the half-hearted ending or simply the fact that there are other dramas I'm more in love with than this one. Regardless, I would definitely recommend this drama to everyone. Especially for watching Jun Ji Hyun's awesome character :)

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No bullshit BL but wholesome...

While I did not expect much from this series, it was very refreshing. It's many stories about many bizarre people which will grow on you the further you watch this series. They all have their quirks but most of them are just good people regardless.

The center pieces are a soon to be gay couple and a girl which is neglected by her parents for different reasons. The stories tell about the life of the people, all the struggles they face and how they grow together. The gay romance is not the focus of the stories, it just happens naturally without much fanfare and I would have wished for a bit more focus there and some intimacy.

But overall that was fun to watch, educational to watch and a series needed for Japans society. This is of course on my "must watch" list, even when the beginning seems to be very comedic, the stories have depth and meaning and will warm your heart. This is a series for the whole family.

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A cunning web of deception and twists…

I don’t write many reviews but I thought I’d give this one a go because it’s really refreshing. Cdramas dominate my watchlist so I can pretty much predict most storylines. So far, I haven’t been able to predict this one. I also love that the main characters are not the typical bad or good people. They are conniving and neither wholly good nor entirely evil. I’m generally inclined towards smart characters because dumb mains are just frustrating to watch. The camaraderie and twists and turns makes this worth the watch.

UPDATE: So I’ve finished watching this drama and I still enjoyed it. The only thing was that towards the middle and end it was a bit predictable because the director/screenwriter kept using the same technique in revealing the plot, which actually makes you less invested because you expect there to be a twist. Still worth the watch though.

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When I started this drama, I thought this was a Chinese version of the Korean drama Goblin. The male lead, Baiqi, is a cold and arrogant non-human stuck in the modern, which is very similar to the Korean version. The best thing about this drama is the comedy. Each character has its own version of comedy, and I truly enjoyed every part of it, especially Yang Jian and Heiqi, the evil version of Baiqi. Yangjian is developed pretty well throughout this drama, as he goes through two phases. He first learns that all spirits are not evil since when he wakes up, he literally starts hunting spirits. He discovers this by learning what Baiqi has done as a spiritual doctor. He then learns to love Xiaoxiao, which I treat as his second phase. He initially criticizes his fellow Heaven Soldier for falling in love with a human and loses his Penghai power, but in the end, he decides to lose his power and his only chance of going home to be with Xiaoxiao. Their relationship is one of the best I have seen and is just as important as Linxia and Baiqi's relationship.

The part I disliked the most was when Baiqi loses his memory, especially when this happens near the end of the drama. Memory loss is so common in dramas that it has just become an obvious route to move the story forward.

The three main characters, Yangjian, Baiqi, and Linxia all have very good character development throughout the story, and through good writing, allows me, as the viewer, to actually care about what happens in their life. The saddest part of the story is when Baiqi knows he will die if he continues to love Linxia. That part is very touching since he rather dies in love with Linxia than being separated from her.

Overall, I think this drama deserves high ratings and people should give it a chance. The music is great and the scenes/CGI are beautiful.

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10/10 will watch again

I haven't watched many Kmovies but I have watched many Kdrama. I should say that this movie is hilarious, very very funny. The joke is so fast and unexpected. The camera angle is so good.

In my perspective, Kdramas nature are switching between funny and serious but usually slow and dragging the story. For example Alchemy of Souls, business proposal, moving, 2521, etc.

But in this movie (because it's a movie too - 2 hours compared to 16-20 episodes of Kdrama) the story and joke is very fast and very often, and very chaotic. I'm enjoying it very much, I laughed so hard. Very worth watching, you will forget the real world you are living in that 2 hours.

I admitted that I'm Jung Somin's fan and I watched it because of that, but also credit to main actor, Kang Haneul. His acting and facial expression is as good as Jung Somin, what a perfect chemistry lol.

If you are Jung Somin's fan. YOU MUST WATCH THIS. Her acting are absolutely on point as always, and she's very HOT in this movie omg, I love her since BTIMFL then AOS but this movie makes me fall in love with her again. Her looks in this show is my most favorite compared to AOS, BTIMFL, Montly magazine, etc.

The reason I give 10/10 because I still don't have any point to complain. I will watch again for sure.

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i thought i will take a pass on writing review for this. but synopsis not entirely right and i think it should be good if one knows that its not a fun, cheerful movie, but is a dark one with sad ending that hits you hard.

we find 4 friends getting into hasty trip to drop one of them into military. but a mishap happens involving tragic turn in their lifes. so they fight, suffer, lose themselves and much more. what exactly happened? will they hang in there? will they stick together? will they be able to come out of this?

ji soo is incredible.he gave a soul stirring act here. i love all his characters in recent times. ryu joon yeol excelled in his own way. rest were really good too. the way they pictured their lifes is different to. the actors who played their parents were decent. i just love halmoni here. it was painful for me to watch her.

ending is sad, frustrating. yet i liked it. i love the way characters ended up realistically. its hard to digest. i wonder why i exactly i liked it. i love the way its not predictable. so yeah, watch this for good story packed up with great performances. its worth your time.

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A cerebral, symbolic, and emotionally complex BL—not your typical romance.

"Therapy" is a bold and unconventional short series that brings both sexual and psychological tension to the table—for both the actors and the audience. Every detail in this series feels deliberate and precise. Although I wasn’t able to watch it with English subtitles, I personally translated every line, pausing throughout to understand the dialogue and context fully.

From the very first episode, the director establishes that the relationship between the two characters is strictly transactional. This is made clear through the therapist’s precise actions, starting with the signing of the contract. His emotional detachment is evident and consistent, setting a professional tone. This is not your typical "boy’s love" series—there is little to no emotional reciprocity between the leads, at least in the traditional romantic sense.

One of the standout aspects of the series is the use of color symbolism in the room settings, each reflecting the evolving emotional and psychological undertones of their interactions:

Black Room: Symbolizes raw desire. The sexual encounter here seems to exist solely to fulfill the client’s physical urges.

White Room: Represents clinical detachment. The interaction is mechanical, emphasizing the "therapy" aspect of the relationship.

Purple/Pink Room: Signals a shift. The client begins to desire not just physical intimacy, but also an emotional and romantic connection with the therapist.

Interestingly, it’s not the first three sessions that provoke the most sexual tension—but the last one. Despite the emotionally detached performances, the final session brings a layered complexity that is both arousing and unsettling.

Overall, "Therapy" stands out for its graphic storytelling, psychological themes, and unique visual direction. It’s a series that warrants deeper analysis and discussion, especially when it comes to the director’s intent and the emotional ambiguity portrayed. If you're looking for a BL that is more cerebral than romantic—and are open to dark, symbolic, and emotionally complex narratives—this is definitely one to watch.

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Disappointing

Finally found the time to watch this one - after such high reviews. If you are expecting drama similar to Legend of Fuyao or Princess Agents - do not watch. I happen to love strong female characters and was looking forward to this drama. What I got to watch was poor acting - especially by the FL. This actress is better suited for modern dramas or where there is not much action or emotions involved. In this drama, she was supposed to be a trained warrior - there was a scene where she was being chased by soldiers and she is running to evade them - it was actually comical to see her running.

The writers I believe got confused about what exactly they wanted to narrate. FL's character initially wanted revenge - she is supposed to be a strategic thinker, but I never got to see it. I found her dumb, and easily lead/manipulated.

The ML had a very strong screen presence but unfortunately appeared very stiff in the scenes with FL. This could be bcoz he is too young, but he definitely is a promising actor.

Overall, I liked the actor playing Young Khan/Ashile She Er and Zhao Lusi - playing Princess Yuouyan. The actor playing Hao Du has been praised immensely @MDL but to me, he appeared constipated most of the time.

Such a waste of time watching this drama. I am amazed that this show has been so highly rated in MDL.

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Never trust mdl reviews

I'm glad that i didn't watch this show after reading mdl reviews....That's exactly what i want to recommend to people who is interested in watching this show.WATCH THIS SHOW WITH OUT READING REVIEWS POSTED HERE....
Or you can just check youtube or Twitter or Instagram.....everyone is praising this show....especially acting.....besides there are many things in this show we can adapt into our lives....the dialogs in this drama hits you really hard....
Every character got their own story to tell........nobody's right or wrong in this drama....sometimes we feel like "oh...why this character did like that?" But then you feel it's just the situation that made them do that.....
I really enjoyed this drama.This is my first thai lakorn and I'm glad it is this drama ......

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Disney+ Strikes Again: [Blood Free ] Offers a Fresh and Unique Cinematic Experience

Writer - Lee Soo Yeon ( Stranger series )
Production House - Disney+ ( Dominating Netflix from last year )
Actors - Ju Ji Hoon, Han Hyo Joo, Lee Hee Jun ( Versatile actors )
And the plot all these elements caught my attention to watch Blood Free.

"Blood Free" marks a compelling departure from conventional K-drama narratives, introducing audiences to a captivating new genre known as "The Blood-Free Drama." This innovative approach, spearheaded by acclaimed writer Lee Soo Yeon and produced by Disney+, offers viewers a refreshing alternative to the typical bloodshed and violence often associated with the genre. Instead, the focus is on nuanced storytelling and character-driven narratives, setting a new standard for K-drama excellence.

If you think the drama is boring after watching few episodes don't make to drop it because The story will take new side from Cultured Meat to organs transplantation that where our main lead got some small super power with unexpected events. From this is where drama went to it's peak to track the mastermind behind blast and the rival new strategic attacks starts on Blood Free. We guess who is the Mastermind who is the main villian and who are the betrayals and who are the loyalty but somewhere our predictions goes to worng a little. Keep us in suspense who are they. With the Sci-fi plot the makers never neglected the mark of the storytelling with combination scenes of Woo Chae Won & Yoon Jae Yo to make a perfect picture of the story and their character motivations, and their chemistry, to keep us root for their pair give more. And another that -- Lee Soo Yeon mark in Emotional development of her works are exceptional, because majority of story contains with the suspense and thriller or Investigation elements, so with the limited space for emotional development it's really hard to handling the balance between limited emotional development and those elements (I saw them in other dramas, not comparing but saying how the writer perfectly placed all of them equally in her works.) But we can really make tears by some characters irrespective of main characters or supporting characters in her dramas, she showed her mark again - making good emotional development with bounded characters depth ( not to spoil here, you can experience it when you watch the drama ). Some Episodes feels bit bore but i think it's common in sci-fi thriller because this drama dealing with 10 eps sometimes it will miss some actual pace. But for me it was good paced and well structured story with serious paced story narration.


Yes, The drama's serious and well-paced narrative will keep you on the edge of your seat, expertly crafting a thrilling experience that's more focused on intellectual suspense than action-packed sequences. While the action scenes may be limited, the few that exist are impactful and satisfying. However, it's the unexpected moments of humor and heartwarming camaraderie between Woo Chae Woon and Kim Ho Seung that truly shine. Their brief but poignant bromance is a masterful stroke of storytelling, leaving you with a lump in your throat and a deeper emotional investment in the characters' journeys.

QUALITY DRAMA ELEMENTS :-

1. Intricate Plot: Led by writer Lee Soo Yeon, "Blood Free" boasts an intricately woven plot that keeps viewers engrossed from start to finish. The story follows Yun Ja-yu as she navigates the complexities of saving her company while delving into political intrigue and personal backstories, eliciting intrigue and speculation about the underlying mysteries.
2. Futuristic Setting: The show's exploration of the conflict between humanity and technology offers a compelling glimpse into a future world from the present. Through advanced technology disrupting the food chain, "Blood Free" presents thought-provoking themes that resonate with contemporary environmental and ethical concerns.
3. Exceptional Cast: With Ju Ji Hoon, Han Hyo Joo, and Lee Hee Jun leading the ensemble, "Blood Free" benefits from the talents of versatile actors who breathe life into their characters and infuse the narrative with depth and authenticity.
4. Cinematic Excellence: The cinematography in "Blood Free" is visually stunning, complementing the intricacies of the plot and enhancing the overall viewing experience. Each scene is meticulously crafted to capture the essence of the story and evoke emotion in the audience.
5. Han Hyo Joo & Ju Ji Hoon On-screen chemistry :- Their on-screen chemistry is truly amazing! While we're still in the unknown about a potential romance plot, and there aren't any hints suggesting one, their dynamic chemistry is enough to make the drama more enjoyable and entertaining, even amidst the intense survival storyline. Their chemistry is a compelling aspect of the show, and we're loving it!"


Plot seems potential but -
• Demanding Attention: Given the complexity of its plot and thematic depth, "Blood Free" requires viewers' full attention to grasp its intricacies and appreciate its nuances. Casual viewers may find it challenging to keep up with the narrative without dedicating sufficient focus.
• Initial Impressions: As with any new series, it's essential to give "Blood Free" a fair chance beyond the first few episodes. While the opening scene sets the stage for the main storyline, the true depth and complexity of the drama unfold gradually, rewarding viewers who invest time in exploring its themes and character dynamics.

CINEMATOGRAPHY !!

The Cinematography and the graphic CGI is brilliant, i don't know how to express this experience but i really felt the same vibes with
Hollywood movie " Blade Runner 2047 " like - drak tone cinematography in first episode ( it's clearly what I felt, so this may be different to every watcher ).


And Any chances for rom :-

Perhaps there's a strong chemistry without any romance. After watching four episodes, it seems like the upcoming episode will primarily focus on the female lead's survival and the pursuit of catching the mastermind behind the bomb blast. If they introduce a romantic plot between characters with strong chemistry, it might overshadow the main plot. Given that the writer is from the "Stranger" series, it wouldn't be surprising if she follows a similar formula, focusing more on chemistry rather than romance. However, I hope she incorporates a bit of romance this time. The scenes between them just make me want to see a new romantic drama again. 😩


Finally

"Blood Free" emerges as a groundbreaking addition to the world of K-dramas, offering a compelling blend of suspense, drama, and science fiction. Through its innovative approach and thought-provoking themes, the series challenges traditional conventions and invites viewers on a captivating journey of exploration and discovery. With its stellar cast, intricate plot, and cinematic brilliance, "Blood Free" will stands as a testament to the limitless creativity of K-drama makers and promises an unforgettable viewing experience for audiences seeking something truly extraordinary. Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of "Blood Free" and embark on a quest that will leave you enthralled and enlightened.




brought by :- Shinnosuke_Lee

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In a time of injustice, what means are legitimate to right the wrongs? What happens when efficacy clashes with idealism, loyalty with morality, when the codes of the scholar, the warrior, the peasant and the noble founder on the shoals of ambition, love, envy, and self-preservation? Six Flying Dragons sets up six (well, actually, seven) protagonists, real and fictional, male and female, elite and ordinary, and sends them hurtling into the chaos of a collapsing nation as they struggle to conjure something better from its ashes. As a microcosm of the wider world, their intertwined stories allow the writers to explore how every choice, for good or ill, ripples through society, and to humanize both the triumphs and the costs of revolution.

On a technical level, the screenwriters’ ability to juggle so many through lines is stunning. Set-ups in early episodes lead to powerful payoffs hours down the line, and little time is wasted, with each scene deepening characterizations, drawing parallels, establishing new conflicts and reinforcing themes. Fictional elements are well integrated with the actual history, and while liberties are certainly taken, this is a much less romanticized world than that of most fusion sageuks. Reality constantly intrudes in all its messy brutality, and show embraces this, refusing to whitewash the actions of its characters. For me, the only misstep was the writers’ attempt to create a grand, overarching mythology running from Queen Seondeok to King Sejong. It felt forced and unnecessary, an in-joke that distracted from the story at hand, and its corresponding secret society was the least convincing aspect of the show.

The directing is initially a bit awkward, but as things progress, the editing calms down and the fabulous ensemble cast takes center stage, riveting in all their flawed, passionate, terrible humanity. Dark but never cynical, violent but never gratuitous, grim but never hopeless, the show cares for all its characters, and it makes you care deeply too. They often lose their battles, but they fight with everything they have, refusing to stop seeking, striving, dreaming. They can’t go on, and yet they do. And because of them, Six Flying Dragons soars.

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