A Heartfelt Tale of Friendship
One of the most striking aspects of the drama is its exploration of friendship heartbreaks, an often-overlooked theme. Friendship heartbreaks can be some of the most painful experiences, and this drama captures that emotional intensity with remarkable authenticity. The portrayal of this dynamic is brought to life by the characters Saint and Shin, whose journey of friendship is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Their bond, its challenges, and its eventual evolution are handled with such care that it feels incredibly real and relatable.Acting Excellence
Sky and Nani’s performances are nothing short of extraordinary. These two actors have proven their mettle by delivering some of the most emotionally charged scenes with finesse. Their ability to convey a wide range of emotions through subtle expressions and body language is commendable. At times, even without dialogue, their eyes alone communicate volumes, allowing the audience to feel the depth of their characters’ emotions.
This kind of nuanced acting is rare and speaks to the skill and dedication of the actors. Whether it’s a moment of joy, a heated argument, or a tearful reconciliation, every scene feels genuine, pulling the audience deeper into the story. Their chemistry on screen is undeniable, not in a romantic sense, but as two individuals navigating the highs and lows of a profound friendship.
Themes and Impact
What sets this drama apart is its focus on relationships that are often overshadowed in mainstream storytelling. By emphasizing the significance of platonic bonds and familial connections, it offers a refreshing perspective. It reminds viewers of the importance of cherishing these relationships and acknowledges the emotional weight they carry.
The storytelling is complemented by a well-written script, meaningful dialogues, and a narrative pace that keeps the audience engaged. The director deserves praise for weaving together the various elements acting, cinematography, and music into a cohesive and impactful production.
Final Thoughts
In a world where relationships are often reduced to romantic entanglements, this drama stands out as a genuine celebration of friendship and familial bonds. Contrary to common misconceptions, this is not a BL (Boys' Love) drama and has never been promoted as such. Instead, it delves into the profound beauty and complexity of friendships and family ties, offering a narrative that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced the joy and pain of such relationships.
This drama is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates stories rooted in emotional depth and authenticity. It is a testament to the power of platonic relationships and the profound impact they can have on our lives. Sky and Nani’s performances elevate the narrative, making it a memorable experience that will stay with viewers long after the final scene.
In celebrating friendship and family, this drama offers a poignant reminder that love exists in many forms, and each one is worth cherishing.
For me it is a 10/10.
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Story- The first episode was so original. I liked that we got to see a backstory of how fate will play a role in them meeting again, although for a bit they don't know what we know. This drama was heavy on the romance and the story is predictable but I just found it so fascinating. I love that the feelings the main couple had for each other never wavered. Now there was plenty conflict especially towards the end but it never got too angsty to the point of frustration. My only complaint about the story would be the arc about the tug of war team, it really could have been done without. The ending was happy=)
Acting/Cast-The leads really carried the show. Their acting especially by Janine was really really good. She had a lot of crying scenes and managed to make them very believable. Peter and her had such an AMAZING chemistry. Now a lot of the supporting characters I thought the drama could have did without, like Xiao Xiang’s friend she meets competing for a job and her tug of rope posse. They were so annoying and also Xiao Xiang’s family especially her mom(the overacting was really too much). Other than that I liked the supporting cast.
Music- I don't usually notice a Taiwanse OST unless its to the point where I can hum the melodies of the songs outside of watching the show. So I can say without a doubt, I really liked the OST and score because they were memorable.
Rewatch- I can see myself watching this once a year just because the drama is short and I loved the leads. I could never get bored with watching this.
Overall Ring Ring Bell might seem cliche and silly at times but it was such an enjoyable watch. This is my top Taiwanese drama even beating out Autumn's Concerto & Devil Beside you. That's saying something!
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This review may contain spoilers
I'm split on this series
I will admit it- it wasn't that good. However, it wasn't that bad either. Yes, I can say that this Korean BL isn't up to par to the other Korean BL's that I have watched and I am even comparing it to some STRONGBEERY series (Long Time No See and My Pistachio) that I have watched. But! I did enjoy watching it.Story-7.5/10
If you are looking for a realistic Joseon Dynasty historical drama, I got news for you- continue looking. This series ain't it. But if you are looking for something to pass the time away- go ahead and give this a go. Yeah, there are so many things that were brought up like how the mother and sister hasn't realize that Ryu In Soo's wife has an Adam's apple. But, you know what? I'm not going to dwell on that.
The synopsis the series sounds promising. But like most Koren BL's, time is the issue here. There is not much time to develop he proper flow of this series, so it feels like there are missing pieces to the story (that hopefully the movie version will be able to bring).
Acting/Cast-8/10
In all honesty, I liked all of the actors. Especially Jang Eui Soo. I felt like when he was in a scene, he stole the show.
Music-8/10
I liked the music.
Rewatch Valu-7/10
While I may rewatch this series, I am not that eager to watch it anytime soon. So, for that reason I give it a 7.
Overall-7.5/10
Overall it wasn't a strong series like the other Korean BL's that I have watched. But I still enjoyed myself watching it every Thursday for these past four weeks.
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Wonderful story, chemistry- wonderful drama
So at first, I watched the trailer and didn't really expect much, except for the Hikaru No Go crossover. At first I thought that this will be just like another adult drama with draggy storyline and annoying characters, however to my surprise, this drama is excellent.The series revolves around the 2 best friends work and love life. Throughout the series, you can see how each character develop to become a better person. In this series, each person plays an important role, not only Li Yi Tong and Chen Jin as the main lead, but I feel like every one is the main lead in the drama. At first, I kinda grumbled seeing how the third couple (Ye Zhou and Guan Ye) has so many screen time, thinking that it was unnecessary and boringg. But after finishing the drama, I realised that every one of the character in the drama is the main role (even though their world revolves around Lu Ke and Shen Si Yi) . Each of the characters have their own story shown, even though not much of the screen time of them is shown. Every person that appears in the drama and the problems encountered help every one of the character in the drama grow, they grow alongside with the main lead (which is very unoften to see in dramas). Insignificant characters and their own story makes me very attached to this drama, it is their presence and each of their story that makes the drama a 很了不起的 drama.
And another important thing is this drama doesn’t have draggy problems and storyline. The problems encountered in the drama is very realistic and they don’t drag the problem solving. Also, (THANK GOD) there is no annoying male or female lead.
And of course, li yi tong and chen jin chemistry is impeccable!! Their acting skills and chemistry made me really though that I am watch a documentary series about them. Last but not least, the cinematography and music is also perfect. The camera angles, editing, and everything it is like watching a movie production. The slow-tempo and jazz music is the perfect combination for the cinematography. With both of them, you really feel the ambience of the series. You can feel that you are “IN” the series, watching alongside each of the characters and their growth.
In conclusion, if you are watching for a light hearted drama which makes you smile, laugh, cry this is the perfect drama!! My review can't really sum up how amazing this drama is, but I do recommend every one of you to watch this drama!!
And I don't know if they dubbed for this series, but god.. I am in love with Zhang Meng's voice and accent!!!
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Revenge Must Be Served With Blood
Watch if you like: historical dramas with revenge arcs, low romance, strong complex female leads, and no-nonsense action.This is a gripping wuxia revenge thriller that trades traditional romance for character loyalty, trauma healing, and politics.
The drama centers around Mo Qing Chuan, once a feared general, now a fallen woman navigating survival, vengeance, and identity behind the palace walls. She is one of the rare female leads who genuinely looks and acts like a legendary general: commanding, physically capable, and emotionally unreadable. Her strength is both stoic and devastating.
While the plot can be dense (especially without deep historical/political knowledge), what pulls you in are the character dynamics, not just between Mo Qing Chuan and her student Qi Guang, but also with Jiang Kui, the chaotic strong-woman sidekick who could kill a man and look adorable doing it.
Qi Guang is such a lovable male lead, not a typical romantic hero, but a loyal, idealistic not-so-respected prince who admires greatness with his whole heart. Watching him wrestle with loyalty, admiration, and the weight of truth is half the journey. His chemistry with both Mo Qing Chuan and Jiang Kui makes him one of the show’s hidden pillars.
Despite a few pacing dips (especially in court politics and repetitive subplots), this is a drama with a tight cast, excellent character casting, and moments that hit emotionally when you least expect it. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it earns its impact with strong performances and a rare female-led narrative that doesn’t romanticize strength but burdens it.
Highlights:
Mo Qing Chuan’s character design and arc
Jiang Kui: scene-stealing, physically strong, emotionally gentle
Qi Guang’s loyalty + discovery arc
No forced romance, but heavy bonds and subtle emotions.
"MO Qing Chuan will live."
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Pink Sugar: Almost Too Much Cheese and Fluff – Not Enough Depth
If you need a break from serious dramas and real life or just a quick watch –this could be a decent way to spend your time. But do not expect depth and character development. The female lead is not stupid and clueless, even though she is acting all cutesy. I don't hate this drama but I don't see why it deserves really high ratings either. I see the appeal of it but it also feels like this is really more suited for teens and fluffy romantic enthiausiats? I get it, it's based on a shojo manga :D I definitely prefer this overly sweet drama with lots of skinship over toxic relationships that are usually more common with this genre. If this was a perfume, it would be Aquolina Pink Sugar (Eau de Toilette).They do touch upon serious topics but those issues seem to be always magically solved. I appreciate that they talk but it feels almost too good to be true? I think marrying someone so fast should cause more conflicts? I guess I get that this drama is more on the fluffy side, but I would have been ok with moments where they discover habits etc. they dislike or a hobby/interest/unexpected side of the person they married. Some people rated this with a 10 and I'm confused because Jdramas on here are rated quite low here usually.
The intro is a lot of fun, I absolutely loved watching it and never skipped it. However, those supporting guys seem all to be useless? I don't like love triangles and unneccessary conflicts, but somehow I would expect them to play a more important role in this drama? Like they appear here and there but in the end they are simply plot devices. Even the best friend of the ML is quite unimportant and 2D.
The kissing scenes and bed scenes were really nicely shot. They are not awkward and very cute. Sometimes I got the feeling that this is a fanfiction story :D
I think there was potential to make the characters and story line more well-rounded and dimensional but in the end it felt more overly sweet and simple perfume like the perfume Aquolina Pink Sugar – you can easily use too much and get sick of it. The dialogues are quite simple and I feel like they used cute, crafty and sadist 1000 times. I don't hate this drama but I don't love it either. Don't expect a master piece.
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Unexpectedly Underwhelming :)
Great cast, veterans from other BL shows, a premise with a hint of lots of interaction and sex. What could go wrong?PLOT: Let’s say the basic concept is pretty interesting, the different members having connections or history with each other, seeing different ships mixing together, this idea would make the show not boring. Well, the execution is quite different. The different plotlines are not detailed enough and also pretty boring, that even the actors can’t make it better. I thought it would get interesting at some point but I noticed that in later episodes I just started skipping some parts because I was so bored with some side plotlines. By the trailer it seemed like a 18+ show, however, let alone some strong and truly hot scenes in early episodes, it gets so soft and boring later that it feels like a Turkish soap opera.
DIRECTION/PRODUCTION: The casual GmmTv issues are present regarding the production: weird sounds/voices, poor sound quality in outdoor takes. The setting sometimes feels a bit contracted.
ACTING/CHARACTERS: This is the heaviest issue for me. The cast is pretty good, well-known faces, good actors. However, it generally feels like poor acting, but I think it’s because of the bad direction and writing. I think the only exception is Khaotung (Ray) who seems to be the most complex character and also the actor is putting all effort into showing us. His performance was outstandingly good compared to others, despite this actor really not being my favourite in the BL world.
Outstandingly bad performance was associated with Force (Top). His plain expressions make it feel like it’s a production from a highschool afternoon acting club. This kinda worked in A Boss and a Babe, but doesn’t work at all in Only Friends. Let alone some good emotional moments in later episodes when his character cries, which is some decent acting.
-After watching the last episode, and the post-credit funny scenes, I realized these actors have so much energy and personality inside them, half of it wasn’t shown throughout the show. These last funny BTS scenes really show a contrast between what could have been and what was.
CHEMISTRY: Chemistry between Top and Mew didn’t really work for me, the other couples and mix-ups had some really intense moments, even some believable drama between each other.
So... Steamy scenes: 9/10 ; Drama: 6/10
MUSIC: The opening is kinda cringy in my honest opinion, but the title song is SO COOL, I never get bored of it, I really recommend you find the whole song on YT and give it a try, it’s pretty catchy. The other musics during the episodes were alright, they didn’t really bother me but also nothing special, however sometimes I felt like I’m listening to a “Teamfight_3” music from Dota2 Music Pack 2018. :D Actually there are some free stock musics from YT, but they are not disturbing at all.
ENDING: Underwhelming. Rushed. Empty. Could have been some real drama. The only exception is Boston’s ending which I found sad but realistic and well-deserved.
VERDICT: I find this show such a wasted potential, with such a great cast and promising premise/concept. Underused cast, lame writing, average, boring plot. A slightly better than average show for me, but maybe I expected too much, therefore I'm giving it a 6.5/10.
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A Snack for a Rainy Day
In 2015, a Korean drama Hyde, Jekyll and Me received a great deal of attention for its quirky premise. At the time I was a fan of the actor who played the male lead, Hyun Bin and thought the premise intriguing -- a man suffering from dissociative personality disorder and both personalities competing for the female lead. The result was a mixed bag. Hyun Bin was great in the dual role but the script was weak (the world building was half-hearted) and aspects of it ridiculous. I can well imagine too that it’s a challenge to find a satisfying resolution to a love triangle that involves two people sharing the same body when the female lead shows a distinct preference for the secondary identity over the core one.Several years later, someone else has taken another stab at the subject matter and the result is also a mixed bag. Again it’s mainly the script although performances vary across the board. Here the female lead Jing Zhixia (Joey Chua) meets the alternate personality Lin first and it's love at first sight. Some time later the two indulge in a steamy one night stand and the core identity Fu Zeyi (Xiao Kaizhong) wakes up the next morning wondering what his alter had gotten them both into and then takes off without so much as a by your leave. The poor girl is left ruminating for a year about the charming musician that swept her off her feet then left her high and dry.
While Joey Chua has a knack for the comedic, her character Jing Zhixia, though badly used by the two personalities is not exactly well written. This is the definition of a trashy rom com but even so how a woman of her limited ability (or limited interest in the business) can be allowed to be part of the management of a 5-star hotel boggles the mind. I'm not sure I'd even trust her with a small-scale B and B. Certainly it’s understandable that the show doesn’t want her to be the stereotypical Cinderella figure in a grumpy, arrogant CEO drama. Instead she’s a materialistic spoilt rich girl who decides to sell off a portion of her shares in the family business so that she can go gallivanting. This of course plays into the much more capable hands of Fu Zeyi who wants the land that the hotel is presently sitting on.
As soon as he gains management rights to the hotel, the two lock horns in true rom com fashion. Suddenly she’s all about family loyalty and her father's legacy. On the one hand she’s sure he’s the guy who loved her and left her a year earlier, on the other hand, he vehemently denies it knowing full well that his alter has been up to some serious hanky-panky in his absence. Besides, dissociative identity disorder is a shocking secret borne out of a childhood trauma that he'd rather not share with the world. Aside from the fledgling romance, there's also the succession issue to consider.
Fu Zeyi, as one might expect, is a right royal jerk at the start. It is hard to root for him at first because he is trying hard to keep Zhixia at bay while making sure his secret is safe. Soon, however, he finds himself inconveniently attracted to her and starts acting territorial, doing all kinds of odd things that wasn’t previously in his programming. Even his rigid and cantankerous father notices the make over. Zhixia is obviously confused by what she sees as capriciousness and more so when Fu Zeyi and Lin make her the trophy while they vie aggressively for her affections.
Xiao Kaizhong who plays both isn’t bad in the role. It's at the very least much better than what I had expected. He certainly has a roaring good time with the mayhem of the Yi-Lin dialectic without overdoing anything. He and Joey Chua have good chemistry but they are definitely underserved by the script.
Despite the obvious budgetary limitations imposed (The fabulously wealthy Fu Zheyi has only a handful of suits to strut around in), the one thing that this show does better than its Korean predecessor is to show how Zhixia gradually cottons on to the deception which sends her running. at first. Gradually, however, she works out that the arrogant Fu Zheyi is the one that she loves not because he is her ideal but because he tries to push himself beyond his limits for her sake. Fortunately for us, she has something of a growth arc and demonstrates the capacity to be much more than what she first presents herself to be.
The relationship is fraught with all kinds of moral and ethical issues in part because of the deception and in part due to the fact that the mental health issue is more of a benign plot device for the push and pull rather than a genuinely serious obstacle to two people’s happily-ever-after.
Even rom coms need villains apparently. Although Fu Zeyi was bordering on being one in the beginning as he plots to acquire the hotel, that title is reserved for someone else — someone close to him who’s out for blood but the motivation for his entire revenge scheme makes no sense except that he’s evidently gone loopy. The 20-year wait to exact vengeance makes no sense either.
What saves this drama for me is the finale. It wraps things up as well as a half-hour 18 episode web drama might be expected to. There's no lack of the nonsensical in it but at least there's resolution for Fu Zeyi and Lin. More importantly, for me at least, there's an acknowledgment that Fu Zeyi is the core personality and Lin was always just an identity that emerged to protect him. He was a by-product of a mental health dysfunction. It's a crucial piece of the romance that had to be addressed. Lin was always the fantasy never the reality -- the delusion that Zhixia was in search of and Zeyi wanted to be. The reality as represented by Fu Zeyi is about a man riddled with deep-seated guilt at what happened in the past and who was always seeking his father's approval while weighed down by all kinds of emotional baggage that he never allowed himself to express. Falling in love... it can be said... broke the shackles.
The finale is surprisingly fitting and therefore makes the entire journey worth sitting through. There's a lot that doesn't make sense and it does fall along fairly predictable lines but at least there's enough fan servicing to snack on to keep one coming back for more.
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The story centers around a ridiculously attractive couple played by Kim Hyun and Joo Ji Jin Hee. Their dysfunctional relationship ends up being the catalyst for infidelity, mistaken identity, family wars, business betrayals, and a lot of frustration (not a plausible plot at all, but still entertaining). Ji Jin Hee was great as Jin Eon (who I named "The Brat" because of his annoying tantrums), but Kim Hyun Joo was really unbelievable, and the MVP of this drama! I really thought of Hae Gang and Yong Gi as two completely different people. Even knowing that it was the same actress, I still felt like I was watching 2 completely different actresses who looked slightly similar. I started calling her "Orphan Black". Then there's Park Han Byul who played the young "homewrecker" who tests their relationship Seol Ri ( I started calling her "Young Ho" - inappropriate but befitting her character). I wanted to smack her in her head for most of the show, but that means she was really good. Then they added Lee Kyu Han as Baek Seok (who I named "Forever friendzoned"). Will he ever get the girl? I just watched him in "Can you hear my heart" and he is really the perfect second lead. I would totally friend zone a guy as cool as him, but I hope to see him as a lead (Does that drama exist?). In the first quarter, it's the dynamic between these four characters that drives the story, but this drama almost changed into a completely different drama several times before it ended. It's only the acting that really holds the whole story together.
I was really into the relationship story, then the show started to focus more on the corrupt family business, and that's when I started to slowly lose interest. Dok Go Young Jae, Baek Ji Won, and Gong Hyung Jin were great at playing characters you love to hate, but I just didn't care about that story line. Thankfully eye candy Lee Jae Yoon starts having a more prominent role (I called him Dr. Aspergers) and I started to wish that he, Kim Hyun Joo, and adorable Kim Ha Yoo had their own spinoff show. Soon I started to like them more than the main couple, who's antics became just too repetitive, but they weren't given enough scenes, and their story resolved way too early in the show. That's why, for the last few episodes, I was forcing myself to watch, because it seemed like a waste to drop it after committing so much time to it.
Would I rewatch this whole thing? No! I could definitely watch certain scenes again, strictly for the chemistry and attractiveness. The last few episodes felt almost like complete filler (so many flashbacks at the end), so watching those episodes even once was more than enough. I also didn't like the introduction of new characters at the last minute. It almost seemed like they had no idea how to resolve certain main character stories, so they just added random characters to make the audience feel better. I didn't feel better, I felt cheated.
What about the music? Ryu's "Years" is damn near impossible to get out of my head. That's probably because it was played so obnoxiously during every single tragically romantic moment. Once that drum intro started I knew Hae Gang and Jin Eon were about to have a "moment". It's a beautiful song, so having it as an earworm is forgivable. The rest of the soundtrack was good too, and I like how music played a part in reminding them about their daughter. Oh, and my confession about the Ryu song... yes I already downloaded it. The fact that i still wanted to listen to it after hearing it so many times during the 50 episodes, means I must like it a lot. I think I will play it while I finish writing this review, to set the mood *Cue drum intro*
Overall, This drama is good enough to recommend, but I definitely understand if people don't want to make the 50 episode commitment. I didn't feel that addicted feeling until about episode 10, and it didn't lose it's thrill until after episode 40. I'm personally not sold on watching dramas this long, but I have no regrets about watching. What this drama does really well is show the depths a relationship can go through, which I loved. This is a grown up love story that is sad, and sexy, and frustrating, and inspiring. I would recommend it, but suggest loading up on snacks, getting a super comfy spot, and not making any plans for a while.
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2 reasons it's a groundbreaking show
The school bike racks are empty, the lockers are empty, as are the shelves in the teachers' office. It is a sign of the times, pandemic precautions.There are none to few bystanders in the parking lot, in the cafe, in the street. This is one reason this show is groundbreaking.
Second, although BL genre has long been around, I like how this show is groundbreaking by the way the writers portray the easygoing perspective of most of the supporting characters.
Thank you Tokyo MX. If you are at all open-minded, it is a groundbreaking romantic comedy that will lighten your mood. Please watch it.
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1A forbidden love story with Lakorn choas and adults throwing temper tantrums!
Love in the moonlight is set in a fictional kingdom where secrets are traded as often as silk and adults who seem allergic to both sense and reason. The series starts with the classic formula - forbidden love wrapped in duty and deception. Prince Saenkaew, a gentle soul burdened by past trauma, crosses paths with Sasin, a hot-headed man, who happens to be the cousin of the bride Prince is arranged to. What follows is a slow-burn romance between trust, betrayal and over the top emotional whiplash. Add in scheming trash relatives, a gallop of political backstabbing and a suspiciously high number of evil adults and you have a 12-episode cocktail of chaos served with period-appropriate tears.If “I didn’t mean it, but I did” could walk and talk, it would probably be Sasin. He is the archetype of the impulsive hero...quick to anger, slow to think, yet somehow forgiven because his charm softens every misstep.Sometimes I wanted to shake the screen and snap at him and sometimes just tell him that it's gonna be okay! He brought a full spectrum of emotions out.
Saenkaew, our sweet rabbit on the other hand is more on the emotional side. Very soft-spoken, painfully pretty and haunted by more trauma than a palace should legally allow. His “sad doe eyes” do a lot of heavy lifting, but sometimes they overstay their welcome. It works beautifully when he is in pain, but during playful moments, that eternal melancholy feels slightly off. Still, his gentleness grounds the show.
Pin, bless her pastel-colored soul, starts off as the cinnamon roll everyone roots for. She was sweet, sincere and initially immune to the typical “female rival” curse of BL dramas. But by mid-series, she veers dangerously close to the edge of that trope cliff and well, let’s just say the sympathy meter crashes. Her later actions are frustrating, though her eventual redemption arc tries to clean up the mess(emphasis on TRIES).
Then there is Saenkaew’s father, the royal poster child for bad parenting and questionable decision-making. He was just I-N-S-U-F-F-E-R-A-B-L-E. The way he tried to gaslight himself, Saenkaew and others around him , that what he was doing is the right thing for his child and for the family was just baffling. This is the brand of love that ruins lives and then blames the child themselves. He had no redemption arc in my eyes. One has to be blind and delusional to ignore everything and move on just like that. Technically, he should be in jail if you ask me.
Again, nothing is non redeemable in fictional world, but atleast make it feel earned.
Now, the reason why I stuck around was Sasin and Saenkaew. From the first time they met at the train station, their relationship was painted with that deliciously forbidden shade of love. You know the kind of love , that will burn everything in its path including themselves but can't help reaching and giving in the temptation anyways.
Every time they share a frame, there was this unspoken pull. They didn't need words... just intense eye contact, half-smiles and that dangerous proximity that makes you yell at the screen, “Just kiss already!” Their banter, especially early on is gold. I loved the rabbit nickname story! Their connection felt very natural. Even before they understood their feelings, they moved around each other with ease. I enjoyed their banters and I loved how gently they handled each other.
But this isn’t without its storm clouds. For starters, the show is drowning in villains who just seem allergic to both joy and logic. It’s hard to enjoy the love story when more than half the supporting cast are just terrible adults with morals in the mud. I didn't like how people who took terrible and selfish decisions were just redeemed in a single episode. Even if I put on a rose colored lens, the evil caricature-ness behaviour is still visible! In the end, I just got tired with them throwing temper tantrums.
The pacing also wobbles in the second half. It felt a little draggy. I understand they had to give us the angst but this could easily have been 2 episodes shorter! Also, alot of things happened because for plot conveinence rather than actually making sense of it. You have your leads abandoned on a deserted island, miraculous recovery, the infamous everyone knows everything, yet no one knows anything, the last minute change of heart...all conveinence.
Acting was a mixed bag. Pearl as Sasin was very convincing. Both his sassy and emotional side shined through. But Peak as Saenkaew could have been better. I felt he was too stiff and a bit melancholic even in the playful scenes. Supporting casts were also decent like Pin, Sasin's friends but others veered too far into melodrama.
Production seemed decent and cinematography was beautiful, capturing that period drama essence very well.
Overall, it's the romance between the leads that carried the drama and somehow overshadowed the clunky subplots. It's a mess but a chaotic one and that's the part of the charm I guess.
Ohhh the drama can be frustrating ( I am not even exaggerating) and some characters deserve permanent exile, but when Sasin looks at Saenkaew like he is the only light left in the world, all those flaws kind of melt away.
It’s not perfect like few things drenched in moonlight ever are but it is entertaining. I will recommend it if you are okay with thai lakorn style storytelling (over the top, dramatic, soap opera-ish).
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not a BL, thank you!
What a powerful story. While it may be confusing at times, everything will get clear the closer to the finale you get.The acting and cinematography was top notch, the story could be a bit more clear for the viewers even when you will understand it at the end.
This is not a BL, it's a drama, with gay characters. One who denies his past and his pain and the other one who is trying to help his love even when that not always works out as intended. They deliver an emotinal rollercoaster which makes you shed some tears but also depicts how hard a relationsship can be because of all the baggage you have collected in your past and how to communicate to clear the air, to solve misunderstandings, to overcome your faults and your past and make it so you will truly understand each other.
After "Love in the Big City" and "Gray Shelter" we have the third Korean series not fitting in the BL catagory. While BLs can be fun, I personally like realistic, complicated, sometimes painful gay dramas a lot more because they also educate the viewers, that nothing is black and white but shades of gray and that relationsships are complicated and not easy to do especially when your emotional baggage is huge and the world was never kind to you.
This is a must watch for everyone who can cope with painful stories and is willing to give a real drama a chance.
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The story is as cliche as it gets. Marriage contracts, evil mothers, ex girlfriends and second male leads, this drama has everything! While that doesn't necessarily make it bad, in this case it did. Both the second male and female leads were annoying and hard to understand, the writers failed to make them even a tiny bit relatable, they just threw their backround stories on us saying "Here! That's what you want, right?". Both of them felt superficial and God do I hate people who smile all the time like Yeo Reum did. Since it doesn't really have a story, then It's automatically aiming to be a character driven drama, but they failed to costruct good characters. The last 3-4 episodes redeemed a lot of the drama by giving some character development to Jang Mi's parents and Gi Tae's mother, the way they handeled her character was easily the best part of this drama. The two main leads were cliche. A clumsy, no good female lead who's driven by her feelings and a rude main male lead who becomes nice by the end because love(?). Both of them only got sappy developments which is fine I guess.
Now the gem of this drama was the atmosphere, the way they handeled the comedy and mood shifts. It's so hard to do, yet they managed to do such a good job at it a scene could be both funny and heart wrenching and only God knows how they managed to pull it off. That's why I still managed to enjoy this drama. The main characters, even if not the most original, were fun to observe, because of the comedic situations they got themselves into and the way the writers handeled them.
The soundtrack was catchy, too. The way they used the "Bridal Chorus" was very creative. All the songs could totaly stand on their own.
This could have been really good, but it just wasn't and I am not seeing what other people did. While the gem shines brightly I just can't ignore the trash around it thus I would only recommend this drama if you have nothing else to watch and want a few laughs.
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I see that many people decide to watch Green Rose after they have watched Dog And Wolf's Time. I had watched Green Rose AT FIRST and for me, because both items are comparable, Green Rose is on the first place.
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Light and cute
Light, romantic, not dumb, exactly what you need during summer. Most characters had a purpose. It didn't make me cringe or want me to stop watching it. it made me wanna play badminton tbh. I loved almost every character out there, I recommend it.The only things I might criticize is how obvious the story with Taejun's sister was , how the mom acted and how the older lady in the team was self-centered (she literally married another guy and had the audacity to be sad towards the guy that's been liking her for years).
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