ITSAY = PERFECTION
ITSAY is that precious feeling that no one can ever steal from you. Never ever. I'm writing it to you.This drama, which has stirred all our emotions, is what you call EXCELLENT. The vibes it gives off are so deep & beautiful that it makes you feel nostalgic. The kind of storytelling done in the series is something that leaves no heart unprevailed. It is indeed the rarest of the rare Thai BL drama you'll ever witness.
Fabulous direction & screenplay, heart-warming dialogues, stimulating plot devices, awesome acting by the cast and most importantly, 'astounding' cinematography, oof.
Another fact that makes it unique is how incredibly they've introduced props like hibiscus, coconut, etc and utilized them well.
SPECIAL mentions to Bilkin and PP for offering their natural, simple and outstanding acting skills to this already precious story. Their dialogue delivery, accurate expressions, smiles, cries and everything made us smile & cry as if we were a part of their beautiful love story. Thank you so much you two. You guys have won over our heart and you along with the series will always be in our thoughts and dreams.
I really really hope THAI writers continue writing such beautiful stories and then the makers adapt them into series. How amazing that will be than watching the same cliché highschool/uni stories with romance and intimacy!
I swear "I TOLD SUNSET ABOUT YOU" is such a delightful thing to witness, I feel blessed. My life somehow feels complete. Eagerly waiting for I PROMISE YOU THE MOON- IPYTM (ITSAY part2).
THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE!
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The first 2 episodes were like meh i wont be too excited for this drama next week. I might even skip it. Who the hell is that ahjussi and Uee is too young for him thats just a mood ruiner. And its like the drama told me *hold up son, we are the real deal* and it hit me from episode 3 to 16. The drama started killing people with its perfection, cute and beautiful moments that arent forced ( its not cheesy its bittersweet ) .
I see people talk about chemistry between acting couples. Here it wasnt chemistry it was lioe rocket science. Beauty overload and the mood of the show was just like old kdramas with the musoc and clothing and just how they value the family and love and emotions.
Best drama i finished this year. ( yes i like it more than the epic ones )
This will be my first review on this site and probably the last because my feels are all over the place.
"Promise that you'll meet me in paradise inevitably
No matter what, I'll keep your love forever with me"
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Just because of the time travelling theme, I thought it would be cool since I watched "The Rooftop Prince". I wan't expecting anything from it but I end up liking it greatly.
2) Storyline/Plot:
It's different from The rooftop prince so don't you dare to compare them. You would only make it hard to watch if you do so.
Positive points :
*The story was light yet entertaining.
*I just loved how they combined the Joesen era with nowadays: one snap from here and the other from there , that was brilliant!
*The events were interesting and most of all unpredictable. I have to give script writers credit for many "What was that?" moments because those twists were the drama's core.
*Basically the drama contains romance, happy moments, sadness and even action and let's forget the historical side.
*The drama was full of great emotions that can touch you deeply: the romantic side was simply perfect, this is what I call "A romantic drama".
*The story's development was great since it gets better and better after each episode.
Negative points:
*Now that I think about it, I have no complains but the reason I haven't gave the storyline a higher score is some unnecessary events but that doesn't affect the general story's aspect.
Story: 9/10
3) Acting/Cast:
*Ji Hyun Woo : I've seen him in a film before but here he was completely different; he may sound stiff sometimes but heis role was well portrayed: he was cool whether in the past or in the present.
*Yoo In Na : Like everyone, I only saw her in "Secret Garden". I never had great hopes for her in this drama but Wohoo, she was shmazing here! She was extremely good and her acting was great. Moreover, her crying scenes were one of the best crying scenes that I've ever seen. If I was a teary person I would definitely cry when she did because she delivered great feelings.
*The chemistry was simply amazing that's why this drama gains the most romantic drama of the year.
*Other wast were cool and the general acting was satisfying.
Cast: 8.5/10
Acting: 9.5/10
4) The ending:
I don't know why there are a respectable amounts of complains about the ending o_O, it's true that it was a "fan-service" yet it wasn't that bad to hate the whole drama because of it.
The ending was cool, the type of ending that would make you satisfied, they could've took it to another level but it would be ruined that way.
The ending: 8.5/10
5) My impression (How did it affect me):
*I really liked it: Light and cool drama.
*The lead actors made this drama fun to watch.
*It didn't take a long time to complete it, simply because it was exempted from blank and boring moments.
*This is one the most romantic dramas that I've seen so far. I liked the drama but I wasn't obsessed over it.
My impression: 8/10
6) Overall:
*If you like steamy romantic stories then you would like this.
*If you're into the time travelling theme then this is for you.
*If you're looking for a good drama that have a great cast then you may like this.
Overall: 8.5/10.
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Fun & Light Undercover Drama
Undercover Miss Hong is a light and enjoyable drama that mixes comedy, investigation, and workplace moments in a simple but engaging way. The story follows an undercover mission that leads to many awkward and humorous situations while slowly uncovering a deeper mystery. Park Shin-hye delivers a solid performance and brings charm and confidence to the character.The drama keeps a playful tone while still maintaining some suspense through its investigation plot. The supporting characters also add energy to the story and make the interactions more lively. Visually, the drama has a clean and pleasant style that fits its lighthearted atmosphere.
Although some parts of the plot feel predictable, the overall pacing keeps the drama easy to watch. In the end, it’s an Average and some Kind of Boring drama that offers a good balance of humor and mystery, making it a decent watch overall.
My Rating 7/10
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Sweet Crush. Fun First Romance
Theres a lot of this genre (college romance) out there but this is among the better ones in terms of acting, production and overall storyline.Qin Shen, the cold talented and super tall male lead and Yuan Qian, the cute, friendly petite female lead are classmates in the sculpture major. Somehow after a mini accident, she learns she misunderstood him and both begins to see the better side in each other. It didnt take long for the ice to thaw with Qin Shen.. given that he used to say girls and dating are meaningless and waste of time. But when he looks at YQ he cant help smiling and the warmth will enter his eyes.
Best part. Qin Shen took notice of YQ very early on and her quirks and attitude amuses him. More than half of the drama are the two dancing around each other. Theres a saying, one stroke shy (strokes to write a chinese characther) and thats how you can describe their relationship. They seek each other out, hang out, talk, hints and flirts but never really comfesses. The acting and directing makes this enjoyable even amusing.
SML does not really get annoying, mostly a puppy still hinging on their childhood memories. While SFL is no fun to watch, i just wish she stops chasing given that ML cannot be more obvious of his coldness, nonchalance and blatantly ignoring her most times. Really, QS reserves his gentlemanly nature, sweet , caring and even considerate gestures only for FL. When needed he helps her out, supports her and respects her decision. Hes also the type that doesnt shy away from doing couple-things and enjoys being dote on by FL. With the exception of his penchance to tease her and sometimes twist and negates his own kind intentions, i find its a mix of his own enjoyment (you will find hes actually a lil black-bellied and to save face).
Their roommates are a hoot to watch. ML has 2 funny bros who are also classmates. Their scenes and dialogues are so funny. FL has 3 wonderful friendships with her roommates too. And both sets of roommates already clue in on the push-pull relationship of the leads.. they are just too obvious haha.
Acting wise is good. If done wrongly could have been cringey or stiff. But both Ireine Song and Aaron Deng have a good camaraderie so there a natural synergy. You can watch them interact all day and be entertained.
Ps one of my fav moment is when QS retrieved the water bottle he threw to the trashbin after hearing from his bro that YQ was the one who bought it. He didnt care evyone's looking or the trashbin. It spoke volumes how he feels about her.
Verdict Fun fun and easy watch. No real angst. Flirty interactions and sweet first romance that blossom between two people who thought they would remain single until they meet the right person.
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This review may contain spoilers
Great start, somewhat lackluster finish
I liked this story and thought it had great potential, but I wasn't entirely thrilled with the redemption arc readily granted to very devious characters. It felt forced and didn't really do justice to the story. I also feel that Ji Hyun forgives too easily. Jae Won offered no explanation and that felt wrong. I was angry on Ji Hyun's behalf. I understand Jae Won's trauma but he was projecting on Ji Hyun and also willingly conniving with Eun Ji in the process. I don't know! I felt that his return to Ji Hyun required a little more effort on his part. He just shows up and is forgiven.Ghosting someone also causes anxiety. Ji Hyun exhibits no signs of insecurity. The makers were so determined to wrap this happily that they hurriedly tied the ends together but the ends are loose and unsatisfying.
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One of the best of 2025 (for me)
Everything in the story has its purpose, even if it doesn't seem like it at first.The OST superb.
It has a great balance of comedy and seriousness, the story itself is very dense so the comedy is very much appreciated, and it never falls into cringe territory.
The main couple's chemistry is amazing, they share so many little moments it's impossible not to root for them, you can truly feel they are bounded by fate.
Overall amazing drama, the only fault is some casting choices (at first, it's jarring, towards the end the actress improves so much, I'm happy for her)
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Helpful Hint: I found the first episode rather boring, the second episode ok, the third episode full of misunderstandings and then it gets good by episode 4 and you'll be completely hooked by episode 5!
"the heartbreaking, pure love by a man, who drives himself to the extreme situation in order to find his only love, his bride." <Pretty much describes the base of the drama - and it was presented in such a powerful and touching way! Thank you OCN!
Cast: Kim Do Hyung (Kim Mu Yeol) a man with a painful upbringing falls in love with a girl from his high school - they get separated and meet again, are about to get married and then she vanishes - he looks for her like any man would, finds himself messed up with the police and loan-sharks and something even more sinister behind the loan-sharks. I have never seen someone love as sincerely and as deeply as Kim Do Hyung does on this drama - it's powerful! It's a new definition of self-less love! He'd sacrifice and risk anything just to protect his "Beautiful Bride" - and man was this guy good at keeping a secret a secret! He was also in the UDT in the Marines for his military service - and I sure hope I get to see some more dramas with guys from that unit! B/c they know how to FIGHT! This guy wowed me several times with some of the things he'd do - I was stunned at things I saw - He was that good! And I loved how all the bad guys referred to him as "the bank guy" - I'd laugh whenever they'd say "the bank guy did that?" :P Yoon Joo Young/Joo Hee (Go Sung Hee) - not my favorite actress (she still needs practice) but she did pretty good in the beginning of the drama - towards the latter part I found her a bit annoying and she seemed to keep making stupid decisions (but that didn't ruin the drama for me). Cha Yoon Mi (Lee Shi Young) a great detective, who was a great partner in helping Do Hyung catch the bad guys and find Joo Young.
All other actors did well in their roles - especially Ryu Seung Soo as Seo Jin Ki - I knew he could play the bad guy role exceptionally well already - since he was the bad guy in drama special 'Sirius'.
Music: 'Stay' by Steelheart < My absolute favorite track off the entire drama!!! I love listening to it and singing it on repeat! <3 Awesome song! ^_^
I would definitely re-watch this drama if only to see those awesome action packed fight scenes again! ;) and the flashback romance stories were so romantic^^ <3
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This review may contain spoilers
The most Korean-like JDrama that I have ever watched
To be honest, after reading the description of this drama, I was not that interested, but I decided to watch it for two reasons. Firstly, because I really like Nakamura Tomoya, and secondly, because I have a lot of free time (I need to get a life!). In the end, I was happy that I watched it. Now, let me explain what I mean.
PLOT
The first thing, that I found fascinating, was the plot. I felt that this series did not follow the standard Japanese-plot norm. That is why I thought that they were mainly influenced by kdramas. Honestly, this is the only Asian drama in which I liked all of the characters. I found both the lead and the secondary roles to be interested and I wanted to know more about them.
To be more specific, we have a handsome and rich person (Asaba Takumi), who does not enjoy eating sweets, that gets to meet under a weird coincidence a loud and pretty female (Inoue Kiki), who loves to eat sweet things. Asaba is the CEO of the company that Inoue works in one of the company's convenience stores, and they meet by accident before knowing who the other person is. Due to some strange set of circumstances, Inoue leaves the convenience store and is being placed at the Production department of the company, in order to create new sweet recipes. We experience their everyday lives and the difficulties of creating low-cost and tasteful convenience store sweets.
CHARACTERS
Asaba is a cold-hearted person (at first glance), that seems indifferent of what other people think about him and is goal-oriented. However, in reality he is a sensitive person that always takes into account how the people around him feel, and he is a warm person with strong ethical personality. He works hard and faces every obstacle that comes in his way. On the other hand, Kiki is a young female that had experienced failure in her life before. She is afraid when other people have high expectations of her, as she believes that she will fail once again. Asaba was the first person that not only believed in Kiki but he also needed her honesty and creativity. As she was feeling needed and appreciated, feelings started to develop towards Asaba.
Two key supporting characters are Makoto and Riho. Makoto is a childhood friend of Asaba, and works as a vendor at the company. His personality is bright and joyful. He seems a bit childish, but the truth is that he is a mature person with kind feelings. While, Riho, a kind-hearted woman, is working at the Production department of the company, and is the ex-girlfriend of Asaba. In the series there are 3 more characters that is mainly used for comic relief, but I loved them. I personally call them “The Three Stooges”, as I found them funny and I liked it when they had screen time. The Three Stooges, are consisted of the Manager, a Chinese girl, and an early adult man. What I really liked about them was the chemistry that they had.
ACTING
Let me start with the main leads. As I have said before, Nakamura was the reason why I decided to watch this series. I am a fan of his acting and the roles that he usually portraits. I enjoy it when he gets to play a tsundere role, and that is why, I loved his acting in this drama. He was able to execute the role of the capable and innovative CEO, greatly. Moreover, he was able to present the mixed emotions he was feeling, and the consequences of his action, in an amazing way. What I am going to say next, has nothing to do with his acting, but when he wore glasses and the turtleneck, I found him really sexy. Also, I love it when he is laughing and smiling.
As for Mori Nana, it was the first that I watched with her as the main lead, and I was surprised by her acting. Taking into account her young age, I believe that in a few years she would be the talk of the town. She has a bright future! She was able to make me feel her sadness and sorrow when she was feeling down; but I was also feeling excited and motivated when she was excited and motivated. This might be just my personal opinion, but she reminded me of Inoue Mao, the female actor who had the main lead in Hana Yori Dango. If she invests more on her acting, she would become one of the best Japanese actors.
In addition to the strong main leads, the two supporting actors had nothing to be jealous of! Nakano Taiga, was able to execute the role of the person who is in love with someone that does not like them. Moreover, every time that he showed his caring side to his friends and the person that he loved, I wanted to meet him in person and be friends with him. I get the feeling that he is who would take care of the people close to him and would never betray them. As for Ishibashi Shizuka, I thought of her as an amazing actress. At first, thanks to my previous drama experiences, I thought that her character would be a pain in the ass and she would create problems; however, she was actually a strong-willed individual who knew how to behave when she won or lost. Ishibashi, was able to perform her role in an elegant way.
WHAT BOTHERED ME
I will rephrase something that CINEMASINS say: “no drama is without a sin”. There is no perfect drama for me. I would always find something that bothers me. For instance, in kdramas what usually bothers me is the difference in the social classes that the main couple have. One has to be poor while the other is rich.
In jdramas, what usually bothers me is the fact that the main couple does not have much familiarity with each other. They do not help me, sympathise with the couple and understand their feelings for each other. That is what happened in this drama. Even though, I enjoyed their acting, I have to admit that I did not think of Kiki and Asaba as two people in love. I thought of them more like friends and colleagues, rather than people who have feelings for each other.
The next thing that bothered me was the unexplained use of time skips. I do realise that I am watching a series and that I don’t have to think a lot about this; but please do make it believable. For example, processes that would usually take many days or even weeks to be approved, were implemented the following hours. THAT’S NOT HOW IT WORKS. As an individual who has studied management, I could tell you that the steps from forming an idea and actually implementing that idea, is a long path! But, in the series they made it seem like they could do whatever they wanted, when they wanted.
Another thing that bothered me (THIS IS A HUGE SPOILER), was how Asaba made a move on Kiki, while she was in a relationship with his best friend! OHANA MEANS FAMILY! You can’t do that to your best friend, to someone who was always there for you, someone who has your back all the time, someone who is ready to fight for you. That’s just wrong! I do not care how much you love the other person; friends are irreplaceable!
The last thing that bothered me was the elevator. There were a few scenes, that I assume where shot, in an outside glass lift. I was rather bothered, and a little worried, with how fast that elevator was. I do not know if this is a standard speed for the lift in Japan, but I was sincerely worried about the people in them.
P.S. I want a series that focuses on “The Three Stooges”. I BEG YOU!
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Funny, entertaining and cool characters but writing went downhill with the crime
Up to the latest episodes this would have been a 9 for me, I was loving it, it was funny and light and had an interesting plot and characters. There were a couple of things of why it wouldn't have made it a 10 for me but overall I was impressed and very pleased with how funny it was and how it was developing, that is until they started unravelling the crime storyline.The mystery and crime in this show was interesting at the beginning and they did an ok job playing with the audience making you doubt if who you thought was the killer was correct. Personally as the episodes went I had it more and more clear so I was not surprised by the reveal and, although it was expected, not going to lie I was a bit disappointed at the same time because how his character was tackled.
The problem for me in the last few episodes is that they created multiple plotholes in the story and basically the writing went downhill, as well as how they decided to tackle the obstacles at hand. For most part of the show the premise has been that if a person had eyes closed FL couldn't see anything, but only in the last episodes it's revealed that actually she can hear in those blackout points, then it makes you wonder how she didn't hear anything the previous time she touched the killer, it made no sense. Sunglasses were an ok touch, but depending on where he was wearing them in the night you could have still seen flashes of lights in the distance or anything that would have made anyone suspicious and would have given away what they were using a lot earlier on. And this brings me then to, when they're chasing him in the last episode and knowing he was going to take the boat the next day, apply the same formula? Look for him in the night, desguise yourself and wear sunglasses?
The last episode is also made worse by:
- If she could hear there was absolutely no point in taking the killer out of the police station.
- She didn't even try to find Ok Hee with the information she had, it was not that difficult and she had a starting point, sweep the area with the police force and I'm sure they would have found her.
- Ok Hee Squad and Yong Myeong arrive to the area and keeps saying there is nothing around, but you could even see in the background there were some buildings so maybe stop asking and look around?
- Completely unbelievable the killer was able to take Ok Hee all the way there with his eyes closed. They spent half a show saying how it was impossible and there must have been a way, then he does it with his eyes closed like no problem for the final?
- ML and FL somehow manage to beat that group of people (super unrealistic to be able to beat all guys coming at you at once, but luckly they were doing like in videogames and only coming in one to three at a time...) and then after somehow they wait for a very long scene doing nothing other than touching their painful bodies in the background. No one tries to scape, not even the boss and ML/FL don't call the police...
- Earlier in the series I did think that this group of thugs would appear again at some point earlier in the story but they only brought them back for that? It was weak.
- The scene at the end with the prison was unnecesary and really added nothing, it felt dragged.
- What happened to the killer? Apparently he can even open doors and get other information to do anything he wants, how is he going to be contained in prison? Doubt the prison would believe he has powers and they need to do special arrangements for him. It's never tackled or explained, as are not the consequences of the actions of FL and ML in the last episode when essentially they go against the policemen in charge of the case, same when all of Ok Hee squad appears with the motorbikes and stop the policemen from moving.
- At times they were interacting with the killer in a manner that it felt they didn't even hold grudges against him.
A lot of plotholes were also caused by characters just playing dumb for the sake of the script, especially FL and SML. And I'm still wondering what happened to the cow, she had the most powers so maybe she's floating in space at this point... haha
This brings me to the characters. Generally I liked everyone except for FL, she was annoying many times, the classic dumb damsel in distress that puts everyone in danger and then blames others. At some points I was frustrated not going to lie.
Contrary to what I think is the general opinion I was not a fan of SML, his personality was pretty much made to keep you guessing and to be honest it's no wonder everyone thought it could be him, he was not clear and didn't give explanations, he was kept mysterious in that sense just for the sake of it. Who runs behind someone with a knife in hand and without even shouting or saying something? Who in their right mind knows who is the killer and still lives with him and doesn't go straight to the police? Why trying to tell her instead? The killer said he was smart, I think maybe he was intelligent but not smart., except for the message in arabic, that was smart but what are also the chances that FL would have touched the killer's butt then and not two months later? The plot said it would happen I guess, it was such a gamble.
The killer is ok for the most part, but I didn't personally like that the justification for his actions is pretty much that he's a psychopath doing things for fun. It's not the first kdrama I've watch that uses the same justification and I find it lazy, it's like creating the ultimate villain that is that way because yes. There is no real explanation to any of the murders and it did make me feel a bit dumb because throughout the series I kept trying to make connections between them and I think there were options to make the connection among them in one way or another. Instead it's just because they were there and maybe a couple because they rubbed him the wrong way a bit. I was wondering why he was obsessed with using that specific knife too, but there is no explanation. It's ok-ish I guess but not satisfactory to me.
I loved the comedy here, so many moments of laugh and fun, the references to 25/21 had me rolling. I also liked ML despite his flaws and I thought Ok Hee was so much fun with her squad and Kim Yong Myeong calling her eonni in that hilarious way. I did miss him in later episodes, he just disappeared once they put the comedy a lot more to the side.
I'm debating really if they should have chosen a different path for this series, in the sense that they could have kept the mystery and even crime (maybe not a serial killing but smaller cases?) and kept the comedy and lightheartedness all throughout the series. Even at the end when they bring it back for closure it felt a bit weird after all the crime and drama, I was not feeling it so much as the earlier episodes.
Overall I would recommend the series, it's entertaining and funny for the majority of the episodes. If you're looking for a romcom or romance focused series this is not it. It's not that there isn't romance, it's just not the main or secondary plot points of this show. FL likes SML but it's kept light, ML likes FL but it's kept light (although I have to say I enjoyed very much the way he would look her at times and the hints here and there, it was cute). Secondary characters like other secondary characters and their relationships are mostly in a comedy way, what it's fun romance that I enjoyed.
Not sure I would rewatch it, I would rewatch maybe until around episode 12 for the comedy, but I wouldn't rewatch after that.
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1 plot, 100 subplots
the keyword here was 18 "again", they just kept repeating things and branching out their subplots more and more. I don't blame them becasue they had to make a 2 hour movie into a 16 hour drama but they should've atleast only did 8eps. or at some point they should've made the ml forget his family and try to live his dream as it was intended, but after his wish suddenly he was chasing his kids and hanging out around his wife/getting jealous every two seconds.the good;
the family bonds
the friendships
the friendships in the family
the acting was nice
the directing was beautiful (ie the cinematography)
the comedy was sometimes good
the bad;
the existence of the 2nd lead
the 2nd leads backstory and his over confident and selfish personality (his flirting got on my nerve)
Deok Jin and Hae In's over complicated dragged out romance (we can't be together for blah blah reason)
and basically every plot unrelated to the fact that the ml was young again
the 1st ten or twenty mins and the last 5mins were the only thing plot related, suddenly they'd go out to eat
ep14-16 and the endless breakup was just horrible that made me reduce my ratings from 8.5 to 7
the ost was nice but that Hello Hello song was overused that it got on my nerve
there's a saying, "if you don't have a plot add a stalker" and guess what, they did
the work drama around the mom was "realistic" but they even got to ruin that, for 1- everyone randomly hated her, and 2- suddenly everyone forgot (I'm mostly talking about the boss)
and I never rewatch stuff
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A FRESH, ENGAGING CDRAMA❤️
FINAL REVIEW❤️A Heartwarming Journey of Growth and Self-Discovery
Filter, starring Tan Jianci and Li Landi, is a refreshing and heartfelt drama that beautifully blends humor, warmth, and life lessons. From start to finish, it offers a comforting and engaging experience, making it a perfect show to watch with family.
What Makes Filter Special?
✅ A Feel-Good Story with Depth
While Filter is lighthearted and comedic, it never feels shallow. Instead, it weaves important messages about self-acceptance, personal growth, and understanding others. Each episode leaves you with something to reflect on, making it more than just an entertaining watch.
✅ Genuine Chemistry and Strong Performances
Tan Jianci and Li Landi bring their characters to life with natural and endearing performances. Their chemistry feels effortless, making every interaction engaging. The entire cast contributes to the drama’s lively and heartwarming atmosphere.
✅ Perfect Blend of Comedy and Emotion
The humor in Filter never feels forced or cringy. It strikes the right balance—lighthearted yet meaningful. The comedic moments flow naturally, while the emotional depth ensures the drama stays impactful.
✅ Valuable Lessons About Self-Acceptance
One of the most beautiful aspects of Filter is its message about embracing one’s true self. The drama highlights how societal expectations and personal insecurities can shape our perceptions, but ultimately, true beauty lies in self-acceptance. It encourages viewers to see their own worth beyond superficial filters, making it a truly empowering watch.
✅ A Drama That Stays With You
Beyond entertainment, Filter leaves a lasting impression by teaching valuable lessons about perspective, relationships, and the importance of being authentic. It reminds viewers to appreciate both the big and small moments in life, making it a drama that resonates deeply.
Final Thoughts
Filter is a gem of a drama that leaves you feeling happy, warm, and inspired. It’s not just about romance or comedy—it’s about life itself, and most importantly, about accepting and loving who you are. If you’re looking for a drama that will uplift your mood while offering meaningful insights, Filter is a must-watch.
EARLIER REVIEW❤️
After finishing four episodes of Filter today, I’m completely obsessed—I need more ASAP! This drama is an absolute gem, and I can’t stop laughing. It’s so refreshing and different from the usual C-dramas, making it even more addictive. Every scene is pure entertainment, and I’m living for it! Tan Jianci and Li Landi are comedic gold—their chemistry, expressions, and energy are just perfect. I’m loving every second of it🤣🤣🤣❤️❤️❤️❤️
From the very first episodes, Filter proves to be more than just an entertaining drama—it carries a deep and meaningful message about self-worth, confidence, and respect for women. Beneath its humor lies a refreshing take on societal norms, breaking free from the traditional portrayals of female leads that often reinforce unrealistic beauty standards. In a world where media often pressures women to strive for impossible beauty standards, Filter is a breath of fresh air. It provides a comforting and uplifting experience for viewers, reminding them that beauty is not about fitting into a mold but about embracing one’s true self. Every confident girl is the most beautiful, and Filter makes sure to highlight this message in a way that feels both natural and empowering.
For anyone looking for a drama that is not only fun to watch but also carries a meaningful and positive message, Filter is a must-see. It’s incredibly satisfying, proving that entertainment can be both enjoyable and socially impactful.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Filter is a breath of fresh air in the world of C-dramas, blending humor, mystery, and heartwarming moments seamlessly. The drama captivates viewers with its unique storyline, stellar cast, and perfect comedic timing, making it a must-watch for fans of engaging, well-crafted entertainment.
Tan Jianci and Li Landi – A Perfect Duo
Tan Jianci once again proves why he is one of the most talented actors in the industry. His performance is effortless, balancing comedy, wit, and emotional depth with ease. His expressive eyes and impeccable comedic timing make every scene enjoyable, showing once again that talent should be the true measure of an actor’s worth.
Li Landi is equally impressive, bringing charm, intelligence, and strong emotional depth to her role. She portrays her character with authenticity, making her instantly likable. Her chemistry with Tan Jianci is natural and delightful, making their interactions one of the highlights of the show. She holds her own in every scene, proving she is a force to be reckoned with.
A Well-Cast Ensemble with Perfect Chemistry
Beyond the leads, the entire cast brings the script to life with strong performances and undeniable chemistry. The interactions feel natural and never forced, making the humor land effectively. Unlike some comedies that rely on over-the-top acting, Filter strikes the perfect balance, ensuring that the humor feels organic and genuinely funny.
A Unique and Engaging Plot
What sets Filter apart from other dramas is its fresh and unpredictable storyline. It keeps viewers intrigued while maintaining a lighthearted tone, making it an enjoyable watch for all ages.
A Must-Watch for C-Drama Fans
If you’re looking for a drama that will make you laugh, keep you entertained, and appreciate truly talented actors, Filter is the perfect choice. Tan Jianci and Li Landi deliver outstanding performances, making the drama even more engaging. This is one of those rare shows that can be enjoyed with family, making it even more special.
Final Verdict: 1000/10
A refreshing, fun, and well-executed drama that showcases Tan Jianci and Li Landi’s brilliance. If you haven’t watched Filter yet, you’re missing out!
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This review may contain spoilers
Too Much Hype, Not Enough Sustenance
Before I begin, I will be spoiling a lot of key plot points in this review. Please read this after watching the drama.Plot summary: Two men, Pran (Nanon) and Pat (Ohm), grew up next to one another. Even though they're the same age, like Romeo and Juliet, their families hate one another due to past bad blood between Pat's father and Pran's mother. The two had been secret friends since childhood, but once Pran's mom found out that her son was friend's with Pat, she moved Pran to another school. Years later, the two are reunited in university studying at rival majors: Engineering and Architecture. Once the two meet, they discover that not only are they in the same school, they also live across the hall from one another. The more time they spend together, Pat realizes that he's always loved Pran. Pran has always had a secret crush on Pat. The two decide to get together, but being from rival households and rival majors at school, they have to navigate carefully or else they will have to break up.
The overall plot of the story is quite easy to follow, as it's a tale that's been told a million times. So there's not much originality when it comes to the plot, except that instead of a man or a woman, they're two men. My biggest critiques about GMMTV plots is that they're predictable. Episodes 1-4 usually spend time on exposition. 5-7 the two characters start falling in love. By episode 8, they are usually together, and in episode 9 we start running into the 3rd and final conflict in their relationship which takes the remainder of the drama. Episode 11 usually wraps up the drama, and episode 12 closes everyone's story arch with (usually) happy endings for everyone. I've watched so many GMMTV stories that the predictability can be a bit annoying, especially with a well known plot like a Romeo and Juliet romance.
I will now discuss my X number of grievances with this drama in no particular order.
1. The side characters did not get enough time for what I think was needed for them to actually have a role. A pet peeve of mine with side characters is that if they aren't doing significant work in the drama to have them, why show them at all? I felt like Pa and Ink's addition to the story was quite welcomed. I loved having a lesbian couple, but since the story was not about them, we barely saw their relationship bloom and even focus on them after they got together. It was just like, they're together, but we don't have time to expand on how the two developed. Mo, Louis, Safe, and Chang had no reason to be in the story as they barely had lines and could easily be removed without changing anything in the story. Korn, got more lines in the later episodes, but he was basically unneeded except to start fights. Wai is probably the only side character that mattered as he becomes a villain of some sorts in the middle.
2. Half of the story felt like fanservice. Ohm not having his shirt on for most of the drama, or taking it off every chance he could get was well great eye candy, but was it needed for the story? I felt like they knew it would attract fans by him having it off. Like a lot of the extra things that the characters did with one another to me felt like it was to have us enjoy them having sweet moments together, but not because the characters themselves would have acted like that with one another.
3. I say this about every GMMTV show. Stop having actors sell products. It takes away from the drama. Figure out a way to sell your sponsors without literally praising how good the product is in the show. Like, every show has sponsors but at this point is to have it in the background enough times that people implicitly see it and recognize your brand. It's not for your actors to sell it in the show. It disrupts the flow of the show.
4. Pran has already known and accepted his feelings for Pat. He already knew he liked him. However, Pran up until episode 4, thought he was completely straight. I would have like more than the simple one-liner where he says something like "Love is love, and I can fall in love with anyone regardless of gender." I felt like this just a revision of the horrible, I'm not gay, but I just love you trope. Instead of just saying the character is outright gay, it's that they're in love with the person or pansexual, which is fine. However, to me, it reads as, we're still keeping the female fans by giving them a bone and making them fall in love with Pat's character because he could still be in a straight relationship.
5. I read in some other review that this drama was made for the LGBTQ+ community and I couldn't disagree with this comment more. I felt like it was quite targeting to women and not the LGBTQ+ movement at all. As a gay a man, I would've loved to see more actual support for the community than fan service to make the girls fall in love. Being openly gay, or in an openly gay relationship is quite scary even if you're in Thailand. I love to see the inner struggle that gay characters go through to be themselves.
6. The plot was a bit childish at parts. Like why are grown adults fighting like high school kids. I asked my Thai friends how realistic this was and they all said not at all. It's like, why are grown adults fighting on campus? Because of some stupid rivalry. Give me a break. Unfortunately, this plot takes the first 4 episodes which makes it so boring. Even the parents. Like, I was pissed at the dad, but this whole plot point was introduced and never really resolved.
7. The pacing was poor. We spent so much time, like 4 episodes, setting the fact that they all hate one another except Pran and Pat who secretly know each other. That needed one episode. The building of the two group's tension was unneeded since most of these characters have no importance in the plot, let alone lines. The ending felt rushed from episodes 9-12. It was like, we needed to tie up loose ends, so let's even jump ahead 4 years. Show that things are kinda changing but not really... Or, that tag at the end where they're 5 years into their relationship and playing a drinking game about what they don't know about each other, albeit cute, was just fan service.
What I did Like:
1. Despite having a lot of things I overall disliked, I did find the drama enjoyable. I do recommend people to watch it because Ohm and Nanon are both excellent actors. The two had great chemistry. Especially episodes 5-8. These episodes were really well-written and well-acted. The emotions were very raw and I related to it quite well.
2. Some of the plot was interesting, especially during the whole Wai saga. He became a super villain and I was all for it.
3. The cinematography was gorgeous. I loved a lot of the emotional night scenes.
4. I loved Pa and Ink's relationship. They both had chemistry. I wish they would have their own series. I think they're both great actresses.
Final Thoughts:
I liked it. I don't think it's better than some of the other BLs. But I think it's worth the watch, especially for the episodes where their acting really shined.
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This review may contain spoilers
You are the sum of all your experiences, learn from it and be a better person.
The ultimate question: Did they live happily ever after, as a couple? Or, did they live happily ever after, as friends?Answer: it can go either way, 50-50.
Here's why.
As I mentioned in the previous weeks, this show is a story about love, relationships, break-ups, forgiveness, and moving on. This is not a fantasy romance where we would feel we are in heaven, and dream of Mr. Right and Ms. Perfect. No, none of that.
My first romantic relationship lasted for three (3) years. She was my first, and I was her first. We broke up, we talked, we closed things properly. But, guess what? We both failed to moved on.
In our case, she got married a few years later. It took us 11 more years to have a real closure. We failed to move on because we were not honest with ourselves, and we did not learn to forgive ourselves.
Before we can truly move on, we need to forgive the other party. But, we can not forgive other people if we do not forgive our own self first. To be able to forgive our own self, we need to face the reality and embrace it.
Yes, it is a process. It can take years, or it can take as short as a minute. It does not matter if you understand the process, there are people who can truly move on fast without being aware of the process.
Personally, I have proven that process to myself, when in late 2020, my 15-year relationship ended. When I learned to face reality, when I learned to embrace it. It was only then I was able to forgive myself.
It felt good. The heavy burden in my mind, and on my shoulders, were lifted. I was able to finally breathe. Then, I was able to forgive and thank her, even though I was only talking to the air.
It took me three (3) months, and I also had to put a deadline for myself. What do I mean? I told myself, “after this date, all is over, period”. After that date passed, I moved on. I started to smile.
Once we have truly moved on, that is only the time that healing begins. There is no healing if you can not smile. There is no healing if you can stomach hearing your ex's (or enemy's) name. You are not healing at all if you are still reacting emotionally when you see that other person's shadows, or hear them breath.
All these things are what “The Interest of Love” was telling us.
We all know that love and relationships are complicated, but do we truly understand it?
The 1FL was mostly pessimistic in the entire show. Rightly so, because there are people who are pessimistic. They do exist, and if you have not met at least one pessimistic person, you have not truly lived. The 1FL represents people who are pessimistic.
While the 1ML is a type of person who have a positive outlook in life, who was later crashed because of love. He was that type of person you have probably met once who never had time about love and relationships. But, when their heart was stolen by someone, they had no idea how to act and handle things.
Our pessimist 1FL eventually grew and started to have a positive outlook in life. All because of the 1ML.
At the same time, our 1ML, who had no idea about love and relationships, learned to listen and understand other people. All because of the 1FL.
Are you seeing how these two characters are helping each other grow? That is love and relationship. In episode 16, they even asked, “Were we really in love?” Because their relationship as two individuals was closer than they care to admit.
Let's take a detour.
There is also an important contrast between the 1ML and the 2ML. The 2ML acted badly when he heard the news that the 1FL slept with another man (note: there was no concrete proof if she did or not). The last word he told the 1FL was, “b**ch”.
However, what struck me was the 2ML also grew. Instead of sulking, or trying to find the 1FL and, maybe, force her back into a relationship after apologising, he decided to just call it.
Like what I mentioned earlier, the 2ML faced his reality and embraced it. He was not able to ask for forgiveness in person, but he knew he was forgiven because he learned to forgive himself.
He turned his bad experiences as a source of strength. He focused on his studies, and eventually achieved his dream to become a police officer.
Meanwhile, the 1ML was not giving up. He tried to find the 1FL, and he did, only to lose her again. And for the next four years, he tried to survive, hoping to see her one more time. (We are assuming he chose the branch himself.)
Another detour. The 2FL! Let's not forget her.
What type of character was she? She is that person who will do anything to get what they want. Not necessarily rich and wealthy people, mind you, there are ordinary people who get what they want just because. The 2FL represents those type of persons.
However, when it comes to love and relationships, it's either shallow or one-sided. First, she accepted the fact that the 1ML has eyes for the 1FL, but when he needed a shoulder to cry on, she freely offered herself. This is what we call “rebound relationship”.
For the 2FL, as long as she gets what she wanted, it is fine for her to be the rebound. The bad effect of this is that, the other person (the 1ML in this case) will never be fully into that relationship. They are either still thinking of the other person (the 1FL in this case), or they are only using the rebound relationship to heal (and once they healed, they will more likely leave).
The 1ML, who was growing because of the 1FL, realised this and broke up with her. Three years later, the 2FL returned to Korea, healed. In episode 16, she mentioned that she is fine talking about the 1ML because she (truly) moved on.
They even showed a scene how the 2FL saw the 1ML during the wedding, and it did not bother her. Was it because she found a new boyfriend? No, it wasn't about faithfulness and loyalty to her new boyfriend. In the first place, if she has not truly moved on, she would not be able to have a new boyfriend, that is not her character. Not to mention, she would not show up in the wedding knowing that they may cross paths.
The 2FL grew and learned what it means to love and have a relationship. Not just a romantic relationship, but also a relationship with her father.
Which brings us back to the 1FL and her relationship with her father. Like the 2FL, the 1FL also have a strained relationship with her father, although different, they are both not close to them.
See the contrast and 'relationships'?
And now, we are in episode 16. We have gone full circle when the 1ML and the 1FL started to talk about their “what-ifs”. This is a different kind of “what-ifs”.
Usually, “what-ifs” are regrets. However, in the case of the 1ML and 1FL, it was an intellectual discourse. Would things between them have ended up differently… if…?
There were no regrets when they looked back at their memories. Why? How? Simple. They learned to face and embrace their reality, and have forgiven themselves, and each other.
They moved on from the pain they caused each other. And they used those experiences to grow for the next four years of their lives.
Thus, when they met again, they were simply two ___healed___ individuals reminiscing their time together.
Think of it this way, tabula rasa. Clean slate.
They can choose to become a couple. Or, they can decide to remain as “special” friends.
I personally know married couples who broke up and later met again 4+ years later. They rekindled their love and relationship.
I, myself, went through the latter. Remember the first relationship I shared earlier, which took 11 years before we finally were able to moved on? Whenever our paths cross, after the true closure, there are no more lingering emotions and feelings between us. We can talk about the past normally, as in, just the past.
Some would probably say, “well, she's married and have children”. Sure, that's valid. However, even if she is still single, that part of our lives is long gone. We have reached the point wherein we will never cross our unwritten and undiscussed boundaries. We are just nothing but “special” friends.
I can see it in her eyes, and I am sure she can see it in my eyes, too. The past is the past. It's over between us, permanently. There is nothing to rekindle. We can reminisce, but that's it, nothing to rekindle. Our love for each other changed to something akin to brother and sister.
This is why the ending of “The Interest of Love” was like that.
Here are two individuals, whose lives were entwined when they were younger and innocent. Four years later, having learned from their experiences, and have forgiven themselves in the process, their paths crossed again.
They are representing two types of “couples”.
The first is: those couples who rekindled their love and gotten married later.
The second is: those couples, like me and my first, who will never have a romantic relationship ever again, but remain good friends.
It is up to the audience to decide which path the 1ML and the 2FL will choose. They can remain as friends, having grown and learned from each other. Or, they can rekindle their love and see where it goes this time around.
After all, they did ask and realised, “were we in love then?”
These are what the 1ML, 1FL, 2FL, and the 2ML, all learned in their lives:
You are the sum of your experiences. Learn from it and become a better person. Never harbour hatred and bitterness, rather, listen and understand each other.
All of our relationships are important. Be it romantic, as friends, or with our families. In these personal relationships, let love encompassed it all.
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However, on the other hand, I like the acting especially Woobin's. The part when he reunites with his mother just simply touched me - the only scene I cried throughout the whole show.
In conclusion, I won't find this drama that worth to watch unless you are a fan of any of the main casts.
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