Completed
Cruel Love
29 people found this review helpful
Feb 21, 2012
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
KSW and KSS......unapologetically MALE!!!

I enjoyed the more mature/realistic intense storyline for a change. My last couple of dramas were of the 5Star comedic light weight variety ...,"Soulmate".....The Woman Who Still Wants To Get Married"..., Sungkyunkwan Scandal , so it was past time for a more serious drama. KSW and KSS did not disappoint and were the reason for the 9.5 rating, otherwise a 8.5. If you liked "All In"...,"A Time To Kill"...."A Man’s Story" ...just something different, you’ll probably like this..
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Completed
Taxi Driver Season 2
29 people found this review helpful
Apr 16, 2023
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

If you want a good revenge story ...

Watch this. Lee Je-hoon is one of the prettiest man to look at - very obviously - but his acting skills shine through with this one as well. I personally didn't enjoy the first season as much as I've enjoyed this one. It was funny, witty, sad and absolutely satisfying for anyone, who looks for a good revenge plot. The characters are relatable and smart, and did I mention that Kim Do-Ki is one of the prettiest people ever? That's that. Loved it!! It might not be for everyone but it was a definite feast for me.
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Completed
Forgotten
29 people found this review helpful
Nov 25, 2020
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
**I watched this back in July 2020; review taken from my blog: http://fearstreetzombiereviews.blogspot.com/2020/07/review-forgotten.html **

I heard about how amazing this movie was from a couple of people. Okay, tiktok. I heard it on tiktok. But when you see it's on numerous people's lists of "must watch" - you can't help but to think "Oh this is going to be such a amazing movie!"
*Insert Jim Carry freaking out in Liar Liar*

You know the saying "One million people can't be wrong."? ... Well... this group of people can be. Lol Okay, no, they aren't wrong. That's just me being a dick. Lol they really aren't wrong. The movie isn't bad. It just wasn't my thing. I feel like I should have been on drugs to watch this movie.

It's just hate being confused, y'all. With a freaking passion I hate it. This movie kept me confused up till the verrrryyyyyyyyy very very end. So I give them that, it keeps you on your toes. It's just the constant "What the hell is happening?" that I kept asking every five seconds drove me nuts. Lol I felt mind fucked. I don't like that feeling!!

As for the acting I enjoyed all of it except the "parents", the dad just I don't know... I wasn't a fan. But the mother's acting was really good. They all were minus the dad... unless he was supposed to be that way? Huh... Who knows! I really liked the main character though. Sucks he went through all of that.
The storyline itself was a new one for me. I didn't expect that or see that coming. Not going to lie though, I expected more OOMPH from this, but it didn't really give me that. Unless it did but my brain was to clouded with "What. The. Hell. Is. Happening?" lol

Would I recommend this? Yes. Would I say I personally liked it, no. But again that is because of how it made me feel. I'm pretty sure this would have been a easy 10 if my own head didn't get in the way. Haha

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Ongoing 15/15
To My Shore
29 people found this review helpful
by Vadie Finger Heart Award1 Flower Award1 Clap Clap Clap Award1
Nov 22, 2025
15 of 15 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

Absolutely worth the watch

As someone else has already mentioned, this isn’t a fluffy or cute show, that’s true. Maybe down the line it will be a little lighter, but right now it’s a bit intense. Even with only two episodes out, the tension between You Shu Lang and Fan Xiao is already so addictive. Their dynamic is messy, complicated, and honestly kind of thrilling to watch.

The chemistry works without being forced. The characters already feel layered, with hidden sides that make every interaction unpredictable. The visuals are cinematic, the vibe is dramatic but grounded, and the story has a quiet tension that makes it hard to stop watching. I’d suggest waiting until more episodes have aired, because some people tend to enjoy shows or get the full experience of a show better that way.

I’m definitely sticking around to see how their relationship develops, this one’s already way more compelling than I expected.

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Completed
Forgotten
29 people found this review helpful
by isa
Aug 19, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

one of the best thriller!

..... selama ini gw ngerasa ini salah satu thriller terbaik yg korea punya. Emang sih, cuma setelah gw rewatch untuk yg ke-2(?) kalinya malah ngerasa plotnya gampang ketebak(?) Semacam ada hintnya gitu knp si yooseok bisa semarah itu. Tapi balik lg sih, kalo baru pertama nonton pasti ga nyangka jalan ceritanya begitu awokwowko 🤣 sinematografinya ok sih, gelap2 gitu sesuai genre dan pengambilan gambarnya juga keren. Suasana thrilling sama horornya dapet. Terus bgm!!!!! Kacau banget, 11-12 ama parasite. Beneran sebagus & setepat itu momentnya. Untuk acting gausah ditanyain lagi la ya, gw mah percaya aja kalo yg maen kang haneul sm kim muyeol 😃👍🏻

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Completed
No Tail to Tell
29 people found this review helpful
Mar 1, 2026
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 4.0
Story 3.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 2.0

"A Predictable Fantasy Romance"

“No Tail to Tell" revisits a very familiar K-drama trope: the gumiho, a nine-tailed fox caught between the supernatural and human worlds. The problem isn’t the myth itself, but how it’s handled here—very conventionally, without originality or depth. This story has been told before, and often much better.

The plot follows Eun-ho, a gumiho who refuses to become human, until an incident involving Kang Si-yeol, a world-famous football star, forces her to live as a mortal. This premise could have explored themes like identity loss, human fragility, and the choice between immortality and love, but the drama settles for predictable situations, artificial conflicts, and a romance that develops without genuine emotional tension.

The writing is shallow. Eun-ho’s transformation, which should be a major turning point, is quickly normalized. The dilemmas exist, but they’re never explored in depth. Emotional scenes lack impact, and several episodes feel more like filler than meaningful story progression.

The main cast does their best. Lomon brings charisma to his role, though Kang Si-yeol remains a stereotypical cold, controlling athlete who eventually softens. Kim Hye-yoon delivers subtlety and nuance as Eun-ho, especially in her more vulnerable moments. Their chemistry is decent but can’t make up for the weak writing.

The supporting cast is particularly underwhelming. Many secondary characters are underdeveloped or unnecessary. The shaman, who could have been pivotal in the supernatural and mythological elements, contributes almost nothing, seeming included merely for folklore flavor without any narrative purpose.

Lee Hoon’s character also had the potential to add real tension or depth but is poorly utilized. His role is minimal, with little impact on the story, leaving viewers feeling like an opportunity for meaningful conflict was wasted.

Even the production can’t elevate the series. The fantasy atmosphere is there, but it never reaches intensity. The drama never takes risks and stays firmly in its comfort zone.

In short, “No Tail to Tell" fails to stand out either in originality or writing quality. The gumiho premise feels overdone, the supporting cast is weak, and certain characters—like the shaman and Lee Hoon—are largely wasted. Despite the efforts of the lead duo, the drama remains bland and forgettable.

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Ongoing 6/4
En of Love: Love Mechanics
29 people found this review helpful
Apr 19, 2020
6 of 4 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 7.0
I would really commend the production and cast of the show since portraying a story within just 4 episodes is really not an easy task especially for the director and the cast who would convey the feelings of their character. Specifically this part of En of Love--Love Mechanics, I personally liked the #VeeMark. In my opinion, VeeMark visuals surpasses the TOSSARA, and there's a lot of emotions being poured by the character so i really commend the talent of War and Yin. The OST are sad, the opening song is sad, the ending song is sad, and Mark is sad :( I'm looking forward for more series that shall come to Mark and Yin. I hope this series becomes a success. I will recommend this.

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Completed
Mermaid’s Jade
29 people found this review helpful
by Jake
Feb 3, 2021
Completed 3
Overall 5.0
Story 4.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 2.5

I really wanted to like this movie more than I did

It's not every day that we see a Chinese BL movie, and one that contains some explicit scenes too.

However, steamy sex scenes cannot cover up bad writing. While the premise is promising, with an historical-fantasy theme, the execution itself is quite poor. In the first minutes of the film we learn that there are three factions of races in the world - dragons, humans and mermen - and that they are all in constant conflict with one another. Why? that's a great question, but you won't receive a clear answer throughout the movie. The love story between the two main characters develops way too quickly - they go straight from enemies to lovers. There are many more problems with the script other than these two, but I don't want to add any spoilers.

The acting itself was good , considering the story. It seems they all tried to do their best.

The music was not noteworthy. Not bad, but not outstanding either.

Overall I probably won't watch it again. And that's a shame, really, because with better writing it could have been a really great movie.

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Completed
Alchemy of Souls
125 people found this review helpful
Aug 28, 2022
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 6
Overall 9.0
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.0

Alchemy of Everything...

Honestly, I was a little excited because of So Min and Jae Wook when the news broke out, and that was fair, but that’s it. I thought I’d check it out when it drops. When it premiered and the response was huge, including in my circle, I wanted to try out soon. Very happy to announce that it went beyond my expectations. Such a well-made drama with mind-blowing plot development and intriguing elements. If more of such dramas are made in Korea in future, this will definitely be in the top 5, along with “Arthdral Chronicles”.

Produced by ‘Studio Dragon’ & ‘High Quality’, “Alchemy of Souls (환혼)” is an adventure fantasy, set in an alternative period drama. Written by Hong sisters (Jung Eun & Mi Ran) and directed by Park Joon Hwa, the drama ran for 10 weeks, originally on tvN and internationally distributed by Netflix. The principal photography was done in the filming set worth 5 billion won, constructed in Maseong-myeon city of North Gyeongsang Province.

The show takes place in the backdrop of Daeho, a fictional country, and follows a tale of the mages protecting the world against the evil that is trying to bring back a legendary object that will be accompanied by chaos and destruction. ‘Alchemy of Souls’ is a prohibited process used to switch souls between bodies. It keeps at center, Naksu (Go Yoon Jung), an elite mage with unbelievable power, who gets trapped in the body of a mysterious girl, Mu Deok (Jung So Min), and loses her power. Then she meets Jang Uk (Lee Jae Wook), a young master who is in search of a master to learn spells as he was prevented to do so immediately since birth. Together they try to gain and regain their power, as they keep discovering the intertwined fate, they were in bound to come across.

Daeho have different lineages of families of mages, each of which play specific positions and are connected with the leadership of the royal family. Seo family owning Sejukwon the grand infirmary and hub for hospitality, Park family owning Songrim, the most influential space training best of mages, Jin family owns Jinyowon, the place of rarest items and host of powerful priestesses and Jang Family, the hire to the Danju of Chunbugwan , the record keeping organization.

Seo Yul (Hwang Min Hyun) and Park Dang Gu (Yoo In Su) are Songrim mages with ParK Jin (Yoo Jun Sang) as the leader. Heo Yeom (Lee Do Kyung) is the leader of Sejukwon and Maidservant Kim (Oh Na Ra) is the housemaker at Jang Family. Jin Ho Kyung (Park Eun Hye) is the leader of Jinyowon with her daughter Jin Cho Yeon (Arin). Jin Mu (Jo Jae Yoon) is the Asst. Danju at Cheonbugwan. Go Won (Shin Seung Ho) is the crown prince, whereas Go Soon (Choi Kwang Il) and Seo Ha Sun (Kang Kyung Heon) are the King and the Queen of Daeho. Ju Wol (Park Soo Jin) is the leader of Chwiseollu, the place of gisaengs.

Plot development is amazing, very balanced at that, with fair share of twists, peaks and revelations in each episode, that are well-explained at their due time. The connecting plots have been arranged and embellished in a way that it intrigues at each point. The introduction itself was gratifying, indicating an appealing journey ahead, and the furtherance in next few episodes was smooth and engaging. The plot elements get intertwined soon after and everything seems intricated, as intended by the makers and the paced revelations of key facts is what makes the audience to keep going with the show throughout.

Hong sisters never disappoint. Just like their previous dramas, this was amazing and probably their career best, for the story and concept is unique, the elements are intriguing as well as overwhelmingly outstanding, the plot development is pleasing and the twists plus revelations are astonishing to core. Some facts were a bit assumable but considering the number of key elements and lengthy runtime of the drama, that’s very low. The characters have been built-up with great care and have fair shares of depth to themselves and the development of the ML Jang Uk was visibly very gratifying. The process of unveiling the mystery bit by bit was entertaining and satisfying.

Park Joon Hwa PDnim for the ace he is, has come back stronger after 3 years with the drama, which prolly is his first period fiction even though its an alternate fantasy; this should go to one of his best dramas list. The amount of time taken for the production is definitely worth seeing the outcomes, both the quality, the experiences and the response of audience, i. e. the popularity. The scenario setup for all of the major places were aptly done, along with the maintained and regulated changes to the actual culture. Both the CGI & VFX work were well-incorporated as necessitated which should be sufficiently commended. The cinematography also deserves an A+.

Composed by Nam Hye Sung PDnim, the show has a good set of OSTs
# “Scars Leave Beautiful Trace” by Car, the Garden felt like a force of motivation to me than a confession of love. The lyrics is beautifully coded to empower someone’s willpowers and is my most favorite for the way its been used in the drama.
# “Aching” by Kassy is soulfully melancholic song about foregone adversities that have caused immense pain until achieving prosperity. The notes of the chorus is gut-wrenching.
# “Just Watching You” by Jung Se Woon is a touching divulgence of sweet memories to create with someone you are in love with. The lyrics is very well-versed.
# “Raindrops” by Gummy is heartfelt rendition of one’s emotions of being loved at times of odd.

The other 3 tracks are…
# “You’re Everything to Me” by Shin Yong Jae
# ‘Breath” by Kim Na Young
# ‘Love Letter (with you)” by Big Naughty

The concept of alchemy and controlling earthly elements with the flow of energy, rather than citing it as just magic tricks, came as a very fresh illustration of fantasy in Kdramas and the idea od ice stone as well as the process of performing soul-shifting were as beguiling. I loved how this basic aspect were incorporated throughout into an interconnected and intricate narrative, involving the characters and to ease the murkiness in the ambience, we got moderate comedy, teen romance, heartful confessions and everything else that we see in modern drama.

The drama and its alternative world gave the makers the advantage of altering and introducing aspects historical without any hesitation, hence bringing out unique propositions, from outfits to cultures and from architecture to laws of the land. The modification of hanboks into solid and designed clothes, while preserving the basic outlines plus the various hairstyles and dyed hair, and then the simple accessories, all of them felt very fresh. I particularly loved them not abiding to the strict-law formulas, that we often see in real sageuk dramas, which also included no class differentiation among people though there were poors and riches.

I came to admire the narrative surrounding the mighty “ice stone” and how both Jang Uk and Mu Deok utilized their knowledge to decipher the underlying meanings and take actions as necessary. The idea of defining it as a medium for the flow of energy between the sky and the earth, in an indescribable form than a mere stone of ice, did strike me to core. The use of elements like Gwigu and ‘Word of Hearts’ as props were very well-handled. The legend of Master Seo Gyeong and the charismatic acts of Master Lee plus his discovery of certain other elements were both entertaining and enticing.

The storytelling was able behold everyone’s interest for its way of defining characters, elements and sub-stories, all combined into a beautifully appealing script. Hong sisters got wise about dividing the entire development of the current time with multiple narratives: the 200-year-old chaos, the 10-year-old misfortunes, the past of Naksu and Mu Deok, the current tragedy, Jang Uk’s journey, Jin Mu’s pans, etc. The careful establishment of connnections between different subplots and explanations for each suspicion have been very adequately done.

The incorporation of the swords and using it as a part of casting spells, controlling energy and performing different tricks was another intriguing element that I loved the most. The way the sword demanded the master’s competence to get activated and their appearances as in the designs sketched over were beautiful. Every duel between the mages were absolute treats with the well-organized actions. The performance of “alchemy of souls” and the graphics used to represent were bewitching to begi with and Naksu did it the best, be it in her own body or in Mu Deok’s.

Jung So Min and Lee Jae Wook chemistry will surely be a favourite, for the manner in which the relationship between them developed with two dimensions was an amazing experience. It was like two people altering their moods on two sides of a sheet in the same room. The way Jang Uk’s mood changes from Seonsaeng-nim to Mu Deok-ah in just seconds, I could not help but laugh until my stomach hurt. I guess those unsettling boundaries made them fall in love without their conscious and I particulary loved Uk’s way of showing his emotions.

Jung So Min is actually talented and I really hope she gets to play roles of different spectrum from now on. The duality she carried in two contrasting moods, Naksu and Mu Deok, was tremendously delivered; I can say she has improved a lot in a decade and this will be one of his best performances. Escalating the country-style habit of speech to behavior of Mu Deok to the solid and steady manners of Naksu, and vice versa, wasn’t really that smooth of a task.

Jang Uk had evidently the best character development among all bc of how his character was built-up from the scratch; from a guy with no power to turning a powerful mage who can outrank everyone else easily, we saw a engaging jouney, with Naksu obviously. Idk what but I presume it was his love for Mu Deok that also nourished him to be a thoughtful and wise man and made him carry out tasks that nobody thought he’d do or be able to. His expressions are something else; one moment he’s too serious and then he becomes an innocent puppy; his playfulness around Mu Deok were admirable. Lee Jae Wook deserves all the praises and appreciations for his acting, I hope his era is finally here.

Shin Seung Ho as the Crown Prince was developed with good amount of attention and honestly his character grew in an unexpected direction; be it his bromance with Jang Uk or his tease-party with Mu Deok, I loved his interactions with others, when I thought he will not have much to do in the story. But at the end, I ended up admiring him so much. Arin and Min Hyun as rookie stars did deliver nice; Cho Yeon had limited time but she appeared so geaceful and Seo Yul as a handsome and talented mage, might not have much importance in the story, but he shined very bright within his character. Yoo In Su as Park Dang Gu was a great source of humor and his presence in the scenes did lighten the mood, for sure.

Final Remarks… I don’t think I have much left to confess about the drama but I can say with confidence that everything about the drama has influenced me a lot, in various ways and various points. The fact that most of aspects from writing to direction and acting to outcomes, have been a good experience, we must appreciate the team for their efforts in making a nearly flawless piece of art. I also wanna commend them for bringing this amazing cast together and it will stay in the memory forever.

If you are fan of sageuks or fantasy or alternate realities and adventure, this is a very good compilation of all of that, presented in a gratifying manner. There should be no doubt in starting it if you are still in the dilemma due to the longer runtimes and 20 episodes bc the time invested will be worth. I am happy they cleared the air about the possible 2nd part with confirming its arrival late this year, before finishing this one, so I will be eagerly waiting for my new year treat, hehe. Also, its needed bc the original script is that long and the makers had already decided on it, even before beginning the project, so no complaints.

PLEASE WATCH THIS!

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Completed
A Dog and a Plane
92 people found this review helpful
Jun 2, 2026
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

✨ Unbeatable main couple chemistry backed by a stellar supporting cast!


THIS IS THE ULTIMATE MUST-WATCH BL COMEDY🔥🤌🏻
TayNew's iconic chaotic chemistry shines. Director Jojo Tichakorn delivers flawless comic timing and high energy, by just watching 1st episode of the series I am hooked. Backed by a stellar supporting cast including Mond, Ryu, and Tui..❤️❤️
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Completed
The Story of Pearl Girl
92 people found this review helpful
by AdeliaVanes Finger Heart Award1 Coin Gift Award1
Nov 3, 2024
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

The Story of Pearl Girl is Trully Masterpiece

The drama was truly outstanding, an unforgettable experience from start to finish. It combined a gripping story with exceptional performances that brought each character to life in a way that felt raw and real. The cinematography was breathtaking, with stunning visuals that drew you into each scene, making every moment feel immersive and vivid. The soundtrack was equally impressive, perfectly matched to the emotions of each scene, heightening the drama and adding depth to the storytelling. Overall, the film was masterfully crafted, leaving a lasting impact and reminding viewers of the power of great cinema. It’s the kind of movie that resonates with you long after the credits roll.

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Completed
Boys over Flowers
92 people found this review helpful
by Imara
Dec 20, 2017
25 of 25 episodes seen
Completed 8
Overall 2.0
Story 2.5
Acting/Cast 2.0
Music 3.5
Rewatch Value 1.0
Do you know the feeling when you are watching something so terribly bad that you continue watching it to prove yourself that it can't possibly be worst than that (and finally it is, oh yeah, it can be worst)?
First I should say that one of the first Asian dramas I watched was Hana Yori Dango (the Japanese version), and even if we can admit is far from perfect, I enjoyed it. Later, Netflix had Boys over flowers, and I decide to give it a try to compare between the two versions. But, since the beginning I couldn't stand the female lead. Not only she is far far away from pretty, or normal (what an awful hairstyle she has), but also I think she tried to be funny and failed terribly.
Not for a second I could believe Goo Joon Pyo would fall for her (in fact, zero chemistry there), nor Yoon Ji Hoo, who, by the way, it's kind of masochistic because it does not make any sense that he follows her for so many years, helping and saving her all that time, without nothing in return.
So... For the story, nothing original, but the main problem is the plot, no sense at all. The acting... It could be muuuuch better. The music, overall the main song, drives me nuts, and no, I'm not going to rewatch it never ever. I only finished it because I have a problem with dropping books and series and I lost my time finishing them. Conclusion: if you want to watch something lightly funny, go for the j-version. It worth the watching even only to see Matsumoto Jun and Oguri Shun together.

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Completed
Sold Out on You
59 people found this review helpful
May 28, 2026
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 8
Overall 5.0
Story 5.5
Acting/Cast 6.5
Music 4.5
Rewatch Value 3.0
This review may contain spoilers

It's Fine - That's the Highest Compliment I can Give It

You ever watched a story and found yourself thinking, 'had this aired at a different time, or perhaps if I were a different personI'd have liked (tolerated) it better?' When this started airing, I thought I'd love it. I left myself a note at the end of episode 2 stating how much I enjoyed how the plot and setting both reminded me of 'Business Proposal' & 'Welcome to Samdal-ri'. Dramas that, while I thoroughly enjoyed, had (and still get) scathing reviews.

The scathing comments kept coming in, and for the initial 5 episodes, I tuned them out. The show worked for me, and I like what I like, so whatever. Screw what the naysayers were peddling. However, after episode 6, I started slowly siding with the masses.😭

Let's start with what I liked
🍄‍🟫The comedy - They did have some funny bits. Did I find myself laughing to the point I lost my breath or had tears running down my face? No. But they did manage to get several chuckles out of me.

🍄‍🟫References to previous dramas - They had Anh Hyo Seop on the team, and they decided to milk that for all it was worth. They had multiple references to 'Business Proposal' -some obvious, some not-, as well as K-pop Demon Hunters. I also believe that the sprinkler kiss in the mushroom greenhouse was a little nod to 'King the Land.' That's my kind of fanservice and I was very happy about it.

🍄‍🟫The live selling aspect - This is purely based on the fact that it's a niche interest of mine. I kept wishing (and still do wish) that they gave us a deeper look into that. Because 2 reasons
a. It serves a particular interest of mine.
b. It showcases a much different career path than what we're used to in dramas

🍄‍🟫The villagers and Dam Ye Jin's 2 coworkers - The villagers' r/ship with Mechoori was quite endearing to watch - you know, b4 they turned on him. I liked that tsundere r/ship he had with them. I loved how Dam Ye Jin and her coworkers remained friends, and they had her back despite her being kicked out after the scandal. They worked well together

My Frustrations
🍄‍🟫Noble Idiocy - Ah! The Achilles heel of many a Kdrama (Cdramas and Jdramas included).
So both characters are struggling with things in their past. Ordinarily, I would be empathetic; however, I found myself struggling in this case. If you look objectively at both their past traumas, any reasonable person would at least suspect a setup. Even without damning evidence against the other party.

Based on that, the burden they chose to carry (because, yes, this was very much a choice, and a bad one at that) really made no sense to me. I understand when authors and screenwriters wanna write green flag, pure characters, who feel deeply, but it comes to a point that..... Nah man.

🍄‍🟫The therapy debate (or, rather, the lack thereof)
Our mains needed some serious therapy to help deal with the issues of the past. But, despite being well off enough to afford it, no one suggests, considers, or seeks it. She, abuses sleeping pills to the point of detrimental side effects and is a workaholic. He, on the other hand, hides, becoming a corporate life recluse in an idyllic farming village.

I would want to yell at this drama for this one, but this is an overarching Kdrama issue - not one specifically tied to this one show. Therapy is for the birds in dramas. Depression, suppressed trauma, and other mental health issues are fixed by copious amounts of alcohol (I'm looking at you, Doctor Slump), comeuppance, and the amazing power of love... sigh

🍄‍🟫How do time and distance work in this world?
In the 1st (?) ep when she has to go to the village to meet him, it takes the better part of the morning. She also mentioned that she needed to leave the village early as she had a broadcast later that night. When they started meeting daily so he could give her the meds, they showed on the navigation that he'd have to drive about 2, maybe 2.5 hrs to get back to Seoul. This is at around 1/2 am, when one would assume there's no traffic.

Now, based on those instances, can someone tell me how this man got from the village to Seoul and managed to save her from almost getting run over that one night? Can he teleport? Could his car achieve speeds of light speeds and they never told us? I hate it when seemingly turn off your brains shows make me turn my brain back on. You need to find a balance with the absurd, unbelievable nonsense. I can only gaslight myself so much

🍄‍🟫The sleepwalking and the sleep phone calls - Went on for too damn long

🍄‍🟫 I wish we had gotten her mother's side of the story.
Something more than 'I will sabotage and be rude to my daughter for years after the tabloids said that she took a bribe to sabotage my career - and she said she did in a heated moment.' I think the story about a woman choosing a career over being a mother is such an interesting one.

We rarely see these types of stories. It sucks that they never explored it. I would've liked to see her internal battle/struggle with this vs the trauma on the child, coz both sides are valid. We only get to see how Dam Ye Jin was hurt, but never quite the mom's side. But perhaps this particular drama wasn't the best vessel for such a deep and nuanced conversation

🍄‍🟫The romance/chemistry - I didn't get butterflies or swoon. Were they cute? Sure. But while they told me they were in love and they acted as people in love, I didn't buy into it. Into their chemistry.

This is in comparison to dramas like 'Filling for Love' and 'My Royal Nemesis'.

As I type this, the former is 2 episodes from the finale, and so far, I have loved the chemistry between the main characters. I bought into their journey to each other and the romance. They are swoonworthy and spicy. In the latter drama, both of them are crazy. We are halfway through airing, so they have every chance to fuck it up (fingers crossed they don't), but their journey so far is more on the giggle, kick your feet side.

Now having this show air in tandem with the other two... yeah, not a fair fight. The romance and chemistry in this were certainly and glaringly lacking.

🍄‍🟫Final Thoughts🍄‍🟫
While it did start with the potential to be good in my eyes, the plot, pacing, and absurdity of some choices and sequences put me off the show. IMO, skip it. But if you wanna try it, perhaps watch it as a background noise drama. It has some good, but they are overshadowed by the bad.

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Ongoing 10/10
Addicted Heroin
59 people found this review helpful
Aug 16, 2024
10 of 10 episodes seen
Ongoing 5
Overall 8.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 7.5

"HEAR ME OUT! ENTITLED ON THEIR OWN OPINION"

If it's not your cup of tea then don't try to smell or have a taste with it. Spill it don't sip it. WATCH AT YOUR OWN RISK.

In my opinion, labeling viewers of a drama series as pedophiles simply based on their interest in watching it can be unfair and overly simplistic. Such accusations are serious and should not be made lightly without understanding the context and intent of the viewers.

Be informed that the production is in Thailand, so they have their own rules, guidelines and laws concerning age consent, in reality age consent may differ in different countries based on their norms and beliefs.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S HARD FOR SOME PEOPLE TO SWALLOW: From a legal standpoint (based on Thai law), there is no issue with their age gap in ACTED OUT a sexual scene. I think it's all going to come down to what people think from a MORAL standpoint because every potential viewer has their own culture and beliefs based on the country they are living in. So, no one have the right to dictate to other people that they are disregarding their morals and ethics when it is okay with them regarding the age gap of the two main leads who acted out a sexual scene. DRINK SOME WATER TO PREVENT CHOKING.

Don't be problematic here. There's no problem with their casting; it's just that it goes against your MORAL standpoint. But that doesn’t mean they are doing something illegal or immoral.

Concerns about the portrayal of minors in scenes involving sensitive content are valid, if that is really your concern. However, it is clear that IN THIS SHOW, NO ACTORS NEED TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE HARM OF BEING EXPLOITED and ABUSED. How I can say that? Just simply watching their EP 0, wherein they show how they produce this series (behind-the-scenes footage) and the reaction video of the four lead actors to the official trailer of their series. I cannot see and feel that they are being abused and exploited. As of now, there are no allegations of abuse or mistreatment coming out from the actors in this series.

Don't make things complicated, if the show violates the law or fails to meet regulatory standards, it typically won't be produced or broadcast.

To those people who keep on spamming here in the comment section about "A MAN KISSING A CHILD" please stop being DELUSIONAL. The way you think is really disgusting. No viewers want that kind of scenario.

This Drama series is based on the novel about two sixteen-year-old boys, who despite their social differences and personal history forge a close love relationship that is ACTED OUT BY PROFESSIONAL ACTORS.

So basically, this drama series is not about "A MAN KISSING A CHILD". STOP BEING DELUSIONAL it really disgust me and clearly your intentions are to put malicious accusations and destroy the show.

Friendly advice: You better do some research to gather knowledge about creative filming techniques like camera angling so it can cure your DELUSIONS and also help you to distinguish between fiction and real-life scenarios. It will help you to understand the difference between what's real and what's acted out in dramas or any form of entertainment.

FACT: Mac and August acted out a sexual scene as consensual, under Thai law, it would generally be considered legal and morally right in their country. AGAIN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S HARD FOR SOME PEOPLE TO SWALLOW. DRINK MORE WATER TO PREVENT CHOKING.

These two main leads (regardless of their age) are 'ACTORS' who are passionate about their job at portraying fictional characters convincingly. Criticizing them for their choices or age only undermines the value of their craft and the dedication they bring to their roles. Such disparagement reflects more on the critics' own biases than on the actors' abilities or performances.

It is an early apology when you beg to disagree. Im sorry???

Spread positivity and don't forget to detoxify (y)ourselves. 🤡

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Completed
Mysterious Lotus Casebook
89 people found this review helpful
Aug 1, 2023
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 5
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 10

A Captivating Drama with a Unique Mix of Action and Mystery

MLC isn’t your typical fast-paced drama. Instead, it leans more into storytelling, as each mystery is tied to the larger plot. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but honestly, I loved how much detail went into each case.

Cheng Yi as Linhua/Xiangyi starts off pretty playful, but as the story goes on, he really gets to explore the deeper sides of his character, and he does it so well! After all, this is Cheng Yi! He’s not at all about over-the-top theatrics; he is subtle, but when the emotions hit, they really hit. CY might not fit the usual "aesthetic" that’s popular in c-dramas, but his versatility totally makes him stand out from other actors. Oh, and bonus points: he dubbed himself this time!

The dynamic between Cheng Yi's character and Joseph Zeng's character is so humorous and engaging. Their chemistry adds a delightful touch to the drama, and when Xiao Shun Yao's villainous character enters the mix, things become even more intriguing.

The slow start might make some people want to drop it early, but seriously, don’t! It’s so worth it. I gave it a shot, and before I knew it, I was totally hooked. If you want something different from the usual romance-heavy c-dramas, MLC is definitely worth it. It’s smart, witty, funny, and pulls at your heartstrings in all the right places.

Easily one of the best c-dramas of 2023 for me!

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