High aesthetic value - favorite FL
This drama has some of the prettiest background designs I've ever seen. The blend of CGI and stage design is so smooth I have a hard time knowing what's real and what's not. The world is thought out and immersive. I also like the costume design for all the animal spirit characters.The female lead is self-assured and competent, if not manipulative. This characterization works very well for the story; she is easily my favorite character. The only con is that she overshadows the male lead, who is there to be pretty but gains some action relevance later in the season.
Check this out if you want to watch a series with profound lore, well-written female characters, and gorgeous aesthetics.
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This review may contain spoilers
A spoiler free, 5 star review with my opinions, likes and non-existent dislikes of this drama and it's drop-dead perfection that deserves to be seen by all and every. A Love To Kill is, Hands Down, one of the best dramas I have EVER seen. And I'm saying that with over 150 dramas under my belt. If you're in the mood for a romantic, suspenseful, tragedy, first/true-love story.. buckle your seat belts because this will break your heart and yet keep you coming back for more.
I am a huge fan of Rain, and I say that having seen almost every one of his dramas (well at least having STARTED every one of his dramas) and loving and admiring his work. So yes, I may be a tad biased towards his dramas but for good reason. He's a TERRIFIC actor!
Shin MinA startled me with her beauty, her depth, and her vulnerability in creating this character.
Despite making this drama seem really intense, tragic and heartbreaking (which it is) It's also really sweet and there is a lot of hidden depth to each and every scene, as well as every character and change in attitude and view. Although I'm not super fond of all the characters, they all have their own struggle and their own story.
I cannot begin to explain to you the excellence in the writing of this script, you will only be able to know by watching it for yourself and realizing how lovable and re-watchable (coming from someone who REALLY doesn't re-watch dramas) this one is. Going back to re-watch scenes and episodes every once in a while, it's really incredible to see how connected everything is. From episode one, something occurs that later will be either explained or somehow related to something in a later episode. It's incredible.
The music is so perfect and beautiful and heartbreaking that EVERY SINGLE TIME I hear the OST I fall in love with it all over again and even begin to tear up. It's catchy, soothing, melancholy and is played at the most perfect and fitting times.
If you pay close attention to the dialog throughout the drama, from the beginning to end, everything intertwines and means something at some point or another. In the very last scene, there is a vital part of information you'll miss if you don't pay close enough attention, which will simply crush the courage you built up to hold in the tears.
I really want to give a hand to the cast and their acting because it really was something.Consider yourself warned, this is a hard-core melodrama and if you aren't in the mood to be swept off your feet by a river of tears, don't watch A Love To Kill because it will break your heart. But It's SOOOO worth it and I want you to watch it anyway so we can rant and discuss and cry over it together! The acting, as I was saying, was simply incredible. Each cast member did a fantastic job of portraying their character and each and every thought that went through that characters head at every scene they were in. The longing in Shin MinA's eyes, the passion in Rain's, the outrage in Lee Ki-Woo's eyes. Everything was perfectly done and in the most unsuspecting way.
Now, like every older melodrama there usually seems to be a lot of lagging parts in the middle with stupid seemingly fixable problems. Although this drama has NONE and let me say that again, NONE of those draggy-boring moments. Let me assure you, every scene has meaning and some sort of depth. You may not see it right away but you shouldn't skip parts because later it will come up and you will wish you had read deeper into the moment you skipped.
There is so much more I'd like to say about this drama but there isn't anything I can add without giving examples that would be spoilers or simply repeating the words, "I LOVE THIS DRAMA SO FRIGGIN MUCH!!!" So I just won't continue. YOu should watch it. That's all I have to say. If you still aren't interested by the 3rd episode then drop it. Otherwise... You're in for a treat.
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Story:Its a simple plot: a guy is determined to learn English so he can follow the girlfriend who dumped him to the US, only to fall for his English tutor.The slow buildup of their relationship is too cute, and the misunderstandings that happen because of the language barrier only gets funnier as the movie goes on. I promise, the joke never seems to get old!
Acting/Cast: The supporting characters are so over the top and ridiculous you can't help but to laugh. The comedy between the main couple, Pleng and Gym, mostly concerns them falling in love with each other, but their friends and other supporting characters bring moments of pure joy and you'll ending up dying from laughter! I have nothing bad to say about the acting from any of the actors. All of them seemed to find the perfect balance between comedic timing and heartfelt emotion.
Music: Great! If you stick around for the credits there is even extra singing and dancing that made me lol even more!
Rewatch Value: DO IT! Its so sweet, and cute but has these epic scenes where you'll find yourself grossed out but laughing and unable to fast forward because its so good. That's the only reason I can see for this movie ranking 7.8. I'd recommend it to any rom-com lover *.*
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Only in Japan
OverallWithout ever reading the manga, Overall, I have to say that it was definitely enjoyable and I would rewatch again. If you think the topic is to weird or triggering please don't watch, but if you think it sounds interesting, by all means, give it a try.
Story
Honestly, this is the first time I see something like this. I am sure that there are more out there but it is my first. I think that the plot was good but there was so much that was never explained at all. Who was that group of cleaners? Never really got an answer. In the end, I just ignored all that because I was really enjoying it for what it was, but I know that there is a lot to be explained.
Acting/Cast
The main cast was amazing as always. It was great to see Sugino Yosuke and Fukuhara Haruka act together again. I really enjoyed them in the second season of Good Morning Call and also in their other works. Both are great actors and There can't be much said about them other than how great they are.
Rewatch Value
I would definitely rewatch.
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Will become your second home :)
I can't even begin to explain how beautiful this drama is. It's beyond words. As a fairly new jdrama watcher, I have found that Japanese dramas have this way of touching your heart, a way that Korean dramas could never replicate.They become your second family, you never feel excluded, and you grow and learn with them. They become your friends, brothers, sisters, parents, and neighbors. The viewer themselves is considered part of the village, they're part of the family. as the drama progresses, we laugh and cry with the characters, and we learn new things about them. inside jokes start developing, jokes that you wouldn't get unless you had watched the previous episodes
It's hard not to get attached to the characters, each having their own charm. Not to mention how scenic this drama is, the setting of the village is beyond extraordinary and so cottagecore-esque, it makes you feel warm and fuzzy :))
beware before you start this drama, because you will definitely have a hole in your heart once this drama is over, nothing can replace this gem !!
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Underworld Bureaucracy & Neon Noir
If you came here for a sweeping romance or a slick, idol-style procedural, best turn around now. Agent from Above is Taoist Noir.It’s grimy, neon-soaked, and fundamentally cynical about the human condition while remaining deeply spiritual. It borrows the "burdened hero" trope, but replaces the guilt with the crushing weight of Karmic Retribution.
Agent from Above is an "anti-procedural." While it flirts with a ghost-of-the-week format, it quickly descends into a high-stakes, 6-hour countdown to a karmic apocalypse.
The side effects may include lotus-root-induced fever dreams.
It treats the supernatural—spirits, demons, and the bureaucratic mess of Diyu, as everyday reality. And it doesn't waste time explaining the rules.
The narrative pacing is relentless, maybe even draining. From "urban legends" to "full-blown apocalypse," the show aims at subverting expectations.
Apparently the most effective way to summon a Demon King is through layers of psychological trauma.
So, about Han Chieh. He isn't a hero; he's a man whose death status is "on-hold," an employee of the Third Crown Prince, paying off a debt with every supernatural exorcism, literally waiting for redemption. The show succeeds because it prioritizes his internal baggage over simple ghost-of-the-week mechanics.
His shirtless scenes aren't fanservice, they’re the medical documentation of the modern take on mythology.
Then there’s Yeh Tzu. I’ll be honest: she is an "annoyance sandwich." Her presence felt questionable at times, but the show manages to weave her into the found family of ghosts and neighbors.
The villains? They aren't just evil, they are master planners in a "hate triangle" that turns human trauma into demonic leverage.
Let’s be real about the CGI: it’s an acquired taste. Episode 1 is a mixed bag, but by the time we hit the later episodes, this turns into CGI central! Purple lightning, crushed bone sound effects, and hellish cityscapes are ambitious, and the show occasionally suffers from overkill.
While the camera work gets chaotic, usually in the later part of fight scenes, the aesthetics here are a visual feast!
Think neon-noir landscape with grimy urban realism, then add traditional shrines and incense smoke and more saturated glow of neon signs. And really sleek underworld vibes.
From lighting a cigarette with a divine weapon to the Golden Graffiti blessings at Dongfeng Market, the production design leans into a "Punk-Taoist" aesthetic that makes the world feel lived-in and dangerous.
And the score—specifically 'Royal Progress of the Gods'—is the glue holding the show’s intensity together. The use of the Suona mimics the aggressive energy of temple festivals, perfectly mirroring the internal chaos here.
Here is the drama’s secret recipe: 85% Dark, 9% Light and 6% OTT Comedy. It’s a nightmarish version of your favourite supernatural drama, it feels messy and authentic. It has pizzaz and a soul! Sure it’s also violent and there are human sacrifices, the progression into darkness is inevitable with this plot.
It balances horror (people eating burning coal in Diyu) with absurd humor (a horny ghost gets a redemption arc, and we get buddy-cop banter).
Sure it might give you tonal whiplash, but I think the comedy felt earned rather than forced.
Now, the most fascinating part: the Modernization of Myth.
In this world, the Underworld has smartphones, Ox-head looks like a bouncer, and the Third Crown Prince is a rebellious, leather-clad prick who reconstructs limbs with lotus roots. It is a uniquely Taiwanese exploration of how traditional temple culture and "Spirit Medium" traditions survive in a world of high-rises, arcades and millennials.
Watch it for the Third Crown Prince Wardrobe and Diva Aura. Watch it for the occult banter. Watch it if you like purple. Watch it if you read comics but can’t admit it to your friends. Watch this if you’re tired of Jacob Wang playing a moody doctor. You can also watch it for the meta-commentary on belief by the way.
Watch it for the Karmic Retribution arc that proves "magic cannot defeat spiritual power, spiritual power cannot defeat karma, and karma cannot defeat a wish."
Potential headlines that didn't make the cut:
- Not Your Mother’s Ghost Whisperer
- The Liver, The Bird, and The Wardrobe
- How to Cleanse a Demon with a Chupa Chup
- New Diyu, Who Dis?
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Most surprising drama of the year so far
First I would like to say that I didn't expect anything to come out of this drama. Thought this would be one of those quick watches, but the cast and director proved me wrong big time.Pyramid Game is a worthwhile thriller that keeps you at the edge of your seat. The drama makes it easy for viewers to invest themselves in its characters because of how varied and well-written each student is, even beyond our main leads. The drama
is also a scathing - although most definitely overly dramatized – reflection of the consequences of physical and psychological violence that takes place in supposed safe spaces, and what needs to be done to eradicate it once and for all.
Jang Da-A made a strong impression in her acting debut, and clearly was the highlight of the drama in my opinion. The mystery surrounding her intentions adds depth to her already complicated character, and intense, violent scenes of inflicting physical harm onto others are hard to look away from. The smallest of details in Da-A's facial expressions or vocal tone do not go unnoticed either – it’s these little things that keep making her characterization of the cold-blooded, apathetic narcissist that made her character feel all the more authentic. No doubt about it, Jang Da-A has a bright future ahead of her.
Kudos to the entire cast and staff. Y'all did an amazing job!
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So slow….
Glad this was only 10 eps. It was really slow and boring through most of it. I have a few hang ups. Na Bi really set the relationship for failure from the beginning. She listened to everyone and their stories of who Jae-eon is or who and what they think he is. She had a bad relationship right before that left her with a bad attitude to begin with. If you go into a relationship with a bad attitude and not really opening up and being honest to begin with then it really is doomed. I think they both were stupid in their communication! They never said what needed to be said when they had a great opportunity to do it. It was infuriating!! So many times I wanted to stop watching because I wanted to seriously smack them upside the head. He showed her so many freaking times how he felt but she was to stupid to see it! Even in the end she still talked about how he would disappoint her again and then saw Do-hyeok and almost let go of Jae-eon’s hand. She was still wavering!! Sheesh! If this is really the reality of how young people today communicate and have a relationship I feel bad for them!Story - so slow. It was agonizing just like a said above! It was not the best storyline for me.
Acting/Cast - the emotion was there. It was good acting. I was not disappointed in that. I was just disappointed in the story they had to work with.
Rewatch - probably not! I personally am not one for slow, boring, and poor communication shows. I like when people are honest and open. Like I said before if this is how young people date and communicate… I feel bad for them.
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Acting/Cast: The last time I saw Bosco and Kate together in a drama together, I think was Lives of Omission, and I enjoyed that drama alot. It was actually one of the first TVB action dramas I watched and it got me interested in the genre a little more. Naturally when I first heard this I was excited! Bosco played his role exceptionally well alongside Nancy who was brilliant in this! Actually loved her relationship with Bosco - real cute! Was also surprised to see Sharon in a main role, but was rather disappointed with her acting in this as it was pretty mediocre... expected much more from her since seeing her awesome performance in Ghetto Justice. It was also great to see Jin in this! I really enjoy watching him and hope to see him in much more juicier roles! Jazz would be my favourite character in this. Loved his loyalty and sincere friendship and care towards the people around him.
Music: The only song I really liked was the ending song sung by Kate and Hubert.
Rewatch Value: I would never watch this again.
Overall: I went into this drama without any expectations because to be honest I had no idea what it was about, only who was in it. But I found this drama extremely disappointing. The story was weak and the character development was even weaker. There were many things that bugged me about this drama, especially at how ridiculously easy people just conveniently die O.o I feel like characters were all poorly written, and that they were all brainless - they jump to silly conclusions and make absurd decisions, and their emotions are kinda all over the place. The writers really need to focus on better character and story development. This drama could of probably deserved a 4/10 if it wasn't for the actors.
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Acting was a little uneven. Queen Wei started out as a singer, and this is her first major role- and it showed. I just couldn't feel her emotions even when she cried with abandon. Initially, I bought their romance since Jason and Queen had decent chemistry. As the drama progressed, however, I started to root for the second leads, for Jason and Queen to both end up with different people. I honestly did not like Queen's character, An An. She is so indecisive and wishy-washy. The leads' scenes couldn't make me cry but I loved the supporting characters. They kept me from dropping the drama.
The story itself had some surprising components that made you want to continue watching as well. Story-wise, it was compelling enough I guess but the acting distracted me. Sometimes, I would be so fixated on the lack of emotion that I can't feel the emotion the drama is trying to get me to feel. That said, I do like the story as a whole and the pros overweighed the cons since I liked the overall plot arc. The side stories, for the most part, contributed to the main story.
The last episode wrapped up the drama really well though. It's definitely one of the better last drama episodes I've watched. Everything was wrapped up nicely and it gave closure!
Music was pretty good. There was one or two emotional songs that balanced well with the scenes.
Re-watch? Nah, once is good.
I recommend this drama with a grain of salt. Watch it if...
-you don't mind some mediocre acting
-you like dramas set in the entertainment industry+romance+a satisfactory ending.
-really nice bromance. In this case, I loved the bromance more than the actual romance!
(8/8)
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Classic BL
Yup. You read it right. It's a CLASSIC BL for me. From the story up to the cast and crews. I want to read the novel of this story.Story....
I really appreciate the loved the series itself. Eventhough some says that there are some changes that they made in the series, it is still very much appreciated. Well because first the setting itself is really lovely. I love the nature. It is first time for me to see the nature of thailand, the flow of the story is really refreshing - as an inter fan - , the different culture/believes/place in thailand, the simplicity of the group that lives and protects their place, they've shown it clearly - because the story sets on the northern part of thailand, based on the interview videos that i've watch, correct me if i'm wrong. It also shows the conflict and the power between the poor and rich people, and how they've solve it one by one. It is not just focus on the bl genre but it focuses as a whole. Every episode is a must see, the story itself has a lesson.
Acting/casting....
All of them did the great and lovely job, they we're really into their roles especially the main couple Earth and Mix Captain Phupha and Tian) Earth really improve in this series, those eyes, i really love those eyes, they we're somewhat talking, Earth don't need any words to speak because his eyes we're the one's who do the talking (😂) Mix is really did a great job in the series, it is not obvious to him that he is a newbie, he's like a pro. I love their body language. Their emotions will really touch your heart. The supporting actors (best friend of Tian, Dr. Nam and the forest rangers), they we're really support the main, in their love story, they let them loved each other, the children, i really love them, they we're cute (they we're look like the daughters and sons of Captain Phupha and Teacher Tian) the words of wisdom that comes from the elders, and lastly the crews, because without them this series won't be alive/won't be shown it tv/internet.
Music....
I love the theme song. First time i've read the english translated version of it in the series it made me cry, because of the flasback scene. Knowing the message of the song because it was translated/subtitled in english and the tone makes me understand more the series itself. And it is classic (the tune of the song makes it old eventhough it is new, it is refreshing.)
Rewatched and Over all value...
Since it is finished, i will watch it all over again. It is really worth it. From episode 1 up to 10. Years of waiting from the first trailer that been shown in yt and until now, it is worth it for those who were waiting for it.
Classic? Yup it is classic. Because the story, the setting and the music itself makes it classic. And how they connect classic to bl genre.
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Loved the first 6 episodes, but sadly the last 2 kind of ruined it for me..
This series started off so well, but sadly the last couple episodes just ruined it for me.One thing that bothered me is that while I can definitely see Yoojae's jealousy, I don't think they did enough to show that he had real romantic feelings for Hanjoon. I do feel like he did, but maybe just didnt understand fully his feelings for his friend. They didnt show that in the series well though. Which made the ending jump to dating weird to me. It mostly felt like he was dating Hanjoon in order to not loose him. I dont believe that, but its kind of how it came across.
I wish they had showed the moments after the kiss scene and showed Yoojae have this moment of realization afterwards.. That small moment, along with the jealousy he'd already been feeling, would have added so much.
Speaking of the kiss.. I'm not one to really care about kiss scenes, if a series is good I like it regardless if there is one or not. However, I really dislike angled kiss scenes. I would rather see a flat kiss than an angled one, thats just my opinion. These two do have great chemisty and the storyline was good so it doesn't bother me to much, but it still annoyed me.
I could have easily overlooked that though because again, to me, kiss scenes to do not make or break a series. What annoyed me the most was the last two episodes. I'm sorry, it was rushed and terrible in my opinion. The fact that it went from Hanjoon avoiding Yoojae, to not very long later them talking and deciding to date, then the cute basketball/jealousy scene, like a half a minute montage, and now they've been dating 100 days... seriously 🙄
We barely even got to see them act together as boyfriends.. The last 5 minutes of 9 and most of 10 were mostly for drama that had barely been set up in the first place.
Overall I liked this series, but the ending fell flat for me. Sadly it fell victim to what other kbl's have.. Not enough runtime. I feel like if this series had been given 40 minute episodes it could've been so much better!
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Something is rotten in the state of Tang...
I started this drama on a dare with myself. I mean, who makes a 48-freaking-episode drama set in one city over the course of just 24 hours?! Well the joke is on me, cause I just spent a week binging this show.The first half is a thoroughly engaging mystery/action joyride and a feast for the eyes, featuring explosive horse cart chases and parkour on lantern-lit rooftops. We get to explore this marvel of a mediaeval city, while dragged on an immersive and spectacular journey from the highest seat of power to the darkest underbelly - meeting on the way a gallery of people who were made or broken by it. Action/superheroes/comics lovers will find a lot to keep their interest here, with the all-powerful boss of the underworld that likes to play cruel mind games, Wolven squad with a set of fantastical beliefs, parkour-loving prince of Persia and an unbreakable superhero Zhang Xiaojing who can win against any odds:D
The second half though wasn't an easy watch for me, as the heavy choices that the characters had been forced to make earlier in the day, started to catch up to them. It was actually quite refreshing not to care as much about the protagonists and sympathise with the troublemakers. Too many shows nowadays lead the audience by the hand, telling us who are the good guys that we should root for… Here, we get to see everyone's humane and inhumane sides, and most of them get to say their piece before the end… And they actually have a code of morals that fit the times! Not like the recently prevalent modern-day thinking people wearing costumes. By the end, the script started to gnaw on its own tail a bit though, with a few too many twists, confrontations and unlikely outcomes. It slightly muddled the characters' motivations and relationships.
In short, the mood and pace of the storytelling differs a lot between the two halves of this show. The first one is gripping and exhilarating, while the second one takes its time to peel the layers off characters, schemes and past events. In any case, this show is well worth watching as a visual masterpiece with authentic feel, memorable characters, unique plot points and one sexy villain in Zhou Yiwei's Long Bo;) Highly recommended for history and art lovers!
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her eyes..
a love story that would get you into your feet, i watched this because of ryusei and wasn't expecting anything but the movie made me cry so hard and the story and chemistry was built so well💯. It was a roller coaster ride and i love how the movie made me feel different kind of emotions. I also admire the female lead because it's not easy to live alone whilst you're also blind plus her bright personlity bring me hope that we can still be happy despite of our illness and problems. Both their acting are performed well and they were able to portray the character as if it was them.Super highly recommended plus the title suits the movie a lot💖Was this review helpful to you?
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Awesome acting, directing & music meets tired plot with cop-out ending.
Wow the acting was so good, especially considering many scenes were probably difficult to stay in character, due to cgi or cheesy script. But ML and FL were truly believable with awesome chemistry. Directing was really good, everything was beautiful, sexy and exciting. Music elevated the scenes and pulled the story into cohesion. Costumes and makeup were budget-excellent.But the plot is cliche af, and the story/script are loaded with cheese. This could have been overlooked if the ending was satisfying, but it isnt. So very worth one watch, but idk about a rewatch though.
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