Reviews

Big Disappointment

I read reviews of shows because I only have so much time, and I can't watch everything. I'd seen the hype over this show, and I was looking forward to it - but looking at other people's reviews here and having actually watched the show, I'm completely flummoxed. My only explanation is that many fans have read the novel and have carried their appreciation over to the series where their imaginations can fill the enormous gaps in the narrative.

This show is jaw-droppingly unoriginal, with every BL trope you can imagine - in fact all the characters are engineering, medical and music students, because nobody is allowed to study anything else in a BL. The tired and untrue-to-life seme/uke dynamic is in full force, there's a tiresome fujoshi, and there are no countervailing positives, at least not in the main pair. Substituting warm milk for pink milk is not originality, it's almost laughable cribbing. And the evil gf is apparenly on the way.

The premise of the show is that Solo's mother has died and so he's lost his smile - but did he also need to lose his entire emotional range? And shouldn't Gui have a contrasting personality? He's equally dour and unsmiling.

The problem is the lack of acting skill in the main pair, and this is underlined with force by the secondary pairing, where Phu is equally unsmiling - but played by a talented actor, he is with virtually no dialog and only a handful of scenes able to convey his character's loneliness, pain, and repressed longing. We get nothing from Solo except his creepily expressionless face and his dead eyes. Losing your smile doesn't mean losing all facial expression.

If PhuKao were the main pair, this would be a really compelling series - the two actors playing these characters are really impressive, and their characters are interestingly drawn, and I can't predict every word they'll say and action they'll take like I can for the main pair. Kao has to work to chip away at Phu's walls, and you can see it slowly working, which is wonderful and beautiful. Kao manages to make his whiney and annoying character charming and endearing, and conveys a greater depth than the surface characteristics of his character suggest. He's cute as f@#$, too.

But I don't see any motivation for the relationship between Solo and Gui. What does Gui see in him? They have no shared experiences, they don't know each other, Solo just stares at him with his creepy blank eyes, and occassionally does something really frighteningly aggressive, like when he backs him into a corner at the flower shop. If you'd seen desire in his eyes, it would have been hot - but instead you (and Gui) had to wonder if he was about to commit murder. For that matter, what does Solo see in Gui? I'll admit he's cute, but that's all there is. So is this a purely physical attraction? One doesn't normally fall in love with someone cute but dull because he boiled milk for you.

I think another problem may be that losing your smile works better in a verbal medium than it does in a visual one, where you get a sort of uncanny valley effect that makes Solo look Not Quite Right.

In Episode 8, there's a character played by an experienced actress that's ill and so also quiet and understated, with only a few lines of dialog, but the actress gives such a powerhouse performance that I was in tears all the way through the episode, which underscores how acting ability is so utterly important and so utterly ignored by Thai BL, at least for the main roles (with the hugely notable exception of I Told Sunset About You and mostly for 1,000 Stars). If Solo had been played by someone with 25% of her ability, this would have been a truly memorable series.

The positives of the show are compelling side characters (except the fujoshi), including one of the best pairings I've seen in PhuKao, and the music is way better than your average Thai BL.

EDIT: Also, if you're going to hire an actor to play another character's father, you should really consider hiring someone more than 3 years older (Solo actor is 27, his father is 30). The little grey streaks of hair dye and glasses aren't fooling anyone. I'm sure the reason is because it's strongly implied he's the lover of a much younger character and they wanted to make it less creepy. But it makes me crack up every time they show him. I will say that he's just as dull and expressionless as his son, so that helps make it believable.

EDIT: The acting issue may largely be the directing because Nut Supanut is amazing in Something In My Room.

Read More

Dying is easy, surviving is hard

All of Us Are Dead is adapted from the serialized Naver digital webtoon entitled Now at Our School, which was written by Joo Dong Geun and published from 2009 to 2011. I haven’t read the webtoon but it reportedly consists of only nine chapters. Therefore it would probably stand to reason that the live-action adaptation has expanded on its lore, especially when Netflix is involved where the potential exists for a series to be renewed for a second season, depending on the success of the first season.

The drama is co-directed by Lee Jae Gyoo, who won a Baeksang for Damo and directing honours for Beethoven Virus, and Kim Nam Soo. It is based on the screenplay adaptation written by Cheon Seong Il, the screenwriter for Chuno and The Pirates. Principal photography took place from June 2020 to February 2021, which was prolonged due to the Covid-19 outbreak during filming.

In a nutshell, the story revolves around a group of highschool students who are trapped at their school, the ground zero for the onset of a zombie virus outbreak. The drama depicts them fighting to survive both the zombies and virus infection while waiting to be rescued. The rating classification for this production is R-18 and aside from the expected zombie action and gore, certain trigger warnings are present in the form of bullying violence that even borders on sexual assault.

In a recent interview with director Lee Jae Gyoo via the online presentation of the production in South Korea on 26th January, he had intimated that this drama would be uniquely distinct within the K-drama zombie genre that has become commonplace in recent years. According to him, All of Us Are Dead features thought-provoking themes that add a different meaning to a zombie apocalypse, where the focus is on the choices young students make at the boundary between life and death. In addition, the story also provides a satirical take on South Korea's educational system and school space.

What I Liked

I love the K-drama zombie genre and anything closely or even remotely associated in the form of mutants, monsters and the like, complete with the horror, action, adventure tags whether in contemporary, sageuk or fantasy settings. As much as I’ve enjoyed the recently aired Happiness, my preference for zombies leans towards the more feral variety with hordes of them rampaging through the populace annihilating anything and everything in their path, in the mould of Train to Busan (which gets a shoutout in this drama), Kingdom and Rampant. Call me sadistic but I’m all for epic levels of productions with economies of scale in delivering the exhilaration of the action, thrills and suspense, along with all the emotive aspects of human drama as well. Based on what I’ve seen of the depiction of zombies in this drama, it manages to convey all of the above, and has successfully fulfilled most, if not all, of my expectations.

A co-production between JTBC Studios’ Film Monster and Kim Jong Hak Production for Netflix, the quality of the technical execution is beyond doubt. No effort or budget was spared as even a huge four-storey set was constructed as the setting of the fictional Hyosan High School. The money was very well spent indeed as the production design looks top notch with all the nitty gritty details providing an intriguing backdrop to the zombie outbreak. The zombies themselves are deftly manifested in terms of the makeup, special and sound effects, as well as the blood, gore and contortions which complement the extensive range of expertly choreographed sequences.

The cinematography is deserving of praise with the crucial aspect for productions of this nature being the calibre of the camerawork, which for the most part does not let me down (or induce nausea). The well rendered scene transitions are testament to the standard of editing as well, where it’s worth mentioning that the chaotic scenes at the cafeteria and library involving 200 or so extras are reportedly the result of a single-take shooting.

As far as the narrative is concerned, the premise of a school-based zombie outbreak is refreshingly new to me. Some viewers may associate elements of Dark Hole to be of similar vein but personally it really isn’t despite the comparable vibes. While I wouldn’t consider the overall plot trajectory as particularly inventive or groundbreaking, what distinguishes this drama from most others that I’ve seen is the storytelling approach.

In addition to the multiple POV perspectives of the main characters, the screenplay takes its time to explore the origins of the zombie outbreak and motivations behind the actions resulting in the said virus being unleashed on humanity. The depiction of characters dealing with the tragic circumstances in the aftermath certainly elicits an emotional response as well.

True to the director's word, this drama tackles both existing and hypothetical societal concerns which provide added dimensions to the storytelling. Among the thought provoking themes incorporated into the storytelling - unchecked and unmitigated school violence, the ingrained hierarchical social order within a society segmented by wealth and power, the deeply polarised mindsets of the local government and communities in the event of an apocalypse or the aftermath of a mass casualty event. The role that technology plays in binding all these themes together is tackled as well in the form of the ever increasing reliance on and abuse of social media as an outlet that fuels the dissemination of actual and fake news.

The infusion of a number of side stories, character arcs and a narrative that steadily evolves as the drama progresses helped to allay my initial concerns of the story sustaining its momentum over 12 episodes. The dynamic between characters giving rise to various forms of conflicts, teen angst, and even hints of romance contribute towards preserving an atmosphere filled with tension and suspense. That said, I do think the drama could have been slightly shortened without adversely impacting the storytelling.

The main cast is made up of young actors, some of whom were prolific child actors and even critically acclaimed talent as well. Park Ji Hoo, Yoon Chan Young, Jo Yi Hyun, Park Solomon and Yoo In Soo portray the highschool students who are caught up in the ensuing chaos. Featuring roles of varying capacities, these youngsters provide a decent account of themselves through characterizations that are adequately written, for the most part. Lee Yoo Mi is particularly impressive here following her brief appearance in Squid Game, given her experience of being the oldest actress portraying a student and for her captivating portrayal of the antagonistic Lee Na Yeon that actually steals the scenes from the protagonists at times. Meanwhile, I would consider Park Solomon’s affable Lee Soo Hyuk, Jo Yi Hyun’s stoic Choi Nam Ra and Ha Seung Ri’s heroic archer Jang Ha Ri as my favourite characters amongst the students.

The supporting cast come across as being more familiar, where we get to observe Kim Byung Chul (Sisyphus, Doctor Prisoner), Lee Kyu Hyung (Happiness, Voice 4), Lee Yo Mi (Squid Game), Uhm Hyo Sub (King of Tears, War of the Son) , Bae Hae Seon (Happiness, Inspector Koo, HomeCha), Jeon Bae Soo (Stranger, Lawless Lawyer), Kim Jong Tae (The Veil, Sisyphus), and Yoon Byung Hee (Hot Stove League). The more nuanced acting in the drama is provided by these mostly experienced veterans, especially Kim Byung Chul as science teacher Lee Byeong Chan. Utterly intense, sinister, and convincing, unsurprisingly the best performance in the entire drama comes from this award-winning actor. Jeon Bae Soo gets to play the hero this time in a memorable performance as firefighter Nam So Ju.

What I Didn’t Appreciate

When it comes to K-dramas and school students, bullying and violence are par for the course - they’re never far away and will probably remain as a staple trope. It’s infuriating and disturbing to watch at times and seems to be escalating in brutality these days. The scale of the savagery seems to be higher than the actual zombie action itself but it’s something that all viewers of K-content will need to accept and get used to, unfortunately.

The main villain of the story is featured through the gangster wannabe and low-life bully Yoon Gwi Nam, played almost too well by Yoo In Soo. This despicable human thrash has the typical clichéd story arc that stretches far too long, in my opinion, before eventually fizzling out as a mere afterthought.

As mentioned earlier, I think the storytelling would have been better presented if it were slightly shorter, perhaps with 8 or so episodes.Despite the multiple POVs, too much time is allocated to the teen drama at school than is perhaps necessary. I would have liked to have seen Kim Byung Chul’s character more fleshed out in real time rather than merely as a series of flashbacks. The same goes for Jeon Bae Soo’s firefighter who is desperately trying to get to his daughter.

There are numerous annoying characters in this drama, some of whom supposedly supplying the usual ill-fitting comic relief that appears very much jarring to the senses.The tough girl wannabe and her whingeing companion, the cowardly police sergeant, and the bickering couples, to name a few. I think generally the boys are better written than the girls who come across as petty and physically abusive towards their male counterparts, as far as the youngsters are concerned.

Final Thoughts

All things considered and despite its flaws as well as the overly dramatic ending that has the potential for expansion either as a sequel or a side story, I had a great time mainly because of my love for horror and zombies. We honestly do need more zombie stories because there is too much romance, rom-coms and melodrama in dramaland already and simply not enough of the macabre flesh-eating, blood-sucking undead. All of Us Are Dead is not the best in the genre, where Kingdom still reigns supreme, but as a one-time weekend watch it definitely fulfils my insatiable hunger for such content, albeit temporarily.

Read More

I wanted to love it. I did love the first two episodes, but I "only" enjoyed it till the end. From episode three, I got disconnected from the story. Maybe, being an adult, I could not relate to all the amazingly dumb decisions the teens made. With that, the emotional and sad scenes that were supposed to make me cry my eyes off, just made me laugh my ass off.

It just felt as if they were trying too hard with the presentation of emotions. There was nothing subtle about them in a lot of scenes. The aggressive crying, especially when done by Billkin was comical. I just couldn’t connect nor relate to what the characters were feeling coz of that excessive presentation.

The plot was amazing until it became teen makjang. I loved to see the friends in the past rediscover their relationship and struggle with figuring out if what they feel is truly just friendship or something more. The clues were subtle, hints dropped here and there… and then I was slapped across the face with insta story dramatic war talk with hysterical crying, posting shit on public feeds instead of sending dm, like a normal person, not to mention doing things that should not be done in the presence of family members. These kids had no brain.

I will be honest, I was “traumatized” by episode 4. It was just so not fitting compared to the rest of the story. We had subtle coming of age and rediscovering relationships plot, but episode 4 just went HARD on everything. After that episode I was kind of confused. This one episode completely threw me out of the story. Normally, not liking one episode would not have much impact on my views, but here it’s ⅕ of the whole story and a lot of important moments happened in it. So even though it’s just one episode, it had quite a negative effect on my viewing experience.

Out of all the characters, Bas was my favorite. He was a loyal friend, and even though his feelings were hurt, he was still willing to help the person he liked.

Teh was just a ball of frustration that caused me to feel annoyed more often than not. By episode four I didn’t even wish him a happy ending in terms of romance. I was truly done. Not to mention I am not the biggest fan of Billkin’s acting. A lot of his facial expressions just made me laugh at inappropriate moments.

Oh Awe was a baby that needed to be protected. He worked hard, but sometimes it’s not enough. He was true to his feelings and spoke about them openly, but when the other person is not being honest with you and themselves… Well, it simply made him miserable.

One thing that for sure was truly a high quality level - production value and visual directing. Damn. This show is beautiful. I am not one to take screenshots of the shows, but I wanted to take quite a few while watching I Told Sunset About You. Stunning.

I loved the serious topics they decided to comment on with this show. I love the ideas behind some of the truly impactful scenes, BUT the approach and the end result was not always something I enjoyed.

Overall, it’s still a step in the right direction for Thai BLs. While I love the silly rom-coms with only entertainment value, we also need some more serious series, which will balance the easily digestible ones. I don't think we need a continuation for this one though. This had perfect closure.

Read More

20 Episodes of Lying, w/Secrets; A Good Villain Replaced by An Obsessed Creep & Some Comedy & Love.

Wanted to watch this drama for the pairing of the leads and was only familiar with a few other actors. Now while the actors did a good job I can't say the same for the script and the editing. Sadly for me, this just didn't hit the mark. Came very close to being the 3rd dumpster fire I’ve seen this year but those last 4 episodes were the strongest and overall, it had some appeal; though I did skip episodes and whatnot. I will speak my mind and not apologize for it.

Pros: Very small amount of pros; just about all of the actors did a great job. The leads could have taken a page out of the second leads' playbook. Those two had a misunderstanding for decades and solved it in 2.5 episodes and were stronger than ever afterwards; I really liked that. The chemistry between both couples as well as the friendship between cat and dragon was fun. The real antagonist that was killed off way too soon and could have done way better if left at the end, the actor played him well. He is very versatile in both types of roles. When he played Situ Ling, that was the best role for him, otherwise he went into the cons. Many other characters were great both in lead roles and support.

Comedy, OSTs, CGI, sets, and costumes were nicely done. That's where pros come to an end for me.

Cons: One of my biggest problems was the fact that when the FL approached the ML with her ulterior motives, though understandable at first, when it was more or less clear to her that he was not the culprit she still continued to lie to him and the fact that this first arc of lying took up nearly 20 episodes really hurt the series. There was so much noble idiocy, it hurt your head and it was unnecessary because all they really needed was proper communication as mentioned in the pros take a page out of the second leads playbook just talk about it, tell the truth, be honest that's all that was needed. Instead it was just this ring around the Rosie-hamster wheel with very poor editing and one of those one step forward two steps back type of things. My biggest problem with the series was the actual screenwriting and editing. Things weren't flawless; arcs lurched, and things happened and you didn't understand why they were happening or how certain things got to where they went. There was no smooth editing of the rough edges of certain arcs or why certain characters chose to do certain things. So a lot of times that left you scratching your head as to the why and the how. Many claim this series had no problems but that's not true and from a novelist's/screenwriter's perspective, I can see the large flaws.

One of the things that they absolutely did not need is the third wheel, obsessed creep that they left for a final villain. Absolutely nothing about him was evil, and when he opened his red eyes after being consumed by the nether beasts in the red ring he looked like Aro out of Twilight, and it made you start laughing. He was supposed to convey the type of antagonist that you hated, and yet all he did was look arrogant, angry, and obsessed to the point where you thought his head would explode. When he didn't understand why the fox that was his friend loved him and she asked him questions that was somehow totally fine. But when he asked the exact same questions of the FL he was pissed off when he didn't get the answers. Ironic much? That kind of blind obsession is very unnecessary, especially when you are dealing with an ending that needs to be a powerful one. It was powerful, but it had nothing to do with him. They should've let him be that young kid that looked up to the FL like she was his big sister. That was the absolutely perfect role for him I feel that they completely miscast him here (actor has only ever done protagonist roles and is still very wet behind the ears. So to throw him into a massive antagonist role did him great injustice) and instead should've left the other antagonist that they killed off halfway or so through to be what he needed to be toward the end or any of this guy's brothers because they had that ability to be villains.

Would I recommend it? Though it's got a very high score here on MDL and a lot of people are praising it, personally I would not recommend it. If you like the actors awesome but the script and the editing just do not hold up.

Read More

An Emotional Rollercoaster Worth Riding

This drama grabs you from the first scene and refuses to let go, keeping your heart racing long after the credits roll. It’s the kind of story that leaves fingerprints on your soul.

Duan Wu: She’s a force of nature. Fierce, street-smart, and unshaken by challenges—yet there’s a vulnerability in her innocence about life beyond the pearl farm. She’s the girl who punches first and figures out the rest later, and honestly, it works. Hardworking and fearless, but not invincible, her flaws make her real and relatable. Watching her grow into someone even stronger, someone more aware and mature, yet still kind at her core—it’s a transformation so raw and profound, it’s like witnessing a pearl form under pressure.

Yan Zi Jing: Oh, the layers. He’s sharp, complex, and burdened by a past that’s as heavy as it is painful. Living in the grey areas of morality, he’s ruthless when he has to be but still clings to shreds of humanity, refusing to lose himself completely. He’s the guy who looks ridiculously good while taking down enemies and even better while side-eyeing the FL’s stubbornness. A total tsundere, he pretends to be indifferent but sees her in ways that matter. His evolution? Breathless. Watching him rediscover his humanity and love is mesmerizing.

Zhang Jin Ran: The unsung hero. Kind, optimistic, and oh-so-easy to root for. He’s the guy who holds up the light in a dark world, even when it flickers. His hero complex might annoy some, but it’s laced with such genuine care that you can’t help but adore him. His journey from idealistic to grounded is realistic. Honestly? One of the best-written second leads.

Antagonists and Villains: Deliciously dark and grey. The kind that get under your skin, making you rage one second and admire their complexity the next. A perfectly woven balance of evil and intrigue. With a few wicked redemption arcs thrown in.

Acting: Zhao Lusi’s growth as an actress is evident; she’s more captivating than ever here. Her abilities are stronger, more powerful, and stable throughout the drama. She’s mesmerizing, with her emotions hitting you like tidal waves—raw, beautiful, and unrelenting. First time watching Liu Yuning, and he’s impressive—he brings believable subtle emotions and totally owns a tortured, morally grey character that is borderline red flag. His quiet intensity and tortured eyes carrying so much weight, you feel it in your chest. And Tang Xiaotian? Solid and nuanced, keeping his character compelling without overshadowing.

Plot: Fast-paced and brutally real. It’s a story that isn’t afraid to dive into the shadows—exploring slavery, resilience, and redemption with unflinching honesty. The imagery is vivid and unforgettable, lingering like a bittersweet echo. At its heart, it explores the unbreakable bonds of family—the ties that anchor us, but also the ones that weigh us down when love and revenge collide. It’s about a love so deep and unwavering it defies logic, carving through pain and misunderstandings to prove that sometimes, love is not just a feeling but also a choice. Betrayals cut like knives, their sting magnified by the trust that preceded them, and redemption feels hard-earned—messy, imperfect, and profoundly human. This isn’t just a tale of good versus evil; it’s a reflection of life’s grey areas, where the lines between right and wrong blur, and every choice carries a price.

Chemistry: Fire. Between the Duan Wu and Yan Zi Jing, it’s charged with simmering heat, the kind that makes you lean closer to the screen. And with the Zhang Jin Ran, it’s tender and heartwarming. Even the bromance between Yan Zi Jing and Zhang jin Ran was heartwarming. Lusi and Yuning’s connection, obvious and through the roof. Yuning's eyes are so expressive and matches Lusi's intensity. Their height difference? Dreamy. Their comfort with each other brings every romantic scene to life in a way that feels seamless and positively electric.

Cinematography & OST: A feast for the senses. Stunning visuals set the tone, and the music? Hauntingly beautiful, amplifying every emotion.

In short: This drama doesn’t just tell a story—it pulls you into its world, holds your heart hostage, and leaves you grateful for the experience. Watch it. Feel it. Love it.

PS:
The ending made every moment precious and worth it. A Walk to Remember left a lasting impression on me, but The Story of Pearl Girl takes it a step further, its finale is unforgettable. Duan Wu and Yan Zi Jing were dealt some of the harshest cards in life, yet they played them with fierce determination. They didn’t just survive, they lived and loved with all they had, defying every hardship thrown their way.

In the end, their dreams weren’t just fulfilled; they were brought to life in each other’s embrace. Their time together may have been fleeting, but it was luminous, filled with memories that eternity itself couldn’t erase. Their story showed something profound: life is brief, fragile, and unpredictable. But in the moments we do have, we can choose to love deeply, live boldly, and create something timeless. Duan Wu and Yan Zi Jing didn’t just exist - they made every second count.

Read More

" No tree it is said, can grow to heaven unless its roots reach down to hell " - Carl Jung..

The Road to Splendor for me is arguably one of the best historical dramas of this year.. This is certainly not the butterfly romance type of story.. If you watch it expecting cliche romance and lots of sweet moments, you might be a little disappointed.. The romance is there, the sweet moments are there too but it’s more mature and restrained which I kind of liked because that was perfect for the script.. The screenplay, cinematography and the performances of the leads were what carried the story effortlessly..

Ding Yu Xi and Deng En Xi served us with undeniable chemistry.. They were so good in their respective roles.. DYX's journey from a smuggler to being in the same space as the emperor, standing in the same room as some of the most powerful people in the empire, and eventually becoming someone they actually fear while earning the peoples respect.. That entire transformation was carried by one of the best emotional performances I have seen.. Deng En Xi was a standout too.. It felt like she didn't let her character down even when the script let her down with some forced angst.. Their romance, chemistry and journey together was beautiful.. They fell for each other early in the story, but it took them an awfully long time to actually get married.. Well, we could thank the emperor for that.. Always getting the ML into shit he definitely didn't sign up for but had to do it anyway for the people he loved and cared..

The supporting cast in the drama is very well written too.. Several of the antagonists are genuinely well written enough that you understand and resent their logic.. They literally were ready to do anything just for money and power.. They were absolutely vile and then there was Yu Jingxiu, who was absolutely pathetic.. The rest of the antagonists had an objective or something they fought for, even if their reasons were selfish.. But this guy was just a pathetic whiner and a loser.. Till the end..
Fan Yake, I am glad that she survived and got another chance at life, on her own terms.. She finally realised that she is more important than catering to the emotional needs of a selfish husband and a vile family and took control of her own life.. I am not saying she made up for her mistakes, but she did atleast try to make things right by saving the FL, whatever her reasons for doing so..

The cinematography in this drama was so good.. There are some scenes you just can't forget.. Quite a lot of the dynamics are shown through framing, like the visuals are doing the narration for you.. For example, the way they show the power difference between the noble families and everyone else with that simple scene where the nobles are standing at the top of the building while the others are standing at the bottom of the stairs.. My favourite was the last episode, where the Emperor also goes down on his knees just to reach the ML's eyes.. It's like he too finally understood what it had cost him all this time.. Anyway, there are quite a lot of scenes in this drama where the visuals tell the story better than words ever could.. I want to say this again, the drama had beautiful visuals, colors.. Truly a feast for the eyes..

Episode 20, the story sort of shifts.. Their reunion after 5+ years.. How the power balance has completely flipped since we last saw them.. He has become the man the FL once wanted him to be.. A person who understands the language of power.. But that spark that made him Zhao Ling in the earlier episodes is now gone.. He knows what he has to do to keep everyone safe and give the FL the life he thought she wanted and he also knows the price he might eventually have to pay for it.. He knows all of that and you can clearly see how it's slowly draining his soul.. And DYX as Zhao Ling portrayed that transition so well that you could actually feel it..

Another thing about this drama was that it sort of reminded me of Flourished Peony.. Ahem, the first season, only the first season.. The way the women were portrayed as if they were trapped in dependence, but infact they were the ones pulling the strings when you look at it.. Mo Yi and his downfall and eventually his death, is one of the examples of that..

Overall this was a really good drama.. I would say this drama is a feast for people who are ready to watch it for the script, screenplay, cinematography and all the other aspects of a drama, for the absolute craft instead of expecting just romance and angst in every other scene.. People blame this drama for being a slow burn, but come on.. These two loved each other so much that they would have died for each other without a second thought.. That's not a lack of romance, that's romance built on something sturdier than butterflies.. Trust, sacrifice, choosing each other again and again when it would have been easier not to.. Physical intimacy is one language a drama can use to show their love, but it's not the only one and this show proves that patiently, scene by scene, right up to the end..

So I will end this review the same way I started it.. This is one of the best historical dramas of the year..

Read More

Good Feel Good Drama

I saw that the site i use to watch dramas had uploaded all the 16 episodes at the same time.
The only thing i knew about this drama was the synopsis and nothing more, with this reason i started watching this drama with low expectations, but i got a positive surprise.
Its a feeling good drama, and i highly recommend to everyone.
One thing that i was surprised was the fact that they included a transgender character and i think they did a good job at portraying a trans man.
But with all the goods we also have bads , in this case was the constant fatphobia, one thing that i hate in kdramas is that in 90% of time the story of the "fat" women character is ONLY that she needs to lose weight and that she can never have a love interest who actually likes her for who she is and only likes her as friend, and this one sadly is following the stereotype.
I hoped that she had a love interest by the end, but she did not, it was a shame
There are 2 couples in this drama and i feel in love with both of them especially with Gi Bbeum and Moo Yeol, in the beginning i thought that he is 2 much of a player for her (a person who never had a boyfriend and as difficulties with communication), but with the elapse of the plot he made feel assured that he really liked her.
I would give this drama a 10 for the story but i didn't like the constant fatphobia and the fact that no one apologized to her.

Read More

This is a mindfuck movie.

And I love mindfucks!! And this movie fucked mine up pretty good. This movie will keep you on your toes, you might make your own conclusions up and you'll feel excited watching this movie!!

The acting is really good, I was in the movie. The music fitted every scene en the story? The story is really good, it's mind breaking and somehow sad.

I loved the ending where it all comes together. Some movies pull it off to fast and doesn't let it end properly. But after watching this movie you'll have no questions left anymore.

Good movie, great mindfuck and worth watching!

Read More

Oh my god oh my god!

This series made my heart race. All of the dramas being aired right now are so so so cliche especially the Korean ones. They are the same formulaic ones which become super popular every year or so. Cast an a league actor who plays the same role over and over and an actress with a beautiful wardrobe and there you have it.
Anyways back to this drama, you can see this is low budget. But it’s got such a massive pull. This is my second girl love drama after GAP but this is miles better than GAP (which I also liked a lot, but did not love). The female lead, the older one, shows so much angst. It almost felt so real their love that one can almost touch it it’s so tangible. It’s also so non heteronormative where I am so tired of ajusshi type men chasing after young girls. Here the female lead who is older is actually holding herself back every step of the way since she is so much older. Her ethical and moral dilemma is so real and justified. And yes hats off to the writing to make it palpable. The younger girl is also so deeply in love and she is so charming. Every time I watched them on screen I smiled and then when the last episode ended I almost cried (I think I am too jaded for that but I legit got emotional for sure).
Love it love it love it.

Read More

I don't read manga so I wasn't aware of Switch Girl but the premise seemed interesting enough...

Story- Really the story is nothing original and has been done many times before. Its a school drama with your average villains trying to mess with the leads throughout but becoming good by the end. However, I found it so funny, cute, and the romance was perfectly done (what I would like to see in more J dramas). My only complaint is that is was really too short. There's only 8 eps and thier barely a half hr long. I want more!

Acting/Cast- For the casting, I didnt know much about the lead actors beforehand, but they had awesome chemistry which made me invested in thier romance. I remember the guy that played Arata from Hana Kimi Remake. The impression he gave me right off the bat was he was HOT but not really memorable. In Switch Girl though, I really took notice of him! He was perfect as Arata. I cant wait to see him in more things.The actress who played Nika was soo good as being the switch girl. It was eery how she changed from being the popular school princess to being a nerdy looking slob at home. She convinced me well though.

Music- It was fun and silly when needed.

Rewatch- I could watch this many times over in a year because its short and really funny.

Overall Switch Girl is just a really sweet and fun watch.

Read More

Less Joke but make you love the characters more

Ok, this will be a short review because the series itself is really short that I finish quickly after it’s released on GagaOOlala.

Story:

I was interested because the season 1 cracked me up so hard that until today I still laughed thinking about it sometime lol It was satire comedy about BL manga tropes and shouldn’t be taken too serious, however it is slightly different for season 2 here. While Mob having to continue fighting the world of BL that kept having men trying to join his harem, This time instead of enthusiastically trying to deny that he doesn’t like boy it was more like he’s broken hearted and can’t move on to like another guy even though they tried to hit on him with those BL flags so It became a bit more serious and less joke. I like this though, our Mob became a more mature character and even gave relationship advice to other guys lol There’re some parts that still crack me up. I read manga of this before and I know most people dislike how the drama is going to different route by giving mob one and only love interest but I find it fun to be different, this one you seeing a man who’s taken but still having to dodge the tropes lol

Music:

Nothing much to say, the OP song stuck in my head since season 1 and I’m glad they kept it and even better with an even more extra dance video LMAO I never skipped it.

Rewatch Value:

It’s short and fun so I will say I can rewatch it anytime if I feel down.

From the ending tease, It seems they are opened for season 3 ?? I hope they make it lol even though he has a boyfriend now he will still have to fight the tropes in that world.

Read More

Funny & Somewhat Relatable Family MeloDrama

The first episode hooked me on this drama right away with its nice setup of the characters' personalities and relationships. There was a mix of funny, sad, and interesting moments in that one episode to keep me watching each week. However, around the halfway point of the drama, I started getting bored so I would skip through some moments in the episodes. Soon I even started watching at 2x speed because the characters would speak slowly and the scenes dragged on. Despite this, I would still say that I enjoyed watching this drama and that it was written pretty well. There were some very relatable things said about being a family that made me realize that other families are similar to mine. Though the family's situation is a bit dramatized, it was nice to watch how they unraveled their complicated problems in each episode.

Good things I liked:
1. Amazing acting by the entire cast! (they seem like a legit family from the chemistry and interactions they have on-screen)
2. The ending was wrapped up well - I was pleased with how they ended this family's story :)
3. Interesting plot with unique characters and story set up (Eun Joo, Eun Hee, and Ji Woo had personalities different than other siblings I have seen in other dramas)
4. GREAT ost!
5. Relatable things said about being a family (how family don't tell each other everything, but only things they want)

Some things I didn't like:
1. Some moments in the drama passed by so slowly/were boring, hence the 2x speed, but this could just be my own impatience at how the story was going
2. How sometimes I really didn't understand the actions of some characters (Eun Hee dating Geon Joo when he didn't break up with his current gf yet)
3. How it got draggy about Eun Hee and Chan Hyuk's relationship although I can understand why Eun Hee was hesitant (like just date already!)

Overall, this drama was a good watch and although I would not rewatch this, I would recommend if you're looking for an interesting melodrama about an unfamiliar family. I do suggest at least 1.5x speed if you get impatient at the story's pacing because it really gets through the episode faster ;)

Read More

I almost gave up on this drama after episode 1 because, honestly, everything from acting to dialogues to the story bored me to death. But thank the Lords I continued to watch. This drama had so much more to offer than I had ever expected. The plot finally began to shape up after 2-3 eps. Siwon's acting improved drastically and I actually laughed at a few parts. Especially that one part where the Ajjumma started singing to make Siwon laugh (if someone knows the song please tell me! haha).

Overall, I got a really warm, fuzzy feeling out of this drama. And not because of the romance but because of these cute, little family reunions which really get me every time.

Will definitely watch it again. For Ye Eun (:

Read More

VERY INACCURATE, HORRIBLE PORTRAYAL

As someone who read and loved Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, watching Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy was a deeply frustrating experience. The movie takes the complex, layered narrative of the novel and reduces it to a simplified, commercial action flick that barely resembles the source material.

First and foremost, the characters are completely mishandled. Kim Dokja’s depth — his psychological struggle, inner monologues, and slow evolution — is lost entirely. In the film, he’s portrayed as a generic hero with none of the quiet intensity or existential weight that makes him compelling in the novel. Yoo Joonghyuk is similarly mischaracterized, coming off as one-dimensional and overly emotional instead of the cold, calculating regressor fans know. Their dynamic, one of the most nuanced parts of the story, is glossed over in favor of comedy and forced drama.

Key arcs and plot points are either completely altered or omitted. The film skips the early scenarios that define the tone of the story and instead jumps into flashy high-stakes battles without context. Crucial concepts like the Constellations, Scenarios, Fables, and Dokja’s Reader status are either watered down or poorly explained, making the narrative incomprehensible for newcomers and insulting for fans. Additionally, they made the important parts of story such as Dokjas love for the novel that saved his life and his backstory that shaped him, the story and its impact completely irrelevant; they changed it all.

It’s not just a bad adaptation — it feels like the creators didn’t even read the novel or respect the intelligence of its fanbase. Worse still, the thematic heart of the novel — self-worth, loneliness, identity, and the meaning of stories — is completely missing. The movie trades introspection for action, wit for explosions, and originality for clichés. It feels like a product designed to capitalize on the IP’s popularity without any real effort to capture what made it special.

In the end, Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy isn’t just a poor adaptation — it’s a disservice to a story that deserved so much more. By stripping away the novel’s emotional complexity, rich world-building, and philosophical core, the film reduces a groundbreaking narrative into generic spectacle. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a curious newcomer, this version fails to deliver on nearly every front. If you’re looking to experience the true magic of Omniscient Reader, do yourself a favor and read the novel — the movie doesn’t even come close.

Read More

Love of Nirvana, best my drama

First I would like to thank the cast and production team for producing such a beautiful and touching drama.

Yes, at first I didn't even intend to watch this drama because of the male lead. But I ended up getting sucked into it. This drama is very beautiful with a well-organized plot. As for the main character, The development of feelings and character is very strong, very interesting to explore the story of his life.
For the female character I like that she was initially a free and cheerful person but along with the story she also developed and the characterization of li landy. Come on we don't need to doubt.I really like this drama, for now I might stick to Chinese dramas, because I think their stories are amazing. Oh yeah, the soundtrack of this drama, I love it.

Read More