Reviews

Complete 180 from the first two episodes

I went into this drama genuinely excited because I love the body‑swap trope, but the first two episodes were honestly rough. It was marketed as a comedy, yet the tone felt completely off. The characters, especially the twins were so cartoonishly evil that it stopped being funny and just became irritating. Even the chairman, who we’re clearly supposed to root for later, is introduced as deeply unlikeable with no redeeming qualities in sight.

The result is that the opening two hours feel like watching bad people get away with everything, with no emotional balance or relief. I understand that the setup is necessary for the story that follows, but it was still a slow, frustrating, and painful watch.

But then episodes three and four completely turned things around. Once the plan starts moving, the tone settles, and the show finally becomes what it promised to be. The leads have fantastic chemistry, they play off each other beautifully, and the story suddenly becomes engaging and fun.

Read More

The whole show is shallow, childish, and annoying

The alien coming to earth is likeable enough, I mean who doesn’t like an outsider who transcends time and has superpowers and unlimited wealth but is beyond the world? The alien guy has loads of interesting things about him and they could have explored this angle- I mean he’s lived for 400 years starting from the Edo period, but the director of the show never once explores where he came from or what he knows through all his life on earth even, but instead he chose to focus on…

The female lead who is a vacuous has-been airheaded actress and obsessed with her looks and self image, not unlike a regular instagram model. What?! Wow! So original! The show chose to focus on the most mundane character and her narcissism above the cool alien who has super powers? Apparently she and her shallow life is more interesting than what Alien guy has been doing on earth for 400 years or where he came from? Ok let’s talk about the fantastic female lead this show chooses to waste all its time on. She is extremely annoying- because she’s been an actress since the age of 12, perhaps the idea is that she is mentally and emotional stunted or damaged. She surrounds herself with posters and billboards of her own image. Her facial expressions are terribly self conscious and her face contorts itself into new shapes every second with every word, as if she’s trying really hard to be cute or adorable or “an actress,” but just ends up looking like a weirdo. It’s the “socialite” kind of self-absorbed, unbearably bad actor. I mean a grown adult making the expressions of a toddler 24/7 with the emotional intelligence and maturity of a peanut and the narcissism, self importance, and intelligence of an toddler stuck to a mirror all day, I can’t fathom how the alien guy likes her except for the fact that they live close to each other and so the sparks must fly out of sheer proximity? But out of 400 years of being on the earth is this the best the alien guy could do? She is not a catch but keeps telling herself and everyone else that she is in order to keep her fragile ego running. As for the alien says he never felt lonely for 400 years being alone on his own but now all of a sudden he feels lonely because he’s fallen into an instagram romance with this actress? The director squeezes the infinitely more interesting alien and his powers into a cheap party trick for human perception. How come nobody is curious about his powers or where he came from? This self centered actress never once asked about his place or researched how he got to this planet. Only her brother who’s a space enthusiast bothers to look up the comet that came and dropped Alien dude off during the Edo period. All the actress could say is “He’s not leaving anymore! He’s staying here for ME! Must be the power of love! Yay!” Her curiosity about his ends there. What kind of love is that except her own narcissism about her “desirability and charm” to seduce men? Is this actress’s hollow socialite charm, seduction born of desperation, and “sex appeal” forced from childhood trauma and loneliness from lacking a father figure equal to “love?” This show’s director seems to think so.

There is a scene in the 5th episode where the female is drugged and put in a moving car- when she wakes up she’s at the driver’s seat of this speeding car headed for a cliff and the brakes don’t work. Instead of opening the door and getting the hell out, she screams “Help me Professor Toyama!” Like hello do you see that he’s not in the car? How stupid is this woman to call upon someone who’s not even in the scene? Lucky for her Toyama happens to be a teleporting alien who has great skills and can save her ridiculous self. One has to wonder how this actress has managed to stay alive all these years with nothing but a self important ego and narcissism in her toolbox. She is only good for two things: making ridiculous baby expressions and passing out/getting drunk/sleeping.

Another even more ridiculous scene is where this woman says she can make any man fall for her in 15 seconds and she sets a timer and starts doing the top 10 most ridiculous “charming” “Look at me I’m a baby” expressions- and somehow at the end of it even she runs of out ideas but Mr alien dude falls for it and kisses her because her toddler charm worked on him. And then cue the melodramatic K drama music at full volume! What a caricature. There’s nothing romantic about this show. So this incredible alien guy who has lived and watched humanity for 400 years falls in love with a toddler woman who justifies him throwing away his wisdom of impermanence over centuries and extraterrestrial powers for a cheap K drama relationship?? Then the actress lady brags about the earth “The whole earth is a delicacy!” As if to poo-poo alien guy’s planet because she doesn’t care to know where he came from, but they’re in a love relationship right? All centered around her and her petty shallow human whims like taking selfies with the stereotypical “Hai cheezu!” Is that a relationship? Oh God what am I going to do with these characters who have the depth of a sheet of paper?

The show seems to tip toe around her large baby ego and it’s annoying to watch. I came her for the cool alien powers not the usual K drama style romance, yawn! Watching this show is hardly bearable due to the female lead but I was still interested in what the murder mystery story was about.

It reminds me of the maturity level of a K-drama which tends to be at a middle school or high school level of pettiness and performance. It reeks of that same kind of “Means Girls” K drama pettiness and fluff, with exaggerated facial expressions and bad acting.

Also, I have to give the music a 1 star as well because it reminds me of those hollow K dramas that have to fill every second with mind numbing noise, aka melodramatic violin music, because the show is made for toddlers with no attention span, and no tolerance for silence and stillness that other J dramas have.

Also there are many scenes where it’s obvious that they’re using green screen and not a real background but it looks incredibly cheap.

Then Mr alien drops the biggest bomb of all- he wants a K drama happily ever after complete with 24/7 melodramatic violin BGM and “to grow old with her” because he envies the fleeting impermanent life of humans that grow old, decay, and die. This show needs a dose of Buddha’s teachings seriously. There is nothing glamorous or romantic about the life of a human that is characterized by suffering, sickness, and death. But if it’s wrapped in melodramatic romantic music and some nice filters then surely it’s enviable! Give me a break. Mr Alien is ready to those away a life of infinite power to be a finite creature chasing after a toddler minded narcissistic actress who obsesses and brags about her “charm” and “desirability” and making some magazine list for “Best girlfriend material.” There is no depth! No real love! Just a narcissist trying to prove to herself that she’s still desirable and can make a man desire her. How is this love? I just can’t with this show.

Then there is the “suspense” and murder mystery part of the show which is equally lame. Bad guy chasing a flash drive with evidence, and acting like it can’t be erased, another guy with recorded evidence on a pen who naively shows it to the bad guy without making any backups in this day and age… who is then beat up and his pen evidence crushed! But then it’s revealed that alien guy stopped time and retrieved the real pen! But does no one have an ounce of curiosity about alien guy, where he comes from, and how he can do all this? How come the level of higher level curiosity in a human being is so low only to the point of “how can he use his powers to help us with our dumb human problems?” The show presents a very self centered, myopic human perspective and doesn’t see past it to the alien guy’s vast expansive experience, and he’s reduced down to cheap party tricks of turning lights on and off and making things fly…

Finally in the very last episode, narcissistic actress lady asks him “Hey where’s the star you came from?” WOW! Some curiosity finally. Then she ends it with “You came from really far right? To this little island country..” Cue the proposal scene with the ring and the melodramatic k drama music! Oh darn the curiosity about the supernatural has already died and rotted into the usual romance. Then actress lady says “I was interested in dating an alien, but I get bored easily so I’ve had enough. Just like you were curious about dating a famous person like me. You’ll be young forever and I’ll be old soon and I can’t tolerate that. That other actress’s death wasn’t my fault and my career’s getting back on track so I’m going to marry Hiroya. If I marry him now, the people will love me. ” What!!? This has to be the most shallow dialog I’ve ever heard in my life. This socialite airhead got bored of an alien with infinitely more experience and depth than her and wants to marry the other dude because “the people will love me?” This shows how shallow this show, the director and all the characters are. I’m so done. The alien guy deserves so much more. Let the humans have their low level romances. Go home alien! You deserve better! The alien crying on his balcony after the shallow actress dumps him is the low point of the entire series (other than the dialog she just gave). As if they had something so deep to grieve about.

As they sit on a bench waiting for the comet to come that evening, alien guy and his only friend are siting on the bench and the friend says the most sensible dialog to him, “You’re finally leaving tonight. It must be tough for you but I’m actually relieved. A flower must return to its roots, the bird to its nest. Everything must return to where it must be. You will be where you must be. I wish for you to live a healthy life where you belong.” Then just when some sense was spoken into the script, this guy hiroya comes along and says “No it was all an act by the actress because she snooped through your diary and found out you’ll die if you stay past 400 years so she acted like she wanted to break up. But she still loves you! Now it’s up to you!” Cue the K drama violin. The Moor comet comes in an hour… then 15 minutes. Actress gets drunk in her usual style with her friend. Then Alien guy comes to her room. It’s time to say bye bye to alien guy and let him be free and be back home where he belongs. Will the shallow K drama sentimental romance prevail or will the truth of alien guy going to his true home prevail? Then this long drawn out dialog on the balcony which ends in “Tsubaki aishteru”… where the k drama music is just dying to burst through the scene and there it is! Then he disappears for a second and actress lady cries but she still looks like she’s so self conscious of her expressions and literally looks like she’s acting as if she’s crying. It’s so cringe to watch. My patience wears thin.. will he go home on not?

Then 3 years later it shows how this actress lady has grown in her career, running her own company, and wrote a book about her alien boyfriend. Again the director descends into the lower realms of being so enamored by the shallow human realms of fame, success, and money, that again he fails to go into where this alien comes from and what his existence is. So he go back to the focusing on the shallow actress’s life and how she has basically made money off the alien guy relationship and recovered her career. She and Hiroya focus on how big of a hit her book about the alien guy was and how it will be made into a movie, and entertainment is the future of investment! Typical selfish narcissistic human stuff. Yawn.

Actress goes back to talking like a baby and hugging a new dog, complete with baby talk. Then she wins some award and alien guy comes back. Now he’s magically accustomed to earth. So now they’re back to dating but now the alien guy is back to dating her and the usual human life. Alien guy is partnering with NASA and whatever else to make joint ventures and whatever. They do tv interviews together like a perfect celebrity couple. All is well in K drama land. Now and then he disappears. And then he shows up. At this point I’m sick of seeing close ups of both of their faces. They said they are living and enjoying every second they have together because they don’t know how long they have to live. Oh good now it’s over. That was long and exhausting. I’m glad it’s over. It was really bad guys. If the most shallow idol fame obsessed pop culture was put into a J drama, this would be it.

For some reason in the version I watched on Prime, there were “Behind the Scenes” after every single episode and everyone saying “Ganbari masu!” I don’t care! The show sucks. I don’t need a behind the scenes of a garbage pile.

This rating is for the weakest link of the show, and it can’t be higher than this.

Read More

A Son Who Crossed Time for His Mother

Qi Shuo is, without a doubt, the soul of I Belonged to Your World. While the drama revolves around time travel, fate, and romance, it is Qi Shuo who gives the story its emotional weight. What makes him such a memorable character is that his journey is not driven by a desire to save himself or achieve some grand personal goal. Everything he does stems from one simple thing: his love for his mother.

Many dramas tell stories about parents sacrificing everything for their children, but Qi Shuo turns that idea on its head. He is the child willing to sacrifice everything for his parent. From the moment we understand who he is and why he came back, every interaction becomes layered with emotions. Qi Yue sees him as a stranger who suddenly enters her life, but Qi Shuo sees her as his mother. He knows her struggles, her regrets, and the pain she will experience in the future. Yet he has to keep carrying that knowledge alone.

What I love most about Qi Shuo is that he never feels like a plot device created to move the story forward. He feels like a real person. He is playful, warm, stubborn, and incredibly easy to love. He brings so much light to the drama that it’s easy to forget just how much pain he carries. Underneath his smile is someone constantly facing an impossible reality: the better he succeeds in changing the past, the less certain his own future becomes.

That is what makes his character so heartbreaking. Qi Shuo understands that giving Qi Yue a better life may come at the cost of his own existence, but he chooses to move forward anyway. He never hesitates when it comes to her happiness. He never asks whether the outcome will benefit him. In a way, his love is the purest form of love shown in the entire drama because it is completely selfless. He does not want anything in return. He simply wants his mother to have the life she deserves.

The drama’s quote, “All love in this world is for gathering. Only the love between parents and children is for separation,” perfectly captures Qi Shuo’s story. Usually, we watch parents make sacrifices for their children, but here we watch a son become the one who lets go. He spends the entire drama trying to create a future where his mother can be happier, even if that future may not include him. There is something incredibly beautiful and devastating about that.

His relationship with Qi Yue is also what makes the story so special. Every moment between them carries emotional meaning because the audience understands something Qi Yue does not. Whether they are joking, arguing, or sharing quiet conversations, there is always an underlying sadness because Qi Shuo is spending precious time with the person he loves most while being unable to openly call her “Mom.” He gets to be close to her, but never in the way he truly wants.

I also loved how naturally he fit with Qi Yue and Lu Xiao. The three of them genuinely felt like a family. Even before the story confirms their connection, there is a warmth and comfort whenever they are together. Their chemistry made it easy to believe that they belonged in each other’s lives. Qi Shuo wasn’t simply witnessing their story—he was the bridge connecting them. In many ways, he represented the future they could have if they chose each other.

A huge part of why Qi Shuo works so well is Liu Yitong’s performance. Another actor could have easily made the character overly sentimental, but Liu Yitong brought so much charm, sincerity, and warmth to the role. He made Qi Shuo feel like the kind of son anyone would be proud to have. His emotional scenes hit hard because the love behind them always felt genuine.

By the end of the drama, what stayed with me wasn’t the time travel mechanics or the romance. It was Qi Shuo. His story is about belonging, family, sacrifice, and unconditional love. He crossed time for his mother, carried burdens she never knew about, and was willing to give up everything so she could have a chance at happiness. That kind of devotion is rare, and it’s what makes him one of the most unforgettable characters I’ve seen in a drama.

Qi Shuo didn’t just make me cry—he made me think about how powerful the bond between a parent and child can be. Long after the plot details fade from memory, I know he will be the character I remember most.

Read More

Is it realistic? No. Is it cathartic? Absolutely

This is one of those stories that will start unravelling and likely, eventually collapse in on itself if you decide to delve deeper into the premise. Throughout the 10 episodes, I found myself revisiting the same questions

1. How would 4 people, 3 in the field, handle ALL the schools in Korea?

2. Based on the fact (again) that there are only 3 inspectors in the field, how do they vet which cases need immediate attention and which don't? What happens to the ones that are pushed back? Do the people just keep suffering?

3. How do you keep such an organization incorruptible? To make better and faster changes, they'd need more agents. But humans are greedy. How would they, down the line, keep the ERPB 'pure'? What steps do they need to vet the new inspectors? How thorough would they need to be?

4. What happens after they leave an institution? We never go back to the schools to see if the changes stuck, so... How do we know that the bullies fully stop and none others crop up to fill the gap?

5. Because the ERPB is often shown to work alone, with no collaboration during or after with the teachers or the parents, how will the organization ensure that the steps they've taken to better the place stick?

The more I asked the questions, the more I sat there like... Hmm😕🤔🤔🫤

However, rather than dwell on that, I choose to appreciate what the story is trying to say, highlight, and the lessons it may hopefully teach one or two people out there. Some things I appreciated were how the show

🥊Exposes the dysfunction not only in the classrooms, but also in the education system as a whole, in homes, and within the legal system. While the children can be insane and do some horrible things, the adults more often than not play a role in how and why these children turn out the way they do. By hiding them behind money, power, a billion excuses, as well as weak and poorly executed laws.

🥊Highlights how bullying is not only wrong, but also absolutely inhumane. Whether it's between students themselves, teachers and students, parents and teachers, parents and their children, etc. It's all wrong, and hella fucked. Bullying also doesn't always occur in the form of physical violence

🥊Constantly emphasizes the need to speak up. Closed mouths don't get fed. And suffering in silence saves no one. Not yourself, not the people you are trying to alleviate the burden from by keeping quiet, no one. Ask for help. Yes, some people may turn away from you, but if you keep asking, maybe, just maybe, someone will hear you and actually do something about it

🥊That stricter punishments are needed regardless of age. The punishment needs to fit the crime, and an apology should not be seen as punishment - *angrily thinks back to that juvenile gang case and the case regarding the elementary school mother*

🥊Showed up the bullies getting slapped back. I think slapping is one of the most disrespectful ways to hit another human being. So anytime a bully was straight-up open-palm slapped, I clapped. Them being punched, kicked, tripped, scared within an inch of their lives was fantastic, but the slaps... I swear I heard an angel singing in my ear when each one landed

The bullying plot line aside,

💐I loved the underlying plot about the murder that set it all in motion. Watching the fiancé and the dad fight to protect other innocents as they were hounded by the grief, guilt, and sadness that they couldn't protect the one person they cared about the most was heartbreaking. Not to mention they were also being insulted in public with people bringing up her death at every chance they got, like she was a pawn on some political chess board... Uff!

🌸The comedy was also great. I laughed out loud a bunch of times. Of all the characters, I think Deputy Bong made me laugh the most. That poor, long-suffering employee. The ERPB did not have an HR department, but if it did, bro would've been in there every week with a long ass list of very valid complaints.

🌹The romance - It was unexpected and doesn't quite add much to the plot, but it was funny. Deputy Bong decided that his life wasn't hard enough and decided to fall in love with a deranged baddie. I am both happy and sorry for that man.

Final Thoughts
While the drama isn't really realistic, it poses some important questions and highlights important social issues. If you enjoy watching bullies and bad guys get punched, slapped, and served a dose of their own medicine, you'll have a fun time with this one.
Note that, depending on how much violence you can handle (physical, emotional, and psychological), you may need to skip quite a number of scenes

Read More

Too Fast Paced

I rarely say this about a drama. Usually C dramas can be quite slow paced for me but this one is too fast paced. Let me explain what I mean by this:
There is constantly an important plot point happening, if it were chess, it would be like constant check mates. This alone wouldn’t be a problem, after all it’s exciting from a viewer’s perspective. The problem is that there is no breathing room in between. We don’t get to see the impact of loses or wins on the characters in between the chess moves. This leads to not only the viewer feeling overwhelmed, but it doesn’t allow for us to connect to the characters. Who are they? What do they value? What are the sacrifices they are making for their main goal (eg revenge) and how do they impact them? Are they losing their real selves? Are they tired from constantly fighting or being strong? What are their weaknesses? How can they grow? Because currently I’m on episode 5 and our main character seems to have the answer to everything even though she was a super innocent and naive girl in the previous life. There needs to be room for her to learn and grow. So far it’s been completely plot led and with the speed at which it is moving, we should have seen her lose something significant by now, but we haven’t. In 5 episodes we’ve covered enough plot for half the series and it’s only been just over a 5th of the 24 episodes. I don’t really care about the characters and the plot is leaving me dizzy. I’m thinking how can I manage to watch until episode 24??

To end on a positive note: The acting is quite strong. The main ensemble is doing a great job and the dialogue is done well - subtle but powerful. The subtext is great. If they were to include some scenes letting us see the characters’ personalities a bit more, I think this show could have been a 10/10.

I might give it a break and come back later but right now I don’t really feel like watch the rest of this show.

Read More

not my favourite ter nawapol film

to be honest, it was quite slow and not much really happened. i’m not against slow films at all- i’ve watched ter’s film 36 as well as many joei apichatpong films, i just found human resource to not live up to my expectations

it gives a story of a very mundane office life for a HR person trying to hire a junior position, whilst being secretly pregnant in a society where illness, pollution etc are coming more apparent, so she seems uncertain about raising a child (well that’s what i gathered)

overall it’s a miserable representation of our society, which unfortunately is very real. maybe that’s why i didn’t like it so much

anyways, on the other hand, the acting was really good and i was so happy to see atom chanakan in a film by my favourite director because he is one of my favourite singers!! also the music was nice and there was some tattoo colour so bonus points!!

overall i’d say it probably wasn’t for me, but i’d recommend it if you like slow paced films

Read More

Taxi Driver: School Bully Version

Teach You A Lesson was one of my most anticipated dramas this year and it didn't disappoint!

Ep 1 was a great start after which the momentum stabilizes to a case by case format of troublesome school after troublesome school. Through 10 episodes, the drama covers all the major bullying crimes including physical violence, substance use, cyber crimes, stalking, defamation and scamming.

Kim Mu Yeol and his slaps keep delivering until Jin Ki Joo, P.O and Lee Sung Min join the action. The main cast comprising these four Anti-Bully Avengers definitely carried the show with their friendly camaraderie. Kim Mu Yeol has charisma for days and the swagger of a believable action hero protagonist, while Jin Ki Joo and the rest of the cast are equally engaging in their roles.

Having said that, I do want to mention that this show seems to have a lot of fourth wall breaking, preach-heavy moments. Satire usually hits when the message is more subtle and indirect so I do wonder if the ones who truly need these lessons both among students and the adults around them will get the message.

At the same time, it's very evident that the makers put a lot of effort into shaping the script in such a way that they'd cover all the possible domains of potential criticism from viewers beforehand. From public outrage from hypocritical human rights warriors to making sure they mention that they're only after the bad apples among both teachers and students and acknowledging the good ones that do exist and reassuring that their mission is for their protection, they've done a good job presenting a neutral unbiased view that keeps educational rights at the forefront.

While this helps theme-wise, this creative choice may have tipped slightly into becoming an overcorrection with constant repetition of similar thoughts across multiple episodes which has then also compromised the overall pacing of the show. This can put off some viewers who are more used to the steady build up of anticipation and dread in more conventional action/thrillers, especially high school themed thrillers set around a single school and one common enemy.

Regardless, this was a fun watch overall with a solid theme. Lots of entertaining action choreography and a healthy balance of humor and emotion.

Teach You A Lesson is a really fun addition to high school themed revenge dramas, this time with adults delivering the slaps-err-justice!

Read More

Glory Back: Proof That Mini-Dramas Can Be Just as Good as Full-Length Dramas

Glory Back may technically be a mini-drama, but honestly, take the "mini" out of the description. This drama delivers everything you'd expect from a great full-length drama. This is a series worth binge-watching from start to finish.

These 32 episodes were pure entertainment. From the very first episode, the drama throws you onto a roller coaster ride filled with palace intrigue, betrayal, romance, and enough twists to keep you guessing until the very end. It features one of the most vicious harems I've come across in C-dramaland. Just when you think you've figured out which consort is behind the latest scheme, the story pulls the rug out from under you. The writers did an excellent job of keeping viewers guessing, and the constant surprises kept the drama fresh and exciting.

One thing I really appreciated was how difficult it was to figure out who the true male lead was. Both male leads were excellent, and both had incredible chemistry with the female lead. I found myself going back and forth throughout the series because each relationship brought something unique to the story.

The cast delivered strong performances across the board. The story was engaging, the writing was solid, and the pacing remained consistent from beginning to end. There were very few moments where the drama felt like it was dragging or wasting time.

I also have to mention the OST. What stood out to me was how perfectly the OST fit the story and the characters. Every song felt like it belonged exactly where it was placed, enhancing the emotional moments without overwhelming them.

I also have to give special praise to Fang Jin. She continues to prove why she's one of the most exciting actresses working in the mini-drama space right now. In my opinion, she is more than capable of carrying a full-length drama as a leading actress. Her projects are never boring. They're either wonderfully weird or genuinely excellent, and sometimes, as with Glory Back, they're a little bit of both. LOL.

Overall, I loved this drama and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys palace intrigue, strong performances, unexpected plot twists, and characters who keep you invested from beginning to end.

Read More

China has gone fron censorship hell to masterpieces.! More Please!

Double Helix is just amazing on every level. The acting performances are oscar level. Really superb.

The production quality is just has good has any high budget show. No flaws.

The writing and directing are masterclass level. Truly impressive.

China has changed the BL industry standards. Since 2024 Blue Canvas of Youthful Days the shows have steady improvied.

To the impressive quality of shows like: ABO Desire, Revenged Love, To My Shore, Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island

Currently Airing Double Helix and Journey with You are just adding to this amazing list of shows.

The only downside is my expectations are much higher now, which makes itvharder to watch mediocre shows with below average writiing and acting.

Read More

Assassin X Cop: Lies, Crime and Romance

I didn't even read the plot synopsis before starting this and the story took me by surprise.

I've never seen a KBL with this plotline, so I want to call this an unconventional KBL but it is off to a great start for sure.

The acting is good, the romance is building up nicely too, but there's so much tension; I'm eager to see how everything would turn out.

Only four episodes in, and the cliffhanger at the end of the fourth episode will sure have any viewer returning to continue watching.

This is looking really good so far. You should watch it if you haven't started yet.

(will edit this as I watch)

Read More

What a portrayal of a realistic relationship

Having rewatched the series I stand firm in my belief that Joo In Ah and Noh Ki Jun are the most perfect office couple, next to Love Scout's lovey doveys. They felt so real that I could easily picture them inhabiting the same world as I.Now the Audit team 3 functions as a chorus in an ancient greek play, complimenting but never overshadowing the main plot. They are a delight, all different yet similar at the same time. The most weak character of all is the 2ML IMO. He 's always late. And not "better late than sorry". He is the epitome of "too little, too late". He's so weak that at the end he gives the 2FL a redemption choice, which comes off as pity. Thank God the 2FL learnt her lesson, and in an ironic twist of fate, shows more maturity than him and never calls him. The 2FL got a lot of hate during airing, but she is actually really fleshed out. She is every delusional in love person who'd rather see her lover burn that accept defeat. And yet! She is the voice of logic. Yes, she is reason to the 2ML's crazy. She is always reminding him of the futility of his obsession, of the honour of his position, of the responsibility of his actions, of how illogically he behaves. In a very twisted turn of events, she is his conscience, voicing reality loud and clear, while all he does is give in to his self wallowing. "Pity me the rich boy who now has to pay the consequences of his actions". Having said that, the story gets a 9,5 bc l 'd have loved more episodes or a spinoff where the 2ML gets some spank drilled into him by his equally tortured and torturing ex wife. I really wanted to see their fractured selves somehow fall in love.

Read More

Shades: A GL Drama That Dares to Feel Real

This series really surprised me... I already had expectations because of the plot and the setting "a religious-themed school " but even so, each episode took me to feelings I had missed experiencing in a drama, especially a GL one.
That genre is usually driven toward other kinds of sensations: melancholy romance, drama, and familiar tropes, but it doesn’t always reach full emotional complexity.
Shades i feel it doesn’t rely on the usual GL formula; instead, it builds empathy through realistic struggles, personal conflict, and strong performances.

Shades is a completely different color!

From the very first episode, you feel empathy for each one of the main characters, you understand their problems, and you connect with the way they are. They really manage to break through the screen.
This isn't just a GL about romance, families arranging marriages, or situations that border on fiction. Here you see reality... Anyone can identify with something these girls go through at that school and in their personal lives.
Incredible. I need a Season 2!
The camera work, performances, music... everything.

Also, thanks to Shades I discovered an extraordinary Thai band: The Darkest Romance.

Read More

Morally gray and painfully human.

Not gonna lie, this drama has one of the most misleading synopsis and posters. By all means this is not really a revenge drama, it’s scheming the con artists type of a story. Inflicting pain? Does not really take center stage at all. It felt far more like a constant survival for everyone involved - be it in the present or past timeline, bad or good guys.

The biggest highlights of the drama for me were how the story unfolded and how many well delivered plot twists were added. Who is involved, what are their motivations, with whom they align - the writing keeps you on your toes always trying to guess future developments. Are the good guys actually good? Are the bad guys truly that awful? Can a person be both the perpetrator and the victim at the same time? Can a victim turn into a perpetrator?

I also loved how clumsy the female leads were. It just made sense - they are not criminals, they are normal women who got themselves involved in a situation you cannot truly prepare for. They made many mistakes, overlooked certain aspects of their plans. At times it was frustrating, sometimes funny, sometimes scary. Especially with how vile the villains actually were.

As the drama progressed, rather than anyone winning, I just wanted it all to end, for the sake of the victims. Seeing how far they can go, how deeper into unethical ways they drive - it was more sad than freeing and rewarding.

About the villains - let them burn in hell. As awful as they were to watch, the scenes depicting the crimes and how the young girls were treated were truly effective. Just telling me what happened to them would not have even half of the emotional impact on me. Rather than gore that comes from the revenge part of the plot, the abuse in the past timeline is the true horror.

For the good parts, I have to talk about the acting - phenomenal. It's hard to pick my favorite performance. Whenever we talk about the desperation from Wang Hui Chun and Chao Ching, egocentrism driven by the will to survive in Chang Shih Ka, pure greed in Chang Chia Feng, or the shattered innocence of the teens - everyone delivered exactly what they needed.

Production wise it was also great. I always appreciate when there is a certain balance between aesthetic and more stale/mundane shots. Maybe I am weird, but I dislike when the dramas look like music videos where every second is highly stylized - it’s distracting. Knowing what and when to highlight is a skill.

The drama is obviously not without flaws - no drama is. Starting with a bit of uneven tone. Two aspects I love actually did not form a good synergy. The clumsiness and at times borderline silliness of the mother’s plan at the beginning stages mixed with the horror and realism of what the teens went through seemed odd.

Then we had the absurd last episode - not the biggest fan of the conclusion and the open door for another season. I just cannot see how they will carry the resurrection and revenge theme, and without these, it will be a completely different drama.

Overall, definitely a refreshing drama. While the portrayal of abuse and crime is ever-present in the majority of shows (even rom-com have their own murder mysteries), this level of realism is not common. One one had it made the drama that much more intense, on the other hand it’s for sure not a title everyone can watch.

Read More