Reviews

A Hit For Very New Fans, A Miss for Me

This wasn’t a major hit for me, though it seemed to be the drama that put Li Fei on the map for many viewers. Patrick Quan delivers an excellent performance as a quietly lethal and unsettling antagonist—you could feel the tension every time he appeared onscreen. And the chemistry between Ming Jiajia and Li Fei was electric, but I was disappointed in how their characters were written. They leaned too heavily into familiar dramatic tropes for me to fully appreciate—she played the naive girl, and he was the emotionally distant lead. The subplots were equally frustrating, often feeling overcomplicated and weighed down by hidden motives and misunderstandings that lasted until the very end. The overall tone felt whimsical and veered far from the source novel, which could be felt onscreen. That said, there were several poignant scenes, and the backstory was genuinely intriguing. If you're looking for steam, it's definitely there—but this one might be best suited for devoted Li Fei fans. So for me and others, it was a must watch.

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Great start, okay end

I wanted to watch this because I'm trying to watch all of Dew's works otherwise, I never would've checked it as I've never heard of it before. I thoroughly enjoyed this show a lot. I thought the concept was pretty cool, the characters were all really interesting, and the acting was pretty good as well. I did recognize quite a few actors from this which is always fun.

I will say the last few episodes or so, I didn't like as much as I liked the rest of the season. Once half the students were missing, I think it lost a bit of what made the show good which was the students' interactions. It wasn't bad or anything, I just didn't love it like I did before that happened. I also thought having Zero show up at the end was kind of stupid, maybe they thought they were getting another season though.

I thought the lessons they were being taught to help them prepare for the real world was really cool. Some were better than others, some were just cruel, but still I liked that aspect a lot. Obviously, I didn't like them being punished, but it added something interesting to the show. I really liked the show a lot and would recommend it a lot, especially if you like any of the actors.

Characters: (Spelling I'm going off of what they have on here lol)

Maki: I really liked Maki as the main character. She was so smart, kind, and determined. She wasn't afraid to stand up against the master's for what she thought was right either which I loved. I liked her relationship with our core four group a lot (plus Pheng and Penneung) and her relationship with her brother was really sweet too. Her and Tibet were quite cute together too even though we never got anything of them being a couple.

Tibet: I loved him! I love how caring he was towards everyone. He's also pretty smart and I liked how he was more of a realistic thinker. I think the group really needed that sometimes. I loved our core four as well as his relationship with Pheng and Penneung. He literally saved Pheng's life. I feel bad about his mother dying while he was gone. I'm glad he got to know a bit about his dad too during the show. His crush on Maki was so cute!! I enjoyed his relationship with Nai the most I can't lie. They were always together and it was so adorable.

Nai: The whole reason I watched the show to begin with and I'm glad I really liked his character. Nai was definitely not the smartest, especially out of our core group, but I loved how caring he was as well as him being ready to fight for his friends even if it meant him getting in trouble. Got to give him major props for lasting as long as he did in the fight against Master Champ, he really stuck it out. Again, loved his relationship with the core group and especially Tibet (They would be cute together too but maybe that's just me). His crush on White was so cute, and I love that you can tell he fell quite hard for her. The confession of the two of them on the stairs at the end was really fun.

White: I loved her so much! Her random English was really funny, she was such a baddie and so caring too. She really was ready to do anything for the people she cared about and I loved that. I haven't mentioned it yet, but I loved her friendship with Maki. They had such a good bestie relationship, and I feel like you don't always see that with girls, I feel like it's always just focused on romantic relationships. I love the core group as well as her relationship with Nai, like I mentioned before. Other than Pheng, I think she had the closest relationship with Penneung and liked their interactions a lot.

Penneung: My baby!! He might be my favorite I'm not going to lie. He is so intelligent and so caring. His love for croissants was so adorable! His actor did a great job with his character; I have to give major props there. I think it's really cute that he had a crush on Pheng at the end (I think she felt the same too). I was really happy when he joined our main group because I loved his character a lot. I hated seeing him get picked on some of the people in the beginning and I'm glad by the end they all were friendly towards him. We saw the most growth in relationships with him I feel.

Pheng: I'm not going to lie I didn't care for Pheng too much. She did get a bit better at the end, but she was just too whiny for me. Most of the time she was on screen she was whining about something, it was so annoying. Her whole episode where it revealed she does a lot of stuff for attention didn't surprise me at all; she just gave that vibe anyway. After she almost committed, she did get better a little bit. I liked her relationship with Biu and especially with Penneung.

Hugo: He was quite the asshole throughout a lot of the show, but I will say his love for Jingjai was really sweet. I love that he always called her beauty, that was so cute. The scene of the two of them by the water towards the end of the show really showed a different side of them both that I really liked.

Jingjai: Similar to Hugo, I didn't like her throughout most of the show and then after the lake scene, I'd say I found them tolerable. I loved everything she said during her classes with just a couple of the girls and Headmaster. I loved that.

Fuji: There were times I liked Fuji and times I didn't. I liked how badass and strong she was, but there were times I really questioned what she was thinking. For the most part I did like her though. I thought she would be more important, but she really got hardly any screentime in the second half of the show (and I don't just mean when she was taken).

Mek: & Mok: Putting them in the same one because I have the hardest time these twins apart. I've seen them individually in a bunch of things and could never tell which was which until I'd look it up and having them both in the same series made it impossible for me. Once I noticed how they were dressing differently, I could tell who who was. I liked how similar but different they were. They were quite unimportant to the show to be honest. They could've not existed and I think the show would've been pretty much the same in my opinion. I did like them both though. I was glad they were starting to fix their relationship by the end because the physical fight between them was so rough. They added some humor to the show too which I liked.

Biu: I really liked her! She was really fun and caring. I thought her crush on Jean at the end was sweet. Her friendship with Pheng was really cute too. I get why she was mad at Pheng for a bit, I would be too, but I was happy they made up.

Jean: Man was actually the least important character. I liked him with Biu, he did have a good friendship with Jingjai and Hugo, but once they dated, he wasn't with them a lot anymore. The second half of the show I didn't have a problem with him, he just didn't add anything at all. He was definitely more likable though towards the end since he was a bully in the beginning.

Run: I loved seeing Gun. His character Run was pretty cool. I have mixed feelings on him saying Amin felt like a father and him taking over Home School. I feel like they should've shown us more flashbacks of the two of them bonding in the past to show how hurt Run was by Amin locking him up. I would've loved to see more of him and Maki together as well since it was the whole reason Maki went to Home School to begin with.

Amin: I knew there had to be something going on with him because a lot of times what he was doing, even if it was a bit messed up, it never to me felt like he had really bad intensions so I was glad to see that he was a lot better and was actually just being controlled.

Yani/Headmaster: Kind of like Amin, I from the start just thought she had good intensions and truly cared for the kids. We even saw that with how she would question Amin a bit with the treatment of Run. I really loved her classes with just the couple girls, it made me like her a lot more than I already did.

Prasat: I hated this guy from the second he showed up and wasn't shocked at all that he was doing shady stuff. Him and Champ just seemed to not care at all about the kids in anyway, especially compared to the other masters. Bad vibes all around and am very happy he ended up in jail.

Phraephon: I think she was my favorite out of the masters. You could always tell she truly cared for the kids and for Run. I loved finding out she was helping Run plan his escape the entire time. I liked that she was trying to help Deluxe as well. I was pretty sad she died, she didn't deserve that.

Phoban: I liked him a lot. He always seemed to be looking out for the kids and seemed like a genuinely good guy. He was just adorable to me for some reason.

Champ: I hated him from start to finish. Like I mentioned before, you can tell he just didn't care about the kids at all. I wasn't shocked by him siding with Prasat either.

Deluxe: She was so cute!! I loved her just singing her little songs all the time (even if it wasn't the right time for it lol). She was really caring too and I loved how her class with Phen and Pennueng was just playing guitar and singing.

Every parent was a piece of shit lol except Tibet's mom and Biu's dad was eh.

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One of Li Fei’s Best

This is my second favorite Li Fei drama (with my top pick being Zhao Ge Fu, also known as Song of the Dynasty). It features a rebirth storyline that starts off with a light comedic tone and becomes more poignant as the plot unfolds. The layers are complex, and it’s engaging to watch everything come together. The character development is strong, and the chemistry between the leads feels natural and satisfying. It’s easy to connect with the characters as they face and resolve various conflicts.

My only critique is the ending—it didn’t make much sense to me, and I had to chalk it up as a plot hole in order to move on. You might enjoy this drama if you’re into second-chance storylines, palace intrigue, beautiful costumes, and a mix of humor and drama.

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¡What a wonderful world to live in!

PROGRESS: 10/14

My Royal Nemesis is set during the Joseon Dynasty. Kang Dan-sim became famous at court for her cunning and ambition. Through manipulation and intelligence, she rose to the rank of royal concubine. In the sixth year of King Anjong's reign, Dan-shim died after being forced to drink poison. Her death triggered a shaman's spell, causing supernatural events such as a midsummer frost and a total lunar eclipse.

However, her fate does not end with her death. Her soul awakens in 21st-century South Korea, inhabiting the body of Shin Seo-ri, an unknown actress who plays supporting roles in historical dramas. In this unfamiliar era, Dan-shim gradually takes control of Seo-ri's life and, due to her unpredictable nature, quickly adapts to the modern world. She crosses paths with Cha Se-gye, the ruthless heir to a business conglomerate. A tense and conflicted relationship develops between them, complicated by a love-hate dynamic.

As he ventures into this unfamiliar world, Kang Dan-shim realizes that this twist of fate offers him the opportunity to escape his predetermined destiny and transform his life.

The drama presents a unique premise, one that isn't often seen: a Joseon-era villain in modern-day Korea trying to adapt to this new, unfamiliar world. She meets a villain from that era, and through misunderstandings and funny situations, they end up falling in love. I must say, the first episode was incredibly funny and captivated me. It was hilarious seeing Dan-sim's spirit in Seo-ri's body; I connected with their story. Unfortunately, not much happened in the subsequent episodes, but I still enjoyed it. The series makes good use of comedy and humorous situations, which make it incredibly enjoyable. My only issue was with Dan-sim's adaptation—how she learned to use a cell phone and how she navigated the city. I feel like these details were forgotten or overlooked. Another thing I must mention is the set design; it's spectacular, and they make use of very striking locations. Overall, I give the story a... 9/10

The series doesn't have a huge cast of characters, but it does have quite a few, and they're diverse. Our main couple has great chemistry, that's something I have to say. I connected with Seo-ri's grandmother; her scenes brought tears to my eyes because they reminded me of spending time with my grandparents and taking care of them.

Here's my analysis of the main characters:

Shin Seo Ri / Kang Dan Shim (Lim Ji-yeon):

Shin Seo-ri: An aspiring actress, she was known for her starring role as a child in the drama Sonagi, but as an adult, she became an unknown actress. Later, she is possessed by the spirit of Kang Dan-shim, a villain from the Joseon era, and develops a cruel personality.

Kang Dan-shim: Dan-shim is a ruthless and cunning concubine of the Joseon Dynasty, known as the most hated villain of the court. She rose from humble origins to the position of first-rank concubine without strong support, relying on her sharp wit and manipulative tactics. She possesses an incredibly developed sixth sense. After dying by poisoning, she awakens 300 years later, in 2026, and inhabits the body of Shin Seo-ri, who is filming a poisoning scene for a historical drama. In this new world, she crosses paths with Cha Se-gye, who could be her last chance to change her fate. She also decides to continue pursuing Seo-ri's dream of becoming a famous actress.


I must say that Lim Ji-yeon's acting is very good, how she manages to make Dan-sim feel like she's in an unfamiliar world, and her performance is very funny, how she doesn't back down from anyone and calls the other actress a whore, and the slapping scene was very good to watch.

Cha Se-gye / Grand Prince Cheongheon (Yi Hyeon): (Heo Nam-jun)

Cha Se-gye: The infamous third-generation heir of the Chail Group and CEO of Biojei, he is known as a "monster of capitalism." When he crosses paths with Seo-ri, who is possessed, he confronts her.

Yi-hyeon: A solitary figure marked by past trauma, he wore a half-mask to hide the facial scars from a mysterious fire from which he alone survived. In contrast to Ajong, who represents "light," he is described as "shadow." In his previous life, he was the youngest son of King Mukjong and the younger brother of King Anjong, and a scholar who saved Dan-shim from being confined in a chest of rice.

This is the first time I've seen Heo Nam-jun in a leading role; the first time I saw him was in "When the Phone Rings," and I must say he manages to capture that essence of an arrogant chaebol who just needs to be loved. His acting is cold, but at the same time, he manages to convey the love he has for Seo-ri.

Choi Mun-do (Jang Seung Jo): President of Chail Construction and Se-gye's cousin. He repeatedly tried to gain the attention of his uncle, Dal-su. He even offered to be a liver donor for his uncle, who was suffering from acute liver failure. After becoming president of Chail Construction, he considered the position insufficient and continued to aspire to his uncle's position, while perceiving Cha Se-gye as his superior.

I'd never seen this actor before, and I have to say his character is so detestable. Even as a child, he's always wanted attention, and even having a son doesn't change his mindset. I just hope he gets what he deserves.

Overall, I give the acting a 9.5/10.

The OST isn't particularly noteworthy; the only song I like is "Anyway," though who knows if I'll like the others. THAT'S WHY I GIVE IT A 7/10.

Would I watch it again? Probably. I think it's an excellent drama for when you need a touch of comedy and romance, so I'm giving it an 8.5/10.

In short, My Royal Nemesis is an excellent drama if you're looking for one that blends romantic comedy with touches of fantasy, perfect for a boring weekend. It's a story with endearing and diverse characters, and funny situations that will make you laugh. Overall, I'm giving it an 8.5/10 so far (although this could change depending on the four episodes I have left).

THANKS FOR READING

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It Took Time, Then It Clicked

It took me a little while to get into this one, but it was worth the wait. I hadn’t realized Yu Xuanchen and Liu Zhiwei were in it when I first watched—now I’m tempted to rewatch it! What really drew me in was the twist in the storyline, and I appreciated how both the main plot and subplots developed over time.

I wasn’t too fond of the comedic elements early on, which might explain why it didn’t hook me right away. The story opens with hidden identities, and I wasn’t initially engaged with the lighthearted dynamic between the leads. But once the narrative found its footing, I became fully invested in the characters and the storytelling. The performances were solid, the pacing was smooth, and I don’t recall any major plot holes—making this one of Li Fei’s better-directed and more polished dramas.

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Messy, Imperfect, and Completely Engaging

I enjoyed this, but I don't know if everyone can watch it. It has every hallmark of a short-length drama. It is low-budgeted, the storylines aren't well explained, the transitions between subplots are choppy, and there is no concrete ending. So, this watch takes a certain viewer. With that said, this is one of my highly-rated dramas. The overall narrative is interesting and the subplots are equally captivating. I love that we get two devil characters with backstories that drive this drama forward. Watching how entangled their lives are in different lifetimes keeps the story unique and engaging. I had many questions about key details, which is a sign of being absorbed into the narrative. I wish there had been a better finale though.

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Promising, but Left Unfinished

I remember this one had a slow start, but once I was committed, I really enjoyed it. It’s another transmigration storyline where the heroine enters a novel and makes choices based on what she already knows—but it brings a fresh vision that makes the subplots feel original. There’s a mix of politics, conspiracies, and intriguing characters, though I do wish some had been more fully developed. There's even a fun guest appearance by Lin Zehui toward the end.

My main critique is the ending—it drops off without closure or a second season. While I can sometimes overlook that, in this case, it was disappointing because the story had been building toward something truly promising. Each episode made the plot more compelling, and I had high hopes for how the subplots would unfold. Still, I don’t regret watching it. As a Li Fei fan, I think this drama showcases his strengths and reinforces how he consistently chooses interesting and unique projects.

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A Story That Sneaks Up on You

I really enjoyed this transmigration story. It took a few episodes to draw me in, but I was surprised by how emotionally resonant it became. Like many of Li Fei’s films, it’s a low-budget, short-length feature, but the subplots are engaging and the storytelling has real depth. I especially appreciated the character development and the narrative layers—it made for a captivating and multi-dimensional watch.

Unfortunately, only half of the series is currently translated, so I had to finish it without English subtitles. The ending might not be for everyone, but I personally found it impactful and satisfying.

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Rough Around the Edges, Worth the Journey

I enjoyed this watch, though it may appeal more to hardcore Li Fei fans or fans of short-length indie films. The narrative is interesting and engaging, but the production and execution feel raw at times. Some viewers might struggle with the staccato storytelling. That said, I still believe it's worth watching. It immediately shows potential and carries something unique. Not all low-budget features are compelling, but this one grabs your attention early on. I liked the characters—the way they were developed and how their stories became intertwined. It’s a film I genuinely wanted to see through to the end.

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"my concern for you is not unrequited"

Love Upon a Time is a plot heavy mystery/historical BL that is over all a very fun ride.

Starting off with the positives, the main character (I'm just gonna stick to calling him Nakun) was very lovable and easy to root for. He provides many great comedic moments, especially with his voiceovers in the beginning, and we witness his character mature over the course of the series. Nakun is also the most well developed and best written character, he feels realistic, which contributes to the drama's enjoyability.

I also loved the historical setting and the sets and costumes very absolutely amazing. I feel like I learned a lot about the Ayutthaya period of Thailand and this series made me interested enough to do my own research to learn more. (To be fair I am someone who is quite interested in history, so I understand that this might not be everyone's cup of tea.)

As for the main romance. Nakun and Phop had pretty great chemistry and watching Nakun fall in love was incredibly adorable. The scenes between the two where they are cuddling or just being generally lovey- dovey are soooo cute and I was rewinding to watch them multiple times (I'm looking at you episode 9). Also the two NC scenes our main characters had in episode 8 and 12 were INTENSE (in the best way possible of course).

Lastly, this series was paced super well and the end of every episode kept me hooked and wanting more.

Now on to what I didn't like as much... In my opinion Phop's character was not developed enough. He was a bit too clean, a bit too perfect... He just didn't feel real. Like we barely know anything about who he is as a person besides his love for Nakun. His continuous romantic declarations towards Nakun even felt a little overbearing at times. Like, we get it you love him, but why? Maybe it's hard to see where he's coming from because we didn't actually witness him falling for Nakun. Idk, but besides all this, there were moments where I really enjoyed Phop's character and his sincerity is very sweet.

This may be an unpopular opinion but I did not like the second couple. I don't know why but I didn't feel their chemistry and I found their plotline boring compared to the main plot.

My last negative for this series is that I did not like the way the final episode concluded things. It felt like such a cop-out to have Phop remember everything from his past life and for them to get back together so easily. But maybe I'm just a sucker for angst.

All in all Love Upon a Time is super entertaining and great for those who enjoy plot focused BL's. I'm glad I watched it and will for sure stay tuned for more NetJJ projects.

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I recommend it

I liked the show even though it was not what I usually watch/like to watch I enjoyed it
The show starts with MC doing aura farm and damn that’s cool. I was hooked to few first episodes because of MC’s aura farm but the story hooked me even harder. The show have a great mysterious story which we will uncover that over different episodes
The show was episodic but it didn’t felt that way to me. Every episode have their own story but they are also connected to previous ones
Some of the backstories can be agonizing to some ppl so it may not be for everyone
I also really liked how it felt like that characters (specially when the minister talks about the rules and how ppl should treat teachers)

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An Engaging Blend of Mystery, Tension, and Emotion

I believe this drama can appeal to fans of both short- and long-form content. Directed by Zeng Qingjie—whom I know from Provoke, Butterflied Lover, and Blossom—this drama is no exception in terms of quality. It features a strong ensemble cast, and I found the second leads just as compelling as the main ones. This was my first time watching Ke Ying, Kay Song, and Wang Zexuan, and their performances were both strong and captivating. It’s easy to see why they’ve gone on to appear in many more dramas.

The story is tense and gripping, with twists and mysteries that are well-paced. While not overly difficult to predict, they are still satisfying in their execution. The villain arcs are deeply human, often blurring the lines of empathy and morality. I especially enjoyed the dynamics between Ke Ying and Cheng Lei, as well as between Ke Ying and Wang Zexuan. Overall, this drama offers a compelling viewing experience that I’d recommend to anyone

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Title: Call for Love (2025) is a good romance miniseries with Lin Feng Song (as Si Huai Yuan) and Peng Yao (as Mu Wan Qing) in the leading couple's roles. The cast did a good job bringing their characters to life; the leading couple had good rapport and, once the misunderstandings were cleared, the had a sensual chemistry and intense relationship. Overall, the drama is entertaining; enjoy it!
In the meantime, you can watch the drama on YouTube: "【Multi Sub】💕結婚三年丈夫每天冷漠無視，直到某一天她獲得了一部手機，沒想到居然發現了丈夫的祕密......"
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3SWf_yIs-E) or:
"She Staged Her Own Kidnapping for Divorce—But He Risked His Life to Save Her!" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT0Ibn0XC8I)

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It was worth sticking till the end

Love Upon a Time had a pretty rough start for me,the pacing is slow and the tone is all over the place with comedy and serious storyline clashing a lot, which made the first half kind of hard to get into

But it gets way better in the second half when it stops forcing the humor and focuses more on the actual story and emotions,the character development is stronger, and the romance actually starts to feel real.

Net and JJ’s chemistry is definitely the highlight,they really sell Phop and Nakhun’s relationship and make it feel natural and earned, by the end, with the visuals and OST, it actually turns into a pretty solid watch overall.

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