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one of my favorite bls!
This is my first bl that i’ve finished and i don’t regret it! i love everything about the show and it’s so addictive i’ve been obsessed for months. it was funny and had great plot and character backstory and i genuinely felt every emotion the actors conveyed. por did an amazing job as qin. i was able to tell his emotions through the smallest changes in his body language and facial expressions for a character not very expressive. i honestly wish i could watch this again for the first time and im in love with the ost. i am upset at how little jamiemarvis we got and how quickly qin forgave his parents tho.Was this review helpful to you?
Quiet feelings, lingering emotions
This is the kind of drama that doesn’t rely on big twists or dramatic moments to leave an impression. Instead, it takes its time exploring emotions, relationships, and the small moments that slowly bring people closer together. The atmosphere is calm and reflective, with that distinctive Japanese drama style that makes even the simplest scenes feel meaningful.What I enjoyed most was how natural everything felt. The emotions weren’t exaggerated, and the characters were allowed to be vulnerable, confused, and imperfect. The pacing can feel slow at times, but for me it suited the story and gave the relationships space to develop. It’s not a drama that overwhelms you with intensity, but one that quietly grows on you episode after episode. By the end, I found myself more attached to the characters than I expected.
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All the pieces were there, but something never clicked
This drama left me feeling surprisingly disconnected. The story itself isn’t particularly complicated, and on paper it even has some interesting ideas, but the way everything is put together makes it hard to become emotionally invested. The episodes are very short, which already limits character development, but the bigger issue is that many scenes feel abrupt, almost as if entire sections of the story are missing between one episode and the next.I never felt fully immersed in the relationship either. The leads spend plenty of time together, yet the emotional bond never really reaches the audience. For a romance, and especially for a BL, I was missing that spark that makes you root for the couple and become attached to their journey. The actors do their best and there are moments that work individually, but the overall narrative feels fragmented and lacks the emotional weight needed to make the story memorable. By the end, I wasn’t confused about what happened, I was simply left wishing I had felt more while watching it.
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A fantasy but feels really possible
All the episodes were fast paced. I loved the portrayal of teachers and students.The main cast of 4 was very interesting and comedic with real feeling. Even though this was a comedy/action genre, the usual lack of feeling was absent. They somehow felt like real people with superpowers instead of comics with fighting skills.
I liked the different school visits. Every time a new school was shown, I tried to remember where(which series) I had seen it before. Was a good side quest during the series. Not going to go into that much.
The plot itself was strong mainly because of its simplicity. The loss of daughter and fiancé giving the lead cast purpose in their lives. They then try to be impartial in their investigation. That is the part that is fantasy as far as I’m concerned. No one human has that much objectivity. It’s their superpower, let’s say. This simple plot line was beautifully woven through the various activities that the ERPB undertakes.
I really enjoyed the first 4-5 episodes for the sheer novelty of beating up thugs in the guise of school children. I also liked how every case was unique in the earlier episodes. The last 2-3 episodes were somewhat repetitive if not boring exactly. I would like to have seen the killer kid end up differently…. Not sure what ending I’d give him as a story teller, but it would have surely been darker. I also have to laugh at the sheer idiocy of the opposition presidential candidate for not performing an independent background check on someone who has murdered. He could have then claimed to have better ideas for the ERPB and won the elections.
My favourite storylines in no particular order:
The online gambling
Parents harassing teacher for no reason
The med school mother
The vocational school
I guess I liked all the stories not linked to the main plot line.😅
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This is such a crazy show that it made me write a review for the first time.
The best quiz show I've ever seen.You should watch it to compete with the contestants and admire their intelligence. The games are so engaging and clever that the losing team is often upset not because they lost, but because they couldn't play more games.
In seasons 1 and 2, one player in particular shone brightly. Viewers could almost predict the outcome of a game when they saw this player. However, this season had very intelligent players on every team, and this balance allowed us to watch a much more competitive season.
The contestants came prepared for previous seasons.
(I felt that the contestants in this season were especially beautiful and handsome; many of them could have been idols with their faces.)
The seasons are completely independent; you can watch them in any order you want.
Since we now get almost one season every year, I hope a fourth one will come as well.
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Two people pulling each other out — quietly, messily, and believably
This feels less like a BL series and more like a small, intimate stage play with two characters and one apartment. Almost everything happens in the same cramped space, which forces the story to live entirely in the dynamic between Haoyu and Chenxi — and that turns out to be exactly the right call.The setup has a certain toxicity to it on paper: a debt collector effectively trapped with the person he's supposed to be pressuring. But the series earns its way past that by taking both characters seriously. Chenxi's sarcasm and provocation are a surface over something much heavier — grief, guilt, the particular exhaustion of someone still living in the aftermath of loss. And Haoyu, for all that his arrival is coercive by circumstance, actually listens. Two damaged people finding each other in a situation that shouldn't work — and it does.
The melancholic tone is consistent and handled with care. This isn't a series that rushes toward warmth; it lets the darkness sit and earns the connection slowly. Not a light watch, but a genuinely affecting one.
Subtly toxic is probably the most accurate summary — and you'd only fully understand why once you know the circumstances. Sometimes that's exactly where the most interesting stories live.
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I just wanted more time with them
This drama completely pulled me in with its emotions, characters, and the way it balanced heartfelt moments with genuine warmth. What I loved most was watching the relationship develop and seeing how naturally the connection between the leads grew over time. Their chemistry made it easy to root for them from the very beginning, and every moment they shared felt meaningful. That’s also why my biggest complaint is that the actual dating period was way too short. After spending so much time getting invested in their journey, I really wanted more episodes of them simply being together and enjoying the relationship they had worked so hard to build. The emotional payoff was there, I just wish we had been allowed to stay in it a little longer. Even with that frustration, the drama delivered everything I was hoping for and left me smiling by the end.Was this review helpful to you?
The steppe is the story — and that's more than enough
I'll be honest: the plot itself is simple to the point of being almost secondary. A young doctor finds an injured stranger on the steppe, takes him in, and something slow and warm develops between them. That's more or less it. And yet I found myself genuinely absorbed, which tells you something about where the real substance of this series lives.What I had no reference point for before watching this was the world it puts on screen. Mongolian grasslands, open skies, traditional nomadic culture, the particular stillness of a life lived far from any city — BL as a genre almost never goes here, and the series seems to know that its setting is its most original asset. It leans into that fully. The landscape isn't backdrop, it's atmosphere, and the slow burn romance feels completely native to it. You couldn't tell this story in a Seoul apartment or a Bangkok university and have it mean the same thing.
It left me a little turned around in places — the storytelling isn't always as clear as it could be — but cinematically and culturally it gave me something genuinely new. Sometimes that's reason enough.
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Growing up, even when life gives you a second chance
What I liked most about this drama is its message. The idea of getting a second chance at life and being able to face regrets, unfinished dreams, and old wounds from a completely different perspective is something that immediately caught my attention. The series mixes comedy, friendship, family, romance, and self-discovery in a way that feels both heartwarming and reflective. Some storylines worked better for me than others, and there were moments where the pacing felt uneven, but I was always curious to see how each character’s journey would unfold. More than anything, it’s a story about realizing that it’s never too late to change, forgive, dream again, or become the person you wanted to be. It may not have hit every emotional beat perfectly, but it left me with a warm feeling and a reminder that life doesn’t always stop when we think it does.Was this review helpful to you?
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The whole plot point is riddiculous
This show should've ended in 10 episodes. It's just repeating itself. And I reject to keep watching it. How come the king is this garbage. How come no one comes and kills the left state councillor? How come he gets his way everytime? It just doesn't makes sense. Just poison him or kill him. Several people had the opportunity many times. Kill him and the whole thing finşishes come on. Just stab a sword to him and deal with the consequences later. It's just nonsense to keep this plot.Loved the ML he played so well. their chemistry with the FL is great. Though I'm tired of hearing her dialect. even though they're great to watch, it's just unbearable to keep watching this plot anymore.
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Sold out on this couple
This was such a cozy and easy watch. The story never tries to reinvent the romcom genre, but it knows exactly what it wants to be and delivers it well. I loved the contrast between the two leads and how their relationship slowly develops through everyday moments rather than grand gestures. The countryside setting, the small village atmosphere, and the overall warmth of the drama made it feel incredibly comforting. What really worked for me was the chemistry between the leads. Their bickering, awkward moments, and growing affection felt natural and fun to watch. Sometimes the plot plays it very safe and a few conflicts are resolved a little too conveniently, but honestly I didn’t mind that much because I was enjoying the journey. The drama also balances humor and emotional moments quite well, especially when dealing with loneliness, personal insecurities, and the idea of finding someone who understands you when life feels exhausting.More than anything, this felt like one of those dramas you watch to relax and smile. Not perfect, not groundbreaking, but genuinely charming.
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Quietly devastating — and it earns every tear
This series does what the time-travel-romance concept promises and rarely delivers: it made me feel the weight of an impossible love without softening it into something comfortable. A man who ends up in 1920s Chiang Mai, a connection that forms across a distance that can never fully close, and an ending that doesn't offer the easy resolution the genre usually reaches for. Even the special episode holds that line. They don't really end up together, not in the way we want them to, and the series is honest enough to sit with that.What makes it work where similar concepts don't is the specificity of the world it builds and the genuine tenderness between the leads. The historic setting feels considered rather than decorative, and the emotional stakes are real from early on. I cried, and I don't say that lightly.
It also manages something I find genuinely difficult to pull off — a story about same-sex love in a historical context that doesn't use the era purely as an obstacle but as part of the texture of who these people are and what they can and can't have. That's a more honest approach than most.
One of the more quietly affecting series I've watched in this genre.
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The Most Satisfying Slaps Ever
➥ WHY I STARTED THIS DRAMAI started this drama as soon as it dropped on Netflix, without doing my usual ritual of checking trailers, reviews, or ratings beforehand. All I knew was that I love larger-than-life stories that tackle socially relevant issues. Within minutes, I was hooked. The action sequences immediately grabbed my attention, & seeing four actors I absolutely adore - Kim Mu Yeol, Lee Sung Min, Jin Ki Joo, & PO - made the experience even better. Having loved many of their previous works, I was already invested.
While watching, I checked MDL & found the ratings and comments quite promising. Then I discovered that this drama exists in the same universe as "Study Group". My reaction was simple: "No wonder!" I absolutely loved that drama & had even mentioned in my review that any sequel, spin-off, or side story from that world would likely be just as enjoyable. Turns out, I was right. [My review for STUDY GROUP: https://mydramalist.com/profile/omo-omo-omo/review/426780]
➥ BRIEF DRAMA SUMMARY
This drama is built around a highly idealistic premise. A special unit is formed to protect victims - whether students, parents, or teachers - & ensure that the right to education, fairness, & happiness is not taken away by those in power. While the story begins with a personal incident, it gradually expands to tackle deeper social issues, particularly those affecting the education system.
Like "Study Group" & "Trauma Code: Heroes on Call", it presents a world where people are willing to fight back against corruption & injustice. As unrealistic as that may sound, that's exactly what makes stories like these so satisfying to watch.
➥ MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THIS DRAMA
In reality, corruption often runs too deep & those who try to challenge it are frequently silenced. So even when these dramas push the boundaries of realism, I can't help but cheer when justice is served & get emotional when victims finally get the victory they deserve. Maybe that's why dramas like "Teach You a Lesson", "Study Group", & "Trauma Code: Heroes on Call" resonate so strongly with me.
The acting, comedy, action, & emotional moments are all incredibly effective, elevated further by sharp direction, background score & strong cinematography. The four leads are impeccable - as expected. Whether making you laugh, inspiring admiration, or pulling at your heartstrings, they make every moment count. Even within the drama's larger-than-life setup, they deliver memorable performances.
I also appreciated the recurring focus on juvenile offenders & how often they commit crimes yet escape meaningful consequences. It reminded me of "Juvenile Justice", & a small part of me would have loved a crossover. Then again, having Lee Sung Min in both dramas is satisfying enough in its own way.
➥ SHOULD YOU WATCH IT
If you enjoy this genre of drama, this is an easy recommendation & a must-watch. It is highly entertaining, emotionally satisfying, & delivers exactly what it sets out to do. Even if you have not watched similar dramas, but want to try - do it give a go.
Just like "Study Group", I hope this series receives a sequel & expands further. From what I understand, the "Blue String" universe is quite vast, & even though I haven't read the source material, I would love to see more stories from this world brought to life.
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Muay Thai, a fake relationship, and exactly the kind of fun it promises
A heartbroken doctor, a Muay Thai fighter, a drunken one-night stand that somehow turns into a fake relationship with actual feelings underneath — this is a series that knows its lane and stays in it comfortably. Similar energy to Knock Out in the best way: not trying to be more than it is, delivering on what it promises, and making good use of the Muay Thai setting as more than just backdrop.The fake relationship dynamic works here because the chemistry between the leads earns it — you can see the feelings creeping in before either character will admit it, which is exactly how that trope is supposed to function. Nothing here will surprise you, but sometimes that's not the point. Sometimes you just want a series that's warm and fun and doesn't overstay its welcome.
A solid watch for when you're in the mood for something uncomplicated that still delivers.
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This review may contain spoilers
Drama Review: When High-Gloss Marketing Devours the Soul
t is cruel to witness talented actresses like Zhang Ruonan being burned out in such a manipulative construct. Having read the original novel and followed the leaked script content, trailers, stills, and Reuters, the narrative bankruptcy of this project becomes immediately apparent. The drama sells us a story from an era where emancipation was non-existent, wrapped in "Hamilton aesthetics." The plot is the usual indictment: An indebted producer meets her former classmate – wealthy and "handsome." According to the script, that is all the qualification a modern woman needs for the love of her life.We are served penthouses, high-end fashion, and romantic trips to Mohe. The plot is merely a vehicle to stumble from one kissing or bed scene to the next, garnished with cliché-ridden tragic moments. The grand finale? A proposal at Disneyland – fitting for the Chinese middle class, who will likely be paying it off in 100-year installments.
Yet, the real drama happens behind the scenes. CP (couple pairing) marketing began before shooting even started to whip the "CP freaks" into a frenzy – a desperate bid for survival for iQIYI and their tanking stock prices. The leads were dragged to every gala, and "leaked" high-definition set videos ensured the mandatory parasocial hook. However, the atmosphere on set was anything but harmonious: it was severely poisoned after the fans of her co-star, Wang Anyu, instigated a smear campaign against Zhang Ruonan following a minor mistake on set . The fact that the fan camps were already trading insults before filming even began—arguing over whose name should be billed first—highlights the sheer absurdity of the situation.
It is shameful for the Chinese entertainment industry to engage in such dehumanizing marketing. It fosters toxic parasocial relationships and brutalizes an audience that believes it must "protect" its idols from imaginary enemies.
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