Reviews

Love Buried Under a Whole Lot of Animosity

My rating: 8.5/10

Review 

For what it was, Love Reset was really good. It was clearly meant to lean more comedic than anything else, and I'm super impressed because they pulled off a major turnaround that I genuinely didn't think was possible (no spoilers here on why). The acting from Kang Ha-neul and Jung So-min was excellent, and the story stayed interesting enough that I kept watching even when one particular point I considered stopping. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a quirky thriller-romance hybrid—it's not your typical feel-good fluff. It's more of a darkish, relatable take on marriage struggles that might make some viewers feel truly heard in its portrayal of how resentment builds. It's unique and thoughtful in a genre that's often predictable.

Spoilers

I had serious doubts about No Jeong-yeol and Hong Na-ra getting back together, given how much they seemed to genuinely dislike each other before the accident. How could memory loss alone fix that level of bitterness? But then I stepped back and thought about real-life couples I've known—several who hit rock bottom, made huge mistakes against each other, reached a point of near-hatred, then had some kind of reset (a breakup, a crisis, time apart) and realized the "big" issues weren't actually that big.  That's exactly what happens here: they were stuck in a toxic cycle of nitpicking faults, often as self-defense because each felt unloved or constantly annoyed by the other. The surprise for me was how well they showed that growth—it wasn't just "amnesia = bliss." No Jeong-yeol remembered everything in the end, and he didn't deny the bad memories or pretend the new start erased them; he acknowledged the pain and chose to move past it thoughtfully. That made the transition feel earned and realistic, especially since Hong Na-ra was arguably harsher to him pre-amnesia, while he had already fixed a lot of what bothered her. Even if she regained her memory fully, there'd be enough good new memories to outweigh the old ones.  

I'm superstitious enough that if something like double traumatic head-injury amnesia happened in real life (and they both survived the crash, which was called a miracle), I'd see it as fate or destiny giving them another shot—it's that rare.  So, there's also that. Even though it was hard in the beginning seeing them being able to resolve that much animosity, t felt like there was some fate rolled in or how could such an unlikely thing happen. Two people, on the eve of divorce and both of them not only live through a severe accident but develop almost identical amnesia.

Hong Na-ra's mother, Joo Sook-jeong, was the most interesting character—I couldn't figure her out at first. She seemed so severe and like she'd never accept No Jeong-yeol, but in the end, I admired her because her bottom line was just wanting her daughter to be happy.  

The fourth-wall breaks, especially with the crypto kid bit where they point out "he's got lines," and a few other moments, added a fun, quirky element. It wasn't necessary, but it wasn't annoying either—it lightened the mood without derailing things.  

I did almost quit halfway through—the middle dragged a bit with the families trying to keep them apart and No Jeong-yeol and Hong Na-ra going along with it. At that point, I wasn't even rooting for them and thought they should just divorce anyway. But I'm glad I stuck it out. The unique turnaround was handled in such a thoughtful way, and it made the whole thing rewarding.

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The fast paced and decent reborn drama

I watched this because of Tik Tok advertisement and it was decent drama even there is less romance in this drama.

I never expected Cheng Cheng can be so youthful. Cheng Cheng and Ma Le Jie have great chemistry FL's appearance as a basketball cheerleader was stunning! Their interactions are quite sweet, but there aren't many scenes featuring them. The humiliation scenes are smooth, without any major mishaps.

The script is clichéd. FL mistakes the person who comforted her, leading her to chase after a scumbag. After her rebirth, she turns back, only to discover in the last few episodes that it was her childhood sweetheart who comforted her. There's also a lot of verbal sparring from the SFL, FL hiding her wealthy identity, the female supporting character getting humiliated at a wealthy family's house, etc. In this version rather than focusing on reborn, it more focusing on ML secret crush to FL.

I watched the same version but personally it was the most decent chemistry. Recommended to Watch.

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Positively Awful

This is a flop. I’m distracted doing laundry, doing other things on my cell phone and not paying attention to this Kdrama. It lured me in because I like the two romantic leads but not sure they have the chemistry together. But the story has been so boring and not believable. Love Triangle not working. The supporting cast are loud and annoying. I’m up to episode 6 and will just finish this to the end even if I have to skip an episode or fast forward through. This one is no Dynamite Kiss or Idol I, that’s for sure! There’s some really good kdramas and ones that completely flop.

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Wholesome timeless classic BL

"Monster Next Door" was a Thai BL from 2024, with Park and Big in main roles. I remember Big in another more recent BL where he felt a bit stoic, and I was very glad to see him here way more emotional.

They are playing Diew, an introvert, locked in his world, and God, an extrovert from a music band who is very lively and popular with a big circle of friends. The series shows how they slowly find togethers, it is mostly wholesome and sweet. Of course some drama comes with Episode 10 and 11, where Diew has to face his past and both learn to arrange with each others differences while also growing together.

It was a bit difficult to find, and while 12 episodes sometimes can be a bit strechted when the story is so much about personal development, I didn't feel it was overstreched here. We have also a nice sidecouple, who faces its own issues without overshadowing or feeling instruve or extra. Overall I felt I spend a good time with the BL series, feeling well entertained with good acting and storytelling. While it was not a 10, it surely did everything it set out well without any negative elements that stuck out to me, even though time moved in with BL today, I am comfortably giving it a

9/10
Timeless Classic

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A Pawn is Something Valuable You Leave but Intend to Come Back For

10/10 is my rating

This is the most heartwarming movie I've seen in a really long time. The only very minor change I'd suggest is how Doo-seok and Seung-yi first come together—but it's such a tiny quibble that it doesn't detract at all from this beautiful story. I would highly recommend Pawn to anyone who loves family dramas about a group of people that choose each other not because of biology but due to connection. This movie showcases the best side of humanity even in tough circumstances. It's uplifting, emotional, and full of genuine warmth. I'd watch it again without hesitation and recommend it to everyone—it's just that good.

Spoilers  

The one and only thing I'd change is that it felt a little weird how Doo-seok essentially took Seung-yi away from her mother initially. He never intended to keep her permanently or harm her, but taking a child like that is never acceptable on the surface. I think they could've handled it better by having Myung-ja explicitly ask Doo-seok to keep Seung-yi safe overnight while promising to bring the money the next day, then simply not showing up (due to her deportation). That would've avoided the uneasy "kidnapping" vibe entirely. I basically pretended that part played out more consensually and just went with the rest of the story—it didn't ruin anything for me.

When Doo-seok came and rescued Seung-yi from Madam Jung's brothel, that was such a heroic, powerful moment. It was heart breaking for such a little girl to be in such a rough environment, and it was virtually guaranteed something bad was going to happen. Him storming in like papa bear was magic.

I love how their relationship slowly developed from reluctant responsibility to true devotion—Doo-seok became fiercely protective and caring, and in the end, Seung-yi turned around and showed equal devotion to him. It's a beautiful display of chosen family love, being a genuinely good human being even if you don't look like it on the outside, and the redemptive power of kindness. The film really tugs at the heartstrings in the best way.

When she called him "dad" and he was so happy that was such a heartwarming moment. He earned that title not the man who sired her then left her and her mom for another woman. Same with when he explained why he nicknamed her pawn. You pawn something valuable he told her. He never wanted her to fell abandoned by her mom and that was sweet. In fact, when the grandma asked him to bring her to see the mom he didn't hesitate. He was worried she might not stay with him, but he still selflessly took her. When the mom asked him to find her biological father and let her meet him - he did that too. Again, worried she might feel like she found her dad. He always did what was best for her.

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A show with loveley premise called Run On that refuses to run

✨ THE GOOD (YES, THERE’S A HEART IN HERE):
The dialogue can be sharp and quietly clever.
Some emotional beats sneak up on you in that low-volume, “ that’s actually nice” in a way.
There are sparkles, moments of sincerity that genuinely feel different from typical rom-com fluff.

🙄 THE “WHY IS NOTHING MOVING?” PACKAGE:
This is slow burn… but like, glacial slow.
Conversations stretch. Silences stretch. Plot? On vacation.
You keep waiting for momentum and it just politely nods at you.

🤦 THE “QUESTIONABLE ENERGY” DEPARTMENT:
Some moral takes feel weirdly framed.
And one specific b*tch’s attitude? Straight-up fuc*ing draining.
No complexty , no layeres. Just exhausting enough to pull you outta the damn vibe.

💔 THE “ALMOST SOMETHING SPECIAL” FEELING:
You can see what it wants to be , mature, dialogue-driven, subtle.
But subtle doesn’t mean stagnant.
And quiet doesn’t mean nothing happens.

🎯 FINAL VERDICT:
A thoughtful, slow romance with moments of genuine sparkle… buried under pacing that refuses to run.

✔ Watch if: You like introspective romance and long conversations.
❌ Skip if: You need plot progression, strong momentum, or characters who don’t test your patience.

🏃 Best paired with: Coffee, patience, and accepting that “Run On” is ironically in no rush whatsoever.

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I’m really into the “God visiting human's world” trope, so this drama immediately caught my attention. The concept of a water god descending into the human world had so much potential, and I was genuinely excited going into it. Stories that blend mythology with modern romance are always fascinating to me.

However, what really took away from my enjoyment was the portrayal of Habaek himself. For a king and a god, seeing him constantly begging for money and being completely clueless about the human world was frustrating rather than charming. While I understand that the fish-out-of-water dynamic was meant to be comedic, his behavior often crossed into red-flag territory. He was arrogant, entitled, and emotionally immature for most of the drama, yet the story still framed everything as romantic in the end. That shift into a rom-com resolution felt undeserved and honestly disappointing.

What I did find interesting, though, was the portrayal of the “villain.” The idea of a half-human, half-god character being written as charming rather than purely evil added a layer of complexity to the story. It made the conflict more nuanced and emotionally engaging, instead of giving us a one-dimensional antagonist.

And of course, Bi Ryeom completely stole the show for me. He was by far my favorite character throughout the drama. His presence, depth, and charisma made every scene he appeared in more compelling. I found myself far more invested in him than in the main romance.

Overall, the drama had a trope I absolutely love and some intriguing character ideas, but the execution—especially regarding the male lead—left me wanting much more.

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Couldn't ignore the flaws.

The beginning of the plot is solid .. Story is not dragged at any point .. events and people keep coming serving their purpose and leaving, nothing is stretched over the threshold. Yet with all its good I can't help but complain about the insufficient efforts they given to write a good ending. Substance in the story pretty much ends with ep 32 after that is pure BS (skippable).
People here are complaining about logic loss in the entire story ..okay i understand a man taking over a woman place everything from height to physique is changed and no one is bothered seemed too illogical but that's how fiction works you have to let go of certain amount of logic to enjoy such plots .. If it were the part of a single event from whole context, I might say it's illogical but the sister brother swapping was the very core of the structure itself you have to take it as it is ..so spare the logic dont use it where it is not asked.

Moving forward to casting, leads were good ..I love zhou ye she brings life to anything she plays, her charm ... her spontaneity.. cheerfulness ... Is second to none in the chinese industry and I loved the fact she carefully chooses her projects. She did amazing job with he yan, she adopted her rough and rugged aura beautifully and acted her character with brilliance. Now the ML ..well I am a strong critic of Ryan cheng .. for some reason I am not yet convinced with his acting talent .. his expressions are just too restricted, rigid, monotonous and cemented. No doubt he is very handsome but he can't even flash a proper worrying expression for his beloved lying seriously wounded in his lap ... Below average to say the least {I am sure some people will come for my a** in comment section after reading this} kang le was good... He Clearly has looks and talent to lead big banner projects. About the rest of the cast no one caught my attention.

Asthetics of the sets to apparel were just so so .. passable for period drama but then military based drama is not about fancy outfits but about Nice action which was there in good amount. Though the movements in some fight sequence seemed too unnecessary...too extra ... like a couple dance holding swords instead of a proper fight (for instance the way they fought wutuo leader in last episode.) seriously who asked for this salsa x tango performance, it was so cringe.

There were five songs but only ' long cherished wish ' catered my taste.

Overall a good drama for one time watching definetely.. for re-watch you can just watch only the good parts sure there were lot of take aways.

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One of the Greatest Tear Jerker Drama

I just finished watching this drama (I watch this every few years). Just when you thought it couldn't get any sadder, then it did again! The tears just never stop. Never!!!

ALL the actors and actresses do such an amazing job. I can only imagine how mentally draining it was for them during filming with all the sad scenes.

As a busy mother I don't have all the time in the world to watch drama so I had to fast forward all of the other ghosts stories and mainly just follow the main leads' stories. And I'm not going to say this drama doesn't have many loopholes. Like for example, how Yu Ri can walk around in the neighbouring area she grew up in (in visible human form) for 49 days or so, without being recognised by her neighbours. And how freaky would it be for them to see someone undead!

But if just put aside some plot holes and just watch the story as it is for the sake of emptying your tear reservoir, this is the one to watch.

This and Go Back Couple are my two top favourite tear jerker drama.

PS. I could never get over how similar Lee Kyu Hyung is to Zo In Sung!!!

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Think of the most unlikely pairing and this jdorama has it

This is probably one of the best romance jdoramas I have seen in 20 years. (My favorite, "Long Vacation" with Takuya Kimura came out 30 years ago, followed by "Hana Yori Dango" which came out nearly 20 years ago. "Bandage" with Jin Akanishi came out in 2010.) Now, we have "Ai no, Gakko." which ranks up there with the best romance jdoramas and will turn the actor (Raul) who played the male lead Kaoru/Taiga into a once-in-a-generation, household name.

From start to finish, the story, production value and acting are top notch AND it's an original screenplay (not a manga adaptation)!

STORY: "Ai no Gakko" is a slice of life jdrama modern day romance about 2 common tropes: forbidden love and opposites attract- this time between a straitlaced, serious sheltered older female teacher and a flamboyant, worldly, playful, younger male host. The two main leads inhabit worlds that couldn't be farther apart from each other, yet remarkably, and, against all odds and societal taboos (e.g., host bar/teacher relations), they are drawn to each other and connect in a way that seems to work. Kudos to the author and production studio for keeping the story nuanced and realistic (for the most part) in spite of an unbelievable premise and to the actors for playing off each other and making their characters likable. Surprisingly, there few plotholes or loose ends (except for Kaoru's search for his dad, which is heartbreaking). Caveat that although it is a love story, it contains darker and mature themes of emotional manipulation, psychological abuse/control and violence. The ending felt a bit rushed as they had to make cuts to the story due to time constraints. I don't know that Kaoru has grown from their last breakup to be able to resolve his inner demons to truly be able to stay with Manami, I think his love letter to Manami is meant to show his acknowledgement of what she means to him upon further reflection.

PRODUCTION VALUE: The editing and cinematography were movie caliber. The cuts are not all seamless however, and the fade to black between scenes is noticeable and a bit annoying. Everything in the story and "set" is meticulously and intentionally planned. Even the way the words "Ai no, Gakko." are written changes as the ML learns to write the kanji, until the last episode, when he is able to write the strokes correctly. Even the misplaced comma and period in the title is explained as he sees it as a metaphor for their relationship. The author and production also place special value on props such as pens, books, scraps of letters, hats, and umbrellas, all which became important symbols of their relationship later in the story. Even the lighting and character hair styling and clothes are used to convey the mood and stage of their relationship (Notably Manami's hair starts in a bun and unravels as she starts to spend more time with Taiga and he teaches her to loosen up.)

ACTING/CHARACTERS: The FL, played by Fumino Kimura, is thoroughly believable as a teacher who really wants to be liked by her students and do right by them but doesn't seem to know how. She starts out meek and becomes the stronger of the two leads towards the end. The ML is played by Raul, a relative newcomer to acting, who is a revelation and his ability to go from sleek, sleazy Kaoru to fun-loving, goofy Taiga really shine to where I don't know whether he's being himself or acting. He proves to be an excellent foil to Manami's staid personality and teaches her how to freely live, highlighting how sheltered she is. He initially tries to take advantage of her naivete but has a change of heart when he is moved by the fact that she still wants to help him learn to read & write. And for anyone wondering what he sees in her, it turns out Taiga is a boy who, like the FL, also has a heart of gold, made cynical by his dyslexia and traumatizing upbringing and family circumstances. She makes him feel seen and feel supported, even when he doubts himself and is able to help him remove the beliefs that shackled him.

The characters all have incredibly well layered backstories and come with their own, sometimes troubled past and associated baggage. However, each character is trying to survive their past trauma the best they can and explain their own motivations for their actions clearly and directly which is unusual for Jdorama and makes the characters feel real and sympathetic (even if some of them do horrible things to themselves or others). Some redeem themselves in the end, including her fiancé, her dad and his mom - all of whom end up rooting for the leads to be together. In fact, I found all the main and side characters (and their storylines) relatable and as a result, likeable.

Interestingly, as an outgoing, smarmy, confident host who has no problem saying "I love you" to his customers, the character of Taiga has a LOT of trouble voicing his feelings for Manami. He is so afraid of showing any vulnerability that he can only tell her he loves her when she is distracted and not listening to him. Instead, he uses his body language to express his love for her: he grasps for her fingers, grabs her hands, steals her food, pretends to fall asleep on her shoulder and on her sleeping bag while holding her hand, and hugs her from behind, He says he can't kiss her because his lips are tainted by the 100 women he's kissed, yet when Manami tries to kiss him, he can't stop himself from kissing her over and over. He treasures the pencil she gifted him and takes her hat which he often looks at to remind himself of her. That said, I did find his goofiness a bit over the top and cringy at times but it made him a memorable character as I've never seen a Japanese actor behave like him.

DIRECTING: I heard the director spent 2 months having the leads rehearse and get comfortable becoming their characters and was open to them ad-libbing some of their lines (as long as it was something their characters would say). This results in scenes that make you feel like you are looking at a documentary (compared to other jdoramas) for its natural rapport and seemingly unscripted dialogue (probably because it is!). This is apparent in the beach scenes which are groundbreaking in jdorama because it feels like they're responding in the moment to each other and having real conversations instead of reciting lines from a script. I read the novelization and while the core dialogue stays mostly the same, much of the dialogue is ad libbed e.g., convo when they are trying to catch the bus, in the restaurant where Taiga asks if Manami wants to change him, when they are trying on hats. Taiga's actions at the beach were also changed to seem more natural (he appears on the train just before it departs, reappears to Manami on the beach and not in the restaurant, they hold hands only after they kiss, etc.)

The series holds up very well under rewatch. Episodes 5 (starting with his confession), 6 (first date), 8 (when he takes care of her after she faints) and the last Episode are my favorites to rewatch.

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I’m going to be completely honest… I don’t think this series moved me

I kept watching, hoping something would click — hoping I’d suddenly feel deeply invested — but that moment never really came. And that’s the hardest part.

It wasn’t awful. It wasn’t amazing. It just… existed.

And sometimes that’s more disappointing than if it had been bad. Because I wanted to feel something. I wanted it to stay with me. But when it ended, I just kind of shrugged.

Maybe it just wasn’t for me. And that’s okay. 🤍

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Motifs - revenge, deception, exploitation, power grab, cruelty, forgetfulness, ...

What stood out for me in this drama was its cruelty. I have seen many war and crime movies in my life but nothing compared to the cruelty exercised in this drama. Revenge, deception, exploitation, power grab, cruelty, forgetfulness, ... these are some of the motifs. In my view, everything started going south the moment a scheme was conceived to use a 16 year old free spirited and loving girl as a tool to infiltrate and destroy her people. As if that was not enough, throughout the series, she would go on to lose all the people she loved and cared for. In truth, I felt traumatized watching this drama, and felt that the storyline had nothing going for it other than the constant cruelty exhibited on this one female lead. Then, when one wonders as to how anyone who had gone through such a traumatic experience, and at such a young age at that, could ever come out of it without losing their mind, ... then memory loss was introduced, which not only did it not resolve the problem, but it ended up compounding the problem by creating more confusion and conflict which then resulted in more pain. So, problems never really got resolved in this series, nor was there any discernible character development in any of the leads. Tragedy from beginning to end. Series unnecessarily made long. 35 or 40 episodes could have been enough. The cast was great just the storyline did not do it for me.

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A psychological labyrinth where identity is the perfect crime.

"The Art of Sarah" is not a drama for casual viewers. It's an immersive and unsettling experience that plays with perception, identity, and human greed like few others seen on screen. From the very first minute, the tension of uncovering the killer of "Sarah Kim's" body draws you into a spiral of deception, parallel realities, and narrative twists that defy all expectations.

What's fascinating about the drama is how it constructs two parallel realities around the world of luxury fashion. On one hand, it shows the visible face: the glamour, the power, the exclusivity. On the other, the backstage: the precariousness of those who aspire to belong, the debts, the ruthless struggle for a place at the top. The evolution of Sarah Kim—or whoever is hiding behind that name—is a sociological study of how the system devours and transforms people. She just wanted to live, she just wanted to place her brand on the market, and that obsession, understandable and human, becomes both her driving force and her downfall.

The betrayals she suffers at the hands of her trusted people and her "friends" are not those of cardboard villains. They are nuanced betrayals, driven by power and money, yes, but also by deeper wounds. The case of Kim Mijeong is paradigmatic: she "turns the other side" with arguments that, twistedly, become understandable. Her designs are what command high prices, her work has built the empire, and her desire to be Sarah Kim, to have power, to be the star, stems from a place of legitimate frustration. The drama doesn't justify it, but it understands it, and that makes it all the more unsettling and brilliant.

The great strength of "Sarah's Art" lies in its ability to blur the lines of identity. The plot twists are so clever and constant that there comes a point where you don't even know who the protagonist really is. Is Sarah a name, a character, a mask anyone can wear? The series places you in a state of absolute uncertainty: you could even be Sarah Kim, and that feeling is as unsettling as it is addictive.

The ending leaves you with a lot of suspense, and it's not a gratuitous device. It's the logical consequence of a story built on shifting sands. You have to pay attention to every detail because, if you blink, you'll get lost in the complexity of the plot. Every line of dialogue, every object, every glance could be a clue... or another trap.

"Sarah's Art" is a textbook psychological thriller, a work that demands the viewer be an active participant in the investigation. Its critique of the world of luxury, its exploration of identity as a social construct, and its morally ambiguous characters make it a unique and unforgettable experience. It's not a drama to be passively consumed; it's a puzzle that grips you and doesn't let go. Highly recommended for those seeking more than just entertainment: a true dissection of obsession, lies, and the price of success.

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