Reviews

Visually Stunning, Narratively Hollow — A Missed Crown (ongoing review, updated through Ep. 8)

Main Points:
Shallow female lead lacks depth, stringent story line or some kind of relatability, lacks story/character building especially in the beginning (high school years). Also the story with the king, the royal prince, and the "bad" king's mom is stereotypical — potential not used, makes it very hard to keep going. Often also very unrealistic plot lines — like wtf was that car episode… Artificial creation of suspense → non-authentic. However, episodes 7 & 8 show genuine improvement — read full summary for the full picture.

Summary:
I've never felt the need to rate a series that early on, but this one is taking on my nerves… and sadly not in a good way.
So what do I have to criticize or highlight in a positive way:
Let's start with the good things: Visuals and OST. This drama is visually really pleasing and the costumes are great. I love how embedded the older Joseon dynasty style was woven into the modern 21st century business-casual style, and all of the cast (main + supporting) are looking fantastic.
The soundtrack is very subtle and fits the story line very well (coming from somebody who also watches a lot of C-Dramas, where the same songs are played 24/7, making it an annoying stretch in some scenes and utterly disturbing). I had to laugh for a sec with the K-Pop reference of EXID's UP&DOWN — that was hilarious (props to the secretary of the prince, he is such a good actor, loved him in his other dramas as well :))
Now to the not so nice things about this drama:
Let's begin with what initially actually caught my attention and till today makes me hang into it: Matching Joseon monarchy into the 21st century, having influential families of royal descent and on the other hand "normal" people or "just" businessmen. I loved the start with the high school scenes, the drama evolving there and the hierarchies, but that was like what? 5 minutes in total. It totally lacked in depth and threw out a lot of potential for this series.
This was also the main reason I felt this drama was very rushed in the first episode — switching between timelines, making up new dramatic plots, but lacking the most important thing: authentic storytelling and building up interesting characters that I, as a viewer, can either resonate with or despise in a good way, where a villain or unlikable character is also multi-layered.
However, in this case the female character is just utterly bizarre in her acting, non-relatable and honestly — should I be empathetic for someone just striving for a title, but coming from riches as well? Her younger self was rebellious in a "good" way, making it interesting to wait for more… but the more never came, as the story was too rushed. It all, and especially the interactions with the prince, felt so unnatural (not like it was intended), but also when they had 1-on-1 time without the official press beside them. Those scenes where I expected true feelings and honest reactions were mere disappointment. IU is a great actor — she perfectly nails the annoying FL — but that depth and acting to provide some insights into her "history" for the viewer just aren't portrayed very well, and those flashbacks also can't make up for that.
The same way I also feel for the prince. While he conveys his feelings to the viewer more (I still can't believe how the FL doesn't catch on to that, but nevermind), he has so few lines and it feels like a blur sometimes watching him… This is not to criticize the actors in any way or to incite hatred, I am just disappointed in how badly written the drama is.
The story jumps from one "happening" to another to create artificial suspense, whereas the main thing I am missing is depth and sometimes just a "rest". I am currently on episode 5, after that weird car episode which honestly just made me cringe, and this episode with less story and more genuine interaction felt like a relief after so much nonsense drama. I still dislike how the writers take on the same stereotypical villains as in the OG historical dramas. Also the idea of a "stronger" female lead is just not well-written. I get it — she wants to be independent and from a young age has to fight for herself, but making her a puppet of the media and a striver for a sheer title ruins it completely at that point. Like, that is not the strong female lead we preach for — it is a portrait of a FL with too great of an ego and at the same time so pitiable with her lack of a sense of belonging or greater achievements.

Update after Episode 7:
Heck yes — this drama is finally moving in the right direction. We're getting more genuine interactions and deep feelings, which aren't overshadowed by overdramatic acting or that disconnect where what a person says and does doesn't reflect their personality. Especially with the background stories getting more attention and, most importantly, more time to fully develop, it gives — especially — the female lead more character layers, and for the first time I felt like I could actually connect with her. Some dialogues still seem odd and my critique on most of the points named above still holds true, but there is IMPROVEMENT. Hoping we will see more of that in the next episodes and that the drama will fully thrive in the end. :)
Update after Episode 8:
The rising suspense and conflict are doing the drama and its figures a real service — we're now seeing how far these characters will go for what they love or desire, and their intertwined, opposing goals make for a nice guess-who-the-culprit-is dynamic. The female lead and her odd acting in some scenes bother me again — by odd I mean selfish and unbothered by how her actions affect others and influence their feelings. But props to the scene where she finally shed some tears — finally some genuine emotion from a character who is mostly a wall of stone. It might be a little too much happening a little too fast and out of "nowhere" at times, but in general a good episode that sucks you in and finally keeps up the tension so you actually want to watch the next one.

I think this critique might come off as very harsh at times — I am sorry if my words do not resonate with you, I just had to express how I am thinking about it and what I am truly missing. I am still disappointed by the earlier episodes but cautiously hopeful. Since I am not one to abandon a series, I will continue watching and keep updating this review as the story progresses. Current rating: 6.5/10 — and with any luck, that number will keep climbing.

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Unpopular Opinion: I Don’t Get the Hype for "The Best Thing"

I’ll be blunt: I really tried to see what everyone else is seeing in this drama, but it was an uphill battle. I understand the premise was supposed to be a "healing rom-com," but there’s a fine line between "healing" and "empty," and this show crossed it early on.
Calling this "slow-burn" is being generous! It felt like a show with no plot for the vast majority of the episodes. There was zero narrative momentum, making it an incredibly difficult watch. I found myself skipping through massive chunks of episodes because literally nothing was happening. It had a spark of potential at the very start, but it quickly devolved into a repetitive, mid-tier slog.
The Female Lead: One Expression, Zero Impact
I have nothing personal against the actress, but her performance in this was painful to sit through. She seemed to have exactly one expression for the entire show: a perpetually shocked face. Even the emotional beats were off; when she was supposed to be crying, it actually looked like she was laughing.
Adding to the frustration was the voice....whether it was the dubbing or her actual delivery, she whispered her way through the entire show. It made the character feel ghostly and hollow, and honestly, it’s made me want to avoid her future projects entirely.
As for the male lead, he’s the ultimate example of a "cardboard green flag." He was so over-the-top perfect that he became insanely bland and one-dimensional. There was no depth to work with. Furthermore, the "insane chemistry" people are raving about? I didn't see it. Without that spark to carry the thin plot, the whole thing just fell flat.
I am genuinely confused as to why this is such a hit. It’s a whisper-filled, plotless drama with a lead performance that made it nearly impossible to stay engaged. If you value your time and actual storytelling, you might want to skip this one.

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If Emmanuel Macron was a kdrama

I'm just mad I wasted 8 hours of my life on this.

There is nothing good about it except de trailer and the editing 😭 Surprinsingly I actually watched it until the end because I didn't want to believe the story could go toward what I was thinking and that the main character could be as stupid as I thought. But yes at the end it was what I thought lol.

This drama is like Macron, he makes you think he is gonna do good things but is just useless af. You feel he is trying to make you mad just by watching him existing, and he makes you mad for senseless decisions.

worst kdrama I've ever seen, it was even worse that the dramas I dropped (~40).

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Nice romance-focused drama, female characters carry the show

Nice plot, interesting characters, good acting (minimum dub, which is spectacular), good humor, good cinematography, nice soundtracks.

Qiao Man is an excellent main character, I adored her and never blamed her for any decision, I will certainly cherish her as one of my favorite FMCs. Wei Shao is a good person and skilled general, but has the emotional intelligence of a teenage boy, partially understood due to his upbringing and PTSD, but it made half of the arguments between him and Manman being miscommunication and projection of his own fears and insecurities. They ended up being a happy couple, enjoyable to watch, but certainly irritating here and there, Manman had way more patience and understanding for his toddler tantrums than many other women in her position would've. Lady Yulou is an intriguing antagonist. The other two main couples were also lovely.

I would have liked to see more insight into Manman's family, since her father seemed to be a great person, but she'd rarely ever mention him and would only attribute her knowledge to her grandfather and uncle. We only got one nightmare of hers where she ever shows affection towards him, not a single other mention. The plot certainly follows some expected stereotypes and cliché, and the last two episodes were rushed. Lastly, this is a clear case of false advertising from the cdrama community - not proper enemies to lovers. The hatred only existed for Zhonglin and the Wein clan, not for Manman.

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Dramatic and Suspenseful

It was clear from the structure and casting that this show was going to be more about the drama than trying to generate any deep lasting romantic relationships, and it that, it was quite effective.

The way the lies were handled certainly added to the drama by creating considerable suspense. The fact that some of the lies were much more serious than others was part of this, as viewers could never be sure if any particular lie was going to be a dealbreaker. It’s true most of these lies would not have been much an issue in my country (perhaps only Taeyang’s and Hanui’s). But I understand that South Korea is a much more conservative (and paternalistic) society and things like being a divorced mother are seen much more negatively.

It was clever of the show to end with a montage illustrating how most of the contestants ended up gravitating towards people who were the opposite of what they said they were looking for at the beginning.

It's true that many of the participants do not come off looking particularly good. I wasn’t much of a fan of Daon, but Taeyang, and particularly Hanu, were such complete jerks that in the end I couldn’t help but sympathize with her. Besides, she was just playing the game the way it was supposed to be played. Meanwhile, those two are the kind of smug stuck-up players who give guys a bad name. I’m glad the woman eventually figured this out.

The exception was of course Hanui, but I had to sympathise with her anyway, even if I question her insistence on chasing Hanu even after he made it more than clear (and quite rudely) that he didn’t consider her up to his standards. Perhaps she was trying to prove something to herself?

I didn’t particularly like the panel. There have been better panels on other shows.

Overall, when it comes to reality dating shows, I would rate Pink Lie a step above Single’s Inferno and both the Korean and Chinese versions of Heart Signal, but well below Nineteen to Twenty, EXchange/Transit (S1 and S2), and My Sibling’s Romance.

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"In this life, the next life, for all lifetimes, the two of us will always be entwined."

Honestly, I wasn’t even planning to watch this drama when I started it—I had another one lined up—but the hype was everywhere, and I just couldn’t resist. And yeah… the hype is 100% deserved. I already had a feeling I was going to like it, but it completely exceeded my expectations. The acting, the stunning cinematography, the OST, the chemistry between the characters—everything was so well done. I barely have any complaints, to be honest.

I absolutely love seeing my man Zhang Ling He finally getting the recognition he deserves. I’ve been following him for years, back when he wasn’t as popular, so seeing him blow up now makes me so happy. (ﾉ^^)ﾉ He never disappoints with his acting—he’s improved so much and really proved he’s way more than just a pretty face.

Also, I just added a new actress to my favorites list because Tian Xi Wei completely surprised me. I don’t remember seeing her in anything before (or maybe I did and just forgot), but she totally won me over in this drama. I’m definitely planning to check out more of her work.

Zhang Linghe and Tian Xi Wei together were just so cute together—I mean, their chemistry was incredible and so fun to watch. They balanced each other perfectly, making their relationship feel natural, engaging, and like a true, powerful couple. And if there’s one thing I absolutely love, it’s a man who yearns and is completely gone for the woman he loves—and our marquis was exactly that. >//< I loved the way he looked at her, how he took care of her, and how much he longed to be close to her. He definitely raised my standards even more. (/ω＼)

The villains were so good too—I loved them because I hated them, which just proves how amazing their acting was. I really hope to see them, and the rest of the cast, in more projects.

Overall, this drama delivered everything it promised and more. Now I’m dying to read the novel because we all know adaptations always change or leave things out, so my expectations for the original story are even higher. This drama is honestly a gem. 10/10. ✨

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This was honestly the funniest Thai drama I’ve ever watched. I did not expect to binge all 18 episodes, but I flew through it because it was just so fun and easy to watch. For the most part, it really worked, though I will say the latter half had about 2–4 episodes where things got a bit confusing and I was questioning how we even got there. Still, overall, I genuinely loved it.

Starting with the main couple, Nin and Chom, their chemistry was great. I came into this right after watching So Wayree, which I loved but could admit was toxic, so I was looking for something lighter, and this delivered. I didn’t expect the whole country-and-village vibe mixed with comedy, but I really enjoyed it. While I do think there was more passion in So Wayree, it didn’t take away from the sweetness here at all. Their relationship started as a marriage of convenience, with Nin helping Chom, and it slowly grew into something real. What I appreciated most was that early on, they actually communicated well. Misunderstandings only really became an issue once feelings got deeper, which felt realistic. I’m such a fan of them.

Mom was the main “villain,” if you can even call her that. At first, her dynamic with Nin was hilarious. The whole mother-in-law versus son-in-law back and forth was genuinely one of the best parts of the show. Watching them outplay each other was so entertaining. But over time, it did start to drag. She became too controlling and forceful, especially with her daughter’s life, and it got frustrating. I was especially annoyed when she kept introducing new men to her daughter. At that point in the story, I just wanted the main couple to solidify their relationship without unnecessary distractions.

For the side couple, Noina and Wasu, I adored Noina. She was so cute, and honestly, she carried that relationship. Wasu, on the other hand, was a bit frustrating because it always felt like he was still lowkey hung up on Chom, even if it wasn’t explicitly said. It just didn’t feel like he fully showed up for Noina, which made the pairing feel a little one-sided. On the brighter side, the dad was great. I loved how he balanced out the mom, and their dynamic added a lot to the story.

One of my absolute favorite aspects of the drama was the village and country setting. That was really the heart and soul of the show. The community, the friends, the grandma, the constant dancing and festivals, it felt like there was a celebration every other episode, and I loved that. It added so much warmth and made the drama feel alive. It was also nice getting a glimpse into Thai country life and culture. Overall, this drama just made me happy. It had its flaws, especially with some dragging conflicts and frustrating character choices, but the humor, the setting, and the main couple made it such an enjoyable watch.

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REWATCHED 6 TIMES ??

I KNOW ITS SHIT BUT ITS MY SHIT 😭😭🙌

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A relaxing but frustrating journey

I almost dropped this drama multiple times. Yang, played by Arthur, was incredibly childish, and I couldn't connect with his acting. He always has this blank, dumb expression on his face, which made it hard to take his character seriously.

On the other hand, Fei was a standout. I rooted for her from the very beginning. She gave her best for Yang, but he just kept acting silly and irresponsible. He had no sense of responsibility or interest in supporting his family.

Where the drama truly shined was the second couple, Hua and Jing. Their journey to love was beautiful, and honestly, I was more excited for their scenes than for the main couple.

Now, let's talk about Lin Mei – the most annoying character ever.

The good news is that Yang eventually improves, but the road there is painfully long. The drama will draw you in with the beautiful 1970s atmosphere of China, and you will enjoy that aspect. But 29 episodes was way too long, especially since the beginning felt like a waste. Yang eventually finds his ground and protects Fei in every situation, but I just could not connect with him because I don't really like the actor.

The ratings and praise for this drama are very high, but for me, it lands on the better average side. It has its moments, and the second couple is lovely, but the frustrating start and slow progress hold it back.

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Lost the campy quality trying to take itself a bit too seriously.

This is not a good movie, but it could have been fun to watch, if it did not try to be a good movie. And if it tried to be more of a horror and less of a make out sessions compilation.

I’m not even joking, it feels like there were more ass, boobs, make out, shower masturbation scenes then the actual kills, gore and scares. Lower budget horror movies can be fun, often are, but they need to understand what actually works for the audience. Yes, “sexy horrors” are a thing, but you need to keep the balance between hot ladies and them dying.

The whole set up was more or less useless and way too long. Why they are going on the trip, how they are going on the trip, who took them to the resort - it took just the first 10 minutes of the movie, but with how it was written and directed, it felt like 30. The whole movie was not dynamic enough. There was no real tension.

On the bright side, I do like how who died when made logical sense. The local cannibal did use their brains during some sense, and I appreciate how we get an actual explanation why they kept the leads for the last. Another big props for the married couple - that was a solid way to go. Approved.

As for the acting - god no. Funny enough, there were moments when it felt really natural, then I was hit with the robotic delivery, to end on unreasonable screaming and overexaggerated reactions.

The blood and practical effects were not bad. Even good for the last confrontation. Mostly the issue was not the props, but how they were used by the actors that felt off.

Overall, it’s a movie.

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I was hoping for a BL about a dentist/patient with a phobia, but ლಠ益ಠ)ლ

PLOT: Sant, a student and streamer who tests desserts, ends up with a terrible toothache. He gets treatment at the dental school from a student, Jay, who takes care of him (even outside of school). The two end up becoming a couple, despite Captain, a love rival. Kak, Sant's best friend, has a crush on Yada (Jay's friend, bisexual, who's in a relationship with her girlfriend). But Yada gets dumped by her...

+++Mark and Ohm are both excellent actors with great chemistry.
+++ The cast is good: Jimmy, Poon, and the others.

BUT:
### Slow direction, with ridiculous twists, a wacky, even absurd tone. This wants to be a comedy, but it failed.
### Empty and poorly written story.
### Unbearable series even in FF.

=> Please, stop wasting the actors'talent and resources on scripts like these!!
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J'espérais une BL dentiste / patient avec phobie, mais j'ai été déçue

PLOT: Sant, un étudiant & streamer "testeur de desserts" finit par avoir 1 belle rage de dents. Il se fait soigner à la Fac dentaire, par 1 étudiant, Jay, qui prend soin de lui (y compris hors de la fac). Les 2 finissent par former un couple, malgré Captain, 1 love rival. Kak, meilleur ami de Sant, a 1 crush sur Yada (amie bi de Jay, en couple avec 1 fille). Mais Yada est quittée par sa copine ...

+++Mark & Ohm sont tous 2 d'excellents acteurs, avec 1 belle alchimie.
+++ Le cast est bon : Jimmy, Poon, et les autres.

MAIS :
### Réalis° lente, avec des twists ridicules, un ton farfelu voire absurde.
### Story vide et mal écrite.
### Insupportable même en FF.

=> SVP, cessez de gâcher le talent des acteurs, des ressources, dans des scripts pareils !!

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