Reviews

I liked it, but a few things to point out

So, I basically saw a clip of the Japanese adaptation and was desperate to watch it so, I typed it up but the Thai one came up instead. So I decided to watch it and.....................................IT WAS SO GOOD! There are a couple good and bad things I want to point out:

I loved the first couple and their story. The scene where Rain got kidnapped and Payu comes to rescue him even though he was risking his life just proved that they were made for each other.

The second couple was alright, but they didn't have as much drama and chemistry as the first couple, but they both played their parts really well.

P'Stop was an absolute jerk and he's such an idiot for trying to kidnap Rain because of course Payu is going to bring people with him, HE'S NOT AN IDIOT!!!

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Still rewatching after 5 years

I watched this while this was airing with my ex girlfriend in 2021. We would have sleepovers just to watch the new episodes coming out. This series is like a core memory to me and even though so much time has passed I have to admit that this is one of my comfort Bl's. I'm writing this after my 4th rewatch by the way. Because so much time has passed, the humour and the romantic scene's are, in my opinion, a bit cringy and outdated. I don't even think 5 years ago is a long time ago but you can clearly see the difference when you watch a newer shower vs an older show like this. What you can notice clearly with this series but also in cutie pie, bad buddy and fish upon the sky is the 'quicky' acting. Which you need to be okay with if you wanna watch this series. By the way, this doesn't ruin a show for me and I hope it doesn't with you either.

I'm sad First hasn't had any big roles since 2023 (he did play a side character in reset 2025). I really love him as actor and hope to see him take more main roles in the future. He and Ja are such a good pair, they genuinely had a lot of chemistry. Some of the acting wasn't amazing but that was mainly the first 'emotional' scene, that's it. Ja's acting sometimes felt like it was VERY read from paper but I don't mind too much. It was mainly the first 2 episodes but slowly it kinda goes away.

Like I mentioned it's 'old' so ofcccc they had to use the annoying 'high school' plot. I do like a high school plot but at moments it feels really unrealistic. What I mainly dislike is the whole 'rich popular boys' trope they tried in 2021. Why must they be rich and popular? It's annoying and It makes no sense, I don't like it. I couldn't help but think "why are they popular?" while watching this. The only reason I can think of for Leo is of course his dad and maybe the basketball group don't say no. But I'm so sorry, being popular because of his dad makes no sense to me... especially since his dad was only mentioned like 2-5 times through the story.

A chaotic friend groups always makes the series better. I do not like some of the comments they made and went too far, as friends you should know your friend's limit. I do like them but they really had no filter bro. I don't get how Fiat didn't really get mad at them but got mad at Leo for useless reasons. I would NOT let those jokes slide bro. Like Fiat just rolled his eyes...

The main thing I remembered from this series is the angst going on with the mother and through these past 5 years it has been stuck inside my head. This was something done really well, I don't like the parents of Fiat that much. It kinda feels like Leo and Leo's mom were the only one who cared about Fiat.

I just loveeeee the way they chose for the awkward stage of just getting into a relationship. Or like Fiat says in episode 1: "When the word boyfriend gets included, why is it so difficult?" That awkward stage when you just got a relationship is so real. Fiat being embarrassed about Leo even though the whole school ships them and loves their relationship is a bit confusing to me. Leo WAS a big greenflag but he keeps letting his emotions out over fuckin everything. Same thing with Fiats patience. I'm irritated that Leo ignored Fiat and doesn't try to get him back sometimes. Like u had a fucking argument and you just let Fiat walk out?

Another things having to do with the date this came out. The annoying sound unoriginal effects and the talking to yourself inner dialogue... Like showing how someone feels should not be done through fucking talking to yourself. Sure, everyone talks to themselves in real live but with this series they over-did it. The only once who this didn't irritate me with were Leon and Pob. Leon and Pob deserved better. The only couple I cared about through the series. Not only here but also in the side story they deserved better. After rewatching the special episode I'm confused because I remember a different ending, but maybe my mind is fucking with me

I'm gonna be very honest right here, I only suggest this if you watched this years ago. This series is like I mentioned, outdated. Not only the humour but also the acting and trends. Compared to the newer BL this just isn't good. I really hope to see a THAI remake of this series and maybe people will enjoy it more.

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A Masterpiece Built on Talent, Brought to Life by Net & JJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the best work ever made in BL history. I loved every single second of this show. It's a masterpiece from start to finish. The story, acting, characters, music, and cinematography are all absolutely top-notch. Every episode had me completely hooked, and by the end, I was left wanting more.

Now let's talk about Net and JJ because WOW. These two are the heart and soul of this series. Their chemistry is genuinely unreal. Every glance, touch, smile, and emotional moment felt so natural that they didn't just play characters in love—they made you believe in them. They stole every heartbeat of mine, and honestly, I still can't get enough of them.

I've been following Net for a long time, so I've always known how talented he is. I've always believed he's an incredible actor, but for years I felt like he was still waiting for the perfect partner—someone who could truly match his talent, challenge him, and elevate every scene. After watching Love Upon a Time, I can confidently say that person is JJ. No one comes close. JJ is, without a doubt, the best acting partner Net has ever had. Together, they bring out the absolute best in each other, and the result is pure magic on screen.

And then there's JJ. What an absolute revelation. What an actor. He made me laugh, cry, yearn, and fall in love right alongside him. Every emotion felt real. His performance as Klao/Nakhun was extraordinary, and I genuinely cannot imagine anyone else playing this role. He didn't just play the character—he became him. JJ has incredible screen presence, emotional depth, and versatility, and this role proved exactly why he is one of the most exciting actors in the industry right now.

The NC scenes and kisses are some of the best I've ever seen in a BL—not just because they're beautiful, but because they're filled with emotion and intimacy. Every moment between Net and JJ felt authentic, meaningful, and unforgettable.

I also want to appreciate all the side characters because everyone did an amazing job and helped make this story feel alive.

Love Upon a Time has set the bar so high that it'll be incredibly difficult for other shows to catch up. This is the kind of series that reminds you why you fell in love with BLs in the first place. A once-in-a-generation BL.

If this show, Net, and JJ don't sweep the awards this year, then I'll seriously have to question every award show out there.

10/10. A masterpiece. I don't think I'll ever be over this show.

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A Road Trip to Remember

If you're tired of the same old rom-com formula, then this drama is definitely worth watching. It offers a unique story that's fun, adventurous, emotional, and refreshingly different. The road-trip journey, with the characters constantly on the run, led to some genuinely hilarious moments that had me thoroughly entertained. The pacing is mostly fast and engaging, although it does slow down a bit in the final episodes.

I enjoyed the love-hate relationship dynamic between Jae-mi and Hae-Jo.. It felt fresh and natural, and the way they kept gravitating back to each other made them fun to watch bcz they both are impulsive.. They complemented each other perfectly as lovers, even if their relationship occasionally crossed into toxic territory.

I also really liked Heung's character, even though his fate was pretty much the same as every classic second lead. Some people may disagree, but I actually saw chemistry between him and Jae-mi. What surprised me most is that I never expected to take him or his character seriously. Yet somewhere along the way, I found myself rooting for him without even realizing he was the second lead. That alone speaks volumes about the actor's performance. He was fantastic.

The actress who played Jae-mi also did a good job. At times she was way too loud, maybe that’s how her character was suppose to be !! She embodied the character and made Jae-mi feel incredibly real..

My biggest disappointment was the reunion between Hae Jo and his father. Considering how much of the story revolved around Hae Jo searching for his biological father, the payoff felt surprisingly underwhelming. The drama ultimately emphasizes that the man who raised him was his true father, which is a beautiful message. However, their reunion was so brief and emotionally muted that it lacked the impact it deserved. I was also left wondering why his father had become so distant and neglectful in the first place, something the drama didn’t properly addressed.

I would've loved to see more of Hae Jo's little sister as well. Their conversation was one of my favorite scenes, and I felt there was more to explore there. And Johna!! Absolute scene-stealer. I loved every moment he was on screen.

Overall, this was a fun and memorable watch. While the last few episodes lost some momentum, the drama remained entertaining from start to finish.

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PERFECT IN ANY ANGLE and NO BORING EPS

I have always been an "isekai" kind of viewer—from Mr. Queen to IFYLITA—and I can confidently say that this is one of those series that stays with you long after the final credits roll.

First, the cast, especially the main couple. Their chemistry is simply magnetic and, in my opinion, among the best I've seen in the entertainment industry. The acting felt natural, authentic, and emotionally gripping. NETJJ did an incredible job portraying every twist and turn of emotions throughout LUAT. And the antagonists? They made my blood boil—which only proves how well they played their roles.

Second, the OSTs. Absolute chef's kiss. No further explanation needed.

Third, the cinematography. Massive kudos to the production team behind this masterpiece. Every scene was beautifully crafted and visually stunning.

Fourth, I have to commend the animation and opening credits. It's the kind of opening you never skip. The concept was creative, unique, and perfectly executed.

And finally, the plot twist. Whoever came up with that deserves all the praise. Finding out that Phop was the mastermind all along completely blew my mind. If fate works hard, Phop works even harder. He literally did everything he could to make sure that he and Klao would reunite and continue the love story that was cut short. And honestly? I LOVED THAT.

This series gave me everything—romance, emotions, beautiful visuals, unforgettable music, and a plot twist that genuinely caught me off guard. Definitely one for the books.

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perfect for summer

omg I have been waiting for this drama for so long, i love the FL. Lowkey wanted to watch it only for her but the story is interesting. also the ML is so hand and so fit into the story.
The chemistry is serving. the height difference??? omfg its so hot, exactly what we needed.

Till now everything from side roles to ost to main leads everything is on point and not a single scene to skip. I hope it stays the same, after watching today's 4eps I really really have high expectations.

And for my sake I hope they dnt traumatise us and give a happy ending, I have a feeling I need tissue in upcoming days haha. so loving it.

The ost's are so hard, loving it.

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A must-watch 2026 drama as expected from Bai Lu and Cheng Lei!!

Don’t read the spoilers; just start watching!!!
Bai Lu’s dramas are always great, and Cheng Lei’s acting is excellent. The story is very interesting; it unfolds slowly, layer by layer, with new things to discover in every episode. I’ve seen many historical Chinese dramas, but this one feels different. It does a great job showing how the two leads, who both have traumatic pasts, support each other. Novel readers might have different opinion but I didn’t read the novel, drama itself is very good in my opinion.
Their chemistry feels very natural. I also really like the cinematography, which has the gritty, authentic feel of older 2010s historical dramas. It’s refreshing to hear the actors using their own voices, and the more realistic, natural makeup makes the whole production feel much more grounded.

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Watch The Invisibles Instead

It's fun if you've never seen Jazz Boon's other works. If you have, it's boring and predictable.

I'm glad people are calling out the oversexualization of the actresses (and actors too at times). We get it. They're fit, they're hot. But I'm watching this for the crimes and the police procedures not unrealistic portrayals of female cops with long beach waves in their hair, fighting bad guys with short shorts and low neck tank tops. They're either tied up on a chair, on a table, tossed around, a**aulted, or drugged constantly. It's so distracting. There are literally camera shots solely focused on Tiffany's butt as she's talking. The skin-showing is gratuitous. It makes me very uncomfortable just knowing how overly sexualized the actresses are. There is an entire case where the Tiffany and Rosita were dressed up in skimpy maid costumes. This is some weird fetish content fishing for views. I think the actresses deserve better merits for their acting and stunts instead of the directing calling for cheap tricks.

This series is a recycled "The Invisibles." It's literally the same plot. Joel and Moon have the same relationship barrier as Kenneth and Natalie, albeit more silly. Owen's adopted daughter, as cute as she is, takes up way too much screen time. I don't really care about her as a whole. TVB STOP FORCING CHILD ACTORS ON US.

Tiffany Lau's character cries too much. Owen is really carrying the series. Moon Lau is pretty good too. Joel's character fades into the background. Rosita looks way too frail and young to be in the position she's in at the police force, and her contact lenses are distracting. Jazz Lam literally plays the SAME character as he did in The Invisibles just without the disability.

The humor is annoying. It's the same trope. Couple who loves each other but do not get together due to a misunderstanding caused by poor communication. They risk their lives to save each other; the misunderstanding gets settled, then they get together and have a really awkward bed scene that's played for laughs. It was in Line Walker, The Invisibles, and here it is again. The cases while fun, are incredibly unrealistic. EVERY case is connected to the main characters and/or their relatives. Man, Hong Kong must be really small if the police force are only picking up cases that endanger their family members. The way Jazz Boon writes his female characters are so bad. They're emotional, rash, and crybabies. They blame their male love interest for something dumb, and their male love interest end up saving their butts multiple times. Jazz Boon loves when his male characters jump in to heroically save the day while consistently getting blamed for things they didn't do. Oh, boo hoo.

Overall, I'm tired of the Jazz Boon (the producer) formula. He's out of ideas. The sets, the clothing, the pacing -- it's just The Invisibles all over again.

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Don’t Mess with the Nerds.

If most parents would want their kids to be the top scorer in their school, Yun Gamin’s mom is satisfied enough if her son could graduate safely even if he’s at the bottom. Yun Gamin had always been the permanent resident of the bottom 5 in all the schools he attended so far, and although his future seems bleak, he decides to enrol into Yusung Technical High School as his last resort to enter college through special admittance lane. He diligently try to recruit students to join his study group to improve his exam score, and finally manages to gather four seemingly hopeless kids through blood and sweat. But then he faces yet another stumbling block, Yusung’s #1 student, son of a feared chaebol in the district, Pi Hanul would not let any of those kids to study and would try every means necessary to tear them apart even if it means to kill.

I was so excited to see Seo Yul from Alchemy of Soul playing the ML here. His looks is as gentle and harmless looking like he did in AoS, and fits the nerdy Yun Gamin perfectly well. Yun Gamin looks like a super nerdy loser just waiting to be bullied with his big ass glasses of his, but this character packed some serious punches once provoked. Little that people know, ML spends every morning training martial art. Although his physique fits more for an athlete instead of a nerd, he was adamant on studying instead, despite always occupying the bottom 5, because he felt a kind of fullfilment when he manages to answer questions right, no matter how low his overall score turned out to be. It’s an attitude that every parent would dream of to have in their kids, diligence and perseverence.

I really liked how the writer string in each kid into ML’s study group through such uncanny encounters and circumstances. Each character is very different from each other, although they all do share the same goal, which is to study for college and that they would not give in to the gangster’s pressure to quit. A special note on the one who played Pi Hanul, he looked exactly like chinese actor Ding Yuxi, it’s like seeing a younger version of him.

It is rather sad to see how the adults failed these children though. I am not sure if this is the reality in Korea, but for adults to enable this fear of school while promoting hopelessness is the absolute violation of kids’ rights for education. These enabler kids, parents and teachers really needed some ample slaps from Teach You a Lesson’s Inspector Na Hwajin.

That aside, watching the show also made me feel like I was watching a superhero show, cuz these kids fight like they have superpowers - smashing thick windows and sliding doors, crashing through walls, kicking through reinforced locked doors and jumping off high floors. Even broken/dislocated knee could not stop the ML from teaching those bullies (that look more like criminals than students) a lesson. I love it each time Uncle’s Ultimate Move makes its debut. No matter how outworldly unrealitistic the fights looked, i thoroughly enjoyed myself cuz the satisfaction of seeing the villains bleed and knocked out is very fullfilling.

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The Noble Idiot trope must die! (Again)

This series grabbed and held my attention right from the start. The small town setting is refreshing. The warm and quirky locals gave the drama a cosy feel. It is a hoot when the entitled FL lands with a thud in the middle of the backwaters town and start the whole fish-out-of-water trope. But wait! There is more. Toss in a handsome, no-nonsense ML and we get the central enemy-to-lover storyline. Those innocent villagers are in for a wild ride!

Everything is going swimmingly for a while. I don't think I'm spoiling anything by telling you our leads are falling in love by the day. Unfortunately, as they played students in preparation for the Gaokao, they have to play it straight. Lots of accidental closeness, cutesy gestures and meaningful gazes are all we are getting.

I'd happily eat all that up and ask for more. Even the odd second leads seem to read the room and fades away gracefully. What a pleasant change. Unfortunately, the distracting side plots just keep piling up.

Most of these subplots are of little significance and centred around small town shenanigans and school yard antics. There are also some criminals running amok in the background. I don't understand why those repeated offenders are not hauled away. You'd think the production would be keen to send an anti-crime message. Yet, the same gang pops up repeatedly.

All these subplots only serve to hamstring our OTP's progress. While both our leads are close to 30yo in real life, they must look and act like teenagers for the bulk of the show. They did well for the most parts. How I wish their young love is as straightforward. (sigh)

Let's face it, by the 2/3 mark, they are together in every sense of the word other than going public and doing all the couple things. We end up in this vicious cycle of maximum yearning but minimal fan service. Just when you think they can breakout after the Gaokao, the FL's father happened.

As expected, our leads lost all their agency and must default to "your father know best". This is a insurmountable roadblock as far as our leads are concerned. The writer then play the Noble Idiot card on us with minimum warning . . just for LoL. To rub salt into the wound, this lasted FIVE miserable years!

Call me stupid, but what is the point of this "twist"? This is just gambling with your future. What happens if one of them got hit by a Big White Truck of Doom™? What if someone swept them off their feet and they meet again years later with spouse and bambini in tow? I'm sure this is a trope as well. 🤦🏻

As if to confirm the pointlessness of it all, once they found each other again, they went from 👋🏻 to get a 🛏️ in one EP. They could have had 2.2 kids by now. Grrrr

Which brings us to the last 3 eps. It is fan service overload. Everyone either gets a redemption or are living their best lives. They need to seriously market that town as some kind of Happiness Retreat. Of course, our leads are 110% together by then and inseparable. Woe to anyone who stood in their way.

I'm not saying this is a bad show. It is an easy watch with nice characters and a cosy setting. I just wish they didn't fluff around (technical term) in the middle and double down on the Noble Idiot trope. It turned a promising romantic drama into a typical idol village/school drama. Peace.

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One swordsman can’t change the world... a dynamic duo with killer skills is a whole other story:)

Can you truly know someone inside out? Is absolute trust possible in this world? What kind of bond could be forged in the depths of hell and honed in the tumultuous waves of the dark river? Alliance doomed to rupture or true brotherhood able to withstand the temptations of power? What would the principled and stoic Su Muyu and ambitious and ruthless Su Changhe of Blood River sect be without the 20-year bond connecting them?
The fascinating dynamic resembling a karmic relationship between, borrowing Changhe’s own words, two men walking different paths paving the road for each other forms the core of the drama. Changhe’s boldness propels them forward towards realising their goals, while Muyu’s unwillingness to bend carves them a chance at a future.
The story, sadly, shifts its focus from this indomitable pair blazing through jianghu to shake up the status quo towards court politics (yaaawn) in later episodes.

The drama has a strong, tension-filled opening that hooked me right away. The fight for succession with constant reversal of fortune, followed by the struggle to cut off all the invisible hands controlling the assassin sect from the shadows were fast-paced, thrilling, and saturated with intense music and spectacular fight scenes.
It’s my favourite part of the drama. Despite being thrown into the action right away, the stakes are clear, twists plentiful and the backstabbing enjoyable:)
The characters' introductions were unique (Mu Ciling<3) and held a lot of promise.
The friction between Muyu and Changhe coming from their, uhm, mismatched life philosophies, together with the clashing loyalties and personal ambitions within the sect’s three families, made for a compelling watch.
The next chapter with Muyu shedding his ‘umbrella ghost’ identity and setting out alone to conquer the ghosts of his past followed the typical wuxia scenario of everyone under heaven scheming against each other. It was still enjoyable but a bit too tangled and unresolved.

Then the story takes a weird turn. Instead of focusing on the remaining assassins building their future together, it spends a long time introducing royal princes on opposite sides of a power struggle I couldn’t care less about. I didn't agree with Blood River taking stakes in that fight at all. They should've reinvented themselves far from the imperial court instead.
On that note, I’m confused about the rules of this Beili place when it comes to the relations between court and jianghu. Shouldn’t those be separate? How come martial sects are aligned with different court powers, including sword deities working as city guardians and babysitting royals?
Palace politics and zombies/puppets are two of my least favourite things (edit: forgot the story also had spiders! Brrrr!) so I was very impatient for the story to move on, but it turned out to be the final arc. It dragged and left the Blood River story feeling unfinished.

Muyu is the unquestionable protagonist, but he’s also the one that confused me the most. What did he truly want? A sword master of such calibre, is he really without ego and would be content to spend the rest of his life living in obscurity as a physician’s assistant? What about his father’s legacy and rebuilding No-Sword City? Or was that only his dream because he knew it was out of reach? I mean, would a man craving a trouble-free life ever become best mates with Changhe?;)
If we’re to believe those who crossed swords with him, he’s got a complex emotional landscape ranging from unbridled defiance to gentle forbearance. His song talks about a fire inside him that can never be put out and a battle he’s fighting against himself. I would’ve loved to see more of this complex inner world reflected in Gong Jun’s portrayal. His normally (endearingly) expressive face is quite difficult to read in this drama. For a character torn by inner conflicts and two identities you can hardly glimpse it under the stoic facade and colourless delivery. Personally, I think it would’ve been better if he was dubbed by an experienced voice actor.

Fortunately, Changhe’s purpose is written very clearly, which makes him a very compelling character. He dares to dream big and has patience and cunning to realize his goals. I liked him best when he got out of control and his crazy was showing;) I wish he was given a more detailed background and space to tell his own story though. He often refers to his difficult past, but we’re barely given any details. His personal revenge completely lacks emotional impact as a result.

Muyu’s love interest, the miracle doctor Bai Hehuai, seems fun, quirky and capable at first but fails to have any meaningful development. Her candid personality often clashes with Muyu’s reticence for comedic effect, but their lukewarm chemistry and moments of awkward dialogue (I thought she’ll never stop listing her endless jianghu connections) make some of their scenes a bit of a snoozefest. I’m also not a fan of this type of fake exuberant acting. Generally, the romances in this drama lack substance and veer too much into sentimentality for the dark, no-nonsense mood of the earlier episodes.

To sum up, this is a grand fantasy spectacle with dark atmospheric visuals and a melancholic tone. I’d recommend it to anyone in the mood for a suspenseful and action-packed wuxia, featuring ‘born to fight their fate’ (anti)heroes.

P.S. I just read what happens to Muyu and Changhe in Blood of Youth, which is supposed to be the continuation of their story 👀 It's kind of hard to believe because loyalty is one of Changhe's defining characteristics here and I just can't imagine Muyu ever letting it happen to them. If that version of the story is canon, then I'm sticking with this fanfic:)

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