Reviews

BEST KOREAN BL

genuinely ts is SO GOOD. it's a top-tier BL - the acting, the soundtrack, the enemies to lovers. IT'S SO PEAK. It definitely goes up there in one of my favourite romances of all time. The acting, the yearning, the angst, the passion. genuinely does not get more peak than this i actually can not rn. only disappointment is the ending it was too rushed, and that the episodes are diabolically too short. i hate korea's culture of not having proper BL shows and having to strip them to such short episodes. hopefully this progresses in the future because ong this show deserved to be a 16 episode kdrama. compared to the crap a lot of straight kdramas i see pumped out on netflix nowadays that are boring as hell, this one actually had me hooked and rewatching earlier episodes in desperate wait for the next ones every week.

the actor of ju taeson was definitely the highlight in this drama. the way he takes over the screen with his dominating presence like i was actually in awe. he's gotta be the handsomest kdrama actor i've seen by far. his whole manner in this drama exudes authority and seriousness and the way he slowly starts to fall for chae-ha before he himself even realises it - IT'S TOO GOOD OMG. and lee chaeha is so cute as well with his doe eyes. the sexual tension in this show is literally off the charts. both the actors with their long coats striding to the crime scene - literally feels like I'm watching a webtoon brought to life. i will be rewatching this show religiously.

please guys if there's one kdrama i recommend you to watch, be it this one.

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What did I Click?

I won’t even bother making a proper summary since I only watched up to Ep 3. So far all i can say to summarize the 3 episodes is that Xiao Wuyi the ML is the heir of the Duke and also a general commanding his own troops. He almost lost a battle due to bad weaponry, faked his own death to trap another prince who is responsible for the weapons forgery, whom ML suspects plotting a rebellion. The FL is the only daughter of a minister and mechanical craftman genius who is in love with another prince who turned out to be ML’s friend. ML returned to the capital and asked FL’s hand in marriage from the empress dowager who i assumed acting as regent cuz the emperor is constantly sick. Btw he only did this after he came to know that the rebel prince was eyeing to marry FL. While the ML is planning to trap the rebel prince, FL is busy planning her own escape from the marriage.

First off, i only watched this for Aimee cuz I liked her performance in My Journey to You and Whispers of Fate. I have only seen Huo Minghao in I am Nobody, he was okay there but I was not really looking at him seriously. Basically I have a neutral impression of him, neither a hater nor a fan.

Anyway, the plot kinda threw me off right from the start. In any other shows, a general returning home pretending to be dead is akin to deceiving the emperor, so I failed to see how the heck ML just got away scott free without the empress dowager even questioning his reasons. He didnt look like a prominent figure with own faction in court other than being a general, so for him to get away with almost every nonsensical things he did was beyond me. The writer tried too hard to depict ML as ruthless and unhinged, and those dramatic entrances the ML did were waaaayyy too over the top complete with slow-mos and dramatic background music, every single time. The show incessantly try to shove this powerful image of the ML on the audience but instead of getting wowed, i got cringed.

I don’t know what’s wrong with the makeup department. Why does the makeup on Aimee looked foine as heck but horrible on Huo Minghao? Not only does the skintones are all over the place, it also looked cakey on ML. And was his original skintone too tanned that they had to put on pale foundation on him? I thought he’s a seasoned general, tanned skin is exactly what generals should look like, so why is he so pale here? There were many closeup shots of the ML so it is hard for me not to notice the bad makeup. He looked fine in I Am Nobody so I know he is good looking, so why does he look so weird and unappealing here?

Only episode 3 and the ML is already saving the emperor and stopped a rebellion, that was way too fast, man. Everything looks so hectic and rushed. The amount of ML’s dramatic entrances just put me off big time cuz they were too frequent and looked too exaggerated I just can’t stand to watch them for the next 25 episodes. Sorry Aimee, I can’t even stay for you or the plot.

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Brave in Concept, Cautious in Execution

*Burnout Syndrome* is a thoughtful and mature series that stands apart from the usual Thai BL formula. It focuses less on fluffy romance and more on burnout, emotional dependence, ambition, exploitation, and the quiet exhaustion caused by work and social expectations. The acting, direction, cinematography, lighting, and music are all excellent, and the slower pacing suits its reflective and emotionally heavy atmosphere.

The series portrays burnout effectively—not as one dramatic breakdown, but as a gradual fatigue that affects a person’s work, relationships, identity, and self-worth. The characters are complicated and often deeply flawed, which makes the story feel more realistic. Koh is manipulative and uses people to achieve his goals, Jira is self-centred and emotionally uncompromising, while Pheem allows himself to be controlled and repeatedly cleans up the damage Koh leaves behind.

I also appreciated Dew’s participation in his first BL role. It was a refreshing and courageous choice, and he handled the emotional and romantic scenes convincingly. However, the series marketed itself as much bolder than it actually was. The trailers suggested a more daring and intense love triangle, but Jira and Pheem’s physical relationship remained limited and their kissing scenes were cut short. It felt as though the production wanted the appearance of being provocative without allowing Pheem to become a genuine romantic threat to the established OffGun pairing.

The same problem applies to the series’ exploration of artificial intelligence. It introduces interesting questions about automation, ownership, stolen creativity, and the emotional detachment created by technology. However, it never explores the ethical or social consequences deeply enough. AI remains mostly a symbol for Koh’s exploitation of Jira rather than becoming a fully developed discussion about artists, consent, labour, and the replacement of human creativity.

My biggest disappointment was the ending. After everything that happened, Jira returning to Koh felt neither satisfying nor emotionally earned. Koh had not changed enough to deserve another chance, and Jira’s journey appeared to be leading towards independence and the realisation that he could live and create without him. Ending their relationship permanently would have been the braver and more logical conclusion.

The fact that Off and Gun are an established pairing should not mean that their characters must always end up together. They can continue working together in future projects without every story forcing their characters into a romantic reunion. In fact, allowing Jira and Koh to remain separated would have demonstrated that the series was genuinely willing to prioritise its narrative over the expectations surrounding the actors’ pairing.

The reunion can be interpreted as two damaged people who remain emotionally and creatively dependent on each other. Even Koh admits that he does not know whether their relationship will work. However, understanding the psychological reason behind their reunion does not make it the strongest dramatic choice. Instead of completing Jira’s growth, the ending weakens it and makes the series feel as though it retreated into familiar BL expectations at the final moment.

Overall, *Burnout Syndrome* is different, well-acted, visually impressive, and emotionally mature. It deserves credit for attempting something more complex than a conventional romance. Unfortunately, it repeatedly approaches genuinely bold ideas without exploring them all the way. It wants to challenge the audience, but ultimately softens its consequences and chooses the safer path.

A strong and memorable series—but not nearly as daring as it believes it is.

**Rating: 8/10**

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Repito lo mismo del review de la serie principal

Muy buena adaptación. Agregaré algunos detalles que no mencioné en el review anterior, pero que considero que son importantes:
Primero, muy bien lograda la experiencia de "romance entre hombres de traje" que es un tópico que personalmente amo. Me encanta el uso de la ropa y accesorios como parte importante de los personajes para señalar sus personalidades, su estado de ánimo, la situación en la que se encuentran. Que se regalen accesorios masculinos de uso cotidiano para ellos es tan queercodificado que AMO cada vez que se usa el recurso en alguna historia. Esto es parte del manga principalmente y la serie lo pudo adaptar bien; pero mi segundo punto es mérito propio de la serie.
El uso de los espacios a los que pueden acceder, que no sé si habrá sido una decisión conciente o sólo tenían presupuesto y decidieron usarlo para grabar en lugares lindos, pero les resultó perfecto. Es interesante ver que ambos personajes, los vendedores estrella de cada departamento de una gran empresa, obviamente deben ganar bastante dinero y, con lo trabajólico que son ambos, claramente no lo gastan de manera cotidiana. Lo podemos ver en la ropa que se compran, quizá, pero sobre todo, en sus casas. Ambos departamentos son amplios para ser individuales y, una vez que se van a vivir juntos, es en un espacio tan amplio, que se puede deducir que fue carísimo conseguirlo en Tokio; pero es algo que pueden permitirse al juntar el dinero de ambos y considerando que será su hogar, lo que por supuesto es una prioridad máxima para ellos. Lo mismo pasa con la onsen a la que van: el hotel es lujoso, la habitación que arriendan es amplia, con dos paredes de ventanales y una terma privada; algo a lo que claramente no cualquiera puede acceder.
En fin, me encanta esta historia y la serie le hizo justicia, fin.

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Muy buena adaptación

A VER partamos por el hecho de que amo a la autora del manga y esta historia en particular me gusta mucho. Será que adaptarán más de sus trabajos? sería maravilloso, sobre todo porque otras de sus historias me gustan más que estas (aunque son más cortas).
Creo que hicieron un trabajo excelente en la adaptación, como siempre las series japonesas haciendo bien el trabajo en esta área. Los actores se lucieron, logran transmitir la esencia de los personajes y le agregaron su propio sello a cada uno. Las escenas explícitas cumplen su función, creo que los japoneses cada vez se atreven más.
Los actores que eligieron para representarlos en el colegio también lo hicieron súper bien y me gustó que pusieran actores adolescentes y no a los mismos actores con más maquillaje y ropa de colegio jajajaj paremos con ese recurso por favor.

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Me gusta la proyección que se hace del protagonista

Secuela súper corta, pero creo que sigue de manera directa a la historia principal. No se escapa hacia otros lados ni intenta crear conflictos nuevos o complejos sólo para alargar o impactar.
Sí me gustó que se planteara esta idea de que el protagonista está madurando y se da cuenta, sabe, todo el esfuerzo que pone su familia/pareja/amigos en darle una vida cómoda, feliz y libre de cualquier sufrimiento; y que por lo tanto, su decisión sea tratar de ayudarlos en las formas que él pueda. Creo que fue una buena decisión para la pareja y para darle un poco de complejidad al personaje.

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Una versión fresca del tópico de relaciones falsas

Lamentablemente, la vi hace tiempo y no recuerdo mucho (lo que de todas formas habla de la trascendencia de la historia para mí). Dentro de lo que sí recuerdo, y que me gustó, fue la relación de los protagonistas y la reacción del papá homofóbico. Ahora explico.
He visto que a mucha gente no le gusta el protagonista, que les da cringe su actuar tan de bebé; pero en mi opinión, es coherente con el estilo de vida y crianza que su familia y amigos le dan. En todas sus esferas está súper cobijado y protegido, todos lo tratan como bebé, lo miman, lo cuidan, le ocultan cierta información. A mí me hace mucho sentido que el personaje sea un chico inocentón y que se comporte de esa manera. Siguiendo esta línea, me gustó que este tipo de personaje tuviera una relación falsa; no es algo que uno esperaría de alguien "puro". Y bueno, fue todo muy tierno entre los dos.
Como decía, también me gustó la reacción del papá, creo que le daba otra capa más al enfrentarnos a esta familia tan unida, tan amorosa, con un hijo menor tan cuidado y mimado, que de pronto se ve envuelta en un drama porque el papá es homofóbico y violento; algo que tampoco se esperaría así a la primera.
Igualmente, sí me agotaba el trato de la familia/amigos hacia el protagonista.

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Gran forma de hablar sobre el duelo

De inicio a fin, una historia que duele. Leí por ahí un review que decía que no era una historia de amor, sino que de duelo. Pero el duelo de una relación sólo importa si hubo amor, sea amistad, familia o romance. Creo que es una adaptación de un manga, no estoy segura; si fuera así, no podría darle el crédito a la serie, pero sí puede resaltar la adaptación. Creo que se tomaron en serio el tema y le dieron la profundidad que necesitaba, dentro del poco margen de episodios. Las actuaciones son adecuadas, nada especial, pero cumplen. Creo que lo que más me gustó fue la forma en la que se estableció el ambiente psicológico de la serie: los paisajes, el ritmo, las reacciones. Y el mensaje que deja al final es tierno, bien explícito sí y quizá me habría gustado más que no estuviera; pero no me voy a quejar más allá por un consejo optimista.

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Mentally checked out after episode 8

I really wanted to love this drama.

The opening episodes hooked me immediately. Lu Feng is warm, devoted, protective, and emotionally consistent. Qin Lang and the younger brother’s relationship is genuinely sweet, and the overall tone at the beginning feels warm despite the heartbreak. The actors also have excellent chemistry, which is what drew me to the drama in the first place.

Unfortunately, the storytelling gradually lost me.

My biggest issue isn’t the plot itself—it’s the pacing.

This drama is adapted from a seven-volume novel series into just twelve episodes, and it feels like the adaptation is trying to preserve every major plot point while sacrificing the emotional journey between them. The result is that characters often jump from one emotional state to another before the audience has time to understand how they got there.

The biggest casualty of that pacing is Cheng Yichen.

I could tell the drama wanted me to see him as a deeply conflicted man torn between love, family obligation, guilt, and social expectations. Instead, I mostly watched him repeatedly push Lu Feng away, hide their relationship, break up with him, and make decisions that hurt nearly everyone around him. Every now and then the drama would slow down long enough to show a quiet, reflective moment, and suddenly I could see the deeper character that was probably intended. Those moments were beautiful but far too rare.

Ironically, Lu Feng ended up feeling like the more fully developed character.

I know many viewers consider Lu Feng to be the toxic one. Through the first eight episodes, I didn’t see it that way. I certainly don’t think he handled every situation well, and there were moments where he should have stepped back instead of pushing forward. But I also think many viewers assign him sole responsibility for situations that were much more complicated than that. Cheng Yichen’s mother’s illness, for example, had been established long before the confrontation that ultimately sent her to the hospital. Lu Feng made the situation worse, but I don’t think the drama supports the idea that he alone caused everything that followed.

What frustrated me much more was the repeated cycle of misunderstandings and breakups. One misunderstanding can create compelling drama. Five or six variations of the same cycle begin to feel repetitive. Rather than watching the relationship grow through conflict, I felt like I was watching it repeatedly reset.

I also felt genuinely sorry for Zhuo Lan. She wasn’t portrayed as a villain. She was another person caught in the consequences of everyone else’s decisions, and the brief glimpses we get of their marriage were among the more emotionally effective moments in the series.

Ultimately, I was mentally over the drama after episode eight because I no longer trusted the storytelling. The drama still had moments of warmth and sweetness, but the emotional transitions never felt earned often enough for me to stay invested.

I suspect the original novels provide much more of the emotional context that the adaptation only hints at. Based on the strength of the premise and the chemistry between the actors, I would absolutely read the novels if they were officially available in English.

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Great series. But left things in the air

I really enjoyed this series, probably the best KBL in a while. The main pair has incredible chemistry, and I really hope they'll be paired together in a second BL. But I feel like the ending left so many things unresolved that it ended up bringing the show a bit down for me. The three main things are:
- How did Tak enter the house and kill Woosung? We found the murder weapon but don't know how it happened, or how he got the door code since Taeseon heard the code being used twice and we know the first time was Chaeha's dad.
- Then there's the second prosecutor: was he even part of the scheme? Why did he call Chaeha over to the office at night, only to never be mentioned again after that, even though Haneul knew he called him over? Does the informant he mentioned in his call really exist?
- And finally, what is Haneul's actual story? Did he go to the orphanage and then his parents met him? When did he find out who his parents were? And how did he end up cleaning up their mess?

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Everything Is Overdone, and I Finally Overdid It

Oki, y'all roasted this drama so aggressively everywhere that naturally I had to see what the heck was going on. 😂

I think this is a perfect example of adjusted expectations being the key to happiness. I've watched enough Republican dramas - and enough short dramas in the genre - to know that subtlety has left the building. I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've seen at least three short dramas with basically this exact plot..

The title Overdo is honestly PERFECT because this drama takes every single Republican drama trope and says:

"You know what would make this better? MORE."

-Bitch-slapping? MORE.
-Guns? MORE.
-Toxic family members? MORE.
-Trauma? MORE.
-The FL bent on Revenge? MOOOOOORE
-People dramatically staring into the middle distance? MOOOOORE.
-The OST? AGGRESSIVELY MORE. The OST is apparently being paid by the decibel because WHY IS IT ALWAYS SCREAMING AT ME?! 😂
And honestly, the excessive soundtrack might be part of why the production feels cheaper. This drama has the energy of an old-school telenovela that was reincarnated as a Republican drama and decided to take absolutely ZERO chill pills.

Some scenes had me crying laughing. The plane scene? The simulated chess game? The ML diving into the pond to save the FL?
BRO.
So no, I did not come here expecting sophisticated writing, historical realism, or subtle character development.

I came here for THE CHAOS. And thankfully, the chaos is abundant. I've basically completed the Republican Drama Bingo card by Episode 8. 😂

I do appreciate that the drama took only a couple of episodes of showing us the leads' past. The flashbacks are actually pretty well done, and the leads were genuinely cute together. I also like the fact that they already had a bond before meeting properly. And considering some dramas nowadays will give us 20+ episodes of flashbacks before remembering they have a present-day plot, this restraint is honestly refreshing. 😭

The Murong mother and daughter looking approximately the exact same age, however, is taking me OUT.

Meanwhile, the ML is the Cinderella of this drama. This poor man is getting emotionally abused by his family so badly that I'm half expecting them to make him scrub the courtyard next. At least nobody has handed him a mop yet. Small wins. 😂😭

And the FL? REVENGE. That's it. That's the tweet.
Girl has been through enough, she has a wardrobe to DIE FOR, and honestly, I'm not interested in watching her fall in love right now.
FUCK ROMANCE. GET YOUR REVENGE, BABYGIRL. BURN THE WHOLE DAMN HOUSE DOWN. GET THEM!!😂😂😂

BUT.

We need to talk about the ML because... sir, I'm struggling.

This man is honestly quite unlikeable so far. Yes, I completely understand that he's angry. He was literally framed for a murder he didn't commit because of the FL, so he is absolutely entitled to be pissed. I even understand the pettiness to a certain extent. I SUPPORT PETTINESS. But bro... the way he's acting is giving petulant little boy, not emotionally wounded man. 😭

I really hoped we'd get some actual character development, but I'm now on Episode 10 and... I'm tired, bro. The FL needs a MAN, not another child she has to emotionally babysit. Just saying. And unpopular opinion, but I also can't say the chemistry between the leads is overflowing. Granted, they're currently in their red-flag, mutual-hatred, everyone-is-miserable era, but even in the flashbacks, I wasn't exactly feeling the earth-shattering chemistry people seem to be expecting. There's just... something missing.

And the kisses? MEH.
Sir, if I'm going to sit through THIS level of Republican drama circus, these kisses better eventually pay my emotional damages. I am investing my time in the bitch-slapping, gun-pointing, pond-diving, psychological warfare extravaganza. I need a RETURN ON INVESTMENT. 😂

So far? Flat.

Which is honestly a crime because WHAT AM I WATCHING THIS FOR THEN?! 😭

The dialogue isn't helping either because some of it is CRINGE AF, ngl. And this drama is a perfect example of why, yes, good actors are incredibly important, but even great actors can only do so much. If the writing and directing aren't giving them anything to work with, eventually you can FEEL the struggle. 😭

And after making it to Episode 10, I think I've reached my limit.

I'm dropping this. Because there is a reason I indulged in Republican SHORT dramas.
The keyword being: SHORT.

I can handle 20–24 fifteen-minute episodes of people slapping each other, pointing guns at each other's heads, dramatically plotting revenge, and behaving like they've collectively lost their minds.

But when these exact same shenanigans are stretched across 30+ full-length episodes?
That's not a drama anymore. That's an interesting form of psychological torture that I have officially decided I do NOT want to inflict upon myself. 💀
I came here for the chaos. I stayed for the chaos. I laughed at the chaos.
But eventually even I had to look at this drama and say:

"Girl, I have other things to do with my life." 😂
So yeah, I'm tapping out at Episode 10.

Everything is overdone. The drama is dramatic. The toxicity is toxic. The OST is fighting for its life. The FL is plotting murder in couture. The ML needs therapy. Everyone needs therapy. The kisses need CPR.

And I need to go home. 😂💀

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minha sincera opinião, sem spoiler.

O drama em si é bom, é gostosinho de ver, a música são boas, a atuação dos atores estão muito consistentes, eu daria nota 8,5.

porém tem coisas que faz a nota dele cair pra mim, o principal é que usaram CGI no rosto de um dos atores no drama todo é tá muito feio e ruim, da agonia de ver.

A enrolação pra ter uma interação decente dos protagonista, demora muito, são 36 EPS, e não tiveram tempo pra fazer algoais cedo do que os últimos EPS? é algo questionável.

Em fim, vale a pena, não vão se arrepender, mas o drama poderia ser muito melhor.

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A Straight Road to Success -- with little to no obstacle

Where do I even start...hashdpas

Road to Success is one of those dramas that feels like a fantasy about the journey toward success with little to no obstacle. At first, it presents itself as a slice-of-life sports drama, but as the story progresses, it gradually introduces mystery, coming-of-age themes, romance, and even psychological heeling. By the time you reach the end, you'll realize that the series attempts to tackle all of these genres at once. While this ambitious blend becomes one of the drama's defining charms, it also ends up being its greatest weakness.

On the bright side, the series does an impressive job of balancing its many genres without completely losing its sense of direction. Rather than treating romance, sports, suspense, coming-of-age, and psychological healing as separate storylines, it weaves them together so that each element naturally complements the others. The emotional moments strengthen the sports narrative, the suspense adds intrigue without overshadowing the characters, and the romance develops alongside the characters' personal growth instead of dominating the plot. At the heart of the story is a strong cast of chaeracters, each with distinct personalities, motivations, and meaningful development that extends beyond the two leads. Their individual struggles and relationships make the world feel lived-in, while the teamwork and friendships among the students provide warmth, humor, and emotional sincerity. This interconnected approach gives the series a cohesive identity, allowing its themes of perseverance, healing, and self-discovery to resonate throughout the story.

Esther Yu and Chen Jing also deliver strong performances. Esther Yu makes the most of her role, convincingly portraying both her character's cheerful charm and emotional vulnerability. Chen Jing brings a quiet intensity to his performance, expressing his character's emotions with subtlety and sincerity. Together, they share an effortless chemistry that makes their interactions feel natural and engaging. Whether they're sharing lighthearted moments, navigating emotional conflicts, or gradually developing their relationship, the two leads provide the emotional foundation that keeps the series grounded.

However, the drama's biggest flaw lies in its pacing. The storytelling feels overly compressed, condensing many plotlines into their essential story beats instead of allowing them to unfold naturally. As a result, many scenes lose their emotional progression and narrative buildup because the moments that should connect them are either rushed or skipped entirely. While the story continues to move forward, it rarely pauses long enough to let its biggest emotional moments fully resonate. Because of this, the series never delivers a truly standout or unforgettable scene that leaves you wanting to revisit it after it ends.

This is especially noticeable in how the series handles its different genres. Although it successfully blends romance, sports, and suspense into a single narrative, it never fully commits to any one of them. It gives you just enough romance to become invested, just enough suspense to spark your curiosity, and just enough sports action to build excitement—only to shift its focus to something else before any of those elements can fully reach their potential. As a result, many emotional moments and character arcs feel less impactful than they could have been, not because they lack meaning, but because they aren't given enough time to breathe.

In the end, Road to Success feels less like a drama that confidently embraces its many genres and more like one that's constantly moving from one idea to the next before any of them can fully blossom. It's an enjoyable series with a heartfelt cast, strong performances, and meaningful themes, but its ambition ultimately becomes both its greatest strength and its greatest limitation.

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This promises to be fun-cute...kinda looks like Bad Buddy 2.0 with a twist

This is kinda cute...I think they are trying a Bad Buddy 2 with a twist....the whole premise of two people seething with attraction for each other under the garb of rivalry always gets me...so unless they screw up big time, I will finish this even though it seems about ok overall.

BL-Needle Score: 8. Reasonably high BL-ness

I like Teshow...he's cute...Ping still has to improve quite a bit in the acting department though...also waiting for AJ &JJ 's entry

Btw Chimon looks sooooooooo different in this one, I almost didn't know him.

Verdict: May watch or wait for another 1-2 episodes to be sure. I will continue to watch

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