Chemistry
Sometimes the plot was boring and too long with unneccasry details. But Yang Yang is always good to watch. I am glad his co-star this time was her and they actually caught a chemistry together. (Love O2O was lacking in that part) Even though it promotes a game in the drama it's only mentioned a lot in the first half of the drama and it is still fun to watch. Surprisingly OST of this drama hits the right spots when they are played in a scene.Was this review helpful to you?
Immaculate casting and acting skills!!! ❤️?
First of all, This might be HMH’s BEST roles! He outperformed his previous roles. I was in awe every time he was on screen. I never thought AIMI to be this good. She has a bright future ahead. 💓The storyline : The starting is GOOD, but upto ep 15 it got a bit stretchy… after ep 15 It finally started to go somewhere and yes im so glad i did not drop it halfway… the plot twists is insane! i loved and hated so many characters at certain point of time 😭. Anyways IT WAS A GOOD WATCH!!! omgg i have to rewatch it later someday.
OSTs ; this drama ATE with the ost lineup. HMH outdid here as well. The songs are on repeat in my spotify playlist. 100/10.
ps: i wish to see hmh and aimi in another historical romance drama when she’s a bit grown up😭😭😭. They had a good chemistry!
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MUST WATCH
This is my first review, I just had to as I recently finished watching this (along with s2). LITERALLY MADE AN ACCOUNT SO I CAN POST A REVIEW !!!!!S1 absolutely got to me, I cried, I laughed, I screamed and more.
Production quality is amazing, the acting is refreshing, realistic and the story is adorable but not cringe.
I thought this was another enemies to lovers story but HELL NAW it is more than that !!!
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This review may contain spoilers
First impression
You can watch it on GagaOOLala: https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/8378/duty-first-kiss-later-2026Japanese BLs just hit different sometimes, and this is definitely one of those times. Awesome acting and an interesting premise, I'm bought!
This series reminds me of another BL called "Love Is a Poison". Both have a similar vibe and have the storyline around law work.
Overall I really like it so far, excited for more episodes.
Episode 1:
* It is so nice to see more mature Bls.
* I like the characters and the whole opposites attract thing. Takoi being a sweetheart older detective and Shiono being more of a blunt and straightforward kind of guy.
I sort of enjoy watching their bickering and little silent glances of microaggression.
* Most of the humor is pretty much typical Japanese humor with all of the exaggerated face expressions and that sort of stuff. Not bad or annoying necessarily, I just can never get used to them.
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Acting - I have to say totally impressed by Chen Zheyuan’s portrayal as Emperor. He conveys a lot with just his eyes. A face that handsome and with such a confident steady performance, it’s unbelievable that it’s his first time acting as an emperor!! A veteran level acting. Wu Jinyan is also perfect with her known charm as in her previous hit dramas. The ministers and close officials are also really done their job well.
The main actors are gift for directors who like to take close up shots. Court room scenes are so majestic and realistic. This drama has close to real life cinematography. Less filters and more natural colors. Very easy on eyes.
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No. Just... No. A Headache in Motion
I was really looking forward to this drama. I like both actors, but I struggled through four episodes before finally dropping it because it literally gave me a headache.Apparently, storytelling has become optional, and unfortunately that seems to be the latest trend. This is yet another cliché drama that mistakes style for substance, prioritizing visually striking cinematography over storytelling. Ironically, in trying so hard to be visually impressive, it forgot to be enjoyable to watch. The short scenes, constant cuts, rapid editing, endless camera movement, and relentless visual changes created nothing but visual fatigue. The editing is fragmented, the pacing frantic, and the scenes are illogical and unrealistic. Of course, we also get another female lead who can apparently do everything except be believable.
As if that weren't enough, another trend in recent Chinese dramas is loud background music that plays almost continuously, is mixed so prominently that it competes with the dialogue, and soon becomes exhausting. Apparently, every emotion now requires an orchestra, and every conversation needs a soundtrack.
I like both actors individually, but I didn't think they suited these roles together. She looked a little too old for the character, while he had too much of a puppy-faced, youthful appearance for his role.
I'll leave this cinematic rollercoaster to viewers with stronger eyes, a higher tolerance for nonstop editing, and perhaps faster reflexes than mine.
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It's been a while since I was this invested in a drama
Loved this so much.You'll find that this drama is a bit fast-paced than most dramas, but that doesn't make it any less engaging. In fact, I think its fast pace is one of the reasons it's so captivating. This is one of those rare dramas that keeps you hooked every second, and if you skip even a few minutes, you might miss something important. Because it's fast-paced, it doesn't waste your time, which makes it even more worth watching.
Now, I also wanted to leave a note regarding the criticism about the cast's age and the age gap. I've been a fan of both Hou Minghao and Ai Mi for a while. As for Ai Mi, I've seen her in several supporting roles and already knew she had the potential to become a great leading actress. It's true that I wasn't expecting her to star in this kind of romance drama at just 17, but as long as it doesn't include overly intimate scenes or excessive kissing, I think it's fine. They're actors, after all, they're simply doing their job. And despite all the criticism, just look at how successful this drama has become.
I also hope people will look at the positive side. At just 17 years old, Ai Mi was able to deliver such an amazing performance in her first leading role in a drama like this. She was incredibly captivating. She did an excellent job, even though, like any actor, there's always room to improve. As for Hou Minghao, he didn't disappoint, as always. His emotional performance was spot on. For me, the acting in this drama was top-notch. It was also refreshing to see an actress who is nearly the same age as her character portraying the role so naturally. I loved that energy.
The supporting cast was great as well. Everyone did an excellent job. The OST was so good too. This is one of the best dramas of 2026 for me. It takes you through laughter, sadness, joy, heartbreak, and so many other emotions. I highly recommend it. You'll definitely want to give it a try.
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A STRONG LOVE STORY INTANGLED IN STORM
IT was kind of a unique story i really loved it story was also good the characters every thing was well balanced according to the situations 😁 i don't want to compln about other things because it needs a lot of patience to watch this series so I don't recommend this if u don't have patience to watch.The story feels long some times it feels lots drop it but hearme it's worth to watch. u will feel the happiness and laugh and cry with that ghost in side of your room.
Acting is always top-notch every character was well matched and acted but my only complaint is it missed a lot of action scenes i really wanted to watch some actions. I want to mention about uncle zhou bro was like a pillar for our Main leads really that guy lost everything but never gave up on leads our leads.
music will it was good every time its good.
re-watch value it's almost 32 ep i want to watch i will watch last 2 episodes
that's it I am going to watch another drama bye bye 👋
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the best kbl I ever watched!!
My expectations for korean bls aren't high but this was actually really good. Like ones I started it I couldn't stop watching it!!I didn't fully understand the plot not gonna lie and some of the plot twists were pretty obvious... but the kissing and sex scenes!! Pretty good!
The usage of AI was horrible tho and the reason I can't give this drama a 10... they really didn't need to use AI at all... I hope this won't become the standard for kdramas..
But I do hope that more bls like this will be released!!
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Oranges
Honestly? When I put aside the fact that it takes place in past and everyone is okay with them being gay, it's 10/10. It's cute, meaningdlful, emotional, the story makes sense, the actors do have a chemistry... And the ending? I didn't expect it'd expect like this, but it's really great.I feel sorry for Jason (actor), because he didn't deserve such a big punishment for one wrong repost. It's good that they let him in last episode at least, when he can't attend the fanmeeting with other cast. At least it was so obvious that they still left some space for him <3.
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See you at work tomorrow!
Firstly I watched only because of Seo In Guk, it is not like I do not like calm romance but I choose them mostly because of the cast. This drama is not bad but comparing to other in this genre is just average. I feel like it is either too slow or there are too many too long episodes (yeah, episodes were definitely too long).SIG was really good, his chemistry was on poin but I wished that he or his storyline appeared much more, in the end he also was a main character. But I have to admit that I am suprised with roles/dramas choices, He played so similar character in Boyfriend on demand, which was view months ago (and was so much better, sorry not sorry, but everything was better there, storyline, chemistry between cast/couple).
Park Ji Hyun - my first drama with her and she was not bad, do not misunderstand me, but she also was not the best, chemistry from her was pretty weak, maybe her character was just written badly. She was relatable in view aspects but still not my favourite character.
Kang Mi Na - she shined here, she is perfect for romcoms!!
To be honest I was more interested about PJH's parents storyline and second couple than main couple or simply main female character. But I have to admit that there were not any character who would annoy me too much.
To sum up, it is not a bad drama, people who want something calm and like this genre will like it, but in my opinion it is still too long.
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10/10 Violence, Would Recommend.
First and foremost - this is an action film. Is there romance and emotional delicacy in it? Yes, but it's still an action film; there is a lot of fighting. If you like action, you're probably going to like it, if you don't, then it's probably going to drag. If you're on the fence either way, I'd ask you to give it a try, because the fights are well designed and interesting to watch, sometimes rapidly switching from guns to knives to fists and back again, keeping things dynamic. If you're particularly squeamish though, maybe give this a pass, or bring a friend to tell you when it's safe to look; I know it would have my mother clutching her figurative pearls if she didn't faint from shock.Although the plot is very simple, and isn't going to bring you any great surprises, the film, from the cinematography to the actors, definitely puts all the effort in to give emotional depth to the available scenes. There is a maturity to it, a solemnity and bittersweetness that matches the level of violence it contrasts; this is not a cute and lighthearted saccharine romance with some punches thrown in, it is an absolutely, desperate against-all-odds, tooth and nail fight to see the sun rise one more time: love and devotion is just the seasoning to salt the wounds. The acting is great; you believe their relationships, their fears, hatreds and sorrows as well as their joys and cares, even the characters who have little screen time, or do not even speak at all (there is a character who seems to be mute/deaf, I'm not sure which).
It did have some weak points like them just jumping to blood transfusions way too quickly, and always life-threatening volumes for no apparent reason, and we don't spend a lot of time getting to know the whole family - but maybe that's just the director showing mercy so you aren't an absolute emotional wreck by the end of the film.
The fight scenes in this are amazing - bloody, extremely brutal, and equal parts tragic and badass. They may not be the most realistic (not that I get into that many shootouts myself, but these guys are definitely wearing bullet-resistant plot armour), but they really pack a punch, and honestly they had a fair bit of flair without it feeling wildly impractical (imo) like the parkour that was integrated like butter. The longer fights also feel...intelligent. Not that the characters are pulling any Einstein moves, or even that they don't do dumb things sometimes, but the struggle isn't simply brute force, you can clearly see the characters trying to out-maneuver each other as they lose and gain ground; it's often unclear who will win or lose, even in a fight where one side may seem to have the upper hand, things can go back and forth in the blink of an eye.
All in all, I think this is a well rounded action movie that balances it's intensity and brutality with moments of calm and softness, gradually ramping up the stakes from the first attack to the final battle, interspersing each instance with a period of peace for the viewers and characters to recover before raising the stakes for the next conflict.
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This review may contain spoilers
Teamwork Makes The Dream Work!
Road to Success is a heartwarming, healing sports-and-growth drama that champions mental health, resilience, and mature partnership. There is so much to root for and we get a very satisfying ending.Esther Yu delivers a mature performance as Wan Xing, the beating heart and vocal student advocate of the story. Chen Jing-Ke plays Wang Fa, a green-flag, reserved, and deeply devoted partner whose love language is built on action and unwavering support. He’s quite handsome, too! Wang Fa is a quiet character, especially in comparison to his father and Yu Bo (Victor Ma), who have colorful personalities. But don't let that fool you--still waters often run deep! Their "Mom and Dad" dynamic gives the team a united, secure front.
The Backstory: The leads carry deep trauma, causing them to retreat to Hongjing No. 8 High School. For Wan Xing, it is a nasty set-up surrounding the death of her psychology grad school professor, in which she is the target. Under duress, she leaves grad school and becomes the high school's sports equipment custodian and soccer team manager back at her grandparents’ hometown. Wang Fa is a top tier UK youth soccer coach, who carries deep self blame for the untimely passing of a player under his wing. His initial investigation leads him to believe Wan Xing is the culprit to his player's death, so he becomes a tenant in her building for close proximity to dig further for the truth. Prior to the arrival of Wan Xing and Wang Fa, the high school soccer team was disbanded, but the members never lost their fighting spirit to return to the field. Wan Xing’s background isn’t fit for technical soccer coaching, so through persistence she enlists the help of Wang Fa, who reluctantly agrees to the position. Thus the road to success begins!
Themes: Emphasizes that real love expands your world rather than caging you, highlighted by Wang Fa's most romantic gesture towards Wan Xing to prioritize her personal dreams and growth. Did the drama need this romance? No, but I'm glad we got it! The drama focuses heavily on teamwork, perseverance through life's peaks and valleys, and the power of having agency. Life is hard at times, but it is important to remember that everything has meaning and that there is another chapter after the challenges. Having the right person/people at your side can make all the difference!
The Good: The underdog team's bond, the strong emphasis on mental health, great supporting characters like the comic relief from Yu Bo (Victor Ma) and Director Qian acting as a crucial school ally, and a wonderfully mature romance. The boys on the soccer team are good kids and I found myself cheering for them both on and off the field! Yes, there was friction but the boys figured it out and became united. Chen Jing-Ke demonstrates his athleticism and is convincing on the field as a soccer coach. Wang Fan’s arc as skeptical to completely devoted to her journey is a joy to watch. He allows her to move at her own pace, never demanding. Wan Xing’s dedication to the students and her ability to confront Wang Fan during his decision to leave the team was handled with care. It takes strength to be a safe harbor for others while you are internally struggling as well.
The Could-Be-Better: The voice dubbing for Chen Jing-Ke felt a bit off, and I wish they had kept his natural voice. The thriller-adjacent plotline involving her psycho college senior didn't fit the uplifting team-spirit energy of the drama and was just strangely done. It also would have been refreshing to see some genuinely supportive high school parents instead of the heavy focus on trauma. There's a lot of subplots going on, and sometimes the resolutions seem a bit too easy or overlooked.
Overall, it's a healing comfort watch and a drama that I will definitely return to! Maybe it resonates so much because of my own background as an educator.
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a warm hug that smells like fresh oranges!
if you want to watch a series that will have you smiling ACROSS all episodes, then this is for you!it perfectly captures that feeling of young love, budding friendships, fear of change, being from a small town, and growing up.
the characters are such that you will relate to all at some point of time.
i didn't expect this much from this series.
AND. the way it's shot!! the colours, the locations.. SO GOOD.
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