Completed
Deep In
0 people found this review helpful
10 hours ago
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

Deep In the story. Deeper in their feelings.

I had been looking forward to Deep In ever since it was announced, and somehow it still managed to exceed my expectations.
On paper, the premise sounds relatively simple. Zhang Zhun and Zhen Xin are two young actors cast as the leads in a BL drama. One plays the brilliant Dr. Fang Chi, the other his patient, Gao Zhun. As filming progresses, they become increasingly immersed in their roles, and the emotions they portray on screen begin to seep into their real lives. Suddenly, rehearsals no longer feel like rehearsals, every glance carries a different meaning, and the line between performance and reality slowly disappears. What starts as acting evolves into something far more complicated—filled with longing, confusion, obsession, and feelings neither of them knows how to define.

The "drama within the drama" concept is easily my favorite aspect of the series.
We constantly switch between the fictional drama—where they become Dr. Fang Chi and Gao Zhun—and the behind-the-scenes reality of filming. Normally, this kind of structure can become confusing, but here it's executed beautifully. Every transition serves a purpose. As the episodes progress, you almost stop noticing whether you're watching the characters or the actors because, little by little, neither can they.

That psychological blur is what kept me completely hooked.
Then there are the performances.
I honestly couldn't believe how young the two leads are. Ollie and Shu Yuan deliver performances that feel incredibly confident and emotionally nuanced. They don't rely on exaggerated expressions or dramatic monologues to sell their emotions.
Their chemistry is, without question, one of the strongest I've seen in a Chinese BL.
It never feels manufactured for fan service. Instead, it develops naturally through stolen glances, awkward silences, quiet conversations, and the growing uncertainty of two people who can no longer separate their characters' feelings from their own.

And yes... I have to mention that snow scene.
There's no grand declaration of love, no dramatic speech. Instead, everything is conveyed through silence, trembling voices, teary eyes, and one simple sentence that says more than "I love you" ever could. It felt intimate, painfully honest, and incredibly cinematic. I genuinely rewatched it several times before moving on.

The pacing is another reason why I enjoyed the drama so much. Every episode left me wanting more, and Fridays genuinely became something to look forward to. I also loved that the post-credit scenes weren't just bonus fan service—they often added meaningful little moments that made the characters feel even more real.
If you enjoy slow-burn romance, psychological tension, blurred realities, and stories that trust their audience, this is a series I couldn't recommend more.

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Completed
Deep In
3 people found this review helpful
10 hours ago
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.5

A Trope I Always Wanted To See

If you've ever wondered whether actors fall for each other for real, if they ever develop real feelings, then drama is definitely something you'd enjoy! It might be my favourite drama of 2026! And I don't hand out 10s willy nilly. PS. Every episode has an end credit scene!

Trigger Warning: rape depiction; mild spoilers ahead

From the very first opening shot, Deep In (the Act) had me hooked. One must note that it doesn't perfectly follow how actors on sets are managed. The focus is on how 2 actors dive into their roles in order to get intimate and lines start to blur between fiction and reality. Both actors are straight and these feelings make them feel confused.

The drama really upped the game for all Chinese BLs with their NC scenes. Going from watching BL stories turned into bromance to no holds bar drama was quite shocking. At the same time, there is no nudity and yet you can feel the sexual tension and chemistry between the characters! The intimate scenes were really done well.

The shift between the actors' lives and drama scenes at times are really seemless and watching the drama scenes were quite enjoyable. It was like watching 2 dramas for the price of one.

Regarding the rape scenes, I do want to mention that this was dealt as a serious topic rather than an act of love by a partner. It was treated as negative and not romanticised in anyway. It was important to the story of the drama they were starring in. However, it can be uncomfortable/traumatic to watch, especially ep 6.

Deep In really sent me on a rollercoaster of emotions, including anger and disgust. I found myself waiting excitedly for each episode's release. This is a drama that is best binge watched because waiting became hard.

The actors, Ollie and Shu Yuan did a great job creating a distinction between themselves as actors and the roles they were playing, especially Ollie. He's only 20 but I was really taken aback by his talent. I can't believe he was the same kid from Boys Planet. The improvement has been spectacular! I genuinely hope both of them get flooded with more projects after Deep In. All the supporting actors did a good job even when they made you hate them and made the show a fun watch!

The drama's cinematography and OST are brilliant. Back To You and Tiger In My Love (sung by Ollie) are my current favourites but Titanic is another lovely song. Also the ending song in ep12 was amazing.

I hope everyone gives this drama a fair chance and hopefully you'll also experience the charm of Deep In!

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Completed
Deep In
0 people found this review helpful
10 hours ago
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

THIS SERIES IS SOO GOODD

I enjoyed every episode it's sooo good like the actors and actresses are soo goood looking the plot, the story, etc. all soo good they had a budget very well spent.

The story flow was also good I need to see more asap very good series ☺️👍



































































































































































































































































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Completed
The Eternal Fragrance
0 people found this review helpful
by ZNINE
10 hours ago
33 of 33 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers

Had so much potential, but fell short of my high expectations

This is a drama I’ve been waiting for a long time. There were rumors it wouldn’t air for another year, so I’m glad it finally came out. Song Weilong and Ju Jingyi are also two of my favorite actors. To be honest, after finishing it, I felt quite disappointed. If it weren’t for the last two episodes, my rating would have been even lower.

The first part was pretty fun, but the middle to the later episodes were really boring. The female lead’s character is quite annoying — she’s gullible and overthinks everything. That said, I can understand her because the male lead keeps hiding things and doing stuff without telling her. However, the second male lead was the most annoying character in the entire drama for me. Song Weilong looks handsome and cool, and his acting is decent. Ju Jingyi is very beautiful and adorable, but her performance in this drama feels repetitive — like she plays the same character in every series. Still, I’m okay with it. Their chemistry is passable, but I secretly wished there were more romantic scenes between them. The editing is not very good; it feels messy and confusing at times. The visuals, CGI, and some costumes look quite dated, but I understand since it was filmed a long time ago. The supporting cast is fine. Personally, I really liked Liu Mengrui as Ge lin — her acting was cute and charming. The last two episodes feel like a summary wrap-up. If the story had been handled like this from the beginning, there wouldn’t have been a need for 33 episodes lol.

Overall, If you’re a fan of Ju Jingyi or Song Weilong, I’d say go for it. Their presence definitely carries the drama and makes it more enjoyable. However, if you’re not particularly a fan of either, this one is pretty average and skippable. The story starts off strong with good potential, but it drags heavily in the middle, has pacing issues, and some annoying characters that might frustrate you. The last two episodes help tie things together nicely, but it still feels like it could have been much tighter. Watch it if you have time and don’t mind a slower-paced xianxia romance, but you definitely won’t miss anything groundbreaking if you skip it.

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Lost Romance
0 people found this review helpful
10 hours ago
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 7.5

Good Chemistry, A Fun Watch!

Now, did I fast forward through most of the show? Yes. But still, here I am, writing a review about this one.

I FF'd it because I was not in the mood for any business politics/rivalry etc. Not that the drama does a good job depicting that. But it had chemistry. Logic, not so much, but very good chemistry, and it had entertainment value. All the reviews mention a lot about making fun of romance drama tropes, and it is fun when you recognise them, but at the same time the drama stands on some of those famous tropes as well.

All in all, it was really entertaining. SML was good, but everything works out for the best in the end, so we don't feel too sad for him.

AND I ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE CAMEO AT THE END, an actress I really like! The FL in this drama is really good, but I wish it was the cameo actor who did that role instead.

Did I mention I really liked the Chemistry between the leads?

Just turn off the critical logical part of your brain and enjoy the butterflies.

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Ongoing 9/10
Payback
0 people found this review helpful
10 hours ago
9 of 10 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Best adaptation yet?

(Haven't seen the last episode yet at the time of writing this)

I read the manhwa before so I knew what to expect going in. I might have given a lower rating if I watched this as it's own thing because there are definitely some things that could have been done differently but it's very accurate to the manhwa, as an adaptation it's honestly perfect.
The actors are doing an amazing job! I love all of their performances. They even made me cry and I don't remember ever really crying for a drama.

Also as someone who doesn't enjoy a lot of the comedy series that much (which are definitely the majority with bls), the tone of this drama is such a breath of fresh air! (altho there definitely are more darker tone bls coming out recently) And I love that there's some naturally funny scenes that aren't over the top.

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Completed
Light Shop
5 people found this review helpful
by MasterThepor Finger Heart Award1 Flower Award1 Lore Scrolls Award1 Big Brain Award1
10 hours ago
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 7.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

✨Light Shop - “two sides of the light”?

I just finished watching it, and all I can say is: #Don'tWatchItAloneAtNight ^^ 😊
Light Shop was never about ghosts or fear.It was about love,loss, and the people we cannot let go of.💡✨
( ความมืด •การหลงทาง•แสง•ความหวัง )✨🙃

#JuJiHoon •โลกหลังความตาย
#ParkBoYoung•โลกของคนที่ผ่านความตาย
**•[ ทั้งสองคนคือสองด้านของแสง]•**

➖➖🖊️📚➖➖
Every soul walks through darkness at some point in life. Some find their way back. Others remain lost. And somewhere between life and death, there is a place called the Light Shop.

The bus accident becomes the turning point of the story. While some survive, others remain suspended between life and death. As their loved ones wait outside the ICU, their souls begin to gather at the mysterious Light Shop.

Among all the stories, one particular moment stood out the most. Ju Ji Hoon's performance was the emotional peak of the drama—quiet, powerful, and unforgettable. It was the moment when Light Shop truly revealed its heart.

There was also another character who left a lasting impression on me: Park Bo Young. She represents those who continue to live in the world of the living, despite having once stood at the threshold of death herself. She understands, accepts, and has learned to live with that experience. More importantly, she becomes a source of comfort for those still wandering in the darkness, encouraging them to keep going, endure, and never give up—because perhaps, the light is still waiting for them at the end of the road.

Light Shop is yet another drama that beautifully contrasts the two sides of life—the living and the dead, despair and hope, and letting go and finding one's way back.


**Ju Ji Hoon is the heart of Light Shop in the world beyond death - a quiet yet powerful presence that represents the souls waiting in the darkness.✨🙃

**Park Bo Young represents the world of the living. Having once faced death herself, she understands those who are still wandering through the darkness and becomes a source of hope, giving them the chance to find their own light once again.✨🙃

➖➖🖊️📚➖➖
*( When the lights finally went out, I realized that Light Shop was never about ghosts or fear. It was about love, loss, and the people we cannot let go of. And it left me wondering—when our time comes to walk through the darkness, will we be able to find our own light? )*
-----^^-----
In My Humble Opinion💞
-
**"Wishing everyone happiness and fun while watching dramas. 💛"**
-
**But trust me... watching it alone at night takes some courage. ^^**
✨💡Light Shop was never about ghosts. It was always about finding the light within ourselves. 💡✨
#AWarningFromAFriend (Haha).^^ 🤫🤭👻💡🎥🙃🥰🩷
#MasterThepor
🖊️July 31 , 2026 📚

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Completed
Deep In
8 people found this review helpful
by J-atty
11 hours ago
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 4.5
This review may contain spoilers

When The Both Stars Align.

I loved it.

What caught my attention from the start was the opening song. Seriously, with a chinese series, it set the tone immediately to expect something different and different is what we got.

For the most part, I enjoyed both stories. Admittedly, the ending was a surprise. Seeing, the switch was more rewarding than the 'main' story. Worlds in reverse. That was more original than the kiss on stage. Then are we to assume that Mr Qin was in the script too.... as I said different. I was happy with the switch, else the change of response of Zhang in the 11 ep would not make sense.

I can't pull apart Ollie's acting. He was interesting to look at and in either script, he delivered on his assignment. I wasn't expecting much so I was not disappointed. I wanted more from Shu Yuan. His doe eyes weren't doing what he thought it was. Yes, he could cry but other than that, it felt stagnant and stifled outside of being sad or scared.

The chaotic atmosphere, support cast, Qin and the director, 'Honey', were a nice rounded cast. I will reiterate, do not go in with high hopes and you will thoroughly enjoy it. The wardrobe: Hit and miss....more miss than hit. Ollie being that slim and tall proved to be a challenge but there was no excuse for Shu Yuan . Mr Qin, the dramatic diva was appropriately attired.

The drawbacks were limited expressions, usual tropes, the terrible kisses and circular story lines but given a pass as it was entertaining enough to show up every week to see what's next. I'm always reminded it's China.

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Completed
Deep In
1 people found this review helpful
11 hours ago
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

NOW THATS HOW YOU DO A BL

Not even going to hold you gagaoolala lost my trust after that fuckass ending of 'lost to you'. but this one was sooo good the plot was 10/10, i loved it so much and i also really liked how when they were acting in the show the screen would get slimmer so you would know whats outside of them acting in the show, i really liked the ending it was cute that he kept his ring but the ending also did have me on the edge of my seat because i wasnt exspecting a breakup nor for that fake priest to scam granny out her money now that was just dead wrong, the acting in the beginning of episode 12 was so fucking amazing i loved the sob homeboy let out like it was very realistic i just dont like how they let that girl use that f word and im not talking about cigs.

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Completed
Secret Love
0 people found this review helpful
11 hours ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers

Not all secrets can be buried.

I watched the drama because of the male leads. I really loved their pairing on "Kill me, Heal me", which lead me to watch this drama. Aside from that, I got curious after reading the reviews.

I'm really not a fan of melodramas, so I honestly find the drama boring and, of course, slow-paced. I did not find the drama "great" but it was "good". There's a lot of scenes that I find unnecessary, making the drama feel dragged out. But the side characters somehow helps me get pass the boredom. The drama OSTs are okay, but not really impactful for me.

For Min Hyeok, Yoo Jeong, and Do Hoon — I have no words for how well they played their characters. The emotions are always there and spot on.

One thing I want to complain about in the drama is the "partner exchange" pace. It felt rushed. Yoo Jeong was so in love with Do Hoon, then she says she loves Min Hyeok after learning the truth. The same thing with Min Hyeok, but his case felt more possible since he'd been keeping tabs on her for a long time and eventually grew feelings and fell in love. Then there's Do Hoon — he's in love with Se Yeon? Just wow. Yoo Jeong and he had a 7-year relationship, almost got married, and even had a son, but how quickly he turns his back on her. Meanwhile for Se Yeon, he protected her till the end?! Unbelievable!

~~~
This is a story of love that started as revenge.

Min Hyuk lost his pregnant lover in a hit-and-run accident. He seeks revenge to Yoo Jung, mistakenly thinking she was the one who drove and killed his girlfriend. What he didn't know is that Yoo Jung is innocent. He makes her suffer both inside the prison and even after she served her time — reasonable, yes.

Yoo Jung loves her prosecutor boyfriend, Do Hoon, dearly. They had been in a relationship for 7 years and is planning to get married when the car accident that killed Min Hyuk's lover, Ji Hee, happened. The accident occurs when the two are heading home on a rainy night from their anniversary slash wedding proposal dinner. Do Hoon was driving and Yoo Jung sat on the passenger's seat when they hit some—someone. Yoo Jung took the blame to protect Do Hoon's reputation, leaving her own father alone. I can never understand how she came up with the idea of leaving her father and taking the blame for such a grave sin, only to later realize how trashy and scummy that man was!

Prosecutor Ahn Do Hoon started off as a man of justice. When he was cornered and forced to choose between being human and a monster, he willingly became the beast. I know he had a lot to lose, and he did tried to turn himself in, but Yoo Jung insisted on going to prison instead, so I won't hold that against him. However, he shouldn't have done what he did to Yoo Jung. As if sending her to prison wasn't enough, he even took their one-year-old son, San, away from his mother. After taking the child, he sent him to what...? An orphanage?! Then he didn't even know that his evil mother was plotting something against his own child. To top it off, he abandoned Yoo Jung's father to die — the man that treated him as his own. There's nothing even good with Do Hoon — his love sucks, his logic sucks, he sucks, and his whole family sucks!

Se Yeon is a character that doesn't really do much in the drama except earn my annoyance. She's one of the characters that makes the show feel exaggeratingly dragged out.

Where did it really starts to go wrong? If only the accident hadn't happen. If only Ji Hee wasn't there that night, or Yoo Jung and Do Hoon had just celebrated at the bakery. If only Ji Hee did not saw Gwang Soo, then she wouldn't have needed to run. If only the car wipers weren't broken, or the truck hadn't appeared. Ultimately, what if Do Hoon hadn't turned his back on the bleeding Ji Hee?

In my honest opinion, I think all characters — specifically Min Hyeok, Yoo Jeong, and Do Hoon — are a victim of circumstances. They were put in a difficult situations and forced to make a decision to protect what they want to protect. One thing I like about the drama is that it chooses to show reality instead of some beautifully written fairytale.

Through Se Yeon, we get to see how obsession can be disguised as love. Learn to love and respect yourself, because no one can do that for you unless you do so. You cannot have what you are not bound to have and you cannot lose what you never had. It was never the responsibility of the person you love to love you back — those are your feelings, and it is your responsibility.

Through Do Hoon, we are shown what happens to a person when faced with difficult situations and impossible choices. How monstrous a human being can become just to get want he wants, even to the point of sacrificing the people who truly loves and cares for him. With him, I realized the sad truth of how a man cries for justice when he has nothing, but sets aside justice when he has everything.

Through Min Hyeok, we are encouraged to take courage and fight for what we believe is right and for what we truly want. That we don't have to choose between family and love — we choose both. Those who truly love us will stay and accept us no matter what we choose to do and be.

And finally we have Yoo Jung. She taught us how powerful love can be — not just the kind of love for a lover, but also the kind of love of a mother to his child and the love of a daughter to his father. She was a character that was both weak and strong at the same time. She was weak because of the decisions she made that mades her life miserable, and strong as she never backed down no matter how hard and painful it was. She showed us how beautiful and ugly love can be if too it's much. When you love, love wholeheartedly, but never ever forget to love and respect yourself in the process.

~~~

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Completed
Deep In
0 people found this review helpful
by Yannn
11 hours ago
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0

My mind is fried and my moral compass is broken, but my heart is completely captivated.

Let’s be honest: as BL viewers, we have been completely conditioned by the industry to seek out comforting, sanitized fairy tales. We are used to flawless characters, predictable conflicts, and idealized romances where everything feels safe and wrapped in a neat little bow.

Deep In doesn't just step outside that boundary—it shatters the entire foundation of the genre
I have never felt this intensely complicated or morally conflicted while watching a series.

For the first time, a drama forces us to sit face-to-face with the raw, messy, and downright ugly realities of human behavior and choices. Watching the toxic underbelly of the entertainment industry collide with the terrifying phenomenon of 'character bleeding' leaves you completely stripped of your emotional armor.

You are forced to navigate a profound moral dilemma—feeling deeply unsettled by the characters' destructive real-world choices, yet entirely captivated by their consuming, inevitable chemistry.The level of psychological depth on display here is unprecedented. It refuses to offer easy answers, choosing instead to respect the audience's intelligence by leaving us in a dazed, contemplative state. Every single frame forces you to question where the performance ends and genuine identity begins.

I must give massive, unparalleled credit to the brilliant writer, the visionary director, and the phenomenal actors (my babies: Ollie and Shu Yuan) who laid their absolute souls bare for this performance. They didn't just deliver a romance; they orchestrated a cultural reset that has completely rewired how I view BL. If you are tired of the same perfect formulas and want a series that will genuinely challenge your mind and heart, this 12-episode masterpiece is it.

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Completed
Blossoms of Power
1 people found this review helpful
12 hours ago
36 of 36 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

Two masterminds, one unforgettable partnership

This was exactly the kind of historical drama I love. Instead of relying on misunderstandings or one-sided genius, it gave us two incredibly intelligent leads who were always thinking several steps ahead. Watching them read each other, hide their true intentions, and slowly learn to trust one another was far more satisfying than any grand romance. Their relationship felt like a partnership between equals, and once their feelings became mutual, the payoff was absolutely worth the wait. The female lead was everything I look for in a heroine: composed, ruthless when necessary, elegant, and effortlessly capable without constantly needing to prove it. The male lead was just as compelling, hiding behind a gentle smile while quietly manipulating every situation in his favour, always planning ahead without ever taking away her agency. He Yu captured that mischievous, calculating charm perfectly, making his character impossible not to enjoy. Add in the political intrigue and consistently smart writing, and this became one of my favourite historical dramas of the year.

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All of Us Are Dead
0 people found this review helpful
12 hours ago
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
I've been meaning to watch this series for a while. I greatly enjoy zombie apocalypse type stuff, so I was very excited for this show.

Let's start with the things I liked. I liked that we followed mostly high schoolers and the build up. I also liked the lack of shooting around, which we usually get, especially in western zombie Media. I thought it was well done, because there was enough action to not make it boring but it also wasn't so much that you were confused what was happening where and what.
Two actors specifically did such a good job at making me hate them. I always appreciate actors that are good at making me hate their character. Because man, did I hate those two. Na-yeon and the guy we (me and the friend I watched it with) just referred to as "the bully". Genuinely so unlikable. I also liked the set design and even though a lot of the plot points were rather predictable, I still enjoyed it overall.

However, there were some plot holes. The female protagonist, On-jo, gets bitten right in the first episode. This is never brought up or mentioned again. It had me and my friend theoriese so much, only for the writers apparently having forgotten about what happened in episode one. Another thing that I didn't love was the romance. It just felt like the romance arcs were not properly developed and while they added some things, overall it fell flat.
The ending also seemed weird. I still don't know what to do with the last 15 minutes of the show.

Overall a nice show to watch casually but nothing I'd go out of my way to beg people to watch.

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Ongoing 33/33
Overdo
2 people found this review helpful
12 hours ago
33 of 33 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 8.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

A Clever, Gripping Thriller That Deserves a Chance

Even though I am still near the very end and haven’t quite finished the final moments, I felt compelled to share my thoughts. I absolutely love this genre, and while it might not be for everyone right away, I strongly encourage giving it a chance—at least through the midpoint.
​Once it gets going, you’re treated to clever plot twists, surprising developments, and a seamless blend of drama, suspense, and thriller elements. The cinematography and acting are impressively well-executed for this style of storytelling. I’m not just saying this out of bias for the main actors; I genuinely appreciate artistic storytelling and well-crafted narrative depth. Highly recommended!

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Lighter & Princess
2 people found this review helpful
by Zogitt
12 hours ago
36 of 36 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

The four horsemen ride again!

There appears to be two types of c-drama watchers, those who has seen L&P and those who have not. Due to some quirk of the space-time continuum, I find myself in the later group. I have since remedied that and I tender this as proof. 😉

BTW, as this drama first aired in 2022, there are already a lot of discussions and countless reviews. I shall focus on some thoughts and spare you the repetition.

There is no doubt this is a good show. While the series is tropey, it managed to weave them into an enthralling story. This is ably assisted by the acting of its young cast and interesting subject matters. I particularly enjoyed the sojourn into the programmer's world as I was a C/C++ programmer in my past life. Their struggle is real.

Our ML is a tortured soul. The FL is a strong-willed young woman who has to grow up fast to save the man she loves. As a chingu said, she must put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

I'm not saying the show is perfect. There are issues. Its unwavering focus on our OTP helps the narrative in the long run. Their journey spanning years is the backbone of this series. We are all in for a bumpy ride.

As you can imagine, they are put through the wringer, especially the ML. This is a 36 eps c-drama after all. The hour before dawn is pitch black for him. His absolute nadir starts around episode 20. Within a few eps, his world has completely collapsed. Before he sunk to his lowest point, he executed a diabolical Noble Idiot scheme. He pushed the FL away so hard that she landed on a different continent! So much pain, so much yearning.

Yes, it is the cliché "how low can he go" scenario. This also allows the writer to pave the way for his redemption in the last third of the series.

Now that we covered the rough plot outline, we need to talk about tropes. This drama is powered by four very powerful ones. I like to call them the Four Horsemen of Tropes.

The first one is the Madonna X Bad Boy trope. The ML is a genius. He is several steps ahead of his peers. The problem is that he is always misunderstood. Just name an antisocial trait and it will most likely be him. It is hard for him to make friends and even harder to keep them. The FL is the one who must do all the heavy lifting in this relationship. She is pretty and righteous.

This brings about the second Horsemen, backstabbing friends. It is sad that friendships can become toxic over time. Jealousy, ambition, love triangle, etc can strain a relationship until it turns sour. The fallout is devastating. The antagonist never walk away unscathed. Redemption is not guaranteed.

Speaking of devastating, we need to look no further than the trope du jour, Noble Idiocy. This show didn’t hold back. Our leads went from cruising along their romantic journey to taking a ride in the Titan submersible (too soon, my bad). It was a desperate act by the ML to push the FL away because he knew he is going to ruin his life. It was a difficult watch. Horsemen #3, tick.

To round out this gathering posse, we have the omnipresent Queen Bee. The FL's mum has been controlling the FL from near and far for years. She is always pulling strings and planning her life. Of course, it all comes down to "mother knows best". This creates a lot of friction for our OTP. The mum's reasoning has scant relevance in this day and age. We mustn't discount the wisdom of elders, but when it is unreasonable, biased and must be obeyed then it spells troubles. While the FL has been passively resisting her machinations for years. Ultimately, she must act to secure her own happiness.

As if to reinforce the pervasiveness of these tropes, I just finished Love For You (2026). In that drama, the ML also pushes the FL away with extreme prejudice mid show. Oh snap! Both dramas have the same FL. Is that just a coincidence or a curse?

Re-watch the whole series will be a bridge too far for me. Just the last few eps is doable. OST is fine. Production value is above average.

Credit to the production team for managing all these tropes. I won't say I enjoyed every minute of it. That is part and parcel of drama watching these days. The downside is its success helps to cement the prevalence of such tropes. You win some and you lose some. Peace.

P.S. 3 bonus observations;
* There is a Big White Truck of Doom™. Enough said.
* How come the FL's mum does not know about the OTP's relationship for 3 years?
* Love the little company that can. A lovely found family. Respect!

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