Reviews

Have some FUN

This is a good show to watch when you want to unwind at the end of the day, without using any grey cells. It's fun, it's sweet, it has the right amount of drama - and it makes no sense at all. The business aspect of the show has way too many plot holes to be believable, but the show doesn't take itself seriously 99% of the time anyway, so I simply ignore it. I would have liked some more romantic scenes between our couple, but the show has made me laugh and cry exactly when I needed it, and that's all I wanted from it (+ the music added so much to the comedy, I LOVED it lmao). Turn your brain off, and have a laugh, have some whimsy in your life!

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one of the most tender, sincere, genuine explorations of trauma in queer men

this was absolutely brilliant. incredibly profound and poignant. one of the most tender, sincere, genuine explorations of trauma in queer men.

the film perfectly encapsulates how, as mackinnon once put, in sex, “the acted upon is feminized, is the ‘girl’ regardless of sex, the actor correspondingly masculinized.” then, it follows that feminized queer men experience and compartmentalize male violence in similar ways to women, while also facing different challenges in a world where their existence is often only allowed through degradation and criminalization.

this film understands something its modern counterparts that try to tackle similar themes of gay hookup culture and “toxic” relationships very rarely get right: romanticizing violence is a trauma response. desires produced under patriarchy (and capitalism) interact with one’s positionality and relevant social capital and may manifest as desire to own, desire to harm, or desire to be owned and harmed.

ah lan repeats how the convict loves her executioner and he says, “we love you. we have no other choice.” a lot of queer men, like a lot of women, have not known love but have experienced being sexually desired. in fact, it is often the only kind of attention they receive from the people they expect to be loved and cherished by. being sexually desired and then experiencing sexual pleasure through that interaction corrupts their understanding of intimacy and “love.” like ah lan, who has been traumatized with many such interactions, one, then, starts seeking attention through danger, violence, domination. when recounting an experience of rape, ah lan says he resisted but later yielded and then he was filled with pleasure: “is it not what making love is all about?” similar to the workings of the gay conversion therapy he was exposed to at the hospital, the euphoric feeling of sexual pleasure becomes associated with violence and domination, which he cross checks with societal narratives about love, and it doesn’t seem to get challenged at all.

what i find particularly poignant about the aforementioned quote from ah lan is that he acknowledges “we have no other choice.” similar to a lot of women, a lot of gay men strive for male recognition, the legitimizers of the world and all worldly things. “we have no other choice” because it is men who have the power to define things and violence is usually the only form “love” ever arrives in from them.

i also loved the scene where ah lan is once again recounting an experience where he was abused and it goes like this: are you crazy? i love him. you’re sick. no, i’m gay. i love him. i thought this simple dialogue had quite a lot of depth as it showed ah lan’s understanding of homosexuality, at least the position he occupied in his sexual (or any) relations with men, as submissive, engaged in self-erasure, and barely human. it’s almost as if he said when you’re gay, It’s Just What Happens. this is just what “love” looks like when you’re gay.

moreso, the film is not interested in making the policeman’s repression easy to sympathize with because, at the end of the day, isn’t it that they’re suffering from the same thing? yet, their proximity to power completely changes their positionality and he gets to resort to violence whenever he cannot manage his feelings and channel it all onto ah lan’s body.

i loved how they used hands as a narrative motif that carried touch in relation to desire and longing and belonging. i also thought ah lan’s characterization was utterly interesting. incredibly imaginative yet so restrained. the self-performance was melancholic but self-assured and strong at the same time; it felt like he was deeply aware of his suffering and it felt like he was sustained by the self-performance.

i think the sad part about it all was ah lan’s desire to be loved without having any idea of what it is or what it might feel like. he spoke of love without possessing a healthy emotional language for it, without ever being allowed any room for it. true intimacy and love become impossible in the existence of such hierarchy yet the yearning to be touched emotionally remains.

women and queer people often struggle with this but if domination is the only language through which you can receive attention, and desire, and pleasure, it naturally becomes hard to distinguish love from violence, especially when you haven’t been afforded the power of defining.

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Yes, Finally! A Kdrama That Actually Entertained Till The End

Not to sound weird but I haven’t watched a kdrama that kept me hooked until the end in a veryyyyyy long time!

Not until this one!

Honestly, I was sceptical about watching at first for so many reasons. One, I don’t like sci-fi series, two…whatever that’s not the point of this review.

So, back to the point, I honestly wasn’t expecting to enjoy this show as much as I did but it surprisingly held my attention from start to finish.

It’s a good watch for sure. Love all the comedy too and the little side romance. I don’t have anything negative to say about this show.

Now, religious people or extremists might find this show a bit hard-to-watch which understandably so because it subtly critiques the problem of extremism.

Anyways I have to say this show is my cup of tea and I hope there’s a second season soon.

You better watch it!

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WORKPLACE CHAOS

The story follows Dam Ye-jin, a powerhouse television home shopping host known for her legendary 'sell-outs' streaks. Outwardly successful but privately battling severe chronic insomnia and a career setback, she is desperately trying to secure an exclusive beauty contract with a major corporation. Her mission takes her deep into the countryside to find Matthew Lee, a meticulous, multi-tasking researcher and farmer who holds the exclusive right to a rare, miracle cosmetic ingredient ( the 'white-flowered Noori mushroom'). Guarded, blunt, and fiercely protective of his town, Matthew wants nothing to do with corporate sharks. When Ye-jin invades his quiet rural life to secure the contract, the stage is set for a hilarious, chaotic clash of worlds.

Furthermore, Ahn Hyo-seop plays brilliantly against his usual 'suave CEO' type here. As Matthew Lee ( fondly nicknamed Mechoori by the locals) is delightfully gruff, a bit stiff, and practical, he hides a deeply, fiercely protective heart. Chae Won-bin is a total standout. She handles the physical comedy flawlessly without ever making her character feel like she's over-acting. Her transition from a high-strung, burnt-out workaholic to someone who finds peace in the country is credibly endearing. The show shines brightest when it leans into its rural comedy elements. The local village ahjummas, the chaotic town sports festival, and the ridiculous subplots, like a quick game of one-on-one basketball turning into a massive ego battle, give the series a genuinely warm,community-driven feel. Also, the production team did a fantastic job with the split-screen sequences early on, contrasting Ye-jin's sterile,showroom-like city apartment with Matthew's peaceful, nature-driven routine. The cinematography in the rural village is gorgeously warm and scenic.

However, while the first two-thirds of the show are full of lighthearted fun and healing, the final two episodes stumble slightly by throwing in a few too many artificial corporate conflicts and late-stage misunderstandings. It forces dramatic tension where a cozy wrap would have sufficed. The timeline of product development, manufacturing, and corporate scandals happens at warp speed. It's a drama where you have to turn off the logical side of your brain regarding business logistics and just enjoy the character interactions.

In conclusion, Sole Out on You doesn't reinvent the classical K-drama rom-com wheel, but it executes its tropes with so much heart and humor that it's impossible not to smile. It's a breezy, comforting watch that beautifully captures how people with 'holes in their hearts' can help each other heal.

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Love You Back

To be honest, this is one of the best BLs to come out of Thailand in a very, very long time. Not only is it entertaining from the beginning, it maintains its entertainment value throughout. The storyline is creative and novel, and I honestly looked forward to every episode because each was fresh and original. The story’s theme was not just saturated in love but decidedly rich in devotion, reverence, and fidelity to one another. It has been a long time since I have been wholly impressed with a Thai BL; this gave me hope that they can indeed get back to making quality series again. This is clearly a “must see” for everyone. Unquestionably, it should also be considered a nominee for Best BL of this year. The full devotion of its simple message to love, devotion, and dedication and the simple smart and entertaining way it delivered was astonishingly effective. It also shows the importance of recognizing the role of mental health in the development of healing our bodies. I might suggest in the future that the series not be afraid to ‘label’ the conditions that are being expressed, rather than merely painting a visual picture. It is “okay” for us to deal with real conditions that hinder us from moving forward in living and let those who love us and our communities support us in our efforts to improve. We must no longer feel ashamed or afraid or embarrassed. We are who we are. This is a BL series that will stick with you for a long time.

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Missed Opportunity

As a fan of ABO I was really excited for this. However, they don't explain the ABO dynamics and it feels like they don't have a world system in mind. They just throw around words like "alpha" with no real thought behind it. I also don't really care for race car driving plot. It didn’t hold my interest. Another thing that added to the disappointment was how the friends were one-dimensional and ignorant. It's a shame because the two MC's have chemistry and showed some good acting, but the lack of investment in the story and understanding of ABO led to lackluster results.

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It's Fine - That's the Highest Compliment I can Give It

You ever watched a story and found yourself thinking, 'had this aired at a different time, or perhaps if I were a different personI'd have liked (tolerated) it better?' When this started airing, I thought I'd love it. I left myself a note at the end of episode 2 stating how much I enjoyed how the plot and setting both reminded me of 'Business Proposal' & 'Welcome to Samdal-ri'. Dramas that, while I thoroughly enjoyed, had (and still get) scathing reviews.

The scathing comments kept coming in, and for the initial 5 episodes, I tuned them out. The show worked for me, and I like what I like, so whatever. Screw what the naysayers were peddling. However, after episode 6, I started slowly siding with the masses.😭

Let's start with what I liked
🍄‍🟫The comedy - They did have some funny bits. Did I find myself laughing to the point I lost my breath or had tears running down my face? No. But they did manage to get several chuckles out of me.

🍄‍🟫References to previous dramas - They had Anh Hyo Seop on the team, and they decided to milk that for all it was worth. They had multiple references to 'Business Proposal' -some obvious, some not-, as well as K-pop Demon Hunters. I also believe that the sprinkler kiss in the mushroom greenhouse was a little nod to 'King the Land.' That's my kind of fanservice and I was very happy about it.

🍄‍🟫The live selling aspect - This is purely based on the fact that it's a niche interest of mine. I kept wishing (and still do wish) that they gave us a deeper look into that. Because 2 reasons
a. It serves a particular interest of mine.
b. It showcases a much different career path than what we're used to in dramas

🍄‍🟫The villagers and Dam Ye Jin's 2 coworkers - The villagers' r/ship with Mechoori was quite endearing to watch - you know, b4 they turned on him. I liked that tsundere r/ship he had with them. I loved how Dam Ye Jin and her coworkers remained friends, and they had her back despite her being kicked out after the scandal. They worked well together

My Frustrations
🍄‍🟫Noble Idiocy - Ah! The Achilles heel of many a Kdrama (Cdramas and Jdramas included).
So both characters are struggling with things in their past. Ordinarily, I would be empathetic; however, I found myself struggling in this case. If you look objectively at both their past traumas, any reasonable person would at least suspect a setup. Even without damning evidence against the other party.

Based on that, the burden they chose to carry (because, yes, this was very much a choice, and a bad one at that) really made no sense to me. I understand when authors and screenwriters wanna write green flag, pure characters, who feel deeply, but it comes to a point that..... Nah man.

🍄‍🟫The therapy debate (or, rather, the lack thereof)
Our mains needed some serious therapy to help deal with the issues of the past. But, despite being well off enough to afford it, no one suggests, considers, or seeks it. She, abuses sleeping pills to the point of detrimental side effects and is a workaholic. He, on the other hand, hides, becoming a corporate life recluse in an idyllic farming village.

I would want to yell at this drama for this one, but this is an overarching Kdrama issue - not one specifically tied to this one show. Therapy is for the birds in dramas. Depression, suppressed trauma, and other mental health issues are fixed by copious amounts of alcohol (I'm looking at you, Doctor Slump), comeuppance, and the amazing power of love... sigh

🍄‍🟫How do time and distance work in this world?
In the 1st (?) ep when she has to go to the village to meet him, it takes the better part of the morning. She also mentioned that she needed to leave the village early as she had a broadcast later that night. When they started meeting daily so he could give her the meds, they showed on the navigation that he'd have to drive about 2, maybe 2.5 hrs to get back to Seoul. This is at around 1/2 am, when one would assume there's no traffic.

Now, based on those instances, can someone tell me how this man got from the village to Seoul and managed to save her from almost getting run over that one night? Can he teleport? Could his car achieve speeds of light speeds and they never told us? I hate it when seemingly turn off your brains shows make me turn my brain back on. You need to find a balance with the absurd, unbelievable nonsense. I can only gaslight myself so much

🍄‍🟫The sleepwalking and the sleep phone calls - Went on for too damn long

🍄‍🟫 I wish we had gotten her mother's side of the story.
Something more than 'I will sabotage and be rude to my daughter for years after the tabloids said that she took a bribe to sabotage my career - and she said she did in a heated moment.' I think the story about a woman choosing a career over being a mother is such an interesting one.

We rarely see these types of stories. It sucks that they never explored it. I would've liked to see her internal battle/struggle with this vs the trauma on the child, coz both sides are valid. We only get to see how Dam Ye Jin was hurt, but never quite the mom's side. But perhaps this particular drama wasn't the best vessel for such a deep and nuanced conversation

🍄‍🟫The romance/chemistry - I didn't get butterflies or swoon. Were they cute? Sure. But while they told me they were in love and they acted as people in love, I didn't buy into it. Into their chemistry.

This is in comparison to dramas like 'Filling for Love' and 'My Royal Nemesis'.

As I type this, the former is 2 episodes from the finale, and so far, I have loved the chemistry between the main characters. I bought into their journey to each other and the romance. They are swoonworthy and spicy. In the latter drama, both of them are crazy. We are halfway through airing, so they have every chance to fuck it up (fingers crossed they don't), but their journey so far is more on the giggle, kick your feet side.

Now having this show air in tandem with the other two... yeah, not a fair fight. The romance and chemistry in this were certainly and glaringly lacking.

🍄‍🟫Final Thoughts🍄‍🟫
While it did start with the potential to be good in my eyes, the plot, pacing, and absurdity of some choices and sequences put me off the show. IMO, skip it. But if you wanna try it, perhaps watch it as a background noise drama. It has some good, but they are overshadowed by the bad.

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She only has eyes for you

Cute and funny short series with a classic misunderstanding trope. Not bad, but definitely nothing special.

Things I liked:
1. Cute moments.
2. Supportive sister. She is a great sister and best friend.

Things I disliked:
1. Voiceover. No matter how many series I watch with voice-overs, I can never get used to them. I know why they are a thing, but I just personally dislike them.
Even though sometimes they are better and less noticeable than others, here the quality of voiceover is mediocre.
Not to sound disrespectful, but if I wanted a voiceover, I would watch series dubbed.
Also, from what I can remember, this is the first Taiwanese series that I've seen to have voiceovers, so I was quite surprised at first.
2. Acting was tense and awkward at times; their "romantic" moments felt quite unnatural.
3. Last episode is like a fever dream, a whole lot of nothing. Was that added drama really necessary?

Overall, I enjoyed watching it, but as I mentioned, it is really nothing special. Sweet little series, worth it if you just want something easy to watch.

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Great historical drama!

Definitely feels like one of those that should be a 9 at least in my opinion, but overall, one of the best recent historical dramas I've seen! Really a good watch for those interested in the history of China. It can be boring if you're not into history, may even be hard to follow if you're not good with Chinese names, and somewhat long and boring at parts (like discussions about politics if you're not into that stuff), but overall I still really enjoyed learning about the history of this time period between the end of the Tang and the beginning of the Song. It truly was such a messy period back then that I never knew about as I never saw any other historical dramas about that era!

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living for ourselves or others

Overall: I liked how it touched on several topics we rarely see in fictional media, but it felt overall incomplete. 6 episodes about 24 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/7585/the-boy-and-i-who-will-break-up-in-100-days-2026 (not in Japan or Korea).

Content Warnings: sexism, sexual harassment, homophobia, discrimination, postpartum depression, micro aggressions, vomiting, punches, past severe child abuse mentioned

What I Liked
- the documentary/mockumentary style in episode 1
- touched on postpartum depression which is rarely shown in fictional media as well as other topics
- character growth of not putting up with bs from other people

Room For Improvement
- wish we had had their backgrounds earlier
- I was happy with the ending because Itsuki is too selfish to be in a romantic relationship, the gall to do what he did instead of having 1 mature conversation
- ending felt a bit too open ended

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