Reviews

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Action, prison, friendship, and revenge — basically everything I like in a series.

This is my third series with Ji Chang Wook, and I’m not disappointed at all. :) The mix of intensity and strong character relationships made it a really enjoyable watch for me.

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I wouldn’t mind a contract romance with the Judge!

There is something appealing about a relationship contract so I was hoping this show checked all my boxes.
For the most part it did – but I felt as though there was TOO much plot. Is that possible? It absolutely is (IMO) the first part was super engaging, I love how Park Min Young portrays a high-class female lead who is talented in everything. She’s one of my favorite Korean actresses and I’ve loved her other shows. This character wasn’t far off some of her other roles.
But by the middle of the show, I was a little bored and fast tracked through a lot of the needless plot, especially about both sides of the warring families. I couldn’t truly understand why they had beef or wanted to plot against each other. Had the show been kept tighter between the leads and the contracts it would have been better paced episodes, but the show threw in stalkers, ex-wives, horrid families that it distracted a lot from the growing romance.

Loved the judge. That stoic, stiff and awkwardness in social settings are some of my favorite character traits (I also love Seo Do Jae from The Beauty Inside for the same characteristics) He was so delightfully awkward, especially with his staff (who were so fun! And a notable mention for his mentor boss friend who was fantastic. Every time he called his wife “my queen” I melted) some of my favorite scenes were him and Sang Eun sitting opposite the dinner table together. The dialogues were awkward yet masterfully executed.

The mother figure, Yoo Mi Ho, proved to be quite interesting. It was difficult to discern if she was a villain or seeking atonement. I, for one, could never have let her off the hook, given the extent of her misdeeds.
The same situation applied to Gwang Nam's family. Oh my god, they totally blew my mind with how awful they treated that sweetheart of a man just because he was gay! I hated them, but the show had to change their dynamic with him once they learned he was becoming a singer. Why? Why? Not everyone has to be fixed up in the end. Trash the crappy characters. Gwang Nam deserved a better outcome. I wish his role had been bigger – he was wasted just being the sidekick best friend.

Lastly, I got such “True Beauty” Seo-Jun vibes from Hae-Jin that my heart ached all the way through for him and was desperately keeping my fingers and eyes crossed that he’d find his own piece of happy romance by the end. Alas, like Seo-Jun that never happened so I’ll be quietly sobbing into my handkerchief for those two sweetheart men with second lead syndrome.
At least he got some love from his Jamie cat by the end. *sniff sniff*

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Countdown to Yes — When Friendship Quietly Turns Into Love

Going into Countdown to Yes, I already knew it was adapted from the manga Shinyu no “Dosei Shite” ni “Un” te Iu made, and you can actually feel that origin throughout the drama. It has that very Japanese way of telling BL stories: slow, introspective, built on silence, hesitation, and emotional tension rather than big dramatic events. And honestly, that’s exactly why it works so well. The story is simple on the surface. Two best friends living together, slowly confronting feelings that have probably been there for a long time. But what makes it special is the way it explores that transition from friendship to love. It doesn’t rush anything. Instead, it focuses on the small moments — shared routines, awkward silences, unspoken thoughts — the kind of details that make you realize how deep their bond already is before anything romantic even happens.

Amemiya Kakeru plays the easygoing, cheerful character, but underneath that, you can clearly see someone who is scared. Scared of change, scared of losing what he already has, scared of what it would mean if those feelings became real. That duality is portrayed really well. He feels light on the surface, but emotionally fragile underneath. Yoshizawa Kaname is the complete opposite. He’s distant, quiet, and struggles to express himself, but you can feel how deeply he cares. His love isn’t loud or obvious. It’s in the way he looks, the way he reacts, the way he holds himself back. And that restraint is what makes his character so powerful. You don’t need big confessions to understand him — you feel everything through what he doesn’t say.

That contrast between the two characters is what carries the entire drama. One is afraid of losing the present, the other is afraid of never moving forward. And the story builds tension from that emotional imbalance. It’s not about external conflict, it’s about internal struggle. What I really appreciated is how faithful the drama feels to its manga roots. Japanese BL adaptations often focus on atmosphere and emotional subtlety rather than spectacle, and this one does it beautifully. The pacing might feel slow for some people, but it’s intentional. It allows you to sit with the characters, to understand them, to feel the weight of every small change in their relationship.

The production also supports that tone very well. The music is soft and never intrusive, letting the silence do most of the work. The cinematography focuses on intimate framing, making even the smallest interactions feel meaningful. It almost feels like you’re watching moments of real life rather than a scripted drama. And when the story finally moves forward emotionally, it feels earned. Nothing is forced. Every step they take toward each other makes sense because you’ve seen the journey, the hesitation, the fear, and the longing that led them there.

Final Thought

Countdown to Yes is a perfect example of how powerful a simple story can be when it’s told with care. It doesn’t rely on drama or shock value, but on emotional truth and character development. The performances are subtle but incredibly effective, and the relationship feels real from beginning to end. It’s the kind of BL that stays with you not because it’s loud, but because it’s honest.

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Great start, slacked off towards the end though...

Icl, this show had a extremely good start and everything, however in the last few episodes it's gone downhill and a bit sloppy...
Cons:
- In the novel, Lord Changxin was killed by both the fl and the ml, however in the drama she killed him by herself which was a bit unrealistic considering the fact that Changyu hasn't actually had a lot of experience on the battlefield compared to quite a few characters, especially Lord Changxin himself, cuz how are you going to tell us all that someone who has had decades of experience on the battlefield is able to be easily defeated by someone with little experience? This also links to the fact that it was quite strange how Changyu was able to kill General Shi Hu just by herself, once again, with the minimum experience she has 😔
- I felt like it was quite selfish for Changyu to knock both Xie Zheng and Li HuaiAn out to go to battle for them even if it was to protect them, I understand the one with Xie Zheng because she didn't know his real identity and was just trying to protect him, however it is quite literally his duty to fight on the battlefield! But Xie Zheng definately should've told Changyu about his real identity so I don't blame her for this. However it's different with Li HuaiAn, I get that she tried to protect him because he was injured, however she completely went against his wishes and it was extremely weird how it was Li HuaiAn who went to apologise to Changyu rather than the other way round, cuz like why is he even apologising for? he had every reason to be upset/annoyed at her so I don't understand why it was him who had to kneel for forgiveness or whatever!
- I also feel quite bad for the current emperor, I know he is extremely unfit for being emperor but he is literally a puppet emperor put there by Wei Yan! Also, to me it wasn't right at all for Xie Zheng to literally threaten him about dethroning him as if the current emperor actually wants to be the emperor (he's literally just a kid that no one actually takes seriously 😭). I understand his frustration because the emperor want Xie Zheng to marry the Princess Royal, but the threatening was definately not needed!
- we see the FL being a strong fighter more than the ML?? what's going on? 😭 I thought we would be seeing them both fighting and both as strong or at least Xie Zheng being somewhat stronger considering he is literally Wu'An MARQUIS (I'm only on ep 33 so feel free to correct me on this point if they actually do fight in the later eps)
- When Yuanqing killed Mandi, Changyu shouted that she was going to kill him - it felt like she was going to do it immediately, from anger and frustration- but she ran to Mandi first, letting Yuanqing sort of get away, I get that she's extremely upset but I felt like she should've went after Yuanqing first

Pros: amazing acting from literally every single character (yes even the side characters), filming of the drama was done very well too, the quality is extremely good, liked the couples stories too.

These opinions may be controversial but I just wanted to share my thoughts anyways :)

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Cat for Cash — Soft, Emotional, and Almost Too Gentle for Its Own Genre

Cat for Cash is one of those dramas that quietly destroys you. It doesn’t scream for attention, it doesn’t rely on big dramatic twists, but it slowly builds something so emotional that you end up crying without even realizing when it started. I laughed, I cried, and then I cried again… and that alone says a lot about how well this story works. What makes the drama stand out is its concept. It’s not just a BL, and it’s not just a slice-of-life either. It plays with the idea of companionship through the symbolism of cats — independence, attachment, distance, and silent love. The relationship between the two leads mirrors that perfectly. One is more distant, almost like a cat that chooses when to come close, while the other is more openly affectionate, craving connection. That dynamic is what drives the emotional core of the story.

The writing is actually very strong. The pacing is slow, but intentionally so. It allows the characters to breathe, to exist in small everyday moments. Instead of forcing drama, it builds attachment through routine, shared silence, and subtle gestures. That’s why when emotional scenes hit, they hit hard. You’re not reacting to a plot twist — you’re reacting to a bond that has been carefully built over time. The acting is easily one of the strongest aspects of the series. The leads don’t overplay their roles. Everything feels natural, almost understated. There are scenes where nothing is said, and yet you understand everything just by the way they look at each other or avoid each other. That level of control in acting is rare, especially in BL where emotions are often exaggerated.

The cinematography also deserves real credit. The use of warm tones, soft lighting, and intimate framing creates a very cozy and almost melancholic atmosphere. It feels like you’re watching memories rather than just scenes. Combined with the music — which is subtle but perfectly placed — the whole drama feels very immersive. There are even moments where the music becomes part of the emotion itself, not just background support. But here’s where my frustration comes in. For a BL, the lack of physical affection is noticeable. Very little skinship, almost no kisses… and it makes you question what kind of relationship you’re actually watching. The drama clearly leans into a more “emotional love” rather than a physical one, almost comparing it to the bond between humans and cats: quiet, subtle, sometimes distant, but still meaningful. And I understand that choice. It’s artistic. It’s different. It’s even refreshing in a way. But at the same time… it feels incomplete. Because the story builds a relationship that feels like love, but never fully commits to showing it as such. It stays in that grey area between deep friendship and romance. And when you label something as a BL, there is an expectation — not necessarily explicit scenes, but at least some form of clear romantic confirmation.

It’s even more ironic when you think about it: same-sex relationships exist everywhere, even in nature. So the story could have embraced that idea fully while still keeping its softness and subtlety. Instead, it holds back just enough to leave a slight frustration.

Final Thought

Cat for Cash is a beautiful, emotional, and deeply human story that proves you don’t need big drama to create impact. The acting, atmosphere, and writing are all incredibly strong, and the emotional connection between the characters is undeniable. But its refusal to fully define the central relationship holds it back just a little. Still, it’s one of those rare dramas that stays with you — not because of what it shows, but because of what it makes you feel.

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This was adorable

Surprisingly I liked this a lot more than I expected. I was initially planning to skip this, but I felt I needed something lighter to balance out some of the more gloomier BLs that I have been watching. I think this delivered in giving something soft and lighthearted and surprisingly there was good character building included into the plot. The plot while not being anything complex carried trough the whole show. I will always be a dog person, but this actually made me want to go to a cat cafe.

I feel in terms of individual characters the focus is a lot on Lynx's character and how he evolves trough out the show. I liked the element of sibling relationship that was included in the plot alongside with Lynx having to come to terms with his mother's death and their challenging relationship. It's always good when the main characters plot is just not about the build up of the romantic relationship.

I have not seen a lot of shows where First and Khaotung are paired, even if I do know they have been working as a pair for quite some time now. For that reason I can't compare them to their past performances as a couple, but in this one I do think the character dynamic worked well. This wasn't meant to be a particularly spicy series to begin with, and in a more romcom type of context it was fun to see their romance play out.

Now is the cat cafe/ debtor set up very believable as a starting point to the plot and to the main romance element of the show? Probably not, but as a romcom definitely works. The cats offer and deliver on the comedic aspect. I would maybe even say this show has some re-watch value, for days when you just want something easy, that will make you smile while watching.

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Peach Lover — When Direction Kills the Story

Peach Lover had everything to be something bold. The concept itself is already provocative: a fan entering the world of an adult content creator, mixing desire, fantasy, and emotional boundaries. On paper, it could have explored obsession, intimacy, power dynamics, and the difference between performance and real love. Instead… it becomes a perfect example of what happens when a director focuses on shock value instead of storytelling.

Let’s be honest: the explicit scenes are not the problem. In this type of story, they are expected. But here, they are everywhere, constantly interrupting the narrative rather than supporting it. The series feels overly focused on “hot” or “artsy” scenes while completely neglecting the actual chemistry and story progression. And that’s exactly how it feels watching it. The more the drama tries to be sensual, the more empty it becomes. The story itself is a mess. The relationship between the two main families, the subplot about the “other Peach” and his return, the crossing of couples… nothing is properly built or resolved. It feels like multiple ideas thrown together without any real structure. You’re not confused in a good way — you’re just lost, because the writing doesn’t care enough to guide you.

And when you look at the director, it actually makes sense. Cheewin Thanamin Wongskulphat has been involved in many BL productions over the years — from older classics like Make It Right to more recent projects like Bed Friend, War of Y, Deep Night, or Suntiny. The problem is that lately, his work clearly leans more and more toward visual and sexual content rather than strong storytelling. He knows how to create “moments” — provocative, aesthetic, sometimes even viral scenes — but struggles to build a coherent narrative around them. And Peach Lover is probably the most extreme example of that.

Then there’s the main duo. Poom Nuttapart is trying way too hard. His acting feels exaggerated, almost like he’s not playing a character but performing a fantasy. Instead of feeling desire or emotional conflict, you get something that feels forced, like he’s pushing every scene too far. At times, it honestly feels like he’s more focused on embodying the “fantasy” than actually acting. Ki Niwat, on the other hand, is clearly the better surprise. Despite being less experienced, he feels more natural on screen. He understands subtlety better and doesn’t overplay his emotions. And yes, starting your career with such explicit scenes is not easy — so respect for that. He commits to the role, and visually he completely fits the tone of the series. But even him can’t save the relationship. Because here’s the real issue: the chemistry is not emotional, it’s physical. And that’s a big difference. The series tries to convince you that what you’re watching is love, but it often feels like attraction without depth. Like two people stuck in a fantasy rather than building a real connection. The music doesn’t help either. It’s either forgettable or badly used, and instead of elevating scenes, it often makes them feel even more artificial.

Final Thought

Peach Lover is the kind of BL that confuses intensity with quality. It has a provocative concept, a visually appealing cast, and bold scenes — but no real story to support any of it. The direction prioritizes sensation over substance, and in the end, it feels empty. It’s not shocking, not emotional, not even truly romantic… just a missed opportunity wrapped in aesthetics.

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Amazing

I don't know why this show doesn't have better reviews. Honestly, this is the best korean costume drama ive seen in so long. The cinematography and the musical scoring was absolutely breathtaking. The actors did a great job as well. Although it was a bit strange how At 1 point she thought hongrang might be her real brother and kissed him, but I feel like she knew that it was not her brother, it wasnt made clear though,but other than that, the show was so amazing. The only part I really did not like of the show was the witchcraft demonic sacrifice theme that they did on some of the later episodes, but I just fast-forwarded that Everything else is just so beautiful and even though it was a sad ending.I'm glad he got to die in her arms and we got closure.I would definitely rewatch this again.It really shocked me how good it was since there's only an eight star rating. Breathtakingly beautiful show 🥰

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Prequel to the Moon series ... but not the best

PLOT: Upon arriving at university, Wayo, the MC (Science student), participates in the Miss and Mister [Moon & Star] University competition with his friend, Mint, an Engineering student. There, they meet Phana, the ML, a star medical student, and previous year's Moon . Wayo had a secret crush on Phana in high school (and vice versa) but considers himself too ordinary to have any hope. Phana, despite his fans, his hesitations, and a love rival, decides to court Wayo.

+++ Cute story with multiple couples. I really like Mint : he's direct and energetic.

### Painful direction with too many close-ups, frozen screens, and slow pacing. Furthermore, the simplistic story could have been told in 5-6 episodes.
### Unrealistic story: excessive importance is given to this competition... It's not Miss Universe, after all!

=> Worth seeing once, not twice!
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Prequel de la série Moon

PLOT: A son arrivée à la fac, Wayo, le MC (étudiant en Sciences) participe au concours de Miss et Mister [Moon & Star] University, avec son pote, Mint, étudiant en Ingénierie. Ils y croisent le ML, Phana, étudiant star en médecine et Moon de l'année précédente. Wayo avait un crush secret sur Phana au lycée (et l'inverse aussi) mais se juge trop ordinaire pr avoir de l'espoir. Phana, malgré ses fans, malgré ses hésitations et 1 love rival, décide de courtiser Wayo.

+++ Story cute, avec de multiples couples. J'aime bcp Mint, direct, énergique.

### Réalis° pénible, avec de trop gros plans, des frozen screens, une narration lente. De plus, la story, simpliste, aurait pu tenir en 5-6 épisodes.
### Story irréaliste : importance démesurée donnée à ce concours ... Ce n'est pas Miss Univers, qd même !

=> A voir 1 fois, pas deux !

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Two fluffy green forest leading males to enjoy!

Despite a shaky start with naïve and wooden acting, I found myself smiling at the gentle plot as the drama progressed. And I could definitely see the improvement all around by the 7th episode.
"City of Stars" isn't groundbreaking, and its plot is extremely familiar, but... It addressed some highly sensitive subjects, which I found remarkably impressive.

What I enjoyed:
The main men. Just green forests everywhere. And the third act didn't have a pointless split! Hallelujah! You know how it goes, especially when one character has to move away for X amount of time, they usually have to break up because you know, phone calls and video chats can’t be maintained… Fueang and Krom were very grown up when they had to go long distance. I was deeply affected by Feuang's crying in their parting scene. Great acting by Job!
And can I just mention Job’s dreamy eyes? That man knows how to smize!

I have to also mention Kor – he was a brilliant sidekick to Fueang. His loyalty as a ride-or-die friend and the development of his second male lead storyline were excellent.

Fueang's manager was someone I really liked. She's a dragon you'd want in your corner. She always had Fueang’s back. Also, fabulous outfits!

"City of Stars" offers a super fun cast and a plot that's not too heavy but still gets the serious points across. It's packed with kissing, and I'm not kidding! The actors were clearly committed to those kissing scenes, and as a fan, I'm grateful that one of the leads didn't give a poor performance with fish kisses. I also liked that the affection wasn't one-sided, with one male lead giving it all and the other constantly avoiding it. Fueang and Krom gave great hugs!

Overall, a pleasant watch.

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Those more familiar with Cheh’s work are undoubtedly going to get more out of this one

Thriving more on action spectacle than any form of actual cohesion, Shanghai 13 is an ambitious, if terribly under-budgeted slice of chaos. It can be messy, loud and occasionally exhausting, feeling more like a product of 70s Shaw Brothers than an 80s one; a whirlwind of ambushes, betrayals, disguises, and heroic last stands as a parade of iconic fighters squaring off in increasingly dramatic scenarios. A veritable hodgepodge of director Chang Cheh's past cinematic output, the choreography is typical of his usual energetic and relentless style; unfortunately, the rest of the film looks like he fell asleep in his chair, operating more as a string of vignettes that lack any of the polish found in his earlier studio works. Any attempt at character beyond archetypes is stripped down to the barest essentials, the film instead favouring the almost nonstop barrage of action. It ultimately operates as a vehicle for as many stars to appear as possible, with all the big names showing up for one scene before dramatically exiting moments later, rinse and repeat. To be fair, however, all the stars do deliver in their respective roles, be they Jimmy Wang Yu, who doesn’t even throw a punch, Danny Lee as a charismatic sniper or Andy Lau, who comes equipped with a cool white outfit and converse. Extra brownie points have to go to the super funkadelic musical score and banger of an opening theme. As a film that was initially planned to fund Cheh's own retirement, Shanghai 13 operates as a victory lap for the veteran director, delivering a film that's equally brainless and thrilling as it is deadeningly cheesy and undeniably entertaining.

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Denial ain't just a river in Egypt!

This started strong with the classic friends to lovers, with hopes of a lot of mutual pinning and anticipation. But instead of banking on velocity, it leaned more towards "vibes", and whether it is your cup of tea depends on your patience level.
The central dynamic is where things get both interesting... and frustrating. From the start, it is obvious that these two share something deeper than friendship. There is history, comfort and that unspoken understanding that usually takes lovers years to build. But instead of developing the relationship, the writing chooses to hover in that already-established space… for a VERY long time.

Minato is clear, direct, and emotionally available. He knows what he feels and isn’t afraid to risk the friendship for something more. Wataru is fully aware, but committed to pretending otherwise till eternity. Not in a “he is confused and figuring out the world” way, but in a “he knows exactly what’s at stake and still refuses to acknowledge” way. The confusion and denial worked at the start and it was the base where Rome was supposed to be built. But there was no real shift over multiple episodes, it started to feel less like slow burn and more like emotional buffering bringing the classic miscommunication trope into the picture. If you ask me, this would have landed better as a 6-8 episode story.

That said, the drama does have its moments where it shines. When it stops trying to stall the plot and Minato and Wataru just EXIST together, it’s genuinely lovely. There is a softness to how these characters are around each other and those small moments, the casual closeness, shared routines, all felt very natural and lived in. Except for these two, everyone could have pointed out that they loved each other.
Another thing that I liked was how photography was an important aspect of storytelling and was not just an artsy filler that was forgotten in early episodes.

Visually, it did a good job with the overall atmosphere except for the night scenes. It was quite dark and grainy. Flashbacks were also an important part of storytelling here and while I feel they could have cut it a little short, the past-to-present transitions were handled very smoothly and somehow tied everything together in a neat bow.
Acting was also decent. I had qualms about the plot, but the cast did their thing. They really made the most out of what they were given and kept it engaging even when the story itself wasn’t fully hitting.

Overall, the tension, which felt genuine, was stretched a little too thin in the middle and it started feeling a tiny bit performative to me. It's not bad but I won't say it excels in this trope either. I don't know if I am judging too harshly, but sadly this was bland , with the characters that were sweet enough to keep the ship sailing.
Will I recommend it? Yes, if you are looking for friends to lovers and can handle denial, give it a try. Otherwise, maybe no. It's not the worst BL out there but it's just mild.

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While I enjoyed the thai original, I loved this one more

As a few others already mentioned, I felt like the fact that it's condensed was actually one of its strengths. This Japanese remake stays pretty loyal to the Thai version and is a bit cheesy and campy at times, but honestly, the original was kinda cheesy and melodramatic in some bits too (especially Rain's character most of the time). I wholly disagree with the people who say they cut out the important bits, as I personally didn't feel like it was missing anything story-wise. And those who say this was cringey must've forgotten the spanking scene in the Thai version, the "daddy" incident in the special episode, as well as the weird thermometer scene between Rain and Phayu.

What I most enjoyed with this one was the fact that they remixed the original a bit, making some scenes to be a bit less problematic like the fact that Arashi doesn't come off as a somewhat creepy stalker-type in the way that Phayu did in the original and removing the threat of rape in the Rei kidnap scene (there was enough non-con happening with Kai's storyline already). Then they switched up the Phayu/Rain scene in the bathroom by putting Arashi/Rei in the car instead, changed up the timing of the sex scenes, and other scenes where I felt they were doing a great job in sticking to the essence of the original but trying to bring in the Japanese flair. Arashi/Rei were a really amusing and sexy couple to watch, and Shoma did an excellent job in his role (I sensed he'd be a great casting choice here after seeing him in At 25:00, in Akasaka). Fuma/Kai were also quite strong, with Kai pulling on my heartstrings with how broken and defeated he was. They made the sex scenes with the right amount of spice as and pacing as well.

Bonus Prapai and Phayu showing up in the last 2 episodes, I enjoyed the interactions between them and Rei+Kai, gotta love some language barrier laughs.

I suspect many of the reviewers were either unfamiliar with the snappiness and style of a Japanese BL and/or felt too attached to the original to give constructive criticism. Without getting all twisted up in trying to compare the Thai version and this one, this version stands alone nicely on its own.

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Exceptional, Strong fl. Excellent

Woowww, this drama is so good, I was hooked from episode 1. I love that the fl is strong, she's not a damsel in distress. She carries her strongness from ep 1 to the end. Zhang linghe did justice to the character. He was strong when he needed to be and with Changyu he was clingy, he wasn't cold and dismissive like the typical generals, whenever it came to Changyu he was like a baby, always wanting reassurance and kisses which is so beautiful. The ending was done beautifully. Overall the all the actors did so well. Well done to the team I will definitely rewatch this a countless times. Don't listen to the other haters saying ugly stuff about the drama, it's a 100/10

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