Reviews

Park Chan-wook — a name I will never forget

Every time I watch one of his films, I’m reminded why he stands in a league of his own. No Other Choice is no exception. It feels fresh and unpredictable, yet it unmistakably carries that classic “Chan-wook touch” — stylish, sharp, morally complex, and darkly funny.

What struck me first was how unique the film felt. It doesn’t move in a conventional way, and just when you think you understand its direction, it shifts — sometimes subtly, sometimes brutally. That unpredictability is part of what makes it so compelling. Park has always had a gift for blending tones, and here he balances genuine humor with some very heavy themes in a way that never feels forced. The humor often comes wrapped in discomfort — you laugh, then immediately question why you’re laughing.

At its core, the film dives deep into the idea of the “man of the family.” What does that role actually mean? Provider? Protector? Decision-maker? The movie challenges the traditional image of the ideal family and exposes the pressure cooker beneath it. The expectation to be perfect, stable, successful — especially in a capitalist system — becomes suffocating. There’s also an undercurrent of commentary that feels tied to capitalism and possibly even AI, as if the characters are trapped in a system that reduces human worth to productivity and replaceability.

One of the most disturbing ideas in the film is how evil can disguise itself as good intentions. The belief that you’re doing something “better” for your family can slowly justify darker and darker choices. That moral spiral — where love, pride, fear, and ego intertwine — is handled in a way that feels both intimate and unsettling. Park doesn’t present villains in a simple way; instead, he shows how ordinary people can become destructive when cornered by expectations and systems.

Read More

Hilarious: Captures Japanese Humor

I freaking loved this show. I went into it knowing nothing other than the main premise, a girl pretending to be a boy at an all boys school. Gave me mild "Twelfth Night" and "She's the Man" vibes from the premise, so I had to give it a shot.

It was absolutely worth it. I think someone who doesn't understand Japanese culture would struggle to enjoy this show because it was chock full of cultural references and specific scenario humor. I enjoyed every minute of it. The show was a riot.

At the end, I wished they'd been able to make a second season or something because I was so invested in the characters. I still think that the second main male lead was a better fit for the FMC, but I tend to always think that when I watch these kinds of shows. I somehow wind up disliking the main pairing for whatever reason.

This show is definitely worth watching at least once in your life.

Read More

The Show Can't Decide What It Wants to Be

Overall, the show seems confused about what genre it wants to be, and that causes the ultimate downfall of the show itself. It's marketed as a gritty thriller where a serial killer is targeting a single friend group full of generally terrible people, and Jade's brother Jay is among them. When the new inspector, Kamin, arrives and takes over the case, he initially butts heads with Jade. This sets up the romantic plotline of the show, but the pacing is inconsistent and choices often don't make sense. The way the plot resolves is ultimately unsatisfying, and I feel no investment in the main characters. It’s possible to have a romance inside of a thriller story like the basis for this one, but this is so poorly executed because it was clear they didn’t know if they wanted to write a romcom BL or a gritty crime thriller.

The characters are initially given a deadline for wrapping up the serial killer case because of media attention, but that later vanishes entirely as they fully blow past the deadline with no consequences. Jade is almost completely unconcerned about Jay because his focus is taken up so entirely by trying to romance Kamin. The show fails to balance the tension of the serial killer's revenge on the friend group with the romantic elements often leaning toward romance far too often which places the whole basis for the plot in jeopardy. The cuts between scenes are incredibly awkward, and the after credits often includes extra “romantic” scenes between the main couple that often left me feeling more awkward than happy for the couple. It was often so jarring and opposite from the ending to the episode, that it would cause confusion about the timeline, as many of them were from scene that happened much earlier in the episode, or just gave me an icky feeling about the whole show.

The friend group who was caught up in the murders as well seemed to have so little care for the fact their friends were all being killed. They would discuss that they were “scared,” but I never saw that taking shape. They were constantly fighting against helping the police, and I understand they all had shady backgrounds that would get them arrested if they revealed the truth, but you are being investigated for murder! Tell them everything, you idiots. Jade and Kamin’s overall lack of interest in the serial killer case was what really killed it. They spent so much time trying to romance each other rather than doing their jobs that I didn’t feel happy when they “won” at the end. Several people in the comments on the main show page noted how a lot time was spent filming the actors staring off into nothing, and I agree. It wasn’t a plot device. I think a good portion of this show was for the purpose of making the actors look attractive to the audience. “Here’s this guy who looks like a model! Stare at him. Revel in his beauty. Isn’t he so gorgeous running into danger? Isn’t he so pretty kissing this other guy?” I honestly was not expecting a romantic comedy from the marketing of the show, and I was often messaging a friend saying, “Just focus on the murder! There are several people dead!”

Read More

I love JoongDunk but this is a WASTE OF TIME

Not binge watch worthy, if you're looking for a series that would make you want to watcch the next episode after watching the another, this one is not for you. I just watched each episode for the love of JoongDunk and Ohm Tpk but other than that I can say it's not worth watching for. It's a shame they put this on Netflix. It's a crime themed series but the Police/Inspector did not have a chance to solve a single case. They just waited for the crime to unfold and let everyone die. I can't believe that a college student and a doctor are smarter, faster, and stronger than this cops. I stopped watching it on Episode 10, 20 minutes before it ends, because after they let everyone die, they immediately go back to flirting with each other. I mean, yeah we get it it's a gay series but at least provide a good plot, not just 2 men kissing and flirting. SUCH A DISSAPPOINTMENT.

Read More

They warned us twice...

They warned us twice and I believed them instantly, it wasn't just an exaggeration it was the plain truth, that this movie was gonna be sad. Honestly don't have much to say, I truly loved this masterpiece of a movie, I'm not really the type to watch much sad movies but this was a perfect balance, it make me cry, laugh, made me feel so many emotions. And I truly felt it all, all the love and care they all had for each other, everything. This is truly beautiful. Amazing movie, a must watch. 100% recommend. But have your tissues nearby. You'll need them.

Overall 10/10

Read More

"People do not pass away... they die and then they stay."

This is a drama deeply close to my heart; I thought extensively about this review before writing it. While there may be some articulation errors in my writing, I hope that it compels you to at least consider watching Mysterious Lotus Casebook (MLC).

At first glance, MLC is nothing more than typical. It has all the elements of your conventional Wuxia C-drama: an overpowered protagonist; an up-and-coming Jianghu hero; some jealous one-dimensional antagonists; uncomplicated female characters; not-so-difficult to solve mysteries; and many more I am too lethargic to name.

But as commonplace as it may seem, MLC refreshingly breaks convention. Unlike most Wuxia stories, there is no real climax or overblown melodrama. The story's events—no matter how curious—proceed with a slice-of-life-resemblant matter-of-factness. Furthermore, MLC evokes genuine skepticism of the too-often-glorified Jianghu. Through the lens of our protagonist, the Jianghu is an uncertain environment where heroism—driven by ruthless ambition and self-righteousness—costs human lives. Most importantly, though, is that MLC's protagonist Li Lianhua is not on a legendary journey to becoming a Jianghu hero; he is a former Jianghu hero accepting a lonely and tragic decline.

The character Li Lianhua (formerly Li Xiangyi) is what single-handedly elevates MLC from a mediocre, enjoyable watch to a haunting and empathetic story. Li Lianhua is indubitably a case of "overpowered protagonist", a trope I harbor deep skepticism for; there are simply too many opportunities for characterization inconsistencies, over-indulgent author self-inserts, and extreme uses of plot armor. However, Li Lianhua is a character designed so intricately that he not only avoids those common pitfalls but is relatable for average audiences. He is perspicacious yet uncertain; cold yet kind; arrogant yet penitent; a compulsive liar yet honest; and accepting of fate yet deeply loyal to those he loves from the past. The contradictions and his struggling attempts at reconciling them make Li Lianhua thought-provoking, likable, and most importantly, human. Cheng Yi's performance of Li Lianhua is superbly compelling but may tend over-empathetic for some.

However, in the same way that a good conductor cannot singlehandedly "carry" an orchestra, the characterization of Li Lianhua cannot single-handedly define MLC's quality. While the remaining cast of characters are comparatively one-dimensional (with the possible exception of Di Feisheng), their relationships/interactions with Li Lianhua give their presence meaning. For one, the doomed romance between Li Lianhua and his former love interest (Qiao Wanmian) is portrayed with an unusual level of maturity, modernity, and sensitivity (in the context of Wuxia dramas and historical gender structures). Additionally, while the main antagonist has independently shallow motivations, his relationship with and perception of Li Lianhua create plot intrigue. In the show's more cliche and over-explored relationships (E.g. Li Lianhua and Fang Duobing), MLC successfully uses clever dialogue and surprisingly worldly insight to substitute for the lack of storytelling direction.

Finally, I'd like to talk about the BGM. While the OST is catchy, the BGM is immersive and extremely beautiful. Much of (40-50%) the BGM is structured around 4 sets of "Variations on [X] Theme". Despite revolving around the same theme, the separate variations are rhythmically and creatively diverse enough to feature in scenes with vastly different emotional tones. The fact that they all revolved around the same theme, however, added a subtle and effective additional layer of cohesiveness. Beyond the variations, there are tracks that are intimately beautiful (my personal preferences are for "涟漪" and "诉说“, which both have excellent guzheng solos).

MLC may begin slow, so perhaps give it 10-15 episodes before deciding whether or not you like it. But while the production is simpler than many of today's high-budget cinematographic "making-of-a-myth" stories, MLC—through its simplicity—leans into inquisition, normalcy, and the destruction of kitsch, apathetic Jianghu myths. Even though it is by no means perfect, it has left an indelible imprint on my heart.

Read More

i am crying

I really like this drama they had me crying on like the last episode and I just really wish that it could’ve ended differently like them meeting again and I wish I could’ve gotten more time of them together at the end the overall story was really really good it was just the ending that made me cry because it was so emotional and I was just really hoping that I was leading up to them meeting again like him going to Japan or him seeing him at the airport to stop him from going but yeah overall it was amazing and I would watch it 1 million times if I could I really hope they make a two and a part two so I hope it has a better ending this time and it’s a little longer than four episodes but amazing 10 out of 10❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Read More

World's Most Incompetent Cops

Going into this, I was super excited for the murder/crime aspect of this show, especially as someone who really loves crime dramas. If you're going into this for that like I was, SKIP IT! This show is a romance that happens to have a crime happening in the background. The cops can't solve a case for shit, and spend all their time flirting instead.

Jade (Joong) is the cop in charge of a new murder case when a new inspector Kamin (Dunk) arrives to help. The two of them investigate the murder of a college girl and the subsequent murders of the other students in her friend group. As murders continue to happen, Jade's brother Jay is also put at risk, as are the cops themselves. Even though the cops don't get along at first, they grow closer as they work on the case - and Jade's immediate attraction to Kamin is obvious to everyone.

I have never watched a crime show with more incompetent cops. These guys did not solve ANYTHING!! Even up to the very end (no spoilers here) they basically didn't do anything themselves. They quite literally just spent their entire time flirting with each other. The romance fully took away from the actual plot of the show. If you don't care about the crime and just want to see Joong and Dunk flirt, go ahead and watch it. If you care about the crime aspect at all, there are much better crime dramas....

Read More

From Arranged Marriage to Unbreakable Partnership

Destined is much more than an arranged marriage romance. What begins as a reluctant union between two completely different people slowly grows into a deep partnership built on trust, respect, and shared struggles. Bai Jing Ting and Song Yi delivered beautiful performances that made Jiusi and Yuru feel real, relatable, and easy to root for.

Gu Jiusi was one of the most refreshing male leads I have seen. He started off playful, carefree, and a little immature, but he was always kind, respectful, and protective toward Yuru. Even when life forced him to grow up, he never lost his core personality. His maturity did not erase who he was. It strengthened him. Watching his transition from a sheltered young master to a responsible and dependable man was one of the most satisfying parts of the drama.

Liu Yuru’s journey was equally powerful. She began as someone focused only on securing a stable marriage because of her difficult upbringing. She lived cautiously and never allowed herself to dream beyond survival. But after marriage, she slowly discovered her own ambitions and strengths. Her growth into a confident, intelligent woman who built her own path in business was inspiring to watch. She was not just protected by the male lead. She stood beside him as an equal and often became his strength during difficult times.

What made their relationship special was their balance. They did not rely on dramatic misunderstandings or forced conflict. Instead, their bond grew naturally through shared hardships, mutual respect, and emotional support. They protected each other, trusted each other, and matured together. Their love felt steady, earned, and realistic.

The drama also stood out for its storytelling. It balanced romance, politics, family struggles, and personal growth without relying on exaggerated villains or unrealistic plot devices. The conflicts were grounded in society, war, business, and survival. The story showed how intelligence, resilience, and unity helped the characters overcome challenges rather than relying on luck or power alone.

The supporting cast and production were equally strong. The emotional scenes, lighter comedic moments, and political tensions were all handled well, making the story engaging from beginning to end.

Overall, Destined is a beautiful story about growth, partnership, and finding strength in each other. It shows how two people can enter a marriage as strangers and slowly become each other’s greatest support. It is emotional, inspiring, and deeply satisfying to watch.

Read More

I wish it was so much better!

MAJOR SPOILER ALERT! BE CAREFUL!

I never leave reviews when I watch a bl and I've been doing this for 6 years but this is objectively one of the worst scripts I've ever came across. I was really excited when i found out joongdunk were doing a crime investigation drama but from the very beginning it struggles with internal coherence and narrative credibility honestly.

The issues start from the very begining, considering that Jade arguably should not even have been part of the investigation. This leads to one of my main beef with the series, Jay is protected by the police simply for being Jade’s brother and is never properly investigated even though he is one of the suspects. It just gets worse when Kamin casually moves into the house of one of the suspects (Jade's and jay's house)

The portrayal of the police is particularly problematic for other reasons as well. Officers conduct interrogations anywhere they please, arbitrarily entering people’s homes without warrants. At one point, Champ explicitly asks for a lawyer and is ignored, yet the interrogation proceeds as if due process were irrelevant. These procedural inaccuracies make the investigation feel unrealistic and poorly researched.

Even the fight scenes are poorly choreographed fight and shooting scenes make dramatic confrontations feel awkward rather than intense.

There are many problems with the plot development and the character's arcs are honestly weak. For exemple, Jay is just saved for the sake of the script cause it makes little sense that Puth would fail to kill him with that shot. Also, Jade and Yu’s backstory and motivation is so incredibly weak like why would you hate you colleague when you were the one who chose to save him like man...

In the last episode when kamin is alone with puifai and champ, why do you mean a trained policeman were tricked by a teenager?? He was pointing a gun to that girl's head and it didnt work, she did whatever she wanted in front of him. They didnt finish this case, this case finished them!

I also had a hard time understaning the moral framing of the story. I mean Jay literally assaults Puifai, he had sex with her when she was drunk!!! Yet the narrative treats his wrongdoing as if it were merely a failure to intervene and defend her from the rest of the group, it completely minimized the gravity of his crime.

Also pisses me off so much that after the explosion they chose to save champ and leave puifai to her own death. I mean, Puifai was only stabbed and could plausibly have survived, but the characters choose to save Champ instead. Like Puifai died just like that but Champ survived being shot and struck with an axe, and still manages to stab Puifai afterward?? There are so many exaggerations like that and it really undermines any attempt at realism.

There are also awkward moments like they flirt out of nowhere even in the middle of serious moments. Also, there's this scene that Jade and kamin are in the pool and jade's tattoo literally starts to fade and turn purple???

The script was bad, the directing was even worse. I never wrote such a detailed review like that but as i said before, I was excited for this new joongdunk series but i was severely disappointed.

Read More

The most incapable police officers ever!

OMG... why did GMMTV decide to put this pile of crap on Netflix? If they wanted to promote BLs, this was the wrong series to do it. This series was also the wrong series for the actors. Would they be 15 years older, than their ranks would make sense, but so, it was completely unbelievable. While we all wish the actors do stuff besides school or university GMMTV does not comprehend that certain roles requires an certain age. What's even worse, they had considerable audio problems through many episodes where they (the production team) failed to check that the recording would be fine. For GMMTV this is inexcusable. It's not an independet low budget production where technical shortcomings can be overlooked, but not when they put it on Netflix.

The story itself is also boring as fuck, there is not even a real romance evolving, just one guy pushing the other and it just "happens"... no finesse, no real heartbeating moments... For a BL this was very disappointing. I don't have to talk about how incapable they both are as police officers, going first to eat and then go the location - while at said location someone dies... OMG.

Everyone rating this show high should take off their pink glasses and really question what they are rating. This shows has no heights at all. Yes, to watch JoongDunk is nice, but there are tons of tiktok/shorts seeing them together and that is WAY better than watching this. I did not expect much from GMMTV but even then it was a great disappointment and a waste of my time. I know the fanarmy will bash me and say I should not watch it if I don't like it, but the point is I watch it to write reviews for people who don't have the time to watch a lot and to tell them not to waste their time. There are ton more series even from GMMTV which are way better than this crap.

Read More

hope to see the actors in something else

Overall: did not vibe with the plot. 6 episodes about 8 minutes each. Aired on Secret of Us YouTube Official https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7BSona1dmx5qAPZpNNjT9XEv_wyP_HzT&si=ouK5zhi2gVdEigwN

Note: in the trailer a character said they weren't related by blood, so they are step brothers who appear to have been raised together since elementary school aged based on that picture

Content Warning: manipulation

What I Liked
- the dreams
- visuals
- the younger character's plotting in the beginning*

Room For Improvement
- *he was way too manipulative later on, even when he came clean I didn't trust him
- the older guy was shown to be extremely straight and then the sudden 180 turn and open ending did not work for me

Read More