Reviews

Great game, poor execution

This movie is made specially to feature a toned-down version of one of the beloved games in the manga: Musical Chairs.

Also, since Toda Erika wasn't available for this, it answers the question of how Liar Game would be if you had a less naïve female lead.

I am still giving this a high score despite this movie's version of Musical Chairs not being as exciting to watch as it could have been. It is still a clever game.

I have several problems with this film.

1. Less naïve doesn't mean more competent. Shinomiya Yu's decisions still leave me scratching my head.

Furthermore, this film was written with Nao in mind. Its critique of human greed and how we must still trust other people remains. That's why replacing Kanzaki Nao with Shinomiya Yu isn't the best fit.

Adding to this problem is that 1) Tabe Mikako, who played as Yu, isn't as attractive as Toda Erika, and 2) her abrupt appearance makes it hard for me to warm up to her and root for her.

2. Akiyama Shin'ichi doesn't seem as charismatic here compared to his earlier appearances. I don't know if I'm imagining it, but his actor feels like he was just going through the motions and not totally involved in this project.

3. Alice is a missed opportunity. After seeing her special, I would have loved to see a one-on-one game between her and Akiyama. That would have been one of the best episodes, whatever their game might be.

Also, in this film, she is just one of the agents of the Liar Game Agency, an uninteresting position compared to what is possible given her special episode.

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I liked it, inspite of its faults.

Best attempt for the use of poor wirework!

First, the most impressive thing I found in this drama was the bold attempt at their poor use of wirework. To note, there was a lot of wirework in this drama. The stunts and wire work used were so good, but not good at the same time. I just used my imagination to finish the attempt that was made. I have to say, if they had done a better job, this would have been one of the best dramas this year, in my opinion. I thought the flying, twists, and turns were original and impressive, but they just couldn't land on their feet. Sometimes it was over the mark or under. Oh well, I enjoy the attempt anyway.

Second, the writing and storytelling fell a little short. Lately, I find myself being disappointed in the writing of these dramas. It seems as if the writer is overcomplicating the simplicity of the story. Don’t get me wrong, I know that fantasy and or Wuxia/Xiansia are a little complex, but I want them to let the story flow into a masterpiece. This has a huge cast of characters, which is to be expected when you have sects, with demons, mortals, and immortals. So, the writers do a good job with the background on the characters. You will get to know them and like them for the most part.

Third, the fantasy element was entertaining. I enjoyed watching this drama come together. In spite of what I said about the storytelling, I liked this.

Fourth, the acting was okay. I was not disappointed with the cast or the performances, especially since there was plenty of eye candy. One thing I will say about Allen Ren Ja Lun is that he should teach a master class in looking pitiful. I felt the actors worked really well together. The ML and FL had some chemistry. However, the quality of the romance was lacking, and the hugs were a bit awkward
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THE DIRECTING & CINEMATOGRAPHY In this drama, the cinematography and production were beautiful. Not too much or too little, it was comfortable to watch. Hats off to the choreography of the actor movements and the fight scenes. The actors were quite believable, with their facial expressions, body language, and all. On a side note: Maybe a little too much blood work.

In conclusion, I would say I did enjoy this drama. As far as its faults, I just ignored them for the most part. As for the ending, you can stop at episode 38 because either it is set up for a second season or someone is stuck on stupid.

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A Big Catch

I concede. I let this one sit with me for a bit after finishing. Only by doing that, have I gotten over my fascination with the many strengths of this drama and can outline the blatant flaws. I was completely prepared to tear most comments and reviews here limb from limb. But I’ve come around to a conclusion as to how a drama as mildly popular as this one at the time got so much flack.

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon is misunderstood for the most part. The problems this drama has doesn’t fall into quality, but quantity.

Romance

The director doesn’t shy away from their infamous odd-one-out style with character dynamics. You can tell when viewers aren’t familiar with this style of direction, this drama is flooded with romance, but what defines that exactly?

We have countless instances. It started with mere moments of an old tutor frantically power walking around, looking to confirm the rumors of her favorite student years back returning, wanting to become a teacher at their academy. From the very beginning, romance was in the air. But ofc, that’s just the beginning.

Romance in Hagwon is exactly that, and it doesn’t ever shy away from it in the slightest. If the scale were to tip on one of these aspects more, it would certainly be romance. Idk what others are used to with romance, but I’m all for the silent, warm moments in the office after hours. The late nights at home where check in texts turn to hours of flirtatious rambling, blushing away to wee hours in the morning.

I mean, how can we sit through a man running up n down a neighborhood , multiple times, just to get back to her apartment, and not acknowledge the effort? How can we watch a woman slowly open herself up to the possibility of a relationship at her friend’s place, buzzed up, and not sense the sincerity? How can we see this man rush to her aid, immediately after her closest friend’s relaying the big confession, take her home, and fight every temptation to even stay in the same room as her while she’s under the influence, and not commend his respect for their relationship?

The drama is riddled with endless moments like these, but for whatever reason, the vocal minority here would swear it lacks romance. That if that’s what you’re looking for out of watching, to not bother wasting your time. The romance here can be as subtle as it is most of the time blatant. If you failed to see that, respectfully, you don’t have a clue of what romance consists of.

The problems I had with the drama in this aspect were minimal. Yeah, the ending wasn’t as grand as it could have been, and there were several moments where I found myself figuratively sitting next to the ML’s cubicle going “Are you like, on the clock or? You have some lessons to plan for tomorrow, no?” as he’s one shut eye away from a wet dream. They could have shown us more work processes from his side, especially with how passionate he was about how he wanted to teach students, but this leads to..

Hagwon

Ah, academics. I’m one of the last people you’d want exploring this topic , I shower in ignorance after a long day. Let’s simplify and make it brief.

2/4: Ethics is the main conflict of the drama, in case you’re unaware. What does teaching students mean to private academies where the numbers in the results are dire for success? My favorite moments of the drama was when the our two lovebirds at the office suddenly came to one another’s intention with their curriculums.

One wants to teach students the very essence of the subject that’ll help them generally improve with the basics to better understand anything advanced they’ll take on in the future. The other has been putting the effort in all for the results in what the parents and presumably the students have came for , aiming ultimately for more financial success in the business and continuously moving up in position and recognition. This is where their personal relations were put to the side, and the tension rose.

1/2. This is basically where every conflict with the notable characters in the drama stems from, minus the uh, sexual tension at times. I’ve decided this drama would have been way better off in this aspect, had it been a cdrama. There simply wasn’t enough time to explore every relation, conflict, systems, and outside influence the show introduced. Just about every aspect they took on was wrapped up in an unsatisfying manner. While these sub genres were in well hands , they were suddenly dropped. I think the main antagonist, was dropped on her head as well. The most potential resided with her character’s standards, professionalism, and pride. You would expect a big bang from a character set up with as much tension and pent up frustration as hers, but it never gets there. Instead, we get last minute gaslighting and cat fights.

That basically sums up everything else the drama had going for it. Superbly built up, subpar payoffs. The cinematography is as decent as decent gets, and the music throughout puts OSN and SiTR to shame. At least with those tired tracks, they were catchy. The ones here are embarrassing, to say the least.

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon is a severely underrated drama challenging morals and ethics in the world of academics, that doesn’t shy away from a very heartwarming, raw and mature portrayal of office romance . One of the better slow burns out there for sure. After calming down from reading some other reviews and comments, and giving the drama some time to sit, I got over my surprise with the highs of a drama rated this comparatively low, as the lows became a bit more clear. While yes, this drama has no business being where it’s at in rating in comparison to the average slop at the top, I do see where the criticism comes from, and why a drama paced and directed like this wouldn’t fit for many in drama land. Regardless, if slow burns are your thing, you’d be doing yourself a huge disservice in not trying this one out. A drama like this is one I’ll toss out there in the feed river flow sometime and reel in those with taste catered to mine. Whoever doesn’t get hooked are meant to stay in the current.

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When Generations Collide

Diva La Vie aka Beauty and the Beat is an energetic, over-the-top comedy that fully embraces its chaos in the best way possible. Beneath its outrageous humor and eccentric characters, the film tells a surprisingly heartfelt story about clashing generations, artistic differences, and learning to meet in the middle.

The story follows legendary diva Plaifun as she attempts to stage a successful comeback with the help of her determined manager, Pa Kob. To appeal to a younger audience, Plaifun is paired with the Gen Z idol trio Gang Takhil, made up of Copter, Pitta P, and Laila. From the very beginning, the partnership feels like a disaster waiting to happen. Plaifun is disciplined and very image-conscious, and used to having complete control over every aspect of her performances, while Gang Takhil thrives on spontaneity, social media antics, livestreams, selfies, and chaotic energy. The contrast between the two sides creates much of the film’s comedy and narrative tension.

Things only escalate after the trio overhears Plaifun dismissing them as “not real singers.” Hurt and offended, Copter, Pitta P, and Laila intentionally make every day more difficult for her, creating one absurd situation after another. Ironically, their reckless behavior ends up reinforcing Plaifun’s criticism, as the group often lacks structure and professionalism. Even visually, the trio reflects this disconnect, each member has such a drastically different personality and style that they feel more like three solo artists temporarily working together rather than a cohesive group. While the film clearly values individuality and self-expression, it also highlights the importance of balance, discipline, and teamwork within the entertainment industry. Which both sides lacked.

As tensions continue to rise, a new figure enters the picture: Alex Kim, whose professionalism and composed demeanor immediately appeal to Plaifun. However, the film takes a comedic turn when Alex is triggered by a prop, revealing his alter ego.

The conflict between Plaifun and Gang Takhil eventually reaches its breaking point after one prank goes too far. Copter is the only member who realizes the damage being done, but by then it is already too late, leading Plaifun to retaliate in anger. One of the film’s strongest moments comes afterward, when Plaifun has a heartfelt conversation with Alex and unknowingly uses words of encouragement that once helped him in the past. This interaction becomes a turning point for her character, forcing her to reevaluate her actions and finally understand the people around her.

From there, the film shifts into a more sincere and uplifting direction. What makes Diva La Vie work so well is that neither generation is portrayed as entirely right or wrong. Instead, the story emphasizes how both sides have valuable lessons to offer each other. Plaifun learns to loosen up and embrace change, while Gang Takhil begins to understand the importance of professionalism. Their growth together beautifully reinforces the film’s central theme: different generations can coexist and thrive when they are willing to listen and learn from one another.

The movie also deserves praise for how effectively it balances its outrageous comedic elements with genuine emotional beats. Despite all the chaos, the narrative never loses sight of its emotional core. The soundtrack is vibrant and memorable, perfectly complementing the film’s energetic tone and elevating many of its scenes.

A standout performance comes from Keng, whose portrayal of a non-Thai speaker is hilarious and incredibly entertaining. His intentionally awkward Thai delivery becomes one of the film’s funniest recurring elements, adding even more charm to an already eccentric cast.

Overall, Diva La Vie is a wildly chaotic yet genuinely enjoyable film that showcases the strengths of Thai comedy while still delivering heart and meaningful character development. It is loud, colorful, ridiculous, and ultimately very sweet. By the time the touching and enthusiastic ending arrives, the film earns every emotional moment, leaving behind a satisfying message about growth, understanding, and unity across generations.

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Elite Face Cards, Same Aki, but Where’s the Spark?

The Boyfriend Express serves the exact same vibe and formula we always expect from Oxin Films, plus the entire cast is full of serving face. Aki Torres proves once again that he is the ultimate face of the studio, bringing his usual acting style and distinct screen presence that fans know so well. However, even if everyone looks so good, the chemistry between the main leads feels a bit soso and safe this time around. It really misses that super intense, natural spark that Aki had with his previous partner in My Day. At the end of the day, it is a very polished and visually pleasing watch that relies heavily on pure star power.

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Versatile Acting.

At first, the story may seem simple, but that’s actually part of what makes this drama so enjoyable. It never tries too hard, yet it keeps you interested and emotionally invested from one episode to the next. The pacing was good, the characters were easy to connect with, and the overall storytelling felt natural and engaging instead of overly complicated. The acting was also very convincing, and each character had their own charm and depth that made the show enjoyable to watch.

Cha Eun Woo especially surprised me in this drama. He showed a much more versatile and mature acting performance compared to his previous roles. This drama proved that he is not limited to just romantic comedy roles anymore. He handled emotional and serious scenes really well, showing more depth, control, and growth as an actor. You can really see that he is ready to take on more challenging and serious projects in the future.

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Supernatural with the mix of other genres at its best.

The narrative of the plot doesn't attend only to the supernatural; it draws on other genres to create a mix of something clearly binge-worthy.

When family relationships, friendship, teammates, and comedy blend with something supernatural in a natural and likeable way.
Each of their relationship was impactful and touching.
Eunie and her grandma's relationship was a gem.
Mr Seo and his daughter's relationship was gold.
Mr Seo and his wife's relationship was silver.

The villains were an interesting one, they had bonds, sorta of familiar relationships, and love for each other, and I just gave that to the secondary villains, to the primary villains, they made my blood boil, their calm and all-assuring performance was well done, I give them for that.

A drama where the sources tell you mostly supernatural, but the in-depth tackles something more than supernatural snd villain arcs, it tells there is even a quiet family bond, that can create a villain

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Not bad!!

I have no idea why this is listed as a comedy drama but it definitely isn’t one so don’t expect comedy!!!!

looking at the comments and reviews they were all saying that it’s gets so much worse after ep 6 and so my expectations were very low,, I mean it did get more convoluted and ridiculous, I mean everyone was connected to everyone and everything (six degree of separation really working overtime), but it wasn’t that bad imo

Chu Won Hee is just… excellent, as always. The other actors do a wonderful job as well, especially the jemok kids!!!! I liked how those characters specifically were so complicated and realistic, outside the jemok kids the characters were pretty average.

The main reveal was executed pretty well, even though I could highkey see it coming. Other plot twists were alright as well but nothing that truly shocked me.

If this is your kind of vibe I’d say give it a try, it’s not bad.

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Subjective opinion.

Subjective opinion. The series is depressing. What is the message of the series? What did the creators want to tell their viewers? Is fate merciless? Even if you try your best, you can't escape fate?

Why did the writers deprive Yohan of literally everything: his parents (they died), his profession (he quit boxing), his country (he had to leave Korea), his health (an incurable disease), his life (the chance to live to old age), and even the joys of physical intimacy (why doesn't the series' hero have a need for physical intimacy at age 30 or so)? Thank goodness they didn't add any physical deformities to the hero (such as facial scars and the like) (sarcasm).

Yes, of course, I understand that not all series have to have a happy ending. But surely there must be bright, happy moments in the life of a hero with such a difficult fate?

I understand, of course, that happiness can be "quiet" (not always noticeable). But why the hell? Why are misfortunes so "loud and noticeable" in this series? I understand that by burdening Yohan with all the world's troubles and misfortunes, the writers used the most common technique to reveal the depth of his character. Yohan overcomes difficulties, demonstrating fortitude, resilience, and the ability to transform. In order to what? To die? Authors, are you serious? Where (in what way) do you think the viewer should get something positive?

What was I supposed to conclude after watching this series? Life sucks? I love it when movies with unhappy endings leave a bittersweet aftertaste, like love experienced. But unfortunately for me this did not happen.

P.S. I would characterize the relationship between the main characters as friendship. If it were otherwise, physical intimacy between them would be inevitable. The characters in the series are around 30 years old (the peak of sexual activity). If not at 30 with a loved one, then with whom should one have intimacy, and at what age?

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Missed that target

I guess they were aiming for a serious investigation romance drama. They missed the mark. I didn't feel any emotion whilst watching it. Things were just happening. People were crying or arguing or going to place to place but NOTHING was happening. There didn't seem to be any stakes. I didn't care about the characters at all. And it's a bit supernatural - okay. I love supernatural and fantasy elements when they're done right. But guess what? It's made to seem absurd and just feels disconnected to the actual story.

I can't believe I endured for 4 whole episodes and a little of episode 5.

What makes the drama worse is that it repeatedly shows sexual assault and pretends to care about it but it just makes it seem like a premise to a romantic moment. It makes me sick. It belittles the horrific act. It almost glosses over it as if it's nothing!

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5 Episodes In and We’re Still Here?

I’m currently watching this series and the story is cute, but it’s honestly moving sooo slowly. 😭 From episode 1, it was already obvious that Duang likes Qin, yet the plot keeps dragging that same point over and over. I didn’t even realize I’m already on episode 5 because it feels like the story barely moved.

There are genuinely funny moments — some scenes really made me laugh — but there are also a lot of unnecessary scenes that could’ve been trimmed down. Personally, I think the whole story could’ve worked better as a movie instead of a full series.

Still, I’m going to continue watching until the end for review purposes. Hoping the pacing gets better in the later episodes.

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