Reviews

Rebirth? Try Re-Mess. 40 episodes. All watched. None forgiven.

I watched all forty episodes of Rebirth so you don't have to. You're welcome. Send help.

I came in loyal. I left bewildered. Rebirth promised to be the sequel Princess Agents fans had been waiting years for and instead delivered something so baffling it felt like a different show that accidentally borrowed the character names.

Let's start with the obvious: zero chemistry between the leads. Zero. The male lead gave it his all genuinely, the man was doing his best but when the romantic tension between your leads could be measured in negative numbers, even great acting can't save the ship. They looked like polite colleagues at a costume gala, not two people the story expects you to root for across forty episodes.

And the female lead. Bless her, she tried. But the writing handed her a character so determined to make the worst possible decision at every single fork in the road that I found myself physically talking to my screen. No. No, don't go in there. Oh, she went in there. Irrational choices can work in drama when the emotion behind them makes sense here they just felt like the script needed to stretch another three episodes.

Speaking of which: the pacing. Choppy doesn't cover it. Episodes lurched between flashbacks and present-day scenes with the smooth flow of a trolley with three broken wheels. By episode fifteen I'd lost the thread entirely, and by episode thirty I'd accepted that the thread was never coming back. Whole subplots appeared, made ominous promises, and quietly dissolved into nothing. The "Princess" secondary character spent most of her screen time being relentlessly toxic fine if there's payoff, not fine when there isn't.

Imagine expecting a luxurious feast and getting handed a sandwich that's somehow also on fire and structurally unsound.
What did work? The two saving graces? The costumes and the acting. The wardrobe is historically accurate, regionally precise, genuinely good someone was clearly pouring their soul into every stitch while the writers freestyled on a deadline. And the cast? Doing God's work with catastrophically bad material. Both deserved a far better show to live in. The visuals and sets were beautiful. And the male lead, separated entirely from the romantic storyline, had moments of real magnetism. He deserved better material. The entire cast did.

The ending? Both leads die. We watched forty episodes of messy, incoherent plotting for a conclusion that can be summarised as "everyone loses." I respect a brave ending in principle. I do not respect this one, because the journey to get there made no sense either.

Verdict: Beautiful to look at. Painful to follow. Watch Princess Agents, read the novel, and let Rebirth remain in whatever ashes it chose to end in. It's right there in the title, really it burned itself down.

Was this review helpful? 👍 Maybe not for you but for me it was cathartic to write

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A free app that comes with a deadly cost

A drama revolving around themes common to growing-up teenagers: love, hate, drama, betrayal, and of course the involvement of social media and the immediate subsequences. Meanwhile, the app, called Girigo and initially only created for a school project, grants everyone a wish, but demands the users life within 24 hours. It captures the ambigious effect of the phone and its app's integrated into it. These serve as a quick satisfaction for its user but fades as quickly within its transcience existence as an entertaining reality. Consequently, the app articulates a warning message: to not indulge in short-term pleasure and hasty decisions. As such, the drama gets it quite right and loads the phone with the proper signifiers: realities shifted into social media, exposure through phones, swift fullfilment aided by apps. However, these seemingly positive aspects share the common consequences which engender hatred, violence and mobbing.

From a narrative perspective, the app and the message it conveys are therefore entirely compelling. However, one key aspect that the drama simply overlooks is the world-building. The world feels cut off, and all the actions feel isolated. Generally speaking, the events seem to lack consistency and appropriate detail: were the school or the girls from the past not investigated, and has everything remained untouched between their suicide and the moment when the teenagers from the present solve the mystery? A huge leap on the part of the creators, in which the police, parents, school staff and people in general do not seem to act in accordance with the events happening around them and affecting them. Only the main characters take action, whilst the rest continue as if nothing has happened

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absolute masterpiece but can be quite annoying

i loved the whole series it had such great thriller it kept me on my toes the whole time, i literally watched this series from day till night to know how the plot unfolds. it was so frustrating to use my brain and think about who did what
when i was watching the series i thought of a lot of things i would say here like "this character was so annoying i could not stand them" "how did they think of this plot it makes no sense" "why did they add that part it has no explanation" but i like how everything was well explained in the end. still, idk if it is because i watched the whole series almost in one sitting or not but the ending did not satisfy me. the one thing that goes way against my morals is the antagonists killed people who had nothing wrong in their whole life. i can understand they were tortured and thus have a very sad past but still not an excuse.
good one i had more hopes cuz i saw huge hype or twt and mdl

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Art, Failure, and the Small Death of Other People’s Success

We Are All Trying Here is one of the best K-dramas I’ve seen in a long time. Not because it’s “important” or relentlessly realistic, but because it feels so alive and so aware of itself at the same time.

The acting is incredible across the board, but especially Dong-man. It’s one of those performances where after a while it stops feeling like acting at all. He never drops character for even a second. There’s no visible effort, no actorly “look how damaged and chaotic I am” energy. He just completely inhabits the role. And considering how difficult the character is — funny, pathetic, intelligent, cruel, charismatic, self-deluding, deeply wounded — it would have been so easy to tip into caricature. But he never does. Dong-man always feels like a real person rather than a type.

The female lead is equally good. She feels fully real in herself rather than just existing to soften or redeem him. Even small reactions and silences in this drama feel inhabited.

It’s also beautifully shot, but in a very self-aware way. The drama constantly points at cinematic language while using it — the strident guitar cue, the “heroine takes control of her life” moment, the artistic suffering, the dramatic framing — and then fully commits to it anyway. It almost feels like a drama about dramas sometimes, or filmmaking talking about filmmaking while it’s happening. It absolutely knows how good it is.

Normally that kind of thing would annoy me or create distance, but here it somehow works because the self-awareness becomes part of the pleasure. We’re engaged rather than fully immersed. The drama stands slightly outside itself, watching itself perform, while still managing to move me emotionally.

Some people will probably call it bleak because the themes are harsh: abandonment, suicide, alienation, shame, failure, loneliness. But it never feels completely heavy to me. Partly because of the humour, partly because of the self-awareness, but mostly because there’s something fundamentally redemptive underneath it all.

There are really two redemptive movements happening throughout the story. One is potential slowly ripening — potential in talent, creativity, relationships, forgiveness, growth. The drama is very interested in the possibility that people can still become more than the worst thing they’ve done or the life they currently seem trapped inside.

The other is recognition. People slowly start understanding themselves more clearly. Motivations get named. Defences get exposed. Characters are constantly acting and reflecting at the same time. The drama understands how much cruelty comes from fear, humiliation and hurt rather than simple evil. People become monstrous one moment and deeply sympathetic the next.

It’s also one of the sharpest portrayals of jealousy I’ve seen. Not cartoon jealousy, but the painful ordinary kind — the small part of us that wants our friends to succeed, but not quite more than us. The film industry becomes a perfect setting for this because success is so unstable and comparative. People love each other, admire each other, resent each other and compete with each other all at once.

That’s probably what I find most moving about it. Nobody is flattened into hero or villain. Everyone is trying, failing, hurting each other, performing versions of themselves, wanting to be seen, and still reaching toward connection anyway.

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This is why Scriptwriting and Editing is important.

The series had potential, if only the scriptwriters and editors did their job right.

The story was mid but it could've been salvaged through good writing and editing. The actors did their job, you can tell that if they were given good scripts and directing, the delivery and scenes would've been perfect.

I'm so serious about complaining that the editing sucks because WTH was those fight scenes??? As a viewer you can feel its so off, like it didnt feel intense at all. BounPrem's first kiss had no thrill and intensity at all, like "thats it?" editors could've done so much more to make us feel the tension, but not- they literally just went and done it like a beginners type assignment !!

BounPrem in GMM is such as big leap to their career, it saddens me that their first series in the company is low rated. Its not bad but its also not good. Hopefully next time they quality check their works because what an actual waste of potential this is.

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A Chaotic Comedy That Turns Madness Into Pure Entertainment

Pegasus Market is one of the most bizarre, hilarious, and unexpectedly heart warming dramas I’ve watched. What looks like complete chaos at first slowly becomes a uniquely meaningful story about people, loneliness, ambition, and finding purpose in the most unlikely place.

The drama’s biggest charm is its unpredictable humour. Every episode feels completely wild in the best possible way, filled with absurd situations, eccentric characters, and comedy that makes you wonder, “What am I even watching?” — yet somehow you cannot stop watching. The humour is ridiculous, clever, and refreshingly different from typical comedy dramas.

What truly makes *Pegasus Market* special is its unforgettable characters. Each employee brings their own strange personality and emotional depth, creating a workplace that feels chaotic but strangely comforting. Beneath all the madness, the drama quietly explores themes of failure, healing, friendship, and the desire to be valued.

Kim Byung Chul’s performance was especially outstanding, balancing over-the-top comedy with emotional vulnerability so perfectly that his character became both hilarious and surprisingly touching.

Despite its quirky style, the drama carries a warm heart. It reminds viewers that even broken dreams and unconventional people can create something meaningful together.

*Pegasus Market* is not your typical Korean drama — it’s weird, chaotic, emotional, and absolutely unforgettable. A hidden gem for anyone who enjoys unique storytelling and comedy with heart.

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it was so good, until it wasn’t

this was so good! until it decided to be a stupid mess towards the end.

the prmeise was so interesting : a bunch of unexplained ritualistic murders, a person who can see ghosts and a police inspector who does not believe in ghosts.

I love mystery thrillers and serial killer stories. I love also a horror story, when it's done right. however, I often find horror stories not scary enough and they end up being lame to me. so, I had my reservations with this drama being the lame kinda horror. thankfully, that wasn't the case.

the production quality was so much better than I expected, and the horror part was done so well! the make up and special effects were pretty realistic and did not feel cringeworthy. there were quite a few jumpscares that were done well. the mystery was done so well too. up until the revelation, I personally had no idea who the killer might be.

I was so hooked from the beginning. everything was going SO well. until that revelation. it's like the moment they found out who the killer is, they all decided to be collectively stupid.

let me rant, because the last two episodes left me SO mad. yall literally know the identity of the killer, yall literally know who the next victims are gonna be, you literally have so much necessary info, yet you just decide to be a bunch of idiots and let things unfold this way? like wtf??

I understand that we needed to reach a ritual scene in the finale for the sake of the dramatics and whatnot. but did it really have to be done so stupidly? they could've just kept everyone clueless about the killer until the end, would've made this a bit more believable and much less stupid.

overall, this just makes me sad. because i was loving it it so much. it started off as an 8.5 for me, and then i was considering giving it a 9.0. but then it ended up taking such a disappointing turn.
the only reason why i didn’t rate it even lower is because i really liked the first 10 episodes and the production quality.

on a positive note, PoohPavel's visual chemistry was fire! Pooh is literally TeeTee's twin! and Pavel is so damn hot omg😭
acting wise, Pooh's acting didn't feel the best. Pavel's acting throughout the show felt pretty solid, but it could've been better in some scenes.

fun fact, this was my first time seeing these actors (I'm very new to Thai BLs). I knew nothing about them, except that the ship name is PoohPavel. once I started watching, I automatically assumed :

hella muscular, police inspector, even has tattos = Pooh
skinnier, damsel in distress, scared of ghosts = Pavel

it took me reaching ep6 to realize my mistake 😂😂

I will most likely not be watching Pitbabe, but I'll be looking forward to any future projects they have💕

PS. that opening theme song was so beautiful 🥹

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The Quiet Beauty of a Poetic and Soulful Drama

Pursuit of Jade is not just a drama — it is an emotional storm that quietly breaks your heart piece by piece. From the very first episode, the story pulls you into a world filled with longing, pain, sacrifice, and a love. The drama balances romance and heartbreak so naturally that every episode leaves a lasting impression.

What stood out the most was the chemistry between the leads. The storytelling is slow but meaningful, allowing viewers to truly connect with the characters and their struggles.

The cinematography and soundtrack added even more beauty to the experience, creating scenes that felt poetic and emotional at the same time. If you enjoy dramas that are heartfelt, emotional, and deeply character-driven, Pursuit of Jade is definitely worth watching.

A touching drama that stays with you long after the final episode.

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Corny but endearing

The first few episodes of this were intriguing and you can see why this was titled with psychiatrist in it. A somewhat arrogant doctor who scored high in academics with zero failures to heal suddenly experiences a traumatizing first failure which resulted in the death of the patient. He then becomes mentally traumatized himself and is no longer able to practice acupuncture anymore. Then he comes across a clinic within a small village and slowly starts to experience a different way of healing patients in the real world compared to palace life.

Those who live within the clinic are the endearing part of the series. Various individuals who have different traumatic histories who came together under the main owner, a kindhearted and interesting doctor. They bring the series to life with their bonds and quirkiness. But it evolves into more of a case-solving show where it's less about the medical practice and more about finding culprits. This would be interesting if the cases weren't resolved in such a carefree way. As an example, there's such heavy emphasis on the abuse women have to endure from traditional rules but when the mystery is resolved, they all just easily and happily walk away from the families as if the rules/obligations no longer apply. This is unrealistic.

It's hard to describe but because the dialogues and plot are so simplified, it's one of those series that will tug slightly at your heart strings but also one you can easily put down for another day. It's an easy enough watch but nothing really that compels you to move to the next episode. And other than the head owner of the clinic, none of the characters particularly stand out for me. But if you're looking for a more lightweight watch that incorporates some heartwarming stories and a fun team bond, I would recommend giving it a try.

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Solid but not mindblowing

This was pretty solid across the board — interesting characters, a fun supernatural twist, a well-rounded mystery (with actual consequences), but it was still somehow missing the spark that would give it more tension and suspense.

While the mystery is well-written overall, it didn’t necessarily blow my mind and the pacing sometimes felt a bit slow. I also think the flashbacks at the start, while nice and did slowly reveal more about the story, did get a little repetitive and retread the same thing multiple times. The acting is also decent, but having many of Jin-young’s later dramas, it’s clear that he improved a lot since this one.

Still, this was nice watch, with a good mix of mystery and romance.

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Very good watch

This show was genuinely really fun to watch but towards the end it starts getting into weirder territory there’s 24 episodes and as I was finishing up the show I can’t help but think were any of these storylines necessary? I loved the idea but the show sometimes would flip on its values. Like one of the main characters is in a mafia family and he would do bad things but then would be disgusted by others for doing similar things. Pretty much at the end I noticed it because they’d be quick to kill anyone but then a character who is specifically messing with their relationship and has been horrible to them he’s not gonna kill but then he’ll kill (or he’d beat up can’t remember if he really killed anyone) people as a one off thing. (I watched this a while ago so I’m not sure if I’m being so correct.) last thing was that they’d bring up plots and then never address it like they were weird questions that never got answers which just made it seem worse bc why would you bring it up as a plot point to never be discussed and it just made me wonder how if that’s true.

In short story felt a bit incomplete in some ways and felt like they were trying to stretch it out as much as they could and some parts felt inconsistent. Still it was enjoyable honestly I would just watch it up to the part where they get together and stop there after that just seems like such a mind game and just making things up to be problems and bringing up plot points that are genuinely weird and questionable just to never be answered.

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Erika Toda's magnum opus

Just finished the new biopic J-drama on Kazuko Hosoki (Japan’s most famous fortune teller) on Netflix.

In a nutshell, it’s about how a girl rising from the poverty and ruins of post-WW2 Japan develops the hunger, ambition, and eventually the greed to become one of the richest and most influential figures in modern Japan.

I’ve been a long-time fan of Erika Toda ever since her Liar Game days (despite her maybe not being the strongest actress technically — I’ve just always had a soft spot for her lol), so I was honestly in awe when I saw that this biopic would have her portraying the same character all the way into old age.

I’d first like to say this might genuinely be her magnum opus, because the acting she delivers here is easily career-defining. Every stage of Hosoki’s life was portrayed in an absolutely stellar way, filled with deep emotional weight and the complex nuances her character faces throughout each phase of her life.

The story and writing are excellent as well, and the pacing made me binge the entire series in 2 days. (I consume media from everywhere — Western, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Thai etc. — and nowadays it’s honestly rare for a drama to captivate my attention span enough for me to finish it.) The writers weave together a lot of multi-faceted characters alongside very ambiguous and morally complex dilemmas.

The cinematography is excellent too. I remember within the first 20 minutes or so, there’s a scene where Erika Toda lights a cigarette in her limo and lowers the window just enough for the smoke to drift out as she gazes into the city lights and reminisces about her origins. That was the moment I knew this drama was going to be something special.

Overall, an 11/10 for me, and I’d absolutely recommend any J-drama fan to give this a watch.

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That's sad, and the more you reflect on it, the more it hurts.

That's a good series with an important subject, i really appreciate it, but...

Shin is very lovely, and after seeing what happened it may break everyone's heart, also mine. His suffering was so touching, he really portrayed his feelings after everything in an impactful, very vulnerable way (the actor really did pretty good). After that i was devastated and the only thing i could think and wait for was justice for him, and protection, that was everything i wanted right after, however it didn't go that way.

Shin's father and mother are very insensitive, it really lacked emotions on them. How could they let the rapist go away not knowing what could happen with their son? Not knowing if he could appear again from somewhere. How could they listen to what Shin says after being raped? He was eighteen, only eighteen, and they were adults, meant to protect him. After Shin tried suicide, he woke up, and there were them acting as normal, asking if he needs something again. I couldn't help being frustrated, either they were poorly written characters or they were poorly insensitive parents, which would make sense, as Shin said everything in that house was so boring... When someone is that fragile and isn't able to see life without pain, you, friend or parent, should do the best you can to show other sides of life with actions. Boredom and silence will only help the trauma make the victim's head a playground. It's important to act, cause in that way the victim will feel, biologically, in an undeniable way, protected.

Shin had good friends, but in the same way as his parents they also committed mistakes. After Shin tried suicide, they said that it would be better to be with his parents in that moment... like... what??? It doesn't make any sense. As friends they weren't able to know if Shin's parents would really help him, did they not care enough?

What i mean is... he must have been feeling lonely even with people on his side, and that pisses me off.

The Effect isn't well developed, it had a little number of episodes, and with a subject like that, the lack of development is frustrating.

I know i complain a lot, but it isn't a bad series, it's worth watching. I felt a lot of feelings through this, it left an open sore on me, and that's cool. Actually i came here to complain and unleash what was bothering me.

But it's important to talk about the final, that doesn't make any sense, it doesn't even fit the rest of the drama. It simply doesn't make sense, i prefer to pretend it doesn't even exist anymore.

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