Reviews

10/10 Worth the Buzz

Both The Scarecrow and the legendary film Memories of Murder draw chilling inspiration from the real-life Hwaseong serial murders of the late 1980s. While the film balanced its tension with dark humor, this series leans heavily into psychological suspense and the deep-seated trauma of its characters.
The show masterfully transforms quiet neighborhoods into landscapes of paranoia, utilizing moody aesthetics and symbolic "watchers" to heighten a sense of lingering dread.
Its immense popularity is already evident, having secured a #1 ranking on the Naver Entertainment Charts in South Korea during its broadcast. By combining a slow-burning mystery with a methodical pace, the series sets a new benchmark for the crime-thriller genre. The Scarecrow stands as a compelling and respectable thriller that captures the same unforgettable unease as the cinematic classics before it.
For those in India, you can watch it on Channel K via Prime Video! New episodes go live right after the Korean broadcast.

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A Strong Start with a Weaker Finish

The series starts off exceptionally well, introducing a large cast of characters and multiple interconnected storylines without ever becoming difficult to follow. One of its biggest strengths is its cast: many of the characters feel distinct, emotionally layered, and genuinely interesting to watch. Combined with strong pacing, a great soundtrack, and consistently engaging relationship dynamics, the show quickly becomes easy to get invested in. The actresses deserve particular praise, as their performances often elevate scenes beyond what is written on the page and help maintain emotional investment throughout the series.

Another major strength is the balance between romance and drama. Emotional conflicts usually feel meaningful, and the series spends considerable time exploring the characters' insecurities, personal growth, and complicated relationships. Several storylines develop in unexpected ways, and some initially questionable plot points later receive enough context to become much more understandable. At its best, the writing creates nuanced character dynamics that feel emotionally authentic and compelling.

However, the series gradually loses some of its narrative strength as it progresses. While the first half is driven by strong character writing and organic development, the later episodes increasingly rely on familiar drama tropes, forced misunderstandings, jealousy plots, and exaggerated conflicts. Some supporting characters remain frustratingly one-dimensional, and several character decisions feel difficult to justify. A few major storylines reach emotionally satisfying destinations, but the journey toward those resolutions can feel rushed, inconsistent, or overly convenient.

The most noticeable issue is that the writing quality declines toward the finale. Certain relationships begin to rely more on repetitive drama than meaningful development, and some resolutions arrive so quickly that they undermine the emotional weight of previous conflicts. While the performances remain strong enough to carry many of these weaker moments, there is a clear difference between the more confident storytelling of the earlier episodes and the increasingly forced drama of the final stretch. It may not fully live up to the potential of its strongest early episodes, but it still delivers an engaging and memorable drama-romance experience.

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Shen Yue and Lan Jie (I want to see you more)

I was really excited to watch this show because it featured several actors and personalities that I enjoy, including Bai Lu Jie, Shen Yue, Lan Jie, Zhisheng, Chen Xiao, and Zelin. Seeing such a promising lineup made me look forward to the show, and I expected to enjoy watching my favorite stars interact and showcase their personalities.

Unfortunately, after watching it, I ended up feeling quite disappointed. One of my biggest frustrations was the lack of screen time given to many of the cast members I was most interested in. I started this show mainly because of these individuals, but it felt like they barely appeared compared to what I had hoped for. Whenever they were on screen, I found myself wanting to see more.

In particular, I was looking forward to seeing more of Chen Xiao. He has a strong presence and charisma that always make him enjoyable to watch, but I felt that the show did not give him enough opportunities to shine. I sincerely hope to see him in future projects where he can have more screen time.

Shen Yue was another highlight for me. She looked absolutely beautiful throughout the show and brought a charming and positive energy whenever she appeared. Even with limited screen time, she managed to leave a lasting impression.

Lan Jie was also amazing. Her presence, personality, and performance stood out, and I found myself wishing that the show had focused more on her as well. The same goes for the other cast members I initially tuned in to watch.

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10/10 IF NOT THE BEST, ONE OF THE BEST STORYTELLING BL OF ALL TIME?

Call it a reach but idk!
We're only six episodes into ThamePo the Series, but I already know this show is something special. Every detail, from the breathtaking cinematography to the way the story unfolds, feels intentional and heartfelt. It's a slow burn, but never once does it feel boring. Instead, it invites you to savor every moment, making each scene more impactful than the last.
I love how the show dives into the other side of an idol's life-the sacrifices, the struggles, and the parts of their world we don't often see. It adds so much depth to the narrative and makes the story feel grounded and real.
And can we talk about Po's character? Finally, a gay character who isn't boxed into a stereotype! He's not clueless about his surroundings or feelings - he's sharp, self-aware, and fully realized. And the dynamic between Thame and Po? It's exactly what I've been waiting for. They break away from the tired trope that one person in a queer couple has to be "the feminine one" and the other "the masculine one." Instead, they beautifully embody both femininity and masculinity, creating a relationship that feels real, balanced, and inspiring.
Of course, the side characters deserve their flowers, too.
They add so much richness to the story, complementing Thame and Po's journey without overshadowing it. And the OST? Perfection.
Now, let's get shady for a second because FINALLY-a BL actor who can actually sing! (You know who you are.)

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FAST Cars ⛔️ Fast Music ⚠️ Fast Past ⚖️ Fast Friendships ♥️ °7.5° VG

Fast goes before the crash.

We're following traffic crime investigators (TCI).
Yes, that's a government agency.
No, no one else has heard of it either.

But the training is dope: They've already beat up a room of gangsters who were, just a moment ago, enjoying some pizza and jajangmyeon. My impression 10 minutes in: It's funny. They have good silliness and great comedic timing. I've been smiling for most of it. All of this before the ep1 opening graphics - which delighted and didn'tdisappoint. In fact, Heo Sung Tae (Squid Game-8.4, Adamas-7.6) seems to be having a blast as Jung “Chae” Man (the viewer can always feel it). No, he's NOT one of the gangsters! He's law enforcement.

C is a 2024 release that is rated 88 on AWiki. It is 1 season consisting of 12 60-minute episodes where we hear lines like: “Arrest them for attempted murder… AND reckless driving!”😅

“What's that smell?” Says one suspect as he enters the building for questioning. They’re back at the station. Their office is a dark cave of low greenish lit government agency depression. Today, however, the station is lively. It's surrounded by a mob scene of reporters!

Nice! “We haven't been interviewed in a long time.”
Whoops.
As our team starts smoothing their hair, they realize the reporters just want to talk to the gangsters.
TCI can't get arrested in this town.

Inside the station, they are questioning perps. Cha Yeon “Ho” is queued up to the desk, wrists cuffed. That’s when Min So “Hui” (Kwak Sun Young from Lobby & Inspector Koo-8.4) learns that Ho isn't part of the criminal gang! An investigator himself, he drops an envelope filled with case documents on her desk - once he's uncuffed. ‘I have uncovered a serial murder case. They're using cars to commit the crimes,’ he informs. He, himself, is a bike rider; he doesn't drive. Oooo. Life just got less boring.

Lee Min Ki plays Ho. His haircut makes his face look wider (a small change of hairdo really changes his appearance). I've seen him in Because This Is My First Life-7.7, My Liberation Diary-8.9, The Beauty Inside-6, & My Liberation Notes-9. Despite his very distinctive look, he still looks differently in every feature. He's relatable. He's a jean-jacketed “cool dad” in What's Wrong with Secretary Kim-6.8, but he's usually a dork - it's his strongest suit. Here, he's a diligent insurance investigator who has stumbled onto crimes worse than fraud.

Two episodes in, I can affirm that this guy is taking a beating. He seems constipated (resoundingly unmovable) and completely flummoxed by human interaction. He doesn't get the point of lies and it wouldn't surprise to hear that he's never had a dirty thought in his life ~~>> Full blown aspergers, it seems. At one point he has to chase a criminal and he's laughably pathetic as a guy who has existed entirely in his own head suddenly being forced into sheer physicality ~~>> The criminal gets away, but he used cleverness to stay in the mix longer than one might have guessed. Hui is kicking his butt daily, um, training him to fight, and those moves will come in handy. We'll learn that he has a trauma in his past that shaped his current behavior. The worst insult to TCI is that he'll now be on their team.

Kang Gi Doong has been in 31 things since 2012. He usually plays a sidekick or little brother, but here, he's Pyo Jong Uk, a spoiled chaebol brat and thug. Baek Hyun Jin (Moving-8.5, The Devil Judge-8.2) is used for a running bit as their police chief. He often plays the narcissistic type and it's more of the same here. He's a completely empty person - full of himself and nothing else. He assumes, since he's achieved this position, that he deserves it and is respected when he's patently phony and quite obviously, to anyone paying attention, a complete buffoon as Namgang Police Chief. “Wow. You guys are incredible. You persevere through anything… like weeds!” This is chief at his most effusive and complimentary 😅. The director is Park Joon Woo (Taxi Driver, Doctor Detective).

By episode 6 it's obvious TCI is overlooked mostly because they never get credit for their work. Other more glamorous teams get the credit for their investigations and arrests due to late hand-offs by the brass who always have a separate (usually selfish) agenda.

The whole concept of the team beating up groups of thugs on a 1:5 ratio (including the tiny women equally kicking butt) is just silly. However, if one can roll with it, it's funny. Heo Sung Tae even takes a shot in the 🏀🏐 (anything for a laugh!). His revenge is glorious.

The Crash theme song rocks while being hilarious at the same time. That takes skill. My spouse (who was clowning it up 90% of the time) had a talent for ruining songs by singing in parody, and he was most effective at skewering heavy metal. The Crash theme song goes right up to the edge of parody, so it brought my hubby to mind, and I cracked up. The song is energetic, it rocks, it wails, and it makes the viewer smile all while still sounding pretty good. It's a fine line and they ROCK it.

The smiles come from the personality clashes and the sheer joy emanating from the actors. The FL's retro sedan somehow looks like a hearse😅. It's quite the suave ride and seems to fill the screen like it's alive every time it skids into the frame. Hui has better control behind the wheel than Jeff Gordon! Lee Min Ki gets many of the laughs playing the most awkward of geeks. His foot chases (he gets a redemption one) are highlights of the show.

The last episode is good! It's a scenery switch and it sets up S2, which is confirmed and expected to crash to earth in the second half of 2026. Crash is a solid rest stop for those looking for a fun watch that isn't dumbed down but is also not too challenging. It is the perfect street cleaner between heavier laps around the entertainment thruway.


QUOTES🗣

A crime is concealed by another crime.

I am relieved that your son takes after you.


IMHO〰🖍

RATINGS 🎬7.5 🖊7.2 🎭7.7 💓5 🦋5 🎨7 🎶7.7 🔚8 🤗6 ▪ LEVELS 🌞5⚡6 😅5 😭4.5 😱4 😬3 🤢5 🤔5 💤0

Shazams: The theme of CRASH by Kyungho Kim makes me smile. Great energy.

Re-📺? Tough call. Not impossible as me doing a 360 and landing perfectly in a parking spot like Hui….

In order of ~lite&trite~ to ~heavy&serious~ you may also like:

⚖Spies, ©🅾🅿§ & Robbers (some w/ a fantasy✨️element)
Mad For Each Other-7.7 ~ silly fun,
Crash-7.5,
Vincenzo-8.2,
Flex X Cop-8.5,
Man to Man-6.7,
Bad and Crazy-8.4,
The King: Eternal Monarch-8.3,
Oh My Ghost-10,
Big Mouth-7.4,
Han River Police-7.1,
Bad and Crazy-8.4,
Inspector Koo-8.4,
Missing: The Other Side-8.3,
A Beautiful Life-7.4,
That Winter, The Wind Blows-7,
Vagabond-8,
Prison Playbook-8.4,
Private Lives-8.1,
The First 1st Responders-7.8,
K2-8,
Tunnel 8.5,
When the Camellia Blooms-8,
Parasyte the Grey-6.9,
Signal-8.6,
The Worst of Evil-7.7
Revenge of Others-8.1,
The Good Detective-8.3,
Sisyphus 8 (give it 2 episodes, ep1 is confusing), The Defected-8.2,
Iris-8,
Awaken-8.7,
D.P.-8.4,
The Man from Nowhere-8.9,
Moving-8.5,
Beyond Evil-7.4,
The Defected-8.2,
Gangnam Bs-Side-7.2,
Flower of Evil 8.9,
Oldboy-9,
A Shop for Killers-8.7,
Black 9,
The Cursed 8.3,
The Wailing-8.8,

Adrenaline
The First 1st Responders-7.8,
The Devil Judge-8.2,
K2-8,
Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber 9-Kung-fu!;
The Worst of Evil-7.7
Moving-8.5
Revenge of Others-8.1,
Oldboy-9,


〰 Hulu Catalog 〰

A Shop for Killers-8.7,
Adamas-7.6,
Big Mouth-7.4,
Blood Free-8.5,
Call It Love-8.4,
Crash-7.5,
Crazy Love-7.8,
The First 1st Responders-7.8,
Flex X Cop-8.5,
Gangnam B-Side-7.2,
The Golden Spoon-8.1,
Han River Police-7.1,
High School Return of a Gangster-7,
Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born-8.5,
The Judge from Hell-4.5
Kiss Sixth Sense-6.8,
The Legend of the Blue Sea-7.2 (this show is marvelous except for taking a quality dip in eps 20-22)
Light Shop-8.6,
Link: Eat, Love, Kill-6.7,
Maestra: Strings of Truth-6.8,
May It Please the Court-7.9,
Melancholia-10,
Moving-8.5,
Pandora: Beneath the Paradise-3.9,
Parasite-9,
Red Swan-8.7,
Revenant-7.4,
Revenge of Others-8.1,
So I Married the Anti Fan-6.8,
Uncle Samsik-8.4,
What's Wrong With Secretary Kim-6.8,
Why Her?-8,
Wonderful World-7.8,
The Worst of Evil-7.7

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Netflix I Love You, Now Add More Just Like This

Saw this on Netflix and decided to give this a quick watch.
Twas not quick at all.
I started a month or so after it finished, but was surprised to see the engagement from the watchers who couldn't let go of the drama... and honestly I get it. There were so many factors that really made this stand out, I hope I can mention all of them.

When I saw the cast was JuJingYi and Joseph Zeng, I knew they'd be great leads as always. Man, was I wrong. But not in the way it seems. There are four main characters, all equally important to the storyline. The first and most interesting part of the characters is their relationship. I thought FOR SURE JJY and JZ would be the main couple but nope. I'm honestly glad they weren't because I can't see it any other way. Our FLs JJY and Chen Du Ling are the most beautiful cunning pair of sisters I have ever seen and their bond is so deep and meaningful in ways you can only understand by watching. The first and main couple imo is JJY and Tian Jia Rui, who I've never really seen as a lead or main character before. HE WAS THE SCENE STEALER. Oh my gosh, do they make you fall in love with him. Like actually. He and JJY are the ultimate cp and I don't remember loving the dynamic of two characters this much. Our second couple is CDL and JZ, and while their story didn't engross me as strongly, their growth was also remarkable. The OST for them is my favorite song of the drama, though the OST just SLAPS. Every song was like a blockbuster movie soundtrack.

There were, undoubtedly several plot "holes" that are so so confusing, but like everyone says, does get explained later on. Also many characters are hard to keep track of. I think it may be worth rewatching to sort of see the hidden details you never noticed before. Just want to say thank you to the comment section for clarifying all the confusing details I had.

I want to see the couples together again <3333

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violento

Di per sé la storia per quanto forte ha un senso nella violenza che purtroppo viviamo nel mondo… ma quello che proprio non comprendo è questi finali a metà che sono inconcludenti e amari . la storia si incentra su problemi legati al l’infanzia dei protagonisti, facendo riflettere su quanto il giustificare un’azione all’inizio alimentata un percorso avvelenato.
Gli attori tutti bravissimi nei ruoli, e le scene particolarmente crude hanno reso il tutto molto forte da vedere. La protagonista ( è l’unica che a quanto pare abbia avuto una conoscenza sana e quella che ho compreso meno… di solito hanno adolescenza ricca di sorriso, facilità certi trattamenti.

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10/10 raw

10/10 raw
Emotions are raw, the chemistry undeniable, and every scene they share feels incredibly natural. It's as if you're not watching actors perform, but rather two real people slowly discovering love in each other. Whether they're exchanging playful banter or sharing a moment of quiet vulnerability, the authenticity in their interactions is something rarely captured on screen with such depth and sincerity.
Ling portrays her character with a calm, grounded presence.
She's reserved, deeply reflective, and carries a quiet strength. Off-screen, Ling seems equally graceful and grateful for every opportunity, every fan, and every step in her journey. In contrast, Orm is the perfect balance to Ling's stillness. She radiates joy, energy, and warmth, a true ball of sunshine. Orm's personality brings a brightness to every scene, and her real-life charm only makes fans love her
more.
Together, they make magic. Their on-screen dynamic is both intense and tender, painting a story that feels authentic and relatable. The love they portray isn't rushed or forced it grows naturally, allowing the audience to feel every step of their journey. You'll laugh with them, cry for them, and root for them with all your heart.

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Great Story, Great Acting

This drama was kind of unique. It had my interest from the very beginning all the way to the end. Nan Chen Xiao (played by Liu Ye) was a young general who had to dress up like a woman. He was pretty much under cover. Liu Ye was a very good character meshed well with the female character, Rui Yu (played by Tan Xiao Fan). Rui Yu was a young woman who dressed up as a male for all of her life. She never played as a girl, as she grew up. Rui Yu was a great minister in the emperor's court and she was a great orator / strategist. The young emperor, Yan Lin (played by Liu Guo Hao) was very likeable. He knew that Nan Chen Xiao was a man dressed up like a woman and he knew that Rui Yu was a woman dressed up like a man. Emperor Yan Lin issued a decree to pair Nan Chen Xiao and Rui Yu in a marriage. This marriage decree drove the two marriage partners crazy, as well as their respective families. Nan Chen Xiao's family could not believe that their son was decreed to marry another man (Rui Yu). Rui Yu's family could not believe that their daughter was decreed to marry another woman. The families had to honor the emperor's marriage decree or risk being destroyed. The marriage took place. It was so hard for the Rui Yu and Nan Chen Xiao. By the way, Nan Chen Xiao was also a young general. When Rui Yu was ordered to go somewhere to be an envoy or in some other capacity, Nan Chen Xiao said that he was going along to accompany his new spouse and to also protect Rui Yu. The emperor's sister, Princess Yan Luo (played by Dai Jia Li), always snuck along almost everywhere. She was a princess that only cared about herself and she kind of got on my nerves. The princess was so bossy and wanted everyone to cater to her. When did Rui Yu find out that her spouse was really a man? Some bad people where trying to kill Rui Yu and they shot an arrow at her; Nan Chen Xiao moved over to block her from being hit and took the arrow to the chest. He grabbed Rui Yu and they jumped off the cliff, landing safely below. Rui Yu helped Nan Chen Xiao to a cave. He told her that the arrow had poison on it and that he was really a man, not a woman. Rui Yu was surprised by happy. She sucked the poison from Nan Chen Xiao's arrow wound and left the cave to get help, after Nan Chen Xiao passed out; he woke up and di d not see Rui Yu so he left the cave to find her. Skip forward and Rui Yu was slashed by a sword while trying to protect her husband Nan Chen Xiao. He carried her to safety and started to tend to her wound when he realized that Rui Yu was not a man, but a woman. He was confused, but probably very relieved. After several other trials and tribulations, the spouses bonded and decided to be a real couple. After the bad guys were dealt with and peace was upon the empire, Rui Yu announced to the minister of the court that she was a woman, not a man. The ministers were shocked, but they wanted her to stay in the court. Nan Chen Xiao was called into court and the ministers found out that he was not a woman, but a male general. Their respective families were really relieved. The emperor already new the identity of the spouses. He later decreed that the would be married as themselves and not undercover.

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Came For the Romance, Stayed for The Queen Dowager

While I was highly anticipating this show for its star-studded main romance, I found myself only moderately invested in the central love line and more captivated by the dark, high-stakes family drama in the palace. The writers definitely left their most compelling storytelling potential on the table.

The Critiques: Where the Writing Stumbled
1. IU’s Character Lacked Relatable Motivation: As a highly successful, wealthy, and independent CEO, Seong Hui-ju already had actual autonomy. Choosing to marry into a hyper-traditional, patriarchal royal system felt like volunteering for golden handcuffs. Instead of an empowering move, it felt like a massive step backward for a modern woman, making it hard to understand what she was actually gaining.

2. A "Too Perfect" Prince with Missing Backstory: Grand Prince Lee Ahn (Byeon Woo-seok) suffered from "Perfect Male Lead Syndrome." Because the early episodes prioritized rom-com aesthetics, we rarely saw his flaws, leaving him feeling overly passive until the plot forced him to act. Furthermore, the show deeply shortchanged his relationship with his late brother. We needed more screen time exploring why the late King felt so suffocated by the puppet masters that he wanted to leave the crown behind.

3. Palace Intrigue Treated Like a Second Thought: The most fascinating dynamics—the psychological war between the Queen Mother and her husband, and the toxic, generational conditioning by her ruthless father—were rushed through in quick flashbacks. Shifting just 20% more focus onto this dark political thriller would have made the show more compelling.

4. The Heartbreaking Treatment of the Boy King: Watching an eight-year-old child constantly crying, isolated, and pushed by his mother to "rule" felt less like palace intrigue and more like severe emotional abuse. In a modern, alternate-reality setting, this was incredibly heavy and exhausting to watch while the adult leads were flitting around in a corporate-merger romance.

The Saving Grace: Why It’s Still Worth the Watch
The absolute best part of the show belonged entirely to Queen Dowager Yoon Yi-rang (Gong Seung-yeon) and her young son.

Yi-rang was a powerhouse character. Her transition from a hardened, desperate political player into a mother who chooses to burn down her own cage to save her son’s sanity was the emotional peak of the series. The scene where she realizes her child overheard the brutal truth was heart breaking.

Watching Lee Ahn finally rise from passivity to actively protecting his nephew was incredibly satisfying. Ultimately, the best part of the final resolution was seeing the whole family finally freed. Too bad we didn't get to see more of that. I'd love to see a prequel drama focusing entirely on the childhood of the two princes, the early marriage of the Queen Mother, and the rising shadow of the Prime Minister's family dynasty.

Final Verdict: Come for the flashy romance, but stay for Gong Seung-yeon's compelling performance and the bittersweet redemption of the royal family.

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Fun but something is off

This is a quirky kind of fun drama, a teen fantasy at its most adorable in many ways but also slightly disturbing and kind of annoying in others.

The leads are fun to watch but I do have a few questions about ethics, the role of the adults (though in my book 18 is not a kid), and do feel that the girls rivalry as well best friends choices and actions kind of ruined a big part of the fun in this.

That said its an easy watch with lots of adorable BL satire... not a bad watch just mind the initial second hand embarrassment and turn off your brain and you will be fine.

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