Reviews

A Perfect Blend

The Wonderfools is such a warm and enjoyable drama with the perfect mix of mystery, comedy, emotion, and nostalgic vibes. Park Eun-bin was incredible as always, and Cha Eun-woo honestly surprised me the most. His acting has improved so much. he felt more natural, expressive, and emotionally connected to his character. The chemistry between both leads was beautiful and made every scene more enjoyable to watch. And of course, Cha Eun-woo looked effortlessly cute and insanely handsome in every episode. Definitely one of the most memorable K-dramas for me this year Just because of Cha eun woo.

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it was rlly wonder of Fools in it ??

Wonderfools it's a refreshing K-drama that mixes mystery, comedy, and emotional moments really well. The story feels unique, and the characters had unique roles because of their natural chemistry and realistic emotions. What makes the drama stand out is how it balances fun scenes with deeper messages about friendship, struggles, and hope. The cinematography and soundtrack also add a warm vibe that keeps viewers engaged. Some episodes may feel slightly slow, but the strong performances and interesting plot twists make up for it. Overall, Wonderfools is an entertaining and heartfelt drama that feels both comforting and exciting, making it worth watching for K-drama fans who enjoy emotional yet fun storytelling.

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More Emotional, Hotter bodies, Fewer hookups

Season 2 of “Only Friends” gives us more plot, like real plot (and not just face cards and shirtless hot bodies), but less sexiness compared to the first season. Is that a good or bad thing, that depends on what you are looking for.

“Dream On” has an excellent cast who can act (well, most of them). It explores more emotions, friendships and relationships, and fewer non-fixed pairing hookups. This is actually quite disappointing because you know who is going to end up with who, and there are no surprises, even with the appearance of shit stirrer, Boston. The lack of Boston and the chaos he brings are an injustice to those of us who like him very much in season 1. He’s a shit stirrer for sure, but at least he never tries to hide who he truly is.

Acting wise, Mix is my MVP. His character is chaotic, but real, charming but layered. Mix performed really well showing Dean’s changing emotions, even with subtle facial expressions. Despite Joss being so smoking hot, I have to say his acting is the worst of the 6 main leads. Granted, he was so much better than in “My Golden Blood”, but his frowning continues to make frequent appearances. Having said that, each pairing has excellent chemistry thus, even if the acting is not up to par, you can clearly see the actors know each other well and enjoy working together. When romance is front and center, having great chemistry is important to demonstrate all the sexual tension, jealousy, longing and seduction.

The pairings:

Dean + Jack
Dean deserves someone way better than the uber manipulative and selfish Jack. I was rooting for Dean to not end up with Jack in the end. Jack always has an upper hand in their relationship, when things are going well or not. Additionally, I get annoyed with Jack pushing up his glasses every few seconds. I know I am not going to get the ending that I want with this pair, but that’s OK. In life, there are lovers just like them.

Rome + Raffy
Something about playing Rome that makes Aou super sexy in this drama. I have never found him attractive until now. From the first moment Rome tries to seduce Raffy, to him being a dedicated non-backup, Rome has my heart. Similar to Dean, I also think Rome deserves someone better than that spoiled child. I don’t think Raffy grovels and suffers enough towards the end to deserve Rome.

Tua + Arnold
At least we get a cute and sweet pairing, after two toxic relationships. Their friends-to-lovers journey is a breath of fresh air especially when they both really seem like great guys. But this pair also has the weakest acting amongst the 6 main leads. Also, what is up with Tua’s stylist? How can a costume designer wear ugly shorts, white socks and black shoes all the time?

“Dream On” also tries to bring back characters from season 1 for different guest appearances. They are welcoming, though don’t always make sense and at times under-utilized. I realize I actually don’t miss most of them. With the ending of Season 2, doesn’t it mean Season 3 is in the works? Is GMMTV going to bring all the ships into this “Only Friends” series?

*edit*
I thought about my rating and lowered it to a solid 8.0 instead of 8.25. My love of Mix’s acting, Aou, the all-around somewhat decent acting and sexy hot bodies from Earth and Joss prompted me to give “Only Friends: Dream On” an 8. I am stingier and more critical than 3 years ago.


Completed: 5/16/2026 Review #688

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"You have made your bed, now lie in it."

Back to the Origin is a 40-episode drama available on iQIYI that dives into the world of influencers, digital agencies, the real price of ambition and what that means for your ordinary life.
The premise is already interesting: Zhang Ran quits her simple overseas job as an international buyer to accept a very lucrative offer from an MCN in China, the kind of company that manages content creators, and pulls her husband into the influencer world with her, facing misunderstandings, fame, and unrealistic expectations.
As the story moves forward, you realize this series is not about shocking plot twists or over-the-top events, it is about people. The script lets the characters feel human instead of turning them into stereotypes, and there are no magical surprises, only the consequences of small everyday decisions. It is "literally" about reaping what you sow.

At the beginning, the main couple feels like the kind of partnership that supports each other through hard times, but once they enter the world of digital fame, their personas slowly replace who they really are. The socialite persona is fake, the personal shopper persona is fake, his job as a chemistry PhD becomes a facade, his degree starts being used like an empty symbol, and internet celebrities in general feel fake. The protagonists basically trip over the same stone twice in two different countries, and the more they try to fix their lives, the worse everything gets, showing that the idea of starting over is often just self-deception, pride, and the human tendency to run away from reality when it becomes too hard.

The second couple’s relationship also starts showing cracks as the series progresses. They seem harmonious, but they want completely different things from life. She dreams of comfort and stability while he wants recognition and success. Even though they love each other, their values about work, family, and the future are incompatible. She stayed with him because she once wanted the life he had, while he always wanted the life she had, and that mismatch eventually comes at a high cost.

In the end, the series delivers a very realistic and harsh message. The characters never understood the essence of their failures. They only remembered how they failed, not why, and that is why they repeated the same mistakes.

There is also a younger group of characters that works as a contrast to the two couples. They make mistakes too, but they have time, support, and the willingness to learn. The two storylines barely connect, which feels intentional because the show wants to highlight the difference between repeating patterns and breaking the cycle.

By the end, you realize that for ordinary people, every decision has the potential to make life better or worse. That is exactly what makes this story so intriguing. It does not try to comfort the audience, it simply shows life as it is, both melancholic and satisfying at the same time.

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And the Oscar goes to....

Many say Season 2 is better than Season 1... But I disagree. It was different, less toxic but more bitchy.

We have a couple Jack & Dean which overshadowed anyone and we have one actor who did overshadow all of others: Mix. This was a role written for him and it pays off. He is the overwhelming star of this show and everyone else looks pale compared to him. We have Rome & Raffy and they are decent but nothing which made me gasp. And finally we have a couple with Arnold and Tua and they are misplaced. The do not fit in this series, they look out of place and I could not give a rat's ass about them.

Then we got Boston back for about three episodes, herding a couple together which is so against his nature when you have seen Season 1. We also got Nick aka Mark back to reconcile with Boston, so there are no bad feelings anymore. Mark did that beautifully, as expected. Of course TopMew are back for a bit and SandRay to give fans a sense of continuity. Nothing this series really needed but I consider it a fanservice.

Of course we have two "villains", first Raffy chasing Jack and not be very successful with it and Pete who wants to get Rome but Rome has already decided that Raffy is the man for him. Pete gets even worse when he took money from the theater production and caused harm to JackDean & ArnoldTua by releasing a bit of a video which gives viewers a wrong impression. While Raffy confronts Pete in the episode before the final, as in usual GMMTV tradition we don't know what happened to him and this scene was also not emotional enough. I would have thought he would be gone after he took the money, but no all the others are too forgiving and kept him in the theater production.

Also in typical GMMTV tradition everything must be a happy end. Jack & Dean seperating would have been the perfect ending for this season. They could have done a special to get them together again, but no, it had to be done in the final epsiode. As usual the script is lacking and the direction is "wobbly".

Regardless this series was for the most parts entertaining, but my quite high rating is only because of Mix. This is quite the same as with the first season where Mark left a lasting impression. Those two can act in a big variety and there are only a few other actors who can reach them. So for a GMMTV production this was good. For a thai BLs it was better than most. But the script quality was all over the place ranging from stupid to very good in the whole series.

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promising start that devolved into terrible communication

Overall: I thought I had found an obsessed ML I could vibe with, but the series is lost me with neither lead able to talk to the other for many episodes. 10 episodes about 40 minutes each. Aired on YouTube

Content Warnings: past violence & blood, coercion, near suicide, kidnapping, violence, non con kissing/touching, mental health struggles, beginning sexual assault, manhandling

Watch Suggestions
- at whatever point you start to lose interest skip to episode 10 15:55 minutes and watch until the end

What I Liked
- visuals
- the initial set up of an obsessed ML
- the brother relationship

Room For Improvement
- I've heard from several people that this is plagiarism of Jinx. Instead of boxing it's tennis, instead of a grandma it's a brother but the plot is practically identical including some dialogues. The production either needs to say they bought the rights to Jinx or they should have written their own story.
- characters were continuously stupid and refused to communicate, a 1 minute conversation would have cleared everything up
- characters went hot and cold
- choppy at times

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A Journey Beyond Romance : Disappointed Reviews Miss the Realism of this Masterpiece

Key points:
- Themes of friendship, hardships and societal pressure
- A deeper bond than lust and simple romance
- Impactful and moving storyline

* Most importantly, I highly recommend this series who wants to feel moved and grounded. Please do not let all negative comments alter your own evaluation of the TV show. You shall end up devouring this series while tears pouring out till the after the end. *

This series reveals the core foundation defining the themes of friendship, hardships and societal pressure. Through the characters’ relationships—queer and family related—that may appear unconventional from the societal norms, the term “soul mate” is defined as a bond that reaches a deep understanding that goes beyond linguistic communication.

The disappointed comments do not objectively portray the series’ worth. While I was also expecting a BL series from an honest point of view, the series show cases that love can go further than the lust and romance. I understand that many, me included, were expecting this TV show to be a Boys Love series with hot chemistry and love trope as seen in many previous Korean and Japanese gay romance tv shows. What brought some to be disappointed is the trailer and summary of the show that portrayed a different main idea.

However, the screenwriter and director successfully moves the audience through an impactful storyline. It is solid, moving and realistic to the context we live in today. The characters are well portrayed and support the main message; it is inevitable to attach yourself to them. While feelings of frustration and grief remain at the end of the watching, each event felt purposefully placed in this story line, completing the puzzle pieces together to form the whole of the message.

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peak

Review of The Wonderfools

The Wonderfools is a refreshing blend of comedy, fantasy, mystery, and action that brings a unique flavor to the superhero genre. Unlike typical superhero stories filled with highly trained heroes and massive battles, this Korean drama focuses on ordinary people who suddenly gain extraordinary powers. The result is an entertaining and emotional story that keeps viewers interested from beginning to end.

One of the strongest parts of The Wonderfools is its creative storyline. The series introduces a group of normal individuals living simple lives before unexpected events change everything. Each character reacts differently to their new abilities, which creates both humorous and emotional moments. Instead of becoming perfect heroes overnight, they struggle with fear, confusion, and responsibility. This realistic approach makes the characters relatable and human.

The acting performances are another major highlight. The cast brings strong energy and chemistry to the screen. The lead characters successfully balance comedy and emotional depth, making the audience care about their personal journeys. Even side characters contribute meaningfully to the story, adding humor, tension, and warmth. The natural interactions between the characters make the group dynamic feel believable and enjoyable.

Visually, the series is colorful and energetic. The cinematography captures the busy atmosphere of the town while also presenting action scenes in a stylish way. The special effects are not overly dramatic, but they work well within the tone of the series. Rather than focusing only on visual spectacle, the show pays attention to storytelling and character development. This balance helps the drama stand out from many modern fantasy series.

Another impressive aspect is the mix of genres. The Wonderfools combines comedy, suspense, and emotional drama smoothly. One moment may make viewers laugh, while the next introduces mystery or heartfelt emotion. This changing tone keeps the show exciting and prevents it from becoming repetitive. The humor feels natural instead of forced, which adds charm to the overall experience.

The series also explores deeper themes beneath its lighthearted surface. It talks about friendship, teamwork, responsibility, and the idea that ordinary people can make a difference. The characters learn that true strength does not come only from superpowers but also from trust, courage, and compassion. These messages give the show emotional value beyond simple entertainment.

However, the drama is not completely perfect. Some episodes may feel slightly slow, especially when focusing heavily on side stories. A few plot developments can also seem predictable for experienced viewers of fantasy dramas. Despite these minor weaknesses, the overall entertainment value remains high because of the engaging characters and creative storytelling.

In conclusion, The Wonderfools is a fun and heartfelt Korean series that offers a fresh take on superheroes and ordinary life. With strong performances, an entertaining plot, humor, and emotional depth, the show successfully delivers both excitement and meaningful moments. It is a great choice for viewers who enjoy fantasy dramas with comedy and strong character relationships. The Wonderfools proves that even imperfect people can become heroes in their own unique way.

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Need to drop some positivity

oh boy the reviews are attrocious, and while I accept not everyone is going to like everything, I get the sense that people are nit picking over everything. In the beginning I felt the drama was too overly orchestrated. It felt stilted and the way IU was acting her character was such a turn off. But there has been so much development especially for her. The baddies are coming out of the woodwork amd the budget spend clearly has been impressive. I came here to defend this drama because I am tired of dramas never being able to please anyone these days. The pulling apart is equally present on all the pages of the top dramas right now. So what if you’ve seen it before. So what if it doesn’t feel original (which actually is this drama’s biggest plus). Grow up. They are just dramas at the end of the day. Stop analyzing every little detail. Stop over expecting. Part of the problem is the actors and the hype for these shows leave people with higher expectations than a show can deliver. You bet I’ve gone back and rewatched some of these actors other shows that were 10/10 initially because it was unexpected, came out of nowhere. They had nothing to prove, and they aren’t as great multiple times later. It’s the way it is.

Enjoy these shows for what they are, a bit of entertainment, and stop expecting them to be something they never can be. Deal with your own expectations first and calm down.

Have thoroughly enjoyed this as it’s progressed and sad it’s almost over.

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Marvel-esque superhero comedy with Korean twist

Prefacing that i binge watched this cause i was pretty sure i wouldn't come back to it if i didn't just out right watch everything at once.

I'm pretty sceptical of superhero stories in general but this had good cast and it sounded very funny from eveything i saw. It definitely delivered at some parts and failed at some.

Positives
- Park Eun Bin delivered, she was superb as always and one of the main reasons i continued to watch it in first place.
- Duo of comedic relief characters acted by Choi Dae Hoon and Im Sung Jae were good too, they brought up the comedy up multiple levels.
- All in all, this was good comedy and i enjoyed the comedy very much.

Negatives
- The whole superhero story is very reminiscent of the mutant storyline from Marvel, and i don't think Marvel does it well and neither does this. Powers are scaled by the moment, not by actual writing and i hate it about superhero slop in general.
- The serious story was very predictable overall and i think this could've worked more if it was full on comedy rather than try the marvel route of superhero comedy action.
- As the serious story was a meh, it inevitably means that the villains are too, they were okayish to forgettable.

Conclusion
It was decent watch for it's comedic parts and for Park Eun Bin showcase of acting but fell flat on the serious parts. I wouldn't have watched this without her doing superb job and it was pleasure to see. If you like comedy and marvel-esque superhero story, i'd say must watch otherwise it is okay one time watch for most people.

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A Ten-Year Journey to the Center of the Soul

With Soul Mate, Netflix delivers a proposal that defies the conventional labels of its genre. Starring a charismatic Ok Taec-yeon and an introspective Hayato Isomura, the series steps away from the fireworks of adolescent romance to submerge us in a mature narrative about human connection in its purest state.

Unlike other productions that seek immediate impact through physical scenes, this work is built on silences, glances, and unconditional support. While it walks the fine line between a high-intensity bromance and a BL drama, the series chooses to focus on:

How one person’s pain finds refuge in another.
A respectful treatment of the scars of the past.
The powerful message that bloodlines do not define a home; a family can be built far from traditional stereotypes.

The story is in no rush. We accompany the protagonists over the course of a decade, traversing urban landscapes that reflect their emotional states: from the cold introspection of Berlin to the vibrant yet lonely rhythms of Seoul and Tokyo. This international setting, combined with a deliberate pace, allows the viewer to feel the weight of time and the genuine evolution of their bond.

If you are looking for a "love at first sight" story with a frantic pace, you might find it slow. However, if you are looking for a work that explores what it truly means to "find your other half" without the need for labels or gimmicks, this drama will move you.

Key Strengths:
Masterful Performances. The chemistry between Taec-yeon and Isomura is organic and heart-wrenching.
Emotional Focus. Prioritizes mental health and personal growth.
Immersive Visuals. Beautiful cinematography across three major global cities.

Things to Consider:
Slow Burn. The narrative takes its time, which may feel sluggish to some viewers.
Lack of Explicit Romance. The connection is spiritual and deep, rather than physical.
Melancholic Tone. This is a series for reflection and, quite possibly, a few tears.

In conclusion: Soul Mate is an ode to relationships that require neither names nor definitions. It is a slow, aesthetically stunning, and deeply emotive drama that redefines what it means to be a family in the 21st century. A brave production that proves the greatest love is the one that helps us heal.

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messy and realistic

honestly, only started watching for aouboom and only stayed for aouboom. they ATE IT UP as romeraffy. this role was literally MADE for them. cant get enough of aou with the nose ring and booms diva style throughout the series.


it's not like earthmix and jossgawin didn't do well, i just think there was something about romeraffys story that kept me (and honestly most of the other viewers) hooked.

ive seen earthmix in moonlight chicken and i loved them, as for jossgawin, im hoping to see better works as main characters (because my golden blood was a mess). but I've seen their individual works in several series' and i know these men can ACT really good!

jackdean were messy, unpredictable, sometimes (a lot of times) toxic and dare I say, jack is the biggest red flag in the series, but thats a conversation for another day. the plot was missing something sometimes but earthmix still performed incredibly.

arnoldtua were the cutest, friends to lovers tropes will never fail! tua is such a cutie, i was smiling everytime I saw him on screen. i wish there was more depth to their story considering this is ONLY FRIENDS, it could've been messier but thats just my opinion.

once again, romeraffy, i can go on about them for days. they were freaky, cute, scandalous and sometimes a little stupid, but goddamn they kept me hooked, i would wait for each episode to drop and lowkey just pay attention to their parts. their introduction was crazy enough, the car scene, the SWIMMING POOL?? and they even ended their story by recreating how they met. they will be one of my most memorable aouboom characters for sure. they kept me SITTING IN MY CHAIR and GIGGLING at their freaky scenes the whole time, reminded me of how i only watched season one for sandray.

raffy is honestly my favourite, he's just so relatable, I LOVE HIM.

i also love how we saw the first season relationships evolved, sandray MY CUTIES, everytime they were on screen, ID HOLD BACK A YELL. topmew, finally having a good and loving relationship with no boston meddling in between.
and of course, boston, our sweet, green flag boston (he's changed so much but also not at the same time hahahahha). i loved the boston and nick conversation because that is EXACTLY the closure both of them needed to move on. i mean nick already moved on, but i think that convo was very important for the end of their story, im so happy nick found someone who loves him and doesn't treat him like boston does. maybe one day boston will stop being the greenest flag in the world (sarcasm) and find and love a man without breaking his heart. or maybe not, maybe boston should just stay alone (that'd be good for everyone's sanity 😭😭😭😭😭)



if you love messy relationships, fighting, divas (raffy and dean) and just drama ABSOLUTE drama. then only friends and only friends dream on should definitely be on your list <3


(I'll miss romeraffy 💔💔)

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???????????????

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Enjoyable

If Only Friends: Dream On only existed to showcase how insanely talented Mix is as an actor, then honestly, it was already worth making.

That one-shot scene from the bathroom to the stage? Absolutely incredible. Easily one of the standout moments of the entire series. I also really loved Boston and Nick’s scene, which hit surprisingly hard emotionally and wrapped up their storyline from the original series well. Overall, the acting across the cast was genuinely strong, especially from Mix, Boom, and Earth.

But that’s also kind of where my praise stops.

I don’t think this is a bad series at all. In fact, it’s still entertaining and easy to binge. But there’s just something missing that keeps it from fully landing for me emotionally. Maybe my expectations were simply too high after the original Only Friends, or maybe the series never fully reached the emotional depth and intensity it felt like it was building toward.

I can’t fully explain it, but by the end, I was left feeling more impressed by individual performances and scenes than by the story as a whole.

Still, I’d definitely recommend it to people who are curious. It’s an enjoyable watch, and the cast alone makes it worth checking out.

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