Reviews

WE NEED SEASON 2 OF THIS MASTERPIECE

Please give us a season 2!!!! Pleaseeee I need it for my soul. ❤️ Also, all viewers please remember to like this show on Netflix so they know the audience loved the series and want season 2.
The Review:
The cinematography and story was so good!!!
The acting was next level. I cried, I felt the tention, I felt the anger, I felt the happiness, I felt the love between the characters.
This is 100% the best acting I have seen in any series this year. Both Liu and Benjamin are just perfectly matched visually and they have insane chemistry. It's impossible not to root for their characters... the romance is more than just surface level.... you see how much they care for each other and how they complete each other. It's a beautiful love story.
I must add Andy Chen who plays Gao Tian is super charming. He's so cute and charismatic.
Please season 2... PLEASE!!!!!

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Easily the best romcom of 2023

I got to the point where all romcoms started to look similar in one way or another. I wanted a breakthrough romcom and LOVE TO HATE YOU was it . I didn’t realise it would be this good as it’s not that hyped. It has top notch comedy and steamy romance that I’ve been missing in kdramas. The tension between the main leads is fire. I was honestly so tired of the childish romcoms and this drama was refreshing as we see adults romance. It was fresh and updated.

The way the main lead couple were opposites yet soo similar to each other. She is a feminist who doesn’t trust men and he doesn’t trust women. Somehow they are comfortable around each other and fall for each other. But the way they fall is soo hilarious.
Kang ho did seemed like a jerk in the beginning but my god he grows on you and damn. He is hot at times and then cute other times. I totally fell for him.
Mi ran girl you rock !! We need more FL characters like her in kdramas.. She is not your typical , conservative, and timid female lead. She is a free spirited, fierce boss lady. Absolutely loved her vibe.
Kang ho and miran together were fireeee. They were quite a perfect pair who could deal one another because they are both competitive and like to win. Loved the tension between them.
Now my most favourite Mr. Do won joon. Man he is hot with his calm and collective personality. Loved the bromance between kang ho and won Jon ?
One of the best Romcom kdrama that i have watched in a while. Had me laughing and blushing like crazy.

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do you get deja vu ooh~

Whether you've seen the 2014 original version or you're coming into this story for the first time, the tension and chemistry between Pun and No is incredible, but be warned you might find the development to be oddly fast.

Background:
Love Sick 2014 was one of the first Thai BL dramas, with censored kisses and an open ending, in 12 episodes they still managed to pull off one of the most intense feelings of longing in a coming of age BL. Season 2 came out with another 36 episodes and was able to give the audience the happy ending we were all waiting for, bur for a lot of people those 48 episodes were too drawn out and had too much side character drama. Skip forward to today, it looks like they're trying to stuff the whole story into a 15 episode remake, and so far they're doing a pretty impressive job.

Story:
Pun and No have known eachother for years, they've been school mates and casual friends for so long, that neither of them expected the surge of emotions that hit them like a wave when circumstances shoved them closer together. The plot is full of complicated situations and feelings, and even though the pace feels a bit rushed, they put full focus on the feelings between Pun and No, so its not too messy.

Actors:
They're young and they're talented, I think they were great picks for this remake. Progress (No) is really channeling Captain in this, there are some moments where it feels like I'm watching the same actor, it's crazy. Almond plays an incredible Pun, and even though White's Pun is hard to beat, Almond is a great actor and he and Progress both easily capture your hearts.

Verdict:
To be honest, I'm a little partial to the original, but I'm a sucker for a slow burn and I love character development in a story, so the abundance of side characters didn't bother me as much. This remake is a really fun watch, it's giving all of the deja vu feels and a fresh new flavor of chemistry from AlmondProgress. This review is based on episodes 1-3 only, I'll update as more come out, but as of now, definitely recommend the watch!

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IT’S OFFICIAL! ZHANG RUOYUN IS MY FAVOURITE ASIAN ACTOR!

I’ve watched “Joy Of Life I and II”, and now, after watching this new drama, it’s only reinforced how much I admire Ruoyun’s talent. He’s an absolute force of nature. Not only does he act brilliantly, but he also has a comedic touch that few actors of his generation possess. The way he balances seriousness with humour is so effortless and natural, which really draws the audience in.

Curious about the top-notch writing and storyline, I looked it up and, to my delight, discovered it’s the same screenwriter behind the two seasons of “Joy Of Life”, a huge hit. The quality is undeniably high, both in terms of professionalism and production value.

As this drama is from 2022, I’m eagerly hoping the Chinese producers follow through on their promise of a second season, because there’s clearly so much more story left to unfold.

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Simple, interesting but quite boring

Love Next Door is a story of a woman who lives the perfect life abroad, being employed by one of the best companies in the world and engaged to an international lawyer. She suddenly returns to Korea. Her mom's friend's son, who is one of her childhood best friends, is a top architect in Korea.

To be honest I was waiting to watch this drama when I heard about the cast of this drama I got excited. Also the story of the drama was rom-com and I like watching rom-com dramas.

When its first episode released my expectations went way up and with the hype of this drama I was getting more excited with the release of the second episode and I didn't like the second episode, the upcoming episodes also got boring and I was thinking that slowly the drama will get better but it didn't.

I honestly expected more from this drama, I found it quite boring, I didn't see the chemistry between the protagonists, the secondary couple has more chemistry than them, I expected a lot more from this drama. While watching the drama I thought about quitting this drama but there were only 2 episodes pending so I thought let's see what happens in the last two episodes.

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I hate to say this, but this series could be one of my top picks of the year. Yet, they decided to finish it without resolving the story.

I was literally screaming, feeling disappointed like Tian was with himself rather than Sheng Wang. I always brace myself when watching Taiwanese BL series, but this is the first time I felt truly terrible. I was about to sleep right after watching the season finale, but they made it very hard for me to close my eyes. I had to take two Advil and watch some porn to finally fall asleep.

I don't really care if a series ends in a sad way, as we're used to seeing in Taiwanese dramas. However, leaving unfinished business is the worst feeling you could give to fans. I wouldn't mind if they were trying to convince us that there’s another season coming, but they still should have wrapped up the show properly.

I love this series, especially with the common theme they explored. I initially questioned why they repeated the "step-siblings" concept again, but as time went on, I fell in love with it more than I ever expected. We don’t really need a side couple—their friendship reached another level compared to any BL series I’ve seen. Even Qi Jia Hao’s character was quite convincing.

But once again, I can never forgive this series for how they wrapped up an entire season with such uncertainty.

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I PRAY, I ASK FOR THE HEAVEN

I have to admit, I was a bit taken aback by the low rating for the final episode of “완벽한 가족”. I’m not sure what people were expecting from the conclusion, especially since the pacing and plot development seemed like they could’ve fit better in a film rather than a full-length drama series.

The entire storyline was built around the drama’s theme song, “TO HEAVEN”, beautifully sung by Jukjae. So, I’m going to break down the song verse by verse and connect it with the storyline. This drama deals with themes of isolation, family secrets, and the constant pursuit of a perfect image, while the characters navigate deep emotions and personal struggles.

First Verse:

Lyrics:
“Quietly, loneliness creeps into me
When will this long day ever end?
The sky I saw while walking with heavy steps
Is dark, as if it’s looking into my heart and painting it.”

Analysis:
The first verse speaks to a deep, creeping loneliness. The feeling that the day drags on endlessly suggests ongoing anguish, a sense that the problems and burdens are never-ending. The “dark sky” reflects the emotional state of the person, symbolizing hopelessness and the weight of their internal struggles.

Connection to the Drama:
This verse mirrors the experiences of the main characters, who seem to have the perfect lives on the surface, yet beneath it all, they carry the heavy burden of maintaining appearances. In “완벽한 가족”, there’s a stark contrast between what the characters show to the outside world and how they truly feel. The drama explores how, despite being surrounded by people, especially the protagonist’s parents, they feel a deep loneliness, which is reflected in their expressions and the “heavy steps” of their daily routine. The “dark sky” represents the secrets that haunt the family.

Second Verse:

Lyrics:
“I close my eyes in silence and slowly count to ten
In the moment I open them, I wish it were all a dream
I pray, I pray, to heaven.”

Analysis:
Here, the lyrical voice seems to seek a temporary escape from reality by closing their eyes and hoping that when they open them, it was all just a nightmare. Praying to heaven represents a search for a way out, a desperate hope that the difficulties will magically disappear.

Connection to the Drama:
In the story, the characters often seem to be living in a dream or an illusion of perfection. The mother, who upholds this facade of family happiness, could be seen as someone who’s constantly praying for that illusion to stay intact, dreading the day when the family’s secrets come to light. This wish for everything to “be a dream” reflects the moments when the drama’s characters yearn to escape the tension and stress that weigh heavily on their seemingly perfect lives.

Third Verse:

Lyrics:
“I let out a sigh bigger than my breath
I try to walk back, but I remain in the same place
My wish, finally written in tears
Yes, I want to go back to the beginning.”

Analysis:
This verse expresses frustration. The lyrical voice is stuck in a repetitive cycle, unable to move forward. The melancholy of wanting to “go back to the beginning” suggests a longing to undo choices or fix the mistakes that led to the current situation.

Connection to the Drama:
In the drama, many of the characters, especially the protagonist’s parents, grapple with regret and remorse. They often question whether the choices they made — regarding their careers, family, or hidden secrets — were the right ones. Like the lyrics, they long to “go back to the beginning” to try and rewrite their lives, free from the mistakes and secrets that now haunt them. This desire for a second chance is a recurring theme in the story as they try to face the consequences of their past decisions.

Fourth Verse:

Lyrics:
“Once again, I’m alone, only my shadow remains
In the moment everything collapses, I wish it were someone’s embrace
I pray, I pray, to heaven.”

Analysis:
In this verse, the lyrical voice feels abandoned, left with only their shadow for company. When everything seems to be falling apart, they yearn for the embrace of another, a sign of vulnerability and a desire for emotional connection. Once again, there’s an appeal to heaven, a plea for divine intervention.

Connection to the Drama:
This verse fits perfectly with the storyline of “완벽한 가족”. The breakdown of family relationships and the loneliness of the characters are central themes. As the facade of perfection begins to crumble, each family member desperately seeks comfort in others. However, much like the lyrics, they often find only their own shadows — a metaphor for the emptiness that surrounds them. The desire for an embrace — a genuine and heartfelt connection — is something the characters crave but rarely find, as they’re all trapped in their own illusions and fears. The prayer to heaven symbolizes their last hope that something, or someone, might save this “perfect family” before it falls apart entirely.

This analysis shows how the song “TO HEAVEN” and the storyline of “완벽한 가족” are deeply intertwined, sharing themes of loneliness, frustration, and the search for redemption or comfort. Just as in the song, the characters in the drama are constantly praying — both literally and figuratively — for their lives to be healed from the secrets and pain that weigh them down. They wish they could go back to the beginning, to find solace, and to overcome the emptiness that surrounds them.

In the end, I hope you find my analysis insightful, and I truly wish that everyone can find their own version of the “perfect family” in the best way life can offer.

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This was my first ever kdrama and is still the only one I’ve rewatched to this day. I know CLOY gets a lot of hype, but there is a reason for it!

First off, the love story is epic and very well done. The premise of the show creates the perfect opportunity for a star-crossed lovers story. I love the meet-cute, I love the grumpy-sunshine trope, I love the backstory of their paths having crossed before. Many, many shows have the storyline that the leads have known each other in the past, but I think few have executed it the way that CLOY does. One of the reasons I think it’s so successful is that it’s not a forced storyline of them knowing each other as kids or unknowingly being a part of the same traumatic event, instead it shows the ways their paths have continued to cross against all odds. This aspect of the show had a fated lovers/red thread of destiny aspect to it that I just loved.

Captain Ri is so reserved for most of the show and, yes, he is constantly saving her life, but he also displays his love through such beautiful, little acts of consideration. Se-ri is also such a fantastic female lead. It would have been easy in a show like this to have her solely be the damsel in distress who needs saving from the hero, but she also saved him multiple times. Se-ri was brave and determined, a perfect match for Captain Ri.

Another one of my favorite parts of the show is the found family dynamic she has with all of his friends. Found family is one of the best tropes and CLOY does it so well. Se-ri had her own relationship with each of the soldiers and they all loved her so much by the end of the show. All of these characters added so much needed humor to the story.

I know not everyone does, but I loved secondary couple as well. I wish they’d gotten more time on screen together. The two of them seemed like a perfect match because they both could be pretty morally grey but had such a soft spot for each other.

I love the majority of this drama but there are a couple things that keep it from being a 10 for me. The first is that I really wish the main couple had been more passionate. These two people are living never knowing when they’ll be pulled apart forever and understanding that when that happens, they’ll never see each other again, and you’re telling me that they barely touch each other?! Yeah, right. There are also several plot lines that the show spends way too much time on, which makes the episodes a lot longer than they needed to be. Dan’s mom and uncle had too much screen time, as did Se-ri’s brothers. Se-ri’s family dynamics were very confusing, especially with her dad.

Even with my minor complaints, I would still recommend just about everyone to watch this show. This is a fantastic starter drama as well and it introduces you to a lot of the most beloved tropes. CLOY was unforgettable to me.

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Dragged out story

I started reading the manhua recently but it is still ongoing, then found out that it has a c-drama adaptation so I jumped into watching it immediately.
This drama could have ended at 20 episodes if only they lessened the time allotted to finance stuff that nobody really cares about (I skipped most of this scenes). It is truly a wasted potential to see both amazing actors paired but have a complicated characters. The female lead is smart career wise but makes really poor decisions when it comes to romance. Still can't believe that she writes good headlines and talk professionally to different businessmen but can't even make a proper apology to the male lead. I think it took almost 5 episodes just for them to reconcile, which should have just taken one episode instead if ONLY they learned to properly communicate *sighs*. 36 episodes is too dragging, they could have already started their relationship early if those COUNTLESS phone call interruptions didn't happen.
This is my first time watching Bai Lu and I am now in love with her.

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C-dramaland is really underwhelming this year

The acting was a joke (the FL, her mother ..etc i can't stand their acting), even if i usually like the ML (not in this drama obviously!) i just couldn't get into his character.

The production was very very poor, like how come the dogs have a collar !? at that time??? if your are making a period drama , please do make a period drama. Didn't the bodies the FL examinated stink ? then why wasn't she hinting at it, acting like those were fresh bodies....I mean make it make sense PLEASE!

After going painfully through 5 episodes, i gracefully decided to show myself some mercy and quit watching this show.

I don't recommend it.

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