Reviews

Watching because of FL and ML

I have loved Chen Zhe Yuan and Wu Jing Yan since Fated Hearts/Hidden Love and The Double respectively. Started watching purely because of leads and will push through.

I do feel that the production value is low and sometimes the scenes seem rather abrupt, not sure if it’s an editing issue or just how the screenplay was written.

Though both ML and FL are good actors, I’m still struggling with their chemistry. Maybe it’s still early in the episodes as Cdramas are all about slow burn but I felt the chemistry between Wu Jing Yan and Wang Xing Yue much earlier in The Double.

Also somewhat disappointed that the ML voice over wasn’t done by him as his voice sounds way better.

Last but not least, the subtitles on Mango TV are absolutely atrocious. ML’s name translates to Hal?? 😓

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Delicious Romance, Engaging Plot and a few very Handsome actors!

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75

Despite a plot that is not that unique, what makes “Payback” special is the chemistry between the characters, the excellent acting performances by Toptap as Jay, and Fuaiz as Sunny, and a well-paced plot that keeps interested and engaged throughout the 10 episodes.

Plot:
A revenge/payback storyline isn’t anything out of the ordinary. There are plenty of dramas seeking revenge from people who stole from you and hurt you. What makes this plot a little more interesting is the sum of the parts - the background history + revenge + entertainment industry + the initial meetings of Jay and Sun. Although revenge is central to the plot, I have to say it feels like Sun’s plan moves rather slowly and Jay’s plan advances rather rapidly. But in between the revenge, there are enough side stories and development to keep the story going. However, if you are looking for one of those dramas with exciting and thriller revenge plots, “Payback” is not that type of drama. There are a few plot holes here and there. It’s hard to imagine Sunny never found out who the ‘new actor’ he wants to sabotage is until much later. The bringing back of 2 characters in the last episode seem somewhat random. The arrest of the villain seems too easy, and not a lot of time was spent on the aftermath of everyone.

Romance
Oh, I love the main romance here. After just finished watching “The Prosecutor’s Proposal”, I can see some similarities between the two. Jay is arrogant and smug, protective and obsessive. He might not have manhandled Sun as Prosecutor Ju in TPP, but it sure does seem like he’s pestering and ‘forcing’ himself into Sun’s life. Sun is smart enough to fight back and stand up for himself, but he chooses not to and, I believe, lets Jay get his way. The interest is there from the very moment they meet at the rooftop. The mutual attraction is definitely there as they keep on running into each other, even if it’s not love at first sight. It takes a “Jay” to break down the walls of this “Sun”. The chemistry is great. The NC scenes are sexy and sensual, and the kisses are passionate and gentle and plain delicious. Even though Min is more petite, he’s just as muscular as TopTap. Their contrast is really nice and complementary. The best part? Jay is still the same arrogant, smug and possessive Jay from beginning to the end. There’s no smitten puppy personality change once he’s in love. The last few episodes deliver just enough spice and tenderness to satisfy my romantic heart.

Acting/Characters
I cannot believe Toptap is only 22 years old and this is his debut drama! What an incredible talent! He is so charismatic and charming, dangerous and devilish. He’s perfectly casted as Jay. Acting opposite him is Min, who has a little more experience under his belt but not much. I am still trying to figure out if his acting is not quite there yet, or if the role of Sun just prevents him from being more expressive. His subtle facial expressions are inconsistent. He’s pretty to look at (after his ugly wigs are off) but if I have to judge by pure acting performance, he’s not as good as Toptap. On the other hand, it’s lovely to see Fuaiz after watching him in “4 Minutes”. Fuaiz is so pretty and he’s perfectly casted as Sunny. I love his smug face and all the shady stuff he is doing. I feel like I am seeing a continuation of his evil side as Tonkla (4 Minutes). The rest of the supporting cast is pretty good as well. Veterans Manager Kajorn and Uncle Jo are both hilarious and brought some comedy to the show. It’s lovely to see Boss guest stars, but I feel like he’s underutilized and wish he had a bigger role and was used as a partner in a potential secondary romance.

Production
Although this might not be a big budget production, at least nothing looks cheap. Min’s ugly wigs could have been less ugly and luckily they disappear after an episode. Toptap looks ridiculously handsome in his suits, especially the very tight vests. I am glad music is used sparingly and not blasted at every single occasion to manipulate how I should feel. This is not a production criticism, but what is up with iQiyi’s English subs. They are not very good. And why would you translate Sun’s name for Jay in his cell phone as “Dummy”?? Dummy?? I used Google translate and it was translated as “Crazy Bastard”. This sounds so much more like Jay!


Despite some minor plot holes and criticisms, I had a fabulous time watching “Payback”. There are a few episodes that are over an hour long, and I think ep 8 was 1.5 hr-long, I never once felt that it was draggy. I am giving this a high 8.75-9.0. The rating might not be super objective and it stems from how much I love the romance in the last 3 episodes. That bumps the rating up for me.



Drama Completed: 8/1/2026 Review #709

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Disappointing Second Half

Love For You started off quite strong. We dove straight into a flashback of how the two characters met as children of 2 single parents. And after a rocky start, both drew closer to each other and were forced to lean on each other in the absence of their parents.

There were many issues that I would have looked past had the second half not tired me out. Here are some of the issues that come to mind. Several spoilers ahead.
- As young adults, both leads were clearly attracted to each other. They finally shared a kiss but then went back to pretending nothing happened. This happens a couple more times.
- The ML eventually pushes the FL to move to a different city. She returns as an adult and they still don't discuss their problems. The same thing repeats, both share a kiss and then it's back to living as though nothing happened. Now the FL is able to koss the ML as if it's nothing, At least as adults, I expected them to communicate better.
- The main frustration starts when the FL is auditing a problematic company that the ML is involved with. This starts around 14th episode or so and continues until ep 29. The story was dragging because of this. I don't think we needed these many episodes. Worse thing is (big spoiler) they quit the audit midway. All that for what?
- I was irritated that the ML continued to work for a problematic company. It was clear he would not be allowed to quit. Still he did more work than the audit team so at least it was still interesting to watch him.
- We saw flashes of the things ML had to do while the FL was in another city but it was never properly shown except in flashes.
- I had to watch the last 8 episodes in 2x because I was tired of the slow moving story.
- The ML was made to rescue the FL way too many times. Having her hang off a low warehouse bridge while he's actively bleeding was a bit much for me.
- Once everything was over, I was hoping to get a decent ending for both. Some distraction free romance but nope. The ending was a let down. In this matter too, the FL had to take the lead.

Strong points.
- The intro theme is just stunning. The music is wonderful!
- The child actors did a great job.
- The story in the first half when both were teen to young adults was interesting.
- The leads have chemistry. It's unfortunate we hardly saw any romance.
- Both leads are a green flag.
- FL is a strong character.

Many people did enjoy the drama. I was just too disappointed for far too many episodes to rate it higher than a 7. And this score is just for the excitement I felt at the start of the show. By the end, I felt like I had been watching a completely different drama.

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Redemption, not revenge.

This series would have been more appropriately titled “Redemption.” While it begins with Min’s relentless pursuit of revenge against the man who betrayed him, it gradually evolves into something much more meaningful. It explores the realization that a life fueled by vengeance is also consumed by anger and hatred. In Min’s case, the greatest act of forgiveness isn’t directed at someone else, it’s forgiving himself so he can finally move forward. In the end, he learns that what truly matters isn’t revenge, but the people who stand beside him.

The series does an excellent job of maintaining both its momentum and narrative consistency from beginning to end. That said, I couldn’t help but feel that ten episodes were simply not enough. Two additional episodes would have allowed for richer character development, particularly the relationship between Sky and the photographer Pakin. Arthur also deserved more depth, especially considering his mother’s pivotal role in building Dream. That aspect of the story felt underexplored. The series also shines a light on the darker side of the entertainment industry. While this isn’t a new theme, it’s an unfortunate reality that has existed for decades, and the show presents it effectively without sensationalizing it.

The acting is top-notch, and much of that credit belongs to the director, who successfully drew out deeply emotional performances from both Toptap and Min. They’re already talented actors, though I still believe both have room to grow in their craft. What truly elevates the series, however, is their chemistry. It is absolutely electric. Their NC-17 scenes are undeniably intense and will send more than a few heart rates into tachycardia. And yes… it’s nearly impossible not to notice those infamous hot buns.

This pairing has undoubtedly cemented their place as a fan-favorite ship. My only hope is that they avoid the trap that has claimed so many popular on-screen couples before them, accepting weak scripts simply to capitalize on fan service. They have proven they can deliver compelling performances, and they deserve projects that challenge them as actors rather than merely feeding the fandom.

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Entertained drama

Even when the plot is dramatic and leans toward an action drama, the episodes have a great rhythm; they are easy to watch, keeping the mood up throughout. For me, it was very easy to watch several episodes without losing track of time.
The plot with the main leads could be more realistic, since they kissed, broke the intimate space, and they were living together, with impeccable acting representing the tension between them; the concept of selling excessive purity is not convincing, and, as a Western, it makes the script look fake, beyond the usual dramatic license that appears too frequently in the episodes. The FL always arrived before the police and the firefighters.
The healing together was nice; the audit process was overly aggressive in its approach to police investigation, with very few editing mistakes.
The end seemed to miss more commitment in terms of marriage, which was being announced during the last episode,

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Craziest thing I've ever watched in my life... AND IT AIN'T EVEN THAT GOOD.

English is not my first language, so forgive me if there is any spelling mistakes.

I picked this one to watch with a friend back when only the first two episodes aired, we didn't expect anything great but then we both got shot 50 billion times.
You know when you're like "this can't get more insane" and then it manages to get 10 times crazier than it was before? this is the experience of watching Double Helix. You think you have had enough, and then you realize you're only 15 minutes through the first episode. (spoilers ahead) like, the episode where xiao chen's mother dies and yi chen gets paraplegic was so crazy I just stared at my screen blankly trying to process what the fuck was going on.
I'm making this review as someone who watched it back when it was airing weekly, so I got caught off guard with the abusive stuff.

But, the writing is... kinda okay I guess?? The characters are fucked up, I like them because of that, but the writing always seems to try to justify their actions(i'm talking about lu feng here, oh god, WHAT THE HELL THEY DID TO HIM...)plus they get really annoying sometimes. Also I NEED to talk about the portrayal of mental disorders here and how poorly it was done, as someone who has suspected BPD, I watched it with portuguese subtitles so if I misinterpret stuff it's probably due to bad translation, but, OH MY GOD I WAS GOING FUCKING INSANE WITH HOW BAD THEY HANDLED BIPOLARITY LIKE SOME KIND OF DISEASE. I know the source material was written around the early 2010's, but man, couldn't they have changed some of the stuff? (ㆆ_ㆆ).
Talking about the main couple, they were really good in the first episodes but the dark romance stuff just completely ruined them to me(spoilers ahead)the episode where lu feng kept xiao chen kidnapped was HORRIBLE, I'm neutral regarding dark romance, but oh my fucking god bro the excecution was literal dumpster fire, LIKE I WAS EXACTLY LIKE THAT ONE HIGURUMA GIF FROM JJK WHILE WATCHING THAT EPISODE. I wanted to like xiao chen and lu feng as a couple, but they had to pull the abuse stuff, which I honestly think was so unecessary considering the direction their relationship was going in the first episodes.
The side couple also had a really rushed development, even though they are 100x times better than the main one, like I love Qin Lan he's so boyfriend material I wish he had more screentime (´。＿。｀) and yi chen's character could also have been so much more developed... their scenes were so good, the story wasn't afraid of making them commit mistakes and then forgive each other for it, it felt a little relatable to me as someone who is in a relationship.
One of the only good things about the writing is the script, like, even though the character writing isn't that good, the script is great. It is like seeing a script that is masterfully done in a way that can hook the viewer and that manages to surprise you every time be wasted into such a mid story. The portrayal of homophobic families also felt real, as someone who is gay and transgender living in a homophobic household.

Now about the acting, THE ACTING IS GREAT, LIKE REALLY GREAT. Ayden is such a good actor that I genuinely got goosebumps during episode 10 and 11. Lu si tong doesn't has many expressions, but he did a great job too in my opinion. I don't have much else to say about it, but to me, the acting is what carries this whole drama. The cinematography is also great, I mean, If you analyze Double helix from a technical viewpoint, It is almost top tier, the thing that fucks everything up is the mid writing.
There is a portuguese Idiom that is like "they had the knife and the cheese on their hands", except that whoever wrote this threw the cheese in the trash, and shoved the knife up their ass.

wasted potential, could have been done in a better way, I wouldn't recommend unless you don't joke about dark romance.

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Did not meet my expectations.............

(Note: I have no hate whatsoever on the actors and this review is entirely on the show) Me and thee was such a great show, a show that really had me laughing and genuinely enjoyed with the progressive romance. So I expected more from PAM to be more of a romance with a slight comedy and even the trailer shows that theepeach was all domestic and stuf. So that's what I expected.........

I might get hate from saying this but first off I know that there will be 4 couples in total, so even before ep 1 I was really worried how they can balance the four couples so as expected they did not (Lmfao 😭). Even We Are was more balance than this show. Tbh I wanted more Theepeach, like maybe I'm okay with a lot of couples but only if they show some domestic and sweet and more intimate scene other than ep 1. Not saying I wanted something similar like corn but I wanted more make-out sessions, a proper cuddle (not a side hug or cuddle ahahhaha), explore more dating stuff, play with the kids. Just all that mellow or typical romance stuff. But I feel like they focus more on comedy or image of the characters which is dissapointing.

Also for ep4 in all honesty it was a let down like why tf did we not get a kiss scene or even a peck. Also why is Peach acting a bit shock when your lit HUSBAND is going to rest his head on your shoulder. I genuinely felt second hand embarrassment with that scene. I did not expect they will do the snoring or nc scene but come on not even a makeout scene like I expected something similar like Me and Thee (peach house bed scene).

But Overall I truly love this characters but the execution and overall romance was a bit of a let down. I hope Pondphuwin next show would be similar to Nlmg where the director really show the tension and intimacy between the characters. Also kinda wanted it to be a serious or angst show so they can showcase or challenge their acting skills while also exploring and showcasing more variations of their emotions.

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A drama that will make you say "Awwww"

Trigger Warning-this drama does contain sexual harassment, but nothing more. The actins of the ML would be categorized in real life, as sexual harassment of an employee for sure, which is never acceptable. But this is just a drama and not real life, so toxicity is okay as along as it doesn't bleed into reality. Enough of the disclaimers and on to the drama review.

This is one of those dramas where "Awwww" seems to be what comes out of your mouth while watching it. It is fun, feisty, romantic, steamy and a wonderful opposites attract couple type of story. I loved the story, the side characters were hilarious which made the drama even better. Less than 12 episodes, so there is little time spend on filler and I like how the drama touched on societal pressures of same sex couples and was pleased with the supportive moms. The second ML has a smile that could light up a room....truly a sweetheart. Super nice chemistry between the leads, just enough angst to keep you involved in the story and my required happy ending.

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Started watching this first partner after watching the original Kung Fu Cult Master movie starring Jet Li. First thing first, I felt that the synopsis given to this movie was a bit misleading, since this movie didn't quite continue off from the 1993 movie, but a full remake which covered more or less the same amount of plot of the original movie.

While it's understandable that this movie wouldn't quite be an exact remake of the original 1993 movie but still based on the last arc of Jinyong's Legend of the Condor Heroes trilogy, I can't help feeling bothered at how some of the important scenes were completely changed in this one; like the circumstances of Zhang Cuishan's and Yan So-so's death was different and how Mo-Kei's was hurt from the Jinx palm, as well as how Mo-Kei's life had been prior to learning the Great Solar skill and leaving Wudang. Had this movie just mention that this would just be yet another adaptation of the Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre, I probably wouldn't be too harsh on this movie's critique... but since it claimed to be a continuation of the 1993's Kung Fu Cult Master I couldn't help feeling duped somehow. Otherwise you can just enjoy this movie as another adaptation of HSaDS novel.

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A Japanese Remake That Gives a Beloved Story Fresh New Charm

I don't normally watch Japanese remakes of Thai dramas because they often feel lower budget and are much shorter than the original versions. Still, I absolutely loved the Thai version of Your Sky, so I decided to give this one a chance, and it did not disappoint. One episode in and I already have butterflies.

Ayuta is absolutely adorable as Hinata. He captures the kind hearted, innocent, and optimistic personality perfectly, making him impossible not to love. This is the second time I've seen him after School Trip: Joined a Group I'm Not Close To, where he played a supporting role, and he has such a warm and friendly screen presence.

Isshin is also well cast as Sora. He perfectly matches the cold, protective, and intimidating senior from the original. As the feared campus prince, he has the right balance of toughness and hidden softness, and his chemistry with Ayuta already feels natural.

The biggest surprise for me, though, is Oji. Even as Sora's love rival and a supporting character, he completely steals every scene he's in. He is incredibly handsome and charismatic, and I honestly couldn't take my eyes off him.

One thing I really appreciate is that the remake isn't a scene for scene copy. It keeps the fake relationship premise and university setting but adds its own small changes to keep things fresh. In the Thai version, Hinata is rescued and is supposed to get into the car, but in this remake version Sora carries him home on his back instead. That scene was so cute and adorable. The beautiful city skyline in the background made it feel much more refreshing than simply sitting in a car, and it gave them the chance to have a sweet conversation in the fresh air.

After just the first episode, I'm completely hooked. I hope the series continues making thoughtful changes like this while staying true to what made the original so special. So far, this is probably the best Thai to Japanese remake I've seen.

If you enjoy romance, university settings, fake relationships that slowly become real, and sweet BL+ stories with lovable characters, this is definitely worth watching.

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A self-redemption journey

Usually you see self-loathing people escaping through drugs, alcohol, or some form of vice. Here? I can say what a take! You have a main character on a tremendous guilt trip; instead of lashing out, he bottles up all his emotions beyond numbness. But emotions cannot be bottled forever, so, when certain facts come to light, rage takes the driver's seat and sets a course on Revenge Highway.

This series has pain, fear, grief, joy, greed, rage, intrigue, loathing, and various characters that provide depth to the story. Trust building between the leads was sweet but layered with intrigue and power plays. The uncle and manager characters did an excellent job diffusing the high tension in the series with their comedic relief.

I was concerned that the story would not wrap up properly with 10 episodes, and more so after the events of episode 9. I was surprised that they were able to tighten everything. Even though this series would have benefited from having several more episodes, it concluded the plot well. The ending left me satisfied and yearning for more.

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O nome do k-drama deveria ser: ''A Promotora Militar Cha Woo In''

Sinceramente, gostei bastante da premissa, mas odiei a forma como o drama utilizou os flashforwards. Em vez de criar expectativa, eles só quebravam o ritmo da narrativa.

O meu maior problema, porém, foi o protagonista. Doh Bae Man parece muito mais um coadjuvante do que o personagem principal. Quem realmente recebe destaque do início ao fim é a Cha Woo In. Até as maracutaias e estratégias que ele arma (que, diga-se de passagem, são bem legais) não foram suficientes para fazê-lo parecer um protagonista marcante. Fiquei decepcionado porque gosto muito do ator e esperava bem mais do personagem.

Tudo gira em torno da Cha Woo In. Em diversos momentos, a impressão é de que ela é a promotora experiente, enquanto Doh Bae Man é apenas o novato que está aprendendo. O mais curioso é que, no final, justamente ela abandona a carreira de promotora militar para assumir a empresa do falecido pai. Depois de todo o esforço mostrado para conquistar aquele cargo, essa decisão acabou me parecendo contraditória.

O episódio 12 resume perfeitamente o meu problema com o protagonismo. O protagonista, Doh Bae Man, simplesmente não exerce seu papel de promotor. Quem assume a acusação contra Hong Moo Seob e expõe seus abusos de poder é a Cha Woo In. Isso me incomodou porque os acontecimentos desse episódio (e também do anterior) construíam justamente a oportunidade perfeita para o Bae Man se redimir pelo erro cometido um ano antes, quando foi conivente com a injustiça sofrida por uma vítima de abuso de poder, que acabou tirando a própria vida. Era o momento ideal para ele conduzir a acusação, mas o drama entrega esse momento à Cha Woo In. Para um drama chamado O Promotor Militar Dobermann, isso acabou sendo bastante frustrante.

Outra situação que achei estranha foi a reação do Doh Bae Man ao descobrir que a Cha Woo In havia se encontrado secretamente com a Noh Hwa Young na noite anterior para colocar a sua subordinada como testemunha. Em vez de haver qualquer conflito ou cobrança pela falta de transparência, ele simplesmente agradece a ela como se nada tivesse acontecido mesmo ela se desculpando por não ter contado antes.

Também preciso comentar sobre o romance secundário. Normalmente não me incomodo quando um casal surge de forma inesperada, mas o relacionamento entre a tia do protagonista e o chefe dele me pareceu extremamente forçado e completamente desnecessário. Para piorar, ainda colocaram um filho no final, como se o drama precisasse cumprir a obrigação de encaixar um romance. Preferia que tivessem investido esse tempo desenvolvendo melhor a relação entre os protagonistas, que acabou sendo bem morna.

Agora, se teve um personagem que realmente roubou a cena, esse foi o Noh Tae Nam. De longe, foi o personagem mais interessante do drama.

Também vale mencionar que, no geral, gosto muito dos dramas produzidos pela tvN, mas este acabou sendo, até o momento, o mais fraco que assisti do canal. Isso tornou a decepção ainda maior, porque minhas expectativas eram bem altas.

Apesar de todas essas críticas, preciso reconhecer que os temas abordados são muito bem trabalhados. O drama faz críticas consistentes aos abusos de poder, à corrupção dentro das instituições militares e às relações de influência, entregando uma mensagem forte e relevante. É justamente por isso que fico com a sensação de que o roteiro desperdiçou um protagonista que tinha potencial para ser muito melhor.

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