Reviews

Spring Over Phoenix Pond is a typical born-again-revenge setup, short-format style, only about 10 minutes per episode. The story is about Qi Yuan, who was swapped at birth with a butcher's daughter. So instead of growing up as a duke's daughter, she's stuck being the butcher's kid, getting beaten and abused every day. Eventually, Prince Jing, Xiao Yun Ting, rescues her, and she becomes his bodyguard.

They fall in love and get married. On their wedding night, he gets ambushed and injured, and then the villain, Prince Qi, waltzes into her wedding room, tries to assault her, and drops the bomb: Prince Jing has given her to him. Prince Qi lies that Prince Jing is too busy chasing power to want to marry her, who doesn't have a good family background to help him advance his ambition. At this time, she is still a butcher's daughter with no elite family background. So she believes the villain. Instead of letting herself be humiliated and sexually assaulted by Prince Qi, she swallows poison to end her life, but not before grabbing and kissing the antagonist, and forcing the poison into his mouth.

Then she wakes up in a temple. Reborn. And this time, she's not the helpless girl anymore. All those years as Prince Jing's bodyguard gave her fighting skills, and she's done being pushed around. She goes on a revenge spree, takes out everyone who wronged her (including Prince Jing whom she thinks has betrayed her), heads back to her birth parents' house, the Duke's manor, to reclaim her place, and runs into Prince Jing again.

In this new lifetime, Qi Yuan is wary of Prince Jing, still remembering erronously how she was treated on her previous wedding night. However, love knows no boundary. She falls in love with him again, and he is in love with her as well.

Once she's back in the duke household, she and Prince Jing find a tangled conspiracy involving the disappearance of the empress, the death of a princess and her husband. Nothing adds up. So Qi Yuan decides she's going to dig into the truth, and she and Prince Jing team up to figure out what really happened. It's supposed to be this big mystery layer on top of the revenge plot. But the script is all over the place. The writer keeps throwing in twists trying to keep viewers guessing, but none of it feels earned. It just feels forced; it makes zero sense.

To be honest, Zhu Li Lan as Qi Yuan and Deng Kai as Xiao Yun Ting are actually not bad. The acting holds up, and the core story is acceptable. But then the editing is horrendous. Like, there's a scene where Qi Yuan gets drugged and is about to pass out. Next shot, she's walking around totally fine. The shot after that, she faints with her eyes closed. And the one after that? She's up and speaking sternly with the villain as if nothing has happened to her. Make it make sense, please.

And the props. Oh, the props. They're cheap. There's this scene where Prince Jing gives Qi Yuan her favorite flowers. It's supposed to be romantic. But he just swings a bunch of plastic flowers at her.

Look, I get it. It's a low-budget, quick-turnaround short drama. I'm not comparing it to some 40-episode big production. I know the constraints. But even with a small budget, the production team can still respect the viewers. The only thing that surprises me is that the OST is very good.

So yeah. Some suggestive sex scenes for both the villain with his mistresses, and the FL with ML. Quite a lot of kisses. But not enough sense. Watch it if you want to turn your brain off and just vibe. But don't expect to think while you're at it.

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Music was magnificent!

Kingdom is easily a 9.5/10 movie for me. From the moment it begins, it delivers an exciting mix of action, emotion, ambition, and large-scale battles while still keeping the story focused on characters you genuinely want to see succeed. Even without knowing the manga, the movie does a great job introducing its world and making the conflict feel important.

(Yet I do feel at times I was confused due to not knowing full context and importance of some of the characters in the movie.)

With that said though, one of the strongest parts of Kingdom is its main character. His determination to become something greater gives the movie a lot of heart, and watching him face challenges without giving up makes his journey incredibly satisfying. The supporting cast is also memorable, with each character bringing a different personality and purpose to the story. The relationships between the characters help balance the intense action with humor and emotional moments.

The action is another major highlight. The fight scenes are energetic, creative, and larger than life without losing the feeling that every battle has real consequences. The movie captures the scale of ancient warfare while still making the individual characters stand out. Some of the visual effects can feel exaggerated, but they fit the dramatic style and make the world feel similar to a living manga.

What surprised me most was how emotionally invested I became. Kingdom is not just about fighting or becoming powerful—it is about dreams, loyalty, purpose, and proving that someone’s origins do not define what they can become. The movie constantly gives you reasons to root for its characters.

Overall, Kingdom is an exciting, emotional, and surprisingly inspiring adventure. It has great characters, entertaining action, strong worldbuilding, and plenty of memorable moments. Whether you are already a fan of the manga or going in completely blind, this movie is absolutely worth watching.

Th icing on the cake though is "Yodaka" go take a listen for sure, Kenshi Yonezu is the man.

Rating: 9.5/10

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A series about teenagers, fluff, and platonic bonds in the ripening days of youth.

It is a lighthearted show that is going to stay with me for a long time. It has its oranges—those bright, small, yet important concepts that I have energetically enjoyed.

Ko Neung is such a playful leader. At first, it was easy to judge him as a bully—the one in the team who controls everything and has a say in everything. However, as the story proceeds, you see that he is just a young teen who thinks he is the leader and can say anything. He has a low-key leader mindset, yet in his actions, he is neither superiorly smart nor athletic. Unlike his friends—Augar, who is exceptionally active on the playground; Achi, who is a sweetheart and loves, or rather is disciplined, to study; and Ko Song, who is smart and has a goal to achieve—Ko Neung simply stands back and enjoys the present. You see that he does not particularly care for anything except oranges and his bored, chill, carefree childhood. That says a lot about him.

August is the same, but as they grow, his interest in comics grows with him, inspiring him to pursue the arts, which was endearing.

Should I call this a summer series? It has such a vast aesthetic of warm breezes and the basking energy of the sun. Though people said it is similar to Bad Buddy (likely due to the neighbors, enemies-to-friends trope, and the phone concept), I just do not see it. Each has its own distinct disparities, and calling them similar left me with an exclamation.

The era of no phones and a sprouting youth feels so soft and nostalgic. I do not think I will get enough of this series anytime soon. All of the relationships and friendships were woven in a very platonic way. The fact that they have all been friends for ages—growing up fighting, bickering, and supporting one another before becoming lovers—is so adorable.

I loved KenPaul from the Boys in Love series, and I was so happy they are getting so much appreciation. I was, and still am, a little skeptical about August and Tle; nonetheless, their young age covered it for me.

There is a very fine transition in Ko Neung’s character development. Even after he and Ko Song confessed and started dating, his character did not entirely shift to being mature and smart. He is still the same Ko Neung we met in the first episode—goofy, playful, and thinking he is the leader. Even during arguments (like when he and Ko Song fight after Ko Song gets his university seat), he does not show instant progression; he is still that same childish teenager. It was so reassuring how the script kept his character consistent and relatable. It portrayed the beauty of how young minds dislike the change they experience in their coming-of-age journey. It showed how teenagers crave a mindless, soft summer.

The fear and anxiety of choosing what you want to become and who you are becoming is palpable. It captures the heaviness of realizing that this day won't come tomorrow, and that your friends have their own lives. They cannot always choose you or choose to stay; sometimes they have to go. I think this series brought back that familiarity—the late afternoons spent worrying about nothing but what to play the next day, and the soft, blue evenings spent walking mindlessly through pleasant sights. These are days that can only be remembered, but never visited again.

I had a slight fear with Ko Neung as the exams neared and he had to choose a field. I wanted to pause the story and let it end right there. With him, I wanted no change—just summer and the childhood joy of savoring oranges. However, life is life and it has its own legs.

Watching Ko Neung get stuck choosing a field, feeling completely disinterested in whatever majors they presented, hit me in the gut. There is one scene where he explains how all fields feel boring, and he is asked whether the fields are boring or if he just has no interest in them. That moment highlighted the core concept of the high school theme for me. I have never felt more relatable to a character than Ko Neung—capturing that exact feeling of being unable to choose and unable to belong anywhere. I am grateful for such key themes to be represented in such a blissful way—one that can be revisited and felt again and again.

This series made me fall in love with the themes of childhood friendships, the importance of holding onto those bonds, and growing alongside them. Every ship is adorable and a favourite. I am totally in love with this series.

"The most beautiful thing about teenage love is finding someone who makes you feel lighter, happier, and a little more like yourself.”

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The Perfect Goodbye to an Amazing Love Story

What a beautiful way to end such an amazing series. The special episode continued everything that made the original drama so enjoyable and gave us the perfect conclusion to Ryo and Zen's journey. After watching their rivalry slowly turn into love, seeing them finally enjoy their relationship as a couple felt incredibly satisfying.

The long-awaited hot spring trip was exactly the kind of ending they deserved. Instead of more misunderstandings or competitions, we got to see a softer and happier side of Ryo and Zen as they embraced their new life together. Their chemistry remained just as strong, and their little moments together reminded me why their relationship was one of my favourites.

I loved that this special episode did not feel unnecessary. It felt like a proper farewell that allowed us to spend more time with these characters after everything they went through. From high school rivals, to coworkers constantly competing, to finally becoming lovers, their journey came full circle in the best way possible.

I will genuinely miss both Zen and Ryo. Their playful arguments, amazing chemistry, and unique love story made Fake Fact Lips such a memorable Japanese BL. This series gave us romance, comedy, rivalry, and so many unforgettable moments.

Thank you for giving us such a wonderful story. I really hope we get another series like this again because Japanese BLs with this much charm, chemistry, and heart are truly special.

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Rivals, Workplace Romance and Unrequited Love That Lasted Years

This is officially my favourite Japanese BL of 2026. I was about two months late to the party, but the upside was getting to binge all nine episodes plus the special episode in one sitting. I honestly could not stop watching. Every episode left me wanting more, and I was completely hooked from start to finish without a single boring moment.

The story follows Ryo and Zen, two men who have been competing with each other since their high school days. Whether it was academics, sports, or even something as ridiculous as who received more Valentine's chocolates, they turned everything into a competition. Years later, they reunite as coworkers in the same sales department, and their old rivalry immediately starts up again. Their constant bickering, challenges, and competitive personalities make every interaction entertaining. After one drunken night, their latest competition takes an unexpected turn when they make a ridiculous bet to see who can make the other fall in love first.

One of my favourite parts of the series was the high school flashbacks. They were perfectly placed throughout each episode and slowly revealed how Ryo and Zen first met and why their rivalry became such a huge part of their lives. I also appreciated that younger versions of Ryo and Zen were played by different actors instead of relying on the main cast with school uniforms. It made the flashbacks feel much more believable and immersive.

Watching them reunite as coworkers while continuing their endless competition was hilarious. Their chemistry was fantastic from the very beginning. This is definitely not one of those stereotypical "dead fish" Japanese BLs. The intimacy felt natural, passionate, and surprisingly bold. The kissing scenes had incredible chemistry, and the famous riding scene was incredibly hot while still fitting the story.

What I loved most was the twist. At first it seems like two rivals trying to outdo each other, but the truth is far sweeter. Ryo has actually been in love with Zen ever since high school. The rivalry and endless competitions were simply his awkward way of staying close to the person he loved. I thought that was such a clever and uniquely Japanese way to tell a romance, and it completely won me over.

This drama perfectly balances romance, comedy, heartfelt moments, hot NC scenes, and an unrequited love that has lasted for years. It is a fantastic Rivals to Lovers story with coworkers, high school rivals, plenty of bickering, and a love hate relationship that gradually turns into something genuine and heartfelt.

Japanese BLs always surprise me with their creative storytelling, and Fake Fact Lips is another reminder of why I keep coming back to them. I rarely hand out perfect 10/10 to Japanese BLs, but this one absolutely deserves it.

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"A wanderer meets a wanderer"

The Illegal Immigrant was Mabel Cheung’s directorial debut, in fact, it was her graduate project at New York University Graduate Institute of Film and Television. Comprised of fellow students and borrowed equipment, with a little assist from Mona Fong, Mabel put together a solid bit of filmmaking on a small budget.

Cheung Kwan Chow swam to Hong Kong from the Mainland and then paid a smuggler for a boat ride to the United States. He’s sharing an apartment with Fatty Yuen in New York City. After being picked up by Immigration, Cheung has to find a way to get his green card and he’s running out of options. He ends up paying a young friend’s older sister, Cindy Li, to marry him on the condition they divorce in two years and keep their marriage secret. Like true love, the course of fake marriages doesn’t run smoothly.

The acting in this film was serviceable especially considering they were mostly friends of Mabel Cheung and Alex Law at school. The dubbing was fairly atrocious though with several characters. You could see Mabel trying out different filming techniques and while her efforts were commendable, they also looked cobbled together at times. Much of the action took place in Chinatown off of Canal Street with rundown apartments and buildings covered in graffiti. The music ran from quite well done to awkwardly obvious.

This was an interesting ground view of being an illegal immigrant in NYC during the 1980s. Smugglers demanding money. Immigration Officers dropping in and burdening immigrants with high fines and bureaucratic paperwork in an unfamiliar language. Black market green cards and scam marriages being tossed about. I would like to have known more about Cheung. He was said to be well educated and had performed in numerous kung fu films. He had no legal status in Hong Kong, but his mom lived there. What drove him to the US? Despite the presence of gangs, financial and legal difficulties, Mabel Cheung kept the mood light for the most part. The romance developed rather quickly yet not unexpectedly.

Director Cheung was the Hong Kong Film Awards winner for Best Director in 1986. I’m always pleased when women are given the chance to direct and succeed. And this film also showed women helping women as Shaw Brothers’ Mona Fong contributed $150,000 towards the film. Mabel would go on to direct An Autumn’s Tale in 1987 which I quite liked. The Illegal Immigrant was rough around the edges and had a typical 80s Hong Kong ending but it also felt authentic without preaching or being overly melodramatic. It was a nice show of restraint from a new filmmaker. I gave it a slight ratings bump for being pre-1990 and also being largely a school project.

2 August 2026

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give me more

holy crap! after all the traumas that had been published lately, this was a light at the end of the tunnel.
it is undeniable that their chemistry is unprecedented! even without explicit scenes this is so enjoyable!
i laughed so hard my stomach hurt
please don’t stop at episode 4 like it was said in the last episode
i absolutely must have more.
this is where thee shines. his cuteness and humor are the best. top that with his looks and you have an unstoppable star. i always thought peach was a bit boring but this dynamic with thee was perfect!!
the brother and mok… again…perfect casting. great chemistry and just funny!
seriously this show could go on forever and i would still laugh and love about thee’s shy face when peach says something cute.
we need more shows like this and best with this cast!!

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De fazer o coração acelerar!!

Simplesmente perfeito!! A atuação, a história, a trilha sonora, a estética... tudo deixa o dorama com uma pegada ainda mais de suspense e terror. Se você assistir de noite ou de madrugada, a experiência vai ser mais assustadora, mas, se você for sensível, recomendo não assistir!!

O dorama te prende do início ao fim, uma vez que já começa mostrando a cena da Do Hye-ryung cometendo suicídio, e você vai querer saber o porquê de ela ter feito aquilo e também sobre as coisas que aconteceram antes. Porém, não entendi muito bem o ato dela. Ela passou o estilete no pescoço por causa do que fizeram somente naquele dia? Eu pensei, pela cena, que tinha acontecido algo muito maior, do tipo o app ter meio que obrigado ela a fazer isso.

Me comovi bastante com a relação da Haetsal e do Bangwool. Deixou algumas cenas mais leves, apesar de todo o caos e terror. Amei que ele não morreu, pois isso deixaria tudo mais triste.

Falando da atuação, achei o elenco mais que perfeito!! Amei ter Jeon So-nee, Roh Jae-won, Kim Si-a, Kang Mi-na e Lee Sang-hee, e também amei conhecer os demais que ainda não tinha visto em nenhum dorama (ou talvez eu não me lembre). A atuação deixa tudo mais impecável e faz você sentir que aquilo realmente está acontecendo.

Focando agora em outras coisas, tenho perguntas: o que aconteceu com a Na-ri? Pela cena do último episódio, não acho que ela tenha morrido. Na cena em que a Se-ah a machuca muito, é provável que ela não tenha morrido ali. Será que agora vai ser ela que irá continuar com o aplicativo? Será que ela é quem ficou presa em outro mundo agora?
Outra coisa: por que a Do Hye-ryung (que usou o Girigo primeiro) não morreu? Será que foi só porque a maldição só foi dada depois que a Kwon Si-won fez o seu pedido? Queria saber também como ela chamou tal espírito para que ficasse presa nesse mundo e conseguisse se conectar com o mundo real para fazer as pessoas morrerem. O aplicativo se tornou tão do mal assim só com ela jogando a maldição? Será que ela pediu ajuda ao pai? Não sei. Por que não falaram de outras pessoas que morreram? O aplicativo não se tornou tão viral assim? Não se tornou febre nas escolas?

Espero ansiosamente pela segunda temporada (que com certeza terá) para saber o desfecho disso tudo!!

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Unusual premise

In the world where skinny rules how likely will there be a drama about fuller women? For that alone this drama stands out. But it treated the subject seriously enough to invoke the well known facts of women harming themselves for years with poisons in their cosmetics just to adhere to social expectations. I liked the visual tricks with the same actress posing as plump and skinny. And I liked the message about women's right to self determination.
Don't expect a romance with skinship, this is more of an alliance to friendship story that bloomed into deep attachment without cp watching the snow, fireworks or sending off lanterns. In fact, from the start there's the "other woman" in his heart but you will be surprised how he handles it. You will also appreciate the character of the fl's focus on things she values - not your typical "hellbent on running business while seducing the lead" dame.
The lead actors both in their mid 30s bring lovely maturity to their characters and couplehood interactions. Heck, the scene where fl knowing that she has only a month to live walks away from ml only after telling him she has feelings for him is so fresh and natural that it left me speechless. Likewise, ml knowing the importance of fl's longing for freedom in her final month of life lets her go without making a scene and his own emotions known! And yet nobody suffers for 5 different shots from various angles of that shot but the music and rain and great acting without words does it all. Wow! You get this kind of thing all through the drama and it feels really organic.
The OST for this production was really nice and directing/cinematography really fitting, although some transitions were jumping way ahead without a forwarning, but I guess this is the trend in cdramas this year.
I originally wanted to rate it 7.5 but for the overall quality I am giving it extra half.
And will check out other work by these actors!

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This KBL is definitely One to Watch

Absolutely love the snake—it is so beautiful and I want one! Just kidding!

I am always up for a good legal drama, especially when it is filled with unknown twists. This one completely threw me for a loop! The writer really thought outside the box by choosing to connect the two leads with an invisible, blood-colored string.

The prosecutor wasted no time claiming his victim, but I had so much respect for Chae Ha's mental strength to stand up for himself and refuse to let Tae Seon brand ​him other than himself.
As the crimes unfolded, I was honestly so lost and couldn't even guess what was going on or who was behind it. That is a total first for me, as I usually find it pretty easy to figure out the culprit. I kept thinking, "What is going on?" and even had to rewind a few times to make sure I didn't miss a thing!

As the show progressed, the prosecutor just wouldn't let up on Chae Ha... well, until... (if you know, you know, and if you don't, you seriously need to watch this!).
Finding out Tae Seon's true identity was really the icing on the cake for this unique pairing.

As for the ending—wow! I totally did not expect that one person who was off the grid the entire time to​ be the culprit.

This is the very first KBL drama I have watched that kept my full attention, and I thoroughly enjoyed it 100%. The foundation of the crimes kept me completely hooked and intrigued. With just 10 episodes at 25 minutes each, it made a huge impact without missing a single beat. It wasn't long-winded at all and gave the full story, so I never felt like anything was missing.
Huge credit goes to the wonderful screenwriter and director for such a fantastic drama!
10/10 Personal Rating

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this eatery

i still remember the first time i heard about this adaptation, i was skeptical with how much guts they have because the plot is not mainstream in thai bl. not only that, it's not like they came from a large company or had the initial popularity compared to some actors. but this ATE. licked crumbs off my plate just to savor it and make it linger more. as someone who liked the manhwa and followed it when it was still posting chapters, i am pleasantly surprised with this adaptation. i didn't know any of the actors aside from Boss and Max, and only knew Min from that survival show. Min and Toptap absolutely portrayed their characters so well. not to mention talented actors Shogun and Fuaiz too. i was surprised by the acting because i already knew the plot. what started as something i was nervous to start became something i looked forward to every week. the only thing i'd say not good is the fact that it wasn't longer, it ended too soon lol. anyway, huge props to the production team, because the show was certainly detailed to the point that it is only righteous to say that they did justice to the manhwa. it was a fun ride!

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A bit dissapointed

I was really looking forward to watching this drama because I was so excited to see Zhang Jingyi again. She’s an incredible actress and probably my favorite actress in China. As for Song Weilong, I wasn’t nearly as excited. After Shine on Me, I realized I didn’t really like his acting. Still, the drama’s aesthetics and the chemistry between the leads made me want to give it a try.

Right from the start, I wasn’t a fan of the adopted siblings trope, especially because they constantly referred to each other as brother and sister. Unfortunately, Chinese dramas seem to love romanticizing this kind of relationship, which I personally find really uncomfortable. But since I love the actors, I decided to stick with it.

Unlike Speed and Love (which I found bizarre and almost fetishistic), the characters here are mature and independent. We don’t have an infantilized, helpless female lead, and that’s something I really appreciated. Zhang Jingyi always delivers some of the best female characters. That said, her character did annoy me a bit after the time skip.

Song Weilong completely surprised me. His performance was fantastic, and honestly much better than I expected. Both leads did an amazing job, and as always with Zhang Jingyi, the chemistry was excellent. Their relationship developed rather slowly, but in a way that felt natural and believable.

That being said, I had a lot of issues with the rest of the story. There were simply too many plotlines happening all the time. Every episode introduced another twist, someone suddenly reappeared, someone else disappeared… it just became exhausting and boring.

Another thing that really bothered me was the directing choice of playing the exact same comedic background music every single time the leads shared a scene before they officially got together. It completely ruined the mood for me. Many of those moments could have felt subtle, emotional, or romantic, but instead they were undercut by this goofy a$$ soundtrack that made everything feel like a joke. It was such a strange decision.

One thing I absolutely loved, though, was the ending. I loved that the female lead was the successful one, the one in charge, which is still surprisingly rare in C-dramas. Then he became a stay-at-home husband, and she was the one who proposed. I laughed so hard and absolutely loved it. They truly deserved their happy ending.

Overall, I don’t regret watching it, but I definitely wouldn’t watch it again, and I’m not sure I’d recommend it. At the end of the day, the actors were what made this drama worth watching for me. Without Zhang Jingyi and Song Weilong, I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed it nearly as much.

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Visually stunning

After watching the first few episodes of Genius Girlfriend, I can honestly say that this drama has quietly become one of the most heartwarming surprises of the year.
At first glance, it seems like a simple coming-of-age story about two exceptionally gifted students. However, beneath its lighthearted tone lies a touching exploration of loneliness, friendship, family expectations, dreams, and the bittersweet experience of growing up.
Lin Zhixia is undoubtedly the soul of the story. Gifted with extraordinary intelligence, she constantly finds herself isolated from those around her. Yet instead of portraying her as an untouchable genius, the drama reveals her vulnerability, innocence, kindness, and unwavering determination. Tian Xiwei delivers a wonderfully nuanced performance, bringing warmth and tenderness to every scene. Her gentle line delivery perfectly captures Lin Zhixia's unique way of seeing the world.
The drama's greatest strength lies in its sincerity. It doesn't rely on exaggerated conflicts or dramatic plot twists. Instead, it invites the audience to revisit the small but unforgettable moments of youth: the pressure of examinations, the excitement of chasing dreams, the comfort of companionship, and the uncertainty of the future.
Visually, the series is stunning. The soft cinematography, nostalgic atmosphere, and beautiful soundtrack create a dreamlike world that feels both magical and deeply familiar. There is a quiet melancholy woven into the story, but it is always accompanied by hope.
Genius Girlfriend reminds us that even the brightest stars can feel lonely and that sometimes all we need is someone willing to walk beside us.

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A Revenge Story That Almost Forgot to Deliver the Revenge

I went into Payback with genuinely high expectations. A darker Thai BL centred around revenge, corruption and the entertainment industry sounded right up my alley. It's adapted from the popular Korean webtoon Payback by Fujoking and Samk, and everything about the premise suggested this would be more than just another romance. It promised a gritty revenge thriller with emotional stakes, morally grey characters and plenty of twists. On paper, it had all the ingredients to become one of my favourite Thai BLs of the year.

I wasn't familiar with Min Thanakorn or Toptap Jarukit before this, but I was already sold after seeing Fuaiz Thanawat in the trailer. His supporting role in 4 Minutes proved he could act, so I had confidence he'd deliver here too. He absolutely did. Fuaiz brings a lot of complexity to Sunny, making him difficult to read throughout the series. Min is excellent as Sun, carrying the emotional weight of the story with quiet restraint, while Toptap does a solid job as Jay despite the script not always giving his character the strongest material. I also have to mention Boss Chaikamon and Shogun, whose scenes together were surprisingly effective. Their chemistry was strong enough that I honestly wanted to see more of them.

The opening episodes hooked me immediately. Sun's motivation is heartbreaking and easy to understand. After losing his younger brother Sky and eventually his mother because of the betrayal of his former lover Bank, now living as the successful actor Sunny, he dedicates himself to revenge. Watching him infiltrate the entertainment industry to destroy the people responsible was exactly the kind of story I signed up for. The added layer of corruption inside Dream Entertainment made the series even more intriguing because it suggested the revenge would be much bigger than simply settling old scores with an ex.

Unfortunately, that's where my excitement slowly started to fade.

For a series built around revenge, Payback spends surprisingly little time actually executing that revenge. Instead, most of the story follows Sun trying to establish himself as an actor. By around Episode 7, it genuinely felt like the series was still setting up the plot rather than moving it forward. The pacing becomes incredibly uneven, and the first six episodes easily could have been condensed into two or three. It constantly feels like the story is delaying the inevitable instead of building towards it.

I kept watching because I wanted to see Sun and Jay systematically dismantle everyone responsible for destroying their lives. I expected each episode to reveal another calculated move in Sun's revenge plan. Instead, almost everything is saved for the finale, where years of build-up are resolved far too quickly. Most of the major confrontations happen inside one lengthy boardroom sequence, and after ten episodes of waiting, the payoff simply isn't satisfying.

I haven't read the original manhwa, so I don't know whether this slower pacing is faithful to the source material or a result of the adaptation. Either way, the television series never finds a good balance between building suspense and delivering meaningful progress.

The romance is another mixed bag. Min and Toptap work well together as actors, but I never fully bought into Sun and Jay falling in love. The emotional progression simply isn't there. I kept asking myself when those feelings actually developed. Was it because of genuine emotional connection? Physical attraction? Or did Jay simply become attached after their one-night stand? The script never convincingly answers those questions, making the relationship feel underdeveloped despite the chemistry between the actors.

Jay also raises another issue. While he's clearly written as a morally grey character, some of his actions cross the line into behaviour that feels manipulative and coercive. Considering Sun is emotionally broken and consumed by guilt, several of Jay's advances become uncomfortable to watch rather than romantic. The series never properly addresses those moments or allows Jay to reflect on them, making the relationship harder to root for than it should have been.

The revenge storyline, however, does succeed in establishing why Sun and Director Arthur become allies. Their motivations are clearly defined, and the series does a great job explaining why their goals align. In fact, I found their shared pursuit of justice far more compelling than the romance itself. At times, it almost feels like the romantic subplot exists simply because the genre expects it, rather than because the story naturally builds towards it.

The finale left me with mixed feelings. While I appreciated finally seeing the villains face consequences, several resolutions felt rushed or overly convenient. The legal aspects surrounding the transfer of company shares are handled far too simply, major antagonists receive endings that feel almost random, and one character's punishment relies more on shock value than meaningful storytelling. Instead of feeling clever or cathartic, the conclusion feels like the writers suddenly realised they had to wrap everything up within one episode.

Ironically, this is one of the few Thai BLs where I genuinely believe twelve episodes would've been better than ten. Usually, series overstay their welcome, but Payback has the opposite problem. It introduces enough plotlines to justify a longer runtime but doesn't give them enough space to breathe. Two additional episodes dedicated to the revenge plot and relationship development would've dramatically improved the overall experience.

Where Payback never disappoints is the acting. Every major cast member commits fully to their roles. Min perfectly captures Sun's emotional emptiness and determination, Fuaiz remains one of the biggest highlights of the entire series, and Toptap does the best he can with a character that often feels inconsistently written. The production quality is equally impressive. The cinematography looks polished, the soundtrack fits the darker tone beautifully, and the overall presentation feels far more expensive than many Thai BL productions.

I also appreciated that the series never became boring. Even when I found myself frustrated by the pacing, I still wanted to know how everything would end. That's a credit to both the performances and the premise. The story is engaging enough to keep you watching, even if it doesn't always reward your patience.

Overall, Payback is a series full of unrealised potential. It has an excellent premise, a talented cast, impressive production values and enough emotional depth to become something special. Unfortunately, slow pacing, uneven storytelling, an underdeveloped romance and a rushed finale stop it from reaching the heights it constantly promises.

If you're looking for an intense revenge thriller, adjust your expectations. The revenge is there, but it often takes a back seat to Sun's journey through the entertainment industry and his personal healing. As a drama, it's entertaining. As a BL, it's solid. But as a revenge story, it never quite lands the knockout blow I was waiting for.

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