Reviews

10/10 The perfect high school BL series

10/10 The perfect high school BL series
This is what a good high school BL series should be like - it shows in a very sensitive and loving way the coming of age and coming out of 4 young men, with all the smaller and bigger disasters people at that age have to face. Directed by the same director as "Make Our Days Count",
", it avoids most
of the annoying tropes of the genre, and all the four leads (Shen Jyun as Xu Qi Zhang, Li Zhen as Ye Guang, Andy Huang as Jian, and my very extra special Hsu Shuo as Ray Ray, who looks great as a crossdresser) are talented actors and super cute. The OST is the best of any BL series of
2022. I have watched this series 4 times already, and I'll watch it again.

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9/10 who did 'Thana' operate on in the trailer?

9/10 who did 'Thana' operate on in the trailer?
"A woman's heart is an ocean of secrets" has been reiterated on a bold grey canvas by SNAP 25 in this project.
Presence of each character, their interactions, personality sketch and it's contribution towards propelling the script were presented in a calculated fashion. At least all of them were convincing. I would suggest watching it when ever you crave a good suspense. I loved the tone of entire film and contrasting imitation accessories on the ladies, Styling team must be rewarded for which. Sound track and the MV are so evil (praise) HIDE is one of P'Amp's pieces neatly conceptualized.
No regret for the blood-shed yet complimentarily, the narrative is cunningly artsy. 'Picha' in the heels of a villainess efficiently captivated viewers. Piploy and Ploypach had outstanding performances. Gawin seemed to have been exploited the most in role. Chimon has returned to acting while sadly, this was Luke's last under GMM. He and Jan make a sizzling pair undoubtedly but they were never offered scripts like 'Mr. And Mrs. Smith. Could i ever get to watch such a intense drama from this agency? (sad sigh) Once upon a time there was a ghost ship called Luke-Win.
Even after Bright left, Win hasn't been assigned a partner.
Maybe it is an exclusive privilege for the share holders.
Since this story concluded with a revelation that Jan and Jingjing weren't blood related, hereby the gates to Gl universe open (sparkles, confetti, flower petals, gongs, foil party blowers)

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Where Wounds Become Strength and Two Hearts Learn to Beat as One

The First Jasmine begins as what appears to be another arranged-marriage political drama but gradually reveals itself to be a remarkably layered story about trauma, justice, power, and healing. Set in the fictional Dachu Dynasty with Tang-inspired aesthetics, the drama follows Ye Li, a woman released from eight years of isolation on Lishan Mountain to marry the politically disgraced and crippled Prince Ding, Mo Xiuyao.

Although it embraces familiar historical romance tropes, the series distinguishes itself through meticulous character writing, emotional maturity, and philosophical depth. Rather than relying on plot twists alone, it builds its story through psychological realism and carefully developed relationships.

YE LI: TRAUMA, REVENGE, AND HEALING

Ye Li is one of the strongest female protagonists in recent historical dramas. Calm, intelligent, and calculating on the surface, she is deeply scarred by the tragedy on Lishan Mountain, where she watched her family and friends die during the plague while remaining powerless to save them.

Bai Lu portrays this duality beautifully. Her hallucinations of the dead are presented not as supernatural events but as believable manifestations of unresolved trauma. The drama never sensationalizes her suffering, instead showing how trauma fragments the mind while allowing someone to continue functioning outwardly.

Her revenge is never driven by blind hatred. The four straw figures she keeps symbolize carefully planned justice rather than impulsive violence. Even her decision to eliminate Empress Dowager Guo Jin last demonstrates patience and political understanding. As the story progresses, revenge gradually transforms into healing as she learns to reclaim agency and build meaningful relationships again.

MO XIUYAO: STRENGTH BEYOND PHYSICAL POWER

Cheng Lei delivers one of his finest performances as Mo Xiuyao. After years of political humiliation, disability, and grief, he remains remarkably restrained, expressing pain through subtle expressions rather than exaggerated emotion.

His character challenges the traditional image of the invincible male lead. Although physically crippled, he possesses extraordinary intelligence, leadership, and emotional maturity. His recovery is satisfying not because he becomes physically powerful again, but because the audience has already learned to admire him before he ever stands.

His relationship with Ye Li develops naturally through trust, mutual respect, and shared suffering. Moments such as quietly caring for each other, cooking together, or simply watching the moon become far more meaningful than dramatic romantic declarations.

EMPRESS DOWAGER GUO JIN: A TRAGIC RULER

Guo Jin is arguably the drama's most fascinating character. Unlike conventional villains, she genuinely improves Dachu through tax reforms, women's education, infrastructure, and social policies. Yet every achievement comes at the cost of countless innocent lives.

Her final conversations with Ye Li explore one of the drama's central questions: does successful governance justify immoral methods?

Ye Li's grandfather once described Guo Jin as talented but lacking benevolence. She understood power but never fully understood compassion. This distinction becomes the philosophical heart of the series, separating effective rule from humane leadership.

Supporting Characters and Moral Ambiguity

The drama refuses to divide its characters into simple heroes and villains.

Mo Jingli's childhood trauma explains—but never excuses—his obsession with power. His final realization that he genuinely loved Ye Li despite originally viewing her as a political asset gives his downfall emotional weight.

Even Xu Wanzhou's controversial decisions stem from desperate attempts to save lives rather than selfish ambition. Throughout the series, good intentions repeatedly produce devastating consequences, creating a world filled with moral ambiguity instead of absolute right and wrong.

Supporting characters such as Lin Tinglan, Qin Cang, Li Feibai, Lady Yusheng, Wen Ran, and Feng Zhiyao all receive satisfying emotional arcs that strengthen the overall narrative rather than existing solely to support the protagonists.

THE CHESSBOARD PHILOSOPHY

Chess serves as the drama's central metaphor. Ye Li's grandfather teaches her about "solitary pieces"—pieces that become isolated from the rest of the board.

This metaphor defines several major characters. Guo Jin isolates herself through power, Mo Jingli through ambition, and Ye Li through trauma. Each discovers that isolation ultimately leads to emptiness, while genuine strength comes from connection and trust.

Rather than celebrating individual achievement, the series argues that relationships are what ultimately give life meaning.

TRAUMA AND RECOVERY

One of the drama's greatest achievements is its portrayal of psychological trauma.

Ye Li's hallucinations, emotional detachment, and gradual healing feel authentic rather than melodramatic. Recovery is portrayed as a slow process supported by understanding, patience, and love rather than miraculous transformation.

Similarly, Mo Xiuyao's hidden disability symbolizes emotional wounds carried in silence. Both protagonists learn that healing requires vulnerability rather than isolation.

The Lishan plague itself is particularly heartbreaking because it has no mastermind behind it. Sometimes tragedy simply happens, making the story's exploration of grief feel even more realistic.

FEMALE AGENCY

The series incorporates meaningful feminist themes without becoming preachy.

Women consistently demonstrate intelligence and leadership. Ye Li repeatedly outmaneuvers experienced politicians. Guo Jin transforms the country through reforms. Lin Tinglan pursues her career independently, while Princess Lingyun and Wen Ran each display remarkable resilience.

However, the drama also acknowledges that female authority often requires tremendous sacrifice. It celebrates women's achievements while recognizing the unequal burdens imposed by society.

THE SLOW-BURN ROMANCE

The romance succeeds because it develops naturally.

Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao begin as political partners before gradually becoming emotional anchors for one another. Their relationship is built through everyday acts of care rather than endless misunderstandings or exaggerated romantic gestures.

Their emotional confessions feel earned because they emerge after episodes of shared hardship. Cheng Lei and Bai Lu rely heavily on subtle acting, making small expressions often more powerful than dramatic speeches.

Secondary romances are equally meaningful. Feng Zhiyao and Princess Lingyun represent love destroyed by politics, while Li Feibai and Lady Yusheng explore freedom, choice, and respect rather than possession.

PERFORMANCES

Cheng Lei gives a career-defining performance. His physical acting convincingly portrays disability, while his emotional restraint makes scenes of vulnerability especially powerful.

Bai Lu delivers one of her most emotionally nuanced performances. Ye Li could easily have become another stereotypical "strong female lead," but Bai Lu instead creates someone whose strength exists alongside profound psychological fragility.

The supporting cast consistently elevates the material, ensuring even secondary characters leave lasting impressions.

PRODUCTION

Visually, the drama favors a restrained style. Warm domestic scenes contrast effectively with the colder political settings, while the dreamlike cinematography during Ye Li's hallucinations subtly reflects her psychological state.

Fight choreography is elegant without becoming excessive, and the soundtrack complements emotional moments without overwhelming them.

Although some CGI backgrounds appear artificial, these issues rarely undermine the overall experience.

## STRENGTHS

* Rich psychological characterization.
* Excellent performances from Bai Lu and Cheng Lei.
* Thoughtful exploration of trauma and healing.
* Mature political and philosophical themes.
* Organic slow-burn romance.
* Strong pacing with very little filler.

## WEAKNESSES

* Some visual effects feel noticeably artificial.
* A few minor supporting characters remain underdeveloped.
* The political resolution is slightly rushed compared to the careful buildup.


The First Jasmine stands out because it treats its audience with intelligence. Rather than relying solely on romance or palace intrigue, it explores grief, justice, political morality, and the importance of human connection with surprising maturity.

Its greatest strength is its refusal to simplify people into heroes or villains. Nearly every major character exists within shades of grey, making their choices feel deeply human. Combined with excellent performances, thoughtful writing, and one of the most satisfying slow-burn romances in recent historical dramas, the series delivers both emotional impact and philosophical depth.

Despite a few production flaws and a somewhat rushed ending, The First Jasmine remains one of the strongest historical dramas of the year. It proves that familiar genre conventions can still produce something memorable when supported by careful writing, nuanced performances, and characters whose emotional journeys feel genuinely earned.

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6/10 Improper execution of a good script

6/10 Improper execution of a good script
People are not dumb. This is not the first time a story where
'brothers turn rivals' is being made. Thus it was not essential to emphasize the affection between siblings for that matter even with Film's character. Script seemed lacking depth and research on criminal perspective of the society. Apparently there are plot holes in the continuity of the script, accredited to those inordinate writers, ironically.
Ohm is a martial arts practitioner who could be exploited a little more than shown. Foei and Toei have played their part so well that i cried for them. A certain scenes failed to relay the essence of existing in the plot line. Film still needs to hone her skills at acting. I wouldn't call it a good performance because her body language did not emit the aura of vengeance correctly. Narrative could have been more intriguing. I actually expected 'Li' to shoot herself in grief of losing her beloved being pregnant with his child without marriage, but then the character was written to remain coward all along.

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I don’t understand the hoopla over this show, so far

I may be the loan voice here on this, but here’s my take 3/4 of the way through Episode 6.
This show is popular, but for me - who LOVES a time-travel romance - it is not connecting very strongly.
Perhaps that’s because I’m watching it after having seen Perfect Crown, which clicked with me on every level.
Why:
MRN is spending more time on the conflict and the typical tropes that have the leads dance around their relationship and not admit their feelings than a relationship moving forward between them, and is also putting more emphasis on all of the secondary characters who are adversaries of the ML than creating a building relationship between the two leads. 
I felt the same way about Queen of Tears - which was highly anticipated and hyped, and came out before virtually unknown Lovely Runner 2 years ago. I didn’t get the hype for QoT when it missed on so many cylinders that LR completely knocked out of the ball park (Time and Forbes agreed with me on this).
My issue with QoT was that more emphasis was on the villains than on the leads’ relationship, and near the end of episode 6 of MRN, I feel the same misbalance in the story is being made.
Additionally, all of the standard tropes have come out in force in MRN, bogging down the developing of their relationship, so at episode 6, I’m still not invested in the show, whereas I was invested in Perfect Crown from the get-go, and completely hooked by episode 2.
In PC, the entire show dealt with building the relationship between the two leads (with some villains, but they weren’t the emphasis in the story), and once they had chosen each other in the first 3 episodes, spent the rest of the episodes showing their choices to be there for each other and back each other, regardless of the hurdles that came their way, which led to the building of a real romance and strong marriage that endured the dissolution of the monarchy and their original reason to join forces, so the show put emphasis on the relationship and that relationship endured everything.
I will continue and update at the end, but I have to say I don’t understand the hoopla over this show, so far.

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I started watch this drama while searching for Kim Jae Uck's work. I really enjoyed watching this drama.

The story had its own strength. The story was not over complicated, and the characters were simple and very much real.
The character development, healing past traumas were its strong points. I am glad that they did not leave any character with unfinished story. Each character solved their life's problem and became happy at the end which made me happy too.

I especially liked the character Lee Seon Ju. Her support and role made me yearn for a lifetime friend like her too. Even her story of getting hurt from her husband was so reasonable.

I love happy ending, so I really liked their ending where they actually focused on both their career and love life. there are dramas where at the last episode the couple gets separated for a few years for their career which makes me doubt why they could not find a way to be together, why long-distance relationship. That's why I really liked when the couple did not choose to stay long distanced.

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good watch....nothing morem nothing less

I completely understand the hype. The cast is visually stunning—IU and Woo Seok both look absolutely gorgeous. I loved their interactions and the playful teasing between them. Their chemistry felt natural and refreshing.

The concept was interesting too—mixing the modern world with Joseon elements was a unique blend that worked well. It was also a nice change of pace to see a couple who actually communicate and resolve issues quickly instead of dragging out misunderstandings for episodes.

I was captivated by the story in the beginning. But towards the end, I started skipping some scenes. It became a little dull. I'm not sure "boring" is quite the right word—it's more that something felt missing. The story was decent, the acting was fine, but overall it landed somewhere in the middle for me. Not great, not terrible. Just average.

It's a shame because I was hoping for another standout drama from Woo Seok after Lonely Runner, which I absolutely adored. I'm keeping my hopes up for his next project—Solo Leveling. I love the manga, so I truly can't wait to see what he does with it.

Verdict: Gorgeous cast, decent story, but something was missing. Worth a watch if you're a fan of the leads, but don't expect another Lonely Runner.

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It works, so why didn't it fully work for me?

I honestly don’t know how I truly feel about this drama. Many things worked, I enjoyed the chemistry, the bickering, the vulnerability of the situation the characters put themselves in, and yet… I feel strangely emotionally detached from it all.

Instead of the usual enemies to lovers, we get the rivals to lovers, with both the most ridiculous, but also somehow fitting the characters bet - who will make the other fall in love faster. It’s ridiculous by design, not by mistake. Both Zen and Ryo, at least to some extent, understand that it makes no sense, but it’s also the only way that feels safe to explore the potential of the romantic relationship - to dip into it without no way back into friendship. Obviously, as an audience we know from the start where the bet leads, but it’s fun to watch the characters figure it out themselves.

For the relationship that blooms from the false pretense there is surprisingly a lot of proper communication and vulnerability. It all changes when the emotions start to feel more real - the more you care, the more you want to hide things that could threaten what you have. Were these short lived miscommunications frustrating? Yes. But did they make sense? Also yes.

One thing that did bother me quite a lot was how uneven this relationship felt from the beginning till the end. Slowly they tried to present moments that were hinting things are more equal than it might seem, but I was never truly convinced.

While the main leads were rather well developed, the setting of the drama was not. Except for Futami Yuya I do not really remember any other co-worker. I don’t remember any project they worked on - everything was just bland and feeling the space since the romance cannot happen in a complete vacuum. And this might be the reason I was never really sold - it never felt real. And if it does not feel real, I don’t fully connect to the story.

Still, I did love the characters. Shito Zen was this cute hamster that honestly needed to chill. I felt burned out from work just watching him. Yotsuya Ryo was the puppy who needed a hug - all that emotional labor he did… And Futami Yuya was the true chaos I wish they introduced earlier in the plot.

All three actors (and the young actor playing teen leads) did a good job with the roles. I was for sure the most impressed with Hori Kaito - personal preference, but I love when actors can present so much angst and vulnerability with just their eyes and no lines spoken.

For the production - I like the visuals, I question the sounds. That soundtrack was ridiculous. This telenovela music needs to go.

Overall, I enjoyed it, but I also expected to enjoy it more.

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The Prince, The Prince and The Prince.

The tragedy that tried and delivered for the most part. It was entertaining, dramatic, slightly humorous and definitely a bl worth the money spent. Is it another Kill To Love, no, but closer than expected. The young actors made the best of what was before them. Both relatively new and they stole a piece of my heart. Their body movements are what caught me. No grand standing, posing or arrogance. Yan Zi easily believable as a grassland prince and Yin Qi, self willed and a prince now entering court. The stellar performance that overshadowed them though was Yin Zhou, the scheming jealous power hungry maligned half brother of Yin Qi. One could easily forget the kisses and nc of the ml when compared to his final scene.

The plot and pacing were okay for a short length bl and as Yan Zi waned, it became emotional. Always the voice of reason, he held Yin Qi face his responsibilities. Seeing his re-entry at the end would soften the most hardened critic. I breathed a whole lot better watching his melancholic eyes. They made a good pair.

There were parts needing a bit more polish but excusable. Again Yin Zhou's storyline and performances more than made up for the lack. I did enjoy the entirety and after viewing, hope to see them again.

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10/10 interesting

I'm a fan of SnowMan's Mukai Koji, and this was my first time watching a Thai drama because he was starring in it.
Also, because it was a BL drama, I was quite nervous before it started, but my anxiety disappeared immediately. The story is interesting, the tempo is good, and it's very easy to watch. There are various elements scattered throughout, such as heart-pounding, comedy, and serious stories...it was so interesting that I couldn't stop watching.
The cold-hearted boss, which is not in Mukai Koji's public image, is a role I've been waiting for. And his facial expressions are amazing!
Every scene where he talks to his best friend, Fluke, at the restaurant, is so relaxing! The occasional Japanese words that pop up are also good.
It was my first time watching Thai actors act, but they all acted well. March was younger and cuter than I usually think, and his acting as a student was so different that I thought he was a different person...
There are some scenes that you don't often see in Japan, so I'm looking forward to it. It's filled with Thai tourist sites, food, and customs, as well as Japanese language and customs, so you can learn about Thai and Japanese culture.
I can't wait for the next episode!

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10/10 Billkin & PP Deliver Again

10/10 Billkin & PP Deliver Again
This movie is absolutely hilarious and surprisingly beautiful too. I was laughing from start to finish! Even though it's a comedy, it has emotional depth and doesn't feel shallow at all. I didn't watch the original version since I usually stick with Thai shows, so I can't really compare the two.
Let's talk about the characters:
Billkin as Menn - He plays a straight guy who works as an undercover cop, but he's terrible at it. Every mission turns into a disaster, and his boss is constantly yelling at him.
Basically, he's a walking bad-luck magnet. One day, while walking in the park, he sees a red envelope and thinks it's an angpao (a money envelope), so he picks it up. That moment completely changes his life.
PP as Titi - His character is clearly a hopeless romantic. He is an openly gay and used to have a boyfriend, but sadly, the guy was just using him-for a condo, gifts, and who knows what else. Titi dreamed of getting married one day, but that all ended after his accident. To make it worse, his ex was basically scamming him the whole time.
I won't go into too much detail about their story to avoid spoilers. Some people say it's a BL, but honestly, I didn't really feel any romantic connection between Menn and Titi.
It felt more like a deep friendship or even a family-like bond.
We never really find out if Menn still has any family, since he's shown living alone. But what I really love is how he finds comfort and a sense of belonging with Titi's family. His dad and grandma treat Menn like he's one of their own, and that warmth really stood out to me. Although, I don't feel any romantic connection between Menn and Titi, the movie kept me entertained the whole time, and I liked how it ended-it felt realistic. No reincarnation or magical twist.
Acting-wise, everyone delivered their roles well especially Billkin who can't just play a serious role but he's definitely a versatile actor. The production value is also solid, you can tell they really put effort into it. The color grading was great, as well as the OST.

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9/10 Tay: "its time to end game"

9/10 Tay: "its time to end game"
Namtan is a fiery seduisant charlatan. It was such a waste to portray Jos and her as half siblings. Their pair would look just as hot as competitive their characters are. Scriptwriters have employed plausible plots to weave the series indicating that they have done their homework. I loved the costumes, makeup, styling, locations, art and interiors. Color of frames and quality of scenes is appreciable. Story shows power struggle to gain a luxurious life. Every character seemed convincing except for Kapook who overdid than required.
The story unfolds its mystery element over the entangled affairs of the pawns in the game.
Foei-Mek was not appealing to me. Not in terms of their ability but demeanor. Twist in the plot occurs in the middle instead of the end. P'Jo must have been tagged 'god of dark drama' by now. This GMMTV in-house production depicts variety of people in their robust nature trying to survive in critical times especially roles portrayed by veterans. Tay is definitely a better actor who deserves more roles.

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10/10 I created an account to write this review

10/10 I created an account to write this review
This series has exceptional story line, incredible acting and production. It's perfect! It's the best series I have watched from Thailand.
As a writer myself, I wish I could meet the writers and tell them how amazing their story is. I never expected so much plot twist and beautiful narration.
Other series I watched have shallow plot and focus mostly on romance between characters. However, this series is a perfect blend of fantasy with subtitle science fiction.
Also, Gun the actor for Dome is phenomenal. I love how he is able to act multiple characters in the same series. I loved his role in Not Me as well.
I'm really surprised no one has reviews this yet because of how amazing it is. I hope to see more amazing series like this one from Thailand.

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I am deeply fascinated and inspired by the Chinese people.

It comes as no surprise how China, in less than a single generation, managed to transform itself from poverty into such a massive global economy. Of course, not everything is picture-perfect, but the people always are. Both male leads in this series are so outstanding that it is impossible to take your eyes off them. I also find the current rating a bit underrated, so I am giving it a full 10/10 across the board to make up for it.

I especially love the scene where Pei Qinghua cries in the taxi. This man is strong, hardworking, disciplined, and never gives up. He has dedicated himself completely, yet had to stumble and struggle so much. When he finally made it through, he was just incredibly overjoyed. At first, he cried only a little, but then it was as if he couldn't stop and ended up crying heavily, with his senior trying to comfort him in a funny way. The reason I love this scene is that I am a fan of Xiao Hou. I adore him so much in this role where he was made to look unhandsome, scruffy, and unfashionable, yet he remains highly eye-catching anyway. This way, people will finally see his talent shine ahead of his looks.

As for Wu Lei, he blends seamlessly and becomes one with his character. I find him perfectly sly and rebellious, doing everything with a strategic plan yet guided by his heart. Xiao Chuang changes Pei Qinghua's rigid decision-making, but that doesn't mean Pei Qinghua works any less hard; he is still as diligent as ever in checking his work. If a woman were to choose a partner, she would probably choose Pei Qinghua. However, in terms of catching one's eye, Xiao Chuang appears more captivating at first sight based on personality. In reality, Xiao Chuang is also a devoted lover, it is just that I prefer someone straightforward and comfortable to be with. Sorry, Xiao Chuang, you are just not my type.

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