Reviews

Preciso começar exaltando a atuação de Lu Feng e Xiao Chen. A forma como eles passaram as emoções de cada cena é absurda — sem exagero, digna de Oscar.

Vou destacar ainda mais o Lu Feng. A precisão com que ele transmitiu raiva, transtorno e amor foi surreal. E não estou falando só das cenas “bonitas”. O que mais me impressionou foi a exatidão dele nas cenas em que o personagem está completamente desestabilizado. Ele conduziu tudo com maestria. De verdade, fiquei de boca aberta e só conseguia admirar. Tiro meu chapéu pra atuação dos dois.

Agora, sobre a história… aí a coisa muda. Ela é extremamente problemática do início ao fim. Lida com temas sensíveis, dolorosos e agonizantes de um jeito que nunca tinha me afetado tanto assistindo algo. E não estou dizendo isso de forma positiva. No começo até segura bem, apesar de alguns deslizes. Mas chega um ponto que fica insuportável acompanhar, e tem cenas que pra mim são inaceitáveis até o último capítulo. Não vou passar pano pra isso.

Foi difícil terminar de assistir. Fui até o fim justamente por causa da atuação impecável — é raro conseguir acompanhar uma história com esse nível de entrega dos atores. E isso é inegável. Tenho certeza que a obra foi odiada por muita gente, mas me recuso a não reconhecer o trabalho deles. A forma como passaram os sentimentos dos personagens me deixava instigada e admirada o tempo todo.

Não me arrependo de ter assistido, porque fiquei encantada com a atuação. Por isso consigo recomendar, mas já aviso: não vai ser fácil acompanhar e é bem provável que você queira abandonar em certos momentos por causa das atitudes dos personagens e do contexto da história.

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Between Greatness and Excessive Tragedy

The Lead follows the life of Laidi, a girl from the countryside who, due to circumstance and her family's extreme poverty, is reluctantly taken by her uncle to a Qinqiang Opera troupe, one of the oldest forms of traditional Chinese opera and an important symbol of cultural preservation.

The story begins in the late 1970s, during the final years of the Cultural Revolution, a period that sought to eliminate ideas associated with capitalist influences and pre-revolutionary Chinese traditions. One of the most interesting aspects of the series is the atmosphere of constant surveillance within the troupe's small community and how it reflects the social tensions of the time. People who supported and opposed the revolution are forced to continue living together while adapting to a new political reality. The contrast between this environment of scrutiny and a troupe made up of artists trained in an earlier era becomes one of the show's strongest elements, adding historical context while generating personal and legal conflicts for those involved.

Right from the start, the young actress playing Laidi wins the audience over. She is so effective in the role that it's hard not to regret knowing she will eventually be replaced by an older actress. Through silence, body language, and simple shifts in her gaze, she conveys the character's humility and sense of displacement with remarkable clarity.

The training period within the troupe is also when the series introduces many of the characters who will remain important throughout the story. Most notably, Laidi's uncle Hu Sanyuan, who constantly finds himself in trouble. The series also explores the conservatism of the era, the incompetent bureaucratic leadership, rivalries among performers, and Laidi's struggle to find her place both as an artist and within everyday social interactions.

During this period, Laidi learns many of life's lessons through her experiences in the troupe: Jiahe's jealousy, her first love for Xiaoxiao, the care she receives from the kitchen staff, and countless situations created by her uncle, who, despite being a good person, seems incapable of avoiding trouble. Eventually, the two are separated when he is imprisoned following yet another mishap involving a cannon during a performance.

Farewells become a recurring theme throughout Laidi's journey, and the series handles them particularly well. After all, life is shaped by countless goodbyes, especially while growing up. These departures only carry weight because the series takes the time to build its relationships properly, turning many of its supporting characters into people the audience genuinely cares about.

As promised, the story moves across several decades of Laidi's life, eventually reaching the 1980s through a time-skip sequence centered on her training. For years, she practices in secret under the guidance of four elderly masters who recognize her talent. Her relationship with these mentors, especially Master Gu, who takes on an almost paternal role in her life, becomes one of the highlights of the series.

Her stage debut is another key moment. The sequence cuts between Laidi performing and her uncle playing drumsticks in prison, creating the sense that they are sharing the moment despite being apart. As the performance moves the audience within the story, it becomes one of the series' most memorable scenes. If the show had ended there, it would have already justified the journey.

The writing during this section is at its strongest, often relying on subtlety rather than direct exposition. One example is the departure of the troupe's director, who leaves without receiving a single farewell. Similarly, while Master Gu remains strict because discipline is the only method he knows, brief moments of affection strengthen the bond between teacher and student until their eventual passing of the torch.

One of my main criticisms of the series is that Laidi is rarely allowed to remain comfortable for more than a single episode before a new setback arrives. Eventually, this becomes repetitive. Just as she begins to settle into life within the troupe and gains recognition through successful performances, she is transferred to the Chang'an troupe and larger stages. Once again, other people decide her future for her.

Unfortunately, not everything in the second half reaches the level of the first.

In Chang'an, Laidi encounters many of the same challenges she has already faced: rivalries, sabotage, jealousy, and competition. It often feels like a less engaging repetition of earlier storylines. This is also where the series begins to lose momentum with the introduction of its long-term romantic interest. Everything involving Hongbing feels out of place. He is a one-dimensional character who comes across like someone imported from an entirely different show. He is the kind of person who insists on calling himself charming while constantly being irritating. There is little emotional depth or nuance to justify his role in the story. It feels as though the writers decided Laidi needed romance and personal drama, and simply dropped him into the narrative to provide it.

As a result, the most engaging storylines often end up being those involving Hu Sanyuan or the return of characters from the original countryside troupe.

Another issue with the Chang'an arc is the troupe itself. Most of its members function as background characters, receiving little development, personality, or individual storylines. More importantly, the performances, which should be the heart of the series, often become montage sequences set to the show's theme song. This weakens both immersion and the emotional impact these scenes should have carried.

As time passes, Laidi becomes increasingly famous, but the gap between her success on stage and her personal unhappiness becomes a defining aspect of her life. Even after marrying Hongbing, she never appears to find fulfillment. Much of this stems from her inability to fully understand herself, open up emotionally, and make peace with her own choices, all of which can be traced back to the way she was raised.

By the 1990s, the series explores the decline of opera's popularity. Characters from earlier chapters find themselves in very different places after leaving artistic life behind. The show consistently improves whenever it reconnects with the people and relationships established in its earlier years.

Meanwhile, Laidi and Hongbing struggle to survive financially, particularly when their son becomes ill and they must gather money for his surgery. These circumstances show how two people lacking self-worth, one introverted and the other extroverted, change under the pressure of life's difficulties.

Still, the series continues to rely heavily on suffering as a narrative device. Many of the later tragedies feel less like natural developments and more like attempts to sustain the final stretch of a 48-episode story.

Even so, the ending is not without worthwhile moments. Scenes such as Laidi singing again while her voice echoes throughout the apartment complex, or her final performance in which she remembers the people who shaped her life, remain effective. That said, the latter sequence is stretched by the excessive presence of a certain character. The series seems to expect viewers to forget everything that came before and accept them as a happy, well-adjusted couple. I didn't.

In the end, the first half comes close to being a perfect drama. From the Chang'an arc onward, however, the series enters a gradual decline, almost mirroring the decline of opera within its own story. It becomes weighed down by tragedies that often feel unnecessary, proving that, more often than not, less would have been more. Even so, it continues to find strong moments whenever it returns to its roots and the characters that made the story work in the first place.

Is it worth watching? Absolutely. Its highest points are strong enough to carry much of the weaker material that follows, allowing the journey to remain satisfying despite its flaws. By the end, what stays with you is the time spent alongside Laidi and the Qinqiang Opera troupe.

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so far good

Drama China Never-Ending Summer menghadirkan kisah cinta remaja yang manis sekaligus menyakitkan antara Zhou Wan dan Lu Xixiao. Berawal dari kebutuhan Zhou Wan untuk menyelamatkan neneknya yang sakit, hubungan keduanya berkembang menjadi cinta pertama yang hangat di masa muda. Namun berbagai kesalahpahaman dan kerasnya kenyataan membuat mereka harus berpisah selama bertahun-tahun sebelum akhirnya bertemu kembali saat dewasa. �
FilmiBeat + 1
Yang membuat drama ini menarik adalah perpaduan antara tema first love, perjuangan hidup, dan kesempatan kedua. Chemistry antara Bao Shang'en dan Zhou Keyu terasa natural sehingga banyak adegan yang berhasil membuat penonton ikut tersenyum maupun patah hati. Selain romansa, drama ini juga menampilkan proses pertumbuhan karakter dari masa sekolah hingga dunia kerja. �
CPOP HOME + 1
Kelebihan drama ini terletak pada suasana musim panas yang hangat, visual yang indah, serta alur yang cukup emosional tanpa terlalu banyak pasangan sampingan yang mengganggu fokus cerita utama. Beberapa penonton juga memuji chemistry pemeran utamanya sejak episode-episode awal.
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Meski alurnya menggunakan trope yang cukup familiar seperti bad boy x good girl, drama ini tetap berhasil memberikan emosi yang kuat dan membuat penonton penasaran dengan perjalanan hubungan kedua tokohnya.

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Excellent story plus strong chemistry

The best C-drama of 2026, without a shadow of a doubt, has set an exceptionally high bar for everything else released this year. It's truly a masterpiece that has captivated audiences and critics alike, earning its place as an instant classic in the bustling world of Chinese television dramas. What truly elevates this particular series above its contemporaries is its exquisitely balanced and masterfully woven narrative tapestry, which seamlessly blends elements of romance, humor, family dynamics, and the enduring power of friendship. This intricate fusion of genres doesn't just work; it flourishes, creating a viewing experience that is both deeply engaging and profoundly resonant.
The romantic storyline, in particular, is handled with a delicate touch, portraying a love that feels both passionate and refreshingly genuine, avoiding the common pitfalls of melodrama or forced tropes. It's a journey of two souls finding each other, navigating obstacles, and growing together, making their connection feel utterly believable and heartwarming. Complementing this romantic core is a generous dose of humor, expertly sprinkled throughout the episodes. This isn't just slapstick comedy; it's witty dialogue, cleverly conceived situations, and charming character quirks that elicit genuine laughter, providing much-needed levity and enhancing the overall enjoyment. The exploration of family relationships, from heartwarming bonds to complex challenges, adds another rich layer to the drama. It delves into the nuances of filial piety, rivalry, and the unconditional love that often underpins familial ties, offering relatable scenarios that many viewers can connect with on a personal level. Furthermore, the portrayal of friendship is nothing short of superb, showcasing the loyalty, support, and camaraderie that define true companions, proving that these bonds are just as vital and impactful as any romantic connection.
At the heart of this phenomenal success are the lead actors, Linghe and Xiwei, who deliver performances that are nothing short of phenomenal. They were undeniably at their absolute best in this series, embodying their characters with such depth, nuance, and conviction that they almost ceased to be actors and instead became the very people they were portraying. Their chemistry on screen is palpable, sparking with an electricity that makes every interaction, every stolen glance, and every heartfelt confession feel incredibly real and impactful. Beyond their exceptional acting prowess, their physical appearance is undeniably gorgeous, a fact that certainly doesn't hurt the drama's widespread appeal. Their striking good looks, combined with their undeniable talent, create a magnetic pull that keeps viewers utterly entranced.
It's no exaggeration to say that my newsfeed, and indeed the newsfeeds of countless others, was utterly flooded with content related to this drama. From enthusiastic fan theories and episode recaps to beautifully edited fan videos and heartfelt discussions, the series dominated online conversations, becoming a true cultural phenomenon. This pervasive presence in the digital sphere is a testament to its widespread impact and the deep connection it forged with its audience. For me, personally, this drama emerged as a cherished source of comfort and solace during what were undeniably trying times. Its ability to transport me into a world of captivating stories, endearing characters, and uplifting emotions provided a much-needed escape and a sense of warmth, proving that sometimes, a truly exceptional piece of entertainment can be a powerful balm for the soul.

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Alot of food & alot of violence with last minute unexplained happy ending

The male lead is pretty loathful for a good bit & then his deranged broken bad boy charm slowly (slowly) settles in. This is fiction/fantasy, so it's best to avoid seeing his character as real boyfriend material, but you have to admire his loyalty & "all in" attitude. (well Let's try to say so anyway) . Kudos to male lead Lee Chae Min for pulling off the nuances of deranged, unhinged , smolderingly charming & heartbreakingly distraught.
A nod to Choi Gwi Hwa as well for making his villain so maniacal.
The Female lead works really hard to sell her character & though the actress is not my favorite (SO I say ,as I realize just how many drama's I've watched with her in them!) she jumps into every scene with "gusto" and makes it work for her. Male lead's character ,(a demonic form of Austen's Mr. Darcy ), & is angry at everyone & bent on revenge -though he's not sure (or particular about) who the target is. The cooking & the killing being equal parts in this drama, are an odd mix. The cooking segments are wonderful (even if you aren't a foodie) The bite size mysteries that pop up every once in awhile concerning sabotage , trading out new world ingredients for Joseon dynasty ones is surprisingly interesting. Figuring out who (all) the bad guys are is difficult as there are alot of people who'd like to see the leads dead.
In order to enjoy this drama : suspend disbelief a good bit and take it for the violent yet somewhat fluffy drama it is. Set your expectations at that bar & don't get caught up in the few plot holes ( might be more than a few). Overall I enjoyed the drama, though Ep. 11 was brutal & hard to get through, but as you go you see it's necessary. The first half of Ep. 12 is unpleasantly bloody & gut wrenchingly emotional (pun intended). Both Ep 11 & 12 have recollection montages (which I hate) , but the warm fuzzy in them set you up to be emotionally invested in the final struggle & then to fully enjoy the happy conclusion . (Though be warned; the happy ending is both nonsensical & satisfying). If given another episode they might have gone into explanations, but really, why bother ? They have already given clues for us to fill in the blanks ourselves & why does it matter anyway ?

I took off points in my rating for what I felt was too much time spend on drawing out killing scenes . ( A quick stab -camera pans away & move on is the way I like my drama deaths!)

I will rewatch this.
I didn't notice the OST at all, which fits this drama well.

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A warm and realistic small-town drama

Overall, liked it. It's easy to watch, starts with a fast-paced, bad-boy vibe, but by the middle it shifts into more of a slice-of-life, slow-burn romance (somewhere between Speed and Love and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, if that makes sense 🫠)

Pros:
The village setting gives it a cozy feel, with a strong sense of community and neighbors helping each other. The characters felt realistic, including the villains, who were ordinary people rather than over-the-top evil characters.

Although poverty is a major theme, it's portrayed in a realistic way without making the drama too heavy. I appreciated that the story didn't pretend everything would magically get better. It shows that life can be unfair at times, even for people who work hard and do their best.

Nice soundtrack, beautiful village scenery, a good-looking cast and healthy relationships ✔️

Cons:
My only criticism is more about the production than the story itself, which I thought was very well written. Some scene transitions felt a bit abrupt, and I wish the series had shown a bit more emotion in some of the romantic and sadder moments.

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The cinematography in this production is genuinely breathtaking, a true masterclass in visual storytelling. Every frame appears meticulously composed, showcasing an exquisite use of lighting, color palettes, and camera angles that elevate the entire viewing experience. From sweeping landscape shots that immerse the audience in the setting to intimate close-ups that capture the subtlest emotions, the visual aesthetic is consistently outstanding. And oh my goodness, I am utterly obsessed with the costume design! The attention to detail, the rich textures, the historical accuracy blended with artistic flair – each outfit is a work of art in itself, contributing significantly to character development and world-building. The costuming team deserves immense credit for creating such a vibrant and believable wardrobe that enhances the narrative so effectively.
Yiran’s portrayal is absolutely captivating; his face is stunning, no doubt about it, possessing an ethereal quality that commands attention in every scene. He brings a depth and nuance to his character that is truly commendable. Similarly, Duling is super adorable, exuding a charm that is both endearing and powerful. Her acting, moreover, is remarkably mature and impressively refined for an actress of her apparent experience. She navigates complex emotional landscapes with grace and conviction, delivering performances that resonate deeply with the audience. Both of the main actors, Yiran and Duling, did a genuinely great job, demonstrating exceptional talent and an undeniable on-screen chemistry that forms the emotional core of the series. Their performances alone are a compelling reason to watch.
However, despite these many strengths, there's just way too much going on with that whole convoluted "game" or intricate power struggle between Zhao, Yanfang, and Deng Yi. This particular subplot feels overly complicated and, at times, unnecessarily dense, overshadowing other more engaging aspects of the story. The constant maneuvering, backstabbing, and intricate schemes involving these characters often detract from the main narrative thrust and can be difficult to follow without intense concentration. Honestly, some episodes tend to get a bit boring, feeling prolonged and sluggish precisely because they lean too heavily into this overly complex political intrigue. They are missing that spark of humor, a much-needed injection of levity or wit that could break the tension and make the viewing experience more enjoyable and less mentally taxing. A touch of comedic relief or simply less convoluted plotting in this specific area would undoubtedly enhance the overall pacing and audience engagement.

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RESEÑA <3

Este K-drama ha sido una de esas series que te atrapan desde el primer capítulo. Tiene mucha intriga y tensión, siempre dejando preguntas en el aire y consiguiendo que quieras seguir viendo un episodio tras otro.

La vi con mi novio y nos pasó exactamente lo mismo: nos enganchamos los dos desde el principio. Cada capítulo se hace muy corto porque la historia avanza constantemente y cuando termina uno te quedas pensando: “venga, uno más”.

Uno de los puntos fuertes es la relación entre el trío protagonista. La química entre ellos es fantástica y es imposible no cogerles cariño. Tienen momentos muy bonitos, de amistad, lealtad y apoyo mutuo que hacen que conectes emocionalmente con los personajes. Hubo varias escenas que me hicieron llorar porque están muy bien construidas y consiguen llegar al espectador.

Además, el reparto está de 10. Todos los actores hacen un trabajo increíble y logran transmitir perfectamente las emociones de sus personajes. Y como extra, ¡sale P.O, lo que siempre suma puntos!

Lo mejor:

* Mucha intriga y suspense.
* Personajes muy carismáticos.
* Relación preciosa entre los protagonistas.
* Episodios que se pasan volando.
* Finales de capítulo que te dejan con ganas de más.
* Reparto excelente.

Valoración: 10/10 ⭐

Una serie muy recomendable si te gustan los dramas con emoción, misterio, acción y personajes a los que acabas cogiendo muchísimo cariño. 💙📺

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9/10 Absolutely Adorable

The story flows at a decente rythm and the pace is right.
The leads chemistry is spot on and the acting is great!
The drama may be a bit over the top sometimes but is really well handled by the actors, it never becomes boring or unbearable. What I realy liked about the drama was how it was handled, on many shows of this genre the drama is poorly executed, is exagerated and sometimes is annoying because it makes no sense. But on "You are Mine", Yao Shun Yu's fears were justified and not over acted, and didn't drag for too long, although I always had the feeling that Xia Shang Zhou never left space for Yao to wonder about his intentions. But, like I said, given both personalities the fear was justified.
I was satisfied with the pace on the ten episodes and the ending was so beautiful and they are absolutely adorable.
Love them!

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Definitely one of the top indie/sleeper hits of this year

The whole series was top-notch from beginning to end. A couple issues notwithstanding, I'd definitely recommend this series to anyone that likes a good story and good action.

My only issues with this series was I didn't like that Peem died for the red string. Peem, Dean and the dad were all at the funeral. Any one of them could have taken the hit for the red string besides Lene. Dean was a childhood friend of Lene, and though I know it wouldn't have made sense for him to die in order to take Lene's place, he makes about as much sense as Peem, in that, he had nothing to do with the story, besides being a decoy for Lene's plan. The dad should have been taken Lene's place, because deep down she still cared about her dad. It's why she didn't outright kill him, when he had the gun on Rann. I get why they chose Peem--he was like a big brother to Lene and his character was only there for the revenge on the dad for Lene's mom, someone he saw as a mother figure. I get that, but still if the dad was going to die anyway, why not have him be the one to take the hit for the red string? This point, and the horrible ADR and song choices in the episode six love scene are why this series gets a 9/10, instead of a 10.

Besides those issues, I really liked this series. The chemistry between the actresses who play Lene and Rann was top-tier. Mie, the actress who plays Lene, very much gives me Faye Peraya Malisorn vibes. She is what would happen if Faye and Freen had a baby girl. Her acting , especially her facial acting is very good, something that many praise Freen for, and she has that opposing, commanding presence of Faye. I've seen Ava, the actress who plays Rann, previously in a series named Love Sea. She was good in that series, so I figured she would be good in this series, and I wasn't disappointed. She's able to play a character who's somewhat vulnerable on the outside, yet has a strong inner strength with just the right amount of believability, so that the character feels very grounded in the story and that's a big plus.

On the whole, this series is definitely up there with shows like Heart Code for top indie/sleeper hit of this year. This is following in the vein of other indie shows that are showing from of these bigger production companies how it should be done. Great job to the actors and production of Love Beyond Dreams and to Me Mind Y.

P.S. I can't wait to see what Me Mind Y has for Miephat and Ava next. I hope they can get another series going soon.

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7/10 Date Your Boss, Okay Or Not?

7/10 Date Your Boss, Okay Or Not?
This BL is about problematic love between a manager and his subordinate. The plot is pretty simple, the cliche about a forbidden relationship at the workplace. Usually the problem comes from the co-workers. That's kind of the selling point of this series. I like stories about love at the workplace, so this one is right up my alley. I like the couple choice for this series. I can feel the chemistry, it's electric. The acting for most casts are decent, except for the main character. I think he needs to work on his crying skill. Cause when Ben cried, it looked a bit forced. It didn't look natural. Also the part where Pat didn't believe it when Jeng confessed his love was a bit far-fetched. Kinda weird to me. Like it's being inserted into the plot forcefully even when it's illogical.
That's why I took 1 star from my initial rating.

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Not much to say except typical Ao3 y/n plot.

Another K-bl and I keep on complaining on the same things. Korean bl clearly doesn't understand how to make their stories realistic and I do not like it. Basically the whole club being sold to a big ent company is a fun idea and very creative how they thought of an 'idol ish' football club. But this is just giving the typical 2010's harry style fanfic. Do Ji being a fan and everything and then randomly his 'idol' shows up...

I fucking love sport bl's, especially when they use a sport that isn't overused like basketball. I used to play basketball but I'm tired of the amount of times they use basketball as sport. But, soccer however, is never used. It's very original for a bl to use soccer as a sport. I really love this.

I love how Yoo Gang was an idol just like some other members because they just added some scene's I found funny/recognisable. Like how Yoo Gang Jae does the complete opposite of what he says in interviews. And I'm giving an extra point because EXO FIRST SNOW DANCE. And why can these actors dance this good?

I'm gonna be honest, with so many players everything started to get really confusing. They kinda all exist and it's hard to remember their story lines because they're being thrown at us. Also, it wasn't clear to me which role who had, especially on the field. Like who does defence and who is where?

A very slight thing that I won't count for my review this time, maybe I'm not right but the music in this sounds VERY ai generated. The English sounds so weird and the beats make no sense. It could just be lowbuggeted music but there's something off from it. Another thing, which I also won't change my final rating is the English translation. It was irritating cuz it covered my whole screen whenever they pulled out their phones. It's okay because this was the translation company fucking it up but it was really annoying how I had to pause it to be able to read what was going on.

What confused me the most is no training and no practice match? This is just really weird to me. I get that they had limited budget because this is a low budgeted series but like the only practise I've really seen is tricks? Like cool but when are you actually gonna practice? Especially for the 'idols'. Yes, they had like 1 match in the beginning. The whole plot was all over the place like what was going on bro? The time skips were so fucking unnecessary and just typically Korean... Not only that, the romance was lacking, barely any chemistry and it took fucking 8 episodes for a little romance? I liked Do Ji U and Yoo gang together but the side characters? Don't even understand what happened there.

It's low budgeted, which I genuinely don't care about but it's still mid. Low budget doesn't mean it's mid and could be really well if they just thought about shit. Like location and timeline.

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9/10 Love In Life

9/10 Love In Life
This romantic-comedy BL series tells a story about love, friendship, and betrayal. How something so pure and innocent can turn into something wicked and pure evil. An interesting topic indeed, but to get there, you gotta power through the first episode. Because the first episode is so boring and uneventful. It only consists of introductions to all characters in this series. There's a whole bunch of groups of friends. So you can imagine how excruciatingly dull it is. I think the director should've been able to make it more interesting. As the story progresses to the second and third episode, it gets more and more interesting. Until it reaches the climax at the last episode. I thought that this series is gonna be very vanilla (meaning no harm or bad things can ever happen to the main lead), but as it turned out, it's not as vanilla as I thought. Some people said that the ending was ridiculously chaotic just because the bad guy was forgiven. But I think it's the ideal ending, nice and peaceful.
Just like the title.

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Duang with You is overhyped and overrated, but it was fine I guess..

Disclaimer!! This is my opinion, and let me know if you disagree or agree!

So first off, I want to start with Duang's character. The show makes him out to be a person who is the "golden retriever" in the relationship, but it just didn't do it for me. I found his character sometimes annoying and frustrating. Why? He's supposed to be a college student, but acts like he's five. I get that might be his personality, but why are you sticking out your tongue like a dog? Honestly, the only time I found his behavior funny was when he was actually making a joke, not acting like he was immature and a baby. I'd honestly would have liked to see more of his serious side and vulnerable side, but there were only two moments, so I guess not? I might seem like the fun police, but I don't find it funny when an adult acts like a baby. Leave that to the millennials.

Next, I want to get into Qinn's character. Opposite of Duang and his "golden retriever" personality, he is perceived as the "black cat" of the relationship, but as it didn't work out for Duang, it didn't work out for Qinn either. I found his character to be not self-centered, but ignorant. Qinn gives Duang permission to pursue him and doesn't even show a slight interest in the first 5-6 episodes. I also found it stupid of the writers to set up the beginning like that just for Qinn to not give the slightest shit and get annoyed every time Duang popped up. He didn't even start being interested until episode 5 or 6. I know his character is closed off because of his past with the trauma and ex-crush, but come on. Couldn't you just reciprocate with just a "I like you back, but I don't know how to show it" or something along those lines? I would have liked that, but Qinn just didn't do that.

Now, the whole plot was a good idea. An extroverted college art student pursuing a career as a cold jazz singer who also went to his college. It had potential, but due to the writing and pacing, it felt odd. Qinn not recepricating til episode 6 gave off that Duang was a creep and stalkerish. I know it was not like that in the show, but if you think outside of the show. Even when they did get together, it felt like they weren't. I don't know.

The relationship aspect of it was ehhh. As I said throughout this whole review, it took a while for Qinn to warm up to Duang. We finally got them together in episode 6, I'm pretty sure. Oh wait, WRONG! Qinnn's ex comes in and fucks up shit. Not like there wasn't shit going on, but it was unnecessary for him to try to win him back now, when he could have done it before Duang came into the picture. The whole ex-plot line was in early high school, and the main plot line was in early college. Correct me if I'm wrong, though. The ex would have had a lot of time to make up with him in that crunch of time before Duang came in. Also, the way Duang handled the ex coming in just had me like, what happened to the Duang who apparently "never gave up" and just became sad. Pmo.

Qinn's trauma and backstory were not well done, as they could have been. As I said, it was a good idea, but they absolutely didn't handle it well. As a kid, the babysitter his parents got "abused" him, not like hitting, but tried to make Qinn eat dirt and yelled at him. Kinda off putting and bold. That is very traumatic, and I understand why that would make him the way he is, but I wouldn't think that it would make him socially distant in a relationship. The scene where he yells at his parents for not being there for him was fine. I liked how Duang comforted him and calmed him in his arms, a moment where I didn't find Duang's character immature. THEN, in the next scene, Qinn's mom is rubbing him and hugging him? What happened to being mad?! The parents and Qinn didn't even go into a stage where they were trying to find ways to get back with him; the writers just skipped it. Another issue with the pacing.

The side story with Jamie Marvis. I don't wanna say I hated it, but I just was kinda confused. They were meant to be a sexy and intimate couple. But instead, they got barely any screen time, and had no spicy scenes, while Qinn and Duang had multiple, and didn't seem like the couple to do that after they got to be in a couple and be emotionally intimate first; however, they didn't. A side note to JamieMarvis is the English-speaking. I didn't hate it, but found it unnecessary and kinda cringe. Although they are following the novel, so I guess go off kings. I would have liked to see more of Jamie being inspired by Duang and trying to get Marivs to be his actual boyfriend, but their trope was friends with benefits, so.

The acting was okay. Nothing jaw-dropping, the only "good" acting was when Qinn was yelling at his parents. When Qinn acted sad, it didn't feel genuine and just felt like ehhh. What could I say about Tee Tee's acting and Por's? They could improve, but this is their debut series, and the acting was alright, so I can't be mad. Not to mention, they were in a singing group first, so I can't be harsh with them.


Overall? I think this series could have been written better, acted better, and honestly? It is kinda overhyped and overrated for a series with a mid-plot. I've seen better shows that are so much, well, I wouldn't say better, but in my opinion, with elements that Duang with You just didn't have.

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