Reviews

My first Thai BL and it was amazing!!!

First off, I love these actors so much. I have watched this 4 times within 2 weeks. I’m that obsessed with the story, I love ghost detective mysteries and this delivered. I’ve seen some people talking about stylistic choices and other plot issues and I’m here to cape for this show lol

First, I loved that they focused on small details like making Thup have heterochromia because, in some cultures, odd eyes are associated with people who can see supernatural beings like ghosts and spirits. I liked that small detail and my first time watching I thought it was the actors real eye colors. I have seen people with different colored eyes and some do have a larger pupil especially if the eye experienced physical trauma. My only gripe on the eyes was the 10 year old version of Thup didn’t seem to have odd eyes in the flash back but that’s a small thing.

For the plot holes, I believe the most glaring for me was why not test the DNA of all people involved during the period of the investigation, even the YouTubers? If they had tested them, Bom would have come back as related to the hair on the clay doll they found the night that Ghost Hunt had infiltrated the crime scene. My only explanation was that they had created a profile for a man older than 30 years old since the crimes were happening since 15 years ago. Also, the YouTubers did seem like your typical dumb young adults who did stupid things for clout and views and likely not involved and the cops just wanted to scare them and have their DNA on file for safe keeping in case they did something stupid again.
Another thing that probably blinded the team was Darin’s accident which sidetracked them for a while (which is what the killers wanted). And lastly, the killers’ insane luck played a part. The ritual was both to extend their lives but also take in all the victims’ fortune. Considering that, I get why it was so hard to catch them, it didn’t help that the main perp was also ex cop :/

Another plot hole or weirdness that people mentioned was the Apple Watch not working with King but magically working with Bom. The simple answer is that it was discharged and King kept pressing on the button to try to turn it on but it wasn’t working. Those watches can barely last one full day unless you literally only use it as a watch. When Bom had it, he charged it (likely right at the abandoned mall) and used it to lure the team. As for Singha telling Thup to stay in the car, it actually makes a lot of sense because Thup could drive or run away as he was in an open space leading to the exit and couldn’t be locked inside the building. They didn’t know what they were walking into and didn’t want to risk giving them Thup since Singha was very sure he was the Saturday target. The problem was Thup didn’t listen (understandably since he’s worried), if he had stayed in the car he probably wouldn’t have gotten kidnapped.

Another plot hole people have mentioned was the use of the same crime scene for the new killings. My first watching I thought it was a different abandoned mall with a tree lol. Mainly because the outside of buildings looked similar but had different numbers of floors. The first was 3 stories and the second around 6-7 stories tall (I think). But on my 2nd and 3rd watch, I did realized that it was the same crime scene which makes sense with having to do the process again in the same place since it was interrupted but it means that the team didn’t think to check the original crime scene???
I can only attribute it to them being understaffed and doing everything secretly while the ghosts messed with them. Having the case closed also meant the abandoned mall becoming private property again since the developers wanted it back ASAP (which was the reason for the crazy push to close this case so soon.) I think the team and any logical person would assume that the developers would tighten security but they didn’t :/. In truth, I’m not sure if the production team didn’t have the budget for a second crime scene and try to make it seem like a different one and failed. Or it was just bad plot 😂 I sadly can’t defend this one.

I do have to say that the re-watchability is high on this one and I loved the characters, especially Thup and Singha. Thup is such a flirt, he would focus so hard on Singha at times it made him tongue tied. He would stare into his soul lol, while grilling King. I loved that birth day of the week coin scene because Thup was so possessive. Also, loved the twink top and beefy bottom dynamic, especially because Thup is quite dominant and possessive towards Singha which Singha seems to like 🥰

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Episode 6 One of my favorite things about When Oranges Fall is how gently it portrays first love.

As the other boys begin to discover their talents, ambitions, and goals, Koh 1 still seems lost. He doesn't know what he wants to become, and he doesn't know what he truly wants from life. Yet the answer may already be standing right beside him.

Koh 2's affection remains one of the sweetest parts of the series. He watches Koh 1 with a warmth and happiness that never feels forced. The relationship develops slowly, but every episode makes their connection feel deeper and more meaningful.

This drama would not work without Almond and Progress. Their performances give the story its charm, innocence, and emotional authenticity.

Episode 6 doesn't rely on big twists. Instead, it captures that beautiful stage of adolescence where everyone is changing, growing, and slowly learning who they are.

A lovely episode that left me smiling from beginning to end.

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Why Blossom (2024) Completely Captivated Me!

Blossom (九重紫) was one of the most enjoyable Chinese dramas I have watched in recent years. What initially drew me in was the rebirth storyline, but what kept me invested from beginning to end was the combination of strong writing, memorable characters, and excellent performances from the entire cast. The drama takes a familiar premise and elevates it through intelligent storytelling, emotional depth, and meaningful character development.

Meng Ziyi delivered a fantastic performance as Dou Zhao. She portrayed a woman who had suffered betrayal and heartbreak in her previous life yet remained intelligent, resilient, and determined to change her fate. Dou Zhao never felt like a helpless heroine waiting to be saved. Instead, she was capable, thoughtful, and often several steps ahead of her enemies. Meng Ziyi captured both her strength and vulnerability beautifully.

Li Yunrui was equally impressive as Song Mo. He brought dignity, charisma, and emotional depth to the role. Song Mo could be fierce and intimidating when facing his enemies, but Li Yunrui also showed his softer and more caring side in his scenes with Dou Zhao. The chemistry between the two leads felt natural and mature, built on trust, respect, and shared struggles rather than simple attraction. Their relationship developed gradually and became one of the drama's greatest strengths.

The supporting cast also deserves tremendous praise. One of my favourite characters was Yuan Tong (Ji Yong). He added mystery, wisdom, and emotional complexity to the story. Rather than feeling like a secondary character who existed only to support the leads, Yuan Tong had his own motivations, struggles, and memorable moments. Many of the side characters, whether allies or antagonists, were given enough depth to make the world feel alive and believable.

What impressed me most was the story itself. Blossom is much more than a romance. It combines family drama, political intrigue, revenge, redemption, and personal growth into a compelling narrative. The rebirth element is used effectively, allowing Dou Zhao to confront past mistakes and change the futures of those around her. The plot constantly moves forward with new challenges, conspiracies, and emotional moments, making it difficult to stop watching. The writers did an excellent job balancing the romance with the larger political and family conflicts.

Visually, the drama is beautiful. The costumes, cinematography, and production design create an immersive historical atmosphere. Every scene feels carefully crafted, enhancing both the emotional and dramatic moments. Many scenes between Dou Zhao and Song Mo are particularly stunning and memorable.

Overall, Blossom is a drama that excels in nearly every aspect. It features a gripping story, outstanding performances from Meng Ziyi and Li Yunrui, strong supporting characters like Yuan Tong, and a romance that feels earned and heartfelt. For anyone who enjoys historical romance, political intrigue, and strong character development, Blossom is an easy 10/10 recommendation.

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WHERE IS THE CLARITY????

I have never in my life hated and loved a show like this. It's like equilibrium for me because everything about it is so perfect but oh, how I hate unresolved endings. I know that this means there will be another season after this but I just feel ragebaited because there is no certainty with second seasons and there is no telling when or even IF they will be released.

However, and this is a big one - I still think it is worth a watch and this is coming from someone who HATES cliffhangers - seriously, I am an avid Thai BL watcher so I know every ending and every scene that's coming my way. I literally even have the pacing memorised in my head but I decided to try something new this time round and wow did this do the trick!

I had been on a short break from watching BL or any shows for that matter because I was going through a really dark time in my life, so the show I started watching or should I say actually finished watching just so happened to be this and I am glad I picked this to get back into my watching era. Sammy's Children's Day will forever hold a special place in my heart strictly because of how sweet it is. The humour and light tones of the story never take away from the seriousness of the main plot and that is something to appreciate.

The music, the actors, the producers all did a phenomenal job with this. If you have an eye for detail or just an appreciation for good art, this will definitely take your breath away as it did mine. This is not a major spoiler but there is a scene in the show where it transitions from night into day during sunrise time and it is just so beautiful. The change happens at exactly the perfect time and it does not feel to forced. The actors were so natural and the chemistry was off the charts. I do not mean to be superficial when I say this but that's exactly what I am being - an added bonus too is that all the main actors are so HAWT. I actually had to let out a big laugh typing that statement at my big age but it had to be said. The music was perfect and I loved it. Safe to say, I will definitely be adding the songs to my OST playlist.

I know it sounds like I am glorifying this show but there were a few concerns that I had about it such as the adlibs or the dubbing? I am not too sure but it was clear, especially in the first few episodes that the voices were not matching with the way that the actor's lips were moving and that might be an ick for some people watching or not even an ick but rather a minor annoyance. It was noticeable at first but as I started getting engrossed in the plot, I stopped paying attention to it but it's just a disclaimer for future potential watchers.

Another issue I had is not really an issue and more just a personal problem I had. It is that the times or the era in this show is a little confusing to me. I think from the occasional retro feel that it has to it, you can tell that the show is not set in the modern era - it is set in the 1900s? 1800s? I have absolutely no idea because they never explicitly specify it but I think that also has an upside to it because it leaves it up to the viewer's imagination. It was just a bit confusing to me because at times it would feel modern to me like when they were filming a movie in the show and the presence of high tech filming equipment was never explained but at the same time they're still using block phones. I could be wrong though because I am no history expert. Once more, this is literally just a me problem and I just need to be spoon-fed certain information at times.

I did not think I would ramble this much about a show like literally ever but I hope you enjoyed this brutally honest and oddly specific review of one of my now cherished series - Sammy's Children's Day.

Little fun fact - it's called that because He Chu San's English name is Sam, often nicknamed as Sammy and 'Children's Day' is a representative marker of Xia Liu Yi (forgive me if I spelt that wrong) and his identity.

Thank you for reading my review! Please feel free to reply to it in the comments - I would love to chat with other lovers about this show xx

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For All The Reviews Where I Criticized the Writing

If you've ever criticized a Kdrama saying the writing was bad....well here is a drama showing you the torturous lives of these writers. Whether its being pressured to just write it so its finished, working through extreme writer's block, taking the blame from everyone (but especially the actors) for bad reviews, trying to be creative when you have to work to pay the bills.......this drama gives an inside view of the lives of entertainment writers in the movie and TV biz and they are by no means glamorous.

I couldn't help but feel a little guilty (how many reviews have I written that stated "just couldn't finish it, the writing was that bad"?)) as I saw the agony these tortured souls go through in doing their craft. I wondered if Park Hae Young , frustrated at criticisms on Kdrama writing, decided to show the viewers the reality of being a writer in the Korean entertainment industry. Is she guilt tripping us??

Whether my musings are true or not, the story is so much more. This Kdrama does not fit any of the usual Kdrama tropes, nor does it have any Kdrama memes. It stands apart from the genre as it is a realistic take on the ups, the downs, the successes, the failures, the excitement, the sadness, and even the very ordinary-ness of being an entertainment writer.

What I liked about it the most is how real the characters were, how easy it was to relate to them, and how real the storylines were. A lot of the drama was about attaining and/or maintaining success. Success is subjective because even a successful person by society standards can, in reality, be oh so miserable in their personal lives. Success can be fleeting, can be slow, can seem to never happen even if someone is working their butt off. Success isn't fair. It can happen to one person right out of the gate, while another works and works without anything to show. The entertainment industry can be cruel. You can work hard on something that another person takes credit for. You can constantly come under fire doing your job well because it doesn't fit your supervisor's narrative. This drama does not sugar-coat the industry, but gives a relatable look at people traversing a not-so-friendly professional world in pursuit of career success.

When all is said and done, the story is about perseverance in the face of failure, always stay true to yourself, and know that relationships with family and friends are the most important even if you aren't always getting along. This is absolutely one of the best Kdramas I've seen. Definitely my #1 pick for 2026 so far.

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Toto may be greedy, but his heart is always in the right place.

Episode 3 continues to prove that this series works because of its characters rather than its mystery plot.

Toto already knows that Lion is cheating, but instead of exposing him immediately, he gives Lion one week to tell Kanit the truth himself.

What I enjoy most is that Toto is not acting out of professionalism. He is acting because he genuinely cares about Kanit.

He may be greedy, loud, and constantly complaining, but underneath all that he is a surprisingly decent person. He knows Kanit will be hurt no matter what, so he tries to make sure the damage is as small as possible.

That kindness is also what makes his growing feelings so obvious to everyone except Kanit.

Meanwhile, Lion continues to be an excellent source of frustration. The character is written just well enough to be annoying without becoming completely unbelievable. Every scene with him made me want Toto to punch him.

The contrast between Kanit's romantic view of love and Toto's awkward sincerity remains one of the strongest parts of the show. Their conversations constantly miss each other in funny and charming ways.

After watching the heavy emotional drama of Love of Silom, this series feels like a refreshing palate cleanser. The comedy is light, the chemistry is easygoing, and the characters are impossible not to like.

Rating: 8/10

A fun episode filled with misunderstandings, hidden feelings, and one very punchable boyfriend.

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insane chemistry between leads, peak enemies to lovers, first actual female general i've seen

I watched it after poj and maybe I was still on the high from it but I expected a bit more; I love the chemistry between the leads. For the first time the enemy part felt real and believable and the whole transition from enemies to lovers felt good. Fu Yixiao is the first female general who actually felt like a real one and not just someone trying to play the role. I loved that there weren't misunderstandings between each other and loved that they were equally crazy as generals and enemies. He didn't look down on her and treat her better just because she was a woman; when it comes to when he kidnapped her, he wasn't seeing a woman but rather an equally smart and talented enemy general. That's why he was kind of brutal, and I saw some people didn't like that part but to me, it made it feel believable. I also love how he didn't give a f--- about becoming emperor so he wasn't afraid to do anything and the consequences of it, and how he suggested his sister could be an heir to the throne to his father. I love me an ancient feminist king; it took me, however, like half the series to stop seeing CZY as Duan Jiaxu and see him as FSG but he was such a badass general and prince. I loved him; that's actually the first historical drama of his that I like. The makeup artist and the hairstylists were eating. Xiyang was a cool character and sibling until the whole marriage plot dropped; then she was such an annoying, male-centered pick-me. Everyone loved her so much in Susha yet she went against and betrayed her brother and father for someone she knew didn't love her, pathetic af imo. I loved Yao and Suige's friendship until it was revealed he was the villain and was so sad and angry for Suige. Overall, I liked the acting, chemistry and aesthetics, but the plot wasn't strong, and at some point I even forgot the point and purpose of the storyline; the timing, as usual, at first felt good and slow, and then in the last like 7-10 episodes so much plot was crammed. I hate that type of pacing, the same as PoJ, and the cinematography/directing wasn't really strong. 8/10 and would recommend it, but there were some issues, definitely.

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This Is Not a Romance (And That’s Why It Works)

I have spent the last several weeks completely immersed in this drama, and after finishing all 42 episodes, I think the biggest mistake viewers can make is watching it as a romance.

There is romance in it. There is longing, heartbreak, separation, devotion, and eventually love. But romance is not the story.

The story is Li Zhen.

More specifically, it is the story of a woman rebuilding a family, preserving a craft, and carrying an entire legacy on her shoulders.

One of the things I appreciated most is that the drama never turns Li Zhen into an instant genius. She fails repeatedly. Ink batches are ruined. Experiments go wrong. Business plans collapse. Trusted people betray her. Every success is earned through persistence, intelligence, and an almost stubborn refusal to quit.

That commitment to process is what makes the drama feel so authentic.

The same applies to the relationships.

Unlike many idol dramas, this series does not rely on endless misunderstandings, accidental falls, forced jealousy, or artificial romantic obstacles. The relationship between Li Zhen and Luo Wen Qian develops slowly through partnership, trust, and shared hardship. Some viewers may find the romance too restrained, but for me it fit the story perfectly. These are two people carrying enormous responsibilities. Their feelings grow naturally through working side-by-side rather than through dramatic declarations every few episodes.

Yang Zi is outstanding as Li Zhen. She never seems concerned with looking beautiful at every moment. Whether covered in soot, exhausted from failed experiments, grieving, frustrated, or triumphant, she feels completely believable. Li Zhen is intelligent without being perfect, determined without being invincible, and compassionate without becoming naive.

This was my first drama with Elvis Han, and he made a tremendous impression. He has one of the most distinctive voices I’ve heard in a C-drama, and his performance carries a quiet emotional weight that works especially well alongside Yang Zi. Much of his character’s journey depends on restraint rather than grand gestures, and he handles it beautifully.

I also want to specifically praise Wang Zi Hao as Tian Ben Chang.

For much of the drama, Ben Chang could have become a one-dimensional villain. Instead, Wang Zi Hao creates someone far more interesting: a young man whose ambition gradually corrodes every decent part of him. Watching his descent from an attentive and seemingly sincere young man into someone willing to sacrifice family, morality, and eventually even his own brother was one of the strongest character arcs in the series. I was constantly impressed by how much screen presence he brought whenever he appeared.

Another major strength is the supporting cast.

Seventh Grandmother became one of my favorite characters. Li Jin Shu (Eighth Grandfather) became one of my favorite characters. Rong Hua’s journey surprised me repeatedly. Even secondary branches of the family receive enough development that their victories and losses matter.

The drama also does something increasingly rare: it allows older characters to be important. Wisdom, experience, craftsmanship, and mentorship are treated as valuable rather than obstacles to younger characters taking center stage.

As for the ending, I suspect viewers will debate it.

Personally, I found it fitting.

The final episodes reinforce what the drama has been telling us from the beginning: this is ultimately the story of Li Zhen’s legacy. The romance matters, but it is not the sole measure of her life. The preservation of knowledge, the restoration of the Li family, and the continuation of the craft matter just as much.

By the end, what stayed with me most wasn’t a kiss scene or a confession.

It was the image of knowledge being preserved and passed forward.

For a drama centered on ink-making, that feels exactly right.

Rating: 10/10

A rare drama that trusts its audience, respects its characters, and understands that craftsmanship, family, and legacy can be just as compelling as romance.

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Acting is required, storyline is diff and nice.

As I said above, everything is good. Production quality, story/plot which is sometimes too heavy to take in but at least different from all other BLs, it is slow lile other Thai BLs but at leaat adds something to the plot, direction and dialogues are very smart, artsy drama with understanding of characters and acting.. But, unfortunately, the main leads just couldn't act and their chemistry was just not there.
Idk why but Ja is so good looking, such an eye candy, so tall.. But he just couldn't act in the series. Gosh, it all felt so fake. There was no tension. The actors really need to step up their game. Tae was still better and even understandable but Ja was too stiff, lacklustre, no body language, nothing... Really needs work. Direction could be better also. With better actors, this story could have reached more people, maybe.

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The men are weird, but you may find it fun to watch because of that

If you can get past the cringe of the forever single men, you might enjoy the humor and eventual wholesome interactions of the cast. In other dating shows, you're looking for possible couples. In this dating show, you're looking to see if a man can convince a woman to have a dinner date outside of the show. So lower the romance threshold, and if you have some empathy towards awkwardness, and you might laugh at the absurdity of it all.

My initial impression of the men was that they're far too weird don't visually match with the female participants. But the women are open-minded and they're the ones who have to try to go on dates with them, so I kept watching to see with a learning mindset. The show's school theme encouraged this too. The women must have been mentally prepared, as they do a good job communicating how they're feeling, though they're a bit more honest in the interviews but they try to keep it polite with the men during the show. Maybe because they saw the men as ignorant rather than rude, even though some of the worst moments from the men did seem rude, but it ended up as laughs and the women weren't too disturbed.

Production-wise, there are many recognizable elements from I Am Solo, with the decent amount of interviews, nicknames, the 3 person MC panel with mild observations and humor, the place they stay was also rented out by IAS S29. A lot of drone shots and shots from the house-cameras. I thought the editing was fine; namuwiki summarized that the netizens sometimes noticed villain edits towards the males. I blame the casting for this, the men let out their hearts too openly.

This reminds me more of the 2022 show The Skip Dating than IAS. In that show, pairs ended up with a possible date after of 15 minute mini blind dates, while in this one, it takes 5-6 days of effort for these guys to try to convince their potential date. There's some memorable characters, but I wouldn't count this among my favorites even though I enjoy dating shows (IAS is one of my favorites). It's just good enough to pass the time.

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I’m just genuinely thankful for the creators of this series

I finally finished the entire series of Wishing Upon the Shooting Stars, and I can confidently say I made the right decision to watch it. This series truly deserves to be called one of the best BL dramas I’ve seen.

What I loved most is that it never became tiring to watch. Every scene felt meaningful, engaging, and beautifully directed. Even the flashbacks — which are usually the parts I dislike most in dramas — were handled so well here. They added emotion and depth without dragging the story down or becoming exhausting.

The cast was absolutely wonderful. Every actor delivered such sincere and natural performances that made the characters feel real and easy to connect with. Nothing felt exaggerated or forced. You could genuinely feel every emotion in the quiet moments, conversations, and dramatic scenes.

And honestly, the director clearly knew exactly what he was doing. The storytelling, pacing, emotional balance, and scene execution were all crafted with so much care. I cried through every dramatic scene because the emotions felt authentic, never corny or overly dramatic just for the sake of making viewers cry.

The music also deserves appreciation because it blended perfectly with the atmosphere of the series. It supported the emotions beautifully without overpowering the scenes.

I’m genuinely thankful to the creators, cast, and production team for making a BL series like this. This is the kind of storytelling I hope we continue to see more of in the future — grounded, emotional, sincere, and beautifully written.

This series honestly deserves awards, and I truly hope the team behind it creates more projects in the future.

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