This review may contain spoilers
The show’s storytelling and visual communication are poor.
During episode 13, I understand that a soul blending (a deep spiritual intercourse) takes place, but the visual execution is confusing. When the female lead enters the male lead's spiritual realm, she touches his forehead while he is fully clothed. However, when she comes out, he is shirtless while she remains fully dressed. After that, the male lead wakes up, touches her forehead, and they both enter the spiritual realm together. Still, it remains unclear whether any physical intimacy actually occurred because the visuals fail to convey it.The male lead’s acting falls far short of the female lead’s. His eyes are completely dead; he fails to communicate that he is looking at her with love and gratitude for saving his life. Watching a bit further into episodes 13 to 15, I understand he is supposed to play a cool, tsundere character, but if his eyes cannot convey his inner feelings, the audience simply won't buy it.
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Loveeeeeee this drama
First of all, I will start with the secretary who thinks because she likes her boss, the vice chairman, she is allowed to do whatever she likes. And I blame the vice chairman for letting it slide. she crossed the line a lot times but it was still overlooked. I loved when Joo Ah told her to watch her tone and reminded her she had no right speaking to an executive that way. Good thing she was fired. So entiled for someone who has loan shark and family problems. The way she visited Noh after ghosting him is even more annoying and he was even kind enough to her stay. To think she hated Joo Ah because she borrowed her her designer pair of shoes is just wild.And to the vice chairman's brother Jeon threatening Joo Ah to take his side is just another case of entitlement. He should have asked nicely Joo would have considered . using her subordinates to threaten her was just low. And always bringing up his stepmother's mental health is crazy. Their father was even worse.
Buttttt I love their chemistry😩😩😩😩.
Shin Hye Sun did so well. I love how the comedy and romance those little thrillers were incorporated. Especially that scene where she asked the team members to go back because she order in their dinner only for them to catch those two having an affair at conference room😂she gave us something fresh after the art of Sarah.
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Enjoyable drama about time traveller, family dispute and ML trying hard to win FL's affections
I enjoyed the version starring Li Ke Yi & Lu Dan Dong and remember looking for other versions. This was added last year but I only got the mood to watch it today. It was different from Li Ke Yi version well I enjoyed this one too.What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She was regal and refined. I liked that she took her time travelling as an advantage and never whined about missing her past life. She compared the pros and cons and found enlightenment.
2. ML characterisation - Unlike Lu Dan Dong's ML, Yin Yi Bo's ML had more screentime and importance in FL's life. I liked that he was observant & secretly did things that would please FL.
3. Acting - I must say Cui Xiao Xuan was fantastic in her role. She managed to portray poise and elegance of being a noble transplanted in modern era. Yin Yi Bo was charming in this role. They had good chemistry.
4. Romance - Their romance felt natural. He fell for her first and she couldn't be bothered by his crush on her but they were respectful to each other.
5. Supporting characters - I liked ML's grandma & younger sis for being nice to FL. ML's friend's observations were spot on and often time amusing. ML's assistant was doing his job - the actor's visual grabbed my attention.
6. Styling - I liked FL's wardrobe - her usual outfits and the banquet dress were pretty. I didn't understand why university students must wear school uniform though. Anyway ML's suits fitted him so well.
7. Pacing - Done well. 2.5 hours went by easily.
What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - The amount of people jealous of FL was insane. Guess rich girls are catty & insecure. I disliked FL's parents for being biased.
2. Kissing - The kissing scenes were awkward. I don't know whether it’s due to the leads' skill or preference or director's instructions (maybe no steamy kisses?).
Favourite scene
When ML taught FL about hugging
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Characters and story
There will be have a season 2 ? Absolute Value of Romance is a lighthearted Korean romantic comedy that combines school life, fantasy, and romance in a unique way. The story follows Yeo Eui-ju, a high school student who secretly enjoys writing romance and BL (Boys' Love) web novels. She has a vivid imagination and often escapes into the fictional worlds she creates. However, her ordinary school life becomes much more complicated when the events and relationships from her stories begin to influence reality. As she navigates friendships, misunderstandings, and unexpected romantic situations, Eui-ju learns important lessons about love, honesty, and growing up.One of the drama's biggest strengths is its fresh and creative premise. The idea of a student writer seeing elements of her fiction affect real life creates many funny and entertaining moments. The series balances comedy and romance well, making it easy to watch and enjoyable for viewers who prefer lighter dramas. The school setting also adds charm, as the characters experience the typical challenges of youth, including crushes, friendships, and self-discovery.
The cast delivers energetic performances, especially the lead actress, who portrays Eui-ju's awkwardness and enthusiasm in a believable way. The chemistry among the characters helps keep the story engaging, while the fast-paced episodes prevent the plot from feeling slow. Although some situations are exaggerated and unrealistic, they fit the drama's playful tone.
Overall, Absolute Value of Romance is a fun and refreshing drama that does not take itself too seriously. It offers plenty of laughter, sweet romantic moments, and a unique storyline that sets it apart from many traditional school romances. Viewers looking for a cheerful, easy-to-watch series with comedy, romance, and youthful energy are likely to enjoy this drama. It may not be ideal for those seeking a realistic or deeply emotional story, but it succeeds as an entertaining and charming romantic comedy.
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1"You must be brave. Bravery is all we have."
A Foggy Tale took place in 1953 Taiwan during the period of the White Terror. The story focused on a young girl traveling from her rural community to Taipei to retrieve her beloved brother’s body after he was executed for his ideas. The trek was harrowing as she faced numerous challenges in her desire to bring her brother home.Huang Chih Yue has been secretly bringing food and water to her brother Yun who has been hiding in the sugar cane fields. He gives her his watch, telling her that with it she can travel forward in time and imagine better days when the going gets too rough. The young artist is chased down, arrested, and later executed. Yue is determined to bring his body home instead of letting the government dump it in a mass grave. When she arrives alone in Taipei she is overwhelmed by the sheer size of it. She’s quickly set upon by traffickers, but luckily enough rescued by a rough and ready pedicab driver. The two make an awkward pair and whether Chao Kung Tao is there as a helper or to help fleece her remains to be seen.
Caitlin Fang and Will Or gave strong performances as the odd couple scrambling to keep putting one foot in front of the other on a broken beam. This film was primarily Yue’s and Caitlin’s, following the young girl’s trials in the complete unknown of Taipei. Aside from navigating the large city under martial law populated with human traffickers and thieves, Yue’s primary obstacle was money. The fees for retrieving the body of an executed prisoner were astronomical for a poor girl from Chiayi. Yue also had no plans for how she would pay to transport Yun home. All she had was her bravery and perseverance. Chao’s interventions were at times beneficial and at others disastrous. He had an interesting skill set. Chao had been a soldier and learned to curse in several languages and dialects during his time in the military. A skill he frequently displayed. He also had a traumatic past having run afoul of the KMT merely by army associations. Terrifying agent Fan Chun dropped by on occasion to menace Chao and to try and gather information from his former prisoner on wanted men.
MDL currently has 9m88 listed as a lead, but she was in the film less than 30 minutes if you are a fan and wanted to watch this for her. She played Yue’s older and absent sister, Chiu Hsiu Hsia. Due to the family’s poverty, Hsiu Hsia had been adopted out as a child to a family in Taipei. 9m88 was given a three-minute song and dance routine on her introduction which seemed to be overkill for the supporting character, especially since she wasn’t seen again until near the end of the film. I don’t know the name of the actor who played the Robin Hood styled thief, Kao Chin Chung, Kao’s brief appearances were welcome levity in the film.
The film glanced over much of the terror that went on with the KMT despite the number of people who had been killed in the film by the secret police. Money was extorted and/or confiscated, especially by the police. Poverty was omnipresent in the rural and urban areas. Sometimes a finger was all a person could afford to pay for in regards to their deceased loved one. Chao was so broke he could only buy one cigarette at a time. Scarce jobs were lost at the whisper of an agent looking for a person. Yet food was still shared and grace offered.
If I have one complaint it’s that the flow of the story could be stilted at times with characters on the periphery distracting from Yue and Chao’s narrative trajectory and making the film unnecessarily longer.
A Foggy Tale contained moments that were tense, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and gently humorous. The unlikely alliance of Yue and Chao strengthened Yue’s resolve and brought out the bravery in Chao he believed he’d lost. Sparks of human kindness gave glimpses of light in the grim darkness all around. Friends and random strangers rendered unexpected support in a sea of people doing whatever it took to survive and get ahead. And nestled in Yue’s quest were her brother’s words of hope that in the future there would be peace. That there would be a day where people would not be killed for their ideas. Unlike Yun’s watch, time could not be sped up, Yue had to face what lie before her one minute at a time with most of that time used well.
(8.25 rounded up to an 8.5)
29 May 2026
Awards note: A Foggy Tale won the Golden Horse Award for Best Narrative Feature (2025)
Housekeeping note: This was my 100th review for 2026
Cutie Pie note: If you are a Tseng Jing Hua fan, despite being on the poster, he is primarily shown in a few flashbacks
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First BL and didn't disappoint!!!
This was my first time watching a BL and it was unexpected! There were no cringy parts at all!! It was actually a really funny series to watch. I don't know why they gave Sang Woo that hair cut!! They totally did him dirty lol. Park Seoham is so handsome in this series but he's also very handsome in general! Loved the funny parts and the 2 made a great match for the drama.Was this review helpful to you?
MY TOP 1 BL⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's like sorcery.. Chusan Luiyi pull you into the story so deep, you can't find your way back. Banger story, perfect actors, the OST is chefs kiss, screenplay was awesome overall I'm obbses with SCD. And there's the actors XiXi ZhaoZhao..what to say about them, Those cutie pies put a spell on me...they're like teenagers always bickering, being goofy, silly,funny, finding comfort and love and having the best time of their lives. I am seeing them get close to eachother naturally and gradually and they are becoming more bold these days *IM LOVING IT* my only wish is they stay together forever.XiZhao 999 💛🧡Was this review helpful to you?
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Ga Woo Su -Eui Ju Saga???
What an amazing series!!!! Tale of a cold math teacher and a web novel writer student... Different world still crossed the path....Her imagination level about her teachers is insane 🤣🤣🤣🤣She needs a good hairstylist though..I just love Eui Ju's character played by Kim Hyang Gi...
Cha Hakyeon is the soul of this drama...He switched his role from real to reel😅😅
Open ending but we can feel they will be together in future...Focused on everyone's dream not a pure love story....I will definitely rewatch it...It's super funny🤣🤣🤣
Episode Duration only 30mins!!! Why!!! It could be atleast 1hr.Hope they will be back with Season 2.
I'm gonna miss them badly...
Mr.Ga Woo Su and Yeo Eui Ju, officially signing off....👋🏻👋🏻
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Greedy
The story is about a man that want to send the gold to Korea. But he must have someone that he trust to hide it... But it's not easy... in the middle of journey, more people know about the truth and try to find the gold. That's where the story become interesting....*Lot of blood, make sure that you're not afraid against blood...
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INSANEEEEEE
FIRST EVER 10/10 DORAMA I EVER WATCHI love everything about this, the acting is so good omg it makes me got into the scene, super worth to watch, the type of drama that makes you want to watch it again and again!!!!
The plot twist was never on my mind, throughout the watch i think abt oh he's the one um oh no maybe he is, or she's the culprit, but WHAT IN THE PLOT
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This review may contain spoilers
Lee Kwang-soo does a spot-on impression of Nicolas Cage I said casually as I lit a cigarette, leaning against a wall, my gaze wandering and a mocking look on my face.I started watching this series without knowing anything about it, just because of Park Bo-Young's name. Well, sometimes you really do need to know what you re getting into, because you end up disappointed. A mysterious first episode followed by two episodes that are boring as hell… with the occasional serious turn of events, or revelations that aren't exactly earth-shattering. (You can see them coming… the colleague at the airport ? Don't take me for a fool, please) It loses its momentum straight away. And anything that might pose the slightest obstacle is magically overcome : they hide the gold, they've got someone to fence it, they make a fortune, they forge documents. Nothing really causes a problem.
I'll be straightforward : it feels like a film that's been stretched out over 10 episodes. They're taking my precious time for granted. So I watched it, skipping bits here and there, just to see what it was like. But it wasn't any good. What a waste of time !
If that twist right at the end sets up a season 2, I have to warn the whole team: don't bother !
Doesn't the bloke who melts down gold actually know the price of gold ? Strange.
In the end, in France, in Provence, Park Bo-young buys three nectarines for €4. The price per kilo ! She's been ripped off, poor thing. That's my France. Well done to that shopkeeper for respecting French traditions. And her car is registered in the 96, but there's no department with that number.
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such a lovely experience
It starts off amazing, nearly perfect, but, like most high school dramas, the quality drops drastically once the characters graduate. From that point on, it becomes kind of a drag. The transition from college to adult life feels rushed, and there are too many disposable characters. Jiang Jia and Gu Ran, who are both great characters, get completely sidelined and underdeveloped after graduation just to give more screen time to Su Zai Zai and Zhang Lu Rang.The soundtrack also starts out really strong but becomes annoyingly repetitive by the end, which is another common issue with many dramas. Overall, I think a 7/10 would be more fair, but the first two-thirds of the show are so good that they carry it to an 8 despite the significant flaws near the end.
Another big positive for me is that the show avoids excessive flashbacks and overly melodramatic plotlines. There’s also very little pointless drama. In a genre full of sad, emotionally manipulative slop, a show where nothing truly bad happens feels like a breath of fresh air and makes the overall experience much more enjoyable.
The acting is top-notch, and the aesthetics are excellent as well. There are almost no unintentionally cringeworthy moments, which is surprisingly rare for this genre. Overall, it’s a genuinely above-average show that could have been even better. Things improve slightly once Jiang Jia and Gu Ran reappear, but only mildly, and unfortunately very late into the story.
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the only person who loved it
I’m actually surprised to see so many bad reviews because I loved the show, from the story, the comedy, the humour, all of it, to me, it was a great watch!k dramas don’t always have to be complex and incredibly thought out to be good, sometimes takes things for what they are and you will enjoy them more.
I thought they did a great show with both the storylines, the food and new recipes. I looked forward every week to what new dish she would bring and what the emperor would think
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Super cute, fun
The show was absolutely fun and cute with no boring episodes. The bl part was super fun especially woo su's expression and hand gesture. Kim hyang gi as yeo eui ju was really good. She really has natural comedic talent , nowhere it felt that she was overacting. The last episode was so cute. I wish the leads are in another rom com because they have so much potential.Was this review helpful to you?
Simple review.
I've been struggling to find a new show to watch and this one was definitely a perfect refresher. Even as someone who doesn't like comedies all that much, i really couldn't stop smiling throughout the episode but i might be a little bias because its taynew 😅. It's only been one episode, but so far lreally like the cast, the humor, and the overall vibe of the show. I'm excited to see how the story develops in future episodes. It was worth the wait and now the wait for the next episode begins!
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