This review may contain spoilers
it was such a mess.
...it was promising at first...but then it gradually went downhill.I have so many mixed feelings. Not the typical plot I would watch but I know there are people who would enjoy it.
Couldn't grasp the exact meaning behind it, honestly the main character seemed out of his mind at the end...
But might I say, WHAT A DAMN GOOD ACTING! From both of the main characters, really!
Got goosebumps at the theatre scene!
Felt bad for the woman, felt bad for the younger one too, the older one mostly annoyed.
The 'singer' has such a nice voice! Cute.
And im so happy it didn't end with a suicide!
But if anyone is looking for a happy ending, you won't find it here.
It was a hard watch
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Brotherhoods galore
I had tired of watching overly heavy themes and wanted something for a casual watch -- so what better than a young and good-looking cast that emphasizes on brotherhood to fulfill this? Of course, because of what it is, I also highly expected to drop this relatively quickly. But the fact that while this isn't a particularly sophisticated crew of actors and the dialogue is rudimentary, it still turned out to be unexpectedly entertaining.It truly is a series that revolves around many brotherhoods and thankfully does not include sappy romances. Although the direction of the plot and dialogue were underdeveloped and oversimplified, the plot flow was actually done quite well. Enough to keep me interested in heading toward the next episode, kept me rooting for the different bonds, and even had me shed some tears. Don't be fooled by the initial episodes of charm because it does start to twist into an unexpected and darker direction which gives it more flavor than others of a similar plot base.
While this isn't a masterpiece and there are the usual number of flaws, it still deserves kudos for being able to maintain its direction and for still being able to paint the story well enough. I would recommend for those who particularly enjoy brotherhood bonds and I'm quite surprised that at the time of my review in May 2026, there's only four other reviews. Compared to some other newer series that I've dropped, this would make this one pretty underrated.
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I personally loved season 2 so much better than the first one. I really liked the format where they separated the arcs entirely, makes it so much easier to focus on one couple alone, also easier for anyone to skip an arc if they didn’t like it. the direction was so much better too (at least for me!), it almost felt like i was watching a whole different show!
I think the thing i love about the most in this show is the friendship. both group of friends are just love or die, and they’re ready to do anything to help or protect their friends! this kind of friendship is just so precious 💙
my favorite character so far is undoubtedly North! his comedic timing is absolutely genius lmao. he made me LOL pretty much every time he was on screen😂 this was my first time seeing Bas, and I’ve become a fan! he’s such an incredible actor 🥹
and then we have the couples!
FahPhoon were absolutely adorable. when I started watching season 2 right after finishing the first season, I was like “ooh yes I think this is my most favorite couple so far!”. it started off so angsty, and my heart broke for all the trauma Typhoon went through. but then slowly it started getting so sweet, i almost got diabetes! the entire gift and letter exchange without revealing the identity was so cute🥹
and then we had ArthitDao! i love how unconventional their story was. I was expecting it to be a bit more dark given the supernatural elements , but somehow it was more on the lighter comedic side.
the story of Arthit looking for his mother’s soul hit a bit close to home! as a person who lost her mother to cancer when i was just a baby, I could really relate to it. that part of the story broke my heart💔
Dao is so freaking cute omg🥹 i wanna protect him from all the ghosts in the world! I am not a fan of the forced kisses, but I appreciate Arthit’s sincerity and the love he had for Dao. and their chemistry HOLY SHITTTT😭 no wonder they became the most favorite couple for so many people!
I’m kinda sad that we didn’t get any TigerNao in this season, but I appreciated all the TigerNao crumbs we got in the first season. it’s kinda sad that we won’t get to see the rest of the crew in the final arc:( but I’m very excited to dive into their story! it’s probably gonna be hard to live up to the hype after ArthitNao’s amazing arc. I hope it can live up to the hype and gives us something just as amazing 💙
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"He is good for nothing. I've made a mistake."
Birth of Happiness aka A Happy Businesswoman was incredibly close to being a great film for me. 1963 RoK (and most anywhere) wasn’t exactly a feminist utopia and the film's attitudes towards women reflected that. Yet Tosun had a strong desire for independence and used her wits to defy her parents and make money on her own. Of course, a handsome guy showed up and ruined everything, I mean, fell in love with Tosun.Tosun’s father owns a bus and refuses to pay her for work she does for him. Around the same time, Shim Jae Gu comes to town looking for a bus driver job, part or full-time. Tosun’s dad kicks Jae Gu out believing him to be unworthy. Tosun has pity on penniless Jae Gu and buys him cigarettes and loans him enough money for a hotel. When her father finds out, they have a terrible row and Tosun moves out to make a living on her own much to her mother’s chagrin. She and Jae Gu hatch a plan to go into business together if they can earn enough money for a car. A developing love makes their goal more complicated.
First of all, Tosun was an amazing female lead for the most part. She was optimistic, inventive, resourceful, and bounced back when life knocked her down. She could outcon a conman and was always searching for the next best way to realistically make money. Though she was tight with her cash, she also helped people when needed. Jae Gu, on the other hand, was easily discouraged, emotionally weak, and easily duped. When the going got rough, he went drinking, gambling, and seeking intimate entertainment from the local bar hostess. Worst of all, he blamed Tosun for his failures. As so often happens, the heart wants what the heart wants and Tosun loved Jae Gu.
The film also focused on Tosun’s relationship with her mother. Tosun’s mom ran interference for both of her daughters with the dad as he was a difficult and stubborn man to deal with. When Tosun moved out, her mother was devastated. Aside from the loneliness she would face without her daughter, girls could not leave home before marriage or else their “innocence” would be questioned. Tosun refused to let that belief limit her.
I liked Tosun’s drive and cheery disposition though people did not want to get on her bad side. She could defend herself and reputation with words and fists. The romance dragged this film down as I could never see what Tosun saw in Jae Gu. Worth a watch for Tosun or if you are in need of inspiration to try, try again in life.
13 May 2026
B & W note: The film was quite dark in places and smudged looking in a few others. Mildly distracting but I’ve seen much worse.
AKA Tosuni: Birth of Happiness
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Back and forth, twists and turns
This is NOT a horror kdrama. Think of this as "what if the victims of Final Destination survive the initial accident and they're trapped in limbo fighting for their lives.The flow of this kdrama is reminiscent of the old Korean movies I used to watch 20 years ago - it time skips all over the place, the story is presented piecemeal and if you are not paying attention, you'll lose the plot. It's almost like it's pretending to be a sophisticated kind of story even when it's not.
One day I hope someone edits the entire series and just present the events chronologically. Or you can ask ChatGPT to rearrange the story in chronological order.
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what if you wished upon a shooting star?
ever thought about what would happen if you made a wish upon a shooting star, and it actually came true?i found the entire concept of wishing upon a shooting star and having it come true very intriguing. the fact that he wished for it, and it really came true, and now it’s making him realize that it was a mistake to wish for something like that. i love the underlying message : be careful what you wish for!
the cinematography is so mesmerizing. all the blue everywhere just makes me feel so warm💙 the island and its people are just so lovable. they are like one big family!
the actors are doing an amazing job. especially the one playing Zhongxing. and the actors playing their younger selves?? they are so good omg! i love that they actually casted teenagers to play those roles, instead of making the same actors play their younger selves pretending to be high schoolers.
the main couple have so much chemistry! we could feel all the love and regret, and their years of unresolved feelings. the scene of them getting together was so beautifully done. the lighting, the cinematography, the absolutely beautiful ost in the background…everything was just so beautiful. it has to be one of the bests I’ve ever seen in a BL!
the second couple is also amazing! I often find second couples annoying or unnecessary, but here I loved them just as much as the first couple. although I’m not a fan of “I’m clearly in love with you, but I’ll keep denying that no matter how much you try to win me over” trope initially , they really won my heart afterwards. i also just found out that the actor playing Hama is half Japanese! that makes me appreciate this cast even more ^_^
I have to mention the actors playing their younger selves once again. despite being so young, they were so good! they had such amazing chemistry as well. I would love to see them together in a BL when they grow older🥹
I was watching this drama every week while it was ongoing. watching it end made me somewhat emotional, i kinda grew attached to the beautiful island and its amazing people🥹💙
overall this was just so beautiful and soothing to watch. one of my most fav bls of this year so far!
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Fresh and healing
This drama so fresh ,cute, and lovefully .All caster so great and make happiness
All the things in this drama so peacefully, the music,act,storie,cast.
It's make me want to rewatch this drama all days , now im keep waiting for the last five episodes, its makes me ....
I hope Dam Ye Jin keep health always in the last episodes and Meechori keep motivating her with love
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A Hidden Gem with Heart and Humor
I’ve been hooked on this drama since the first episode, mostly thanks to the comedy. It was hilarious watching the episodes where Liu Miantang still has amnesia. She’s just so purely naive, thinking she needs to work hard to support her husband, Cui Xingzhou—meanwhile, he’s actually the powerful Lord Huaiyang! Their chemistry is incredible; it literally radiates off the screen.But honestly, I’ve found myself becoming a total fan of Shi Xueji, the future Empress. As the daughter of a concubine, she was constantly bullied and forced to step aside for her sisters. Even after becoming Empress, she stays kind-hearted. She knows the Emperor doesn't love her, but she doesn't throw tantrums or turn into a villain. She even helps Miantang, despite knowing the Emperor loves her, all while being considerate of his feelings. I especially love the scenes where she’s just genuinely happy enjoying good food.
Overall, the plot isn't too heavy, even with the usual palace intrigue and warfare of a period drama. The soundtrack might be simple, but it blends perfectly with every scene.
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The Viewer Was the Real Victim
Puifai (Pahn Pathitta) dies suddenly at a party with her boyfriend Champ (Chimon Wachirawit) and her friends Cher (June Wanwimol), Jay (Ohm Thipakorn), Time (Prom Teeprakon), Tonka (Ashi Peerakan), Tar (Aungpao Ochiris), and Bell (Earn Preeyapat). Things start to get complicated when everyone else begins to be tragically murdered; the new inspector, Kamin (Dunk Natachai), and Captain Jade (Joong Archen) are put in charge of the case.First of all, what the hell was that I just watched?
The beginning was good, really good—I was hooked, wanting to know what would happen, who would die, and who the killer was. AT WHAT POINT DID THIS GET LOST?
The focus isn’t on the romance—clearly not—but the romance actually unfolded quite well; their dynamic isn’t common, and I think it worked in this series.
But at some point in the narrative leading up to the end, it seems like they completely let go of the mystery they’d been building up. The mystery they wanted DOESN’T EXIST.
They see it and say, “The suspect wears glasses.” THERE’S ONLY ONE CHARACTER WHO WEARS GLASSES IN THE SERIES
Then they spend episodes building up to show the woman before the final episode—by that point, everyone knew Puifai was alive. The last episode was a chore to watch; they wrapped up the series in a 20-minute episode, and we spent another 20 minutes watching them being happy on the beach, with the romance and character development. Everyone spends the whole series dying, only to get to the end and have everyone kill themselves. It was so clearly careless and rushed that it really brought down the overall opinion. Not even the actors clearly liked the ending, because it didn’t have the care that the rest of the series had.
Jade and Kamin worked out; I’m not the biggest fan of JoongDunk, but I’ll admit they did well within the dynamic of the bottom being a tough guy and the top being this softie. I think both of their performances are weak, especially Joong’s; I don’t feel the authenticity in the way he acts and speaks because sometimes he’s face-to-face with someone and you can clearly see he’s staring into space. Dunk has been going through a major evolution since *Star In My Mind*, but I still believe he has a lot to improve on. I think the character’s style suited him well, and the script supported that.
The way their relationship was built was simple—a basic setup that worked—and I think it fit the dynamic; it felt as natural as possible given that they were solving a crime.
You can see how the director (Dome Jade) tried to balance suspense and mystery 50/50, and I believe that’s what led to this final result—those who want everything at the end end up with nothing. He spent most of the series focusing on the crime and the suspense, and when he tried to make up for it with the romance, this is what happened.
I really think the series could have been much better. As someone who truly enjoys investigation and murder mysteries, you can see that this one was poorly done. Anyone who figures things out early on doesn’t do so because they’re super observant—it’s just because the production was sloppy and handed the answer to you on a silver platter. The viewer was treated like an idiot, and that was basically it.
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I HATE CLIFFHANGERS…BUT IT’S A GOOD SHOW
if you’re not going to make a season 2 of the show why leave on a cliffhanger and making us guessing an want in to know what happens next???. But the show was a good show, it gave a sort of Alice in Borderland vibes with the tension and betrayal and secrets among the characters… the storyline was a bit weak but it had it’s saving grace tho and hopefully I pray there will be a season 2 because I want to know what happens next😭. The actors played their roles quite well especially Gemini and Prim, hoping GMMTV gives more shows like thisWas this review helpful to you?
Captivating Chemistry Between Characters
This show was “la crème de la crop”. the dances, the chemistry, the emotions, OH MY GOD. Especially when they both acknowledge themselves in the different style of dance. I really wish there would be a part two because this show is amazing. Do i need to talk about the last dance they had promising to meet each other at the 10Dance competition… Both characters played their role extensively well and I was tagged at the kiss scene and the storyline was so touching and heartbreaking at the same time. Would love to see this as a part 2 hopefullyWas this review helpful to you?
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This Could’ve Been an Email
Jira (Gun Atthaphan) is a contemporary artist who, while struggling with a mental health relapse and desperate for a job, meets Pheem (Dew Jirawat) at a bar called Burnout—a man who sparks some deep reflections in Jira. Eventually, Jira lands an odd job with Pheem’s coworker, Ko (Off Jumpol), the CEO of a tech company. Suddenly, Jira finds himself in a love triangle and an ethical dilemma, torn between what he believes in and the one he loves.The series is directed by Nunchy, who—for those who don’t know—is the same director as Not Me, so I’ll admit, I had extremely high expectations.
And they weren’t exactly met.
Come on, I thought the premise was interesting. A love triangle, one of GMM’s longest-running couples who starred in one of the company’s best BLs, and Dew is a great actor. We had every right to have expectations.
I’m not going to take away all the credit from the production. It’s a good series; it’s visually beautiful and the soundtrack is really good. I find the whole aesthetic aspect quite interesting—it was a good production.
The characters are real. Too real, even. So real that they bore me after a while. The critique in the series is super valid—Art vs. Artificial Intelligence and where we’ve ended up with all of this—I think it’s a super interesting topic. But Jira made me SO SLEEPY that the debate didn’t even hold my attention anymore.
The love triangle was interesting and fun to a certain extent, and I think it would have been more interesting if no one ended up together, but following the GMM, obviously Jira and Ko were going to end up together, and honestly I found the dynamic between the two characters a bit forced and codependent; the series had the capacity to bring the two closer without the cliché of Ko not being able to sleep without him.
The series is shot in the same style as Asian indie films, which prioritize overall aesthetics and continuous takes; it’s an interesting aesthetic choice for this series, as it values poetry and the aesthetic appreciation of everyday life. The friendship dynamics are interesting, both between Jira and Ing (Emi Tharsorn) and between Pheem and Mawin (AJ Chayapol). They’re cool and realistic—fights, arguments, help, and advice. I see friendships like this in everyday life (except for the part where Mawin throws urine at Pheem, but I think that’s more of a boss-subordinate thing). I found those parts entertaining. I believe Pheem was a more deeply written character than Jira and Ko. Pheem was created to be a character who makes sense and is profound on his own, while Ko and Jira were made to make sense and be profound in each other’s stories. You know what I mean?
Their relationship wasn’t exactly treated as something that adds to their individual lives as characters, but rather as something that defines them. If you analyze it deeply, you realize that both have their own individual problems that are resolved only by the other; neither learns anything on their own for their own personal growth. Even with the timeskip, which for some reason brought the two back together in the last 45 minutes of the second half, leaving an open ending. I mean, why did I even watch all of this?
In short, the series is visually beautiful, and even inspiring to a certain extent—the part where Jira pours wine on her shirt makes me want to pour wine on my own shirt and appreciate how poetic my daily life can be. But it wore me out quickly; I started getting bored and only kept watching because I kept putting off stopping, and before I knew it, I’d finished it. Ideally, everyone should end up alone, because clearly everyone needs therapy.
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A visual masterpiece that will take your breath away.
Shadow is a genre-bending costume drama set in a mythical past in 2nd century China, which was then ruled by three kingdoms in a fragile balance of power. It is an epic heroic tale with spectacular battle scenes and incredibly beautiful cinematography throughout the film.The background story to director Zhang Yimou’s epic masterpiece Shadow is taken from the 2nd century, when China was ruled by three kingdoms in a fragile balance of power that was constantly threatened by war. The story centers around the rulers of the Kingdom of Pei, with a particular focus on its royal commander Yu (Deng Chao). Yimou, who also wrote the screenplay with Li Wei based on Zhu Sujin’s model, imagines that Yu has been so badly injured in battle that he must retreat to a secret space in the palace so as not to show the world any outward signs of weakness, which would make the kingdom vulnerable.
Instead, Yu's double, or shadow Jing (also Deng), takes care of his daily appearances. Only Yu's wife (addressed as Madam throughout the film, played by Sun Li) knows the truth – Not even the king (Ryan Zheng) can tell them apart! But in the opening scene we get the first clues that something is amiss. Yu/Jing is to duel with General Yang (Hu Jun), who controls the city of Jing, against the king's will and thus risking war. The king is furious but forgives him, and asks him to sit down and play the zither with his wife. Jing declines, thus risking the king's wrath again. Why these challenges?
As the puzzle pieces slowly but surely fall into place, we understand that the zither game would have exposed him, and eventually the purpose behind the duel challenge is also revealed, which will have enormous consequences and lead to some of the most spectacular battle scenes we have ever seen on film. A side plot that complicates the situation further is the king's offer to marry off his beautiful sister (Guan Xiaotong) to General Yang's son Ping (Wu Lei), and thereby strengthen the influence over the city of Jing that they possess. However, the plan does not go as planned... The result of all the scheming gives exciting twists and turns, but above all visual spectacles that make you lose your breath.
These are well worth waiting for, because before that the story is told through long monologues that can feel a bit patient, even though we can console ourselves with visual pleasure throughout the film. The cinematography is spectacular! A colorless palette of black-gray-white tones is sparingly mixed with warm skin or red blood. Every single frame of film is so incredibly beautifully composed that it could be printed out and become a painting on the wall. The patterns of the clothes that are reminiscent of old Chinese ink drawings, the slow-motion fluttering kimono fabrics and the castle's wall decorations. The constant rain and the yin and yang symbols that almost become their own essence in this epic wuxia work.
The essence of the story, however, is a mythical heroic tale, or a Chinese costume drama if you will, with accompanying elements of melodrama. The tight corsets and fluttering curtains may have been replaced with the secret hiding places of kimono sleeves and shadows dancing on the walls, but these are the same ingredients of grandiose castle environments with secret hatches where forbidden love is spied on.
The magical attraction of the piano as a catalyst for hot passions has been replaced by the zither, and when the couple Yu and Madam play with such obsession that the kimono sleeves fly and the hair stands on end, it almost becomes a little funny, which is probably not the intention. Likewise, where the feminine is supposed to balance the masculine and the rebels move forward with their parasols like mannequins on the catwalk, the scene has a similar effect. In the film's defense, however, it must be admitted that I was probably the only one who laughed, and otherwise I greatly enjoyed the film, which transcends genres and is suitable for anyone who is attracted to the grand. Because I haven't seen anything this spectacular in a long time. Recommended!
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Beautiful Show
I went into this show not knowing what to expect, except some angst from what I've seen on TikTok. Boy, I was pleasantly surprised. I don't really understand some people's criticism when it comes ML stoicism. He's supposed to be that way. That's what makes him so charming and attractive as a ML. FL is a feisty little lady who demonstrates growth throughout the show. People complaining about the age gap need to grow up. Anyways, it's the perfect amount of romance and politics for anyone who enjoys those tropes. I ended up pulling an all-nighter to catch up to episode 21. Excited to see what the rest of the episodes have in store for us.Was this review helpful to you?
What impressed me the most was not necessarily the story itself, because if we are being honest, the relationship at the center of the drama is undeniably toxic in many ways. There are moments filled with manipulation, emotional tension, jealousy, possessiveness, and misunderstandings that would probably be unbearable in real life. However, despite being fully aware of all these problematic aspects, I still found myself completely invested in the relationship. And I think the main reason for that is the chemistry between the two actors. Their interactions carry the entire drama. Even during scenes where the characters are arguing, hurting each other, or making terrible decisions, there is still an intensity between them that feels magnetic. They know how to create tension with very small gestures: a look, a pause during a conversation, the way they stand close to each other without speaking. It never feels flat or forced.
One thing I appreciated a lot is that the drama does not try to present the relationship as perfect or healthy. The characters are flawed, emotionally damaged, and often selfish. Sometimes they hurt each other intentionally, and other times they simply do not know how to communicate properly.
The actors manage to give emotional weight even to scenes that, on paper, might have seemed ordinary. Their chemistry feels natural, and because of that, even the quieter scenes become memorable.
I also think the drama succeeds because it understands exactly what kind of atmosphere it wants to create. There is always this feeling of emotional instability around the characters, as if everything could collapse at any moment. The romance is not soft or comforting most of the time; instead, it is obsessive, emotional, and sometimes painful to watch. But strangely, that is exactly what makes it entertaining.
Of course, the drama is far from perfect. Some scenes are overly dramatic, and there are moments where the toxicity becomes exhausting rather than compelling. However, even with these flaws, I never felt bored.
If someone is looking for a healthy romance with mature communication and emotionally stable characters, this is definitely not the right series. But if you enjoy intense chemistry, emotional tension, messy relationships, and characters who are impossible to fully love or hate, then the drama becomes incredibly addictive.
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