Reviews

great movie

My brother was a really touching movie. As someone who has started watching Korean films not long ago, I was surprised to see a very young Kim Hae Sook. I’m used to seeing her as the grandmother in the shows I’ve watched, so it was quite remarkable to discover older films and see the actors in their younger days.

The story beautifully represents brotherly love, illustrating how, despite fighting, you will always love your siblings even if you aren’t speaking to them.
I anticipated the sad moments, thinking they wouldn’t affect me, but the actors delivered their performances so well that I found myself crying nonstop. Also, I want to mention Shin Ha Kyun, who plays such compelling characters. Each time he appeared on screen, I was brought to tears, he is so good with delivering emotions though screen.

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Cooking show on Netflix say yes

I loved every bit of the show and this was no less than a thriller.

I am ecstatic to see cooking show / show about chefs being broadcasted in platforms like Netflix for the world to see. As a chef myself this was a proud moment for me. The show is something I have never seen before. It goes beyond a cooking competition. It's ruthless, it's exhausting, it makes you anxious. It makes you feel like you are there cooking and your life is at stake. Pulling something on this level with a cooking competition is insane. The first 2 episodes had me hold my breathes every time chef Ahn or Ched Paik came to judge the food. Each round were filled with a surprise. You thought it's over and they will come up with something even more jaw dropping than last time. The editing of the show made it even more enjoyable and thrilling, Not a single skippable moment. Koreans truly know how to make a show interesting.

What made this show even special is how all the competitors got to show a little bit of themselves along the lines which gave them a true identity. It was a wonderful watch and I hope this showcase more about culinary world.

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Cried a river and the ending left my jaw on the floor

When I first started this drama, I had no idea what the story was about. I was intrigued by the title and was completely taken by surprise by what unfolded. The story is both heartbreaking and empowering. Be prepared to have plenty of tissues on hand because this movie will make you cry every few minutes.

What struck me the most was that, despite receiving a terrible diagnosis and having only a few months to live, Futaba's main concern is her family and their future. She faces numerous challenges and goes beyond words to ensure they are prepared to live without her. I have always found it hard to understand how someone can be so selfless and love another person so deeply, putting them above oneself. Perhaps that’s what makes mothers incredible.

**Spoilers***

Another fascinating aspect is that all the characters represent different stages of Futaba's own life, and that's why she understands what they are going through. As a way to console her younger self, she attempts to give them what she never received herself.

Futaba was abandoned as a child, and her mother never came back for her, so she knows firsthand the pain of being left behind. When she married Sachino, whose wife left him with their daughter (Azumi), Futaba took Azumi in as her own and cared for her deeply, as if she were her own daughter. She never treated Azumi differently or let her or us suspect that she wasn’t her biological child; instead, she considered her as her own blood.

When the truth was revealed that Azumi was not her biological child, I was genuinely surprised by the depth of Futaba's love for her. Seeing how much she pushed Azumi to be strong and loved her, it was impossible to even imagine they are not blood-tied. At the same time, she empathized with Azumi's mother's situation, which is why she made sure Azumi learned sign language so they could communicate if Azumi ever wanted to reach out to her biological mother. This act of love deeply touched me and made me realize how much Futaba must have loved Azumi to endure the pain of letting her learn sign language for that possible future encounter.

Not only did Futaba give unwavering love to Azumi, but she also encouraged Azumi to be strong and stand tall against those who were abusing her. She helped her understand that when problems come, she should not hide but stand tall to face a difficult situation with confidence and dignity.

When Azumi's biological father left her and Azumi, she could have walked away since Azumi was not her biological child, but she chose to stay and endure immense pain. When she encountered her husband again and learned he had another child, she welcomed that child, who was also abandoned by her biological mother, into her home, offering her the same love and care she had given Azumi because she understood what it meant to be neglected.

Another story that struck me is when she met backpacker Takumi, who also experienced neglect and was a lost child. She recognized in him a hurt kid, and when she embraced him like a mother, she gave him something he likely never received. She offered him purpose and encouraged him to return to see her, giving him that sense of being wanted.

So each one of them goes through things Futaba herself experienced, and rather than let them be alone in pain, she tries to help them overcome those difficult feelings and guide them to overcome it all.

It is incredibly touching to witness Futaba’s unwavering effort to help everyone around her, even as she prepares them to live independently after her passing. It breaks my heart to know that she is helping them heal their traumas and become self-sufficient so that the transition is less painful when she is gone. This, too, is an expression of love that I could not comprehend.

Something remarkable about the story is how family can go beyond blood ties. Despite being the least connected person by blood to those around her, Futaba loves them more than many biological parents love their children. She is an example of how, truly, a mother’s love is beyond words.

This movie was profoundly moving and painful; I cried a river while watching it. Even now, reflecting on it brings tears to my eyes. It's probably one of the best pieces of screenwriting I’ve seen in a while, and it’s no wonder it received so much recognition.

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Could have had it all

It's such a shame that this series had a lot of potential yet was ruined because of the lack of GMMTvs effort to actually make a BL crime thriller. Still a good show to watch but the bar was set too high since pilot and they definitely didn't meet it.

The plot was fantastic but it couldn't be shown properly in the series. The plot twists were 50/50 predictable however when it actually happened my jaw dropped. This was the perfect dark plot for GMMTVs suppose pivotal crime BL but it lacked depth. The screenwriting was filled with so much of side quest than the actual murder mystery which ruined the thrill for those who wanted this to be more than just a romance BL. The characters lacked depth which made them just a plot machine. I couldn't feel bad for any victim, I couldn't feel much anger either when the truths started to come up, for any of the characters for that. The screen writing really failed the murder mystery.

The direction was not fit for a dark themed BL. The focus went too much on the couple rather than the case. The romance should have acted more like an envelop to the murder mystery and should have been integrated more in scenes where they were investigating rather than always having completely separate scenes. Jade and Kamin were supposed to be co-workers first and then fell in love. Their falling in love should have happened parallelly while they work together. The cinematography was not bad, that being said the color grading and sound engineering did save the "mystery" aspect of the drama. Even though it should have kept the darker essence we saw in the pilot.

Acting wise this is second best to Style for Dunk's career. He actually improved a lot and this is coming from a complainer. He actually became Kamin. Joong always slays his role with his versatility and facial expressions. Pahn is such a stunner. She will go far. I just love bad boy Chimon character so much. He is one of those actors in GMMTV that can be a villain or a victim any day. Especially have to mention Ashi for his incredible acting. Made me want to punch his face. Aungpao, with less screen time left an impactful show. I have always loved Earn's acting. She really brought her character to real life. For Sing, really nothign to say, a veteran indeed. And lastly June, her eyes talk, brilliant acting. The acting really saved this series for me.

Honestly it's not bad, there are worse mystery series than this. It's just disappointing because this should have been Joong Dunk's break through to the world if the show was done correctly. Still worth giving it a try

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Watch the magic of Earth/Mix's first BL

PLOT: Tian, ​​a wealthy young man with myocarditis, lives and parties as if he could die tomorrow. One night, he collapses and miraculously receives a heart transplant from Torfun. Torfun, a volunteer teacher in a mountain village (and in one-side-love with the Chief), has just been hit by a car. Seven months later, Tian, ​​wanting his new life to be meaningful, learns who his donor is and decides to continue what she couldn't finish by becoming a volunteer teacher in the village himself. The adjustment is difficult, but Tian gradually wins the affection of the children, the villagers, and the Chief.

+++ Earth & Mix are two great, brilliant actors—beautiful, subtle, and emotional—with instant and magical chemistry, even though they don't touch each other. Kudos!
+++ Excellent overall cast, with a very young Khaotung :)
+++ High-quality production, with magnificent scenery, good pacing, and well-maintained suspense.
+++ Excellent OST

BUT: The writing, good in the first part, falters afterward:

### Why hide Torfun's death from the villagers and children?
### How can the doctor so easily obtain confidential information (donor's name, license plate number of the car that caused the accident, etc.)?
### Episode 8, in particular, makes no sense: the villagers' reaction, and even more so the Chief's, is nonsensical. The writers tried to inject drama where it wasn't necessary. It's a shame!

### Just an ending kiss ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´(00)`ﾟ)ﾟ｡

=> One of the best BLs, thanks to the magic of Earth-Mix (1 of my favorite ships)...

*******************************************************
1ere BL de Earth / Mix

PLOT: Tian, jeune homme riche avec myocardite, vit/fait la fête comme s'il pouvait mourir demain. Il s'évanouit un soir, et bénéficie miraculeusement du don de coeur de Torfun. Celle-ci, enseignante volontaire ds 1 village de montagne (et one-side-lover du Chief) vient d'être renversée par 1 voiture. 7 mois + tard, Tian, qui veut que sa nvelle vie soit utile, apprend qui est sa donneuse, et décide de poursuivre ce qu'elle n'a pas pu achever en devenant à son tour, enseignant volontaire ds le village. L'adaptat° est difficile, mais Tian se fait peu à peu aimer des enfants, des villageois, et du Chief.

+++ Earth & Mix sont 2 super acteurs, beaux, subtiles, émotionnels, avec une alchimie instantanée et magique même s'ils ne se touchent pas. Kudos !.
+++ TB cast général, avec la présence de Khaotung tout jeune :)
+++ Réalis° de qualité, avec des paysages magnifiques, du rythme, un suspense bien mené.
+++ Excellentes OSTs

MAIS : L'écriture, bonne ds la 1e partie, se perd ensuite:
### Pourquoi cacher aux villageois et aux enfants, la mort de Torfun ?
### Comment le docteur peut-il avoir si facilement des informations confidentielles (nom du donneur, n° de la voiture ayant causé l'accident, etc.)
### L'ép. 8, en particulier, n'a pas de sens : la réaction des villageois et plus encore celle du Chief, est un non-sens. Les writers ont voulu mettre du drame là où il n'était pas nécessaire. C'est dommage !
### Just an ending kiss ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´(00)`ﾟ)ﾟ｡

=> Une des meilleures BL, grâce au duo Earth-Mix (1 de mes fav ships) ...

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super cute! but not a great adaptation. [very long]

i'm currently re-reading the manga for the first time in about 10 years. i was thinking "the only thing missing about this is a 2000s jdrama adaptation that takes itself way too seriously" and i stumbled upon this. so allow me to make a couple comments:

1. as a lolita myself, the amount of btssb all over this movie had me close to fainting. i saw a girl holding an usakumya plush and then i look up at her face and see that it's MISAKO MF AOKI HERSELF. i couldn't find the name of the dress akira wears to sneak into the girls' school (i'm not as familiar with btssb/aatp catalog as i am with angelic pretty) but i DID see that baby collabed with pullip to produce a doll of him??? insane collector's piece i fear it's on my lolita grail list right next to milky-chan the fawn jsk. i adored seeing so much of this fashion that's so near and dear to my heart. however, i do still kind of wish that more masculine looking women had been cast to play blaue rosen.........the manga makes quite a point that mizuki is often mistaken for and treated as if she's a man, and while the actress cast to play her was very cute and expressive, i really don't find that she fit the bill appearance wise. however, i do find that akira's actor was quite well cast, he's decently androgynous-looking for the role and i think he pulled it off well. he also looks great in a jsk and otk socks lmao.

2. if you're looking for a faithful adaptation to the manga, this is not it. i kept waiting and waiting on the topic of kaoru moving overseas and the band breaking up to become a topic, since this is quite literally what propels the plot in the manga. kaoru moving away is the driving force that brings akira to mizuki in the first place, which then leads to the plot of him joining the band as their new vocalist. like i'm actually shocked that out of all the parts of this movie that were faithful to the manga, the primary plot of the entire story was completely omitted. i'd understand taking out some parts for time constraints, but i feel like SO much of the story was changed that it doesn't exactly feel recognizable. if you're okay with viewing it as it's own separate media independent of the manga, then go ahead. but if you want a good adaptation, maybe skip it.

3. i find that compared to the manga, many parts of the story were quite sanitized for a lower age rating. for example, in the scene where ran discovers mizuki is a girl, the manga has him jumping on her and tearing her clothes open quite violently. whereas in the film, i believe it's a bit of an ouran situation of him accidentally feeling her chest. seeing as the film is much more comedic in tone than the manga which takes itself quite seriously, i can see why this was done, and i do appreciate it a bit for being more tasteful than the manga. there's actually quite a bit of sexual theming and serious topics such as assault/harassment in the manga (seeing as the target demographic is adult women rather than teens or young girls), so the choice to omit these for a light-hearted romcom feels more appropriate and respectful than if it hadn't been.

in conclusion, i really did love this movie, it was really cute and fun and sweet and the music blaue rosen played in universe is exactly what i pictured while reading the manga! that being said, the manga is MUCH different in tone, and while i'd advise to use discretion regarding the topics of sexual harassment and such, it really is a great read. i'd strongly recommend it to anyone who's a fan of josei romance like nana or paradise kiss. i feel like it's one from its era that tends to get overlooked quite a bit.

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Cute but plot holes are frustrating.

I must frankly say, that this drama was cute, very light as a school drama and I really appriciated the dynamics between the main leads. The kisses surprised me (because Korean dramas rarely have REAL kisses) and were a nice touch to the overall feel.

However, the plot suffers from plot holes and I couldn't stand it. I was confused most of the time when it came to the story outside the romance, I couldn't really wrap my head around the logic behind it all.
It kinda bugged me that some things were just left... unsaid? (I just found out that this is a spin-off to "A breeze of love"???) I honestly thought it was based off of a manhwa, that's why it felt kinda rushed but it seems not? It's illogical just as it is.

I recommend this series if you need to turn off your thinking and enjoy a nice, warm romance. It's really good when you don't pay attention to how it all works 😭

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Good pacing. No idiotic plot. Clean, simple, enjoyable.

I have no notes. GMMTV has been a bit of a flop for me lately and nothing has been hitting the spot so I didn't have much of a high expectation coming into MRS. Suffice to say all my expectations were blown out of the window.
While the plot might not be anything that'll blown you away with plot twists or never seen before concept, it's comforting in its simplicity and very well executed story.

The series was well-paced, every episode was filled with content, stories and some sufficient romantic scenes without abandoning the overarching plot. There's no idiotic Gmmtv ep11 curses, no nuisance dramatic misunderstanding plot for the sake of drama. This is not one of those shows where lack of communication and dramas bottle up and overboard till everything explode at the very end and then quickly scramble up some resolution in the end. The writer utilized all 12 eps to craft a moving, funny and content-packed story. While some of the character's background might not be relatable, their struggles, weaknesses and growth are something I think MANY viewers (especially Asians) will find very relatable.

Characters' chemistries are good, although admittedly I care more about the main couple (TimPai) compared to the secondary couple (YuNorth). YuNorth's actors performances felt a bit stiff at times and take some viewing to ease into, but generally still didn't tamper the series for me. I have to commend Pai's actor specifically. His acting truly was the star of the show for me, he performed well on some of the more difficult or emotional scene of the show that truly sell the plot and story to the viewers.
Additionally, I also enjoy some details about Thai Chinese' cultures that's woven into the series thanks to Pai's family background.

This show quickly becomes one of my top 5 favorite series from GMMTV. Not because it's an extraordinary 'never seen before' concept, but because they took a concept that works well, and worked it well. Good execution, enjoyable, funny, with good chemistry and generally good acting.

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FL Was Like a Robot With No Personality.

I started watching this after bad luck with picking dramas. I'd paused another drama to watch this. I should have sticked with it. In terms of character and personality I think Sword and Brocade lacks it. The FL was very stiff and mechanical. Her smile seemed fake. I've seen the actress in other dramas and she's acted better there.

I also had an issue with how they didn't age the FL up from fifteen to eighteen. I kept thinking about it and it grossed me out. I realise they were going for a degree of historical accuracy and most women married soon after their hairpinning ceremony at 15 (which was really 13-14 because they were classed 1 upon birth and became1 year older on every New Year). I think the tipping point that really got me to stop was the bedroom scene after marriage. The music made it out to be a joke...

Don't get me wrong, from what I saw there's no sexual assault in this on camera. It's just the situation really didn't need that music. It would have worked better if the scene was shorter with what takes place hurried along for the viewer to see with different music. I just feel the scene could have worked so much better now I'm writing this review. It could have had a completely different feel and epic music to accompany it.

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Came for Perth and wasn’t disappointed by this Rom com.

I came here for Perth who I felt carried Perfect 10 Liners where he played a sullen lad with a huge heart (I loved how he growled Bee-gan menacingly at his boyfriend) and stayed for this lighter, more sunny character.

The plot opens when Ae (played by Perth) literally and figuratively poleaxes Pete (played by Saint) when he runs him over with his bicycle. As they untangle themselves from the wheels something subtle is started and as the drama continues we watch them take their tentative first steps into becoming the love of each others’ lives.

Along the way we also meet several other heavy hitters and watch as their characters grow within the show and between themselves.

I especially loved the scene where Pete admits he’s gay to his mother and the vulnerability and love they share is so powerful it had me clapping by the end. Bravo script writers. (They also included a timid one liner related to anal s*x preparation that Pete used on their first night in bed together not an expected topic (at all!) but I found it’s inclusion rather refreshing and kinda cute TBH).

The other plot lines were also great and I felt the final scene of Tin losing his shit in the shower was a perfect ending. Whilst I felt bad for his character it shows how flawed and hurtful young love can be and that life really isn’t fair.

As a side note, if you’re looking for this plot to roll seamlessly into the second series you’ll be sorely disappointed and while I get that Saint’s schedule didn’t allow for him to be in it there was so many better ways they could have written his absence but didn’t - instead they took the lazy option. I’ve already reviewed S2 so go check that out before watching.

Would I watch this again? Possibly but there’s so many more on my ‘plan to watch’ list.

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Some dramas entertain you… others stay with you.

Phantom Lawyer is one of those rare stories that blends quirkiness with quiet emotion. It’s not just about solving cases—it’s about understanding people, their pain, and the hidden truths they carry.

The story follows a lawyer who doesn’t quite fit the usual mould. There’s something unusual about the way he approaches cases—almost as if he sees things others don’t. What begins as a series of legal battles slowly unfolds into something deeper, touching on hidden truths, personal struggles, and the idea that justice isn’t always black and white.

What makes this drama stand out is its quirky tone. It blends light humour with moments of introspection, giving even serious situations a unique charm. The characters feel slightly offbeat, yet incredibly human, making their journeys both entertaining and relatable.

At its heart, the drama is about healing and connection. Beneath the legal cases and oddities, it explores loneliness, redemption, and the quiet ways people help each other move forward. These emotional layers give the story a sincerity that lingers long after each episode.

The performances add depth, especially in moments where silence says more than dialogue. Visually, the drama keeps things simple but effective, allowing the storytelling and characters to shine.

If you’re looking for a legal drama that isn’t just about winning cases—but about understanding people—Phantom Lawyer offers a refreshing, heartfelt experience with just the right touch of quirkiness.

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Not bad but not enough

This follows a pretty straight forward revenge plot as the ML assists with multiple cases as an attorney to uncover the truth. It has its usual tropes of everyone and everything just coincidentally tying together, etc. The main highlight in the series is our ML and his character. He's quite charming and the bond between him and his ML partner will bring you plenty of laughs.

The cases the ML handles are individual cases that all ends up tying into the underlying case, which is intentional. The cases aren't very complex but it does highlight some real issues such as cult-like mentalities and taking justice into your own hands when the government is corrupt. He solves them relatively easily but I actually quite appreciate how they incorporate his flashbacks to his past when coming across some victims - the right way to truly empathize.

I would have loved to have continued for the overarching plot but I've become more cynical of female leads these days. And while the FL here isn't the worst I've come across, the heavy switch over to the development of their relationship... really killed the plot flow for me. She's also another one of those hypocritical characters who prides herself to be righteous and bashes on the ML for not using the "right" way to help people. Thankfully she does realize her naivety and ignorance at some point, but this is also when they turn the romance aspect up way too high and way too quickly. Unfortunately, her character is a teetering one for me and I don't really feel the chemistry between the ML and FL. The fact that he's head over heels for her also ended up diminishing his character for me as well.

But for those who are more into the romantic genre, I think you'll definitely enjoy this one more than me.

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