Fantastic series with a weak story
I got too invested in this show to the point of having too many things I want to write about after finishing it, but I just don't know where to begin.First off, I don't like the Chinese short web series because I haven't seen any good ones, basically all of them have messy stories with a billion plot holes and messy scripts, (sadly this too is included) but I've recently watched "heiress reborn" and I loved it so much so I gave my sweet CFT another shot with this web series and I'm glad I did.
I've to admit first, the story is shit!! I was lost all the time, we have conspiracies, women kidnapping, divorce journeys, rescuing missions and a search for an antidote for an incurable poison.
So basically I was watching with the mentality of, surprise me!!!!
" ok so what are we doing today in this ep? Oh, rescuing a kidnapped woman? Alright, oh the FL is trying to help some woman and that woman gave her a love potion, so we are searching for a crazy doctor? Ok, that's what we are going to do now I guess"
Another thing is shit, the way they gave us a SML syndrome, İNTENTİONALLY mind you, cause that can't be unintentional, the first half we got a FL sticking to the sml all the time, with him all lovey dovey with her and his eye literally throwing hearts at her, and let's be honest, it's CFT, who wouldn't fall for her!! I mean just look at her!! No one is immune!! But then, he isn't the ML, so half way through, enters the mostly broody and all sexy ML, so yeah she always goes back to the one she is meant to be with, and they look great together so it's a win either way, but it made the whole thing looks fake, like why did she choose the ML if all the time she is with the SML and they literally get along and fit together and all is good, like why ?? The ML saves her?? The SML did that too, they spent a lot of time together?? So does she with the SML, so there is nothing that pulls her towards the ML except that this is what the director orders them to do lol
Now aside from that, everything else is fantastic!!! Chemistry everyone is a pleasure to watch, even the side characters, this show is very unskippable, except maybe the conspiracy part, but because it doesn't make any sense tbh, more than anything.
The trio, ML, FL, and SML ... Ohhh those mofos!!! They are the best, I've never thought I'd laugh and enjoy my time like that watching these three together, and the parts where they got stuck together with this weird plant!! My god it was amazing, not to mention the parts where they got drunk, the two male leads are amazing together, they give siblings animosity vibes and I love it!!
I have to praise CFT cause I believe she was the one carrying the show, yes everyone was great but she just shines like the brightest star ever.
Highly recommended, if you just enjoy the crazy trio and ignore the story, cause it's really worth it despite everything ~~
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The biggest black flag in BL existence
Damn. I had thought Chi Cheng and Hua Yong were toxic and unhinged, but they pale in comparison to Fan Xiao – this man is the ultimate black flag!Here’s the thing: I loved the series overall. The plot is well-crafted, though I do question some decisions made in the series finale. The actors do an incredible job of portraying these very damaged characters with raw and vulnerable emotions. I was so invested that I could hardly watch anything else because I wanted to see the story through to the end.
I adored Yun Qi and Hao Yi Ran; they have amazing chemistry. Their characters, while making decisions I often disagreed with, were powerful, interesting, and immensely complex.
However, I couldn’t rate this series higher because, ultimately, I also hated it. As a romance drama, I expected it to touch our hearts, make us swoon, and serve as a source of comfort at the end of the day. Instead, To My Shore did the opposite. I felt stressed, triggered, and heartbroken throughout. By the end, I wasn’t rooting for the main leads to end up together; I wanted You Shu Lang to move on and leave Fan Xiao to his own devices – because that’s what he deserved.
We often romanticise negative aspects of relationships just because two people look good together. However, let’s not forget that Fan Xiao manipulates, lies, and hurts others without any consideration for Shu Lang’s feelings or boundaries. He takes everything Shu Lang holds dear and turns it upside down for his own benefit. That is not what makes a good partner!
Moreover, I was confused about certain characters and their roles. Was Shi Li Hua a friend or foe? What was the deal with Xue Bao Tian? Did Uncle Xu hurt the Fan family after the engagement fell through? How did Tian Tian’s mother reconnect with You Shu Lang? Why was Bo Wen even involved? By the end, I was left with many questions and no answers, just as the couple gets together again and the series concludes.
So, overall, I have mixed feelings about To My Shore. The series is good and definitely deserves credit for its production quality, and the actors have done a fantastic job that warrants all the praise. But did I enjoy it? Would I re-watch it? I don’t know! I’m uncertain if I would even recommend it, as I fear it might do more harm than good.
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Suffocates under the weight of a hyperfocus on the leads
There's some real interesting characters here.[Long dramatic pause - Narrator takes a long drag on a cigarette. Slowly exhales. Flicks cigarette toward the dumpster in the dimly lit alley. Watches as the cigarette smolders and the smoke dissipates. The narrator finally turns and ambles towards the main street. As he approaches the street light, he looks to his left. Then to his right. The seconds tick by waiting for him to speak. The sound of idling taxi engines hum in the background. And finally, the narrator raises his gaze to the camera}
None of the real interesting characters are named Tae Seo or Eun A.
Someone in the pre-production meetings should have asked "Do people really want to see a borderline depressive subway driver that can't move on from his ex?" Or maybe they did and some dummy said "Hell yes. Sounds great." If that actually happened, the dummy should be tracked down and summarily fired from ever having input in a drama production ever again.
Or perhaps someone could have asked "Does this female lead character make a lick of sense?" Because Pablo Picasso being asked to illustrate a medical anatomy textbook would be a smarter move than putting this sack of "Wtf is she doing now? What did she just say?" on screen.
It's not just that there are some occasional bright spots from supporting characters that outshine the leads. It's every moment from every supporting character in every episode. Not all of them are likable. Seong Chan is grating and toxic but at least it's a watchable grating-ness and toxicity.
In this made up "Still Shining" world, if there was any justice, A Sol would land a hot doctor boy and every time she looked at that table or a picture frame that Tae Seo made for her, she'd think "That idiot could have had me but he'd rather never STFU about oil drying on wood. What a hopeless bore."
[sigh]
Not recommended. Except for those that might be inspired to write some dope A Sol fanfic.
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The found-family haven I desperately needed
Overall, I really enjoyed this drama. I’m a sucker for found-family tropes, and this show delivers that beautifully.The story centres on estranged siblings-in-law Hyeon Jin and Tae Hyeong, who are brought together by tragedy to raise their nephew, Seon U Ju. It’s a lovely slice-of-life narrative where the main plot revolves around two people raising a baby that isn’t theirs, and in the process, they end up falling in love with each other.
The sweetness is overwhelming; baby Seon U Ju is adorable, and the relationship between Hyeon Jin and Tae Hyeong develops nicely. Their journey includes the expected highs and lows, which add depth to the love they share.
However, I did have one issue with the addition of Park Yun Seong. I understand the intention to create a love triangle to introduce friction between the main leads, but the execution felt excessive. At one point, Hyeon Jin seemed to have more chemistry with Yun Seong than she did with Tae Hyeong, which felt odd and frustrating as this tension persisted almost until the end. Additionally, the scene involving child services, while necessary for a show like this, felt exaggerated and out of place within the whole plot. I wished it had been modified to focus more on how much they care for the child, rather than on neglect and abuse, which wasn’t applicable in this case.
But, despite these issues, I still loved the drama. They didn’t diminish the overall happiness I felt while watching. I would definitely recommend it!
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Sweet, fun and only slightly frustrating
Ah, Hwang In Youp! I’m so glad he landed his main lead role, where he ultimately gets the girl. It’s well-deserved; he has such a main character attitude, and it was long overdue for him to have that opportunity.I thought the drama was quite good. It had strong plot development, amazing character chemistry, and some really funny moments.
The relationship between Kim San Ha, Yun Ju Won, and Kang Hae Jun was the highlight, of course. It beautifully depicted family by choice, not by blood, with a bond so strong that it never wanes, even when they are apart. It’s a really touching storyline that grips you, even if you prefer faster-paced dramas.
I also appreciated how the action was divided into three parts: the initial arc when they were kids, the middle arc during high school, and the final arc when they became adults. This structure allowed us to delve into the dynamics between characters and explore the story in detail rather than feeling rushed.
The friendship between Yun Jeong Jae and Kim Dae Uk, our dedicated parents, was a lovely plotline. It really showed that having someone in your corner during tough times makes life feel less burdensome. I was genuinely moved by how they raised the three kids together. I also valued the storyline involving the mothers and the reasons behind their abandonment. With Kang Seo Hyeon, I can forgive her choices, but in the case of Kwon Jeong Hui, I can’t help but think she deserved everything that happened to her. I wanted to feel sympathy for her since she faced hardships, but blaming your child for your misfortune never sits right with me.
Now, regarding the romance: while I enjoyed that San Ha and Ju Won got their happy ending, I found it a bit strange how their feelings developed. Even though it was apparent during the high school arc – at least in San Ha’s case – going from childhood friends to estranged to lovers felt rushed. It seemed like they wanted to include this relationship without knowing how to properly incorporate it into the storyline by the end.
Hae Jun and Dal, on the other hand, were adorable. While I wished Hae Jun had recognised Dal’s feelings sooner and handled them better, I thought the way they ended up together was really sweet. I was glad the drama had an overall happy ending for everyone involved (except for Kwon Jeong Hui).
In the end, I was really happy to have watched this drama. Family by Choice is the kind of show you turn to when you need a reminder that just because you were born into a particular family dynamic, it doesn’t mean you have to stay in it. You can choose your own peers and family – people who make you happy and lift you up instead of dragging you down.
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Stayed for the Fight Scenes.
This drama honestly wasn’t on my watchlist this year—I only gave the first episode a try out of pure curiosity. Surprisingly, it pulled me in almost immediately. The opening was strong, engaging, and had just enough intrigue to make me want to keep going. It gave the impression that this could be something really solid.However, as the story progressed, things started to feel a bit messy. The biggest issue, in my opinion, is the pacing and the way the characters are introduced. There are simply too many characters thrown in within the first few episodes, and not all of them are given enough time or depth to make a strong impression. Because of that, it becomes difficult to keep track of who’s who and how they connect to the overall story.
As the plot continues, it does become clearer, and you start to understand the direction it’s trying to take—but the pacing still feels uneven. Some parts feel rushed, while others drag longer than necessary. This inconsistency makes it harder to stay fully immersed, even when the story itself has potential.
When it comes to the acting, I want to be honest but fair. I’m new to Bao Shang En, and I can definitely see her strengths. She really shines in the fight scenes—her movements feel sharp, controlled, and convincing. In fact, I’d say she even stands out more than the male lead in that department. However, when it comes to emotional delivery, I find her performance a bit lacking. There are moments that call for deeper expression, but they don’t always land as strongly as they should. That said, she’s still quite young, and this feels more like a matter of experience than ability. With more training and the right roles, I can see her improving a lot.
On the other hand, Zhou Yi Ran delivers a more consistent performance. His acting feels more natural and emotionally grounded, which helps balance out some of the weaker moments in the drama. He brings a certain depth to his character that makes him easier to connect with.
As for their chemistry, it’s definitely there. They look good together, and their interactions are cute and enjoyable to watch. However, I wasn’t as emotionally invested in their relationship as I expected to be. There’s something missing in the buildup that prevents it from becoming truly compelling. It’s pleasant, but not particularly memorable.
One thing I do appreciate is the production quality in certain areas. The music fits well with the tone of the drama and enhances key scenes without being overpowering. The fight scenes, in particular, are a highlight—they’re well-executed and add excitement whenever the story starts to slow down. These moments are probably the ones I’d go back and rewatch.
That said, I wouldn’t rewatch the entire drama. It has its good moments, but not enough consistency to make it worth revisiting as a whole.
I also think this isn’t the best choice for new C-drama viewers. The messy storytelling and overwhelming number of characters can make it difficult to follow, especially if you’re not used to this kind of narrative style. However, if you’re already a veteran c-drama viewer, you might still find it to be a decent watch—something you can enjoy casually without expecting too much.
Overall, this drama had a lot of potential. It started strong and had elements that could have made it truly great, but uneven pacing, cluttered character introductions, and inconsistent execution held it back. Still, it’s not a complete miss—it just falls somewhere in the middle.
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A story of companionship
Choo Young Woo and Won Tae Min deliver great performances in this drama.It tells the story of a dance student burdened by debt and the collector who abruptly enters his life. The drama captivated me with its stunning dance sequences, engaging soundtrack, and sweet romantic undertones.
While the narrative doesn’t feel like an outright romance – more akin to a bromance – I found the relationship between Song Si On and Jin Hong Seok beautiful in its simplicity and companionship. These two lonely men discover each other at very low points in their lives, which is a moving concept.
I would have preferred to skip the intimate scene, as it added little to the plot aside from confirming their physical affection for one another. But otherwise, I had no other complaints when watching this.
So, overall, I believe this drama is quite good. If you enjoy clear romantic scenes, you might find it somewhat disappointing – this was my initial reaction as well. However, if you can overlook that aspect and appreciate it as a bromance, it’s definitely worth watching.
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If only they solved the case, instead of making out
I love JoongDunk, and I want to start by expressing that. Their chemistry, intense intimacy, and beautiful relationship are always a delight to witness in any series featuring them. Unfortunately, I’m sad that this particular series turned out to be such a disappointment.The plot has an interesting premise – an unsettling series of murders shakes a group of university friends, while a deadly game of truth or dare unfolds behind the scenes. I was really excited about this one and had high expectations, but it didn’t even come close to meeting them.
While the murders were portrayed well, and the gore and suspense kept me engaged, I felt the motives behind the killings needed more development and connection to the overall plot. I was left with many questions regarding how everything tied together. The relationships among the friends were also shrouded in mystery, making them feel quite superficial – the conflicts were revealed too quickly, leading to an underwhelming experience since the buildup to these conflicts wasn’t substantial enough to grip me.
And then there’s the romance. Why does it feel so forced? Joong and Dunk have an incredible ability to convey emotion through their eyes – you can feel their connection and feelings just by them looking at each other. That’s why it’s disappointing that the script made their interactions seem awkward and contrived. Additionally, while I understand there’s a rom-com element, why were they making out while kids were dying? Going out on dates while they had a string of murders to solve made the plot feel superficial and weak, especially when it had such a strong start.
The ending was good, featuring enough gore and twists to add some excitement to an otherwise lacklustre experience. However, it didn’t save the plot. It had great potential but fell flat due to weak execution.
Overall, while I adore this couple, this series left me disappointed. I’ll still recommend and promote it because Joong, Dunk, Chimon, Ohm, June, Earn, and the rest of the cast deserve recognition for their efforts. I just wish the execution had been better.
P.S. The OST! I've been playing Dare You to Love on repeat – Joong’s voice is so addictive!
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Worth watching, but it’s not the masterpiece it’s made out to be
I understand why people rave about this show, but I find it slightly overrated. While it was entertaining, it wasn’t jaw-droppingly amazing.I enjoyed the time travel plot, the romance, and the portrayal of the idol-fan parasocial relationship. The intrigue surrounding Im Sol’s accident and Ryu Seon Jae’s death, as well as the dynamics between the characters, kept me engaged. I appreciated how we received snippets of the overall plot as the story developed, which helped maintain my interest throughout, and the romance between Im Sol and Ryu Seon Jae was sweet and well-written; it felt awkward and gradual, capturing all the elements of teenage love. Even though he fell for her first, her feelings were deeper, making it even more beautiful.
Now, for what I didn’t like: the last arc. The plot was fantastic up until episode 12, but after that, it dragged unnecessarily due to Im Sol making a life-altering decision that changed everything. We fell into the familiar hurt-them-to-save-them trope. Why?! It didn’t enhance the story at all; in fact, it stretched a plotline that had already run its course, adding nothing but my frustration as we revisited the initial storyline where Im Sol loved Ryu Seon Jae from a distance, only to eventually return to him in the end. This repetitive cycle was not only annoying but also unnecessary.
As for Tae Seong, I felt his character suffered from the second male lead curse. He experienced heartbreak knowing he would never measure up to the main lead, yet he remained an essential part of the plot.
So, while I enjoyed the series, I felt underwhelmed by the overall experience. It has an impressive production value, a beautiful soundtrack and intro, good chemistry between the actors, and an interesting plot. However, it didn’t move me the way I had anticipated.
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Great drama with a stupid ending
This drama has a really intriguing plot – when her sister flees from her wedding to an influential heir, Hong Hui Ju, who is mute, steps in as the bride. After three years of a cold and distant marriage of convenience with her husband, Baek Sa Eon, everything changes when Hong Hui Ju is kidnapped. This incident forces them to confront their true selves: the wife reveals her strength, while the husband grapples with his own struggles, and we finally get a glimpse into their complex family dynamics.Initially, I expected this to be a typical married-couple-falls-in-love drama, but I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the storyline.
I found myself enjoying it quite a bit, especially in the beginning. Hong Hui Ju is a strong character; despite her muteness, she exudes personality, and her strength and perseverance are truly inspiring. I admired how she grew more assertive, stopped trying to please those who wished to harm her, and pursued her dreams despite numerous challenges.
Baek Sa Eon is also a nuanced character. The actor, Yoo Yeon Seok, brilliantly portrays him as aloof and seemingly uninterested in others' lives, maintaining an expressionless demeanour and unwavering eyes. I always found myself curious about his thoughts.
The supporting characters each play significant roles in the drama, as well. Their introductions felt purposeful, and the plot seamlessly integrates them as the story unfolds – the way that I did not see the drama involving Lee Tae Yeong and Park Do Jae!
All that said, I was slightly disappointed with the finale. I’m tired of the hurt-them-to-save-them trope. There was no reason for Baek Sa Eon to leave or for the time skip to occur. The series could have concluded once the main intrigue was resolved, without unnecessarily dragging it out for drama's sake.
Overall, while I found the ending frustrating, it didn’t overshadow the quality of the drama. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys romance intertwined with additional plotlines and complex characters.
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Exceeded my expectations!
My first experience with PoohPavel was with PitBabe. While I enjoyed it, I wasn't overly impressed, so I approached this new drama with some hesitation. However, it completely exceeded my expectations.The plot was well-crafted, with suspense, gore, and murder mystery elements thoughtfully executed. The romance was woven into the story nicely, although it might not be entirely believable – personally, I don’t think we would welcome murder suspects into our homes with open arms. Still, the development of Thup and Singha's relationship felt gradual, which made me very invested in their story.
Pooh has also shown significant improvement. While I didn't think he was bad in PitBabe, I'm glad he had the opportunity to grow and refine his speech. His development is evident in this drama's acting.
The low point for me was the ending, which felt a bit rushed. The fight scene was not as well-executed compared to the earlier ones, and the connection to the whole plot could have used more attention.
Overall, this drama is really good, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery, murder, or thriller genres.
P.s the soundtrack and the OST are so lovely! I thought they complemented the story beautifully.
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Falls flat
While I appreciated some of the long shots, the soundtrack, and the food/cooking scenes, this drama was a bit disappointing overall.It’s supposed to be a romance, but it falls flat in that regard. The two chefs seem to treat their romance as an afterthought rather than the central emotion they should be experiencing. I felt that the actors didn’t commit enough to make the story believable on screen. The overall plot was intended to be one of enemies to lovers, but I didn’t feel that connection at all. They were rivals at best and then became friends, with a romance that felt like a lovely afterthought.
In the end, I’m somewhat relieved this series only had 8 episodes, as the time I spent watching it wasn’t too significant.
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Steamy romance but no cohesive narrative
This is a shorts series designed for viewing on a phone rather than a larger screen, with each episode lasting less than one minute – due to its different format, I was intrigued and decided to give it a try. I didn’t expect it to be amazing, and perhaps that’s why, while it wasn’t the best I’ve seen, I wasn’t entirely disappointed with the final result. My initial low expectations allowed me to watch it with a more open mind.The actors did a commendable job given the limited material they had, and the overall plot was straightforward and easy to follow. Although the execution could have been stronger, there is definitely promise in this series. I wish the production quality had been better and that we had more time to explore the characters.
Overall, while I wouldn’t recommend this to everyone, I believe it has merit and shouldn’t be dismissed solely based on its production value.
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This review may contain spoilers
Dropped. Here’s Why.
I’ve been a fan of *Encantadia* since 2005, and I even supported the 2016 version despite its flaws. That’s why it honestly disappoints me to say this—but I’ve decided to stop watching the current one for now.There are just too many plot holes and unnecessary subplots that feel like filler rather than meaningful additions to the story. Instead of building a rich and immersive world, it feels scattered and unfocused. Some storylines are introduced but never fully developed, while others drag on without real impact.
One of my biggest issues is the heavy focus on Terra. I understand that every story usually has a central character, but here it feels excessive to the point that it creates a huge imbalance. The narrative keeps bending just to elevate her, even when it doesn’t feel earned. It ends up making the other Sang’gres feel like background characters rather than equally important pillars of the story.
Please don’t take this as hate, but Terra’s character, as written, isn’t compelling enough to justify that level of focus. She doesn’t have the same depth, growth, or presence that past central characters had. It feels like the writers are *telling* us she’s important instead of actually *showing* it through strong development and meaningful moments.
What made the original and even the 2016 version work was the balance. Yes, Amihan was central at times, but Alena, Danaya, and Pirena were never reduced to mere sidekicks. Each of them had their own arcs, struggles, and significance. They felt like a true group—four powerful individuals, not just one lead and three supports.
In this new version, however, it feels like the other three are only there to reinforce the idea that there are four gem guardians, rather than being fully realized characters. Their presence often feels secondary, and their potential is not being maximized. Important moments that could have been shared or explored more deeply are instead centered almost entirely around Terra.
Another frustrating part is the inconsistency in character writing. Some characters show potential early on but are later sidelined or altered just to serve the main narrative focus. Which brings me to Deia—honestly, she’s the one I find most interesting among the new generation Sang’gres. She has presence, intrigue, and a lot of potential for a strong character arc. But it feels like that potential is being held back or even sacrificed just to make Terra stand out more.
It’s disappointing because the foundation is there. The world of *Encantadia* has always been rich with lore, politics, and character-driven storytelling. But instead of building on that, the current version feels like it’s prioritizing one character at the expense of everything else.
I’m not saying the show is completely bad—it still has moments that remind me why I loved *Encantadia* in the first place. But right now, the imbalance, weak character distribution, and inconsistent storytelling are making it hard for me to stay invested.
So for now, I’m dropping it. Maybe I’ll come back if things improve.
Just my honest opinion.
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I had higher expectations
While I love Boun and Prem, I had higher expectations for this series. Watching the first trailer (with Santa and Boss) may have shaped what I wanted from it, but honestly, I expected more.Boun and Prem have great chemistry, or at least I thought they did. Yet in this series, it felt like they were awkward with each other at times. There were moments when I genuinely sensed that they didn’t want to be near one another, and that had nothing to do with the vampire vs. human aspect of the plot.
Speaking of the plot, where was it heading? It felt like it lost its initial direction halfway through. I was also slightly disappointed that the series turned into a romantic comedy instead of sticking to the darker tone presented in the trailer. The script made characters like Ramil, Punn, and Methas appear silly in scenes where they were supposed to be tough fighters.
We did have some fun cameos (IYKYK), which I appreciated, but it wasn’t enough to redeem the plot for me. Additionally, the suggestion of a possible pairing between Aun and Pokpong was disappointing. I was truly invested! They had such great chemistry, and I felt let down that their storyline went nowhere.
Nonetheless, because I adore these actors and the story is not unbearable, I’m giving this drama 7 stars. I can’t rate it any higher because I was genuinely disappointed by the time I finished watching it.
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