Reviews

Alchemy of souls

This kdrama is truly the best kdrama I have seen. I love the vibe of it and the fact that its like fantasy and historic but also like romantic which I adore. I love the acting especially mudeok’s I love her sm, truly the best actress. I can’t express my love for this kdrama. My love for this kdrama is endless and I will forever love it. Another thing that I liked was season 1 ending like dont get me wrong it was sas asf but I lowk love it when endings have a little gap to think about it and I really adored season 2 even though alot of people dont like it but I loved and love it. Alchemy of souls you did wonders.

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Very good when taking off

I have watched the full drama and enjoyed it very much. But first I had dropped it around the third episode because it looked too childish, and I thought the production had failed to precise it was addressed to a 4 to 12 years old audience. Then I had a second thought that such a great cast could reserve some good surprise later on, and so it happened. The drama really starts to take off after episode 10, becoming more mature and consistent,
and it keeps improving till the end.
In the beginning, it was too much in the context of a school of little hybrid animals and plant characters,
mistakenly called 'demons' when actually some are very nice and others really bad. Let's say they rather are 'nature spirits'.
Then the plot thickens and an excellent production finally emerges that I found good on every level. The leading actress Seven Tan is so fresh and funny, Neo Hou a real magic gentleman, and all around just beautiful, images, sound, and the story gets more and more interesting. Finally very recommended !

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Thoroughly enjoyable watch

I'm surprised by the negative reviews on this page, and I don't agree with them. (I mean, okay, I agree that the gun/bullet/blood Adobe After Effects were a bit lame. I bet they just ran out of budget. It didn't ruin the show for me.)

I loved this series. It had my attention from start to finish, which is rare for me. I'm more inclined to either give up on a series halfway or speed it up to get it over with faster. I wanted this series to keep going.

I was very impressed with the acting by the entire cast. Special mentions though: I think Offroad has really grown as an actor since Love in Translation, which is always a pleasure to see in successful actors. So many actors stop working as hard on their craft when they become successful, and I appreciate the obvious work Offroad put into this role. I was blown away by Tongtong. I must have seen him in To Sir with Love, but he really shines here. This was a difficult role to pull off well, and he impressed me. I'm going to keep an eye on his future work.

The production value and direction were both excellent (bar the obvious After Effects, of course). The story was clearly communicated, even with all the twists and turns.

All in all, I highly recommend this series. It's worth your time.

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If Only The Latter Half Was Different

When I started this, I was convinced that it would get a 10/10 from me. I remember thinking, "Wow. This!! This right here is why I disagree with many in the BL fandom when they say that teen shows are a bore. Shows like this prove that these pple are so wrong."

And part of me still stands by this thought. The 1st half was really cute, well-acted, and the issues were very real and well handled. It also helps that the actors really did look and act like teens. *insert heavy side eye at Thai companies that keep making older actors play high schoolers or college students*

However, once we get into the 2nd half, things get very frustrating, very quickly. The series had enough drama to keep it going. Developing a relationship during the pandemic, their two clashing personalities (Tsundere x Golden retriever + Flirty x Shy boy), Cai's dad in the hospital, and the one meddling ex, all that was enough. But they just kept adding more. Plus, the characters refused to communicate. It all made the watching experience rather frustrating, taking away from the excitement of the first half.

Had they not added all those frustrating dramatics, I'd have truly rated this much higher.
PS. I never knew that hearing one word repeated over and over and over again would make me wanna yeet myself off a roof. The word 'baby' in this show should be classified as auditory torture and psychological abuse😭
Also, yaay to my 1st Filipino show💃🏾🙌🏾

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The Best K Drama

My first review - Bloody Flower - Part 01 : my firI love medical dramas -- this is one of the best of them -- though the story is totally different -- no hospital scenes -- no doctors running in ER -- no operations in OR -- This is pitched as murder mystery -- sort of -- a man found cure for terminal illness and to achieve that -- he sacrificed seventeen people who are already guilty -- Lady prosecutor is determined to send him to prison - may be even death sentence - why ? he " murdered " seventeen " innocent " people -- as per lady prosecutor. Then we have a male lawyer who is determined to save him just because his daughter is terminally ill - and only he has the " cure ". It seems that the -- cure -- is residing in his blood ! he demonstrated his medical claim in -- Episode 04 -- by treating a terminally ill cancer patient - who recovered fully -- highly octane and can push your adrenaline -- all the time -- you just sit on your toes - " what next " --- must watch -- as per me -- to be continued ...

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Chemistry Stronger Than Revenge

This drama delivers an intense and emotionally layered revenge story with excellent performances, especially from Wang Chen Peng and Zhai Yiying. The female lead stands out as a smart, manipulative, and emotionally complex character, while the male lead’s transformation from cold and guarded to vulnerable and deeply devoted was portrayed beautifully. Their chemistry is powerful, and even when romance takes a backseat to revenge, their emotional connection remains compelling.

Despite the typical limitations of vertical dramas, the production quality was impressive, with strong cinematography, detailed costumes, and visually pleasing sets. The story balances revenge, emotional growth, and romance effectively, and the actors brought depth and sincerity to their roles. The emotional scenes, confrontations, and character arcs made this drama engaging from start to finish, earning it a place among memorable and enjoyable watches.

A gripping mix of revenge and romance with stellar chemistry between the leads. The slow-burn love and intense emotions make it an unforgettable watch.

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Drawn in just to be annoyed

I guess I was a little late to the party because I'm watching this show now. After all the hype I thought, why not.
The first two episodes got me, I won't lie. Its been a while since I watched a Korean drama where romance was the key feature. Most shows nowadays have an element of all genres ( which I find tiring, especially for people like me who are nostalgic about the old, kdramas)
Anyway, thats as good as it got! From then on it is a steady downward stream.
In the beginning the female lead was all sunshine and rainbows, refusing to bow to her situation and not letting them steal her joy.
My take is, once she left Jeju it was over for her. She was turned into a character that is always concerned about what a man thought of her. Despite being treated over and over like a cloth one didn't want, she kept on wondering if she disappointed the Male lead. That was the limit of what i could stomach.

Moving on to the male lead. Please guys help me understand when being mistreated, being hurt, being made to feel like one has to beg for a seat at the table is atttactive!!???
Where did we start glorifying torture?
The Male lead after learning that he was lied to goes between hot and cold so easily and so fast it can actually make you the viewers, think you are crazy for being triggered.

In short, this was a drama that had promise only to end up a statistic of why people end up in abusive relationships.

If you see red flags, RUN!

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Excellent drama, fine acting, not a "legal drama' but not intended to be?

In reading some of the reviews, it seems that some viewers expected this drama to be more about case law than characters, and I think that was never intended. At least, in reading the synopses online from over six months ago, this series was exactly what I expected: the story of several lawyers and how they changed and gained more personal insight as they made their way through various legal challenges. The legalities were just the framework for the character growth, and to me, it didn't disappoint.

The female lead, Tang Ying Ying, was played by an actress unfamiliar to me and she was excellent. For the first six episodes, I actively disliked her but the story kept me hooked and I wanted to see how she'd bring her character around to a point where I could root for her, and she did a terrific job. People who quit the series early missed a masterclass in acting. Lin Yu Shen, the male lead, was more familiar to me and it's easy to see why he's so highly regarded; he can carry a story on micro expressions alone. He's played the CEO type before, and here he manage to make it endearing as he fumbled his way into a romance with the FL. Although it's played out in the courtroom, not the boardroom, his portrayal of Kang Yun is similar to his Lu Jin in Dating in the Kitchen, without the comedic overtones. Professionally a shark, but far less adept in his personal life. The slowly developing romance between the ML and FL was enjoyable to watch as they began to understand and trust each other. And though Lin Yu Shen is now in his mid-forties, he's aging very, very well. I wish we saw more of him.

I'm not Asian, so the glimpses into the nuances of the Chinese legal system were interesting. My high rating on rewatch value would be to go back and see what I missed as the cases played out. (The sometimes-clunky English translations probably didn't help.) Some viewers have commented on the number of legal cases involving friends and family and how it seemed too coincidental; I think this was deliberate. Everyone interacts with the legal system at some point, and dealing with the law is one area where you can't always predict the outcome or control it, so I think the writers meant to show that the law can act as a catalyst for people to grow and adapt. Just my take.

As for the romance, the ending was a bit open-ended but all the major roadblocks had been removed and there was no reason to think the ML and FL wouldn't forge ahead together. I gave the soundtrack high marks because it was fittingly instrumental; no pop idol warbling a theme song over and over. It sounded right for the drama.

If you want a drama that is focused solely on the ins and outs of the legal system, you'll likely be dissatisfied with this one. If, however, you like more character-driven dramas, The Inner Eye is very high-quality and well worth watching.

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A Beautiful Yet Underrated Fantasy Gem

Despite the negative comments and relatively low rating, I still decided to watch this drama, and I have absolutely no regrets. I had seen its poster so many times while browsing Youku dramas that my curiosity kept growing. Knowing it was directed by one of my favorite directors made it impossible for me to skip. I went in with an open mind, and I’m so glad I did.

Unlike many viewers, I genuinely liked every character in this drama. The acting was impressive across the board, especially considering most of the cast were new to me, except for Ryan Ren. Each actor brought sincerity and depth to their role, making the characters feel alive and emotionally real. The three main actors alone made this drama worth watching. They were captivating and held my attention throughout.

I agree that the ending felt rushed, and some parts, especially the backstory of the stones, were not explained clearly enough. However, I had already prepared myself for that, and personally, I don’t mind rushed or even sad endings if the journey itself is meaningful. What I appreciated most was the relationship dynamic between the leads. Instead of forcing a romantic relationship, the male lead remained more of a guardian figure in her life. This made their bond feel pure, meaningful, and never uncomfortable or cringeworthy. In real life, not every deep connection turns into romance, and this drama portrayed that beautifully.

Ouyang Nana as Milan was truly outstanding. She had such an angelic aura, and her portrayal of a blind character was incredibly convincing. Her expressions, posture, and emotional delivery were so natural and heartfelt. Watching her reminded me of a blind college friend I once had. We eventually lost contact, but she had the most beautiful eyes. Milan’s close-up scenes brought back those memories and made the experience even more emotional for me. Her character was smart, charming, and full of quiet strength.

Winwin’s portrayal of Situ Weilian was equally memorable. His character was mysterious, morally grey, witty, and incredibly charming. Whenever his vampire side appeared, he completely owned the screen. I only wish the drama had explored his character even more, because he had so much depth and potential.

Ryan Ren’s character, Li Yingliang, was complex. At times he was frustrating and annoying, but his character development toward the end was noticeable. His motivations came from survival, resentment, and pain, which made him feel more human than purely villainous. While the antagonist writing itself could feel weak and one-dimensional, the actor’s performance helped elevate the role.

The relationship between Shen and Milan was also incredibly touching. Their bond was subtle, warm, and emotional, and I found myself wishing for more scenes between them. The drama excelled at portraying emotional connections without relying heavily on romance.

Visually, this drama was absolutely stunning. The cinematography, costumes, set design, and overall aesthetic were beautifully crafted. Every frame felt immersive and artistic. The historical setting combined with fantasy and vampire elements created a unique atmosphere that felt almost like watching a live-action webtoon or manga.

The story itself was refreshing and unique, blending fantasy, suspense, emotional drama, and historical themes. Despite censorship limitations, it remained engaging, emotional, and thought-provoking. The symbolism, character journeys, and emotional depth made it stand out from typical dramas.

Yes, the final episode felt rushed and heartbreaking, and it may leave some viewers feeling unsatisfied. But the emotional journey, strong performances, beautiful visuals, and unforgettable characters made it completely worth watching.

I originally would have rated it 9.5, but the incredible acting, especially from Ouyang Nana, and the emotional impact it left on me made it a full 10. This drama is truly a must-watch for anyone looking for something unique, emotional, and visually beautiful.


Who Should Watch

Viewers who enjoy fantasy and vampire themed historical dramas with emotional depth.
Fans of character driven stories and strong acting, especially Ouyang Nana, Winwin, and Ryan Ren.
Those who appreciate beautiful cinematography, aesthetics, and atmospheric storytelling.
People who like guardian type relationships, subtle emotional bonds, and meaningful connections beyond romance.
Anyone looking for something unique, emotional, and different from typical trope heavy dramas.


Who Should Avoid

Viewers who prefer fully explained plots with no unanswered questions, especially regarding fantasy elements.
Those who dislike rushed or bittersweet endings.
People expecting heavy romance or a clear romantic payoff between the leads.
Viewers who need fast paced storytelling with perfect character development and strong villains.
Anyone who dislikes slow burn emotional dramas focused more on atmosphere than action.

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Engaging and pertinent.

Feb 2026
I really enjoyed this, at times gritty, drama ~ more than I expected to.

Wanting something light to watch, there was actually more to it than I anticipated!

KJY is another actor who plays characters in a more understated way. He doesn't go OTT and can convey a lot purely with his eyes.

The story twists and turns, as Maeng Si-na (CSY) battles to clear her Idol, Do Ra-ik/Laik (sorry, but a very weird stage name, I thought), of murder.

Of course a romance blossoms, but it didn't overshadow the rest of the story, for me.

A mix of characters, nice cast; Kim Won-hae has been in a lot lately, and I liked him in this ~ he's a huge favourite!

Most characters looked like the culprit at some point, which I liked.

Some characters were awful; one redeemed themselves; another kind of did, but was still impossible for me to like.

It got very cheesy at times, and the way Si-na continued to fan over Laik, even though her boyfriend, was too silly for me.

There were actually some very pertinent messages in this drama, too. Mainly, how Sasaengs can ruin an Idol's life, never mind their mental health. Also, how the family of a celebrity cannot be chosen, and their behaviour / activities are beyond the control of any star. How Idols are pushed, controlled, restricted and basically abused in some cases, is also well highlighted. The effects of any/all these issues, really do lead to tragedy, in too many cases.

I just wish these issues were taken more seriously, and could get through to those with the power to change things. Let's hope one day they will.

I was kept engaged, looked forward to episodes and would happily watch again sometime in the future.

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