Reviews

Can love and faith coexist? It feels taboo, it feels wrong, it feels right...A sizzling romance

This BL took me on a wild and emotional binge watch. It was about love, it was about faith and overall it was a very strong coming of age story, set up in 1996. It was pretty raw and brutal in a way, featuring in an angsty and beautiful way characters turmoil as they were grabbing at straws to be with each other.

In addition to offering a solid and divergent from the norm BL scenario, the series provided also some very visually impactful and memorable moments. Acting from the leads was very good : Gemini and Fourth truly captured the essence of their characters. Each tempting looks, each nugget of affection felt like a scream...It was supposed to be hidden from the world but was so out there...I loved it.

The drama is not without flaws : I personally found the finale not really up to par with the previous episodes, more clunky both with its script but also with its production, with the aging of characters failing at convincing in any shape or form. In terms of writing, I expected more from the ending after such an intense journey : more nuance, deeper inner growth, less external factors.

I would strongly recommend this to people that are looking for a taboo coming of age story. It will leave you breathless and pondering for some time for sure. It is pretty short, so if you get has hooked as I was with the story, you might find yourself binge-watching it. If you like some pining and pain in romance, you are in for a treat with this very compelling series.

Read More

Unexamined ethical dilemnas

There's many different kinds of time travel conceits and narratives. Alice's version is that there are many different parallel and branching time lines, dimensions, and multiple versions of one's selves can exist at once. The series serves up complex relationships built up from the consequences of the situation but doesn't dare actually explore what it means that their relations are warped and tangled in frankly taboo manners.

This drama is truly the tale of two Tae Yis. Tae Yi prime starts off as a scientist who also has fighting skills and very clearly has an active sex life leading to her pregnancy. Once she becomes pregnant though, she does not even bother to discuss with her boyfriend/work partner's concerns about the irradiation of the fetus nor the doctor later about the health defects detected. She just has a one track mind to birth this child. It's her right to decide, but there is value to a pros and cons discussion to choosing to go through with a pregnancy where there's already knowledge the child's quality of life will be severely impacted due to the radiation damage. As she grows older, she has not one iota of fighting skills left, not that she's rusty or out of practice, just nothing, like she was never a fighter at all. Her life is just entirely Jin Gyeom and even more so the radiation effects has left him with the condition of lack of emotions which in the drama can seemingly "improve" as he ages and forms different relationships with her death being the catalyst. The exact combination of events to keep him from being a serial killer in between timelines seems to be up to chance. She got lucky she got the timeline where he does decide to embrace the right and wrongs of society.

Professor Tae Yi is the most affected by Prime's time travel creation. Her mother is another complexity that the drama just mentions and doesn't delve into. An unseen and unnamed time traveler who stayed in the past with the book about the end of time travel that some one wrote and died in child birth to Professor. The time traveler may either be a peer or younger than Prime. Professor watches her father be slain and adopted by an alternate version of herself for a little bit. Jin Gyeom being her younger brother. She then meets this guy only a few years younger in her early 30s and she is no one's mother and develops a very much romantic and non familial feelings for detective Jin Gyeom even after she learns she's basically the genetic equivalent of being a twin sister to the mother they shared for a while to the point they have a sibling photo. Jin Gyeom for his part has kept a friendship with Do Heon who is very important to him but doesn't exactly reciprocate her romantic feelings. He seems to treat Professor similarly while the show is very much leaning into all of the romantic tropes in the scenes for Professor and him. He sees his mother and his promise to protect her no matter their relationship. This promise ties Professor and an architect version of Jin Gyeom together after the reset erases the police version of him with Do Heon not in his life at all except for interviewing him in the course of her work. He has memories of the green door house, but not in the way that he grew up there. He seems to be born in different circumstances in the new timeline and may no longer be genetically related though it's unclear.

The adopted familial relationships are very touching. Jin Gyeom with his adopted father and Professor with the family that adopted her after Prime returned her to the orphanage after seeing Professor remembering the last page of the time travel book. It actually would have still been interesting if Professor and Jin Gyeom developed a more sibling relationship, but for whatever reason this drama went the romance route which they tried to keep a subtle as a kdrama truck of death without outright saying it or again having any kind of discussion about it. Does her memories or feelings from Prime affect how she feels about him the way that serial killer Jin Gyeom possesses Police Jin Gyeom at times?

The show lost track of it's own time travel and also character logic by the end. The series does feel influenced by Dark with the time travel book, cycles that act more like spirals that differ enough each time that at the end the loop is finally broken with older alternate versions affecting the narrative, but with way less effective ending. To end time travel, they needed to break the cycle of Tae Yi's mom going to the past to have her, but grandma is no where in the picture of the story. The story is not time travel, it's the boy mom romance fantasy that wasn't mainstream terminology for at the time of airing.

Read More

A heart-wrenching romance that feels like home

And this is why an us-against-the-world couple dynamic is my ABSOLUTE favorite and it’s absolutely criminal that there aren't more of them in dramas.

The relationship between the leads was the highlight of this show, from the chemistry to the way they went from not getting along to being each other’s safe space was such a beautiful journey. There’s that one big thing that splits them apart obviously, but other than that it was SOO refreshing and beautiful to see such great communication and comfort in their relationship, even at their lowest points, and the main relationship conflict being how self-sacrificial the ML’s love for the FL is is so much more interesting than miscommunications that dramas usually go for, and again it’s so refreshing that the FL is smart, capable, and extremely aware of what’s going on.

In terms of the overall plot with the audit company and all the fighting, it’s dramatic but I actually really enjoyed it and how much tension it inserted into the plot. I liked how intense the stakes were — amplified by the amazing OST — although I admit I didn’t always fully understand what was going on with the audit and sometimes it wasn’t really clear what the plan was.

The biggest complaint I probably have (and I think it’s a common one) is episode 11, where the separation happens. Even though the gaps are filled in later with flashbacks, the way the actual episode was edited felt really off and I was thinking we’d get a few more episodes before the time skip happened. Once the drama settles back into the present timeline though, it becomes really solid again.

I also really liked the side characters; they had their roles to play and their stories to tell, it was sweet and added to the show, and they never overstayed their welcome.

Overall, LOVED this show and the experience of watching it. I have some criticisms when I'm thinking objectively, but this really hit the spot. I need more ships like them.

Read More

An ultimate Overdo of adrenaline rush for Republican-era drama fans.

This show hits every single trope that makes Republican-era dramas so ridiculously addictive.

​✨ The Dynamic: Delicious love-hate push and pull where neither side backs down

💔 The Male Lead: Zhang Ling he is serving. His character has gone through betrayal and childhood pain, he masks his vulnerability with cynical humor, lethal smirks, and sharp retorts.

🎭 The Female Lead: Wang Churan locked in total revenge mode—suppressing every ounce of emotion and affection just to survive

💥 The Pacing: Just as a calm moment settles in, the next major plot twist hits to keep your adrenaline at an all-time high.

​The chemistry between Murong Qingyi and Ren Susu is pure fire. It’s messy, it’s intense, and the lead chemistry is off the charts. If you love dark, high-drama romances with toxic family stakes, do not skip this.

Read More

A Captivating Mystery That Keeps You Wanting More

The East Palace is the kind of drama that constantly leaves you wanting to watch just one more episode. I loved how every episode ended on a note that made me genuinely curious about what would happen next. It kept me engaged from beginning to end, and I found myself wanting to finish all eight episodes because I couldn't stop wondering how everything would unfold.

One of the show's biggest strengths is its storytelling. While the plot felt a little confusing at first, each episode gradually provided the explanations and backstories needed to connect the pieces together. I really appreciated how the drama rewarded patience, making every revelation feel meaningful without losing its sense of mystery.

The cast also deserves a lot of praise. Nam Joo-hyuk once again proved how versatile he is as an actor. No matter the genre, he consistently delivers a convincing performance, and this drama was no exception. His chemistry with his co-star was equally impressive, and together they brought their characters to life naturally.

The production quality was another highlight. The visual effects were beautifully done, the cinematography enhanced the atmosphere of every scene, and the sound design complemented the overall mood perfectly. Even the smaller details and supporting characters added charm and personality to the series.

What I enjoyed most is that this is the type of K-drama that makes you stay because of the story itself—not just because of the actors. It offers a rewarding viewing experience that keeps your curiosity alive while introducing interesting elements inspired by Korean history and folklore.

My only complaint is the ending. It left me feeling like there was still more to explore, and it gave the impression that the journey in the palace wasn't completely over. While that left me wanting more, it also made me hopeful for a second season.

Overall, The East Palace is a mystery-fantasy drama that's definitely worth watching if you enjoy stories that gradually unfold and keep you guessing. It's been a while since I watched a drama in this genre, and this one reminded me why I enjoy it so much. I'm already looking forward to Season 2.

Read More

That one drama worth watching

When Life Gives You Tangerines is one of those stories that will capture you and make you fall madly in love, then completely destroy you.

From the very episode, I was captured! I lived through Aesun's pain and her confusion, and her longing for her mom, to when she fell in love and grew old. I just felt it all. This is probably the best love story I have ever witnessed; Romeo and Juliet could never reach it.

Honestly, knowing this was based on a real story gave me so much peace and knowing it was not just the fruit of someone's imagination. Knowing that there was a Gwan Sik somewhere in the world brought so much happiness to my heart.


Spoilers***

The way Gwan Sik loved Aesun should be studied! He is the example of what a man should be and how he should love a woman. From childhood, he knew she was the girl he liked. One scene that hit me was when they asked the kids about their dreams, and Aesun said she wanted to be president while Gwan Sik said he would be the first lady. Like, imagine? He wanted to be with her. When Aesun's family brought only five fish, he gave one extra because he knew they were not feeding her the fish. Or when Aesun had nowhere to go and wanted to run away, he didn’t hesitate but left it all to run away with her to Busan. Or when he jumped into the sea and swam all the way to the shore because Aesun was crying and didn’t want him to leave. Or when Aesun was hit by his mother, he didn’t wait; he took her out of that house with her kids. Even as an old couple, he always stood for his wife; in his eyes, she was the cleverest and most beautiful, and she came before everyone. That is one aspect about Gwan Sik I loved! EVEN THOUGH they had kids, he knew he and his wife were the ones who would be together; kids will grow and leave home and build their own lives, but they only have each other. I could write a whole essay on the things Gwan Sik did. I was profoundly touched by his character and the way he loved her. He truly loved her in the literal sense of loving someone without expecting anything in return and created a beautiful flowery heaven for his wife to live in, although they were not rich. He just made me sigh every episode because at least there was one woman in this whole world who was loved right. That was enough to make my heart happy.


I will never finish this review if I keep going about all the details, but just let me tell you this: this story is 10/10; actually, I would give it 1 million stars! Each episode was a masterpiece, so well thought out and well done, and IU and Park Bo Gum as young Aesun and Gwan Sik made me dream and blush and fall in love so deeply, and Moon So Ri and Park Hae Joon made me tear up so deeply! Not only did they show what love should be, but they also reminded me to love my own parents for the sacrifices they made in my own life. The acting was immaculate- such well-done work in terms of acting, script, and cinematography. It was a pleasure for the eyes and healing to my heart.

Read More

Nothing new

It was really great to see Ji Sub again in action. The drama though couldn't really leave a mark for me. He has done this type of work quite a lot and the story is pretty much predictable. It is one of those dramas where you have to brace yourself with over the top action and over the top writing. Things happened precisely the way our main characters wanted it. The plot included two stories, completely unrelated, which later sort of merged in the background and there you go... another north-south animosity drama unfolds. The drama was good when it was less political in the first half, afterwards it is the same old story. I can overlook over the top action anytime (I know what to expect from such plot) however, the thing that made me cringe was the fact that the ML's daughter even after loosing so much blood and after being in the plastic bag for a day or two still survived the blow and woke up hale and hearty, like she was in a deep sleep. I felt like dropping it then and there. All the seriousness of the plot just vanished in that moment. It could have been a great show and I had really very high expectations when I saw the ratings but it was just a one time watch for me. If I just stop watching it for a day or two I don't think I would be very much inclined to pick it up again.

Read More

I Have THOUGHTS & I'm Not Waiting for the Finale

Every new season, we convince ourselves, "Maybe this time it'll be different." And every new season, we're proven wrong. Yes, I'm talking about the painfully predictable storyline where almost every guy ends up chasing the same girl. It's frustrating because it leaves so many other contestants overlooked, with less screen time and fewer chances to build connections that viewers can actually invest in.

Also, Why are we STILL deciding dates with rock-paper-scissors and guessing games? I don't mind it in the beginning because it helps people mix around, but by the middle of the season especially in Japan I was literally screaming, "We're STILL doing rock-paper-scissors?!" Come on now!!

And yet... I still couldn't stop watching.

Why? Bcz if there are participants you're genuinely rooting for, you keep watching for them. And No matter how hard I tried, THAT GIRL (Yu Gyeong ) never gave a reason to dislike her. Whether she's on a date, joking around in the house, or just chatting with the others, she brings an energy that makes every scene enjoyable. She is soo cheerful yet sensible it’s hard to belive she’s 23 only! Plus she’s a genuine girls' girl. She maintained distance from Seongmin for her unni… Now, is it her fault that three guys decided to pursue her? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Clock it.
I know viewers are exhausted by the "everyone falls for one girl" that every dating show seems determined to recycle. But blaming Yu Gyeong for that makes no sense. She didn’t manipulate everyone into chasing her.

I was rooting for Minju, Seowon and Yu Gyeong this season!

MY GIRL. Min Ju reminded me so much of myself that it was actually painful to watch. She kept giving, supporting, understanding, and putting everyone else first until she completely fell apart herself. She is the ultimate girl's girl. She comforted Yu Gyeong, stood by So Yun, supported Gyu Ri... she was always there for everyone.
And I have THOUGHTS on Seong min. Sir...why on earth would you tell Min Ju she was one of your two options if your heart was already somewhere else? And then this man had the nerve to say he felt relieved after telling her??
My blood pressure actually went up hearing that .I don't care how he explained it afterwards. To me, it was selfish. Mixed signals are still mixed signals, whether you intended them or not.FREE MY GIRL MINJU FROM THIS GUY!

MY MAN OF THE SEASON. SEO WON❤️
Where do people like Seo Won even exist? Because this man walked straight out of a K-drama. He's literally a green flag written by women. My first impression of him was SO wrong. I thought he was rude. Turns out he was the sweetest, funniest, most emotionally intelligent man in the entire house. This man was everyone's therapist. Everyone's biggest cheerleader. Meanwhile, he was quietly hurting himself. I genuinely couldn't understand how Gyu Ri wasn't falling head over heels for him. But then again, feelings aren't logical.

I'm actually so happy So Yun saw what the rest of us were seeing. She appreciated him for who he is, and together they just make sense. I WISHED THEY WERE THE ENDGAME. Their 2nd date is my favourite.

Now... let's talk about Wu Yeol and Yu Gyeong!!

I have never rooted for a couple on a dating show as desperately as I rooted for these two to end up together.
Every scene with them feels like it's straight out of a K-drama the lingering eye contact, the effortless banter, the unspoken yearning, and those adorable dates. This is exactly what I want to see in dating shows: cute, fun dates, undeniable chemistry, and those intense, heart-fluttering moments that make you smile without realizing it.
And I'm sorry, but the way Yu Gyeong literally glows whenever she's with Wu Yeol? She looks the happiest around him, and you simply cannot convince me otherwise.

And Wu Yeol's character development is one for dating show history to remember!! These two genuinely look like the leads of a K-drama who somehow wandered onto a dating show and I'm absolutely here for it.
THAT HUG AT YHE END HEALED ME. I am soo happy my ship sailed ❤️

Read More

Phenomenal Acting by GinJay

I've watched many series and clicked this randomly...
Need to say this....this is one of the best GL series I have ever watched. This seems like impossible plot sometimes, but the acting of the leads made us believe each and every single scene without any 2nd thought.

Pat and Prem...they showed how can one down bad with each other so badly very cutely, the story of Finding love with the same sex is not a easy task for a person. But the commitment and determination can make you fall in love...this is the main motive of this story.

Pat seems more like a wicky and dangerous gurl, but she is literally Red Flag outside and Green Forest Inside. The amount of efforts she puts for her love is Beyond our imagination. Like buying home in the same apartment, gifting her gurl with food, flowers, food when they fought, teasing her with her sexiness and the pool scene and all really enjoyable. The love she hold for prem is so genuine that everyone expects a love like her after this series.

Prem, who came from reputed family, doctor, owns car, and a beautiful friends have everything unless a reality hit her about what she truly got. She didn't hated Pat for stopping the marriage, but she felt she seems degrading her cuz she is about to take her friend's man who got her pregnant, but eventually in the end of the story it was Dr.Prem who fell hell harder for her, the slow burn of her love for Pat is exceptional. Ginny's acting as a fresher is unimaginable, she delivered her head to toe for this character and the way she shows her soft side only for Pat is the cutest thing. No one can deny the fact of her acting in the episode 10...it is the best of all and she deserves every award for that

One should have a friends like Prem and Pat, cuz they played a huge role in their ship. Prem parents show how one should not raise a child like this, as taking her interest in music and forcing her to be a doctor and want to be like a good girl in the society. Pat's parents are the best example of Modern family and how should one must raise their child, the love they showed for Prem and not letting her down even after prem break up with pat, shows how understanding they are and sees Prem as their own daughter

This is a must watch for every GL new comers and I would recommend it in Infinite...♾️♾️❤️❤️❤️🌞

Read More