Reviews

Loved it

It is an entertaining, and thrilling drama that beautifully blends several different genres: fantasy, mystery, drama, and romance. This combination creates a fast-paced and seamless viewing experience that constantly leaves you wanting to jump right into the next episode.
One of the absolute highlights of the series is the lead cast (Park Bo-young and Ahn Hyo-seop). Both are exceptionally talented and well-regarded actors, so from the very beginning, there was no doubt the result would be fantastic. Their acting is outstanding, and their onscreen chemistry feels completely natural and delightful. Another major thing i loved is the ending: the storyline receives a complete, satisfying closure with no open ends, which is always a huge plus in this type of drama.
it is a very engaging, and enjoyable show, and I found myself finishing it in a very short time. Highly recommended!

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'I'm Seong Hui Ju'

IU's acting is really something I like. When I saw this drama a few months back and when it was airing, I wasn't much curious about it.

And when I watch it now, I was a little bit disappointed with the how the last eps went but it wasn't bad either. Some weren't punished and some character have their development.

It's nice they demolish the crown but I was a little disappointed because the setting is a modern monarcy so I really thought there will be crown, king and queens until the end.

but then, I still love the ending. Just like the same stories with happen endings, I wish they have shown us more about their life after the monarchy.

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I could watch My ID is Gangnam Beauty more than a hundred times and Cha Eun Woo and Im Soo Hyang still nail it like they were born for the role. I was in middle school and could relate to Mi Rae with her anxiety and both her and Kyung Seok with their awkwardness (Mi Rae's being more about social situations, Kyung Seok simply being the outcast). I also had a difficult time and it became a comfort drama that I kept rewatching. A stoic character has nothing to do with bad acting and when you don't express yourself like other people this is as comforting as it gets. Looking good isn't enough, you need to play on subtle emotions, restraint, charisma. Eun Woo himself graduated from acting and claiming he's bad based on this, while he has a bubbly personality in real life and more expressive roles even in his past dramas like Hit The Top is ridiculous. (Also, acting like he doesn't have plenty of various roles with even stronger acting. None of his roles is the "same.") Yet, his acting in this drama is stronger. You can see the affection in his look even when he recognizes Mi Rae at the university, remembering her dance moves, looking at her from afar and the chemistry whenever they get close. They are one of my favorite introverted couples. Helping her to grow and feel confident, directly and indirectly confronting her to her insecurities and mindset. He was charismatic, serious, smart and full of warmth. I also loved when he got angry. Having his own family drama in the story, there was even a scene that impressed me where he had to cry while containing himself with anger. Mi Rae's character development and her relationship with Kyung Seok, Su Ah, Mi Rae's mother, Kyung Seok's mother, Mi Rae's best friend. This drama had such a great cast of female characters, depicted the experience of many women in society, gave awareness about the Korean society, and influenced the Hallyu wave. The only thing that sucks is how they changed New Face by PSY into some random music which almost ruins the scene where Mi Rae dances to it. (Here's the original scene in the first episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5i_3E7hyUY)

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"Otaku bags a baddie" trope done right

Watched on the FOD Short app with English subs!

My true rating would probably be closer to 7.75, so I rounded up since that's not possible on MDL. I don't think this hits quite the same as other dramas that I've given 8/10, but I still enjoyed it a lot more than expected. I'm learning that vertical dramas tend to work best for me when they're smaller in scope and focus on one particular moment in time, so I like how this just breaks down the 12-or-so hours Yui and Sorata spend together on their date with some well-placed flashbacks to build out the story. Given the run time, I was surprised that Yui and Sorata actually get decent character arcs and therefore felt more fleshed out than most vertical drama protagonists. They had subtle but palpable chemistry that made their interest in each other feel genuine despite their aura gap lol.

And although Sorata is supposed to be the geek/loser in this dynamic, Wakabayashi Jiei managed to balance out the awkwardness with some natural charisma in his performance, and he wasn’t overly creepy or incel-coded like virgin male characters can often be. Even the side characters, like Sorata's sister and his coworker, brought a lot of personality and charm to the drama. Honestly, my only real complaint is that I wish Nakao Masaki didn't have that hideous goatee lmao. I also suspect the FOD Short app subs were at least partly AI-assisted and/or not properly QC'd judging from the occasional incorrect pronoun usage and mistranslations (why was pineapple & cranberry ice cream translated to chocolate & raspberry....did the AI think that was too weird a combo lol), which was a shame because I truly think this drama deserves attention and should be given the best chance at being properly enjoyed!

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Emptyness. Beautifully shot.

I endured it until episode 10. Now I have learned that it is possible to have too many stunning locations, shot beautifully. I guess anything can get boring.

The story could easily be summarised on a napkin. And then they dragged it out into 16 episodes. I like slice-of-life and story-less drama, provided that I get to feel something in return. Nothing to feel here. In the beginning you are impressed by the stunning locations, set decorations, cinematography, perfect lighting. The location scout must have been busy with this one. You will be slapped with 15 new locations per episode. All beautiful. But irrelevant.

All the bad things I can remember:
- The characters aren't really fleshed-out. Very limited back-stories, many of them are just assholes. Makes it hard to get invested in their stories.
- We have a lot of time on our hands, but the second couple only gets a quick minute here and there, totally random. And the third (non-)couple? We get it in homeopathic doses.
- The music, at times, is totally in your face, incompatible with the scene and takes you out of it. And then the occasional goofy sound effects we are used to in Thai BLs.
- At times, it felt similar to porn: beautiful scenes, boys kissing, boys driving in cars, boys kissing, beautiful landscape, boys kissing. But contrary to porn, everything besides kissing is only implied, never shown. Come on, I'm so bored here!
- The constant mobile phone interface overlays on screen are annoying, unnecessary and take you out of the story.
- Most of the communication happens in code, via messages on social media or in metaphors. Totally unrealistic.

In conclusion, the producers somehow managed to get way too much money and then tried to be deep but only managed to produce theatrical nonsense.

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"coming like a storm into your town, you can't catch me now"

I love the character of Tang as an outcast of society, and the thematic of the characters in general. Their names, their stories, how they relate to each other. The dynamic between Tang and Nam Gam made me think of the line "coming like a storm into your town, you can't catch me now" of Olivia Rodrigo's Hunger Games OST.

The directing was very creative, and I’m not surprised to see it’s the same person who was behind Strangers from Hell.

A Killer Paradox isn’t your typical thriller. It’s a dark comedy, and it’s good at that. I was fully captivated from how the first episode ended, with the shot of Tang walking in the street, depressed, standing out from the others, almost looking like it could end there, until the quiet finish of the last scene with the beautiful Korean ballad ‘Ordinary Person’ by Lucid Fall.

About the ending, in the comments to avoid spoilers:

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“When Love Ends, the Story Begins”

Storyline & Plot — (9.2/10) A+

THE BOY AND I WHO WILL BREAK IN 100 DAYS takes us into a different dimension where this is not simply another BL romance, but a queer story that touches on issues that have long existed within and are frequently discussed in the LGBTQ+ community. In some ways, the drama feels reminiscent of Love in the Big City, as it attempts to portray the realities of LGBTQ+ life rather than simply romanticising queer relationships.

This drama is genuinely moving and takes you on an emotional rollercoaster that you might not experience with many other BLs.
To be completely honest, you might find the first two episodes quite boring. However, the story gradually becomes more engaging as the episodes progress. The further you get into the drama, the more things start happening, and the more the story has to say to its audience.

I understand why some people might find the drama boring because it contains a lot of dialogue, but personally, I didn't mind it at all. Since the drama is structured around the making of a documentary, it makes sense for there to be many long and detailed conversations. In fact, I think those conversations are essential because they allow us to understand the characters, their past, and the issues being explored on a much deeper level.

Another thing I really appreciate is the documentary-style concept itself. The decision to present the story through the process of filming a documentary already makes this BL feel unique and creative. It doesn't follow the typical formula of a cute, romantic BL, but instead uses the documentary format to explore something much more grounded and realistic.

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Acting & Characters — (8.1/10) A

Narumi Yui as Shiho, what an incredible actress!

Honestly, Shiho is one of the biggest reasons why this drama works so well. She is portrayed as an independent, strong-willed and resilient woman, and I have absolutely no hesitation in calling Shiho the true MVP of this drama.
Think about it: if she had decided to stop making the documentary about Yuma and Itsuki, this entire story would never have happened. The documentary would have been cancelled, and we wouldn't have gotten this drama in the first place!

Yuma and Itsuki's performances were decent overall. However, one thing that genuinely annoyed me in certain episodes was how frustrating Itsuki's character could be. He was arrogant, distant and incredibly nonchalant at times.

BUT by the end, we finally begin to understand why Itsuki behaves that way. Once his backstory and the reasons behind his personality are revealed, his character becomes much more understandable.

So please, don't judge Itsuki too early and make sure you watch the drama until the end!

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Chemistry — (5.5 /10) C

This is probably the biggest weakness of the drama for me.

Because the story revolves around a breakup, we never really get to see Yuma and Itsuki's relationship when they were actually together. The drama focuses heavily on the process of filming and producing the documentary, which means their romantic relationship often takes a back seat.

At times, the story even feels more centred around Shiho than Yuma and Itsuki themselves.

That being said, I still appreciate the way their conversations are portrayed. Their interactions feel surprisingly natural and neutral, almost like two exes who have recently broken up and are trying to interact with each other again.

It genuinely feels like they used to be a couple. There is an awkwardness, emotional distance and familiarity between them that makes their dynamic believable.

So despite the lack of romantic chemistry on screen, I still think the drama deserves a C here.

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Final Thoughts

Not every BL needs a happy ending to be a good story.

Sometimes, a heartbreaking ending can actually make a story feel more meaningful because it reflects the realities that LGBTQ+ couples may experience in real life. Love doesn't always work out. Relationships don't always end happily. And not every queer story needs to be wrapped up in a perfect romantic ending.

That's actually one of the things I appreciate most about this drama.

I want to end this review by giving a huge congratulations to the producers of this JBL for having the courage to step outside the usual formula.

We're so used to BLs giving us cute, warm and comforting romances, but this drama takes a completely different direction. It chooses to tell a more serious, mature and emotionally complex story, one that is willing to explore the realities of queer relationships and the issues surrounding the LGBTQ+ community.

It may not be everyone's cup of tea, and I completely understand why some viewers might find the pacing slow or the dialogue-heavy approach boring.

But for me, THE BOY AND I WHO WILL BREAK IN 100 DAYS is a drama that deserves to be appreciated for what it is trying to do.

MY FINAL RATING : 7.6/10.

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My Blank Menù for Me

Il titolo rimanda ad un altro programma fatto da Netflix dove il vincitore di CCW2 prepara dei piatti con gli ingredienti più disparati a personaggi famosi. E si chiama my blank menù for you. Ecco in questo caso questa serie può essere definita: my blank menù for me, perché ogni piatto preparato dal vincitore parla un po' di lui e di quello che ha passato per arrivare in quel punto. Insomma una stagione intera per quello che il suo blank menù per se stesso. Mi sono piaciuti tutti i piatti che ha portato, ma forse il mio preferito è stato quello della sfida con il cuoco black spoon dove ha creato quella che chiamo una Onionception, quindi un piatto composto al 100% solo da cipolla. Mi è piaciuta molto come idea e come comuqnue ha sviluppato tutti i pasti.
Detto questo sono molto felice dei partecipanti e di come si è svolta la stagione. L'unica cosa che un po' mi ha fatto stridere è che sembrava mi pombassero un sacco Brewer Master, non lo so mi dava questa impressione (cosa che magari un po' tone down, anche se la stegione scorsa lo facevano con il White Spoon che è arrivato in finale, quindi...).
Però sono veramente felice di come si sia svolta e non vedo l'ora di vedere la prossima.

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They Danced, They Loved, and I Cried.

Shall We Dance was such a beautiful short drama. It was beautifully shot, well made, and the costumes did not scream low budget. I had never seen any of the four leads before, but they all did a really good job, especially with such an emotional story.

This is a tale of vengeance, betrayal, love, friendship, and so much sadness. There is a heaviness that runs through the entire story, but instead of making it difficult to watch, it quietly sucks you in. I became emotionally invested in all of the characters, especially the four leads and their intertwined stories.

I also have to mention the beautiful OST. The music fit the story so well and added another layer of emotion to so many scenes. The main song was especially moving when the ML and FL would escape into their own little world and dance together. Those were the moments when they seemed genuinely free and at their happiest, away from all the sadness surrounding them. Oh Lord, here comes the waterworks again!

And those last two episodes had me in tears. The pain, the betrayals, and everything these characters had endured finally came crashing together. It really was heartbreaking to watch. The FL's brother and the Grand Princess's story in particular will make you cry your eyes out.

I will say this: if short dramas continue to be produced this well, long dramas are going to have some serious competition. Chinese short dramas are really coming into their own in 2026, and Shall We Dance is a perfect example of just how good they can be when the production, acting, and storytelling all come together.

I binge-watched this drama, and it was so worth my time. For such a short series, it managed to tell a compelling and deeply emotional story that stayed with me after it ended. Beautifully filmed, solidly acted, with a beautiful OST that perfectly complemented the story.

Definitely worth watching.

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Title: The Mountain Has Trees and Trees Have Branches(2025)is a great romance drama set within a historical era with ML: Li Ruo Xun (as Xie Lin Yuan) and FL: Lin Qiu Nai as Jiang Chu Yue in the leading couple's roles. The cast did a great job bringing their characters to life. The leading couple are both intelligent and determined, had a fantastic affinity and an impassioned and enticing romantic chemistry. Overall, this is a very entertaining drama; enjoy it!
In the meantime, you can watch the drama on YouTube under the caption: " She loved her brother, but he sold her to the cruel Regent! The ultimate revenge for betrayal." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVOIKw9vcsg) or " Betrayed, she married the cold Regent. No one knew he'd go crazy for her and burn the court! 💞" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwX-F61g7Kc)

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Insert frase classica...

Diciamo che ho visto di peggio (e so che sembra che lo dica sempre, ma vi giuro, ho visto robe peggiore), e vi devo dire che questo non tocca nemmeno la la top 20 degli orrori che ho visto. La storia è super easy ed abbastanza ritrita? si. Si vede forse un po' troppe volte il sedere di Mos? Anche. Però overall devo dire che la storia ha un filo che segue (e alcune volte, anche questo è complesso) e mi è piaciuto come abbiano risolto alcuni problemi durante la prima parte della serie e poi lasciarne altri nella seconda. Insomma questo divide et impera che mi piace perché io non sono fan della confusione (ed è per questo che preferisco le cose semplici e poco complesse nella strutture, ma non nella trama, piùttosto che situazioni dove c'è un casino e robe della prima puntata vengno riprese e compagnia). Mi sono piaciute le coppie secondarie e devo dire, alcune volte la semplicità paga.

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