A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College
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Quite a light hearted drama
LIKELight-hearted drama hilarious Sang Qi and Yan Yun Zhi
Yan He Xing hilarious prank on Yan Yun Zhi
The Bai Shi who cannot keep secrets lol
When Yan Yan and Lian Pian conversation is exactly what Sang Qi and Yan Yun Zhi wanted to say
Sang’s family plants poor them being cut hahaah
The servants and maids in this drama really talk like nobody’s business lol can talk back to their masters and mistress nonsense
Song Luo Tian and Yan Yan really childhood bros - the gift for Luo Tian’s wedding very touching
When Zhuo Wen Yuan helps Yan Yun Zhi get rid of his dusts lolol from the eyes
When all three boys hide in Sang Qi’s room lol
Zhuo Wen Yuan’s love for Sang Qi - I quite shipped for them
Sang Tai Wei heart break when he heard Sang Qi talking about getting married and having children
Genuine Song Jia Yin when she cried for Sang Qi
Song Luo Tian is such a good person
I heart for Zhuo Wen Yuan
DISLIKE
Nothing much
MUSIC - personal fav
意气趁年少 Yi Qi Chen Nian Shao - 刘宇宁 Liu Yu Ning
遇见女弟子 Yu Jian Nv Di Zi - 张越献 Zhang Yue Xian
REWATCH VALUE
Five for now
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Not to be missed
LIKEThat hand gestures as Yuan Jian Kang lol!!
The love hate relationship between Xiang Yi and Di Fei Sheng
The once so proud Xiang Yi now so composed Lian Hua
The innocent Fang Duo Bing when he said he is Xiang Yi’s disciple lol
Stubborn Li Xiang Yi doesn’t want to heal his injuries
Fang Duo Bing third wheel between Di Fei Sheng and Li Xiang Yi lolol
Yang Zhou Man vs Su Zhou Kuai lol
Ah Fei!! HAHAHAAH calling him like calling helper
DISLIKE
Nothing to complain
MUSIC - personal fav
就在江湖之上 Jiu Zai Jiang Hu Zhi Shang - 刘宇宁 Liu Yu Ning
人世太匆忙 Ren Shi Tai Cong Mang - 严艺丹 Yan Yi Dan
一壶莲花醉 Yi Hu Lian Hua Zui - 胡夏 Hu Xia
山外 Shan Wai - 张远 Zhang Yuan
REWATCH VALUE
Yes when I have the time
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Loved it
I love, love, LOVED this drama! Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo is an OG K-drama for a reason.I'd been avoiding this drama for years because the title sounded a little lame, and I wasn't particularly excited about a tomboy female lead. But wow... was I wrong! Within the first 20 minutes, I was completely invested to watch her.
Yes, she's a tomboy, but she's also the sweetest, softest, and most lovable person. She looks like a tomboy just from outside but such a girlie inside. She's strong without losing her femininity, goofy without being annoying, and incredibly kind-
hearted. It's impossible not to root for her.
This is another “Friends to lovers”story but I wouldn’t say that they were that close friends. Instead it is more like a reconnection with an old childhood friend. It’s a simple feel good romcom nothing too complicated. Plus it has a touch of sports. I am not into sports but it doesn’t get
too complicated with those things.
Nonetheless the chemistry between the leads is absolutely adorable, and you'll find yourself falling in love with them before you even realize it. And the romance? It's refreshingly natural, never corny or cringe. It leaves you with the biggest smile on your face.
And Nam Joo-hyuk... you gorgeous man! 😭❤️ I didn’t considered him the usual handsome type , but I wasn't expecting him to steal the show with his looks and that body.
This is the kind of feel-good K-drama that reminds you why so many people fell in love with K-dramas in the first place.
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Mysterious and Interesting
LIKEWow Xie Huai An predicted every step everyone will take and he prepared for years omg brilliant
The batch of casts wow awesome all my fav veterans
Liu Zhi Yuan’s attack was unexpected
This Wang Pu so good with his words wow
Yan Feng Shan's wits impressed
The minister and Gu Yu omgomg their fate how they survive
Wow Zhang Mo’s dad when I found out who
I like the battles where there are always wins and losses which is real not like always one side winning
Everyone’s hidden so deeply wow their intention
Wow one enemy down another one appears cool maaannnn this drama exciting
Wow Xiao Wu Yang so good his martial arts and this guy in the underground cave with hidden skill set when he kills people
Tie Mo King very ruthless! Strikes sharp and swift
The plot twist at the end wwwooooowww!
DISLIKE
Absolutely perfect nothing only the cliffhanger I guess
MUSIC - personal fav
长安月 Chang An Yue - 刘宇 Liu Yu
余岁长安 Yu Sui Chang An - 孟慧圆 Meng Hui Yuan
REWATCH VALUE
Shall re-watch someday when I free
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This review may contain spoilers
A timeless feel-good classic!
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a series that first aired in 2007, but Hana-Kimi has aged remarkably well. From beginning to end it was entertaining, funny, delightfully goofy, and simply well made. It never took itself too seriously, yet it still managed to tell a heartfelt story with a wonderful cast of characters.The story follows Mizuki, a girl who disguises herself as a boy to enrol at an all-boys school. She doesn’t go there because she’s in love, but on a mission to help high jumper Sano regain his confidence and return to the sport after he gave it up. That unique premise leads to countless hilarious misunderstandings, chaotic situations, and unforgettable comedy, while the romance develops naturally along the way.
One aspect I particularly appreciated was how the series handled the confusion surrounding feelings and identity. One aspect I particularly appreciated was how the series handled love and attraction. Throughout the story, one character openly has a crush on another boy, while another unexpectedly finds himself falling for Mizuki while believing she is a boy. Even after the truth about Mizuki is revealed, those emotions are handled with sincerity and respect, adding another layer of warmth to the series. It made the friendships and relationships feel more authentic and reinforced the show’s positive message about accepting both yourself and others.
Even during quieter moments, there’s often something hilarious happening in the background. The background actors deserve so much credit because they’re constantly adding little moments of comedy that make this a series with fantastic rewatch value. I’m sure I’d notice something new every time I watch it.
Beneath all the comedy is a positive message about friendship, acceptance, courage, and believing in both yourself and others. The characters grow together naturally, making it easy to become attached to all of them.
The farewell scenes are some of the most wholesome I’ve ever watched. They left me smiling from ear to ear and felt like the perfect ending to a drama that celebrates friendship, kindness, and happiness.
For anyone hesitant because it was made in 2007, don’t be. Hana-Kimi has stood the test of time and remains a genuinely joyful, feel-good series. It’s funny, charming, heartwarming, and absolutely worth watching.
Highly recommended if you’re looking for a comedy full of laughter, friendship, memorable characters, and plenty of rewatch value.
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Worth a watch for the politics and foooddd
LIKEZhu Gao Chi keep on eating he must have volunteered to be in this drama. He eats the most!
Wu Cai Ren so funny always being avoided by Zhu Zhan Ji
Wow Zi Jin's confession so direct bold and courageous very genuine
When Wu Cai Ren ate the flower lol
Wow the politics involving You Yi Fan
What Zhu Zhan Ji did to his uncle and dad
When the three princes fighting to “drink” the wine lol
One simple delicacies drama with so many political wow internal external
Did not expect so much tears woww this is not a cooking drama this is so emotional
The Royal Kitchen what have they been doing to the ingredients such a kind move
When Meng Shang Shi drank that wine omg soso touching
DISLIKE
When an Emperor passed away, the Palace rules omg disgusting
This Hong Xi should not even be an Emperor so easily believes in everyone backfires himself next time
MUSIC - personal fav
滋味 Zi Wei - 王一哲 Wang Yi Zhe
REWATCH VALUE
Will re-watch some day when I have the time
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This review may contain spoilers
My Pursuit of Jade ?
Pursuit of Jade Review:I took a few days before writing this review because I wanted to let the drama fully sink in. After finishing Pursuit of Jade, I had very mixed feelings about the series. There were many things I genuinely loved, but there were also several aspects that prevented me from considering it a masterpiece. Therefore, I want to start with the positive aspects before moving on to my criticism.
- Characters:
The strongest part of Pursuit of Jade for me was definitely the characters, especially our female lead, Changyu.
Changyu is a wonderful protagonist. She is hardworking, independent, and determined. She works to support herself and her younger sister while trying to overcome the difficulties of ordinary life. Throughout the story, she constantly faces people who look down on her, insult her, humiliate her, or try to take away what belongs to her. However, she never gives up. She has a strong personality, and I really enjoyed the way she handled conflicts.
What I liked most about Changyu is that she is not simply strong because she can fight. Her strength also comes from her intelligence, confidence, and the way she uses her words. She knows how to respond sharply to those who challenge her, but at the same time, she maintains her dignity and never loses herself. Her development throughout the story was very enjoyable to watch.
I especially liked the early parts of the drama, where Changyu was surrounded by the people from her village. The relationships she built there felt genuine, and seeing her later serve in the military alongside some of those characters made the journey more meaningful. The supporting characters from her hometown added a lot of warmth to the story and made the world feel more alive.
The male lead also did a good job. I think the actor portrayed the role well, and the character itself was enjoyable. However, compared to Changyu, I felt that the female lead was written with more depth and had a much stronger character arc. Changyu simply stood out more because her struggles, growth, and personal journey were more developed.
The supporting cast also deserves credit. Whether it was the villagers, military officers, political figures, or other side characters, most of them contributed positively to the world-building. Everyone felt like they had a purpose, and the actors did a good job bringing this world to life.
- Visuals and Production Quality:
My goodness, this drama is beautiful.
The visual quality of Pursuit of Jade was one of its biggest strengths. The cinematography, sets, costumes, and overall atmosphere were absolutely stunning. In my opinion, this drama reached a new level visually compared to many other historical C-dramas.
Usually, historical Chinese dramas have limitations when it comes to production design because creating large-scale sets is extremely expensive, requires a lot of time, and productions often only have a few months to complete everything. Because of that, I was genuinely impressed by what Pursuit of Jade achieved.
The amount of detail and effort put into the sets deserves a lot of appreciation. The drama did not rely on only a few locations. We had the village where Changyu started her journey, the city areas, different marketplaces, shops, and larger establishments. Later, the drama expanded into completely different environments, including forests, rivers, battlefields, palaces, noble residences, prisons, and hidden locations connected to the political conflicts.
What impressed me even more was the attention to detail. The sets were not just beautiful backgrounds; they changed depending on the story. The village had celebrations, decorations, and fireworks, but later we also saw the same place damaged after attacks and conflicts. The production team created a sense of history and progression through the environments.
The military locations, city walls, royal areas, and battlefields all had their own atmosphere. Even smaller details, such as decorations and the changing conditions of different locations, showed how much work went into the production.
A lot of people may not realize how much effort, time, and passion are required to create something like this. The crew behind Pursuit of Jade deserves a lot of respect because the visual presentation was truly one of the highlights of the drama.
The world they created felt large, detailed, and full of life. Even when the story had weaknesses, the visual experience always kept me invested.
- Story and Political Plot:
Now we come to the more critical parts of the drama.
The biggest weakness of Pursuit of Jade for me was the story. The plot was not bad, but it felt much simpler than I expected. The drama introduced many characters, factions, and conflicts, but at the same time, the political storyline often felt surprisingly empty.
One of the reasons I felt conflicted was that, technically, there were many opponents and different forces involved. We had the Wei family with the male lead’s uncle, the Li family with the former Chancellor, Changyu and the male lead’s faction, and the prince who rebelled against the emperor and wanted to take power. There was also the white-haired antagonist, although I would personally include him together with the Li faction because their goals were connected.
So overall, the drama had several powerful groups competing against each other. However, despite having so many factions, the actual political conflicts and schemes felt quite thin. I never reached the point where I thought the story was extremely complex or that I was watching an unforgettable political masterpiece.
The strongest part of the story was actually the beginning, especially Changyu’s life in the village and the conflict with the bandits. That part felt more personal, emotional, and engaging. The struggles of ordinary people and Changyu’s determination to protect the people around her were much more interesting to me than the later political conflicts.
The second half, which focused more on defeating the Wei and Li factions, unfortunately did not have the same impact. The story had many opportunities to create deeper political tension, but many conflicts were resolved too easily or did not receive enough development.
I also had problems with the emperor’s character. I understand that he was supposed to be a manipulated figure who lacked true power, but I still wished he had more personality and presence. There were many scenes with large groups of officials, but often it felt like only two people were actually having a conversation while everyone else was just standing there. This made the political environment feel less alive than it should have been.
In the end, I realized that my biggest interest was not actually the main plot itself, but Changyu’s personal journey. I wanted to see what she would do, how she would overcome challenges, and how she would grow as a person. The story surrounding her was much stronger than the overall political narrative.
- Wars and Action Scenes:
Another major disappointment for me was the military aspect.
The drama showed many battles and conflicts, but somehow it often felt like we never truly experienced a real war. This is difficult to explain, because there were many scenes involving armies, soldiers, and battles, but the scale and strategy that I expected were missing.
When Changyu became a general, I was waiting for the moment where we would see her fully step into that role. I wanted to see her with her armor, her two swords, her army, and her military leadership. A general should have authority over thousands of soldiers, and I was hoping for complex strategies, impressive battlefield decisions, and memorable combat scenes.
Unfortunately, the drama never fully reached that level.
The attack from the bandits in the early story was actually very well done. It had tension, emotion, and a clear sense of danger. That was one of the strongest action sequences in the drama.
The later war where Changyu went to the battlefield after drugging the male lead so that he could not stop her and taking his place in the conflict was also too short. Although this moment had the potential to become one of the most memorable military arcs of the drama, it was not explored deeply enough. Changyu’s decision to go to war in his place was meaningful, but the actual battle was quickly resolved. We mostly saw a few exchanges between fighters instead of a large-scale military confrontation with detailed strategies and intense battlefield moments.
However, many later battles felt underwhelming. The siege where Changyu had finally become a general had the potential to be one of the biggest highlights of the drama. We had a massive-scale battle with tens of thousands of enemy soldiers, multiple military officers on the battlefield, and a major confrontation at the city walls. This was the moment where Changyu was supposed to truly demonstrate her abilities as a general and lead her forces against a powerful enemy.
The prince and his father, who claimed the throne and attempted to take control, were presented as major threats, and Changyu eventually defeated them. However, despite the scale of the conflict, the battle itself was not explored deeply enough. Many important events felt like they happened off-screen, and instead of experiencing the strategy, tension, and chaos of a large-scale siege, we mostly received a shortened version of what could have been an epic military confrontation. Apart from Changyu defeating the prince in combat, we did not really feel the intensity or importance of this battle.
Even the final confrontation did not feel like a true war. The characters entered the palace, and the climax became more like a personal duel between the male lead and Wei. Changyu mostly watched instead of playing a major role, and the final antagonist, despite being presented as a major threat, never felt truly powerful.
This was probably my biggest criticism of the entire drama. The villains rarely felt dangerous because they never truly achieved meaningful victories. The opposing forces constantly lost, and I never had the feeling that Changyu and her allies were facing a truly powerful enemy.
A good war story needs both heroes and strong opponents. Without that balance, the victories become less satisfying because the challenges do not feel as difficult as they should.
- Music:
The soundtrack was another weaker point for me.
The music was not terrible, but it did not leave an impression. During battles, I wanted something more powerful and epic that could increase the excitement. During emotional scenes, I also felt that the drama was missing stronger musical support to enhance the feelings of those moments.
The visuals were incredible, but sometimes the music did not match the scale and emotion of what was happening on screen.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I had a very enjoyable experience watching Pursuit of Jade.
Despite my criticisms, I genuinely liked this drama. The visual atmosphere, the production quality, and especially Changyu as a character were the main reasons I continued enjoying the journey. The drama has many strengths, and I think it deserves appreciation for what it achieved.
If someone watches this drama mainly for the romance, the characters, and the emotional journey of Changyu, I think they can have a very good experience. Those elements are where the drama shines the most.
However, when people call a drama a masterpiece, I believe the entire work needs to reach an exceptional level. A masterpiece should not only succeed in one or two areas; it should have a nearly perfect balance between story, characters, pacing, world-building, music, and execution.
For me, Pursuit of Jade is not a masterpiece, and it is far from perfect. The story and military aspects prevented it from reaching that level. But it is still a very good drama with many memorable qualities. The fact that it receives such a positive evaluation despite its weaknesses shows how much it did right.
I would still recommend people give it a chance because there is a lot to enjoy. The journey with Changyu, the beautiful visuals, and the overall atmosphere made this drama worth watching.
Thank you to everyone who read until the end. I would really appreciate hearing your thoughts, opinions, and your own experiences with Pursuit of Jade. Feel free to leave a comment and share your perspective.🌸🎆
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A series that really draws you in
I binge-watched the first six episodes in one go and couldn’t put them down. The characters and the story are gripping, and the plot unfolds at a good pace. Not a single episode so far has been boring, and the plot twists leave you speechless. The actors are doing a brilliant job and really bring the story to life. The actors are actually closer in age to their characters, and you can tell from the freshness and believability of their performances. I’m really looking forward to the next episodes and I’m sure they won’t let me down.Was this review helpful to you?
The BEST
Khemjira is easily one of the best Thai BL dramas I have ever watched. Unlike many BL series that heavily focus on romance, this drama perfectly balances its supernatural mystery, Thai folklore, and emotional storytelling. The romance is subtle, but the chemistry between the lead actors is absolutely incredible. Every interaction feels natural and heartfelt, making it impossible not to root for them.What makes Khemjira truly special is the nostalgic feeling it leaves behind. It's the kind of series you'll want to watch over and over again because you'll genuinely miss the characters and the world they created. The emotional impact stays with you long after each episode ends.
The soundtrack deserves special praise as well. Every OST beautifully complements the story, and the opening sequence is simply amazing. For the first time, I found myself never skipping the intro because it perfectly sets the atmosphere and is worth watching every single episode.
Beyond the romance and mystery, the series beautifully showcases Thai culture, traditions, and spiritual beliefs in a way that feels authentic and respectful. It adds so much depth to the story and makes the viewing experience even more memorable.
Overall, Khemjira is a masterpiece that excels in storytelling, acting, music, and cultural representation. It is probably one of the best Thai dramas ever made and, without a doubt, deserves to be considered the Drama of the Year.
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An entire campus apparently deciding that everyone should be in love immediately.
How do you review We Are when your main memories are architecture students, group dinners, and an alarming number of people accidentally finding soulmates at the exact same university?This series really looked at university BLs and said, "What if we gave you four couples, one giant friend group, and enough wholesome chaos to sustain an entire fandom?"
First came Phum and Peem.
Or as I like to call them:
Human flirting machine × man pretending he wasn't enjoying any of it.
Pond and Phuwin once again proved that chemistry is apparently one of Thailand's renewable resources.
Phum flirted like it was his full-time job.
Peem resisted like it was his full-time job.
Neither of them were particularly successful.
Then came Tan and Fang.
The definition of "we've been in love with each other for so long that everyone else already knows."
Aou and Boom delivered quiet affection, mature communication, and enough domestic energy to make viewers start planning weddings.
Then there were Chain and Pun.
The soft one and the softer one.
The kind of couple that makes you smile every time they appear on screen without fully understanding why.
And of course, Q and Toey.
Because apparently this friend group was operating under a strict "nobody gets left behind and everybody gets a boyfriend" policy.
Honestly?
Respect.
By the end of the series, it genuinely felt less like watching multiple romances and more like spending time with one enormous found family.
The dinners.
The trips.
The teasing.
The group chats that probably violated several noise regulations.
The friendships mattered just as much as the romances.
And that's exactly why the series worked.
Because We Are understood something important:
Love stories don't happen in isolation.
They happen around friends.
Around shared meals.
Around people who become part of your life simply because they refuse to leave.
And can we talk about the people behind the camera?
Director New Siwaj Sawatmaneekul understood exactly what this story needed: comfort.
The series never rushed.
It never forced drama where it didn't belong.
Instead, it trusted the characters and their relationships enough to let viewers simply enjoy spending time with them.
The production team created a university world that felt vibrant, warm, and lived in.
The classrooms.
The studios.
The cafés.
The late-night hangouts.
Everything felt like somewhere you wanted to be.
The cinematography kept things bright and cozy, while the soundtrack somehow managed to make every confession and every lingering glance hit twice as hard.
We Are wasn't trying to reinvent university BLs.
It didn't need to.
This wasn't mafia politics.
This wasn't emotional devastation.
This wasn't overthrowing corrupt systems.
This was comfort television.
Premium-grade comfort television.
This was four couples, one giant friend group, and enough love to make the entire campus feel like home.
10/10.
Would absolutely join the friend group, attend every dinner, and become emotionally attached to every single one of these idiots all over again.
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One man discovering that his biggest competition was actually himself.
How do you review Fish Upon the Sky when your main memories are awkward makeovers, relentless teasing, and Pi looking like stress had personally selected him as its brand ambassador?This series really looked at the university romance genre and said, "What if we added insecurity, comedy, sibling interference, and enough secondhand embarrassment to physically leave your body?"
Pi had a crush.
A very serious crush.
The kind of crush that convinces you a complete personality overhaul is a reasonable life decision.
Unfortunately for him, Mork existed.
Confident.
Charming.
Annoyingly attractive.
And apparently operating on a full-time schedule of making Pi's life significantly more complicated.
Naturally, chaos followed.
Phuwin brought so much vulnerability, awkwardness, and relatable insecurity to Pi that it was impossible not to root for him.
Because beneath all the panic and overthinking was someone simply trying to believe that he was enough.
And honestly?
Haven't we all been there?
And Pond as Mork?
The king of teasing.
The emperor of patience.
The CEO of looking at someone like they've already won a competition they didn't even know they were in.
Watching Mork slowly prove to Pi that he was never interested in the version of Pi trying to impress the world and had always liked the version hiding underneath it all gave us one of the sweetest messages in Thai BL.
Then there was Duean.
The human embodiment of chaos.
The younger brother who somehow managed to create problems and solve them at the exact same time.
His relationship with Meen delivered some of the funniest moments in the entire series and honestly deserved its own support group.
The friend groups, the university setting, and the endless misunderstandings gave the series an energy that felt lively, messy, and incredibly fun.
And can we talk about the people behind the camera?
Director New Siwaj Sawatmaneekul understood exactly what this story needed: fun.
The series never took itself too seriously.
The comedy landed, the emotional moments hit when they needed to, and the story never forgot that sometimes romance is supposed to make you laugh as much as it makes you cry.
The production team embraced bright colors, energetic pacing, and exaggerated comedy while still allowing the characters space to grow.
The cinematography reflected the youthful, chaotic energy of university life perfectly.
And the soundtrack?
Pure serotonin.
Every song somehow made an already ridiculous situation feel even more adorable.
Fish Upon the Sky wasn't trying to reinvent the genre.
It wasn't trying to emotionally devastate you.
It wasn't trying to overthrow governments or run mafia empires.
This was chaos.
Premium-grade chaos.
This was insecure dental student × man who apparently decided flirting should qualify as an Olympic event.
10/10.
Would absolutely survive dental school, become emotionally attached to the friend group, and watch Mork flirt aggressively while Pi malfunctioned all over again.
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Convincing chemistry saving sluggishly paced story
I quite enjoyed this BL featuring the romance between grumpy music student Qin and sunshine art student Duang. The cat and dog energy was in full force with them, making their dynamics fun and sweet to follow.I really liked the way that TeeTee played Duang...It might have felt like A LOT in the first quarter of the series but as I get used to it, I became quite endeared by the character...which I must admit is probably a mirror of how Qin, the tsundere cold student felt, facing the over the top puppy energy of his suitor. The romance beginning could have felt stalkerish for some but I was charmed by the sweetness of it all, as well as the unexpected layers of the two main characters.
Was it without flaws? Certainly not. The pacing was properly sluggish, with a lot of screen time devoted to competitions and school aspects that did not really matter in the grand scheme of the story. Half the series felt like fillers but still, as I got more and more endeared by their relationship, I followed quite happily the less inspired moments of the story.
Another big flaw of the story is coming from the secondary couple played by Otto and North. I had a good prior feeling about the cast, having watched all the seasons of DMD Friendship, but unfortunately Otto and North definitely needed more time to be able to carry their storyline, which was clumsily written and felt very awkward with the recurring English talking...Maybe sticking to just speaking Thai would have already helped them? Having said that, I quite enjoyed the other relationships with the friend group being really cute to watch when bantering with Duang.
The production value was very good. DoMunDi production is proving once again that they can really develop a vibe specific to a show while maintaining great filming quality. It just feel done with care and budget. The soundtrack was not outstanding though, except the credits song, nothing really memorable to me, which is a bit of a shame given the central place of music in the story.
I would recommend this to people that are looking for a sweet student BL with a sunshine x grumpy romance. The story could definitely be better paced and not every arcs is worth that much screen time...But the romance evolution, the unexpected deeper moments really save the series and make it worth a try.
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I will be buried with this.
There is SO much to say. I live everything. No other bl could ever beat kinnporsche in my eyes. every SINGLE day, I think about it and Vegaspete. vegaspete's storyline was so raw and beautiful i sometimes go back to watch just their scenes in the safehouse. I will FOREVER love this show until the day I die. this was maybe my second or just one of my first Bl's and I couldn't have been more happy that this was the one that changed my life. it literally did. change my whole life. I member I was maybe 12 or 13 and looking up where to watch love in the air and kinnposche. if I never saw some edits on tiktok, I dont know where or what I would be doing with my life now. I LOVE YOU😭😭😭Was this review helpful to you?
This feels like a love story written for tired people.
How do you review Love After Addiction when your main memories are sleepless nights, rescue missions, and You Xi looking at Yang Meng like he had personally invented REM sleep?This series really looked at the romance genre and said, "What if we added insomnia, career collapse, emotional dependency, unresolved history, and enough yearning to keep an entire city awake?"
You Xi had fame.
Success.
Recognition.
And absolutely none of the peace that was supposed to come with any of it.
Scandals happened.
Burnout happened.
Sleep stopped happening altogether.
Then came Yang Meng.
Former classmate.
Rescue captain.
Human sleeping pill.
Apparently.
Because somehow, against all known medical science, You Xi discovers that the only place he can sleep peacefully is next to him.
Honestly?
Cinema.
Lin Feng Song brought so much exhaustion, vulnerability, and quiet desperation to You Xi that watching him slowly unravel and rebuild himself felt painfully real.
And Chen Wen as Yang Meng?
The king of patience.
The emperor of emotional stability.
The CEO of accidentally becoming someone's safe place.
Watching Yang Meng slowly realize that You Xi needed far more than sleep while You Xi slowly learned the difference between dependence and love gave us one of the most emotionally mature relationships of the year.
Because this wasn't simply a romance.
It was a story about trust.
About loneliness.
About what happens when someone becomes the first place you've ever felt safe enough to rest.
And honestly?
That might be more intimate than love itself.
The supporting cast understood the assignment too.
The friends.
The colleagues.
The people trying to hold these two together while they stubbornly pretended they were handling everything perfectly fine.
Spoiler:
They were not.
And can we talk about the people behind the camera?
Writer and director Nattachai Jiraanont understood exactly what this story needed: quiet.
The emotional moments weren't rushed.
The silences mattered.
The sleepless nights mattered.
The spaces between conversations often said more than the dialogue itself.
The cinematography deserves special praise.
The city lights at 3 AM.
The empty apartments.
The exhaustion written across faces illuminated by street lamps.
The contrast between sleeplessness and peace.
Every frame felt intimate.
Almost intrusive.
Like we were witnessing moments nobody else was supposed to see.
And the soundtrack?
Absolutely guilty of aiding and abetting emotional devastation.
Every song arrived precisely when viewers had almost convinced themselves they were emotionally stable again.
Almost.
Love After Addiction wasn't simply a BL.
It wasn't simply a second-chance romance.
It was a story about finding rest in another person after forgetting what rest even felt like.
This wasn't celebrity × rescue captain.
This wasn't ex-classmates-to-lovers.
This was insomniac actor × man who accidentally became home.
8/10.
Would absolutely lose sleep, make terrible emotional decisions, and watch these two idiots discover that sometimes the thing you're addicted to isn't sleep.
It's finally feeling safe enough to close your eyes.
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2 people finding their way back to life through melodies they thought they had lost forever.
How do you review First Note of Love when your main memories are recording studios, unfinished songs, and Neil and Sea looking at each other like they were hearing music nobody else could?This series really looked at the music romance genre and said, "What if we added grief, creative burnout, healing, and enough emotional damage to keep playlists employed for years?"
Neil used to live for music.
Then life happened.
Loss happened.
Silence happened.
And suddenly the thing that once made him feel alive became the very thing he couldn't bear to face.
Then came Sea.
A fan.
A dreamer.
A walking reminder of everything Neil thought he had lost.
And somehow, also the person who helped him find it again.
Charles Tu brought so much quiet sadness and vulnerability to Neil that watching him slowly reconnect with music — and with himself — felt incredibly moving.
And Michael Chang as Sea?
The king of optimism.
The emperor of emotional support.
The CEO of believing in someone long before they can believe in themselves.
Watching Sea patiently stand beside Neil while he learned how to create, grieve, and love again gave us one of the gentlest romances in recent Taiwanese BL.
Because this wasn't about saving someone.
It was about accompanying them.
There's a difference.
And First Note of Love understood it perfectly.
The supporting characters and music industry setting added so much texture to the world.
The rehearsals.
The recording sessions.
The pressure of expectations.
The fear of never being able to create something meaningful again.
Every part of it felt honest.
And can we talk about the people behind the camera?
Director Lien Chien Hung understood exactly what this story needed: space.
The emotional moments weren't rushed.
The silences were allowed to exist.
The music was allowed to speak when words couldn't.
The production team understood that songs in this story weren't simply background music.
They were memories.
Conversations.
Confessions.
Goodbyes.
The cinematography deserves special praise.
The stage lights.
The empty studios.
The city nights.
The moments where characters sat quietly with their thoughts while music carried the emotions they couldn't yet express.
And the soundtrack?
Honestly, calling it a soundtrack feels disrespectful.
It was another character.
Every song carried emotional weight.
Every lyric mattered.
Every melody told part of the story.
First Note of Love wasn't simply a romance.
It was a story about finding your voice after losing it.
About learning that grief and joy can exist together.
About understanding that moving forward doesn't mean leaving the past behind.
This wasn't celebrity × fan.
This wasn't sunshine × grumpy.
This was broken musician × person who reminded him that music was never truly gone.
10/10.
Would absolutely sit in that recording studio, cry over songs that don't exist outside this universe, and watch these two find their way back to music and to each other all over again.
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