Reviews

a watch without much braincells.

this show was suggested to me via tiktok and the edits had made it to different platforms such as tiktok, xhs and more. enabling a lot more people knowing this show.

this show is like arranged marriage with childhood friend and happened so mutual liking or the ml likes the fl but she doesn't know.

the rating does not do it justice but i really enjoyed the show. that's because it is light and fluffy. like i can understand why the female lead acts that way. generally because, they got married without dating so there was a barrier between them that she felt a line that cannot be crossed. but slowly yet surely, she has gotten more comfortable and realized that she should support how he supported her. and the male lead being 100% devoted to her, would take chances to kiss her, treat her well and support her no matter what.

you can say that the plot is thin but sometimes we need those shows that do not have deep plots. these kind of shows are rare these days because i felt like a lot of shows require brain power these days. if you are looking for shows that brain power are not needed but endless fluff, then this show is for you.

other than unless fluff, i liked that there was no love triangles and they would support each other no matter what. i feel like they had established that both of them are each other's support system since young without realizing it. and the shots are so pretty!

some of my favourite scenes are they sharing one bathtub and how yukito apply the cream for io's wound. i also like it when yukito wears his glasses and his watch HAHAHA (part of the reason why i watched it in the first place). + many hawt or fluffy scenes that i can get diabetes from!

this show is short yet simple. it is sad that it is short where it could be longer for more development and fluff! but happy because there is no time for complex and unwrappable conflicts.

anyways, i sincerely recommend to those who wants to have a short watch filled with fluff and love! <33

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Reality Television Here We Go

The only thought that comes to my mind when I think of this season is-

“It’s pretty awkward, situations and people included”

“His Man Season Three” is bigger, bolder, more angsty and slightly disconcerting. After watching the first four episodes, I did try to draw comparisons to the season predecessors. Not withstanding the fact, that the reality show has new twists and turns, this season has new set of rules that bring along unprecedented complications. The first thing that comes to mind after watching the pilot episodes is the awkwardness between the contestants, and after two days stay at the Men’s House, it doesn’t decrease; the situation goes overboard. So, you can anticipate more complexity in this season as the contestants blow from hot to cold easily. Of course, it is a reality show, so there will be opportunities galore, some people tend to stick to the same choices while others move to greener pastures at lightening speed. Some are too cautious, others are too curious.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/06/29/his-man-season-three-first-impressions-ep-1-to-4/

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As Entertaining as the Prequel

After watching Season One, I was so excited to watch season 2 especially after the way the prequel ended. I was so happy with the outcome because, from the first episode, this series had me in its grip again. It’s cute, soft, angsty, and dramatic; this series is like an amazing dish full of perfect flavors and spices.

Neung (Faye Peraya) giving Aneung (Yoko Apasra) her bracelet was so romantic and beautiful. You can see how much these two care for each other without any worries in the world is bewitching. Especially Sam (Ice Papichaya) and Mon (Marissa Lloyd) being there for Neung and supporting her was nice. The first episode was dramatic and a little angsty but the second episode was adorable, full of their enchanting chemistry. Faye’s acting skills are so perfect, she is one of the best Thai actresses I have seen in a long time. I mean her crying scenes made me sob and it was so realistic. Yoko is still as adorable as any person can get and I love that her character in this season has become even more sassy. The mature-sassy pairing works for well for them.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/06/27/blank-season-two-first-impressions-ep-1-2/

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It Wasn't That Bad

High school is challenging for everyone, but it’s even more daunting when you’re a notorious gangster trapped in a teenager’s body, just trying to blend in.

This intriguing premise sets the stage for the new series “High School Return of a Gangster”.

The series follows Kim Deuk Pal (Lee Seo Jin), a feared thug and the vice-leader of a gang. Despite his lack of formal education, Deuk Pal is determined to change his life by hiring a tutor and studying hard. However, his efforts are hindered by his struggles with coursework and pressure from his boss to prioritize gang-related activities.

Later, while on the road, Deuk Pal encounters a high school student named Song Yi Heon, who has been relentlessly bullied and decides to end his life by jumping off an overpass. Deuk Pal tries to save him, but instead, they end up switching bodies. Deuk Pal’s body dies, and Yi Heon becomes a ghost, while Deuk Pal inhabits Yi Heon’s body and continues living.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/06/25/high-school-return-of-a-gangster-series-review-ep-1-to-8/

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One of the Most Mature Romances in a Long Time

It can be much easier to admit feelings while hiding behind a character who’s supposed to feel them than to admit them to someone real who has the power to break your heart.

That’s precisely the kind of safety Hayama Asami (Komagine Kiita) hides behind when he offers to fake date his new costar Shirasaki Yuki (Niihara Taisuke) in order to help him learn about love.

In the Japanese BL At 25:00 in Akasaka, adapted from Natsuno Hiroko’s manga series 25 Ji, Akasaka de, the lines between art and life begin to blur for insecure but passionate rookie actor Shirasaki Yuki (Niihara Taisuke), after he lands a role in a BL drama opposite a famous actor he knew in his university days, Hayama Asami.

As the series unfolds in an interesting alternating POV that highlights both characters’ insecurities and growing feelings, viewers are thrown into an intense look at the unrequited love for Shirasaki Hayama has carried since university while Shirasaki discovers love for the first time with Hayama.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/06/22/at-2500-in-akasaka-series-review-ep-3-to-10/

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The Most Endearing Watch This Year

What happens when Cinderella shift gears from being a damsel in distress to becoming a knight in shining armor!

Apart from the comic hysterics that are a metaphorical part of this moniker, "Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale" was a hilarious double take on an age-old classic. The show didn't have any godmother springing a surprise visit on the poor Cinderella, instead we have a daredevil female lead who knows what she wants and she strives to achieve her goals, no matter how foolhardy they seem. Add two handsome men to this mix, and we have a romcom bursting with fun and joyful antics. Starring Pyo Ye Jin & Lee Jun Young in the lead roles, the show gives us a wishful romance full of aching love and yearning. After watching the pilot episodes, I was instantly wooed over by the chemistry between the main leads; they are unusual, chaotic, and totally abnormal, but what is amusing about them is that they match each other's craziness. Shin Jae Rim is the only one who can stand Moon Cha Min's presumptuous attitude and arrogant demeanor, they are a match made in hell or vice versa. My Friday's have been an utter joy for the past five weeks, I couldn't wait to watch the new episodes.

Read the complete article here-

https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/06/30/dreaming-of-a-freaking-fairytale-series-review/#more-972

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Still undeserving high rating. Show has a negative message

9.1 is crazy high. Show still needs a rating for what it truly deserves

This show being in the same position like some of the few 9 above rated shows in this site seems like an insult. Try checking the other 9 above rated ones here and I wouldnt complain. God, there's even lower rated dramas that deserved a 9 but didnt make it. I recently just rewatched Story of Yanxi Palace too ( best c-drama) and that show is stuck at 8.8 here. Then i'll just give my own opinion of what I've digested from this show as to feel validated for this trouble.

The Good:
OST, Attractive and talented main actors (BWS is the clickbait of the show), good editing. Thats it.
The Bad:
Storytelling, Characters, and Moral story.

Storytelling:
No need to talk about the good, let's start with the bad. The plot of lovely runner has been done many times and is simple as it gets, I was actually curious how they would execute it as long as it holds out. Story was solid, not unique but alright. It wasn't a standout time travel plot like taiwanese drama 'Someday but Oneday' but Lovely Runner need none of it since all they had to do was to be consistent in story telling, but thats the first disappointment. Storytelling of the show was dead and non cohesive. They introduced our depressed female lead had a disability, then our kpop idol male lead who had a mysterious regret. Great start but for some reason they abandoned this part to the point where everything later on is just shrugged off literally because everything becomes solved with our plot device called time travel.
Throughout episodes 2-16 the show literally forgot the story introduction and became a forced love till death do us apart story instead of like showing us how our main leads cope with their initial problem then later on learning how to love because it was instantly solved with the continuous time travel. She had a disability, well one time travel later it's fixed! and goes on to never ponder about it again. He had a troublesome regret, well one time travel later it's fixed! and never ponders about it again. Same goes to the side characters, they had a problem before, well one time travel later it's fixed! Sure. Genuinely theres nothing wrong with time travel and making it as a solution to the plot's conflict and LR isnt the only one doing it but LR is taking the wrong path and it's proven towards the end. Our main leads literally did not suffer consequential matters that were done by time travel cause it was fixed again and again. It's like LR is a water filled transparent vase that keeps on getting broken and the writer keeps on putting a patch to seal it. As to why this is problematic, I talk about it later down on the moral story of the show. Let's move on to the characters.

Characters:
One dimensional characters to the point where they were written to be perfect for each other. Too perfect perhaps. When they genuinely have interaction, we never get a gist of their human thoughts because it will be used as filler time to put fluff romance and unintelligent dialogue, same goes to the other characters. Like I said, the story itself wasn't difficult so the plot should've been the characters but they were just given dead and unrealistic characteristics. What goes on FL's mind besides the ML? and etc. Basically they were written to be fated and meant for each other 'cause they gave us the reason why but the show spare zero effort to give us a reason how.
Let's not even start with the villain. It already has the trope that is rampant in Kdramas, the mysterious killer. But the mysterious killer isn't so mysterious because he's literally a random with no background that was given an excuse to be psychopathic but turns out to just be lazy writing. Atleast other kdrama dared to give their mysterious serial killer to be mysterious and even given a acceptable motive.

Moral story:
Earlier I mentioned how time travel was used as a plot device for fixing the problems this show has and why it's bad. The main reason is because Lovely Runner's story and conclusion made us feel that way. Time travel dramas would give the viewers a message that going back in time would be consequential and morally give a message.
Last year, Twinkling Watermelon aired and also introduced time travel. There, the main leads get caught up to the past of their parents. This experience led them into their character development and eventually the conclusion of the show. The leads wanted to change the present but was lead to the inevitable. None of the things that happened in their time travel changed the literal present timeline but instead what ended up changing is our main characters and how they view themselves and their parents. This is how you leave positive a message for your story. Think again, why did China ban time travel dramas, they did it to not confuse the mass as they think it leaves a bad message. So recent C-drama time travel would come up with ways to make sure it doesn't conflict with the ban.
Lovely Runner's plot has an unhealthy message. The biggest no was when they bypassed through Im Sol's disability just like that using time travel and never to be explored ever again. The story couldve used this opportunity to simply give Im Sol the moment to cope and live on through this disability to leave out a positive message. It's such a negative outlook to such problems that if you're ill fated then all you need to basically change your fate is with a simple time travel and fix problems easily like that, no room for acceptance whatsoever.

Still Lovely Runner, without the criticism should still be a solid 7.5. Despite all, the fluff and romance is definitely the best in recent k-drama release. I just hope people carefully digest a show before easily handing out 10s in MDL.

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Best GL drama ever and forever

I wasn't expecting much at first because no one was talking about this at all. When I watched the first episode of season 1, I was impressed already by everything especially acting. Then every episode gets better than previous episode until the end of series.
Acting was amazing and way beyond other GL series. Writing was excellent because they did not modify much from novel except their ages. Music was great and both Faye and Yoko are great singers.
I wish every studio making GL series learn from Blank.
I'm looking forward to the next GL drama by NineStarStudios.

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The show immediately captured my attention within the first 20 minutes of episode 1. It started off with such strength and delivered a satisfying ending. Yoon Chanyoung and Bong Jaehyun, the lead actors, performed exceptionally well and their chemistry was overflowing with intensity. Initially hesitant due to the removal of the BL element, I found that this change actually enhanced the story's flow, especially considering the maturity gap between the grown adult leads and a literal teenager.

If anyone insists on romanticizing a relationship between a man nearing 50 and a 19-year-old teenager, perhaps it's time for some self-reflection because that is deeply concerning to me.

Beyond the characters, the show imparted valuable lessons. Firstly, it taught us that when someone is truly tired of their life, regardless of any changes in their lives, may it be good changes, nothing can change their mind. If they are tired, they are tired. Secondly, it emphasized that adults are not always right, and standing up for oneself in front of adults is not only acceptable but sometimes necessary. Third, it tackles verbal and emotional abuse. My heart goes to, Sekyung and Yiheon. They deserve better parents.

Moreover, the show featured one of the most compelling redemption arcs I've seen, adding another layer of depth to its narrative.

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Logical Ending

I watched this drama and the other one ( can't remember the name right now). These are my thoughts. This drama had moments that were very sad, darker, and more serious than the other one. Not going to lie, I shed a few tears in certain scenes. The other one had a mostly lighter tone. I never shed a tear when watching that drama.
This drama had okay fight scenes with the male lead BUT I loved the fight scenes in the other drama. It gave me more satisfaction for the bullied main lead.
I think this ending fits the story. Yeon Chan Young (the 18 yr old who was bullied) was never friends with Jae Yung? Sure he wanted to be friends but Jae Yung had his own problems. So the personality of YCH being friends with JY would have never worked. They were both hiding and weak. JY needed a strong " personality" to teach him how to be strong and to be a good friend.
So leaving the gangster soul in YCH made sense. Like he said he was tired. He has been through a lot in his 18 years. He would never be able to take over the life the gangster already set in motion.

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annoying characters

a frustrating show. ML FL and supporting casts are terrible. A bunch of unspoken situation that leads to misunderstanding. ML self righteousness tries to be supportive yet doesn't provide any support. I would not recommend anyone watching this. what a waste of time.

a frustrating show. ML FL and supporting casts are terrible. A bunch of unspoken situation that leads to misunderstanding. ML self righteousness tries to be supportive yet doesn't provide any support. I would not recommend anyone watching this. what a waste of time.

a frustrating show. ML FL and supporting casts are terrible. A bunch of unspoken situation that leads to misunderstanding. ML self righteousness tries to be supportive yet doesn't provide any support. I would not recommend anyone watching this. what a waste of time.

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strong beginning, really disappointing latter half

the last few episodes just got more and more annoying? is probably the right way of putting it. feels like the writers had something good going and then they just went in some completely other direction. so much drama and so much people just saying 許さない 24/7 and I stopped caring. glad I've finished it now. quite a shame, not interested in watching the other seasons. really wish there were actually good jdramas about zombie apocalypses , as this was the main one and it turned out mediocre. basically nothing else out there to even try now really, except for a few movies I guess.

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