Family bond
I could not stop watching after every episode.The performance by the actor playing He Zi Qiu was especially outstanding. His story brought tears to my eyes. The performance by the child actor playing his role was also very moving. I could really feel his pain and later on the struggle he had with his biological father.
Li Hai Chao’s story was so full of love for his children. I wish everyone had a father like that in all C and K dramas.
Why were all the mothers in this series so awful toward their children? Sometimes I wanted to scream and reach through the screen to give them a real good shake.
Every time i heard both songs at the beginning and ending of each episode i wanted to sob, they were so touching. I thing that whenever i hear these songs in the future I will get emotional.
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A CINEMATOGRAPHIC MASTERPIECE
ITSAY is true art. I don't even dare to confine it to the genre of BL since for me, this is more of a queer coming of age story. Boss Kuno and the whole cast knew EXACTLY what they were doing. This drama shows raw emotion, the fallible nature of teenagers in love and denial, as well as the effects of cultural intermingling in the parent generation on the child's upbringing.Someone on social media phrased it in a really funny but insanely accurate way: Boss Kuno's shows dare to ask the question "what if you were seventeen, gay and also a major fucking loser." And I think that sort of encapsulates how Teh moves through the majority of this story. He is a mess. Let's be honest, he is. But he's also a teenager. The bond between him and Oaew runs deep and they get caught in their emotions, and their expectations of each other. It's a roller coaster of INTENSE emotions. Sometimes it drives them (I'm looking at you Teh) to do insanely stupid things out of desperation and it makes one cringe while watching but at the same time it's so beautifully authentic. Billkin and PP Krit really delivered OUTSTANDING performances. I'd trust them with anything they decide to star in. Their ability to express the characters' inner turmoil and conflict is truly admirable.
Let's talk about Boss Kuno's incredible storytelling. The pacing of this story is zippier than other Thai dramas, which I really appreciated here. Still, nothing was missed. Boss Kuno told this expertly, I'm still in awe, how he created such an organic, tender and heartwarming story while also managing to authentically portray the everyday life of these characters and its impact on them by weaving in cultural aspects such as immigration (see old part of Phuket). It gives deep context and explains the boys' upbringing and the importance of Chinese culture in the story. It aids to make us understand the familial bonds of Teh, his brother and their mother and Teh's difficulty to deal with his feelings for Oaew, a boy.
Beyond that, the shots are stunning, the colouring gives the scenes a nostalgic, wistful summer feeling. Boss Kuno also managed to include and incredible amount of symbolism through colours, specific objects etc. and if you're able to catch on, it adds more depth to the relationship dynamics of the main and side characters. This is expert, artistic storytelling and I will never not watch anything directed by Kuno. That man creates magic on screen.
In short: IF YOU CARE ABOUT WELL WRITTEN STORIES WITH MULTI-DIMENSIONAL CHARACTERS AND CAN APPRECIATE ARTFUL CINEMATOGRAPHY AND EMOTIONAL DEPTH IN A DRAMA, WATCH! THIS! PLEASE!
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Learning to stop running away
What made this story stand out to me is how much it focuses on emotional baggage and the way people try to deal with it, even in the wrong ways. Both Kanata and Akira carry their own weight, loneliness, past experiences, things they haven’t really processed, and you can feel that in how guarded they are at the beginning. I liked that it doesn’t try to romanticize everything, it shows how messy it can be when you’re trying to understand yourself while also facing feelings you’re not ready to accept. Their connection doesn’t come from a perfect place, it slowly grows as they begin to open up and confront parts of themselves they’ve been avoiding. There’s this constant tension between wanting to move forward and being afraid of repeating the past, especially for Akira, and that made everything feel more real. In the end, it’s not just about falling in love, but about choosing to stop running away and finally face what you feel.Was this review helpful to you?
FAST ROMANCE
start- plot was good, should've been a slow burn, it's fast romance which doesn't make sense and feels forced or random,ml from historical era time travel to future by dream
i do not like the ml character much, he is already confessing proposing by 2-4 eps ? and and FML likes him back ? you just met how come you like eachother already ? i don't like historical but try watching, this is too much old and historical you can tell by clothing, so I still watched seeing what happens so she starts missing him because he suddenly disappeared while talking and then she has time travelled into his place and she's happy there usually people want to go back but she has settled down... now i quit because it gets boring I like focus on main leads less on side characters so they have switched I'm only interested in romance I drop if they're not romance focused
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This review may contain spoilers
Everything goes to shit when a man shows up.
Story of the friendship of a lifetime with life and a man™️ getting in the way. This is a look into the beauty of female friendship and how real friends will always be in your heart through thick and thin, no matter how many things get in between them, they always find a way as long as that love stays there.It just reminded me of how much i love my friends and how i should cherish them more 🥲♡. Beautiful cinematography, amazing acting, good music and well written script. Its definitely worth your time.
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A story that pulls you into the dark
It feels like everything I’ve been wanting from a BL that actually dares to step outside the usual formula. The plot itself is incredibly interesting, blending a long-running murder case with supernatural elements, rituals, and faith in a way that keeps you constantly curious about how everything connects. The crime scenes are genuinely chilling, the ghosts are unsettling, and there’s always this underlying tension that makes it hard to fully relax while watching. I really appreciated how the story balances mystery and horror with more emotional moments, giving space for both the investigation and the connection between the characters without one overshadowing the other. The dynamic between Thup and Singha is what really carries the drama, that contrast between belief and logic creates a strong push and pull that naturally evolves over time. Pavel stands out as Singha, controlled and grounded, while Pooh brings depth and vulnerability to Thup, especially through his ability to see spirits, and their chemistry feels magnetic without needing to be overdone. The pacing stays engaging, supported by music and visuals that lean into darker, more cinematic tones, even if at times things can feel a bit confusing or not fully explained. Still, the originality of the concept and the atmosphere make it a very compelling watch, especially if you’re looking for something different within the genreWas this review helpful to you?
Wonderful series
I loved this and loved the Korean version as well. All of the actors were great, except the FL is so unrelentingly childish and seemed absolutely uninterested in any type of romance. It was uncomfortable to watch those scenes. The ML (Song Wei Long) did his best, but she really let it down. She seems to have this persona in other things i've watched her in.I tried to watch it again after a year and I couldn't watch her, so I put my rewatch value at 6.5 because I liked all the other characters and their storyline.
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Absolutely brilliant
Why did I wait so long to watch this!!!!!!! This has everything - romance, mystery, drama and great humour. It was laugh out loud in places. The ML is brilliantly funny and so amazingly charismatic. The FL was also beautifully played. One of the standouts in the whole series though was the secretary - she was brilliant and so, so funny!!!The chemistry between the two leads is so great! They need to be cast again. It has a very satisfying ending. Just brilliant I gave it 10/10.
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Being scammed may be not the worst that could happen when buying 2nd-hand items...
I’ve been seeing Shin Hye Sun everywhere lately, and at this point, I just trust her to deliver no matter the role. So even if Target felt a bit vague plot-wise at first, I was already in. I went in with zero expectations and honestly, that made the experience even better because I had no idea what direction it would take me.From the start, it was intense. Every scene felt like it was closing in on me, like I was the one being targeted. I was literally holding my breath half the time. It’s the kind of thriller that doesn’t give you space to relax, and I don’t want to say too much to avoid spoilers, but if you enjoy that constant edge-of-your-seat feeling, this one delivers.
What really got me was the pacing. I kept checking the runtime because it felt like so much had already happened in such a short time. That 101 minutes honestly felt like a full K-drama experience. It’s fast, overwhelming in a good way, and definitely something I’d recommend if you’re in the mood for a suspense ride that doesn’t slow down.
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Not just your average rom-com
I enjoyed this so much. At first I thought it was just a cute rom-com but I’m so glad it had way more depth than expected! Kim Seon-ho did such an amazing job, acting in multiple languages in the same scene - incredible dedication to the craft 👌 I’d only seen Go Youn-jung in Alchemy of Souls before so wasn’t sure what to expect. Her performance blew me away! I think it must be really fun for an actor to show more than one side to their character and she totally delivered. I also think showing her reaction to overnight fame was very realistic. Fab soundtrack too!Was this review helpful to you?
A modern classic ?
**My review is based on parts 1 + 2**I think this is quite possibly the best thing I’ve watched on Viki. Here are some of the reasons why:
- high production values overall
- excellent attention to detail, well dressed sets
- costumes felt authentic in terms of colours and fabrics, very little that felt obviously modern like you get in some historicals
- great cinematography, lighting and framing, some shots you’d just want to frame large-scale
- excellent music and sound design
- appropriate use of time slips
- great characters that develop and grow through different experiences but always make believable choices
- huge range of tone from humour to pathos deftly handled
- well-thought out plot, I didn’t get annoyed at any last minute drama that often gets thrown in for no reason, the whole thing was very well paced
- satisfying ending
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A modern classic ?
**My review is based on having seen part 2 (no spoilers)**I think this is quite possibly the best thing I’ve watched on Viki. Here are some of the reasons why:
- high production values overall
- excellent attention to detail, well dressed sets
- costumes felt authentic in terms of colours and fabrics, very little that felt obviously modern like you get in some historicals
- great cinematography, lighting and framing, some shots you’d just want to frame large-scale
- excellent music and sound design
- appropriate use of time slips
- great characters that develop and grow through different experiences but always make believable choices
- huge range of tone from humour to pathos deftly handled
- well-thought out plot, I didn’t get annoyed at any last minute drama that often gets thrown in for no reason, the whole thing was very well paced
- satisfying ending
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Not your average workplace drama
Absolutely loved this! Great performances from the whole cast, nice mini Eternal Love/Rattan reunion for ML and main female antagonist, there were a series of antagonists but none of their storylines/screen-time was overdone, they weaved in and out just the right amount.Flashbacks (which can get annoying if badly deployed) were used well to help explain backstory/reasons for our leads taking actions in the present and you got to see things from their different perspectives, deepening the understanding you have of the characters.
ML is obviously a complete dreamboat, smart, kind, noble, funny and sweet, also good with kids. I really liked the FL's character development, she applied herself and took on the challenges that presented at work, always trying (and generally succeeding) to make a success of things. The romance between them is really good and there were some hilarious scenes that had me laughing out loud as well. A real treat!
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Vampires + Republic Era: the combo you didn’t know you needed
Loved this right from the start, great casting, gorgeous costumes and period setting (the cars!), cinematography is beautiful and a pretty good credit sequence which is usually a good sign.I actually think this might be Gao Wei Guang's best role - genuinely couldn't imagine any other actors fitting the role so well. Ouyang Nana really impressed, I've seen her in Yong An Dream which I highly recommend.
Some great twists, the plot didn't drag and in some places it was laugh out loud funny. The ending suited the drama and the last scene between our lovely lead couple felt realistic and fitting.
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This review may contain spoilers
I hope I can find a workplace like Tengda someday.
Just imagine what kind of company would want to lose money? Yet in this drama, the more the company loses, the more Pei Qian profits. At first, I thought 5,000 yuan wasn’t that bad, at least it’s a monthly salary. But then I got curious and converted it into my country’s currency, and I was honestly surprised by how low it actually is. That probably explains why Pei Qian works so hard to make his company lose money.Even though the beginning had plenty of funny moments that made me laugh, as the story progressed and Pei Qian’s smile slowly faded, the humor became less frequent, though it was still there. But it’s okay it was still enjoyable for me.
While watching this drama, I actually felt jealous of the Tengda employees. Even though they’re fictional characters, I was still jealous. I wish I had a boss like Pei Qian and a working environment like Tengda. I don’t mean things like going home early or arriving late like in Tengda’s rules, because jobs like that rarely exist in real life. What I really mean is the positive working environment there. Kind coworkers, a good boss, very high salaries, and great office facilities.
It’s not that my own workplace is bad it’s actually good but the atmosphere at Tengda still made me wish I could work somewhere like that.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It kept me looking forward to the next episode every time.
Overall rating: 9.5/10.
I actually wanted to give it a 10, but there were a few parts that felt slightly lacking, so I decided on 9.5 instead. 😄
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