Reviews

I Wasn’t Grateful, Then I Watched Move to Heaven

I watched Move to Heaven at a time when I wasn’t being as grateful as I should have been. Somewhere along the way, I started counting my blessings again because this show met me right there.

It doesn’t just tell stories. It opens lives that were misunderstood, words that were never said, love that came too late or not at all. Every episode felt like reading something private. I cried every single time.

What stayed with me the most was how honest it was about people's actions. The way families react when money is involved. When love is involved. When pride gets in the way. It doesn’t exaggerate because these things really happen in real life, and it allows you to reflect. And that’s what makes it hurt more.

I told my sister to watch it and just told her to get her tissues ready. She didn’t believe me, she said i was emotional. Next thing I know, she’s running out of her room to grab a whole box. I walked in and saw her watching it lol, yeah right, it was because I was emotional. That’s when I knew this masterpiece hits everyone the same way.

The uncle’s story stayed with me the longest. The regret, the realization, all the hatred he carried for so long without understanding why, now that he knew the truth. It makes you think about how easily we let silence create distance. How often do we assume instead of asking? And how sometimes, by the time we finally understand, it’s already too late.

The ending left me wanting more. There’s a moment with a beautiful girl who comes, and it's clear he's fallen for her at first sight, and it just stops. But maybe that’s the point. Some stories don’t give you the next scene it just allow you to feel for the first time.

Move to Heaven doesn’t just make you cry. It makes you reflect. It makes you hold people a little closer. And it reminds you to say things while you still can.

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Not a conventional romance drama but way better than I was expecting.

This show was different and WAY better than I was expecting based on the synopsis. While there is a romance that develops (slowly) it is very much secondary to the main plot themes which are about 'found family', mentor-student relationships and an on-going discussion about TCM and how it fits in the modern Chinese world. The latter discussion is very open-minded each aspect, presenting different views from different characters and the show as a whole doesn't get preachy or make any outrageous claims. I'm an extremely skeptical, rational person and found myself really thinking a lot about the different points of view presented. Plotwise, the show is mostly very well crafted and scripted and only uses cliche plot tropes a couple of times. Mostly it avoids them because they are usually unnecessary. The cast is very solid with several very experienced actors. As usual, Zhou Lusi is wonderful, taking hold of the audience's attention and emotions in every scene. Her character is very different and pretty complex with some interesting layers. Seemingly wild, ignorant and silly on the surface, but with a core practical wisdom born of hardship.

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Lost You Forever: A Beautiful Waste of Time

Rating: 6/10

The Real Talk:
This show is like a high-end restaurant that only serves lukewarm tea. It looks expensive, but it’s 40+ episodes of people just sitting around, pining, and being "tragically sad" without any actual logic or action. If you’re bored by episode 10, you’ll be in a coma by episode 40.

The Character Rant:
The "Sister Complex": Why is everyone obsessed with Cang Xuan? He’s suffocating. He claims he’s building a throne for the FL, but he spends his time marrying every other woman while being weirdly possessive of her. It’s not romantic; it’s toxic.
The Human Napkin: Tushan Jing is a total pushover. He’s the "safe" choice, but he has the personality of a wet floor sign. Watching him get manipulated by his own family for two seasons straight is exhausting.
Justice for Xiang Liu: He was the only reason to stay. He’s the only one who actually does anything interesting, has a real backbone, and brings the action. The show treats him like a third wheel when he should’ve been the main event.
The only reason I kept watching was cause of Xiang Liu. I tried my best to like Xiao yao, she was interesting when she was Xioliu. After turning into a princess she became love sick and her only aim was to ... well... I don't know.
Final Verdict: Skip it if you hate boring pining and want a lead who actually thinks for themselves. 6/10 for the costumes—0/10 for the pacing.

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Love Alarm 2 Review , Messy Thoughts, Honest Feelings

My review is late, but I had to put it out. My sister recently saw Love Alarm, and she was so pissed lol. I said why not, I waited two years for the release of Season 2 of Love Alarm to come out back then for the same reaction. The cast was amazing, and the acting was superbly done. The music was amazing, my favorite was Blooming Story by Tearliner. But I’m honestly sad about the message this season brought.

What happened with the cliffhanger in Episode 8? Jojo was almost attacked, but nothing came from it. Usually, a victim should report something like that, even if her boyfriend shows up. Especially when the person came directly to her workplace. With how strong CCTV is in Korea, that should have led somewhere. Build just a profile, really, someone that obsessed does not show up just once. I really cannot get over how the killer was not properly pursued until after the girl was murdered.

Then the story shifts, and suddenly Sunoh is framed as the selfish one. But Hyeyeong knew Jojo tried to reach Sunoh several times after the accident, and he never said anything. It changes how everything is seen. Hyeyeong liked Jojo for such a long time, but never had the courage to say anything until Sunoh openly expressed how he felt. It says a lot, and not romantic at all. It tells you that Sunoh didn’t take anything; he just wore his heart openly. Hyeyeong had feelings for a long time, but he stayed silent. I'm not saying his feelings weren’t real, but because he wasn’t willing to risk anything for them. Not getting rejected by someone you claim to love. You'd want to try even once, but instead, he didn't want disruption in his daily routine at work; he chose to have no discomfort. Then Sunoh steps in and does the exact opposite. He speaks his feelings, he takes action, and he makes it known publicly that he loves her. And only then does Hyeyeong move. That shows what his love is, reactive. His timing makes them feel conditional. And in a story about emotions, that silence says just as much as any confession.
That's not the kind of love that chooses you openly, but the kind that waits until the path is already cleared or until someone else proves it’s possible.

It also raises a harder question about Jojo. Because if someone only steps forward after another person leads, are they choosing you, or stepping into an opportunity? And Jojo staying with Hyeyeong until he was finally able to stir something in her does not make sense. It felt like she was running the entire time. She settled for him because she did not have to confront anything. Because she did not feel anything strong enough to challenge her. At times, it felt like she stayed out of gratitude. Out of pity. Because he loved her that much. Even later, it feels like she only began to return those feelings after so much time had passed, almost like guilt shaped that response. Like she could not keep allowing Sunoh to affect her after everything, so she convinced herself of something safer.

That is not a fair and honest foundation for love. And that is why Season 2 made it hard for me to even watch Jojo. I didn't want to sit through her scenes. How do you grow in one season just to fall in the next? I have watched so many dramas where characters face their fears and actually overcome something. Jojo did not face anything; she ran from everything, and she did not conquer anything.

Yukjo, I actually liked her a lot. She is loyal, a real ride-or-die. There is nothing wrong with her. But I did not want her with Sunoh, because he will never love her the way she deserves. He would only put on a facade because that is what he grew up seeing. Look at his parents. His father loves his mother, but his mother does not love him back. She settled because he loved her, and he still cheats because no matter what he does, his love can't reach her. That dynamic is not love; it is survival. There was even an interview scene where his dad brought his phone, and proved his love for her when his Love Alarm rang only for her, but his mom said she had left her phone at home. Because she already knew it would never ring for him. That moment said everything. And Sunoh is walking into the same pattern.

There is also the scene where Sunoh comes back smiling, and his mother asks if he saw Jojo again. Not Yukjo. Because she already knows Yukjo is not the one who reaches him like that. Jojo is the only one who can make him feel that way. So why put him back with Yukjo? Yes, she loves him deeply. Yes, she is loyal. But that does not mean she should be in a one-sided relationship. She deserved her own path. He deserved to heal and move forward properly. Instead, they are both left stuck.

Sunoh should have started anew with someone else years later, after he healed, not Yukjo. It sends the message to settle for someone who loves you more. It worked out for Hyeyeong, but are we saying it is okay to live in an unhealthy dynamic?

Jojo should have grown. Instead, Jojo stayed where she felt comfortable. A place where she could say, “I should be happy because of this,” or because of how someone treated her, rather than what she truly felt. Even Gulmi actually had growth. More growth than Jojo. Jojo kept using what happened to her as a reason not to try, not to move forward, just to stay in a shallow space where she did not have to confront anything. What happened to her was serious, but it became an excuse she never moved past. And those scenes were replayed too much. Gulmi, on the other hand, stayed honest. Even at her worst, she never pretended. She never forced feelings just because it would benefit her. She never pretended to like Duk-gu, no matter how famous or rich he became. She stayed true to herself.

Even Duk-gu, in the end, pissed me off. Saying, This is a log of when Jojo would have rung your Love Alarm, felt unnecessary. Like what? Almost like forcing proof where it shouldn’t be needed. If her love was that strong, it should have shown clearly without an app, without data, without a “what if” file being handed over at the end. The fact that the show needed that device makes it feel forced, like they didn’t trust the story to stand on its own. Because even without the app, it was obvious. Her eyes light up with Sunoh. You can see it. Her emotions are alive. But with Hyeyeong, everything feels routine. calculated and hesitant, like she’s responding the way she thinks she should, not the way she actually feels.

If anything, I would have removed the Love Alarm completely. Let her face her emotions without anything guiding or shielding her, just her and the truth. At times, it feels like the WEBTOON writer created an alternate version of events to reshape something personal, trying to see if it's okay to settle. I was hoping Netflix would take a different direction, similar to how True Beauty built confidence in Lim Jukyung while still inspiring growth.

If I am misunderstanding the message, I would genuinely like to know.

Because right now, it feels like a story about avoiding truth rather than facing it.

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While it does veer into cliches at times, I'm someone who does enjoy a good cliche every once in a while, when done correctly. I feel like watching this after seeing Unmasked with similar themes from a different perspective puts into mind what works here and what doesn't work there. Obviously both have great leads, but while the side characters were mostly mediocre here and things were way too male-centred, this shines in giving the two female leads most of the screentime. I was pleasantly surprised that Dongjoo was barely a factor here since they usually like to have characters like him left front and centre, even in female-centric dramas. Again, see Unmasked.

Villains are a mixed bag. I think Baek Jaemin is believably awful, and I have to say I really liked all the screen time we got of Eun Chaeryung, but the rest vary. Chairwoman Son I felt was a character that had potential but slowly became more boring over time, which can be said doubly so for Carl Yoon, who I was deeply excited for since Lee Kyungyoung is a known quantity when it comes to giving good villain performances. I wouldn't say his performance is the issue, but the writing for his character is mostly terrible after his first episode. The show would've been better without him.

Seojin sucks but in a normal way that makes her look better than her family, so of course she got the redemption arc. Even if it was tiny and felt shoehorned in. I do not like her still. Nobody is going to remember Seo Minjung after watching this, but wow she's awful. In a good way though, her writing was a little cliched for a "corrupt lying politician" but Jin Kyung elevates the material in a way that looks a little embarassing for the also cliched role that Lee Kyungyoung had to play. Women are truly left front and centre here, I like that.

Like a lot of the time with a certain genre of drama, this is a show that won't stop ending. There is so much fat that could've been trimmed off the finale that you could probably fry an entire field of potatoes in it. I could've also done without the teaser for the Queenmaker Initiative or whatever unless they're actually going to give us a second season where Dohee and Kyungsook actually finally fucking kiss instead of holding eachothers hands and staring at eachother longingly. I heard this show was lesbian coded and people were not lying.

Feminist themes from a male showrunner can often feel a little hollow, and I can't say that they don't feel hollow at times. At times Kyungsook especially feels like she's written as a caricature of a righteous but misguided feminist and she's a little frustrating at times. Not wrong, just frustrating, but I appreciate how the victims here are by no means perfect and yet aren't villainised for also having done "wrong" that by no means erases what's been done to them. It feels like a slightly more honest depiction of assault and abuse that often goes unportrayed, even in the modern day, even if it has work to do and things are often played seemingly for shock value and tension.

Is the shock value and tension for other plotlines horrible though? I definitely wouldn't say so. You certainly have to suspend your disbelief at times, most times really, but I can't say I was ever bored. The show toes a fine line between going full makjang and actually caring about the themes it portrays and yet somehow comes out the other side mostly unscathed on both fronts, which is impressive.

More over, I really do love the story of redemption and revenge that Dohee has throughout this. I truly hated her guts at the end of the first episode and I was wondering how she'd redeem herself, and while the show never strays from it being at least partially in her self interest, it also doesn't condemn her for her self interest either, it's right to experience something awful and decide that things need to change. It doesn't make you a hypocrite, we're all meant to grow and evolve, no matter what. The Christian allegories here feel sometimes so unsubtle that it feels like Garth Marenghi wrote him, ESPECIALLY the scene at the mausoleum. I'm very much not a Christian at this point in my life, and I feel like having those themes without acknowledging that organised religion produces about a thousand Jaemins a day, but I do agree in the value of penance and repentance which is something often forgotten about yet repeated by the followers of religion. Even if you don't believe in a higher power, you can't be living with the burden on your shoulders of evil for your entire life.

This at the end of the day is a show not about politics, capitalism, or feminism. It's about two women who needed each other, and after all is said and done, love each other and improve each other through one another. I usually don't mind seeing a sequel to a drama announced but, really, even with the tease at the end, I fail to see what you'd do with a second season because this sets out to do something and accomplishes it. No need for more.

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One of the best c-dramas I've ever seen

This actually might be one of my most favourite c-drama of all time.

(Note - review was written late 2025 before I learned that marking the show as complete on my list and adding the note was NOT in fact me leaving a proper review :'))

I'm very late to the game, but I only just finished this show a few weeks ago... and it's taken me at least 2 weeks to recover from it (in the best way possible). I've been spending this whole time rewatching my favourite scenes, and basically the first 30 eps in order to soothe my broken heart.

I knew around ep 15 that this drama would break my heart, and my oh my, break my heart it did, but put it together all at the same time.

The characters? Top quality.
The story? Incredible.
The music? GORGEOUS.
The romance? Beautiful doesn't cover it.

Let's break them down one by one.

The characters. OH MY GOD I love them all. Each one of them is so special for their own reason, I don't even care if it makes them slightly predictable.
NYJ - Probably my most favourite male lead character ever. Now this is A MAN!! Respect, empathy, maturity, loyalty, the whole package.
RRY - All the other reviews were absolutely correct. THIS is a badass female lead! My god. The absolute badass female lead of my dreams. Her growth to love was so natural and great to watch.
The 4 musketeers - *CRIES* love them, love them, love them a million times. The comaderie, the brotherhood, the love. I felt it all.
The Princess - OH MY GOD, what a woman she became. Holy character growth.
LTG - He surprised me. I thought he would wake up a lot earlier than he did, but then it made the moment that he did so so so sweet. The jealousy scenes were just too funny.

The story. Is simple enough and not overshadowing what is really important in this show: Each character's journey to love, no matter the type of love or what it may look like.
Essentially... Crew leave for quest -> everything that can go wrong will go wrong.
I personally felt that this allowed the audience to feel the trepidation and slightly hopeful pessimism of the delegation, like we're right there travelling with them.

The music. C-drama classic with some rocky elements? Sign me up. And of course, can't beat the aura of LYN singing the own opening theme song of his show. Every song, all the way down to the BGM, is beyond incredible. We have action songs, romantic songs, sad songs, and oh lord the song called "Afraid of Dreams"? DANG.
Extra honourable mention to Ruyi's badass Assassin's Creed-esque entrance music, I ate it up every single time.

And lastly, the romance. There's no fantasy, no gods, no special powers. But what there is, is the most mature, realistic view of a beautiful, nourishing and healthy relationship. The pacing was perfect, and the words "I love you" never needed to be said. Not when it could be felt from every fibre of their beings, and in everything they did.
I must have watched the scene in ep. 11 of what is essentially NYJ's love confession almost 100 times:

"Don't come closer, are you crazy?"
"I have gone crazy! I went crazy when I saw you injured like this!"

No words. Both LYN and LSS's acting in that scene? All the emotion in their eyes? Oh my.

This was my first time seeing LSS in anything. And she took my breath away with her acting skills

Basically this show is the most heartbreakingly beautiful thing you'll ever watch. Yes you might hate the ending (but you can't say it was a total surprise), but the journey is well worth it. 500/10 stars.

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When Letters Truly Bring Hope

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light" - for me this quote by Albus Dumbledore/JKR could not be more fitting than here for Twelve Letters and its characters' journeys!

Dear Reader,

I haven’t been able to fully dive into C-dramas or movies, but in the little I have explored, I’ve noticed one pattern—they often tell stories that bend time. That’s exactly why Twelve Letters stayed on my watchlist far too long, like an unopened letter waiting patiently to be read. It only took me half a day to finally marathon it - that's how good it was.

Maybe by the time you read this, you’ve probably already come across several well-written reviews praising it. So let’s make this clear: it is brilliant, and you should watch it to truly experience it. Before starting, my biggest question was whether it had a happy ending. The common answer I found was that it’s “bittersweet.” I’d like to disagree—for me, this was truly a happy ending. Yes, it’s emotional, raw, and explores themes that might upset you, but if you’re someone like me who values happy endings, then yes—this delivers one.

➥ What I Loved:
Of course, the story—you already get the gist from the synopsis. It is a story where fate intervenes to bend time, letters speak, and destiny writes back. Two suffering souls (rightly called weeds in a scene), trying their best under a cruel fate, still finding love, family, peace, and hope.

The cinematography was stunning—bringing the ’90s to life through objects, costumes, and scenery, all under a warm yellowish tint, contrasted beautifully with the sharp, crowded, blue-toned aesthetics of modern times.

The actors portrayed their characters flawlessly. While the main leads were exceptional, I especially appreciate when supporting characters are given depth—and this drama does that wonderfully. By the end, you connect with all of them, and you leave a piece of your heart behind with each one.

The music, direction, and fantasy elements are like cherries on top—elevating something already great into something close to a masterpiece. Oh, and I loved the cat. Cat-kun—or should I say Xiao-Cat/Cat-gege—saved the day (or rather, years) so many times. The true hero of this story ≽^•⩊•^≼

➥ Why I didn’t give it a 10/10:
If you’re still reading, I’d encourage you to check my profile where I’ve elaborated on my rating system. I have deducted half points each for slow-pacing & some unanswered questions. Without them, this drama would have been perfect.

I personally prefer fast-paced storytelling. While this drama carries mystery and urgency, it slows down quite a bit at times (especially after Episodes 5–6) to focus heavily on emotional arcs. I did feel those emotions, but at the same time, I found myself yearning for answers and occasionally fast-forwarding. The remaining 0.5 deduction comes from unanswered questions. While some are implied, I’m not a fan of ambiguity—I would have preferred clearer, explicit explanations. (If you don't mind mild spoilers, then read my P.S. below to know of them)

➥ Overall:
Despite these shortcomings, I recognize they’re very personal preferences. I would still highly recommend this drama. It’s a beautiful tale of hope, friendship, sacrifice, love, and making the best of the hand fate deals you. It will stay with me for a long time—along with the adorable cat and Zhou Yi Ran’s cutest smile and dimples!

Thank you for reading and I hope you'd watch it or already have. For now, my own letter/review ends here.

Yours,
Veronica | @omo-omo-omo

P.S. You can stop reading here—unless you don’t mind some MILD SPOILERS, then scroll down. ^. .^₎⟆





================ MILD SPOILERS / Questions Ahead ================


These are the unanswered lingering questions which made me deduct some points and not rate this drama 10/10 ⚞^. .^⚟

[1] The fate of older Tang—why and how did it happen? (I understand what’s implied, but I wish it had been explicitly shown.)
[2] How did the mailbox arrive in 2026? (No clue.)
[3[ I understand the last letter after the credits, but I wish they had shown it properly instead of presenting it as an animated sequence.
[4] What was the purpose of the end-credit scene? It only raised more questions about Nian and Shen Cheng's fates
[5] Why could they use only that stationery and anchor stamp? (Still a mystery but I can still let go of this one, time travel must have rules else we all will be doing it)

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A Bittersweet Goodbye

Saying goodbye to Yumi's Cells was bittersweet. It felt like saying a final goodbye to a dear friend. For a while now, it has been such a constant in my life, so when the final episode came to an end, I couldn’t help but tear up.

This season has felt rather different from the other two, and I feel a little unsure about how to rate it. It has been really good, and I can understand why a lot of people say that it is one of their favorite seasons. For me though, it has been the weakest.

The acting was, as always, amazing. This is to be expected from Kim Go Eun. She has and will always be the star of this show. Kim Jae Won as Sin Sun Rok impressed me, though. I don’t think I was the only one who was surprised and a little apprehensive about his casting. He nailed it though. He really embodied his role. You could truly feel all his emotions, his exhaustion, his tiredness. I really appreciated how convincing he was, as an introvert who is daily fighting exhaustion myself.

Where this season fell slightly short was the romance. Yumi’s feelings for Sin Sun Rok felt a little unfounded at times. I understand that part of the premise was love taking one by surprise. Still, the feelings came somewhat out of the blue. I missed that sizzling chemistry, the feeling that here were two people who just had to be together. The relationship felt slightly rushed and less developed than the previous ones, despite being her final match. A lot of this comes down to the 8 episodes. With this season being so much shorter and them getting together rather late, we didn’t get to see all the layers and growth of the romance, which this format does exceptionally well. In the previous seasons, the characters got together quite early, and we got to see how the relationship evolved over time, all the little nuances of being with another person. This season was much more focused on the lead-up to the romance than the romance itself.

The cells were, as always, delightful, so funny and cute and insightful. It is hard not to love them. They did, however, feel slightly less integral to the story. While they were present, we didn’t get to see them navigate being in the relationship for long. All those small conflicts, as well as the romantic growth, were missing, which meant they didn’t get to shine in the same way.

That said, this season had many wonderful moments. The tiny throwbacks to other seasons were lovely. And while a new OST would have been awesome, the original is so strong that it felt nice to revisit. It is still my favorite soundtrack, and having it here felt more like a nod to the earlier seasons than a lack of a new one.

Overall, while this season felt a bit more rushed and less developed, it was a pure joy to watch. I may have come off a little critical, but that is only because the other seasons set such a high standard. Watching it, in many ways, helped me through the week and made me look forward to every single Monday.

It feels a little bittersweet to let go. I know I can always revisit the story, but finishing season three still held the feeling of a final goodbye. And so, goodbye Yumi. Thank you for everything. You meant a lot to me.

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trash

i skipped some parts so I didn't understand, ml fake personality meets falls for FML and the ml unaware of anything just completely ignore avoid her , so when meet again does same , I don't understand their work issue, so the work issue resolved and ml is not interested in her so FML decides to leave and at that time because the fake ml disrupt ml work many times he makes FML stay by his side I thought she will be just around or he will talk to her but he is treating her like slave , making her work under him , giving unnecessary work and then leaving her sleep on the floor seriously? i haven't seen a scene like this treating FML like shit ?

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great movie

My brother was a really touching movie. As someone who has started watching Korean films not long ago, I was surprised to see a very young Kim Hae Sook. I’m used to seeing her as the grandmother in the shows I’ve watched, so it was quite remarkable to discover older films and see the actors in their younger days.

The story beautifully represents brotherly love, illustrating how, despite fighting, you will always love your siblings even if you aren’t speaking to them.
I anticipated the sad moments, thinking they wouldn’t affect me, but the actors delivered their performances so well that I found myself crying nonstop. Also, I want to mention Shin Ha Kyun, who plays such compelling characters. Each time he appeared on screen, I was brought to tears, he is so good with delivering emotions though screen.

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Cooking show on Netflix say yes

I loved every bit of the show and this was no less than a thriller.

I am ecstatic to see cooking show / show about chefs being broadcasted in platforms like Netflix for the world to see. As a chef myself this was a proud moment for me. The show is something I have never seen before. It goes beyond a cooking competition. It's ruthless, it's exhausting, it makes you anxious. It makes you feel like you are there cooking and your life is at stake. Pulling something on this level with a cooking competition is insane. The first 2 episodes had me hold my breathes every time chef Ahn or Ched Paik came to judge the food. Each round were filled with a surprise. You thought it's over and they will come up with something even more jaw dropping than last time. The editing of the show made it even more enjoyable and thrilling, Not a single skippable moment. Koreans truly know how to make a show interesting.

What made this show even special is how all the competitors got to show a little bit of themselves along the lines which gave them a true identity. It was a wonderful watch and I hope this showcase more about culinary world.

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Cried a river and the ending left my jaw on the floor

When I first started this drama, I had no idea what the story was about. I was intrigued by the title and was completely taken by surprise by what unfolded. The story is both heartbreaking and empowering. Be prepared to have plenty of tissues on hand because this movie will make you cry every few minutes.

What struck me the most was that, despite receiving a terrible diagnosis and having only a few months to live, Futaba's main concern is her family and their future. She faces numerous challenges and goes beyond words to ensure they are prepared to live without her. I have always found it hard to understand how someone can be so selfless and love another person so deeply, putting them above oneself. Perhaps that’s what makes mothers incredible.

**Spoilers***

Another fascinating aspect is that all the characters represent different stages of Futaba's own life, and that's why she understands what they are going through. As a way to console her younger self, she attempts to give them what she never received herself.

Futaba was abandoned as a child, and her mother never came back for her, so she knows firsthand the pain of being left behind. When she married Sachino, whose wife left him with their daughter (Azumi), Futaba took Azumi in as her own and cared for her deeply, as if she were her own daughter. She never treated Azumi differently or let her or us suspect that she wasn’t her biological child; instead, she considered her as her own blood.

When the truth was revealed that Azumi was not her biological child, I was genuinely surprised by the depth of Futaba's love for her. Seeing how much she pushed Azumi to be strong and loved her, it was impossible to even imagine they are not blood-tied. At the same time, she empathized with Azumi's mother's situation, which is why she made sure Azumi learned sign language so they could communicate if Azumi ever wanted to reach out to her biological mother. This act of love deeply touched me and made me realize how much Futaba must have loved Azumi to endure the pain of letting her learn sign language for that possible future encounter.

Not only did Futaba give unwavering love to Azumi, but she also encouraged Azumi to be strong and stand tall against those who were abusing her. She helped her understand that when problems come, she should not hide but stand tall to face a difficult situation with confidence and dignity.

When Azumi's biological father left her and Azumi, she could have walked away since Azumi was not her biological child, but she chose to stay and endure immense pain. When she encountered her husband again and learned he had another child, she welcomed that child, who was also abandoned by her biological mother, into her home, offering her the same love and care she had given Azumi because she understood what it meant to be neglected.

Another story that struck me is when she met backpacker Takumi, who also experienced neglect and was a lost child. She recognized in him a hurt kid, and when she embraced him like a mother, she gave him something he likely never received. She offered him purpose and encouraged him to return to see her, giving him that sense of being wanted.

So each one of them goes through things Futaba herself experienced, and rather than let them be alone in pain, she tries to help them overcome those difficult feelings and guide them to overcome it all.

It is incredibly touching to witness Futaba’s unwavering effort to help everyone around her, even as she prepares them to live independently after her passing. It breaks my heart to know that she is helping them heal their traumas and become self-sufficient so that the transition is less painful when she is gone. This, too, is an expression of love that I could not comprehend.

Something remarkable about the story is how family can go beyond blood ties. Despite being the least connected person by blood to those around her, Futaba loves them more than many biological parents love their children. She is an example of how, truly, a mother’s love is beyond words.

This movie was profoundly moving and painful; I cried a river while watching it. Even now, reflecting on it brings tears to my eyes. It's probably one of the best pieces of screenwriting I’ve seen in a while, and it’s no wonder it received so much recognition.

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Could have had it all

It's such a shame that this series had a lot of potential yet was ruined because of the lack of GMMTvs effort to actually make a BL crime thriller. Still a good show to watch but the bar was set too high since pilot and they definitely didn't meet it.

The plot was fantastic but it couldn't be shown properly in the series. The plot twists were 50/50 predictable however when it actually happened my jaw dropped. This was the perfect dark plot for GMMTVs suppose pivotal crime BL but it lacked depth. The screenwriting was filled with so much of side quest than the actual murder mystery which ruined the thrill for those who wanted this to be more than just a romance BL. The characters lacked depth which made them just a plot machine. I couldn't feel bad for any victim, I couldn't feel much anger either when the truths started to come up, for any of the characters for that. The screen writing really failed the murder mystery.

The direction was not fit for a dark themed BL. The focus went too much on the couple rather than the case. The romance should have acted more like an envelop to the murder mystery and should have been integrated more in scenes where they were investigating rather than always having completely separate scenes. Jade and Kamin were supposed to be co-workers first and then fell in love. Their falling in love should have happened parallelly while they work together. The cinematography was not bad, that being said the color grading and sound engineering did save the "mystery" aspect of the drama. Even though it should have kept the darker essence we saw in the pilot.

Acting wise this is second best to Style for Dunk's career. He actually improved a lot and this is coming from a complainer. He actually became Kamin. Joong always slays his role with his versatility and facial expressions. Pahn is such a stunner. She will go far. I just love bad boy Chimon character so much. He is one of those actors in GMMTV that can be a villain or a victim any day. Especially have to mention Ashi for his incredible acting. Made me want to punch his face. Aungpao, with less screen time left an impactful show. I have always loved Earn's acting. She really brought her character to real life. For Sing, really nothign to say, a veteran indeed. And lastly June, her eyes talk, brilliant acting. The acting really saved this series for me.

Honestly it's not bad, there are worse mystery series than this. It's just disappointing because this should have been Joong Dunk's break through to the world if the show was done correctly. Still worth giving it a try

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Watch the magic of Earth/Mix's first BL

PLOT: Tian, ​​a wealthy young man with myocarditis, lives and parties as if he could die tomorrow. One night, he collapses and miraculously receives a heart transplant from Torfun. Torfun, a volunteer teacher in a mountain village (and in one-side-love with the Chief), has just been hit by a car. Seven months later, Tian, ​​wanting his new life to be meaningful, learns who his donor is and decides to continue what she couldn't finish by becoming a volunteer teacher in the village himself. The adjustment is difficult, but Tian gradually wins the affection of the children, the villagers, and the Chief.

+++ Earth & Mix are two great, brilliant actors—beautiful, subtle, and emotional—with instant and magical chemistry, even though they don't touch each other. Kudos!
+++ Excellent overall cast, with a very young Khaotung :)
+++ High-quality production, with magnificent scenery, good pacing, and well-maintained suspense.
+++ Excellent OST

BUT: The writing, good in the first part, falters afterward:

### Why hide Torfun's death from the villagers and children?
### How can the doctor so easily obtain confidential information (donor's name, license plate number of the car that caused the accident, etc.)?
### Episode 8, in particular, makes no sense: the villagers' reaction, and even more so the Chief's, is nonsensical. The writers tried to inject drama where it wasn't necessary. It's a shame!

### Just an ending kiss ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´(00)`ﾟ)ﾟ｡

=> One of the best BLs, thanks to the magic of Earth-Mix (1 of my favorite ships)...

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1ere BL de Earth / Mix

PLOT: Tian, jeune homme riche avec myocardite, vit/fait la fête comme s'il pouvait mourir demain. Il s'évanouit un soir, et bénéficie miraculeusement du don de coeur de Torfun. Celle-ci, enseignante volontaire ds 1 village de montagne (et one-side-lover du Chief) vient d'être renversée par 1 voiture. 7 mois + tard, Tian, qui veut que sa nvelle vie soit utile, apprend qui est sa donneuse, et décide de poursuivre ce qu'elle n'a pas pu achever en devenant à son tour, enseignant volontaire ds le village. L'adaptat° est difficile, mais Tian se fait peu à peu aimer des enfants, des villageois, et du Chief.

+++ Earth & Mix sont 2 super acteurs, beaux, subtiles, émotionnels, avec une alchimie instantanée et magique même s'ils ne se touchent pas. Kudos !.
+++ TB cast général, avec la présence de Khaotung tout jeune :)
+++ Réalis° de qualité, avec des paysages magnifiques, du rythme, un suspense bien mené.
+++ Excellentes OSTs

MAIS : L'écriture, bonne ds la 1e partie, se perd ensuite:
### Pourquoi cacher aux villageois et aux enfants, la mort de Torfun ?
### Comment le docteur peut-il avoir si facilement des informations confidentielles (nom du donneur, n° de la voiture ayant causé l'accident, etc.)
### L'ép. 8, en particulier, n'a pas de sens : la réaction des villageois et plus encore celle du Chief, est un non-sens. Les writers ont voulu mettre du drame là où il n'était pas nécessaire. C'est dommage !
### Just an ending kiss ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´(00)`ﾟ)ﾟ｡

=> Une des meilleures BL, grâce au duo Earth-Mix (1 de mes fav ships) ...

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