Reviews

a breath of fresh BL air

This Japanese BL drama is exactly the kind of comfort watch that leaves you smiling long after the credits roll. It strikes a perfect balance between sweetness and emotional tension, making every episode easy to enjoy while still keeping you invested in the characters.

What makes the series work so well is the chemistry between Ryo and Zen. Their relationship develops through subtle glances, playful rivalry, and unspoken feelings, allowing the attraction to grow naturally rather than being forced. The inner conflict between the two characters and their agony of confessing their love through the years. The story takes familiar romantic tropes and presents them with the understated charm that Japanese dramas often do best.

The blend of lighthearted humor and heartfelt drama kept me hooked from beginning to end. Watching their feelings evolve from their high school days into something deeper creates many genuinely giddy moments that pull you into their world. The romance feels sincere, and the kisses are beautifully executed—not staged for fan service, but filled with tenderness and believable emotion.

The performances are another highlight. Both actors bring warmth and authenticity to their roles, making it easy to root for them as individuals and as a couple. Their chemistry elevates every scene they share.

Fake Fact Lips is one of those rare series I would happily rewatch. Like Revenge Love, its charm lies in telling a complete story in a single season. Rather than stretching the magic across multiple projects, it leaves behind a memorable romance that feels complete, heartfelt, and worth revisiting.

And the theme song “Dareyori Sukinanoni” sang by the lead actors Kaito Hori and Yusuke Sato is pure golden it’s on my playlist. Depicting the agonizing inner conflict loving and losing a good friend when he confesses his

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Incredibly heavy and deeply disturbing, but powerful

Story:"Silenced" is a movie that leaves you completely speechless. It deals with extremely dark, heavy, and frustrating topics, and the fact that it is based on a true story makes it even more devastating to watch. The plot is gripping but highly uncomfortable. It's the kind of film that makes you feel furious and sad at the same time, to the point where it's hard to even know what to think after the credits roll.Acting/Cast:The acting is phenomenal, which actually makes the movie even harder to watch. Gong Yoo and Jung Yu-mi gave incredible performances, but the child actors completely stole the show. They portrayed the pain and trauma so realistically that it felt painfully genuine.Music/Rewatch Value:The sound design and music do a great job of building the tense, suffocating atmosphere. However, the rewatch value is extremely low. This is definitely a one-time watch because of how heavy and upsetting the subject matter is.Conclusion:It is an excellent, high-quality film, but it requires a very strong stomach. If you are looking for something light or entertaining, skip this. But if you want a powerful social drama that stays with you for a long time, it is worth a watch.

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As Beautiful As Xing Xing

I didn’t like the first 1-4 episodes, but after that, the show starts, and once the show starts, the show starts.
I just finished it, and I already miss them all. Insane chemistry. Actually insane. The way they look at each other, smile at each other, and the body language is so natural that I was tempted to Google if they were dating while they filmed this (I didn't). Their chemistry literally holds up the roof over their heads, and at many points, the show’s head. Their sneaked glances at each other, the compromises they made… so realistic, really. It was like when two people really like each other, and there are differences, but they really just want it to work. I really appreciate the imperfection and the effort.
A small thing, I love how he drives her to work even if he doesn’t need to, because quality time, you know?

I hated the way he talked at the start, gosh. I thought it would never end. But it did! Hallelujah! Thank God for change. I thought I would drop it over that, but with this show, patience really pays off. I loved the side of her he brought out; it was mischievous, slightly stubborn and playful, and I liked that it was quite different from how she was in her first relationship, because different people bring out different parts of you.

Anyway, Xing Xing is just so so so breathtakingly beautiful, his fixation is totally valid lol. She’s FOINNNEE damn. She'd smile, and I’d see him thinking damn, she’s so fine, and I’d be like damn right she is!!!!!! It’s just insane how beautiful she is.

Enjoyable and easy watch about relationships mixed with work issues. Exactly the sort of show I love to watch. At the end of the show, it feels like you’ve gone through a lot with these guys. A whole life with them. I really liked how, after they'd spent some more time together, you could see how much they'd changed. She, more than he, because of the subject matter. She'd go around sounding like a mini him about business deals. He always looked amused and proud. His amusement seemed mischievous, so it was really particularly funny. He also became so much warmer; it was so nice! It's just something you see in real couples, too, and I liked the attention the writer and directors paid to such details.

The writing is good. There's sufficient character development that explains why and how things move forward the way they do, and the actors delivered this spectacularly, the main characters especially (as their part is so big here). Han Ting and Xing Xing are legitimately real people in this performance. Xu Kai really did great with emoting his eyes here. The character doesn't always say what he's thinking, but also isn't always trying to hide what he's thinking and sometimes is, and he really does it so well here. I've never seen Song Yun miss. She's fantastic as usual. There are a few amazing shots of them observing each other that I really appreciated. They just last a few seconds each, and I feel that these shots just hold the moments so well. The shots showed confusion, uncertainty, happy disbelief, awe, appreciation, pensiveness, trepidation, quiet joy, quiet support, worry, hope, mischief, contentment, peace with their choices ... I really felt that those shots allowed us to put ourselves in their shoes for a moment and watch how two separate lives slowly became quite intertwined. Of course, those shots wouldn't feel so great without great acting on the characters' parts. Their eyes said all these things. The angle of the shots just elevated that.

The side stories were nice enough. Sometimes, bestfriend #2's situation dragged a bit too long, but it was charming enough that it was mostly fine.

The end really is satisfying and worth the wait. Anyway, I’ll miss my beautiful babe, because I don’t know if Han Ting knows, but we were in this relationship together 😂

It's definitely a show to watch for enjoyment and brain-sort-of-off activities (if not, ML will frustrate you to bits at first). It was fun and had its funny moments here and there. Nothing too serious, but nothing annoyingly unserious.

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Beautiful but heavily slow-paced and sad

Story:The premise of "Taste and Tears" is very poetic and emotional, dealing with loneliness, promises, and long-lost connections. However, the plot moves way too slowly. While the emotional weight is definitely there, it often felt draggy and a bit boring. It is a very sad and heavy movie, so you have to be in the right mood to watch it.Acting/Cast:The actors did a great job portraying the deep loneliness and longing of their characters. The emotions felt raw and genuine.Music/Rewatch Value:The soundtrack fits the melancholic vibe perfectly. However, because it's so slow and depressing, I don’t think I would watch it a second time.Conclusion:If you appreciate beautiful cinematography and bittersweet, slow-paced stories, you will enjoy this. It's a nice, pretty movie, but it requires a lot of patience.

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"Hatred is a creature with sharp teeth that bites when you least expect it"

Trinity of Shadows is a misnomer. This drama was more shadow than light, with far more sides than three. Nearly everyone was walking around with their personal pain bubble eating away at them. Not your typical serial killer story, but not always coherently laid out either.

Hsu Tzu Wei is a no-nonsense squad captain with a dark past. She unleashes hell on any man that dares to bully or harm a woman. Chen Chia Hao has been on the force for three years, he harbors dark secrets that motivate him to investigate. Yang Chi Hsiao is a city councilor running for re-election. Despite his constant battle against corruption, he too, hides a painful secret. A closed case links the three with a dangerous presence who has plans for all of them.

This drama had plenty of twists and turns, slowly unfolded to keep the audience in the dark. All the major characters who graced the screen were in desperate need of therapy. There was no soft place for any of them to land, and instead of seeking out healthy relationships they were drawn to each other like a magnet to steel. Impulse control was in short supply to be sure. The bad guy pulling all the strings desperately wanted someone to blame but never looked inward to see his own role in his self-destruction.

I don’t want to go into the story or even my praise or concerns too much so as not to spoil anything. By the tenth episode it did feel like the script was running off the rails. The scenarios became more convoluted. Not that I’m against that, as the melodrama and pain levels were ramped up to impossible levels by the last shot. I would have preferred a few more questions answered and the ending to be clearer so that I didn’t have to go back and watch it twice. I don’t think I’ve ever watched a drama filled with so many overtly traumatized characters suffering from deeply festering hatred. Just like dead bodies-that hatred was bound to come to the surface just when they thought it was dead and buried.

22 June 2026
Trigger Warnings:
Sexual situations. A rather graphically implied sexual assault that was disturbing. Again, heavily suggested by word and camera angles--hacked up bodies. Smoking. Suicide. Torture. Drug use. Sex workers.

Major Spoiler Comments Below:



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Seriously, major spoilers below









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Abandon all hope if you have not watched this drama





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Finally warning----







Through the whole drama I really worried that Hsu would end up being the killer from 23 years ago. But even after the final scenes, Yang seemed convinced her mom did it. Hsu was willing to turn herself in for Dong’s death (why????? He was a murderer, stalker, and was threatening them) and have her mom turn herself in for the murder 23 years ago. The mom left after the murder instead of staying with Hsu or taking her to Hong Kong with her which would have seemed more logical if Hsu had been the killer.

Hsu and Yang had to move into the godforsaken house because the body was buried in the yard. Talk about eternal torment. I also wondered if her mom was underground as well, but guess she got an Uber out of the house before the cops arrived, or more likely Dong’s car. Whose pink purse did Hsu throw away? I didn’t see anyone carry it in the present or past. Who wants to bet that Hsu and Yang either end up a double suicide or a murder-suicide? Or she’s institutionalized because it looked like she C-r-a-c-k-e-d. Yang kept yammering on like nothing was wrong. These people were very good at burying bodies and feelings.

And finally, not sure Chen Chia Hao should have been listed as a main character since he was off-screen after episode 10. Talk about burying feelings and bodies! Liu Kuan Ting is only 2 years younger than Sandrine Pinna, why did she keep referring to him as a kid instead of just rookie? Everyone has their kink---Chen hooked up with sex workers, Hsu and Yang always seemed to do the deed in front of windows.

This was one dark, demented drama with several killers. Who could ever look at a suitcase the same way?

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Unique plot and loved the acting

It was a nice watch I have to say. I don’t usually watch horror kdrama and I only watched this one cause it got viral and I think it was worth it. The friend group was solid and I loved the bond the characters shared in the beginning. Nari was kinda annoying ngl and whether she survived or not is unclear. Seah’s and Geonwoo’s relationship is also really sweet and the series does well with showing how much he cares about her. The apps backstory is my fav part tho. The friendship between Siwon and Hyeryung in the begging is really strong but slowly falls apart cause of Siwon’s mum and it’s kinda sad. From the moment Siwon didn’t delete Hyeryung’s wish video I knew betrayal was coming and when it did I felt how much Siwon was hurt. Overall really nice drama and like I said the acting was top tier I highly recommend

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Good work to Jae Yeung and Soo Young!

This drama dives into the complex nature of an idol and fan relationship from deep rooted reasons to support someone from a place of love and support to crossing the threshold of obsession (not FL). It makes us reflect on how we show our support and admiration for others, question who we and others really are behind closed doors, and the nature of one's actions vs. their true intent. Is it genuine or is it all a façade?

Additionally, this story highlights the realistic and dark reality of the entertainment industry. The obsessive, stalking, and even aggressive so called fans bringing terror, fear, and anxiety towards individuals to the point of desperation to be recognized as the "biggest" fan and for the idol, desperation to be seen as a normal human being with both ends of the stick getting to a breaking point. Ultimately no one owes anything to anyone else regardless of their career, and especially if it's in the public eye. Unfortunately not everyone understands this concept and will "support" with misdirected entitlement.

In the end, it was nice to see the leads find support and solace in each other despite their rocky road together from beginning to end.

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Boring

The concept sounded fun. I love fake dating/ shared living dynamics - I thought they would use the living together and falling in love trope more, but there wasn't really any of that at all. It's a shame because it would have made it a bit more fun and watchable. I like Choi Woo Shik, which is one of the main reasons I started watching the drama, but I felt like his character and most of the others were kind of flat. The only one who actually made me feel something was the stupid cheating husband, who filled me with rage and disgust everytime he appeared on screen. I don't know if the script was meant to be life like? But I found it very boring to watch, the last few episodes especially, I had to skip parts of them because I could barely get through them. Oh and the kissing scenes, like come on girl what is that?

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Maybe it's me but I don't understand

Seriously I don't understand the plot. Okay it's a story about reincarnation but I really don't understand all the plot behind the fusion between Seori and Dashim.
I mean the story started really well with a great potential but at a certain point it became madness. Somehow the 2 team leads saved the show thanks to their chemistry and facial microexpression. Also when Segye get injured at the end it was commissioned by Mundo or no? Like i said this was another hole in the plot.
Not talking about the girl from the troupe: why she was so mad about Seori? A lot of questions and zero response

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Double Helix (2026) — A Review of Emotional Extremes, Misunderstanding, and Healing

I rarely find myself writing reviews this long, but Double Helix is not the kind of drama you simply finish and move on from. It stays with you. It makes you pause, rethink, argue with yourself, and sometimes even change your own conclusions mid-way through the story.

I did not expect Double Helix to mess with my emotions this much. I thought I was just starting another BL drama. Something to pass time. Something emotional, maybe a little toxic, maybe a little cute. But this drama? It did not let me breathe. It made me pause episodes. It made me angry. It made me defend characters. Then it made me hate them again. Then somehow… it made me understand them. And I am still recovering from that emotional damage.

For me, this drama was an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end. I went from loving the characters, to being frustrated with them, to questioning their choices, to completely rejecting the direction of the story, and finally to understanding it in a completely different light.

There were moments I loved Lu Feng. There were moments I hated him. There were moments I sympathized with him, and moments I could not justify anything he was doing. The same applied to Xiao Chen. My feelings toward both characters kept shifting constantly, and that instability is exactly what made the drama so engaging.

At first glance, Double Helix presents itself as a romance story between two people with a complicated past who are forced back into each other’s lives. Their chemistry is immediate, intense, and emotionally charged. There is a strong sense of unfinished history between them, and that alone pulls the viewer in.

However, as the story develops, it becomes clear that this is not a simple romance. It is a story about emotional dependence, fear of abandonment, misunderstanding, and the struggle to love someone while dealing with personal instability and unresolved trauma.

One of the strongest aspects of the drama is the relationship dynamic between Lu Feng and Xiao Chen. They do not love each other in a calm or predictable way. Their love is intense, reactive, and often painful. It feels like both of them are constantly trying to hold on while also pushing each other away at the same time.

As I continued watching, especially around Episodes 8 to 10, my frustration reached its peak. I remember clearly reaching a point where I stopped trying to understand the relationship and simply formed my own conclusion: that this relationship could not work, and that Xiao Chen should walk away completely.

At that stage, I genuinely felt that the story was repeating cycles of emotional damage without resolution. I was angry, confused, and exhausted by the constant push and pull between the characters. I remember thinking that I already knew how the story would end, and that no explanation could justify what I was watching anymore.

But then Episodes 11 and 12 changed everything.

Episode 11 introduced a turning point that completely shifted the emotional direction of the story. Instead of simply continuing the cycle of misunderstanding, the characters were finally forced into moments of reflection and distance. For the first time, there was space to breathe, and that space allowed emotions that had been buried under conflict to resurface in a more honest way.

Episode 12, in particular, reframed almost everything I had previously judged harshly.

What I had interpreted as pure emotional chaos earlier in the story began to look more like fear, miscommunication, and unresolved internal struggle. Lu Feng, who I had previously seen as overwhelmingly difficult and sometimes unbearable, began to make more sense as a character dealing with emotional instability that even he struggled to understand or control.

Xiao Chen, on the other hand, also became more complex in my eyes. His actions, which I had earlier criticized heavily, started to look like the behavior of someone torn between emotional attachment and self-preservation.

By the time I reached the final episodes, I was no longer watching the story with anger. I was watching it with understanding.

One of the most powerful moments for me was seeing how silence, small gestures, and simple expressions carried more emotional weight than dialogue. There were scenes where a single look between the characters communicated more than entire conversations.

Even the moments of reconciliation felt different after Episode 11. They were no longer just emotional scenes meant for intensity. They felt like fragile attempts at healing, like two people slowly learning how to exist in the same emotional space without destroying each other.

I also have to mention the secondary relationship in the story. Qin Lang and Yi Chen stood in contrast to the main couple. Their dynamic felt more stable, more grounded, and more emotionally balanced. Qin Lang in particular felt like a calming presence throughout the story, offering a different perspective on what love can look like when it is not constantly driven by fear or conflict.

The acting across the entire series deserves special praise. There were moments where expressions alone carried entire emotional arcs. The performances felt natural, raw, and deeply connected to the characters they were portraying.

By the end of the drama, my perspective had completely changed from where I started.

At Episode 10, I had already formed a final judgment about the story and the relationship. I believed I understood exactly where everything was going, and I had emotionally detached myself from expecting a positive resolution.

But Episodes 11 and 12 challenged that conclusion completely.

Instead of confirming my assumptions, the story forced me to revisit them. It made me question whether I had been too quick to judge the characters based on their worst moments rather than their full emotional journey.

By the time the drama concluded, I was no longer focused on who was right or wrong in the relationship. I was more focused on whether they could heal, and whether understanding could eventually replace misunderstanding.

That shift is what made Double Helix stand out for me.

It is not just a romance story. It is a story about emotional extremes, misunderstandings, personal struggle, and the difficult process of learning how to love someone without losing yourself.

Overall, Double Helix left a strong impression on me. It frustrated me, confused me, challenged me, and eventually made me reflect deeply on the nature of relationships and perception itself.

It is not a simple drama to watch casually. It is a drama that makes you feel too much, think too much, and reconsider your own conclusions more than once.

And in the end, that is exactly what made it memorable.

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Instantly hooked - you will be too!

June 22, 2026
For those who are conflicted about watching this excellently executed Comedy /Drama…., don’t be. THERE IS NO ROMANCE. **

Eight episodes in and all I can say is WOW! Lee Jun Young is perfect as 70 year-old Chairman Kang in Hwang Jun Hyeon’s 20-something body. There is no question that we are watching old Chairman Kang in action. LJU is just that convincing embodying Kang’s entire personae right down to his posture, furrowed brow, incredulous stares, outbursts of anger, and raspy, older man’s voice. The supporting characters equally great, especially the main villain, Kang Jae Gyeong, who is supported by other equally great villains, brother Jae Seong, his wife Na Eun Se and her father Chairman Na. The way the story is going, I’m expecting a fully satisfying, suspenseful remaining four episodes.

This drama is hilarious and at the same time intense and suspenseful - all while showcasing the consequences of the decisions one makes in their three score and ten (+/-) years on this earth. Among other questions Reborn Rookie asks: What is the true definition of success and What is the true measure of a person?

** The chairman’s youngest daughter, Kang Bang Geul, is understandably confused about her feelings over this young, handsome, smart, fearless intern, but the infolding events and her overall goals keep her from focusing in that direction for too long at a time. And along the way, Chairman Kang, who underestimated the daughter he loves, gives her plenty to dislike about Intern Hwang Jun Hyeon..

I can’t give it a 10 rating yet as there are 4 more episode to go. But if it ends as well as it has been going so far, I’ll up my rating.

7/6/2026

Reborn Rookie was a great, suspense filled dramadie with exciting twists all the way to the end. The much needed, truly funny comedy and pacing remained consistent for the duration. It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat every episode. The last two episodes brought everything to a satisfying conclusion allowing me, anyway, to say goodbye to these great characters - knowing the protagonists endured much and came out better people than when they began while all the villains got their just ‘rewards’.

This was a story was about Chairman Kang more than it was about Hwang Jun Hyeon. It was subtle but still noticeable when, after the body switchback, Lee Jun Young’s presence diminished for a bit so we could see Chairman Kang’s character arc come full circle. Sans his daughter’s well earned demise, it was the ending the Chairman Kang was hoping for where things could be reset for him. his family, and Choiseong.

He truly, deeply lamented over his mistakes as a father accepting his role in how his daughter came to her current state. Still loving her as his own flesh and blood, he offered her an olive branch to turn things back. And again, his love for her caused him to literally risk his own life for hers in the end. He was relieved (unable to find the right word here) in learning Jae Seong had finally found his conscience. He was humbled by and felt undeserving of Bang Geul’s unconditional love for him.

Each parallel between Kang and Hwang taught Kang more about himself. He experienced, and I believe realized the life he could have had in his own family, the simple but loving life Hyeon had with his spunky and fully alert grandmother. Looking at all Jun Hyeon’s awards and shirts in his tiny, cheap flat, Kang had to have seen Hyeon as similar to himself. A young man, laser-focused on giving everything he had, daily, to achieve his dream of being the next Messi or Ronaldo. Over the many times he pulled out that crumpled cashiers check, we watched how he came to understand and grieve over Jun Hyeon’s permanent loss of his soccer carrer and the depth of what that loss meant to him.

Even though not a hard man to his employees, Kang became even more empathetic in general giving the reigns of Choiseong to the deserving Lee Jae Sang and Bang Geul.

I enjoyed seeing Jun Hyeon’s real charming and respectful, and out of his element, personality after the switchback. What a contrast to Chairman Kang’s personality and LJY made us believe in that contrast.

Bang Geul was tough, sharp, and no nonsense on the outside but beautifully soft hearted on the inside. How clever of the writers to show how Jun Hyeon got to know Bang Geul while he was in Chairman Kang’s unconscious body!!! Viewers would have fun filling in the blanks of what probably transpired between them over the next 2-years. I’m sure that would make a great story in and of itself.

I loved Materials Team Mgr Park all throughout the drama. He brought balance in both funny and serous moments.
Lee Jae Sang was the mainstay to all the chaos. Both Lee and Kang were mutually true and loyal friends in life and in business who shared the same goals for Choiseong. Kang in Hyeon’s body could not have accomplished his goal for Choiseong without Lee.

Cho Sun Hui - the woman who loved and supported the Chairman, his children and grandchildren. This love and a healthy positive attitude about life in general allowed her to maintain her dignity throughout all that was thrown at her.

Kang Jae Gyeong - the one you love to hate, although it was sad watching her spiral. She couldn’t accept her father’s olive branch. She was in too deep because, psychologically, she had lost touch with reality itself. It’s no wonder she lost her mind.

Kang Jae Seong - from the beginning he had a shred, just a shred, of decency. But…, he was salvageable if he wanted to be and thankfully he was. He was finally able to embark on becoming the man he wanted to be.

Chairman Na - no hope for a man steeped in and blinded by his own self importance.

Na Eun Se - what a selfish, misappropriated life.

Min Seok Do - what was he thinking when he married Jae Gyeong? Thankfully he was honorable to his profession and to his father-in-law. He loved his wife (at least we think he did) but he couldn’t let her evil intentions succeed.

At the point of the story, the two grandsons owed their upbringing to their step grandmother, Cho Sun Hui, not to their parents.

To the Reborn Rookie cast: You each were so perfect for your characters. We couldn’t see you, we saw them, and loved and hated each one of you respectively! WELL DONE!

Can you tell how much I liked Reborn Rookie? I upped my rating to 10/10. As this drama unfolded, I can’t see any significant flaws. The OST was great and will be playing it again many times. I’ll be rewatching RR again.

If there’s a second season we will have to wait a few years since Lee Jun Young’s military service begins this month. Best wishes to you.

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I could watch them in any and every universe

Please skip this if you're looking 4 an actual review. This isn't quite that. It's largely just me gushing about my love for this show.

Hagiwara Riku and Yagi Yusei make me wish that Japan did official ships like Thailand does (and that their TV BL industry was just as big). Ever since I stumbled upon the series about 3 years ago, I have made time to rewatch it at least once a year.

I'm not a show rewatcher like that. 9.9 times out of 10, I fill in the rewatch value rating coz MDL demands it; otherwise, I cannot publish my little drama reviews. So, yes, this story holds a very special place in my heart. No matter how many times I watch it, and know what will happen next, I still find myself craving a rewatch and end up glued to my screen.

Not only are the two actors phenomenal, but their chemistry... Holy Jesus🔥🔥. I like how complex the characters in this story are. What you think is at first, isn't, and the more you peel off the layers of these people, the more you uncover their flaws, their vulnerabilities, and start to fall in love with their complicated love story.

Now on to my thoughts about this Special Edit Version:

💓I think it's edited rather well to fit the movie's length. Some scenes were cut while others were added, likely to make the story flow better. Some of those extended parts (scenes and extra narrations) also allowed you to get a better glimpse of what these characters are thinking. I believe this helps you understand them and their motivations better than in the series

💓The cinematography and subtitles - I think this is what I enjoyed most about this version. Both were a lot better, actually leagues above those of the 1st seaon of the drama.

If you do not have the time to spend on the series, I say you can just watch this version, and you will understand the story just as well. However, if you have the time, watch both. Start with the 6 episodes of the 1st season, then come watch this.

Now, allow me to go daydream, yet again, about the magic that Hagiwara Riku and Yagi Yusei would weave together if they were an official pair and were handed some good scripts with beautifully complex characters

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