Reviews

Maturing beyond the moment

I love the maturity of the plot, how it was handled and the bravery of the actors to portray a different perspective.

Akira and Kanata bond over their ability to connect though polar opposites in every aspect. Their only similarity is that they are both great at deflecting. One with a smile and the other with cold silence. The glue holding them together is honesty, really listening and no judgment. Though Kanata says he doesn't understand what Kanata says most of the time, he usually gets it right. He sees beyond.

Both in pain, they react differently to past hurts. Kanata pushes the thought of playing football away out of fear. He has a supportive family, but jealousy and comparing himself to his brother, he pushes them away. Akira, retreats further inward from the fear of being ostracized for his sexuality and no one at home gives him the attention and reassurance he needs.

Akira being a loner doesn't speak about his situation to his family. His brother, busy with his life, doesn't connect with him. The only one who takes the time is the tutor.

From the onset my perception of the tutor was never a predator but someone who was lost as much as Akira was. At the beginning when their relationship developed, Akira was bullied and lost to his sexuality. The tutor changed that and made him accept himself. In ep 4 or 5, he asks Akira, what does he want. Akira chose to continue. Ep 6, he willingly steps back. Here he pushes the brother to act as one, admits his immaturity but Akira accepts the role he played because that is what held him together when he needed someone. Even at the end, he asks Akira if their meeting is okay for him.

The age of consent in Japan is 16. Senior high school age is between 15 - 18. Akira is moving into his final year. I'm supposing there is a 3-5 yr difference between them. I would have preferred that the actor used would have appeared closer in age physically rather than older. In his work attire he looks closer to 25-28.

The reality is that there are situations where this type of situation is not favorable and there are predators waiting to take advantage. Is this acceptable? No. The caregivers, parents, 'friends' who alienate the person to seek solace elsewhere should also bear the burden.

I was happy when Kanata took charge and steered their relationship differently. Kanata's acceptance of his football prospects, he comes to terms with his brother's superior abilities and chooses what's best.

The pacing a bit slow and the dialogue was mature even for their age group. Kanata's friends a truly supportive band. Their ending landing perfectly though a bit predictable.

It's a very rewarding watch.

Read More

A Timeless Classic Masterpiece, my ahh

The K-drama started off as a high-potential series with an epic main lead and his tragic backstory, and he was the core reason for me to continue through this hogwash. First of all, it’s so dang slow to begin with. The plot takes forever to even get interesting. Yes, things happen, but after a lot of repetitive, typical incidents. They keep showing you flashbacks of the unknown past and you feel like dang this is going to be interesting. Seeing the main lead suffer so much I even decided I would nominate this as the Berserk (Manga) of Kdramas at some point. And they keep you waiting, hooked up… until you reach the last episodes and expect the utter disappointment you WERE HOPING IT DOESN’T HAPPEN. In my case, I kept giving it chances until and until the very end of episodes, only for the drama to let me down severely.

Nothing really ‘that’ interesting happens for a long time, and even when something does happen, you are bound to feel zero emotional connection to any of the casts except the main lead. He is the only human there. The main lead is just made to go around and suffer through many painful incidents and you fall in love with his character and you are able to understand anything he does. On the other hand, you are forced to watch the “oh so much drama” of the other casts, who make every decision based on their weird, childish emotions and can’t use their own logic or common sense. They live by the time and what’s happening right now without any consideration about what it will lead to. (nothing against the actors; it’s just that the pacing and casting are terrible). The main actress acts entirely based on her emotions in each situation. She doesn’t feel guilty enough for all the wrong things she continues to do to the main lead, and he just warmly welcomes her back later. Unacceptable man wtf. Even the ending is very stupid and makes you feel like it was a grand waste of time to watch. The main lead was actually written well but ended up being too good for his own good. I pitied the main lead as he is somewhat desperately stuck in a loop to receive just any form of real love. But he had to engage with a girl who betrayed him many times for her childhood love despite his countless hidden sacrifices. The same main lead who saved her so many times, and she later does what? Tries to fund him with her sex appeal cuz she thinks that's what he wants. Man, talk about “romance”. What did bro expect from such a senseless woman?

I have nothing against the music, but the way they kept placing the overdramatic music just anywhere made it feel oversaturated. There aren’t even deeply affecting scenes enough that fit with the music. Because again, not enough scenes that hit you emotionally. So why try to make it seem so overdramatic with the music? As a music enthusiast, that’s a letdown for me.

This drama is only for those who either seek cheap melodrama just because it’s a “classic” or want a rollercoaster of negative emotions. I can’t understand how the people who love this drama define “love”. The main lead reminds you a lot of Guts from Berserk but is surrounded by brain-dead people, where he can’t even find a place of comfort, except maybe in his grave. However, in this drama, the Casca turned out to be the Casca who continues loving Griffith despite the type of crap he is ready to do only for his own selfish self. The main actress believes she knows what love is but is actually just obsessed or infatuated for the time being, and doesn’t even care about the main lead truly until she “is reaffirmed”, “accidentally” about the amount of time the main lead has left to live, despite the amount of times she had heard from him directly that he is gonna freaking die. I think the 2nd female lead deserves more spotlight and should’ve continued loving the main lead even after what happened because she is not worse than the main lead. Heck, even the first love who betrayed the main lead came back at some point leaving what she loved - money.

Personal opinion, but I believe only people who are into toxic trauma bonding are going to love this. Full of toxic people and their toxic relationship, and there’s just a guy trying to find a normal bond, whereas when he thinks he found it, he still didn’t. People who watch such K-dramas and say, “Oh, I love this drama, one of the best,” are definitely not happy in their own relationships if they think love functions like this. Old-school? People used to like these genres? That kinda explains why most people don’t know what true love is today. Acting so impulsively and frequently letting miscommunication take place on purpose cuz of silly emotions as every cast did is not normal, yall. (Muhyeok is forgivable in all manners) Only overly emotional people are going to like such shows.

Just one piece of advice for new watchers who want to hold on to their sanity: most things that are popular are often popular due to hype and are watched by mainstream average viewers, and such shows only offer what satisfies that audience. The majority are going to be happy with cheap melodrama or entertainment. Depending on how much you value your time, you might prefer to skip this one if you’re into rare gems rather than “gold.” Please do yourself a favor and don’t get too excited to watch this after reading average positive comments.

I wouldn't rewatch it, wouldn't recommend it, and the only reason of a decent rating of acting is for Muh-yeok. Pretty uncommon for a kdrama to have such a main lead.

Read More

A work of art: the title alone feels thoughtful, symbolic, and tied to the characters’ journey

Fascinating. Impeccable. Intense, yet somehow restrained. There are honestly too many adjectives that could describe this show. It’s a low-budget series that somehow delivers high production quality, and it absolutely earns a high rating for such an impressive job well done.
Set in the 1980s within the iconic Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong, the story already starts with a rich backdrop that is layered, gritty, and full of narrative potential. Then we meet our two main characters, who are complete opposites. One is a brilliant student, the only one who makes it into university. While the other is a young gang leader carrying the intimidating title of “twin-blade master.” From the get-go, the foundation is exciting. And just when you think you’ve figured out the dynamic, the show flips it: the dominant one turns out to be the nerdy guy, while the submissive one is the feared leader. I love that. It refuses to rely on cliches and keeps you pleasantly surprised.

The visuals are a huge bonus! Both couples are ridiculously good-looking, the kind of faces that immediately pull you in. They all have this natural charisma that makes it so easy to root for them. Their acting skills are prominent. Even the supporting characters are just as charming, especially Cui Dong Dong and Liu Yi’s right-hand man. Their Hong Kong Cantonese accent is absolutely irresistible, too.

I do feel like the story left a few things a bit open, particularly the truth behind the death of Liu Yi’s sister and brother-in-law. We’re given hints about the previous gang leader possibly having unspoken romantic feelings for Liu Yi, but it never fully unfolds. Still, their presence and impact were strong enough to set the tone for the series. And honestly, I’m glad the show didn’t drag out the misunderstanding about Liu Yi being framed for their deaths. That would’ve been exhausting.

One of my favorite aspects of the drama is the meaning behind its title, “Sammy’s Children Day.” It’s beautifully layered. It ties back to Liu Yi’s tragic childhood, with him and his sister suffering abuse from their father until Qing Long rescued them and gave Liu Yi a new birth date: June 1st, which is also celebrated as National Children’s Day. And “Sammy”? That comes from Chu San’s English name, Sam. It’s nostalgic, metaphorical, and exactly the kind of meaningful title I wish more shows had, something that truly reflects the heart of the story.

Visually, the drama delivers so many memorable scenes. The bus scene, where they see each other again after such a long time apart, is simple but emotionally charged. Then there’s the graduation photo with Chu San’s father, made even more powerful when we later learn that Liu Yi was late because he was literally fighting for his life just to buy flowers for Chu San. Moments like these stick with you.

I also feel incredibly lucky to have watched this during its airing period. The second couple, portrayed by Matthew Han and Zhang Ming Bo, brought so much chaotic and hilarious energy through their live streams and social media promotions. Their off-screen chemistry made me even more invested in them. I just wish we got more of their story in the series itself. Still, the way they wrapped things up in the final episode is a chef’s kiss.

Speaking of the finale… that reunion kiss was pure cinema! After all the tension of Chu San being kidnapped. Liu Yi doesn’t hesitate for a second and rushes in, hugs him, kisses him, and completely ignores everything else. It’s raw, emotional, and incredibly satisfying. With such an open-ended conclusion, I can’t help but hope for a sequel. I need to see both couples fully stepping into their lovey-dovey era as official boyfriends.

At the end of the day, I’m just grateful that high-quality BLs like this exist. Truly, thank you for the masterpiece.

Read More

When Love Meets Destiny in a Romance Beyond the Grave

I have to confess, I didn’t have high expectations at first, but I got completely hooked right away. The CG is absolutely stunning and top-tier. The director, Zoe Qin the same talented woman behind Lost You Forever, did an amazing job once again.

The action scenes are intense and satisfying, especially Duan Xu's portrayal of a fierce, ruthless general at the beginning. Simu looks breathtaking in every frame, with such a powerful aura. The cinematography, costumes, accessories, and props are all beautifully crafted. All the actors delivered strong performances, and even with so many characters, none feel unnecessary. each one shines in their role.

The chemistry between Arthur Chen and Dilraba is wonderful. Just seeing them together or gazing at each other is enough to make you smile. It’s a shame the kiss scene in Episode 30 was cut, because from the behind-the-scenes footage, it was absolutely unforgettable. Although the story is supernatural, it feels grounded and meaningful, touching deeply on life’s philosophy — birth, aging, sickness, death, and the pain of separation.

Overall, I loved every part of it. If you’re still unsure, I highly recommend giving the first 1-2 episodes a shot. You’ll likely get hooked just like I did.

Read More

Not Perfect, But I Loved Them Together

I found Close to You (2025) to be a genuinely good drama and so underrated. What stood out the most for me was the chemistry between the leads — their closeness felt natural and never fake. Their interactions were soft, emotional, and believable, which made it easy to connect with their story.
Yes, the drama has its inconsistencies, but I always judge a series as a whole. And in this case, the feelings it delivered were unique and genuinely cute. It gave me a warm, comforting vibe that stayed with me.
I also didn’t find it dragging at all. The pacing worked for me, and I enjoyed spending time with the characters. The acting was solid, and the soundtrack fit the mood nicely.
It’s true that the last episodes felt a bit strange and slightly off compared to the rest. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that the drama delivered over 30 episodes of quality content and emotional moments.
Overall, despite its flaws, Close to You is a heartfelt and worthwhile watch.

Read More

we need a s2

a show that has everything from comedy at times then its serious when need to, to gang stuff etc
the male leads have a slow burn romance , i find that i did like that they took their time so their romance dont feel sudden nor rushed, their relationship from strangers to friends to lovers feel well done, the season is obviously not complete with a hint for a season 2 and now i really need season 2 to happen as they didnt cover the whole novel there's a lot that can be done in the season 2 and id love to see the male leads lives as a couple
the second couple do look interesting too esp after seeing their scenes in the final ep
also good ost and lyrics i love it..
i highly recommend this show as it feels well done

note: china just started doing bls after longtime not being able to do and they are already killing it, one interesting plot after another, good osts and good acting, please never stop giving us the good quality we were starved for something good to watch

Read More

Need China to stop being homophobic immediately so I could get S2 ASAP

This was so good. China really step it up these days. They are dishing out 5 star meals consistently. Every other region should be scared and shaking cuz I am really amazed by the quality despite the hurdles. The plot is so good. Mafia story is nothing new but the characters are such a breath of fresh air. Their dynamic is so fresh. The top is sweet, simple and nerdy but also very dirty minded and cunning while the bottom is the more 'manly' type who is the mafia and is very dominant. I love it so much. They also made the top the damsel in distress instead of the bottom which is such a 'chef kiss' to me. I love their chemistry so much. This would have gotten a 10/10 if it wasn't an ending for a S2. Cuz I don't even know if we will get it so I am sad but hopeful. Please BL Gods let there be a second season. I don't want it, I NEED it.

Read More

Pure Entertainment

It was ludicrous, hilarious, dramatic, poignant, heartbreaking and endearing but most importantly very entertaining. The thin bare plot broke down after ep 3 and picked back up in the last 5 minutes of ep 9, but it's worth sticking for everything else. The both cp have chemistry in bucket loads. Just a glance, a deep inhale or a gentle touch and the atmosphere was crackling with electricity. I must admit it hurt when Chen Gong (?) died, he also had a presence that filled the screen.

Yes the script was chaotic, childish and unbelievable at times but forgiveable when taken in entirety. China producing in Thailand, what else could be expected. Am I waiting for S2, yes and hopefully with a slightly bigger budget. Will I expect better, no because it will make S1 insignificant. Let this stay in the lane it has chosen: pure entertainment.

The only reason I gave this an 8 because I was never bored, even in the nonsensical moments.

Taken in the vein it was produced in, you will enjoy.

Read More

Gangster x Nerd: A Perfect Slow Burn

This show is everything I’ve ever wanted from a gay love story - two strong individuals with their own identities falling in love. The slow burn is to die for. I went ahead and completed the novel after watching the third or fourth episode because it was that interesting. I loved the changes they made from the novel for the show. The two lead actors are breathtakingly gorgeous, incredibly talented, and have sizzling on-screen and off-screen chemistry. It scratched every itch in my brain. The collision of two worlds - the hot, fierce gangster and the hot, intelligent nerd - could it get any more interesting? 10/10. Strongly recommended.

Read More

We don’t just want a second season, we need it!

I started watching this series without high expectations, since mafia stories are usually not my thing. I never expected to get so emotionally attached to the characters and their story.
Waiting for each new episode felt like torture, and each episode felt way too short to calm down my excitement. Every week I would say that this is my favorite episode, only for the next one to come and prove me wrong. For me, that’s what makes a series successful, regardless of genre. The fact that it keeps getting better with every episode.

Chusan and Liuyi are honestly one of the most interesting dynamics I’ve seen in a while. At the beginning, it feels almost uncomfortable. Liuyi literally drags Chusan into his world, and there’s this constant tension of power and control. But what surprised me is how quickly that dynamic flips. Chusan isn’t weak at all. He’s calculating, observant, and in many ways, he ends up holding more emotional power than Liuyi.
And Liuyi… I didn’t expect to feel so much for him. He starts off as this brutal enforcer, almost cold, but then episode 2 hits and everything changes. The moment with his sister’s death just breaks something inside him, and from there you start seeing all the cracks.

That’s when the story really hooked me. It stopped being just crime and started being about grief, loneliness, and the desperate need to hold on to someone.
The development of Chusan and Liuyi’s relationship may feel slow to some people. I am one of those who think it might have even been a bit fast, considering the circumstances they were dealing with.

What really got me was how quiet their feelings are. It’s not about big confessions or dramatic words. It’s in the way they look at each other, the way they stay, even when everything around them is falling apart. Especially after Liuyi’s loss… you can feel how broken he is, and how much he doesn’t know what to do with that pain. And somehow, Chusan becomes the only place where that pain softens.

I know their story doesn’t end here. Being someone with no patience, I read the novel while the series was still ongoing, and I loved it even more than the show. Despite their differences, this might be the first time in my life where I wasn’t bothered at all by the adaptation. I think it stands very well on its own. Or rather, it would, if it were complete and didn’t end the way it did… I don’t really have anything negative to say about the series apart from that. It’s definitely not "perfect" in every aspect, but I never rate things based on that standard anyway.

It would be a solid 10/10 from me, but I have to deduct something because the ending didn’t feel like an ending. And if a second season ever gets announced, I’ll gladly give back that half point I deducted from my rating 😅 I don’t know if we’ll get it, but I honestly think it’s necessary. It would be such a huge shame to leave such an interesting story like this.

I’m going to miss these boys soooo much. I really hope everything goes well for them and that we get to see them in many more series in the future, together or separately, it doesn’t matter to me, as long as they are doing well and achieving their goals, because they truly deserve it.

Read More

Love Like On A Three-Wheeler

Summarily, this series intrigued me for its content and subject matter. There were several dynamic and powerful relevances going on all at once. Thus, this series tackled way too much with way too many for it to be efficacious. Its major significancy was deeply scarring and wounding. My issue with series that tackle such emotionally charged and psychologically damaging or traumatizing issues is that they never go far enough. Simply ‘glossing’ over the issues or only gingerly handling the sensitivity of the subject matter is really not doing it justice. And it tried too hard to take a cavalier and too lighthearted approach to three themes that are quite serious and daunting. So, I was not sure what it was trying to actually be. Each of these love sonnets could be a series and was a premise for a stand-alone story. For me as well, it was the secondary couple, in this case two others, that outshined the primary couple, yet again.

Read More

Fast-Paced Horror That Grips, But Doesn’t Fully Stay With You

if Wishes Could Kill delivers a tense and engaging watch, especially for viewers who enjoy light horror without being overwhelmed. Despite an initially intimidating atmosphere (especially when watched at night)the series settles into a more manageable tone. It relies on familiar elements like jump scares and graphic moments, with certain scenes involving physical harm (like eye injuries) being more uncomfortable than genuinely terrifying.

The drama benefits from a quick pace and a short episode format, keeping the story moving and maintaining attention throughout. Its central premise is intriguing, and while the narrative occasionally becomes confusing, it remains compelling enough to hold interest. The open ending hints at the possibility of a continuation, though it doesn’t leave a particularly strong anticipation for another season.

Where the series falls short is in its characters. Many of them feel frustrating or underdeveloped, with decisions that often seem illogical, a common trope in the genre. Emotional connection is lacking, and even key characters fail to leave a lasting impression. However, the origin story elements involving earlier events add a layer of intrigue.
Overall, If Wishes Could Kill is an entertaining, easy watch imperfect but engaging enough to keep you from losing interest, even if it doesn’t leave a strong impact afterward

Read More

So Close to Perfection

I remember binge-watching the first 4 episodes and thinking to myself that this drama would be one for the books. Up there with the Japanese BL drama "My Beautiful Man" — which is the only drama (BL or otherwise) that I re-watch once a year. It had all the elements to make it perfect.

a. Opposites attract
b. Two damaged souls unexpectedly coming together to heal each other
c. Incredible chemistry between the main actors (that sick X icecream scene in episode 4 should be a study in chemistry and tension)
d. Incredible cinematography
e. A catchy opening OST

These are all things I loved and appreciated in the drama. I also love how we are shown that Hirukawa liked Minase 1st. While they don't outright tell you when it happened or why, if you pay attention to the ongoing events of episode 1, you can see how Hirukawa looked at Minase at the taps. Additionally, he noticed Minase in the corridors during their first year (2018), when Minase didn't seem to care about his existence. Perhaps he'd always had a crush, and the universe hadn't brought them together b4 their sophomore year in 2019.

Unfortunately, once we get three-quarters of the way through episode 6, things start to get shaky and eventually crumble. I'd rated the 1st 5 and three-quarter episodes a 10/10 and the last 4 episodes a 5/10. I'm not counting the special episode, ep 11, in this.

Lemme explain why

🪞The Noble Idiot
I'm taking this 'moniker' from someone else's review because I agree with them on this. Hirukawa sacrifices himself for his terrible friend. This is where things started going downhill for me. I understand he was dealing with feelings of self-loathing and low self-worth, which led him to believe that his influence was what led his friend down the delinquent, shoplifting path. That he was his father's son, so clearly everything bad is all because of him.

But hadn't we seen him all along trying to work on being a better person? Start to believe in Minase's view of him and get serious with school? It felt like he had taken 5 steps forward, and that incident made him walk 10 steps backwards. They ruined his character development.

🪞His Father's Death
Perhaps some will call me unempathetic for this one. So, when he broke down in Minase's arms that night, I expected that he would have been crying at the immense relief he felt that this monster, this shadow that had been looming over his life and making it hell, was finally gone. That he was conflicted over the fact that he was happy, horrified that he was happy, and sad that his father, who was also his abuser, died.

Now imagine my surprise at finding out that he was this broken up and ridden with guilt over the fact that he thought he was at fault coz he hadn't taken good enough care of his father, and that supposedly led to his death. I..... uuuum... I had a hard time with that line of reasoning. Rather than it impacting me how they'd hoped it would, I just got annoyed.

🪞The Break-up & the Reunion
Personally, had I been the writer, I wouldn't have had them break up. And if they really had to, it at least would not have happened in the way it did. Or maybe not for as long as it lasted. I reason this way because:

In a way, the break-up was good for Hirukawa. He was able to start a new life and get himself together. His reasoning, I believe, was based on the movie that was directed by Minase's father, and that one line they kept quoting. About how one character left to prevent the other from being swallowed up by their problems. He also wanted to become a person worthy of Minase. That worked fine for Hirukawa. He did what he set out to do.

But... what about Minase? His wound was one of neglect. His father was a big name out there, but he only remembered him sometimes. His mother remembered him a lot, but she, too, always left him behind because of her career. Plus everytime they spoke, it was never about him. It was all about his grades and this unseen future, or to complain about the incompetence of his dad.

Minase had never had anyone in his corner. Even his friends never truly knew him. Yet, finally, when he has someone who knows him, sees him, and goes out of their way to spend time with him, they, too, leave. And Minase lets him go coz that's what his life is, and as we see all along, Minase, while a little closed off, is actually a good person.

When they finally reunite, we do not get a conversation that delves into Minase's feelings of abandonment. It's all explained away by a simple 'I lost my phone while in America.' Bruh... IT'S BEEN 5 YEARS!!!! I should've gotten more than that.

I feel like while it started with them finding and healing each other, by the end, it eventually felt like Minase helped heal Hirukawa, while Hirukawa left Minase more broken and empty than he'd been before. Minase had been going through life with an empty hole inside him. Hirukawa came in and filled it, then emptied it after he left for a whole 5 years.

Their happy ending is deserved. I love that they found each other after so many years apart and that they'd never stopped loving each other. However, I cannot rate this higher because
a. I find the breakup period to have been too long and abit unneccessary,
b. the lack of a proper conversation about Minase's feelings regarding his abandonment and,
c. the bad kissing (this is an issue across 99% of JBLs)

Read More

It’s like a teen movie, just set in ancient costumes.

In this world, there are no sports or cheerleading teams; instead, martial arts sects serve as the sports teams, which is quite fun. There’s a sweet, youthful romance building in the background, and both the male and female leads are beautiful and lovely. It’s a bit of a shame that there are so many characters it gets a little dizzying. After looking into and trying all three series in the same universe, I found that Dashing Youth is the most enjoyable. The overall tone is bright, and the storytelling is well-paced.

Spoiler alert!
The storytelling isn't very concise. Given the 40-episode length, they could have covered much more content, especially since there are still many unresolved plotlines—such as the story of Baili Dongjun and Yue Yao, who ultimately didn't end up getting married. I guess they didn't know how to wrap everything up, so they just ended it like this for now.

Read More