Reviews

Mostly sad but a worthwhile watch.

Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace is a poignant reminder that sometimes, love isn't enough. Despite being an overall sad drama, it's a relatable and realistic portrayal of everyday relationships. I enjoyed the acting, storytelling, and Ruyi's careful planning for exoneration, without murder or malice everytime she was wronged. Ruyi's vindication, and consort Lings eventual retribution made this drama well worth watching.

Ruyi was correct not to resuscitate her love. It died a thousand deaths, leaving nothing left to resuscitate. It started when she confessed she didn't know how to untangle the knot the emperor tied in her heart, due to his treatment towards her after their child's death... but it died a million times when the emperor made guard Ling Yunche suffer due to the emperors own cruelty, insecurity, and wish to hurt Ruyi with his continued treatment of guard Ling and Ruyi afterwards.

Although I appreciated the conclusion, two elements didn't sit well with me. Firstly, the emperor's decision to cut his hair and add it to the box with hers, while I think this action is exactly something someone like this would do. I felt it violated her wish to be free of him. Secondly, the plum tree's bloom at the end felt like an inadequate attempt to show their love redeemed. It was a million wrongs, and decades too late, for even symbolic redemption.

It's a tragic irony that some men and women are so myopic, that even after, the death of someone one who cared for them selflessly, their sense of conceit is so staggeringly large that they will never take a look in the mirror and see their own wrongs. Most will only truly be sad for their sense of loss of the dutiful carer, rather than the love of the person. They will most likely continue to point their fingers at others, so as to hide from the consequence of their own overinflated ego. The persons who truly care for them, are repaid with nothing but cruelty and emotional abandonment.

If you're thinking that grace and love can overcome everything, you're probably wrong, and are most likely just wasting the love and care you have to give. If you're able to move on, and share your love with people who will help it grow, and multiply, don't hesitate. Don't continue to water the dead plum tree of your unrequited love; unlike Ruyi's plum tree at the end of this drama. What is well and truly dead will never again blossom.

Read More

A Decent Watch

I watched the first episode of this drama when it first came out on Netflix and decided to pause and watch my Chinese dramas. It’s only a limited series, so it only had 12 episodes which you can binge watch within a day. I didn’t go back to watch it because I got sidetracked with other Chinese dramas that I was waiting for. The FL actress Lim Yoon-a, who plays Yeon Ji-yeong, a French trained chef who gets transported to the Joseon era by an old cook book. She meets the tyrant King, Lee Heon, played by Lee Chae-min. He fell for her because of her delicious food. I honestly enjoyed everything about this drama. Lee Chae-min did a great job portraying his role. I first watched him in the drama, Hierarchy. I haven’t seen much of his acting skills there, but with this one? I’m looking forward for more future dramas. He reminds me of Moon Sang-min. I think they’re the same age. He has a bright future ahead of him. I loved the part when she was brought to the jesters dancing around. He took off his mask and his face looked a little unhinged asking her if she liked the play that he arranged for her. I enjoyed watching the FL cook all those delicious mouth watering dishes. The supporting characters were all great.The ending… Oh. My. GAWD. I cried!! At first I wasn’t sure what would happen because I did come across someone saying they hated the ending but I got out of there real fast. I refused to read a spoiler. My heart was breaking while she got stabbed and she got sucked back into the book to return to her era. Poor King was left devastated. Imagine losing your loved one?? Like how would you be able to find her if she originally belongs to the future?? Anyway, I still had high hopes. There wasn’t much time left and I was growing anxious. When I heard his voice and he mentioned the word “sword” I was squealing like crazy and I was in tears when they kissed! He wasn’t reincarnated. HE IS THE KING FROM THE JOSEON ERA!! I loved the short epilogue where he was cooking for her as he promised before when they meet again. After finishing it, I regretted not watching it sooner. I love it so much! I cried a lot in the end. It’s just sad because the ending felt a little rushed. I hate it when they do this to dramas. It’s like the writers are in a hurry to wrap it up. Oh well. As long as they saw each other again in the modern era, I’ll take it.

Read More

held back for years because of its popularity and annoying fans

i dont remember the period of this during post pandemic but i know it was popular that it took over my tiktok fyp. i didn't get the hype and vibes not until now. i gotta be honest, i was not feeling sejeong's acting career back then but upon seeing her performance, she's good. seol in-a and her scenes were tiring especially the drunk scenes. the amount of effort and time to pull those....just thinking about it made my energy drain. they have such great chemistry and have the biggest potential to be in a GL but i know koreans are cowards for gay stuff. even with ahn hyeo seop and kim min-gue, i was giggling when dialogues and circumstances people would see them as a couple. its amazing to see kim min-gue's career has come. i remember seeing him in i can see your voice and from then on people saw his potential as an actor and he grabbed that opportunity. ahn hyeo seop's character being cold but is warm inside lol hes so good at it. actually watched this drama because i was watching his recent drama "sold out on you" but its still starting so theres no lots of episodes so i watched this. the first drama that i saw him in was "a time called you" and hes super good but the story gave me a lot of headache that i can't bear to watch it again. seeing him acting dumb and stupid is a breath of fresh air. seol in-a is so talented and i don't get why she's not getting her spotlight. twinkling watermelon and this is her prime dramas (lol i only saw these but maybe her other projects are good). she shines when she speaks and i cant wait to see more of her. put her in every romcom, her energy belongs on those projects. kim sejeongs talent and skills should not be put to waste. shes a hidden gem that needs to also have her brightest spotlight. will root for everyone's career because they did ssosoosso good here.

Read More

Should have been shorter

The first half of the series was pretty good. It's one of the rare ones where the female lead is actually truly able to hold her own. The beginning is action-filled with the assassination theme before it teeters heavily into war scenes and palace politics. But here's what trailed off for me:

-- The female lead was a tough character initially but she softens heavily once she acquires a family and a lover. Although you still see some of her initial traits throughout, she does change quite significantly.
-- The chemistry was there between the ML/FL initially but after they FINALLY get together, there was too many lovey scenes of them having repetitive small couple talk. I skipped through a lot of this.
-- Although there were plenty of traitors as with the typical palace politics, it was nice to see some steady loyalties between the characters and particularly with the unloved Empress. But they really just offed too many people and the antagonists got off way too easy.
-- The plot was initially also pretty intriguing but it gets more and more muddled. The insertion of the couple's happy times also weren't really placed very well especially after so many deaths. There was also some random inserts of characters that felt really off like the youngest son's love interest. It's as if she was a filler for the sake of balancing out the tragedies.
-- And man, over 50 episodes were way too long for the point the story was trying to make. After uncovering too many layers of masterminds, it started to get numbing.
-- The poisoning aspect was also really over-repetitive.
-- The last episode was completely unnecessary and should have been left out.

Overall, it's one of those series where you feel compelled to finish because there are enough interesting characters involved and you've become invested. I did choose to make the effort to speed through the latter half for completion.

Read More

this is peak

this is my first gl and wow I think that nothing will top this level, it was SO good since the first episode, the visuals are beautiful, the actress are amazing, the chemistry between the protagonist is so good, they had my crying like I just went for my fifth divorce.
I think the only problem that I have is the duration of the series. I wish it was longer so we could know more about the other characters that are also really interesting like the 3D, Natty, Kae, etc. but everything else is great.

I love how they also represent the love scenes showing caring and sweetness. the beautiful scene when it's just the two of them and like nothing else matters.

Read More

Not really a romance. More a profile of a family with a dysfunctional mother.

The thing that needs to be said - and yes, other reviews have said this but it bears repeating - is that this is not really a romance drama. Yes there are a couple of romances within the story. And indeed a lot of the early story structure looks like it's a romance. But this story is really about mothers. There are multiple, very different mothers presented in this story and in particular, of course, this story ultimately revolves around the FL's not-mentally-healthy mother and her relationships within the family. The FL's mother, Liu Wanyu, is clearly suffering from some deep issues. Some sort of combination of depression, narcism, and oppositional defiance disorder. So she does not act rational. She is near insanely stubborn and given that she is prone to lock onto irrational ideas this makes for some serious socio-destructive behavior. In a word: Exasperating. Anyone who has a family member with severe behavioral/mental issues will relate to just how difficult such a person can make life for the people around them. So large segments of this story follow along as she behaves in ways that drive not just her family members nuts, but of course, also the viewers. Viki comments during this drama are filled with constant exasperation and dismay at the mother's behavior. This is testament to how powerful He Sai Fei's performance is, as the annoying mother. All of the actor's performances in this drama are fantastic. And the production quality is top-notch. Often the camera work is so beautiful you need to pause the video to enjoy a shot. This overall is a top notch drama. But if you are looking for a conventional romance you may find yourself pulling your hair out watching this.

Read More

King Danjong

The King's Warden is a moving historical drama that beautifully brings to life one of Joseon’s most tragic true stories. The film follows the heartbreaking fate of King Danjong, the young sixth king of Joseon, who was forced off the throne by his ambitious uncle, Grand Prince Suyang (later King Sejo). After losing his crown, Danjong was exiled to Yeongwol, where he lived in sorrow and isolation. The story centers on the loyal warden assigned to guard him, who gradually develops deep respect and compassion for the fallen king. Their relationship becomes the emotional core of the film, showing humanity, loyalty, and sorrow amid political betrayal.

According to Wikipedia, King Danjong was allegedly poisoned at just 16 years old after being forced into exile. His tragic fate reflected the ruthless power struggles of the Joseon Dynasty, where political ambition outweighed loyalty and family ties. After being dethroned by his uncle, King Sejo, Danjong became a symbol of lost innocence and the devastating effects of absolute power. His downfall showed how the pursuit of the throne could lead to betrayal, manipulation, and the silencing of rightful authority.

The performances are powerful, with the cast delivering emotional depth and historical authenticity. The actor portraying Danjong captures both royal dignity and heartbreaking vulnerability, while the warden’s role adds warmth and strength. Stunning cinematography and period detail enhance the storytelling, making this film especially meaningful for viewers who appreciate Korean historical true stories. For fans of Joseon history, this is a deeply touching and memorable watch.

Read More

It's not fancy, but it's weirdly addictive.

This drama reminds me of eating an entire bag of potato chips in one sitting.

First you're like "meh i'll pass, i'm cool." But there's nothing else to snack on and they're just sitting right there staring you down, so you think "ok i'll have a few." And it's not like if someone asks you your 10 favorite foods that potato chips would be on that list. They ok. But you eat a few, and you just want a few more, and a few more, and before you know it you're like "THERE'S STILL SOME CRUMBS" and you're eating chip crumbs with your fingers like 'what am i even doing rn',

Well that's this drama. In most ways we normally describe shows, this is mid. The costumes, sets, acting, plot premise, production quality, bgm/ost... mid, mid and mid. But there's something so addictive about the SCRIPT, and the PACING. And on top of that, all the supporting characters with significant screentime are really handsome and gorgeous. ML and FL are too. The enemies and villains are given only as much screen time as necessary to fulfill their obligation to the plot. I wish more directors and producers would take note of that.... but anyway I digress....

My point here really is that this might not be the best thing ever, but if you start it, you're probably gonna finish it, because there's face cards everywhere, and the storyline and dialogue just flow in such a comfortable way that it's all too easy to just watch another ep and then another and another.

But just like eating an entire bag of chips, this doesn't truly satisfy. The show spends most of it's episodes with an emotional tone that's just a mellow flow of ups and downs. But then the final episodes take quite a strange turn and suddenly the emotional tone shifts very dramatically to "so, that happened..." You get something pretty different than what you bargained for, and... much like a bag of chips... you finish it and then say to yourself "why did I do that." And you're still hungry. Just not for chips.

It's a good way to pass the time if you have nothing else to watch, but I can't think of anyone I would recc this to. Spiceless, a lot of B and C tier acting performances by key characters, odd and fairly unpleasant ending (though it technically counts as an HE I guess???) Worth a bored, one-time watch if you straight up ran out of shows to watch.

Read More

A more traditional K Drama

To be clear, this contains spoilers so please view it as more of a discussion rather than recommendation - although I do recommend it.

Firstly to get it out of the way: I was so disappointed they changed the FL The chemistry between Jung So-min and Lee Jae-wook; and the character development that Mu Deok went through was well earned and amazing. I missed them just being together.
Secondly: Go Youn-jung is one of my favorite actresses and I thought she did a fine job here.

If they had of kept Jung So-min, the story would have been completely different. I get the need for a different actress or "face" to make the plot work.

Little did I know at the time of watching, was that Alchemy of Souls 2 was much more like a typical Korean drama. It was only the second K Drama I'd ever watched and I wasn't totally fed up with amnesia plots, interfering parents, miscommunications, and 3rd act separations.

This is a romance (A plot) with a fantasy backdrop of scheming & plotting (B Plot).

The show starts with introducing the two main leads (and supporting cast in a classic Joo Wol monologue.) It efficiently shows Jin Bu-yeon's isolation, and Jung Uk's heart ache and incredible power. Any viewer paying attention at the end of season one would understand that in season two Jin Bu-yeon is Mu Deok straight away. The eventual convoluted exposition about Jin Bu-yeon's energy and Naksu's soul and Naksu's face was too awkward and I believe most people would just accept that it happened without thinking too hard on it.

The fact that it started with Jung Uk being miserable and emotionally unavailable is great. The perfect continuation from season one. The audacity of having to continue living after all that sorrow. I like to imagine I could feel his relief at getting stabbed to death after Naksu returned. I also liked the idea that Jin Bu-yeon is an optimist. It's nice to think that she is who she might have become if not for the childhood trauma and being groomed into a lonely assassin.

I like how they get married straight away in a fateful continuation of their love story. I was disappointed that they diluted it later to an engagement. I also would have liked to see them stay together more solidly to tie in with that theme.

Whilst i understood Jang Uk had to express his sorrow and unavailability; as The Viewer, it was painful to watch how coldly he kept rebuffing Jin Bu-yeon knowing who she was and seeing her so earnest.

Whist I don't like amnesia plots now, back then I didn't find them so frustrating. Even so, I feel a better story would have been Jin Bu-youn discovers who she is much earlier - even if she didn't immediately tell Jang Uk, and so her efforts to quietly help heal and protect him would have carried much more weight. Instead they just bounce off each other a few times due to poor communication, parental disapproval etc. like a regular Kdrama.

I love-hated the idea that Seo Yul's response to dealing with his regrets in season one is not to help Naksu this time, but to kill her. I did not see it coming. I liked his relationship with So Yi and felt the tragedy of her death.

Jang Uk and Jin Bu-yeon sort their feelings out; learn who they are in time to be tragically separated again to save the world and then ultimately live happily ever after due to a Deus ex machina from Jin Seol-ran / actual Jin Bu-yeon. Which was mighty kind of her.

Park Jin was a lot more fun in this season providing more of an advisory humanistic roll. His and Maidservant Kim's arc was cute.

I did enjoy seeing the Unanimous Assembly along with Jin Mu get wasted although I would have liked a slower, more painful death for him.

Jang uk being super powerful and wiping everyone with a few sweeps of his sword was both cool and anticlimactic.

In conclusion, I'm glad they had a happy ending although A bigger epilogue would have been nice.

I wait with bated breath for Cha Beom's spinoff series where he's balding and middle-aged, living in some far-flung village, still trying to gather his energy up bit by bit whilst fighting off brigands and watering crops. Team, make it happen!

Read More

Honey.

Not Worth 43 Minutes

So Husband and Wife has a misunderstanding, wife leaves, gets kidnapped then loses her memory. First off, I just want to say, I only watched this because I saw Huang Xing acted in this. Second, IMO FL leaving is entirely ML fault because of all the secrets and lies he told. Third, ML lying to FL is NOT how protecting and loving someone is supposed to be. He promised he'd avenge her parents but lied about it because he didn't want to lose the Gu Group by exposing Ling Mu Qing.

THIS WHOLE MINI-DRAMA HAD ME CONFUSED AT ONE POINT. At one point where Ling Mu Qing started dating Second ML, I thought he was in love with her but then he broke off. I'm starting to think hes actually in love with Xiao Man but idk still confused. I also felt the FL's parents did not need to be killed off for her revenge arch. I JUST REALIZED SHE DIDN'T EVEN CATCH THAT TATTOO GUY.

Honestly, If you asked me If this is a recommended rewatch on my list, I'd say no.

Read More

ESPERAVA MAIS

tava querendo ver esse daqui desde que saiu o anúncio né e eu tava com expectativa sabe

não é nem que eu estava esperando uma história diferente pela sinopse
eu só esperava que fosse bem executado
e aqui não foi tanto quanto eu achei que seria

tipo não é ruim é só bem raso e ai as emoções não passam direito
fora que a sequência dos acontecimentos, das cenas não criam uma unidade direito e ai fica meio confuso

e eu também acho que eles deveriam ter dado um filme mais maduro pra esses atores pq não achei que eles combinaram com esse ambiente de terceiro ano de ensino médio
ficou bem aparente que eles são adultos demaiskkk ainda mais quando eles tavam comtracenando com o ator que é de fato adolescentekk (não tanto pq vi aqui q ele tem 18 mas mesmo assim da pra perceber)

mas gostei da ambientação da lojinha, de como era lá com as crianças e eles tendo momentos domésticos juntos
o grupinho também é bem coisa de anime mesmo com cada um bem diferente um do outro
e o beijo no final é bom mesmo q curto

enfim não foi horrível mas achei q ia ser melhor é isso👎

Read More

"They are not looking for sympathy, just for a chance"

Ballad from Tibet was exactly what I needed today. A feel good film based on a real life event, that showed the power of determination, dreams, and friendship. Oh, and the element that made it butterfly nip for me, it was a courageous road trip.

Thupten is a ten-year-old boy living in Tibet who only has the use of one eye. He has promised three of his blind friends-Sonam, Droma, and Kelsang-that he will guide them to the Lhasa airport. Thupten is in dire need of a surgery to save his one working eye, but his promise comes first. The trio have talked their way into an audition to be on a televised talent show in Shenzhen over 1000 miles away. The show has provided airplane tickets but they must make it to the airport first, a tricky proposition since they have to sneak out of town without the adults knowing. When their teacher comes looking for them, the four are forced to take a circuitous route to Lhasa, a daunting task as they wind up on foot and Thupten’s eye begins to rapidly deteriorate.

Despite the struggles the children faced on their trip, kind and generous people appeared to give them aid or advice. “A single cow must not leave its herd.” When disagreements blew up into arguments they rallied to stick together on their quest. One of my favorite elements was a biker gang who crossed paths with the adventurers. Another was the bag of “gifts/payments” the boys procured to hand out as they met people.

The acting was natural and minimal as the film used children with visual impairments. Most of the adult actors with the exception of a couple of them appeared to be either locals or lesser-known performers. My most major disappointment was that the song the children sang was muted for whatever reason. The end credits showed the actual children who made the trip with the sound so I’m not sure who opposed the song in the body of the film. The writing and editing were a bit choppy though the cinematography helped take my mind off those detriments. The message and poignancy of the children’s indefatigable spirits covered over most of the weaknesses as well.

The children weren’t perfect, they squabbled at times. For the most part, they stood by each other and faced the unknown darkness on the road to their dreams by overcoming their fears. Most were resigned to the jobs they would be offered after school-weavers and masseurs. Their main mission wasn’t to perform, it was to show the world that they had far more capabilities than people believed. Beautiful children with a song in their heart able to see more clearly than some of the people around them…mission accomplished.

30 April 2026

Note: I hadn't realized the problems of cataracts in Tibet. Perhaps this film brought that important concern to light with increased awareness and medical services.

Update: YouTube does have full sound with the children singing the song separately. Please check the link Anusaya provided below.

Read More

Ethnographic Depth in a Sugar-Rush Rom-Com

While many Thai BLs offer a "High-So" fantasy of luxury condos, Cooking Crush is a breath of fresh air. It expertly tucks a grounded study of Bangkok life inside a bright, adorable romantic comedy.

The series excels in its commitment to the rhythms of everyday Thailand. The canal-side neighborhood—with its porous boundaries between home and commerce—offers a rare look at traditional urban life. From the pharmacy’s "living-behind-the-store" dynamic to the restaurant’s open-air porch kitchen, the setting provides a genuine lesson in community-centered business.

The core romance between Gun (Culinary) and Ten (Medical) explores intellectual respect across disciplines. By treating the Culinary Faculty with the same academic weight as Medicine, the show reflects a Thai tradition of affording high status to all fields of study. This creates a beautiful tension between Gun’s grandmother—representing Grasae (traditional knowledge) and cooking "by heart"—and the university’s globalized, professional model.

The cast is instrumental in grounding these themes. Off Jumpol showcases impressive range, shedding his "cool" persona for a vulnerable voyage of self-discovery. Neo Trai remains the gold standard for supporting actors as the high-energy "Fire," but the breakout is undoubtedly Aungpao. As "Dynamite," he provides the propulsive sincerity that keeps the series moving.

GMMTV deserves credit for a brief but meaningful scene advocating for the human rights of sex workers, proving that even a series defined by its 'adorability' can acknowledge modern social realities. This infectious energy—an 'adorability overload' fueled by bright production design and Fluke Nattanon’s theme song, 'Baby Crush'—is what defines the show’s heart.

Final Verdict: If you watch BL to learn about Thai culture and the rhythms of 'normal' life, “Cooking Crush” is a massive win. It is a rare series that manages to be sweet without being shallow, leaving a warmth that lasts much longer than a simple sugar rush.

Read More