Reviews

aoao oooa ao ouu

TLDR; as someone who's watched enough coming-of-age stories, I know that even w/ the first few eps, it's def skewed towards a certain direction. I would not recommend watching for the main romances--side ones are better imo--but what I like most are the messages from the parents, which def hit harder as an adult. There's also quite a lot of character development (albeit probably not fully realistic). Acting is natural. Music was alright. I do love the costuming, esp fl's outfits (which I would unironically wear if they existed). Ending was okay--had some parts I liked, others not so much. Would not rewatch bc of that teensy little plot drag that ruined my rating of this show.

Story: I do appreciate that it starts off w/ the childhood story instead of inserting it into the narrative just to check off a thing. It shows that they were planning that part from the start as an important plot point. I do appreciate the friend group dynamic.. Story is pretty predictable for the romance genre. Honestly, it could've been a better story if they did a switcheroo bc fun fact: puppy love exists and grade-school romances don't always work out. It could've been a better story if she knew how to move on from her first love and find her better self, but here we are. ep 15 ruined the story for me, and it rlly makes it hard for me to pity the ml, and ep 20 actually made me angry lool. Fl literally cannot move on from her first love/the past and needs to learn to grow up to realize that ppl move on. She's so clingy to ml after the climax like why. Even ml told her that everyone grows up. Her best friends moved on persuing their love interests, while she's over here stuck in the past bc ml said one thing and will follow him unconditionally. Also we never fully tie up the second leads' story. Ml isn't any better than fl. Has he ever heard of communication?? ig it's a result of his parents, but even among friends he never says anything even if it's life-changing..atp you're being hella selfish, and you're always changing the topic even when they ask directly. After ep 20 I started mentally spacing out. Now you might be wondering why I watched til the end. bc I hate myself and maybe the ending will redeem everything somehow, which it kinda did?
Acting/Cast: ml looks like 30 trying to play a high schooler lool. Anyways, acting is pretty natural, ml loves to cry, kid actors are surprisingly good.
Music: There's one particular song that's grating on the ears bc of that one part (see title of the review). Other than that, the rest aren't terrible.
Rewatch value: absolutely not. It is shorter than a lot of cdramas but not worth it if I have to endure ep 15+ lol.

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Girl With No Rules

I understand why many people were disappointed with this series, although I think some of the reactions were blown out of proportion. At its core, Girl Rules was meant to be a fun story with a more mature approach, offering a somewhat realistic portrayal of lesbian relationships and friendships in modern times. Unfortunately, what it delivered was a shallow script that seemed to lose its direction along the way, underdeveloped characters, and drama that, rather than advancing the story, only served to bore the audience.

It wasn't even a case of the characters being too toxic to root for; they were simply too empty to relate to. They didn't feel driven or distinctive enough for me to become invested in their stories. While I have nothing but praise for the cast's performances, specially Namtan, Film and Love. They were not given much to work with so even the best performances fall flat with a weak script.

What I missed most from the show was a greater focus on the friendships. I think it would have been far more interesting to see the girls interact through different dynamics rather than placing so much emphasis on the romances. We've already seen NamtanFilm, we've seen MilkLove, and we'll see more of ViewMim, but we will probably never get another chance to see all six actresses together in one series. It's disappointing that such an opportunity was ultimately wasted.

One of the biggest flaws in this show is its reliance on telling rather than showing as those relationships evolve, which is also one of the recurring weaknesses in Jojo's projects. Example, we didn't get to see much of Bambie and Shasha's friendship, so their scene together at the end didn't carry as much weight as it could if their friendship had been developed organically throughout the series instead of only being highlighted when the plot required. It's worth noting that Jojo didn't write the script. Girl Rules had six writers working on it, and I've heard that the two halves of the show were written by different teams. In my opinion, however, both parts were equally weak and made many of the same mistakes. If anything, that detail proves that quantity doesn't necessarily equal quality.

Characters constantly swing from barely tolerating each other to being deeply in love, and that inconsistency does a disservice to the couples' chemistry. Rather than building meaningful romantic development, the show rushes through the progression of their relationships, leaving many emotional moments feeling unearned. The cast had the chemistry and skills to make these moments work, but the writing rarely gave them the time or depth needed to fully capitalize on it.

Overall, the series leaves behind a sense of dissatisfaction, not because it lacked the tools to tell a compelling and engaging story, but because it never fully committed to using them. It sold itself on the promise of nuanced characters, meaningful friendships, and a mature exploration of WLW relationships, yet it rarely delivered on those ideas in a satisfying way. More than anything, Girl Rules will likely be remembered not for what it was, but for what it could have been: a show full of potential that never quite lived up to it.

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Didn't Want it to End!

This story reminds me of History 3: Trapped where we had a police officer and gangster falling in love and a potentially long prison sentence to separate them at the end. This story is the definition of slow burn and high tension. I love how Liuyi slowly comes to terms with his affection for Chu San and how the triad members are fully supportive. There was some comedy with the New Year's dinner with Chu San's family trying to make Liuyi jealous about Mei. I also almost missed the fact that Chu San was reviewing the ledger that Dong Dong had- come to find out, he really was the financial advisor to the gang. His love was soo evident and he was sooo sweet with his dedication to Liuyi. I figured the endig would get rushed, because they added too much plot an unknowns in the last two episodes- the drama within the police department was almost distracting. So at the end, were the two cops going to become a real couple? What about the Commissioner, is he dirty? Why was Chu San flinging money and boasting about how much money he made the group? And who took off his bomb? Inquiring minds want to know!

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Monkey's Magical Realism

I think it's good practice to start with the positive stuff, since there is a lot to like. The premise is reasonably innovative and well-executed to boot. The island setting enhances the supernatural elements and functions as a symbolically laden haven, which allows its inhabitants to (re)learn to live with themselves and foster community. Really, every filming location suits the plot and furthers the narrative. The acting is also solid all around. Even among the side and supporting characters, I can't think of anyone I didn't enjoy watching. The parent-child dynamics are believable, layered, and ultimately supportive. The friendships are fun and dynamic without lacking depth.

The romance is where this story begins to falter for me. Yes, Wan Zhe and Aomi are charismatic and irresistibly charming as a couple. Their journey from artificial, precarious happiness (Adorno says hi) to true love via repeated confessions is satisfying. (The passionate NC scenes are probably a plus for some viewers, but in the case of this story, they didn't heavily factor into my perception of the couples.) By contrast, the main couple's (shaky) romantic chemistry and storyline aren't my vibe. The theme of repetition is significantly less enjoyable with them and borders on wearing. I readily admit that this is a mostly subjective critique (at the beginning, I actually shipped Xiang Yong with Wan Zhe). The fact is, it still dampens my enthusiasm for this story, which starts strong and, for the most part, doesn't run out of steam, though 10 episodes would have been a better runtime.

Less significant and even pettier grievances, which need must be listed lest I combust: The moral of the story is alright, but it neither strongly resonates with me nor turns my worldview upside down. The art is really bad. Like, I know that not everything needs to be perfect and that mediocre art serves its purpose and even fits Xiang Yong's storyline better. But I was about to walk into the ocean if I had to look at that turtle drawing one more time. Speaking of turtles: The last episode (rushed and mostly fluff) has some cool underwater scenes, which make me wish we had more of those, but I get that there must have been budget constraints. The quibble-iest of my quibbles relates to the song choices, which sometimes took me out of the immersion.

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If you like revenge dramas, this might be the one for you!

Thicha starts off on a very strong yet emotional note, drawing you in to discover what happens next. This is a slow burn revenge drama ( in my opinion since I'm so used to high action dramas 😅), but for 8 episodes they do justice to the story line.

I am left with some questions though
Like where/ who is Ticha's father
Who is Patchai's father
Where is he's family wealth from
No background story on the Villian, her family or her business.

I wish the ending was a happy one, but it's also realistic, revenge doesn't always end well

I enjoyed this thoroughly! It's in my top 3 Thai dramas❤️
Cast was exceptional and I loved the wardrobe 😍

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The incompatibility between the female and male lead roles.

The Incompatibility of the Male and Female Leading Characters
The series started off pretty well in terms of its plot. However, it gradually became problematic. While watching, I saw a man acting more like an older person lecturing a younger one than a couple who loved each other. His ability to love was problematic, his interest in the opposite sex was problematic, and in short, their compatibility was problematic. I couldn't watch any more. I couldn't understand what the screenwriter or the casting team who chose these actors were aiming for. I didn't like it. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

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The story of a woman who makes ink.

It was a good series for me. Another success story about a woman. I watched many such stories in Chinese dramas in 2025 and 2026. Success stories attract my attention and I enjoy watching them. This was one of those stories. It's a story about ink. I especially found Yang Zi very successful. The story was built around her. I can say the male lead was just a supporting character. But they were still compatible. I liked both of them. Apart from that, the excessive talking and advice, and many details about ink making, made the series stagnant and boring. It wasn't a series that progressed at a consistent level. Sometimes it rose, sometimes it fell. The quality wasn't maintained. The occasional competitions and fights added color to the series, but otherwise, stagnation prevailed. There was no real romance. There was no real drama either. Everything was left open, as if only the focus was on ink making. I think this bored the viewers. In the rest of the series, especially the family relationships, their loyalty, respect, love, customs and traditions were beautifully portrayed. The spirit of unity and togetherness was beautifully portrayed. There was also revenge and intrigue. The series could have been even better if these elements had been distributed more carefully.

I especially recommend it to those who enjoy stories about female success.

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Slow burn. Chemistry. Questions. Open ended

If rewatch, only the last 2 ep.

The build up, the focus, the people . The chemistry. The wanting each other. The desperate to not lose the other

Could be unpopular opinion but i feel like the police was a bit redundant . The 2nd lead couple other than a 1st night that was calculated approach for the high position cop to do revenge. There was only tension and blackmail and schemes.

They also destroy the happy moment at the end.

Slow burn
Genuine between the 1st lead pair.
Went thru alot and both ML had a deep history as to why they behave certain way.
Emotions high at fear in losing a loved one.
Reunited and happy tears.
Seperated again for a setup and frame.
Watch but basically many questions.

The only reasons i liked it :
*chusan and jiayi finally got the happiness and was honest with each other although it was fear of losing the other so seize the chance
*the brotherhood amongst liuyi gang really shows how good the leaders are
*both were honest at the end.
*liuyi understood how impt chusan is , more than the hall .chips n breakfast stuff shohld b okay

Why i dont like [cause it reduces the 2 ML time and interaction]
* too much focus on gang politics
*police was useless and only cause more trouble and drama
* bribery corruption connection climbing fake lies
*the ending is open ended... the fat fang.q the dad . The maybe new mum. Liuyi reunite with chusan . Hows the gang.
* they really lost the ancesteal hall??
*hate when the good ones die like bro n sis
* the whole series liuyi is basically accused for different people murder

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You'll never root harder for a guy to not take the ex back.

A really trashy sequel. Teh loses nothing and gains friends and stardom. He voluntarily deleted everything.

But he cries and writes a play.

Teh is a toxic mess who doesn't change the entire series, even with the time jump.

What a disappointment. longing and feeling bad for yourself for cheating isn't character growth. not even in fictional narratives.

I'm not sure if the writers happened to pick up a drug habit between season 1 & 2, hence the poor writing and character arcs.

I've just never rooted this hard for a couple to not get back together in a series.

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The Golden Spoon — A fantasy K-drama about whether wealth is worth losing yourself for

The Golden Spoon follows poor student Lee Seung-cheon, who uses a magical spoon to swap lives with a wealthy classmate. What begins as a dream come true soon becomes a complicated struggle involving family, love, power, and guilt.

The Golden Spoon is a 2022 South Korean fantasy-mystery drama based on a popular webtoon. The story follows Yook Sung-jae's character, Lee Seung-cheon, a poor student who receives a magical golden spoon that allows him to swap lives with a wealthy friend

* It explores class inequality, ambition, family loyalty, and the consequences of trying to escape poverty.
* The drama constantly asks: *If you could become rich by taking someone else's life, would you do it?*
It blends fantasy with mystery and psychological drama rather than focusing only on romance.

**Main cast**

* Yook Sung-jae as Lee Seung-cheon
* Lee Jong-won as Hwang Tae-yong
* Jung Chae-yeon as Na Joo-hee
* Yeonwoo as Oh Yeo-jin
The finale is bittersweet rather than purely happy. Characters who use the magical spoon gain wealth but ultimately face consequences for their choices. The ending leaves some questions open to interpretation, especially regarding memory, identity, and whether the protagonist truly gets a second chance. Many viewers praised the moral message, though opinions on the final twist were divided
If you enjoy dramas like Sky Castle or Reborn Rich that deal with wealth, power, and social status, *The Golden Spoon* offers a unique fantasy twist on those themes.
The most important thing to know is that *The Golden Spoon* isn't really about a magical spoon

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Wanted to Love It, Ended Up Disappointed

I honestly thought this drama would end up being one of my favorites. I love Allen’s dramas and usually enjoy watching him even when they're sad or flawed. For most of the show I was sitting at around an 8/10, but the final two episodes dropped it to a 7.5.

The drama isn't bad. It's perfectly watchable and decent entertainment if you're just looking for something to pass the time. The problem is that it never quite reaches its potential. The story itself is actually interesting, but the execution doesn't fully deliver. There are too many storylines, too many characters, and not enough focus on what should have been the heart of the show.

My biggest issue is that neither lead ever truly felt like the center of the story.

Xin Mei started off incredibly strong. I absolutely loved her in the first episodes. Her revenge arc was one of the best parts of the drama and made me excited to see where her character would go. She was capable, determined, and interesting. Unfortunately, after the amnesia arc, I felt like she lost a lot of what made her compelling. She became less interesting and less impactful. The actress did a good job, but Xin Mei herself never felt like a true main character to me. Sometimes I genuinely forgot she was supposed to be the lead.

The male lead had the more interesting storyline. His desire to become human was unique and one of the things that drew me into the drama. We're used to seeing mortals wanting immortality, so seeing someone desperately wanting to become human felt refreshing. His journey had so much potential, and I found his struggles far more interesting than most of the plot around him. I just wish the drama explored his character and motivations in more depth.

Allen was great as always. I loved his styling in this drama—probably one of my favorite looks of his—and he carried many scenes for me.

The romance was another disappointment. For a couple that starts off married, there was surprisingly little chemistry. I don't need kissing scenes, but I do need to feel the relationship. Most of the time they felt more like companions than romantic partners. The story keeps telling us how important their love is, but I never really felt it. It also didn't help that they spent so much of the drama apart. Sometimes it felt like they were in two separate dramas and only met when one needed to save the other.

The drama also suffers from having way too many side stories and characters. There were so many plotlines competing for attention that it became hard to stay invested.

Sheng and Jin Lun's storyline did absolutely nothing for me. Honestly, I think most of it could have been removed and very little would change. Bai's storyline wasn't much better. Aside from his sacrifice, which I did find meaningful, I wasn't invested in his character, romance, or overall arc.

There were entire stretches where it felt like 15–20 episodes passed and nothing significant happened. By the time the story started picking up again, I was already getting bored.

For a fantasy drama, it was also surprisingly low on excitement. There are some good action scenes, especially involving the male lead, but overall it feels like there's far more talking than action. My heart rarely felt like it was racing. It never really gave me that excitement I usually look for in fantasy dramas.

One storyline that did surprise me was the Wushang Society. At first I kept wondering why the drama spent so much time on them trying to recover books. Later on, though, I really appreciated it. Their determination to preserve knowledge, history, and culture despite persecution was genuinely moving. Watching them sacrifice themselves to protect knowledge and rebuild their world was heartbreaking. In many ways, that storyline made me sympathize with mortals more than anyone else and highlighted how selfish many of the immortals actually were.

As for the side characters, Lin Mu Han and Mei Shun Jun were easily my favorites. Every time they appeared, I became interested again. They brought energy to the show and had some of the strongest character development. Honestly, they're the only characters whose growth felt truly complete to me.

I also really liked Chu Ying and wish he had gotten more screen time.

Xin Mei's sister, however, drove me crazy. Her obsession with her senior became exhausting. She was immature, jealous, and desperately needed to grow up.

The ending is where the drama lost me.

I genuinely don't understand how the writers had two entire episodes left and still gave the main couple so little closure. Xin Mei spends forever looking for him, only for them to reunite in the final seconds. Technically it's a happy ending, but that doesn't automatically make it a satisfying ending.

The final battle was also underwhelming. Throughout the drama, the male lead had amazing presence and some great fight scenes. Then the climax arrives and he basically shows up, defeats the villain, destroys the tree, and it's over. For such an important battle, it felt surprisingly small.

What frustrated me even more was the resolution of the curse. The male lead sacrifices everything—his body, blood, heart, and future—to protect the people he loves. Then Xin Mei simply goes, removes the curse from a book, and comes back. It felt far too easy compared to everything he went through.

I was also disappointed that after everything, he ended up becoming the very thing he spent the whole drama trying not to be. The idea of someone desperately wanting to become human was one of the strongest parts of the story, so the ending left me wondering, "What was the point?"

Then there's the memory-loss ending. The drama itself tells us that without his memories, he's basically a different person. So when they reunite, we're left wondering if this is even the same man we've been following all along. Instead of giving closure, the ending leaves everything up to interpretation.

Overall, I don't regret watching Fate Chooses You. It has a genuinely interesting premise, strong performances, beautiful styling, and some memorable moments. I just think it got lost under too many storylines, too many characters, weak romantic development, and an ending that didn't do the story justice.

It's a good drama for passing the time and definitely watchable, especially if you're already a fan of Allen. But it's not one I'd go out of my way to recommend, and for me it ended up being a drama with a lot of potential that never fully reached it. But also, Liu Yuning’s OST was really beautiful and the cinematography is quite nice as well.

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A heartbreakingly beautiful masterpiece.

I never expected a slice-of-life drama to hit this close to home, but this story completely shattered me in the most beautiful way possible. The absolute beating heart of this masterpiece is its incredible lineup of characters; they feel so real and unpolished that it almost feels like you're watching a real family's life unfold rather than a scripted TV show.

Ae-sun is such a wonderfully messy and relatable protagonist. She is chaotic, rebellious, and fiercely stubborn, but it’s all a defense mechanism against the heavy burdens she carries as a daughter. Watching her navigate her complicated relationship with her mother—where love is often hidden behind harsh words and defensive arguments—felt incredibly authentic. Then you have Gwan-sik, who completely redefines what a "green flag" male lead should be. He isn't loud or flashy; he is just a silent, unyielding anchor for Ae-sun. The way he simply creates a safe space for her to be angry, loud, or vulnerable without a single shred of judgment is just beautiful. Their relationship stands out so purely because it doesn't rely on grand gestures, just steady, mature devotion. But what really fleshes out the story is the focus on the other children and the older versions of these characters. The narrative splits its soul between the past and the present, showing how the choices, trauma, and quiet endurance of the parents profoundly shape the lives of the next generation. We see children who love their families deeply but are simultaneously suffocated by the crushing weight of expectations and the unspoken guilt of what their parents sacrificed for them. Even the older couple, dealing with decades of silent grief while trying to keep the family moving forward, adds a layer of raw realism that is nothing short of staggering.

It does require a bit of patience at first—the shifting timelines and the slow, book-like pacing can take a few episodes to get used to. But once you lock into its rhythm, watching these characters love, clash, suffer, and ultimately endure together is an unforgettable experience. It’s a profound, emotional ride that stays with you long after the final credits roll.

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Sweet and corporate

This series is right up my alley. Calm but not cold characters with very strong personalities, no age or wealth gap, and a comforting story that is not too sweet. The average age being thirty makes the story less dramatic; instead, we get great personal development while striving for success. Both leads are independent, so the slight social inequality doesn't really matter. There are a LOT of clichés, some are done better than others. As much as I loved Ji Yuheng's family struggles plotline, their constant misunderstandings and cold wars at the beginning were out of place. It felt like Tu Xiaoning was non-stop mad about something that he didn't even do, but she won't ask him. And both Tang Yuhui's plotline and keeping Ji Yuheng's feelings a secret gag were just unnecessary.

However, I must disagree with some other reviewers who described the plot as unreasonable and too unrealistic. I think if the secret made sense. There would be serious consequences if it were made public at the wrong time. And what's so unrealistic about a man that tries his best (even if I think he was a bit too much at times)? The bar is in hell.

When it comes to other couples, I have vastly different opinions. Rao Jing and Zhao Fanggang were just phenomenal. It felt very natural for them to get together. The way they overcame their differences and tried their best to change themselves for the better? Pure cinema. Chemistry? Through the roof. Also, they are just very fun characters. On the other hand, I hated every last bit of Ling Weiyi and Qi Yu's relationship. Their scenes felt stiff and awkward, not to mention how childish and tiring their constant arguments were. It is very subjective because I'm not a fan of this kind of story. I also couldn't understand why they couldn't come to an agreement. I get why it was a problem, but if they had such a long and strong relationship. Good as individual characters, boring as a couple.

I don't have much of an opinion on artistic aspects. Good acting, good music, good sets, good production. Nothing bad to pinpoint nor anything particularly outstanding. Balance between their love and work life is perfect, as well as pacing of the story.

Overall, I recommend the series if you like similar stories to the kind that I do. I think you can skip over it if you don't like one of the couples; their stories don't overlap too much, and you'll get the sense of what happened from their conversations.

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An absolutely beautiful drama

I very rarely write reviews, but this show deserves one. Honestly, I only discovered it and decided to watch because I’m a fan of Byun Yo-han. But the entire cast hooked me in even more each episode. Go Bo-gyeol in particular was amazing throughout, especially in the back end of the drama. Byun Yo-han took the spotlight as he always does. It was my first time seeing him in a deep, emotional role like this, and he just had me mind blown. Such incredible acting from everyone, I can’t stress that enough.
The plot of this drama is interesting, leaves you on edge with suspense and has you racing to watch the next episode. I loved every twist and turn it took. Definitely has a high rewatch value.

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