At the heart of the series is Hill, played by March Chutavuth Pattarakhumphol, a creative video game designer who finally lands his dream job. Hill is an exceptional protagonist who is sincere, reasonable, endearing, and entirely firm in his boundaries. Opposite him is Junji, played by Mukai Koji, the CEO of the Thai branch of the gaming company. While Junji initially seems like the typical reserved Japanese man amidst extroverted Thai colleagues, both leads gradually reveal deeper layers that show they are far more complex than their initial stereotypes suggest.
Both March Chutavuth and Mukai Koji bring their veteran acting experience to deliver subtle and moving performances. While Mukai’s acting and Thai pronunciation might initially feel a bit stiff or insecure, later episodes brilliantly show rather than tell the narrative reason behind his posture, turning an apparent flaw into a poignant strength. Together, the two main characters grow in a mature, steady way, helping each other overcome past trauma through unconditional trust.
The secondary couple, played by veterans Judo as Bay and Fluke as Phat, adds fantastic energy to the show. The dynamic between Bay, a charismatic game designer with a huge ego, and Phat, a quiet and dedicated chef, is a joy to watch as both actors clearly have fun with their roles. The only minor drawback is that while Phat gets a decent backstory, Bay’s history remains largely unexplored.
Overall, Dating Game proves that a series doesn't need high-stakes toxicity to keep viewers hooked. By prioritizing slow-burn character development, genuine communication, and emotional honesty, it stands out as a thoroughly refreshing and comforting drama.
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Enjoyable romantic comedy
This show is incredibly sweet, hilarious, and lighthearted. If you love the 'office romance' trope, this drama absolutely delivers on every expectation.It takes all the classic K-drama clichés and executes them in such a clever and fun way that it is simply a joy to watch. One of the funniest parts of the series is watching Ha-ri try her absolute best to scare off Tae-moo during their forced blind date, along with all the chaotic double-identity situations that follow at their workplace.
The cast is phenomenal, and the chemistry between the lead couple is amazingly natural. Beyond the main leads, the second lead couple also brings so much charm, humor, and fantastic romantic moments to the table.
Don't expect a complex plot or deep storyline—the premise is quite simple and predictable. However, the show's true strength lies in its great physical comedy, fast pacing, and overall fun, uplifting vibe. It is the perfect series to relax, laugh, and pass the time with a big smile. Highly recommended!
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Once in a lifetime masterpiece
I started watching this drama when my semester exams were approaching. The whole drama had me so hooked from start to end that I watched it within a week, which is crazy given I was studying and writing exams.The plot is so good, till the end there is not one episode where I felt like this is a redundant episode. In cdramas, this is a novelty to me.
The cast and their costumes and sets and vfx were so good.
And the chemistry between lyx and hmh is to die for.
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Truly powerful and intense experience
in my opinion, it is an outstanding show, but it comes with a strong content warning: it features severe abuse scenes that are very difficult to watch.Learning that parts of the bullying are based on a real-life incident makes the viewing experience even more harrowing.
At the same time, the series reflects trauma and violence in a raw, realistic, and unfiltered way—a refreshing and important departure from typical K-dramas.
Because the core subject touches upon real-world issues, it is very easy to empathize with the female lead, feel her pain, and support her meticulous, years-long revenge strategy.
Song Hye-kyo delivers a phenomenal performance—cold and calculated, yet deeply layered with emotion.
Beyond the personal revenge plot, the series raises profound questions about human nature, class privilege, and the way institutional systems often fail victims of severe violence.
It is a brilliant, gripping, and masterfully crafted drama, but it is definitely not recommended for viewers who are sensitive to heavy depictions of abuse
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Truly powerful and intense experience
in my opinion, it is an outstanding show, but it comes with a strong content warning: it features severe abuse scenes that are very difficult to watch.Learning that parts of the bullying are based on a real-life incident makes the viewing experience even more harrowing.
At the same time, the series reflects trauma and violence in a raw, realistic, and unfiltered way—a refreshing and important departure from typical K-dramas.
Because the core subject touches upon real-world issues, it is very easy to empathize with the female lead, feel her pain, and support her meticulous, years-long revenge strategy.
Song Hye-kyo delivers a phenomenal performance—cold and calculated, yet deeply layered with emotion.
Beyond the personal revenge plot, the series raises profound questions about human nature, class privilege, and the way institutional systems often fail victims of severe violence.
It is a brilliant, gripping, and masterfully crafted drama, but it is definitely not recommended for viewers who are sensitive to heavy depictions of abuse
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Sweet and unique
What makes this series so refreshing and different is its distinct format: it is shot mockumentary-style with characters interviewing directly to the camera, alongside shorter 30-minute episodes, which is perfect for my opinion.It really breaks the usual mold compared to traditional K-dramas. At first, the pacing can be a bit confusing because it jumps between different timelines and perspectives, but as you keep watching, everything begins to connect and the concept becomes fascinating. This structure might not appeal to every viewer, but I personally loved it.
Ji Chang-wook delivers an incredible performance as always, and the story explores the diverse experiences of several couples. The best part of the show is that it feels much less conservative and far more realistic and mature than usual, making it very easy to relate to the characters and the complexities of modern dating.
If there was one drawback for me, it was the prolonged plotline where Yoon-oh hides her true identity from Jae-won, which felt somewhat frustrating over time. Nevertheless, the way all the individual storylines ultimately weave together into one cohesive picture is clever and satisfying.
It is a lighthearted, modern, and highly recommended drama for anyone looking for something a bit different but still interesting and romantic
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Lock in, boys!!!
Watched this on the FOD Short app with English subtitles!With this premise, they could've very easily gone the absurdist route and cranked everything up to 100 with cartoonish villains and exaggerated performances, but the fact that it was played straight with a large cast of experienced actors who weren't totally checked out made it a much more palatable watch. Umefune Ariei in particular did a great job being calmly menacing and really tied everything together.
I do wish there was a bit more screentime devoted to showing Misaki interacting with everyone and building relationships, because even with these emotionally-heightened circumstances, the contestants' love for her seemed to come out of nowhere and who she picked to stay felt super arbitrary. I also don't think Misaki (or really any of the characters) were distraught enough over what was happening around them. The ending was funny because it wrapped everything in a neat little bow despite all the bloodshed left in its wake. I know that's all way too much to ask, though, and conversely, I think the efficient and uncomplicated storytelling worked in this drama's favor.
Overall, more than the plot, my enjoyment came from watching all these actors I know from different projects interact and seeing who got plot armor because they're more notable lol. But even if you're not a j-drama nerd like me and you're just looking for something brainless and entertaining, I think this one is worth checking out!
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The Bodyguard Who Fooled Absolutely No Viewer
For a small production, the series is surprisingly charming and visually more polished than expected. The historical setting, the locations, and the general atmosphere give it a strong first impression. The chemistry between the two leads is great and carries much of the story, especially in the more emotional and intimate scenes.However, the series struggles a lot with storytelling and structure. The basic story itself is not bad, and there are several interesting ideas, but the way it is told often feels uneven. Some scenes are rushed, while others are stretched out too much, which makes the pacing feel unbalanced. Certain plot developments also feel too convenient or not very believable.
One of the biggest problems is that Kaew pretending to be a man is not convincing at all. She looks obviously female, so it is hard for the viewer to believe that everyone around her would be fooled so easily. This makes several scenes less believable and weakens an important part of the story.
The acting is another mixed point. Some moments work well, but some of the performances can feel unnatural at times.
There are also several production limitations, especially in the action scenes. The choreography often looks simple and unrealistic, but considering the short format and smaller production scale, this is somewhat understandable.
Overall, it is a flawed but enjoyable small series. It has noticeable weaknesses in pacing, logic, acting, and scene structure, and the central disguise plot is difficult to believe. Still, the lead dynamic, the romantic moments, and the general charm make it a good small series if you can overlook some rough execution.
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Drama that came with high expectations, but ultimately felt quite generic and cringe
Even if we set aside the elements of super strength—since it is a fantasy show after all—the plot simply moves at an unreasonably rushed pace.It starts in Mongolia, and almost instantly, the main character arrives in South Korea, finds her mother almost immediately, and is suddenly fighting criminals alongside the police while developing a romance with a detective. Everything happens far too quickly without building any real depth.
Beyond the rushed pacing, the show is full of frustrating plot holes. Take the main villain, for instance: throughout the entire show, it's hard not to wonder how such a powerful and wealthy man remains so oblivious to who she really is, especially when she makes no effort to hide her identity or her superpowers from anyone.
Furthermore, the series is overloaded with unnecessary subplots and an unbalanced mix of genres—shifting abruptly from a dark crime drama about illegal substances to over-the-top comedy. It has too many episodes, and it feels like it tries to do way too much at once instead of focusing on the core story.
it is a decent show only if you're looking for something light to pass the time without thinking too much, but it definitely doesn't live up to the expectations
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One of the most romantic cdramas
This drama had more twists and turns than almost any I’ve ever seen. It’s also one of the most romantic. While there were some parts that felt a bit rushed, the storyline constantly reinvented itself in a fascinating way. Looking back on the beginning you feel like it was a completely different show. The main leads falling in love across several lifetimes was one of the most beautiful romances of the Chinese dramas that I’ve seen. The chemistry and love shown between the two main actors was very well acted, but Arthur Chen’s portrayal of grief while Wang Ying Lu’s character is dying in the last episode felt oddly emotionless, especially compared to Dylan Wang’s incredible performance of a similar scene in LBFAD. Aside from that, it was incredibly immersive and the way they continuously found their way back to each other was a gorgeous depiction of love. They lost each other over and over again and one of them seemed to end up dying for the other every ten episodes. Despite this it managed to not feel contrived and the devotion that they had to one another outshone the tragedy.Was this review helpful to you?
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"In a storm, you have to be like an adult. In beautiful weather, you have to like a child.""Didn't I say that as long as I reach out my hand, I must be able to touch you?
...This is the farthest distance you can be away from me."
"All the characters who disappeared in the books will reappear in the hearts of the reader."
"Although you probably can't tell I am on the brink of collapsing.."
8/10 for the leads' story. It was incredibly engaging, and honestly, I really wanted the female lead to end up with the second lead. 😭❤️
One thing I absolutely loved about this drama was how, after taking us into the world of the novel, it openly played around with and poked fun at the archetypes commonly used in CEO novels and dramas. It was entertaining, and made the whole experience even more enjoyable.
My favorite character was Qinfeng. He was such a lonely character, and what made his story fascinating was that he initially didn't even know he was a fictional character. Once he became aware of it, and after being influenced by the female lead, he became determined to fight against his already-written fate and challenge the destiny assigned to him. From that point onward, the recurring imagery of him burning in flames was incredibly powerful. The way those flames symbolized his awakening consciousness and rebellion against his predetermined role was beautifully done. I rooted for him so badly throughout the drama.
His chemistry with the female lead was honestly my favorite. They had the sweetest and most considerate relationship. He was gentle, intelligent, mature, and always understood her in ways that felt comforting and sincere.
As for the other aspects of the drama, I wasn't particularly invested in the Tianjing Group's corporate and political conflicts. I found myself much more interested in the novel world and the female lead's journey within it.
I also personally loved how He Tianxing felt more mature than Situ Aoran and we were able to see both sides of his character. One of my favorite moments was when he told her that Situ was his abandoned self. That line resonated with me because it's true not only for him but for all of us. As we grow up, we often leave parts of ourselves behind, creating our own "abandoned selves" in the process.
Overall, I enjoyed this story so much. It was funny, emotional, and surprisingly thoughtful.
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Storia e personaggi interessanti
Benché la storia del viaggio nel tempo non sia una novità. La syoria sin dalla prima puntata ti tiene incollata allo shermo.Devo dire che questa serie è fatta veramente bene.. la storia scorre bene e la recitazione degli attori rende la storia scorrevole e appassionante. Non vedo l'ora di vedere le ultime 2 puntate ,per sapere come va finìre.Was this review helpful to you?
I rewatched this 3 times.
Very enjoyable story back in those days.I like it. It is hilarious.
It's hard to find good stuff like this.
I also watched the sequel film.
It was great too, but the second film was bad at discrimination toward Japanese people. I hope to see more respect.
I pray for the main actor.
I wish he would be fine.
I heard from the news that his health was not so good.
I hope he getd better.
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So much potential, sadly no chemistry
I came for the intriguing drama name but only stayed because it was so short and I had run out of chores to do.The BL story is simple, a lonely man makes a wish at a shrine and suddenly he finds himself in a parallel world - the perfect version of his own life. Here he is a valued member of the sales team that in his previous life he’d only stood at the periphery of. The man he has feelings for returns them and his customers respect his knowledge and understanding. However, it doesn’t take him too long to realise that he misses the life he had before and that with a little mindset change he could have exactly what he wants if he returned. But can he return? Will he step up and be the man he needs to be to get what he wants?
The concept is excellent but the shortness of this series prevents any real plot development or depth to the characters. The acting is fairly ok, but there is absolutely no chemistry between the two main male leads and the kissing is so poorly executed that even if they director had used clever camera angles and lighting it would still have looked like a young man greeting a favourite uncle.
Would I watch this again? It’s a no from me.
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Thailand in this film was too dirty.
Thailand is a nice place to work and to visit. However, in this movie, many scenes are so dirty, unlike the real Thailand. The dialogs contains much more rude and offensive words, comparing to what Thai people really speak in their real life. The film presents Thailand in very negative way. Thai producer and director should see Indonesian horror movies. They could present their country and their people in positive way.Was this review helpful to you?
