Reviews

I just had to write a review for this series!

Honestly, this series was amazing. The acting, the soundtrack, and the cinematography were all so amazing. With each episode, I was on the edge of my seat, and my jaw kept dropping lower and lower. To me, I felt that it was kinda hard to really fully predict how it would end, and I love that as I was in suspense all the way. I was hooked from the beginning, and there were times when I didn't feel like continuing, but somehow it kept me interested till the finale.

With FortPeat as the MLs, I was already instantly drawn to this show since they are such an explosive pairing. Their acting was phenomenal; they really carried the series. Their chemistry is undeniable, unmatched, unbeatable. The raw feel of everything they portrayed was so fucking good. They've improved so much since their LITA days, especially Peat.

Peat should really get an award for his acting in this series since he played his role so damn well. The way he went from innocent and naive to a crazy, obsessed psycho was terrifying. The naunce of his expressions throughout the series was remarkable. He acted so well that in some scenes, you really can't tell what he's thinking/feeling, which makes his psycho role even more convincing.

I personally think Fort already performed quite well in LITA, but he has shown nothing but improvement since those days, and his acting in this series was just chef's kiss. He played his role so well in terms of the emotions he evoked in the audience. His acting throughout the series just felt very real, very natural, and it really tugs at your heartstrings.

This show was really different to what FortPeat have done before, and it highlighted just how versatile they are as actors. In LITA and Love Sea, there was definitely a lot of trauma and toxicity, but they were much milder compared to this series. This series was just so intense in the best way, and I was on a roller coaster of emotions every few scenes. It's dark, twisted, and angsty, which is a nice contrast to the childish/cute tropes in other BLs over the years. I hope they get more different and crazier roles in the future, as they're just overflowing with talent.

There were a shit ton of red flags in this show. The lying, the betrayal, the manipulation, the kidnapping, the assaults and torture. In reality, if anyone went through what Veir did, there's no way in hell they would be able to forgive Kelvin. Especially the part where Kelvin indirectly caused Lalit's (Veir's best friend) death.

Kelvin crossed the boundaries way too many times, and the stuff he did was honestly unforgivable. Yes, he eventually realised he did wrong, and he reflected on his actions, but it doesn't justify a damn thing. Later on in the series, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression, so maybe he kept flicking back and forth from being "normal" to psycho because of his condition(?). With that said, it still doesn't justify his actions as he really crossed the line.

At one point, he was just obsessed with Veir; it wasn't love anymore. He "branded" Veir's forehead to claim him as his, so nobody else would want him. He held him captive and chained him up like a fucking pet. He controlled everything Veir did and followed him everywhere. But, somehow, Veir was able to forgive this motherfucker at the end. He confessed that he still loves him and has never stopped loving him. What the actual fuck? Both of them are legit insane, so they're perfect for each other, I guess.

I appreciate the fact that there was a GL side couple that was actually well-written this time, and they added depth and harmony to the series, unlike in Love Sea, where it was absolutely unnecessary and annoying. I like that the writer didn't make the females out to be villains or love rivals, as in every other BL.

Lalin is an independent and smart woman who was eventually rewarded due to her hard work and perseverance. Nana is a badass who knows how to kick ass and protect those she loves. I felt their pairing was really nice, and they had great chemistry. Both of them also acted well.

The rest of the cast also acted pretty damn well. There were little to no scenes where I felt that it was too cringey or fake, maybe except for the over-the-top shouting or laughing like a maniac sometimes.

The whole plot was quite convoluted at times, especially with all the time skips and flashbacks/memories. There were also inconsistencies or times when it felt like something was missing. Like the scene when Nana was angry with Lalin in EP 7, and why Nana felt like she couldn't trust her. I felt the context could have been elaborated more to make the audience fully understand why Nana said what she said to Lalin. This may be due to footage being cut (?) since EP 7 was substantially shorter than the other EPs. It felt like there were missing pieces to the series, and I wish we could have been given an even clearer storyline so it was easier to keep up with.

The plot of corrupted father CEOs, the half-sibling rivalry, and the fight to become the heir of the company was all pretty cliché. It was done well enough to not make me feel sick of watching it, but it wasn't anything too special or different. It was definitely not as intense and cringey as in 'The Wicked Game' though (*No hate to DaouOffroad, love them down, but the script they got was genuinely pretty ass).

The final scene, when Rawit found Ken, then the screen just faded to black, pissed me the fuck off. Why did it end like that? It was so inconclusive and left the audience on a cliffhanger. I get that they ended it like that to keep us wanting more, but why!! Also, how and why is Ken not jailed? He literally committed so many crimes and murdered Likhit (evidence was found too), but he's just out and about, enjoying his freedom. He technically lost everything, since he has no power or money anymore, so how is he able to evade the police so damn well? I hope there's a season two or at least a special episode, or I'll feel so incomplete.

Overall, the series was different from what FortPeat have done, and I really enjoyed it. The acting from the MLs and the side couple were solid. The storyline was interesting and fresh to me, though confusing and cliché at times. I would definitely rewatch this series, and it's now my Top 3 BLs of 2026. So glad that FortPeat worked on this together, wouldn't want any other couple to play it because they just wouldn't match their level.

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Not Shining

Still Shining had everything going for it. A serious romance and mature story with visuals to back it up. Acting was excellent with realistic characters and decisions. Regardless of the choices ML and FL made and how horrible they are at communicating it all fell in the realm of possibility. However, around the halfway point, cracks began to appear, and character motivations and reasoning started to falter.

When you realize there are only four episodes left, but the writers decide to introduce a second female lead, you know something is up. I was rooting for 2nd FL, but honestly WTF is she doing on this show? What a waste of precious time. The writers had her ask the male lead to roleplay a breakup, even though they never dated. I understood the context of why she did it, but are we serious right now? The writers seemed to want the show to appear smart through her with the nonsensical lines they made her speak all while neglecting the main focus of the story with an ending fast approaching.

This ending. My goodness. This show is definitely more about the journey than the destination. A rough journey at that. And a journey I’d argue not worth starting if you have other shows you’re interested in.

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sometimes less is more.

The story was well written, the cast was definitely on spot, I saw no problem with the acting and I think the main couple had an insane chemistry. I loved the development of the "villains", it felt quite natural, nothing forced and are made well enough so you can't not hate them. The ending did justice to the main couple and I really liked it overall.

But, there were some things I did not like. For starters, I don't understand why they introduced a new villain, Oh Yu-Ra. I felt like Soo-min had enough dimension and motivation to be the "main villain" so it felt like it was unnecessary to bring Yu-Ra in the picture as well. Also her motivations weren't clear at all. I mean yeah, she wanted the ML but her actions can't be justified. I mean, the crazy ex it's a cliche in drama, but this was beyond the exaggeration you usually see, and it didn't really fit the plot.

There is also a constant attempt to compare Soo-min with Ji-won to show this parallel between evil and good, and we see it in the story about Soo-min's father and Ji-won's mother. They both experienced this but reacted differently. Even with these parallels, Ji-won's actions are still questionable. At some point I found myself asking "how many people need to suffer so you could live?" which I'm sure it wasn't the intention of the drama, but it happened.
I would've liked to see more scenes with the other couples as well, I think they were really cute and promising, but they're development felt rushed and unfinished.

Overall, I recommend this drama. It's easy to watch and it did not feel boring at all, but don't get your hopes too high. If you're someone like me, who likes romance drama, definitely you're gonna like it. Everything was on point and smooth, the interactions between the love interests are amazing, the scenes are well written, and the conflict had the perfect amount of drama. I can apreciate they didn't make it longer than needed to be.

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When Fire Meets Ice

I started this drama mainly because of the actor. I’ve already seen him in completely different roles before, from a 1970s setting to a modern story about programming. And now seeing him in a historical drama just proves how versatile he really is. He truly stands out.

This drama It’s not a simple, linear story. It feels like a loop, almost like reincarnation, or a destiny that cannot be broken. No matter what happens, even if one of them dies or disappears, they always find their way back to each other. It’s inevitable.

The female lead is especially interesting because she comes from the modern world into this ancient setting. And the drama never gives a clear answer: was it real, or was it all a dream?

Personally, I don’t think it was just a dream. I see it more as her soul transcending while she was in a coma, like we were watching a past life or another existence. And when she returns to the real world… somehow, he finds a way to follow her.

The male lead starts off cold, almost cruel, but it comes from trauma. He once had love in him, but it was completely destroyed. Then she appears, someone who doesn’t belong in his world, and that changes everything.

Curiosity turns into obsession… and eventually into love.

And this isn’t a soft kind of love. It’s intense to the point where they could destroy each other.

One thing that really surprised me was how romantic this drama actually is. I wasn’t expecting so many intimate moments, not in an explicit way, but in how deeply they connect emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically. Their bond feels complete.

There’s also this idea mentioned about a place beyond the three realms… and that stayed with me. Because it raises so many questions:
Did he die to find her again?
Was everything we saw a memory from past lives?
Or was it fate bringing them back together in the real world?
I think the drama allows both interpretations and that’s what makes it even more interesting.

The ending is open, but in a positive way. I had a feeling she would eventually return to the modern world, especially in the last episodes. I was just hoping it wouldn’t end badly… and it doesn’t. It gives you the feeling that they’ll finally have a normal life together. Not a life full of suffering and sacrifice, just something human, simple, and real.

Rating: 9.5/10

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This drama just hit different, I feel a new sensation.

I love the storyline. This drama is built with a refreshing (anti-mainstream) plot. The writer incorporates a mysterious element about Chan's memories, which influences his treatment of Haran.

What amazes me are the details of this drama, which give me a new sensation. I love their outfits, I love the OST, I love the dialogue, and the cinematography, which warms my heart.

This story is perfectly executed by Lee Sung Kyung and Chae Jong Hyeop; their chemistry is excellent. I felt the trauma when I saw Haran's eyes and the sadness hidden in Seanu Chan's eyes.

This drama will always hold a special place in my heart. Goodbye long winter, I will live this life without regrets 👋

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Good, but I enjoyed H2H more

My only complaint is that the series felt longer than it needed to be. In episode 8, I felt like we were getting a lot of filler and NC scenes just to expand the show out to 12 episodes, and by episode 10, I was watching at 2X speed so I wouldn't DNF it because I found my attention drifting.

Despite that, I liked the acting, except for JJ's, because it felt very stiff, but I've seen him in other things, and it's been fine, so it's probably because it was his first drama, or that's how they wanted him to act.

Didn't care about the singing. I rarely do unless music is the main focus of a character or plot, like Kim from Kinnporche, or ThamePo & Cutie Pie.

I love this kind of plot because it dives into something that many people experience, but don't really talk about. I have these kinds of dreams a few times out of the year, and it always leaves me feeling disoriented when they start happening in real life, and I think this show captured that feeling very well. I also like that in this series, it's an inherited gift.

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Poor acting, Amazing kisses, Plot holes, Awful Makeup

Subjective Gut Rating; 6.75 (rounding up to 7.0 coz of the kisses. That’s how I roll…LOL 🤣)

I was looking for an easy and light binge to end the work week, and I thought “Never Forget Your Enemy” is the right pick. Well, I was wrong. I thought it would be a fluffy and cute romance, and maybe even a second-chance romance when the leads are given another chance to work things out. Instead, the plot is a little more serious and darker than I initially thought. This is also not a big deal, because I’ve seen quite a few really good Korean BLs that cover some darker/angsty topics, e.g. “Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo” or “Secret Relationships” or “Love for Love’s Sake”.

Unfortunately, this Thai/Korean co-production isn’t up to par with the dramas I listed. There are 2 things that this KBL got from their Thai friends - poor makeup and great kisses. There’s so much makeup on the two main leads that I couldn’t look away. This is especially bad for Lee Ja Woon, whose acting is already bad (a little better in the last couple episodes, but distractingly bad). Coupled with poor makeup that makes his face look a little weird, it greatly decreases the enjoyment factor. But don’t worry, these guys can kiss! And who doesn’t like a couple wet dreams, right? I haven’t seen some great BL kissing in a long time. The actors, god bless them, are not afraid to open their mouths and go for it (without looking like they are going to eat each other’s faces). They are passionate and sexy, sweet and affectionate. Props to them!

How about the plot? Well, there are too many loopholes and things that don’t quite make sense. No one seems to have a sense of urgency to help Ki Ha Neul recover his memories. I’m not saying they need to force him, but they didn’t help at all. What about the creepy barista at the coffee shop? Given who he really is, falling in love with Ha Neul seems quite convenient and also what he did in the end. What about the contents inside the box? Why would Yeo Sae Byeok keep the contents if he’s not going to tell anyone or do something with it? Just burn them!

I don’t think I am going to recommend “Never Forget Your Enemy” to you, unless you are interested in checking this Thai/Korean co-production. The mystery is not too bad, and the drama is quite short (8 eps, 30 mins each). There are many better BLs out there, like the three I mentioned in the first paragraph.


Completed: 4/3/2026 Review #681

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I Can't Believe I'm Giving This a 10!!! Loved It!!

I started watching this because I really like Lu Yu Xiao in Perfect Match but didn't watch it until much later after it aired. I watched and dropped Hou Ming Hao's "Back From The Brink" because I couldn't stand watching the FL. I'll be honest when I say that it's very hard for me to finish watching some cdramas through to the end because I feel that a lot of times, it gets either too draggy or rushed through the final last few chapters. Not expecting much from this drama, I started watching with no expectations but was so surprised by how much I enjoyed it! I was so happy and satisfied with it!

I felt that Lu Yun Xiao and Hou Ming Hao had the perfect chemistry together! Their angsty and tearful moments were always so well acted and timed in sync! I really liked the pacing of the story. Despite that the FL constantly lies and hides the truth, her actions always betray her. She sacrifices herself so many times to save him despite even the dangers and torture she faces. She constantly risks her own health to save him. Even though she says she just doing it to get the antidote, as a viewer, you know that deep down, she's fallen for him. While her goal was always to save herself first by trying to get the Golden Millet Dream, she keeps lying because she didn't want him to have to go against his master's dying wish in order to save her. So she would rather steal and continue to lie to him so he doesn't have to make that painful decision. She's been hiding herself all her life so it becomes second nature for her to hide the truth from others, even at the cost of her love for the ML. She never confesses back to him because she's still at death's door the entire time.While the ML exposes his feelings earlier, he knows that she loves him. Even when true purpose of her being with him is exposed, he can't let her go and still watches after her. But when the truth is finally revealed, the relief of the ML is evident.

I did have a few gripes with some things in the drama. I wished that they showed the FL's Warrior Goddess side more often. It would've of been interesting if she had shown her fighting prowess by 'accident' and then the ML would question it. But you never really get to see that side of her at all. When she's finally suited up, she doesn't really have any real fighting scenes. lt seems like she got rescued a lot but at the same time, she also rescued the ML so that balanced out. I wished also that when the ML finally confronts her, it would've been nice for them to have a whole uninterrrupted scene of them being truthful to each other. Instead, we have a young girl playing the demon Zhulong interrupting their truth revealing moment. Kind of ruined it IMO. Also, the main 'second' villain was so-so at the end. He was good for being that obsessive guy but turning into a main villain, he really wasn't suited for the part.

I really enjoyed the leads' chemistry and their kissing scenes were perfectly steamy without being too cringey! Just perfect enough! I felt that both Hou Ming Hao and Lu Yu Xiao did a perfect job in this drama and were so very well matched! I'd love to see them in another drama again together! While the ending could've been a bit better, I was left happy and satisfied with the drama as a whole.

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Childhood Trauma and Tragedy Interferes With Love

I just finished Still Shining. This is not the typical romance love story and doesn't have the happily ever after ending. It starts out with a first love that seems to be heading in the direction of two lives together, but it takes a different turn. Traumatic events leave lasting scars and can change the course of people's lives, their hopes and dreams. Let me unpack some of this...

Both of our main leads are heavily burdened. We meet them while studying for college entrance exams. They are each other 's first love. We also get introduced to their lives.

Tae Seo has lost both parents in a car accident and he and his younger brother have to move to the country to live with their grandparents. His younger brother badly injured his leg in the same accident and will always have a limp. Tae Seo now assumes the responsibility for taking care of his brother and his grandparents. He studies hard to get into college, majoring in engineering but quits his engineering job after college when he realizes that his responsibilities to his family will always come before climbing the ladder or career success. He takes a job as train engineer and makes wooden frames on the side for extra money, all so he can be available when his family needs him. His life is busy fulfilling one responsibility after another with almost no time for anything else.

Eun-A helps her father run their home which also doubles as a vacation retreat. Her mother is not in the picture as she apparently left. Eun-A's father deals with depression and tried to commit suicide when his wife left him. Eun-A's main goal is to never leave her father alone, and to never be a burden to him or to anyone. There is a woman who enters her father's life, and while this gives Eun-A the chance to pursue her dreams, she has a hard time accepting this woman in her father's life.

Both Tae Seo and Eun-A go off to college but not in the same place. They juggle classes and trying to see each other. Tae Seo has to tutor, work part time, and take care of his grandparents. Schedules often do not work out. Eun-A quits college and pursues working an internship at a resort, which only makes seeing Tae Seo that much harder. In an effort to not be a burden, she breaks up with Tae Seo over the phone breaking his heart.

10 years later Tae Seo and Eun-A see each other in Seoul. They still have feelings for each other and start to see each other. However, life is still hard. Eun-A owned her own vacation rental, but had to leave it suddenly due to some corporate takeover (?). This was a part of the story I had a hard time following, Tae Seo is still juggling his responsibilities for his family, and this time his grandmother has a stroke (I think), so he juggles hospital visits. There are also other people who are in each of their lives so jealousies erupt and misunderstandings happen. This gets to be too much and this time Tae Seo breaks things off over the phone.

At this point as the viewer I'm wondering (in a frustrated voice) where the hell this is taking us. You really have to see the story through to the end. In the final episode. Tae Seo and Eun-A meet several times that end up being nothing, but finally they talk. Tae Seo wonders out loud why they ended up the way they did....and I'm sure every viewer is wondering this as well. The meaning behind this mournful couple who could never seem to get it together came in one line..."That is us. Never wanting to make things harder for the other." Eun-A's childhood scars meant she runs whenever she feels like she is a burden to someone and Tae Seo has so many burdens already on his plate, she doesn't want to be just one more. At first I thought she was just a narcissist that played with his heart, but I think she is just very realistic about how burdened his life is, and doesn't want to add to it.

This is the story of a very, very deep love two people have for each other who couldn't be free enough of life's burdens to be together. It's sad really as we are cheering for them to be together through the entire story. It's not a happily ever after ending, but only a hopeful one that maybe one day burdens will lesson and they can be together.

The acting was very good. It is very emotional throughout and the actors really brought out those emotions.

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What does did I just watch?

Literally asked myself this question out loud which was almost echoed by what did 'we' just watch from my wife.........eps 9 and 10 were definitely 2 hrs 15 min of our lives wasted~
Umm..........I've almost speechless. This was sad. Pure depression. A give and take relationship NEVER survives when it's one sided and that's how the relationship in this drama was portrayed from start to finish. ML have and gave and gave into the black hole that was the FL until an ultimate decision was made. And STILL.......the pattern never changed~
I wasn't sure what to expect but it sure as hell wasn't this. The FL and SFL did not cut it, or maybe it was the characters. I had the sense of two high school girls that just didn't mature at all. Speech, mannerisms, actions and decisions radiated indecision and uncertainty. There were very few scenes of positivity, the rest made you wanna go drown yourself. The ending was suspect and needs to be deciphered. I find so many similarities to the drama Love Me which ended a few months ago except the ending was much lighter. I'm not saying to ignore the drama but I'm pretty sure you're going to come away scratching your head like we were~

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Delightful with some darkness

I really enjoyed the story line. I did skip over most of the battles but the story / slow burn romance was pretty good.
I did NOT like the camera movement and the weird screaming music at the end of an episode was intense and jarring.
I love the camaraderie of the characters, how they developed. I love how the bad guys still had a depth to them and the intense storytelling of it all.
Honestly, I never laughed so much. I found the interactions continuing to hide the truths of various people highly amusing. I really enjoyed episode 26 in particular.
I love strong female characters and Fan Changyu is probably the strongest and best of all C-Drama characters I've ever seen. She doesn't get weak, she always remains strong and her character doesn't change. I love that. I love all the supporting cast too. I love that they are all changed by her simple truths, honesty and forth-righteousness.
The darkness, of course, is the fighting and battles. The story wouldn't have been as great without them but maybe they didn't need to be quite so long and intense. That's just my opinion. I'm pretty sure most people enjoyed the battles too.

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Great writing & good chemistry made this fake relationship drama fun

I had never seen any of Merxat Yalkun's dramas before I watched this drama. Decided to give this a go because I was writing a reddit post about mainstream drama actors who have acted in vertical dramas. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this drama.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - In many fake relationship dramas, FL are meek or easily intimidated by other. Not this FL. Yes she rented a guy to appease her mother but she was self-assured and knew how to protect her own interest.
2. Writing - Wow, I was impressed by the script. I found the scenario relatable - the pressure to settle down when meeting relatives. In addition, FL was always given the best lines whenever she & ML were in crisis. The hospital scene was funny.
3. Acting - I was also impressed by the performances by both leads. Their interactions were fun to watch because Merxat Yalkun and Han Lu Jin played off each other's energy well. The cast gave good performances too including the actresses playing antagonists.
4. Pacing - Done well for a drama focusing on Chinese New Year holidays. I didn't find any scene draggy.
5. Dynamics - I liked the partnership they had for the charade.
6. Supporting characters - I liked both mothers despite their flaws. It was amusing that ML's assistant wasn't on his side but more on his mother's side.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - I disliked FL's cousin & aunt. They were jealous and felt the need to compete with FL.
2. Romance - Underdeveloped. The decision to be in a real relationship was rushed because I felt FL just went with the flow and not given time to process and think.
3. Flashback - Mistake spotted. It was 6 years ago but the traitor held the latest iPhone (looking at the camera on the back of phone). I wish she hadn't held her phone during this scene.

Favourite scene
The hospital

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In Your Radiant Season – A Gentle, Introspective Romance

In Your Radiant Season is a drama that unfolds at a deliberately slow, contemplative pace, prioritizing subtlety and emotion over action or dramatic plot twists.

This measured tempo may feel unusual at first, but it perfectly serves the story, allowing the relationship between Ha-ran and Chan to develop naturally and authentically, while giving the characters space to grow and reveal themselves gradually.

The central romance is built through silences, glances, and small everyday moments rather than dramatic confrontations or high-stakes tension. This approach makes every step in their relationship feel genuine and deeply touching, reflecting the show’s core theme: emotional healing and personal growth after past traumas.
The acting is one of the drama’s strongest points.

Lee Sung-kyung delivers a subtle and nuanced performance as Ha-ran, conveying pain, vulnerability, and inner strength through the smallest expressions. Chae Jong-hyeop brings warmth and sincerity to Chan, portraying a gentle and calming presence without exaggeration. Together, their chemistry is understated yet profoundly moving, making their relationship feel real and heartfelt.

Supporting characters also add depth to the story. The family dynamics, in particular, are thoughtfully developed: the grandmother, sisters, and other secondary characters create nuanced relationships, sometimes tense and often marked by unspoken wounds. This humanizes the narrative, even though some secondary arcs could have been explored further.

The soundtrack is another highlight. Filled with soft ballads and delicate piano pieces, the OST complements each scene with subtlety, enhancing the emotions without ever becoming intrusive. Many of the drama’s most poignant moments are elevated by this carefully integrated musical backdrop.

Visually, the drama is beautifully crafted. Soft tones, natural lighting, and contemplative camera work create an almost poetic atmosphere, emphasizing the introspective and melancholic nature of the story. This visual approach immerses viewers in a world that is simultaneously gentle, nostalgic, and emotionally resonant, perfectly matching the show’s measured pace.

The main drawback is its slow rhythm, which may frustrate viewers expecting a faster, more event-driven plot. Some narrative threads are underdeveloped, leaving certain secondary arcs feeling incomplete.

Despite these minor flaws, In Your Radiant Season remains a sincere, emotionally powerful, and deeply human drama—perfect for those who appreciate slow-building romances, introspective storytelling, and an emphasis on emotional resonance.

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