Reviews

Denial ain't just a river in Egypt!

This started strong with the classic friends to lovers, with hopes of a lot of mutual pinning and anticipation. But instead of banking on velocity, it leaned more towards "vibes", and whether it is your cup of tea depends on your patience level.
The central dynamic is where things get both interesting... and frustrating. From the start, it is obvious that these two share something deeper than friendship. There is history, comfort and that unspoken understanding that usually takes lovers years to build. But instead of developing the relationship, the writing chooses to hover in that already-established space… for a VERY long time.

Minato is clear, direct, and emotionally available. He knows what he feels and isn’t afraid to risk the friendship for something more. Wataru is fully aware, but committed to pretending otherwise till eternity. Not in a “he is confused and figuring out the world” way, but in a “he knows exactly what’s at stake and still refuses to acknowledge” way. The confusion and denial worked at the start and it was the base where Rome was supposed to be built. But there was no real shift over multiple episodes, it started to feel less like slow burn and more like emotional buffering bringing the classic miscommunication trope into the picture. If you ask me, this would have landed better as a 6-8 episode story.

That said, the drama does have its moments where it shines. When it stops trying to stall the plot and Minato and Wataru just EXIST together, it’s genuinely lovely. There is a softness to how these characters are around each other and those small moments, the casual closeness, shared routines, all felt very natural and lived in. Except for these two, everyone could have pointed out that they loved each other.
Another thing that I liked was how photography was an important aspect of storytelling and was not just an artsy filler that was forgotten in early episodes.

Visually, it did a good job with the overall atmosphere except for the night scenes. It was quite dark and grainy. Flashbacks were also an important part of storytelling here and while I feel they could have cut it a little short, the past-to-present transitions were handled very smoothly and somehow tied everything together in a neat bow.
Acting was also decent. I had qualms about the plot, but the cast did their thing. They really made the most out of what they were given and kept it engaging even when the story itself wasn’t fully hitting.

Overall, the tension, which felt genuine, was stretched a little too thin in the middle and it started feeling a tiny bit performative to me. It's not bad but I won't say it excels in this trope either. I don't know if I am judging too harshly, but sadly this was bland , with the characters that were sweet enough to keep the ship sailing.
Will I recommend it? Yes, if you are looking for friends to lovers and can handle denial, give it a try. Otherwise, maybe no. It's not the worst BL out there but it's just mild.

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While I enjoyed the thai original, I loved this one more

As a few others already mentioned, I felt like the fact that it's condensed was actually one of its strengths. This Japanese remake stays pretty loyal to the Thai version and is a bit cheesy and campy at times, but honestly, the original was kinda cheesy and melodramatic in some bits too (especially Rain's character most of the time). I wholly disagree with the people who say they cut out the important bits, as I personally didn't feel like it was missing anything story-wise. And those who say this was cringey must've forgotten the spanking scene in the Thai version, the "daddy" incident in the special episode, as well as the weird thermometer scene between Rain and Phayu.

What I most enjoyed with this one was the fact that they remixed the original a bit, making some scenes to be a bit less problematic like the fact that Arashi doesn't come off as a somewhat creepy stalker-type in the way that Phayu did in the original and removing the threat of rape in the Rei kidnap scene (there was enough non-con happening with Kai's storyline already). Then they switched up the Phayu/Rain scene in the bathroom by putting Arashi/Rei in the car instead, changed up the timing of the sex scenes, and other scenes where I felt they were doing a great job in sticking to the essence of the original but trying to bring in the Japanese flair. Arashi/Rei were a really amusing and sexy couple to watch, and Shoma did an excellent job in his role (I sensed he'd be a great casting choice here after seeing him in At 25:00, in Akasaka). Fuma/Kai were also quite strong, with Kai pulling on my heartstrings with how broken and defeated he was. They made the sex scenes with the right amount of spice as and pacing as well.

Bonus Prapai and Phayu showing up in the last 2 episodes, I enjoyed the interactions between them and Rei+Kai, gotta love some language barrier laughs.

I suspect many of the reviewers were either unfamiliar with the snappiness and style of a Japanese BL and/or felt too attached to the original to give constructive criticism. Without getting all twisted up in trying to compare the Thai version and this one, this version stands alone nicely on its own.

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Exceptional, Strong fl. Excellent

Woowww, this drama is so good, I was hooked from episode 1. I love that the fl is strong, she's not a damsel in distress. She carries her strongness from ep 1 to the end. Zhang linghe did justice to the character. He was strong when he needed to be and with Changyu he was clingy, he wasn't cold and dismissive like the typical generals, whenever it came to Changyu he was like a baby, always wanting reassurance and kisses which is so beautiful. The ending was done beautifully. Overall the all the actors did so well. Well done to the team I will definitely rewatch this a countless times. Don't listen to the other haters saying ugly stuff about the drama, it's a 100/10

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Melancholy is thy name

Rating this feels wrong. Like, how do you rate someone's pain? Or rather, someone's journey through pain? To me, Odajima reflects what melancholy is. He looks cold and distant. He's also silent and obedient. But when you try to see past that, he's so scared and so incredibly sad. He moves through life like it's a burden to be alive, here with the rest of us.

And with good reason. His life, till he is paired with Kataoka, for this 'road trip' has been riddled with violence, pain, intolerable sadness, and disappointment. He also needs to kill Kataoka. But, what if your assignment, and the person you promised yourself you'd kill to avenge something in your past, is also your saviour? The person who pulls you out of the darkness that has been your life? Who makes you feel love again? How do you reconcile with that?

Kataoka is also a very interesting fellow. He comes off as abrasive and unserious in the beginning. However, as the story moves on, you and Odajima realize that beneath his loud self and lazy walk (he's also a pervert), lies a good, caring man - at least by mafia standards. He is such a light, which perfectly counterbalances the bleak abyss that is Odajima and his existence.

I think this is a simple yet very deep story. It's not a happy one, but it's not sad either. It gives off comfort slice of life vibes, but also makes you feel like you're grieving (Ugh! I'm annoyed that I do not have the vocabulary for what it made me feel). It's an oddly beautiful feeling.

My one gripe with the story is one I have with many Japanese BLs. The dramas all end as the couple's story is beginning. I wish there were a way (and a budget) to extend some of these beautiful bodies of work. Let me see them be in love for longer😭

PS. Four things I'd like to highlight

1. The cinematography - Beautiful doesn't even begin to cover it. It was done so well and is best highlighted when the OST plays.

2. Odajima's face in the NC scenes - Specifically in ep 2. This is going to sound cheesy (?), but his face during that scene made me understand the meaning of the word bloom. Specifically in the statement 'I bloom for you.' Kataoka and I were on the same boat. Mesmerized by how his normally cold and detached face changed when he was turned on. Hat's off to you, Takahashi Hiroto. You killed that shit.

3. The OST - I thought it was a fun little tune. And then I went and looked it up on YouTube. If you haven't, I urge you to look up the official lyric video on there. Those lyrics perfectly capture what this story is from Odajima's POV

4. I like the fact that being with Kataoka and leaving the mafia behind didn't automatically 'fix' Odajima. He doesn't suddenly become the happiest person in the room. He's still introverted and silent, and that sadness didn't fully go away. But looking at him and his interactions with others, he somehow feels lighter. He's cool being alive now; he's no longer walking into that abyss head-on. He's also awkward, which is really adorable

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Great until the halfway point

Pros:
1) Zang hai and his elaborate revenge planning abilities
2) loved the complexity of the marquis (officially one of my favourite antagonists of all time I swear he and that entire house is so well written and executed)
3) Gauo Mein. Just him and his entire arc
4) the whole toumbs and elaborate mechanisms of the sets
5) the only genuine plot twist I felt was the astronomer being one of caos men
6) the acting of the whole cast was wonderful

Cons:
1) compared to the marquis the other two felt very one dimensional and had had cartoon villain vibes.
2) left with more questions than answers like: why skin kai do and his wife? And why the prince who I forgot the name of existing we saw like three episodes of him and he randomly helps out in the end? Then some random takes the throne? How are hundreds of people dying on the street with the whole kill caos foster son arc and not a single minister noticing? What happened to antus elaborate network after she lost the zhen tower? Like the people still listen to you?
4) the second the masked dude mentioned the three people that were zang hais enemies and only name dropped two I could tell he was the third. Cause if you know the two are connected then you can fish out the third because obviously they have shared history. If you truly wanted to help your student then you'd pull through.
5) the princess becoming a background character in the second arc
6) zang hais his buddy deserves more screen time
7) the emperor is dumb as hell... Like seriously what did you think was gonna happen bro?
8) my biggest complaint is it just got so disoriented towards the end

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Haunted by the Past, Saved by Connection

Goddess Bless You from Death is a thoughtfully crafted series that remains engaging from beginning to end. The story follows Thup, a young man burdened with the ability to see the dead, whose life takes a pivotal turn when he is drawn to a mysterious case. There, he encounters Singha, a pragmatic police inspector leading the investigation. Their partnership forms the emotional and narrative core of the series.

What makes their dynamic particularly compelling is the contrast in their worldviews. Singha is grounded in logic and tangible evidence, relying solely on what he can prove, while Thup operates in a realm shaped by the supernatural, holding crucial insight into the case, yet struggling to make others believe him. This tension is handled effectively, creating both conflict and gradual understanding. Singha’s trust issues, hinted at early on, are later explored with satisfying depth, adding emotional weight to his character. Meanwhile, Thup’s desire to remain close to Singha, after realizing that his presence offers protection from the spirits that haunt him, adds a layer of vulnerability and dependency to their relationship.

The progression of their relationship is one of the show’s strongest elements. It unfolds naturally, moving through stages of mutual concern, jealousy, emotional pain, and ultimately love. The writers allow these developments to feel earned rather than forced, making their bond resonate on a deeper level.

The supporting cast also plays a significant role in enriching the narrative. Sey and Darin, who work as forensic specialists and share a complicated past as former partners, bring an additional emotional subplot that intertwines with the main investigation. Their ability to maintain professionalism despite unresolved feelings adds nuance, though their backstory could have benefited from further exploration. Mek, Singha’s trusted colleague, serves as an important bridge between the two leads. His willingness to listen to Thup, even when the situation seems implausible, helps foster trust and ultimately strengthens the central relationship.

King, however, is a more divisive character. While his motivations, balancing familial expectations and career ambitions, are understandable, his decisions often lead to frustration. His failure to communicate openly and his tendency to handle issues independently ultimately damage both his personal and professional relationships. Although his desire for redemption feels realistic, his delayed honesty and assumption that he could easily regain what he lost come across as presumptuous. That said, his arc does contribute to the overall drama and serves as a cautionary element within the story, illustrating the consequences of poor judgment and lack of transparency.

The series also handles its supernatural elements effectively, incorporating them into the narrative in a way that enhances both the mystery and emotional stakes. There are several well-executed jump scares that add tension without feeling excessive. However, certain plot points lack sufficient explanation, leaving some aspects, particularly the secondary character arcs, feeling underdeveloped. The storyline could have been more tightly constructed, with certain elements feeling superfluous and detracting from the overall narrative cohesion.

The reveal of the antagonists may feel somewhat predictable, as their identities become apparent early on. Nevertheless, the deeper motivations behind their actions provide an element of surprise that adds complexity to the storyline.
From a technical standpoint, the show excels in its cinematography. The visual composition and atmosphere significantly elevate key moments, enhancing both the emotional impact and the suspense. The soundtrack, while fitting, is less memorable and does not stand out as strongly as other elements of production.

Overall, Goddess Bless You from Death is an enjoyable and well-executed series that blends supernatural intrigue with emotional storytelling. Despite a few shortcomings in character development and predictability, its strong central relationship, solid performances, and engaging atmosphere make it a worthwhile watch.

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Surprisingly great (and *NOT* vertical) mini-series!

This hour-or-so-long little series was surprisingly great! Let's count the ways:
* It's *NOT* vertical (hallelujah!!);
* The episodes all have enough time to breathe so that the scenes don't feel rushed;
* It has a broader cast (including a tiny bit of GL side-couple 😊);
* It's acted well;
* The personalities of both leads are quite fun (especially of the basketball captain);
* For anyone who might be bothered by either no kissing or flat kisses in series, you'll be happy to note that there are multiple kisses here, and while a couple are gentle/closed-mouth, most have plenty of motion, lol;
* I appreciated that while it did utilize a few clichés (met before but didn't recognize him later, pratfall kiss, misunderstanding who someone else likes, etc.), the way they were done here were somehow actually not annoying at all-- and it also even neatly sidestepped some others (for example, the main character does *not* try to pull away from the relationship after the accidental kiss; he also does not get caught picking up the drink gift, so there's no secondary misunderstanding; etc.);
* And overall (minus 2 brief flashbacks showing some abuse / bullying in the characters' pasts), it's just super sweet and really feel-good. <3 I'll definitely be rewatching it!

It's too bad that a lot of people will probably overlook this little gem, but hopefully my review can be an encouragement to others to check this out, because IMO it's a very sweet little series and definitely worth an hour of time! 👍👍

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Two Slow Blinks in Cat Language=Love

A feel-good drama featuring furry felines that was both laid-back and immensely heartfelt.

As expected, even with as silly a premise as this, First and Khao brought their A-game! I grinned like a Cheshire cat, but also got close to tears multiple times.

And, you know, I could tell FirstKhao enjoyed acting in such a chill, soft drama. When I think back, up to this point, all of their previous works were really very challenging and dramatic! Here, they got to be a bit more playful and not take themselves as seriously with this script. Must have been a nice breath of fresh air.

In addition to how fluffy the story could be, I loved how warm the color palette was. Lots of oranges, yellows, and greens. It made the overall experience of spending time in the Cat-Cheer Café that much more inviting.

Honestly, I think they could make another season!

You may not write home about it, but I definitely believe you'll enjoy yourself watching it.

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Heartfelt Moments But a Stretched Ride

This series really reminded me just how good First and Khaotung are. They don’t just act—they live in their roles, and every time they’re on screen, the energy shifts. Honestly, they’re the main reason to keep watching, because they can take even a stretched-out scene and make it feel worthwhile. The mother-and-son storyline was another highlight. It had this warm, heartfelt vibe and gave the show a bit more emotional depth. That part felt genuine and touching. Overall, it was a good watch. The beginning set the bar pretty high, so I was expecting a little more payoff toward the end. Still, the performances carried it, and I’d say it lands at a 3+/5 stars for me.

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Bloody good romance, but HEARTS FADED into violence and silly tropes

(I'll warn you when I get spoiler-ish. If you're like me and hate knowing anything before you watch a series, I recommend this series to a certain degree but fear it's fumbled it's potential in the second half.)

I'm not into the fight or magical series. I consider them junk food. If you pay attention on the net you see people INSANELY addicted to this idol dramas until after about 12 of them they wake up and say, wait, they're kind all the same. Correct.

However, there's nothing wrong with a little junk food now and again, to break up the Republican Era stuff and sappy romance stuff. I find I must rotate genres to remain a C-Drama fan. And these types of shows can be certainly fun.

The series introduces the correct amount of characters when they need to be, instead of all at once in the first 3 episodes. The first 18 episodes of this story were very well written.

Our ML Chen Zhe Yuan was new to me. Very very handsome ladies. My wife didn't mind him one bit, lol. I liked how he walked like a force of nature. How he almost never looked anyone in the eyes, for if he did -- this Killer God might end them. But he was a 'God' with a heart of gold, which makes this warrior as charming as he is scary..

Our FL Li Qin I've had trouble avoiding. It's weird, I'm not a fan seeking her out but time and again she ends up in projects worth seeing. She's from the school of LESS IS MORE and she's just great in this series. Try her SNOWY NIGHTS and YOUTH MEMORIES if she is new to you. It's a lot of fun to see her KICKING ASS instead of demure, or being wasted as a cute 'girl' holding a chicken leg.

There's a six year age difference between these leads. And to be honest I suspect she's maybe a little older than we're told. But this age gap lent her needed gravitas to stand up to Feng Suige.

There are many supporting characters, but I want to dial down on three --

(We're entering MILD SPOILERS land now --)

Xia Meng plays the ML's sister. This Princess is young and naive and embraces life with bravery and style. Critics of this character complain about how 'stupid' she is but, sorry kids -- most kids are wide-eyed and stupid. In the second half of the drama you see how much smarter she is than her stepbrother, so I'm on Team Princess.

Ding Jia Wen plays the weepiest Crown Prince ever seen. Almost comically so. His complete lack of manhood makes the Eunuchs feel manly. He cries so much Firemen could just send him into a building to put out a fire. But the Weepy Emperor has a huge heart, and despite his giant vulnerabilities he's rather likeable just the same. His love of his brother is so sweet.

Qin Tian Yu plays the Playboy Emperor of the enemy Kingdom. He's at first a violent hedonist bore but upon meeting our Princess becomes much like Star Trek's famous Trelance character, which is to say he become delighted by the challenges and humanity the Princess provides him. He lets her get away with murder and couldn't be happier about it.

Why do I focus on these three characters? Because I feel the story completely fumbled the ending of this story. All the other many characters kind of fade away fast, but these three linger in my mind's eye.

FATE HEARTS is ultimately a violent story that demonstrates violence begets violence. This became pandemic where even the Storm Alliance village was infected with the same palace intrigue murder tropes. Sigh.

This story was NOT Love Conquers All. It was about how violent good people conquer violent bad people.

I'm a lifelong creative writer and I want to share with you the way I'd rewrite this story's ending to serve a purpose beyond violence. And it's why I drew attention to those three characters.

(SPOILING THE END OF THE STORY)

Towards the end of this tale you're starting to wonder who will end up ruling each Kingdom. It's comical because our ML doesn't want to, his young bro is too weepy, their sister lives in the enemy kingdom, and that kingdom has two brothers fighting to be Emperor... but neither are that desirable. What a mess!

The story could have offered one noble possibility -- that our two leads separate and rule their respective kingdoms. So they sacrifice proximity to attain peace for their people. Sure, they'd visit each other now and again, but not the best way to end a love story unless your first name is Bill and your last name is Shakespeare.

My preferred ending would have been along the lines of what they had already set up.

The Weepy Emperor needed a resolved character arc. He was in the process of becoming a little tougher and more Emperor-y, and so I wanted him to end up as Emperor. But with encouragement from the brother he loved so dearly. Think of when the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, and the Tin Man are told by the Wizard that they're smarter, braver, and have more compassion than they realize. This sort of moment, but dramatic.

Doing this with the Weepy Emperor would send the message that love conquers violence. Weepy Emperor could be the type of Emperor who makes a strong proclamation -- but then peeks over to Feng Suige wondering if that was 'strong' enough. Big Bro thumbs up and insecure Emperor sits taller and prouder.

Imagine a scene where Weepy barks out an order and one guard bows so fast he bangs his helmet on the ground. At that point Weepy Emperor would stand, gather his robes, run down to the soldier and ask if he was okay. He'd say, "Someone get this man a softer helmut!" and you'd see his Big Bro rolling eyes and shaking his head. But the female servants would be so charmed by their new kinder Emperor.

Meanwhile, in the other Kingdom, Playboy Emperor was so compelling that I wanted him to survive our tale. That his Love of the Princess gave him a reason to live. To please her. Make her smile.

Princess tells Playboy he can't murder his brother (her ex-husband) out of revenge. He promises her he won't murder the Prince, but then the Prince tries to murder the Princess. The Emperor murders his brother and feels bad. He cries, "You made me do it!!" to his brother and "It wasn't revenge -- it was to protect you and our child!!!"

The Princess realizes she could bring peace to the two kingdoms if she became Empress and reformed our Playboy Emperor. The reason I wanted this was because of the humorous scenes we'd have with the new and improved Emperor.

Where Weepy Emperor tries his hardest to be tough, Playboy Emperor softens up to charming and comical levels. He'd train his court not to cow-tow, not to beg, not to whine. His party boy demeanor would remain but now everyone is invited to the party. But everything he'd say and do would be under the watch and approval of our Princess/Empress, who would SMILE when he tried his best.

So this way Love Conquers Violence. Things would be so peaceful that our Weepy Emperor would encourage our two leads to leave the palace and live in the male lead's home. There they would bring up the orphans the story forgot about.

I know a purist might say, wait -- this bloodfest gets a double Disney happy family ending? Well as I said from the top, this story was too violent for it's own good.

What I will promise you is that an ending more in this direction would have used everything they introduced better and made the show an easier recommend.

BITS & BOBS DEPT:

1. Did you notice the ending credits include water related scenes we never got to see?
2. The opening credits seemed rather thrown together, with an unrecognizable pic of our ML
3. The opening vocalist was kind of grating and so I typically skipped it
4. Scene design and costumes were solid
5. The series was great until Episode 19, then the plot started taking stupid pills
6. Direction leaned too much into shock and awe
7. In the first half of our series the ML could stand inside and yet a breeze blew his hair strands around
8. I never seen a director so obsessed with hand expressions
9. This series holds a record for how many times they said "Overthinking"

That's it! Again, it's worth the diversion but not as good as it should have been.

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I was more than happy to hit FF in the last three episodes. Nothing of value was missed.

Cherry Magic is boring as absolute hell — it's the cinematic equivalent of being trapped in an elevator with the world's most generic lo-fi playlist on loop for eight straight hours. I was actually okay with it during the early episodes, when there was still some awkward tension and the "will-they-won't-they" tease hadn't completely died. But the second these two idiots finally get together? The entire show flatlines harder than a patient who just coded in the world's quietest hospital.
From that point on, literally nothing happens. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Just two pretty boys exchanging soft glances, blushing like Victorian virgins, and staring into the middle distance while the same melancholy piano tinkles sadly in the background. Meanwhile, the script forces them into endless, soul-crushing inner monologues that make you want to scream "JUST SAY IT OUT LOUD ALREADY!"
And don't get me started on the third-rate philosophical musings. These clowns try to wax poetic about love, destiny, and self-worth like they're the Japanese Socrates, but it all comes off as pretentious, trite garbage that wouldn't pass a freshman philosophy class. "Oh no, what does it mean to truly see someone?" Bro, it means you have magic mind-reading powers — use them or shut up.
This is peak annoying J-drama cliché on steroids: zero plot progression, zero stakes, zero anything after the confession. It's just 12 episodes of beautifully lit emotional constipation. If you enjoy watching attractive people do absolutely nothing while overthinking everything in slow motion, congratulations — this is your masterpiece. For everyone else with a functioning attention span and a pulse, it's pure torture.
Save your time. Watch paint dry instead. At least the paint has the decency to eventually change color.

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What we were sold vs. What we actually got

This series was supposed to be about U Ju, that precious baby who is, quite literally, the only thing that kept me glued to the screen until the end. He is absolutely adorable, you just want to squeeze him in every scene. but the writers decided that giving screen time to the aunt’s office flirting was more important than the actual process of grief and parenting.

The synopsis claims the aunt (Hyeon Jin) "focuses on raising U Ju." Excuse me? In what timeline? Because in the one I watched, she spends all day at the office or fooling around with her boss, while Tae Hyeong is the one actually looking after the little one and providing financial stability. I really struggled to connect with her. Her performance was bland and lifeless; her facial expressions convey as much as a blank wall. I didn't feel her pain, her love, or her struggle.

Honestly, the show should have been titled TAE HYEONG’S UNIVERSE, because he is the one who saved the day. His evolution is the only coherent part of the script: going from a photographer obsessed with control and solitude to becoming the true primary caregiver. It’s heartwarming to see how, despite his initial reluctance, he is the one actually "orbiting" around U Ju while the female lead seems to be in a completely different galaxy.

In short: A wasted opportunity. It should have been a story about two novices navigating tragedy and forced parenthood, but it ended up being the "Bland Protagonist Show," where she constantly ignores her responsibilities.

The Best: The baby. He steals every single scene and is the only reason I’m not giving this 1 star.
The Worst: The pivot toward a generic romance and Hyeon Jin’s total lack of emotional weight.

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unexpectedly tender

I started the show because of Jisoo, and although she is still new to acting and at times awkward, I really liked the previous drama she starred in (Snowdrop) and wanted to give this a try as well. I’m ngl, at first, I found her acting very unnatural and just plain bad, and I was sooo close to dropping the whole show— BUT I stuck with it because I wanted to see how the plot would play out, and honestly Im glad I stayed. Idk how but somehow her acting got better as the episodes went on, and I found myself really invested in the life of our main character and her emotional turmoil of choosing reality or the safety of the virtual universe. Boyfriend on Demand isn’t a cinematic masterpiece, but it is cheesy and so fun to watch. There were small plot holes and other aspects I wish were addressed, but overall- I had a great time watching this. It’s silly, but also unexpectedly tender and sweet. Its nothing insane, but still enjoyable to watch :)

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