Reviews

16 episodes was clearly too many. The last two episodes serve no purpose. The overarching theme that appears at the beginning and returns toward the end could have been left out, because the heart of this series is the touching and funny relationship between the two main characters. It's Studio Dragon doing what it does best, blending humor, social tragedy, and over-the-top plot twists. You have to like it. As for me, I love it.

Lim Ji-yeon plays her role so convincingly, completely transforming from one character to the next. Here, she's clumsy, uncomfortable in her own skin, yet unstoppable,a fighter for justice. And Lee Jung-jae is hilarious as an actor who can’t handle his fame, which he feels he never deserved. He's the kind of guy who’s nice to everyone but doesn't want anyone to know it.

Their romance works surprisingly well. People who hate each other in real life but adore each other online. The rice cooker idea... incredible, so good. Even if it leads to a situation we'd call somewhat questionable. They make it into something funny, but it’s really a bit of emotional manipulation…

Anyway, we can't say it enough : there are two things that are essential in this world. Rice cookers and umbrellas.

On the other hand, an 18-year age gap… and diametrically opposed levels of income and fame. Just pretend I didn't say anything.

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A sequel with a personality of its own

The finale was great, maybe not completely flawless, but the wrap-up for every couple hit the right notes.

JackDean: Their reunion left me feeling conflicted, particularly regarding Jack’s reaction to Great, but that tension is exactly what made their ending stand out. You can interpret it in two different ways: either Jack has finally matured and will fiercely defend his relationship with Dean against any future threats, OR the two of them are tragically trapped in an endless, repetitive cycle of breaking up and making up.

ArnoldTua: A tiny part of me craved more drama from their storyline, but ultimately, I adored their gentle and mutually respectful dynamic. They were easily the most balanced pair of the bunch, despite the economic status differences. Even during their worst arguments, neither ever talked down to the other, something I can’t say for the other two couples.

RomeRaffy: This fiery duo started off with a bang but eventually fell into a push and pull routine. Their storyline was a mixed bag for me because I’m still not convinced Rome views Raffy as a true equal. Even after Raffy's personal growth, it feels like Rome’s judgment is always lingering over him. I really wanted to see Raffy fully step into his confidence by the end, but it never quite materialized the way I wished.

Ultimately, all three couples have their flaws, but they are incredibly endearing and easy to cheer for. Honestly, I found their dynamics much more grounded and relatable than the pairings we got in the first season. As for non-couple moments, I adored the friendship between Dean and Tua and I needed more.

Honorable Mentions: A massive shoutout to Timmy for surviving all the chaos. I also really appreciated the brief, beautifully bittersweet moment between Boston and Nick 🥲

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I finally watched it

I have started this drama so many times. I just couldn't get into it. Chinese dramas are a breed unto there own and I have watched quite a few but this one took me forever and many false starts to get through. Maybe it was because of how much it was hyped up.

Don't get me wrong it wasn't awful, I just didn't get all the hype and to be honest I still don't.

There were some very parts, some very sad parts, some very mediocre parts, some very awful parts and some parts that were just there.

The music choices for some scenes were quite baffling and other choices were beautiful.

I'm not saying don't watch it because overall it was an enjoyable experience. Sometimes the writing though did make me want to throw my tablet across the room!

All in all I am proud I finally watching it after 4 years of trying!

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Tears flow as i write this...

WHAT A DRAMA! I mean, WHAAAT A DRAAAMAAA!!!
It's been so long since I've felt so overwhelmed & happy & satisfied after watching a drama series. But it was so very totally totally TOTALLY worth it! T.T
As for context, I've never been a fan of Chinese historical dramas, so I was quite unsure about whether or not I should give it a go. Of course, good reviews led me there & now I just don't wanna let it go! It's the type of drama that lingers in your heart & your mind for a long, long time because of the astonishing charm it leaves on you. Everything else feels sour because you just finished watching one of the greatest dramas out there! T.T
To leave a review for this, I don't actually know how to express my feelings about it verbally, but I can at least try! For the story, the fact that plot makers portrayed a woman as a brave hero of that ancient time- truly so freaking amazing! The chemistry among the characters- *chef's kiss*! About the cast- OMGEEEEEEEEE, I WANNA EAT THE MALE LEAD SO BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How can a person be SO FUCKING HOT & HANDSOME & BEAUTIFULLY IN CHARACTER at the same time?! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 The female lead is so cute as well, even the second and third lead couples- *chef's kiss*! It can be said without a doubt that this drama has one of the few BESTEST c-drama casts so far. For the music, so soothing, so heart-touching!!! *immediately changes ringtone to "I tread carefully with fate" T.T*
At this moment, idk how long it will take me to get over the lingering feeling this drama left on me, but I wanna keep going back again & again & again T.T T.T T.T !!! THANKS to everyone who made this drama possible. Forever grateful to you guys for this! T.T 💘

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10/10 Ban Ju-yeon Baek Su-jeong

10/10 Ban Ju-yeon Baek Su-jeong
I was so curious about this sublime drama. First of'll the lead is so impeccable for each other it's like a dream couple. The theme of the plot is superb and it's so hysterical and astounding. I just optically canvassed the first episode and so relished it. Veto Ju-yeon and Baek Su-jeong their bond will be incredible they'll shine with their personalities. The Sixteen years later, plot was genuinely impressive the segment will be impacted by the way it's commenced so resplendent. Thanks a lot. The second episode treaser is also so exciting and very interesting. I'm also hoping that there'll be a happy ending.

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Everything I like but it’s not love

This drama has everything. Bisexual man in a uniform that protects a small tight knit village and a protagonist that loves to lie. I love it when the protagonist keeps a secret that causes drama later and this drama has drama with cliffhangers that kept me watching again and again. I love when the lead characters hate eachother at the beginning, I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers. My only issues is that scenes are played out of order (flashbacks give important context that should’ve been there at the start) and that the run time sometimes drags (especially with the 1h30 episode).

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Yumi Deserved a Happy Ending. Instead, She Became a Stereotype.

It absolutely destroys my heart to share this review, because the first two seasons of Yumi's Cells were some of the best K dramas I've ever seen. As a longtime fan of Sex and the City, and a writer myself, this show tugged at my heartstrings in all the ways. (It's basically Sex and the City, without the sex, both shows of which center around a female writer as their protagonists.) However, this season turned Yumi into a version of a woman that I struggled greatly to relate to.

In season three, we meet Yumi as a more mature woman, someone who's becoming more established in her career and is grateful to leave the ups and downs of emotional romances behind her. However, the love interest that the writers of the show positioned for Yumi is, not just another co-worker as with Yu Ba Bi, but a subordinate. He's someone she has power over, which is very important to remember. So, for the first six episodes, Yumi realizes she has a crush on Shin Soon Rok and continually puts him in situations where he has to be around her purely for her own desires to see if he catches on to her attraction to him. Unfortunately, he displays absolutely zero interest in Yumi. Even when he finally has his eyes opened in episode seven (too long to wait, especially for an eight-episode season!), none of it is believable. There were no subtle signs that he was struggling with his emotions, no small gestures, just a lot of younger male indifference. The danger with this is that it makes Yumi inadvertently appear as a predator, with the power to move him off her team if he doesn't behave warmly towards her (and she does!).

The love was entirely unbelievable, nor was I, as a viewer, rooting for it. I was not invested, and mostly turned off and saddened that this is what Yumi had been reduced to: a mature woman pining after a much younger man who is showing no interest in her and can't relate to her in the way a love interest should, regardless of age. And when he finally does come around, neither of them still can't communicate their affection clearly. They are literally from two different generations, and that's never more apparent than when they try share their feelings for each other. It's awkward, uncomfortable, and disappointing. They just don't behave in the way the other expects, and yet they still wind up together?

I'm so heartbrokenly disappointed with the direction the writers chose to take this season and how they chose to give Yumi her happily ever after. She, we, and her beloved cells, all deserved better.

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A queer story for queer people

Do NOT let the people telling you that this is a bromance dissuade you from watching.
As a lot of people have stated before me, this series isn’t and will never be the bromance people depict it to be.
It is a raw story about realistic life experiences from a queer perspective.
To be clear, if you’re looking for your typical queer utopian bl where the romance is the focal point and they end up living happily ever after, this is not for you.
Because yes, god forbids we’re literally anything besides being gay and in love apparently.
It feels kind of surreal to me that some people on here were expecting them to just get together and be done with it when they’ve both struggled in life and with their identities.
“They could have made it more clear” but has anyone ever considered it wasn’t even clear to the characters themselves ???
They both went through traumatic experiences and somehow all people seem to think about is watching two men kiss.
Let me tell you in case you haven’t stepped foot outside in 10 years, this is not how relationships work.
Sometimes you have to lose someone to realize the real depth of your feelings, sometimes putting a label on a relationship is not a priority and it is all completely fine.
What matters is that they could rely on each other, trust each other and love each other in their own way.
Not every relationship looks the same, and this is a great reminder to everyone watching.
And if you still think this is queerbaiting somehow, yes they did confess their feelings to each other. No it wasn’t ambiguous. And yes you will remember this series for the rest of your life.

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Tem amores que chegam devagar… e justamente por isso ficam

Temas, amadurecimento, convivência, amor leve, amizade, rotina, descobertas, juventude, afeto, timidez emocional, parceria, conforto

Alguns dramas não precisam inventar grandes tragédias pra funcionar.
Eles só pegam a vida cotidiana… e deixam ela bonita.

Ombro Amigo foi exatamente isso pra mim.

É aquele tipo de história que vai crescendo sem fazer esforço. Quando você percebe, já está completamente envolvida na rotina dos personagens, nos pequenos momentos, nas interações bobas, nas cenas simples que acabam aquecendo mais do que muito dramalhão cheio de reviravolta.

E sinceramente? Eu amo quando acontece assim.

Sobre os personagens, que carregam o charme inteiro da série:

Ela traz uma energia muito natural. Tem insegurança, confusão sobre o futuro, dúvidas típicas da juventude, mas sem virar caricatura. Parece gente real tentando descobrir a vida enquanto ela acontece.

Ele já entra naquela categoria perigosíssima dos personagens silenciosos que demonstram afeto nas pequenas coisas. Mais reservado, inteligente, meio perdido emocionalmente no próprio jeito de sentir… mas absurdamente constante.

E aí mora o encanto.

Porque o romance deles não nasce da intensidade explosiva. Nasce da convivência. Dos hábitos compartilhados. Da presença que vai ficando confortável.

Tem algo muito acolhedor nisso tudo.

O drama entende que amor também pode ser leve. Pode nascer no cotidiano, no cuidado silencioso, naquela sensação boa de encontrar alguém com quem a vida parece menos cansativa.

E a amizade ali também tem peso. Não como apoio secundário jogado no canto, mas como parte importante da construção emocional da história.

No fim, fiquei com aquela sensação gostosa que poucos dramas conseguem deixar.

Às vezes o amor não entra destruindo tudo.
Às vezes ele só senta do seu lado… e fica.

📌 Impressão final, um drama leve, fofo e emocionalmente confortável, sustentado por personagens carismáticos e relações construídas com delicadeza, daqueles que abraçam sem precisar exagerar.

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Às vezes a vida faz a gente escorregar… justamente pra aprender outro caminho

Temas, recomeço, superação, amor leve, amadurecimento, vulnerabilidade, competição, amizade, pressão, identidade, coragem emocional, sonhos

Tem dramas que aquecem mesmo acontecendo no frio.

Esquiando para o Amor me passou exatamente essa sensação. Neve, competição, ambiente gelado… mas emocionalmente é uma história muito mais sobre aquecer partes da vida que estavam meio congeladas.

E eu gostei muito disso.

A série tem aquela energia gostosa de recomeço. Personagens que chegam carregando pressão, expectativa, frustrações ou até uma certa exaustão emocional, e aos poucos vão encontrando novas versões de si mesmos.

Sem pressa. Sem exagero.

Sobre os personagens, que fazem o drama deslizar bem:

Ela tem uma força silenciosa. Não é aquela protagonista explosiva, mas alguém tentando seguir em frente enquanto reorganiza as próprias inseguranças e expectativas. Tem delicadeza, mas também resistência.

Ele traz aquela mistura clássica de confiança e desgaste interno. Parece firme por fora, mas claramente carrega peso emocional, cobrança e dificuldade de se abrir de verdade.

E eu gosto quando o romance nasce desse espaço mais humano, duas pessoas tentando respirar melhor perto uma da outra, não tentando se salvar milagrosamente.

A química funciona porque vem acompanhada de conforto. Não é só intensidade, é parceria. Aquela sensação de “talvez eu consiga descansar um pouco quando estou com você”.

E o esporte entra muito bem nisso tudo. Não só como competição, mas como metáfora. Cair, levantar, perder equilíbrio, recuperar ritmo.

No fundo, o drama fala muito sobre isso.

Nem sempre vencer significa chegar em primeiro.
Às vezes significa só voltar a sentir vontade de continuar.

Impressão final, um drama leve, bonito e emocionalmente acolhedor, daqueles que misturam romance e superação sem perder delicadeza, perfeito pra quando a gente quer histórias que confortam sem deixar de emocionar.

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Overall it's a nice found-family drama..

Something I appreciate about japanese dramas like this one, is the focus on found family or just family themes.

I binged this drama in one night. The music is good and is fitting. The cast is good. Risa's brother was sleezy and looked lifeless at times, it would've been nice to have seen more of Risa's backstory, to explain their sibling relationship more. Her brother will annoy you whenever he's on screen, but I was also thinking that no matter what he is still her brother, I guess maybe she pitied him in the end.

The main focus of this story was on Maria (Kengo's sister). I liked her bittersweet youthful romance with Ryota.

Now, this drama does say it's a romance, so does it live up to it?

The actors playing Kengo and Risa have a good chemistry. I only wish they had had more sweet scenes together. Like the scene where he teaches her to ride a bike. Just more scenes to make me really believe that they are meant for each other. The show ended up focusing more on building their emotional intimacy. The ending is happy. (Their romance felt more realistic and so did this drama in general)

This drama left more to be desired in the romance aspect, but I'm glad we got some scenes of them together.

The doctor character is played by the actor who plays sojiro in hana yori dango, so I just called him sojiro in this drama too haha.

I saw a comment on mydramalist asking if it really matters what her job was, or if it was just a plot device?

The ending was a bit rushed with the one year time skip and all.. jdramas typically are shorter than kdramas with 45 min episodes, for this drama I wouldn't have minded seeing 10 one hour episodes though.

Overall it was pretty good. I just watched it today so I'll let my feelings towards it marinate more.

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O universo adora brincar quando a gente acha que está no controle

Temas, amor não correspondido, orgulho, amizade, identidade virtual, vulnerabilidade, amadurecimento emocional, humor, rejeição, relações modernas, segundas chances

Tem dramas que funcionam porque têm grandes conflitos.
E tem os que funcionam porque os personagens simplesmente vão se atrapalhando emocionalmente de um jeito deliciosamente humano.

Todo Mundo Me Ama entra exatamente nesse segundo grupo.

E eu me diverti muito.

A história brinca bastante com orgulho, timing errado e aquela ironia clássica da vida, às vezes a pessoa que a gente procura já estava ali… só que ninguém percebeu direito no momento certo.

E o melhor é que o drama sabe rir disso.

Sobre os personagens, que carregam o charme da série:

Ela tem personalidade. Não é daquelas protagonistas apagadas esperando ser escolhida. Tem atitude, humor, um certo orgulho ferido em alguns momentos e aquela mistura entre vulnerabilidade e teimosia que deixa tudo mais divertido.

Ele começa muito naquela energia “confiante demais pra própria paz emocional”. Parece seguro, racional, no controle… até perceber que talvez tenha entendido tudo errado desde o começo.

E aí o caos emocional começa.
Graças a Deus.

A dinâmica entre os dois funciona justamente porque nenhum deles é perfeito emocionalmente. Tem ruído, mal-entendido, orgulho, timing péssimo… basicamente o pacote completo dos relacionamentos modernos.

Mas o drama mantém leveza. Mesmo quando entra em insegurança ou rejeição, ele não pesa excessivamente. Tem humor, tem ritmo gostoso e aquela sensação confortável de acompanhar pessoas aprendendo a lidar com os próprios sentimentos sem transformar tudo num dramalhão sofrido.

E eu gosto muito quando a história mostra que conexão real não nasce só da idealização. Ela nasce quando a imagem perfeita cai e sobra a pessoa real.

No fundo, o drama fala bastante sobre isso.

Gostar de alguém é fácil na fantasia.
Difícil é quando a realidade entra na conversa.

Impressão final, uma comédia romântica leve, divertida e cheia de química, sustentada por personagens carismáticos e emocionalmente atrapalhados, daqueles dramas que fazem a gente rir enquanto pensa, relacionamento seria tão mais fácil sem o ego no caminho.

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