Reviews

"I smell violence on you"

Song of the Samurai: Fateful Showdown in Kyoto was a raucous sword swinging, foot stomping, unhinged samurai drama based on a manga that was based on real world people and events during the waning days of the Shogunate. The names and places were familiar even if the purple hairstyles were not.

In 1912, an old man recounts the tales of Hijikata Toshizo to a curious young woman. The viewer is transported back to 1859 when the reckless, "thorny brat" Toshi, joins the poverty stricken Shieikan dojo. Kondo Isami is the leader and protects his disciples like a mother hen. Most of the young men are kind and view each other as family. They hope to find a patron lord or government job during the tumultuous era when the Shogunate was headed for the exit door as the Imperial Court was ascending. The even more reckless and unhinged ronin, Serizawa Kamo, enters the picture with his two minions. With spies and assassins lurking in the shadows or in narrow crawl spaces, life becomes precarious for the Shieikan crew.

Toshi’s main goal was to become the strongest man in Japan. He wasn’t terribly bright and was always ready to fight, inwardly rejoicing when he jumped impulsively in over his head. The only time he truly felt alive was when he was brandishing his sword against a stronger opponent. The flipside of the coin was the flamboyant Serizawa who reveled in women and booze, but his “blood boiled” only when meeting a worthy adversary. Props to Ayano Go for uttering his lines and fighting with a cigarette constantly dangling out of his mouth! Neither Toshi nor Serizawa were concerned with politics or the standard samurai life. Though the apolitical Serizawa could see where the life of the samurai was headed.

The majority of Kondo’s group weren’t highlighted much. The charismatic Saito Hajime had his moments to shine, strategist Yamanami Keisuke played a vital role, and the young Okita Soji had a nice fight. The others came to the forefront as needed for reaction shots or in a crisis. The Grim Reaper didn’t darken the screen until the next to last episode. Kondo was regaled as an uncommonly fierce fighter yet he never really had a chance to prove his metal. The flashiest fights were nearly all Toshi’s. So, if you are a Yamada Yuki fan, you will be in for a real treat.

The challenges were full body, gravity defying fights. Ronin flipped, spun, rolled, kicked, and punched as much as they sliced and diced. Shout out to the amazing stuntmen who sold the action in the battle scenes. Since it was based on a Manga there were ridiculous weapons involved on occasion. And even more ridiculous characters. There was no shortage of “cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs” people on the Shogunate and Imperial sides. This was also a world where women did not exist, except for the geisha Oume. I’m still not completely convinced that the young woman in the intro wasn’t a figment of the old man’s imagination.

Song of the Samurai was bloody, fast paced, and took historical liberties for entertainment purposes. The characters and weapons were campy, often over the top. I couldn’t help but root for Kondo’s Kids as they were brave and loyal to each other (for the most part) and ready to take on any challenge regardless of the odds. “Certainty of death, small chance of success…what are we waiting for?”* My biggest complaint was the ending. After paying for an enormous cast of handsome faces, the finale felt like they ran out of film and just had to stop. Hopefully, there will be another season to wrap things up. Overall, it was a fun romp, never slowing down long enough to get boring.

“To bloom in battle and fall in battle. Samurai are flowers that bloom in full splendor, unafraid to fall. The Shinsengumi were the last flowers to bloom in the dying twilight of the Bakumatsu Era”

18 June 2026

*Gimli, LOTR Return of the King

Trigger Warnings: Dismemberments. Spewing blood. Smoking. Some really dreadful hairstyles

Easter Egg: Watch for the 47 Ronin throwaway comment that was not a great foreshadowing for our motley crew

~~~Slightly spoilery comment below:
















**If there was a prequel, maybe there will be another season to wrap up what will be a devastating ending for our spunky group of swordsmen. Was really hoping they would show the clash with Serizawa and just epilogue the rest of it. History is history and was not kind to the feisty group which will be heartbreaking.

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Enjoyable

I didn’t think I’d finish this series, but, truth be told, it got better and better as it went along. The mournful Buddhist theme set against the many shots of the beautiful countryside gave the whole drama a rich, poignant feel. I liked and cared about the characters–the secondary ones as well as the main ones. The pacing worked for me, and the plot wasn’t overly complicated.

At the risk of seeming screechy and preachy, I’ll now mention a few (fairly minor) things I didn’t like.

1. The continual use of crows as omens of evil and doom annoys me. This is a recurring problem in Chinese films (and in some western films too). Can we get away from this stereotype?

Everywhere crows have suffered at the hands of humans. They’ve been shot, snared with wire, tortured and murdered by the thousands, and they don’t deserve it. Crows are curious and incredibly intelligent animals.

Crow families work together to build nests. They show empathy and compassion and will help a friend or neighbor if they can. (Look up the research.) They’re not the evil demons they’re often portrayed as in series like this one. I’d like to see them catch a break with movie makers. Don’t give viewers a reason to persecute them. Please?

2. This drama was supposed to be a romance. Did the main couple even kiss? There was one scene of two shadows on a window screen coming together. That might have been a display of affection--or not. The “seduction” scene between the two second leads had all the warmth of a congealed blob of refried beans.

3. Now and then a character gave a speech that sounded like a sermon or something from Economics 101. For example, I didn’t mind that Mei Xin talked about the financial exploitation of the lower classes by the upper classes, but it went on and on and ON.

4. It was nice seeing Riley Wang in a different kind of role (serious Taoist cultivator), but there wasn’t much juice in that lemon. He didn’t smile once. I like Riley better when he plays a bad boy or a rogue.

5. As for the ML, he was something of a cipher. His expression never changed, even when he was looking longingly at the FL. But as the story went on, he somehow found ways to express his feelings through subtle glances and gestures. I ended up really appreciating the character and the actor who played him.

Overall, entertaining and thought-provoking.

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wow.. what else could I say expect "masterpiece"
I was expecting something heavy but I didn't expect to feel so bad while watching it.. Honestly I had to take break while watching. Every part of it felt harder and harder. We are just watching kids getting destroyed by adults.

Surprisingly, I almost cried only when they were together. Because, they find peace, they find a family in each other.

I hate that it's the reality of a lot of children. But in reality, parents don't chance, they stay the same.
I also hate all the adult in this serie, none of them tried to help them - and yes the boyfriends count because why are you dating a kid when you are an adult??

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More Than a Military Drama, More Than a Cooking Drama

The Legend of Kitchen Soldier surprised me in the best possible way.

My first time watching Park Ji Hoon in such a captivating drama.

At first glance, it appears to be a military drama mixed with cooking competitions and mystery. However, beneath those elements lies a deeply meaningful story about growth, resilience, friendship, family, and self-discovery.
Kang Seong Jae's journey is one of the most satisfying character developments I have seen in a recent drama. His transformation from a troubled soldier into someone who understands the true meaning of cooking was inspiring and emotionally rewarding.

The final episode perfectly captured the drama's message. While his opponent prepared an elegant and sophisticated dish, Seong Jae chose a simple homemade meal. Through that choice, he demonstrated that food is not only about technical skill or presentation. Food is also about memories, comfort, love, and the people we cherish.

Seong Jae's homemade dish may not have the most expensive ingredients or the fanciest name, but it carries something that cannot be measured by culinary techniques alone.
It carried his sincere heart in preparing it.
That is why his choice touched the judges and viewers.
In many ways, his dish represented his father.
It represented the soldiers he had cooked for.
It represented Ganglim Base.
It represented ordinary people.

The one scene in Episode 12 that deeply moved me was when Seong Jae remembered his father's words: "You become a real Chef only after cuts, burns, and hard work are engraved into your body." This lesson extends beyond cooking. It reminds us that mastery in any field comes through perseverance, sacrifice, and experience.

Park Ji Hoon delivered an excellent performance, supported by a cast that brought warmth, humor, and sincerity to every episode.

This drama deserves recognition not because it is flashy or extravagant, but because it understands something fundamental about life: "true value often lies in simple things done with genuine care."
As such, food and simple cooking can unite people; it has become a language of care, respect, and service.

For me, this was a perfect 10/10.

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Entertaining yet meaningful series with characters that you don’t often see.

This series was such a fun watch but also had depth to it. I have my qualms about the main characters but it was refreshing to see them having qualities I haven't seen often in BL. Their dynamic was complicated and although I don't necessaryily agree with some of their actions, I think the storytelling was beautiful and the progression of their romance was compelling. I would definitely recommend if you don't mind stories that have flawed characters that try to eventually become better versions of themselves. I thought the MLs had really good chemistry and the side characters were also interesting :)

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"She graces my view, occupies my mind, and claims my heart."

There's honestly not enough words to describe how I feel about this drama. I regret not watching this drama sooner! (But, hey, better late than never, right?) Ok, first of all, I want to just say how incredible Zhou Ye and Cheng Lei are together.

Their chemistry was just so enjoyable to watch, and nothing about their scenes together felt forced or awkward. Their acting was incredible in this drama, and I honestly hope that they have another project together in the future.

This drama had me invested from episode one, and I have honestly never watched a historical drama this quickly! Every episode was so entertaining and I absolutely loved seeing the gradual romance between Xiao Jue and He Yan. The entire ensemble of characters in this drama were fantastic (yes, even the villains), and I think that everyone did a phenomenal job with their respective roles.

First off, I of course have to talk about one of my (new) favorite female leads ever: He Yan. She is honestly the definition of a strong female lead. Her past was honestly kind of sad, as her father and step-brother were especially cruel to her. Though her mother wasn't able to care for her as she had wanted, we learn that her mother genuinely loved and cared for her, but couldn't do so openly because of the man she married. He Yan is extremely resilient, and despite how cruelly she was treated by her father and brother, she was able to leave home and find success of her own. And though she had to conceal her identity, He Yan worked extremely hard to get to where she is. I absolutely hated how her father and step-brother treated her, especially when they poisoned and blinded her. I also hated how they tried to kill her in order to silence her. That in itself was so cruel.

Despite the hardships that she endured, He Yan was able to recover and enlist in the military once again, working hard to earn merits of her own right. She is not only extremely resilient, but never allows herself to be looked down upon. She also never loses hope, and keeps going, even when things seem hopeless.

He Yan is bright and cheerful, but is also a fierce fighter and soldier. Despite her being the smallest in her military camp, she showed that she was just as capable of keeping up with her fellow soldiers. Though her relationship with her fellow soldiers doesn't start out great, they all eventually come to respect one another and also become close comrades and friends. I absolutely loved her friendship with them! He Yan proved herself countless times that she is a force to be reckoned with, and that she should not be underestimated. Not only is she a strong fighter, but she is also extremely intelligent and strategic, more so than people give her credit for. She continuously amazed me by how incredibly strong she is! Her strength and drive are honestly so admirable, and honestly kind of inspires me, in some ways. He Yan is also very loyal and an amazing person to have in your corner. She is someone who will go down swinging for those she cares about.

Throughout the drama, we see how women are restricted by societal norms, and the expectations that are thrust upon them. He Yan getting through to the women in Rundu and also in Jiyang where she showed them that women are no less capable than men, and that they shouldn't be afraid to pursue their interests or dreams, no matter how big or small.

She teaches them that they shouldn't allow people to tell them that they can't or shouldn't do something. Instead, they should pursue it to the fullest of their ability. In a way, He Yan kind of becomes a role model to them, which I absolutely loved.

And, despite the fierceness that He Yan possesses, she also has a soft heart, and is emotional, as we see her grieve over the death of her master and also Yan He, one of the generals that helped defend Huayuan after it was invaded by Wutuo. Also, that scene in episode 26 where she thinks that she will never be able to see Xiao Jue again after he disappears into the smoke that is surrounding the battlefield was so incredibly devastating. He is the only person who has truly noticed and cared for her. And the relief in her eyes when she realizes that he's alive?? I SOBBED. also, the hug???? :((((

She is also someone who tries to pretend that she is holding it together, as we see when her master dies and she doesn't break down crying until she is alone in her room. I love that He Yan allows herself to be more vulnerable around those she loves, especially Xiao Jue. I absolutely adore He Yan, and I also love that we actually got to see her fight quite a lot throughout this drama! Her fight scenes never failed to amaze me.

And, now, on to Xiao Jue, our male lead. Honestly, where do I even begin with this man? He's someone that has seen a lot of suffering during his time as a commander, and also as a general of the Xiao army. He is determined to avenge his father and the 30,000 soldiers that were sacrificed during the battle at Mingshui. When he and He Yan were classmates, he at first did look down on her because she wasn't a very good student and not very adept at martial arts (at the time), but he started to notice how hardworking and resilient she was, which is why he started to be nice to her. From giving her his thumb ring for archery, giving her loquats when she was trapped in a classroom after failing an exam so she wouldn't get hungry, and also giving her pages that outline the instructions for mastering the Qinglang Technique. He helped her out without making himself known, and that honestly made me love him even more. He doesn't want any recognition for his deeds, just the knowledge that he was able to help her out is enough for him.

When they do reunite, he is initially suspicious of He Yan, as he believes that she is a spy. Xiao Jue continuously tests her during training, and she begins to catch on, making sure that she doesn't fail them. He is not the nicest to her, as he suspects her of being a spy and also He Ru Fei (aka General Fei Hong), the person who was responsible for delaying the reinforcements to Mingshui, causing his father and his soldiers to die on the battlefield. Xiao Jue begins to become very impressed by He Yan's cleverness and ability to stay ahead of her comrades, as well as her determination to become the top soldier in the garrison.

In my opinion, his feelings start to change towards her after figuring out that she is actually a woman. He begins to become a bit softer towards her, and also, the way he looks at her starts to change. (Cheng Lei is an incredible eye actor, and I think that he conveys so much with just his eyes, and I honestly think that's so impressive!)

One thing I noticed is that he rarely raises his voice with her, and that even when he's angry, he always seems to speak in a slightly soft??? tone? (I'm probably just being delusional but I don't remember him raising his voice at her ever so....) And when this man falls, he FALLS HARD. I mean, honestly, he started to fall for her (in my opinion) when they were pretending to be a married couple in Jiyang. The way that he completely ignores Min Er (the daughter of Yan Ling) when she tries to get his attention? Also him saying that he only trusts his wife? YEAH EXACTLY!! and then him buying He Yan a GORGEOUS dress?? ABSOLUTELY!!! I also loved how he called He Yan "wife" and "honey," that made me giggle.

He Yan is truly his first and last love, and his confession was absolutely beautiful!! I love how he has never once tried to restrict He Yan or undermine her in any way. He has always believed in her, and he sees her as an equal in every way. The angst between absolutely crushed me, but I am glad that the misunderstanding was cleared up fairly quickly after he found out that she wasn't responsible for the tragedy that happened at the Mingshui battle.

From there, Xiao Jue is absolutely devoted to He Yan, and will do anything to protect her, even if he knows that she is more than capable of taking care of herself. And when the Emperor refuses to grant their marriage, he declares that he if he can't be with her, he'd rather be single and alone forever. (LIKE ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? this man:((

I'm honestly so glad that his older brother convinced him to go to He Yan and not to let her go so easily. And when Xiao Jue said that he couldn't move on nor forget He Yan?? (HE'S SO:((() The love that He Yan and Xiao Jue have for each other is honestly unmatched, and I love that we also got to see them fight side by side! The entire battle scene at Mingshui gave me chills! The aura that these two have is honestly unmatched. A couple who fights battles together, stays together <3 Xiao Jue and He Yan are easily one of my favorite historical cdrama couples <3

(Also, quick side note to say that I absolutely loved Cheng Li Su and Song Tao Tao's love story! I loved that we got to see their relationship develop as well!! Their wedding ceremony was absolutely hilarious and so fitting for both of their characters! Oh, and I honestly SOBBED when Yan He's wife was giving birth and then it also showed Yan He dying from the poisonous arrow that was shot at him. And when she said that she knew that when she married him, there was always a possibility that he wouldn't come back alive, she just hadn't expected it to be so soon:(()

And the fact that she now has to raise their baby girl on her own?? HEARTBREAKING. and when that butterfly landed on their child's crib?? It was as if Yan He was watching over their child:((( And also, the romance between He Yan's master and Princess Meng Jiu? Their love story was so heartbreaking, as I feel like they never even really got to start their own
And, ok, I do unfortunately have to talk about the villains in this drama. He Ru Fei? Literally one of the most psychotic and arrogant characters I have ever seen. I mean, when all the evidence and proof of him committing the crimes that He Yan was accusing him of were all coming together and it was so CLEAR that he was guilty, he had the audacity and nerve to say that he's innocent. (like give me a break) He's genuinely so delusional to think that he was ever truly General Fei Hong, or that he truly deserved the title.

Also, He Yan wasn't the one who stole his identity, it was the other way around. He Yan easily defeating him during their sparring match was so satisfying! (Like it was so clear who was the superior fighter). I also love that He Yan and Xiao Jue didn't kill him because they deemed him unworthy of dirtying their swords?? (I know that's right!) Like, he's not even worth that to them. Also, it's the way that I think that he's genuinely such a "weak" villain in that he had everyone do everything for him, including Chancellor Xu. He only "earned" the title of General Fei Hong because of the lies he created and also because of his father. In the end, he got what he deserved. Chancellor Xu is equally as worse as He Ru Fei. His ambitions were insane, I mean, he even told the EMPEROR of all people that he should abdicate his throne because he's not a "good enough" ruler. Crazy, right? He's genuinely so narcissistic and delusional, and I'm glad that he died in the end. (I mean, he deserved it. He literally caused the deaths of 30,000 soldiers, Xiao Jue's father, and also committed treason. He also ruined Xiao Jue's father's reputation by slandering him as well).

Also, Ping Ting? His daughter? Literally so infuriating. She tries to expose He Yan's identity in court, all because she finds out that Chu Zhao (I'll talk about him in a second) has feelings for He Yan. (LIKE you did all of that for a man??? kind of crazy if you ask me). I hated her character, but honestly, she had kind of had a point when she said that Ying Xiang (Chu Zhao's maid)'s death was his karma. (You KNOW it's bad when a horrible character is right about something). Ying Xiang DID NOT deserve to die like that, and I genuinely felt so bad for her.

Chu Zhao....where do I even start with him? At first, I did feel bad for him because of what he went through as a child, but then again, we also didn't get enough of his backstory. I kind of wish we got more of it, because I think it would've made me understand his character a bit more. He was genuinely one of those characters that I was so confused by, as I couldn't tell what side he was on 99% of the time. His obsession with He Yan? Absolutely insane and so toxic?? It's the way that this man literally sees Xiao Jue and He Yan holding hands and KISSING and he still tries to tear them apart? Like what the heck? I HATED how he tried to convince He Yan that he loved her. (Dude, what you feel her is NOT love, that's obsession). And I hated that he tried to get the Emperor to marry them both, as he claimed that two generals marrying each other would threaten his power, or whatever stupid reason he came up with. In the end, he gets exiled to the borderlands. I honestly didn't even feel bad for him at all. Like he's truly alone, and to be honest, it didn't have to be that way, but he MADE it that way. I also think that he was definitely a morally grey character as well.

There's so much more I could say, but this review is already WAY too long, so I'll just say this one last thing:
If you want to watch this drama, please do! You will not regret it! I miss Xiao Jue and He Yan so much, and it's only been 24 hours since I finished the drama! I am so so glad I decided to watch this! This drama is definitely one of my top favorites of the year!

Oh, and these quotes are just beautiful:
"You're the first one I taught swordsmanship to. You're the first one I tended wounds to. You're the first one I gave candy to. You're the first one I bought clothes for. You're the first woman I tried to comfort. You're also the first one I covered for. Finally, I realize, in my life, the only person I love is you."

"I love the moon, yet the moon doesn't know."
"Now, the moon belongs to you."

"She graces my view, occupies my mind, and claims my heart."

"You say the moon guides you, but you never needed to borrow its light. because you can shine brightly yourself."

"He Yan. I love you. I wonder if you would like to spend the rest of your life with me."

"The peerless moon is yours now."

"With or without a marriage contract, He Yan, you're my chosen wife."

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Even the most beautiful vase can be tainted if not handled correctly.

I truly wanted to like this drama... even though I only learned about it days before the air date, even though the release schedule was disappointing, and even though the intro made me want to skip it despite the beautiful song because it was clearly AI-made. (I really don't think hiring a real artist would be that expensive.). AND even with Xiao Xun's low effort to hide his greedy nature and plastic smile, yet there's CZ still getting blinded because of his villainous charm.

The drama was fast-paced, so there should have been nothing wrong with it. As one OST implied, "the world was their chessboard." This was a game: a rematch, perhaps, with no third round. But this pacing deteriorated the emotional impact viewers should have felt for the characters. Almost every plot reached a satisfying climax, but the duration for each arc was too short. I'm not sure what cuts were made, but they were noticeable. And why were their mouth not matching wat they say... was it the Voice Acting or the Script of the Voice Actors that was the problem, cause it was annoyingly obvious for viewers to see.

Secondly, character motivations were lacking in most cases and that can make or break a story. Take Xie Yan Fang (XYF). He was greedy for power, sure ...but is that really enough reason to deceive and scheme against his own brother, starting from childhood and continuing into adulthood? Another thing that bothered me: why did he always plot schemes, always accompanied by this unique fan, yet there was no explanation of where it came from? After a while, I stopped hoping for a backstory and just became increasingly curious about what horrors that white-feathered mystery bird experienced while being plucked bald by him to make this fan...qwq

What kept me going were the face cards(nobody can say they weren't ;) ), I admit the casting was excellent, and the chemistry was there in almost every scene with the female lead. But a beautiful vase can house equally beautiful flowers it can still be tainted if the flowers aren't properly nourished. The romance between the main leads felt forced. It was cute how Xie Yan Lai (XYL) fell in love with her at first sight, it made sense until it didn't. His motivation became questionable when XYL waited until the last episode to announce his real goal of cutting ties with his family. That made me doubt his initial reason for getting close to her from start to finish. I'll assume he was simply in a dire state, changed his name, worked himself to death, and genuinely fell in love while being Chu Zhao's (CZ) private guard. But assuming shouldn't be left to viewers instead it's the drama's job to make the motivations of the characters clear.

One viewer said some things felt ambiguous, and I agree. XYF "chose" to "exclude" CZ from his death note because he thought she was "different." I get it he experienced almost nonexistent sincere relationships (He said "It's rare and almost enviable" to see two people match well in character.). And he also found her struggle interesting, different, like the pets he owned. He also said he wanted her to live because A'Yu would be "sad." But hearing those reasons from a psycho who could sacrifice an entire city, who plotted against his clan since childhood, and who faked his gentlemanly persona as a show for his outcast brother? No way was his defeat reasonable. Women empowerment may explain the writer's ending for him, but it's hardly believable for a man like his character.

Lastly, I don't know if this is just me, but there were too many crying scenes for Chen Du Ling. She's not a river so why are her eyes always overflowing whenever she's on screen most of the time? Instead of feeling emotional, I got distracted and felt the pain in her eyes as they turned red from all the crying. It's a miracle they never got puffy. I know they were just fake tears, and CZ had the right reasons to cry but even with a high attention span, I was pulled out of the scene. Sometimes the tears just weren't needed. I think her role in VOS had less of this. I sincerely hope CDL's eyes get a rest in her next dramas. Perhaps in "The Doll Game", I won't get distracted by tears anymore.

But there were good things too beyond the good-looking cast, of course. The women subduing men was a great emphasis to what this drama seeks to showcase. And then, although the music was distracting at times, soon I found myself humming one of the OSTs while making my afternoon coffee. Xie Yan Fang was a compelling character. I was just disappointed by the lackluster reason for his demise. He reminded me of those rare villains (Ok Ul Tae, Jin Mu, Run Yu, etc.): the well-defined brows, the acting, the villainous strategies were all noteworthy, but their endings felt empty and unbelievable. I'm still sad about Deng Yi's death, even though he was practically asking for it every time. I also appreciated how they gave him many scenes with that kid he liked to talk to, it was never answered who the kid was, but you might know if you think about it. The same goes for the 'mirror' CZ talks to on the pond realm. I'm still early in "The First Jasmine", but I've already seen equally strong representation of mental health struggles... you know the kind not shoved in viewers' faces and without over-explaining. That's rare in dramas like this in the romance-fantasy or historical fiction genre, and I hope to see more characters like this in future dramas.

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Ambitious, and well executed

This drama is a refreshingly ambitious take on the super hero trope.
The writers show respect for their characters all along the way. The huge amount of flash-backs may be too much for some viewers. I was surprised myself by the change in the narrative dynamic around 1/3 of the drama. But, by that time, I was invested enough in the characters that I wanted to know more about them, so I gladfully rode along.

Acting is top-notch. My personal favorite, as an acting performance and as a character arc, was Lee Jung Ha as Kim Bong Seok. Han Hyo Joo as his mother made me cry, and Go Youn Jung as his "friend who's a girl" made me smile. I enjoyed seeing those 3 together.

There were few, if any, frustrating moments: it was a pure joy to watch. Some scenes are breathtakingly intense. The action is brutal.

The special effects are mediocre at times, but the cinematography is brilliant. Lots of little charming details show that this drama was made with heart.
I'm looking forward to rewatching it a few years from now. Hopefully when S02 is released!?

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Il male

Come disse Nietsche, il problema di quando guardi nell'oscurità è quando questa cominica a risponderti. E la cosa è questa no? Il nostro protagonista per la prima parte della storia guarda solo l'oscurità, poi però l'oscurità cominica a rispondergli e lui capisce che gli sta piacendo quello che vede. Però la domanda resta sempre la stessa: il male c'è sempre ed ad una certa viene tirato fuori, oppure il male lo si crea attraverso le situazioni che una persona vive? Il nostro protagonista ci pone davanti questo dubbio perché all'inizio lui è buono, ma questa bontà serve solo a nascondere il male sottostante oppure veramente è buono e le azioni di altri lo rendono cattivo? Indipendentemente dalla risposta una cosa è certa: una volta che lui ha visto il male, ha capito che non solo era in grado di farne altro, ma di farlo anche bene. Questo porta al finale e alla grandiosa apparizione della sua oscurità, che ha preso le forme della sua nemesi. Questa serie mi è piaciuta tantissimo, anche se devo dire che la prima parte è stata un po' lenta. Per il resto, completamente approvata.

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A splendid match and a not so splendid ending

I loved this drama so much, and I was tuned in every day for the new episodes. It is a politically interesting and gripping plot with an amazing romantic plotline between Ci Sha and Ren Min.

The acting is definitely the highlight of this show. Ren Min is a phenomenal actress, and she manages to be both badass and extremely cute at the same time. Jin Zhao's little pout when she is annoyed is absolutely adorable, but don't let her fool you - she knows what she wants and she knows how to get it. Then there is Ci Sha of course. He is so handsome in this role, and the acting he does with his eyes is nothing short of amazing. I really loved having a ML who knew his way around court politics and it being believable. He is proof we need more mature ML's playing these older roles. Winwin is another highlight for me (as I imagine he is for most people). I have been a fan of his since 2016, but this is my first time seeing him in an acting role, and he really impressed me.

The plot was so good up until the end. I don't know if I even want to call it and end, because it didn't end - the story just stopped... There were still so many story lines that needed to be tidied up. What about the honor Ye Xian brought upon himself and his family? What of the death of Chen Yan Yun's personal attendant and Qing Pu's reaction? What of the aftermaths of Fu Hai Lian's death? What of Fu Hai Lian's conspirators in the court? What about Chen Yan Yun's reunion with his family who thought him dead? What of the proper reunion between Yan Yun and Jin Zhao that isn't just him saving her from the fire?

I wanted so much more from the show that what that ending had to offer, and it's such a shame, because up until that point the show had been a 10/10 for me.

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Some real incidents I think the show takes inspiration from

There are some incidents in the show that seem inspired by real life events that happened in Sk.
As a big true crime fan the middle schoolers episode where they take of with a car is inspired by a real case where a bunch of middle schoolers driving a stolen car hit a man and when taken to the police station were taking photos and even posted them to seem cool.
Another was the elementary school teacher incident which I think is inspired by Hanuel a 7 year old being unalived by her own school teacher who was trying to self exit due to poor mental health and other incidents of parents abusing their power were also the inspiration.
The show does not explicitly confirm anything so it's just my opinion. You can take it like a grain of salt.
Otherwise a very good show and keeps you emotionally engaged with the stories almost relating to them.

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In the sea of medicore BLs, this was a highlight for sure!

Normally this would be the "ideal" manga to be announced for an anime, but lucky for us, we got a live action! It feels like an anime, with all the sillyness, but on the other hand the MLs were so incredible good and believable. As I have mentioned it the Fukami review, this actors did go the extra mile to embody their characters without any doubts about it. And of course they did not shy away from kissing and having tasteful NC-scenes.

Production was also top notch. Edit: MDL removed episode 10 and says it only has 9... hmmm.... I guess they split the special on an extra page - which is stupid, but whatever. So I will wait in anticipation for the special. 🤣

Update: The special was the perfect end for this show... still a little chaotic, a little fluffy & cute and still serious talks.

Because there is nothing to rant about, I will keep this review short. This was especially entertaining, fluffy with the right amount of drama inbetween, the ideal BL imho. I definitively recommand this to everyone!

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Epic drama of the half year 2026

I have finished all 32 episodes because it just released 32, lol. A warning. If you are fans of the original novel, i'm so sorry because it's totally different. I think the novel's fans should try it as a whole new story having the same name of the novel characters. It is easier to accept it. I could say both novel and this drama are great in their own ways. The plot is really epic. It makes you dive deep down into the story itself. It's not like any dramas nowadays. The characters are built so dynamic, everyone has their own stories and secrets. It's a slow-burn drama, everything has been appealing day by day, episodes by episodes. I have to re-watch a lot to confirm my guesses, to please my curiosity and feel more about the schemes of the female lead. There was a scene making me confused because I don't know if it was the female lead's move or not (no spoil here, you need to watch with me,lol). Although it's epic, in my point of view, there will be many people find it too slow and boring. If you are chasing a high intensity drama immediately at the beginning, I think it's not. It takes time to feel the beat. This drama is a beautiful art piece to me. I believe it's worth watching and re-watching. I may edit the reviews after watching the whole drama.

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