Heo Nam Jun Steals the Spotlight!
This was an entertaining drama purely because of the actors in it. The story is not novel and at times I felt it was made too complex than needed, cause we have come across such stories before. But in spite of that - the soul of this drama were the actors in it - the main leads, the antagonist, the friendly rivals and aides of the main casts. For me, the biggest one was definitely Heo Nam Jun as the ML. Having seen him in support roles or villain/grey characters - this role was truly unexpected, and I am grateful to the casting director for making the choice. He was handsome, sexy, cute and so expressive - what a talent! His shy/cute smile that seemed so awkward given his cold/sharp face (in the scene when he's happy on the inside that the FL is chosen as the main model) is going to live rent-free in my mind, it's already iconic.➥ WHAT WORKED:
● The Acting: It is the soul of the show. The main leads (as expected) were good in comedy, fights, enemies-to-lovers, fire chemistry (that inside-hand kiss? swoon). Just flawless, darling! Heo Nam Jun [ML] was the star for me here - as I already shared. Im Ji Yeon [FL] - we already know of her acting prowess, she was good as ever though on a personal level I always want to b-slap her cause of her role in Glory. But then the fact that I feel that way is the reason that shows how good she is as an actress.
● The Antagonist / Rivals: I love Jang Seung Jo [Mun Do] - having loved him in Familiar Wife where he was a good/goofy character, then the suave/grey role in Death's Game, this was technically the first time I saw him as an antagonist - and he was so magnetic. He was cold and ruthless - as the role demanded, and vulnerable as we get some insights onto his background and what makes him act so. Not justified - yet at the same time I love villains like these. Even the FL's rival - Lee Se Hee [Ji Hyo], I have seen her only in another fav drama of mine: A Virtuous Business - where I loved her character. Here too, she shines - eventually coming across as a spoiled and jealous star actress but eventually you warm up to her. She was great in her role.
● The Aides: Love Love Love "Yoon Byung Hee" [Se Gye Right-hand man] - anytime I see him in a drama, I know he will crack me up. What a loyal and funny secretary. Kim Min Seok [Seori's Manager] - again seen him in countless dramas/movies and he's always playing such different characters. He always looks so young too!
➥ WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME:
● The Pacing: When I started watching the drama, it was so entertaining & I thought that 14 episodes might be too less for such a great drama. But overtime I felt the drama dragged at places. Like I still wanted to watch it - but I was doing it out of obligation to complete the story and not excitement. Basically till Ep 7 I was pressing the "Next Episode" button, forgetting to sleep/eat/drink - but after that the story became serious, and pace was not so-exciting as before. As per me it could have been done better.
● The FL's antics: So this is a comparison and I know each actor would do it differently. Given this drama is very close to one of my all-time favorites "MR QUEEN (2020)" I could not help but compare. While I liked how the FL here was a Queen and therefore acted that way - it felt a little over-the-top and repetitive. SHS as Mr Queen was great - the internal monologue by a man, and then her acting as a woman - it felt natural as if SHS was the character. I felt a disconnect here - cause so many things were simply repetitive. "Comparison is the thief of joy" - I guess it is true but then I can't help it - Mr Queen is like a benchmark for me, and deservedly so.
● The Twist: It was good twist - no doubt, but then the way it was laid out felt very weak to me. And by the time it came - I think many had already guessed it, so it was not that impactful. The idea was good, the execution/delivery did not hand out the "WOW/Mindblown" element.
➥ OVERALL:
Definitely recommend watching - cause it was entertaining. I will not rewatch it entirely - but yes, some romantic moments and definitely scenes of Heo Nam Jun acting coy/cute and cold - will definitely be on loop for me. That smile - iconic.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
SPECIAL MENTIONS:
▶Jung Jae Kwang [Se-Gye's doctor friend] - I want this guy to make his main lead debut soon. He is so handsome, and that voice. Loved him here, in Trauma Code & Idol I - and he's so diverse in each role, I can't help but want to see more of him.
▶ Kim Hae Sook [Seori's grandma] - an acting veteran, what can I even say except its always so comforting to see her in any drama. Here too, she carried the emotional and family anchor for the FL and was amazing
▶ Chae Seo An [Tae Hui] - she was a surprise but not really. I had recently seen & loved her in "Perfect Crown (2026)" and even before - royal roles suit her a lot like she was in Moonshine (2021). I want to see her in a main lead role too, I think she's wonderful - beauty and talent! Here too - she played a great role of being a thorn / partner to main leads romance and story with such finesse!
▶ Jung Young Joo [Se Gye's Elder Aunt]: She's always in such a loud/boisterous kind of role - I love seeing her every time she's onscreen. I wish her role here was more, but even in the little time, she's always great.
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Didn't Expect This
This drama is as strong as it is thanks to its cast and script. I would especially like to praise Matsushita Kouhei's performance. The entire drama heavily depended on his acting, and he delivered. It can't be easy to build chemistry with so many child actors, but he managed to do so well.The children acting alongside him were also very well cast. The standouts for me were Masuda Risa, Ema, and Okamoto Miku, all of whom gave memorable performances.
The only thing dragging down my rating is the directing. Some camera angles were distracting.
I'd recommend this drama to anyone who enjoys healing dramas centered around children.
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Great Start, hot mess rest of the Way.
Rated so highly, and staring a recent FL favourite of mine, i was looking forward to it.The story started off strong and the beginning Village Arc was very enjoyable.
Acting is fantastic, action scenes are great when they happen and music is top notch.
Unfortunately it becomes a hot mess by episode 17.
Uneven pacing, stupid character decisions/direction and flashback galore to tell the story.
It was a real struggle to watch beyond this point.
Writers decided the leads would not talk to each other all of a sudden to the very end, to create distance and misunderstandings.
(A very frustrating troupe).
The War seemed rushed, disappointing considering the build up.
Also felt they spent too much time on certain characters.
I understand they trying to create a badass Female Lead,
but did they have to tear down the MLs to do it? Literally knocking them out cold everytime. LOL.
Then they decided to force a Love triangle out of no where toward the end.
Was a struggle to get to episode 31, and then translation quality was not there and i couldn't watch further.
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Too Idealistic for My Taste
The biggest aspect this drama lacked was an in-depth exploration of psychological disorders. The storyline that rubbed me the wrong way the most was Sora's, which is even worse considering he was one of the main characters. I didn't look up whether the drama was based on a manga or something similar, but his storyline was handled so poorly that it was hard to watch. By the time it reached its conclusion, I had already given up on the kid. Not only that, but his actor was probably the weakest performers among the younger cast.The art therapy aspect of the series was nice, but the writer should have included psychiatrists, psychologists, and other specialists, especially when dealing with more extreme cases of school withdrawal. Overall, the casting was good and the drama itself was engaging.
I'd recommend this drama to anyone who enjoys cozy, character-driven stories.
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The main couple could have been stronger; I didn't feel that much chemistry between them. And the last few episodes felt a bit dragged out for me and were hard to finish. Those are the only negative points for me.
Aside from that, I loved everything. It's a show that teaches a lot about the pain of letting people go from your life and the grief that remains in those who are left behind. The bride episode was a real standout for me; I confess I even cried a little.
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This review may contain spoilers
horribly named okay show
the name affair makes you think the whole show is about an affair. honestly even the idea of an affair only comes into play over half way through the show. also there's so much heterosexual drama that i don't care about lol. ek especially was super weird and creepy and that definitely wasn't addressed enough.the actresses were great and i thought the plot was interesting but i genuinely couldn't get into it cause i was just waiting like "when is this show gonna be about an affair" 😭 i think the title gave me false expectations of what the show was gonna be lol.
wan also becomes very weird and toxic after the time skip and lowkey forces herself on her. it was honestly uncomfortable and bordering on criminal at times.
overall i think it could've been a lot better than it was and definitely has it's share of problems. i enjoyed it but i definitely had issues with it lol
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The main leads did an terrifying job of showing how much they love each other. I don't know how they did it, but I bought every second of it.
The only thing that takes points from this drama for me is the slow pace. The storytelling style really isn't for me, and it took me a while to finish because of that.
But the story is great and I was happy with the ending, especially because I was expecting a sad one and thankfully they weren't cruel to that extent.
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This review may contain spoilers
I think I can say with absolute certainty that Vincenzo has ruined all other K-dramas for me—I’d even go so far as to say it’s ruined other shows as well.I started watching it and finished it in 4 days. To finish a 20-episode series with episodes over an hour long in 4 days, one of two things is true: either you’re unemployed or the series is some kind of drug. In my case, it was a mix of both, since I watched it for the first time during the pandemic and spent practically 100% of my time at home. It was quite an experience—and what an experience it was.
Starting with our beloved protagonist, Vincenzo Cassano. And what a performance by Song Joong-ki! It was my first drama starring him, and he didn’t disappoint. When I saw that he’d be the lead and would play a murderous mobster, I was a bit skeptical. The actor had a baby face and didn’t give off the vibe of a bad guy. In my mind, there was no way this could work. And I’ve never been so happy to be wrong. Vincenzo was MADE to be played by Song Joong-ki. I can’t imagine any other actor capable of conveying the character’s coldness and “almost” psychopathic nature, while at the same time captivating the audience with his charisma and making us root for him throughout the entire drama.
I have to admit that when I got ready to watch a series where the protagonist was an antihero, I thought they’d take the character down a path of redemption. The fact that they didn’t do that was a relief. Vincenzo is a man who does terrible, cruel things, who has clear moral flaws, and he remains that way until the end. Many times during the drama, I found myself forgetting about that side of him, precisely because he’s such a charismatic and even funny character, but the fact that the drama is a mix of action and comedy added an extra layer to that. You’re there laughing at a scene, and suddenly the drama pulls the rug out from under you and reminds you: he’s not the good guy in this story.
Following a story where the protagonist isn’t a moralist and makes people pay for their actions is nothing less than satisfying. Vincenzo won’t refuse to do something evil just because he’s “better than that.” In reality, he’s worse. Vincenzo finds justice weak and hollow; he lives by the principle that you only pay for your actions if you suffer an equivalent punishment. I confess that even my own principles were called into question during this series, especially when I found myself laughing out loud at the sight of a woman being burned alive.
I love how, in this show, the famous “power of the protagonist” doesn’t need to be used — at least not as often as it is in other dramas. Simply because the protagonist is self-sufficient on his own. Vincenzo manages to get out of impossible situations because he’s extremely intelligent, but the drama justifies this. He’s the mafia’s advisor; it’s obvious he’ll always be thinking one step ahead of everyone else, he was trained for that. It’s not unrealistic. He loses several times, but for realistic reasons as well.
His growth is also admirable. We clearly see at the beginning how he is a guy completely closed off in his own bubble; he only cares about his own problems and the things that affect him. He pretends not to care about his mother even when he visits her; he has emotional blocks and nightmares that keep him from sleeping due to the violent environment in which he lives. It’s beautiful to see how he gradually develops affection for the building’s residents, begins to understand and forgive his own mother, and falls in love with Chaeyoung. These are such human feelings, but ones he never thought he deserved to feel, since he was taught that “villains don’t deserve love.”
Since 2021, I’ve watched this series more than 10 times, and yes, I stopped counting after the tenth time. I’ll definitely watch it again, because I never get tired of it.
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The chemistry is really the highlight here, and I would really like to see the two actors doing something together again. One of the first k-drama couples that I became truly obsessed with.
Me loving them so much contributed to the show's ending stressing me out. I hoped everything would work out and that they could find another solution, but the inevitable happened and I hated it. That open and unsatisfying ending is what lowered the show's rating for me.
Aside from that, it's a good drama and will entertain you from the first episode to the end, if you ignore the final episode lol.
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This review may contain spoilers
One of the things I really love about this drama and it was one of the things that stuck with me after I finished it is how they don't try to demonize makeup.This trope of the girl considered ugly who suddenly becomes beautiful overnight and now has to live with two identities is a very classic one, but in most of these stories, you'll always see the author clearly stating that makeup is the villain and girls shouldn't use it, that you should just "be yourself".
But here, the self-esteem and self-discovery of the female protagonist doesn't come from her abandoning makeup and living like that forever, because it's just lazy and too shallow. On the contrary, the female lead is genuinely interested in makeup and even ends the series working with it. It was nice to see.
About the love triangle... There's no triangle, lol. There are just two people in love with each other and a poor dude who falls in love alone on the side. To be honest, the only thing that stressed me out were the arguments involving those three.
I always see people saying that she should have chosen Seojun because apparently he "loved her more" (based on what? I don't know but anyway). But the thing that always goes through my mind is: even if he loved her more, why would she have the obligation to choose him for this? "He deserved to be happy" and Jukyung didn't? She never liked him, never saw him as more than a friend and never even gave him hope, but she should have stayed with him, even though she loved another guy, out of pity? This is horrible and honestly Seojun and Jukyung deserve better.
I mean, the scene of him crying on the stairs is very sad, but the guy made peace with his best friend, took the weight of Seyeon's death off his shoulders, and fulfilled his biggest dream of life, which was to become singer, but somehow he got the worst possible ending because he didn't get the girl at the end? It doesn't make sense to me.
Also, don't get me wrong, I love my guy Seojun, but him getting close to Jukyung with the sole purpose of hurting Suho and ending up developing a one-sided love always seemed more like karma from the universe than an injustice to me.
The main couple is cute and I like their development. I don't think they have screen-shaking chemistry, but I really like them together.
It's not a super original story and it relies on thousands of different clichés, but that's the premise and the drama doesn't hide that, so it ends up being well done. It's a good execution of what they set out to do.
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A Promising idea that Never fully Bloomed
I can definitely see its potential and understand why people liked it, but I was never fully engaged or eager to watch the next episode. Maybe the pacing just didn't work for me. While writing this review, I'm actually trying to figure out why the series couldn't completely convince me.First of all, I was excited when I saw the trailer a few days after its release. I'm a fan of stories that focus on scents and the sense of smell in general. I also liked the visual aesthetic, especially elements like the butterflies, which fit the spring atmosphere perfectly. These are two aspects that the series handled very well.
Aside from that, I didn't know the main actors beforehand. There were moments when I could feel the chemistry between the leads (for example, the scene with the scented sachets), but these moments mostly occurred in the earlier episodes when Scent was still trying to manipulate Gaysorn. I could see when Scent started developing genuine feelings, but personally, I never felt emotionally connected to his character or his emotions. Of course, the final episode is emotional, but that alone wasn't enough for me.
As for Gaysorn, he was written as so innocent and naive that I struggled with his character throughout all eight episodes. His behavior is understandable at first, considering he comes from an isolated mountain community and only knows the Mudan people. However, the fact that he continued to trust others so easily despite numerous warning signs became frustrating to watch.
The side couple didn't receive enough meaningful screen time together for me to become invested in their relationship. I liked Ray, and both characters played an important role in helping Gaysorn. However, in its current form, their romance either needed to be developed much further or removed altogether.
Regarding the overall plot, the concept was interesting and was the main reason I started watching the series. Unfortunately, the execution gradually became boring for me. For example, some characters' bad behavior is barely addressed and only receives minimal consequences at the very end. The ending itself was fine, I guess, but it didn't leave a strong impression on me. I also think the investigation-related storylines could have been handled better.
Overall, I can recommend Flower Boy for its visuals and its unique premise, but not for its execution.
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This review may contain spoilers
Another series where one of the characters gets/stays together with their rapist
Another series where one of the characters gets/stays together with their rapist. Stories like this are harming the lgbtq+ community and attempt to normalise disgusting behaviour such as infidelity and sexual assault. On top of that, Lu Feng is extremely manipulative but Xiao Chen decides to ignore all of that anyway.Other than that, acting was not bad but the actors' age did not match their characters' age. It was a little uncomfortable watching a 30-year-old high school character.
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I LOVED EVERY BIT OF IT
First time writing a review, may not be well articulate, so bare with me👏👏👏👏. The stories, comedy, relationships, characters 🥰🥰;
The characters had distinct personalities which got me interested in everyone
I felt like the writers managed to weave everything together without going overboard especially with a large main cast, it isn't a masterpiece per say, but the writing is great, it wasn't underwhelming either as I felt we got to see the necessary bits with the right amount of emotion and depth.
The ending is great for everyone and 🤯🤯.....
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Ko Munyeong is truly something else. You'll hate her, you'll love her, you'll understand her, you'll laugh with her, you'll get stressed out by her. And that's a perfect example of a great main character. She is someone who will make you feel things, good or bad, but you will remember her. Definitely.
Moon Gangtae is a character who might seem boring and uninteresting at first, but as the story progresses you realize he's not that person at all. He is someone who, from a young age, had to develop a social mask to live, and this caused terrible damage to his psychological well-being and behavior.
Munyeong is the one who inspires him to break out of his shell and be who he truly is. Gangtae is the one who inspires her not to hide behind indifference and to show her vulnerability. They unintentionally end up initiating each other's healing process.
The fairy tales are beautiful and carry lessons that I will take with me for life.
I also need to applaud the performances. The script is incredible, but the story wouldn't have hit as hard if it weren't for the brilliant performances of the main cast.
One of the best series I've ever seen, without a doubt.
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BEST COMFORT SHOW EVER
I honestly had so much fun watching this. One of my favorite things was how the characters actually communicated instead of dragging misunderstandings on forever. It made the relationships feel really refreshing and so much more enjoyable to watch.The chemistry between all the couples was amazing, but Pertar was easily my favorite. Every time they were on screen I couldn't stop smiling, and I was always waiting for their next interaction. Kit and Shane were adorable too, and Mon completely stole my heart. Every scene with him made me smile.
I also ended up loving the teachers way more than I expected. They were so cute, and I liked that the show balanced the romance with funny moments and emotional scenes without making it feel overdramatic.
Overall, this was such a wholesome, feel-good series. It genuinely had me smiling through most of the episodes, and a few moments even made me emotional. I finished it with the biggest smile on my face and would definitely recommend it if you're looking for a sweet BL with lovable characters, great chemistry, and healthy communication.
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