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A not so glamorous cast with glamorous acting!!
It was a perfect storyline that was executed and wrapped up beautifully too.The cast really brought out the "Fifties" in the title, veteran actors with effortless acting that brings out every nuance intended.
A strong protagonist who is always a step ahead, life doesn't offer that.
It came silently and I'm afraid it might end up hidden, but then it is a gem.
A quite stumble that is entirely rewarding.
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ML watch only
This drama started off really well, but towards the end i started getting frustrated with the FL she kept going backwards and forwards it was like they trying to write a story but not quite getting to how it is playing out.Her untrustworthy of wolf lord and continuing deception was truly frustrating, it came across as women can't be trusted and that we can easily manipulate how what things done.
The challenges each faced always seemed one sided and even though they each had there own agenda the ML portrayed commitment well she came across as deceiving and crafty.
Overall not a bad watch, if you watch for the ML only!
ML costume was truly amazing (guess he looks good in anything)
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Made me hungry
This was really good and at some parts really funny..The dishes prepared looked good and kept you wanting to eat while watching it 😆
Overall the acting was good and the characters fitted well together.
It was totally hilarious at some parts, and really good at other parts.
I loved the characters i think they made the show .
But the recipes were mouth watering and presented really nice. The facial expressions when they took a bite were just too funny
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Not for me
This seemed like a good drama, hoever it was just not for me. ... Dr crime series just tend to go on over and over its same thing.It felt like this drama was just never ending, like three crimes were just unsolvable and it just dragged on and on. Like there was no point to drama.
The characters were good and well matched b and each of them made the case with the story.
Unfortunately I did not get into the drama and literally just skipped some of the episodes!
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Came out of nowhere and became a hit. This show is surprisingly excellent. Every episode is straightforward, no-nonsense, and very intense. The show covers different "common" bullying cases in each episodes, including physical abuse, psychological, gambling, drugs, and involves every party from students, teachers, even parents. The insert of small comedy in this show is a perfect balance.For an action show, the storywriting is pretty nice and tidy. The messages delivered very loud and clear. While Na Hwa Jin always saves with his "super-slap", I personally think the main leads aren't the highlight of this show. It's all of the villains who always succesfully increased our cholesterol while watching. Massive shoutout to several brand-new faces in this show.
Several comments from me: The pacing at the early episodes seemed too slow, some audience may not feel engaged. The online gambling case had a very thin silver-lining to the school, I don't understand why they took the case and even started the investigation from the school. The juvenile cases, I couldn't get about the verdict so they were able to keep them inside the prison. While Hwa Jin was a very calculative person, he somehow came to the knife fight with zero preparations. The romance at the end was a bit disturbing. It should start earlier, or should be nothing at all. Another distrubing scene was the cola product placement, like whaat??
Overall, yes you must watch this. It's a very great and intense show with a lot of things to learn inside. Don't watch too close to the screen, you might want to punch it in the process.
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1A Bold, Dark, and Addictive Chinese BL About Forbidden Brother-in-Law Lovers
I know this drama isn’t for everyone, but I enjoyed it from start to finish. It’s so different, unique, and daring, and I was never bored for a second.From the very first episode, this drama makes it clear that it is not afraid to push boundaries. It blends a dark, morally complicated story with simmering romance, creating an atmosphere that is both captivating and addictive.
XiaoFan is probably one of the most pitiful and pushover characters I have ever seen in a BL. His life is so hard that I just kept feeling sorry for him and hoping someone would finally treat him with some kindness.
The chemistry between XiaoFan and Lu Qing, his brother in law, is undeniable. Every look, every conversation, and every moment of restraint is filled with tension. Even when they are not doing anything, you can feel something building between them.
The story is much darker than I expected. XiaoFan leaves his rural hometown and is brought into a wealthy Beijing family through an arranged marriage meant to hide a family scandal because their daughter is pregnant and protect their reputation rather than create a real relationship. His wife is honestly so awful. Even though it is a marriage without love, she constantly belittles him and shows him no respect.
He soon realizes that he has no real place in the family and that everything is only for appearances. His life becomes even more complicated when he grows close to his brother in law Lu Qing. What starts as confusion and emotional dependence slowly develops into a forbidden attraction between them. I am always into the brother in law trope, and this one works especially well because they are not related by blood and the marriage was fake.
As their relationship deepens under unequal power dynamics and pressure from the family, XiaoFan is pulled into something that changes his life in ways he never expected. I really like how their relationship develops because there is so much tension and restraint before they finally give in to what they are feeling.
I also love that this is set in the early 1990s. The attention to detail is incredible, from the heritage buildings and houses to the cars, old TVs, couches, and clothing. The absence of modern technology makes it feel like a refreshing escape and adds so much atmosphere and authenticity to the story.
The acting is one of the biggest strengths of the drama. Guan Yue portrays XiaoFan with the right balance of innocence, vulnerability, and quiet determination, while Yan Rui Hao gives Lu Qing a calm and reserved exterior that slowly reveals deeper emotions. Together they create an intense chemistry that carries every scene.
This series has a unique plot, but it also delivers some seriously great love scenes. There are so many kisses, from the rescue scene to the couch and the kitchen sink. They are not just incredibly hot, but also filled with emotional tension, which gives each moment real weight instead of making them feel gratuitous. Their kisses, paired with that hauntingly erotic background music, feel like a release after such a long buildup. Every lingering glance, desperate touch, moan, and heavy breath adds to the intensity. You can feel all the longing they have been holding back finally erupting into something raw and consuming.
That scene where XiaoFan brought fruit to Lu Qing was pure tension from beginning to end. He dropped the basket so deliberately, and while gathering the scattered fruit with one hand, the other slowly brushed against Lu Qing's thigh. Then Lu Qing caught his wrist and whispered, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
That was such a good moment. XiaoFan stepped closer, closed the distance between them, and gently licked Lu Qing's ear lobe.
The chemistry was impossible to ignore. Watching them spend the night together and wake up still wrapped in each other's embrace made the whole scene feel even more intimate.
The music also deserves praise. It perfectly complements the dark atmosphere, enhancing both the emotional moments and romantic tension without overwhelming the story. Combined with the strong cinematography, it creates a mood that fits the series perfectly. What I like the most is the background narration during the first few episodes because it gives more context and helps you understand the story better.
Overall, it’s a 10/10 for me.
Unique and daring story ✔️
Forbidden romance ✔️
Age gap ✔️
Brother in law trope ✔️
Insane chemistry ✔️
1990s setting ✔️
Beautiful cinematography ✔️
Amazing music ✔️
Great acting ✔️
HOT NC scenes ✔️
One extremely pitiful XiaoFan who deserves nothing but happiness ✔️
First ever Chinese BL wedding ✔️ 👬💍
And the wedding was honestly so beautiful. 🥹❤️
The story is dark, the romance is complicated, and the chemistry between XiaoFan and Lu Qing is definitely the biggest reason I loved this so much. The tension, the longing, the stolen looks… they can make a single LOOK feel like an entire confession.
If you like forbidden romance, complicated family drama, slow burn tension, and couples with insane chemistry, WATCH THIS. I’m so glad I gave this drama a chance. It completely pulled me in, stayed with me, and reminded me why I love stories that dare to be different.
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Welcome to samdalri is the definition of a comfort drama.
Cho yong pil is a NEED , the ultimate green flag!!!!!first of all, can we talk about Cho yong pil?! A man like him is an absolute need in real life , he is the absolute standard for how a partner should be so patient, deeply loving, and completely devoted ,the romance and chemistry between samdal and yongpil was everything ,they are truly soulmates.
That iconic fight scene where the Haenyos were fighting and the children randomly got caught in the middle was absolutely hilarious! the townspeople could be incredibly noisy and in everyone's business, but that’s the charm of a small town.
The childhood friend group was amazing, and the way they along with the rest of the town fiercely protected samdal from the reporters and fake rumors was everything. It really showed the power of a real community even samdal's sisters had side stories that were so engaging and added so much warmth to the show.
Bang eun ju was getting on my nerves ,how dare she ruin someone’s life like that and feel no remorse? she was so frustrating to watch , I also kind of disliked yong-pil’s dad for a long time because he kept trying to keep them apart, but as the show went on, you realize he at least had his reasons rooted in deep grief.
This drama teaches you so much about life, love, and community. It will make you laugh, cry, and wish you could pack your bags and move to jeju Island.
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Nice healing story
Nice healing story with great acting. Both leads, the male and female, transmit the feeling through their performances, especially the female lead.Several plot holes in the trama, as expected in this kind of story, but overall, the hour-long episodes pass fast, and all the episodes are easy to watch.
The happy ending for all the characters is a very good way to finish the drama.
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Glad Allowed out of Cold Storage
Watched due simultaneously with First Jasmine: two offset each other well. Like other reviewers shared, didn't need the third couple/his family at all - would have preferred more dating time to replace. My first time watching Tan Jian Ci who won me over despite my initial chemistry skepticism (height/frame compared to FL). Speaking of Wang Churan I watched out of curiosity as didn't care for her toxic FL character in Fireworks of My Heart nor I Dare You story (lasted 2 episodes but did watch all FOMH as Yang Yang and BinBin fan). Despite AI face swap glad this drama funally released and wish C would end policy that is bad for cast, crew, investors, AND viewers.Was this review helpful to you?
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First thai drama I ever watched
First of all, the chemistry between freen and becky (sam and mon) is unmatched ,they carry the entire show ,watching their relationship evolve from a cold boss-employee dynamic into a deep, passionate romance was so addicting. The show balances this intense romance with genuinely funny comedy, making it an easy and entertaining watch.Can we talk about the supporting cast????
I absolutely loved Yuki, Nop, Kade, Tee, and Jim ,a lot of dramas make the friends feel like background noise, but here, the way they fiercely supported sam and mon through everything was beautiful to watch, they brought so much heart, loyalty, and comic relief to the story ,they are the ultimate definition of a found family.
The only part that really dragged the show down for me was sam’s grandmother ,her constant interference, outdated mindset, and the endless drama she caused grew incredibly frustrating by the end. It felt like the story kept going in circles just because of her.
Despite the annoying grandma drama, Gap is a must-watch , between the legendary main chemistry and the amazing friend group standing by their side, it’s a beautiful, historic GL that I won't forget anytime soon.
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✨Brain Cells Not Invited. Had Fun Anyway.✨
If you're looking for something to watch after an exhausting day where your brain has filed for PTO, this is it.The plot is absolutely unhinged in the most mini-dramaland way possible. At no point did I try to make sense of it, and honestly, I recommend you don’t either. Once you surrender to the chaos, it's a genuinely fun ride.
The FL is an absolute queen who refuses to let anyone bully her, and I loved her just as much here as I did in ''The Maid'', maybe more.
The ML was also a pleasant surprise. I'm so used to seeing him in costume dramas that seeing him in a modern one felt refreshing.
They have good chemistry, the flirting lands, the kisses are kissing, the skinship is skinshipping, and together they somehow create this wholesome little romance while the entire universe around them is operating on chaos.
The supporting characters are basically walking caricatures, but the drama never expects you to take them seriously, so neither did I. I also loved seeing the women team up instead of constantly fighting each other.
The BTS clips at the end of each episode were such a fun touch. Watching the actors behind the most insufferable characters laughing together is always a nice reminder that they're all just having fun.
The ending wrapped things up nicely. I could've done without the attempt to redeem? sweep under the rug? the trash husbands, but oh well.
Overall: ridiculous? Absolutely. Realistic? Not for a single second. Entertaining? Without question.
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Perfect for Killing Time
Let me start off by saying that Im Ji Yeon is a national treasure and must be protected at all costs. Without her, this drama simply would’ve fallen apart. There’s an incredible intensity to her performances. It’s always a pleasure to watch her on screen. She was also the main reason I struggled to rate this series.The writing was unhinged from the very beginning, so I don’t really understand why so many other reviews mention a decline after episode 10. I’d even go as far as to say that this drama is perfect if you’re just looking to kill time. There’s always something happening, but it still follows plenty of kdrama clichés.
Overall, the rest of the cast delivered decent performances.
I’d recommend this drama to anyone who’s still experiencing withdrawal symptoms from mid-2010s kdramas.
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Wasted Chemistry
This drama is the definition of great chemistry and skillful acting between the leads, which sadly goes nowhere. One thing I dislike about the "noona" genre is how writers often make the female lead immature or oblivious just to make the male lead seem more mature and a better romantic match. Strangely, they rarely do the same when the age gap is in the other way.Was this review helpful to you?
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Creepy
This drama was okay, except for the sex scenes. The male lead seemed to have some kind of rape fantasy or something. He kept forcing himself upon her when she was clearly wanting him to slow down. Her facial expressions show that she was scared or something. Was it bad acting or did the director want that? I an American so maybe it is a cultural thing. Here consent is very important.Was this review helpful to you?
Epic.
Epic is truly the best word to describe this drama. Even the way the story starts in the dramatic landscapes of Shaanxi, you're immediately pulled into the stark rural life of Gaojiazhuang. Without giving too much away, I absolutely loved how all of these characters were written. Complicated, multifaceted, honorable, broken, human. No one is blameless, and I think this realistic writing makes these characters 1) extremely relatable and subsequently 2) people you find yourself rooting for despite their flaws. Supporting cast i.e. the parents acted so well. It's to the point where I forget these are actors playing characters...you feel like a fly on the wall watching everything unfold. In particular I think the three leads for Gao Jialin, Gao Shuangxing, and Liu Qiaozhen did an outstanding job, portraying a wide range of complex emotions across their story arcs that span decades. I particularly appreciate when a story closes in a full circle moment, which this drama absolutely achieves. I hate cheesy endings where everyone gets what they want. This is not that kind of drama. The ending is a mirror of real life and made my heart sore in the best way possible.Was this review helpful to you?
