Reviews

Ordinary sweet love story but did not really catch interest.

I am honestly so disappointed how it all went to certain extent. The drama was good only because it had all the popular and highly anticipated actors in it. Yeah, we had a lots of famous figures in it, who are quite popular in lots of famous dramas which have got the best drama recognition from viewers. But the story was disappointing.
Looking back at the comment section, you can guess, how much highly anticipated drama this was, so maybe that's the reason for the heavy disappointed, probably because we expected too much.
Now, coming to WHY DISAPPOINTING?

- Character sketch: Apparently, the character sketch of fl, and her bestie disappointed me the most in the whole story. One is weak and dumb when misunderstandings stand, other is worse in giving advices, and barely held her own relationship. It kinda annoyed me that everytime, their male partners were the one taking initiative, yet they kept acting as if they were being ignored and excluded.

- Plot- too ordinary, too flat, too uninteresting. Once again I would say, it barely got so many viewers because it had popular actors, literally so many popular actors. Even the supporting characters acting mother, father and colleagues are quite famous. That's the only reason it was continued by so many and not dropped. Mainly because we expected since it has our fav actors. The plot seemed a lot draggy.
I am guessing all of the popular actors took this because they wanted to expand their reach internationally, since these kinda modern sweet love stories attract the foreign viewers first, that isthe genre us foreign viewers all started with, when we entered the Cdrama industry. But to the regular viewers, who have been regular watchers of their dramas, it turned out to be a flop :(
Umm, that's all I guess was there to it. That was my personal opinion, I hope, you would have happy time seeing this, and it won't seem disappointment to you, like it did to us. Happy watching!

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Sometimes don't mind the comments before starting a series!

I started knowing about the series through the BL fan pages posting clips of the series. But after reading some of the top comments left on MDL I was unsure but I still start watching it because of TutorYim that I knew and adore from Cutie Pie.

And dare I say it was quite a journey through the first episode! The pacing of the episode was quite good although not quite packed with backstory for me to get to know the characters (also understandable as it is only 8 episodes). The cinematography was great (thank god for 4K Youtube) and the editing were not that horrible.

As I am not that deep into DMD's BL environment for me to compare and slam the series for it's storyline, actor/acting etc. like some of the commenters here, I think it was just a cute, bubbly, cringey BL for me to take it too seriously. Jade IS quite a handful as a character and at times over-hyper but I don't mind it. His chemistry with Mai is quite good and I'm quite surprised that I'm not into NetJames which is apparently DMD's other big BL couple that I'm not familiar yet.

The series' characters and vibe almost remind me of "A Boss and A Babe", in which both of them were not the top-notch series of the year type of series as much as an introduction series for the actors to really get experiences for acting. All and all I can say it is a good BL for you to fill up the time but you can't expect an Oscar for the series. And I do understand that for some people, this kind of series is not their cup of tea.

I can expect myself watching it through the end with hope that the story will progressing great in the future episode.

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no last words

4: Clean Island is a 30 minute short movie.
Dear Jinri is a 100 minute long documentary.

4: Clean Island is a symbolic story about the state of k-pop entertainment but also our society in general. It also appears to be a biographical story about the life of dear Sulli. It is very stylistic and artisic, with unusual scenes and sureal story that makes the viewer wonder if he is the consumer who kills off artists...

Dear Jinri is a documentary mostly based on the interview given for Netflix and some images from the life of Sulli/Jinri. Then there are 5 parts that wanted to split the documentary in chapters connected with Dorothy in the land of Oz. I didn't quite get the connection, but it must have something to do with imagination that Sulli had as an artist. Hearing and watching her interview was emotionally very exhausting. It felt like hearing a confession, and still realizing how much is being unsaid. One can only sympathise with the honesty and pray for the soul of dear Jinri. Unfortunately we didn't hear her last words but at least we are left with her innocent smile that encourages us to try to spread hope and support to our friends.

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I don’t understand why some people hate it!

Judging from the comments I thought that I will really hate season 2. But that didn’t happen at all. I think the reason people find it different from season 1 it’s because we miss the heartbroken story of mun’s parents and Mo Tak’s past. in this season the protagonist isn’t only Mun but the villains as well. The story is more concentrated on the fight with the bad guys than on the personal stories of the Counters. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, is just something different. And I think it’s normal when we speak for a second season of something that had already reached the top. Give it a try! I think you will enjoy it.

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I love this Bl

First off, I want to express that this BL (Boys' Love) series is the first one I've watched in its entirety, with all 12 episodes.

Overall, I just love this BL. I simply adore stories and concepts like this. Once again, they've done an amazing job of hooking me into the story, even though I wasn't initially convinced by it.

As mentioned, I did have some initial issues with the story. I was very confused because the beginning with Talay and Puem was so cute. Their meeting at the airport and then during the film shoot. But I must admit, I didn't read the description of the series (I never do. I usually get my pre-info mostly from TikTok, haha). Then suddenly, he wakes up in another body in a different universe. That really threw me off. I thought I might dislike the series because Talay is in Tess's body and has to deal with the new universe and his friends/parents. And then the whole thing with Pakorn/Tun, who somehow has Tess, and Talay can't figure out why.

But my opinion changed instantly when Puem came back in Tun's body. And then the story really took off. I just love how they both try to live the lives of their respective bodies as best they can. And thus, their friends get to see their own friends and family. And the love that develops between them is so incredibly sweet. It was also cute that Talay never really saw/acknowledged that Tun/Puem was his portkey until the end.

But it broke my heart when Puem and Tun switched bodies again, and Talay and Tess were still trapped in their respective bodies. My heart still aches when I think about Talay waiting at the beach for a whole month until he could cross back over to his universe and reunite with Puem. And when they found each other again, well, we don't need to talk about that. I cried.

So, all in all, I LOVE THIS BL.

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Awesome FL - Meaningful Reverse Harem - Great Character Arcs - Morals and Values exploration

Of all the shows that had the reverse harem tags that I have watched, this was the first time watching a meaningful character arc and chemistry between the FL and various ML for me. It wasn't forced, each of them had a role to plan and each of them contributed to the FL's character growth. This show had a good exploration of right and wrong, and how humans tend to be both good and evil. You rarely see a show where the characterization is not polarized. Nobody is perfect (not even the ML) and nobody is without a flaw.

I personally loved the ending - thought it was both fitting and sweet. (2nd ML felt always a little too good to be true, so maybe that signalled my brain to not expect too much.)

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This was cute, but uneven in my ability to enjoy it

The first half of this show had me on the irritated side. 1) Everyone saying, "Eh?" all the time. I know it's a Japanese thing, but it was so prevalent here I felt like I needed to turn it into a drinking game. 2) SFL - she was a mean human being with no redeeming features. I was seriously disappointed in the lack of repercussions for the terrible things that she did. I understand that the writers wanted to wrap this drama up in a cute, happy ending bow, but this character was just too mean. 3) ML going around asking everyone, "Are you captivated?" 4) At the beginning, even the FL was working my last nerve. The bowing, the lowered eyes, the apologizing for everything. Again, I realize it's part of the Japanese culture, but there's a point where it gets to be too much. 5) the FL's extreme reaction to the scar on her face. I get it, it's teenage land, where hormones run amok, and all emotions are way over the top. The scar wasn't bad enough to warrant that much angst.

I persevered, however, and I liked the last half so much more than the first.

1) The FL grew through her experiences. Strong theme of the importance of loving yourself.
2) The supportiveness of friends, and people apologizing to those they have hurt in the past. (Still not enough to forgive the SFL, however. Maybe a lot of scenes were cut that would have made her change of heart forgivable?)
3) Her parents were lovely. I loved the scenes after the ML and FL were caught in front of her house in the middle of a school day.
4) I'm still not sure, in my heart, who I think the FL should have ended up with, but I loved how both of them wanted what was going to make her happy. I also loved how they grew to respect and like each other.
5) I absolutely loved the parts of episode 7 where the ML was trying to come to terms with his feelings and had no clue how to express them! I rewatched that, multiple times.

For the most part, the show is fluffy and enjoyable to watch, I was just hoping for a little more.

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My favorite drama… hands down

Oh my goodness, I cannot stop raving about this drama I just watched! I stumbled upon it by chance, and it was a game-changer for me. I'm now a die-hard fan of Rosy Zhao and can't get enough of her. This is unusual because I do not usually obsess over celebrities. But trust me, she deserves all the hype she's getting!

The drama was a perfect blend of love and plot, and despite watching countless shows, I was utterly hooked from the very first episode. I usually find that dramas start slow and it takes forever for anything exciting to happen, but not this one! It had me on the edge of my seat to the end. The love story was beautifully crafted and the relationships between the characters were fascinating to watch. I have too many favorite episodes to list, but let me just say that each one was a masterpiece in its own right.

The actors were all outstanding, but I must give a special shoutout to Li Yun, Rui played by Leo Wu. His character's struggle to resist falling in love with the female lead was so well portrayed, and the chemistry between the two was electric. And can we talk about the emperor Bao Jian Feng? What a great performance by Zheng Li! I was also impressed by the supporting cast, particularly the two brothers who were shadows of Leo Wu's character.

Now, I do have a few minor complaints. There were times when I wished there were more close-ups of Leo Wu's facial expressions, especially during some of the more emotional scenes. There were also some inconsistencies in the story, like when they said the female lead's parents left for 10 years instead of 15, or how she learned all about construction. The lack of synchronization in the flute parts played by Rosy Zhao was extremely distracting, despite my genuine appreciation for the music. But these are just nitpicks, really.

The last two episodes were a bit of a letdown for me. I was hoping for a grand finale, but it was just okay. However, this doesn't take away from the fact that this is hands down my favorite drama of all time! I can't even count how many times I've rewatched it. If you haven't seen it yet, you're missing out on one of the best shows out there!

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Decent story with lots of potential, killed by some fatal decisions

Usually these kind of stories starts off with a FL wronged in the prior life and gets a 2nd chance. However in this story, The FL is trying to correct her wrongs.
There's a common theme referring to the scent (hence of scent of time)

The leads Zhou Ye & Wang Xing Yue is a good pairing visually.
Sets/production overall decent although inconsistent. Costume & accessories are beautiful especially for the FL. Then there are props that looks incredibly cheesy fake too.

What killed this drama little by little ...................
1. Poor choice of dubbed voice for the FL. Even when her facial expression is on par with the mood, the voice didn't follow. Actually it sounds like 2 different dubbed voices. One sounded older but either way, it was not good.
2. Mu Yao -- I was wondering how they picked someone who can't act AT ALL. Apparently she's some internet celebrity and end up getting this supporting role with enough lines that can kill a drama. So that happened.
3. OST overkill. It's a nice song but the ONLY song which they play bits of it 10x per episode x 30 episodes ....
4. Over smoothing of people's skin especially of Huan Rong Zhou. He has a wax figure face at times.

Potential not fully realized but not bad overall.

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A Rollercoaster of Love and Loss

First, I would like to say sorry for I thought, more or less two years ago, that this will not be good and I'll hate it because idk season 1 is so perfect to me and I don't actually wanted a second season hence I didn't watched this while airing last year...boy I'm clearly missing out and I'm glad I had time and energy and decided to watch this... I did not write a review about season 1 so I'm writing this as an amend for doubting it. This might be long so here it is.

I thought I'd seen it all in Season 1, but this second installment dives even deeper into the turbulent world of Kang Seo Joon and Han Ji Woo.

The chemistry between Seo Joon and Ji Woo is like a magnetic force that draws you in. It's not just about their differences; it's about how those differences make their connection all the more powerful. The ups and downs of their love story feel so real that you can't help but root for them, and when they're happy, you're on cloud nine with them.

But just when you think they've found their fairy tale ending, bam! Life throws a curveball, and you're left holding your breath, wondering if true love can withstand the storms of life. The suspense is killer, and every episode leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat.

The cinematography is like poetry on screen, capturing the glitz of Seo Joon's celebrity life and the quiet, intimate moments with Ji Woo. The music? Don't even get me started. It's the kind that lingers in your soul, making you feel every emotion the characters are going through.

Now, don't get me wrong; it's not all rainbows and butterflies. There are moments when you want to shout at the screen, "No, don't do that!" The plot can be a tad predictable, and yeah, there are some clichés thrown in. But here's the thing – the actors pour so much heart into their roles that you forgive the drama's flaws. You're not just watching characters; you're feeling their joy and heartbreak like it's your own.

In the end, "To My Star Season 2: Our Untold Stories" is a tearjerker, a heartwarmer, and a testament to the crazy, unpredictable journey that love can take you on. So, brace yourself for the emotional rollercoaster, and get ready to fall in love all over again. I might rewatch this when I'm lonely idk.

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