Reviews

First Impression: Eternal Butler

Overall: the first two episodes were fine. I can see my final review going quite a bit up or down depending on how the next 10 episodes go. 12 episodes about 20 minutes each. Airing on GagaOOLala (Americas, Europe, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, India, Southeast Asia) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5016/eternal-butler-2024-e01 ; iQIYI (available in USA, Spain and ???) https://www.iq.com/play/eternal-butler-episode-1-dst0wmvc9g?lang=en_us ; YouTube (available in African countries, Greenland, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Egypt and a few others) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZCKtVEQmC4

Content Warnings: blood, manhandling, non con kisses (likely other things that they've hinted to)

What I Liked
- easy to understand premise
- the sci fi element

Room For Improvement
- started with a flash forward
- nonsense design with the glasses aspect
- (neutral) sound effects

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They served drama, chaos, and bromance... and I’m not over it.

High School Frenemy had all the ingredients for an unforgettable school drama—rival campuses, broken friendships, and just enough tension to keep you hooked. And let me tell you, this show ate and left no crumbs.

Saint and Shin? Absolute icons. Their whole “we used to be besties but now we’re enemies” vibe is straight-up fire. Saint’s got that brooding, too-cool-for-school energy, while Shin is all sass and rage, and the way they clash is chef’s kiss. The tension? Off the charts. You’ll be yelling at your screen one minute and clutching your chest the next because the feels are real.

And don’t even get me started on the side characters—they understood the assignment. Chadjen’s quiet wholesomeness, Ken and the twins always bringing some trouble (but being good at heart), and the rest of their classmates add so much depth. These aren’t just background extras; they’re out here serving personality and adding layers to the story. Even the teachers, Ms. Jan and Mr. Sung, are low-key MVPs. They’re like the glue holding the chaos together—strict when they need to be but always rooting for their students in the most genuine way.

Now, let’s talk music because wow. The soundtrack? Straight bangers. It’s like the perfect playlist for every mood—heartbreak, rage, nostalgia—you name it. Whoever put it together deserves a raise because it hits every time.

And that ending? Ugh, so satisfying. It doesn’t give you all the answers on a silver platter, but it ties up just enough to make you feel things while still leaving you thinking about it days later.

High School Frenemy isn’t just a show; it’s a whole moment. It’s got drama, vibes, and a ton of heart. If you’re not watching it, what are you even doing? Stop sleeping on this gem and get ready to be obsessed.

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Wonderful Cast and an Engaging, Original Story

I've watched so many dramas that what I appreciate most now is originality. That and good acting, of course. This drama has both of those. It doesn't leave you wondering if you've already seen it before. The cast is wonderful. It's been a long time since I could say that I loved both of the lead actors and I'm delighted to be able to do so now. I've never seen them before but I'll make it a point to watch their other dramas. The supporting cast was very good as well.

I loved the action scenes. They weren't the over the top flying scenes that I hate. They were well done and fun to watch. The costumes and most of the hair were beautiful. The only things that really detracted from the series appearance wise were the excessively long fingernails they gave the female lead character and the heavy make up on the male lead. There were a few of the obligatory slow motion fall and catch scenes that were regrettable but not very many.

The OST was very pretty and I found myself replaying quite a few scenes just so that I could catch the lyrics. If I could change anything, it would just be to not have them playing over the characters' lines or have the volume quite so loud when they did.

I would have preferred a different ending but I respect that they didn't give us what they no doubt knew we wanted. It suited the characters and the story.

Overall, I would highly recommend this one. You won't be disappointed.

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good drama, good characters and acting. also good romance

TLDR; Despite being a long show, it was worth it because of the characters and how they each solved it differently. There were a lot of plot twists and turns that kept me wanting to know the truth. There's a fair bit of comedy and romance mixed in, and the acting separates the different characters, each with their own distinct personalities.

Story: Because there are so many characters, it's sometimes hard to keep up with who relates to whom, but there's definitely an emphasis on mystery here. There are also some moments where they throw a lot of information at you, and I feel like some parts were a bit rushed. It's not always serious though and their comedy is just perfect to relieve some of the tension in the show. In terms of romance, this might be my favorite just because of how they interact in the beginning. I'm also a sucker for love-hate relationships because it's interesting to see their reaction once they realize they love each other.

Acting: I love the acting in this because each character has their own distinct personality and yet this group meshes well together because each can compensate for the other. I especially love the facial expressions and overall acting of Yuan Zhong Xin and Wei Ya Nei because they're probably the most expressive out of the group.

Music: The music definitely set the mood, and I could tell when there was a comedic scene happening or something bad was going to happen. I'll be honest though, it wasn't particularly memorable, but it wasn't terrible either.

Rewatch value: Out of all the shows I've watched so far, this might be the one I would rewatch because I feel like I could catch clues because of hindsight, but it also has 42 episodes, each at least 40 minutes long, so it is a bit of a commitment.

Onto season 2!

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This was nice ,I loved all the characters, even though Taishin may act clueless most times i find him cute. Takara's character was also amazing.Others may not like this series which I don't know why they wouldn't,but for me it was a cute storyline. I believed this deserved a 10 because I loved howthey symbolized the bird pictures and marbles to portray both Taishin and Takara. Takara, keeping marbles, has a way of saying anything he wants is his ,long has it in his possession. And Taishin was so understanding he got how Takara is and always saw the good in him, even when Takara expects the worst, Taishin is always there to reassure him. Currently watching the special episode and they are so cuteeeeeeeeee. 100%

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literally one of the best storylines

i find this rewatch-able value because of the amazing visual, plot, music and characters. actors were suited for the roles and performed amazingly. the visuals shook me every time, including the music. i like it because of the main characters romance between them, their will to sacrifice themselves for another. they love each other no matter what, even if their not meant to fall in love. the music is to die for !!! in my opinion, both main actors performed really well which is why they stood out. the story is kind of different from the novel, but the way they changed it is absolutely amazing. the plot is twisting. overall, its a 10/10. to me, its one of the best xianxia I've watched yet.

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It is not an idol drama. 10/10

This historical drama is top-noch!! Great actors/actresses from leads to support characters, very interesting historical details, solid art direction, rich dialogues, and good balance between love story, action scenes (I will never forget how Yang Jing Lan rushed back to Yizhou to marry Ji Ying Ying) and brocade industry history makes it a treasure among this year dramas . Tang Dinasty border conflicts, the difficulties in establishing Silk Road, focus on working class and slavery , warlords and rich families rebellion against central power, instead of court conspiracies contribute to create very unique environment and story line . It is slow paced but there is no pad out episodes, no skip because it is not just one more drama about revenge. Also sadistic and smart villains (Jing Chao acting skills specially shinned on ep.39) makes it very fun and entertaining to watch. Last, it is a delight to see the mutual understanding between Yang Jing Lan and Ji Ying Ying, how they clearly communicate and evolve from allies to lovers without loosing the respect and trust they have for each other. It was not a boring and predictable love story. It is a beautiful love, family, friendship and social story. 10/10!!

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Y’all crazy. This show was soooo good tf

I don’t understand why ppl are talking so much trash about the show. I will admit it started slow but I’m a person who likes watching a slow burn show. The build was soooo good. The ML was so damaged and his ex wife keeping him drugged up just to need him is some nasty work.ML not liking the FL at the beginning made the story so much better as you watch both of them win damage(in different ways ) slowly start to comfort each other and start to like each other was really amazing to watch. The FL was so detached from the world and was basically on autopilot all the time even with the stalker she barely flinch and then you slowly started to watch her come alive. The first fight scene between FL and the ex wife had me shook and that was the real first time you saw FL start to care and I felt myself become excited ….. and then second fight scene between FL and ex wife had me shocked because she was really pissed .

The ending was my least fav part because it is such a Korean drama thing to do and I was hoping for something more original and fresh/new but I’m not mad at them finding each other again after everything and I was even rooting for the ex wife and her fake husband because they both crazy and deserved each other .

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not ur average fairytale romance

avoid if u dont like toxic relationships LOL

pros:
- what makes this kdrama very unique is that its definitely not ur average fairytale romance. i found the thoughts and actions of the female lead very realistic, like her overthinking when she realises that hes toxic, being unsure whether she should continue to pursue the "relationship" or move on to someone else. i also thought the male lead would be outright toxic but i realised that it isnt actually very clear from the start, after watching more of the show ull pick up "clues" that show how manipulative he is. i like it because it displays relationships in real life)
- if u like to watch kdramas with friendgroups u can give this show a try! it definitely shows the messiness of a university friendgroup - them dating each other, facing drama all while having to juggle schoolwork at once
- also props to the second couple (Ngl there were a lot of couples but if uve watched the show u would know which one i mean) because THEY WERE SO INTERESTING AND UNEXPECTED i loved them sm (probably more than the main couple!)

cons:
- Uhhhh as the show suggests, obviously THE RELATIONSHIP IS TOXIC. this may not be everyones cup of tea and its ok!
- may be boring especially if u dont like romance (some parts were boring even for me as someone who enjoys romance) the relationship is really slow paced and theres rlly not much going on other than showing their college life

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life can be funny like that sometimes.

how do you know if you've won at life? is it by looking at how many times you've succeeded? your accomplishments? sure, if you like to think plainly—if you choose to see only in black and white. but life is a spectrum of colors wherein each one shines with the lives you've touched, the people your heart has reached, all the love you've received whether it be in the span of 10 years or a lifetime.

does failing equal losing? does it render all the time spent in struggle meaningless, worthless? life's punchline compels you to believe otherwise. macbeth's conviction to even last that long—long enough to make a fan out of someone like hiroko—is exactly what makes them victorious. one doesn't always immediately get rewarded for one's efforts and it could take as long as a decade to receive affirmation, but trust me when i say it will have been worth it! so while macbeth may not have made it as comedians in the industry, they certainly have to the ones who matter.

if you're reading this, just know that you too have won. in life, nobody genuinely loses. you are here, and you have won.

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From someone who loved Go Ahead

As most people would know, FBC was the Korean remake/adaptation of the Chinese drama called Go Ahead. I personally loved the GA and just had to watch FBC when I saw that they were remaking it. After watching both of them I can say that while both shows start of pretty similar by the end of FBC it felt like a completely different show.
GA was more focused on children ( be it our main three casts or people around them like San Ha's sister or Park Dal's character) how their situations and circumstances around them affect the way they grow up, their relationships and social interactions. It was more of a slice of life type of show with some life lessons and hard hitting dialogues.
On the other hand, FBC felt more like a romance-family drama, that focused solely on the lives of our main characters and their family situations. However, the characters felt a lot more closer because of the way they all express their emotions and talk about their feelings. The romance was also handled much much better and allowed a decent amount of buildup compared to the original where it felt too sudden and personally a bit incestuous ( because they were super super close and tight knit growing up).

The show was well made and visually appealing with most of the cast working pretty well together. The actor playing Kang Hae Jun did a particularly great job and made his whole character shine a lot more. While the show cut a lot of scenes and changed a few characters ( would be too difficult to fit 40+ eps into 16) but the show ended up with a sweet sweet flavor of its own. It felt like the show was made by someone who actually saw the original in detail and loved it and then proceeded to handle it with utmost care while making some changes that would enhance the viewing experience. FBC did lack some nuances that made the original stand out for example, the house that Ju won/Hae jun live in - in GA it is small, slightly cramped, messy but tidy, full of stuff from different people, (as it would be because it was originally two people living there but then a third moves in + 2 people partially, all managed by a single dad who works the whole day either cooking at the restaurant or at home). It felt lived in compared to the one in FBC which looked tooo clean and empty and a bit like a set. The OSTs are also not as memorable as the original.

Overall I did like the drama and I am glad I gave it a chance. It is definitely made with a lot of love and care. It is a very good show about family ties, supporting each other and finding your own comfort zone. I would recommend the show regardless of if you have seen the original or not.

Rewatch value: As much as I like the show, if I do rewatch, I would personally prefer GA.

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Like walking into a dream, so unlike what you've seen.

A very mindfully written story. It breaks the stereotype of psychological thrillers being about murderous or powerful individuals. Set in the same universe as “Moving” and “Timing” (both stories from the same author), it presents a tightly woven and gripping chronicle about life, death, near-death experiences, and the afterlife.

Starting with the narrative, which in the very first episode is presented from the perspective of individuals thrown into the afterlife who don't know anything, just as we viewers didn't understand what was happening either. The very first moment served as a great introduction to the drama; even if the two characters weren't the only ones with a story to tell, starting with their perspective was, in my opinion, an apotheotic success.

After that, we began to learn what was truly going on from different points of view. The main characters are not the sole focus throughout the drama, but they shine like thunder; even those who were extras still had a substantial impact. The drama builds upon the fundamental idea of the afterlife, offering a richer perspective on this theme.. Every episode revolves around something our characters experienced in their lives that somehow led them there, and whether they can find the will to keep on living or to move on.

But it was different, deeper, and more impactful than anything I’ve ever seen. There’s a rich tapestry of legends and lore cementing each movement and its path, like the red string of fate, the woman in white, the slender shadow, the guardian, and the light at the end of the tunnel. I won’t lie; it was all brilliantly connected.

The plot brings forth various questions and concurrently reveals the true nature of human emotions: regret, guilt, sacrifice, empathy, understanding, forgiveness, love, hate, and crucially, whether to advance or remain attached (and what follows as a result). The conclusion stood out, highlighting how our choices affect not just our own souls but also the souls of others. It was beautiful to watch it all unfold.

The music was minimal yet poignant; the atmosphere, ambiance, scenery, and pace were perfectly on point. The acting was top-notch, even the children nailed their parts. I went in blind, not knowing what it was, what to expect, or even reading the synopsis—nothing—but I have absolutely no complaints. There were no loopholes, no unfinished business, nothing. Masterful storytelling.

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Worth watching, ignore the comments on the main page

This story isn't bad at all. What you are seeing is a bunch of people upset because it wasn't purely a romance story which the show never promised to be in the first place. Are there issues with some plot lines? Yes. But it's not as bad as some of the commenters / reviewers are making it to be. Plus it's very in line with what happened in the novel that this show is based off of so bashing the scriptwriter does not make much sense in this case.

Spoiler Alert:

JYY is a woman and who is of a low status. There is only so much she can do. JYL, while much higher in status, was up against a general and a prince. Given all of that, the ending wasn't that bad. Plus they end up together in the end. As for the fl feeling sad for Bai Prince, who is one of the main villains, it's not that surprising given what we saw in the show so far. Anyways, that's just my take. Don't decide not to watch this due to a few comments on MDL or a low rating. This show is decent.

If you go into it with reasonable expectations and not just expecting a show solely focused on romance, you will enjoy it. So in short, this isn't your typical idol costume drama. The leads aren't always going to win simply because they are the leads but it's a happy ending.

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