Reviews

THE BEST JAPANESE BL?

As someone who read the original manga 30歳まで童貞だと魔法使いになれるらしい (Sanjūsai made Dōtei Da to Mahōtsukai ni Nareru rashii) by the talented Yuu Toyota, the changes that were made in the series was perfectly done.

Now, the manga is already good on its own (it is spicier, but the series version is wholesome), but the series bought the story into a whole new level! It is not only cute and adorable, but heartwarming as well. Even if it is set in the city of Tokyo, the cinematography and camera shots are spectacular! It is indeed a movie-making masterclass!

I love the character development of Adachi! From the meek and low-esteemed 30-year old man to someone who breaks out of his shell who became confident with his own abilities. Kurosawa who appears to be perfect to everyone’s eyes showed his inner imperfection as well, and his human-flaws was well-executed throughout the show.

One of the best takeaways I get from the show is the importance of communication in a relationship. Adachi and Kurosawa showed that communicating well with your partner and letting them know your insecurities and weakness is a sign of a healthy relationship. Keita Machida and Eiji Akaso gave a flawless acting in their respective roles. The non-verbal expressions and their eyes alone showed the emotions that the characters are feeling. It’s a perfect example of show-not-tell.

The show overall is a mix of realism and fantasy. A lot of real-life situations and internal issues are showed. The “magic” side of the story is also overly used as it is part of the theme, which for me makes the show unique and entertaining. It is one of the shows that I don't expect the leads to kiss or being too sexual, because the series is already great as it is!

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One of the best drama of 2023 HIGHLY RECOMMEND

I just finished watching this drama and I would give it a 9.5/10. They showed a story which is unique compared to other Kdramas. They gave awareness of the situations that a person with mental health goes through. All the Characters were portrayed perfectly by the actors and the acting was just chefs kiss. This drama made cry so much the last few episodes. The Friendship in this drama is something else and I’m glad that the director didn’t make the love triangle complicated. Usually people say that male leads are the one that shows green flags but in this drama SML he was one a greenest flags no offence. And the cast was perfect? hands off to that, they made the perfect choice by casting PBY as the FL(as always the queen SLAYYED!!)
The only problem with this drama is that the romance was mainly focused on the second couple rather than the main, they could have showed us more of the main couple. And idk if it’s only me but I didn’t feel that much of a chemistry between either of the couples especially the main couples maybe it’s because of the less scenes between them (but the FL and SML showed more tbh?and I think I fell in love with Jang Do Yoon?). Either way this drama took spot on my TOP 5 drama of 2023. ??

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ‼️‼️

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The perfect cherry on top

I found this over a year since I watched the show, I had no idea this existed?....let me say this was entirely too short!! I love the show, but I love this even more. I wanted to see more of their domestic life when I watched the show and this little epilogue clip was the cherry on top of a show I already loved. The domestic vibe between them is very adorable, and the last sentence made me want more from them than I already did. The chemistry was also very apparent; I don't know if this will make sense but it gave a settled but still very much in-love couple rather than the show that gave a fairly new couple still learning the ropes.

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normalize cheating

as usual, dramas are overhyped with high ratings even though they are just trash. The initial story starts very well and is exciting but as the drama progresses in the middle it starts to feel boring and not exciting. The story of this drama is about ML who finds out his best friend is having an affair with ML's girlfriend and remains friends? is this realistic? and at the end of the story they both like each other and are two-faced. I know why Korean dramas mostly use the romance genre because there are many couples who have affairs and many people get divorced in Korea. I don't know what ML was thinking to stay with his best friend even though he was lied to like that.

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Magic with Real Spark and Melodies to Melt Your Heart!

The story introduces a flawed but endearing single dad and a woman in a frustrating relationship contemplating marriage. The narrative delves into the challenges faced by the couple, from societal judgments to family complexities, especially considering the single dad's past. The contrast in parental challenges adds depth to the story, with the FL's mother's evolving and supportive role standing out.

You got Jung In, our independent girl, and Ji Ho, the down-to-earth single dad, making their love story feel all grown-up. At first, I was like, "Why isn't she breaking up with her not-so-great boyfriend?" But as the plot unfolded, I was like, "Ah, got it!" It made the relationship changes more valuable. I appreciated the gradual transition, making the eventual changes in the relationship more valuable. The nuanced approach to addressing the complexities of infidelity and its impact on the new relationship added depth to the storyline.

Together, Jung Hae-In and Han Ji Min create a harmonious and electrifying dynamic on screen. The chemistry between their characters evolves organically, reflecting the challenges and joys of a mature and realistic romance. Their interactions, whether filled with tender moments, laced with tension, feel authentic and draw the audience into the emotional journey of the characters. The success of their on-screen chemistry can be attributed to the actors' ability to internalize their roles, bringing depth and authenticity to their performances. Their shared scenes, marked by subtle glances, genuine smiles, and heartfelt dialogues, contribute to the overall appeal of "One Spring Night" as a love story that feels real and emotionally resonant.

The supporting cast plays a crucial role in enriching the overall narrative, contributing to the depth and authenticity of the story. Each member of the supporting ensemble brings a unique and compelling element to the drama, going beyond the typical secondary roles seen in many shows. The bond between the three sisters adds another layer of warmth and support to the narrative. Unlike some dramas where supporting characters may serve primarily as plot devices, the supporting cast in "One Spring Night" is seamlessly integrated into the narrative. Their stories, challenges, and growth arcs feel organic and contribute to the overall realism of the drama. The characters, whether parents, siblings, or friends, are portrayed with nuance and depth, enhancing the viewer's connection to the broader world of the story.

The OST of "One Spring Night" plays a crucial role in enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative. While not numerous, the selected songs are carefully curated to complement the scenes and contribute to the overall atmosphere of the drama. One standout track is Rachael Yamagata's "No Direction," which left a lasting impression on me. The song, with its melodic and evocative qualities, seems to seamlessly blend into the story, creating a memorable auditory experience. The use of music in this drama is not just about catchy tunes; it's about selecting pieces that evoke the right emotions and enhance the viewer's connection to the characters and their journey.

In summary, "One Spring Night" stands out as a multifaceted and emotionally resonant drama, skillfully balancing a mature romance, a rich supporting cast, and a thoughtfully curated OST.

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light-hearted action series with prettiest faces

And i mean, from main leads to passers-by/extras, you can just see some of the most attractive ppl around. I really cannot tell who is the most handsome guy here, they are all such eye candy. Action is just for fun, not much tension to keep you on the edge of your seat, the good guys always win, but this is also a good thing, since you can watch before sleep lol.
The female cast is still weak... Very plastic-like, no personality. Except for the police woman and the police bunch - they are totally funny!
It could've been a great BL drama, the two main leads are very nice together and have a lot of chemistry, WAY BETTER than male lads + their respective girlfriends. Too bad it didnt go that direction.
You can watch in-between other dramas, then drop if seems too long, then pick up again...

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A DIFFERENT SIDE OF A FILIPINO BL!

This Filipino BL is a breath of fresh air as it stays away from the low-quality borderline porn Filipino M2M. Given with the very low expectations from a Filipino BL, the story is excellent and beautiful. I’m very much willing to re-watch it because they did an amazing job!

Perfect cast for a show that is a work of art. I can’t say anything bad about the acting. There were several scenes that I felt the character’s pain, and there are also scenes that I find both leads cute and funny. What’s amazing is that, they deliver all of these and established a strong connection and attachment to the viewers even though the setting of the series is a video call due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Music is good and fits the mood of the show.

It might've been just me, but I wish to see the show where they produced it without any restrictions due to pandemic. I'm sure it will be 100x better.

Hope to see more quality BL from a Filipino cast and production.

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It was good but I couldn't finish it.

Like I said, it was good. I felt the character's emotions and so on. Here is my review of each episode that I saw.

Episode 1-

Episode 1 was my favorite hands down. The story was really good and the acting was even better. I liked the story of a young kid who was around people who didn't accept what he was, and yet he had the happy ending. I like the "you hurt my feelings so please back off" trope, it shows that someone will do anything to gain someone's trust again.

Episode 2-

Good as the first episode. It had drama between friends who didn't feel the same way which was new to me if I'm being honest. One friend liked the other but they liked another person more, yikes am I right? I didn't like how the one friend forced herself on the other multible times even after getting rejected. The male lead was my favorite, he was sweet and understanding.

Episode 3-

This is where it started to go down hill for me. The story was a little messy and the actors didn't have enough spark in them than the other actors from the first two episodes did, they were more ehhh.

Episode 4-

Episode 4 was better than episode 3, it had more spark and more chemistry. The two main leads made me feel what they were feeling, the sadness, the joy, even the anger and disappointment. It was good, I just still think the first two were better.

Although I did enjoy it, I just didn't know if I could continue. I wanted to stop mid series just in case it got a little worse the more it goes. I have to admit I was a little scared because it was good and I didn't want to ruin it, because if it does get worse then my brian won't stop thinking about the why's and the "It should have went this way".
That is why I can't finish it, not because it was bad or cringy but because I didn't want to ruin the good episodes. You can watch it if you want, maybe you will like more than I did, maybe even be brave and watch the whole series lol.
Hope this review helped you, have a nice day. :D

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Promising Premise, Disappointing Execution

My excitement for this series was initially fueled by the announcement and the intriguing trailer. However, as I watched each episode, my enthusiasm waned. What began as a potentially engaging enemies-to-lovers story devolved into a messy and illogical narrative. The series suffered from unconvincing acting, a weak plot, and a lack of character growth.

The story follows Sailom, a diligent student at a prestigious school, burdened by debts that he and his brother Saifah struggle to repay. In the same school, we have Kang, a wealthy troublemaker who bullies others and takes nothing seriously. When Kang targets Sailom's friend, Sailom emerges as a formidable adversary, leading to a complex transformation of their relationship from anger and hatred to love.

The premise of the series holds promise, but the actual execution left much to be desired. Several character decisions throughout the story raise questions. Kang's sudden shift from rejecting Sailom's confession to feeling jealous and confessing his own feelings seemed abrupt, especially given his existing affections for someone else. Sailom's actions also felt inconsistent, from running away with Kang without considering his debts to prioritizing Kang over his own incarcerated brother.

The series failed to provide adequate character development, leaving gaps in the characters' motivations and behaviors. Sailom's declaration of love for Kang raises the question of whether he still loved Kang when his friend was mistreated and humiliated by him. These inconsistencies left a significant impact.

The secondary couple, Guy and Nawa, managed to add some stability to the series, but their relationship received insufficient development. The reasons behind their constant conflicts and when their romantic feelings began to develop remained unclear.

This series struggled to live up to its title, lacking both the "dangerous" and "romantic" elements promised. There was a noticeable absence of action scenes or a consistent sense of impending danger. The romantic chemistry also fell short of expectations, with Perth's portrayal of Kang clashing with Chimon's discomfort in romantic scenes.

In conclusion, this might be worth watching for the scenes involving Guy and Nawa, who share the best chemistry in the series. However, viewers should approach the series with lowered expectations to avoid disappointment.

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I Liked It!

Okay, so from first glance, this was not much of a fan favorite, but honestly, and to my surprise I liked this, Now, of course, this was far from perfect, especially in the acting department (I shall touch on this a little later) but I mean, come on -- a tall yummy boss has a slow burn with the cutesy idiot employee -- I can't pass that up. Step by Step is so legit in its title as this is the slowest of slow burns I've witnessed this year, and I loved it with all my heart.

Let's Dive In.

The plot is as basic as it gets -- the meanie boss stumbles upon the clumsy and emotional employee whom he immediately starts to admire. The end. It really is a simplistic plot with some more details on the side like a complicated side couple, a pregnant lady, and a confident fem-gay guy. Now the story flows pretty well until the end when it gets a little draggy. For one, they could've easily ended the series at episode 10 and saved us the sappy saga that was so not necessary. 11 and 12 are easily skippable, stop at episode 10 for your own good.

Now, was one of the reasons why I loved this series so much because of Man (Jeng) and his surreal looks including the body of a fucking god? Yes. It was. And I'll be shallow and say it was my favorite part of the series. but no seriously, I don't know where they found that beautiful man from, but I need more Man and any more that look like him. The way I just grunted so loud when we saw him shirtless for the first time, my goodness. Anyways, onto Jeng and Pat's romance -- I liked it. Was it because it was a slow burn? Of course, I'm a sucker for people slowly realizing they like each other, the little stares, smiles, gestures, silly flirting -- I loved it all. Though, Pat being overwhelmed by finding out Jeng was also gay was so dramatic, the writers must've been desperate for conflict. Imagine finding out that a fucking god-like creature also happens to like the same sex as you do and all you can do is wither and be sad -- tf..? I would've pounced, but maybe that's just me. They're cute -- nothing out of this world or top tier, but I did really enjoy watching their romance.

I don't love the ending of Jen and Jaab, but what we did get was everything to me. That kiss?? Top tier. show-stopping. Immaculate. Talentful. Perfection. For real, that might be the best kiss I've seen from a side couple. the emotion, the silence, the build-up, the slow to desperate -- so good. Of course, it's not good to cheat, but I can't deny a good couple when I see one. But they kind of leave off a little weird. I fast forward through the last episode so maybe Jen and Jaab get back together, but from what I see, it's left pretty open-ended. oh well.

I really loved all the side characters, specifically Bruce's character who stole the show for me. I also just love Bruce and his acting, and he did phenomenal. And Zorzo!! I love her, she did a fantastic job! And Poppy!! God, I love him too (and his body). Ying was kind of the only character that I could've done without in the series, but oh well.

Ratings:

Story: 7.5/10 - Good! Very unnecessary last two episodes, and also just a lot of office jargon that got to be a bit boring. But I loved the slow burn, I loved the side couples, and overall, I enjoyed the plot.

Acting: 7/10 - Okay so, Man is also beautiful and can act! He did a great job playing this boss role. Now for Ben -- eh. He wasn't terrible, him acting happy and goofy and playful was good, but being sad or crying was not his strong suit. The secondhand embarrassment I got from him crying so hard and yet not a tear escaped hurt. They could've at least given the dude some eye drops to sell it more, but there he was boohooing and not a tear in sight.

Music:6/10: I didn't pay much attention to it.

Recommendation value: 7/10 - I liked it, I would recommend it for many reasons, with one obviously being for Jeng's sake. I mean who would want to watch him on their scene being sexy and amazing and wonderful?

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Good message but frustrating to watch.

This is another hard to rate drama for me.

In terms of enjoyment, probably 6 stars. In terms of the message that I think the drama was trying to show, probably 8 stars.

Heres why:

Enjoyment - I didn’t like the FL. I found her to be a bit of a hypocritical character. She came across as pretentious, on one hand carrying herself like she's above the instagram girls and standing proud/not being ashamed of the fact that she's not rich or doesn't care about being famous (which I loved), but then on the other hand, she found her own online success by lowkey mooching off of the instagram girls' popularity and making decisions that keep putting her in that circle of "friends" despite the fact that she oh so wasn't interested in being famous ?. Idk, her actions just didn't align with her words and personality so she just rubbed me the wrong way. Also I just found it hard to believe the amount of hold the influencers in this drama had over the entire public. Like come on...

Message - For all the reasons above and more, I feel like this captures exactly what message the drama is trying to send. Regular people like A-Ri can all of a sudden find themselves in a similar situation and be swept away by the money, pretty clothes, popular "insider" cliques, sponsorships, fancy parties etcetera and lose themselves to chasing internet fame. I liked how it showed a normal person's fall into the internet fame ecosystem and how people can get so obsessed with seeking likes and the thin rope these influencers walk with their "fans"/followers.

So I'm a bit torn about this because I didn't enjoy the drama cos it was fruatrating to watch, but I also saw the message it was trying to send which made it easier to understand why the FL was written the way she was. And at the end, she does come back to her senses and serves her revenge well which was good to see.

The acting from FL was a bit stiff at times, and I wasn't a big fan of the couple pairing between A-Ri and JunKyung (but they looked pretty together, so my eyes were happy ?). But if you're looking to escape and watch something that's far from the reality you might be living then you can give this a try.

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