Reviews

Great Start That Lost Its Way

I started watching this series earlier than planned because of all the hype — I was curious to see what everyone was talking about. The show started really well, super fun and genuinely funny, which made it very entertaining from the early episodes. However, this series should have ended at episode 7. The last three episodes felt completely unnecessary.

The plot hooked me right from the beginning. I really enjoyed the story of Agent Kim, a man whose true background remains a mystery to everyone. He’s desperately searching for the truth behind his daughter’s disappearance, while his enemies gradually uncover more about his past. The reunion of the three former agents teaming up for missions together was extremely entertaining and full of great humor. However, the middle part of the series dragged on too much, and the last three episodes were noticeably weaker. I ended up watching them just to finish the show.

Overall, Agent Kim Reactivated started very strongly and had so much potential. Unfortunately, the later episodes couldn’t maintain the quality, which lowered my interest. Still, the three lead actors delivered solid performances that kept it fun, funny, and engaging enough for me to watch until the end.

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Low quality

From the beginning i got that it was a simple basic show, however, nothing besides the acting of yoon sik caught my attention the entire show.

Si woo acting wasn't convincing at all, although the couple had good chemistry his acting couldn't make me believe that he was feeling something, he seemed most neutral all the time, even in emotional scenes , his effort was visible but the result... wasn't. I know that it's a low-budget drama, but at least I expected better acting.

I didn't like the plot, maybe the problem is me but i found it boring, i didn't care about the main characters parents ,because i didn't even get to know them, Hence, i also didn't care about the trauma baggage of the main characters . The investigation was also boring, i didn't find that case an interesting case at all, they could've done something more interesting... like Chae Ha and Tae Seon arresting Ja Hyeong at her cassino and making a mess, or a fight between Ha Neul and his parents... Agh it was so bland.

I felt uncomfortable the first time Chae Ha and Tae seon slept together, it seemed like tae seon was sober and Chae ha wasn't, I checked the internet about that and discovered that in my country ,that's illegal.

I won't give it a bad rating because it isn't a bad show, although it's disappointing

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So difficult to explain what I just watched...

Let's just start off with "it was basically terrible" and get that immediately established. Mkay.

So you got Jesse Ren. But this is not the Jesse Ren you are thinking. This is some Saved By The Bell version of Jesse Ren. And I suspect without any evidence, that this was filmed a while back and only released now. How can this be a sequential acting performance? I could see him doing this kind of acting in 2025 maybe if it was like at an airport while waiting for a layover flight... It's either beginner acting, or it's unconscious, phone-it-in acting. You-get-what-you-pay-for acting.

Because also, why would he decide to do this, of all things.

The fashion used in the show is mainly Esprit. Either that or the wardrobe person just really really likes Esprit and their aesthetic. It literally looks like Saved By The Bell. It's so kids-at-the-local-mall. Weird to see someone dress Jesse Ren like that.

The story is basically the cliffnotes version of My Girlfriend Is An Alien. But only Jesse Ren plays the alien. And I truly mean that --> there aren't any basic plot deviations from MGIAA here.

It's stripped down to only it's most basic elements, the writing is terrible, the production value is lo-budget, the bgm is kinda dorky, but it is mercifully minimalist as well, so at least there's that.

Jesse Ren's fellow co-actors on this one are - it pains me to say - terrible. I want to like them, they seem like sweet promising young people. But this is beginner level acting, on everyone's part. Nothing is convincing. Nothing. ML and FL are not into eachother, and script is written literally like Saved By The Bell, so there's just the tamest PG kiss scene type stuff and nothing more at ALL.

It actually started off kind of amusing and sweet, but the farther you go into it, the harder it is to keep your attention focused. Even so, it was an ok way to pass a few afternoons between shows. Because at least nothing was overwhelmingly cringe or annoying.. So it had that going for it.

I would mildly recc this to anyone who wants to watch "everything Jesse Ren has ever been in". I would also recc this to someone who has had trauma or stress, and needs to mentally "check out" and just watch something that's sweet and mellow and brainless that's just sort of 'on'. Like the way you might watch the cat channel.

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Easy to knock

This drama almost never made it to air. Besides losing its original producer, it also faced issues involving the second male lead, who was reportedly caught up in a tax-related controversy (if I remember correctly). It came with very little promotion and didn't have the advantage of being a highly anticipated release.

The story itself is light, easy to follow, and perfect for watching during dinner or when you're looking for something relaxing. It can be described as an enemies-to-lovers trope, although they're not really enemies in the strict sense.

Throughout the drama, the male lead can be quite frustrating at times. He grew up privileged and spoiled, which often causes the female lead a lot of stress and emotional exhaustion. As for the female lead, she is rather timid and often struggles to stand up to the people who mistreat her. Because of this, she sometimes comes across as weak, even though her behavior is largely shaped by her circumstances and personality.
but overall acting both of them is good, if not bcs their acting this drama would end up low rate

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A Nearly Perfect Drama with a Frustrating Finish

I actually was disappointed with the ending. It felt rushed, with a horrible CGI war scene that was nothing like the rest of the show. What I liked about the show became what I disliked really quickly. The drama's last 5 to 7 episodes allow viewers to get about 2 episodes of bliss, and then turmoil comes into play, which is common, but here it feels misplaced. They deny the marriage only for him to grant them permission to marry in the end. They sign a peace treaty just for them to go to war. They have her become a general again just for the emperor to send her to the city where there is no war to fight. The entirety of these episodes feels rushed and goes back on everything it previously stated. They make one of the bad guys into a good guy, only for him to turn around and become a bad guy again. What was the actual point? I think it's a solid drama, and I might even rewatch it someday, but within these last few episodes, it's sad to see the show's quality go down.

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Comfortable, Heartwarming but Predictable.....yet still touches and warms my Heart

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

I wanted to watch a Japanese drama and came across “9 Border”. What does the title really mean? It means you are at the 9th year of your age, and at the border between decades, e.g. 19 years old, 29 years old and 39 years old.

The drama follows three sisters who are at this order, 19, 29, and 39. At different stages of their lives, they go through different crises. “9 Border” is about the growth of these sisters as individuals and as a family. Honestly, this is a comfortable and predictable drama. Yet, Jdramas have a way to pull you into these heartwarming stories and then make you cry. It’s been a while since I cried so much, not because I was heartbroken, but I was touched by their experiences, triumphs and romantic journey (especially Nana and Kotaro).

Nana, our main lead, is a workaholic. She is sweet, caring and has all the responsibilities in the world on her shoulders. She is lonely and has no time to do anything but work. Eventually, she found her own dream and dream man, leading her family to a much better life.

Mucchan, the oldest of the siblings, struggles to come to terms that she is on a way to a divorce. From a clingy ex-wife, she has learned to love herself, and made sure she has her own best interest at heart. She learns to love herself and be happy.

Hatsumi, the youngest, doesn’t know what to do with herself after graduating from high school. She has probably grown and matured the most out of the three sisters. It’s lovely to see her find her passion and explore what’s outside of the house.

The setting of a bath house as a family business is interesting. I really like their house because it gives off a very welcoming and homey feel. Their living room is a space for all, whether it’s intentional or not. I’ve enjoyed all the conversations, meals, parties and gatherings that happened in this place of warmth.

As for romance, I really love the relationship development between Nana and Kotaro. If you are looking for fluffy, this is not it. However, it’s sweet and mature, gentle and calming. There are no grand gestures, but many thoughtful conversations and small deeds. Matsushita Kouhei has such a gentle voice. I felt the same way when I saw him in #Remolove. Every time he calls Nana by her name, my heart melts. (Aaww…..). The interesting thing about their romance is that it’s so darn predictable. You know how it’s going to end, yet I have shed so many tears - happy, moving and sad ones. I don’t know why.

Nana description of her ideal romance sums up her relationship with Kotaro perfectly: "I feel calm when I'm with him" & "We can look at the same view and say it's beautiful".

The other two romance storylines did not have a lot of screen time. They are simple and cute in their own way. The drama could have spent more time, but instead, it focuses more on the family as a unit. I think that’s totally fine as well. 10 episodes are not enough to fully develop 3 romance storylines well.

I am glad I stumbled upon “9 Border” and was introduced to the Oba family. This is a very easy and comfortable watch. Everyone is so nice and supportive. I also really love the songs and am glad they are not repetitive or overpowering.


Drama Completed: 8/2/2026 Review #710

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The Real Story Begins After "Happily Ever After"

Unlike many BL epilogues that simply show a happy couple being sweet together, Peach and Me explores what it actually takes to protect that happiness after the ending.

Peach and Tee come from completely different worlds. Tee was born into a powerful mafia family where everything could be obtained through wealth and influence, while Peach grew up with almost nothing except his own kindness. Their marriage doesn't erase those differences—it asks them to understand and support each other despite them.

What I appreciated most was that the story never relied on dramatic conflict. Instead, it focused on responsibility, friendship, family, and the quiet effort required to build a life together. Rome's succession, Mork's changing role from bodyguard to friend, and the brothers' heartfelt conversation all reinforced the idea that everyone was finding a new place in each other's lives.

Tee's love is almost overwhelming. Personally, I don't think I could ever handle someone loving me that intensely! That's why Peach impressed me so much. He accepts Tee's enormous affection without losing himself, making their relationship feel balanced rather than one-sided.

The special reenactments performed by other GMMTV couples were a delightful bonus. Watching Tay & New, Junior & Mark, Force & Book, Perth & Santa, and the others recreate iconic scenes was both hilarious and affectionate. They reminded us that no matter how talented they are, only Pond & Phuwin can truly be Peach and Tee.

For me, this wasn't simply a sequel about a married couple. It was a gentle story about discovering that a happy ending is not the finish line—it's the beginning of choosing each other every single day.

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Everyone forget that overdo is angst drama not romance

This drama had everyone's attention long before it even premiered. It attracted fans, casual viewers, and even haters simply because it brought together two of the industry's biggest visual stars. On top of that, many people were already arguing about the original novel, which is known for being extremely toxic especially the male lead's character.

However, the director and screenwriter made it clear from the beginning that they only borrowed the characters' names, not the novel's storyline. Even so, this was always intended to be an **angst drama**, filled with conflict, misunderstandings, and a constant push-and-pull relationship between the female lead and the male lead.

Then Episode 1 aired, and instead of discussing the story, the drama started trending because of its AI-generated opening sequence. Many people immediately said they had no interest in watching *Overdo* simply because it used AI. But if you think about it logically, the opening sequence has nothing to do with the quality of the story itself. You can literally skip the intro and still enjoy the entire drama. Unfortunately, many people had already decided to criticize it before giving it a fair chance.

After watching Episodes 1–25, I can honestly say the story is much more than just romance. It also explores serious social issues such as human trafficking, scams, illegal drugs, switched families, abusive families, and many other dark themes. The romance isn't meant to be sweet and fluffy. From the very beginning, this is a push-and-pull relationship where both leads constantly hurt each other with their words, yet deep down they genuinely love each other and can't let go.

The problem isn't that the drama is bad. It's that this kind of highly emotional, Republican-era angst drama simply isn't everyone's cup of tea. That doesn't automatically make it poorly made.

The performances from both lead actors are excellent. The editing improved significantly from Episode 6 onward, and the AI intro was even replaced. Yet some people kept bringing up the same complaints, making it feel as though they were more interested in hating the drama than actually watching it.

What's truly disappointing is that many viewers gave it low ratings simply because it wasn't their preferred genre, rather than judging it objectively. A drama should be evaluated based on its writing, acting, directing, and execution—not just on whether it matches someone's personal taste.

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PEACH AND ME.

THIS SERIES IS ON A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF COMEDY, CRAZINESS, AND PURE CHAOS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF KHUN THEE. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED POND'S PERFORMANCE BECAUSE HE WASN'T AFRAID TO MAKE THE FUNNIEST FACIAL EXPRESSIONS, AND IT MADE EVERY SCENE EVEN MORE HILARIOUS. THE BATHTUB SCENE WHERE KHUN THEE WAS CRYING WHILE THE BODYGUARD WAS HOLDING THE SHOWER HAD ME LAUGHING SO HARD. KHUN THEE IS HONESTLY ONE OF THE GREENEST FLAGS EVER. I LOVE HOW HE ALWAYS SUPPORTS PEACH WITHOUT PEACH EVEN HAVING TO ASK—THEE JUST KNOWS WHAT PEACH NEEDS AND NEVER FORGETS THE PROMISES HE MAKES. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING, THE ARSENI AND MAFIA STORYLINE ALREADY HAD ME SO STRESSED, AND SEEING EMI APPEAR MADE ME EVEN MORE EXCITED. I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE ME AND THEE OR PEACH AND ME HAS ENDED, BUT I'M SO GRATEFUL BECAUSE THIS SERIES INTRODUCED ME TO PONDPHUWIN. EPISODE 4 WAS EASILY ONE OF THE FUNNIEST EPISODES. I COULDN'T STOP LAUGHING BECAUSE SO MANY GMMTV PAIRINGS MADE CAMEO APPEARANCES, AND I KEPT REPLAYING THOSE SCENES BECAUSE THEY WERE JUST THAT FUNNY. I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT NO ONE CAN REPLACE POND AND PHUWIN AS KHUN THEE AND PEACH. ALTHOUGH I THINK NEW CAME VERY CLOSE TO PEACH'S PERSONALITY BECAUSE HE WAS COMPLETELY IMMERSED IN HIS CHARACTER, POND AND PHUWIN WILL ALWAYS BE THE KHUN THEE AND PEACH FOR ME. I ALSO WISH WE HAD GOTTEN MORE SCENES WITH THEIR ADOPTED CHILDREN AND MORE SWEET MOMENTS BETWEEN PEACH AND THEE. ONE THING I NOTICED, ESPECIALLY AFTER WATCHING ALL OF PONDPHUWIN'S SERIES, IS THAT THEY SEEMED MORE CONSERVATIVE WITH THEIR ROMANTIC SCENES HERE—EVEN A KISS ON THE CHEEK WAS ENOUGH. BUT HONESTLY, I BARELY NOTICED BECAUSE THE STORY WAS JUST SO FUNNY, ESPECIALLY KHUN THEE'S CHARACTER. I LOVE POND'S ACTING SO MUCH, AND BOTH POND AND PHUWIN LOOKED ABSOLUTELY STUNNING THROUGHOUT THE SERIES. AND SERIOUSLY... POND IS SO FUCKING HANDSOME.

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THE BANTER IS GONE!

I went into this drama with high expectations because I loved the original novel. As someone who read and thoroughly enjoyed the source material, I was genuinely excited to see it adapted for the screen. Unfortunately, despite trying to keep an open mind, this drama left me somewhat disappointed in certain areas.

You know when you read a novel and you can visualize the characters from the authors words? Like you can realistically imagine their appearances and personality from the way they’re introduced? Well I think this drama adaptation changed too much of the aspects I personally enjoyed that was originally prevalent in the novel.

To be fair, I understand that no adaptation can be completely faithful to its source material. Some changes are inevitable and even necessary. For example, I completely understand why they partially changed the female lead’s career. In the novel, she’s a manhua artist who draws somewhat risqué comics, which obviously wouldn’t pass censorship. In the drama, she becomes a more standard manhua artist which still allows her to make a story inspired by snowboarding just like she did in the novel. That change made perfect sense and even improved the logicality of the plot. While I did miss some of the comedic situations tied to her original profession, I saw this as a perfectly reasonable change.

The bigger issue is that so many other changes accumulated that the story no longer felt like the same work. The characters only retained surface-level similarities to their novel counterparts, while their personalities, relationships, dialogue, and dynamics were all significantly altered. At times, it felt like I was watching entirely different people.

The female lead is one example. In the novel, she’s undeniably adorable, slightly ditzy, and clumsy, but way more straightforward and feisty. She’s clever in her own way, hardworking, and genuinely grows to love snowboarding. Even if her initial motivations aren’t entirely pure or selfless, she wants to improve and gradually finds her own path in snowboarding. In the drama, however, we barely get to see her develop through that learning process which allowed her to fall in love with the ml. I do like that they kept her storyline about wanting to make her own choices and stand up to her mother. I also appreciate that, in the drama, she retained her kindness and compassion towards those around her. Her career plot line is much more developed than it is in the novel and greatly adds to the modern day relevance and connection to snowboarding.

The male lead, on the other hand, lost much of what made him compelling. In the novel he’s stoic, sarcastic, and occasionally sharp-tongued, but underneath that reserved exterior is someone genuinely kind, dependable, and caring. His personality also makes sense when you consider everything he’s been through. When they first meet, she’s just his new slightly silly student, and their evolving relationship is what makes the story so engaging.

Their banter is my favorite part of the novel and the main reason I fell in love with it. It’s especially hilarious in the original Chinese. The female lead isn’t intimidated by him despite his reputation as an elite snowboarder and coach. She argues with him, teases him, and talks back whenever she thinks he’s being unreasonable. Meanwhile, he’s constantly caught off guard because despite his authority and status, he doesn’t know how to deal with someone who refuses to completely obey him as his student. He can’t be harsh with her, nor does he want to be, which creates this subtle… almost helpless dynamic whenever she’s around, despite his arrogance that stems from confidence in his snowboarding skills. His sarcasm and sharp tongue doesn’t seem to deter her. Their conversations are witty, playful, and full of chemistry. It almost feels like they liked each other from the beginning. They just hadn’t realized it yet. The romance develops naturally through small everyday interactions rather than dramatic or forced moments.

Unfortunately, the drama changes this dynamic almost entirely. Both characters are softened significantly and the male lead, in particular, loses that “burnt out” nuance or “emotionally in hibernation” quality to his personality as someone who had essentially given up competing in the sport that defined his life. It’s almost like, in his retreat from the competition stage, he put himself in standby mode. That layer of depth is barely visible in the drama. As a result, their personalities feel different, their conversations lose their playful edge, and the romance no longer develops with the same natural progression.

The changes weren’t limited to the main couple either. Many supporting characters were also rewritten. Some were only slightly altered, but others were changed so much that they barely resembled their novel versions.

The clearest example is the second male lead who is originally the female lead’s arranged fiancé in the novel. In the drama not only was his name changed, but his personality and role were almost completely rewritten. (I think they decided to merge two different characters from the novel into one?) In the novel he’s arrogant, highly confident, somewhat aloof, and carries himself with an unmistakable air of superiority. Its obvious how self-assured he is, which the author did an excellent job of subtlety portraying through his speech, mannerisms, and attitude toward the fl even when it was him chasing her. And it made sense given he was born into wealth along with naturally superior looks and smarts.

Instead of the proud, confident man from the novel, he’s rewritten into someone whose entire personality revolves around pursuing the female lead. Despite being portrayed in both versions as a highly respected and skilled surgeon, the drama has him constantly following her around, ignoring her boundaries, inserting himself into situations where he isn’t wanted, and repeatedly invading her privacy despite her discomfort. He becomes overly clingy and emotionally dependent on her, which made his scenes more cringey than endearing.

Why did they changed him so drastically when his original characterization was already strong and served the story well even with the changes made for the adaptation? He represents the oppression and lifestyle her mom keeps trying to force onto her, which she finds the courage to resist. If anything, his original personality is much better suited to differentiate from the freedom and strength provided by the male lead. In the novel, he appears polite and refined but is actually quietly possessive. He even says to her that he “let her be” all this time as he assumed her reserved rejection was just her childish rebellion and she needed time to adjust. Conversely, the ml is initially more unapproachable and defensive, but is the one who shows her true consideration and acceptance despite being somewhat openly critical of the suggestive content of her manhuas. This in turn allows her to be more confidently expressive instead of secretive of her works.

That same pattern repeats throughout the adaptation. From appearances to personalities, many characters no longer resemble the people I came to know in the novel. I don’t expect actors to look exactly like descriptions on the page, but I do expect the essence of the characters to remain intact.

I also want to emphasize that none of this is directed at the actors. I think they did a good job with the material they were given. Many conversations were rewritten, character dynamics were changed, and the script fundamentally altered the characters. The actors can only work with what they’re given. They aren’t responsible for those creative decisions. My disappointment is with parts of the adaptation itself. (Although I still wish Lin Yi acted a bit more tsundere and Esther Yu more rebellious)

Ultimately, it felt like a drama that borrowed the same premise, setting, and characters, but along with the changes made to the storyline, lost the essence of the characters I originally loved.

Take this with a grain of salt. I know people will still enjoy this drama on its own and I admit it’s a solid watch with pretty snow scenery and lots of fluff. I guess I arrived with more expectations as someone who first read the novel.

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absolute banger and just go watch it

omgggggggg this series has everything revenge, thrill, action, comedy, romance, intimacy and everything.......
the chemistry and tension between toptapminlee is insane like literally insane
after watching it my favourite bl has become payback and favourite pairing has become toptapminlee
never getting over them they have became my everything

the ending omg it was so beautiful, it was a treat and the story never felt rushed
hope their is a special episode or season 2 because just 10 episodes are not enough
and toptap has said that they are gonna be together for a long time and do many more projects together so yaaa waiting for it !

also toptapminlee were fated to meet, to become a pairing
like toptap's sister or brother something are minlee's friend
also toptapminlee have met each other when they were small and minlee said that toptap was like a chubby kid when he saw him when they were small and only minlee remembers it because toptap was so small then and minlee is 4 years bigger than toptap...............it is destiny, they are made for each other

nothing more just go and watch it, it is insane.................
greatest bl of all time...................GOAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Decent Acting by Main Leads. Poor Script & Editing. Nice OST.

Spring Over Phoenix Pond is a typical born-again-revenge setup, short-format style, only about 10 minutes per episode. The story is about Qi Yuan, who was swapped at birth with a butcher's daughter. So instead of growing up as a duke's daughter, she's stuck being the butcher's kid, getting beaten and abused every day. Eventually, Prince Jing, Xiao Yun Ting, rescues her, and she becomes his bodyguard.

They fall in love and get married. On their wedding night, he gets ambushed and injured, and then the villain, Prince Qi, waltzes into her wedding room, tries to assault her, and drops the bomb: Prince Jing has given her to him. Prince Qi lies that Prince Jing is too busy chasing power to want to marry her, who doesn't have a good family background to help him advance his ambition. At this time, she is still a butcher's daughter with no elite family background. So she believes the villain. Instead of letting herself be humiliated and sexually assaulted by Prince Qi, she swallows poison to end her life, but not before grabbing and kissing the antagonist, and forcing the poison into his mouth.

Then she wakes up in a temple. Reborn. And this time, she's not the helpless girl anymore. All those years as Prince Jing's bodyguard gave her fighting skills, and she's done being pushed around. She goes on a revenge spree, takes out everyone who wronged her (including Prince Jing whom she thinks has betrayed her), heads back to her birth parents' house, the Duke's manor, to reclaim her place, and runs into Prince Jing again.

In this new lifetime, Qi Yuan is wary of Prince Jing, still remembering erronously how she was treated on her previous wedding night. However, love knows no boundary. She falls in love with him again, and he is in love with her as well.

Once she's back in the duke household, she and Prince Jing find a tangled conspiracy involving the disappearance of the empress, the death of a princess and her husband. Nothing adds up. So Qi Yuan decides she's going to dig into the truth, and she and Prince Jing team up to figure out what really happened. It's supposed to be this big mystery layer on top of the revenge plot. But the script is all over the place. The writer keeps throwing in twists trying to keep viewers guessing, but none of it feels earned. It just feels forced; it makes zero sense.

To be honest, Zhu Li Lan as Qi Yuan and Deng Kai as Xiao Yun Ting are actually not bad. The acting holds up, and the core story is acceptable. But then the editing is horrendous. Like, there's a scene where Qi Yuan gets drugged and is about to pass out. Next shot, she's walking around totally fine. The shot after that, she faints with her eyes closed. And the one after that? She's up and speaking sternly with the villain as if nothing has happened to her. Make it make sense, please.

And the props. Oh, the props. They're cheap. There's this scene where Prince Jing gives Qi Yuan her favorite flowers. It's supposed to be romantic. But he just swings a bunch of plastic flowers at her.

Look, I get it. It's a low-budget, quick-turnaround short drama. I'm not comparing it to some 40-episode big production. I know the constraints. But even with a small budget, the production team can still respect the viewers. The only thing that surprises me is that the OST is very good.

So yeah. Some suggestive sex scenes for both the villain with his mistresses, and the FL with ML. Quite a lot of kisses. But not enough sense. Watch it if you want to turn your brain off and just vibe. But don't expect to think while you're at it.

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A series about teenagers, fluff, and platonic bonds in the ripening days of youth.

It is a lighthearted show that is going to stay with me for a long time. It has its oranges—those bright, small, yet important concepts that I have energetically enjoyed.

Ko Neung is such a playful leader. At first, it was easy to judge him as a bully—the one in the team who controls everything and has a say in everything. However, as the story proceeds, you see that he is just a young teen who thinks he is the leader and can say anything. He has a low-key leader mindset, yet in his actions, he is neither superiorly smart nor athletic. Unlike his friends—Augar, who is exceptionally active on the playground; Achi, who is a sweetheart and loves, or rather is disciplined, to study; and Ko Song, who is smart and has a goal to achieve—Ko Neung simply stands back and enjoys the present. You see that he does not particularly care for anything except oranges and his bored, chill, carefree childhood. That says a lot about him.

August is the same, but as they grow, his interest in comics grows with him, inspiring him to pursue the arts, which was endearing.

Should I call this a summer series? It has such a vast aesthetic of warm breezes and the basking energy of the sun. Though people said it is similar to Bad Buddy (likely due to the neighbors, enemies-to-friends trope, and the phone concept), I just do not see it. Each has its own distinct disparities, and calling them similar left me with an exclamation.

The era of no phones and a sprouting youth feels so soft and nostalgic. I do not think I will get enough of this series anytime soon. All of the relationships and friendships were woven in a very platonic way. The fact that they have all been friends for ages—growing up fighting, bickering, and supporting one another before becoming lovers—is so adorable.

I loved KenPaul from the Boys in Love series, and I was so happy they are getting so much appreciation. I was, and still am, a little skeptical about August and Tle; nonetheless, their young age covered it for me.

There is a very fine transition in Ko Neung’s character development. Even after he and Ko Song confessed and started dating, his character did not entirely shift to being mature and smart. He is still the same Ko Neung we met in the first episode—goofy, playful, and thinking he is the leader. Even during arguments (like when he and Ko Song fight after Ko Song gets his university seat), he does not show instant progression; he is still that same childish teenager. It was so reassuring how the script kept his character consistent and relatable. It portrayed the beauty of how young minds dislike the change they experience in their coming-of-age journey. It showed how teenagers crave a mindless, soft summer.

The fear and anxiety of choosing what you want to become and who you are becoming is palpable. It captures the heaviness of realizing that this day won't come tomorrow, and that your friends have their own lives. They cannot always choose you or choose to stay; sometimes they have to go. I think this series brought back that familiarity—the late afternoons spent worrying about nothing but what to play the next day, and the soft, blue evenings spent walking mindlessly through pleasant sights. These are days that can only be remembered, but never visited again.

I had a slight fear with Ko Neung as the exams neared and he had to choose a field. I wanted to pause the story and let it end right there. With him, I wanted no change—just summer and the childhood joy of savoring oranges. However, life is life and it has its own legs.

Watching Ko Neung get stuck choosing a field, feeling completely disinterested in whatever majors they presented, hit me in the gut. There is one scene where he explains how all fields feel boring, and he is asked whether the fields are boring or if he just has no interest in them. That moment highlighted the core concept of the high school theme for me. I have never felt more relatable to a character than Ko Neung—capturing that exact feeling of being unable to choose and unable to belong anywhere. I am grateful for such key themes to be represented in such a blissful way—one that can be revisited and felt again and again.

This series made me fall in love with the themes of childhood friendships, the importance of holding onto those bonds, and growing alongside them. Every ship is adorable and a favourite. I am totally in love with this series.

"The most beautiful thing about teenage love is finding someone who makes you feel lighter, happier, and a little more like yourself.”

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