NC Galore over substance
Maybe I'm missing the point of every episode but it seems to me that the characters in this series have no real purpose. In every episode they either go to location A or location B to have lunch or coffee and pointless conversation. And then they insert location C every once in a while, like a bar (where the most interesting characters get 30 seconds of screentime) or the office of the grumpy father who seems to be the only one to have a proper desk in this house while everyone else is doomed to work in an anatomical nightmare -the living room. With tiny tablets because the cars were so expensive they couldn't afford better technology. Also, lot's of dry humping. Sweet.
I was exited to see BoatOat again. "My Stubborn" was my guilty pleasure last year. "My Stubborn" had no real plot either but it showed the universal experience of being in a situation-ship with a fckboy who acts like your boyfriend but says he isn't. Men and women around the world can relate to that. But "Knot" should have a proper plot, right? I had high expectations in this co-production of M Flow and One31. So, what happened to the budget? The scene in episode 5 where Ongsa and Nakhin sit in the car looks cheaper than in the 80's. Everytime Phatsa holds a folder with company data and randomly finds huge meaningful information, I feel like I'm watching a high school theatre play- Who wrote this? Where is the plot? What is this all about? Do we not care? Because sometimes they do the pheromone thing and drop alpha and omega and NC NC NC?
Unfortunately the production team seems to think that as long as they deliver steamy scenes and ABO-lore, the viewers don't care about the lack of story building. The rating for "Knot" may be high but it's sets the bar excruciatingly low.
The actors are the least to blame here. Oat really looks sad when he cries but maybe he actually felt sad because I do too - when I watch "Knot".
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Mainland + HK style blend time loop drama
If this is what we can expect from more cross cultural pollination then sign me up. This series had HK, China and Thai actors.I appreciated the HK style execution including the use of no beauty filters.
Did the mash up of cultures feel somewhat strange? perhaps, but that maybe because we're not used to seeing people switch languages on screen. In reality, people who reside in ESEA countries do this all the time. Time for the small screen to reflect this. it also means the subtitles need to up their game. Time for double subtitling?!
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Give it a chance
I know that a lot of viewers were disappointed at the beginning of this show and many dropped it. I forced myself to ignore the negative comments because I love Zhang Le He and Wang Churan. I knew the show had to get better (even though I was never really bothered by the things that people were complaining about). It did!! The chemistry between the two main leads is phenomenal. The costuming is jaw dropping. Cinematography is breathtaking. The music is perfect. The storyline is engaging. This is an original story and if you can get past the green screen effect of the first few episodes sticking with it will pay off. One of the complaints originally was the AI introduction to the show which was changed by the time the sixth episode was airing. Don't listen to other people's feedback. Watch the show knowing that it progressively gets better and better and make a decision for yourself based on what you enjoy.Was this review helpful to you?
Beer and chicken, anyone?
My ears perks up whenever Seo In Guk is mentioned in relation to a new drama. I still remember his lead role in Shopaholic Louis. I can't say some of his recent dramas are to my taste. This office rom-com seems to tick all the boxes.The show starts with our FL working her mandatory hours and not one minute more. Her nickname is clock-out fairy. She is smart and competent but she is sick and tired of her abusive and useless supervisor. Her goal is to be as grey as possible during business hours. Her career has effectively stalled and she doesn't care. She is happy to enjoy some beer and chicken at home after work.
Her work life was turned upside down when a handsome manager returns from overseas. His style is controversial. He is hated by his peers because he won't play politics nor lord over his staff.
She really took a leap into the unknown when she decides to join his new task force to integrate AI into home appliances. She thinks she has nothing to lose. How wrong is she!
I won't bore you with the office politics and business shenanigans. Let's just say most of the angst came from that quarter, both within and without the company.
While the business ideas are interesting, it is more a distraction. We are here for our OTP's romance, not smart ovens.
In that regard, the writer-nim doesn't make it easy for us. There are lots of push-pulls and stone walling from the FL. As it is customary with this type of office romance, the ML has a cold demeanour, but he is secretly carrying the torch. The ML is a perfect gentleman and gave the FL plenty of space.
The FL spends a long time vacillating though. Those eps are probably the weakest. We can see where the show needs to go, but the FL is not playing ball. This can be frustrating as forward moment stalls.
She overcomes her hesitation and indecision eventually. The show literally turns a new leaf. There are some nice skinship and swoon-y moments. They do make a good looking couple. Their chemistry is more cosy than red hot.
Our leads face many challenges after they went public. I'm glad the writer-nim heard my prayers. Our leads are allowed to confront them while standing shoulder-to-shoulder. This is the One True Way. Throw the kitchen sink at them by all means. Just let them fight as one. Don't use it as a lame excuse for a sneaky mid show break-up. Amen. š
As I mentioned before, the pacing is slow and steady. I realise the series doesn't need to rush because it only need to go from A -> B instead of being sidetracked by all the filler subplots. This might be a deal breaker for you. I won't judge.
Once I accept our leads are not going to rush things, it becomes a more relaxed watch. This actually contrasted with the 2CP which is a noona romance. The second couple's romance is sweet and heartfelt, but definitely more volatile. I ship them wholeheartedly as well.
Technically, the parents of the FL is the 3CP. They bicker like any old couples. The wife kept asking for a divorce. Their last scene together is chef's kiss. Age did not weary them.
Now the nitty gritty stuff. Production value is good. OST is easy listening. Re-watch of the whole show is unlikely, but a highlight reel would not be a chore.
Overall, I like this show. There were shaky moments. It did win me over in the end. It is a satisfying few hours. Just like beer and chicken after a long day at the office. Cheers!
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love it. will never watch again.
I never write reviews here, but this was so good I had to make an exception. It took me a really long time to finally sit down and watch this. The first time i pressed play i couldnāt get past the first twenty minutes so i left it there for weeks before i finally sat down and gave it another chance. The second i did i was immediately immersed in it. This is the first time in who knows how long that a drama managed to break my heart like this, and heal it all at the same time. Almost every single episode had me crying.I also cannot compliment the acting enough, Park Bo Gum is truly a master at playing a man hopelessly in love. The only other drama Iāve seen IU in didnāt really give me a good impression, this changed my
mind. Her real and raw portrayal of both the happiness and the sadness during this entire drama was excellent.
Gwan Sik as a character set the standard very very high, not only as a partner but as a parent. Ae Sun was such a realistic portrayal of so so so many women I know, who had dreams and goals for themselves, but had to push them away in order to take care of their family. I was so glad that in the end she got her dream to come true. As for their children, I think a lot of people who watched this drama saw a reflection of their own behavior towards their parents (I know I did).
this is a masterpiece, but I donāt think Iāll ever have the guts to watch it again.
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The chemistry and dedication
Words can't describe this series; it's a masterpiece, it's magnificent. It makes you laugh so much, every second is worth it. PondPhuwin gave an excellent performance, they proved once again what magnificent actors they are, demonstrating incredible chemistry. They knew how to convey their emotions so well. I'm simply speechless, they were magnificent.Not only Pond and Phuwin, very couple was great, both main and supporting, even those who made cameos. I'm going to miss this series, Thanks GMM
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Beautiful love, bad French accents.
This drama follows Thee and Rati's love story in a time and place where their love is not accepted. Their chemistry is very strong, and Thee treats Rati like a beautiful flower. Honestly the two are very charming and had many fun moments as well. Their kisses were quite flat, and definitely could have been a lot more emotional or intense.The length of the drama is a bit too long for my liking, 6 or 8 episodes would have been enough for a strong story. The story revolves around France and Siam, and Rati has to teach French to people in Siam. Unfortunately, everyone's French accent is terrible and so is Rati's. It would have been better if someone did a voice-over for Rati's French dialogue since it took me out of the experience.
Mek and Dech are a nice addition, and they were much cuter than I had expected. Their intimate scenes were strong albeit a bit short.
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Compelling. Prepare for binge watching
The series draws you in right from the start.Your eyebrows will be raised before the opening credits are starting.
It serves a compelling story about the ugly side of the entertainment business combined with a great OST (the intro song slapped. No skipping on my part š), good cinematography and a cast full of face cards, who displayed the necessary acting skills.
So far, so good. All in all one of the better Thai dramas out there, and definitely worthwhile to watch.
But I had my grievances with some story parts, too. So I need to rant a little.
+++ Spoilers +++
Sky's camera phobia.
His trauma response and how it got treated literally and figuratively didn't make much sense in my eyes.
He got a contract with Dreams, but both parties didn't pursue a therapy option right from the bat to broaden his prospects and to increase his market value? Really?!
Then Sun comes along, recommends it and without further ado Sky is off to therapy and his trauma gets treated. Voila.
Atp I expected at least something along the lines like "tried therapy before, didn't work" or some other explanation for Sky's untreated trauma response.
Nope.
The payback/revenge agenda of both MCs.
Got multiple times mentioned throughout the show, but felt more like lip service with each new episode than setting things up to reach that goal.
It might make sense for Sun's character development from guilt ridden self punishment to a more positive mindset, but it fell flat for Jay's arc.
After all the revenge talk at the beginning, which built up our expectations as viewers - how it got executed in the finale felt anticlimactic. Like the promise of (at least small) fireworks, but getting handed some sparklers instead.
The finale.
Aside from the too thinly fleshed out revenge plot did the story progress at a good pace until the last episode.
Sadly here the writing encountered some bumps in the road.
The revenge execution felt too much like a hastily last minute arranged strategy, based solely on legal technicalities. For viewers less enjoyable and satisfying than a good right hook.
How the villains got punished left me regarding the director and Sunny with mixed feelings too.
The director, because it felt too out of left field. A writer's cop out.
And Sunny - he was a despicable and vile character. His actions deserved a hard punishment. But is to violent r*pe him, concealed as livestreaming content, the right way? Tbh, I have no answer to that question.
While these are the main reasons, why I rate this drama only 8,5/10, despite the fact, that I liked it A LOT, I want to point out some positive things before ending my ramblings.
* The rooftop scene, when Sun acted the suicide scene purely based on his own interpretation. For me one of the most impactful moments of the show. It told us so much about his mindset.
* The small makeshift family of Sun, Sky and the manager. Our likable underdogs. I rooted for success for each of them.
* The romance. At the beginning I was on the fence, because of how Jay enforced some kisses. But after a while it became obvious, that these two had their own special dynamic going, which was working for both sides. The well made NC scenes were telling in that regard.
* How Sun's acting career was written for the final send off: a small supportive role as starting point for him as an actor instead of instant leading role in a major project.
* Boss as photographer. Tyvm. š š
Definitely a show to watch. Fully recommended from my side despite some shortcomings.
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Every manwha adaption needs to take notes
As someone who did not finish the manwha and had absolutely no faith in Thailand adapting this story, I am absolutely glad I gave this adaption a chance and everyone that was a fan of the book should give this series a chance as well. It is captivating , moving, toxic but heartwarming series that deserves the hype Revenge Love received. Every episode was intriguing, keeping me at the edge of my seat and wanting more. I want to take a moment to appreciate the acting, especially the main leads.Min Lee as Sun- Absolutely breathtaking. When I saw that another member from Boys Planet (the gayest show produced) was casted in a bl, I was taken a back to say the least. But the minute I saw his face, I knew he was Yoohan (Sun). In the show, he portrays grief, guilt, sadness so well. My heart breaks for Sun as we continued to get more of his backstory, and Min's acting shined whenever he appeared on screen. Sun as a character rarely speaks, but the audience still feel the vulnerability of Sun. He is lead character (the character wanting payback), and it can be hard to have the whole show completely on your shoulders, where the audience is mostly following you and your story. For some, it can be hard to pull off. But Min captivated the audience. I felt every emotion he felt at the time, whether it was pain and guilt, and at the end, happiness and comfort. I could not have asked for a better actor to play Sun. Also Min is beautiful. His eyes were so expressive, his microexpressions had me going to back scenes and rewatching. His eyes makes me think of Onsga from The Edge of Horizon (another exceptional show)
Toptap as Jay- It is very rare, at least in the Thai Bl acting industry, to come across an actor who completely embodies a role. For an actor to act not only by speaking, but using his body to convey a character. The way he walked, talked, moved his body had me screaming. When I first saw the trailer, I did not think he was Jay. But my the first episode, his introduction, the way he looked in the suit, I knew I was wrong. Toptap essence as Jay needs to be studied, For an beginner, his acting clears actors who have been in bls for years. You can pinpoint exactly when Jay began to like Sun because of Toptap's acting. You can tell when Jay started care for Sun, started to want Sun and wanted to save Sun. I only hope that he continues to get projects that challenge him as an actor. He just landed on my lap, but I will continue to watch everything he is in, even if the plot is not good because I know he would absolutely devour the role (put please let the future plots be good he deserves nothing less) Did I mention he looks hot in a suit and is fine as fuck? His aura in this show reminds me of Park Seo Jun in What's Wrong with Sectartary Kim?
The acting from the supporting characters, from Fuaiz, Shogun and Khunnote was great as well. I am truly impressed with everything in this series.
JaySun might be one of my favorite characters and couple of all time. They are both morally grey, but they work so well because they understand each other's pain. Jay is able to understand what Sun is feeling, even when pushes him away and pretends he does not want Jay's affection. Both characters need therapy, but they care so deeply for each other that it's easy to root for them as a couple. Together, they make complete sense.
Toptap and Min Lee's chemistry was crackling. It is very rare for me to get butterflies during scenes but while watching this show I got butterflies, heart palpations, EVERYTHING! I am normally one of the bl fans that want actors to experiment with other actors but I truly want TT ML to continue to work together for my sanity. I need at least 5 more projects from them. In my opinion, Payback is the series of the year, and everyone should watch it and appreciate this masterpiece.
It is very rare for a show to be engaging from start to finish, with every episode ranging from 50 minutes to an 1hr but feels like 5 minutes. You will come for the plot but stay because of the captivating chemistry between the leads and the enchanting acting of the main leads. When I say PAYBACK is the show of the year, I wholeheartedly mean it.
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Great show, but..
I loved this show. It hooked me up straight away, since the first episode.I have an 8 as score just because sometimes it seemed rushed and confusing in vetting parts, and obviously for something that many viewers I'm sure, will agree with me about.
What the hell happened at the end.
How and why she became a Jinniya?! How and why she appeared to her friend in the cemetery?
This half ass explanation is all we get in the show,
"after a thousand years love with a genie, you have now become a Jinniya" That part just didn't make any sense.
First, what genie are we talking about because Iblis is dead so he can't be the genie they are talking about,and then, a1000 years?!? She died like few days before this scene.
So sorry but the last episode was just very messy and inconsistent with the story so far. It's a pity because up until that point the show was great.
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PERFECT, Gentle and light, couldnāt stop smiling
It was so cute. Omg after having watched so many dramas only a few hit every now and then. This one is definitely one of them. It was so cute. So freaking good that I was squeeling and couldnāt stop smiling. I loved how it didnāt follow the usual cross dressing stories plot line where the boy finds later girl has to hide and face major consequences. I loved how the guy found it out as early lmao. Also nothing rly serious or stressful happened except for so 21 where it was like omg why did they suddenly bring such an evil mom arc even when his mom already has u know softened. I liked that it was light throughout and never boring. I loved how it starts with a disclaimer by author that this sort of crossdressing scenario is only in fiction and never in real life. Also oh my god the male lead, is amazingly perfect. When I say perfect I donāt mean to say the kind of perfect u see usually in some cliche dramas where the male lead is good at everything, and popular and all. No. When I say perfect I mean, he has ego, he is smart but not arrogant and he is rlly positive and the good kind of positive sly. He is kind too. Omg this is the first male lead about whom I have not even a single complaint. I never hated him for even a second in the whole drama. Same with the female lead. She is perfect but not the cliche perfect. She is kind, cheerful and again no ego. Omg they r both just so innocent yet a power couple in their own soft gentle way. Ugh I love the gentleness of this romance. Wow. I love it. Iām just so glad I started this. Definitely one of my all time favs.Was this review helpful to you?
A perfect sequel
This sequel of four episodes was just as fun as the main series was, this really is the funniest BL i've ever seen.The production is perfect, even the sounds are placed perfect. It has stunning visuals and good music.
All three couples have great chemistry.
I highly recommend watching this great series.
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Chemistry so insane I thought the actors were dating IRL
The sweetest first love story imaginable, the yearning was insane.I WILL NOT accept any slander towards Zhou Wan. Y'all are messed up if you believe that Zhou Wan didn't deserve Lu Xixao. Was it right for her to use Lu Xixao for her own means? No, but she was doing it to save her grandmother. She's 18 years old, in debt, and her only family in the world is dying. She literally had no other options.
Was it depressing af to watch her leave Lu Xixao in the most twisted Hide n Seek game possible? Yes. Could this 10-year old breakup been avoided if she just had a conversation with him? Yes but that would not be her character. People are forgetting that she is as in love with him as he with her but she grew up believing that she's a burden and to hide her emotions for the sake of others. The love of her life got hurt protecting her and one of the only family members he trust told her to leave him. That breakup broke the BOTH of them and honestly me too.
I thank the Cdrama gods for Lu Xixao because no matter how much Zhou Wan hurts him, he never gave up. He called out her lies and when they finally reunited, he folded like a wet paper towel. I just love a ML who knows what and who he wants, it's always been her.
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Payback is a remarkable masterpiece of 2026 bl productions.
I started watching Payback after seeing the trailers online. The promotional material immediately caught my attention because the cinematography looked beautiful and the storyline seemed intriguing. I was also excited to see a cast made up mostly of newcomers. I always enjoy discovering new actors at the beginning of their careers, so that was one of the biggest reasons I decided to give this series a chance.From the very first episode, the drama kept me invested. The plot builds suspense at just the right pace without becoming repetitive or dragging the story down. There is always enough happening to keep the audience engaged while still allowing emotional moments to breathe. What impressed me the most was that, for the first time in a long while, I didn't skip a single scene. Normally, if a drama starts to feel slow, I'll find myself jumping ahead to the next interesting moment. With Payback, that never happened. Every episode held my attention from beginning to end because I genuinely wanted to know what would happen next.
The cast was another major strength of the series. The main actors delivered convincing performances that made their characters feel authentic. The standout performance for me was Sunny, the main antagonist. His portrayal was so believable that I found myself genuinely resenting the character, which is always a sign of a great villain. He brought intensity to every scene and made the conflict feel real.
The supporting cast also deserves recognition. Sky, in particular, impressed me with his emotional performance. One of his scenes, especially when he experiences a panic attack, felt incredibly realistic. His acting communicated fear and vulnerability so well that I could feel his emotions through the screen. It was one of the most memorable moments in the drama.
Despite the serious themes, the series also balances its tone with humour. Jay's uncle and the manager provided plenty of comic relief without disrupting the emotional weight of the story. Their interactions felt natural and often lightened the mood at exactly the right moments. The manager's relationship with the younger characters was especially entertaining, giving off the energy of an exhausted father trying to keep a group of chaotic but lovable kids under control.
I also appreciated the character development throughout the series. Sky's growth as an actor was satisfying to watch, especially since the drama explores the entertainment industry itself. We see his confidence and abilities develop over time. The main lead also undergoes a compelling transformation, moving from someone consumed by revenge to someone who ultimately chooses happiness and a future worth living for. These character arcs made the story even more rewarding.
From a production standpoint, Payback is visually impressive. The directing, cinematography and colour grading all contribute to a polished viewing experience. Every scene feels carefully crafted, making the series enjoyable to watch. While I didn't pay much attention to the soundtrack, the overall production quality was consistently strong.
My only criticism is the final episode. After such well-paced storytelling throughout the first nine episodes, the ending felt rushed. I believe the drama would have benefited from at least 12 episodes. More time could have been spent showing the villains facing the consequences of their actions, as well as allowing Sun's acting career to flourish so we could fully enjoy his success. I also would have loved to see Sunny witness that success while continuing to struggle with the consequences of his own choices. In my opinion, the villains got off too easily. They should have been forced to live with the consequences of what they had done rather than receiving such an easy way out. Those moments deserved a little more room to breathe instead of being wrapped up so quickly. However, considering this is an adaptation of a manhwa, which I haven't read, it's possible the drama simply stayed faithful to the original ending.
Overall, Payback exceeded my expectations. It offers an engaging story, strong performances and excellent production values. The cast fits their roles perfectly, making every character feel believable and memorable. I would highly recommend this drama not only to BL fans but also to anyone looking for a well-acted series with compelling storytelling, emotional character development and consistently entertaining pacing.
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A corporate drama done right
i've never watched a drama that's centered around the corporate world and business with almost no romance before, so this was a really refreshing watch. it's honestly the perfect drama for corporate slaves because i'm pretty sure they'll relate to all the office politics and workplace drama.it was so entertaining and full of plot twists that kept me hooked the whole time. the writing was amazing and the plot was really well done. personally, i enjoyed jeon hyejin's acting the most. i remember being so impressed by her performance.
overall, i think everything was great, but the ending felt like it was missing something. it wasn't bad but i just wish it had wrapped things up a little better.
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