TayNew's Unmatched Chemistry and Chaotic Comedy Carry an Okay Script
A Dog and a Plane relies heavily on the timeless charm of Tay and New, delivering electric chemistry and endless comedy even when the overarching plot feels a bit disjointed. Tay Tawan and New Thitipoom’s off-the-charts dynamic shines through the classic "opposites attract" trope, flawlessly balancing Khanit’s pristine, put-together demeanor with Toto’s delightfully cringey, loud, and quirky energy. The series starts on a high note with an engaging setup centered around Khanit’s cheating ex-boyfriend, the secret debt, and the fun revelation that Toto had been harboring feelings for Khanit all along while acting as his spy. The acting and romantic payoff throughout these early stages are top-tier, making for an immensely enjoyable watch. However, the narrative loses steam when it transitions into the second half. Khanit’s deep, intense love for his ex was portrayed so heavily in the beginning that his sudden shift toward dating Toto felt a bit too fast and unearned. Furthermore, once the initial drama settled, the sudden turn into a standard "pleasing the strict parents who look down on Toto's job" plotline felt like a strange shift in pacing. While the storyline could have definitely been tighter and more cohesive, the sheer charisma of TayNew, paired with fantastic romance scenes and great comedic beats, makes it a fun ride overall.Was this review helpful to you?
a story about losing yourself for people who won’t choose you.
oh my!!!!!! this drama is absolutely one of my top 3 bl dramas of all time. i have so much to say about it, so let’s start this review because i already know it won’t be short!'love in the big city' is not a perfect love story. it's messy, bittersweet, and sometimes uncomfortable, but that's exactly why it feels so close to real life.
what i loved the most about Go-young is how painfully human he is. he is not a perfect character, and that's exactly why he feels so real. he makes mistakes, he holds on to people who are NOT always good for him, and sometimes he loses pieces of himself while trying to find love and acceptance. but instead of judging him, i actually found myself understanding him so much, and now he's definitely my comfort character.
his relationship with his last boyfriend (Sim Gyu-ho) especially stayed with me.
it was heartbreaking because it felt SO real.. that feeling of loving someone deeply while slowly realizing that maybe you are the only one still fighting for the relationship :( the pain wasn't just about losing someone, but about realizing how much time and energy you can give to a person who might not even look back at you in the future.
Go-young is someone who wants to be loved, understood, and chosen, but sometimes he searches for those things in people who cannot give them to him. and honestly, i think many people can see a part of themselves in that.
this drama made me think about all the moments when we hold on to someone because we are attached to the version of them we created in our heads... not necessarily who they really are. it's painful, but also incredibly honest.
i finished this drama feeling sad (i cried my eyes out), but also grateful. some stories don't need a perfect "happy" ending to be meaningful. <3
at the end, i want to add:
this drama is incredibly important for young queer people, especially gay men who are struggling with their identity, feeling lost, or trying to find themselves.
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Plot triumps over promotion Acting over Hype
Im lovin Royal Betrothal so far it strays away from the popular trope flooding the C world at the moment. Its refresing to see a Young emperor Ying Gua played by Chen Zhe Yuan trying to burst out the grips of the throne. Not being a puppet of the old seers of the old ways. It nice to see an emperor not just handing out Edicts and reform in the comforts of his throne.This is my first Wu jin Yan drama and i only hear good things from her acting and drama selection and ao far i am very satisfied. She played Meng Ting Hui an abused orphan trying to defeat oppression she experience early in life by studying and trying to be a good politician.
i am soo inlove with friendships being shown in this drama Meng Ting Hui and Fu zhi friendship is just lovely. Same goes with Yingua and Zhi zu.
This series just air dropped all of a sudden even actors in it were caught off guard . Absolutely no promotion which is just sad given the effort made by the people involve. Its just a relief that with the actors skills Yingua and Meng ting hui was given life beautifully.
Given the brouhaha this drama had in the onset of filming im just glad the drama is doing well.
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1Deep In "Deep In"
Note: This is a review, but also not because I really can't seem to put into words the qualities that made this drama so great when I have praised it at length week after week. I could try, but it would almost feel insincere to go on about the cinematography, soundtrack, dialogue, set design, and quality of acting when it is the overall feeling of this drama that sticks with me the most. And so all I can and really want to do is try to describe that feeling to you.I can hardly recall the last time I stayed to watch the credits roll for a film.
When even with the now harsh lights of the theatre pulling me out of the trance I was stuck in and beckoning me toward the door—the real, outside world—like a spotlight—I waited with bated breath, hands clasped together in almost a prayer, as the names of those who created the work I was so enchanted by passed by, my eyes full of tears yet shining, smiling, heart pounding, my feet firmly planted to the floor, wondering when—if ever—I will feel so enraptured, so touched. Hoping for something, anything, at the end, yet expecting and gladly accepting nothing should it be so.
I stayed for this drama.
Deep In is unlike anything I will likely ever see. And that is a wonder yet also heartbreaking.
To be so pulled into the fiction, the fiction within the fiction, that I become as caught up as the actors did in their characters and the characters with their actors.
I only wish I had really seen it on the big screen. If only so I might turn to my right and maybe, just maybe, see someone else in the same state as me.
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I enjoyed watching OVERDO
I finished the whole 33 eps….even though it’s an open ending but for me is happy ending…you really have to pay attention to every detail towards the ending to get that happy ending…for example the brothers asked qingyi to stand up n go back to susu n lean…and also qingyi letter to susu…asked her to wait…ect.Overall…I really enjoyed watching OVERDO especially with Zhang Ling He in it….his acting was superb 👍👍👍 his visual without a doubt WOWWWW
When i watch a drama I don’t really care with the cinematography and else like everyone been criticized…all i care about is the storyline and the actors acting
I RECOMMENDED YOU ALL GIVE IT A TRY
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The cinematography is breathtaking!
Some dramas entertain you. Others completely immerse you in their world. The East Palace belongs to the second category.💯
From the very first episode, I found myself completely captivated. I didn't just watch the story, I felt like I was living inside its world. When a drama can make you forget everything around you and lose yourself in its atmosphere, it has achieved something truly special.
Although it is categorized as horror, I never felt fear or disgust. Instead, it offered a beautifully crafted artistic experience. The supernatural elements created mystery and wonder rather than relying on cheap scares, making the series accessible even for viewers who are not usually fans of the horror genre.
Visually, this is one of the most stunning Korean dramas I have ever watched. The cinematography is breathtaking, with beautiful colors, striking contrast, elegant lighting, and carefully composed shots that often feel like works of art. Combined with an exceptional musical score, immersive sound design, magnificent costumes, impressive visual effects, and outstanding production quality, every episode feels like a high-budget cinematic experience rather than a television series.
The writing is equally impressive. The story maintains suspense while developing its characters naturally, balancing mystery, emotion, fantasy, and historical atmosphere without ever losing its rhythm. Every element works together seamlessly.
The performances are outstanding across the entire cast. Every actor brings authenticity and emotional depth to their role, making the characters feel believable despite the supernatural setting.
What impressed me most is how modern this drama feels while remaining a period piece. It successfully combines the beauty of a historical setting with contemporary cinematic storytelling, creating a unique viewing experience.
Also, GgeoMeokSaLi completely stole my heart. This adorable little spirit added warmth, humor, and charm to the story, proving that even the smallest character can leave one of the biggest impressions.
For me, after watched it 2 times. The East Palace is much more than a horror drama. It is an artistic, immersive, and unforgettable journey that stayed with me long after the final episode. A true masterpiece, and without hesitation, ❤️10/10.
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Love!!
I do not usually watch MaxNat’s series, but I wanted to genuinely support them because of Nat’s statement about having to leave DMD, and this being his last series. I honestly thought that this episode was pretty good!! The acting of all the characters besides Gems’s characters dad was amazing. I liked how the show could go from serious to silly without it being annoying or out of place. I also appreciated how the storyline was super laid out and I knew what to expect, while also being shocked at the same time. It was funny too and I found myself giggling. Overall, a solid first episode and I’m looking forward to the next.Was this review helpful to you?
Deep In (入戏) - A BL That Gets Under Your Skin
Deep In turned out to be such an epic watch, bringing the heat while perfectly balancing not one but two storylines. I still can't believe how good this was. The two actors, who were completely new to filming in general, let alone BL, played their roles amazingly. They had two characters to focus on and deliver for each role, and they did it so well that it's honestly staggering.
What really sets Deep In apart is its bold social message. This is one of the first CBLs I've seen that explicitly pushes the idea that being gay is okay, that they should be allowed to love and live happily, and that the world is too harsh to gay people. That's quite the message to send to the Chinese people, and I honestly wonder how much of that was cut out for the home audience. The series doesn't just present romance; it validates queer experiences and challenges viewers to reconsider prejudices.
The chemistry between the leads is electric, especially in scenes like Episode 2's NC scene where the director calls "cut" three times but the actors continue, completely lost in the moment. Episode 7's snow scene has become iconic - a quiet confession where Zhen Xin says, "I walked 472 steps following you from the hotpot," before Zhang Zhun kisses him. These moments showcase the series' ability to convey profound emotion through subtlety rather than grand declarations.
I feel like this show will genuinely help people in real life - whether it's actors who have fallen in love but can't show it, or just promoting acceptance of gay people and blurring the line between an actor being gay or not. Seeing this story become popular will hopefully change minds and make people more accepting so they don't have to hide anymore. With its 8.6/10 rating from nearly 4,000 users, it's clearly resonating with audiences.
Watching it, I felt like I was slightly seeing a retelling of Ziyu and Tian Xu Ning's hidden (assumed) love story from Revenge Love. Deep In isn't just entertainment - it's a cultural milestone that challenges conventions while delivering an emotionally compelling viewing experience. Its blend of psychological complexity, authentic performances, and social relevance makes it essential viewing for anyone interested in the evolution of BL storytelling.
If you have finished and want memories of this show. Or went to watch but not sure if you will like it (and don't mind spoilers.) checkout the playlist of wonderful YouTube creators that heightened fantastic moments of the show week by week. Xx give them your love for their efforts.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIRCiTxPrLwU&si=F049gdibBoHfglJD
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Only watching this as a fan of Meng ZiYi.
Only watching this as a fan of Meng ZiYi. Why are there so few good story tellers without stupid amazing poisons and antidotes? Then add some amnesia in the middle to complicate things. New characters introduced in the middle to make this even longer. The plot seems haphazard. But it wasn't all bad as it started out promising. Too bad it got worse and worse and became tedious. i fast forwarded alot of the episodes and still didn't miss much or care too much anymore. Rewatch value low. I'm up to episode 26.. but still have to finish it. :-)Was this review helpful to you?
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This was such an enjoyable rom-com from start to finish. It doesn't try to reinvent the transmigration genre completely, but it adds enough fresh ideas to make it stand out from the countless "female lead enters a novel" short dramas.I enjoyed this drama because Lin Zi Rong once again proves that her expressions, timing, and natural comedic acting made so many scenes genuinely funny without feeling forced.
The premise is surprisingly refreshing. Instead of giving the FL an overpowered system or the ability for those around her to hear her thoughts (a trope that has become extremely common in this genre) this drama avoids those shortcuts entirely. The story focuses more on relationships than special abilities, and it works really well.
I especially loved how the female lead's three brothers immediately accepted, spoiled, and protected her from the very beginning. There was no unnecessary misunderstanding arc or endless family conflict. Their sibling interactions were hilarious, heartwarming, and easily became my favorite part of the entire drama. Every episode had entertaining moments because of their chemistry. The chemistry between the lead actors is also beyond doubt, as they have frequently worked on projects together.
The story also gives enough attention to the tragic pasts of both main leads. Their emotional scars are used well to explain why they became the people they are today, making their personalities and decisions feel believable instead of being dramatic for no reason.
The biggest disappointment is the original novel's main lead's. They are introduced as an important character at the beginning, but they are barely explored and mostly feels like decoration. They only appear briefly at the beginning and end of the drama.
Another unresolved issue is the FL's mother. After her earlier appearances, the story simply forgets about her. She doesn't even attend her daughter's wedding in the finale, which makes her absence feel strange and leaves her storyline unfinished.
I also appreciated that the drama avoided the overused "female lead gets kidnapped" cliché that appears in so many short dramas. Unfortunately, it still couldn't resist another equally familiar trope, an attempted murder involving someone charging in with a knife. It feels like almost every short drama has to include this exact scene at least once.
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The art of perception will blow your mind, its more than a BL with good nc
It's hard to begin to explain how masterful this drama is, but I'll do my best.Deep In is one of the very few, and I mean very few works I give a close 10/10. It's even rarer to know certainly I'd be rewatching it after the initial grief of saying goodbye passes. There are some nitpicks, but by far this BL surpasses any I've seen before (though of course, they each have their own strengths, as most don't even fit into the psychology tag at all to allow this kind of story to unfold).
I'm still reeling from thinking these two were only 19 and 22 at time of filming, friendly reminder. AND, they only had 2 acting coaches on set (you can see the credits). AND this is their first ever project. Please, I hope this is never the last because what the fxck.
Around the scene where the Cantonese track started playing, where Zhangzun reminicised his memories with Zhenxin, I was struck by an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia, like its the late 2000s again - where the portrayal of love was simpler, OH THE YEARNING, it was like being young again, finding the courage to just go for it, and recognising that loving someone was missing them, but it was also so painful.
Director Wen Dao is meticulous in his details about CRAFT. Can't believe this is his first work.
The book is a strong reference, but it takes real skill to jab emotional points at times in a video format where he wants them to land, and he did that so seamlessly (the author for the book, the shots for the director). He has made artistic choices.
Examples (too many) - that aspect ratio at EP12 with the curtain? Post credit scene? The colour grading - warmth for Zhenxin and cold for people like Justin and others, and the fiance?
The brilliancy comes when you realise the usage of a psychatrist as a character is delibrate from the author. Deep In is a taste of what acting means for many actors. it's beyond just living as a character, but the exploration and discovery of emotions, releasing them, is a process mirroring that of a patient with his own in a session. It's a form of release, and a strange kind of purging. Zhenxin and Zhangzun's own discoveries of their emotions for each other are a reflection of their own characters as patient and psych. Acting is a form of therapy and this is commonly said.
How can someone so young be able to pull off such intimacy, understanding, maturity in emotions - as well as layered complexity is beyond me. This drama deals (and took risks to portray) with extremely difficult topics, sensitive and heavy in every aspect - of grief, deep yearning, shame, confusion, love, reluctance, pain, denial, acceptance, hatred and simultaneously love - at themselves, at each other, it goes on and on.
Deep In has so many vulnerable moments that are handled with care, and such is given space without it dragging to the point where it's "too much". The relationship between patient and psychatrist ended up feeling so symbiotic, it's fascinating and terrifying to watch.
This is especially for EP6 and opening of EP12. You'll know it when you see it. It's intense rather than explosive, and you, the viewer, are forced to sit in the aftermath - within THEIR secondary story, and while they are simply as Zhenxin and Zhangzun, and the tender moments where these two just came out of a scene.
They don't spare you by cutting away immediately or fade to black. You see every raw (and terrible) reaction, practically hear their very thoughts as if they are your own. It forces you to be uncomfortable, and yet you can't pull away.
I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say this drama sets a precedent. There is real emotion in this story, and it is the messiness, the raw spillage of it all, showing the ugliness and beauty and cruelty of human beings so unflinchingly, that makes this drama masterful.
There is no other quite like making the viewer want to run away from these heavy scenes and forced to stay because of merely how compelling it is.
Some criticism: I mostly view this as Gaozhun's story in their own drama. As much as I wish Fangchi's wound was more explored, him being shrouded in mystery and we are left to wonder is part of the craft, and it works very well. There was a scene in EP11 that cut off too easily to the next day of them texting in a script read, it was jarring and the resolve wasn't clear.
Overall, this is more than an inception of story within a story, it's where an episode leaves breadcrumbs and you happily work for your meal. You pause, you can't binge, you notice little bits, and you're left in awe.
I hope more dramas realise what Deep In has achieved, and try to inject this kind of character and a strong WOUND into their projects, because it will change the game. There is strength in other BLs, but few like Deep In, understand that the greatest stories (the most memorable), are the ones that doesn't make the characters too perfect.
For now, I can truly say it is difficult to say goodbye to this drama. Honestly so glad to be able to witness (for the first time since 2017 when I became a BL fan) that this is what the genre could become, and the possibilites of more projects of this quality awaiting us.
No longer is it labelled to be something that girls are obsessed with and actually, there CAN BE profound storytelling within it, just like any other fiction.
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EWB is just pure art
Although, presumably, at first glance Enemies with Benefits seems focused on the complicated relationship between Lal and Wine, it's actually so extensive. The two worlds—work and feelings—collided extremely frequently, beautifully portraying the difficult choices that must be made in the name of love.We can really see the trauma and its consequences in Wine's life—whereby I truly congratulate Jingjing on an excellent performance—and the motives behind her actions in her love life. This is a very well-executed representation of SA victims.
As for Lal, she is just one vast green forest.
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Where The Lines Are Blurred
OMG! I loved this from the beginning to the end, and past the credits!Firstly, the production element where the movie they were 'filming' was reduced on the horizontal, to distinguish it from the 'real life' "Deep In" series.
I loved how the men developed their love along with the characters in the film.
They seemed so mismatched at first, but, somewhere along the way, I stopped thinking of Ollie as a gangly youth, and
began to see him the way 'Zhang Zhun' saw him.
The shame of being their true selves in public and to their families, was *real*.
I loved the ending so much!
From the opening scenes - where 'Zheng Xin' kisses Zhun behind the curtain, I was roped in by the realistic approach of the actors.
Ollie and Shu Yuan, were fantastic! Kudos to the supporting cast - as they were all amazing!
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Deep In — Where Does the Performance End?
Doing a sophisticated psychological BL is difficult even for experienced actors. For actors with limited screen experience, it should be nearly impossible. That is why Ollie and Li Shuyuan surprised me so much in Deep In. I don't know how intensively they trained for these roles, but they were sensational. They weren't simply asked to create romantic chemistry. They had to play actors who were themselves playing two emotionally damaged men, while constantly changing the meaning behind every look, touch and line. Ollie plays established star Zhen Xin, while Li Shuyuan plays Zhang Zhun, a struggling performer who finally receives an opportunity to become a leading actor. Inside the film they are making, they become Fang Chi, a psychiatrist, and Gao Zhun, his deeply troubled patient. As rehearsals and filming become increasingly intimate, neither man can clearly identify which emotions belong to the characters and which belong to themselves.That is the basic story. But understanding what is happening is much harder. Deep In constantly moves between the series, the film being produced inside the series, rehearsals, memories and private moments that sometimes feel like extensions of the performance. A glance may come from Zhen Xin or Fang Chi. A frightened reaction may belong to Zhang Zhun or Gao Zhun. Even the actors themselves eventually use their fictional characters as protection because expressing love through a script is safer than admitting it in real life. This confusion is exactly what makes the story so fascinating. When feelings become mixed with acting, where is the line? When two people spend weeks touching each other, sleeping near each other and recreating emotional intimacy, can they simply hear “cut” and return to normal? And when one of them already had feelings connected to a meeting seven years earlier, was the film really what created the attraction, or merely what finally gave it permission to appear? The story inside the story makes that question even more powerful.
Zhen Xin and Zhang Zhun are presented as straight actors filming a psychologically intense BL. They are encouraged to cross physical and emotional boundaries because the production wants authenticity, yet they are expected to switch those emotions off as soon as filming ends. They can desire each other as Fang Chi and Gao Zhun. They just aren't supposed to love each other as Zhen Xin and Zhang Zhun. That contradiction says a lot about the entertainment industry. Actors are expected to sell romance, intimacy and fantasy, but their own feelings remain controlled by contracts, agencies, families and public expectations. They are pushed together when their chemistry can produce attention and money, then separated the moment their relationship threatens the image created for them. They stop being treated as people. They become products.
The pressure feels particularly cruel because celebrities are already expected to sacrifice part of their private lives. Add a same-sex relationship, an enormous audience and people whose income depends on maintaining a carefully constructed public image, and love becomes something dangerous. What can they do? Fight for something that could damage both careers, or surrender before everyone around them decides on their behalf?
Qin Yao, the flamboyant and visibly queer-coded agency executive, became one of the most interesting supporting characters for me. While almost everyone else sees the leads through their commercial value, Qin Yao seems to understand what constant performance and concealment can do to a person. The character may appear theatrical, but that theatricality hides a much deeper awareness of the world the two actors are trapped inside. Ollie and Li Shuyuan carry all of this remarkably well. Ollie was already known primarily as an idol and performer before taking his first major acting role here, while Li Shuyuan was also introduced to many viewers without a long, established dramatic filmography. Giving them four overlapping identities to manage was an enormous risk.
Yet they rarely lose control of the characters. Ollie makes Zhen Xin appear confident, provocative and sometimes almost aggressive, while allowing small moments of insecurity to show underneath. Li Shuyuan has the quieter and perhaps even more difficult role. Zhang Zhun is cautious and restrained, while Gao Zhun carries a more visible psychological fragility. Li had to show both men without turning either of them into a completely separate performance. Most importantly, they make the transitions believable. Sometimes the only indication that something has changed is a look in their eyes or the way one of them suddenly holds his body. That requires far more precision than a conventional romance, where every emotional development is explained through dialogue.
However, that is also where my main criticism begins. The production sometimes makes the boundaries so unclear that the viewer doesn't feel intrigued but simply lost. I understand the intention. We are supposed to share the characters' uncertainty and question whether we are watching a performance, a rehearsal, a memory or reality. But confusion only works when the audience eventually receives enough information to reinterpret what it has seen. Here, missing even a small detail can make an entire sequence difficult to follow. Watching the series slowly over several weeks would make that problem even worse. This is the kind of drama that almost demands to be watched in one sitting, or at least over a very short period, because every scene depends on remembering small changes in behaviour and context. A subtle visual language could have helped. A different camera lens, aspect ratio, colour treatment, sound design or filming style could have separated the movie scenes from reality without completely removing the ambiguity. Instead, the production sometimes gives the viewer no clue at all, forcing us to continue watching without understanding where we currently are. That doesn't make the series bad. It simply prevents me from calling it perfect.
Final Thought
Deep In is one of the most ambitious BLs I have watched this year. It is not only about two actors falling in love while filming a BL. It is about what happens when acting becomes the only socially acceptable place for that love to exist. It questions whether feelings can remain fictional once the people performing them begin to need each other, and whether a celebrity can ever choose love freely when so many people consider his life their property. Ollie and Li Shuyuan were given roles that could easily have overwhelmed far more experienced actors. Instead, they delivered performances filled with tension, vulnerability and uncertainty, making the emotional confusion feel deliberate even when the narrative structure became difficult to follow. I cannot give it a perfect score because the line between fiction and reality occasionally disappears too completely. Still, perhaps the fact that I want to watch it again—to understand the details I missed and reconsider which feelings belonged to whom—is proof that the series achieved exactly what it wanted.
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To Blossom Against All Odds
July 31, 2026WHOA, another Cdrama I have finished. I truly liked the progression of this show, I think the way the ML has to woo the FL over and over again was chef's kiss.
I had so much fun watching new episodes drop day by day and I truly think that the plot was very digestible to the viewers, though I must say I did get quite confused with the ending. It is not a big deal in my opinion, but it feels a bit abrupt and inconclusive.
Regardless, I still think its a good show to watch and rewatch!
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