Reviews

Misfortune bonds two people in an old small town

Such a pointless show. This is different from another show with the similar theme of communicating across time, Crossfire, which I thought had better execution.
This show depicts miserable people, who don’t develop, and end up nowhere. Not to mention that the modern storyline was also pointless. There was no plot dedicated to the young characters except the bonding they got from passing time together and putting up with each other. If the modern storyline was removed, this show wouldn’t be all that different. In fact it might seem more artistic because we’d get the firsthand perspective of the air of mystery and suspicion from only reading the letters and not the intention of the characters behind writing them. Not to mention our main characters in the past are too old to even be alive, there is no reason for them to be communicating since their communication has very little impact on their lives. It doesn’t lead to the modern young people finding their parents, and it doesn’t lead the characters in the past out of their unfortunate lives.
I was shocked by what a scoundrel Shen Chen was in the beginning. Like it’s the misfortune of Yu Nian to be next to him to be implicated in every suspicion he can have about someone. And he’s carrying legal weight behind his suspicions. Who would put up with someone like that after a couple interactions. It would solidly fall into the category of harassment in real life when you meet and interact with someone like this, want to leave the situation, and then be unable to shake them off. The only time he compromised was to get her cooperation which she already gave, and then when he got any leads he would keep it to himself. That has zero integrity or loyalty. Outside of the character being not well-rounded, I don’t see the merit behind a depiction of such a character. There is no moral to the story here.
I also don’t see why Tang Yixun and Ye Haitang’s romance is one of epic proportions. The themes of this show remind me of the anime Your Name. That movie was a real tearjerker in terms of people bonding across supernatural connection set in a backwater small town. Returning to the relationship between Tang Yixun and Ye Haitang, the only time I felt they were bonding was when Yixun protected her from her dad. After she moved out, I really don’t see why they felt any attraction to each other. Sure not everyone ends up the best of the best in life, but people sure get damn close if they try and there’s no point to a story that shows people getting nowhere. And that is what’s depicted in this show. Yixun ends up in the same place he started in the beginning of the show thirty-five years later. That’s one way to nail home if you don’t work hard in life you’ll end up on the bottom of society. Which is what he did, which is where he ended up, wow what an amazing journey. I really could’ve done without the modern timeline of how pathetic the characters ended up.
Despite being twelve episodes, it’s surprising that there could still be filler content. I think Chinese show writers really need to take a class on story telling and plot progression and delivering a meaningful message through story. A show is not about its length, but it still needs to be purposeful with each second and minute of its runtime whether that be sixty episodes or twelve episodes.
In my opinion, this show was missing two fundamental elements. One was the growth of the characters in their own timeline. It makes sense that discovering a way to communicate with the future could be insignificant if it doesn’t really impact your life so its novelty fades into the background at times, however, if this secret discovery isn’t going to drive the character’s actions, then they themselves need to have a driven direction, because, story. The counterexample show, Crossfire, achieves this. On one hand Crossfire shows that communicating with the past isn’t all that life changing because it’s not human to be able to capitalize on every little moment and detail to change your own reality in society. It shows this by depicting the casual friendship between Xiao Fan and Wu Lei’s character. They’re not winning any lotteries or founding any industries, but they just enjoy each other’s company and advice as two humans who have have something in common even across time. Imagine talking with a buddy living in the Grecian time period and you could still bond over your love of mathematics together. In their own timelines, however, they are both advancing in their fields, with or without the meaningful mentorship of the other. On the other hand, Crossfire still shows that having this extra power and access to knowledge is very powerful as Wu Lei’s character tries to save his brother from dying in a car accident because that was the central tragedy of his life. The important point is this is being built up to throughout the story and happens from the beginning to the halfway mark. Thus, this discovery drives the story. On the hand, in Twelve Letters, this communication with the future is largely ignored throughout most of the show. Part of the way through the show, I thought we were just watching the progression of sad people heading toward their sad ends. It was made even worse because they spoiled how they ended up in the modern timeline and they were doing largely nothing to change it for eleven out of the twelve episodes. Not only was the supernatural mailbox not that impactful on the character’s lives, the characters themselves were not progressing in their own lives without the mailbox.
The other thing this show is missing is the change and impact discovering a way to communicate with the future and change the past brings. Another thing that the counterexample Crossfire did well is after the characters try to change the past and don’t totally succeed, they unravel the mystery of where their timelines intersect. If they were such influential figures on each other’s lives in the past, where are they now? How do they not know each other? How have they not sought each other out? Then when their timelines meet up, they change their present together and head toward a different ending that could’ve never came about if they didn’t meet across times and develop a friendship. Not only does Crossfire address changing the past, how that intersects with the future reality, it also rounds out a third perspective of when the realities are aligned, how they can go forward and grow together. All these nuances are painfully missing from Twelve Letters.
Besides the story not being much food for thought, what this show does well is vibes. In Chinese media I’m seeing more “vibes shows”, shows that are a collection of scenes that have no purpose but are aesthetically pleasing to look at strung together. That is what this show is. It’s decent cinematography and production of some good looking actors that are caricatures of something, interacting in a shallow surface level way that realizes old cliche ideas and sayings, progressing in sequence until its end. It was nice to see some themes of a cute bad boy depicted by Zhou Yiran, having a die hard love for Haitang, because, no reason. But he can kick ass in a fight so he checks the bad boy box. Haitang is a pitiful girl with an abusive father who tries to study her way out, so she oscillates between getting beaten up by her dad and being happy with the male lead. What a tragic girl, now we can kind of skim the surface of misogynist attitudes and family dynamics? Then there’s the typical rich kid who doesn’t know how good he has it in comparison to those around him so he picks on others. There’s also the cliche of once you join a gang, you’re in for life and the only way you’re leaving is as a dead body. There’s also the cliche that a gambler will sell anything and anyone around them to feed their addiction. These people are all just vibes and walking cliches that are tacked on in sequence that don’t really develop anywhere. Their small interactions don’t bring about anything meaningful change in each other. This is especially proven when Haitang dies because she met up with her father in her old age. The man is one step away from the grave and you still allowed him to harm you. I thought you learned the lesson that nothing good comes from interacting with him when you cut him off? Nope, you managed to still die from him in the ripe and wise old age of fifty, thirty five something years later. Talk about no character growth. What was the moral of the book “It Ends With Us”?
While the show doesn’t have any groundbreaking messaging, this show is worth a watch if one is bored without anything else to watch. This show is good for passing the time. Its acting, visuals, and story elements are executed well enough that there aren’t any hiccups to the viewing experience. This show doesn’t insult the viewers in any way in terms of plot holes or acting and visual disbelief. There is enough plot and mystery hanging over the entirety of the show to fuel a binging experience.

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A short (11 x 15") BL/slice-of-life series, but enjoyable and well-made.

PLOT: At film school, Si-Won, the MC (formerly overweight and completely lacking in confidence), thinks he's the most handsome guy in his class, until Da-Won arrives. Da-Won is the son of a producer and a director, but very lonely. He falls in love with Si-Won, and they develop a complex relationship.

+++ The actors, all newcomers, are good, especially Kang Eun Bin, who delivers a very natural performance.
+++ The budget is limited but used intelligently. The direction is well-crafted, with no lulls but also no plot holes.
+++ OST = K-pop

=> => Sweet BL in an intimate style
***********************************************************
Série BL-tranche de vie, courte (11 X 15") mais sympa et bien faite

PLOT: Ds une école de cinéma, Si-Won, le MC (ex-gros, manquant totalement de confiance) pense être le + beau de la promo, jusqu'à l'arrive de Da-Won, fils d'1 producteur et d'1 réalisatrice, mais très seul. Da-Won tombe amoureux de Si-Won et ils vont nouer 1 relat° complexe.

+++ Les acteurs, novices, sont bons, surtt Kang Eun Bin qui a un jeu très naturel.
+++ Le budget est limité mais intelligemment utilisé. La réalis° est bien travaillée, sans tps mort mais sans plot holes.
+++ OSTs = Kpop

=> Jolie BL ds 1 style intimiste

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Super frustrating melodrama but great acting

I don’t write many reviews, but this one I just can’t not write one. I have watched hundreds of dramas and I don’t know when I’ve been as frustrated with one as this one. I know this drama was made back in 2018 but in the event someone like me came across this drama years after I am posting this review. Let me say upfront that I adore the ML and have watched a lot of his other dramas if I can find them on my streaming services or YouTube.
I have no complaint about how everyone has acted, it’s been top-notch. However, my issue is with the female lead being so ignorant, not communicating properly with the male lead and constantly leaving him because of one issue or another. I know that Zhang Han directed this and it surprises me that he agreed with a story like this. It’s normal to have a break up or some conflict to then come back together, but this is on another level of constant break ups and miscommunication. I have truly lost count of how many times this has happened and I’m only on the 29th episode and still have 20 more to go. My favorite drama of Zhang Han is sunshine of my life, which had one major disagreement that he corrected fairly quickly with the female lead so I’m surprised that he agreed to direct this with the storyline being so turbulent for 3/4 of the show.
I have made it to episode 29 and am so frustrated that I’m not even sure I can continue. For now I’m gonna go watch something a little happier and come back Maybe at a later date as I do want to find out what happens.
Regardless of a happy ending it’s still hard to stomach the constant sadness and the female leads lack of a backbone to stick with it. As soon as trouble comes, she wants to split the scene because she thinks it’s for his best and it’ll help him. How ridiculous! Even if I go back and finish it, I would not recommend this drama unless you have a strong set of nerves. I find I’m shouting at the screen more than I’m enjoying it. I usually take others reviews with a grain of salt, but I probably should’ve listened to this one on the reviews. Drama needs to be shorter and things could be wrapped up much quicker to avoid the audiences frustration thus maybe game better reviews.

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The most realistic and unrealistic drama I've ever watched

I am not someone who likes slowburn especially if each episode is 1.5 hrs long but this one wad good. The length did bother me at times cz it made me feel like I'm watching a Turkish drama and that's the reason I've given this a 9 rating.

Coming to the story, this is the 1st drama where literally all characters are good and they've shown everyone's love story including the parents. How work and money can effect a relationship, life and children etc.

I really cried a lot especially Baek Seok Ryu's story cz it was soo damn relatable. Her becoming a high achiever to not burden her parents, always being the giver, not having a dream, her job or education becoming her value and identity, parent's expectations from her, office politice etc. Literally i felt like i was looking at myself the only difference was that there were soo many people who cared about her. That's the reason i said it was realistic and unrealistic at the same time. I guess it does kinda give people hope although the reality is different.

What hurt me more was that Seok Ryu had to be diagnosed with cancer for her and for people to realize her worth. If they didn't know they'd probably take her lightly for life. Another thing was her fiancé, i really tried to hate him but.. i can't say its right person wrong time cz he was the right person and at the right time just not meant to be. I don't think the Sueng Hyo was any better than him, both were on the same level. He gave a whole year for her recovery but just when he thought things got better it got worse. It made sense he was frustrated and confused. He took care of her all alone for 3 years no friends or family and that's just not easy. No one could come out of that unscathed. I felt bad that till the end no matter how much seok ryu comforted him. He still believed it was his fault for not understanding her and for being logical and alwayd trying to pull her up. My heart broke for him.

I have finished the series and i felt it was beautiful. Not just the main couple even the side couple's stories were beautiful just that the episodes were too lengthy that it bothered me.

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So cozy from beginning to end (even with the tears!).

I can't recall why I started watching this show in the first week, as it's not typically something I'd choose, but I'm very happy I did because it's become a beloved show for relaxation. It was full of tender elements along with romantic ones.
The talking cats really captured my affection. It was integrated into the plot so smoothly, and thankfully, not at all cheesy.

I’m brand new to any of First and Khaotung’s shows, but it won’t be the last, I now need to watch everything they’ve been in. Their acting and chemistry was amazing. I could happily watch more episodes of Tiger and Lynx being happy in their cat-raising life. And Lynx being Tiger’s favorite cat is too adorable. All those slow blinks to each other and petting got my heart racing!

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I’ll miss Minato and Wataru.

This was the slowest of slow burn shows – but it’s what J-BL is best at and I’ve enjoyed waiting each week for the next installment. I can see it’s not to everyone’s tastes who like a faster pace plot or more NC’s and intense intimacy scenes (I love those things too, but I know to expect a different flow with a J-drama)
The layered narrative from school boys to adults felt very real and my heart was aching alongside sweet Minato as he waited for Wataru to catch up to his feelings. Thank god that slow boy got there in the end lol.
The last episode was thoroughly a joy. I could have watched 6 more episodes of the boys just being in their domestic happiness.

If you’re a fan of photography, then this show would be your wet dream.
Watch it for the gorgeous scenery.
Watch it for the slow-paced plot.
Watch it for the two great friends, their connection so evident in every scene.

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A Masterpiece of Modern Romance: Why "Boyfriend On Demand" is Essential Viewing

In the saturated landscape of romantic comedies, it is rare to find a series that balances high-concept fantasy with profound emotional realism. "Boyfriend On Demand" (월간남친), currently dominating the #1 spot on Netflix in 47 countries, achieves exactly that. While its premise—a subscription service for "customized" virtual boyfriends—initially promises lighthearted escapism, it quickly evolves into a poignant exploration of loneliness, desire, and the value of human connection in a digital age.

The undeniable heartbeat of this series is JISOO. Portraying the cynical yet vulnerable Mi-rae, JISOO delivers a transformative performance that should silence any lingering skeptics of her acting prowess. She carries the show with a "naturalism" that is rare for the genre, navigating the absurd humor of her "dates" and the quiet heartbreak of her personal life with remarkable nuance. Her ability to anchor the narrative while rotating through an elite roster of leading men—from the nostalgic chemistry with Seo Kang-joon to the intense, sophisticated tension with Seo In-guk—is a testament to her versatility. She doesn't just act alongside these titans; she leads them, proving her status as a definitive "Rom-Com Queen" of 2026.

Visually, the production is a feast. The cinematography captures a dreamlike, high-fashion version of Seoul that mirrors the "Pepti" app’s perfection, yet the direction never loses sight of the "messy" reality Mi-rae inhabits. The script is sharp, avoiding typical tropes in favor of witty dialogue and a self-aware critique of modern dating culture.

Ultimately, "Boyfriend On Demand" succeeds because it asks a hauntingly relevant question: Is a programmed happiness better than a painful reality? Supported by JISOO’s career-defining performance and a star-studded cast of "special boyfriends" who each bring a unique flavor to the story, this drama is more than just a global hit—it is a cultural touchstone. Whether you are a fan of JISOO or a lover of high-quality storytelling, this is a masterpiece that justifies every bit of its global acclaim. 10/10.

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I wouldn’t say I liked it, but I didn’t hate it either...

I wouldn’t say I liked it, but I didn’t hate it either - it comfortably sits in that one-time watch zone.

FirstKhaotung are, without a doubt, the strongest part of the series. Their chemistry is effortless, their expressions feel natural, and their dialogue delivery is always on point. You can see why they’re such a loved pair.

But here’s where it didn’t fully work for me - they shine so much more in intense, morally grey, bad-boy roles than in soft, fluffy ones. After watching them in Only Friends (and those NC scenes 🤤❤️), this softer dynamic just feels a little underwhelming in comparison. It’s not bad, it just doesn’t hit the same.

The storyline itself isn’t bad at all. It’s simple, sweet, and easy to follow. There’s no heavy angst, no big emotional rollercoaster, and no major twists - which can be comforting if you’re in the mood for something light. But at the same time, that lack of depth makes it feel a bit flat and forgettable.

Honestly, I feel like this was more of a casting mismatch than a story issue. The plot needed a pair that naturally fits the soft, cute vibe, while FirstKhaotung feel made for something darker, sharper, and more layered. With different casting or a more intense script, this could’ve been much more impactful.

If you’re a FirstKhaotung fan, you can give it a try for their chemistry alone. But if you’re expecting something gripping or emotionally strong, this might not fully satisfy.

I'm giving it 6/10 and yes, most of that is for FirstKhaotung’s chemistry 😻❣️

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The high score you see online is not a reflection of quality

This isn't just a bad show; it's a fascinatingly cynical product designed to extract views through aggressive marketing while ignoring every fundamental aspect of storytelling.
The makers, are trying so hard to make the FL glorious, heroine that she is doing everything and all males ( lead, sides) who are according to the story got trained to become general or Marquis are actually failing to do anything.

She is defeating the badass villain, flying between arrows, saving people, killing an old villain who is almost a terror, all by herself without a proper training. People are admiring her without reasons.
Zhang Linghe, as the male lead, delivers a performance so stiff it borders on performance art. He is meant to portray a marquis in hiding, but his interpretation of "hiding" seems to be "hiding any semblance of emotion." Whether he's supposed to be near death from cold or subtly threatened, his face remains a mask of vacant indifference. He simply stands there, beautiful but utterly inert.
The rest is many Chinese clichés tropes and non interesting side stories that don't resemble anything of Chinese history it looks rather a parody of Chinese culture than a real depiction .
I love C dramas I admit classics and masterpieces but the overhype this drama received is unprecedented and it should never be classified near the real Cdramas great works

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Puuurrrrrfect!

You can't go wrong with FirstKhaotung, these are two of the best actors Thailand has and their chemistry is amazing!!
They hardly kissed in this drama, but kissing is not a must for me.

The story was very simple but puuurrrrfect! This drama left me with a wholesome feeling. The last episode broke me a bit, but i don't mind. I can appreciate a good cry.
The fighting scene was done very well, in a lot of drama's the fighting scenes look too much choreographed.
The visuals were stunning and the music beautiful.
And the whole cast did a great job!

A real must see!

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