Reviews

An action film pack with a gigantic punches and angst!

Spoiler!!!!

First, I am so mad about the schedule release because I cannot wait for it! This is a great action film; this is how you shoot a thrilling action film. The plot, the relationship dynamics of Jeong Jinman and Jeong Jian, the cast, the women in this film- wow! Women in this film are evil, cold, and manipulative. And, yes, including Jian, she just doesn't want to admit it. The men, too, I like the no-nonsense vibe. I wanted to punch every villain in this drama. They did a good job, Bale, J, Q and that madwoman Kusanagi Jin, such a powerful player, cold, manipulative, liar, and evil personified. I thought I hated Bale but this woman takes the cake, hands down! And, for So Min Hye, don't ever die, please team up with Q at the end in pulverizing that mad woman Kusanagi Jin!

I just finished episode 4 and I almost hollered since I have to wait for the next release! The way Jian called for his uncle at the end of this great ep 4, pure cinema! The action scenes keep me on edge! It was so realistic that I feel like I am in there, being kicked, being shot at, being punched! Kim Hye Jun is phenomenal! She really embodied the character's pain, nonchalance, fear of being part of her uncle's world, but also cannot deny that she is more comfortable being at the center of it, and being the lion (1st season) that she is, calm in the midst of an assault but still an apex predator! I really like that analogy in S1. And don't get me started on Lee Dong Wook, such a phenomenal actor as well, he made this film so intense. The way his dynamics with Jian are spot on- being mercenary, being powerfully calm, being manipulative too and full of tricks. His fighting scenes- great, wonderfully done. I like the realistic approach that he can bleed, get hurt, and get overpowered from time to time, especially in his fight with Bale. Bale the character is unhinged, good thing he is out og the picture! The flashbacks on how he gets to be this powerful, although done in sequence so that it really blends with the present, didn't do him justice! But all the friends and allies that he acquired are also great, they provided great support to the main characters and owned theirs! So Min Hye, I like her action sequences; it was so believable that you would think she does this as her primary job! I also like Q, I know she is also badass, looking forward to her fighting scenes!

I ranted this long because it's been a long time since I got to watch an action film with no supernatural power, done in present times this well! Plus, there are no dragging scenes! Hope this good storytelling and action sequences would keep up until the ending. Can't wait for the next 2 episodes!

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Started off so good but gradually lost that hype

The opening and first episodes of this drama really got me so hooked. It was so engageable in the first few episodes. But gradually, I don't know how to explain this, but the direction of storyline kind of changed and it somewhat became draggy and lost sense, I mean even in a fantasy drama, there should be some sense right?

But it was indeed engageable to watch when they were in that fantasy world and inside the game. There are points that you will feel as boring and have no sense, but you will also find thrilling and enjoyable parts. That's why I'm having mixed feelings about this drama. And also this is one of the few dramas of this theme and I have to say among those dramas this should be included to the "Best" list.

So, if you are into dramas like this and haven't watched this, I think you might want to give this a try. Just don't expect it to be so good like as it is in the beginning.

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This had me actively binge-watching! Thank God I watched it after it aired; otherwise, my impatient heart could never. ;55

I totally, totally loved the 'son of the victim' and 'son of the killer' trope! And the chemistry?? DAYUMN! Their chemistry is peak and unwavering.

Is it just me who adores Tae-Seon's eyes in particular? I feel like they have their own magnetic charm. ><

Although Tae-Seon was a prick at the beginning, and despite the rushed pacing and hasty portrayal of the case scenes, I was still able to enjoy this show because it had such amazing actors. They made the show thoroughly engaging, and their visuals are very captivating.

I must note how the show highlighted the way our loved ones' actions impact our lives and further shape our future. It offered brilliant insights into such a delicate theme.

Having Tae-Seon eventually realize—and let Lee Chae-Ha know—that his father's actions don't define him and that he deserves love and happiness was so reassuring to watch.

It's been a while since I vibed with a KBL like this!

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Acting is great, story was great, but things are starting to fall off in season 2....

What I liked:
1. Definitely the acting. These actors did a good job of selling me on their roles, and making me feel genuine empathy for the characters.
2. The story for me in the first season of the show was unmatched. At the end of every episode I was hyped to learn more about the characters and what made this system to be. Which brings me to what I started to dislike in season 2:

1. I hate that they killed off the Woojin guy so soon. Like why? She shouts Jeong Jinman at the sky 3 times and every thing is fixed, little miss girl, why didn't you do that beforehand??? Is the moral of the show that Jian has to be depressed for the rest of her life or something??? Why are you trying to make me cry every two seconds guys?? It's not going to work I'm sorry, this is just pissing me off at this point.

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The perks of an arranged marriage and a green-flag, lovely father make this a good series!

The perks of an arranged marriage and a green-flag, lovely father make this a good series!

This show has incredible dynamics that are clearly illustrated. Khem is the shiny, energetic "husband," while Rin is the cold, distant, shy, and timid wife who tries to play hard-to-get. Watching them navigate their relationship was so soothing; their playful foreplay and the chemistry are completely captivating as their energy is everywhere.

Rin's character progression and overall growth—as she flies from her "ex-life" into her "wife role"—is especially beautiful. Her sad, messy past is no joke; it is difficult to forget or forgive, making her afraid of building a new life and trusting in love and herself for a relation again.
On the other hand, Khem is a witty charmer. Despite having her own sufferings, she is full of joy for her wife. ><

However, the storyline fell short. It was too jumpy, rushed, and felt overly minimized. Even the heavy intimate scenes, which were supposed to be a highlight, sadly failed to spark. While the main characters' daily conversations carry a cool vibe in most of the episodes, the show felt like it lacks a solid plot outside of that.

On a side note, Rin's father completely stole the show. He might be the first GL series father I have ever loved! Khem, too, is an absolute husband material. XOX

Quotes:

"If you try letting go of your past, you'll see that I've always been by your side."

"If my wife's in pain, then so am I."

"I like it, though. I like it when you moan. I like it when you tremble under me. I also like it when you feel so good that you can't look at me."

"I was scared yet she was always there. Then, one day i finally realized what true love means. Love is not about giving but also receiving. It means allowing yourself to have feelings and be willing to love someone without fearing that it will come to an end. I never knew when I started falling for her. Now I believe wholeheartedly that love is real because it makes me want to spend rest of my life with her.

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How do you let reuters make your own drama better than yourself, director?

Overdo was one of my most anticipated dramas of 2026. The millions of leaks from videos to photos made me more excited, and that pairing? everything. Quite a surprise to find out the production team used AI and the bad directing and editing, etc.

It's my first republican drama and I know it's supposed to have a messy plot that is filled with drama and betrayal, but it doesn't really create any sense of that. I agree with others; this really does feel like a short drama with the lighting, editing, etc.

Im on episode 12, I think, and it's just hard to get into. I think the drama tries to evoke an emotion in viewers by making the story have a big dramatic effect, which makes the scene overdramatic instead. The editing honestly makes me feel like im watching a reality TV show instead lol. Sometimes certain scenes come off rather sarcastic as well.

Not to mention that this drama had billions of leaks during its shooting last year and it felt like I watched the whole drama lol, tho it did kill some of the excitement.

It's a shame that the production wasted such leads on a very badly executed story, and for those saying "it's a republican drama what do you expect?" it doesn't excuse the bad execution.

The styling is definitely very pretty; WCR looks stunning in each episode, and ZLH looks dashing. Besides beautiful visuals, the story doesn't offer much as of right now. I do hope ZLH and WCR get reunited for a new drama tho in the future.

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"Wonderful everyday moments"

"Bakebake" is my 39th asadora watched. I've been highly anticipating this asadora since it was announced due to my love for "Massan" which has a similar cross cultural romance. In my anticipation, I decided to read a biography on Lafcadio Hearn (renamed Lefkada Heavin for this asadora) titled "The Outsider: The Life and Work of Lafcadio Hearn." This way I was able to relive my first asadora experience with "Hanako to Anne," for which I read the biography on which it was based. Of course, "Bakebake" is more based on the life of Lafcadio's wife Koizumi Setsuko (renamed Matsuno Toki) so I consider the biography to be background reading since a majority of it focuses on Lafcadio's life before Japan.

As an asadora, "Bakebake" is unique in many aspects. Firstly, it is set roughly from 1875 to 1905. Very few asadoras are set entirely pre-WWII. [The majority of the storyline also takes place in 1890-91.] Secondly, "Bakebake" is able to maintain a light-hearted vibe despite also dealing with heavy topics like poverty, death, and sickness. Sad episodes are often punctuated with a joke or two, causing me to laugh through my tears. Thirdly, the asadora is more of a slice of life story in the same vein as "Hiyokko." Simple day to day life and the residents of Matsue are given the focus instead of a goal/career like in other asadoras.

"Bakebake" is also what I call a "couple asadora," meaning that it focuses on a couple as the leads. Though this isn't unique, it's been since 2014's "Massan" that a non-Japanese person was the co-lead. And really we were truly blessed with Toki (Takaishi Akari) and Heavin-san (Tommy Bastow). Their easygoing chemistry makes for one of the best asadora couples put to screen. Personally I'd put "Bakebake" slightly above the other best couple asadoras, "Massan" and "Yell," while also having the romance on par with my favorite in "Asa ga Kita." Toki and Heavin's romance is the ultimate slow burn romance full of anticipation and sweet, heartwarming moments. Several moments made my heart flutter.

Toki is an endearing heroine because of her loyalty towards her family and her love for ghost stories. Unlike other heroines, she is not pursuing a career instead being motivated to work to pay off her family's debt. Despite her circumstances, Toki finds the joy in little things like eating dinner with her family or sleep paralysis(?). It's truly a joy to just watch Toki smile. As for Heavin, Tommy Bastow plays him wonderfully but I feel the writers do him a disservice. I wish the story had shown more of Heavin before Japan instead of just the brief snippets. His personality and motivations could've been explained and fleshed out more. (Fun fact: Lafcadio's volatile personality is heavily sanitized for this asadora.) I wanted more scenes like the ones with the maid Ume (Nouchi Maru), in which he was insistent on going to the eye doctor since he was self-conscious of his.

A few more grips with the story. I feel like the flashback with his first wife, Martha (Meisha Brooks), could've been handled differently. Something about it didn't set well with me. Also, I was highly disappointed with the character of Eliza Belsland, played by my beloved Charlotte Kate Fox from "Massan." I wasn't a fan of her dialogue most of the time nor that she was in love with Heavin. However, the clincher was her yelling at Toki in the final episodes. It was completely unnecessary. For those curious, Eliza was based on Lafcadio's real-life friend journalist Elizabeth Bisland, whom doesn't appear to have had any romantic feelings towards him.

Now for the section where I praise all of the side characters. My personal favorite was Sawa (Marui Wan), Toki's best friend whom wants to lift her family out of poverty on her own. Her romance with Shoda (Hama Shogo) was sweet. Nami (Sato Honami), a prostitute in the red light district, also had a cute friendship with Toki and Sawa. As for Toki's family, they're all lovable even Toki's father Tsukasanosuke (Okabe Takashi) and grandfather Kaneimon (Kohinata Fumiyo) who cause her troubles while they hold on to a bygone way of life. Kitagawa Keiko plays Toki's aunt/birth mother Ushimizu Tae with an understated gracefulness. Lastly, I can't move on from this section without mentioning Nishikori-san (Yoshizawa Ryo), the unofficial third main character for much of the story. Yoshizawa is truly a great actor because his characters always leave a lasting impact. I still remember him so clearly as Tenyo in "Natsuzora."

Lafcadio's best known book "Kwaidan" was written shortly before he died, a fact I had forgotten as I waited in anticipation for it to be covered. The homage paid to the book was very much worth it. I particularly loved the reference to "Hoichi the Earless." I'd highly recommend watching the 1964 film "Kwaidan" if you're curious about Lafcadio's stories.

In the last episode of the asadora, Toki's mother Fumi (Ikewaki Chizuru) uses this phrase "Simple truly simple, wonderful everyday moments" while talking about Toki and Heavin's life together. For me, this phrase perfectly encapsulates this asadora. It is made up entirely of the simple moments in life that make it worth living. I'll miss "Bakebake" so much though I'll continue to hold it in my heart.

My Asadora Ranking: https://mydramalist.com/list/LAlqpp21

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