Reviews

A deeply layered romance

I went into this knowing an emotional roller coaster would be waiting for me. The writing, acting, soundtrack and production delivering it up masterfully. The ML’s puppy dog demeanour chasing his idealistic love is endearing and irresistible from Wang Kai Mu. The FL’s story arc carries you forward wanting fairness for her in all areas of life. The dialogue is precise in laying out her circumstances and situations presenting her as a social commentary. An ordinary person with coworkers, friends, family, health, employment and social systems all suppressing , using, betraying and invalidating her. Even having a loving relationship is pressuring to her needing to be protective, caring and not allowing his goodness to be tarnished. This has no villain or villainess taking extreme actions instead people surrounding the FL being self serving and uncaring of the FL as a person. Soundtrack matches the moods without being overpowering. The rewatch value is high as this is a great romantic tear worthy drama.

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Jun Ho and Min Ha bring their A games— stellar performances and a brilliantly written story!

Typhoon Family is one of the best slice-of-life K-dramas I’ve watched in a long time, and it’s criminally underrated. Set during Korea’s 1997 IMF crisis, the drama follows the collapse of a small trading company and the people who stubbornly refuse to abandon it — not out of obligation, but loyalty.

Kang Tae-poong, the son of the company’s founder, starts off as a drifting rich kid with no direction in life. But when his father dies under the pressure of debt and economic ruin, Tae-poong loses everything overnight and joins the struggling company as an employee. What makes this show special is that Tae-poong isn’t your typical chaebol lead — he’s kind, emotionally open, and a walking green flag. He listens, learns, and earns the respect of the remaining employees rather than demanding it.

The heart of the story lies with the “Typhoon Family” — five employees who stay behind despite freezing winters and empty kitchens. Among them, Oh Mi-seon stands out as a quietly brilliant, deeply resilient woman who has been consistently underestimated. She isn’t a flashy “girl boss,” but her competence, sincerity, and strength make her one of the most compelling female leads I’ve seen in years.

The romance between Tae-poong and Mi-seon is warm, natural, and beautifully written. Despite their different backgrounds, the relationship never feels uncomfortable or forced. Their chemistry is effortless, tender, and incredibly satisfying.

The supporting cast is excellent, Tae-poong’s mother is refreshingly kind and dignified, and the 1997 setting is brought to life through thoughtful production design and cinematography.

If I had one complaint, it’s that the villains overstay their welcome and the final stretch could’ve given us more uninterrupted happiness. Still, Typhoon Family is heartfelt, emotional, and deeply human.

Rating: 10/10. Absolute must-watch.

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Favorite Vertical

Wow! I have watched a LOT of vertical dramas, and this one blew most of them away. I've seen others w/similar story lines, but this has been the best of them by far. Not only was the cast top tier (I will always love me a Shen Hao Nan drama), but the cinematography was on par with some full length dramas I've seen. There were sone truly breathtaking scenes.

Spoilers in coming!

The twist that not only our Empress was reborn, but TWO love interests were as well?? Yea, I really liked that. My only complaint, I really wish she was able to keep both 🤭 Though, only keeping the gorgeous general Ning isn't a bad thing 😏

This started off really dark, but the humor of the consort contest and the absolute greenist of teas acting of our general balanced it out really well. His antics had me giggling and kicking my feet. The slo-mo pillow fight between our combating consorts?! Yea, that had me laughing so hard 🤣

This was such a fun watch, and one I'll definitely revist.

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Sometimes it's not de show, but the time you are watching it

I started watching this next year when it premiered, and I was not in the mental headspace to watch it, so I dropped it.

Something made me revisit this title exactly a year later and I couldn't stop watching.

This is so beautifully shot, you cannot move your eyes from your screen.

The acting, superb. I can see why Choi Woo-shik and Park Bo-Young are so succesful in their careers and why they chose this project, it gave them great material to work with.

This hits hard, especially for me the second couple and the brother's storyline broke my heart.

It is indeed a melodrama, but it feels so real and raw while being so beautiful. It was very sad, but also very healing.

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everything is great except the ending

I was a HUGE fan of this drama for two reasons: the FL lead is super unconventional and the relationship dynamic is so addicting. Normally, I hateeee time travel/alternate universe plots, but the modern-day FL literally escapes the drone of capitalist society by accidentally transmigrating to an ancient cultivation world. Her mind and memories are still intact, though, so her commentary throughout this process is HILARIOUS. Literally all the FL wants is a vacation. She isn't here for the drama or the theatrics, she literally just wants to eat good food and get good rest.

I did start to waver a TEENY BIT around episode 19/20 because of the plot twist that determined the last 13 episodes. It definitely was still interesting and entertaining, but I was not as big of a fan as I was in the beginning. It's a classic case of starting really strong and setting the bar too high, only to struggle to keep up the momentum by the end. I still liked the second half of the drama, just not as much as I liked the first half.

The relationship dynamic is great. The FL is sunny and witty, while the ML is a bit nonchalant (at first). When they start to fall for each other, its soooo satisfying to see their personalities change to compliment one another. I love how obsessed they become with each other too—emotionally and PHYSICALLY.

I didn't like the ending. I don't have much else to say without spoiling. I just didn't like it.

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Why did they waste such a good character (Wu Xin)?

To start, I have not read Shao Nian Ge Xing the novel or series (not sure what it is). I don’t know if the original story misses out on what could have been with Wu Xin or not. Either way, the screen writer or the original author missed out here.

This would have been a perfect drama if the character of Wu Xin was on screen more than he was.

Characters:
The Blood of Youth is wuxia show with an ensemble cast of interesting characters. It all starts out with Xiao Se meeting Lei Wu Jie and setting off on a journey. I believe that the goal of this drama is to take Xiao Se (played by Li Hong Yi) on a road to redemption. After several episodes, Xiao Se, Lei Wu Jie (portrayed by Ao Rui Peng), and Wu Xin (well done Liu Xue Yi) develop a strong friendship.

Sikong Qian Luo (Lin Bo Yang), Ye Ruo Yi (Flora Dai), and Tang Lian (Li Xin Ze) all come in and out of episodes like ships passing in the night. Don’t get me wrong, I like all the interesting characters that ebb and flow in this drama. It keeps things lively.
Wu Xin was the best character of all, full of inconsistencies and fun. Liu Xue Yi did an amazing job portraying such a likeable character who could have been obnoxious or too understated. I wanted him on the screen……as much as possible.

Sadly, by episode 7, Wu Xin leaves and doesn’t comeback for anything meaningful until the wrap up of story lines towards the end of the 40 episodes.

Why???

The dichotomy and chemistry between Wu Xin, Xiao Se, and Lei Wu Jie are amazing. Why couldn’t that keep going? Why did they just trot him out to fix things in the middle and then provide the answers at the end?

This drama would have been so much better if the relationship between these three had been explored more in depth.

A special shout out to some of my favorite characters: Luo Ming Xuan (Zhao Wen Hao) played the phenom who was in love with his shifu. Wu Shuang (Dong Li Wu You) cocky kid who could use a sword and had integrity, Hua Jin (Ai Mi) doctor extraordinaire, and Mu Chun Feng (Hu Wei) rich kid and intellectual with a sunny attitude.

Story:
The story of this drama mainly revolves around Xiao Se and his quest for redemption. His ending was spot on and could have really been bungled, same with Lei Wu Jie. To avoid spoilers, I’ll just say that Xiao Se had the most to lose in this drama, but Lei Wu Jie, Sikong Qian Luo, and Ye Ruo Yi remained steadfast in their support of him. I loved that his friends NEVER wavered.

The friendships developed in this drama are what kept me watching until episode 40. The romance was non-existent but the friendships…….top notch.

Music:
The music did not detract from the show, but it wasn’t as fun as A Dream within a Dream or timeless as Love Between Fairy and Devil. Would I purchase any of the songs…….NOPE. Production spent their money on sets, costumes, and enough actors to populate a small village, not the music.

Overall:
I plan to rewatch much of this, especially the parts with WuXian, because he was the best character by far. My lower rating stems from how much he was underutilized. His character should have been written out or written in instead of this strange on-the-fence type of situation…….I’m so frustrated.

If you’re looking for a good drama about friendship, this is exactly the one you want to watch, but don’t get attached to Wu Xin. You’ll be pissed off like I am.

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Perfect if they tuned down the sadness a little bit

I knew this was a melodrama before I started it, yet I wished they lighten up a little bit.

It needn't be this sad, and not in the bawling your eyes out way, but the too unnecessary drama type.
Like the last 2 episodes were too heavy and even with happy end you'll feel bitter.

The Ex-girlfriend is the bitchest bitch I've ever seen in any drama, recently at least... She is the worst of the worst, I believe this character has a specific place in the deepest point in hell.
Good god I wanted to slap her so much, and this idiot if a FL was so nice, like, mate... Can you just release your freaking inner demon or something and throw something solid at her!!

I feel aggrieved for the FL because of this bitch, the freaking audacity... That's the main reason I'll never rewatch this drama, I don't want to see her.

Aside from that I loved it, the characters were not the best, I loved the ML the most and I mean DoHyun, since there are many leads, the brother is annoying and immature, the father is the one I feel sorry for the most, the FL was too complicated, her BFF /colleague is also annoying, I didn't like her on some scenes, specially in the beginning.

So mostly the characters were not the best, but I have to admit the flawed characters made the story better, they are humans and actually I'd take that over a fairytale-like characters.

That been said I don't thing it was a great masterpiece, but a nice watch maybe if you are into sad family dramas you can give it a try.

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The leads ruined it for me

Things I loved

1 That it was related to Hidden Love that I adored and I thought I knew the character of the ML since I had adored him as well in Hidden Love. So I was excited to watch this.

Things I liked

1 That she was a journalist. My favorite job in the world. Unfortunately she never convinced me that she was a good one.

2 The parallel between present and past. When it's well done it's great and I've seen other dramas where I adored that. Here there were some good scenes in the past and the resent but all in all nothing to make me care.

Things I disliked

1 The second couple. It's funny that both actresses, the FL and the 2FL are in the list of those I won't watch any drama with her anymore. I think they're no great and every time I try to watch them they come out as too childish or too flat.

2 The ML. I won't say I hated him, but honestly after watching his role in Hidden Love played by another actor and loved him, here he felt lifeless. I can't comment of how he was written in the novel, but it would be surprising if the novelist created two so much different versions of him. in Hidden Love he was one of my favorite characters other than the leads. Here he tried too hard to play the brooding hero but in the and he wasn't convincing. To be honest I don't think I'd watch the actor in anything else since he doesn't appeal to me and seems like an adolescent and I can't see him in any thing adult. Unfortunately I don't find him a great actor either.

3 The FL. This was my last attempt to watch something with her. She isn't a good actress, it's now established. She is flat and bland and doesn't steer any emotion when she recites her lines. Is she pretty? Probably for many people. I don't like her acting so i don't find her attractive either. It happens when you dislike the acting of an actor to find them unappealing and the opposite is also true. I don't find some actors handsome but when they act I suddenly find them gorgeous. To make things short, the casting was wrong if you ask me. This is nowhere near the masterpiece that is Hidden Love. Humor, emotions, romance are on the highest level. Here there's nothing to keep. Maybe a scene here and there, but that's all.

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the most wholesome show ever

I’m so glad a friend forced me to watch this. big fan now. And please how do I find an Izaya in my life?

it was really wholesome to see them navigate this stage together and hear their perspectives and different experiences coming out and everything. I love how each one grew as a human regardless or romance or whatever and you can tell they all became pretty much a small family by the end.

Theo ly thing is that I wish the panelists would be sort of more involved in commentary here and there.

I think each episode showed a different side of them and by the end you sort of feel like part of their group too. I think I’ll be rooting for each of them u til the end.

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Could've been one of the best series ever

*minor spoilers*
It is definitely one of the best OffGun series in my opinion, but some aspects of it, as well as the ending, made it worse for me.

Where to watch: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLszepnkojZI5PgAzQZcE8fQdOVzJZgicx

Things I Liked:
1. They did a good job portraying a real-life problem with the AI.
2. Great acting from everyone. I really want to see Dew more in similar roles in the future as well as Off. They did an amazing job.
3. I love the chemistry between all of the main characters. Watching them feels like I'm in a whole chemistry lab.
4. Koh is a freaking megamind. He is always two steps ahead of everybody. I loved his character for the most part.
5. ("I can't live without you." "Well, I can.") Jira finally standing up for himself—that has to be the best thing he's done.
6. I fell in love with the style of this series. Everything was so beautiful!

Things I disliked:
1. They moved from absolute hate to "move in with me" in less than 2 episodes. A bit too quick in my opinion, 1-2 more episodes would be perfect.
2. No matter how much I disliked Pheem for several reasons, I still would accept the Pheem and Jira ending 10 times out of 10 rather than the Koh and Jira.
3. While watching 10th episode, I was hoping so hard for an ending where Jira end's up with either Pheem or, even better, alone because after everything, I really didn't want to see Koh ever again
4. A classic "timeskip fixes everything." They didn't show us a single thing to prove that Koh truly changed for the best or at least did something to get closer to that. There is no way these characters would be able to stay together in any type of healthy or sane relationship without doing anything to become better.

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this season goes to the panelists ?

I think this season was amazing, far better than previous ones. I loved the challenges and you could tell that they allowed everyone to be more honest and direct.

I can also tell that Mina was obviously exploited as a way to keep users engaged somehow. Andyes she was the “villain” but also girl common…

all the couples that came out of this season are super cute and I do wish them the best. still we need justice for my girl Mingee she deserves better and for Igeon, thank god for the reunion is all I can say.

but tbh this season was for the panelists. they did NOT hold back with their responses and their reactions. I will never get over the “evil spirit is moving” line. I totally lost it HAHAHA. I know eventually they had to issue an apology (not needed tbh) but I hope they get to keep this level of unhinged response going forward because it was pure gold.

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Just as good as the Korean movie version

Disclaimer

What I am writing here are my views and thoughts about this series. Some of you may not like it. That does not give you the right to try to come at me with your opinions on why this series should get a higher or lower score and why it is better/worse than I think it is. You have your own opinions, and I have mine. Kindly respect that.

You guys don't know- I have been looking for the Japanese series version to the Korean movie 'Midnight Runners' for a very long time as I totally adore the movie with all of my heart. And sometimes a new version of something that one holds dear can either be a hit or a miss. This series was definately a hit with me. I saw it on an illegal site in I think the year 2024, but when i went to see if I could watch it last year, the series was just...gone. So, I don't know why, but I looked for it recently and found all of the episodes on another site. And I was so grateful- because the Japanese did an excellent job in retelling the movie (with some parts of it in episode 1 and the whole storyline in episodes 2 and 3) as well as exploring new cases in the remaining seven episodes.

And what can I say? I utterly loved it. It introduced us to more police academy cadets as well as it gave us more chacrter development on the two male leads. The series was not only funny, it was emotional and also the bromance was so well done just as how it was in the movie. This was a quick, enjoyable watch for me as I finished all episodes in one sitting on one day . I honestly believe that more people should definatley watch this series.

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