Completed
Where Your Eyes Linger
0 people found this review helpful
1 day ago
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 4.5

Good to see the first Korean BL, but not the best by far

Another review said it perfectly: as the "first" Korean BL the short runtime and few number of episodes makes it clear that this show was really to test the waters for the fans.

Good news is that the episodes are mostly 11-12 minutes, so the show is super binge-able. The story is incredibly fanfic-y, which you will either love or hate, but I really did enjoy the premise and the story for the first half of the show. I actually thought Han Gi Chan's acting was better than Eui Soo's, which surprised me. Personally, I also loved the character of a yappy brat that teases Gook, but I know other reviewers disagree and found Gi Chan's character manipulative and annoying!

My main complaint is that the ending seems SO unnecessarily dramatic and does a disservice to the first half. I think they could've ended it with the same "happy" ending feeling without ridiculous angst and drama that came out of nowhere with absolutely no build up. Also, I think the production was not super polished in terms of make-up and things of that sort (who decided to make Eui Soo wear colored contacts??), and the actors definitely feel too old to be playing high schoolers, and should probably be playing college students. Lastly, the acting chemistry between the couple was pretty good (not great), but the kiss was SO bland compared to what Korean BL shows are doing nowadays, that it seems like they really didn't want to do it, which is a shame.

Overall, it's definitely not the best BL show (or even Korean BL show) that I've seen, but I do have to give it a lot of respect as the "first" that paved the way for all the ones that have aired since!

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Completed
The Impossible Heir
2 people found this review helpful
by ross
1 day ago
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.5
This review may contain spoilers

the queen of the stiff face

I was so excited about this drama, especially about Lee Jae Wok because I love how he acts but I ended up very disappointed in the story in general and especially the performance of the main actress.
Her gestures and emotions were at 0% at all times, even the bathtub scene where she almost drowned, her terror or fear was not even felt, that's how bad she is. I was expecting more from this but I had to leave it because I can't stand to see it to the end, I guess it's not the story for me.........
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Completed
Cunning Single Lady
1 people found this review helpful
by RSB
1 day ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 10

Fantastic character development in a meaningful workplace romcom

Cunning Single Lady has its issues, and watching it now does make some of the storylines feel dated. BUT overall it’s a really great show with some of the best character writing in kdramas.

The lead actors do a fantastic job portraying the rocky relationship between the ML and the FL, and the ending really feels satisfying given all the struggles they go through to get there. Plus, both actors have impeccable comedic timing, leading to many laugh-out-loud moments.

I would recommend this drama to anyone looking for a romcom with some more mature leads and deeper storylines relatable to older viewers.

Tropes:
Workplace romance
CEO ML to working-class FL
Enemies to lovers
Pre-established relationship; leads start out divorced
ML falls first
Double love triangle with scheming second leads

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Ongoing 4/6
Blank
0 people found this review helpful
1 day ago
4 of 6 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10

Love without boundaries

I really like the story and I also understand the development of the characters. Amazing story overall besides Gap the series
Since many Asian GL series focused on young love, I am really looking forward to a more mature story line and real life problems in the society.
Many lesbian couples also have an age gap and come forward with understanding each other.
I also share a 10 year age gap with my female lover and she is the opposite of me. Being both women it doesn’t feel weird with the age gap. On the contrary she shows more understanding and life lessons with me, which Blank the series also captures. The main actresses are lovely and verg bubbly and so fitting as I have imagined while reading the novel before I watched the series.

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Completed
The Middleman's Love: Uncut
0 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.5

Tutor and Yim both sooo cute!

I really enjoyed this. The actors all got along well and did a good job. I suspect the director didn’t really control some of the cringy scenes- some could have been done better. I am hoping Tutor and Yom can do more dramas together. I’d like to see Yim get to be more himself- they seem to want him to be comic relief, which is ok, but not so much yelling. Thai dramas do tend to feature this. …………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….:…………………………..

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Completed
King the Land
0 people found this review helpful
by ivybis
2 days ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 7.0

One of the better Rom-Coms

I was fresh from watching The Red Sleeve and needed something funny after that and My Dearest. I was also so impressed by Lee Jun Ho and needed to see him in something else, so I picked up King the Land. This rom-com was light-hearted and funny and I liked Jun Ho's performance as, Gu Won, the debonair chaebol with the heart of gold. When he meets a lovely staff member taking care of business in his hotel room, sparks fly even though they claim to dislike each other.

The show is rife with silly moments, sound bites for gulping and eye batting, and over-the-top performances by Ahn Se Ha, Gu Won's trusty sidekick. While this can get old real quick, it manages to stay fun. The secondary main leads don't overtake the main leads and still manage to pull off an interesting to watch love story. I even like that there is a big age difference between the two, which is never an issue between the two. I found myself rooting for them.

There were some cliches that would have been better left out, but the bigger disappointment was the rushed wrap up of the drama and the use of the redemption arc for the villains. Personally, I like to see villains get their just desserts, so the writing choices left me feeling a bit cheated there. Definitely, the best part was the romance between our main leads. The kisses were smoking hot! Lee Jun Ho is incredibly attractive and talented. I am looking forward to seeing him in more dramas.

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Completed
Flex X Cop
1 people found this review helpful
by Lee
2 days ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.5

A lightweight thriller+action drama

If you are looking for a thriller but with less messy/bloody scence but with a touch of humour than go for it.

Particularly, It isn't a thriller drama but for a beginner it is a good option.......Even if you are not a beginner and want relief from mind boggling investigation ,mysterious plot and anxiety you can consider watching it.

The drama is lightweighted with a touch of mystery, action, thrill and comedy...........may get vibe of Batman or rich man getting in trouble on purpose for fun because why not.

You don't have to rack your mind as the story unfolds all your doubts will be solved.

Yes, it is a good watch.

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Completed
Snow Eagle Lord
1 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 4.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers

Story is a real mess

I only watched this for Xu Kai and the trailer looked ok, but this series was disappointing to say the least. The story had so many issues...... with so many stupid and unintelligent characters and stupid/unintelligent decisions by Council members, Masters/Teachers, etcetera. Way to many episodes which were filled with unnecessary re-runs of certain Arcs (just in a different way). CGI was also bad - expected better than this for a 2023 production.

********SPOILER ALERT********

The story was all over the place, inconsistencies and contradicting at times with so many plot holes and issues. So many stupid and unintelligent characters and stupid/unintelligent decisions by Council members, Masters/Teachers, etcetera. Script writer and Producer really made a mess of the novel in my opinion.

There are actually too many issues to discuss so I'm just mentioning one that frustrated me the most. Some of the characters, specifically Ji Rong was basically forgiven for all her wrong doings, nobody truly suspected her of any wrong doing, both the uncles, Zong and Tang which were 'commanders' , or people around her didn't question any of her actions (can forgive Qingshi as he was in love with her and didn't want to believe she's bad), all other characters around her were portrayed as 'dumb or blind' to everything she did wrong, causing numerous deaths. Her death was not specifically shown in the the last encounter with QingShi but assume she died.

The acting of main leads were the best they could do with the script they had to work with. Some of the supporting actors didn't do that well, to mention a few Tong San played by Tong Hu, Zong Ling played by Zhou Zhong and Moyang Chen played by Geng Lee.

Production and Visual FX were ok but not great.

Sound effects: the sound the spear made when used by Xue Ying was too loud and distracting at times. Demon King voice sounded like a crazed cat or rat and was super annoying.

Sound tracks were great.

Rewatch value : Definitely won't rewatch.

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Dropped 4/16
Nothing Uncovered
1 people found this review helpful
by oppa_
2 days ago
4 of 16 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 1.0
Story 1.5
Acting/Cast 2.5
Music 2.5
Rewatch Value 3.5

I just say this same drama with Jang Na ra as lead

Same drama same story
working woman left her lonely husband to find love and then blame him for finding love
while she never ever loved her husband but demanded complete loyalty while she herself had another man in her heart, who never left.
here we have a jerk cop who try to frame anyone he find but not FL when she is even caught he give her chance and told his minion to take care of her, is he a cop or MLs servant
how this cheap drama can only cast two police officer, one even without brain or tongue
Garbage try to copy Jang na ra drama as fast as they can, they casted 3 different people who live in three different worlds
Cop is just desperate to frame husband and take his ex girlfriend because he know she cant live alone,
she is fake independent woman who need a man, why this woman cant kick there cheating husband without finding a man to depend on,
FL manipulate crime scene buts its okey her lover is cop
she is prime suspect but lets call her something else......
No one gone Question that cop drunk with lust what he is doing because they got just two cop,

both cop were investigating case not to caught the killer but main focus was how ML can get FL safely into his bed
they need to protect FL so mL can have her
TO those who going to come and defend this garbage i hope you meet a cop that is desperate to screw your wife......

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Ongoing 4/6
Koi wo Suru nara Nidome ga Joto
1 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
4 of 6 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0

White hot chemistry and love scenes that treat us all like adults

It's rare to feel like rewatching in the same week; this drama had me feeling the urge to replay the very same day. I also strongly resisted skipping ahead to enjoy the naughty bits, which (keeping it clean here) "strongly resemble genuine intimate relations". Here, the white hot chemistry creates credible love scenes that exude intense sensuality and passion. It's always refreshing to enjoy a Japanese series about adult romance, that doesn't treat us like we're ten years old!
This fascinating drama has psychological depth - we see both leads unravel each other's outer layers like an onion skin — leading viewers to wonder: is this mutual manipulation, slow seduction, or perhaps even revenge? The anticipation of discovering the truth adds to the excitement. There's also a fantastic support character played to perfection by Takamatsu Aloha, with razor sharp campy queen one liners and just the right blend of Japanese style symbolism throughout (the pursuer devouring a redundant wedding cake, matching yakuta gowns, etc), a dash of gay guilt melodrama, and several amusing moments: this series is a delightful ride. How do they fit all that into 25 minutes? Amazing. Accomplished screenwriters Watatane Aya and Yasukawu Yuke have delivered quality in this series.
The drama opens with a beautifully edited sequence that showcases both MLs and their junior counterparts, and high energy open and closing tunes and an excellent gently romantic musical score across the show (the music is a bit loud in places over the dialogue, but perhaps that will fixed next season). Each episode closes to Ayumu Imazu's thumping dance track "Bandage", a toe tapper that is perfectly suited to the confusion and energy of the show. This reviewer added several tunes to the Shazam and Spotty along the way, hopefully the score is soon available also.
Both leads, Furuya Robin and Hasegawa Makoto, play the playful eagle and confused prey roles to perfection.
There's decent pace and modern outlook on the classic fears of returning to old love: worrying it won't work out, trying to avoid it becoming a mere fling and striving to avoid regret. There are several shows atm about renewing old love: this was done very well last year in First Love (Netflix) starring Satoh Takeru, although that show was designed for a more general audience. Enjoy!
*** Thank You For Reading! "Follow" to be notified of the next review! ~Fuyimawagi

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Completed
Love Is Phantom
1 people found this review helpful
by Zii3 Finger Heart Award1
2 days ago
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

In-lust to in-crush to in-love. Physically affectionate & healthy relationship with steady feelings.

The Ep 1 rooftop situation is odd, but equivalent to kissing a stranger at a club. I think it's the unfamiliar context that throws people off of what is a fairly common event used in many romance stories. After Ep 1, it's actually a very sweet, trusting, healthy relationship with a TON of chemistry.

I also think some suspension of disbelief is required to enjoy this story! But again, that's true with many rom-coms. This is a light, sweet, and steamy (but non-explicit) romance without much angst.

The age gap didn't feel fetishized because the lead characters felt so compatible (physically and emotionally). The way they get together IS super fast, but also believable as instant attraction. The physical attraction is what gets them started, but as they continue, they learn more about each other and go from in-lust and in-crush to in-love. Both characters try to take care of each other in actions as well as with words and make efforts to communicate. What's great to see is that both characters gradually grow through their relationship. As they feel more secure with each other, the FL grows more confident and relaxed, and the ML grows brighter and relaxed (less reserved).

The FL is 22 and very naive. VERY. But I don't think she's dumb, I just think there's a part of her social radar that is oblivious because life hasn't dealt her enough lessons yet for that part to improve. It's like a translation issue: she *does* notice shifts in people's moods (she's especially aware of the ML), but she can't accurately tell what those shifts indicate. She likes to be helpful and to see people be happy, and treats everyone with the same genuine enthusiasm. She can't see how she might be sending mixed signals to some people because the concept is so far removed from her intentions that it can't even register. The ML understands this, and though he naturally gets a little jealous, he is more worried about her being taken advantage of than he is about her feelings wavering from him (which was also refreshing to see).

I enjoyed the clever ways the script had the FL's naivete turn expected clichéd situations on their ear; some of them were pretty funny. In addition to that, there were multiple times I thought "here we go" when there was prime opportunity for a cliche to start, but the screenplay would do something different. Not in a groundbreaking way, but still different enough that I would be pleasantly surprised.

I also greatly appreciated that though the FL character was completely inexperienced with intimacy, that she had a desire for it and actively participated. The portrayal was, I thought, completely believable for a 22 year old virgin, and easy to understand why she would be physical with a stranger so quickly if she felt an instant attraction. Though she's eager she also has moments of shyness and I love how the ML is conscious of how she feels/reacts and never forces her past what she's ready for.

The ML is 38 and *not* standoff-ish to the FL after the first episode. His growing affection is steady, patient, and occasionally lightly teasing in a playful way. He tries to alert the FL to social dangers and though he steps in to disrupt some situations, he does not try to dictate her life. Ep 3 has a couple scenes where their dynamic is written a little uncomfortably/imbalanced, but thankfully that didn't continue. The ML didn't feel condescending or like a father figure (which would have been a turn offs for me).

Both the desire and feelings the leads have for each other remain consistant throughout the show. There is a ton of skinship and making out, and even a couple kisses with a little tongue. There's nothing explicit though. The passion, affection, and sweetness feels natural, comfortable, and realistic. It's more satisfying than most JDramas (or KDramas) in that regard.

The secondary characters were mostly fun too. Nothing memorable about the music.

I watched on Viki and they had the 2 special episodes included with the main series. There's Ep 5 then an "Ep 5 Special" and Ep 10 then an "Ep 10 Special". The specials are basically recaps but done as the couple reminiscing together about their relationship thus far. It was fairly realistic, as that is something that couples do, but I wish it had given a few more insights into their thought processes than it did. The specials gives a little extra information, but they are not that necessary. The recap after Ep 5 was too repetitive when binge-watching. For me, I would have preferred to watch both specials at the end as a way to extend the good feelings from the show before leaving it to figure out what to watch next.

The story and characters may not be the most unique, but it was an easy, enjoyable, and satisfying watch for me, and I expect I'll re-watch again.

I also really like dramadesciples review:
https://mydramalist.com/profile/dramadisciple/review/152525
They have similar thoughts but say different things and summarize the lead characters and their dynamic well.

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Completed
A Business Proposal
0 people found this review helpful
by RSB
2 days ago
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10

Like comfort food in drama form

ABP does a really great job of taking tried-and-true cliches and putting them together with high production value and good pacing.

This drama to me is endlessly rewatchable and was really addictive when I first watched it. I was waiting every week impatiently for new episodes.

The acting is great - Kim Se Jeong is one of my all-time favorite actresses and she does an incredible job here.

If you're looking for a fun popcorn drama with enough cliches to comfort and enough freshness to entertain, this is it.
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Completed
Don't Disturb Me Farming
0 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 5.5
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 5.5
This review may contain spoilers

Sometimes I think the writers do it on purpose lol

I didn't have high expectations, I just excited about the farm romance theme.

However, I didn't expect it to actually go downhill.

The drama starts out very interesting, it has the vibe of a funny romantic comedy, and in fact, it is. However, it seems to me that the screenwriters purposely made the worst choices! It is not possible that anyone thought the narrative choices were made in this story were good.

What was supposed to be interesting, especially seeing the male protagonist struggling to adapt to life on the farm and even further exploring the female protagonist's choices in leaving the big city, became a big mess. In fact, it became a love competition.

Obviously, the scriptwriters brought in the old tactic of the second lead and the second female, but with an awful detail: the second female is the FL's BEST FRIEND, and the second lead thinks it's a god idea to live in the FL's house because, of course, he has been in love since college, so she "needs" to accept him.

I don't blame ML for being bothered by the situation, after all, FL playing dumb with the closeness that her friend has with her is eye-rolling. But.. ok. Nevermind, she didn't know *yeah, right*

For me, if the story were *just* the two of them adapting to farm life and ML's complications in having to choose the big city and be with the woman he loves, it would be much better, but it seems to me that, honestly, the writers cannot make reasonable choices.

Furthermore, I thought it was a wasted chemistry between the actors, and I would really like them to explore FL life more; I missed knowing more about her.

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Dropped 20/25
Hidden Love
3 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
20 of 25 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 2.0
Story 2.0
Acting/Cast 2.0
Music 2.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

Boring and overated

I can’t understand whats the hype with this drama, I got bored half way through and could not finish it. To make matters worse, the FL’s character is too cringey with the baby voice and acting cute way too much for her character’s age in the show. She rocked her role in Who Rules The World though.
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Completed
The Princess Wei Young
0 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
54 of 54 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
I made the mistake of watching this series just after "The rebel princess" (with a top cinematic quality)... Suddenly, everything seemed cheap: the costumes, the abuse of the green screen for outdoor filming, choreographies with cables, etc.

PLOT: The FL, princess of a kingdom decimated following a conspiracy and the last survivor of the family, joins the neighboring kingdom to take revenge. She claims to be one of the Prime Minister's daughters. She meets (again) the ML, imperial grandson, who cannot help but come to her aid when she is in danger. They will gradually fall in love, but have to face multiple obstacles and struggles for power, to survive and be together.

PROS:
+ An epic saga with 54 episodes.
+ very good actors and lots of endearing characters
+ the OSTs accompany the emotions well.
+ an almost realistic and credible story

BUT
### cheap costumes & very abusive use of cables
### slow narration. OK, the journey to power is long, but the series lacks rhythm => so, I followed certain narrative arcs in dotted lines.
### I can understand the excessive ambition of some characters, but I'm frankly fed up with stubborn "one-side" lovers despite repeated rejections...
### some characters are not credible: the angry emperor, the evil "super warrior" Chi Yun Nan, etc.
### I don't know if it's the subtitles' fault, but a lot of dialogue seems flat, even offbeat.

=> I will not rewatch this series, which for my part, I found rather disappointing despite the casting.

*********************************************************
J'ai fait l'erreur de regardé cette série juste après "The rebel princess" (d'une qualité cinématographique) ... Du coup, tout parait cheap : les costumes, l'utilisation du fonds vert pour les tournages en extérieur, les chorégraphies avec câbles, etc.

PLOT: La FL, princesse d'un royaume décimé à la suite d'une conspiration et dernière survivante de la famille, rejoint le royaume voisin pour se venger. Elle prétend être une des filles du 1e ministre. Elle rencontre (à nouveau) le ML, petit-fils impérial, qui ne peut pas s'empêcher de venir à son secours quand elle est en danger. Ils vont peu à peu tomber amoureux, mais devront affronter de multiples obstacles et les luttes pour le pouvoir, pour survivre et être ensemble.
PROS:
+ grande saga de 54 épisodes, épique.
+ de très bons acteurs et beaucoup de personnages attachants
+ les OST accompagnent bien les émotions.
+ une story à peu prés réaliste et crédible

### costumes cheap & usage très abusif des câbles
### narration lente. OK, le parcours est long vers le pouvoir, mais la série manque de rythme => du coup, j'ai suivi certains arcs narratifs en pointillés.
### Je peux comprendre l'ambition démesurée de certains personnages, mais j'en ai franchement marre des amoureux "one-side" obstinés malgré les rejets à répétition ...
### certains personnages ne sont pas crédibles : l'empereur colérique, le "super guerrier" evil Chi Yun Nan, etc.
### je ne sais pas si c'est la faute des subtitles, mais beaucoup de dialogues paraissent plats, voire décalés.

=> je ne revisionnerai pas à nouveau cette série, que pour ma part j'ai trouvé plutôt décevante malgré le casting.

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