NOT a typical sweet and fluffy romantic comedy

I think some viewers like me who just watched the trailer, read the synopsis and saw the poster would have thought this is a romantic comedy with many sweet and fluffy scenes while FL gets to choose between two great guys. Well, “Love in Contract” definitely has comedic moments, but it’s not really a romantic comedy. Aside from romance, there are childhood traumas, tragic family background stories and conglomerate marriages & business battles. I personally enjoy the first half of the drama more than the second half. This is not quite a solid 8.5 drama but a rounded up 8.5.

What I Like:

Jung Ji Ho (ML) - Ji Ho is the kind of male lead that I like. Awkward and adorable, sweet and caring, but doesn’t have much experience in the romance department. Of course, he changes after he meets FL. Ji Ho has great character development in the drama. He learns to interact and socialize with his co-workers, recognize and communicate his feelings. I also enjoy watching how his wardrobe changes with his personality. Go Kyung Pyo plays the character well. I enjoy his facial expressions when he’s embarrassed, confused and awkward. This might be my second favorite character that Go Kyung Pyo plays, after his role in “Chicago Typewriter”.

Contract Marriage - One of my favorite tropes ever. The concept of a single life helper is interesting to me, and I enjoy the short stories of the marriages shown in this drama. I would have loved the drama to focus on these marriages a little more, but I came to the conclusion that “Love in Contract” is a lot more than just about love in contracts.

Main Characters - Choi Sang Eun (FL) is an interesting heroine. She’s independent and strong in her own ways. She seems so perfect and perfectly put-together all the time, yet when she’s home you can see how messy and child-like she could be. Park Min Young, of course, can play this role well. It’s a combination of her roles in “What’s Wrong with Secretary Skim” and “Her Private Life”. I’ve read comments about how many viewers do not like the second male lead, Kang Hae Jin, especially in the earlier episodes. I don’t find him annoying and think his clinginess is justifiable because he reunited with his first love after 13 years. I don’t blame him for wanting to get close to her and wanting to sign a contract. Hae Jin also undergoes good character development as well.

Supporting Characters - We have quite an interesting bunch of supporting characters. Woo Gang Nam, FL’s BFF, is a fan favorite and I like him as well. I want good things to happen to him and always look forward to his scenes with Sang Eun. When Sang Eun is with Gang Nam, that’s when she can let loose and act silly. Madam Yoo is a scene stealer. Veteran Jin Kyung plays the elegant and snobbish Madam Yoo so well. Every time she shows up, my focus goes straight to her and I want to see what’s going to come out of her mouth. We have comedic relief in the Chief Judge and ML’s co-worker Kim Yu Mi. Both characters are over-the-top but because their screen time is kept to a minimum, I don’t find them too annoying but funny.

Wardrobe - This drama must have a big budget or sponsor for clothes. Park Min Young looks beautiful, as always, and her clothes are fabulous. Same goes to Madame Yoo’s high class fashion. The two male leads also look dashing in their suits and casual wear.


What I have Mixed Feelings about:

Main Romance - For me the romance and chemistry are just good and not great. Although the three main characters are good-looking people, I feel that the chemistry is not sizzling enough for me. If I compare the chemistry of Park Min Young with her other co-stars, hers with Go Kyung Pyo her pales in comparison to Seo Kang Joon (When The Weather is Fine), Kim Jae Wook (Her Private Life) and and Park Seo Joon (What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim). Is the chemistry with Go Kyung Pyo bad? No it’s not. But I wanted more and I am not feeling it. Maybe also because most of their scenes are in the apartment, facing each other at dinner and they really did not have many normal dating scenes. I probably go into this drama expecting a lot more kisses because, you know, it’s Park Min Young. There are dramas without much skinship and I can feel the unspoken sizzling romance, but not in this drama, unfortunately. But I do like the proposals in the last episode and how they fit the character's personality so well.

Cartoonish villain - I don’t even know if he qualifies to be a real villain. He is just not very smart, but maybe he is not supposed to? Because I feel that “Love in Contract” is not a typical funny romantic comedy, nor is it a serious business drama, it makes it hard to see a cartoonish dumb villain fit nicely in the the story. I have to say the casting is done right, as the actor has the face that I want to punch. LOL.

PPL - I don’t remember a recent Korean modern drama I watch that has sooooo many product placements. So many different products and so in-your-face! As a drama watcher, it is very annoying. But if I am the advertiser, this is a gold mine because I have bought Kopiko coffee candies at a Korean supermarket before, and I want to go back and buy more after watching “Love in Contract”. And yes, those candies are tasty! 😋

Pacing - I enjoy the first half of the drama a lot more and the pacing is good. This is when they focus more on FL’s occupation and the contracts she has with the leads. The second half starts to mix the family background and conglomerate battles and this slows down the pace. I feel like they go back-and-forth about the conglomerate marriage.

End of crisis - After spending so many episodes on how to resolve the crisis and putting everyone at risk in the last few episodes, it seems quite anti-climatic to have FL come out and take care of it. It sure is effective but why spend so many episodes dragging down the pace of the plot in the last few episodes when the solution is so simple? I was expecting higher stakes, a more complicated plan to resolve the issue.


Completed: 11/12/2022

Leia Mais

Creatively-written strange tales, higher production value and great chemistry for the Party of 5

Like many others, I enjoyed “Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II To the West” more than season 1. To me, everything is better - acting, production quality (budget), and the strange tales themselves. I hope fans of season 1 will eventually watch this new season. The # of watchers is just too low for a quality drama like this. However, it did take me a few episodes to truly get into the drama. The first arc did not appeal to me but once their journey to the west started, it was a lot of fun.


Strange Tales/Plot
I enjoy the mysteries a lot more than in season 1. The first arc is the least interesting to me, but is needed to set the stage for future events and journey. It’s the most political and less “human”. But subsequent storylines cater to more human experiences and emotions, and I had a much better time watching them. The stories and clues are beautifully entwined with each other. I was unable to guess the culprit for the most part, until the end. Even if I could guess who that person is, I couldn’t figure out how the murder was done. I enjoyed learning and discovering the new clues as they were unveiled.

Friendship/Party of 5
We are way past the growing pains of trust between Liu Ling Feng and Su Wu Ming, and their friendship and camaraderie are at a different level. Liu Ling Feng has matured and become a much better partner to Su Wu Ming. The party of 5 believes in and cares for each other, and have great chemistry with each other. A lot of words and feelings can be conveyed just by a single look. And with great acting, that one look is subtle and knowing (not a crazy, exaggerated ‘wink wink’). In the first half of the drama, I started to complain about the use of the two female leads, Pei Xi Jun and Ying Tao. They are both capable and smart, yet they were used in such minor ways (a fight or a drawing here and there). However, I was glad that they were utilized much better in the second half. They actively participated in the investigation and contributed to solving the mysteries through street and book smarts.

Romance
I will continue to complain about the romance, as in season 1. Now that we have two established couples, I had wished the drama would incorporate their romance better into the plot, and/or during downtime in between cases/arcs. I am not expecting a great romance (as that would be inappropriate) but some more words of encouragement/endearment or act of affection would be nice. The women acted like all they did was to follow their men around and do whatever they’re told. They’re not an equal partner in the relationship, and I am pissed off for them.

Production
It seems like season 2 has a higher budget. The special effects, sets and designs look so much better. Aside from Lu Ling Feng, most of the characters still wear the same clothes everyday. But I like them as they’re appropriate for their roles and statuses. I enjoy the fight scenes and they’re much better than most xianxia and wuxia dramas. At least both Yang Xu Wen and Sun Xue Ning look the part when they are fighting, and not flailing or twirling. I also appreciate the lack of slow-motion fight scenes, though the editing gave me a little motion sickness when I was watching this drama while commuting on the train.



If you are fans of mysteries, investigations and ‘strange tales’, I will definitely recommend this drama to you. I can’t say I am a big fan, but I like Yang Xu Wen and know that this drama will not disappoint. It has solid acting, great friendship and interesting investigations. I hope I don’t have to wait for too long for season 3.


Completed: 11/4/2024 - Review #508

Leia Mais

Waste of a talented cast with poor writing and execution

I didn’t have any expectations when I started “Snowfall”. I read the synopsis and it seems interesting and Vengo playing a vampire is enough of a draw for me. Unfortunately, I still come out feeling disappointed and mainly due to the plot. I did read that the last few episodes deviate quite a big from the original novel. You can read the novel ending by @Haveninmuse in one of the discussion posts.


Plot
I really wanted more about the 3 families, their special powers and the magical artifacts. I want to learn more about them, so that the last big battle will make more sense and have a much bigger impact. But I should have known better since the drama description focuses more on the characters - the century-old vampire, a blind girl and the director. It’s not that I don’t like their stories and interaction, I just wanted more. Besides, the drama focuses way too much time in the first 10 episodes on Li Ying Liang’s (military dept director) animosity and revenge towards Shen Zhi Heng (vampire). Their back-and-forth became repetitive and took away time to develop the relationship between Shen Zhi Heng and Mi Lan (FL/blind girl) and Dr. Situ Wei Lan. There are also numerous plot holes in the later episodes when the drama goes more into the plot and moves away from character building and relationships. Fellow reviewer @Enigma05 listed all the loopholes which I agree with 100%. I won’t list them here to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible. Please go read her review to find out more. The last 2 episodes are messy, rushed and full of head-scratching moments. I am ,however, ok with the final ending of the vampire, even though I heard it’s very different from the novel.

Acting
The best thing about the drama is the acting of the cast. I actually think everyone did a good job. Vengo Gao as a vampire? Of course he would do great. He’s tall and imposing and exudes confidence and grace. He’s perfectly cast. It’s my first time watching Ouyang Nana and she was fantastic! I was really surprised that she pulled off the role of a blind girl so well, and makes Mi Lan such a likable character, even when she started to act her age. Maggie Huang is great as always as she’s such an experienced actress. Ryan Ren and Winwin are both new actors to me and they also performed well for their complicated roles.

Romance
Unfortunately, the romance is not romancing for me. I actually enjoyed Shen Zhi Heng and Mi Lan’s interaction and chemistry so much more when Mi Lan is blind. She was abused but has a sense of calm confidence, maturity, and intelligence. I felt the chemistry with just a few words from Mi Lan here and there in her unconditional support of Shen Zhi Heng. But in the later episodes, she was young and childlike, as she should be, since she’s re-living her childhood and is in awe of everything. She’s learning how to be a person all over again. So it’s not the fault of the actors that I am not feeling the chemistry. I will put the blame on the writing more. A century-old vampire and an 18-year old with childlike innocence don’t work for me. They are giving off a more brother/sister, father/daughter vibe than lovers.

The love triangle between Li Ying Liang, Jin Jing Xue and Situ Wei Lian is a little more interesting. I did find the clinginess of two of them a little much at times, but I see where they are coming from. I would have loved to see a little more emotion from Li Ying Liang when he’s with Jin Jing Xue except for the last scenes they’re together. A little more internal struggles and vulnerability will help viewers understand him better. Situ Wei Lan’s obsession and view of love is interesting to see when you think more about it. But he definitely doesn’t act like his age and he should.

Production
There are a few lovely songs in the OST that complement the different scenes very well. The costumes department also did an amazing job in dressing all the male characters in nicely-tailored suits and long coats. But special props to Vengo’s amazing costumes. With such a tall and broad frame, he looks dashing and intimidating at the same time. The women also have pretty diverse wardrobes, though some outfits are better than others. On the other hand, you can also see that this is not a big budget drama. The fight scenes are interesting and quite cool and violent (which is a surprise) but the CGI is not. The special effects get worse and worse as the drama goes. The sets, fixtures, ornaments and accessories look a little flimsy and fake.


Unless you are a fan of the actors and are a superfan of vampire stories, I would not recommend this drama. It has so much potential with an interesting general plot of the 3 magical families and their artifacts. I just wish they had included more of that into the character storylines and cut out some of the repetitive episodes in the first third of the drama. It’s such a waste of a talented cast.


Completed: 9/15/2024 - Review #485

Leia Mais

As I started watching this short special, I was thinking to myself, what's the point? The drama ended on a beautiful note. It's not like we need an alternate ending, or we are dissatisfied.

Then I thought, maybe this is the drama's way of repaying me for sticking around for the slow burn romance. The drama is compensating me for putting me through the emotional roller coaster of their relationship. It's giving me the cute fluffiness that I didn't get enough in the full-length drama.

In the end, it comes in full circle. The monologue of Han Ting describing his definition of love. The montages in reverse motion on the TV screen as we witness their love story again.

And last but not the least, Han Ting using his very last special boyfriend card. It's the perfect ending to a love story that I love so much.

Leia Mais

Decently-produced mini drama with Good Acting and Chemistry

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

“The Love Duel” is a short and very enjoyable transmigration mini drama. Despite its lower budget, the production quality is pretty good. It doesn’t feel cheap.

Although the cast is not A-listers, they are quite experienced, especially in the mini dramas. If you are a fan of the genre, you have probably seen female lead Smile Hu, male lead Wang Xuan and second male lead Leo Yang before. Hong Wu (2FL) is the newcomer of the bunch. I am actually quite impressed with the acting of this cast. I might have developed a minor crush on Wang Xuan. He has nice, big, expressive eyes. He looks a little bit like Xu Kai and Xiao Zhan, doesn’t he?

It’s nice to see a female lead who is the bosslady. She takes charge and is smart and fun (maybe a tad bit overdramatic). The personality contrast between the leads is nice and we don’t see this dynamic in bigger productions often enough. The chemistry between the 4 leads is good. I enjoy the development of the main romance. The secondary romance is simpler and more predictable. However, both confession scenes are a little anticlimactic for my taste.

You can say this drama has quite a few plot twists to keep things interesting and the plot moving along. However, I think my biggest criticism is that the plot is too busy. The political side plot isn’t written well. It seems like an afterthought and just put together half-heartedly. It could have a simpler political background story but focuses more on the assassin organization.

“The Love Duel” is binge-worthy and enjoyable. There’s a lot of humor in making fun of dramas that are self-deprecatingly funny. It’s not to kill a couple hours or as a quick palate cleanser in between some serious dramas.



Completed: 7/24/2024 - Review #465

Leia Mais

5 unique stories of second chances intertwined into a touching drama.

“55:15 Never Too Late” connected 5 strangers from all walks of life in a new universe and transported them back 40 years, to when they were 15 years old. This is a beautiful drama about second chances in life and correcting any regrets that they had when they were 15 years old.

I personally found the introduction of all characters a little slow, as it took a while to introduce all 5 of them. Not all their individual stories are interesting to me on the same scale, but they are unique and touch on normal folks' everyday life decisions and regrets. In that, I found them relatable (except probably the teen idol/diva).

What I like best about this drama is how each story is intertwined. Once all the characters meet, they develop a camaraderie and help each other out. We didn’t really go through any conflict within the group or any animosity towards each other. It’s comforting to see how strangers can collaborate and be there for each other. The pacing is good and I enjoy how they switch between storylines to give everyone equal screen time. I like the switch to the older actors during some important moments and it doesn’t cause confusion. One of the funniest scenes is when the older actors in their high school uniforms lament their challenges in this new life. Seeing how they adjust to teenage life is a highlight of the show. There are many comedic moments, but it’s not over-the-top like most Thai dramas.

The acting is great among the 10 main cast members. The veteran cast, of course, is experienced and did a fantastic job. But the younger generation performed just as well. I am most familiar with Kaotung and Nanon, and they don’t disappoint. Piploy as the sassy Jaya is awesome (though her characters can be annoying at times). View and Kay are not bad either. It’s weird to say that the acting that I find less impressive is the actor playing Mathee, and the veteran actress playing Prim. The rest of the supporting cast did a pretty decent job. I especially enjoy the actress playing Noinae.

There are 5 main storylines but my favorites are Teacher Jaurnee (View) and Cafe Manager Paul (Khaotung). I like theirs the most and the ending to their stories are most touching to me. I cried so much in the last episode! Boxer Thep (Kay) and Idol Jaya (Piploy) stories are not bad but there are a couple minor things that keep me from loving them. My least favorite storyline is Voice actor San (Nanon). I do not see why he is still so in love and obsessed with Prim. The flashbacks are not setting up a good foundation for the whole storyline to be based on that, no matter how great Nanon is in portraying San. The confession in the end was not very believable to me.

I would recommend this drama if you are into time-traveling and second chances. The individuals are lovely and it doesn’t really have any villain or annoying character that you want to strangle. The acting is good and the stories are engaging. I do get irritated when the main theme song gets overplayed, no matter how lovely it is.



Other Random Observations:
1. Mathee looks the same when he’s 20 all the way to when he has a teenage son and remarried a second time. I want what he’s having!
2. I love Paul’s relationship with his niece, Noonae. I’m glad someone is on his side and rooting for him without judgment.
3. Line app aka the green thing on your phone.
4. I am still not quite sure how the female student knew of the teacher’s secret. I thought only Noonae knew. Did I miss something or is it a plot hole?
5. They found the smallest and skinniest actor to play a teenage boxer!




Completed: 5/28/2024 - Review #446

Leia Mais

Lacking in Romance, Plot and Likeable Characters

I would not say “Level Up” is a horrible drama. The acting is quite good from the leads to the supporting cast. The production quality isn’t bad either. Sung Hoon still looks pretty handsome, as in many of his dramas. 😉

There are two main reasons why I am only rating this a 7.0.
1) I cannot connect with the female lead and don't like her.
2) The plot is somewhat boring

On the surface, Shin Yun Hwa (FL) is an independent game developer. She’s the leader of the team, has the ability to make business decisions and is not a damsel in distress. This all sounds good, right? However, I don’t see her chemistry with Ahn Dan Te (ML) even when they’re bickering and I LOVE bickering couples. Shin Yun Hwa also reminded me of a few managers I supervise at work that have the power and ability to make a difference, but fail to see things from multiple perspectives to make the best decisions. SYH is always arguing with Dante. I actually get tired of her bickering/arguing with ML. They are not romantic, lovely banter. She’s just being argumentative and questions everything that ML says. If you’re a manager/leader, you should know why he makes certain decisions. This is a character flaw that I personally can’t get over. It might not affect your viewing pleasure, but it does to me.

Additionally, the plot of the drama is boring. This is NOT a business romance, a romantic comedy nor a serious business drama. It’s lacking in all fronts or maybe it tries to be all of the above. The romance between the leads is lacking. As I said earlier, I am not feeling the chemistry. The second FL is persistent and should know she has no chance a long time ago. I do give the writers props for not making her evil. The second ML is somewhat bland and not cute enough to be a lovesick puppy, but at least he knows his place and when to back down. As a business drama, the gaming part is not interesting. How about showing us what game you are developing? Show us the process? The hard work in designing or coding? The villain is OK and somewhat weak. He comes and goes, but not doing much damage until the last couple episodes. Is this a healing drama? Well, the trauma and healing are not moving me in tears either. OK, I was sad for ML when his most precious partner passed away.

I am really not impressed with the female characters. Aside from the two main female leads, I also find the teenage vlogger annoying. Actually, both teenagers, Kim Hoon and Oh Mi Ja, get on my nerves. I would have kicked them out of my house long time ago if I were Dante.

Lastly, the character I like best is probably Dante (ML). He was introduced as the typical arrogant and cold CEO. At least his character is consistent throughout the drama, even when he has changed for the better. His character development makes sense, and it doesn’t deviate from his original personality. I’ve grown to like him as the story progresses. I like his straightforwardness and honesty. You can call him overconfident and arrogant, but he is never intentionally rude.

Unfortunately, I won’t be recommend this drama unless you are fans of the actors and actresses. It’s only 12 episodes long but I am never hooked, and I am not attached to any character. For a romance lover, I can’t even root for romance but the business plot is lacking. There’s no romance and I don’t like the female lead.



Completed: 5/26/2024 - Review #445

Leia Mais

Know your triggers before watching - Appreciate its rawness when watching in 2024

I don’t think I would appreciate “Addicted” as much if I were to watch this in 2016 and not in 2024. “Addicted” is one of the first uncensored gay romance C-dramas and we all know everything is censored now. There is a full on gay romance, and not the subtle bromance or implied gay romance. Additionally, this drama is starred by two big stars now, Timmy Xu and Johnny Huang.

Timmy and Johnny had awesome chemistry and their acting is great considering “Addicted” is both of their first drama. As much as I enjoy them, their romance is problematic and toxic. Gu Hai (Johnny) is obsessed with Bai Luo Yin (Timmy). His way of courting and showing affection has red flags all over. At first, he’s acting like a typical high school kid who only knows how to show affection by being mean to the person he likes. If you are triggered and bothered by dubious consent to intimate acts and forced kisses, I do not think you should watch this. I am aware of these triggers, so I won’t fault this drama (too much) on some questionable actions/scenes.. I know what I am getting myself into. Having said that, I do not agree with Gu Bai’s method of keeping Bai Luo Yin in his apartment after they found out they are step brothers.

This is a decent low budget production. The acting of the main supporting cast is OK. But the acting of the minor roles, e.g. Gu Hai’s ex-girlfriend and cousin, is pretty bad. Those two characters are annoying. There are some weird plot holes. I am still not sure what’s going on between the other two friends, Yang Meng and You Qi. I thought You Qi likes Bai Luo Yin. So, what’s the deal with him harassing Yang Meng? Also, the ending…..that’s not how I expect the drama to end, and there’s no sight of a season 2 after 8 years.

There are quite a few scenes of the leads showing off their nice bodies/abs. Well, Johnny Huang has been keeping fit all these years. He looks just as good as I last saw him in “Bright Eyes in the Dark”.

The drama’s name is “Addicted” and also “Addicted Heroin”. At first, I thought it must mean Gu Hai is addicted to Bai Luo Yin like a druggie is addicted to heroin. After watching the drama, I realized their names together “Hai Luo Yin” = “Heroin”. What perfect names!

Lastly, there’s a quote from Gu Hai that sticks with me and pretty much describes how much he loves Bai Luo Yin - “No matter how much I hate your mother, it wouldn’t even be a fraction (1/1000th) of what I feel for you!”

I would only recommend this drama if you are aware of the triggers. It’s great to see a younger Johnny and Timmy, and how courageous of them and the production team to create such a raw drama. I’ve also watched the newer adapted version, “Stay With Me” and I would recommend that one if you want a tamer, sweeter and more romantic version of “Addicted”.



Completed: 5/23/2024 - Review #444

Leia Mais

Well-acted with Great leads Chemistry and a beautiful OST but not without flaws.

Taiwan really produces high quality BL dramas and is not afraid to show intimacy and not in a porn-like way. I believe the challenge for some viewers would be to go over that ‘hump’ and maybe the ‘ick’ factor of romances between individuals who have siblings-like relationships. I am mostly fine with the romance between Qian and Yuan. But for the other romance, I have my reservations. That one seems a little more extreme especially when I can’t see how the romance is developed. It’s a hard sell for me.

Nevertheless, “Unknown” is a well-acted drama with great chemistry between the leads. I actually think the drama has a slow start but things kick up a notch when all hell breaks loose in episode 6. I do think Qian’s actions were cowardly in that episode and just avoided the issue. Four years is a very long time to have limited communication with your loved one. The second half is also when I am more invested in the drama. I enjoyed following Yuan’s transformation from a smitten, clingy, lovesick puppy, to becoming a mature, flirty and quite sensual adult. Yuan’s love for Qian never changes, but it’s how his way of thinking changes and matures that encourages Qian to slowly open up to his affection. I love the scenes when Yuan would subtly tease and flirt with Qian, and Qian is all shy and not sure how to respond. Flirty Yuan is a lot more attractive and I love how touchy-feely he is unconsciously/consciously. I actually would have loved to see them get together an episode sooner, and give me more dating and sweet scenes.

Although I find the sister adorable, I also think her subplots are a little underwhelming without enough time to flush out the stories. The gangster subplot is a little over-the-top for me. I cannot believe a more mature Yuan would do something so stupid to challenge people where he has no winning chance. On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised to see Prince Chiu guest stars as the awkward teacher. I guess he was in the same boy group with Chris Chiu. Sam Lin also has a small supporting role as Dr. Lin. This role is quite different from what I’ve seen him in before.

If you are a BL fan, I definitely would recommend this drama. It’s well-acted, Chris Chiu and Kurt Huang have great chemistry, no annoying characters, and has an awesome OST. I’ve added most of the songs to my Spotify playlist. Although I have my criticisms, I also had a great time watching it. From an enjoyable point of view, this drama is worth an 8.5. If I were to rate this more objectively, it’ll be an 8.0. I wish the drama was longer to better tell everyone’s stories.



Completed: 5/22/2024 - Review #443

Leia Mais

Strong leads chemistry but not enough to compensate for uninspiring fantasy plot

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

“Eye Love You” has so much potential yet the writing and execution did not live up to the high expectations after a very lovely start. The adorable Chae Jong Hyeop carries the show on his back with a little assistance from his co-star, female lead, Nikaido Fumi.

The best part about “Eye Love You” is the chemistry between the leads. They are so adorable together: from their initial encounter to Tae Oh assertively courts Yuri. Chae Jong Hyeop has such a cute, puppy face that when he smiles, he lights up the screen and there’s no way anyone can say no to him. Nikaido Fumi is beautiful with big round, emotive eyes. Together, they are a beautiful pair with good chemistry. However, there are some frustrating moments as well. Tae Oh might be a tad obsessive and pushy, while Yuri is quite wishy-washy and indecisive.

The show knows viewers would love their romance, thus, might have intentionally or unintentionally dedicated more than 60% of the screen time on their cat-and-mouse romance. I was watching this for a unique fantasy romance, but what I got was a slice-of-life drama with the sole focus on the romance and nothing much for 6 - 7 episodes. When they finally got to the mystery of the special power, it was like child’s play. Why and how did she get the superpower? Is it really because of the accident? For such a serious consequence for being in love, everyone just believes in whatever that person says? The last couple episodes were rushed and the ending is just OK.

I would also love to know more about the business operations of ‘Dolce and Chocolat’ and how two environmentalists would team up and open a company together. That initial one or two liners description is not enough. There’s a lot more potential to give the business plot a little more light.

Nevertheless, I can’t deny the fact that I enjoy the main leads’ romance (to a certain point) but not the secondary romance. That one is weird and seems like an afterthought. I’ve loved Chae Jong Heyop since “Love All Play” and I was happy to see him in “Eye Love You”. I am not sure if he’s fluent in Japanese, but he made me believe he is. It also doesn’t hurt that we have a lovely second male lead who is very handsome.

I would only recommend this drama if you are a fan of the leads, and if romance is all you need but nothing else.


Completed: 5/13/2024 - Review #439

Leia Mais

Unique plot but only average acting

The best thing about “DNA Says Love You” is the unique and original plot. Although I wouldn’t say the drama is full of unexpected plot twists and it’s actually somewhat predictable, I enjoy the writing and the introduction of the mysterious Amber. The characters are college students, but I am glad that this is not a college drama. Friendship plays a central theme in this drama, and there are some fun and solid friendships and banter.

However, I was actually not very interested in the first couple episodes. I did not like the unnatural acting of Lukas Huang, who plays ML Pu Le Chien (Ah Le). I also find the general acting of Lin Wei Jie and Tannie Huang a little over-the-top, but that’s probably because Taiwanese acting is a little hit-or-miss for me. I did get used to it after a while but as a whole, it’s just OK acting. With the introduction of Erek Lin’s character, Amber, the story picks up its pace. I like Erek’s acting more than others, probably because his character is not as loud, and his acting needs to be more subtle.

Once Amber comes into the picture, the plot moves a lot better for me. I enjoy how he’s welcomed into the circle of friends, and how he really gets close to Ah Le. I think viewers slowly find out the identity of this mysterious Amber. I enjoy seeing how the friendship/romance develops but do think it’s too fast for Ah Le to go from realizing his feelings and to falling head over heels within 15 minutes of screen time. I wish there’s more time for his realization to set in, for him to ponder and agonize over it a little more. The last four episodes are emotional and really touching, and definitely better than the first four episodes.

The secondary romance could have been written better. They have so much screen time in the beginning and then disappear after their subplot is over. I thought they left town already but they haven’t.

The OST only has four songs but I like them, especially the three slower ones: 決定我愛你, 蝴蝶 Butterfly, and 曖昧關係 Ambiguity. I added all three to my Spotify playlist. 🙂

Despite not being a big fan of everyone’s acting, I do recommend you to check it out for its unique plot and lovely songs. There are only 12 thirty-minute episodes and it is an easy and quick watch.


Completed: 5/7/2024 - Review #437

Leia Mais

Interesting Plot but Annoyed with all the slow-motion scenes

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75


“Hard to Find” is a mid-length drama that actually has a very interesting and attractive plot. With 28 episodes and about 20 minutes each, I would not consider this as a mini-drama, like most of the dramas that male lead, Zhao Yi Qin, is known for. There’s a lot to like, yet quite a few areas that annoy me.


What I Like:

General Plot - I really do find the general plot/story of this drama interesting. I especially enjoyed the first half of the drama when the leads reunited, up until she regained her memory. The story is easy to follow, yet not overly simple. It has a good mix of romance, fantasy plot, mystery, revenge and a little bit of palace politics.

Shen Yu Jie (FL) - Shen Yu Jie plays the female lead, Feng Yuan. The costume designer and hairstylist got brownie points from me for dressing her up so beautifully. Her acting is also the best of the cast. Checking out her profile, I realized she’s only 22 years old but has been in quite a few bigger budget dramas. I thought she is also one of those mini-dramas actresses. I see a lot of potential in her.

Great visuals & production - For a lower budget drama, “Hard to Find” is beautiful to watch. Not only is the whole cast good-looking, but some of the scenes are shot beautifully. Costumes, hair accessories, set designs and props, all look pretty good and not cheap. I also enjoy the songs played, even though they are overplayed.

Wang Ze Xuan - Without spoiling too much, I just have to say I enjoyed his acting in the last 5 episodes of the drama. He looks so ‘pretty’ and portrays the character in a dramatic fashion, but not over-the-top. I’ve seen him in “A Familiar Stranger” and I guess he’s got a knack for playing the bad guys convincingly.


What Bothers Me:

Slow Motion Everything - This is very personal, but I generally dislike the use of slow-motion in dramas for extra dramatic effects. I especially detest fight scenes that are sloooow moving and have actors posing during a fight. The first comment I wrote down in my notes is slow mo fighting (yuck!). There aren’t even that many fight scenes, so to not be able to enjoy a few good ones is disappointing. Not only the fight scenes slow, there are sooo many scenes that are shot like that. I get more and more annoyed towards the second half of the drama. It also drags down the pace as well, and I lose my focus slightly in the second half because of that. Additionally, they also change the voiceover to this slow echoey voice, and add in non-stop background music during these slow scenes.

Zhao Yi Qin (ML) - I have seen Zhao Yi Qin in quite a few mini dramas and have generally enjoyed them. For some reason, he seems to be trying very hard in this drama and appears overly dramatic. When he’s acting angry, he looks exaggerated. He frowns more than I’ve seen in his other dramas. For some reason, his acting is just not clicking with him. He’s a good-looking guy, but if I have to compare what he looks like in his MDL profile picture and him in this drama, he looks a little gaunt and exhausted, even during the honeymoon phase of the romance. Is he overworked?

Over-the-top Dramatics - Not only is Zhao Yi Qin’s acting a little over dramatic, there are many elements in this drama that are like this. The drama is trying too hard to stand out, yet comes across as trying too hard. I think the drama would be so much better if it is a little more grounded and tones down on all the dramatics (constant background music playing, shining light on faces, wind blowing at hair, etc.) The drama has a solid script but lacks perfect execution.



“Hard to Find” has such a strong start and I was willing to give it an 8.5 rating, until all the slow motion scenes accumulated and annoyed the heck out of me. The second half also loses some steam and the pace slows down. Unfortunately, in the end, I will have to give a lower rating of 7.75. I might rate this lower if this is a bigger budget production. “Hard to Find” is still a decent drama if you want something short with an interesting plot. But this is definitely not a must-see.



Completed: 5/5/2024 - Review #436

Leia Mais

Amazing musical performances - a Light and Feel-Good drama

Disclaimer: I enjoy music but won’t say I am a big fan of classical music. I also don’t play any instruments. The rating is purely based on my enjoyment while watching and after watching.

+0.5 because of the beautiful full-length musical performances.

Usually, I would rate a drama like “Reversal Orchestra” an 8.0 rating. The plot is simple and light-hearted. It’s a typical drama about a group of people (musicians here) who work hard to achieve the ultimate goal together. Along the way, you have side stories of different members with a tiny little romance subplot. These side stories are simple enough to give each character a little background, but not long enough to give it depth. There aren't any annoying characters. All the musicians are supportive of each other. There’s no in-group rivalry and they are just TOO nice. This is definitely a feel-good drama. This is not a drama that will spark deep conversations or amaze you in many ways.

But to me, what stands out in this drama compared to other dramas with a music focus, is the amazing performances. If you enjoy classical music, this is the drama for you. Much of the screen time is dedicated to music playing. There are several full-length performances that are amazing to watch and listen to. Oftentimes, I get disappointed when I watch a drama about music, and you get chopped up performances, especially when the characters are supposed to be preparing for this big showdown. The showdown becomes a letdown. But not here! “Reversal Orchestra” not only has a believable orchestra playing the music and we have satisfying performances. It’s quite amazing to see the actors so in sync when playing their instruments. They do make me believe they are true musicians. Each movement is synchronized within the section. It’s beautiful to see. However, what I just described could also be what you dislike most about the drama. You might find it boring because the focus is on music playing and performances. The background music is classical music. There are not songs with lyrics, like a traditional OST.

The actors and actresses deliver good performances as well. It’s a typical J-drama with moments of overdramatic acting. I have been on a Tanaka Kei (ML) binge recently, and am happy to see another side of him. I cannot sing enough praises of his choice of projects. They are so diverse! Kawowaki Mugi plays a likable female lead. So glad she’s not another innocent, naive pushover. She’s kind but could be crazy and feisty.

If you are a classical music lover and want a light and easy watch, “Reversal Orchestra” is definitely the right drama for you. However, if you are looking for something deeper with a stronger message or moral, you might want to look elsewhere.


Completed: 5/1/2024 - Review #436

Leia Mais

Great Acting, Interesting Plot but Unsatisfying Romance (for me)

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

I heard a lot of great things about “Knight Flower” so I went in with quite high expectations. For some reason, it’s not quite hitting the spot for me and I am not loving it as much as others. It is still a good drama objectively, but I am not emotionally invested.

Honey Lee (Ha Nee) is amazing, no doubt about that. I don’t think I’ve seen her in anything else aside from a guest role in “Be Melodramatic”. She really is the shining star of the show. She also put on some pretty good martial arts moves and doesn’t look like she’s flailing. The acting in the drama is solid with many experienced and great veteran actors and actresses. Even the younger cast does not disappoint.

There was a lot of buzz about the romance between the leads. It was quite fun in the beginning when they were bickering and fighting each other. I also like them slowly realizing they have feelings for each other. However, towards the latter half, it has become increasingly obvious that ML is so smitten that he started to act like a young boy. Thus, the age gap is more prominent, and I am not a big fan of noon romance. When both leads are not on equal footing in a relationship like in the first half, I start to lose interest. I find the ending to their romance unsatisfying. With very little screen time dedicated to the secondary romance, I actually find that quite interesting.

For the most part, this is a somewhat serious, plot-driven drama. There are many comedic moments sprinkled throughout the drama by the leads and the supporting cast. I find the humor appropriate and keeps the tone light, without being over-the-top. It is quite weird hearing English words spoken by someone who went to Qing. Shouldn’t they be learning Mandarin instead? Nevertheless, it was quite funny. There was one scene when this person called Honey Lee, honey. How appropriate! I’ve never seen a Royal Secretary of Defense be so young and casual in any drama, Chinese or Korean. It’s a nice change in a way.

Objectively, this is still a really good drama. It just doesn’t seem to work on me on an emotional level. I would still recommend it if you are looking for an interesting plot with good acting, fight scenes and decent pace.


Completed: 4/2/2024 - Review #424

Leia Mais

Excellent Chemistry and Development of Main Romance

“Last Twilight” is an unexpected delight. The biggest selling point for me is the chemistry and the relationship between the two male leads. Jimmy stole my heart here.

I love Mhok, a total green flag. He was introduced as a ‘baddie’ but really isn’t one. He just had a tough life growing up and life threw him a bunch of lemons, but that didn’t stop him from being kind, hard-working, caring and considerate. He’s the perfect person to bring Day out of his isolation. He not only treats Day with kindness when he isn’t very nice. He is patient and slowly breaks down Day’s wall. He’s tough but supportive. He’s the perfect caretaker and friend. Day, on the other hand, is spoiled and quite immature in a way. He doesn’t really know what he wants in life when badminton is taken away from him.

Jimmy did a great job portraying Mhok. He was a little quiet and shy in the beginning but then the fun and flirty side came out. Sea portrays a blind person admirably but at times, his facial expressions appear a little bland. Comparatively, I enjoy Jimmy’s acting a lot more. Does anyone find Sea look like Zhang Ling He in certain angles? No, just me? LOL

I like the parallel life between Day and the character in the novel. It’s an interesting way to tell both stories and tie in the adventures of self-discovery and growth to the book. There are many other dramas about the visually impaired or someone living with a disability. But what differs and what I enjoy the most is the reminder that being a caretaker and a boyfriend are two very different roles. Many people do not agree with the decision in ep. 11. As much as Day’s mom hasn’t been the most supportive person in the world, her worry about Mhok’s role transition is valid. Could she have provided guidance earlier on? Totally. But then we wouldn’t have ep 11 and 12. Mhok and Day needed time to grow and mature. I don’t really think Mhok pitied Day, but he has his own baggage that was never resolved. He might not be as emotionally available as he thought especially to have a real relationship with someone that’s a little different.

I wonder if I would have liked the ending more if I had binged it straight from ep 1-12. Unfortunately, my timing was not right and I had a 5-day gap between ep 11 and 12. I think it might have affected my enjoyment of the last episode and all my criticisms are focused on ep 12. as it’s fresh in my memory. Yes, the chemistry is still there between Mhok and Day, and I enjoy all the flirting and teasing. But then, the lines become cringey, especially the last 15 minutes of the episode. Declaring your love for each other is fine, but doing so repeatedly in different ways becomes a little unbearable. Additionally, there’s quite a lot of time spent on the ending of Night and Phojai’s story. I like them and think they make a great couple. My problem is that the drama fails to show and develop their romance in the first 11 episodes.

Overall, this is a lovely drama and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s not my # 1Thai BL drama, but it’s definitely one of my favorites. I appreciate the non-dramatic acting, nice OST and cinematography and the lack of ridiculous plot twists and turns. And this is very personal, I am also glad that it doesn’t have the camera stay on the actor’s faces for a few seconds too long for dramatic effects.


Completed: 1/26/2024 - Review #399

Leia Mais