One of the most beautiful and heartbreaking stories of love and regrets

“Seasons of Blossom” caught me by surprise as I didn’t really read the synopsis closely and thought it was just another high school drama. But this surprise is a good one. This drama has one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking high school romances I’ve seen from South Korea.

Past - Ha Min + So Mang
I LOVE their story SOOO much. I have no complaint at all! Ok, my biggest complaint is that not enough time is dedicated to these two lonely souls. I wish the whole drama was about them. But I understand we need to tie their story to the present-day timeline as well. I really enjoy following their friendship that develops quietly in the art classroom. From two lonely strangers to soulmates, their story makes me smile and cry (and I cried a lot). Sadly, what Ha Min went through seems to be quite common in South Korea. Seo Ji Hoon (as Ha Min) and So Ju Yeon (as So Mang) deliver such an amazing acting performance with great chemistry. I love their innocence, their bickering sassiness and their painful times together. I was so touched by their story that it pains me to binge this all the way through. I had to force myself to take a break because my heart can’t take it anymore. I’m so glad to see them closing out this beautiful drama in the end.

Present - Jae Min + Bo Mi + Jin Young + Sun Hee
Unfortunately, I do not have such high praise for these teenagers. I had a hard time getting into their friendship/love problems in the first few episodes. It all seems so childish compared to the other storyline. I think if this is an independent plot of another drama, I might have lowered my expectations and like it more. I didn’t start getting into it until Bo Mi and Jin Young start to interact with each other more. I can tolerate the simple friendship/romance if the acting is better. Kim Min Kyu (as Bo Mi) and Kang Hye Won (as Jae Min) make a pretty couple visually, but their acting is so bland. Kang Hye Won consistently has an emotionless look on her pretty face. It was hard to watch towards the last few episodes. Kim Min Kyu isn’t that much better. Yoon Hyun Soo (as Jin Young) is better but the best of the quartet is Oh Yu Jin (as Sun Hee). The latter two do have more acting experience and it definitely shows.

Past and Present - Healing
The regrets and uncertainties are hard to watch. Not because it was written poorly, but because it was written so realistically that I can’t stop crying whenever So Mang’s voice comes on and she’s sharing her side of the story and her regrets. The What-Ifs are going to kill that guilty conscience - the missed phone call, the deleted text, words said that couldn’t be taken back. The guilt eats you and destroys your heart and ruins your life. We can clearly see that manifested in a few of the characters here.


Despite not liking the present-day high school students' stories much, I still recommend this drama. It’s worth just watching Ha Min + So Mang, and the healing of those left in this world living with regrets.


Completed: 9/9/2024 - Review #483

Leia Mais

Could have been great with better writing, acting and execution

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

I can’t help but compare “Century of Love” a little bit with “I Feel You Linger in the Air”. Even though they have completely different plots, the historical context and the main house give me a very similar feeling. Unfortunately, IFYITA is so much better in every single way - acting, writing, chemistry, production quality and cinematography.

“Century of Love” is unique and a breath of fresh air among the sea of Thai BL’s with a focus on high school or college students. The plot is interesting but unfortunately the writing is not. There are so many plot holes and unexplained storylines. You will have to suspend reality to truly enjoy it. How can a 100-year old man who couldn’t ‘perform’ have grandchildren and a family? How come Vee can help reduce San’s pain when he first moved into the house, yet never ever repeat that again? Who are those villains? What is their background story? How did the sick guy come to know of the stone? Is the reason for the betrayal due to debt and nothing else? How come the other character does not have the same healing aftermath of the stone? I have so many questions and I can’t seem to calm my brain to ignore them.

But I am not surprised there are plot holes. After all, it’s hard to do that with a supernatural/fantasy plot. I might overlook some of these shortcomings if the acting is good. Unfortunately, I find Daou and Offroad’s acting only average and somewhat inconsistent. I think Offroad performed a little better, except for a few crying scenes. He looks great as the fox demon. Daou’s grumpy personality is a little awkward and his acting is not subtle enough. The exaggerated ‘thinking’ is all over his face. However, I do think he got better as the drama went on, especially when he doesn’t have to act like a grumpy old man anymore. Among the cast members, I am most impressed with Pond (Doctor Third) and he gives me a little bit of second-lead syndrome. Pond almost made me want to check out “180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us” just for him. Cookie (as Wat) also did pretty well. Luckily, there aren't any annoying characters. I like San's descendants. The 3 generations are quite fun and provide some pretty comedic and heartwarming moments.

The chemistry between the leads is decent with a few good kisses. I was more interested in the first half of the drama before the leads are officially together. The pace starts to slow in the second half, especially the last few episodes. The plot becomes predictable and there’s more repetitive crying. I think the drama will benefit from a couple episodes shorter.

It’s unfortunate that an interesting general plot was not executed well. The drama seems to be of a lower production value (maybe that’s why there are so few product placements), with poor CGI. Luckily, the fight scenes are decent, even though they are not of good C-drama or K-drama quality, they are better than other Thai dramas.

“Century of Love” is not a horrible watch due to its more mature and interesting plot. If you have time and are fans of the actors, it’s worth checking it out.


Completed: 9/1/2024 - Review #480

Leia Mais

A simple and easy watch with amazing songs.

“to.Jenny” is a sweet and simple drama special. There are no plot twists and you can pretty much tell where the story goes. Though simple, it’s such a comforting watch if you have a couple hours to kill. This special features a couple wacky songs such as ‘Pork Belly’ and ‘Tiramisu Cake’, but also a few very lovely songs performed by Kim Sung Cheol. I would never have thought he has such a great singing voice. But looking up this little brief description on MDL, I realized he started out as a musical actor. Anyway, I already added a few songs to my Spotify playlist (well, maybe not the songs about food).

Despite loving the music, the special itself actually did not grab my attention in the first 15 minutes or so. I actually paused and resumed on another day. I found Park Jung Min (ML) very awkward in the first 30 mins or so, and only when he started teaching Kwon Na Ra (FL) guitar lessons did I find him awkwardly cute. Once the leads have more scenes together, I am more drawn to their chemistry and their friendship/romance. I especially like how creative and sweet the guitar lessons payment system is.

Our leads are very likable and nice, and maybe too nice that they seem very naive in different aspects. The little sister is smart and mature, and really is the best support and winggirl ML can ask for. It’s also lovely to see a mother who is supportive of his son’s dreams and shielded him from the hardships of reality. The two friends are obnoxious in the beginning, but they grow on me. They really are good friends. I very much enjoy the jamming and music session between Kim Sung Cheol/Park Jung Mi and Lee Sang Yi/Yum Dae Sung.

If you are looking for good music, a simple and comforting watch, then “to.Jenny” might be a good option. The acting is pretty good and you won’t feel like strangling any of the characters.


Completed: 8/26/2024 - Review #477

Leia Mais

Good Moral of the Story but Lacks Good Execution (repetitive and boring)

Although the English title of this drama is “Man Without Love”, this drama is not just about one of the male leads, Kume Masakazu. He might be the narrator, but the drama includes stories of 6 other friends. It talks of perseverance and pursuit of your dreams, knowing and loving oneself, learning to love others, the courage to love and be loved, forgiveness of past mistakes and familial bond. This all sounds really good, right? Unfortunately, the execution for me is lacking.

Each of the main characters has their own challenges, and primarily challenges about love involving the three main couples. I understand each couple’s issues and hesitation. Unfortunately, there’s too much back-and-forth, arguing about the same thing over and over again. This is a character-driven drama with no real central plot. Therefore, the pacing is off and it feels like nothing of substance actually happens in the 9 episodes. It is really rare that I think a Japanese drama is too long.

The acting is OK, except for Maeda Goki’s character of Go Yuma. He’s just way too over-the-top and ‘fake’. He is so much more likable when he acts normal.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this drama. It’s OK if you are a fan of one of the actors (Fukushi Sota is still very good-looking in a more gruffy look). “Man Without Love” is unable to hold my attention and I was bored.


Completed: 8/18/2024 - Review #473

Leia Mais

What a weird time-traveling drama full of makjang plot lines

Wow… this is an interesting and unique drama to say the least. I thought I was going to get a typical time-traveling drama, and laugh about how the two Joseon women adjust to the present-day timeline. Little did I know I was on a crazy ride.

I actually thought the first half of the drama was quite entertaining. The Joseon timeline is well-made with a coherent story. Even though nothing was extraordinary, it set the stage for Du Ri An and Kim So Jeo to time travel. I still don’t quite know why and how that happened, but that’s not too important as most time-traveling dramas don’t elaborate on that.

What I like best about the drama is the way these two Joseon women came to adapt and learn to live a different life. There isn’t any over-the-top comedy or second hand embarrassment. Their experience was written in a very likable and natural way. The two female leads are very likable and I root for them to be reunited with their loved ones and love interests.

Unfortunately, the rest of the drama is a big makjang of crazy plotlines of the rest of the characters. First crazy plotline is the lesbian obsession. That daughter-in-law is one of the two annoying characters of the drama. The drama spends so much time with her harassing her love interest that it’s becoming very uncomfortable to watch.

The other crazy plot line is Madam Baek’s romance. Why waste precious screen time on these two lovebirds. I don’t need a whole episode on their date. I would consider their story romantic and sweet if the age gap is not so ridiculous and if they have their own show. Now, it’s just cringey and a waste of space.

The writers seem to have forgotten the drama’s name is “Durian’s Affair” and should have dedicated the most time and effort to Du Ri An and Kim So Jeo. They are the time-traveling duo and center of attention! I want to see the love connection between So Jeo and Deung Meyong. I want to see them slowly falling in love while acting in their drama. I want to see sweet, cute and fluffy romantic moments from this good-looking pair. Additionally, I want to see more sizzling chemistry and longing looks between Ri An and Chi Gam. Unfortunately, these stories become an afterthought.

The ending is up to your interpretation. The modern timeline ending is a lot easier to understand. The Joseon timeline threw a curveball to my understanding with the very last scene.

I won’t say I hate this drama. It was just a bit looney and unexpected. I enjoy the first half so much more than the second half. I don’t think I will recommend this unless you are a fan of makjang and crazy storylines.


Completed: 8/17/2024 - Review #472

Leia Mais

Frustrating journey to see how the main romance landed.

Not knowing what to expect aside from the low rating and the simple synopsis, I really didn’t have a lot of expectations. I thought the initial plot sounded interesting. I am a fan of enemies-to-lovers and second-chance romances, so this might be right up my alley.

Well, the first half of the show is pretty decent. The divorce stories are simple enough to feel relatable, yet still interesting. They do not necessarily take up too much screen time as the primary focus is still on the characters themselves. So, I would not go into this drama thinking this is a law drama or a serious business drama.

The romance and story between our two leads, Ha Ra (FL) and Eun Beom (ML) is what this drama is all about. After all, it’s called “Strangers Again”. What could possibly go wrong when a divorced couple meet again and work closely together? Ha Ra and Eun Beom have good chemistry together. I enjoy their scenes the most, and Kang So Ra and Jang Seung Jo gave us pretty good acting performances. The rest of the lawyers provide good supporting colors to the drama with their unique personalities. I would say the relationship between ML and his mother is a little over-the-top.

I really quite enjoyed the first few episodes until I found out the reason for the leads’ divorce. I don’t want to spoil this, but it’s one big pile of bullshit. The leads have been together for 10 years and married for a few, yet Eun Beom (ML) still cannot openly communicate his feelings and concerns. How could he come up with such a stupid plan to divorce someone you supposedly love. Ok, fine…. At this point of the drama, I knew he had some sort of tragic backstory. Viewers’ patience is required to slowly find out what that trauma is. I shall be patient.

Many are upset about the ending of this romance. I actually like where they both end up. What I am mad about is HOW they got to this point. I was so annoyed at Ha Rah for the way she goes about pursuing Eun Beom again. I don’t mind a woman taking the initiative to go after a guy. All the power to her. However, the way and the timing are all so wrong. He is already so stressed out about a court case. You, as a co-worker and a future/former loved one, did not try to support and help him during this stressful time. Instead, you selfishly and pathetically add more stress and pretty much bully him into saying ‘Yes’. At this point, I started disliking Ha Ra and don’t want them to be together.

When the leads got together again, I would have liked to see more cute and fluffy scenes. A few more kisses won’t hurt either. Unfortunately, the calm is short and the storm hits again. Issues, miscommunication and misunderstanding arrive and this couple should have known better after what they went through the first time. Are we going to use past traumatic experiences and the lack of understanding of what love is to kill this rekindled romance? These supposedly mature professional adults should have been able to communicate better and solve problems together the second time around.

The secondary opposite-attract couple is fine. Their story could have been better written. It seems pretty one-note in this opposites attract narrative and the writing is trying too hard in telling us how different they are. I would have liked a few more heartfelt and sincere scenes, or touching moments for me to want them to be happyl. They just ended up being kind of bland.

Luckily, there are only 12 episodes. I would have been super annoyed if their ‘journey’ lasted 4 more episodes. As a romance lover, this is a frustrating watch. I like flawed characters too, but the decisions made by the leads here do not make sense and I don’t root for them at all. What saves me from rating this drama even lower is the all-around good acting.



Completed: 7/16/2024 - Review #461

Leia Mais

I forgot all that happened in Season 1 and I still had a GREAT time watching Season 2

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75

The long-awaited season 2 of “Joy of Life” did not disappoint. Props to the novel writer and the scriptwriter for coming up with such an engaging plot and witty conversations. The humor in this drama is top-notch. This drama shows that you do not need to have over-the-top acting to make people laugh. If I have to list ONE good thing about this drama, it would be its comedy/humor.

As the title said, I did not rewatch season 1 and I forget almost everything. Is it still worth watching season 2? ABSOLUTELY! However, I do think that if you forget what happened and have the time to rewatch season 1 or the shortened (LOL) 25-ep recap, you should do it. There are times I really wish I could remember what happened in Northern Qi. There were very few flashbacks to season 1 and when they were reminiscing about what happened, they did not go in-depth.

Just like in season 1, the acting is spectacular. Zhang Ruo Yun plays a more mature but still funny version of Fan Xian. Fan Xian’s journey is central to the plot and the second season shows his growth and character development as he learns more of her mother’s legacy and influence. Everything revolves about him and the people around him. You feel for him when he becomes unsure of who he can and cannot trust. There are layers and layers of schemes over schemes. The emperor is even more omnipresent than before. After a while, I automatically assume he’s behind everything and can’t be trusted at all. The veteran cast continues to impress. The elder trio of the Emperor, Chan Ping Ping and Fan Jian (ML’s father) has some of the best scenes. I also like the witty banter and animosity between Fan Xian and the Second prince, and the friendship between Fan Xian and Wang Qi Nian. I am also so proud of Fan Si Zhe and Fan Ruo Ruo growth in this drama as well. Having said that, at one point, I wonder if this drama is ever going to end (not because I was bored). It feels like the stories revolving around Fan Xian can go on forever. There doesn’t seem to be a main plot with a beginning, middle and end.

On a shallower note, Zhang Ruo Yun lost a lot of weight this season. He’s looking more handsome than before. Li Qin is still beautiful, but the 5-year wait really shows Li Qin’s more mature look. But I guess it’s OK, since Lin Wan Er is not the little girl with the chicken leg anymore. I still find Wu Gang (Chen Ping Ping) and Chen Dao Ming’s (Emperor) faces very botox-like and a little distracting. If we have to wait another 5 years for season 3, I am afraid all the cast members might become too old!

“Joy of Life” obviously has a pretty decent budget. They might not be able to bring Xiao Zhan back, but it still has a star-studded cast and many supporting and guest roles. The production quality is great with beautiful costumes and accessories, (how elaborate and detailed was Lin Wan Er’s wedding headdress!!!), sets and props. The CGI of the fight scenes are just OK though. I know this is not a wuxia drama, but I wish there were more fight scenes.

A couple of my minor criticisms have to do with the writing of the female cast. First of all (and it might only bug me) is the romance between Fan Xian and Lin Wan Er. I know romance is only a very tiny part of this amazing drama. I still feel that there aren’t enough of the two of them together throughout the drama. The majority of their scenes are towards the end of the drama, and I need some sooner, so that the impact of their wedding and confrontation in the latter half can be more impactful. Additionally, the drama introduced several female characters in the first half, e.g. Northern Qi’s princess (Mao Xiao Tong), Sang Wen (Wang Chu Ran) and Yuen Meng (Wang Xiao Chen). What happened to them in the latter half? They just disappeared? I thought I would see more of the 1st Prince with the princess, similar to the story of the 2nd Prince and Ye Ling Er.

Having said all that, “Joy of Life 2” is really worth the 5-year wait. There are a few scenes that I enjoy so much that I actually jot them down in my notes:
1. Seeing Chen Ping Ping with his hair down in his mansion is a weird sight. What is up with the extravagant lifestyle!??!
2. The conversation between FL’s brother (Da Bao) and father also breaks my heart. It’s a sad reminder that people change one day and those who like him now, may not like him in the future. That whole side story of the two is so touching.
3. Fan Xian and Wan Er’s teary confrontation also broke my heart. I have to say, Li Qin was excellent here and that’s a huge compliment when she’s playing opposite Zhang Ruo Yun.
4. All of the different conversations Fan Xian and his family have between each other are touching and meaningful.

I go back and forth on whether to rate this an 8.5 or 9.0. I think part of my wavering is because I don’t remember much in season 1. That doesn’t seem fair to downgrade my rating because it’s a me problem. Objectively, “Joy of Life” is very deserving of its high rating with great writing, excellent acting and a controlled yet smooth pace, even though they are some loose ends that might or might be resolved by season 3. I hope we don’t have to wait long to find out!


Completed: 7/14/2024 - Review #460

Leia Mais

Love the poems and ML, but too many insufferable characters on repeat.

The concept of “ A Poem A Day” is really lovely. The poems chosen for each episode are appropriate and provide a great epilogue. Some are more touching than others, but generally speaking, they’re chosen well.

Lee Joon Hyuk is really dreamy. His character, Dr. Ye, is the best part of the show (aside from the poems). He comes off as cold and inflexible in the earlier episodes, but he’s the one with the most character development. His starting point might be because of his girlfriend, but he has become a better person in the end. He’s mature, calm and only has eyes for Bo Young. I was impressed by his maturity especially when he faced the childish second male lead, Hin Min Ho. There were a few times I thought he might lose his calm but he didn’t.

I like Bo Yeong as the female lead who is trying her best at work. A big part of the show is her journey to obtain full-time employment at the hospital. Bo Yeong is a likable female lead. She’s sweet and kind, bubbly and not too childish. I’m impressed with her patience when dealing with her annoying co-workers. At times, I wish she would break character and start yelling at them more often.

Even though I like Bo Yeong and Dr. Ye individually, I do not like them as a couple much. The chemistry is just OK, but not enough for me to root for them. Bo Yeong might not be immature, but I feel Dr. Ye is just at a different level. He’s just way too mature. Is it opposites attract? Possibly and I can see why guys would like Bo Yeong. I wish there were more intimate conversations with substance. Their conversations revolve around work, daily lives and the superficial get-to-know-each-other. It’s not until the last episode when Dr Ye wanted more.

I also do not like any of the supporting cast. There are many complaints about Shin Min Ho (2ML) and now I know why. He was an immature, childish, spoiled brat through and through. He’s used to getting what he wants, won’t take no for an answer, and doesn’t care much about others feelings. He was insufferable in the beginning. But then, I saw a glimpse of hope that he has grown and become a better man. Unfortunately, his petty and selfish personality just won’t go away, especially how he treated Bo Yeong in episode 14.

I don’t care for the radiologists and the rest of the physical therapy staff. They are not very likable and their antics are repetitive and annoying. There’s only so much indecisiveness, selfishness, gossip and nosy behavior I can take. It’s worse when all these behaviors are on repeat throughout the drama. Those young guys are all spoiled brats. They have to learn the hard way in order to grow.

Lastly, the repetitiveness of Bo Yeong’s disappointment and second-hand embarrassment never ends. When you show her getting her hopes high and then disappointed once or twice, I feel bad for her. But when you keep on writing this trope over and over again, it becomes predictable and I don’t care about it anymore.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this drama, unless you are a fan of Lee Joon Hyuk and poetry. A slice-of-life drama of characters I don’t like is a tough pill to swallow. I also wish the medical cases are more interesting and have more weight on the character development. But they are just an afterthought.

Completed: 6/20/2024 - Review #452

Leia Mais

Decent acting and great leads chemistry, but lost steam in the 2nd half.

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

I don’t remember how I came across “Dear Mr Hermitage” as it’s definitely not a popular one and the leads are not played by idol actors. I think we can classify this drama as a romantic comedy with a side of business.

I actually really liked the first half of the drama and thought I might rate this an 8.0.. The acting is pretty good for a cast full of experienced but not super popular actors. Tang Min plays the female lead, Su Shi Yu. I’ve seen her previously in “Chef Hua” (I really like) and “General’s Lady” (I dropped this one). Her acting here is pretty good as a go-getter, straightforward, kind and independent woman. I didn’t quite like her shenanigans in the first couple episodes, but she grew on me. Apparently, I’ve seen Chen Jing Ke, playing the male lead Lin Wei, recently in “Amidst a Snowstorm of Love” but I don’t remember or recognize him. Maybe it’s the short hair. I have to say, I am quite impressed in his portrayal of the cool, calm and monk-like Lin Wei. I wasn’t sure if he would pull it off and just looks emotionless and bland. However, he actually was quite expressive with his eyes and micro-expressions.

Because both Tang Min and Chen Jing Ke did pretty well and have great chemistry, their romance is the favorite part of the drama. They started as strangers, with FL annoying ML to no end, then becoming frenemies, friends and lovers. The pacing of their romantic journey is good, and both characters are mature, honest and communicative. That makes it easy to root for their success, despite a couple of admirers.

Unfortunately, the secondary and tertiary romances are a little lacking. I am glad that the secondary leads are not annoying but pretty good people. So, no need to worry about evil characters trying to sabotage the main romance. But their romance is not developed very well. Bai Ruan’s romance is even more lacking. I think her story could have been interesting as she has an interesting dynamic with her man,, but not enough time is given. Instead too much focus is on the business side of things.

In the first half of the show, I was fine with the tea business and Lin Wei’s determination to grow this special tea. The villagers are decent people and not too irritating (annoying villagers and towns folks are my pet peeves). In fact, they are kinda cute in a way, meddling in the leads business but also very supportive.

However, in the second half, the business plotlines become boring. The tea business was forgotten for a while, and then picked back up in the end to integrate with FL’s vlogging. It really doesn’t seem very realistic for FL to move her business to the small town. There are some minor plotholes that don’t necessarily affect the big scheme of things, but they just seem unrealistic and too easy to create ‘drama’. The downfall of ML due to the villain's evil plan seems too easy and not written well. The family animosity was so secretive for too long. I would have liked to know why ML’s uncle is so angry and putting the blame on ML. Once that was revealed, the resolution came too quickly and easily.

Ultimately, the drama lost its steam in the second half after a pretty good start. I don’t think I will recommend this drama unless you are fans of the actors. It is an easy watch and I do like the main romance quite a bit, and it’s essential to the whole drama. But don’t watch this for the business part of the plot.


Completed: 6/12/2024 - Review #451

Leia Mais

A second-chance at being a Good mother, but still ended being a Good Bad mother.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

I wanted to like “The Good Bad Mother’ and I did until I started losing interest towards the second half of the drama. In short, this drama has excellent acting from the youngest to the oldest. The mother/son relationship is the central focus and takes me on a rollercoaster ride. Unfortunately, the revenge plot lost me in the second half and I just don’t care for it anymore.

The title of the drama aptly describes what this show is all about. It’s tough to be a good mother. You want your child’s best interest but how you show your (tough) love and convey that message to your children are the most difficult part. We witness how hard Jin Young Soon (mom) tries to be the best mother she could be, after her husband passed away. As a single mother, she worked hard, cared for her son, ensured he had the best future as a prosecutor. But it was hard watching her executing her parenting plans. You can even say she’s an abusive mother. When she was given a second chance to do it all over again, she seized the opportunity to right the wrong and be a better mother. It was heartbreaking to watch her interaction with Kang Ho (son), when he expressed the same frustrations as not being able to choose what he wants, that he’s always pleasing his mother and doing what she asks him too. The shock and traumatic experience on Jin Young Soon’s face said it all. History repeated itself.

Despite a tumultuous relationship, there’s a lot of joy in this drama. It was lovely seeing an adorable Lee do Hyun. He might not be the most handsome actor out there, but every time I see him (no matter what role he plays), you can’t help but like him. He plays an excellent Choi Kang Ho and is a worthy partner to Ra Mi Ran’s excellent and heartbreaking portrayal of Jin Young Soon. The cast is full of veterans that we’ve seen in many Kdramas. Their acting skills are undeniable and make you love and hate them at the same time. The villagers are not as annoying as I worried, but a few of the side plots or characters don’t really contribute much to the general plot. I have to say, the kids are adorable! Such smartypants and they do provide some great comedic moments when the drama gets a little more emotional. Oh, how can I forget about the cute little pigs! It’s rare to see a drama about a pig drama and I like this uniqueness.

Unfortunately, the revenge plot is not exciting enough. We’ve seen enough illegal dealings by the two villains. There’s no suspense and them trying to kill and scheme against each other become repetitive and boring. I would have liked to see the amnesia go away sooner. Then the drama can focus on healing, rekindling romance, re-adjusting to new life, and better writing in revenge.

The romance is a very small part of the drama. There are some sweet moments. I just would have liked to see more complicated feelings from Lee Mi Joo when he met Cho Kang Ho again. I want more semi-avoidance, more confusion and more interaction between them. When the secret is out, their resolution is too quick and too anti-climatic.

I do like the ending after the trial. It was emotional and bittersweet. A fitting ending to a drama that gives us such an emotional rollercoaster ride. I can see why “The Good Bad Mother” is so highly rated, but it’s just missing the mark a little for it for me personally. I was going to give a solid 8.5 in the first half, but will end up giving this an 8.25 instead.


Completed: 6/7/2024 - Review #449

Leia Mais

Short and Soothing

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

“Letter from the Sun” is a soothing and slow-paced drama that introduces the Thai art of weaving. Through the stories of two generations, we learn a little more of Thai cultures and the meaning of patience, dedication and commitment.

The plot itself is very simple. ML travels to Thailand to learn about his mother’s special box after her passing. As he discovers the meaning and story behind this beautifully weaved box, he also encounters a short romantic interlude in his life. There are no plot twists, no angst, but it is quite bittersweet. This drama can be interpreted as very slow, or just the perfect pace if you want something calming.

I enjoy the mix of cultures and languages in this drama. Except for Ayako (ML’s mother), all actors are Thai even though ML and his fiance speak Japanese. I am not sure if there’s a thick accent, but they sound believable to me. Acting is good and cinematography is nice. With only two episodes, I think “Letter from the Sun” did a great job in pacing and storytelling, without feeling rushed or unsatisfying.

If you are looking for something short, soothing and slow-paced, this is the perfect one for you.

I watched this on Thai PBS with English subtitles: https://www.thaipbs.or.th/program/LetterFromTheSun/episodes/93437


Completed: 3/30/2024 - Review #422

Leia Mais

So Good. So Real. So Honest. So Fun. So Everyday Normal Lives.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75

“Small Town Stories” is one of those dramas that is underrated because it has no popular idol actors, no flashy plot and it’s just about the everyday life of the regular folks. Aside from high school dramas, China is really good at producing dramas such as “Small Town Stories”. Although there is nothing flashy about this drama, it brings me warmth, tears, hope and love. This is definitely not a drama for everyone, but it’s one that touches me.


What I Like:

1. Bai Lang (ML) - I am in love with Bai Lang. I am going to include him in my ‘Male Characters I love… Ideal man!’ custom list. He’s definitely not perfect in the fairytale kind of way, but he’s perfect in my eyes as a regular guy. Bai Lang is smart, hardworking, considerate, caring, loyal, dependable, responsible, and funny. He’s not cute or handsome in the traditional sense, but I love his tan skin and adorable smile. Gao Zhi Ting, who plays Bai Lang, has matured quite a bit. I’ve only seen him in “A Love So Beautiful” as the green flag 2ML. But in “Small Town Stories”, his acting improves, he has more screen presence and is a lot more charismatic.

2. Main Romance - I love the chemistry between Bai Lang and Mu Di. I am a fan of bickering leads who don’t like each other in the beginning, then slowly become friends and then fall in love. This is definitely a slow burn romance and you would be disappointed if you are looking for cute and fluffy love. The romance here is gradual, subtle-yet-not-subtle, but it’s full of fun, laughter, and tears. I like the development of the romance more than the actual romance when they finally get together.

3. Main/Supporting Cast - Every character in this drama feels real to me. No face smoothing, no super white make-up, no backlighting. These characters could be your next door neighbor, your uncle or aunt, or a classmate/friend. The characters are flawed and very ‘human’. They make mistakes, they act irrationally at times, yet you can’t help but root for them and not hate them. Yes, there’s an annoying girl who just won’t take no for an answer, but in the end, she’s still a good person at heart. Ok, she’s just a tad annoying and got on my nerves a little bit. But aside from that, I like everyone in this drama.

4. Acting - I am very impressed with Gao Zhi Ting (ML) and Karlina Zhang (FL). I see a different side of Rain Lu (2FL). Wu Xing JIan (2ML) might be the weakest of the four main leads, but he’s still not bad. I enjoy the acting of the supporting cast, especially Song Jia Teng (as ML’s BFF/Brother), Xu Shao Ying (Cop friend), FL’s family and all the musicians. The cast of “Small Town Stories” is full of veterans and very experienced actors. They really bring the characters to life.

5. Mini-stories - I really enjoy the side stories of weddings, celebrations and funerals. For the most part (except the last two subplots), these stories are touching yet don’t take away from the main plot and main leads character development. Through these stories, we see the growth of Mu Di (FL) from a self-centered and proud musician, to hitting rock bottom, to slowly realize what makes her happy and what her dream is.


What I have Mixed Feelings or Don’t Like:

1. Last few episodes - I feel that the older couple’s love story, and FL sister/bro-in-law banking fiasco are the weakest subplots of the series. They don’t jive with the vibe of the drama in the first 20+ episodes. They also don’t contribute to the general character development of the leads, the music journey and the event business. I was worried that this amazing drama is going to tank in the last few episodes and I will end up being disappointed. Luckily, episodes 29-30 picked back up and ended on a high note. Those two episodes brought back touching tears, silly laughter and hope for the future.

2. Chinese Government - I wish the drama could have focused on the cultural aspect of the music without bringing in all the government talk. Maybe that’s also why I don’t like the banking subplot as that introduced more government involvement to the drama, and the boring business talk of the new Cultural Street/Development.

3. Dubbed correction - It was great having all the actors use their real voice and with live recording as well. But then, there are quite a few lines that are dubbed over the original. Is that possibly due to censorship? This happens more than once or twice, and it takes me out of the zone and interrupts my viewing pleasure.

4. One-sided Love - There are three different one-sided love storylines in this drama and all three individuals are quite persistent. One just wouldn’t take No for an answer and is annoying as heck. One goes above and beyond to impress the family shamelessly. One is not even friends with the love interest and is obsessed with them and almost ruins 12 years of friendship. If all three of them stop sooner, then one of the other romance storylines would have time to develop and make me root for them.

5. Kisses - There are a few not-so-great kisses. The camera shot these kisses at weird angles and you can't really see much. The ones that you do see are in the last episode but they are definitely for fan service. They’re not particularly romantic and did not evoke any positive feelings from me.



Overall, I had a great time watching this drama. I wish more people would take notice of it. It’s not perfect, but if you are in the mood for small town stories of normal people’s everyday life, this is a good one. However, the city definitely doesn't feel small town as it keeps on showing me scenes of tall buildings and city lights. LOL. So, don't think this drama is about rural life and townsfolks. "Small Town Stories" is about a very interesting event planning company.


Completed: 3/29/2024 - Review #421

Leia Mais

Unique Plot with a Deeper meaning, but Execution could be better.

I applaud the writers of “Love for Love’s Sake” for thinking outside of the box and coming up with quite an interesting plot for a short high school BL drama. This drama is so much more than transmigration into a video game, which we’ve seen quite a lot of those from different countries. As we learn more and more about our male lead, Tae Myung Ha, we get to know more of him as a person, and not just a character in the game. The story goes from a cute rom-com, to a darker melodrama.

Towards the middle of the drama, you can slowly see hints dropped about his relationship with Cha Yeo Woon, and a deeper meaning to their encounter and experiences. However, despite having a unique plot, I feel that the execution is not quite up to par. When the drama ended, I am still quite unsure if it’s all a dream? A prank? A real transmigration? The work of god? The work of death? What and why did it all happen? In this case, I wish the drama would be longer so that it can explore the backstory of the characters more, especially for Tae Myung Ha.

The acting of the cast is average at best. I would say Lee Tae Vin (who played ML Tae Myung Ha) delivered the best performance of the bunch. And Cha Joon Wan (who played 2ML Cha Yeo Woon) delivered the weakest performance. The rest of the cast is just OK.

Although you can tell this is a small budget production (wearing the same clothes, the same few sets, limited OST), I have to say the drama does not look cheap.

Overall, I had a decent time watching “Love for Love’s Sake”. I commend this drama (or the webtoon it’s adapted from) for an interesting plot, but just wish the execution, storytelling and acting could be better.


Completed: 2/20/2024 - Review #405

Leia Mais

A Medical drama focuses on Romance, Relationships and Character Development - not medical cases

“Emergency Couple” holds up pretty well even after 10 years. Although most of the scenes are spent in the ER, I would say this is not a true medical drama as it focuses on romance, relationships and character development more than medical cases. The patients help with fostering the interns growth and maturity, which I quite like. But if you want a true medical drama, you might want to look elsewhere.

What I Like:

Choi Jin Hyuk - I always thought he’s a handsome guy but this is the first time I realized what a great actor he is. I hated his character in the first few episodes and couldn’t wait for his character development to happen soon. He was great in making me hate him, and made me laugh and smile when he’s acting adorable, petty and jealous. But I was most impressed with his emotional scenes towards the last quarter of the drama. His eyes can act and emote very well.

Oh Chang Min (ML) - How I hate him in the first few episodes. I wanted to punch him in the face during those early scenes before the divorce. I definitely enjoy his character development the most throughout the drama. He went from an asshole → doctor with a reputation → doctor who couldn’t live up to his reputation → maturing doctor → doctor who cares → a real doctor. He also went from an impulsive sweetheart → demeaning husband → sabotaging ex-husband → adorably-in-love but pushy loverboy → heartbroken but understanding ex → hopeful boyfriend. I actually think he should forget about his ex-wife and go find someone else. He’s too good for her.

Medical cases - They are not too complicated and don’t last too long. Their injuries and treatments seem realistic enough. The drama does not go into the background stories and nor try to make you feel a certain way. The patients do not take the spotlight away from the doctors. If you are watching this as a medical drama, you might be disappointed. But since I am a romance-junkie especially for second-chance romance, I think the amount of screen time for the medical cases and hospital politics are perfect for me.

No evil secondary characters - It’s so refreshing, especially for an older drama, to have a non-toxic love hexagon. No one is forcing their feelings on others. No one is doing or saying anything to drive the leads apart from each other. In fact, they are all too nice.

Acting - Acting is pretty good all around, including those in supporting and minor roles. I don’t really have any complaints.


What I have Mixed Feelings:

Main Romance - I really enjoy the first ¾ of the drama when it comes to romance. I like enemies-to-lovers and second-chance romances. I think both leads have great chemistry together, especially when they are fighting. Because of how much I disliked the ML in the beginning, I love seeing him try to chase FL back and grovel. I also like how FL is taking the more cautious approach to the relationship. However, when it comes to the last few episodes, I do not like how FL starts to change her mind and wants to get back together. Not that I don’t like them together, but I don't like the writing of the process and development. It feels off and not genuine for some reason.

Oh Jin Hee (FL) - I felt so bad for her in the early episodes and was rooting hard for her to be a successful doctor. Even after successfully starting her internship and obviously doing a pretty good job, she just keeps on apologizing. She’s also very wishy-washy with her feelings towards the Chief and her ex-husband. I do not like her character towards the end. I also don’t like how she acts when she’s trying to woo her ex back. I blame the writer for doing a poor job here.

(Non) Romance - As I mentioned above, I do not like FL’s wishy-washy unclear feelings, especially towards the Chief. She was giving out all these mixed signals, asking if the Chief would consider someone who makes his heart flutter or someone he’s comfortable with. Now you got his answer and then what? I know she could still be confused about her feelings or resisting certain feelings, it was still a frustrating watch. The Chief demonstrated in the earlier episodes that he might like FL, and nothing happened for the longest time until the last few episodes. He has no chemistry with FL. I started to question Lee Pil Mo’s (Chief) acting a little because he seemed so restrained, then emotionless and then acted his ass off in a conflicted/embarrassed/shy/heartbroken way in the last episode during that one-on-one conversation with FL. On another note, Chief has so much more chemistry with his ex, Dr. Shim, and seems to be giving her mixed signals as well. I kept on going back and forth whether he still has feelings for her or not, especially, when I am not feeling anything towards FL.

Pacing - I think the pace is pretty good for the first half of the drama. But 21 episodes is way too long. Even though I know older dramas tend to be about 16-20 episodes long and not the 8-16 format these days, 21 is way more than enough. Not a whole lot happened and the romances in this drama dragged on for too long. There’s a lot of talking but not a lot of doing/actions taken.


What I don’t Like/Don’t Care for:

ML’s Mother - OMG… I hated her so much. I really want to believe somewhere in there, all her actions and mean words, come from her love for her son. But it’s really hard to not want to strangle her. I fast-forwarded most of her scenes in the first ¾ of the drama. I have mixed feelings about her character redemption in the end.

FL’s sister - I really don’t care for the sister and her boyfriend. The kid is cute enough, but their story really didn’t add much to the main plot.


Overall, I had an enjoyable time, especially during the first half of the drama. I was going to give this an 8.5 up until the last few episodes when I start to dislike FL more and more. As I said, I do not like how the romance came around and started, and felt that the last episode is just a filler. But seeing that this is a 10-year old drama, I don’t find too many things cringey.



Other Random Observations:
1. Who knew CPR could be so sensual. LOL 🤣
2. FL was running around looking for ML, no wonder her heart was beating fast! It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s because of ML (but of course, that’s what my brain says, not what the drama’s point).
3. I find it a little cringey when FL was trying to seduce ML in the last couple episodes.
4. Does anyone find Song Ji Hyo (FL), Han Ji Min (One Spring Night), Hwang Jung Eum (Kill Me, Heal Me) look alike? OK, maybe just me then. 😁

Completed: 2/11/2024 - Review #402

Leia Mais

An Exhausting Watch! I need a shoulder massage after this. It's too stressful, in a Good way!

Subjective Enjoyment Rating: 8.5
Objective Drama Rating: 9.0-9.5

Disclaimer: Horror is usually the genre I avoid as it’s not really my cup of tea. I am a scaredy cat, though I am Ok with violence. My review is from a novice perspective.


I want to emphasize that this is a very stressful drama-watching experience for me. My shoulders were all tensed up from Ep 1 to Ep 16. I am not sure if it’s because I am a novice and not used to this, or if this drama is just so exciting and full of plot twists. This is a whole new experience for me and I’ve watched many, many dramas in the last 3-4 years, though not this genre.

The acting is excellent - from the youngest to the oldest, from the main cast to those with very minor roles. It’s nice to see Kim Dong Wook play a regular dude, not a CEO or professional. This is a side of him I haven’t seen before, and he’s much more expressive than when I saw him in his last drama, “My Perfect Stranger”. It’s also great to see my beloved Kim Jae Wook, not as the perfect boyfriend but as a stoic priest who really needs to act to show a range of subtle emotions. Jung Eun Chae as the main female member held her own in the trio. It’s so great to see a badass female cop who actually could come in and save the day physically, and not a damsel in distress. Additionally, this drama also has a pretty stacked veteran supporting cast.

Special effects, creepy and scary sound effects, hair and makeup, all added to the overall viewing experience. This is a top notch production and there’s really nothing I can pick on. From a horror perspective, it’s not too scary for me. I think the horror aspects are more visual (violence, gore, blood). It’s less of a psychological horror, thus, I wasn’t really scared at all. But if you don’t like violence and gore, I would not recommend this drama for you. Those exorcism scenes are quite a sight to behold.

Even though I was tense from the beginning to the end (what a crazy, exciting and an emotional last episode), I do feel that the pacing of some episodes is somewhat slow. These are hour-long episodes and at times, they felt longer than one hour. There are also times when not much happened and the main cast was running around in circles. I actually wanted more action. I also don’t feel the urge to keep on pressing the “play” button to go to the next episode.

For someone who is inexperienced in this genre, I do think this is a great drama. I am not going to pretend I have a very enjoyable time, because I was stressed out and exhausted. I definitely do not recommend binge watching this. But if horror is your thing, please do check this out. If you don’t like violence, gore and lots of blood, then skip this one.


Other Random Observations:
1. Hwa Pyung reminded me of Harry Potter, and Park Il Do reminded me of Voldemort. LOL.
2. I keep thinking the three main characters plus all their friends and relatives should all carry a cross with them at all times.
3. Shamanism working hand-in-hand with Catholicism? That’s interesting.



Completed: 2/5/2024 - Review #401

Leia Mais