Reviews

THIS DRAMA IS GOLDDDD

Guys if you haven't watched it yet... GO AND DO IT RIGHT NOWWWWWW!!!
the slowburn is slowburning but it's SO worth it. this bl literally changed me like nothing else and now i have an unhealthy obsession with yinwar (but i'm not complaining tho, they're so fire) 🔥🔥🔥
first of all the story is so so engrossing. not only is the romantic part AMAZING and dare i say - very fresh in the bl industry, but also the overall story brings your attention and makes you keep wanting more. i love joke's different images, the characters' character development - everything is perfect! of course some things could've been done better, but judging by the fact that they had only 12 episodes and the story was intense, i still think they did an excellent job. in my opinion it's something extremely fresh and exciting in the bl industry - not serving everything in the first ep. you need to wait for it and go through the tension building up between the main characters. i can say i totally fell in love with jack and joker and i haven't been so invested into a bl probably since i had watched kinnporsche.

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Joker is giving everything and we love it

I love everything about Joke. Like literally everything. His voice, the way he speaks so softly to Joke, his face, his tattoos, his smirks. And the way he kisses? This man is H-U-N-G-R-Y. I can't say enough about how complex and fine this character felt to me.

But sadly this is mostly everything that I liked. The rest is... Just weird. Things and especially change of feelings happen way too fast, some directing choices just flabbergasted me and Boss character... Don't let me started. It seemed like he is trying to be the villain we deserve so much but his portrayer looked more like drama kid with mental issues who definitely is not the main character but tries hard to be one. Damn, I'm sort of disappointed but overall I think that the chemistry and story are good enough but let's not kid ourselves Joker is the light of this show! I would recommend watching this just for him.

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Superou as expectativas!

O primeiro episódio de The Heart Killers já entrega uma trama envolvente, cheia de mistério e romance. A história segue Kant, um tatuador infiltrado pela polícia, que precisa investigar assassinatos enquanto se aproxima de Bison, um dos suspeitos. A relação entre eles começa a crescer, adicionando um dilema emocional à missão de Kant. Paralelamente, o irmão de Bison, Fadel, desenvolve uma dinâmica intrigante com Style, um mecânico. O episódio foi intenso e já mostrou que a série promete muitas reviravoltas.

Falando sobre os atores, FirstKhao entregaram atuações impecáveis e muita química, como sempre. JoongDunk também brilharam, mostrando uma boa evolução em suas atuações. Todos estão muito bem, com sintonia e química que elevam a série, contribuindo para que ela se torne um grande sucesso.

Estou ansiosa para ver como a história vai se desenrolar e surpreender nos próximos episódios. Na minha opinião, a série tem todos os elementos para conquistar o público e se destacar como um dos melhores BLs do ano.

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Just Amazing!!

I just loved the whole story, acting, character development, cinematography and everything.
This drama has made me cry, laugh, tense in some situations. It was a whole roller-coaster ride.
I loved that every character had their important part and were not left hanging just for the sake of building up the story.
Joke is an amazing character as he always tries his best to make everyone happy around him qnd doesn't want to let others down.
Development of Jack's character is very interesting how an innocent boy turns into a Grim Reaper but is still kind.
Jack and Joke are so much in love with each other that they always support and protect each other in difficult situations.
War and Yin has acted so well!!!
Tattoo, Hoy, Arun, Save, Hope every person had important part in the story.
Not to forget the Grandma's character... she is so good- a very cool and supportive grandma who wants happiness for his grandchild.
I just loved everything about this drama.

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This was fine.

I'm so angry with myself for not liking this as much as I hoped! I was so damn sure "Jack & Joker: U Steal My Heart!" was going to be a winner 2024.
I’m on the fence as to how to grade this one. The plot is good, the characters are appealing (I really liked Jack, Joker and the cast of side characters) and the ending was pretty satisfying too, and I was happy to see how everything wrapped up.
If you’re in the market for a socialconflict, dramatic romance with a lots of intrigue and slight comedy, then perhaps Jack & Joker will work better for you than it did for me.
The series is full of hot, flirty fun between Jack and Joke while also diving into lots of schemes and secrets. There are crushes, trickery, honou, amily dynamics and quite a bit of insight into the debt collectors.
I think I'm just not the right spectator for this series. There were definitely aspects I enjoyed. There were lines that made me grin and some plot elements I really liked. Unfortunately the way it was presented I never felt fully engaged. Even the plot points that I felt excitement over never fully grabbed me, partly because of the pacing and partly because of my expectations.
7.5 stars
I can't bring myself to only give this 7 stars, because I liked the characters and their relationships.

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a touch of something different but with incredible chemistry

Am I rating this a bit higher than it probably deserves purely because YinWar's chemistry is just so dang good? Why yes, yes I am. But to be honest the two of them are the only reason I tuned in to watch this show in the first place and their performance did not disappoint. Alone they each carried their characters with strong masculinity and incredible depth of emotions that brought the two men to life and made you as the viewer root for each individually. But man together, those two delivered so much magnetism where even scenes where they were fighting felt like flirting. The show is tailor made for them and their acting ability shines in these two roles that portray them in more mature characters than they have done in the past. The emotion they carry in their eyes and their ability to really make you feel what they are feeling. I am in love with these two actors and this show will be popular purely because of them.

Now for the plot and other characters. The show begins really strong with the presentation of their respective backgrounds and initial meeting. The first episode is one of my absolute favorite among any shows I have seen. At the end of the first episode you see what led the two characters in the directions they went and are greeted 5 years later in the second episode where the remainder of the show takes place. Joke, who accidentally incriminated Jack after making a bank heist immediately sought to rectify his mistake by turning himself in. After five years in prison he comes out determined to make it up to Jack by apologizing in any way he can. Those five years have not been kind to Jack however and he is now a debt collector for the shady Boss of his home town where he must do things and behave in ways that goes against his character.

The explosive first meeting between these two after five years begins to crack at Jack's facade and cement Joke's determination to help bring back the gentle Jack he met many years before. This determination will lead Joke to another heist to try and free Jack from Boss. And this is where that saying "the best laid plans' comes in to play. Where no matter the effort there is bound to be problems.

The show makes an effort to highlight different aspects that you don't see in other dramas right now. The portrayal of extreme poverty and the toll it takes on people and community. How it snuffs out dreams and will undoubtedly lead to behaving in ways they may not have chosen if given any other option. Like Tattoo who despicably cheats his friends in order to get himself out of debt not once but twice. His desperation to leave his situation is seen in most the characters of their community. And then on the complete opposite side you have the Four Horsemen or the wealthiest families that lord over the common folk and treat them as pawns in games they invent. Their over the top behaviors showcase their complete lack of humanity because of their wealth and privilege. And then there is Boss who is the main antagonist in this story. Greed being his driving force that makes him lose touch with reality and continuously become more and more unhinged.

As an overview and understanding of what the writers wanted to portray I do get it but I also think that the show was not completely successful in actually doing that. Most the characters have no real character growth (with the exception being Rose who began to see her privilege through her interest in Jack and started to change as she was exposed to their world). Many of even the supporting characters also felt cartoonish and over the top making the heavy subject matter not hit as well as it could have such as Hoy and Lompran. These two characters were practically the same just on different sides. Hoy is the uneducated and dopey for the commoner side while Lompran is ridiculously overconfident and silly for the elites.

Slight spoilers below:

The plot holes also become very apparent the further you get into the drama and by episode 11 you are rolling your eyes a bit. While the show touches on serious subject matter it tries to do it lightheartedly with silly humor which felt forced and cheapened the story a bit. I think by removing some of the more ridiculous storylines towards the end then this would have been an absolutely brilliant drama. The harm of a child and the sidekick friend groups plans A through E were used as plot devices to create tension and then give comedic relief but both scenarios could have completed the goal if done differently. Exposure of Joke's betrayal by stealing again could have already created the division the plot wanted between the two main characters without Toi Ting and the sidekick scene could have been removed all together in lou of an actual well thought out plan from Jack or Joke with them instead that would have felt more realistic and flowed the story better. Boss's power play also felt very immature for a supposedly lucrative crime boss that had been at it for many years.

All those things aside I still enjoyed watching this show and applaud Yin and War on their performances and will probably rewatch many of their scenes throughout the drama. While there are plot holes and over the top storylines this is still a better drama than many others I have seen both from BL and from Thailand even with its low budget. Kudos to the whole production for that.

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Jack and Joker says it alll!!

Wooow..What a nice story..I just finished watching the drama. First of all this drama has a different and unique story compared to many Bls released during this year. I would say that this is one of the best Bls so far in 2024!

Apart from the storyline, actors did a good job in acting including all main and sub characters of the story. Omggg the romance was sooo good and especially the main cp chemistry was gooddd..The story had some comedy touch in to it and was also romantic and emotional at times..

Music was nice and the type that makes your heart flutter..All in all the whole drama was goodd and I don’t think there’s much negativity to the drama..Unless you just find some parts cringey..That’s all..Enjoy!!

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When Chemistry matters

I binge watched this drama because I enjoyed the pace and everything about it was put together with a lot of effort. However, I stopped watching for a few weeks when I googled "happy or sad ending", and got my answer. I was not in the frame of mind to experience what the drama seemed to be foretelling. I returned to it, basically, because the chemistry between many of the characters was worth the price of having what I thought would be my heart ripped out at the end. I was very, very pleasantly surprised. First, the acting was outstanding. If I didn't give it a 10, it was because a few of the secondary characters were a bit one dimensional and it shadowed the exceptional work of the others. Perhaps it was the script, or the direction they were given, but I thought Bi Wen Jun, and Baron Chen did not develop their characters to support their purpose. I also found it difficult to believe that Zi Gu and Yue Qin could be raised with such a heartless father and not be afflicted or hardened to a degree. Both were such puppies with soft little underbellies. Zi Gu stayed in this character throughout the drama and so it became her truth. This allowed me to suspend my disbelief and get caught up in her relationship with the emperor, Murong Qian. And before I hear the protests about the spring/winter relationship, remember this is OLDEN TIMES. Don't preach to the reader. Besides, maybe it's because I'm a little older, but I think Jiang Kai is kind of hot. The filters and makeup made him look attractive and the way he carried himself made him look downright handsome. I believed their relationship. Yue Qin , to me, was not believable. His love for the leading lady... sure... but a future emperor.... no way. Can I get a shout out to Shao Wei Tong as Qing Yan and Zhao Xiao Tang as Yin Luo Mei. Both were very skilled and their performances were believeable. The makeup on that bloody eye was too, too realistic and praiseworthy. Qing Yan had to be the best "bro" character. I've seen him in the same parts in other dramas and I am always pleased. Now the OST: The opener was awesome; the build up was noteworthy. Every song went well with the storyline. And besides, who doesn't love Liu Yuning? If you don't.... have your ears checked. I'm just sayin'......
I've unintentionally written a long review when I actually came on to talk about the ending. Anyone who finished the drama, read on; anyone who didn't... read at your own risk. This had to be one of the best sad ending saves in the history of Chinese historical dramas. There was no open ending, there was no sobbing uncontrollably. It posed a question, "what if this or that had never happened" and created just a nice, warm alternative scenario. I LOVED IT! I experienced reality and then it gave me a warm back rub and pat on my head. Just the right amount of consoling. Their fated relationship took another shape, and that shape was perfect for my heart to fit into it. I felt like my time was well spent.
On a side note: I don't know what filters they used on the cameras, But Liu Xue Yi and Wu Jin Yan Looked absolutely stunning and the costumes were dazzling. They are great actors, for sure, but I couldn't take my eyes off of them. That's all. I want to finish before your eyes disintegrate. Happy future drama watching everyone.

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If the ocean was a show, it would be this

The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced it’s deserving a top spot in my personal favorites. I kind of agree with some users in calling out the “weight” of the story, which is quite simple, but I cannot stress enough how simplicity can and is a good thing when done right. There’s so much happening under the surface here and it’s all carried through with an incredibly expressive cast, all graced with such a natural gift for acting out the little moments. I felt like as a watcher I just jumped on a ship and navigated through the waves of every episode. LOVED how slow paced it was and how they took their time with what they felt was important to serve their characters. Definitely a more mature approach to the BL world. Thank you, South Korea, you’re raising the bar for everyone else!

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Fresh experience in Thai BL. (Which is rare)

I have no words for the efforts behind this series. It's not a perfect series when your standard is so high. But for an industry that so stacked by mediocre efforts, it's amazing to see such a gem.

Always loved and action comedy. And I can't imagine who else can be the soul of it other than War himself. But the one who surprised me was Yin. He really stepped up his game. I'm so happy for both of them.

I would love to write an in depth review/comentary on this series. But this right here is just my ture feelings about this series. Don't let any prejudices or pettiness keep you away from watching this. Give yourself this treat.

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Frankly, DO NOT read the comments/reviews/ratings.

honestly, i cannot lie. this IS the best bl of 2024 and I'm not glazing. I'd suggest you leave out reading the reviews, comments, or even yk brush off the rating and go for it YOURSELF. experience it for YOU. trust me, you'll enjoy it.
like any other drama, everyone has their opinion, some good; some bad. So don't rlly dwell upon it and like i said, go for it. trust me y'all will enjoy this so much! i went into this as blindly as I could and was so surprised!!
the plot is good, keeps you hooked af! OHH, the actors and chemistry is PERFECT! everything about Jack and Joker is absolutely amazingly done and i couldn't appreciate this work of art more.
I usually never write a review but I just HAD to.
it was such a painful journey to wait every week to see my boys again. truly. i want more!
im always down and ready to see yalls reactions when and if this comment helps you!
Cheers to the best bl of the year.
Tldr: go for it. if you're anything like me and wish to have a fun watch. Do. It

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Entertaining Joke.

Let me precede this by saying I liked this show; it was fun to watch, and I've quite enjoyed it. It was entertaining, but not the masterpiece some opinions made me believe it would be.
I do appreciate the effort and work put into this, especially considering it was a passion project of War and Yin, and for that they really deserve a lot of praise. 
They both delivered amazing performances, but the show lacked properly built intimacy between their characters. For the record, by intimacy I don't mean NC scenes. The script spent so little time on building the foundation for their relationship that it just didn't work as a love story. In all honesty there was less screen time allocated for them being together and communicating than some unnecessary although fun thievery.
I really appreciate the accurate portrayal of people living in or near poverty levels. Most dramas show us beggars in designer clothes, living in spacious homes or apartments and driving new Toyota. The show portrayed economic struggle and social issues, lack of opportunities, education, and the necessity of going into debt really well. Thanks to this, the motivations of the characters entangled with these problems were easy to understand.
That being said, the plot, though interesting, was very uneven quality-wise. After a relatively long period of establishing the environment, there was a lot crammed all at once into the second half of the show. As a result, the pacing was all over the place.
I'm not one to nitpick on the "realism" of action shows, but some choices in this script just didn't make any sense. The prime example being the whole "ring of power" premise for the Four Horsemen. 
I try not to take things too seriously if the show itself doesn't, but these last 2 episodes? They've lost the plot completely. Playing a game of Monopoly to decide the level of influence? The collars? What in the squid game is this? The big bad boss ended up being a very one-dimensional villain considering how much time was allocated for establishing his presence.
It was simultaneously too much and not enough to make this show great for me. I would call this the case of putting form over substance or maybe a show that fell victim to its own ambition.

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A Tale of Promise Tamed by Perfection

A Dazzling Beginning:
Blossoms in Adversity opens with an arresting visual: the young female lead braving the storm to scale a ship's mast, her courage and intelligence illuminated by flashes of lightning. This moment, while pushing the boundaries of believability, sets a tone of resilience and brilliance that promises a tale steeped in struggle and triumph. It hints at a protagonist whose determination could anchor a profound exploration of personal and societal challenges, inviting viewers to root for her against an unforgiving world.

The narrative gains momentum with the sudden unjust downfall of a prestigious scholarly family, orchestrated by a paranoid emperor whose cruelty spares no one. This theme—a stark depiction of the fragility of life under unchecked power—provides a powerful foundation. Alongside this turmoil emerges the male lead, an experienced and commanding figure whose strength and brilliance sharply contrasts the vulnerability of those crushed under tyranny. The drama’s setup brims with potential: a stage set for examining societal injustice, resilience, and the tenacity of women confronting systemic oppression.

A Faltering Depth:
As the series unfolds, however, its initial ambition succumbs to a preference for lighter, more idealized storytelling. The weighty themes of patriarchal oppression, abuse, forced labor, and complex family dynamics are sidelined in favor of feel-good emotional resolutions that often skim the surface of these complex issues. The treatment of domestic abuse, for example, simplifies the narrative into a moral dichotomy between the “good” sister, Hua Xian, and the “evil” sister, Hua Jing, failing to grapple with the nuanced realities of such trauma.

While these surface-level lighter moments may offer comfort and entertainment, they often diminish the gravity of the injustices the story seeks to portray. For viewers hoping for a thoughtful examination of systemic struggles, this approach may feel unsatisfying. That said, the series does occasionally return to its darker realistic roots, particularly in the tragic arc of Hua Rong and her unborn child, which serves as a haunting reminder of human fragility in the face of relentless oppression.

The Cost of Perfection: A Heroine Without Shadows
Zhi, the central figure of dazzling capability, is positioned as a beacon of female empowerment, yet her portrayal veers into idealization. While her intelligence, ingenuity, virtue and bravery are admirable, they are often depicted with an infallibility that robs her character of vulnerability and limits her capacity for growth. Dubbed the "Goddess of Wealth," she can accumulate wealth and business quickly, argues like a seasoned lawyer, deduces like a master physician, and fights like a warrior born. She saves the male lead with Mulan-like flair, navigates ships with unparalleled skill, and wield her wrist weapon with unerring accuracy, eyes closed. These accomplishments read more like a checklist of superhuman feats than the journey of a complex, evolving character.

In striving to present Zhi as a flawless heroine, the narrative sidesteps the raw, messy imperfections that make stories of resilience truly resonate. Her struggles lack personal consequences, and even her moments of hardship are reframed as the fault of others. This absence of vulnerability and growth renders her distant, a symbol of empowerment that feels more aspirational than authentic.

Moreover, Zhi’s oppressive upbringing, a storyline ripe for exploring themes of resentment, healing, and self-discovery, is only superficially addressed. This missed opportunity underscores the series’ reluctance to delve into the profound emotional and psychological layers of its protagonist, opting instead for a polished portrayal that ultimately feels hollow to me.

Secondary Characters Shine:
The drama finds its heart not in Zhi’s perfection, but in the flawed, relatable arcs of its supporting cast. Characters like Shaoyao, whose journey is imbued with genuine growth and raw humanity, stands out as an emotional core of the narrative. Lu Yuxiao's impressive portrayal of Shaoyao carries an emotional weight that grounds the series in authenticity. I loved her character.

Similarly, the dynamic between Shen Huan and Shaoyao provides a refreshing counterpoint to the idealized main romance. Their relationship, marked by conflict, reconciliation, and mutual respect, feels natural and earned—a testament to the power of nuanced storytelling. Their love story, vibrant and authentic, shines with emotional depth and relatability.

A Male Lead Diminished by the Spotlight on Perfection
Gu Yanxi, portrayed by Hu Yitian, offers glimpses of a compelling character, particularly in his role as a commander navigating palace intrigue and personal loyalties. Yanxi is introduced with promise: a sharp, strategic mind navigating intrigues, familial dysfunction, and a manipulative, obsessive emperor. His fight scenes are a visceral highlight, showcasing raw physicality and intensity. His potential for depth is evident in his conflicted relationships with those around him. Yet, in the middle of the plot, Yanxi’s potential is often overshadowed by the narrative’s insistence on Zhi’s unerring competence and brilliance.

While his interactions with the emperor hint at deeper inner conflicts—loyalty, affection, and moral ambiguity—these threads remain underexplored. Yanxi’s character is too often relegated to a supporting role in Zhi’s orbit, his agency diminished and his arc stunted. His role becomes largely reactive, his strategic acumen sidelined to elevate hers. The romantic chemistry between the leads suffers as a result, with their interactions lacking the tension and emotional complexity necessary for a compelling connection. Their relationship, framed as a fairytale of perfect communication and trust, feels idealized to the point of detachment. When conflicts arise, they are resolved with little emotional fallout, leaving their dynamic static and unrelatable. Zhi makes all the relationship decisions, whether to end it or get back together. No deep relatable angst, which will delight the fans who prefer light-hearted Hallmark type romance. A fairytale romance from start to finish.

However, in my view, their interactions, while visually sweet and cute, lack the tension and emotional complexity necessary to sustain a meaningful connection. Lingering gazes and long embraces often feel staged rather than organic, with awkward gaps in physicality detracting from the authenticity of their relationship.

Narrative Crutches and Missed Opportunities:
The use of voiceover narration of the leads inner thoughts, mostly during the first half of the series, further weakens the drama’s impact. Instead of trusting the actors to convey internal struggles and revelations through performance or allowing the audience to infer meaning from nuanced dialogue, the series resorts to spoon-feeding thoughts and emotions. This choice undermines character complexity and reduces my engagement, turning potentially profound moments into shallow expositions. I don't enjoy an overuse of first person pov narratives in the middle of the plot.

The Tale That Could Have Been:
Despite its flaws, Blossoms in Adversity is not without merit. The supporting cast breathes life into the story, and the soundtrack enhances its emotional resonance. Yet, the drama's insistence on idealization—particularly of its lead—hampers its ability to delve into the raw, messy realities that transforms good stories into great ones.

Zhi's brilliance and her triumphs were entertaining in its moments, even if her perfection becomes her greatest flaw, a barrier to relatability and growth. Yanxi’s potential for nuance was stunted in her shadow, but eventually shone brighter in the last episodes.

For viewers seeking light-hearted escapism where triumphs come swiftly, the series delivers an enjoyable experience - a warm breeze of comfort and predictability. But for those yearning for a story that lingers, one that mirrors the raw edges of life and resonates in its aching moments of growth, it serves as a reminder of the power of imperfection in storytelling. Flaws, vulnerabilities, and struggles are not weaknesses—they are the roots from which the most memorable stories blossom.

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OBSESSED. A 56-EP MASTERPIECE I WISH I'D WATCHED SOONER.

y'all... i regret watching this drama late into 2024. it spent years gathering dust in my watch list bc i got intimidated by the number of episodes but my GOD. never let the drama length hinder you from unearthing diamonds i'm telling you!!

let me just say i finished watching this five days ago and until now, even while watching another cdrama, i cannot stop thinking about ling buyi and cheng shaoshang and everyone else. are they married with three kids?? is the cheng grandma still insufferable? i really am just obsessed not only with the main characters but also the supporting characters. i love them all so much, 56 episodes weren't enough to unravel this masterpiece. the actors were splendid in bringing the characters to life, especially zhao lusi with such a complex character like niaoniao. can't say i'm surprised though, zls has always been a magnificent actress.

i wish we could've seen more of ling buyi and cheng shaoshang towards the ending, though. AND I NEED WU LEI AND ZHAO LUSI IN ANOTHER DRAMA! MAY THE CDRAMA GODS HEAR MY PRAYER.

PS. this is my first wu lei drama ever and now i'm in love with him i'm omw to binge his works TT____TT

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