Simple story of teen loves with a more melancholic undertone. It makes me feel something.

“Ao Haru Ride” aka “Blue Spring Ride” is a sweet coming-of-age teen first love romance. The story is simple and nothing you have never seen before. It conveys the shy sweetness of young love, but also adds a more melancholic undertone to the overall plot. It’s not a romantic comedy but it has the youthfulness of high schoolers.

The characters are all likable and no one is perfect. I really like the female lead, Yoshioka. She was introduced as someone shy and an outcast. But she has made the decision to work hard and change. There are bumps along the way as she grows to be her more confident self, with the support of good friends surrounding her.

Male lead, Kou, has gone through some tough times in his young life. The more melancholic part of the plot surrounds his sadness and sudden change in personality. Nevertheless, he’s still a teenager. When the matter of the heart comes into play, it’s hard for him not to get a little wishy-washy and confuses Yoshioka.

I really enjoy the interaction between Yoshioka and Kou. They started out really shy (and very cute), but the growing friendship and affection made them more comfortable around each other. They share a few quiet, honest and intimate conversations. My favorite moment is when they were at training camp in the earlier episodes, and they were having their heads down on the desks. That was intimate and romantic.

I also like the blossoming friendship of the 5-some, between Yoshioka, Kou, Murao, Yuri and Kominato. Each character slowly becomes more comfortable with each other and then shares some of their intimate thoughts. The girls and boys individual friendships also develop separately and beautifully. They are all sweet and kind-hearted and it’s lovely to not have any annoying characters.

Season 1 closes on a nice note, but we can expect season 2 to bring us more heartaches and love triangles/squares/pentagons. I look forward to seeing how Yoshioka and Kou’s story ends (and I hope it ends positively and sweetly).


Completed: 2/25/2024 - Review #409

Season 2 review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/voicelesslove/reviews/342639

Leggi di Più

Poor Acting, Writing and Execution of a Very Common Plot.

If I am not watching “Step by Step” due to the Clown Challenge, I would have dropped it within the first 1-2 episodes. The general plot is nothing special and we’ve seen many similar boss/subordinate relationships before. If the plot doesn’t stand out, then the acting, writing and execution must. Unfortunately, I don’t think this drama delivers. I also question if I should have watched the regular version, instead of the uncut version.

The first thing that bugs me about this drama is the poor acting of the male lead, Pat. I understand that this is Ben’s first acting gig and it really shows. The character he plays, Pat, is already not a super likable character. He’s childish and whines way too much. Unfortunately, Ben’s portrayal makes it even more intolerable. His angry, frustrated, and sad faces are all the same. When he cries (and he cries way too much), there are no tears. When he pouts, I find him annoying instead of cute. Aside from him, Saint (who plays Jaab) is just as bad. This is also his first role and his acting is so unnatural that the supposedly cool guy Jaab acts like a lovesick teenager.

I also really dislike the annoying and loud coworkers. The first few episodes are really hard to digest when Ying can’t stop screaming and Prem can’t stop being nosy. Both of the characters are so inappropriate in so many aspects. Luckily, there are also a few fun and good supporting characters. Ae and Chot save the show. They are fun, bossy, flamboyant and the life of the party. The actors did a great job in making these characters come to life and not annoying.

I am not sure if I should categorize the romance to be slow-burn or delayed. But the development is not written well. There are some indications that Jeng likes Pat from mid-drama on. Not much comes from Pat when he seems to respect and fear Jeng as his boss, after the initial attraction when they were strangers was gone. Their interactions before they become a couple are not fluffy or heartwarming. The introduction of a love rival definitely delays their romance. I waited for 10 episodes for them to finally get together. Then within 3 episodes, their relationship goes through a roller coaster ride. Everything feels rushed in regards to their romance in the last episodes, as well as the final business arc in the drama. I wish their romance had started sooner, like in ep 7 or so, to allow their relationship to develop at a much better pace. I also didn’t find closure with the Jaab/Jane arc.

Am I the only one who didn’t find Jeng to be that bad of a supervisor? I found his ‘demands’ reasonable as a boss expecting good quality work from his subordinates. At least he is respectful when pointing out mistakes. I must have watched too many mean bosses in Chinese and Korean dramas. Does Jeng warrant all that criticism and talk behind his back about how evil he is? I guess we need Jeng to have some flaws and a character development plot. Otherwise, he’s just too perfect of a character and too handsome. I was just writing down on my notes how perfect he is (+ a hot body) when the troubles of episode 11 happened and he didn’t want to talk about the issues when he should have.

If I watched the regular version instead of the uncut, will the extended product placement and filler be reduced? There's so much screen time spent on actors just holding a bottle of sugar free green tea and other products, describing how good they are. I chose the uncut version because I wanted all the kisses and intimate scenes. But what I get are boring bits.

The only positive things about this drama are the kiss scenes and the intimate scenes. Unfortunately, they are mostly jam packed into ep 10, instead of spread throughout the drama. At least, we have two participating actors who are not shy in going at it. The intimate scenes are also done well without feeling cringey.

I would not recommend this drama unless you really like the actors. If you are a fan of Man (who played Jen) and his handsome good looks and hot body, then go ahead. I also enjoy seeing Up (who played Put) again after watching him in “Lovely Writer”. This is a very different role and I quite like him here. I am giving this a 6.5 rating, which is quite low on my personal rating scale. But given the fact that this does not seem like a big budget production, with two actors in their first roles, and some good kiss scenes, I am not going to rate this any lower.


Completed: 2/25/2024 - Review #408

Leggi di Più

Good main character development but OTT acting, full of one-sided loves, too many side plots.

Watching “Moon River” in 2024 is quite an experience. There are so many tropes and over-the-top acting that seems to be quite common with Taiwanese comedies. This drama also gives me a very Meteor Garden/F4 kinda feel. I have to remind myself to curb my frustrations and be understanding. Having said that, this could be a fun drama if you don’t mind over-the-top and loud acting.

Note: I could not find the complete version of ep 25. YouTube and sites-that-shall-not-be-named only have the first 15 minutes. Because of that, I missed the most important non-romance plot/reveal and have to gather info based on flashbacks and conversations in the last couple episodes.

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What I Like:

Xiao Xi (FL) Character development - If I have to overlook the portrayal of her over-the-top personality and how loud she is, I quite enjoy how she was introduced as an inexperienced villager in the big city. She was never portrayed as someone you could take advantage of physically or emotionally, never too naive or dumb. She just doesn’t know. Oftentimes, she realizes the real intentions of others. As her romantic relationship with Liu Bing (ML) grows and matures, you can see her grow and mature as well. In the end, she’s his support system and is there for him no matter how many times he pushes her away.

Liu Bing (ML) Character development - Similarly with Xiao Xi, we see how Liu Bing grows from an arrogant, super smart, King of the school, to someone who needs to learn to start from the bottom and learn the real (poor) way of life. As he matures, there’s a very distinct part of his personality that never leaves him - his stubbornness and unwillingness to express how he truly feels to protect. It could be frustrating to watch as a viewer, but I am also glad that in a way, he is still the same Liu Bing in ep 1. I hate to see someone who changes for the better (?) and loses who they truly are in the beginning.

Headmistress Dong - I have a girl crush on her! She’s so cool. I love Grace Ko’s elegance and voice. It’s too bad her screen time is limited to the beginning episodes. I wanted to see more of her.

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What I have Mixed Feelings:

Main Romance - The romance between Xiao Xi and Liu Bing is central to the whole drama. It was fun to watch them from bickering, to living together, falling in love, and experience challenges together. What I dislike the most is the introduction of misunderstandings, evil deeds from Sha Sha and then add CoCo to the mix. That seems a little too much to try to cause troubles to their relationship. Luckily, despite all that, they both stay strong and their love never wavers. Additionally, aside from a few cute (and somewhat cringey) things that Liu Bing did for Xiao Xi during the initial courtship, he doesn’t seem to have done much as a boyfriend. He’s lucky his girlfriend is sweet and understanding. I actually would have loved to see more of their cute relationship, skinship and kisses, but unfortunately, the drama is too busy with many extra side plots. Their kisses are not great and not very romantic either (except for the last one).

Feng Jiang Che (2ML) - In other dramas, he would be classify as the perfect boyfriend, Mr. Green Flag. But in this drama, I find him to be so perfect that it’s a little annoying. I also think that the acting of Evan Ma might have contributed to my very slight annoyance. If Che has expressed his feelings for Xiao Xi early on, he might have a fighting chance. He is sweet, caring, considerate and always there for Xiao Xi in action and in words. Her happiness is the most important thing to him. He would be a perfect main lead in another drama.

Pacing - The pacing is quite good in the first ⅓ of the drama. There are a lot of fun events happening at school and in their lives as the characters are introduced. Then in the ⅔ of the drama, the pace slows down considerably and we have repetitive one-sided romances which go nowhere and repetitive animosity and sabotage to FL and the main romance. The drama picks up the speed in the last 5 episodes, but because the focus has switched to a revenge plot, it doesn’t feel quite right either.

OST - There are only two songs and they are SUPER overplayed. The opening theme by SpeXial is fun and upbeat. The ending theme by Pets Tseng is romantic and beautiful. As much as I love both songs and have added them to my Spotify playlist, they are just played way too often.

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What I Don’t Like:

One-sided Love - The romances in this drama are quite something. I think I counted 6 STUBBORN one-sided, unrequited loves. That’s way too many! I don’t care for a few of them and wish they did not take up so much screen time, and then the drama could be a few episodes shorter.

Annoying side characters - 2FL Sha Sha’s animosity and obsession towards Liu Bing lasted too long for my taste. Her bitchiness started from ep 2 all the way till almost the end. I also hated Xiao Xi’s two roommates in the beginning. They are selfish and frustrating and I fast forwarded a few of their scenes. Luckily, they got a little better later on. Those girls at school are just as annoying. They also have too much screen time. These scenes and ‘evil’ acts become very repetitive and boring.

Flashbacks and Inner Monologues - Usually you will see inner monologues from the lead characters once in a while. But not this drama. It seems like every single character has them. This contributes to a lot of telling instead of acting. Additionally, I also notice many flashbacks that don’t seem to serve a purpose of advancing the plot. These flashbacks are not short either. But I do have to say, thanks to the flashback, I was able to get a little info on what I missed in ep 25 when I couldn’t figure out what was the important info on ML’s father.

Villain - This villain acts as the almighty God. He can control and destroy everything. For all that he’s done to everyone throughout the drama, his ending is half-assed and way too simple.

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Overall, this is an OK drama. I might have enjoyed this more if I watched it in 2015. I personally have a love/hate relationship with Taiwanese comedies, so in a way, it’s not my cup of tea. I wasn’t quite sure how to rate this drama until I wrote this review and list what I like/don’t like. It’s not horrible but it’s not a drama I would re-watch, not even clips of certain scenes.


Completed: 2/17/2024 - Review #403

Leggi di Più

Good chemistry and interesting plot, but overall nothing special

Quick and easy, finished this in less than 3 hours. It's just your run-of-the-mill low budget web drama. Nothing sticks out like a sore thumb, nor is it anything special amongst a sea of very similar dramas. The time loop plot is quite interesting and I do like the execution of it. But the mystery/thriller part feels very out-of-place.

The leads have good chemistry and they look good together. ML is handsome and quite young (21 years old). He reminds me of a younger and less chiseled Dai Gao Zheng, though we didn't see his abs. FL is a very experienced actress and has appeared in many dramas. The acting is decent, and nothing is too cringey.

However, it has the usual things that I don't like in a Chinese drama - accidental falls/kiss/tripping in slow motion & poorly dubbed voices. The kisses are disappointing. I was really expecting more because censorship is usually a little more relaxed for these short web dramas. At least the male lead is not drowned in white foundation and white filter. He actually appears normal and good-looking.

Overall, it's OK. I can't really rate this as if it's a high budget production. A 7.0 seems about right.

Leggi di Più

A very average and short romance drama.

“Since I Met U” is an easy-to-watch romance drama. The plot is simple. It’s not 100% cute and fluffy because there’s a backstory of family trauma and mental illness. But the drama really doesn’t go into details in exploring that. Everything is very surface-level. A cute romance without any angst, misunderstanding or evil ex’s.

The production quality is average. Though the desserts are delicious-looking and ML’s Sol Bakery looks modern and welcoming, you can also see where they skim on money. FL has an awful wardrobe (why is she wearing old lady PJs?), the car riding scenes look pretty ‘green-screened’, and they keep on re-suing the same few filming locations. I personally do not like the dubbing, nor the English theme song that plays pretty loudly and repeatedly.

The acting is decent and not awful, not great. ML is cute and I’m watching this drama for him because I liked him in “Story of Kunning Palace”. We also have the cute kid from “Unforgettable Love” and he’s as cute as ever. There are a few good-looking guys at the bakery and am I sensing a closeted gay couple? I got some vibes from one of the guys. The secondary romance is OK but the tertiary romance is annoying.

Overall, this is a very average drama if you want something simple and short. I was in the mood for a romance drama for stress relief, and this fits the bill.


Completed: 1/5/2024 - Review #390

Leggi di Più

Beautiful Drama of Romance, Family, Comedy and Healing. Brings me so much joy!!

Subjective Mood Rating: 9.0

“To the Moon and Back” is my last drama completed in 2023 and it’s a big surprise!! I was just browsing around trying to find a romance drama to end the year on a happy note, and stumbled upon this treasure. This is one of the very few Thai modern dramas that is not about fighting for inheritance or a company that I watched. Is this drama a masterpiece? Definitely not. But it brings me so much joy that emotionally, I just need to give this a high rating.

Main Romance:
Romance is what I was searching for and this doesn’t disappoint. This drama tells the story of opposites attract and it’s done so well. FL does take me a little to get used to since she’s so outgoing and talkative. ML is the quiet, reserved and repressed type. But they complement each other so well and bring out the best of each other. ML is patient and caring, while FL teaches him how to feel and understand his and others feelings. It does take them half a drama to be officially together but the cute scenes of them together starts from the very beginning. ML understands FL’s thoughts and actions (and clumsiness) so well, and FL is so in tuned with ML’s feelings. I love how she worried about his feelings after the surgery, when he tried to stay strong for her and didn’t say much. When he finally opened up and broke down, it pains me as well. I can’t help but smile whenever I see them together.

Auntie Grace
I am awarding FL’s dad the “Father/Mother of the Year” title. She experienced so much pain due to her sexual orientation but yet she taught FL to live with kindness. Auntie Grace raised a beautiful child and you can see that especially in the last ¼ of the drama and when FL has to face ML’s parents at the birthday party. The lessons taught in this drama by Auntie Grace should be taught to everyone. She also comforted ML and 2ML and allowed them room to breathe, to be themselves and to feel. I love Auntie Grace so much!!!

Family Relationships/Healing
A big part of the drama is spent on broken families and mending relationships. ML’s father is controlling and does not appreciate ML’s efforts. ML has been brought up not having a childhood and with feelings repressed. His mother is unable to support him and stand up for him. On the other hand, Auntie Grace’s father did not accept her new identity. There’s so much anger in me whenever I see these two fathers and how unreasonable they are. But of course, no one is a true villain. They both want what’s best for their child but are unable to communicate. FL is integral in mending both relationships and her persistent, kind and happy personality helps heal these relationships in the end. On the other hand, a smaller part of the drama is about 2ML and 2FL relationships with their families as well. No one comes from a ‘normal’ family.

Loving Non-traditional Family
They are loud, they are crazy and they are fun! That is FL’s family. A group of drag queens, transgendered and gay aunties that help raise FL. It does take me a little while to get used to how rowdy they are, but I love them! I love their fashion and always look forward to their outfits/costumes. I love all of their performances. I love how they always say they are “kind and pretty” because they truly are. They step in to help strangers, even those they might have a beef with at times.

Villains
Can’t really get away from evil parents in a Thai drama. They are not truly villains, but characters that have so much pain and jealousy in their hearts that they don’t know how to express them appropriately. Therefore, they cause our main leads a lot of pain and hassle. I hated seeing ML unable to fight back when he’s in front of his dad. I hate it when 2ML tries so hard but his mother just doesn’t get it. Do I find these villains irritating and want to punch them in their faces? Definitely. But I also know that they did not have a happy childhood or life. Luckily, FL’s family balances out the toxicity.


If you like Thai dramas, I definitely recommend “To The Moon and Back”. It is a great combo of romance + family + comedy + healing. In the end, it gives me such a warm and fuzzy feeling. This is in no way a perfect drama, but it brings me so much joy.



Other Random Observations:
1. FL is said to be the “hippie” and “Bohemian” type, does that mean she doesn’t wash her hair??
2. I love ML trying to learn how to braid hair.
3. Two handsome male leads with 6-packs. LOL
4. There’s some useful, simple medical advice for the general public.5.
5. Didn’t like ML’s acting in the early episodes, but he grew on me.
6. Pacing is decent, maybe a tiny slow in the middle. But that’s also probably because I binged 13 episodes in one sitting. LOL



Completed: 12/31/2023 - Review #389 (First review of 2024 and I still can't keep it short and succinct.)

Leggi di Più

Unsatisfying Second-Chance Romance with a handsome Steven Noh

Soundtrack #2 is another short series with music in the backdrop. This time, the drama focuses on a second-chance romance, which is a trope that I like. Unfortunately, and as other reviewers have said, it’s not a satisfying drama. I don’t quite remember what happened in Soundtrack #1 aside from the friends-to-lovers theme. So this review is based solely on this drama.

Although the acting is fine and everyone is nice to look at (did you see Steven Noh’s chiseled and masculine face? 😍 ), the writing is lacking. I am missing the longing, the angst and the sizzling chemistry from the leads. The first part of the drama is more interesting with the supposedly love triangle and a jealous ML. Kei is cute and sweet, but we know he’s never a contender. I do enjoy the music he was making with FL, but the song was played so much that I got a little bored.

The drama did not do a good job in resolving the problems from the past. As much as I love the kisses, the lingering problems are still present. It tries to resolve that by showing us FL’s enlightenment of her problem but was done unconvincingly and too late. Viewers don’t see FL’s point of view until very late in the drama and by that point, I don’t think she deserves ML anymore. The ending also doesn’t quite make sense when ML showed up. They need to either break up or temporarily separate before meeting again. FL needs to work on herself before rushing into another relationship.

I will only recommend this drama if you want to look at the handsome Steven Noh, or want something really short to kill time.

Completed: 12/23/2023 - Review #385

Leggi di Più

A little cheesy, A little corny, A little embarrassing but quite Addicting!

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

The general plot of “Romantic” aka “Love Strikes Back” is pretty simple. These mini dramas are getting quite popular. You can binge it all in less than 4 hours. YouTube (US) has the combined version for all 22 episodes, so that makes it easier to watch.

A few quick notes on the drama:

1. Good-looking leads - Pretty lady in pretty clothes + Handsome guy with hot abs (just too much make-up).
2. Good chemistry between the leads.
3. Kisses are a little awkward. I expected more from them.
4. Acting is pretty good for a mini drama since the main leads are experienced actors.
5. A lot of slapping each other's faces..
6. Second-hand embarrassment and a few funny scenes - 2ML’s dancing and 2FL’s bubbles from her mouth.
7. Many slow mo romantic scenes with songs playing at the right ‘romantic’ moments. Songs are quite overplayed.
8. Many accidental falling into ML’s arms.
9. Too many flashbacks, especially in the last third of the drama.
10. I enjoyed the first half more than the second half.
11. FL is being saved way too many times by her bodyguard.
12. I think the actors use their own voice, which I GREATLY appreciate.

This is not a bad watch if you enjoy mini dramas. A lot of the things I listed above are not enjoyable, but for some reason, I had a good time watching this drama and it’s quite addicting.



Completed: 11/11/2023 - Review #376

Leggi di Più

Cute and Fluffy moments with a dose of Realism - An average Korean BL

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

“Bon Appetit” is a simple drama that gives us some cute moments and fluffiness but also a small dose of realism. This is an easy watch and can be completed in less than 4 hours. It’s not the best/worst Korean BL out there but it’s very bingeable.

A few quick notes about the drama:

1. I appreciate BLs that are about more mature individuals and not students.
2. Main lead, Jung Do Hoon, looks the youngest out of the characters, yet he’s supposed to be older than Lee Yoon Soo and Park Sang Woo.
3. Acting is decent. I’ve seen worse in low-budget web dramas.
4. The advertiser part is a little over-the-top.
5. I enjoy the integration of cooking and food, but at times the explanation seems out of place.
6. I love and found it hilarious to give a raw chicken as a gift to someone who you are not close enough to have beer and fried chicken with, but not quite a stranger.
7. Does every K-drama college want to take the “Marriage and Love” class? Is it even a real class in Korea?
8. People really need to learn to ignore phone calls when they are in the middle of something ‘important’.
9. I was wondering why YoonSoo cooks with such a small burner for a chef in the earlier episodes. Then I found out why.
10. The ex is annoying and such a douche.
11. Did DoHoon pick up all the kimbap on the floor and eat them? Ewww..
12. I’m glad DooHoon eventually learned to appreciate YoonSoo. I was getting frustrated for YoonSoo for all the thoughts and love he put into liking him.
13. I actually quite like SangWoo and don’t mind him ending up with DoHoon. I think he’s handsome 🙂


Completed: 10/7/2023 - Review #364

Leggi di Più

Interesting topic but lacking in acting, storytelling and execution .

Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75

I wanted to check this out to see what's all the buzz about. It's usually not my type of drama but it's still an interesting watch. However, Netflix disappointed me in not translating all the text messages or even some of the IG posts.

A few quick notes instead of a full review:
1. Park Gyu Young is really pretty in everything she wears. But acting is only so-so.
2. No chemistry at all between the leads. I would not call it 'slight romance'...more like no romance.
3. Oppa is hot but he's as bland as a white sheet of paper. Is Kang Min Hyuk usually this bad, or is it just this drama?
4. Lee Chung Ah also looks very expressionless in her portrayal of Yoon Shi Hyun. Sometime is missing from her portrayal of a rich, high society wife.
5. All the other ladies aka e-celebrities are over-the-top and loud, but I guess that’s all part of their characters and the makjang-like portrayal of these influencers.
6. It is interesting to take a peek into the glamorous world of these social influencers. Not sure how exaggerated everything is.
7. The reveal of the livestream is interesting but rushed and not executed well.
8. The reveal of @bbbfamous is disappointing. I would never have guessed it’s that person. The drama is not giving us much time to hate or pity this character.
9. The shoe scene is indeed iconic and memorable.

There’s so much potential to the plot, but I find the acting, execution and storytelling lacking. I probably won’t recommend this unless you really like this genre and this topic. Of course, if you want to turn off your brain and check out the lives of these rich fake celebrities and enjoy all their glamorous lives and fashion, it could be fun.


Completed: 9/10/2023 - Review #351

Leggi di Più

It's better than the current 7.3 rating. Worth a shot!

There are many “Painted Skin” movies and dramas, and they all are adapted from the collection of “Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio”. I think this newest movie version deserves more than the current 7.3 rating on MDL. For a lower budget web movie without any big name actors, this movie has a simple plot that flows well. There’s a beginning, middle and end, and they all make sense. I don’t feel that the movie was too rushed or too draggy within its 1 hr and 20+ min runtime.

This “Painted Skin” has a different story from the 2020 movie, which is more of a BL. Maybe it was rated higher because of the BL craze? I actually like the 2022 version more and felt that the production quality is pretty good for a web movie. The intro is a little creepy but really reels you in. The tone is set right from the get-go. The costumes, sets, fight scenes and especially the CGI is really good. I’ve seen other big budget productions with way worse production quality and make my eyes roll with crappy green screen scenes.

The acting of the cast is decent, though not extraordinary. At least, I don’t feel distracted because of anyone’s subpar acting. Nita Xia and Shi Guo Hui are both beautiful actresses and could definitely play the role of a demonic seductress. Kenji Chen is a handsome fellow and I don’t blame the female lead for falling in love with him at first sight. The supporting cast is small with many veterans, who all play their roles well.

Overall, I recommend this movie if you enjoy a fantasy forbidden romance, with a slight horror tone to it. However, don’t expect a star-crossed lover type super romance. There are no fluffy or cute scenes. “Painted Skin” is an easy watch and nothing really stands out for me to say is annoying, irritating or terrible.


Completed: 8/26/2023 - Review #345

Leggi di Più

Not an Excellent crime/gangster drama, nor a BL romance drama

Browsing through MDL, “HIStory 3: Trapped” is rated pretty high for a Taiwanese drama and/or a BL drama. Unfortunately, I am not sure if it’s worth the 8.4 current rating. I feel that it tries to be a very good crime/gangster drama, and also a very good BL drama. In the end, it lands right in the middle: not excellent in either or both directions.

It was a slow start for me. I did not like the cop ML at all. I understand his motive of trying to find the killer of his mentor for the last 4 years. But the way he approaches gangster ML is unprofessional, unrealistic and super clingy and stalkerish. The acting is also a little over-the-top for me. On the other hand, gangster ML’s stoic but bland expressions distract me from his handsome looks and beautiful physique in a suit. You know, if you can’t act, no matter how good-looking you are, the drama is never going to be good.

Luckily, the acting of gangster ML gets better throughout the drama. When he’s not forced to act all cold, his emotional and normal scenes are pretty decent. Cop ML’s acting also gets more natural but his professionalism and unrealistic approach to solving the case never goes away.

The gangster turf fight is uninteresting and the pursuit of the murderer is half-baked. It tries to be a crime investigation/gangster drama but the writing is not up to par.

What about BL romance? The first half of the drama is more fun before the leads get together. Yes, cop ML is clingy and stalkerish, but at least the chemistry is quite good and sizzles a little. But once they got together, I was expecting more kisses and skinship. We have maybe 3 decent scenes with intimacy and skinship. However, the quality of the kisses is disappointing given this is the HIStory franchise.

On another note, the side romance is quite cute and sweet. Jack is the most attractive of the guys for me, and his character is interesting. I keep on thinking there’s more to him that meets the eye with his smirks and smiles. But his counterpart, the young cop, is way too naive and especially unbelievable as a cop. The pairing is cute but unrealistic.

Having said all that, I do appreciate a BL drama not set in a school setting and tries to be a more mature drama. There really aren’t too many BL dramas out there about real adults and not students, and good ones are even harder to come by. A few of the action scenes are quite good and not slow-mo fighting. Both leads look like they trained for these scenes. This is a quick and easy binge since each episode is only about 25 minutes long. From an enjoyment level, I will round this up to an 8.0. If I am judging strictly on writing/acting/execution, this will be a lower score. I will recommend this if you are looking for a more mature BL drama, just don't lower the expectations a little.


Completed: 8/26/2023 - Review #344

Leggi di Più

Beautiful and Heartbreaking Love Story

Subjective Gut Rating - 8.75

If this is a regular BL love story, the focus would be on the budding romance of an extroverted and popular guy falling in love with a reclusive and quiet loner. The whole drama would be of how they fall in love, the push-and-pull and then many fluffy scenes of them together at the end.

But this is a Japanese BL and we know the Japanese are famous for having unique and interesting (sometimes weird) plots. “Eien no Kinou” aka “Eternal Yesterday” is one of them. When I heard about the story of a living corpse, I wasn’t sure if that’s what I wanted. I was so glad I am finally in the right mood to watch this.

“Eternal Yesterday” was told from the perspective of male lead Micchan’s monologues. Flashbacks are used to tell us how Micchan and Koichi met and fell in love. Koichi’s accident was introduced in the first episode and it’s not hard to guess how the story is going to end. Despite that, when I got to the final episode, all the emotions hit me hard.

Koichi is a lovely character and it’s very easy to like him when he was first introduced. Micchan, on the other hand, as the quiet one, took me a tiny bit longer. But I’ve come to love his character through his experiences, inner monologues and the emotions he felt for Koichi. The acting for both leads is great. I can feel their initial attraction for each other and unspoken spokens and heartaches throughout the drama. Both actors, Komiyo Rio and Inoue Sora, are easy on the eyes, so that doesn’t hurt.

I’ve always loved the use of silence in Japanese dramas without manipulating the audience’s emotions with music and songs. The quietness invites the actors to really express themselves through their acting. This is so evident during the quiet and intimate moments in the last episode. Since this is not a cute and fluffy drama, but more of a melodrama, the pacing is slower and some viewers might not like it. Because the drama is so short (8 eps at 20 mins each), the slower pace did not bother me.

My only criticism of the drama is the subplot of the teachers. It felt a little out-of-place and only serves the purpose of that one scene in the classroom with the biology teacher. I wish their story was a little more fleshed out and not out-of-the-blue.

“Eternal Yesterday” is a miracle that provides Micchan and Koichi time to prepare themselves, treasure their time and properly grieve. Each moment spent together is a gift and I’ve enjoyed this heartbreaking journey with them very much. In the last scene, I truly wish Micchan can find another number one in his life. The ending theme in the last episode feels like the ‘alternate’ happy ending that I want for them.


Completed: 7/22/2023 - Review #334

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Simple Slice-of-Life Drama with Romance as a focus - Not much happens

“Once Upon a Small Town” is a very light, slice-of life drama set in a rural setting. I can’t help but compare it to “Summer Strike”. Both dramas have the main lead moving from Seoul to a rural village for different reasons, needing to learn to integrate into their new communities and along the way meeting someone they like.

Not much really goes on in “Once Upon a Small Town”. If you are into a simple drama with a romance-centric plot, then this is for you. Similar to many stories about small town living, you can’t get away from having loud and nosy villagers as the supporting cast. Even though the villagers don’t really show up too much in the drama, when they do, they are really boisterous and annoying. “Summer Strike” does not have this problem, but it has a different plot that disrupts the quiet rural life. If you want a stronger romance plot, then “Once Upon a Small Town” is better than “Summer Strike”. “Summer Strike’s” romance has a more mature and quiet feel to it. The romance in this drama is more slow-burn, innocent and sweet. It’s also cuter and fluffier when the leads finally get together.

The acting is decent and the chemistry is OK. It’s interesting to have a story about a vet but unfortunately, it doesn’t go into detail about the profession. I would have loved to see more animal cases and how he treats the animals. This is not a medical drama, like “Forest”, so the focus is mainly on the two main leads.

I have an easy time watching it. I will only recommend this if you are really looking for a simple slice-of-life drama. Do not expect plot twists or anything unpredictable.



Completed: 7/7/2023 - Review #329

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Zhou Ye/Yan Hui (FL) is the best part of the drama

**ending spoilers only towards the end of review**

For some reason, I thought the production value of “Back From The Brink” would be higher or similar to that of “Starry Love”. Because of this expectation, I was a little disappointed and distracted from a few things that prevented me from fully immersing myself into the story and enjoying it. This is not a bad drama at all, but an average one instead of a good one.

Acting -
The best part about this drama is our female lead, Yan Hui (played by Zhou Ye). I’ve only seen Zhou Ye in one other drama, the very popular “Word of Honor” where she made quite an impression on a lot of people. I am glad to see her taking the lead in this, as her acting is the best of the bunch, even more than some of the veterans. Yan Hui is a very likable character to play. She is fun, intelligent, has a good head on her shoulders and won’t take crap from others. She might have started off as someone young and inexperienced, but she was in no way naive or a damsel in distress. It has been a great watch to follow her journey of growth to become a mature, independent, courageous warrior. It’s not hard to find another story about a female lead’s growth, but it’s hard to find one like Yan Hui who is not naive and innocent or acts like a child to begin with. I enjoy her character development and growth much more than our Dragon King Tian Yao.

The only other actor I would shower praise on the acting is Yang Rong, playing the character of Su Ying. Yang Rong is a veteran actress and I’ve seen her in other roles (“Marvelous Women” and “Song of Youth”). I enjoyed her portrayal of the love-obsessed Su Ying. I just wish her character is not such a stereotypical second female lead - one who goes crazy because she’s obsessive in love. Nevertheless, Yang Rong is a talented and versatile actress.

However, the acting for the rest of the cast is just average. I was hoping Neo Hou would be better than a pretty face. I can’t say I enjoy his acting here. He is a little better than when he was in “A Girl Like Me” but nowhere close to the fun and young teenager in “When We Were Young”. He looks good though, even with long white hair. Riley Wang is fine but not excellent. His character, Bao Xiao Sheng, is a fun one to play but the hairstyle distracted me. The rest of the supporting cast is OK and no one really exceeds expectations. It also seems like aside from Neo Hou, Zhou Ye, Yang Rong, Riley Wang, and Chen Xin Yu, most of the supporting characters are not very well-known or are quite new to the industry.


Plot/Pacing -
The pacing for the first 20-25 episodes is great. A lot happens as viewers get to know the characters, learn about the backstory of the betrayal, and the challenges our main leads face. There are also many funny moments, some more subtle than others. I did have a great time laughing along. But then, the pacing slows down in the next 10 episodes, and doesn’t pick up until the last 5 episodes. The general plot itself is not difficult to understand and follows a similar pattern of other dramas of the same genre. I would not say everything is predictable or unpredictable, but I was pretty engaged in the first half of the drama. There are a few questionable plot holes here and there, but nothing major.


Romance -
Neo Hou and Zhou Ye have decent chemistry. I like that there’s no love at first sight, and the feelings really didn’t blossom until they started their journey together. And maybe that’s why, we’re not getting sizzling hot romantic energy from them. Of course, it would also be due to the actors inability to portray such love. Tian Yao and Yan Hui are quite similar when it comes to love. Their love is steady, honest and never wavers. They support and love each other unconditionally and it’s hard not to root for them in the end. I do have mixed feelings regarding the ending (will talk more later). Riley Wang/Bai Xiao Sheng has to be one of the best third wheel out there. He’s so likable that you can’t hate him, even if you are not a fan of love triangles. Romance is easy to watch, but it also lacks a certain “spark”.


Production Value -
As I said earlier, I am not impressed with a lot of the production quality in “Back From The Brink”. I am disappointed that none of the actors/actresses uses their own voice (not even in post production). The dubbing is off and horrible at times. You would hear the voices but the lips are not moving (and I am not talking about internal monologues). The visual effects and CGI are only average at best. The fight scenes are OK as well. At least the costume department does a decent job. Well, Zhou Ye and Neo Hou are good-looking, so they look good in anything they wear. I also like the OST and you can't go wrong with songs from Zhou Shen and Liu Yu Ning (I can't find the songs on Spotify though 😞 ). The sets and some of the props look fake and flimsy. If Tian Yao’s sword is not lit with the fire visual effect, you should see how fake it looks. Having said all that, I am someone who is bothered by these production qualities as they affect my viewing pleasure. If you are not like me, you might enjoy this drama a lot more than I do.


Ending Spoilers -
I know as C-drama fans we are frustrated with sad and ambiguous endings. However, “Back From The Brink” seems to want to please fans by force-feeding us a happy ending. After searching for many years, Tian Yao finally found Yan Hui. But I am not sure if Yan Hui still retains her memories. If she does, why didn’t she go looking for Tian Yao and her friends? If she lost her memories, isn’t a kiss in the end considered big time sexual harassment? OK, maybe I should shut down my brain and just enjoy a happy ending.



Overall, this is a decent watch. If you are a fan of the actors and actresses, then it’s worth a watch. If you are not and you are just looking for a good fantasy wuxia drama, I think there are better ones out there. Because I really like Zhou Ye and her character Yan Hui, I’m giving this drama no less than an 8.0 rating.



Completed: 6/30/2023 - Review #323

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