Forgettable at best; Annoying at worst

- Genre –
Mafia/Romance/BL

- Brief Synopsis –
Protagonist A is a mafia boss and B is a normal student who has just been hurt emotionally and ends up in a one-night stand with A. B wants this to remain a one-night stand but A falls for B and wants to make him his boyfriend. However, A lacks understanding of conventional social norms and his attempts at flirting with B makes the man think A is trying to control him. This leads to B resisting A and running away at every opportunity. A does not give up and chases B and once B is caught, the latter stays with A for a little while before A does something stupid again, prompting him to flee again. The story ends with B finally accepting A.

- Plot and Storyline –
This plot does not contain any plot twists that would make the story memorable in any way. The recurring cycle of B fleeing and then being caught becomes wearisome over time. Unfortunately, the subplot of mafia dynamics and power plays also fails to reach its potential, lacking depth and falling into predictability. The plot ends up quite boring, making you want to skip episodes. The dynamic between the two male leads in this series is notably perplexing. While the audience is aware of their love for each other, subtle hints of this affection only become apparent in the later episodes. In the initial stages, it appears as though one of them is coercing the other into a romantic relationship. While there are occasional sweet moments, they are scarce and widely spaced, failing to evoke the anticipated excitement or a sense of romance. The overall portrayal of their relationship lacks the charm that typically prompts an emotional response from viewers.

- Character Development –
A learns to be less controlling and act more like a normal person. B learns how to deal with A’s eccentricities.

- Acting -
While the leads manage to cultivate chemistry and effectively convey their love for each other in later episodes, their performance in non-romantic scenarios appears awkward and lacks a natural flow. The world constructed within the series comes across as artificial and exaggerated, occasionally even bordering on the absurd. This exaggerated portrayal not only impacts the overall authenticity of the narrative but also undermines the credibility of the characters, at times making the leads seem less convincing or even somewhat comical in certain situations.

- Production Quality -
Decent production quality with somewhat realistic sets and props.

- Writing and Dialogue -
Writing can sometimes be a little cringey.

- Pacing -
Pacing is okay despite the bad writing.

- Themes and Message –
Themes of BDSM and unhealthy relationships are explored.

- Audience Appeal -
Anyone who likes mafia themed shows will probably like it if they don’t have high expectations coming in.

- Standout Moments -
N/A

- Criticisms -
x Writing can get awkward in a lot of places.
x The relationship between A and B doesn't seem healthy at all, making it difficult to root for them.
x There isn't much buildup to the relationship so the audience isn't all that invested in the couple.
x Nothing interesting seem to happen.

- Conclusion -
The decision not to revisit this show stems not only from a personal dislike of the mafia backdrop but also from finding the plot uninspiring and predictably dull. The portrayal of love between the leads fails to capture the same level of romantic allure seen in other shows, and the intimate scenes lack the intrigue and engagement found in more captivating narratives. Overall, the combination of a lackluster plot and less compelling romantic elements contributes to a lack of interest in revisiting this particular series.

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A Hot Mess

- Genre –
Arranged Mariages/Romance/Students/BL

- Brief Synopsis –
Protagonist A and B are married because of a marriage contract. B however doesn’t really care about A in the beginning which saddens A. When the series starts, they somehow start spending more time together when B realizes he should be a better husband. They end up growing closer and closer. The story focuses on the development of their relationship.

- Plot and Storyline –
This plot does not contain any plot twists that would make the story memorable in any way. The central focus is on the protagonists growing closer, with a few additional subplots involving seemingly inconsequential matters. The overall narrative lacks a distinctive element, leaning into familiar tropes without introducing significant twists or memorable plot points. However, the chemistry between the A and B is a standout, portraying them as an endearing and cute couple. The intimate scenes, while not explicitly depicted, exude a sensuality that adds depth to their connection, a credit to the commendable acting skills of the two. On the flip side, the secondary couple fails to leave a favorable impression, lacking the appeal that the main leads effortlessly bring to the screen.

- Character Development –
N/A

- Acting -
The main leads deliver exceptional performances, showcasing their acting prowess with commendable skill. The chemistry they bring to the screen is particularly noteworthy, as the pairing of a charming and adorable main character with a serious and colder counterpart creates a compelling dynamic. Their on-screen connection adds depth to the narrative, making them a standout pair in the show.

- Production Quality -
Decent production quality with somewhat realistic sets and props.

- Writing and Dialogue -
Writing can sometimes be a little cringey.

- Pacing -
Pacing is good.

- Themes and Message –
Themes such as arranged marriage and love after marriage are explored.

- Audience Appeal -
Anyone who likes the concept of falling in love after marriage could take a look.

- Standout Moments -
The kitchen kissing scene really stood out to me because of how sensually it was shot despite it being rather tame.

- Criticisms -
x Nothing interesting seem to happen in the show.
x The plot isn't exactly unique. It is simple and predictable.

- Conclusion -
While the show as a whole may not have much rewatch value, the intimate scenes stand out as an exception due to their well-executed cinematography. The palpable chemistry between the main leads adds an extra layer of allure, making those particular moments worth revisiting.

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Very Sweet Love Story

- Genre –
Reincarnation/Romance/School/Students/BL

- Brief Synopsis –
Protagonist A and B are schoolmates with B 2 years above A. In a previous life, A and B were lovers but because of family forbidding them from being together, B kills himself in front of A and A follows suit. In the present day, every time A would see B, he would have flashbacks of that time. At night A and B would also have dreams of that time. That is because the current A and B are reincarnations of the past A and B. This is why B is immediately in love with A from the moment they meet. The story focuses on A and B getting used to being together once more and finding out just what happened in their past life. In the last episode, A remembers everything and breaks down, threatening to kill himself to punish B for his selfish act and B apologizing over and over again and promising he will never hurt him ever again. After that A tells B that he wants some space but the separation is brief as A realizes he can’t be without B. The show ends with them together again, looking forward to life after graduation and perhaps a wedding in NYC. The show is a mixture of scenes from the present and scenes from the past.

- Plot and Storyline –
This is a very interesting take on the theme of reincarnation. Personally, I feel the concept is well executed and very impactful emotionally as I found myself crying a lot while watching it. The interaction between the leads is enchanting, with each touch of the hand and every kiss evoking a sense of delight and excitement. The palpable romantic atmosphere creates a charming allure, making every subtle gesture between the characters profoundly captivating. Although the intimate scenes are pretty tame, it doesn’t disappoint me at all because everything is so well shot and contextualized.

- Character Development –
The most noticeable development is both characters finally reconciling with their past and learnt how live in the present.

- Acting -
The acting is really nice and the leads do a great job at displaying the love between the main characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance of the actor portraying A, finding his portrayal compelling. However, I had mixed feelings about the actor portraying B, as he had a tendency to keep a blank emotionless face that, at times, seemed to dampen the impact of A’s tears and his grief. Whether this was a result of direction or acting style remains unclear, but there was a noticeable improvement in later episodes. The crying scenes, though, were undeniably powerful; they had a genuine and heart-wrenching quality that evoked a visceral response, successfully avoiding any unintentional humor and instead deeply resonating with the audience's emotions.

- Production Quality -
Decent production quality with somewhat realistic sets and props.

- Writing and Dialogue -
Writing for the other characters can sometimes be a little cringey.

- Pacing -
Pacing is good.

- Themes and Message –
The main message is that sometimes family tragedy can occur when you refuse to accept your kid for who they are.

- Audience Appeal -
Anyone who wants a good cry will love this show.

- Standout Moments -
N/A

- Criticisms -
x B's acting can sometimes take you out of the scene. He sometimes doesn't really react to A's tears - at least, in a way obvious to the audience. He keeps a blank face a lot of the time.
x The writing outside the romance scenes can get a little awkward as characters' interactions with each other seems a little unnatural.
x Acting isn't exactly this show's strong point.

- Conclusion -
I’ve already rewatched this show numerous times as I really like A and B’s interactions. The show beautifully captures the romance in the subtleties of their relationship, showcasing how even simple gestures like holding hands can be incredibly romantic when presented in the right circumstances. For those considering watching, the true charm lies in savoring these small, meaningful moments between the characters.

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Simple Love Story

**Brief Synopsis**
B (Student): Ye Guang
T (Student): Xu Qi Zhang

- Beginning: B and T are students at the same high school and meet by accident. Because B helped T in his moment of need, they quickly become friends.

- Middle: Despite both of them having family issues, they find solace in each other’s company and slowly fall in love.

- End: In the last episode, they finally confess their feelings for each other by kissing on the basketball field. But before that confession, there are numerous little moment that suggests what they feel towards each other is not mere friendship.

**My Opinion**

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT IT:
- I liked how their relationship grew because they found solace in each other's company.
- I like how B is much more confident by the end of the show thanks to T’s help. I’m glad T’s parents also seem to have changed.
- The main couple is cute together.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT IT:
- Very simple and predictable storyline with no plot twists or especially notable moments.
- The romance part is short and sweet with no intimate scenes to speak of.
- Family drama takes up a big part of the show.

**Conclusion**
This is an okay watch.

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Dissapointments All Around

**Brief Synopsis**
B (Employee): Kazuma
T (Employee): Ren

- Beginning: B and T are childhood best friends but fell apart and lost contact for 10 years. T was B’s first love and T is in love with B. T tries to remain friendly and impartial but one night, they ended up sleeping together. This changes the nature of their relationship.

- Middle: After that night, they became friends with benefits because neither of them want this intimacy to end. Despite being friends with benefits, they begin living together, spending all their free time together, acting like real lovers. B is just happy to be with T, no matter what their relationship is.

- End: After going through a series of challenges at work, the series ends with T finally confessing his feelings to B and expressing his worries that B will one day leave him. B reassures him he will not leave.

**My Opinion**

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT IT:
- There aren’t much angst, mostly because the show is so short. B and T never breaks up or misunderstand each other. Any worries are talked out.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT IT:
- The show is only 8 episodes and yet seemed to touch upon many deep topics that were quickly introduced and quickly resolved. For a short show like this, I feel it’s better to concentrate on the relationship side of things. As for the relationship, I feel we didn’t have enough time to get to know these two, no build ups, no tensions, no reasons why they fell for each other. Under these circumstances, it’s really difficult to root them on.
- The flashbacks doesn’t seem to help me understand the couple at all. And there are way too many flashbacks and they can come out of no where.
- The acting is just plain sometimes, as if the actors were just reading off a script instead of acting out the scene. The directing is just weird sometimes and the lighting and cinematography is just subpar.
- The lack of chemistry between the actors. I don’t know why, it just doesn’t feel intimate or romantic. In the last scene, when B went to kiss T, I saw the latter shrink away a few times. I don’t know if it’s intentional or not, but it just feels weird between lovers who love each other very much. There is a lack of intimate scenes, which I accept, but the kissing scenes just feel off.
- Usage of miscommunication or misunderstanding as reason for best friends to lose contact for all these years is just so cliche.

**Conclusion**
It’s a very short show that I didn’t like.

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Simple Office Romance

**Brief Synopsis**
B (Employee): Ki Tae
T (Employee): Lee Wan

- Beginning: B and T are best friends during Highschool and after T sort of dodged when B tried to kiss him after graduation, their relationship ended with B thinking T has rejected him and totally dissapearing from T's life. The story starts 7 years later when B applies at the company that T works at and is forced to cooperate. At the beginning, B is extremely unconfortable around T while the latter tries his best to approach him, something B doesn't seem to understand and thinks T is messing with him.

- Middle: Despite all his reservations, they still start spending more time together.

- End: T finally confesses his love to B and what really happened in the past is revealed. As it turned out T has been looking for B for the last 7 years and was about to give up when B appeared. T is very afraid that B will dissapear on him again. This revelation is rather ironic because B ran away thinking that T has rejected him when the one who really suffered from this incident isn't B but T. They finally talk it out and B promises to stay. The story ends with them happily together.

**My Opinion**

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT IT:
- The actors playing B and T. Their chemistry was amazing and their interactions were cute and sweet. They also do a great job in portraying the affection between the characters.
- I really like the foreplay/flirting. B's reactions are very cute as well.
- The characters are very likeable despite each having their own flaws.
- The writing is okay. The story flows well despite the plot being very weak as all the attention is put on the development of their relationship.
- I liked the relatively lack of angst (most of the angst comes from the characters overactive imagination).

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT IT:
- Plot as a whole is ok but there aren’t any plot twists or memorable moments. It is however a very cliche and predictable plot with little conflict.
- Use of lack of communication and misconceptions as source of angst is overdone. A lot of issues would have been resolved if B and T just talked to each other.
- The writing is pretty simple and the other characters seem to only exist for the sake of getting B and T together rather then being their own person.

**Conclusion**
An OK watch but probably won’t be revisiting.

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BE for Now (If there isn’t a Season 2)

DROPPED

**REASON**

I stopped watching this show because of its heartbreaking conclusion, where one of the main characters is entangled in a car accident, casting a veil of uncertainty over their fate. The series, classified within the classical family drama genre, unfolds at a deliberate pace, meticulously exploring the dynamics among its characters. Despite the absence of explicit scenes due to censorship, the interactions between the main characters are remarkably tender, authentically conveying a sense of affection. Regrettably, the supporting cast fails to make a lasting impression, and the powerful ending ultimately diminishes the overall enjoyment of the series for me.

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Simple Sweet Story

- Genre –
Contract Relationship/Romance/TV Star/BL

- Brief Synopsis –
Protagonist A is a failed mangaka and B is a meteorologist. A and B have a contract where B gives A food and shelter for free and A has to do everything B tells him to do, even if it involves sex. At the beginning, A is visibly uncomfortable with the sex because he doesn’t feel anything for B, but slowly changes as he spends more time with B and starts falling in love. While the summary might initially suggest a potentially abusive relationship between the two, it is not like that as B is in love with A before A falls for him so he treats A pretty well. The only angst in this story comes from miscommunication or lack of communication as neither A or B likes to tell the other what they are really thinking. This however improves with time and the story ends with them finally begining to embrace the nuances of being true, loving partners.

- Plot and Storyline –
This plot does not contain any plot twists that would make the story memorable in any way. The core of the story revolves around the characters grappling with their emotions and navigating the process of learning how to becomes lovers. While formal confessions might not have taken place, the sweetness of their interactions, tinged with both affection and sensuality, serves as a compelling testament to the depth of their evolving connection.

- Character Development –
A learns with time to open his heart to B and both learns how to communicate.

- Acting -
The two actors delivered commendable performances, effectively conveying the nuanced emotions between the two characters. Their acting prowess was compelling enough to authentically capture the tension between the characters and convincingly depict the evolution of their emotional states throughout the narrative.

- Production Quality -
Decent production quality with somewhat realistic sets and props.

- Writing and Dialogue -
Writing is okay.

- Pacing -
Pacing is good.

- Themes and Message –
The biggest theme is miscommunication. For a healthy relationship, you need to communicate with your partner and not assume you know everything.

- Audience Appeal -
N/A

- Standout Moments -
N/A

- Criticisms -
N/A

- Conclusion -
While the story may not be particularly memorable, lacking the emotional impact of some other shows, it still manages to offer a sweet and succinct tale. Despite not leaving a lasting impression, the narrative holds its own charm, providing a brief and enjoyable viewing experience.

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