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

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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

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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

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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

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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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A well-rounded Family-focused story with murder mystery and time-traveling as the backdrop

Watching “My Perfect Stranger” was an impulsive decision as I needed something different that could be interesting. Upon seeing good reviews, I figured I’ll give it a shot. Mystery, crime investigation and time-traveling are usually NOT my go-to genres, so I am coming in as a casual novice. Romance is my jam. My review is very subjective and might differ from more experienced watchers of these genres.

I am happy to report that I had a very lovely time watching this drama. With the backdrop of time-traveling and crime solving, “My Perfect Stranger” actually has a strong focus on family - discovering, forgiving, healing, reuniting and reconciling. The pace of the drama is consistent and I can’t help but click on the next episode and binge this in less than 3 days.

Our leads were introduced to us as two individuals coming from sad, broken family backgrounds. Through their adventures in 1987, they were able to learn more about their families' pasts and came head-to-head with people that have a negative impact on their present-day lives.

Yoon Hae Joon (ML) and Bae Yoon Young (FL) are both intelligent and kind individuals. They met as strangers but their individual secrets collided and had to work together to solve the murder mystery and save their families. Both leads are very likable characters and it’s easy to root for them. Actually, most of the characters are lovely. The annoying ‘villains’ are not that bad.

There are many heartwarming moments between Yoon Young (FL) and her mother Lee Soon Ae in 1987. It’s nice to see their blossoming friendship. Yoon Young also has quite an interesting and fun dynamic with her 1987 father. The drama does bring out different emotions in me - happy, sad, and touching. However, compared to other dramas I’ve watched, the emotional ups and downs are only on an average level. Maybe that’s why I didn’t give this a 9.0 rating. Just missing that strong emotional impact for me personally.

The suspense of the murderer is done quite well. At least from my very novice mind, I had a hard time guessing who the real murderer was. It really comes down to the wire by the process of elimination in a way (and I still couldn't guess it right). Smarter and more experienced viewers probably could guess it sooner. There are minor plot holes that I think are hard to avoid when you are telling a story about time-traveling. But I don’t think there’s anything too jarring.

There is slight romance for the romance junkies like me. I would say the romance is just enough for this type of drama - a side plot that’s quite predictable. It’s nice, but nothing special. I actually find the romantic chemistry between the leads quite inconsistent. I am not sure if it’s because Kim Dong Wook looks more mature than Jin Ki Joo (and her playing a fake high school student might contribute to my impression of her as well). But in real life, they only have a 5-year age gap. I am not feeling much romantic vibes from Kim Dong Wook. The pair seems more like siblings or good friends. I do enjoy some of the quiet moments they have together, and some fun banter. I like the love confession and think it’s a very lovely way of expressing one’s feelings in the grand scheme of things. It’s just something is missing in the romance department.

However, I did think the acting for both leads is great. I am particularly impressed with Jin Ki Joo. The last drama I saw of hers was “The Secret Life of My Secretary” and I liked her in that as well. She has picked a variety of different roles in her career. She has great sad scenes but also shines in the fun ones, especially with her 1987 father. Kim Dong Wook is a veteran and his acting meets my expectations (sans romantic vibes). The supporting cast also did a pretty good job.

Overall, I recommend this drama to everyone, especially casual crime/mystery watchers like myself. It has a little bit of everything and is a well-rounded drama. But if you want something more intense and nerve-wrecking, then this might not be a good choice.

Completed: 6/25/2023 - Review #321

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Excellent chemistry and pacing - A lovely romance that stirs up many emotions within me.

I seem to have seen quite a few dramas lately with sign language - Chinese, Japanese, Thai and now Filipino. Most of the stories have a very similar plot. We will see the romance of two individuals, one is usually deaf and the other hearing. We follow the story of how they meet, fall in love, face life's cruel challenges, and how they can or cannot overcome these challenges. "Isa Pa with Feelings" pretty much follows this storyline as well.

The reason for my high rating is not necessary the plot per se, but the sum of many good parts. The two leads are lovely and easy on the eyes. The acting is good and they have excellent chemistry together. ML looks so smitten from the first scene he was introduced. I also like that they both have a cheery personality, thus their falling in love story is adorable with many heart-fluttering moments. That's why it becomes so heartbreaking when they are faced with life's challenges. The contrast between the beginning & middle of the movie and the end brings up so many emotions within me. The pacing of this movie is excellent as well. The movie is able to tell the story of the two leads (background and falling in love) in many great montages and flashbacks. I never felt like it's rushing or trying to jam pack many things into a movie. It has a start, a middle and an end, and closing out with a beautiful dance.

If you are in the mood for something cute and heart-fluttering with great music and dancing, I strongly recommend this movie. This is what I need at the moment when I am somewhat in a drama slump. The 9.0 rating is very subjective as it reflects how I feel during and after completing this movie.


Completed: 6/19/2023 - Review # 320

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“Itsuka, Nemuri ni Tsuku Hi” also known as “Someday I’ll Fall Asleep” is a short drama about resolving one’s regrets after death. The general plot of the show is nothing new and we’ve seen many other dramas about the same topic. I did not see the twist at the end (I was half-right), and this interesting twist makes the drama special.

The acting is decent and the drama for the most part is simple and easy to follow. Her regrets are predictable and not mind-blowing. So if you are looking for a light drama with a few heartwarming storylines, this is a good choice.

I’m glad our FL is not the overly, innocent type. There isn’t anyone annoying in this drama. I do find the chemistry between FL and the grim reaper much more interesting than her love interest. There’s something in the grim reaper’s eyes that I thought would have a different backstory, but I was wrong. Speaking of eyes, there’s a kid in this drama that has the weirdest expressions. He has this serious look with angry eyes, when he’s not supposed to be angry. It’s weird and cute in a way.

Completed: 6/19/2023 - Review #319

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Watch if you are a fan of the actors or if you love Ex-es who won't take No for an answer!

Subjective Rating: 7.75

I read the comments and the reviews, and I am prepared for the battle of annoying ex-es. But even with such expectations, I am still amazed at how much “Dinner Mate” focuses on these two second leads. But for the sexy Song Seung Hun (who I was obsessed with in “Obsessed”), I am willing to continue watching this drama. He’s the main reason why I am even giving this drama a shot.

The tone of the drama in the first ⅓ is quite light and fun. When the deeper issues are finally revealed, the drama becomes a lot more melodramatic. The lightness did not return until the last two episodes.

I quite like the general plot of having a dinner mate. Someone you don’t know personally, sharing and enjoying a meal together without any worry or embarrassment. I think the chemistry between the leads is best during their friendly dinner mate relationship. I wanted to see more of their dinners, their conversations and support for each other. I also enjoy the part when their identities are finally revealed and they are in this awkward but attracted-to-each-other phase. But once they are in a relationship, their relationship isn’t as fun. I think mainly because I feel that Kim Hae Kyung (ML) puts in a lot more effort in the relationship than Woo Do Hee (FL). In the beginning, I really liked Do Hee and found her to be a fun female lead. But she seems to have changed to be a different person in the second half. A quieter, gloomier person that’s not giving me the same energy as Hae Kyung. For Hae Kyung, he was the opposite. He was a man of few words, then he became more outgoing and outspoken. The dynamic between them seems to have switched. I also wanted more PDA and skinship from them. Hae Kyung tried but Do Hee wasn’t giving much, and I was a little surprised. She’s been in two long-term relationships before and she doesn’t seem like a shy woman, but why isn’t she kissing as enthusiastically as Hae Kyung? Also, I appreciate them both being true to themselves and never wavered when their exes came back, but they really need to set some boundaries, esp. physical boundaries.

Let’s talk about the exes. The drama really is not giving viewers a chance to even like Jung Jae Hyuk (2ML) and Jin Noh Eul (2FL). They have the audacity to dump someone out of the blue and then come back to DEMAND to get back with their exes? That’s not a good introduction of these characters. Both of them wouldn’t take NO for an answer and continue to be annoying up until the last couple episodes. If you don’t like love triangle/square with this type of irritating exes, it’s best not to watch this drama. In the second half, it seems like Jae Hyuk has more scenes than the main characters. He dominated ¼ of the drama when we find out his backstory, history, and challenges and road to recovery. Props to actor Lee Ji Hoon for making me feel sad, angry, irritated, pitiful and then rooting for him in the end to be healed.

I initially found the little love story of the older couple quite cute. Then, it dragged on for so long and got too cringey for me. I actually would have liked to see them break up sooner, and then give them a little extra more time in the last episode or two.

Oh, we also have a “Crash Landing On You” sighting!. It’s lovely to see Seo Ji Hye had a brief reunion with Goo Seung Jun. Did you see the other CLOY reference during the meditation scene?

I actually quite like the food + psychiatry theme and enjoy those therapy scenes more than the B-class podcasts. I enjoy the few songs in this drama but also feel that they are too overplayed. For a drama named “Dinner Mate”, I don’t think there are enough delicious food scenes!

Overall, I would recommend this drama if you are a fan of the actors/actresses, or enjoy watching ex-boyfriends and ex-girlfriends come back and cause havoc.


Completed: 5/4/2023 - Review #304

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A Worthy sequel but didn't top the first movie for me

When I finished watching the prequel about 6 months ago, I was immediately jumping up and down in excitement. I rated the first movie a 9.0 (which is high for me). Coming into "Brotherhood of Blades 2", I had high expectations but I didn't end up jumping up and down in excitement.

Acting continues to be stella and its strength. The cast is full of veterans. I was mesmerized with Chang Chen in the prequel, and he continues to deliver in the sequel. He took center stage in this movie, surrounded by an outstanding supporting cast. I enjoy the introduction of the character Pei Lun, played by the excellent Lei Jia Yin. His frenemies relationship with Chang Chen's character is a joy to watch. I would have loved to see more scenes between Shen Lian (ML) and Lu Wen Zhao. The introduction of two female characters, Yang Mi's painter Bei Zhai and Xin Zhi Lei's assassin Ding Bai Yi, makes sense to the plot and they are not there just because we need a female presence.

Although there's a tiny romance element to the movie, it's very subtle and lovely. It adds another side to Shen Lian's character without making him go all lovey-dovey and becomes a different person.

I love the hard-hitting, gritty fight scenes. You can see the dedication all the actors put in. There's no flailing, twirling, flying here and there or just standing there to wait for someone to attack you. Each fight scene is choreographed well and each hit is impactful.

However, compared to the first movie, I find the story a little more confusing. There isn't enough time to explain more about the political maneuver behind the scenes, when the majority of the time is spent on Shen Lian trying to run away. Viewers have to really pay attention as a sentence spoken could be the answer to your confusion. I want to know more about Bei Zhai's drawings and their role in the rebellion. What's the backstory between Bei Zhai and the main person behind-the-scene? A 2-hour movie is not enough to answer all my questions. Maybe a drama would do! Oh wait.. there's a drama version now in "Pledge of Allegiance".


Completed: 4/30/2023 - Review #303

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Simple, Cute and Easy Watch - Don't expect anything out of the ordinary

Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75

I stumbled across this drama as I was browsing around for something romantic and light. This is the perfect stress reliever. The plot is simple, no stress, no angst, no miscommunication or misunderstanding. In a way, you can say it's too simple with no surprises. But if you are in the mood for something mindless this is a good watch.

I like the female lead and the acting is not bad. She's optimistic, hardworking, active and sensible. An easy person to root for. I thought there might be some more work troubles, but just like the rest of the plot, nothing really crazy happened. I enjoy the siblings relationship and find 2ML to be very adorable. The siblings have pretty good chemistry.

The male lead, on the other hand, it's quite bland. He is a man of few words but the writing makes him into a boring doctor, with hints of pettiness. He's OK and the romance with FL is OK as well. I was hoping for more after the confession but the drama seems to run out of time to tell their happily-ever-after. The secondary romance is more interesting to me.

There are a couple cute songs, but at times they are too loud and overshadow the lines being spoken by the actors. I also think one of the 'cute' songs played quite too often. As this is a lower budget drama, the dubbing could be better.

Overall, it's a simple and easy binge. It's what I need at the moment andI would recommend it if you have nothing better to watch. 7.75-8.0 because I had a good time, but 7.5 if I am being realistic and critical.


Completed: 4/27/2023 - Review #302

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Set the right expectations to enjoy an overload of Cuteness (maybe a small dose of cringe)

Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25

For someone like me who is a little older (not necessarily wiser LOL), I need to be in a certain mood to watch “My School President”. It’s pretty obvious the target audience is a lot younger than me, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy it. I just need to know what to expect and be in the right mood.

Current situation: (when all the ducks are in a row for success):
* I need something light and easy to watch
* I want something fluffy and a lot of romance
* I know this is a high school drama targeting a younger audience
* I expect a lot of comedy and I am OK with Thai comedy - similar to understanding Japanese unique humor to watch dramas adapted from manga and anime
* I expect to see a lot of product placements


Now that the stage is set for me, I can sit back, enjoy and appreciate this highly rated teen drama.


What I Like:
1. Gun aka Fourth - He is so adorable and he knows it. I want to pinch his cheeks and give him a big hug. He’s the star of the show. He made me want to check out “Moonlight Chicken”.
2. Fourth is also the best actor in the whole series among the young kids.
3. Gun and Tinn have good chemistry and are cute together.
4. I like how Tinn supported Gun throughout the drama, despite wanting to be in a relationship right away. He held back, and did what’s best for Gun. I am a sucker for someone who does a lot behind the scenes for their loved one.
5. What a rare sight to have supportive parents. The two mothers love and support their son differently but always have their best interest at heart. Tinn’s dad is hilarious and is an unknowing (or knowing) wingman. I wanted more of him.
6. I love the quiet conversations that Gun and Tinn have throughout the dramas. These moments are so intimate and bring them closer to each other. They seem so mature when some of the more serious topics are shared during these moments.
7. I like most of the funny and supposedly seductive moments (80% of the time).
8. Tiwson is the best wingman out there.


What I have Mixed Feelings:
1. Aside from Gun/Fourth, I find all the other young actors acting to be below average to average.
2. The songs are a mixed bag - there are a few that I really like but a few don’t seem to be catchy enough for me. Best voices to me - Gunn’s mother and Por/Ford. I do appreciate the actors singing the songs themselves.
3. Yak (music club senior) is annoying and has too much screen time for my taste.
4. I guess the music club no boyfriend rule only means no openly announcing to everyone, but secretly dating is ok?
5. Although I appreciate the lack of homophobia among students, it’s still sad that we couldn’t get away from adults having this problem.
6. The side couples and side characters storylines could have been better.
7. I can’t help but still cringe at some of Tinn’s cheesy flirty lines. It’s a little too much and over-the-top when he’s coming on so strong.


Overall, I had a good time watching this drama. It’s so different from the chaste/clean high school C-dramas. The flirting in this drama is at a whole different level. Either you find it funny or you find it too cringey. But through all these comedic moments, there are serious topics explored. I recommend you have the appropriate expectations before watching this. Otherwise, it might not be an enjoyable ride.


Completed: 4/25/2023 - Review #301

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So happy to see Leo Wu act like his age again...

“Nothing But You” has a pretty good balance of romance, sports and business. I really like watching both badminton and tennis, and learning about the training and experiences of these professionals. Compared to many sports romance dramas, it should be noted that the business side of things do take up quite a lot of the drama time. If you are just looking for romance and don’t like business, you might be bored. I personally enjoy the balance of it all.

I think the best thing about this drama is casting Leo Wu and Zhou Yu Tong as the main leads. I am so happy to see Leo Wu in a modern drama again after “Cross Fire” (amazing drama I strongly recommend) and in a role where he can act his age. As much as I love seeing him as a tough prince or general in “The Long Ballad” and “Love Like the Galaxy”, it’s nice to see him act as a 22 year-old. It’s refreshing and he’s so adorable.

I was initially concerned about the age gap, since noona romance is not my favorite. The male and female leads reminded me of the leads in “The Rational Life”, but better and more compatible. Even though Song San Chuan (ML) is only 22 years old, he’s gone through enough in life to be quite mature. I also appreciate his character to not be always portrayed as the forever mature and act-older-than-his-age character either. I love that he can still act young and sweet, and Leo Wu is the perfect Song San Chuan. On the other hand, Zhou Yu Tong played the more mature Liang You An very well, too. Professionally, she’s experienced and mature, but when it comes to love, she can still act like a little girl. Even with a 10-year drama age gap between the lead characters, they make a very compatible match as both can be mature and childish at the same time. Leo Wu and Zhou Yu Tong have great chemistry. It did take a while for them to be officially together, though there’s enough sweetness and affection throughout the drama. Viewers' patience is rewarded with many cute and sweet scenes between the leads once they are together as a couple. I can’t help but smile whenever they are both on the screen acting cute.

I really like how Song San Chuan and Lian You An support each other professionally and personally. They have honest and open communication. You won’t find misunderstanding or miscommunication. They are not afraid to verbally express their affection for each other, while also showing their love through actions. Towards the end of the drama, San Chuan supported You An through a difficult time when a family member was sick. I already like San Chuan, but what he did here put him in my “Ideal Man” custom list. In fact, all the characters in this drama are super supportive of each other. There really isn’t any annoying, irritating and selfish supporting character that I hate. I might find FL’s sister a little annoying in the beginning, and wasn’t that interested in her romance, but she got better throughout the drama. I love the bromance between the 4 Top Smash players, the sismance between FL and her best friend, and especially the stepfather/stepson dynamic.

The pacing of the drama is good and there’s enough happening to keep me engaged and focused. It’s evident that Leo Wu and other actors put in a lot of hard work in the preparation of their roles as professional athletes. I greatly appreciate their dedication, and their muscles and abs. LOL The badminton and tennis playing scenes look pretty realistic.

If I have to criticize this drama, I would say I am a little disappointed in the injury subplot. I know it’s hard to not show any injuries in a sports drama, but still, it was quite predictable. I also felt that the pain issue was resolved rather quickly and then all of a sudden the player is back at the top of their game, and we’re informed by a few quick news articles. Maybe some scenes are edited out? I would have liked to know more about the other two male players, rich boy Chen Zhe and high schooler Dai Yi. I also wanted a little more romance between FL’s best friend and the coach (maybe a little less time on the secondary couple). Towards the last ¼ of the drama, the dubbing got worse. I appreciate the actors using their own voices, but the post production got sloppy and the lips don’t match the words. Censorship again?

Overall, I had a great time watching this drama. I like both Leo Wu and Zhou Yu Tong, and love their chemistry and playfulness. I enjoy the equal screen time of romance, sports, and business and find the acting to be pretty good overall.


Completed: 4/15/2023

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