Reviews

Beyond expectations!

What a heartwarming love story! I had this show in my watchlist for a long time, but I don’t know why, I never wanted to actually start it, I like both Tan Song Yun and Xu Kai, but I somehow didn’t quite like the idea of them being cast opposite each other. Now that I have finally finished this show, I can say that I stand corrected! Not only did hey look good together, they had a lovely chemistry and the romance didn’t disappoint at all. The beginning few episodes were not interesting enough, but the drama soon gained my interest. Tan Song Yun has had great chemistry with all actors she’s worked opposite, which shows her excellent acting skills. Xu Kai, on the other hand, has grown a lot as an actor since his older shows. He is an awesome eye candy, but he was more of that than ac actor before. I liked his acting a lot in Wonderland of Love, and he seemed to show emotions on his otherwise passive face in that drama. Likewise, here as well, he acted well and his growth as an actor was visible. Perhaps, the FL he’s cast opposite also has a part in bringing out his emotions well on screen. In both As beautiful as you and Wonderland of Love, he was cast opposite older FLs who acted very well, this might have had a positive effect on his acting skills as well. I loved him in Arsenal Military Academy as well, there again he was cast opposite Bai Lu whose acting skills don’t require an attestation by me. Overall, it was a beautiful and warm show with a lovely ending. The epilogue was excellent too, but the producers had to have one of them pass away, which I thought was unnecessary. We all know the reality of life, and we know people cannot live and die together, but we don’t need fictional characters to separate, since seeing them together forever is heartening for us viewers, making us believe in beautiful endings and happily everafters.

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A musical movie or a music video with added dialogue?

If you have the choice between the series and the movie, then watch the movie. It has several scenes that are missing from the series and round out the story.

What I liked:
* I loved the two female characters! They did not have much screen time, but showed some interesting character traits nevertheless. The team leader is obviously under a lot of pressure to produce music that sells well, is a real career woman who can be ruthless at times, and at the same time she seems to want to produce good music as well. The deputy is similar, and she does care about the people who work under her, at least Sang Yi. It is a delight to see women who are people with their own ambitions, even if they are supporting characters.
* I liked Lee Sang's acting. He did a good portrayal of his crush in the beginning and his shyness to speak to In Soo.

What I did not like:
* The story was thin, very thin. The premise has great potential for more, and it's saddening to see that it wasn't developed more. On the other hand, it was a good decision to not put too much into the short time frame.
* The lighting was at times a bit too much on the mood lighting side.
* I wish the scenes the singers would actually sing what we hear, not just be shown as a bautiful backdrop to the music.

I am torn about whether there was too much music with pining stares and montages or not. On the one hand, it is nice that the story took its time to unfold -- and it is about two people who fall in love with each other's music first, and then with the person. If there was less singing, I would maybe have complained about that.
On the other hand, those scenes took away time that could have been used for more plot or character development. Sometimes I fellt like I was watching a music video with interspersed dialogue.

You can watch it if you have some time on your hands and can use a pick-me-up, but you won't miss much if you don't.

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FANGS OF FORTUNE: TALE OF LOSS, LOVE, AND RESILIENCE

Fangs of Fortune,” also known as Da Meng Gui Li (大梦归离), is an unforgettable Chinese drama that left me both heartbroken and deeply moved.

The story follows a dedicated team of demon bureau hunters solving intricate cases while uncovering painful truths about the malicious acts of demon beasts. Along the way, they face immense responsibilities and devastating losses. At its heart, this is a story about unbreakable friendships and a love that endures, even in the face of great sacrifice.

The storytelling was gripping, even with its occasional flaws. I loved how the drama’s theatrical elements and like the symbolic use of staircases as spaces for reflection and confrontation gave it a unique and almost poetic quality. The balance between humor and the darker moments added richness to the narrative, ensuring it was never too overwhelming but still emotionally impactful.

The performances were exceptional. Neo You’s portrayal of his character was deeply nuanced and heartfelt, demonstrating a great range of emotion. His chemistry with the female lead and the other male characters was palpable, adding significant depth to the relationships throughout the drama. Lester Lin’s performance as the younger character was also remarkable his presence brought both innocence and complexity to the story.

Chen Duling’s character may not have been the best-written, but her quiet strength and maturity were portrayed with grace. While the drama had a male-centric focus, her moments of impact were meaningful and added emotional weight to the story.

The demon hunting team truly became the heart of the drama. Their camaraderie, banter, and shared pain felt authentic and made the audience invest in their journey. Watching their relationships evolve brought an extra layer of warmth to the drama.

The soundtrack was another highlight. Liu Yuning’s OST was exceptional it blended perfectly with the story, amplifying the emotional depth of key moments. The cast’s contributions, especially Neo You’s songs, added an additional layer of resonance, with each track complementing the drama’s tone and themes.

What stayed with me the most was the recurring theme that demons don’t fear death they fear losing those they love. It’s such a poignant and universal truth that resonated deeply. “Fangs of Fortune” wasn’t perfect, but its stellar performances, compelling world-building, and emotional depth make it one of my top ten dramas of all time. I’m so proud of this cast and hope they get the recognition they deserve and reunite for another well-written project. “Fangs of Fortune” is a drama that will stay with me for a long time, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who loves a tale of loss, love, and resilience.

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Cheng Yi's acting is worth it. It made even Republican drama shine...

Usually I'm not a big fan of Republican drama, I'm more into Wuxia and Xianxia, costume dramas and sometimes modern.
But Cheng Yi's acting is really worth it, because for a long time one of my favourite Cheng Yi's characters was his character from "Lost Tomb 2" Zhang Bu Xun.
Very touching and heartbreaking role.

"Deep Lurk" is a good rare example how low budget drama which was filmed 5 years ago can be so amazing.
Of course, Cheng Yi's acting and acting of other actors is one the main reasons for this.
Many people were desperate to see something new from Cheng Yi and I feel noone is disappointed. At least I'm not.
Drama is thrilling, fast paced, with lots of action. All the characters are highly intelligent and strong which makes it more interesting...
Heroism, Patriotism, Love, Family, War, Betrayal, good and bad, compassion, sacrifice for high cause...
This drama has everything to keep us excited, thrilled and satisfied.
This is a proof that even lower budget dramas can shine if actors and team are talented.
Watching it for Cheng Yi, but all the actors delivered amazing performance so far.
Script has lots of surprises, making all the My dramalist guess "Who is actually Kunwu?".
I can't wait for the new episodes to find out the secrets they will reveal to us.
Amazing drama...
Give it a try. You won't regret,
especially if you're fond of Cheng Yi acting.
#ChengYi ♡ #iQIYI ♡

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Nothing special

There was nothing special about this series, although it could have been made better. Such a waste of talent, expecially for an international co-production. It had a slow pace, even for a short 12x 15 minute series.
I dont understand why they gave such a title, when I see nothing eccentric about the romance. Apart from having cute guys in this series, the story line was also very weak, But because each episode was short, I just watched in anyway.

Here are my few comments:
1, Language. Why not just dub the whole thing in Korean? Although both main leads spoke naturally to each other in different languages, it seemed so strange. Also if the other guys were majoring in Thai, why dont they speak Thai? Or at least make some attempt to speak Thai, and show off to Jay.
2. Friends. The two main leads apparenly were close friends for 8 years. Where, when and how? In South Korea? In Thailand? In another country? Maybe the xcriptwriter did not think it was important enough to let let us know.
3. Romance. The romantic moments between the two main leads were so superficial. We never saw any development of their own feelings.
4. Mystery case. It had a nice plot twist. I could never suspect that the murderers were there two study group teammates. But the resolution was too easy. We just read the caption that both of them were arrested and that's it.

I only kept on watching this because Jay was cute and so was the gym guy. But I dont think I would rewatch it

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Loved Loved Loved it!!!!

What can I say - I absolutely loved this drama. Unlike some others who had some quite interesting takes on it and then dropped it. I fell in love with the characters and the story. It drew me in to the point I ended up smashing out the 128 episodes in no time at all (not realising it was the last episode) and didn’t want it to end. Did I get bored with the retells of old memories - yes I did (just a little bit) but that was quickly remedied with the FF button hahaha.?
Both Lead Actors were just brilliant in the way they portrayed their roles and there was a good chemistry between the 2.

The step-sister - you just love to hate her evilness and in the end - character development - just gotta love writers who do that. ♥️
The step-mum - yep you just get downright annoyed with her stupidity and jealousy. Although there was somewhat of a change - I still didn’t take to her character at all in this one. (Good writing) I did love the others though and all the actors were brilliant in it.

Loved it.

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Expectations were high, but disappointments are higher

*Disclaimer: These are just just my opinions, and if I say anything that seem like I'm hating, I'm only saying it
from my objective point of view.

I think Zombieverse season 1 was a success, and the staff should've known what the strengths of season 1 are. But instead of doing that, they said fuck all and made the show into complete bullshitry. The first thing they should have done is create a solid and intriguing storyline for this sequel. Season 1's storyline was progressive, realistic and above all felt "natural" -- remember this word as it becomes a recurring thing in this sequel.

Throughout season 1 the cast were moving forward in a direction that made sense in order to escape the zombies and survive. In season 2 we are introduced to a handful of new cast and how they meet the original cast; ultimately sharing a goal of helping humanity cure the undead. But in that quest of saving humanity, the staff somehow write a storyline that feels like nonsense for the most part.
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I'll discuss points throughout season 2 in this section:
- The introduction to the sequel was good, new cast members were introduced as evacuees in Jeju Island and face problems because the facility has been infiltrated with zombies.
- Dindin and Tsuki should've not been reintroduced in this point of the story. They should've been reintroduced later on when they were trying to leave Jeju. Imagine them being the presence that could've saved the evacuees as they could've been reintroduced on the boat that they boarded last season -- this creates a sense of continuity from the previous season. It could've been a delightful surprise to the viewers and would have been more impactful than having them be part of the initial evacuees.
- The challenges from the Jeju facility were decent. It's essentially a tutorial for the new cast and I don't mind that.
- But it would've been nicer if Dex and Lee Si Young showed up later in the facility. After the tutorial phase, the new cast should've faced a challenge that was practically impossible to complete, that's when Dex and Lee Si Young should have been reintroduced -- in a dramatic way.
- After being saved by Dex and Lee Si Young, they still gather at their hideout. After that, the staff should've made a boat escape instead of a helicopter ride. The team would make a critical mistake in trying to find the rescue boat but then Dindin and Tsuki arrive in their fish boat coincidentally to save the remaining survivors.
- After this the cast go to Yangyang, and this is where all fucks are thrown out the window. I don't mind them introducing special zombies that inherit their attitude before becoming undead. But the main problem here is how the staff essentially created games that required a survivor the be sacrificed. The natural and somewhat realistic aspect of the show ended quite literally. Things felt forced and the show completely turned for the worse.
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Fixing things from this point on would prove to be harder compared to the start. So I'll talk about things that they did wrong or what could've they done instead.

- Forced challenges or games: this was the worst, why create challenges that felt entirely like games. How can the viewers get immersed in the show if the show itself is making it look like things are fake. Eliminations felt unnatural unlike season 1 where survivors who died were killed due to their actual circumstances.
- they didn't utilize and capitalize on the strengths of season 1: everyone knew that at the end of season 1 the main characters were Dex and and Lee Si Young. They displayed heroic feats and amazing leadership in season 1, but in season 2, Dex, despite trying his best, took a backseat wherein his action scenes were few and far in between -- they should've purposefully created scenes that would make him feel more important just like in the prequel. Lee Si Young was relegated as Hong Chul's babysitter -- as the "badass woman" why wouldn't they make her more involved. She was still leading a lot, but not as much as the sequel. The comedic part of season 1 was also a strong point but mainly due to the constant bickering some of the cast had with each other. But in season 2, it felt like the cast that were asked to bicker with each other was trying to do too much and the balance was way off. Actually, the balance of comedy in the whole show was off; this show has turned into a complete clown fiesta.

Finally I'll just talk about the cast:
From the original cast:
- Dex and Lee Si Young did good but the spotlight should've been more on them.
- Dindin did quite well
- Tsuki and Patricia did good but it made no sense that they were eliminated super early for bs reasons.
- Hong Chul - he was supposed to be one of the best, but the things the staff asked him to do were nonsense. even his damn "death" was stupid.

From the new cast:
- Chef Rush did good, I think it's only right that he was eliminated early. Though I think the challenge they prepared for him as a zombie was bs.
Defconn - honestly, he was ruining the cast team dynamic for me. He wasn't needed in the show.
Taeyeon - I liked her, a character needing extra care is always needed in these kind of shows.
Code Kunst - He was reliable and I liked him. But I feel like he was lacking personality in this show.
Se Ho - He was a gread addition to the cast. He provided great comedic scenes but he desperately needed a comedic partner that could keep up with him.
Sungjae - he was the best out of the new members. he was reliable and funny. It made no sense that they killed him off.
Eunbi - I'm a fan of Eunbi but she totally ruined it for me. Her acting sucked and throughout the show she didn't feel immersed. The staff probably wanted to get Dex and Eunbi chemistry in the show, but nothing of that type happened. Her character honestly felt unnecessary in the show.

People they could've gotten instead:
Hong Jin Kyung - very funny and I could see the chemistry between her and Se Ho
Yang Se Chan/ Jeong Jun Ha - both are funny and would change the dynamics a lot. this was a hard choice because Hong Chul in season 1 was perfect for this role.
Key - having him would make Taeyeon more active. He also reacts quite well.

The final lineup:
- Dex: leader, main character
- Lee Si Young: leader, main character
- Dindin: experienced survivor maybe plotting betrayal
- Tsuki: little sister
- Patricia: little sister
- Hong Chul: funny semi-antagonist
- Se Ho: comedy veteran
- Sungjae: clumsy, funny, but also reliable
- Taeyeon: damsel in distress
- Key: high maintenance character
- Hong Jin Kyung: comedy veteran, Park Na Rae replacement
- Yang Se Chan/ Jeong Jun Ha: comedy veteran, always arguing and maybe plotting betrayal
- Code Kunst: unexpectedly reliable
- Chef Rush: wild card

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A JOURNEY OF REDEMPTION AND HEARTFELT CONNECTIONS

This drama weaves a captivating tale of love, redemption, and personal growth, centering on the lives of its flawed yet endearing characters. What I truly admired was how the story focused on their journey and the pivotal choices they made. Some decisions, driven by their inability to let go of the past, caused pain—even to those they cherished most. Yet, the beauty of this narrative lies in how these characters grew, changed, and sought to right their wrongs once they understood the weight of their mistakes.

The chemistry between the main couples was undeniable, bringing a raw authenticity to their scenes. I was pleasantly surprised when I realized the drama subtly leaned into a queer narrative, which added layers of depth and nuance to the relationships. Every actor brought their A-game; their performances were not just convincing but deeply resonant. I found myself unable to choose a favorite character each one, from the leads to the supporting cast, brought something unique to the story.

Chen Duling’s portrayal of Wenxiao was mesmerizing her emotive range reminded me why I’ve admired her since TTEOM. Neo Hou's performance as Zhu Yan was equally remarkable, exuding depth and emotional vulnerability. Even young Lester Lin’s transformation from the cold and menacing Li Lun to a character with an evolving arc was a testament to his talent.

Fangs of Fortune left a profound impact on me. Its exploration of family, teamwork, and the consequences of our choices felt deeply meaningful. The slower pacing allowed the narrative to breathe, and the emotionally charged dialogues brought an added layer of richness to the story. The heartbreaking ending was a fitting culmination to this beautifully crafted journey, leaving me in awe of the storytelling and the incredible cast.

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If you have sisters, you will understand this drama.

This drama delivers what you’d expect from a family-centered story: generational tensions, gender dynamics, and deep-seated familial ties. At its heart, it’s about the complexities of relationships, particularly through the lens of female experiences. While it successfully explores some heavy themes, including domestic and emotional abuse, the execution left much to be desired at times.

The portrayal of abuse is raw and unflinching, which is both the drama’s strength and its weakness. On one hand, it sheds light on the insidious nature of emotional manipulation and the long-term impact of domestic violence. The writer deserves commendation for daring to tackle these sensitive issues with nuance. It brings much-needed awareness to topics often overlooked or glamorized in entertainment. The scenes involving the characters’ attempts to rebuild their lives or confront their abusers are particularly poignant, making you reflect on the resilience it takes to break free from cycles of harm.

However, the pervasive gaslighting throughout the show detracts from its overall impact. While it’s realistic in portraying manipulative dynamics, it becomes exhausting to watch. Scene after scene of characters denying each other’s realities and twisting the truth feels overwhelming and repetitive. Instead of deepening the narrative, it often stalls the story, frustrating the viewer.

Despite these flaws, the drama has standout moments. The women in the story, though flawed, are complex and relatable, and their journeys toward self-empowerment are inspiring. Yet, the overuse of toxic behaviors to drive the plot diminishes the overall enjoyment.

In conclusion, this drama is a mixed experience. It deserves credit for highlighting critical issues like abuse but struggles with pacing and emotional fatigue due to its reliance on gaslighting. Watch it if you’re prepared for emotional intensity—but don’t expect an easy ride.

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I do not know how people can like this series that much!!!

Okay... first time ever writing a review just because I cannot believe how people qualify this as the best or their favourite series ever!!! Like what??? How???
The plot is all over the place. No specific goal or reason for anything! The only interesting thing was the concept of omegaverse but they didn't even have any "omegas"!
I felt so bad for Pit babe poor thing. He just suffers because the people around him are idiot lying bastards!

The series is watchable, but it should not be anybody's favourite anything!!! It's just toxic and abusive!

Unpopular opinion:
Charlie is trash! Charlie is trash! Charlie is trash! Saying this over and over again for the last couple of episodes was the only way I could finish them! He is a power stealing, lying, deceiving, thoughtless bastard! He broke my man's heart for absolutely no reason what so ever, no actual plan, and then just shows up out of nowhere for no apparent reason!!! He kept making promises that he would never lie again, never hide the truth again, but would not hesitate to do it the very next chance he got. I did not like his character at all! How are you just going to steal you boyfriend's powers like that???? On purpose!!! Without telling them!!! And you call yourself loving them! Knowing he also used his power to race which was his whole life! Although he did not need it, Charlie did not know that! His dad was super trash as well!

His best friend tries to rape him, but we are okay with that as well I guess...
The most important people around him are just trash poor thing!

End of rant!

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Mediocre?

I waited until the last few episodes to write this review and I think there are mainly 2 types of viewers:
1)the ones who have seen "Go Ahead"
2) and the ones who haven't

I am part of the audience that has watched go ahead and that is why I believe I found this drama to be mediocre...So keep in mind that my review will highly be biased based on the original

Plot:
1) As Go Ahead is a Chinese drama it has around 40 episodes and as a result there was a lot of character development and side plots that were important to the story, this drama obviously had to get rid of some of them but for the same reason it felt lacking overall

2) There was also too much focus on the romance aspect and I think it would have been much better if they just took inspiration from the original and focused on the slice of life part...I also felt like the dads didn't give off the same vibe...in the og drama the dads have a whole persona of their own but this show just seems to dumb it down


Acting:
The leads have absolutely no chemistry..Hwang In youp as an actor is fine but in this drama he just looked awkward the whole time
the crying scenes weren't sad, the romance scenes weren't magical and the only saving aspect was maybe the comedy

Other thoughts (may contain some spoilers):
Why were all three of their careers changed? It was such a minor detail that had huge implications in the og because in that drama kim sanha was supposed to be a dentist, her a craftswoman and business owner and haejun was supposed to be a pastry chef, their career choices (especially the brothers) were supposed to show how dependent they were on juwon and it played a pretty significant role

The friend group wasnt the same!!

Haejun's character confessing his love in og shows that he was desperate to be included in their family dynamic and that his abandonment issues forced him to create feelings in order to belong...

The side character were only plot devices for the leads and they lacked depth!

Conclusion:
Anyways to conclude, If you havent watched go ahead you may like this show but if you have its just going to seem like a cheap remake I would recommend that everyone watches the original if they have time, but If you don't this is a decent watch (if you watch with a blank slate with no bias you may like it more than I did)

I doubt there is anyone who can argue that this was better than (or even on the same level as) the original.

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Family always

As someone who absolutely loved Go Ahead, I was very excited about this remake, but alas I had to constantly remind myself that it isn’t supposed to be replicated.

The drama keeps majority of the essential story line with more emphasis on family importance, which does support the title. In a perspective of someone who watched the original, its okay, but still very enjoyable, however, unfortunately I feel for those who are a little disappointed as a lot of the core elements that made Go Ahead really amazing, seemed to be toned down and altered in a way that is underwhelming.

If you haven’t watched the chinese original, I feel the drama is amazing in that sense of being a stand alone! Its a lighthearted, romance and slice of life drama with some sentimentality. As a Go Ahead watcher, its basically a very condensed version of the drama, and IMO a lot more emotionally watered down.

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Needed more

I thought this season would give us some answers and it would all culminate in an epic finale, but it looks like we need a season 3, since we're left with still, more questions.

Even though there are only 6 episodes and the world itself is quite chaotic, somehow the pacing felt really slow. The scenes of riots or religious rallies have escalated from season 1, but they're exactly as you'd expect and it all gets a little repetitive once you've seen one. The scenes of people talking or debating each other go on for longer than I think is necessary, especially once their stances are already clear. Other than that, though, I do like the plot developments we get to see. I wish we got more of them and that they were more cohesive, rather than scattered throughout the show.

In terms of characters, I feel like the only one that truly captured my attention was Jung Jin-Su. The re-casting, although it does take some getting used to, actually works well. Kim Sung-Cheol does a great job acting in both his manipulative cult leader scenes, and also in the more personal, emotional moments where the show explores the character's trauma.

The other characters are recognizable if they were already established in S1, but for me they now seem more like representations of different aspects of human nature, rather than individual characters with stories that I could emotionally understand. There was one character story that I really did enjoy (the husband whose wife got wrapped up in religious extremism) but the way it was confined to a single episode made it feel like it was in its own bubble.

Overall, I still think the premise is really interesting, but I really wanted a bigger focus on new world-building infrastructure, like the resistance movement or on the researchers trying to figure out the origins of the monsters, the decrees, and the resurrected. Especially with the latter, it feels like we got left with "we are observing them but haven't found out anything," which is a good place to start but not a great place to end after 6 episodes. Addressing the symptom (society's spiral) is a really important part of this story, but I just wanted to learn more about the initial problem too.

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