Reviews

Absolutely amazing

This made it to my top list of favorite BL’s I watched in 2024 even though technically the last few episodes aired 2025. The finale was everything and the special episode was so sweet. I’ve grown so attached to this series, not waiting for it weekly anymore feels heartbreaking.

Jbl’s captivate emotion so well and gives this indescribable yearning. The visuals, the acting, the story telling. Everything was so perfect. I truly admire the capability to express so much and make me as the viewer feel so many emotions in such short episodes. The way they capture the passage of time without directly showing on the screen “x years later” but are able to pick up time has passed. The way that it stops feeling like you’re an outsider watching a show but feeling like you’re Minase or Hirukawa themselves.

This was so beautifully shot. So many scenes that will live in my head forever as just gorgeous still frames.

There are moments for series where I’m exhausted with how long it’s being dragged out and could have dealt with it being shorter instead of extra fluff. But then there’s series like Our Youth that I wouldn’t mind a few more episodes and that’s how I know it’s good. The story was wrapped up nicely and I know extending it anymore, again, would just be more fluff to it just to appeal to everyone who fell in love with their love story. So not speaking from a place of selfishly wanting this series to never end, I will say it was best ending it where it did.

This is definitely a rewatchable series for me and I will be crying over it for awhile. Happy tears though!

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15 years later and we can see all the problem areas

First off, this is a child of its time and that needs to be acknowledged. I'm watching the drama in 2025 and things have changed a little since 2010.

The stalking, gaslighting, manipulation, doing things without consent, and interference shown is troublesome, especially as it is done "for their own good" or "justifiable in the big picture" and whatnot. Of this was not a situation where ultimately both/all participants are happy with this arrangement - and the writer knows that they are - this could be a recipe for a VERY dark and very different experience.

Like I said at the beginning, a child of its time. And putting on rose tinted glasses, and getting in the mindset of watching a cute "love story" it is not bad. But it's difficult to say that it is really good. I don't regret having watched it to the end, but it's unlikely to ever make it on my re-watch lis.

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Love – Only One Phone Call Away

When The Phone Rings is a captivating drama that drew me in from the very first episode. This intricately crafted series opens with a series of thought-provoking questions that gradually unfold as the story progresses. By the time the final episode arrives, everything aligns perfectly, leading to a beautifully executed conclusion. I particularly appreciated how the drama maintained a tense atmosphere while skillfully integrating the romantic elements between the ML and FL

Having previously encountered the talents of the male lead and female lead in their earlier projects, I was particularly struck by Yoo Yeon Seok's interpretation of Paik Sa Eon. His ability to convey a broad spectrum of emotions made the character both relatable and captivating. Chae Soo Bin also delivered a noteworthy performance as Hong Hee Joo. I found her portrayal especially demanding in the initial episodes, yet she navigated it with remarkable finesse. The undeniable chemistry between Yeon Seok and Soo Bin further enhanced the appeal of their characters, making Paik Sa Eon and Hong Hee Joo so loved by me.

The OST is also worthy of praise. My personal favorite is "I Feel it Now," sung by Whee In from Mamamoo, which profoundly enriches the emotional landscape of the interactions between the male and female leads. Additionally, Yoo Yeon Seok's contribution with "Say My Name" highlights his artistic versatility.

In conclusion, this drama is a must-see, expertly blending suspense and romance while delivering exceptional performances that make it truly remarkable.

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A Captivating K-Drama with Stellar Performances and Minor Flaws

This is one of the best K-dramas I’ve watched in a while. While it has its flaws, the overall production was outstanding. The plot was intriguing and, for the most part, well-executed. Watching it weekly as it aired kept me thoroughly engaged, eagerly anticipating each new episode.

Pros:
Outstanding Acting:
The performances, especially from the two leads, were phenomenal. Yoo Yeon Seok delivered a masterclass in subtlety—his ability to convey deep emotions through slight facial movements and the way his voice cracked was truly remarkable. Chae Soo Bin was equally impressive, and their chemistry was absolutely perfect.

Compelling Story:
Although the script had a few issues, I loved the story. After skimming through the novel (English translation), I truly appreciated the changes the screenwriters made. I loved the drama-version of Baek Sa Eon a lot better than the novel-version. My favorite alteration was having Hong Heejoo discover earlier on that Baek Sa Eon already knew her identity as the mystery caller. This allowed for more open communication and heartwarming interactions between the couple, which I adored. The ending tied up all loose ends effectively, although it did feel slightly rushed after spending too much time on Baek Sa Eon’s disappearance.

Brilliant Storytelling:
The narrative was beautifully presented, with thoughtful parallels and shots. For example, the line “Call me when you have a corpse” was repeated three times throughout the series, each time in a different context and evoking distinct emotions from the characters. These subtle touches added depth and richness to the storytelling.

Cons: The only con I found was with inconsistencies with the script:
Aside from the usual K-drama tropes—like characters surviving falling off a cliff with no broken bones or any visible injuries or scars magically disappearing overnight—my biggest disappointment lay in the final episode. Baek Sa Eon’s six-month disappearance felt so out of character and inconsistent with the story’s progression. For someone as considerate (especially towards the FL’s feelings and well-being) and steadfast as Baek Sa Eon, it seemed implausible for him to leave the female lead in such a manner, especially over something that was not his fault and beyond his control. This was particularly jarring given how explicitly she had shared her fears of abandonment in a previous episode. While this plot point might have worked in the novel—where the two leads did not openly communicate much—it felt forced and misplaced in the drama, where their relationship was built on mutual understanding.

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Not bad, but not great either

Let me begin by saying that I was an absolutely huge fan of the original Love in the Air, fan enough to have written several fanfictions on it! But I went into this one with a fresh mind, so although I do not plan to compare, they may flip in at some point. That said, I will try to stay as honest as possible to my review.

First of all, Mame is well known for a very different style of writing, and most of her stories have some semblance of toxicity that is quite obvious. Love in the Air is no exception. The only bone I have to pick with the Japanese version is the reduction of the time. I have a very strong feeling that it would have been way better and way more effective had it been given some more run time.

Now let me talk about the story. So this one sticks closer to Mame's book version, from everything I have heard. I cannot comment on that with complete conviction because I have not read the book, and I don't feel I am the right person to do that. More mafia like angles were added, especially in case of Arashi. I was annoyed by the presence of Taiga, who seemed to have been given unnecessary screen time, especially since it could have been well used for building up the main storylines. Same goes for Gan, and how he tormented the character of Kai.

Now I will go into the things I actually liked and did not like:
1. I loved the friendship between Rei and Kai. It was cleaner, and less eye rolls and drama. Don't get me wrong. I like Rain and Sky's friendship. But I do feel that Sky could have been softer, which I found Kai to be. Although the actor who played the character seemed a little too old for his role, I am okay with that, because, well Peat was the oldest in the Thai LITA gang too!
2. I also like the moments given to Arashi and Fuma. They showed a deeper understanding of one another that somehow struck me as very positive, and something that was missing in the Thai version.
3. I found the character of Rinka very sweet. The actress did quite well in the limited time she was on screen. And the best part was that Som was cut out in the Japanese version, so we didn't have to put up with the fruity siblings!!
5. I hated the fact that character of Saifah was removed from the series! That broke my heart! Look, I know Pepper had very limited screen time, but his gremlin nature was the very highlight of the show! They removed an iconic character.. not done guys!
6. Shoma is a good actor, and I liked him a lot in 25:00 Alaska, even though he was the side character. So I am glad to see him in this one. The only problem is that Boss is a fantastic actor, and comparisons are going to be inevitable. And the problem is that Shoma, despite his skills, has very limited expressions.
7. Asahi is definitely not the right choice for Fuma's role. I am sorry I am saying this, but I was not prepared for this casting. The character of Prapai is just as vibrant as Phayu's, and a bit larger than life. But Fuma felt.. off.. I was mightily unprepared for him riding up on his bikes in those suits. Seemed a bit weird.
8. Takuto is a sweetie. And I really enjoyed his portrayal of Rain. There is an innocence that he brought to this role, and I quite enjoyed that. Yes, some reactions were a bit over the top, but the overall vibe was quite entertaining. And I loved the fact that Rei was the one who put stop out of commission. That was well done!
9. Gan was such an obnoxious character, worse than Gun. And that's saying something. Because Gun was an asshole of garangutan proportions. And the funniest was seeing Fuma, in a suit no less, hit him like there is no tomorrow. Jeez.. talk about misfits!
10. I am taking away major points for the OST. Absolutely forgettable and uninteresting.
11. Also, it upset me a bit to see that most parts were almost out of order. I was not expecting great things. But it made me sad to miss some really soft moments that were there in the original.
12. Japanese BLs are not very NC heavy usually, and I am totally okay with that. But somehow, the ones in this one did not fit the kind of passion that is Mame's trademark. Arashi was majorly into it (we even saw tongue!), but I am gonna cut marks for Rei's uninspiring performance. But the sight of Arashi's back kind of made up for it!

Despite lacklustre performances, and a fatal flaw of shortening a complete series, I won't say that LITA Koi was a disaster as many people made it out to be. As I said, with a precedent like LITA, comparisons are bound to happen, but the team did manage stand on its own. And honestly, while I am not a huge fan of them *in* the show, Shoma and Takuto have insanely cute chemistry irl. So I think that should count for something!

Also.. They brought in Boss and Fort for the 2 special Episodes, which, for me, was a bit much. Not because of their presence, but because it felt like too much in too little time. Felt like the two were roped in for a little bit of saving grace.

All in all, not a bad drama.. just make sure you go with a unobjective mind :)

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Came to see Tsundere Yoo Yeon Seok ended in a total Makjang style

It is a drama that fills in almost all wattpad / manhwa plots that it Everyone's guilty pleasure. Don't deny it I'm as equally charged kkk. So, from reading the first line I'll tell you to stop looking for whole reviews and just watching the drama. PS. They had really passionate kisses and warm hugs in this drama. Made me feel single af
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Now, I really liked this drama in the beginning, plot was intense and it was just all guilty pleasure so no need bring out logic here. Anyways logic and the characters' judgement flies out of the window in the second half of the drama.
Though the repetition of the flashbacks did make it annoying that I kinda did skip 10 secs ahead. But it wasn't as bad as how we ended up in the made up Argan xD. It was soooo unnecessary, I get it, you wanna keep it as close as to the webtoon but still, We didn't need the Argan place for them to make out. Honestly, They could've just skipped those parts and given us some more role playing lovey- dovey stuff but we ended up getting some bland, BS out of the world minisub- plot. Tsktsktsk.
Their acting was top notch, I loved the Mls chemistry, the supporting roles were also great with right amount of comedy, care and love. I loved Baek Sa Eon, just my type of tsundere who melted into a puppy.
But I knew the drama won't move ahead if they didn't bring in the makjang so only that would explain Baek saeon . Overall I really enjoyed it and I will rewatch some clips from this drama and I don't think I'll forget the phrases Unnie~aa~ or 406.

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my new favorite relationship!

ahh! I love this series so much. They did a very good job building up the leads' relationship as well as the overall friendship aspect too. I love that even though this is set in high school and a coming of age story, the leads were very mature and there were no stupid misunderstandings. I think the magic here really is their friendship. You get to see more of how much they rely on one another and how they are best friends first before becoming a couple. The bubbly girl - stoic guy trope is done very well and I did not find any of them annoying at all.

Plus you get comedy and humor with the friendship group and the second leads too! Everyone is just very likeable and looks after one another. Really the epitome of youth, in a very healthy way.

I wish they would've showed more of the leads' relationship in college and beyond as well as the second leads too. And there are some annoying family drama, but well worth the watch regardless. But nonetheless, I'm very happy with what we got!

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wtf?

Liked: unique concept, acting

Disliked: writing, wtf ending?

Throughout this show, I just was so frustrated. The original plot line of the show is unique and I imagine that's why other viewers started the show as well. I think they just wasn't sure of the genre of this show and tried doing too many things at once. I felt compelled to finish the series after the first half -- they developed the intrigue of the family mystery and main leads' relationship quite nicely, but I think that fell off in the second half. The second lead's story investigating the missing orphans was interesting, and I wish they had done more to develop their relationship.

They were halfway there with the writing. Such a shame of an interesting plot at the beginning.

Beware of episode 11 and 12! The show just shoved unnecessary plot lines that don't make sense by the end.

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It's better than I expected

I'm afraid that this is ONE OF THE BEST DRAMAS of 2024 or even as a whole.

The episodes kept us so immersed 🤤
The actor's deserve a raise for portraying the emotions so well,😭
they did justice to the characters.
Yoo yeon seok, the man you are. Damm he's so good at his work😵‍💫❤️‍🔥 and Chae Soo Bin she killed it, so good. Impressive acting all around, I never felt like they were acting or trying too hard. They perfectly embodied their characters. In the beginning the tension and angst was so palpable.
The chemistry btw the leads is just top tier 🫠💕
The second leads were also cute 🥹💓
Everything about this drama was just perfect and nothing else. 🫡
The last episodes were so intense and dramatic. Their love is so swoon worthy.
I don’t give a crap about the commotion people are causing in the comments because they are cry babies or can't grasp simple plots.

I personally loved it and totally worth every hype it got. Whoever is reading this, please watch the drama you will not be disappointed!

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Very average

I will say I almost rated this very biased just because i am a huge joongdunk fan but once actually completing this series it really didn’t do much for me.

i think both joong and dunk have improved a lot with their acting and honestly i don’t think either of them were terrible in this series to begin with but i can definitely see an improvement. unfortunately the story was boring and really didn’t make sense. it’s another miscommunication trope but the miscommunication was soooo bad that it just didn’t make sense. Kluen couldn’t have told Dao from the beginning his liked him back? what was the point of meeting in college and STILL not telling him his feelings but just beating around the bush. It was almost the exact same premise as their other series Hidden Agenda. I unfortunately feel like they’ve both been typecasted as these same characters consistently among all their series. However, at the time of reviewing this I have been watching their more recent series The Heart Killers, and though their character tropes are essentially the same it fits better with this storyline compared to this drama. Joong’d character is always the guy hiding his feelings and playing too cool, while Dunk’s characters are always the one being straight forward and pinning after Joong’s character.

Typhoon was very annoying and weird in this series. I felt like he couldn’t take no for an answer and was just very weird and pressuring Dao to reciprocate feelings he knew weren’t there. Dao also sort of toying with Typhoons feelings at one point too was also very gross, especially since he was so upset about the girl confessing to him and he was afraid of hurting her feelings. Though he apologized to Typhoon later it was still very unusual since he cried so much about it earlier. Also, Fah. Didn’t like his character. Why was he always calling and being needy and weird?? I knew they included him so much for the spin off series but it felt out of place and he was just annoying more than anything.

I’d say overall this wasn’t a terrible watch, it was easy enough to get through but it definitely had its flaws and wasn’t the best series ever by any means. I would say it’s a nice casual, short series to binge. As for rewatch ability… not there for me. Granted, most gmmtv series are not normally ones i’d decide to rewatch even if i liked them more. probably just due to the fact they are constantly coming out with new series and multiple with my favorite ships.

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A new kind of drama has emerged: the hatewatch drama that is not makjang

Not all dramas are created equally.

Some are experiences you treasure and share and hope as many people watch as possible, some are so bad, you wonder why where they even created at all, some are filler shows, and you kind of know while watching a forgivable story and sometimes poor acting or messy production values.

We used to just drop the bad ones, but then a relatively good show like When the phone rings is announced, then we hope that maybe, it will be good, because everything sort of seems ok: good actors, good writers, good production teams and so, we go in not knowing what to expect, but then, when nothing in a show like When the Phone rings works, and I mean it, nothing in this drama works and the actors can't make miracles if their source material is just all over the place, you start to wonder why this even hit the air.

But yes, nothing in this drama works,, nothing in the story, plot, character development adds anything to a substandard story that attempts to be too much of a thriller/romcom/political drama, without setting on one (don't get me started with that last episode, because I refuse to believe the writer just got away with that)
Just from the many genres and plot, this drama is just a mess, that thankfully is a limited series and we will never waste another minute with these characters and messy story arc ever again.

And yet, this show gathered huge ratings in Korea, and elsewhere we watch, puzzled at the thought of why????, then, it is clear that the mess that started in the writing room cannot be saved, not even award winning actors, directors and producers can save a poorly written story. But then, you as a viewer keep watching, and wondering why and suddenly, it's been 12 hours, you wonder why did you waste your time with it.

Behold a brand new kind of drama: The hatewatch drama that is not really a makjang. You watch, you want to like, but no, you hate it and you keep on watching. Yes, the show might be nice to watch, thanks to the the Art and Photography departments that clearly deserve a lot of praise for their good work, but then, shows that are nice to watch should have some more positive qualities, right?

Just last week, it was announced that Netflix (and I suspect other streaming services) have asked show creators to dumb down their shows, because us as audiences ,are multitasking, stuck to our chellphones while watching whatever is on that tries to pass on as a entertainment. And while I was hatewatching this show, don't get me started on how that final episode was 100% filler made out stuff. I keep on wondering why, maybe we have begun to ask for nothing and happily consume whatever comes our way, not matter what. Let's hope that shows that are created equally might consider the investment audiences make and may we as audiences demand better stories to be told. Or better, let's just drop them as we used to.

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