The Story of Bi Hyeong: Enchanted Master of the Goblin (2025)
Nov. 7th, 2025 09:26 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
reviews_and_ramblings I've been wrestling with my thoughts on The Story of Bi Hyeong, and it boils down to a classic case of mixed feelings. This drama was, for the most part, an absolute delight, building up a fantastic world and dynamic characters... right up until the final two episodes. It genuinely felt like the screenwriter hit a wall and didn't know how to stick the landing, opting instead to abruptly chop major plot threads. We're left hanging on Geum Bok's attachment to his friends. Why does he still remember them when the established supernatural rules implied he should have forgotten? This crucial point is never clarified. Perhaps the most jarring was the Gil Dal and Ji Gwi relationship. Their intense breakup, fueled by Gil Dal's accusation of betrayal, is completely negated when they reunite as if nothing ever happened. There’s zero explanation, which completely undermines the emotional weight of their conflict. The culmination of these loose ends was an ending that felt less like a finale and more like a cliffhanger desperately setting up a second season. Given the rarity of S2 in the South Korean drama landscape (it's happened, but it's very unusual), it's highly likely we'll never get answers to these frustratingly open questions. Despite the weak conclusion, the drama's greatest strength—and the reason it's still worth watching—is the titular Bi Hyeong. He is easily one of the best supernatural characters I've encountered in a K-drama. Bi Hyeong was a captivating blend of characteristics: handsome yet utterly cute, funny and incredibly intense. He was, for lack of a better phrase, the perfect boyfriend character—charming, devoted, and a compelling force in the story. When it comes to romance, The Story of Bi Hyeong leans heavily into cute territory rather than sexy. The physical intimacy between Bi Hyeong and Geum Bok is limited to sweet kisses, which, while few, were handled beautifully and felt genuine. Even the supposedly "sexier" secondary couple, Gil Dal and Ji Gwi, offered almost no sizzle. Ultimately, the overall mood is adorable and heartwarming, which isn't a fault at all, but something potential viewers should know: don't tune in expecting intense passion, but rather a focus on genuine affection. The Story of Bi Hyeong is a must-watch for its irresistible main lead and charming romance, delivering a captivating supernatural experience right up until the final stretch. Just be prepared for a frustratingly rushed and inconclusive ending that leaves you wishing for the answers you'll probably never get. HEA. You can watch on GagaOOLala. Heat Level: 3/6.
Heat Level:
1/6: glances, caress, hugs, no kisses
2/6: kisses, closed mouth or camera angles
3/6: full kisses, clothes on
4/6: full kisses, some clothes off, hands above the waist, pants stay on
5/6: most clothes off, they have sex, but it’s masked, no sexy sounds
6/6: full nudity mostly hidden by camera angles, they have sex, sexy sounds
The Journey to Killing You by Sai Asai
Nov. 6th, 2025 05:27 pmreviews_and_ramblings
Yakuza members Odajima and Kataoka are sent away on a trip after Kataoka, the young wakagashira, screws up. However, this trip hides the true mission: Odajima has been ordered to kill Kataoka.
My Rate: 7
Having been completely enthralled by the live-action adaptation of The Journey to Killing You, I immediately dove into the source material—the manga itself. And I have to say, fans of the drama will find themselves on incredibly familiar ground. In a rare move for screen adaptations, the live-action drama is an almost perfect visual copy of the manga. Scene for scene, panel for panel, the adaptation faithfully recreates the story. The primary difference? The manga edges out the drama by being just a little more explicit in its content. The core narrative is a seductive blend of dark and sexy. Despite its Yakuza theme, the manga isn't defined by heavy violence. Instead, its "dirtiness" comes from a different place. These aren't the sleek, aloof, or stoic gangsters often depicted; rather, they are surprisingly down-to-earth and perhaps too willing to give in to their baser instincts. Amidst this gritty, unpolished underworld, the central romance manages to shine. It's a stark contrast that makes the relationship compelling—like watching a pure white flower push its way up through the mud. This unexpected purity growing out of a dirty, instinct-driven environment is truly the heart of the story's appeal. Ultimately, I did enjoy the manga and its raw, explicit portrayal of the narrative. However, I found myself drawn back to the live-action drama. The visual impact of seeing these compelling characters brought to life "in flesh and blood" gave the story an extra layer of depth and intensity that elevated the experience for me. Recommended for Fans of dark romance, gritty settings, and those who want the uncensored version of the live-action drama.
Babanbabanban Vampire (2025)
Nov. 6th, 2025 02:28 pmreviews_and_ramblings Babanbabanban Vampire centers around Ranmaru, a 450-year-old vampire whose life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Rihito, a five-year-old boy. Rather than anything sinister, Ranmaru is struck by a sense of awe, seeing the child as an angelic being worthy of protection. He pledges to safeguard Rihito, setting the stage for a story that’s both heartfelt and perplexing. Fast-forward ten years: Rihito is now fifteen, still innocent in many ways. Ranmaru’s protective instincts remain, but his focus has shifted. Now, he’s determined to preserve Rihito’s purity until he turns eighteen—at which point Ranmaru intends to drink his blood. This is where the narrative truly starts to twist and provoke thought. What makes Ranmaru fascinating is his conflicted philosophy. If he drinks a human’s blood, it’s fatal—unless he transforms them into a vampire. He refuses to do this, however, believing vampirism is a curse. Ranmaru reveres humans because of their ability to age and die naturally, seeing this as a kind of beauty that immortality can never match. His convictions run deep. He even refused to turn his former the Lord—the only person he ever truly loved—into a vampire, ultimately killing him at the Lord’s own request. Ranmaru claims he will never love again, and with Rihito, he remains steadfast: his affection is not romantic, but he values Rihito above anyone else. Yet, his plan to end Rihito's life at eighteen is unsettling, adding a layer of dark complexity to the story. Despite these heavy themes, Ranmaru delivers a vibrant cast. Every character feels unique and genuine; even the vampires are good-hearted at their core. The tone alternates between slapstick comedy and unsettling horror, with blood splattering and heartwarming family scenes coexisting in surprising harmony. Sometimes you’ll find yourself laughing out loud, only to shudder moments later. This isn’t a romance—at least, not yet—but the story isn’t shy about showcasing gratuitous nudity (Ranmaru himself is particularly easy on the eyes). The unusual mixture of humor, creepiness, and emotional depth makes for a memorable reading experience. Ranmaru is a genre-defying tale that keeps you guessing. Just when you think you’ve pinned it down, the narrative swerves in a new direction. While the plot’s moral ambiguities might leave you scratching your head, the cast and the strange, dynamic blend of comic and dark elements are sure to draw you in. If you’re looking for something offbeat, provocative, and strangely endearing, you’ll find plenty to sink your teeth into here. HEA. You can watch on Prime Video. Heat Level: 1/6.
Heat Level:
1/6: glances, caress, hugs, no kisses
2/6: kisses, closed mouth or camera angles
3/6: full kisses, clothes on
4/6: full kisses, some clothes off, hands above the waist, pants stay on
5/6: most clothes off, they have sex, but it’s masked, no sexy sounds
6/6: full nudity mostly hidden by camera angles, they have sex, sexy sounds
