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Journey With You (Chinese Series)

By Golu
I've always had kind of a love hate relationship with Chinese historical BLs. Some are genuinely excellent, but then there are others that cram in so much plot that keeping track of all the layers of betrayal and scheming gets exhausting, and I end up checking out mentally. Part of the issue is also just how much content is out there in this space, so something really has to stand out to keep me hooked. In this case, the production value is genuinely impressive, top tier stuff, but story wise, I just couldn't bring myself to actually care about these characters. There's a ton of political scheming and backstage manipulation running throughout. Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, a hostage ends up falling for his own Prince Charming. The show runs eight episodes, each around 50 to 60 minutes long. After spending three years guarding the border, Fifth Prince Yin Qi gets called back to the capital because of a secret letter, only to end up walking straight into a deadly...
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The Director Who Buys Me Dinner (Korean Series)

By Golu
A Korean office romance with some supernatural fantasy twist!! Sign me up!! Well, at leasts that was what my reaction was when I read the summary of this show and to be honest, the first two episodes were quite interesting and intriguing, but somehow for me the show just went downhill after that (which we will discuss in detail). The clunky narrative doesn't flow smoothly. It's like watching random events pieced together instead of a cohesive story.The show feels like more of the other Korean shows, which have probably been made as a film or something but broken down into episodes or series for whatever reason. This one was 10 episodes of about 12-15 minutes each, so thankfully an easy watch.

Dongbaek is a new employee who is supposed to start work in Performance planning department for a celebrity agency managing work for famous singer Denis. However, unexpectedly he is transferred to be the CEO's assistant. He isn unhappy but needs a job, so he stays. When they meet, the CEO tells Dongbaek that they know each other form past but Dongbaek doesn't remember anything. Out of the blue, CEO says that they should date and f they don't fall in love, they will die. He also suggests that they should have dinner together everyday. Dongbaek is astonished but thinks of this as eccentric behaviour from his employer and goes along. After a few dinner dates, finally CEO tells him about their past from 300 years ago (which later we are told how this loving couple got separated because of unfortunate death of Dongbaek and how the CEO guy has been waiting many rebirths for his love). Dongbaek starts feeling inexplicable pains occasionally in his body but whenever CEO would hug him , they would go away. Begrudgingly, Dongbaek accepts that CEO's wild claims may be valid. Then suddenly, Dongbaek needs to manage the singer Denis, who seems take liking for him and at some point there is some sot of rivalry between the CEO and the singer and in the process Dongbaek dies. But because this is supposed to be true love, it seems like times rewinds and he wakes up back on the day of his first job, but this time with all memories of his past  love and this time, its him who will be following CEO to fulfill their unrequited love.

Lets start with the weird title. After a first few dinner dates, the scenario totally disappears and the title makes no sense. It would have been nice if somehow dinner dates continued one way or other in every episode. Also the whole fantasy romance genre and the overall plot was so ambiguous and all over the place that it Mae no sense at a lot of places. There wasn't any proper explanation about how the curse happened, or how the director lived for hundreds of years? The story doesn't flow smoothly, explain details clearly, and build momentum effectively. My biggest bewilderment was the whole Denis story. What was the point of it? It would have been interesting if somehow he was also part of their 300 year old journey, but there was nothing substantial that was developed for him, his anxiety tor his relationship with Dongbaek. This unnecessary storyline takes away focus from the couple. Each episode should've been packed with sexual tension and romantic interactions, which are the selling points of a BL drama. Instead, I'm stuck watching Denis glower at the camera. The romance from the lead couple is completely missing, besides those hugs. No explanation is given on why does suddenly Dongbaek fall for CEO and why suddenly CEO doesn't want to have anything to do with him. The actors are good, the production values are high, but a complete lack of screenplay here is the biggest downfall of this show. It had the right ingredients to make a good show, if only they just spent a little more time baking the story, and maybe just adding a little more sugary sweetness it would have been great. The ending made no sense - so if they aren't around each other they'll die, and the only way to lift the curse is to die. It's a shame because this could have been soooo good, unique and different. Alas!! It just a waste of time. Re-edit the show, remove Denis completely and re-release as a short film instead. (3/10)
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Sailor Maan said…
I sadly have the same analysis. The plot had me hyped, and I stayed hyped with the first 2 episodes. Then it slowly lost interest with things being badly told and chemistry missing. It's like too many things appear randomly. They abused the "shut up it's magic" too much lol. It would have been so easy to show the villain was also reincarnated as the one who killed the hero centuries ago (I'm pretty sure it is the case), and give him a chance to escape his fate for example. And as you mentionned, the missed opportunity with dinners to create real chemistry... Too bad because the last episode was great again, but lack all the needed build up in between.
February 1, 2023 at 9:12 AM
Golu said…
I thought about the villain angle too. I was hoping that lead singer would be that person, but the makers never fully explore the possibility.
February 1, 2023 at 2:40 PM
Sailor Maan said…
Talking about korean BL, if you want another one with promising first 2 episodes then WTF next, you can gracefully skip "Oh! My assistant" XD
If you want a super sweet short good one, I advise "The new employee"
February 3, 2023 at 3:21 AM
Golu said…
adding to the list now
the good thing about Korean shows is at least they are 25-30 minutes each of about 8 episodes unlike our Thai ones.
February 3, 2023 at 7:37 AM
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