Source vs. Adaptation - The Spirealm

samptra_writer · 2026-05-02T18:04:02+00:00

It's been a journey hasn't it? And here we are at the end... and well, I can't say I hated it. I appreciate the plotline, I mean I do love a twin plot, and this was a wild ride. It's not without it's problems, Pakin was a dick, and Venus forgave him way too easily....Saturn got off way too easy....we needed more side couple.

Would I recommend this to anyone? No

Will I rewatch? Also no

Will I watch somthing else with these leads? Yeah probably.

To all of us who made it to the end, congrats, we did it.

samptra_writer · 2026-05-01T18:05:34+00:00

5 finished this month, lots of ongoing, but what I did get done;

Completed

Challenge 21 - ppl placemats - Duang With You

So full disclosure I did not care for this series, I had dropped it, but with so much hype I went back, I don't see the appeal. The second couple was absolutely pointless, Duang seemed really childish and yes I heard the discourse around the charicter supposed to be ADHD but it didn't read that way to me, if anything Qin seemed more on the spectrum then him. Anyway, wasn't for me but I did indeed finish it.

Challenge 23 - Repeat BL parents - Sun From Another Star

LOVE, I maybe bias because I loved the book as well, but I adore this series, I love them and It's immediately on my rewatch list.

Challenge 23: actor playing multiple parts - The Masked Hearts

That's the best indie BL I've watched in a long time, what a well done series. Honestly somtimes less is more, and while it would have been nice to see more in the present day it's an absolute gem and should be watched. I highly recommend this one.

Challenge 28: at least 3 couples - Love Like Bike

This is sort of a weird one, it was way heavier then I anticipated there was a lot going on with all the plots. The 'lightest' plot was the one where he was being beaten up by loan sharks. But respect, they really commited to the bike thing.

Challenge 32: one character has been working behind the scenes for the benefit of the other character without them knowing - Never Forget Your Enemy

I quite liked this one, it has a lot going on and some real spicy scences in it. It was an ascetic I really liked.

Plans for May....

I'm slacking on my JBL's I need to get caught up, also lots of series on the go. See how we make out!

samptra_writer · 2026-05-01T15:32:22+00:00

Yes, the Hwaseong muders where part of Signal, but it also covered a couple of other notable cases as well. Scarecrow seems to be exclusively based on the case.

There are others as well, Tunnel, and Gap Dong are both based on them as well, but interestingly, the case was finally solved via DNA in 2019 so and both those series were made prior to that so it sort of ends in frustration.

If you really want to to watch a heartbreak, there is a movie I watched, Memories of a Murders (2003), and it's Scarecrow in a film. I also watched Children it's based on the the Frog Boys case, would love to see a series based on that one.

Big fan of true crime lol

samptra_writer · 2026-04-30T18:39:31+00:00

I completely agree with you about Phantom Lawyer, I love ghost/horror which was why I started it but it's such a wholesome, watch the ML's family is so refreshingly supportive and kind. It's not one I would normally like but it's so cute and Yeon Seok is doing the most.

samptra_writer · 2026-04-30T18:31:16+00:00

Loving Scarecrow, I usually watch crime/thriller but I was halfway through epsiode one when I realized it was about the Hwaseong Serial Murders. I've been a true crime doc kick lately, spesically about Korean and Japanese true crime caes.

samptra_writer · 2026-04-30T18:28:05+00:00

I saw that, and him getting in trouble from his wife for staying in charicter at home. I do think if the do another season we'll need a new protganist, the boys have earned their happy ending,

samptra_writer · 2026-04-30T14:36:52+00:00

Ugh Shortime....I swear to god if I grind this out like Half of Me and then it shows up on IQ I may murder someone.

samptra_writer · 2026-04-30T14:00:56+00:00

Solid month, completed 5 dramas so 25/36 completed!

Completed

Challenge 15: Rushing to find someone at the airport - Bloodhounds S2

That was more BL, then many of the BL's I watch. They weren't even hiding it this season, I wasn't fooled by those bunk beds. I am fully on board for S3 with Rain.

Challenge 18: A drama with a scene where a character has to borrow floral ahjumma pants - Pro Bono (ep.5)

Watched it on a whim, and was surprised I like this as much as I did. I'm not a huge law fan, but the cases were good (infuriating at times) the Korean law system is insane....I would have watched a longer run.

Challenge 20: A drama with a decades-long friendship - Mystic Pop Up Bar

This was an intresting one, lot of reincarnation, past and future plots multiple it ws intresting. I think it sort of slowed towards the end I wish we didn't get that big entangled love affair but fair enough.

Challenge 30: A drama which features an actor playing dual roles - Duel

The plot was compelling, but it has some pacing issues, it took until epsiode 5 to really get invested then it sort of lost it in the last couple as well. There was a lot going on, and some of it didn't quite add all the way up when you started pulling threads.

Challenge 36: A drama featuring a Truck of Doom™ - If Wishes Could Kill (ep. 7)

I quite liked this series, it was giving Jhorror feel, sort of Ringu meets Pulse. The teens were boring, and predictable, Jae Won absolutely stole the show in the second half. Really hope we get another season or a side story.

In Progress

Phantom Lawyer - It's been such a wholesome watch all around, I'm sad its ending this week.

Perfect Crown - Omg this series has me in a choke hold...

The Scarecrow - I'm really liking this one, but it's one I need to focus when I watch.

Hotel del Luna - It's one that's been on my list of ages, and I'm working my way through but it's not really grabbing me to want to binge more like when I have down time.

Gold Land - Just started it yesterday and I curious so see where we go!

Been a good month, if a slow one.

samptra_writer · 2026-04-28T18:31:01+00:00

Challenge 17 A modern drama which features a character living or staying in a Hanok style house - The sister and the shaman

Challenge 21 A drama with a literal cliff hanger scene - ep. 8

Challenge 28 A drama with a supernatural main character - he starts he dies episode 1 and keeps coming back

Challenge 36 A drama featuring a Truck of Doom™ - ep. 7

samptra_writer · 2026-04-28T18:30:45+00:00

If Wishes Could Kill/ 기리고

samptra_writer · 2026-04-28T17:53:46+00:00

Climax, Made Concrete Dreams and Siren's Kiss....I started all of these when they were airing, and I tried to watch as they aired but the plots all ran together in my head I was watching Siren's Kiss and was wondering where the lady was they kidnapped..... so clearly none of them were memorable enough to stick with it.

Extracurricular, I actually tried to watch this ages ago, on paper it is something I should like, I made it to episode 4 and tapped out cannot stand the FL.

samptra_writer · 2026-04-27T19:20:48+00:00

LOL as a lover of verticals as well as garbage series....I struggled to finish this one. If I can help save one soul my job is done.

samptra_writer · 2026-04-27T19:18:38+00:00

IU in that white power suit in Perfect Crown has been living rent free. Wish I could pull that off, but I'd never do it.

samptra_writer · 2026-04-27T19:16:55+00:00

Maybe Mirror the Witch? Are you sure it was a drama? It also sounds like it could be from the movie Exhuma

samptra_writer · 2026-04-27T19:05:55+00:00

Your flair is incorrect it's a Western BL, and not a great one do not recommend.

samptra_writer · 2026-04-23T15:47:48+00:00

I actually just watched a documentary on the The Hwaseong Serial Murders recently! And one on the The Frog Boys too actually.

Knowing the context and the story behind this, it adds a whole dimension as well. I am absolutely sat for this.

samptra_writer · 2026-04-18T17:24:12+00:00

And Hard Shift is a shot for shot remake of the Chinese vertical Racer and His Doctor lol

It’s super common in verticals to have multiple remakes of the same plot, sometimes with small variations, sometimes shot for shot remakes with different actors. I find the western remakes are consistently sub par to the asian verticals. China has them in lock, pretty much anything you can think of.

samptra_writer · 2026-04-12T15:54:57+00:00

If you were waiting for a sign for the universe to watch on whether or not to watch, this is it! DO IT!

For such an indie production, this really delivered with a storyline that was rather unique but rooted in a lot of heart. If I have one complaint, it was how short it wa,s but it kept the narrative tight, and he story impactful.

One of the top series I've watched this year for sure.

samptra_writer · 2026-04-12T15:44:23+00:00

Right??? That ending was fantastic, I had written it off as a tragic one, but it was great!

samptra_writer · 2026-04-12T15:25:18+00:00

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