Law, Crime and Time Travel

Queen Mantis

Crime thriller, mystery
Watched ep 2/8

Queen Mantis is a new crime thriller release based on the 2017 French tv series La Mante. Go Hyun-Jung and Jang Dong-Yoon (loved him in Like Flowers in Sand) portray the lead roles. Very good so far, the acting is top notch and the story moves at a good pace that kept me on the edge of my seat for the first two episodes. Go Hyun-Jung is terrifying as the notorious serial killer who committed five gruesome murders 20 years ago. Every scene with her is masterfully uncomfortable – from the way she savours the memories of her past kills to her intense, unsettling stares. Her characterization is phenomenal, and I can't wait for more episodes!

Beyond the Bar

Legal drama
Watched ep 9/12

More soapy melodrama than profound legal analysis from this drama but case stories are moralistically interesting though resolved quickly for the episodic nature of the show.

Early on, the portrayal of the female lead as an autistic-coded legal genius felt rather heavy-handed, which led me to believe the drama would focus on how her neurodivergence impacts her daily life as a lawyer, perhaps akin to Extraordinary Attorney Woo. However, this narrative thread ultimately goes nowhere in terms of plot development so far.

My biggest gripe with the show is the burgeoning romanticisation of mentor/mentee dynamic between the FL (a 20-something law graduate) and her forty-something boss, played by Lee Jin Wook. Very badly written and uncomfortable to watch the script normalise this dynamic; it seemingly included in the story to solely force romantic chemistry between the leads, as is often the perceived requirement for the leads in a lot of Korean melodramas.

The true highlight of Beyond The Bar lies with the secondary couple, portrayed by Lee Hak Joo and his colleague, Jeon Hye Bin. Their story arc is handled with far greater care and I really enjoyed learning more about Jeon Hye Bin's character's past relationship. Their interactions are both humorous and touching, and their well-explored backstory makes their romantic journey significantly more compelling to watch.

Bon Appetit, Your Majesty

Foodie, Historical romance, time travel
Watched ep 5/12

Among the numerous mediocre rom-coms I've started (and often not finished) this year, Bon Appetit, Your Majesty stands out as one of 2025's more enjoyable watches. While its premise isn't groundbreaking and many plot points feel familiar, it's a solid choice, especially for fans of gastronomy-focused shows!

I was particularly impressed with Lim Yoona's performance in the opening episodes. She's incredibly funny as Yeon Ji Yeong, the ambitious and sassy Michelin chef. I much prefer her role here to her character in King the Land – there's even a fun easter egg referencing Cheon Sa-Rang's multilingual skills and a couple of others! Ji Yeong's quirky personality and entertaining 'god-like' cooking skills make her far more engaging. I also love the food reaction edits, they are hilarious and reminds me of the anime series Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma.