My Stubborn (2025)

 Look, I'm all for a steamy scene, but there's a point where "too much" becomes "too unethical," and unfortunately, the drama My Stubborn barrelled right past that line. I walked into this series with high hopes, especially after a fantastic trailer, but what I got was a misleading mess of questionable consent, unbelievable plotting, and a fast-forward button workout. My biggest issue lies with the handling of the intimate scenes. When you lean into a "stubborn" dynamic, you need genuine chemistry and solid writing to keep it fun, not uncomfortable. The central relationship between Sorn and Jun was plagued by this. One particular scene where Sorn continues a sexual act despite Jun complaining—only stopping when literally kicked out of bed—was deeply unsettling. What was clearly intended to be a funny or passionate moment instead felt unethical and wildly unnecessary. A show can be sensual without glossing over consent or resorting to such unbelievable push-and-shove tactics. Talk about bait-and-switch! I was excited to watch My Stubborn purely for the scenes teased in the trailer. Plot twist: none of them made the final cut! Where was the promised office drama, specifically the sex scene on the office stairs that supposedly gets caught on camera and becomes instant office gossip? That was the most compelling—and admittedly, dramatic—hook the show offered, and its absence leaves the viewer feeling cheated. It's frustrating when marketing promises a different, better story than the one you actually receive. On a personal note, the series lost me completely every time "Yoon" Phusanu Wongsasavanichakorn was on screen; I found myself reaching for the forward-skip button almost instantly. So, was there anything to enjoy? Only one thing: the magnificent physique of "Boat" Yongyut Termtuo. Given the amount of gratuitous skin-showing and frequent intimate scenes, you get a generous amount of screen time dedicated to his impressive abdominal muscles. In short, My Stubborn failed on nearly every front. It delivered too much problematic sex and not enough of the promised story, leaving me with only one positive takeaway—a muscular actor. Skip the drama; maybe just follow the actor's workout routine instead. HEA. You can watch on iQIYI. Heat Level: 6/6.

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 (2025)

 Forget your typical innocent-meets-Yakuza trope. The Japanese drama The Journey to Killing You (adapted from a Yaoi Manga) is a must-see for anyone craving a romance that's less "cheeky" and more intensely dark and complex. This series grabbed me from the start with its distinct atmosphere and commitment to its very Japanese intensity. I wouldn't say I liked it, I definitely really loved it, and it’s the kind of drama that stays with you long after the credits roll. The real brilliance of the show lies in its main characters. Both leads are dark, complex, and clearly grapple with significant behavioral issues. This isn't a story of a sweet bystander being swept off their feet; it’s a collision of two emotionally damaged people. Putting them together could have easily spiraled into pure tragedy, but fortunately, the story (and my love for deep romance) delivered an unforgettable drama. The tension was palpable in every episode, and the story kept me utterly hooked until the final scene precisely because I genuinely couldn't predict where their volatile journey was heading. For those wondering about the steam, the show handles intimacy with the same intensity as its plot: The one complete sex scene was very satisfying, serving the story and the characters' dynamic well. However, it was the reunion scene—the one in the car after they get back together—that truly surprised me. Despite the explicit context (they were having sex!), the moment was so incredibly sweet and full of raw emotional connection that I felt an almost unsettling desire to just cuddle them. It was a testament to the actors and the writing that they could infuse an intense sexual act with such profound tenderness. Final Verdict: The Journey to Killing You is not light viewing, but if you appreciate dark, high-stakes psychological drama with a complex, gripping romance at its core, this intense Japanese adaptation is absolutely worth the trip. HEA. You can watch on GagaOOLala. Heat Level: 6/6.

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