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Thundercloud Rainstorm (2025)
Dec. 19th, 2025 07:13 pm While Thundercloud Rainstorm ultimately has more highs than lows, I can’t ignore the elements that left me scratching my head. It was a bit of a bumpy ride, especially regarding the narrative structure, but the lead performances kept me hooked until the end. My biggest gripe with this series is the pacing and transitions. Right from the start, I felt a bit disoriented. The opening scene is incredibly powerful—showing Lee Il Jo being brutally beaten by his half-brother while his cousin, Seo Jeong Han, watches in silence. Then, the scene shifts abruptly: suddenly, Il Jo is living with Jeong Han. Wait... why? Did Jeong Han feel pity? Was there a conversation? I found myself waiting for a flashback or an explanation that never quite arrived. I eventually let it go, but then the final two episodes hit. The creators decided to interweave three different timelines—past, present, and future—in a very "unique" order. Honestly, it felt unnecessary. I’m not sure why they chose to abandon a logical, chronological flow, as it only added to the confusion. The highlight of the show is undoubtedly Jeong Ri U, who plays Seo Jeong Han. His range is incredible. He manages to transform from an absolute jerk to a vulnerable lover begging for attention, and finally into a man willing to fight the world for his partner. On the other hand, I struggled with Lee Il Jo. Compared to Jeong Han, he felt a bit too passive. He takes the beatings without fighting back, accepts being treated as a "sexual outlet" early on, and when their love is finally threatened, his first instinct is to give up and run away. Perhaps I’m being too harsh, but I wanted to see him fight for his happiness as much as Jeong Han did. If you’re worried about the "cousin" dynamic (which Jeong Han uses as an excuse to keep their relationship a secret early on), you can breathe a sigh of relief: Lee Il Jo is adopted, so there is no blood relation between them. Despite the heavy themes, the chemistry between the two leads is solid. We get plenty of intimate moments and kisses—they aren't necessarily "explicit," but they feel genuine, and the actors look great together on screen. The Good: Jeong Ri U’s powerhouse performance. Strong chemistry and frequent romantic moments. The "adoption" twist clears up the moral gray area. The Bad: Jarring time jumps and confusing editing in the finale. A protagonist who feels a bit too "weak" or passive at times. If you can overlook some confusing storytelling choices, it’s worth a watch for the lead performances alone. HEA. You can watch on GagaOOLala. Heat Level: 4/6.
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
