Drama Reviews: Yumi's Cells, Alchemy of Souls S2, Lost You Forever S2, Story of Kunning Palace, Mutya ng Section E and Glass Heart

Here are my mini-reviews of favorite dramas I’ve been gatekeeping on Patreon. I’m now sharing them as part of the 18 candles (top 18 reverse harem dramas) in the Reverse Harem Garden 18th Birthday Series. If you’d like first dibs on upcoming dramas to watch, join me on Patreon because not all reverse harem dramas are created equal.

As I mentioned in the 18 Candles post, each drama is a flame. Some will warm you with laughter, others will blaze with tear-jerking trau... I mean, moments. 🎭

Yumi's Cells Mini-Reviews

Inside every human, countless cells work tirelessly to keep life running. For Kim Yu Mi, an ordinary office worker, those cells hide something extraordinary. After a painful breakup, her love cells fall into a coma—until she meets Koo Ung, an awkward game developer whose feelings spark hers back to life. As their cells work overtime, Yu Mi and Koo Ung grow closer. But can a spark between cells truly unite two hearts forever?

No S1 review. I was not aware then that it would fall under kinda reverse harem, but out of all the current titles, S1 is my favorite. I love it so much! 

August 3, 2022 

Yumi's Cells S2 (kdrama)- I hate and love it. Still have not unpacked my feeeeeelings on this one. But as I have mentioned, it may get a post on its own as it deserves one.

April 2, 2023 

Yumi's Cells Webtoon Ep. 1- 57- I can't get myself to blog about it without closure after the second season of the drama, so I decided to read the webtoon. Turns out I'm torturing myself because I'm reliving the best parts agai,n knowing of what's to come. It hits differently now.

September 27, 2024

Yumi's Cells The Movie (animated)- The movie's timeline is within the second season of the drama adaptation. But the story is a bit different, so I assume it's more faithful to the webtoon source material. It made me miss Yumi's Cells, especially the cells. But it also made me remember the things that made me love it, as well as the sadness from both seasons. Yumi's Cells is very tricky to discuss without spoilers. Same with its reverse harem-ness. But one thing's clear, we need a S3 of the drama for closure and to seal the reverse harem deal. But the webtoon is already completed. Watch on Viki (not available in all countries) and read on Webtoons.

Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow Season 2 Mini-Reviews

Season 1 Drama Review  

January 8, 2023 

Season 2 Episode 1-9- One more episode left tonight. It's hard to review without giving away spoilers. It was 8 episodes of stretching out the lie, but the 9th episode was worth it. Jang Uk! Ugh!

Feb 9, 2023

Season 2 Episode 10 Alchemy of Souls Part 2 kdrama- completed- Up to this day, I still have a lot of whirlwind of emotions to unpack. Do I love it or hate it? I'm so confused. I'm not even sure if I still want to review it, but I might for closure.

Story of Kunning Palace cdrama Mini-Reviews

Jiang Xue Ning’s obsession with becoming empress strains her friendship with Yan Lin and leads to the arrest of Official Zhang Zhe. After a brief reign, guilt takes hold as rebels, led by Yan Lin, wipe out the royal family. In her final moments, she trades her life for Zhang Zhe’s freedom. Miraculously, she wakes up as her 18-year-old self before entering the palace. Determined to change her fate, she tries to escape the palace's political games but is pulled back into it, becoming a study companion to Princess Le Yang and a disciple of Xie Wei, the man behind her past downfall.

November 10, 2023

Episode 1-3 - Scent of Time and SOKP have a similar premise and also employ flashbacks to see their past mistakes. But production-wise SOKP is more dramatic, more serious, and flashier compared to Scent of Time. Now I hate watching both at the same time. I should have finished SOT sooner, especially with both heroines getting killed and getting a do-over of past transgressions. A lot of fans have also been clamoring for this to finally air, and it is the most reserved drama on iQiyi. The empress, Jiang Xue Ning met someone who loved her and lost his family to slaughter (Viscount of Mansion Yan Lin). Another who saved her and lost his kin because of her, and his life is now at stake, but he has yet to make an appearance. (Vice Minister for Justice Zhang Zhe). And finally, the one she saved conspired against the imperial family and wanted her to die. (Crown Prince Grand Preceptor Xie Wei) This drama is mesmerizing, like you want to savor every detail, or you will miss something crucial to the story. But my eyes get glossy again when it's about political schemings, and I have to make an effort to try to understand it. The heroine, being already an empress in the past, has this empress bearing when she's just on her own. And I love the ending song. Also, finding out that the heroine and Xie Wei are rumored to be a couple also adds another level of anticipation. The cdramas game is strong this year. Now I don't know how I will watch the dramas, at the same time or one at a time.

December 17, 2023

Episode 4- 38 (completed)- This is why I haven't watched or read much.  I finished Ep 4 to 38 and watched them non-stop. The storywriting is so engaging that I can't stop myself. This is definitely in my top 10 for the year, and this deserves a review post of its ow,n but most likely by next year. But I would still want to talk about the main guy, he's like an anti-hero and another walking red fla,g but you just want to be owned by him. LOL

Lost You Forever S2 cdrama Mini-Reviews
Season 1 Drama Review  

S1 Synopsis: In Dahuang, after the General Princess of Xiyan sacrifices herself to defeat Chenrong’s General Chi Chen, Xiyan conquers Chenrong. Before her death, she cared for her daughter, Xiao Yao, and nephew, Cang Xuan, but Xiao Yao is sent to Jade Mountain, separating them. 300 years later, Xiao Yao, now disguised as Wen Xiao Liu, runs a small clinic. Her life intersects with a doctor, his servant, a wine-maker, and a demon military advisor in Qingshui Town, setting in motion events that will reshape Dahuang.

July 8, 2024

Season 2 Episode 1-10 - For the first three episodes, I was like so-so. It's been so long since I watched the drama. There should have been an S1 recap to refresh my memory. The first season is in my top 10 reverse harem dramas; however, the story has become too heavy to watch as all our men are suffering, especially my favorite Xiang Liu. But as the story progresses, we see hope in one of the men, but my hunch is giving me warning bells, but it becomes more watchable. I'm still going to continue watching this and just prepare for the worst. On second thought, the mystery of her parents may be the key to Xiang Liu and her. Just a hunch. Watch on WeTV.

August 30, 2024 

Season 2 Ep 11- 23- I thought expecting the worst was going to help...it didn't. There's still disbelief with the turn of events. Splitting the drama into two made me, in a moment of time, just feel happy and deluded with the first season. But now that I have moved on, thanks to Glass of Throne, I can objectively accept the ending. It was cruel, but it made sense. And again did I say cruel already?? Sigh...Reverse harem drama masterpieces consistently give me heartbreak. Watch on WeTv and Netlfix.

Ang Mutya ng Section E Philippine Drama Season 1 Mini-Reviews 

Jay-jay, the only girl in the mischievous Section E, hopes for a fresh start in high school but quickly becomes the target of her rowdy male classmates' pranks and schemes to make her leave. Dubbed their "Mutya", she fights back with wit and charm, turning the tables on her tormentors. Amidst the chaos, unexpected friendships blossom, and hilarious misunderstandings lead to heart-fluttering moments. Can Jay-jay survive the madness of Section E, or will she win over their hearts instead?

March 27, 2025 

Episode 1-11- I'm Filipina, and this is the first time in forever that I’m enjoying a Pinoy drama and a reverse harem at that! I think this might be the first Pinoy drama I’ll actually finish in my whole life. I love the main three leads, and of course, second lead syndrome strikes again. And yes, it’s a reverse harem. There are three guys who like her, aside from her being the only girl in Section E. I was surprised that the supporting characters each had their own stories. I thought it would just revolve around the main three, but before I knew it, all the characters had grown on me. I also love how each character has different layers, even the anti-heroes. And the soundtrack? Chef’s kiss. There are just some weird details, especially in her scenes with her aunt and uncle. Like, the aunt glosses over huge things as if they’re nothing, and the uncle is just like, Go eat food or buy some food after he’s been screaming her head off. But then again, that’s such an Asian thing, haha. Also, how is her hand not bruised after punching someone multiple times?! I don’t want it to enter the final arc yet. I don’t want Yuri’s heart to get broken because it’s so obvious Kiefer is the one. I think this is the first time I’ve been this hyped over a Pinoy drama! Watch on Vivaone.ph

April 29, 2025

Episode 12-16 (completed)- There's a trigger warning in the last arc. I've been Team Yuri through and through, but something has changed. I now find myself rooting for Kiefer. Kiefer is so good at portraying a jerk that I really hated him. And did I forget to mention it’s a bully romance? But whenever he drops the bully persona, you can see this soft side to him—ahhhhhhh. I was caught off guard that episode 16 was already the finale because the story feels far from over, so I'm feeling positive that there will be a second season. Yey! 

Final random thoughts:

•  The actor who plays Jay-Jay’s cousin Andres is actually a distant relative. Our great-grandmothers are siblings! 
• I can't believe they love to fight when they're... uhmm, not that bulky, haha. 
• The actor who plays Kiefer is a nepo baby, so I didn’t have high hopes for his acting—but he’s actually good! (And his dad is our country’s ultimate crush from the '80s to the 2000s.) 
• The writing isn’t perfect. The transitions and especially the side characters could have been better, but overall, I enjoyed it and loved the major points, especially her relationship with all her classmates. Officially completed my first Filipino drama! I now understand why some fans here become obsessed with loveteams, but personally, I’m shipping Ashline (Jay-Jay) with both guys. Watch it on VivaOne.ph!

Glass Heart jdrama Mini-Review

Saijo Akane, a drummer who was ousted from her previous band just before her debut, is unexpectedly chosen by Fujitani Naoki, a reclusive and brilliant musician, to join his new band, TENBLANK. Together with band members Takaoka Sho and Sakamoto Kazushi, the band gains fame through Fujitani's distinctive compositions and their electrifying performances. As TENBLANK rises to stardom, they face numerous challenges, and Akane's journey from obscurity to stardom unfolds as Fujitani's secrets emerge. Will the band withstand the storm, and where will Akane's heart lead her?

August 30, 2025

Episode 1-10- (completed)- I love this drama! It’s easily one of my favorites of the year. The music, the cast, and the cinematography are 💯! I have so many scenes I’d rewatch over and over again. I was never a raving fan of Takeru Satoh, but after this, I felt like I had recreated that moment when the heroine had an epiphany. It hit me days after, too. And when she finally nailed the drums in the recording...his expression, so manga-esque, is forever imprinted in my mind. The rest of the cast is perfect as well, and I could go on and on about each of them, including the supporting cast outside the band. The first three episodes were brilliant, and when the excitement eventually waned, I couldn’t help but feel impatient as it geared up for the next story arc. I can never fully put into words how much I love this drama. The final episode? Chef’s kiss! I can totally see myself rewatching this in full in the future. And now for the most important question: is it a reverse harem? Technically, it’s a love triangle—but but but—there’s a third guy with an ambiguous interest in her. It’s not romantic… but maybe it could be? We’ll never really know, so ta-da—it’s kinda reverse harem! I even got some BL vibes. Fun fact: this is Keita Machida’s (the guitarist) second time dabbling in reverse harem after Prince of Legend. This drama has been on my radar ever since I saw the teaser cast reveal, and it feels surreal now that I’ve finally watched it.

ADDENDUM: I once attended a Rurouni Kenshin event just to see Emi Takei of Asuko March. So yes,  I've actually seen Takeru Satoh in person! 😍

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