neukkimafterdark

[neukkimafterdark]

Twinkling Watermelon really caught me by surprise. I didn’t expect to like it this much, but somehow it stuck with me. Writing about it now, I realize maybe I do have a soft spot for time-travel stories—especially the ones that aren’t about saving the world, but about understanding people you love in a whole new way.

The show is warm and gentle, like a summer evening you don’t want to end. It’s about a boy who somehow travels back in time and ends up meeting his dad as a teenager. Through music, friendship, and a lot of heart, he starts to understand who his dad really was before life changed him. That part hit me harder than I expected.

And then there’s Yi-chan. Oh my god—the gay panic moments he had literally made me giggle out loud. Like full-on secondhand embarrassment mixed with pure comedy gold. The way he looked at the main character like he wasn’t sure whether to run or start a K-drama of his own was just chef’s kiss. It was so innocent and funny and just added that perfect extra layer of charm.

Also, the difference in how the dad and mom treated him in the past? Absolute gold. The dad being all confused, serious, and intense while the mom was basically sunshine wrapped in chaos—it had me laughing way more than I expected. The contrast made every scene with them so entertaining. It felt like watching two completely different parenting styles in action, except they’re both teenagers who don’t even know they’re dealing with their future son.

If you’re looking for something light but meaningful, something that makes you smile, maybe tear up a little, and definitely giggle a lot, give Twinkling Watermelon a try. It’s the kind of story that doesn't need to try too hard—it just gently stays in your heart, with a tune you won’t forget.

[neukkimafterdark]

Mr. Queen. The one K-drama that completely stole my heart — not just for its story or cast, but for how it made me feel. It’s the only show where I didn’t roll my eyes or get tired of the romance. In fact, I actually found myself enjoying it… and that's saying a lot.

I’ve watched plenty of K-dramas over the years. Some were cute, some were emotional, some had stunning visuals — but very few ever made me laugh out loud or feel like I was watching something truly fresh. Most romance plots tend to follow a similar path, and while I get why people love them, I usually end up getting bored somewhere along the way. But Mr. Queen? It didn’t just hold my attention — it kept me hooked, entertained, and laughing until my stomach begged me to stop.

The idea itself is wild — a modern-day male chef suddenly waking up in the body of a Joseon-era queen? I was curious, but I didn’t expect much. What I got, though, was pure magic. The chaos, the humor, the brilliant performances — especially Shin Hye-sun absolutely nailing the role of a man trapped in a woman’s body — it was all just spot-on. Every episode had moments that made me laugh so hard I had to pause and recover.

And surprisingly, even the romance didn’t feel forced or overly dramatic. It was complicated, messy, a little unconventional — but it worked. There was chemistry, tension, and this strange, slow-burn affection that pulled me in. I didn’t feel like I had to endure it just to get through the plot. I genuinely cared.

What makes Mr. Queen even more special to me is how it became my go-to comfort drama. Whenever I’m stressed or overwhelmed, I find myself going back to it. Whether it’s watching a funny scene to lift my mood or replaying a whole episode just to escape for a while, this show is always there — like a familiar, hilarious hug. It’s permanently downloaded on my laptop, saved and cherished, always just a click away.

To this day, it remains one of the very few dramas that I can rewatch again and again without ever getting tired. It’s a perfect mix of humor, heart, and chaos — the kind of show that reminds you why storytelling can be so healing and fun.

Mr. Queen isn’t just a drama I liked — it’s the drama that stayed with me. And I know, no matter how many amazing shows come out in the future, this one will always have a special place in my heart.

[neukkimafterdark]

Love in the Big City — The Korean Adaptation That Surprised Me

Olay so I actually watched Love in the Big City — both the series and the movie — a few months ago. But when I finally decided to start blogging about my watch history, this one instantly came to mind. It had to be first. There’s just so much I want to say about it. Honestly, I didn’t expect it to hit me the way it did, but here I am, still thinking about it, lowkey obsessed, and very much in my feelings.

What stood out to me right away is how the movie and the series tell the same story but from totally different angles. The movie focuses more on the female lead — her perspective, her struggles, and especially her friendship with the male lead. Their bond felt so raw and comforting. It wasn’t all about romance; it was about connection. And it reminded me how friendship can sometimes be just as powerful as love.

But the series? That’s where everything really hit for me. That’s the one that made me want to watch the movie in the first place. It follows the male lead and dives into his relationships — how each one shapes him, breaks him, and makes him who he is. It’s not just about who he loves, but how those experiences change him over time. And I loved that. It felt so personal and real.

This series is not your typical BL. It’s not some cute, high-school, butterflies-in-the-stomach kind of story. There’s no over-the-top jealousy or sugar-coated romance. It’s about love in its realest form — the excitement, the awkwardness, the mess, the heartbreak, the boring bits, and the little moments that quietly build something deeper. It’s honest. And that honesty hit me hard.

There were parts that made me smile like an idiot, parts that made me think, and even parts that made me sit in silence for a bit. That’s rare. It’s not just something you watch and forget. It stays with you.

And here’s the thing — I usually don’t vibe with Korean BLs. (No offense! Just my personal take.) They often feel too safe or flat to me. But Love in the Big City? This one had flavor. It felt alive. It had heart, and that’s something I really appreciated.

If you’re someone looking for a sweet, feel-good, everything-ends-happily kind of series, this might not be for you. But if you want something different — something deeper, more thoughtful, and a little messy in the best way — then this is worth watching. It’s one of the most real and unique things I’ve seen come out of the Korean BL space, and honestly, I gotta give them credit for that.

So yeah, that’s it.

[neukkimafterdark]

Now I am here to talk about two amazing women that I’ve met in my small anime world… the depiction of strong, woke women who don’t just exist in their stories they command them. For me, two such unforgettable women are Mereoleona Vermillion from Black Clover and Retsu Unohana from Bleach.

Mereoleona Vermillion — The Lioness of Fire

There’s no easing into the chaos with Mereoleona she is the chaos, and I love every second of it. A woman born of fire, not just in magic but in spirit. She’s the type of character who walks into a battlefield and makes everyone stop enemies included. She doesn’t need titles or validation. She’s raw instinct, power, and pride.

What makes her more than just another fiery anime fighter is her refusal to play by the rules of a noble. She doesn’t hide behind her status, nor does she feel the need to maintain any polished decorum. She trains in the wild, fights with everything she has, and leads from the front. She’s loud, ruthless, and unbelievably inspiring because her strength isn’t just physical, it’s the kind that demands self-respect and gives zero tolerance to mediocrity.

She’s the kind of woman who says, “If you hesitate, I’ll burn you.” And she means it.

Retsu Unohana — The Silent Storm

And then there’s Unohana. The contrast couldn’t be more beautiful.At first glance, she’s all grace, poise, and a gentle smile that can calm a storm. But that’s just the surface. Beneath it lies one of the deadliest captains in all of Bleach - the first Kenpachi, the original beast.

Unohana’s duality is poetic. She’s the healer and the executioner. She’s peace after war and sometimes, the war itself. What makes her unforgettable is her stillness, her calculated restraint. She teaches us that true power doesn’t always have to shout. Sometimes, it whispers and that whisper can chill your bones more than a scream ever could.

Her final battle is one of the most emotionally complex moments in Bleach because we don’t just witness a fight. We witness a woman who has lived two lives one drenched in blood, another in healing finally reconciling her truth.

Mereoleona and Unohana are wildly different one burns like a wildfire, the other cuts like a scalpel. But both represent something rare and powerful: women who are unapologetically themselves, untamed by expectations, unbound by anyone’s approval.

[neukkimafterdark]

Let me just start this with a simple confession — Bleach was my very first experience with the Big Three, and to this day, it's the only one I've completed. (For the curious: yes, I've just started Naruto, so don’t come at me yet 😶‍🌫️.) But when it comes to Bleach… oh man, where do I even begin?If I managed to stick around through 300+ episodes, fillers and all, it’s because this anime was so worth it. The highs, the lows, the pure madness of the battles, the sheer style — everything about Bleach kept pulling me in.

And I can’t even begin without mentioning Aizen-sama 🙌. Good god, this is what happens when the creators pour their energy into crafting a villain so compelling, so calm and calculating, that fans like me fall in love with the wrong guy. But was it really wrong? Because Aizen is what a peak villain looks like. That effortless dominance, that sense of control in every scene — chef’s kiss. He didn’t just change the flow of the story, he became the story for a huge part of it .

Honestly, Bleach had a lot going on beyond just flashy fights. The plot was deeper than people give it credit for, and the character growth? Insane. And among all the legends, my absolute favorite will always be Kenpachi Zaraki 😍😍. The brute force this guy carries is beyond words. He doesn’t play by the rules. No overthinking, no drama — just raw power and a thirst for battle. It’s the only version of masculinity that I genuinely, fully respect. This man doesn’t need a Bankai. He doesn’t need tactics. He lives for the fight, breathes chaos, and smiles through the bloodshed. The kind of brute force that can’t be explained — it’s just felt. He’s wild, unfiltered, and somehow manages to be one of the most authentic characters ever written.In a world full of power scaling, energy attacks, and plot twists, Kenpachi is just there — raw, real, and wrecking everything in his path.He’s chaos wrapped in a captain’s coat, and I loved every second of screen time he got.

Now let’s not pretend the ride was flawless. The fillers? Yeah… they tested me. They tried to kill me with boredom🥲. But for a 300+ episode anime, I’m willing to forgive them. The canon arcs made up for it tenfold.

And then came the Thousand Year Blood War arc… oh man. The animation. The pacing. The storytelling. The vibes. It was like Bleach got reborn and came back stronger 🤯🤯🤯. Everything felt grander, darker, more intense. And just when you think Aizen’s the last boss we’d ever need, along comes another villain who blows our minds. It felt like the entire series had leveled up, and I couldn’t look away.

One last thing that absolutely deserves appreciation — the soundtrack. Peak. Music. Every track is a feeling. Whether it’s a haunting instrumental or a high-energy battle anthem, Bleach's music knew exactly how to hit your soul at the right time. It added depth to the fights, weight to the emotions, and straight-up chills to so many moments.

So yeah, this was my little rant. I had to do this. I’ve got no one in my circle to geek out about this with. It’s not just another anime — it’s an experience I’m grateful for. From Soul Society to Hueco Mundo to the edge of a war-torn Seireitei… it’s been one hell of a ride💓.

Thanks for reading. If you know, you know😏.

[neukkimafterdark]

Some anime are fun to watch, and then there are those that unexpectedly leave a mark on you. Black Clover did exactly that for me.

I started watching it during a hectic time—right before my engineering exams. I had sleepless nights, and somehow, this anime became my go-to escape. What began as a way to pass time quickly turned into a full-blown obsession. I binged through the episodes like there was no tomorrow, and even now, Black Clover remains one of my all-time favorites.

To this day, it remains my all-time favorite. And honestly, I’m heartbroken by how underrated it is. It deserves so much more recognition and support. The animation? Peak. The story? Unforgettable. The characters? Each one masterfully written🔥🔥. And the main character? Absolutely phenomenal. In a world where magic is everything, he’s born without any. Yet, he doesn’t let that stop him. Instead, he wields anti-magic—a power that literally goes against the norm. No hidden bloodline or secret cheat code. Just raw determination, hard work, and a dream he refuses to give up on.That underdog spirit is what makes Black Clover so inspiring and addictive. Every fight feels earned. Every character has a moment to shine. And the energy the show carries is just unbeatable🔥.

If you’re still unsure whether to give it a try, here’s my honest advice: watch it. Stick with it for a few episodes—you won’t regret it. And if you don’t love it right away, give it another chance. Maybe your taste needs a little warming up (no shade 😄).

My only complaint? The wait for the next season feels endless🥲. But I’ll be here, rewatching episodes and waiting patiently—because Black Clover is absolutely worth it.

To all the fans out there, I feel you. And to anyone just starting: welcome to something special.