Thundercloud Rainstorm – Series Review & Episode Guide

Iljo is a young man who grew up in the countryside. He stayed with his ill father for years, taking care of him until his death. After his dad passed, Iljo inherited the family home. Here's where it gets messy: Iljo is actually an illegitimate child. His father's other family is absolutely livid that a bastard child got a piece of the inheritance. Jeongin, the half-brother, is out for blood and accuses Iljo of manipulating their sick father. He demands Iljo hand over the deed immediately.

Iljo shows up at his father's funeral on a stormy day. Jeongin immediately lashes out, refusing to let his half-brother even step inside. He's screaming that Iljo is a jinx to the whole family. Jeongin blames him for his mother's death and their father getting sick right after Iljo arrived. Fuelled by rage, Jeongin gets violent. He's punching and kicking Iljo, who collapses on the ground. Iljo is out there in the rain, crying and begging for forgiveness.

Jeonghan, the cousin, steps out for a smoke and sees the fight. He intervenes to stop Jeongin from going berserk. Once Jeongin finally leaves, Iljo is left there badly injured. He just looks pathetic in the heavy rain. Jeonghan ends up taking pity on Iljo and invites him home to stay the night. Jeonghan and Iljo are actually distant relatives. They haven't seen each other in forever, but they used to play together. During their youth, Jeonghan would visit Iljo's countryside home. They've lost touch since Jeonghan is a city guy now.

Jeonghan lives alone in a luxury home and lets Iljo stay in the guest room. He takes pity on Iljo, who has no other family left to support him. Jeonghan lets Iljo extend his stay for a few more days. Then, one night, Jeonghan is asleep on the sofa. All of a sudden, he gets jolted awake because Iljo is gently kissing him on the lips. Jeonghan is totally alarmed and stops him right away. He feels like his generosity was exploited and tells Iljo he must leave the next day. No more freeloading at his place.

The next day, Jeonghan learns that Iljo is seriously ill. After rushing Iljo to the hospital, it turns out he has gallstone disease. Iljo must get his gallbladder removed right away. Since he needs a place to recover after surgery, Jeonghan reluctantly lets him stay at his house again. Iljo tries to be helpful and offers to do all the chores to pay Jeonghan back for the medical bills. As they keep living together, Jeonghan is just constantly frustrated. Yet, he secretly finds his new roommate kind of endearing.

Thundercloud Rainstorm is 100% toxic smut. There's so much offensive behaviour. So many red flags everywhere. The love story is between two cousins, for crying out loud! I hate how the BL genre constantly exposes me to questionable romances against my will. The protagonist, Jeonghan, is also a walking disaster. He's controlling, jealous, petty, narcissistic, and manipulative toward his love interest. This bastard has so many problematic traits that the cousin connection is just the tip of the iceberg!

Despite everything wrong with this drama, Thundercloud Rainstorm is a problematic fave. My common sense screams at me that I shouldn't enjoy it, but… I do. Sorry, can't help it, I traded away my conscience for toxic yaoi. I'm secretly living for the messy storylines and the dysfunctional couple. Each episode keeps me entertained with some delicious scandal. The vibes remind me of My Personal Weatherman, a dark Japanese BL drama about a super unhealthy relationship. Both series follow a similar formula: throw in every harmful trope, add lots of steamy moments, and turn it all into a strangely compelling story.

The couple's relationship is very hot and cold. Ilyo and Jeonghan go through endless drama, so you never know which version of them you'll get. They kiss, they break up. They fight, they make up. Their romance might not be stable, but the constant chaos is exciting to watch. When they get along, the passion is epic! Get ready for juicy kisses from two actors who share a lot of chemistry. The early episodes are packed with intense make-out sessions that get a little kinky. Thundercloud Rainstorm delivers the smut, satisfying any fans who prioritize the physical aspects of BL.

Jeonghan's actor (Jeong Ri U) was on my radar since last year, impressing me with his high-calibre performances in a few low-budget BL dramas. I'm so hyped that he was cast in another series, allowing more fans to appreciate his talent. His soulful eyes convey so much emotion, his kisses carry so much passion, and his screen presence is always so commanding. He has a strong rapport with his co-star (Yoon Ji Sung), who shines in the romantic scenes. Every expression is full of desire. Jisung brings a playful spark to Iljo's character, turning him into a funny little gremlin.

The BL content in the early episodes helped mask the writing flaws. It's easier to overlook the plot inconsistencies when the leads make out passionately. In the back of my mind, there are plenty of criticisms. Jeonghan started out as a toxic lover, but the story tries to pivot and show his softer side. It doesn't seem convincing. He's suddenly too mushy and lovestruck, clashing with his tough exterior at the start. Also, the couple's relationship isn't as deep as the story portrays. Jeonghan acts like Iljo is the love of his life, yet he doesn't even know his partner that well.

In the second half, the leads are driven apart by family drama. Without the smut, Thundercloud Rainstorm becomes just a toxic series. The story's flaws are glaring in those last few episodes. The couple faces so many obstacles that it makes sense for them to break up. Ugh, this trashy romance isn't worth all the hassle! The finale is rushed and resolves the conflicts too quickly. Still, against my better judgment, I like the conclusion because the couple ends up happy. Overall, Thundercloud Rainstorm is messy and divisive, but I'll put it into my secret drawer of guilty pleasures.