I will call it "Brigadeiro" ~or Candied Hawthorns suits better?!~
I'm Brazilian and my favorite dessert it's brigadeiro, a sweet, soft and addicting candy, just like I think about this mini drama!I was attracted first because the short length that's so rare to Chinese Dramas, but really didn't took long to me be completely immersed to it.
The story about the two woman who exchange faces is a nice plot and the end has a very good plot twist. The acting was so good, they had so many CHEMISTRY, the main couple was perfect, the secondary and antagonist was intense, event support roles were well done, Yuanbao is SO CUTE! The music is beautiful so as the scenarios, costumes and all the technical part, truthfully gorgeous!
I actually could rewatch it and I want to make everyone to watch, I mean, you surely won't regret.
Was this review helpful to you?
Short and worth a watch just for the bombastic side-eye
If you're a historical CDrama fan, this one is short and worth your time if only for the ML's bombastic side-eye. His side-eye game is so strong, he'd win the side-eye Olympics if such a thing existed.The story is rushed, but that's to be expected with the small episode count. That also means every episode is worth watching and there's no draggy bits. Really impressed with the ML actor. This is the first drama of his that I've watched, so I'll be seeking out more of his work ASAP (I already have 'My Journey to You' queued up).
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
ENGRAVED IN MY BRAIN THE REST OF MY LIFE
HANDS DOWN.im givin in my heart to the whole crew. that screen writer, that director, whole! the moment "the sister" shout, "IM SHEN QIN!" well ... felt like a highest roller coaster shaking because the screw looses. I DIDNT SEE IT COMING! the entire show, even i read those comments said "what if its not your sister its just the back" and logic. we all scolded her for being so careless like that. BUT NO. the problem is not even that case.
the brilliant cinematography ... the panning camera that i never saw somewhere else. the perfect timing. the coreo. i cant accept the reality this series isnt spread out or viral yet
(-) in general, the acting skill of both fls is acceptable they could switch roles that easy. but for micro-expressions like hidden sadness or anxiety, they arent that convincing
no plothole but seems like incomplete storyline. that one-eyed guy came mysteriously but ended up just like that. OHH the only plothole is when she said she forgot removing the mole. my question ... arent you swapping face by taking the skin? i dont get it. this part is incomplete. how. how she swapped
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Best short cdrama ever
This cdrama is great. The actor/actress is great. The story is amazing, th plot is unpredicted. The best thing is the relationship goal in this story. Will rewatch it again In the future. This short movie really worth of my time. Very sweet and no angst at all. You can see the maturity of the characters in this movie. The ML is very smart and have a full trust in the FL . The story is really compact, the flow is really natural so eventhough this is the short drama there is nothing awkward. The ending is great. The writer is awesome, i feel pity for the villains for the ending I just think that they're been give a second chance.Was this review helpful to you?
Good story and cast
This is a period piece that took me by surprise. It could have been a little longer to deal with some aspects of the story but overall, this is very enjoyable to watch.The story and pacing is good and the cast is great. The question of how the FL is going to resolve the problems tease and lead the viewer forward to the next episode. Her courage, intellect and talent leads her forward despite the obstacles she faces. The ML is solid, intelligent and takes his time to judge and assess the situation and people. He's calm, collected and always ready to support the FL even as he harbours uncertainties about her. The quick injection of humour here and there scales up the entertainment.
This is a drama I can watch many times as it has excellent rewatch value.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
START WATCHING IF YOU HAVEN'T......
a true HIDDEN GEM i think it is .i first watched a video of this drama and it made me start watching the show in instant . it will engaged you from the first episode with it's story and it's suspense. it is fast pashed ( IT'S A SHORT DRAMA ) and will be not bored you for a minute.
the story of the drama was good and the cast did a great job in that too.
the cast have done a very good job in their acting. the ML and FL was on fire.... i say.
i like the cuteness between them. as over ML was cold and ruthless in the first episodes but as the story between this two progress we get the cute, caring and a very healthy ML. the chemistry was on fire between the leads. it was not forceful at all.
the FL have done her job very good .
the story, acting, direction, cinematography, music, production was very good and i like the past scene of the leads because i made sense as why they fall for each other.
i have not watch any short cdrama before it but after i saw it i became a fan too. the director of this drama have made many short dramas and they all are very good .
IF YOU WANT TO WATCH A DRAMA IN ONE GO WITH GOOD ACTING, GREAT CINEMATOGRAPHY, STRONGE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN LEADS , ALL IN ONE THEN GO WATCH IT RIGHT NOW.
Was this review helpful to you?
Face/Off ancient Chinese style
I shall start with a mea culpa. I know it is unfair to compare two shows directly but because of its subject matter and lineage, I can’t help it. In fact, it is because of this lineage that I was excited to have found this drama.The other show in question is The Killer is Also Romantic. It has the same director, period setting and short episodic structure. I have to say that I was quite impressed by TKiAR so I have high hopes for A Familiar Stranger.
To be honest, this Show is good, but it is not great. The issues are manageable but when taken as a whole, it is problematic.
Let’s look at the positives first. I do like the short format as it distilled a lot of the typical wuxia themes down to the fundamentals without all the draggy side plots or distractions. I really appreciate the Viki presentation because it thoughtfully combined the short 16x10mins episodes into 8 longer episodes ranging from 20mins to over 30 mins. It is still bingeable but more practical.
The central pillar of the show is the love line between the leads. That is very well done. The progress is logical and angst lite. It helps that the Show has a laser focus on the leads, and you can sense their longings and feel their love. The “daughter” is cute and wise beyond her age.
Now the issues. The plot is functional rather than well crafted. The theme is tropey and the writer didn’t push any boundaries. While the initial face change device looks promising and fantastical, it was an one trick pony. It came down to soulmates will always recognise each other no matter what. Other wuxia/xianxia dramas have taken this trope further.
The romance of the 2OTP starts out fine. Toxic and manipulative which is de rigueur of the palace intrigue genre. However, the show’s progression feels self-serving. It went the way it did because the plot mandates it rather than being sensical. It felt old school and contrived. Speaking of palace intrigue, once the Show gets going, there is very little actual intrigue. Just some snippets of dialogs and a bit of simple scheming.
This brings us to a key issue. The antagonist is meant to be an evil mastermind but while he is a bit of a homicidal manic, he is no mastermind. If anything, he turned into a weak and pitiful character. This took the wind out of its sail from that quarter.
I binge watch the whole drama in one sitting and I enjoyed it even with the caveats. The swoon worthy romance saved the show. A lot of its problems comes down to not looking after the secondary plots and characters. Almost as soon as the leads are off camera, you start to see plot holes and inconsistencies. A show of such short duration should be tighter and more impactful. It is still a worthwhile binge but not high on my rewatch list.
Was this review helpful to you?
Sizzling chemistry
This drama is about the talented painter Shi Qi who is blackmailed into marrying general Xiao Han Sheng by pretending to be the Prime Minister’s daughter, Shen Qin. Shi Qi wears ShenQin’s face due to magic and when she meets Han Sheng she realizes he is a familiar face from her past, only now he doesn’t recognize her.The director of this drama seems to have a strong connection to water and the drips of rain runs like a theme throughout the drama. The cinematography is great leading to a suggestive aesthetic that builds tension. Many normally cliché ingredients are reinvented, fireflies and stars in a dark night has never felt to fresh before. It’s just there, creating an atmosphere whiteout forcing it upon the viewer.
The story is intertwined with throw backs into the two main leads past and that often makes me wanna fast forward but not in this drama. Here the past draws me in and I always want to know more and see more. The drama is full of tension and it is well balanced with softer moments that is complemented by nice music. There are also a few comical episodes in this drama and it works well since it often include a child and that makes the comedy feels natural.
I find no unnecessary scenes and every event brings the story forward.
The actor who plays Han Sheng, Ryan Cheng, has the unique ability to appear soft with a fierce face which creates great depth to his character. I find him very talented and can’t wait to see him get a lead role in a major drama. His facial expressions are very captivating. He is the dreamy devoted man we all want in our life. We get some amazing scenes between him and Ke Ying, who plays Shi Qin. Scenes that are some of the best I have seen when it comes to chemistry. It’s hot! It would be enough even without the skin ship, their faces conveyes plenty. That’s how good these scenes are.
This drama is in every way as good as many full length major dramas and I am looking forward to see what this director will come up with next.
This is my first review her on MDL and it is my second time watching this drama, that’s why I know the rewatch value is great.
Was this review helpful to you?
Neither good or bad
I really don’t get the hype with this one. It’s neither good or bad. Or maybe I just really cannot get into historical dramas (but was this even that historical aside from the costumes and set?)Because it was so short I did not feel invested and the characters weren’t interesting.
The good parts:
-acting
-had ‘some’ funny moments
-cute child
-decent costumes
The not so good parts:
-I did not sense any chemistry between the leads. They felt more like good long lost friends than destined lovers.
-There wasn't much to the plot.
-Girl was shot in the heart with an arrow and survived?
-Man was stabbed, but was he stabbed? The acting showed no fake blood so that was very poor.
-E
Was this review helpful to you?
goosebumps
I never really liked dramas that involve face swapping but i made an exception for this cause the thumbnail,casts and everything attracted me and i'm glad i did. Cause when i tell you i gasped I GASPED it was so good??? Like the chemistry between the leads were over the roof and the twist got me shocked never would i have thought that that would happen.I was so sad for the second couple but when you see them back as "doppelgangers" and having a relationship that they deserved got me so happy everyone got the ending that they deserved.
And i also love the fact that there was no toxicity at all in the main leads relationship they never jumped to conclusions and the male lead was so understanding like i enjoyed every second of them.
so overall if you're wondering whether to watch this or not go for it i beg this mini drama does not disappoint. These mini dramas are getting better than those long ones i swear.
Was this review helpful to you?
Watch this one for date night.
OMG! What did I fall into? This drama is exotic, provocative, and alluring. I really like this short drama. The Chinese put out short vignettes of 6-12 episodes of 12-30 minutes each. This is the testing ground for potential stars to make an acting drama statement. The drama is 8 episodes of about 30 minutes each. Does the premise make sense? Not really, but the plot-line is tied into such a neat knot, you may be willing to forgive certain shortcomings. One star of ‘A Familiar Stranger’ is Ryan Cheng. He got snatched up in a quick Chinese drama minute to more meatier parts after this good showing. Ryan Cheng also went on to star in the Chinese drama hit ’My Journey to You’ (2023). There is a wonderful posse of drama characters, which adds depth to A Familiar Stranger’. Ryan Cheng leaves Super Star dust behind him as he walks past you.The time commitment is so short, you might enjoy this short drama detour.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Satisfying short drama
Got time to spare? Try these short drama. As someone not into romance, this is good.These actresses weren't known to me but they portrayed their roles very very well! I was able to feel the difference in vibe even after the face swap. (This is hard to nail. I've watch a couple of personality change dramas and I can say this is so far the best.)
Amazing for those 2 NEW actresses. Actors were good too like the general and prince. I dunno but the general gives me Ren JiaLun vibe and at some angles, I see their similarities.
Nice costume and production quality. Obviously not draggy. More appreciation for new actresses and actors.
Was this review helpful to you?
