Ultimate slow-burn in the bustling nerve wrecking imperial palace

This one genuinely won hearts; it won’t leave you craving for more because they gave us everything.
The initial lack of romance pointed out, is a crucial stepping stone for the development of the relationship between the main characters. This might change from person to person but the trust, bond, and belief they had in each other that came together the way it did due to all those episodes that literally serve this purpose.

In many dramatic works, the characters are often portrayed as one-dimensional and lack the depth that is required to fully engage the audience. However, this particular drama stands out in that each character possesses a unique set of traits and motivations. The character, Xue Shu, is a prime example of this well-developed and multi-faceted approach to characterisation. Her actions not only facilitated the meeting between the female lead and the second male lead, but also had a profound impact on the entire court, leaving the powerful Duke Xue speechless in the process. Moreover, her actions served to reverse the plans of the female lead which was a strong move from Fl’s side. This is a rare and impressive feat in the realm of dramatic works and serves as a testament to the author's ability to craft complex and nuanced characters.

Initially, I thought that there would be a couple of episodes specifically devoted to flashbacks. However, it turned out to be surprising as we were able to get an idea of the events and storyline from the past through brief glimpses, without actually having to witness them visually.

Kudos to the actors who made those characters alive.
Jiang Xuening is definitely a rebel to the social norms back then when it came down to the people she cared about, she went all the way to not let the past repeat.
Xie Wie, if confident, visionary, scheming, cold, possessive, and talented was a person he is the one. He’s a 10 (only for the FL *cough possessive cough*) but definitely can’t fight.
Yan Lin grabbed us with his charming, extroverted personality, let’s not mention the fight scene which definitely hooked and gave us relief with his entry when Duke Xue surrounded Xie Wie and Zhang Ze.
Zhang Ze (the righteous man who can’t be real) has the kind of judgement everyone would crave, his vision into other's perceptions and diverse view of the situations will leave you all wondering his IQ level. He’s a 10 and there’s no but…
Xue Dingfei, Dao Qin, Lyu Xian, You Fangyin, Xiao Bao, Princess and Jiang family each have unique personalities, which will keep us invested in their character build up. Each of them true to their character had one or another scene where the attention to the drama reaches maximum.
Duke Xue, Xue Shu, The Emperess and Zhou Yinzhi will keep the edge and rage alive, that itself says how well the characters were portrayed.

Even though politics and drama rule this drama, the scenes cut to a different level will bring you back to laughter immediately from the tense situation. The realization of getting finally attached might be too late. For me, it was You Fangyin’s fate that made me realize this.

The scheming plots were executed with great precision, and many aspects of the plan felt natural and logical. The decisions made were not forced or repetitive, and everything flowed smoothly even in the most challenging situations. This was definitely a 10/10 for me.

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He fell first, she fell harder.

Funny Female Lead - check
Cold Male Lead but soft inside for the female lead - check
Side characters Depth - check
Character Development - check (THE BEST)
Revenge Plot - Check
Angst - Check (Will burn your hearts in the last 8 chapters)
Death impact - extreme check
Trust & Love - Check check
Romance - *squealing* 10X check

Heaven has its own way, it will never let lovers separate.

I started this one believing in Zhao Lusi and all those reviews and found a treasure for sure. The character development as mentioned above was the BEST part of this drama. We will come a long way from viewing the mischievous 15-year-old troublemaker to seeing her grow into a 20-year-old young lady. The ML though stays the same but with much trust and a lot more conversation skills.

I felt her sadness, rage, issues, and scheming through the screen. The urge to seek revenge from people who did you wrong out of their own insecurities was most of the plotline, and I simply love how every time she gets back at them. It might seem childish to a lot of times but those were a lot satisfying. I might sound wrong, but you will feel it every time you watch it. Her sorrow seeing her mother prefer her cousin every time will stab your heart the same way. The ultimate showdown for me from her mother was when she talked about her daughter in front of the same people who taunted and looked down on her when ML asked for marriage. The feelings were too much to make out how to digest the scene. She was trying to protect her daughter, hurting the same daughter in the worst way possible. The way FL loves everyone despite all this, her way of showing affection is conversation and acceptance and I love it.

His eyes speak more than he does, that's our ML, he gave his heart to her, the first time he saw her and there was no going back. He seems cold and calculated and he IS; just not for the FL though; he turns into this warm and safe place for her that will give you the ultimate butterflies. He was a 10 in all ways possible if only the abandoning didn't subtract his points, but it did. It was nerve-wracking to follow his revenge plot and when he at last loses everything he found, it drove me over the edge.... His decisions over abandoning and revenge seem logical trying to keep her safe, but when things that hurt start making so much sense it hurts worse.

Their love and romance, leave out all those painful moments in the end, they BUILT up one of the healthiest relationships in this drama. The way he has her back every single time, the way she treats him with so much sincerity>>>>. The way she stood by him even when he beat those officers whose daughter bullied her, knowing it was a wrong move. (was a hell lot satisfying). The only concern she had was he was not willing to share his problems or should I say plan of revenge with her. She would have happily stood beside him to let him pave his way through it. Every single viewer knows that.
When people say love is not about rush and adrenaline. It's warm and safe-- their relationship is what they mean.

My ultimate favorite is the emperor. He was such a fanboy of our Zisheng and of course the first and foremost ship leader. The way FL's mom and grandmother's perspective and attitude changed to the end.
The last 8 chapters will make you CRY that's for sure.
Even with tears and so much angst, this drama claimed a very special position called "Close to my heart". I came running to write this review right after completing both the season.

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Will make you crave for more...

The Imperfectly Successful Startup
A thousand points for the way they portrayed the journey from zero to hero with their startup. Portraying everything out into the screen gives the perfect reality check needed about startups. Let's be honest, many don't survive such races with the 'bigger players' in the field. Startups get taken over and crushed, even about that, they gave us a glimpse of that part in the evening. But the way our leads kept fighting their battle till the end without giving up is so damn satisfying.

The Toe Curling Romance
There is barely a moment of physical intimacy, despite that, the nerve-wracking chemistry between Haru and Kirika is undeniable. "Their eyes speak louder than words." They are both the prime example. And the way it is so beautifully captured.... one of a kind that leaves you craving for me. I have heard people saying he/she is stubborn, I want to show them this is what stubborn means. The Perfect Stubborn Couple.

The Acting ?
•Haru, is a cunning beautifully drafted liar. This was so perfectly put out, he's smart, cunning and calculative moves and keeps on adding the surprise element every episode. There was no better person to portray him than Meguro Ren. In the first episode, he surprised me with the perfect transition while switching languages, and the way his eyes spoke when he was watching Kirika through the glass of the building spoke volumes. I knew then choosing this was a wise idea.
•Gaku, the sweet intelligent kindhearted fighter. It was his belief in Haru that gave him strength initially, but the success fueled him with a lot more confidence even though it is too slow and the present scenes where they show him as the president shows the growth. One of the reasons we need next season, to see him completely confident with his decisions.
•Kiriko, she ATE and left NO crumbs, her moves, her wardrobe, her shoes and her eyes. She's an Icon. From the moment she marks Haru and Gaku in the interview to the moment she walks up to support rebuilding Trillion Games, every moment she is on screen she will make you question your thoughts about the situation and surprise you with an even more stunning move.
•Takahashi, the perfect impression of honesty. The first and foremost decision which I felt was the best by Haru and Gaku was hiring her. Her character growth was the best among all of them. She grew confident with her honesty and strength.

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Old School Courting with burning angst

Something normal to brighten up your mood. Explains this one perfectly. The context of diary exchange is very familiar of diary exchange, but that one lie made things complicated and beautiful. The storytelling came out beautifully with the acting, music and the way it was captured.
The scenes even with mute can be predicted not only due to the familiarity but also due to the way the actors convey it. Their eyes and expressions speak louder than words.
1. The way Nozomi's character is sketched out was a bit off for me, this might change with perspective.
2. The start felt off, I had second thoughts but trust me it gets better. You just have to make it past about 15 minutes or so.
3. The limited plot. A very hard concept to find nowadays. People just prefer dramatic twists and turns. This one for a change stuck to the main theme and concluded on it.
4. The smaller chunks of portraying friendship amongst teenagers had me hooked. An important aspect right there: Apologize. You will know once you watch it.
5. While the lie kept me on edge burning with angst till the end. The revelation felt so so so good. I can't describe it in words.
6. Apart from those initial 15 mins, this will keep you engaged. A lot of parts were really heartwarming...
That's it for this one. But definitely a rewatch worth movie when you just want something cozy and sweet.

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