A Familiar Yet Unfamiliar XianXia Drama

When comedy is injected into a xianxia drama appropriately and smartly, a very unique and fresh drama is born. “The Starry Love” seems familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time. The general plot is nothing out of the ordinary. We’ve seen this before: brides switch, someone needs to be a hero to save the world, the Heavenly King as a hypocrite, and everyone from the Demon World is a bad guy.

But what sets this drama apart, and why so many viewers are watching “The Starry Love” is the humor in all this. The drama doesn’t hesitate to poke fun at some common tropes, and have the characters act silly here and there. Because of the overwhelming praise of the comedy, I was initially worried that it might be a little too over-the-top for my taste. Rest assured, it’s not. Funny moments hit you at the right place, at the right time, and unexpectedly. Then it switches gears to other more romantic or serious moments seamlessly. It’s a good mix to keep you hooked right from the first episode. Comedic moments did die down towards the last quarter of the drama when the more serious plot and angst took center stage, and it really wouldn’t be appropriate to be funny here.

I’ve been a fan of Landy Li since I first saw her in “My Huckleberry Friends” and she has improved so much. She along with her co-star and sister He Xuan Lin are the stars of the show. The two female characters, though seem different at first glance, are both smart, caring, loyal and stubborn. I am so glad we have an awesome sisterhood in a xianxia drama, and especially happy to NOT see another naive/innocent girl. The two male actors also did a fabulous job. Chen Xing Xu basically plays 5 different characters. This is my first Luke Chen drama, and though he’s the least experienced out of the main leads, he was able to keep up with the other three. The supporting cast was fine. Although the veterans stood out a little more than the younger cast, I wouldn’t say they’re extraordinary.

For 40 episodes, the pacing is pretty good. There’s enough going on to keep me interested. I like all the strong friendships, bromance and sismance. I don’t think I dislike any character in this drama, and that’s rare as I usually hate one or two annoying supporting characters in a xianxia drama. Even the minor female character who won’t stop annoying ML didn’t irritate me that much. As unique as the first ¾ of the drama is, the last ¼ seems quite predictable. Many are disappointed with the ending. I am not overly disappointed, I am just not surprised as I’ve seen enough dramas to know this could be how it ends. But I understand after witnessing the hardships our leads have gone through, the ending could be dissatisfactory. Because the drama was so unique for the most part, I wish there was a more creative ending.

The pretty CGI sceneries are hard to miss. It evokes a similar reaction from me when I was watching “Love Between Fairy and Devil” back then. There are many scenes that are gorgeous, but the more I see them, the more I think they look fake to me. However, I really enjoy the starry nights and the CGI use of magic and fight scenes. The fight scenes themself are just average to me. Despite the inconsistent CGI, I really like all the costumes, hairstyles, and makeup. The two female leads look beautiful in their colorful costumes. Luke Chen (Chao Feng) looks absolutely handsome and smoking hot in his black attire. I personally think Chen Xing Xu looks better in a modern drama such as “Fall in Love” but I appreciate the different looks he’s in as You Qin, La Mu, Mei You Qing and Wen Ren. I am not sure if this is a big budget production or not, but I find the post-production dubbing to be below-average to average at best. Most of the actors/actresses use their own voices and I appreciate it, but the syncing is off sometimes when the lips are not matching the lips. There’s no live recording at all. On the other hand, the OST is great, despite being too repetitive for most of the drama (maybe a few more songs can help). It might not beat the OST of "Ashes of Love" but each song complements the mood and scenes of the drama appropriately.

This is a really fun drama with good pacing. It’s light-hearted and very romance-focused. I don’t think there’s anything I REALLY dislike about this drama (just mixed feelings). That’s always a good thing in my book. For that, I am giving this a solid 8.5.


Completed: 3/12/2022

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Love the main romance but the rest of the storylines are underdeveloped.

Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25

I have no expectation coming into this and not really sure why I want to watch it. LOL. Perhaps because I’ve always had a pretty good experience with Taiwanese BLs and I am always on the lookout for BL dramas in non-school settings. This one fits the bill and I have a surprisingly enjoyable time watching.

Firstly, I enjoy following along the romantic journey of our two male leads. I was somewhat surprised at how flirty Jin Xun An is after the initial introduction of his character. But after knowing his first love story, I understand why he had to change his strategy. Bai Lang is a lovely and adorable character. Their romance is cute and sweet. I love every single moment that they had before they officially got together. I love how mature Jin Xun An is and really gives Bai Lang time to recognize his feelings. I am glad Jin Xun An made Bai Lang wait and work for his love. Both characters are complex with interesting stories. I just wish the drama would go more in detail about how Bai Lang overcomes his trauma, and not just saying how Jin Xun An would support him. I want to see more actions than words, not that the supportive words are not important. On the other hand, the drama didn’t really give us much information on Jin Xun An’s family. I see where he’s coming from and wanting to give Bai Lang a real family, but the situation at home came at a surprise without any forewarning.

RJ and Alex’s story is cute as well, but the drama doesn’t give them enough screen time to fully develop. I thought RJ’s family situation would have a bigger impact but then it sort of disappeared. Instead, the drama wastes time on BigA and Chi Ren Min. It’s a half-ass romance that is insignificant and doesn’t contribute anything to the general plot. Additionally, I also don’t like how they have to give Bai Qing a partner in the end as well (especially not that guy!). Not everyone needs to be paired up, and the drama should have spent the time to develop the other two romance storylines.

This is not a perfect drama but the romance moves me and I love every minute of it. Thus, I can overlook its flaws in other areas and give this an 8.25 rating.


Completed; 1/30/2023

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Heartwarming and Sweet

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

There's nothing ground-breaking about this short drama. But, it makes me happy and I enjoy following along the sweet romance of the leads. The first episode, to me, isn't the best as there are things that I didn't like. But as we get to know the characters, I start to like them more and more. FL is the typical quiet and submissive Japanese character, which I dislike. However, I'm glad to see her change for the better after meeting ML. Opposite attracts is one of my favorite tropes and the drama did a pretty good job here. The leads have very different personalities, but they influence each other and their characters grow.

There are sad and heartwarming moments. A couple work harassment scenes that make me want to punch someone in the face. These scenes happen all too often in Asian dramas that they are not surprising anymore. Nevertheless, they are not easy to watch. We also get a glimpse of the leads family background and upbringing, esp. the female lead, and get a sense of why she is who she is. If you are a dog lover, you would love the big and fluffy white dog. I am not a pet person and I want to pet and hug this cute fluffiness!

If you are looking for a quick and easy watch, this is a good option. Oh and it has a couple good (non-fish) kisses.

Completed: 1/27/2023

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The Hopes and Dreams of those who Dedicate their Lives to their Sports.

Directed by famed Hong Kong Director Peter Chan and led by experienced powerhouses Gong Li (Coach Lang Ping), Huang Bo (Coach Cheng Zhong He) and Wu Gang (Coach Yuan Wei Min), “Leap” details the rise and fall and the rise again of China’s Women Volleyball team. This movie is well-produced and beautifully performed by not just these actors, but a younger supporting cast and a few of the professional athletes and Olympians themselves.

Growing up, I was a fan of the 1980s China Women’s Volleyball team and watched many of these matches on TV with my family. I don’t watch them anymore but “Leap” brought back many memories and might have re-ignited my passion again. The high rating of this movie is very subjective but I also believe it's an amazing movie as well.

Even though the movie is about China’s Women Volleyball team and star player and coach, Lang Ping, one could argue this could be a story about any country, any sport and any athlete. The hard work, sacrifice and dedication portrayed here can be reflected in any professional athlete’s journey. What's different was China’s closed door policy for so many years. When they reopened, they had a lot of catch up to do. The rise of the volleyball team gave China hope that they could be as good as the rest of the world. There’s a quote towards the end of the drama by Coach Lang Ping about why China places so much importance on winning these matches. Look out for that quote.

The movie clocked in at about 2 hours and 15 minutes, but the pace is good and with no drag. “Leap” is full of emotions, excitement, plus quiet and deep conversations between two old friends, Lang Ping and Cheng Zhong He, supporting and encouraging each other. The use of music is excellent in conveying different emotions of the scenes. There is the usual cheering and exciting music at sporting events, but I was especially impressed when they used a violin score for one of the championship matches. The silence at the end of the biggest match let viewers soak in what just happened on their own, while watching quiet scenes of people cheering and celebrating. The ending theme, "River of Life" (生命之河), sung by Faye Wong and Na Ying is beautiful.

As I haven’t been following the sport in years, I did not know the outcome of the 2016 Rio Olympics. All the matches were exciting and it was great to see athletes participate in the movie and act as themselves. Their involvement contributes to the authenticity of the movie, and it must be a well-written movie for athletes to be willing to join in on the fun. According to Wikipedia, 10 out of 12 athletes from the China 2016 Rio Olympics squad appeared as themselves. The cast also includes players and coaches from Japan, USA, Thailand, Brazil, etc.

My favorite scene is the last scene. I don’t want to spoil the fun, but it involves a phone call made by Lang Ping to Cheng Zhong He. It’s the perfect ending and a perfect description of their friendship, hopes and dreams.


Completed: 12/10/2022

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Amazing acting, Sizzling chemistry, Raw and Real struggles of ordinary folks

Completed - 8/14/2022

“Lost” is an underrated mature melodrama that could hit all the right notes for an older/mature audience who have already encountered life’s challenges. That is not to say that the younger audience will not enjoy this. I mainly want to watch this for a more mature romance and to see Ryu Joon Yeol again after "Reply 1988" (I was rooting for him!!!)

A few quick notes about this drama:
1. This is not a fluffy and sweet romance - not a whole lot of PDA either.
2. A slice-of-life melodrama about life’s challenges and setbacks.
3. Triggers: best check the tags (I don’t want to list them because it might be spoilery for some).
4. Slow burn (sizzling) romance but technically not the main focus of the drama
5. Could be depressing with few comedic moments
6. Has meaningful, quiet dialogs

Plot - The story of our two main leads who realize they have achieved nothing in life or worry they will not achieve anything and continue to stay in a rut. It tells of the life of the common folks - no fancy clothes, no fancy make-up, no fancy jobs or fancy cars. I really like that the focus is on those who work ordinary jobs. Each of the characters could be your next door neighbor. This makes their stories and struggles more realistic in a way. The drama also explores the different types of relationships - spouses, friends, neighbors, son/mother, daughter/father, in-laws, former lovers/spouses, neighbors and colleagues. “Lost” has the most beautiful story of Lee Boo Jung (FL) and her father. Her father is so lovely and understanding. A man of few words but witty and believes in her daughter. On the other end of the spectrum, the son/mother relationship is very different and provides quite a big contrast to the daughter/father relationship. Gosh.. I couldn’t stand the mom even though I know where she’s coming from. I am just glad she sort of redeems herself in the end.

Pacing - As a slice-of-life melodrama, the pacing is expectedly slower. The first episode did not immediately hook me in. The setup takes its time and viewers should be patient, give it a couple episodes to let the stories slowly unfold. By episode 5, I was fully invested in everyone’s story. Aside from the initial episodes, I found the drama to be well-paced even for someone like me who usually likes fast-paced drama and can be picky with slice-of-life’s pacing. However, there are a few times I was confused about the timeline of the drama. Sometimes, it takes a few episodes to cover what happened in one single day. Other times, a few months have passed.

Romance - Chemistry is off the charts! I am typically not a fan of noona romance, and I didn’t find the age gap to be very noticeable. Our male lead, Lee Kang Jae (played by the sexy Ry Joon Yeol) is an old soul and very mature for a 27-year old. When playing against our 40-year old female lead, Lee Boo Jung (played by the amazing Jeon Do Yeon), they have great slow burn chemistry. They actually don’t have that many scenes together, but when they are both on the screen, you can feel the intense tension especially when they are just looking at each other. They share deep and honest conversations and seem to have found someone who truly understands them. There isn’t a lot of skinship in this drama. But to me, the sexiest scene is when they were lying in the tent, and ML slowly pulled FL closer. You can feel the sexual, sensual and romantic tension. *sizzling* On the other hand, the rekindled first love between Jin Jung Soo (FL’s husband) and Lee Kyung Eun (former lover) gives off a very different vibe. Their chemistry might not be as strong, but the relationship is just as complicated. Their personalities are so different that they play off each other well, and you see a side of Jin Jung Soo that you don’t see when he’s with his wife. There are two more side couples but their stories are not as compelling. They do offer a different taste and stage of a relationship. All four couples are very different and if you are a romance lover, it provides you with some variety.

Acting - No complaint here. Top notch acting all around. There are a lot of subtle facial expressions or acting through the eyes. The quiet moments and dialogs are not drowned by music. Viewers need to pay attention to each subtle facial movement or gaze, as it can convey a lot without words.

Ending - I am satisfied with the ending and really glad to see an open and honest conversation between the husband (Jin Jung Soo) and wife (Lee Boo Jung). I have a hard time picturing them falling in love and getting married in the first place. Throughout the drama, they acted like roommates that don’t see each other often, instead of a married couple. The last conversation is what they really need. On the other hand, I wish Lee Boo Jung had a similar conversation with Lee Kang Jae. I felt that Kang Jae got the short end of the stick. They are ‘friends’ now and not talking to him seems wrong, especially when Lee Boo Jung has always been very honest with him. There is a difference between loving someone, and being in love with someone.

A minor criticism that I can’t fit in any category. There are many monologues in this drama. I enjoy them for the most part since we get different points of view. However, as a subtitle reader, it’s very difficult to read the monologue subtitle + the dialog subtitle + subtitles of certain text on, all at the same time. Maybe it’s just me *shrug* Of course, the drama is produced for Koreans, and they would have no trouble listening to the monologues while reading the text.

Other random observations:
1. I worry about FL’s father throughout the whole drama.
2. Lee Kang Jae plays with his long hair way too much (LOL). I actually find him sexier in his shorter retro hairstyle.
3. No one ever picks up their cell phone in this drama.
4. The last scene is open for interpretation and I would like to think that they live happily ever after because fate brought them together again.
5. As much as I like the song "Hallelujah", I don't want to listen to it again. It's a little overplayed.
6. Who is Ryoo Ji Hoon (who played Seo Jong Hoon)? I think he's the sexiest guy in this drama. LOL

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Butterfly Effects keep things interesting and not reptitive

Completed - 8/6/2022

After this year’s very popular hit C-drama “Reset” with a similar topic of time loop, I wasn’t sure if “Triage” could top it. I am usually not a big fan of the time loop theme, but due to the overwhelming praises for both dramas, I decided to watch them, and I am glad I did. Both dramas live up to the expectations. I am actually surprised I liked “Triage” quite a lot.

Not sure if there’s a production relation between “Triage” and “Manner of Death” but I was really hoping this would be a much better drama. I was quite disappointed with “Manner of Death”. Luckily, the overall plot and execution in “Triage” are a lot better and do not leave too many plot holes even though it could be quite difficult for a time loop theme. However, I have to say that the chemistry of the leads pales in comparison to Max and Tul.

I was not sure what Tin saw in Tol during the first few loops to fall in love with him. I didn’t think Tol was that likable and with Tin focusing on saving him, the chemistry wasn’t quite there for me. Once Tin got to know Tol after a few more loops, then I can see a little more chemistry (still not enough). However, I think the acting of Tin and Tol are just OK, and not amazing. Maybe that’s why I am not feeling the chemistry, especially when I might have subconsciously compared them to the leads in “Manner of Death”.

Regarding the plot,I was not totally invested in the story until about episode 3. The first two episodes have rapid fire time loops to showcase Tin’s frustrations in the process. But then the story slowly unfolds, like peeling an onion. I then realized the whole plot is more than just saving Tol. Side characters are slowly and smartly introduced. The time loops are so well executed that I don’t find them repetitive at all. With each time loop and butterfly effect, the story changes. We can then see how each side story is tied together to create the big central plot. I am still not quite sure why this all started. Was it because of the prayer Tin made when he was young? Is that why he was selected and given the chance to redo everything? I guess that’s for the viewer to interpret themselves.

One big initial concern of mine before I start watching this drama is whether medical procedures would be believable. Medical dramas are a hit-or-miss, mostly a miss. I am not a medical professional, so I can’t say everything they did in the drama is correctly done. But to my untrained eyes, it’s at least passable and not too fake. Unfortunately, I couldn’t say the same thing for the medical procedures and autopsies done in “Manner of Death”.

If you are looking for a more mature Thai BL drama that’s not in a school setting, I definitely recommend this. If you enjoy medical dramas and time loops, this is the drama for you. “Triage” might not top “Not Me” as my most favorite Thai BL drama to date, but I still had a very enjoyable time watching it.

p.s Wait.. I just realized I didn't notice/remember any product placement!! That's a first in a Thai drama for me!!!

Other Random Observations:
1. It’s nice to see a surprise guest appearance
2. All the women in this drama are pretty!!
3. Unfortunately, I only found Dr. Sing to be the only good-looking man in this drama.
4.Acting is decent overall
5. The professor really could get away with a lot of things in the hospital, even though they are security cameras everywhere.
6. Music is not memorable to me.

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Mixing genres = Identity crisis

Completed - 8/3/2022

I did not watch the webtoon, so I am unsure how true this drama is to its original content. However, reading the genres and tags, "Kiss Sixth Sense" is not what I was expecting. I thought this is a true romantic comedy with mature adults, maybe a little more mature version of "A Business Proposal" with a fantasy twist. What I ended up watching is comedy + romance + fantasy + suspense + crime. This results in the drama having an identity crisis and not doing any of the genre well.

This is really disappointing as I was looking forward to something light and fun, but with adults who look their age in the business world. The comedy in the initial episodes were a little over-the-top for my taste, but that's OK as I thought this is a comedy. The fantasy element is interesting and I am always a fan of fantasy romance drama. However, when they added the very-Korean childhood connection and trauma, and the half-baked suspense into a 12-episode drama, everything feels underdeveloped, rushed and disjointed.

I actually quite like the romantic chemistry between the leads. I am all for bickering couples who are secretly in love with each other. However, I still don't see when Fl starts to fall in love with ML, as she only wants to find out what the future holds. That's been such a big build up for many episodes about this future event FL sees with ML, but because those future scenes occur so often throughout 2/3 of the drama, it was quite anti-climatic when that significant event really happens. There's nothing the audience doesn't already know.

Acting is decent, though some scenes are quite cringey when the leads finally get together. ML seems to have changed to another person once he's in love. Where's that cool, calm and collected leader? Now we have a lovesick puppy vying for kisses whenever he can. There are scenes when he's kissed or kisses FL and he doesn't seem to be in pain. Whereas, other scenes he is pain even when FL is right beside him. Is that a plot hole that I detected? Or I am not understanding his condition?

The secondary romance between the cousin and the doctor is underwhelming. You can skip the whole thing and not miss a beat. Yes, the last 15 minutes are weird and unnecessarily long. I think I know where the scriptwriters are coming from, showing us a different kind of relationship. But, maybe they can reduce those scenes to 5 minutes instead.

Overall, it's an easy binge and if you have nothing to watch, this hodgepodge drama is OK. At least there are plenty of kisses (but not as many steamy kisses as I anticipated given the premise of the significant event).

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Hilarious, Emotional and Meaningful

Completed - 6/23/2022

This very short drama special started out with funny scenes of innocent high school girls discussing 'important' topics such as, what is sex? where do babies come from? is condom a candy? how does 'it' go up? But what transpires the whole premise is the discovery of the first volume of a banned erotic novel. Of course, what high school girls wouldn't be excited about that? Even their mean and strict high school teacher is obsessed.

The story also took place between 1986-87 when anti-communism sentiments were high and the government was controlling. We witness students being mistreated by teachers, and subordinates being mistreated by supervisors. The tone of the second half of this drama special changes quite quickly from funny to emotional.

Through it all, our heroine Soon Deok, played by the amazing Jung So Min, is central to all that is happening. She stands out among others due to her independent, forward thinking personality, and inspired those around her, esp. her teacher Tae Nam. It's quite difficult to like Tae Nam in the beginning. Who knew erotic novels could change a mean and selfish teacher to care and risk so much for his students?

I am glad to discover this drama special through an MDL article. I recommend this unique special to those who want something different - funny yet meaningful and emotional.

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Lots of cute animation screen time - you either love it or hate it.

Completed - 6/15/2022 - 8.25

I hesitated to watch "Yumi's Cells" when this drama first aired in 2021, as I wasn't sure if I would like all the animation. After finished watching the drama, I can say that I found them cute, but they took up a lot of screen time. I do understand that this drama is called "Yumi's Cells" and not "Yumi", but still.....

I find the animation cute and I love all the cells. I like their different personalities and they bring a lot of laughter to this drama, e.g. Naughty cell, Housekeeping cell and Hunger cell. However, it took me a while to get used to the back-and-forth transitions and the large amount of screen time. The frequent transitions to the animation disrupts the flow of the story and slows down the pacing, especially in the last few episodes. I got a little bored when the plot is not moving along and we got stuck in the same situation.

The acting is great. It's a fun character for Kim Go Eun to play and she was able to display a variety of emotions as Yumi. Ahn Bo Hyun finally gets a main role where he gets the girl. I also like his portrayal of Gu Woong. The rest of the cast is fine. Park Jin Young has a small role in season 1 and I don't think I see him enough to say that he's done a great job. He's pretty to look at but Ahn Bo Hyun has a hot body! (LOL) Ruby is a controversial character for me. I find her SUPER annoying 90% of the time but when she was teaching Yumi how to do 'aegyo', that was hilarious. I wish to see her more in season 2 but in a less annoying fashion.

The romance between Yumi and Woong was really cute in the beginning. Their personalities match and they do silly and adorkable things. Woong cares about Yumi and shows his affections through actions instead of empty words. The birthday episode really did show his affections, thus, prompted Yumi to ask that question. However, pride and the lack of communication get in the way. The damage is already done when Woong priorities changed. As much as I like Woong in the beginning episodes, I am very annoyed with his repeated lack of communication. You can still communicate with someone you care about without hurting your pride.

Since season 2 is currently airing, most people already know by now who Yumi ends up or not end up with. I would be very disappointed if I didn't know season 2 is coming, because season 1 did not end with Yumi feeling empowered and strong. I wish for her to realize that she could be happy without being in a relationship. She does not need to work like a dog to fill her life, like after her previous breakup. As the manager of the bulletin board said, there is no male lead and we don't need one.

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Good start but then it went downhill

Completed - 4/8/2022

The first 1/3 of the drama feels like Ancient Detective + Love and Redemption. It was fun to see our leads bickering with each other while solving crimes. However, I wouldn't say the crimes are super interesting or well-thought out. But at least the leads were fun to watch and I enjoy their characters. The drama went downhill and the lead romance becomes too cringey. Our female lead deity tries to woo our cool-headed male lead with methods that are way too cringey for my taste. Our supposedly smart ML is too hard-headed to get what FL is trying to do. Once the leads got together, the drama force-feeds us with a large dose of sugary fluffiness in one big episode. I should have known that whenever a drama does that, it means the cute romance won't last long and viewers will have to wait for a long time to see them together again.

The second half of the drama becomes a totally different drama. It feels like Ashes of Love but worse and many plot holes. Love, hate and obsession become the central story line in the middle episodes. If I am not an experienced wuxia/xianxia watcher, I might enjoy typical cliches and tropes more. But unfortunately, I watch and shake my head in boredom and frustration. I really start to lose interest in the abyss arc. I feel that should be the start of season 2.

I would recommend this drama to beginner watchers of xian xia dramas, who understand a little bit about the 3 realms but not too familiar with the tropes to be bored.

Let's see if I can summarize the tropes in bullet points:
- Love Square and persistent unrequited love
- 2ML turned evil because FL does not reciprocate his feelings, even though he has sacrificed so much for her.
- 2ML continues to blame ML because he has loved FL longer, and has been there for her. You are a newcomer who doesn't deserve her. ML gotta wait in line!
- Secondary leads who won't take "no" for an answer no matter how many times they are rejected.
- Double dose of noble idiocy = I will leave you for your sake because I love you and this is what's best for you. Who cares what you really want.
- Multiple characters believing their way is the correct way and you must do what I say. I am doing this for your own good ,even though I don't care how you feel/think

Aside from all that, the writing is quite messy and there are many plot holes.
- FL is supposed to be smart but yet she can't figure out there are demons around her. I thought she can smell demons but fails to do that many times.
- If FL can't fall in love, why break up the couple when she has ALREADY fallen in love? Isn't it too late already and worse if she's heartbroken?
- Why are the demons fighting with weapons against humans? Don't they know magic and can kill with a snap of their fingers? There's no way humans could win!
- I know our ML is smart, but is he really so smart that he knows how to re-create war weapons all by himself? He's not even a soldier but a crime investigator.

Let's end this review on a more positive note. Here's what I do enjoy:
- I like Zhang Yi Shang's acting as our female lead. I might find her character in the beginning a little too much, but she grows on me. Zhang Yi Shang is able to portray the different personalities of Duan Mu Cui well. She gives off a very different vibe when she's the General Duan Mu, compared to the happy and innocent Duan Mu Cui and depressed Duan Mu Cui. She looks absolutely stunning as well.
- Darren Chen is very pretty/handsome to look at. I like him in the first 1/3 of the drama, but not as much when he's in love and in sacrifice mode.
- Both 2ML and 2FL look great in black and evil attire. 2ML looks especially handsome, and his acting improves as his character goes darker. He's pretty meh when he's the 'good' guy in white.
- I like the BGM and the songs are not overplayed. Actually, the songs are rarely played and because of that, they are much more noticeable. Nice songs.
- Although the CGI and fight scenes aren't great, I do like the costumes, hairstyles, set designs and props of this drama. It's obviously not a high budget production but still I don't find anything too "cheap".

At this moment, I am not sure if I want to watch Season 2 or not. I don't feel a sense of urgency to know how it ends. But I might just because I like to complete my dramas. That's why I didn't drop this in the middle but somewhat force myself to continue.

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Great Chemistry, Slow middle, Strong Finish

Completed - 3/28/2022 - 8.25 rating

This is a good lighthearted romantic comedy without too much misunderstanding and angst. The story focuses on the development of an app called Love Note. And through this app, viewers also receive many love advice at the end of each episode. They are quite interesting. "Why Women Love" is a true romantic comedy. Love is in the air throughout the drama. It's great if you like want romance to be the central storyline.

What I Enjoy:
1. Leads Chemistry/Romance - Despite the real life & drama age gap, our two main leads have really great chemistry from start to finish. I really enjoy seeing how their relationship evolves from bickering boss/subordinate -> great work partners -> falling in love -> being together as a couple officially. Even though ML is supposed to be 8 years younger, the age difference isn't too apparent visually. I have previously seen Gina Jin (FL) in "Crossroad Bistro" and didn't like her character at all. I am so glad to watch her again in this drama, as I like her character so much more. This is my first drama of Wang Zi Yi (ML) and he did fine. I am also glad that we have some pretty good kisses between the leads. Luckily, we don't have a shy 30-year old woman who seems like she's being forced to kiss. Although the leads get together towards to the latter part of the drama, there is enough skinship to satisfy romance junkies. Additionally, it's nice to see a couple that actually tries to communicate and be honest with each other. If there's a problem, they talk it out. So silly misunderstanding that drags on and issues are resolved quickly and maturely.

2. Love Note Advice - At the end of each episodes, different characters from the drama will give us love advice. I may not believe in them all, but they are quite interesting. I wonder if there's really an app out there who is just like Love Note. Moreover, the little lectures that Qian Jing Jing aka Love Guru gave are pretty interesting as well. I may not agree to all that she's preaching but they are interesting nonetheless.

3. The Odd Pair - Li Yan Ran and Xu Ning Yuan make for an interesting couple. When the two formed an alliance and have meetings to discuss their plan of attack, they have so much chemistry. These two are so different, yet when put together, they also seem to complement each other so well. I am not sure how I feel about the subtle love connection. I am more inclined to want them to stay as platonic buddies, but I can't deny they are fun together.

4. Strong Finish - I quite enjoy the last 10 episodes of the drama when we are not just focusing on love, but also crisis at work. The pace of the drama picks up and we see how the leads relationship matures. Instead of only seeing cute & fluffy scenes, we get to see how they support each other's dreams and careers. Without going into spoilers, I applaud FL's decision in the last two episodes. Sometimes, the time is just not right and I am glad she is mature enough to speak up and be honest about how she truly feels.

5. Fashion - I really enjoy all the different outfits that our leads wear. FL has some gorgeous dresses and also some really cool pantsuits. Of course, ML looks suits but also in his leather jacket and racing outfit. Both of our leads look absolutely fabulous in everything they wear.


What I don't quite enjoy or am lukewarm about:
1. Li Yu Ran (first half) - I cannot stand another female character who is clingy, won't take 'no' for an answer and keeps on pestering her love interest. She is super annoying when first introduced. I can't stand her loud, selfish, stalkerish behavior. I really wish scriptwriters can write better love triangles/squares. Thank goodness she becomes more tolerable and even fun towards the second half of the drama.

2. FL's indecisiveness - The courtship and the back-and-forth between Gu Jia Xin and Xu Ning Yuan took up too many episodes. The middle part of the drama focuses solely on the love square. Nothing else is going on plot-wise, thus, the drama seems to be going nowhere. I wouldn't mind this love square if simultaneously something interesting is also happening.

3. Minor romance storylines - Aside from our main leads, I feel very lukewarm about the romance between Zheng DuXi and Qi Heng. They are cute and sweet, but don't really add much to the drama. You can take them totally out of the drama and it wouldn't affect much. Same goes to the romance between Qin Jing Jing and her husband. Their relationship serves as a plot device. But at least what happened between them is a lot more interesting than what Zhang DuXi/Qi Heng have to offer.

Other Observations:
1. My regular complaint on ML being too white. He looks so much more handsome when his face is not plastered makeup or they didn't use a white filter.
2. Many shirtless shots of ML - total fan service
3. Actors are not dubbed and there seems to be some live recording. Only Qin Jing Jing's voice seems to be weird at times, esp. in the earlier episodes.
4. Both ML and Qi Heng have this weird top/jacket with an attached cape.
5. FL should wear heels less often. She twists her ankle all the time.

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Who is the Murderer? Let's get to know the Deceased first.

Completed - 3/24/2022

If you haven't watched season 1, please know that my review WILL disclose who was murdered (which you find out in the last few minutes of Ep 8). I also strongly recommend you watching season 1 before season 2.
Here's my review of season 1 if you are interested: https://mydramalist.com/profile/voicelesslove/review/199589

Now that we know who was murdered, season 2 focuses on finding out who the killer is. The drama casts a very wide net and basically suspects anyone and everyone that has to do with Madame Sue. For the majority of season 2, I find the pacing to be somewhat slow. There are still stories told using many flashbacks. We find out more about the background stories of the characters and what happened the day of the murder.

But the focus is discovering who Madame Sue really is. She is not as nice and gentle as she seems. There's a much darker and manipulative side of her that not many people know. Was she already like that when she was a teenager? Was her experiences at home and low self-esteem the reason for her extreme actions? Each episode, we get to know her little by little and the lies that she told to her closest ones.

It's not until the last few episodes of season 2 do we find out exactly what happened. Madame Sue, the manipulative and revengeful one, has set up traps for those who hurt her long before her murder. I believe after her attempted suicide, she is ready to set the wheels in action .

Part 2 does not tell us who the murderer is, but ends on a cliffhanger. We do see a set of eyes from the rearview mirror. We will need to finish Part 3 in order to know what really happens on the day of murder.

p.s.
-Chris Wu is amazing as Baby - can't recognize him at all!
-The many guest roles continue in season 2. It's nice to see more of Wallace Huo (he's so darn sexy) and Vivian Hsu (who I haven't seen in a long time).

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Better than the average Korean BL

Completed - 3/19/2022 - 8.25

It's nice to watch a Korean BL about mature adults and not in any school setting. This is a very short series/movie and I usually prefer the movie version, as the short weekly episodes could feel disjointed at times. I find this drama/movie better than the average Korean BL I've seen. To me, it's better than "You Make Me Dance" and a LOT better than "Tasty Florida".

For a low budget web drama, the production quality appears pretty decent. Nothing feels cheap at all and all the food scenes look good and delicious. Looking at the filmography of both male leads, it's no wonder I quite enjoy their acting. Both are quite experienced with other movies/dramas under their belts, and not newbies to the industry. Most of the times, acting seems to be weakest in Korean BL dramas. Comparatively, I think the acting in "Where Your Eyes Linger" is a little better.

The story is quite simple, but I don't find it cringey or cliche. The romance progresses well and I don't feel that it happens suddenly, esp. when this is a very short drama/movie. My only major criticism is the English-speaking girl. I can understand the debt situation but who is that girl? She seems to be a very useless character and doesn't add anything to the drama/movie at all.

Overall, this is a light-hearted and easy watch and I would recommend if you needed something short to watch to kill time.

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Low production value, OK acting, Lack of leads chemistry but interesting Overarching Plot

Completed - 3/2/2022 - 7.75 Rating

I really wanted to like this drama and give it a higher rating despite its general negative reviews. I was on the verge of giving it a solid 8.0 because I really like the general overarching plot of the drama. It's no wonder the novel was adapted, as the stories are interesting. However, the horrific editing of the last couple episodes discouraged me and I'll keep the rating at a 7.5-7.75. I have not read the novel, so the rating has nothing to do with how good the adaptation is, or whether I dislike any of the actors/actresses. For some reason when I was watching “Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities”, it reminded me of “Novaland: Pearl Eclipse”. I was comparing the two dramas’ plot, acting, chemistry and my enjoyment level. “Mirror” feels more like it is a part of the Novaland universe than “Pearl Eclipse”.


What I Enjoy:

General Plot - I really enjoy the story of the rise and fall of the three kingdoms, and how our three main characters’ stories intertwined with their ancestors’ stories. The objectives are clear and viewers can pretty much expect how the story will play out and what the general ending of the whole drama is. The journey of how the characters achieve their ultimate goals is what this drama is all about. I actually do not think the pacing is slow but rather good. I was not bored but do need to pay attention to what’s going on, due to its poor editing and storytelling. I can see how the editing in the first few episodes can confuse watchers and cause them not to stick around a little longer. We generally have pretty intelligent characters in this drama and there isn’t anyone too annoying.

Zheng Ye Cheng - ZYC is the only actor that uses his voice for dubbing. I applaud him for this and really wish more actors would use their own voices. I recently watched him in “Crossroad Bistro” and he did fine. I am more impressed with his acting in this drama, as he has a chance to play *spoilers* a few different characters, with different personalities. I would not say his acting is brilliant, but it's a bright spot among others. He also has the most colorful costumes in this drama!

Costumes/Looks - I think all the characters have pretty good “looks”. Their costumes fit their characters and you can see how the colors they wear coordinate with their roles. As mentioned, Zheng Ye Cheng as the Prince has the most colorful outfits. Our FL has all white or very light-colored costumes, and ML has mostly dark-colored costumes. I do think Li Yi Feng as Su Mo/Chun Huang looks better in white than in black, even with the long white hair. It might be weird but I want to compliment the wigs that the actors are wearing. I especially like the intricate braiding weaved into all of their hairstyles.

Music - This drama has a nice OST. We hear the beautiful voices of Zhou Chen and Mao Bu Yi. The songs are not overplayed and the background music complements the scenes. I didn’t feel like the music was forcing me to feel a certain way.


What I Don’t Enjoy:

Editing and Storytelling - The biggest flaw of this drama is its editing. You can see scenes that showed up in flashbacks but never during the actual scenes. I wasn’t sure if that was intentional or due to editing. Some scenes are transitioned to show the RESULTS instead of the process. It feels like the drama is condensing 15 minutes into 15 seconds. During the final few episodes of the drama there seems to be missing scenes and the story was jumping around. The episodes feel choppy and don’t flow well enough to prepare us for the final showdown or the epilogue. It’s really unfortunate because this drama could have been so much better.

Chemistry/Acting - I do not necessarily find Li Yi Feng (ML) and Chen Yu Qi’s (FL) acting horrible. They are okay. I do expect more from Li Yi Feng as I’ve seen him in “Noble Aspirations” and liked him in that drama. Maybe because he had more chemistry with Zhao Li Ying? I was hoping the chemistry between the main characters would improve but it didn’t. They are supposed to have this heartbreaking romance that’s full of longing and angst, but I don’t feel anything. Their romance is such a central part to the plot that when I can’t feel anything, it really distracts me from enjoying the rest of the drama. The romance of Su Mo and Bai Ying could be considered a slow burn (after 100 years). But it’s not giving me enough bread crumbs (aka sweetness, meaning glances, etc.) to endure this slowness and the lack of chemistry. *Spoilers* When the three leads are acting as their ancestors, I actually enjoy their chemistry more. The few scenes with an innocent Chun Huang, a more talkative Bai Wei and a jealous Lang Gan are more fun than their younger selves. I wish we had more scenes of the ancestors’ story.

Production Value - This is supposed to be a S+ production but you couldn’t tell by its horrible CGI and set designs. The CGI is subpar and it’s worse than 2018 “Ashes of Love”, especially when they are showing scenes/sets of the palace and rooms. When you see the set designs and props, they look cheap and fake. I looked back at the beautiful set designs of another S+ production, “Pearl Eclipse”, and the difference is huge. The drama also has some weird filters and camera shots. The shots look fuzzy/blurry at times. I am not sure if the director is trying to create some sort of effect? I also wish the drama had more fight scenes. There are only a handful and they’re too short for me to appreciate.

Overall, I don’t regret watching this drama. I knew to curb my enthusiasm and expectations, and I knew what I am getting myself into. I would only recommend this drama if you really like the actors, craving for xianxia dramas and have nothing else to watch. For better or worse, having only 43 episodes (pretty short for this type of drama), is one of the reasons why I decided to give this a try.

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More than about First Love Reunited.

Completed - 2/26/2022 - 9.25 rating

This review is my very subjective interpretation of the drama and how it speaks to me. “Our Beloved Summer” moves me so much that my gut tells me it’s deserving of such a high rating. This is more than a love story about first love and second chances. It is about self-discovery, finding your own paths and living your chosen life.

When I binge-watched the first 7 episodes, I immediately knew that this was going to be a special drama. I could not exactly pinpoint why I like it so much. I am usually not a big fan of slice-of-life dramas as I find the pacing to be slow. Not with this drama. I can’t wait to tell Netflix to go to the next episode and skip that intro. I want to know what’s next.

I really enjoy the storytelling of this drama. Though it’s full of flashbacks, they are done in such a way that I do not find the flashbacks annoying. I enjoy the parallel storytelling of how the documentary was filmed 10 years ago, compared to the present. The high school bickering and sarcastic remarks are fun to watch. Even though our leads act like they dislike each other, you can’t deny the strong chemistry there.

When we are brought back to the present, you can feel all the suffering, longing and hurtful emotions the leads are feeling. The attraction is obviously there, yet it took them a long time to find a way to be honest with themselves and with each other. When Choi Woong and Yeon Soo are finally together, I was so happy for them. The audience is rewarded with really cute, sweet and loving moments. I am glad to see skinship with decent kissing as well. The initial breakup might be painful. But Choi Woong and Yeon Soo need the right timing and have to grow up to be a better version of themselves, before they become the match made-in-heaven.

Initially, I find the storyline about Kim Ji Woong and his mother to be out-of-place. It seems like I am watching a whole different drama that has nothing to do with our leads. Then I realized, this drama is not just about Choi Woong and Kook Yeon Soo. We also have a third character, the observer from 10 years ago and the observer again for this documentary. This is also Kim Ji Woong’s story.

We actually have three successful adults who seem to have conquered past challenges and grow up to be mature professionals. But deep down, they are lonely and broken. We have Yeon Soo who has to shoulder her family’s financial burden and suffers from an inferiority complex. We have Choi Woong who feels lonely and abandoned, and continues to struggle with these emotions, and also feeling unworthy of his parents' love. He’s trapped inside his own little world and unable to break out of it. Lastly, we have Ji Woong who is desperate for his mother’s love and attention, and continues to have a missing piece in his heart.

If I have to find one thing to criticize, it would be the continuous playing of songs. I actually really like the OST and all the songs. I just found them overplayed. I think I counted one episode where 3-4 songs were played almost back-to-back. Sometimes, I don’t need the music to tell me how to feel. It’s ok to have some silence when our leads are contemplating.

Other Observations:
1. I have seen Choi Wook Shik in other dramas before but I never found him that attractive. But he’s so adorkable in this drama. I really love his character and his cute and shy smile. What a sweet boyfriend!
2. I also enjoy seeing a more mature Kim Sung Cheol.
3. No annoying characters in this drama!
4. The color palette of the drama seems to be a little washed out or has a yellow tone. Is it me imagining it?

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