Reviews

Well written and satisfying drama

Such a well written and satisfying drama....Truly loved it!!
The level of acting is phenomenal, pacing is beautiful and the best part for me is that it doesn't has infinite number of evil character plus the one who are evil are handled flawlessly by our leads which makes me enjoy the drama much more, as it shows that writer focus on content more than filling it will unnecessary negative schemes and plots.
The chemistry between BaiLu + Zhang Ling He is sizzling....it has slow start but its gripping till the end. It was worth my time and i feel satisfied with the end
The best part is that it has a HE as i usually avoid sad ending dramas plus it has such breathtaking kisses & it was done beautifully❤️ All in all its a 10/10 for me:)

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The war was won, but at what cost

Man this was a very frustrating show.

I enjoyed this a lot more during the early episodes; watching Shi Qi and Cui Lin steadily fall for each other while being badasses in their respective armies. It was so fun watching their antics and seeing them come up with strategies to one up each other. When things were calm and quiet, their love was really sweet to watch too with all the loving gazes they would always give each other, abundant kisses, and nose rubs.

However, there were just too many problems with this drama that made it unbearable to watch from the halfway mark. Main issues were the poorly developed villains and inconsistent writing of character personalities. The only villain worthy of being a villain was really only from the early episodes, thereafter we got stuck with such poor excuses for villains it was seriously embarasssing to watch. The villains made it hard for me to believe the story cos of how inept they were, I just kept wondering how any of the characters beside them were taking them seriously. At least, if you're going to have dumb villains, balance it out by making the people around them either recognize how dumb they are, call them out for being dumb or try to get them to be better. (I'm looking at you Liu Cheng Feng and subordinate / Emperor Li and Ministers). When the villains are dumb and no one seems to have a problem with that, it just makes the writing and plot look weak. And that is no fun to watch.

Also, another thing I didn't like was that our main couple weren't steadfast in their love for each other. Whenever crisis hit, they'd have a dramatic blowout and then reunite a couple days later. But then this kept repeating and it was dissapointing to see. After all the difficulties SQ and CL went through together, it would have been better to see them gradually become more trusting of each other and communicating with one another rather than the whole hot/cold treatment they'd give each other at every adversity that rose up.

I'm happy we got a fleshed out visual of the happy ending of SQ and CL's story, but I can't help but feel unsatisfied. Despite everything ending happily, it just feels so sad because of how much was lost to get to that happy ending. I can't help but think, "was it all worth it?"

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I cant call this garbage, because I think garbage would be insulted by that

This is one of the most ugliest, horniest and thinnest plot that I have EVER come across in my entire journey as a fijoushi. Absolutely no plot. The characters are horny all the time. I mean it, they are horny ALL the time. I dont think that is physically possible but that's a thought to be pursued for yet another day.

I started watching the first episode where the first 20 minutes was either about guys jerking off, talking ablout sex or doing sex. Literally, they did this for 20 minutes. of course with 3 minute scenes here and there that make you feel like there is a plot, but naah, its just a bait for them to showcase more sex or sexual-connoted scenes.

you feel like you are watching porn at some point - some scenes are so bloody unrealistic that you wonder if the screenwriter was horny and decided to put all his fantasies to the written word and publish it as a script. Really, the Kama Sutra does a gross disservice to its image as a sex book. I think this series really provides good competition.

please consider this situation. you want to ask directions to a stranger ( a complete, random, unkno stranger, mind you). Even if you were a model ( and taking into consideration the stereotype that models are generally promiscuous, even though they might not be IRL ) would you go and stand so close to a stranger that you could smell what he ate for lunch, just so you could know directions??
What did I tell you?
Porn.

Let me give you another instance. One of the scenes open with the brother feeling bad about his lost brother. Its truly an emotional scene yeah?? you might expect the following scenes to be filled with tears, friends hugging him for comfort, words of love, longing (platonically of course) for his brother, and even if it isnt THAT emotional atleast scenes that truly cement his relationship with his brother and make us feel - oh yeah, this dude really loves his brother.
That's what any sane person would expect right?
Wrong.
What actually follows, is dudes discussing what helps them jerk off.
For one its underwear (which is really gross btw), for the other is 2D anime and so on.

So, if anyone is looking for a class "How to turn really nice heartwarming moments into horny, sex-oriented shit" please refer to this great masterpiece called "PlayBoyy".

I mean, let me be clear. I am not a fictional snob. I really dont mind explicit scenes. But you need to have a basic story plot for me to even be hooked you know?? Sex can be used to fill gaps that you cant fill no matter how much you rack your brains for, but sex alone cannot be a story.

I gave this story 1, cause they didnt allow me to give zero. I think, in retrospect, even a zero is too much of an award for this piece of sex trash.

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Their development as a team and individuals.

This drama deserves 10/10 from me. It’s so refreshing to watch. I don’t find those cringey scenes that I sometimes get in another drama which is rare I guess. I started this at first because I miss seeing Wu Lei on my screen but I told myself if this turns out to be bad I would still drop it but I didn’t, because it was good. This drama sometimes made me laugh and sometimes made me cry. Most of all, the characters made me proud. Their growth as a team and individuals touched me like nothing else. Wu Lei’s character also motivates me to be a better version of myself. Like, he has been through a lot but he never gives up. If anything, he grits his teeth and get through it! I’ll be rewatching this whenever I need comfort, definitely.

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As Mok-ha beautifully said...

Most of the time, there is no loyalty. Here, the series betrays the premise and deliver the same old story, with the main leads knowing each other when they are young, love triangles and with a ruthless villain. It HAD its opportunity to be something more original. That's why the rewatch value is so low.

My expectations for Castaway Diva were high, but unfortunately, I noticed that the series wouldn't reach its FULL potential already in the second episode.

The FL was stranded in an island for 15 years, but when she returns to civilization, it's like she only got a time machine in 2007 and traveled to 2023. Being isolated don't only makes you "freeze on time", but changes your behavior and personality too.
I was "stranded" in my house for almost 1 year, during the pandemic, what made me a completely different person, let alone being 15 years alone. If there was a changing here, it was solved very quickly, whithout further development.
I know they had to portray many stories at once, but I'm sure they could do a better job with the FL.

But not everything is lost. The songs sang by Ran-joo and Mok-ha are amazing and the cast is prestigious. I just didn't rated the cast higher because of the issues I mentioned before. I couldn't see how the actors would work if there further exploring in the fact that the main character was isolated in the deserted island.

I love the reflections Mok-ha made from the time she was on the deserted island and compared to the the hardships she is facing when back to civilization. Mainly that one which says most of the time, there are no loyalty in friendships.

The young actors shined in the prologue and made my watching experience a little better.

The topic about parent abuse is something almost never seen before and I must say I'm glad they discussed it here.

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One of the best drama adaptations of all time

I have finished watching this quite a while ago. I loved every seconds of it. I love the friendships between all characters. I love all the actions, and I especially love that the casts are all doing the martial arts moves by themselves so they had to attend martial arts lessons to learn how to do some moves.

At first I don't know how I feel when a loveline between Xiao Se and Sikong Qianluo was made. I thought it was out of nowhere. I wasn't exactly bothered by it. They were cute, although the chemistry is not as hot as the hottest CP but they're there, very subtle. They're also quite endearing to see. It's a shame that their development scenes were cut bcs they had to focus on the friendship.

Overall, I love it so much. All the heroes are very lovable. I hope there will be season 2, continuing the group's journey.

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Childish, meant to be watched by teens

The script, characters, and plot of this show are extremely childish and poorly executed.

Despite my best efforts to keep an open mind, I found the sound effects used to emphasize every joke to be incredibly annoying, and the acting was equally juvenile.

Furthermore, there were countless inconsistencies within the script, and the constant use of stereotypes was both lazy and offensive.

To make matters worse, there wasn't a single good-looking character in the entire show. It's no surprise that the series was cancelled after just one season.

Definitely not a rewatch for me.

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Captivating Characters Shine Despite Flawed Plot: A Review of Fish Upon The Sky

— This review will be detailed and comprehensive. It reflects my personal observations and interpretations. If you disagree with or do not enjoy my review, feel free to write your own. I also suggest reading this review after watching the show, as it may contain spoilers.


This series successfully pulled me out of a drama slump, for which I am grateful. However, as it reached its conclusion, I couldn't help but feel disappointed and as though something was missing. There was an expectation for something to occur or be resolved that ultimately did not happen, leaving me feeling somewhat robbed.

PI'S CHARACTERIZATION

— Pi's character is thoughtfully crafted and easily relatable, particularly for those who have experienced the difficulties of self-acceptance and navigating their sexuality. His backstory, characterized by low self-esteem and self-destructive tendencies, adds layers of complexity to his personality. Even as he undergoes a glow up, Pi continues to confront the lasting impact of his past. His path of self-discovery, marked by confusion, identity crisis, and shame, mirrors the real-life challenges that many individuals encounter while grappling with their sexual orientation.

— Pi's character embodies a constant battle between compassion and self-destruction. He cares for others but struggles to be kind to himself, evident in his relationship with Mork. His communication issues and tendency to isolate himself highlight his internal struggles. While his character development is commendable, the abrupt ending left me wanting more. Despite its flaws, Pi's captivating story resonates deeply, making him my favorite character in the series.

MORK'S CHARACTERIZATION

— Mork's charismatic presence immediately caught my attention, drawing me in with his effortless charm. Despite creating a fake social media account to interact with Pi, which could be seen as cowardly, it revealed Mork's strong desire to be close to Pi, even if it meant hiding his true identity. Throughout their relationship, Mork consistently showed genuine love and care for Pi, offering attention and emotional support.

— Despite Mork's sincere efforts, his persistent disregard for boundaries and refusal to accept rejection led to frustration and conflicts. While his determination to express his feelings is admirable, it often overlooks Pi's wishes and the consequences of his actions. Mork's relentless pursuit of Pi, although well-intentioned, can become overwhelming and pushy. It is important to prioritize Pi's autonomy and allow him the space to process his emotions and make his own decisions regarding their relationship. Ultimately, it is up to Pi to decide whether to reciprocate Mork's feelings, and Mork should respect whatever outcome unfolds.

— Mork's actions in Episode 8 displayed a lack of sensitivity and consideration. If he truly cares about Pi, he should prioritize Pi's comfort and well-being above everything else. Allowing their personal photos to be shared without their consent by their obsessed and toxic shippers shows a clear disregard for Pi's privacy and consent. This not only caused distress to Pi but also contributed to the spread of misinformation and misunderstandings about their relationship status. It is crucial for Mork to demonstrate respect for Pi and take responsibility for the consequences of his actions.

— Mork's active involvement with the shippers and his decision to participate in an exclusive interview with them can be interpreted as endorsing their actions. By providing them a platform, he unintentionally validates their intrusive behavior and neglects to safeguard Pi's privacy. Mork's actions send a message that the shippers' conduct is acceptable, potentially encouraging them to persist in their invasive practices.

— Mork's behavior in Episode 11 greatly upset me. Pi is still struggling with his sexuality, burdened by insecurities, self-doubt, and a sense of worthlessness due to the bullying and hatred he has endured. While Mork claims to care about Pi's decision and expresses willingness to be patient, his actions contradict his words. He indirectly pressures Pi to reveal their relationship to everyone, disregarding Pi's discomfort. Despite Pi consistently showing his unease, Mork consistently overlooks it. The advice Mork gave Pi when confronted with his feelings of unworthiness in their relationship felt shallow. Mork spoke without fully grasping Pi's situation. While it may be easy for Mork, it is not the same for Pi. Mork failed to demonstrate the patience necessary in their relationship with Pi.

— At times, Mork's inability to fully understand Pi's emotional struggles can be frustrating. Despite his good intentions, his actions often fail to address the underlying causes of Pi's insecurities and self-doubt. Mork's need for reassurance and validation can unintentionally create pressure on Pi, who is already navigating a complex journey of self-discovery.

— However, despite his flaws and occasional missteps, Mork's genuine love and care for Pi cannot be denied. He has shown his commitment to Pi by enduring challenges and standing by him during difficult times. Their relationship, although imperfect, has weathered storms and grown stronger. However, it is important to note that while many consider Mork a green flag, my perspective is that he falls more into the category of a yellow flag, neither fully positive nor negative.

— Furthermore, the portrayal of Mork's character in the series felt lacking. There was a noticeable absence of weaknesses and vulnerability in his persona. Mork consistently maintained a confident demeanor and personality throughout the entirety of the show. It would have been beneficial to witness more depth and complexity in his characterization, allowing him to feel more relatable and human.

SECOND LEAD COUPLE

— The relationship between Meen and Duean in the series is incredibly adorable. Meen's clingy and cute behavior around Duean, and Duean finding it hard to resist Meen's charm. Their relationship doesn't face many obstacles and progresses naturally. They embrace their emotions and live in the present moment. It was amusing to see Duean constantly deny his feelings for Meen, only to eventually fall for him in the end.

— Duean's character provided the most laughter with his natural humor, loudness, and unfiltered speech. He has a tendency to say whatever he wants without hesitation. Meen, on the other hand, is naturally cute and sometimes clueless, but his innocence doesn't become annoying. Throughout the series, Meen displays moments of maturity despite his childlike and naive demeanor. When Duean pressured him to drink and experience adulthood, Meen confidently refused to give in to the peer pressure. He knows himself well and stands up for what he believes is right. While Meen and Duean's relationship is undeniably cute, it feels somewhat disconnected from the main plot of the drama. Their storyline creates a separate universe that doesn't have much relevance to the overall plot. The only connection seems to be that Duean and Pi are brothers, while Mork and Meen are also brothers. This connection allows for some interaction between the characters, but beyond that, their storyline doesn't contribute significantly to the overall plot.

THE KITTY GANG

— The Kitty Gang, comprising Yok, Koh, James, and Jeans, truly brought comedy to the series. Their jokes and presence enhanced the scenes, making them more enjoyable and humorous. However, beyond their comedic roles, I genuinely appreciated their friendship. They never judged Pi and provided unwavering support during his glow up. Whether Pi or Duean needed assistance, the Kitty Gang was always there for them. Moreover, they offered meaningful advice to both Pi and Duean, adding depth to the story. The Kitty Gang not only fulfilled their comedic purposes but also contributed to the overall richness of the narrative.

OVERALL RATE: 6.5/10

This series is a hilarious and laughter-inducing watch. The chemistry between the main couples is fantastic and feels incredibly natural. Initially, the plot is easy to follow, but as the story progresses, it becomes repetitive with the recurring theme of Mork's unrequited love for Pi. This repetitive narrative continues until the final episode, which unnecessarily prolongs the plot and stretches it thin. The show also delves into the toxic culture of shipping, highlighting the wrongdoings of fans who stalk and misinterpret the relationship between Mork and Pi. It sheds light on how these fans glorify and romanticize situations that aren't based on genuine love. One particularly satisfying moment is when Pi confronts the shippers about their misconduct. It showcases his courage in setting boundaries and standing up for himself, as their actions make him feel uncomfortable and unsafe. The invasion of privacy, with pictures of him and Mork being posted all over social media, including his personal space, is a clear example of stalking and potentially criminal behavior.

Initially, I was impressed that this show addresses the issue of shipping culture, particularly within the BL actor community. It highlights the importance of respecting an individual's decision to keep their sexuality private, as Pi is not yet comfortable with publicly outing himself. However, towards the end, I was disappointed. I had hoped that the series would delve deeper into the discussion and confrontation heads on. Unfortunately, during Mork's birthday celebration, all the shippers gathered and turned the event into a fan gathering. They proceeded to display pictures of Mork and Pi, proudly claiming their contribution to the relationship. This undermined the show's attempt to address the issue of toxic shipping culture, rendering it somewhat pointless. The events at Mork's party were highly inappropriate and gave the shippers a false sense of importance in MorkPi's relationship. In reality, their actions only worsened the situation.

I strongly dislike the MorkBam ship as a way to conceal their actual relationship. It is a confusing and problematic approach to hide their true feelings. Bam's overly friendly, or rather, flirtatious behavior is often inappropriate and excessive. What bothers me even more is that Mork allows Bam to initiate these advances, seemingly accepting her flamboyant flirting, despite being in a committed relationship with Pi. I can understand Pi's frustration with their dynamic because whenever the three of them are together, it unintentionally makes Pi feel invisible and like a secondary character. Additionally, Bam's lack of a sincere apology for her actions adds to the unresolved nature of the storyline, making the ending poorly written. The way they simply pair Bam with another boy and move on with her life, as if she didn't do anything wrong, infuriates me. Moreover, the fact that shippers will likely continue to obsess over and invade the privacy of another couple is disheartening. I had hoped that the show was advocating for something meaningful, but it all seems to have been in vain.

I would also like to mention Muang Nan's character, as I believe he had the potential to be so much more. He is charismatic and brings life to any scene he's in. However, it feels like his character was primarily used as a bridge between Mork and Pi. While I understand that this was his purpose in the plot, it seemed like that was his ONLY purpose. Once Mork and Pi started their relationship, Muang Nan was hardly seen throughout the series and only made a reappearance in the last episode. It felt like his character was discarded after serving his purpose, which is something I didn't appreciate. Muang Nan had the potential to be a well-developed character in his own right, but unfortunately, he wasn't given the opportunity to shine.

When it comes to the acting, the romantic moments were executed excellently, and the chemistry between the leads was evident even through their glances. However, in the heavier and sadder scenes, I didn't quite feel the emotions that were intended. While the actors are undoubtedly talented, I believe they could have given more and put in more effort, particularly in the scene where Mork embraces Pi in the rain. This scene was meant to be symbolic and climactic, but unfortunately, it didn't evoke the emotional resonance for me.

I absolutely adored the scene in which the title "Fish Upon The Sky" is mentioned and Pi affectionately refers to Meung Nan as his "Fish Upon the Sky." This reference beautifully captures Pi's feelings towards Meung Nan, as he sees their relationship as something unattainable. I was deeply moved by Mork's explanation of falling in love, using the metaphor of flowers. He eloquently stated that if you find the flowers beautiful and enjoy admiring them, it signifies an interest or liking. However, if you desire to possess the flowers, it becomes an obsession. True love, according to Mork, is when you want to nurture and care for the flower, allowing it to grow. This heartfelt moment melted my heart and added a poignant depth to the story.

This series is filled with humor and features endearing characters. Pi's struggles with communication, tendency to withdraw, and keeping one foot out the door, combined with Mork's lack of patience, understanding, and self-centered mindset, raise red flags in their relationship. However, despite these flaws, I cannot deny the undeniable chemistry between them that made me squeal with delight. I am pleased that each couple in the series ultimately found their happy ending, despite the numerous challenges they faced along the way. However, its major flaw lies in its poorly constructed plotline. While it starts off strong, it soon becomes repetitive and dragged out, leading to unresolved resolutions by the end. I would recommend this series primarily for beginners who are interested in exploring the romance BL genre. However, for those who have watched a substantial amount of BL series and have higher standards, this show may not meet their expectations.

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Incredible!

Although this is supposedly based on the manhwa 'Weather Forecast of Love', the show is actually quite different from the webcomic that it borrow's its characters from. Dohyun, for one, is a lot more assertive and confident than his webtoon counterpart and Donghyuk is a lot more reserved, a bit of a loner, and a lot less aggressive in comparison to the popular and unattainable Donghyuk of the webtoon. The backstory for the whole show is also quite different from the manhwa, and to be honest, I'd much rather think of them as completely independent works because Donghyuk's insomnia and it's cure are the only common factors other than the character names.

As someone who has watched pretty much all the Japanese, Taiwanese, Thai BLs in the last 5 years, I can confidently say that this is show an absolute treasure. The directing, cinematography and acting are impeccable! The story is cute, simple and not unnecessarily and unrealistically dramatic. There are a few cute kisses and both leads are incredible. From the first episode we can see the chemistry and tension between the leads. Absolutely adored this show and the gentleness of it! It is so easy-breezy and light that it is an easy rewatch with each of the 8 episode being between 15-21 minutes in length (including intro and end credits). Definitely worth the ~2 hours.

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Boring

Story was good but not properly executed . Except few episodes all were boring . Last fighting was looked so unreal . It looked like that it was not properly filmed.About acting ,that was good . Child artist acting was also good. I guessed to watch it would be a big time waste.
I think so much work is still required in the drama .It looked like drama had been made in hurry.
Other two love stories were also good as well their acting too. Even the pairing of all three Grandma were good.
What to write to complete five hundred characters about this I really don't know

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The women are way too overpowered and that makes it boring

Namsoon is born with a superhuman strength from her mother's blood, but she went missing as a child in Mongolia. When she grows up she comes to Gangnam, South Korea to find her parents. Her mother tried to find her while also tried to live a righteous life with doing good deeds, but her family is involved in a drug case. A young detective join forces on the drug case to solve it together...

First impression 4 eps in, too much overacting in my opinion and I wasn't in the mood for it at that time, So I pause it and caught up on the final week it's airing because I do like how the story focused on the women. You get to see them all in their different personalities, and how they use their strength and how their strengths are perceived by other people in their lives and around them... Namsoon and her interactions with people in her life is beautiful. This part is cute and fun but it doesn't really move the plot. Apparently the women seem to always win and while it is cool to see it makes it kind of boring. No tension in the fights because she will definitely beat them, it's like Tom and Jerry. I need my hero to struggle a bit in dealing with challenges.

Ong Seong Wu… He's in his coming-of-age phase and wuaw, so handsome! His acting impressed me in Moment of 18 but unfortunately, his character here is not very interesting. I feel no romance chemistry between the leads – but they're very good as friends. The only character who is most interesting throughout is the villain. Some characters has no real purpose in the story. It's fun to watch if you enjoy a cheesy & campy superhero story, but that's it.

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Best 2023 Historical Drama. Brilliant palace politics with dark romance

This drama tells the story of a female lead who goes back in time 2 years prior to her death to change her fate. In her first life, she is a selfish and manipulative woman who uses all means necessary to achieve her goal of becoming an Empress. In her second life, she realises the many mistakes she has made and tries everything in her power to change her fate and right her wrongs.

Note, the main focus of this story is the palace politics (female lead’s redemption and male lead’s revenge). The romance is a secondary focus but definitely worth it especially in the last 8 episodes. It’s reverse harem so there are three love interests. The female lead loves them for different reasons but only one is her perfect match/true love.

POSITIVE:
- Reverse harem romance is done right! We don't see the female lead jumping from one man to another or loving them at the same time. Each love interest has his own time to shine. We are first introduced to her childhood friend that loves her, then the second man who she admires for his righteousness and goodness, and then the third man who represents the perfect enemies to lovers trope.
- No love triangles or stupid misunderstandings/miscommunications.
- Dark romance with VERY hot kiss scenes.
- Main lead chemistry is hot, hot, hot. Did I say hot!
- Brilliant palace politics talks.
- Morally grey female and male lead that are both smart, cunning and wicked in their own ways.
- Male lead who achieves his goals through his intelligence rather than muscles. It’s rare in costume dramas to see a male lead who destroys his enemies with badass strategies without lifting a weapon.
- The most satisfying happy ending. The story wrapped up well and everyone gets what they deserve.
- Top-notch performance from all the cast and especially the main leads Bai Lu and Zhang Ling He.
- Slow burn romance for the main couple that is totally worth it and all the wait pays off!
- No annoying characters, no unnecessary fillers or draggy plot lines.
- Flashbacks and parallels between the first and second life were fantastically woven into the story.
- Great character development for all characters, main and support. Everyone’s motive for what they did and why made sense!

NEGATIVE:
- Cinematography is a let down but it still does not take away my enjoyment! The director really went crazy with the camera lights which irritated many viewers including me. Especially towards the end of the drama where there are many flashbacks, the blinding lights were showing up every 5 minutes which felt very, very excessive. Also, there were weird spinning effects, pink hue filters and unflattering angles as well as random “wind” blowing the actor’s hair even when they were indoors.
- As a hopeless romantic I would have loved to see more romance between main leads (or at least in earlier episodes) as their chemistry was off the charts however with how the story is set up, it makes sense why it was a very slow burn.

OVERALL:
For me this is THE BEST historical cdrama I’ve ever watched. The political plot is executed brilliantly, the dark romance is chef’s kiss and most importantly the drama portrays beautifully the female’s lead story of redemption and the male lead’s story of revenge. You will miss out a lot if you don’t give this a chance!

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Just wow!

Let me start by saying that this is not my go-to genre. It's kind of hard for me to rate, because usually I rate on my enjoyment of a series. I, truthfully, can say that I didn't really enjoy it - wait, before you jump down my throat, hear me out. I didn't like the way it made me feel. It was dark and depressing, with the barest hint of clever repartee to lighten the mood slightly every so often. So, bottom line, the show achieved what it set out to do. It was so well written, and the acting was absolutely top-notch. I felt uncomfortable while watching it, watching morally/mentally gray characters. It raised a lot of questions while watching it: Where is the line between right and wrong? Is it hard to keep trying to straddle that line? Does absolute power corrupt absolutely? Do we ever really know those around us?

Most of the actors I had seen in other works, and they all seemed to be different versions of themselves than I had seen before. The sign of good acting.

If I didn't have to have a minimum word count, my review would consist of these two words - Namkoong Min. Always brilliant. I do have to make a complaint about the makeup on him. It looked like they went overboard on the self-tanner. His skin was so much darker than everyone else, it really bothered me. And I could have done without the sleazy moustache.

So, my suggestion is that you watch it, but be prepared to want to give up your daily life until you've finished it. It's just that good.

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Lets be realistic here... they were flawed, but within reason

Ill start off by saying, I absolutely loved this drama. It had a great plot, great acting, an amazing OST and even better editing.

There are flaws, as does every show and character. But imo, the overall plot was amazing.

Li Xun, is so arrogant, rude, (hot) and irritating. But thats his character. After having suffered his entire childhood, he became a rebellious asshole. The problem most talk about in thier reviews is his character. While yes he is the typical rude ML, he believes he has every reason to be able to act this way. And I partly think its valid. As a kid who struggled while growing up, he fought for everything he had, while everyone around him didnt. He was different than the rest of the characters in many ways, but this was the most important. While he was smarter than them, the differences in the family status was the most important one.

Zhu Yun, was annoying, not confident, and absolutely a pushover. She let everyone determine her life but herself. Her mom absolutely pissed me off, especially at the end. While others say she blindly ended up following Li Xun, (and I do partly agree) she didnt follow him solely bc she ended up liking him, or felt bad for him or whatever else. I think she was so attached to him because he helped her in so many ways. While her mom tried to control her life, he helped her reclaim it, find her own goals, aspirations and actually LIVE it.

I wont say they arent flawed. But the whole point is that. They are both flawed, but they are making progress together to change and fight for themselves and others.

Jianhong, Miaomiao, (and even Yun) were victims of Xuns university bluntness aka bullying... but ngl I thought they needed it. They were all coddled in life and it showed. They didnt like critisicm, they didnt like feeling inferior, they didnt have an ounce of backbone... Xun is the friend that helps you be able to defend yourself, while supporting you through anything and everything. While most people are focusing solely on the things he did or said, I am focusing on the things it achieved.

Xuns entire problem with Yuns mom was the fact that he saw how entitled she was. And I get Yuns moms concerns... but she also took things too far. I mean, she CONTROLLED her daughters entire life, and Yuns dad let it happen. Xun freed Yun and I believe that wholeheartedly. He helped them all by preparing them for the real world...

But lets not forget Ren Di was the exact same as Li Xun... though she was nicer a lot earlier... they were two peas in a pod. They both were irritated with the BS of the kids that had everything and acted high and mighty because of it.

However, I will say, everything he did had a purpose. While it couldve been selfish/personal reasons, they achieved things for others too. When he was rude to Yun, when he was plotting his revenge, both times, he wasnt rude just to be rude. He was rude so that she could have a reason to hate him and not go after him. They both loved each other, and would do anything to protect each other, and support them in reaching their goals. Even though Xun was rude to Yun, she knew he acted that way for a reason... and both times, it was to protect her by not getting her involved. I mean, even he said it... "Im fine with ruining myself for revenge... but not her." In his eyes he had already lived a shitty life, so he could go back to that and be fine, but she hadnt... and he didnt want her to.

In the end, everyone got what they deserved, happy or not, every character got what they needed.

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