Reviews

Disrespectful to all working women

The FL's overtures to the ML in the begining are to get an interview ; she is advised to and keeps the conversation simmering at flirty inappropriate advances to ensure she gets ahead. Ifthat is not perverse, I dont know what is.. Her late night inappropriate messages if dotn by any man would have made us run screaming SA to high heavans. I am sorry if this is how things are done in China, maybe there is a cultural subtext I am missing, but to me it just sounds plain wrong that a woman needs to do all this just to get an.....interview. There are literally millions of hard working women winning milestones and getting ahead without adopting any of the coy tactic adppted by the FL..... and they are the real heroes who deserve to be lauded.

Read More

An average story with outstanding actors

Vigilante - a person who tries in an inofficial way to punish a criminal.

A very apt title to the story line. Here we get to see vigour of a young cop who is determined to punish criminals not by using law but by his own will. I absolutely enjoyed watching Nam Joo Hyuk as JiYoung, he perfectly expressed the angst and wrath hidden in JY. Must say i am more impressed by the actors than the story.

The story was just average to me as we already know who the vigilante was and expected kindof satisfying ending . No major twists in the plot and it just keeps flowing like a river with no barriers.

There are better thriller and investigation dramas out there but this stands out in terms of acting. I really like NJH, JiTae and JoonHyuk so whoever likes watching them can give this a try , like its just 8 episodes and definetly would not feel like a wate of time.

What i loved about this series is that they did not leave us on an edge cliffer hanging, loved how they ended it perfectly rather than dragging it to next season (if any)

What they failed to portray, we clearly know jiyoung has faced injustice in the past and has lost complete faith on the law and govt yey whay made him want to be a cop who abides by law ?

Read More

Great drama but went downhill in the last 9 episodes (the final conflict)

The drama tells the love story of a General and Lady Lieutenant who, despite being part of different armies, fall in love. Both of them have hidden identities, him being the Emperor’s grandson and her being the daughter of the commander. Though walking on different paths, their goal of restoring peace in the court is the same.

The love story (which for me is the best part of the drama) is the main focus and the war is a subplot. The romance is Mr. & Mrs. Smith merged with Romeo & Juliette vibes.

WHAT WENT WRONG FOR ME:
I enjoyed the drama very much until the last 9 episodes. Episode 30 is the most intense and impressive episode in the whole drama (and generally in cdramas) so I feel it should have been the final conflict in order to make the drama more impactful for me. The writers could have put 1-2 episodes afterwards to wrap up the story like they did in episode 40. However instead of that the plot was dragged with unnecessary and pointless drama that added absolutely nothing to the story. Boring villains that nobody cared about were introduced and the actual final fight scene was extremely underwhelming (like watching a child’s play in comparison to episode 30 fight scene). I never felt like the stakes were high in the final conflict thus had no emotional reaction when the bad guys were defeated.

POSITIVE:
- Hot chemistry between the main leads!!! Their chemistry felt natural and organic, like the actors were indeed a couple in real life.
- Xu Kai (male lead) is brilliant. Seriously, even just for him it’s worth watching this.
- Feels like a high budget production. Cinematography is movie-like with beautiful visuals.
- Fantastic cast. I loved all the actors and their performances, especially the main leads.
- Realistic war/fight scenes that were done really well.
- Smart and cunning female lead.
- The whole final episode is seeing the main leads happy together which was super satisfying to watch especially as it’s rare in cdramas these days who love their open endings or 2 second reunions.

NEGATIVE:
- Annoying second male lead and second female lead with the cliche and extremely overused unrequited, obsessive love plotline that needs to be banned in cdramas for real. It added nothing to the story.
- A lot of back and forth and repetition in terms of plot. The female lead was always getting kidnapped, someone was always getting poisoned or there was always an ambush.
- Filler episodes. Throughout the drama, there would always be 1-2 episodes that literally felt like fillers in between great episodes.
- As mentioned above, the last 9 episodes (final conflict) were extremely pointless and underwhelming to watch.

OVERALL:
Watch this if you love a couple who tries to kill each other one moment but the next are passionately kissing.

Read More

BIGGEST FLOP IN HISTORY ❗️

DON'T BOTHER WASTING YOUR TIME ON THIS BUFFOONERY!!!!

I know some of you will be like it can't possibly be that bad well TRUST ME IT IS... and if you don't want to trust me read a couple of the reviews or comments and see for yourself! The people who are rating this higher than a 1-3 out of 10 have seriously GOD AWFUL TASTE and if you are a child, I hope you grow up, bc immediately no. Nobody can honestly tell me they sat and enjoyed this ?? If you did I will pray to the kdrama gods that you GET BETTER ACUITY! I really am rooting for you in the foreseeable future fr.

To the people who are considering watching, you are better off STAYING FAR AWAY from this nonsensical parody. Everyone in this drama is so goddamn overbearing that it makes my blood boil and will definitely make you want to stop watching by episode 3 or 4.

The fact that this show is called Strong Girl Nam Soon when her mom and grandma take over majority of the screen time with their own drama and love lives is soooo sad, it's not even funny. Main leads have zero chemistry and their kisses are childish and cringe. Seems like neither one of them is into it and is forced to be there.

The saving grace of the show is the villain, Ryu Shi Oh. I know many of you are like us and are interested in watching because you saw a cool edit or BWS is your bias. Either way... just continue watching the tiktok edits... don't bother supporting this sad excuse for a superhero / family drama just because your faves are in it. Idk if some people have a thing for dramas that are sooooo bad that they think they're good but I can guarantee this isn't one of those dramas.

AVOID THIS DRAMA AT ALL COSTS!!!!

0/10

Read More

Very average at best

The show overall is very average at best. The acting is by far the best part and is a sign of the quality of the actors because all characters were entirely one-dimensional. Their motivations were severely underexplained and multiple characters appeared without any kind of sense or impact, almost as if to pad the rumtime. Due to that the villains often felt like they were bumbling around, just waiting for the plot to happen instead of being part of the plot.

The fighting choreography was okay, but severely hindered by the directing and editing reducing the tension and not really enhancing the movements.

They had an interesting theme going in the middle with vigilantism vs. law vs. the media, but it became muddled in the last 2 episodes with the main point of impact being that systematic corruption exists.

Lee Joon Hyuk as the crazy fan copycat is a delight, though as all characters one-dimensional and almost a deus-ex-machina. But his scenes were the most fun.

Also a special shoutout to the pig scene. That was a thing I did not expect, and one of the few times I thought that the villains were actually threatening.

Read More

Needs some improvement

Drama about a boy who has fallen in love with a girl at first sight but he revealed this to her at the end.
Story started with the girl who worked in a news channel or newspaper office where she takes the interview of renowned personality and for this she awarded and at that time she came to know that his boyfriend was cheating her . She tried to overcome from this . Normally it takes I guess minimum fifteen days but in her case she had normal in one day and went to take an interview of renowned business who was the boy . But he didn't react to see her. As it become difficult to take his interview she started fluttering with him just after her broke up . Normally such behaviour would show that she is emotionless. And then she used him ,she made him fool to made him believe that she is pursuing him . He gave many chances to reveal the truth but she always did opposite to it. The day she decided to say him truth but everything was over between them . Now at this stage as viewer I would think she should not forgive. In such type of story normally such girl had shown a villain or a negative character. Here nothing had happened. He still loved her so indirectly again started giving her more chances to say him that she really love him and at this stage true love story started and for this I was waiting but it had only last three episodes.
I liked other two couples also.

Read More

absolutely worth it

At the heart of the story is Lee Gon, played with charismatic finesse by Lee Min-ho, a modern-day Korean emperor who discovers the existence of a parallel universe. The concept of parallel worlds isn't entirely new, but "The King: Eternal Monarch" manages to infuse it with fresh energy and intrigue. The show explores the consequences of altering one's fate and the butterfly effect that ripples through time and space.

One of the show's strongest elements is its meticulous world-building. The Kingdom of Corea, set in a parallel universe, is a visual spectacle. The attention to detail in creating a world that is both reminiscent of and distinct from our own is commendable. From the majestic palace to the modern cityscapes, each setting is crafted with precision, contributing to the immersive experience.

The chemistry between Lee Min-ho and Kim Go-eun, who plays detective Jung Tae-eul in the Republic of Korea, is palpable. Their love story unfolds against the backdrop of political conspiracies and power struggles, adding depth and emotional resonance to the narrative. The romance is beautifully interwoven with the larger plot, preventing it from becoming a mere distraction.

The show also boasts a stellar supporting cast, including Woo Do-hwan in a dual role as Jo Eun-seob and Jo Yeong. Woo's performance is a highlight, providing both comedic relief and emotional weight to the series. The dynamic between the characters, whether it's the camaraderie between the palace guards or the tense political alliances, adds layers to the storytelling.

While the series excels in many aspects, it is not without its flaws. The pacing, especially in the early episodes, may feel slow for some viewers. The intricate plot requires patience as it unfolds, and those seeking instant gratification might find it challenging to invest in the story initially. Definetly worth a watch!

Read More

What a good series, and honestly, Zhang Ling He!

I have to admit I had a little trouble following the story at first, but that's me. Once I got the characters down, I couldn't walk away. Despite some very unkind comments I have read, the ensemble cast gave wonderful performances and made me really like (or despise) the characters.

The couples were endearing and believable - and the chemistry between Bai Lu and Zhang Ling He was sizzling hot!! (He would have electricity with a stone, I tell you!) The villains!! What superb acting - I despised them intensely; proof of the great job they did bringing their evil characters to life. The characters that people thought were weak or unimportant, really had their purpose - and it took some care and attention to realize that. Even the character of Xie Wei - he was so broken, so lonely, a product of his past longing for the love he desperately needed to heal.

I especially liked the time and attention to the final episode, and that bonus episode was just the icing on the cake!!! Loved that for the most part, they tied up the loose ends nicely - meting out justice and Karma, but wrapping up the characters' stories. I would have liked to have seen a little more of the end story of Xie Wei's two loyal aides and Xue Ding Fei. But I absolutely loved the lead couple's ending the best. The scene with Xie Wei and his kids was hilarious!

Now... why did I not go for it and give this a perfect 10? You Fang Yin & Lu Xian. They deserved so much more - and a little of the happiness that everyone else received. That broke my heart, especially for Lu Xian. Sorry, writer & director - that one cost you a perfect rating.

I will definitely be re-watching this, probably time and time again.

Read More

Fun sweet funny drama

I found the drama quite enjoyable with many funny scenes, especially the jail part which was downright hilarious. However, I wasn't entirely convinced by the casting of the Emperor. The chemistry between the lead actors felt lacking, especially in the final scene which left me feeling disappointed despite the happy ending. It was too cold, and the actor seemed to struggle with portraying a character madly in love. Additionally, there were a few inconsistencies in the script, and some major explanations were missing, leaving me feeling puzzled.

Overall, the drama was fun to watch, but I strongly feel that without Lusi Zhao, the show would have been a big flop.

Read More

what a waste: good cast bad script

I was really excited to start watching this drama when I first saw the cast and read the summary. Also when I watched the first bit I felt like, this will be my new favorite drama. But only after some episodes, there were so many things coming up, that I really couldn't accept anymore. The relationship between the two main characters is completely messed up. I normally love dramas where the main characters hate each other at the beginning, but the way he acts in front of her is sometimes super bad and sometimes way too close. He's supposed to hate her but inbetween there were so many times he was unnecessary overly sweet to her. He also tries to conceal the fact that they were childhood friends. He accidentally called her "nu" (which I think you only use when he sees her as a sister (?)) and tries to deny that he actually called her that, as she wants to know who he is and why he seems to know so much about her. Now I would understand if this happens like twice but that happend like 5 or 6 times. Every time he uses "nu" he seemed to switch from hate to love which isn't convincing at all. I really love the mail lead but his acting definitely got kinda pulled down by the bad script. I also think he and the female have great chemistry so I hope to see them in another drama together. This one was a huge disappointment to me.

Read More

Beautiful first love sweet story... Like a fairytale

Hold on to your seats because I've got to tell you about this drama that blew my mind! I mean, Rosy Zhao's performance was out of this world, and her physical transformations were so on point that I had to do a double-take. From a teenager to a young adult, she crushed every single aspect of her character's portrayal.

And let's not forget about the electrifying chemistry between the two leads - it was absolutely off the charts! Their on-screen relationship was so genuine that I felt like I was watching real life unfold right before my very eyes. I can confidently say that this drama has earned a spot in my top three list of must-watch dramas, and I'm sure it will have the same effect on you too, regardless of your age.

The entire cast was spot on, and each member brought their A-game to the table. The actress who played the protagonist's mother was particularly impressive, and I was blown away by her talent.

In conclusion, I urge you to watch this drama if you're looking for a heartwarming, feel-good story that will leave you with a smile on your face and a sense of nostalgia. Trust me when I say that you won't regret giving this drama a chance - it's a must-watch that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!

Read More

Best Fantasy Comedy of 2023, BUT Not the Best Show

The Starry Love has an excellent character development and consistency (for once) while incorporating humor that outshines and pokes fun at the amount of overused troupes. This fantasy drama is a roller coaster of emotions where it knows how and when to take its characters seriously and not so seriously. The director executes the pace of the story correctly, understanding when to slow down and when to move forward with storytelling. Unlike all the other cdramas I've seen, most scenes are either usually rushed or takes it long ass time with romance, political conversations and fight scenes. The Starry Love gets straight to the point, except for the last few episodes.

The series has its negatives, where its cinematography isn't well put together, down to its color lighting, obvious props standing out as unrealistic and awkward camera shots such as watching the characters behind cheap props and buildings. Lol

The last few 10 episodes did slip off the cliff in the direction of how the show wanted to end -to a point where you believe it was going to be a happy ending, then suddenly a problem shows up to break the characters apart and then its solved, everyone's happy again then another problem shows up, problem solved and then everyone's happy again, but then blah blah blah... - you get the point. It was rather exhausting watching the finale.

SPOILER ALERT: Main characters die but they're not because reincarnation is the solution to everything. Literally. That is the biggest problem I find fustrating with this series and particularly, all fantasy series! Lol

Overall, The Starry Love may not be the best show, but it is the best comedy I've ever seen in the longest time. I am impressed and satisfied by all the cast members and the execution of the direction it wants to viewers to know. Especially, the actor Chen Xing Xu who played four different distinctive characters in one series.

Read More

true to its title

Crossdressing trope isn't new, but chen yao as male su ci is definitely one of the few very convincing female to male crossdressing characters I've seen. This drama has a lot going on but what stuck the most in my mind is how consistent our fl is as a detective. I actually enjoyed her investigation scenes which says a lot since I'm not a fan of mystery genre.

Story: Our fl is on a 7 years-long quest to clear her clan's name which was annihilated due to alleged rebellion against the former emperor while our ml is set on solving the case of his crushing defeat in battle. I really loved the start of the drama, everything was well-paced and the plot is intriguing to me. Unfortunately, somewhere in the middle there are a few inconsistencies that made me mellow a bit. It seemed that visually impaired ML was so much better in battle than his healed version. I actually expected more action since he's known as a formidable warrior on the battlefield but it left me wanting especially at the throne room scene at the end part. This scene was a bit disappointing to me, they should've picked better actors for the soldiers since it was a mess. It really took so much away from the immersive experience when the soldiers were clumsily sliding across the floor ? The ending tho is very heart-warming and a bit cheesy but I'm not complaining lol.

Acting: I was surprised when I learned this was ZLH's debut role. His acting isn't the best here of course and yet notably still better than some other actors I've seen. I can see he prepared a lot for this role and it shows. Chen Yao is also a delight to watch, she really made a convincing male here. Commendable performance from the villain tho, Prince Yun. He's very committed to his role and embodied a regal aura of a royalty but also of a serial schemer.

Music: OSTs are good, especially the one sebrina sang. I also love how it's inserted into scenes, I think they're very nicely done.

Rewatch value: We have a lot of dramas of a similar trope so personally I'm not itching to rewatch this, but it's something I would think of when I'm out of dramas to watch/rewatch.

Overall it's a nice drama. It has its upsides and downsides of course but I enjoyed it.

Read More