Editorials 
Cute rom com
My 5th modern cdrama and a rom com at that.Great storyline, unique ideas.... Some situations were ridiculously funny! Specially the alpaca :)
I loved how they tied up the story with the make up industry. It was interesting to get a glimpse on how this industry works.
The vibe was also colorful and bright, exuding a happy, feel good mood. Great to watch after a tiring day.
If you are looking for something light and delightfully funny, I highly recommend giving FILTER a try.
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This review may contain spoilers
This show has me wishing there were more light sci-fi comedy romances to watch
What a show. The comedy was def a 9.5/10, I was laughing out loud all through out the show.Here are the main things I loved about the show:
- Tang Qi and Su Cheng Cheng’s dynamic. I did think it interesting Tang Qi was convinced she was a bully in middle school while she viewed it all as an innocent crush. Its def not a common occurrence in these shows so while it felt “overblown”, that is what made it so funny and entertaining to watch. Especially as Tang Qi finds himself falling in love with different “versions” of her.
- Su Cheng Cheng’s self-perception was all too relatable. I also like that it *wasn’t* her being fat or *actually* ugly but rather “plain” and not feminine enough (especially compared to her sister) because I think comparison is the crux of the beauty industry. She also was a fun balance of wishing she was prettier, but also knowing she is a good person.
- Further than that, the plot addresses “extremes”. Once Su Cheng Cheng lets go of the bracelet, she doesn’t want to touch any type of beautification tool and Tang Qi does a great job of reminding her she is beautiful as is, but can also “dress up” as she pleases.
- Lin Yuan as a person and then doubly in her relationship with Gu Yu. I feel a bit mixed about their ending. I would always chose to keep my child personally, but we see her so adamant against being “tied down” I wish they gave us a bit more of her walls coming down prior to her finding out she is pregnant to have her keeping the baby feel more authentic than just the predetermined “happy ending of not aborting”.
- I hated Su Cheng Cheng’s sister at first, but I do think her personality was pivotal to the plot and Su Cheng Cheng’s self-perception. In that way I respect how her character wasn’t one dimensional, and a “realistic” sister relationship.
However, the few things I didn’t like:
- There is that line where comedy is funny but then also frustrating:
- I really felt *killing* the two of the three was overkill. Su Cheng Cheng could have told him she/he was moving to America, say bye and then turn off her secondary number.
- And ofc Tang Qi being unable to accept a no from a woman for the life of him. If he wasn’t the MML of a comedy romance, he would be your regular audacious nuisance of a man.
- While I get it’s just the “Trigger” for the plot, but I would have loved a bit more substance around the origins and logic of the bracelet. I know in those magic Christmas movies its reduced to “Christmas miracle” but since this show went in a more Sci-Fi direction, I was left wondering exactly the goal and mission of the old lady that gave Su Cheng Cheng the bracelet.
Overall, this was a very *fun* show. I enjoyed it (especially because I low-key wasn’t too invested in watching it based off the trailer). I think the acting all around was great and now I’m kinda wishing there were more light sci-fi romances to watch.
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a hilarious modern romance with a splash of sci-fi + commentary on beauty standards
This drama starts out kind of like a typical romantic comedy, but around episodes 6-8, it becomes so goofy and silly that it transform into one of the funniest modern drama I've seen in a long time. And yet, that goofy element doesn't take away from the deeper messages of this drama!Su Cheng Cheng, an ordinary-looking woman (by China's harsh beauty standards and beauty industry, where Su Cheng Cheng is trying to work at), gains a magic-like, high-tech bracelet that lets her change her appearance. While she was still learning how it all works, she accidentally changes her appearance right before she ran into Tang Qi. Thus begins the misunderstanding between the two...and it's absolutely hilarious as Su Cheng Cheng tries to balance her real life and the filter appearances' lives while dealing with Tang Qi.
Tang Qi is a bit pitiful in the beginning since he's being deceived, but it's too funny to be too mad about it. Also! Because he's quite a logical man who has a healthy dose of skepticism, each new iteration of filter that Su Cheng Cheng uses starts to lead Tang Qi closer to the truth. As Su Cheng Cheng starts to struggle with her filters, Tang Qi becomes more suspicious and starts uncovering the truth.
This silly storyline is such a fun and refreshing way to talk about beauty. Each iteration of the filters is a mini-arc that addresses beauty standards in different ways. (I especially love the arc with Fang Jin!) I really appreciated the deeper and nuanced message in this drama. It doesn't sway extreme one way (never wear makeup!) or the other (add a filter to every photo to look perfect!). Tackling this important and timely topic in this way was really well handled. I really appreciate it.
The supporting characters, Lin Yuan and Gu Yu, were also really great. They were fun, cute, and hilarious. I enjoyed their dynamic and--no spoilers here, but just wanted to say--I really loved how the scriptwriter solved their issue at the ending. It was well done.
Overall: Definitely check this out for a hilarious and sweet time! (Enjoy the Alpaca scene, lmao. IYKYK) The storyline, I gave a 9.5 because I felt like if it wasn't for censorship, we would've gotten a bit more with Quan Shengtang's character, lol. But my enjoyment overall is a 10/10. I haven't finished a modern romance drama in a long time. This is definitely one of my favorite modern Chinese dramas of all time now.
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All-around greatness
No spoilers—this series is great all around from the story to the characters to the overall production. The themes on beauty, appearance, and prejudice, are intricately woven together throughout the story and successfully brought out through the beauty filter/bracelet plot device, while also subverting so many tropes in refreshing ways. Amazing cast and, special shout out to the lead actress who played Su Chengcheng with amazing depth and dedication. Well done, everyone on this production!Was this review helpful to you?
Absolutely darling and fluffy RomCom
If you like fluffy and legitimately funny RomComs this needs to get to the top of your list fast. Story has some surprisingly deep themes without being heavy. It is a WONDERFUL watch. Enjoyed every moment with the cast of characters. Acting was great, everyone played their parts well. The story was excellently written and the pacing was great. Every couple episodes a new twist is introduced which keeps the story fresh and fun.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A well-executed refreshing and fun premise!
I really loved this one. The second leads especially were particularly adorable to me, but once all the miscommunication got cleared up, I definitely grew to enjoy the main leads and they were charming and had a really sweet chemistry with each other.
There were some really good comedic moments in this one (the Alpaca comes to mind and a lot of the filter mishaps have funny elements to it - for example, the invisibility stuff had it's funny moments, and the VFX for that added to the comedy of those moments.)
The VFX and cinematography were all really well done, they definitely had a decent budget for the filter stuff! I also enjoyed the OST! Some drama's the OST is overdone to the point it gets a bit annoying and repetitive but this one was enjoyably catchy and didn't get overplayed too much with a few different versions of the OST in parts.
It was so nice to see the development of Chengcheng's confidence throughout the series and the contrast between Chengcheng at the beginning of the show to the end, feeling happy and fulfilled in her relationships, friendships and career, and finally seen, surrounded by her loved ones was areally lovely to see.
The friendships and dynamics between the characters were so fun and refreshing, Lin Yuan and Chengcheng's friendship comes to mind, but also Gu Yu and Tang Qi's too. The underlying women-supporting-women theme throughout was executed really well imo, esp w the Fang Jin storyline and Chengcheng's friendship with her coworker.
Overall, it was a really fun premise and message that had a pretty satsifying ending. I have very minor complaints but I don't really like to dwell too much on the negatives because this was such a comforting watch and I had a lot of fun with this one!
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Alpaca steals the show!
Went into Filter with very little expectation and only watched it because of Tian Jianci and Li Landi…. Didn’t expect to laugh so much that my sides hurt!Filter makes some important points about beauty (skin deep or otherwise) and perceptions of it. Did Tang Qi fall in love with Su Miao (Su Cheng Cheng’s alter ego) only because she’s beautiful or because she’s fundamentally a beautiful person? Won’t go into the plot as other reviews have already done so but let’s just say the alpaca ‘twist’ in ep. 8 was so funny, it deserves an award for acting！
What really surprised me was what great comic actors both FL and ML were. Jianci dancing to coax a smile and try to relax Su Miao at a photo shoot was another super funny scene.
Did not expect a C-drama to be this hilarious!
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A very pleasant surprise!
It was a real discovery because I hadn't even read the synopsis before watching the first episode...I loved the plot! It's original and, so far, very well-crafted.
The actors are very good, and the dialogue is downright funny at times.
I'm not usually a big fan of this kind of series. But this one is really good and enjoyable to watch.
I recommend it, even if it's not your favorite genre: if you're going to watch one of this kind, this one is good.
I can't wait to find out the ending.
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This review may contain spoilers
Male Lead is INSUFFERABLE!
Alright, to be honest, it’s a good story with poorly written male lead, and, dear god, unbelievable nosy and annoying. Whenever he was on screen, I had to fast forward or watch it 2x cuz couldn’t bear to watch a scene with him. Thought i could push through even when skipping his parts, but when she stills getting feelings for him, I couldn’t handle anymore. Second lead (Zhang something) would be a better fit for her than this brat of a MC.Even when the fl as Su Miao literally said she hated him when rejecting, he still tried to force his way through… holy god, that pissed tf outta me.
it got to a point where the plot of the second leads was more interesting than the main leads. It would’ve been a good drama.
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Luo Qiu Yun did an excellent job.
Watching this unintentionally. The system of streaming service just suggested it for me to watch. I don't see anything significant in this show, beside the role of Luo Qiu Yun. Although her character was the unrealistic version of female lead, she did an excellent job. Every time she was on scene, she made the scene interesting. For all other main performers, there is nothing exciting. I do not want to blame all them as the untalented or any negative, because they performed according to the writers, screenplay writer, producer, or director.Was this review helpful to you?
Didn't work on me...
The storyline is interesting and even unique if i may say.It is also funny.
Somehow the chemistry between the leads is missing. And i seriously dislike the make lead up to this point.
It is a pity i couldn't manage to finish this drama, but i was forcing myself after episode 8, and the moment i started doing it i knew the time had come for me to drop it.
I hope i will a catch a decent watch this year, seems like a very difficult task for me ahahha, nonetheless 7.5/10. If you are not interested on the romantic part and if you are focused on the message the drama is trying to pass on, this drama may be for you! Although i like the original script , i was also looking for something romantic.
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This review may contain spoilers
Being short and having a bit of acne apparently makes you an ugly Chinese woman. These beauty standards are infuriating. I didn't think I could endure this young woman's humiliation throughout the entire series. And I was right.One might think that, fortunately, this is offset by the fact that the ‘beautiful’ and ‘ugly’ versions of the character are played by the same actress. It's a bit like Ms. Doubtfire, but less problematic, in the end... no ? no, of course not.
To be honest, the male character is very annoying. He thinks he's superior, he behaves badly, and he throws a "you're so ugly" at Su Chengcheng the first time he sees her since their teenage years, even though she is clearly in distress. He uses his position as boss to hit on a stranger by offering her a modelling job. He wants to marry her, she's the woman of his life, he never gives up and calls her constantly... yet she's not interested and he simply doesn't know her. I think there's a name for that kind of behaviour in court. And these are just the very first episodes...
No, I didn't get very far into the series. That guy annoyed me, I don't want to know what Chengcheng sees in him and how they will end up together. Then I read that it promotes generative AI. That's it, I'm done. So this is a totally arbitrary and undeserved bad rating I'm giving to this CDrama. No one should take it into account. (As with all my reviews, for that matter)
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