DCIA: Drama Recommendation Challenge

Recommended by: Moon

Completed: 10/24/24

Country: China
Episode Count: 40 ep. 45 min.
Watched on: Netflix

Genre: Wuxia, political, romance-ish

♫ - 一梦浮生 - 汪苏泷
♫ - 如梦 - 賴美雲 

Vibes:

✓ strong female lead
✓ they didn't pit the SFL against the FL ⊹sismance⊹ <3
✓ whispy bangs
✓ good kiss scenes (no fish eyed kisses here)
✓ a healthy, strong relationship where the leads support each other wholeheartedly, they communicate and are mature
✓ white haired men always get me good

Not Vibes:

✗ i'm often bored during political scenes or when male lead is alone
✗ MLs like step mom or whatever (big ole POS)
✗ the way they set up the ML's older brothers villain origin story but then never followed through
✗ this super unserious feeling and very convenient scene where he saves her
✗ a pointless, shocking death at the very end that was not really relevant to the story

Important to note: I was moderately enjoying this for the first 20 episodes, but then I went on a trip and fell into a slump upon return. The second half was really, really hard for me to get through due to this slump. I had to force myself to get to the finish line for this one. I can't say without certainty that I wouldn't have enjoyed this more if I hadn't fell into that slump.

Memorable episodes: Ep. 31, Ep. 38

Final thoughts: Overall, it was just okay for me. I was often bored and honestly not paying much attention the second half of this drama unless the music changed to signify something of importance was happening. I don't think it's accurately fair for me to rate this drama because if it wasn't for a challenge, I would have abandoned it a long time ago. I don't think I gave it enough attention for my rating to have any validity.

Recommended by: Caboose

Completed: 11/06/24

Genre: Contract marriage, cohabitation, cold man/warm woman, romance

♫ - 完美先生和差不多小姐 - 花粥

Vibes:

✓ an adorkable male lead
✓ predictable in a good way
✓ induces feet kicking + squealing
✓ the leads have great chemistry
✓ a sweet, mature, supporting relationship
✓ ML's character development
✓ Gramps!
✓ Miles Wei

Not Vibes:

✗ the side characters aren't that interesting + have toxic relationships
✗ hate that they made the love rival + the FL friends first before they found out they were rivals + then made the love rival so nasty when I love her at first

Memorable episodes: 17, 18

Final thoughts: I actually ate this up from beginning to the end. I love a cold, type A man and a clumsy, warm female stumbling into each other's lives and shaking things up. The progression of their relationship never felt too fast or too slow, despite the contract marriage. They were always considerate of each other, and empathetic, and as their relationship grew and matured, they were supportive and ensured the other party always felt secure when the relationship was tested, whether through their actions or their words. There were never any misunderstandings, which I appreciated so much. The comedy was nice and there were times I was cackling. Some of it was cheesy and predictable, yes, but in the best way. It never took away from my enjoyment of the show. Sometimes, those aspects are still needed and are still fun, where you don't have to think too much, you just sit back and relax and soak up the joy of love just being love. My only gripe is the side characters and love rivals... all rather annoying and unnecessary to me. Well, besides Gramps, 10/10 loved Gramps. But I would 100% recommend if you're looking for a sweet, fluffy, mature romcom, especially as a palette cleanser from any angst you've been watching, this would be a great pick!

Now off to binge more Miles Wei type casted contract relationship dramas...

Chosen Member: Grumpy
Grumpy's Actor Pick: Neo Hou
My Neo Drama Pick: I Am Nobody

Completed: 12/05/24

Country: China
Episode Count: 27 ep. 45 min.
Watched on: Youku

Genre: Comedy, Wuxia, Fantasy

♫ - Sea of Time - Charlie Zhou

Vibes:

✓ Chulan is an onion, and I think this was one of the best parts
✓ Baobao's weird ass, stunning self
✓ FRIENDSHIP, GOD THE FRIENDSHIP IN THIS ONE
✓ fun, fast paced, exciting story
✓ well done, fleshed out characters (for the most part)
✓ exciting fight scenes
✓ slapstick comedy somehow executed in a not cringey way (for the most part)
✓ Wang Ye's aloof + unbothered, nonchalant sleepy attitude when he was lowkey powerful af
✓ felt like i was watching an anime but live action

Not Vibes:

✗ i wish that Ling Yu + Xia He's backstory was fleshed out better
✗ CGI sometimes questionable
✗ i wish we got more of Wang Ye + Zhuge Qing

Important to note: i binged this in 4 weekdays

Memorable episodes: 4 / 5 @ 39:46 / 10 / 11 / 12 @ 15:57, / 16 @ 2:21 / 19 @ 32:30 / 21 @ 17:00 / 26 / 27 @ 16:33

Final thoughts: I devoured this! This was a really fun, fast paced silly little drama reminiscent of an anime. There is friendship and an epic quest for the truth with a delicious onion of a story that will pull on your heartstrings one moment, and have you belly aching from laughter the next. But don’t worry! There’s a reason for everything. Though the ending felt a bit open ended, fret not, we are getting a season two that I think will wrap up this story nicely. I started this journey for Neo, it’s sad we didn’t get more of him, but he nailed his character perfectly. He really is great at comedic timing and delivery while simultaneously being bad ass. Will also be tuning in to future projects of Peng Yu Chang and Wang Ying Lu too! Highly recommend!