I'm waiting for better development in the plot.
Unfortunately, I still haven't been able to connect positively with the drama. I don't see anything different here from the usual Korean dramas of today. The political aspect is the same old greed, and the idiotic villains only change actors. Even worse, the romantic storyline—aside from the couple's chemistry—doesn't captivate me at all.Eun Nam is far from my favorite type of heroine. She's opportunistic, rich, spoiled, and has a gorgeous, devoted man at her feet, yet she's drawn to more and more money... disappointing! Where is her nobility of character?
Park Hyung Sik is a great actor, incredibly handsome and charming, but his character, Seo Dong Ju, despite being intelligent, is emotionally weak. This makes him less appealing in a role that initially seemed vengeful and determined.
I'm waiting for better development in the plot, but for now, just good fight scenes and action aren’t enough to win me over.
Such a shame—I had high hopes for this story.
So… the wait is over! The drama really wasn’t what I expected.
The first thing I felt when I finished the drama was a raw sense of uselessness. I even called myself stupid for insisting on something that hardly captivated me from the beginning.
Then, after cooling off, I thought I was being unfair to myself for disregarding my own effort — and unfair to a great actor like Park Hyung Sik.
At the very least, I felt obligated to share some thoughts about this absolutely confusing production that was *Buried Hearts*.
From the start, I felt this wasn’t a production that could accommodate a romance between the main characters, Dong Ju and EunNan. In fact, in my opinion, EunNan was one of the worst characters in the entire plot — she didn’t even deserve the title of female lead.
From beginning to end, she was bland, ambiguous, and unappealing in her decisions regarding Dong Ju. At no point did she deserve to be by his side — neither as the protagonist nor as the FL character.
The political setting had its ups and downs, but the excess of convoluted family schemes and deceptions was a total turn-off. So many manipulations, so many unresolved entanglements, so many family misunderstandings — it became exhausting.
In the end, many characters entered and exited the plot in na obsolete, meaningless, or completely underdeveloped way. Among them, the unfortunate Ji Seon-Wu, son of Gang-Cheon. I can only assume the producers lost their minds when they gave him such a stupid ending. The kind, gentle young man introduced to us at the beginning suddenly turned into a senseless monster. Saying ambition got to his head doesn’t convince me... where was the character development that justified such a change?
Other characters who entered the story with some promise but led nowhere: the unpleasant daughter Kuk Hee, the mysterious secretary Kong, Dong Ju’s psychologist and his clown-like father, the charming hacker, the president of nothing… among others.
Of course, these are just a few examples, since there were so many unnecessary characters in the drama that I can only assume they were added to fill space or justify part of the production budget.
Even the main villain, Yeon, played by the good veteran actor Heo Jun-Ho, ended up being more laughable than truly threatening. His ending would’ve been far more interesting if they had just kept him locked up in the Daesan vault for life — since his human conscience is clearly unreachable.
Park Hyung Sik was masterful, commanding in both performance and presence. He brought Dong Ju to life like no one else could. For me, his strong presence was the only thing that made the story worthwhile.
It’s not a drama I’ll carry with me. And if they ever create a second season, I’ll happily skip it with no regrets.
I’m glad it’s over — life is too short and too precious… no one should waste 16 hours and 20 minutes on this.
It’s not a drama I would recommend to anyone I care about.
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I loved every ill-fated step, every stumble at the gate, every door slammed in the face.
I'm always in a dilemma about how to start writing when everything I say may seem insufficient to express the greatness of a drama. A drama whose complexity and level involves an approach that is almost impossible to edit... there are so many nuances, so many facets, so many striking points that, sometimes, all I can think of are the countless moments in which I found myself moved by its beauty. Therefore, before focusing a little on the story, I must start by saying why I chose to watch it: I love mystery, I love romance, I love criminal investigation, I love daring and I love a good production. This drama has all of this and much more than my meager review property allows. Stunning photography and immersive cinematography in every detail: from the song of a bird, the nakedness of a fruit tree, the croak of a frog, even a drop of sweat. A color palette that deviates from the traditional, but warms you from within, whether in the vibrancy conveyed by the glow of fireworks, the bright gray of sidewalks wet from the rain, or the darkness of a bath in the lake under the moonlight. An alternation that goes from black and white to multifaceted and vibrant colors silences us, on the other hand, it makes our soul scream in scenes of pain, passion and despair. A drama whose metaphors go beyond the figurative sense, being able to use a song instead of a final scene, a look instead of words, a slap instead of a kiss. A “hurt me” instead of “love me” is indeed impressive. A drama that works extremes with mastery. From faithful and touching friendship to extreme humiliation, from gratuitous companionship to irrational public ridicule. From the calm and the ride on a rudimentary boat to the cold torture of an interrogation chair. Intense script, striking dialogues and unforgettable characters give a tender light to what we see here. Zhou Luo is a unique young man. Imperfect in several layers, but full in his convictions. Mature for the age counted in years, immature in the vicissitudes of unilateral love. But bold, persecutive and insistent on his personal desires. This generates disagreements among the public accustomed to admiring a traditional hero. The boldness is above the expected average, above what is permitted, above what is considered normal... I confess, I loved it! And yes, I was saddened by how many people took it so negatively. I guess bursts of youthful passion aren't for everyone. Few understand that this is how emotional maturity is achieved. How else do you achieve fulfillment or learn to live? I loved every ill-fated step, every stumble at the gate, every door slammed in the face. Each true lie and of course the cruel and painful love achieved. I think that the emotional charge of each viewer can make a difference in the evaluation of this masterpiece... what I see differs from what others see, what I feel is far from what others feel. But, on one point, I believe it's easier to agree: Tender Light goes beyond a drama, it's a work of art! I admired the result, but I would have liked more screen time. Even if loose ends are not part of this drama, I would exchange the beautiful music at the end for a long, beautiful tight hug. I recommend it wholeheartedly! Simply exceptional!Was this review helpful to you?
Surprising? Not really. The beginning is actually very good.
A drama that promised a lot... seriously! The first episodes were remarkable.Despite the usual clichés—gender swap, a male lead from another clan, a love triangle, and more—Everlasting Longing promised a touching and interesting story, especially with actors well-loved by the audience.
So, unsurprisingly, I fell for the trap.
Surprising? Not really. The beginning is actually very good.
However, unfortunately, our protagonist, Jun Qi Luo, is the type of woman who was born to live alone.
And look, maybe her femininity was one of nature’s few mistakes. Cold, calculating, determined, with her family and nationality above any feelings of love. Angelababy was perfect for the role. Except for the lack of emotional involvement with the ever-devoted male lead, Xuan Lie. Honestly, I felt sorry for the actor/character. I understand this was a production choice, but making him a doormat for the entire drama was just bad.
Jun Qi Luo did everything she wanted. I accepted almost everything, out of love for the character. But the ending? No. The decision about the family was my breaking point—I hated it, hated it, hated it… absolutely awful!
Do you want to watch this drama? Then go ahead. I did. I don’t regret it. But I hated, with all my might, both kings (they both deserved a very different ending), Angelababy’s character, and the fates of Qi Min and the princess (they were both so cute and important to the story—despite controversial opinions, I loved them).
But if, for some reason, you give up halfway through, I’ll applaud you, because the ending is, without a doubt, the worst part.
Thirty episodes… don’t waste your time. There’s much better stuff out there… sorry!
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Um refresco nas mesmices
Tirando alguns buracos na conclusão de cada personagem e o vilão um tanto quanto fraco, adorei acompanhar este drama.Ando tão saturada das mesmices nos dramas coreanos que senti um verdadeiro refresco com esta história.
Amei o elenco. Os protas foram divinos. Não conhecia Wei Zhe Ming, mas me apaixonei logo de cara. Além de lindo, um ótimo ator. Vou adorar revê-lo em outro drama, aliás já estou com dois na lista para assistir. Sol Qian também foi maravilhosa. Ótima performance e ótima química com Wei.
Além dos protas o elenco de apoio também foi legal. Em especial meu lindo Bai Shu. Muito fofo em tudo que faz.
Vi inúmeras reclamações sobre enrolação e queda no interesse nos últimos episódios. Confesso que curti cada momento e vou sentir saudades. Se tivesse mais jogos seria ainda melhor, mas a parte humana da história foi muito relevante e muito me encantou.
Parabéns China! Muito boa produção!
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Self-Sacrifice Left a Bitter Taste
I often say that I enjoy dramas as much as I enjoy reading reviews about them. There’s nothing like different opinions to broaden our perspective.
Unfortunately, this time, I found myself in a painful dilemma. The discrepancies and divergences in opinions about *Moonlight Mystique* among viewers, instead of providing direction, often left me feeling unbalanced.
To put it another way, the drama was either deeply loved or intensely hated. Balanced or middle-ground opinions were rare.
Even though I watched the drama sequentially—pausing others I was following—I place myself in the smaller group, meaning the middle ground.
Starting with the episode openings, I agree that there was poor direction in the editing of the scenes. Impactful moments, accompanied by captions, ended up spoiling the element of surprise in many episodes.
Another major flaw in the editing was the use of the same OST in intense scenes. Although it was a pleasant piece of music, it became tiresome due to its excessive repetition in nearly all the scenes—and worse, in every single episode.
The vibrant color palette that bothered some of my peers was not unpleasant to my eyes. The deep green, the vivid red, and the striking purple and lilac captivated me. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the three main clans. Both the Ye clan, from Lady Xing Yue, and the Demon Lord, Jing Yuan, as well as Yin, from Lord Mo Li, were dull, extremely tacky, seemingly low-budget, and lacking in quality.
On the other hand, some clans were stunning, such as the fox clan and its love tree.
The male costumes were absolutely impeccable. The imposing garments, in exceptional colors, were always perfectly matched with the hair accessories. Rui Peng, both as Fan Yue and as Jing Yuan, looked brilliant.
The female costumes also seemed very beautiful to me, though the excessively heavy makeup left much to be desired in several aspects. Not even Bai Lu’s beauty could compensate for this oversight by the makeup artists.
The script, though heavily criticized by many, had several arcs that I enjoyed. There were emotional, delicate, and even quite controversial moments.
The deeply rooted self-sacrifice in this drama left a bitter taste for many life philosophies. There were so many deaths that, at times, I wondered whether there would be enough characters left to carry out the story’s conclusion.
Seen from another perspective, this significantly reduced the participation of strong characters whose potential could have been better utilized until the end. If there is one major flaw in this drama that I must highlight, it would be this.
Although the narrative wasn’t the best, the cast’s performance was very good. If there were flaws, repetitive and unnecessary moments—such as the countless times Fan Yue fainted and revived or was an excessively sweet and weak demon in front of Bai Shuo—we should blame the execution, not the actors.
Within the demands placed upon them, each did their part.
In the end, a classic Xianxia—romantic and quite enjoyable to follow. I recommend it to fans of the genre and suggest preparing for the collateral losses.
A good, serious drama!
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In the end, it was an interesting drama, but one I will not carry with me among the best.
At last, I have finished it.I must admit that I delayed a little during the final episodes, yet I do not regret choosing this drama.
Indeed, it is a difficult choice to make. Chinese productions are so numerous and diverse that it is truly impossible to give proper attention to, or fully appreciate, the majority of them.
Perhaps it would be a bit easier if I were to focus on a specific genre—but that is not the case. I enjoy them all, except for comedy. Therefore, if the plot is good, that is enough for me. In fact, I am currently watching an excellent crime drama, *The Perfect Suspect* (2025, Chinese), though unfortunately it seems to be rather underappreciated.
Now, let us talk about *Legend of Zang Hai*.
At first, the drama struck me as intense, vibrant, and full of great expectations—be it for the cast, the script, the direction, or the grand scale of production.
There were memorable moments, filled with suspense and mystery. The construction of the plot, paired with strong villains portrayed with outstanding performances, was truly remarkable.
The decision to focus on vengeance and keep the romance minimal seemed to me quite tasteful. Although I appreciated Xiao Zhan's performance, I could not bring myself to feel truly captivated by his character, Zang Hai. His younger version was brilliant, but the adult man, though attractive, lacked charm.
Zhang Jing Yi, as Princess An Tu, delivered a solid performance, yet her character promised much and contributed little—both as an individual and as a romantic partner.
It might have been better had the character been male, or not existed at all. She was, in truth, irrelevant.
On the other hand, when well executed, a revenge arc is very compelling. However, once numerous innocent lives begin to be taken without reason, the thrill becomes bitter, or loses most of its appeal.
The mysterious object of desire, the Gui Seal, proved ineffective, unremarkable, and far below the expectations it set at the beginning. Truly a disappointment—poorly explored, left unresolved, it appeared and vanished without offering any substantial contribution to the plot.
In the end, it was an interesting drama, but one I will not carry with me among the best.
My apologies to the fans.
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Reflection on the eyes that oversee human justice.
I considered Ripe Town one of the most difficult and complex dramas I have ever watched.Unlike the usual revenge dramas, this one presents us with a tangled story of controversial characters, leading us to experience countless different emotions.
I was surprised throughout the development of the plot and, I confess, there were many moments when I found myself confused, with recurring doubts—even about which characters the scene was focusing on.
The historical period in which the story takes place transports us to a dark world full of nuances, whether in customs, the unscrupulous application of justice, or the ambiguous nature of most characters.
This is not a story about heroes, much less a drama that makes us sympathize with the wronged and, in turn, rally behind their vengeful cause. It is, above all, a story with raw characters—human in their essence, prone to mistakes, missteps, weaknesses, good feelings, or, in some cases, absolute cruelty.
In a story without heroes, at the very least, we must appreciate the expertise and creativity of the criminals. Every crime was meticulously crafted, and even though they occur in different time periods, they were seamlessly tied to the present moment of the avenger.
Ripe Town is a drama that captivated me with its persistence and the desire to unravel so many mysteries. The translation in the version I watched left much to be desired, perhaps due to the complexity of the period's dialogues, which, in fact, made it harder for me to fully appreciate the overall context.
Despite my difficulty in fully grasping the work as it deserves, I really enjoyed the production.
It is not a drama for everyone, but it will appeal to viewers who appreciate a good mystery and a deep reflection on the eyes that oversee human justice.
I loved it!
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A Wonderful World That Gives Me Chills...
I see so many positive reviews about this drama, and I wonder if there’s something seriously wrong with me...
Unfortunately, I consider this drama below average. A weak, predictable story, a poor copy of countless other Korean productions.
Seriously! I’ve seen so many similar productions that I completely lost interest.
In fact, I watched it based on a recommendation from a friend whose opinion I value a lot. She even told me the plot had a vibe similar to *First Love Hatsukoi* (2022), a Japanese drama that, ultimately, doesn’t resemble this one at all.
Teen love, rivalry between classmates leading to a later romantic development—it doesn’t go much beyond a repetitive theme for me. Without a solid story behind it or a well-structured cast, it’s not even worth trying.
It’s the same thing over and over again—a waste of time.
The only part that I partially enjoyed in these 12 episodes was the period when we followed the young cast or the younger versions of the adults.
Of course, I can’t ignore the total lack of resemblance between the younger and older versions of the characters. Whether in physical appearance, mannerisms, emotional expression, or—worst of all—the famous "chemistry," there was absolutely no common ground between them.
Ju Ji Hoon is a very talented and versatile actor, but this character was laughable. The beautiful, brave, and resilient version of young Seok Ji Won died that rainy day, crying for his beloved while sitting on the stairs on a dark night. What remained for Ju Ji Hoon 18 years later (I believe that’s how long the wait was) was a bland, insecure adult trapped by his father’s expectations and a ridiculous romantic doubt that could have been resolved with a vacation trip or an honest, face-to-face conversation. The impression I got was that instead of maturing as a man, he regressed into a weak, indecisive adult teenager.
As for the ill-fated relationship, with its long years of waiting, I can only think of it as masochism, a lack of better options, or simply having nothing better to do in life.
Jung Yu Mi, as the adult Yun Ji Won, was a poor choice. I won’t even bother commenting on her portrayal of the character’s adult version. Just think about the last episode and her wedding dress choice, with a ridiculously inappropriate veil, and you’ll get an idea of how much value her wardrobe or "persona" received throughout the show.
As for the supporting cast, I’ll abstain from commenting as well, except to highlight the worst character of all—the clown, Kong Mun Su. What a laughable role the young actor agreed to take on. I wonder if a character could be more unnecessary to a plot than this one was.
And in the end, sweet as honey, for the umpteenth time, everything works out—every grudge is forgiven, and villains and heroes leave the poorly staged set hand in hand, crying or smiling, happy as can be. Mission accomplished!
A bed of roses...
I must confess, this wonderful world depicted in the latest Korean rom-coms actually gives me chills...
I didn’t like it, and I don’t recommend it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Uma promessa ainda engavetada
Infelizmente a trama seguiu caminhos inesperados, morosos e muito à quem do que prometeu no primeiro episódio.Já perdemos um vilão importante e um herói admirável. Zichuan Xiu está longe de atingir expectativas cativantes como protagonista. E Di Lin, cujo propósito pareceu ter sido apenas roubar as cenas desde o início, também seguiu um caminho obscuro.
Lamentei profundamente pela produção, visivelmente dedicada por um bom trabalho. Uma cinematografia muito bem elaborada, figurino bonito e , por que não, um grande elenco. Sem dúvida, muito bons.
Infelizmente a trama foi fraca, desarticulada, arrastada, com personagens centrais pouco ou nada cativantes, como a princesa Ning. Personagem cansativa.
Sigo na esperança de uma grande virada, embora muito do que pareceu ser um clímax, foi decepcionante.
Considerações finais :
Dos 24 episódios, os 4 finais foram bem melhores. O drama nos foi apresentado como história única, mesmo porquê, segundo algumas informações, o drama foi engavetado por algum tempo e, só agora, em 2024, fora liberado para exibição.
Observarmos que não houve conclusão da trama, o que sugere uma segunda temporada. Não sei se isto me agrada muito, visto considerar o tempo de tela apenas parcialmente compensatório.
Ainda considero Si Yilin meu personagem predileto, assim como, sua história com a linda princesa do norte, a mais interessante. Ambos mereciam uma história à parte, pois possuem uma química encantadora.
Di Lin, ainda que um personagem interessante, seu lado obscuro confunde o espectador , embora sua Irmandade seja admirável em relação a seus parceiros, deixa dúvidas quanto ou até onde irá sua índole ruim.
Já nosso herói destrambelhado, Zichuan Xiu, mostrou ser um bom estrategista. Continuo não apreciando o modo como seu personagem foi apresentado, assim como, seu relacionamento amoroso com a princesa Ning. Um amor pouco convincente e nada atraente. Melhor se nem existisse.
Espero que a segunda temporada não permaneça engavetada por muito tempo, já que a trama pode ser facilmente substituída. Mas, apesar dos entraves, conseguiu melhorar relativamente as primeiras considerações.
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Um pouco do mesmo, porém, evolução positiva.
Este drama teve um começo promissor.Contrário a grande maioria , não me considero fã de nenhum dos protagonistas principais. Já assisti algumas produções de kim Kang Woo e o considero ótimo ator. Já o belíssimo Cha Eun Woo, assisti muito pouco de seus trabalhos. Não posso falar muito sobre o mesmo, ou sobre sua atuação, já que aqui, até o momento, não observei grandes eventos, mas sem dúvida, cai muito bem como um colírio aos olhos. Kim Nam Joo, cujos comentários nesta produção são bastante negativos, ainda que pouco conheça suas produções, aqui, em especial, estou gostando de sua atuação. O melhor personagem da história.
Infelizmente, como tem acontecido com certa frequência nas produções coreanas, a evolução da trama vem perdendo o encantamento inicial.
E, como já disse, gostei do primeiro episódio, porém, agora, na metade da trama, sinto falta do elemento surpresa o que, tristemente, leva a um desinteresse na sequência.
Tudo muito óbvio e pouco criativo. Apenas mais um pouco do mesmo. Espero, sinceramente, uma melhoria, estou farta de desistir deste tipo de história.
Comecei esta análise no sétimo episódio. Felizmente, faltando dois episódios para ser finalizado, o drama vem apresentando uma evolução bem positiva. Consegui ver bons momentos de atuação de ambos os protagonistas. Em especial, Cha Eun Woo cresceu significativamente em meu conceito inicial.
O elemento surpresa permanece inalterado. Mas a história esta sendo bem construída. Vale a pena conferir esta evolução.
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wonderful
Brilliant!I didn't have high expectations. I started watching because of the actors.
It's impossible not to watch something produced by the talented and wonderful Gong Yoo and the phenomenal Seo Hyun Jin.
But wow!!! I loved it. It went way beyond my expectations.
Impeccable acting, amazing script, perfect OST, and stunning chemistry.
The entire supporting cast was wonderful... the psychopath, my goodness! Excellent performance.
I never thought I would see Gong Yoo so handsome and flawless... I was so impressed that I'm even thinking of rewatching the unforgettable Coffee Prince (2007), by the way, one of my all-time favorite dramas.
Anyway, highly recommended!
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Kudos to the cast for their outstanding work.
As expected, Weak Hero Class 2 doesn’t disappoint its fans.The story sticks closely to the formula established in the first season.
Even with the writer stepping in as director this time, the core premise remains the same:
Violence... violence... and more violence.
The absence of family ties, academic mentors, and the famously ineffective police force continues — which, honestly, stretches believability. It’s hard to imagine a country being so negligent. But that’s not really the point here, and it never was.
As predicted, what we get is relentless, gratuitous, and often meaningless brawling in every episode.
It’s unfortunate, especially considering the brilliant performances from the cast — Park Ji Hoon, Ryeo Un, and Bae Na Ra all deliver exceptional work.
With a script as weak as the first season’s, the show’s real strength lies in the powerful and mesmerizing performances of its actors.
The highlight is definitely the finale, leaving fans even more eager for what’s next.
Kudos to the cast for their outstanding work.
I definitely recommend it to fans of the genre.
Personally, I enjoyed the drama, though I have quite a few reservations.
Cheers!
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One of the Most Unjustly Underestimated Dramas I’ve Ever Seen…
I started this drama based on a recommendation from someone I follow on MDL. The theme has always been one of my favorites, but I must admit that I was completely taken by surprise. *Under the Moonlight* goes far beyond any single theme—it is, in every sense, brilliant.It consists of 36 episodes that felt like 100. But not in a bad way—far from it! Each episode was so captivating, so well executed, that I often felt like I was inside the story, experiencing every little detail of this exceptional work.
I wasn’t familiar with any of the actors, yet I found myself completely enchanted by every single character, as if they were old friends or long-lost relatives.
The storytelling is simple, the dialogues easy to follow, yet each character carries an entire universe within them. And we, on this side of the screen, are left to navigate a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Characters we initially view with suspicion end up winning our hearts, while others who first seem wonderful make us wish we never had to see them again as the story unfolds. But of course, that’s just wishful thinking—the emotional turmoil lasts almost until the very end.
Luo Shu, our main protagonist, is brilliantly portrayed by Hu Bing Qing. She embodies determination and independence from start to finish. I immediately connected with her strong, resilient, and fair personality, even as she was cruelly marginalized. I must confess—I completely fell in love with her sharp gaze, her modest yet stunning and captivating attire. It was fascinating to see how a woman can be incredibly alluring without revealing anything beyond her face. She was, without a doubt, mesmerizing.
Qi Meng Lin, the spoiled rich boy, was brought to life with absolute mastery by Zhai Zi Lu—another actor I wasn’t familiar with, but whom I quickly grew to love. Funny, immature, with a kind of naive arrogance, yet soft-hearted when it comes to protecting women and fulfilling his ten humanitarian deeds. His eccentric nature made me laugh, and more than that, it gave a fresh and unexpected touch to the male lead role. I may not know his other works, but in this one, I adored him.
And of course, there’s Magistrate Han Mu Zhi, whose greatest love has always been his honor. Although he fell for Luo Shu, he never truly chose her above his duty. His devotion to his profession and the people under his care defined him. A noble and charismatic character who wins us over with his integrity.
With a compelling script, outstanding performances, and characters that make us laugh, suffer, and root for them, *Under the Moonlight* has become one of my favorite dramas of the year so far. The simplicity of the production was enriched by breathtaking costumes, stunning accessories, and well-executed action scenes—subtle yet deeply realistic and moving.
The only thing that saddened me was how little recognition this drama has received. It’s heartbreaking that such an outstanding production has gone so unnoticed.
I wholeheartedly recommend it—I loved every second!
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This review may contain spoilers
A playful flirtation between the pair, two thumbs up for revenge, and one for love
Whenever I dive into a drama, I always find myself wondering what I should talk about first. The best I saw... or the worst? That’s the question. In the end, I settle on an unconventional mix. Forgive my lack of technique—I’m not much of a writer—but I put a lot of thought into what I read.A fellow MDL reviewer deeply moved me with their evaluation. Their opening line was: "A Shakespearean Genius of a Drama".
There’s no need to share spoilers here, but I’ll leave this as a tip: read their review and let yourself be captivated, just as I was.
I must confess, I couldn’t agree more with their words, including the brilliant Shakespeare quotes they included.
This drama came to life with a flawless cast, a well-adapted screenplay based on a web novel, breathtaking cinematography, solid direction, and electrifying chemistry between the characters. It’s hard not to highlight the latter because, for me, that’s where the heart of the drama lay.
I’m no expert, nor do I claim to understand the art of scriptwriting, but I was a bit surprised to discover that, in the original web novel, the heroine Xue Fang Fei truly dies and is reincarnated as the magistrate’s daughter, Jiang Li, while retaining memories of her past life to fuel her pursuit of revenge.
I don’t know if the decision to keep Jiang Li in Xue Fang Fei’s original body was meant to simplify the story, avoid religious controversy, or was just a creative choice. I only learned about this after finishing the drama. Even so, my opinion of the show remained unchanged. The drama, in its entirety, was a near-perfect delight.
I rooted for the intelligent and resilient heroine, just as I did for her captivating and cunning hero.
Wang Xing Yue, as Duke Su, despite having less screen time than I’d hoped for, was absolutely brilliant in every scene he graced. A man of few words, with a restrained smile, impeccable costumes, and an intense gaze that spoke volumes. He had moments of sheer brilliance in his performance. Every detail was so well-crafted, and his open-field battle scenes were simply mesmerizing.
It’s no wonder he was honored as one of the Young Rising Actors of the Year at the 2024 Weibo Awards.
For those who doubted his chemistry with veteran actress Wu Jin Yan (34 years old), let me just say: his 22 years of pure talent did all the talking.
Together, they were enchanting. Their playful flirtation brought a certain charm to the story where a more explicit romance might have been expected. While some viewers may have been frustrated by this subtlety, I felt it perfectly aligned with the drama’s tone. We knew from the start that this was the kind of romance we’d be getting.
The cultural barriers around age-gap relationships in Asian media still run deep, but Wu Jin Yan, with her elegant and timeless presence, was phenomenal throughout.
I adored her portrayal of Xue Fang Fei and Jiang Li. Her flowing red dress, paired with her graceful and commanding presence, elevated every scene. She brought elegance, wisdom, and emotional strength to her role. Her character’s tragic backstory, noble heart, and sweet smile made her unforgettable. I can’t imagine anyone else bringing this character to life.
I also found myself intrigued by the wicked princess and her cold-hearted “dog.” Despite their fractured souls, they were united by the same poison: the complete absence or loss of love. While they believed they controlled everything and everyone, in truth, they were empty... clinging to illusions. As one reviewer aptly noted, Princess Wan Ning/Li Meng was ultimately just a pawn in the hands of men.
Pain, suffering, and humiliation should never justify cruelty, but at times, my heart couldn’t help but ache for her.
The true villain of the story, Shen Yu Rong, remains a character I can barely define. Was he inherently evil, or did he become corrupted over time? The drama left this unclear. Perhaps the novel delves deeper into his twisted nature, offering a better understanding of his dark origins. Still, I doubt any explanation could justify his actions. Liang Yong Qi’s portrayal of this character, however, was exceptional. It was also a treat to see him guest-star in the second season of Under the Skin.
If I had one critique of the drama, it would be the way it indulged in China’s tradition of crafting overly realistic tragic moments, often at the expense of beloved characters.
The drama could have ended with the triumph of the palace struggle. There was no need to add more pain to the heroes’ journey.
In my opinion, these gratuitous losses didn’t add anything to the final act of a production as remarkable as The Double.
Still, it was a fantastic drama and an absolute joy to watch. I wholeheartedly recommend it to fans of the genre. It truly deserves its place among the best C-dramas of 2024.
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Great cast, beautiful characters.
Why complicate it? There are so many beautiful things in simplicity.It took me a long time to watch this drama. I could have had this joy much earlier. But, as the wise saying goes, better late than never. Just joy, romance is fun.
I'm not in the habit of watching Taiwanese dramas. I spent a lot of time just in Koreans. Today, I am grateful for preferring the Chinese and for making my escapes to other Asian countries. It is very gratifying to discover that, despite prejudices, good productions have no nationality.
The Antumn Concerto was a find. I read an analysis here from someone I follow and I was enchanted. I put it on my wish list and it was on hold. If you're reading this, don't be like me. Watch without much delay.
Forget the clichés, the lack of good editing, the countless interruptions during the episodes, absurdly repetitive Ost, among countless other negative reviews you may receive.
This drama deserves a chance for its interesting script, the consistent performances and the emotion we feel throughout the story. I loved the characters and I loved the little boy Xiao Le twice as much. It's a shame that, nowadays, the child actor who played him hasn't pursued his career. On the other hand, it is with great satisfaction that I see the success of the other actors. Mainly Wu Kang Ren, better known as Chris Wu. Totally deserved. Great cast, beautiful characters.
My only reservation is the rushed result. The production deserved a better performance in the final moments.
Anyway, I really liked and recommend.
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