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Finally Yang Yang picked the right role!
Note: Not a part of any fandom so I can enjoy the story for what it is (or isn't)What's working:
1. Yang Yang in a role that suits him
This feels like a role tailored to his looks and strong dance background. The fight scenes really highlight his physical ability. While there are still quite a few stunt doubles, his own scenes stand out far beyond what most actors can pull off. I just wish he had taken on more roles like this in his 20s.
Honestly, I’ve never really enjoyed most of his dramas—he tends to lack chemistry with female leads, and his line delivery can feel stiff. That’s still the case here, but with so many action scenes, it doesn’t matter as much.
2. Alen Fang and the supporting cast
I’m a fan of Alen Fang, so I may be a bit biased, but overall the supporting cast is strong and delivers solid performances.
3. Fight scenes
There are a lot of them—probably more than I’ve seen in any single drama in years. Of course some scenes are just superior because you can do more with actors like Yang Yang and Xiu Qing (Bad master dude) vs others
4. Lighting and production quality
High production value overall, and thankfully, the actors actually have visible skin texture. I really dislike excessive skin smoothing where faces look overly pale.
What could’ve been better:
1. Female lead (FL)
She fits more of the modern, fragile princess archetype who needs rescuing. It’s hard to buy her as a strong, martial arts–skilled character.
Compared to actresses like Tian Xi Wei (Pursuit of Jade) or Li Qin (The Wolf), she just doesn’t feel on the same level.
2. 2nd FL .... just *sigh* There are plenty actresses with stronger dance background to do these kind of roles. Why not give them a chance?
3. Camera work
Some of the spinning shots during fight scenes are overdone and gives me a headache.
4. ML Yang Yang, what can I say? Role is "perfect" for you but ... still no chemistry with any FL and bromance didn't really work either so... yeah....
Still overall an enjoyable watch!
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Memorable fight scenes but unengaging story
As a fan of Detective Dee movies, Zhou Yi Wei did not work for me. Thinking back to some of the Detective Dee actors:Andy Lau
Yiheng Du (Who worked as Andy Lau's body double prior so Andy 2nd)
Mark Chao
The ideal image of Detective Dee is far from Zhou Yi Wei's. Not that he isn't a great actor, after all he was so good in Rebel Princess & Longest Day in Chang An.
It started out as a promising series with quality production and many familiar actors. Set, costume, lighting, makeup, all so good & the fight scenes were the best! Less (special effects) is more when you can see continuous sequence (if you like classic kung fu). Ep 24 where he fought 1:1 against the female was one of my favorite scenes.
The promising series quickly got killed by the storyline after 4 episodes. It was hard to stay engaged after the Empress was no longer part of the subsequent cases. I've watched it through for the fight scenes, but the cases were blah.....
Also, Zhang Ruo Yun listed as "Main" was not even a main actor. He was only a part of one case, and I don't even understand why the character was written that way. Totally didn't make sense to me, completely anticlimactic.
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Watch if you are Zheng Ye Cheng Fan
Very standard cliche story line with annoying FL character portrayed by the actress Yuan Bing Yan whom I can't understand why she gets so many roles. I pretty much dropped all the drama she's been in. Even wth Zheng Ye Cheng is in it, it was hard to watch the interaction.ML - ZYC though not an amazing actor (still very good), always stands out in costume dramas for his fight scenes. You can't fake all the years of training especially when there's a solo scene.
Main reasons to suffer through the cliches:
-ZYC - fight scenes
-Mask dude's fight scenes
-Cute supporting characters (Maid to FL and the little soldier next to her all the time)
-The little pig -- yes EVEN The little pig is a better watch than the ML/FL cringe interactions
I really REALLY hope ZYC can get an epic script one day that's on the same level as:
Joy of Life, Ashes of Love, Bloody Romance, Love like Galaxy etc ...
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Absolutely nothing special
Typical plot with predicable dialogue.Start of the drama I already can see that there will be too many disgusting characters
Office male butt
Overbearing mom you can skip all her lines right away
I am not sure how realistic this is but the office male dominating environment with frequent sexist comments as the norm seems excessive?
Overbearing mom w/ too many lines
The ex insulting her age and income status yet comes back to assume his act can be forgiven?
She gets wrongfully terminated and she doesn't fight back
This is all within the first 3 ep and with zero comedic side kicks aka supporting characters.
What's good about this drama?
Actress - she's 40+ looks 30!! She played her character well just that the script was terrible
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Supporting cast Song Zi Qi was the only reason to watch this
HS drama trope overload but 2nd and 3rd pairing were entertaining to watch.FL was the typical acting like a 12 yr old without a clue & needs ML's constant support.
ML somehow liked that. This pairing has zero chemistry.
I only watch this drama for Wang Ze Xuan's supporting role as Song Zi Qi.
His character is exceptionally funny and Wang Ze Xuan is such an underrated actor. He pulls off every supporting role wonderfully. Hands down he's the only reason to watch this.
Series seriously slow down after they graduate HS and Wang Ze Xuan's scenes were limited.....leading to the expected ending.
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Leo Young is rocking this role!
Typically, I drop about 80% of short dramas, but I watched this one for the ML! I first saw Leo Young as a supporting role in Love Script in which he provided the comedic scenes. Haven't watched him since and it's a shame because he's got a unique face and a great physique to play any military/ general/badass gangster roles.For a short drama the script flows and the action sequences are quite good. The bad FL character is better than the good FL character in terms of acting. Both females are beautiful!
Then there's the Chubby security guard side kick who was a surprise fun watch.
Enjoyable watch!
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Watch with no volume is better
The 2024 worst drama character award goes to the FL's Mom. I never seen that bad of a character having THAT much screen time. So much screen time that it KILLED the drama.I wanted to watch Xu Kai with his real voice & lovely actress Yang Zi pairing. Instead, the drama focuses too much on the FL's mom's constant bickering, nagging, & F ups on pretty much everything in every episode. Clearly the director interpreted 80/20 as 80% crap / 20% good. The "best choice ever" is to drop this drama. I can enjoy the leads (maybe not together) but elsewhere.
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Failed pairing, why repeat?
ML (He Yu) & FL (Meng zi yi) already had mediocre chemistry from Duel on Mount Hua: Nine Yin True Sutra, why pair them up again? It's guaranteed not to be amazing from the start. Not even the word "Blossom" in the title will help.Standard script with predicable story line. However production quality is pretty good. The supporting cast is impressive with lots of familiar actors. Its the main reason why I watched through.
Favorite character
Bu shu lin, actress Fan Shuai Qi is one of those few actresses that can pull off pretending to be a Male. She killed the role and I loved every scene with her. Hopefully she'll get more FL roles in the future.
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Perfect Detective Drama
I purposely watch this one slowly because I didn't want it to end. There aren't many ancient detective dramas so I consider this a niche drama. Great Bromance brewing slowly over series of events. Even minor characters are written so well that I didn't skip one minute.3 ML it was hard to determine who's the favorite. Wang Zhi by far was the most complex calculating. I could not believe he's just starting in his career as his facial expressions were so on point. Make it seemed like he acted all his life.
Tang Fan at times seems childish and annoying but also provided so many comical moments
Sui Zhou the manly loyal guard with his sexy accent (I rather hear this than some random dubbed voice) was the protector of all.
The 3 unlikely characters worked together to solve so many crimes. All the characters are interconnected in the end.
Supporting cast were all interesting - the doctor that loves Tang Fan's sister, Dong Er with her photographic memory, the funny noodle shop lady, Wu Yun the archer who end up staying. Too many to name.
The icing on top is all the food displays from cooking methods to explaining the symbolism dishes expressing the importance of love and family.
Lastly the fight scenes with Jacky Chan style displayed. This was just a perfect executed drama all around. I am going to miss this drama that's for sure!
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Whole story is just silly
An all girl clan vs an all boy clan where they can never get married due to some ancient hatred and I know you are thinking oh wait how do they get new members?By ep 9 villain female comes out trying to kill 2 clan heads (who are in love and decided to leave the clan to get married). Both clan present and just watched!
And then you are thinking oh can't they all just tell her the truth before fight started? I mean there was a lot of dialogue already.
Can't both clan just gang up on ONE single female villain and call it?
This kind of story writing is painful to watch.....
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FL is TERRIBLE
I've seen the FL as a supporting actress, one just stand there w/o words looking beautiful which she passed with flying colors. Now as the FL her overacting face is unbearable even for a fluffy romance drama. Despite enjoying this genre I couldn't continue watching because of her. Her character is equally unbearable. She's like a 5 year old that constantly makes dumb decisions.It's a shame because the ML is decent. Seen him in Hello Mr. Gu. the supporting cast had some good actors. Literally only the FL killed the whole drama.
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Against all odds! GOAT of esports dramas!
Years later this is STILL The best esports drama & I am not even into esports!But to fully enjoy the drama, you'll need to:
1. Don't think too much into the plot holes with the time travel.
2. Don't think too much with the "sensationalism" of against all commonsense healing process. It's "insta recovery" to make the drama continue.
3. Rushed dramatic development of Xiao Bei's team. Too quick to conflict & too quick to resolve.
GOAT:
1. Casting. The actors all did a great job. You'll definitely feel the rollercoaster of emotions.
2. Greatest characters. Very few dramas have this number of enjoyable characters. Even supporting characters are given plenty of personality. There are NO filler moments with uninteresting conversations or extra characters.
3. Plenty of Humor and it's mixed with subtle, sarcastic & OTP kind. There are multiple characters that provide so much humor. I can't count the # of times I laughed so hard. I can't list them all, but I find myself rewatching:
When An Lan first went into Video game world and Seven was trying to teach her
The crazy hospital when they went into rescue A Ming and found 24K
Seven went into the game to apologize to DW
S+1 's a million cosplay outfits and they were the best!
Hair guy waking up in the hospital's dialogue.
4. Story/script. Great story telling with magic editing. I love how the gamers becomes the actual characters in the game.
5. Friendships/Bromance/Love interest. All the relationships are quite beautiful.
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Unexpectly cute HS drama
Pretty cute HS drama w/o excessive cringe scenes & bad characters. Easily binge through 24 ep.Positives:
1. Super cute cast especially the ML , FL and FL's bestie.
2. 5 friends ALL have very different and good personalities.
3. Positive teachers? What? in a C-Drama?
4. Minimal negative characters & lines although the ML's mom's scenes I still needed to skip that.
5. Chemistry: ML & FL personalities compliment each other very well.
6. Dialogue: Plenty of funny lines
7. Enough substance: coming of age experiences for character growth.
8. Natural sounding voices & natural makeup. Simplicity is key
Not so Great:
FL's character is still semi cringe. This does fall into the drama trope of academically challenged Female (at least she excels in English) that talks 10 years younger & always need to be saved.
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A worthy series to continue
The cast of Lee Kyung Young always deter me from wanting to watch but he's literally everywhere. I paused for a while but eventually circled back to this but had to skipped 90% of his lines.Then there's Cha Eun Jae's mom, I skipped her lines too. Control of a 30 year old is not something that's relatable to me.
S3 Positives:
-I loved the addition of the 2 new doctors that offered some comedy relief. Jang Dong Hwa & ex army doc Lee Seon Wung.
-They also kept most of the S2 cast including my favorite pair Cha Eun Jae & Seo Woo Jin. Hands down Seo Woo Jin is the best character.
-Master Kim evolved in this season to grand mentor status, no longer a hot head but super calm providing guidance.
-When the mentee becomes the mentor Seo Woo Jin character development.
-Relationship progressed with the couples as expected after 3 years.
-More screen time for veteran supporting cast Dr. Jung in Soo in all 3 seasons was very nice.
-Return of S1 Dr. Kang Dong Joo to the storyline felt nostalgic although he wasn't my favorite character in S1.
I hope this franchise can continue as there are so many interesting characters.
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Amazing talented kids actors!
I found this after watching some of the light on series through similar recommendations & I can't believe I missed this for 2 years. This is one of the best suspense crime dramas out there. Yes it's dark, disturbing and may not be everyone's cup of tea but it's must watch if you enjoy heavier content.The entire cast was strong however I was blown away by how talented these kids are. The transformation of Chang Yang's character from good to evil is portrayed perfectly by the young actor. It's hard to just showcase that kind of transformation through such an introverted character. What's more the parallelism between Chao Yang & Zhang Dong Sheng is undeniable. It's like they can sense each other. That pressure continues to build up, until the ultimate betrayal pushes them over the edge.
Pupu's character was the only innocence that could've brought Zhang Dong Sheng & Chao Yang back to the light but as the lies continues to build up there was no going back.
Yan Liang protector of Pupu was the most tragic one as he trusted Chao Yang time & time again. His bad decisions out of good intentions started the whole snowball effect.
In the end "You can believe in fairy tale." ................... but that's not the reality.
Hidden Details of the Drama:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RInCXdE9to
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