Not the most exciting drama but charming all the same

Those who like the emotional rollercoaster that Thai lakorns typically provide, will probably not enjoy this series. It is not your typical Thai lakorn where at least one aspect is emphasized and exaggerated. Still, I thought that Leh Game Rak is a pretty good show and while it is unlikely to get a lot of rave reviews, it is a pleasant enough series to watch. This series is so even-paced, so mellow that it feels like a slice of life show despite the heavy themes like the ML hiding his identity as he searches for his mother's murderer, and the FL having to grow up pretending to be a male.

Even though there are intrigue and evil plots, the drama is not dark at all, and the villains don't even make my blood boil like they do in other shows. For the most part, there is not a whole lot of plot development in each episode but just enough to keep the story going and for some reason, sustain my interest. I am glad that I stayed the course and watched the whole series until the happy ending. Despite its lack of intensity, I enjoyed the show and found the cast to be charming and engaging. The group of friends surrounding the ML provided some cuteness and hilarity, and I appreciate the heartwarming relationship the FL has with her family.

I do regret the missed opportunity the show had in the romance department. I have always liked Esther Supreeleela and I may be biased since I think Esther can play any role well but she is perfect for the role of Nan/Nicha. She has the right features to play a flower boy but easily transforms into a lovely lady. Son Songpaisan who plays Seifer/Aici is definitely pleasing to the eye and his voice is appealing. Together they had some sweet scenes and I suspect would have had really great chemistry if the story allowed them. I kept waiting for the spark to burn more intensely, for the skinship to increase and for the kisses to come. Unfortunately the show failed in this aspect for a romantic like me.

Also there's over use of flashbacks and on top of it, it’s the same ones over and over again.

Overall I recommend that you watch the show and decide for yourself. While it’s not a twisty-turny thriller or full of shocks or drama, it is a decent series all the same.

Read More

Charming coming of age love story

The "long lost childhood friend turned lover" trope is nothing new, but the show used it very effectively. What makes it more meaningful is that our Male Lead, Nan Xi has a social anxiety disorder, and therefore his early friendship with Xia Rui, our female lead, has left a lasting, profound effect on him. He never forgot Xia Rui and never faltered in his search for her.

I enjoyed their story of blossoming love, a romance that most would have deemed impossible given how different their personalities were. However, in a world of incompatibilities, they became each other's light and destination. They knew that they are each other's one and only, unique to and completing one another. Their unquestioning trust in each other made for a delightful and extra sweet relationship. Neither one is perfect, though. Nan Xi was a genius, adept and excellent in anything that he attempted but was an extreme introvert, uncomfortable with the world. Xia Rui was bright, talkative, and plucky but unmotivated when it came to her studies. She often caused stress for Nan Xi and her closest friends, Zhao Yi Shu and Cheng Er Luo, who only wanted to see her succeed and be with them in the same university. Individually they were flawed, but the show delivered a strong message of how imperfectly perfect they were together as a couple and for Xia Rui, Yi Shu, and Er Luo, as friends with unbreakable bonds. Being each other's anchors, they were able to pursue and succeed in achieving their dreams.

Adding to the heart-warming plot was the focus on family, friendship, and the bond between teacher and student. There were lots of positive feels in this show, focused on the four friends' lives in high school, university, and early post-grad years. I liked how the adults respect the young people, acting as positive influences, and providing support. No real antagonists and even potential love triangles were only hints, resolved quickly and relatively painlessly. Even the ones causing a smidgen of chaos ended up being good friends with the main group. The lack of melodrama was a plus for me, and I appreciate how the show stayed consistent with its storyline. Unlike many C-, K- or Thai dramas, there was no dramatic twist or turn, throwing the audience off with a different arc.

While the show has its strengths with respect to the adorable romance and character growth of the primary characters, it did get draggy concerning the secondary couple, Yi Shu and Er Luo. Both of them were annoying at times, with Er Luo being so dense and unaware of Yi Shu's feelings for him and Yi Shu's unwillingness to clarify and confess. It's one of those relationships that could be smoothed out and move forward if there was some communication, even indirectly via the main couple. I did not understand why Xia Rui did not help more, given how the other two contrived to create opportunities for her and Nan Xi.

The cast did well and had excellent rapport with each other. This is quite the 'PG' show with so many kisses...interrupted! Still Fiction Guo and Wan Peng had great chemistry, so endearing together, and I hope that they will play the OTP again in another show. I watched Fiction Guo in Accidentally In Love and Su Yu, and his portrayal of his characters in those shows, and this one highlighted his acting skills and potential. He does comedy well, and in this show, as he emoted well without a lot of dialogue. He has a few main roles lined up, so I look forward to seeing him more. Wan Peng also did well as bubbly Xia Rui, but I wonder if she will get pigeonholed into such a character. Her role in First Romance was very similar and even in My Girlfriend is an Alien, she played a clumsy, bumbling, unlady-like character. It would be nice to see her portray a more feminine role. I totally see her as an ideal female lead, strong and sassy, and she does have attractive features.

The supporting characters were awesome. Lao Hu and Lao Yi, the parents & grandparents, all added fun and substance to the story, but the scene-stealer was Xia Rui's little brother, who was the little sage, truth-teller, and overall, a bundle of cuteness.

Music-wise - the OST was great, and I like how the show played 'sexier' songs as the OTP's relationship progressed. I am partial to duets, and the show featured a couple of nice ones.

I'd highly recommend that you watch this if you like light-hearted and binge-able dramas featuring strong friendship and family ties, character growth, and a healthy romance between the main characters who never wavered from their love and commitment.

Lastly, a shout out to CarmenEngSub for subbing this show!

Read More

Good slow-burn romance with fun comedic moments plus an OTP with great visuals

Overall, this drama tried to pack a lot into the story, but the writing was not consistent enough to weave the plots together seamlessly. The show started strong for me, with its fresh take on the FL's background, where she was the leader of a righteous gang whose focus was on helping the common people. I was intrigued by the synopsis and looked forward to seeing the romance develop as the OTP learned to work together and overcome their class disparity. Unfortunately, the writer had to throw in the usual palace nonsense, including the "secret royalty" trope. It did all fit together in the end, but the story development was not that smooth. I don't know if it was due to bad editing, censorship, or weak writing that caused the pacing to be off.

Despite all that, I could not help but binge on this show. In fact, I even watched the last 6 episodes raw because I had to find out what happened in the end. Why? Because of Bai Lu and Leon Lai!

I was so drawn to the OTP's visuals and their story. I did not mind their slow-burn romance, and even though there were few passionate scenes, there was great chemistry between Bai Lu and Leon Lai. There was a certain dignity in how the ML and FL displayed their feelings for each other. Both characters were strong, intelligent, savvy, and well-respected in their own societies. Watching them come together and realize how well they complement each other was an enjoyable watch for me. Of course, there were angsty moments of misunderstanding and noble idiocy, but compared to other period C-dramas, the melodrama was not heavy.

Bai Lu may have reached 'girl crush' status for me. She has an on-screen presence that commands attention, an attractiveness, and acting talent that one would expect of a female lead. She has the natural arrogant face to portray Long Ao Yi perfectly, and one memorable scene for me was when she danced to counter the ridicule of the so-called high-society guests. Bai Lu used her body language and expressions very well in this role as she transitioned between an unruly gang leader to a palace concubine. One reason why I gave the show a high rating because of the strong FL character who was also relatable. I like that Long Ao Yi could always rise above it all, move on and focus on the big picture or main point. Yes, she had her moments of weakness or slip-ups and silly stubbornness that delayed the progress of her relationship with Liu Qing Liu. However, all that was what I would expect of the character who stayed true to herself the whole time.

The show made the right choice casting Leon Lai next to Bai Lu. His manly good looks and physique match Bai Lu's haughty beauty really well, and he has the charisma to play the aloof Liu Qing Liu. His icy expressions were not emotionless, and he was not stiff. This role may not have given Leon a wide acting range, but he did pretty well with his micro-expressions, especially when Qing Liu started falling for Ao Yi. Given that this is only his second lead role, I think he did a great job. I hope that he will be casted in more lead roles as he hones his skills further. Likewise with Alen Fang. I had watched him in "The Love by Hypnotic" and was impressed by him. His character Li Zhao did give me a little SLS, and I felt so bad for him who was so in love with Ao Yi until the very end.

The secondary couple, Xiao Qin and Ya Bin was cute and hilarious. The rest of the supporting cast did well too. The actions of the characters made sense and justifiable, including the villains'.

Great selection of OST! I like the songs picked to match the significant scenes between certain characters.

All in all, I would ask you to give this show a chance. 36 episodes are not that long compared to many other period dramas, and there are numerous parts that are good in Jiu Jiu Overlord. It provides a nice break for when you need some lightheartedness, and the good looking cast is a bonus. I already plan to re-watch the last 6 episodes when they are finally English subbed.

Read More

This drama was predictable but totally delivered on romance, light comedy, and a good plot. The cases were intriguing enough to keep my interest and provided a layer of suspense to keep the show going at a good pace. They also highlighted the great chemistry between the main leads as they worked together to solve the cases. I liked that the show had the ML discover very early that the FL was posing as a man, which was realistic given how intelligent and observant he was supposed to be.

I liked Sabrina Chen after watching her in My Unicorn Girl. However, she was even lovelier in this show. She has the perfect features to play a flower boy but easily transforms into a charming and beautiful maiden. I enjoyed watching her portray Su Qi, a female lead that was independent, rational, and has a high IQ and EQ. Even the dubbing used for her voice was suitable, quite unlike the usual high immature voices that C-dramas tend to use for female characters. Being a newly debuted actor, Zhang Ling He did well, with an ability to display a wide range of emotions. He was perfect as Pei Zhao/Prince Qi, who is now one of my favorite male leads. How can one resist a handsome ML who was absolutely committed and devoted to the FL, plus had the skills and power/influence to protect her? Pei Zhao complemented Su Qi so perfectly when it comes to physical appearance, intellect, and maturity. This OTP had many swoon-worthy love scenes with lots of well-done kisses. I love that Su Ci often initiated the kisses, and Pei Zhou always followed with deeper steamier ones! Also, the amount of attention paid to little details during their hugging and kissing scenes made me smile; like the way their gazes held, or the way the Su Ci tightened her grip around Pei Zhao as their kiss deepened. They were so cute together, even holding hands as they went about solving cases.

The secondary couple was also adorable together, and they were likable characters that added value to the plot. It was a good-looking cast overall (notable mentions: Zhang Jia Ding, Zhu Min Xin, and Li Jin Rong).

I like the song that played every time there was a meaningful moment between the OTP, but I did not find the OST memorable in general.

Rewatch value is high because I am a sucker for a good romance drama with great kissing.

Read More

This show does not take itself too seriously, but it is hilarious, cool, and fun! Cheesy one-liners, exaggerated emotions, and reactions - the actors seem to be having quite a bit of fun with their roles. The cast is great, from the main OTP to the secondary couple, to the supporting actors. Zhao Cuo's dad is great! Although there are a couple of side characters that are one-dimensional and cliched, most of the actors fit their parts well.

The lightheartedness of this drama is a perfect break from work, life, and other drama shows. Despite the silliness, I found myself immersed in the show's twists and turns, and the conspiracy plot. True, the writing is not smooth, and there are moments that will make you go 'huh?, how is that possible or what just happened?' but everything comes together nicely in the end.

I also enjoyed the romance and the bromance among the main characters. Esther Yu as Sanqi and Liu Yi Chang as Zhao Cuo have good chemistry together in an adorable wholesome way. I'm glad that they made Sanqi intelligent, brave with a unique interest, loyal, and has a backbone. Zhao Cuo is not the perfect male lead, but he ends up being the most devoted husband, and his commitment to Sanqi is endearing. Liu Yi Chang has the looks which I think will mature nicely, so I hope to see him in more projects. I am not sure if his voice is dubbed, but if it is his real voice, I like it! Esther Yu is super cute, but I wonder if she would be type-casted into certain kinds of roles because of her cuteness. Acting-wise, they both portrayed their characters pretty well, but they still need to continue honing their skills. I was less invested in the secondary couple since they did not have as much chemistry. Still, they make a good-looking pair. Luo Ming Jie plays a fine-looking but at times, emotionally clueless Bai Yi Fe well, and I love watching his interactions with Zhao Cuo. They play off each other well. I feel bad for He Zhen, the third male lead who comes into the picture too late and never really has a chance anyway. Still, his earnestness and care for Sanqi make me wish that he has his own happy ending.

The OST increased the coolness factor of the show since the songs are contemporary and well-chosen. Each piece was fitting to the mood and scene, but my favorite is Wander by Di Zhiwen.

I probably will re-watch this show since it is such an easy show to enjoy and binge on the weekend! I do recommend it when you are in a mood to watch a show just for laughs and cute romance.

Read More

Wonderful love story enhanced by the fantastic chemistry between the OTP and an awesome OST

I started this drama expecting a light romantic comedy but was pleasantly surprised by the emotional roller coaster ride towards the end. The comedic moments were certainly there, and there were many times when I laughed out loud. When I re-watched some scenes, I found myself already giggling and laughing before the scenes even began. This show was not perfect, but I like the writing because it managed to make me sympathize with the villains. I even shed tears for them, especially for Li Xun (Zhang Bo Ham) because they were portrayed so well by the actors, and no character felt one-dimensional.

There were many kissing scenes, rare for C-dramas, and so nicely done (no stiff pecks on the lips for the leads)! I love how the male lead's natural reaction was always to kiss the female lead, and the skinship made the romance felt real. I enjoyed watching the interactions between the OTP, and the progression of their relationship. Some scenes unexpectedly became memorable to me, like the wedding dance and the arrow shooting ceremony.

Li Qian is now one of my favorite male lead characters because he was never foolish, even as he fell head over heels for Ming Yue. Throughout the challenges and hardships that they had to go through, he was thoughtful and smart. He was so devoted to Ming Yue and remained steadfastly committed to her and their love. Also, unlike the male leads in other shows, he makes it clear from the get-go, his lack of interest, and has no qualms about rejecting the second female lead. Plus, he had such good lines when it came to romancing his lady! Fang Yi Lun did a great job, playing the fine-looking, intelligent, fair, but initially emotionally unapproachable 9th prince. He was able to display a range of emotions when necessary in the various scenes. I hope to see him in more lead roles. He is multi-talented since he also sang some of the tracks for the OST. As for Ling Mei Shi, I believe this is her first lead role as well, and she shined as the cute, mischievous, and street-smart Ming Yue.

I was also impressed by Ni Han Jin. He is certainly sexy with a great body but it was his acting as Yun Si that kept me invested in his story with Ming Yue. One could feel his pain from losing his one and only so unfairly and understand why his broken heart drove him to desperate measures. I had less sympathy for Hui Xin and her obsessive unrequited love, but Zhou Zi Xin portrayed the lovely but conniving character well. Another character I liked was Si Kong Zhen, played by Dong Yan Lei. His bromance with the male lead provided many entertaining scenes, and his dedication to their friendship made for some heartwarming moments.

The OST made its way onto my regular playlist - that's how much I liked it! Overall the songs complemented the scenes so nicely, and the instrumental pieces fitted the moods well.

I rated the re-watch value pretty high since I will likely watch this show again when I am in the mood for romantic kiss scenes, hilarious moments, or heartbreaking tear-jecking parts.

Read More

I REALLY enjoyed this drama! I was so into it that I binge-watched for 2 days to finish all 32 episodes. It is one of the few shows where I alternated between laughing, crying, anticipating and just plain enjoying.

The romance is fluffy and uncomplicated, with no stressful love triangle. There is a potential competitor for the female lead's love but no obvious second male lead here. I have to warn you that there are some heartache moments but the story is so well written as a rom-com, it made me switch my emotions back and forth and I had no time to dwell on the sad parts.

The plot line was interesting to me, and I thought it was well-developed. The male lead seemed rather naive in the beginning but that made sense given what he went through for the past years. I like that ultimately, they wove it into the story that he and everyone else acknowledged how unbelievably gullible he was initially.

It is my first time watching Yoo Seung Ho and he did an amazing job. I like that he did not portray a stereotypical Asian man who don't show his emotions. He cried so prettily and I find him incredibly charismatic. His gazes were definitely smoldering. Ultimately he came across as this intelligent and strong character who was not afraid to show his softer side.

Chae Soo Bin, the female lead was cute - she is not my kind of pretty but she played the role very well. She definitely had good chemistry with the male lead. Their interactions were so cute and fun.

The supporting cast did really well as well, and unlike other dramas, I found myself not skipping through the show because I was also interested in the supporting cast's stories. There could have been more character development for some of them. The villains were just evil enough but luckily not enough to make me stressed.

Music-wise, the selections were fitting but I don't find any pieces particular memorable. I did not try to look the playlist up in Spotify which is usually a clear indicator whether I truly was affected by the OST.

Overall, I highly recommend this drama because of its message about relationships and sincerity. It evokes all the emotions that you can possibly feel.

Read More

I was totally entranced by this creative story! I appreciate how the screenwriter(s) used humour and romance to tackle certain social issues like gender inequality. Stll being a rom-com after all, I am glad that this drama did not dwell too much on being serious. There was abundant use of cliches and tropes, but they were put together well. The drama factor was low-key, but despite being one of the cutest drama that I have seen lately, some scenes still managed to get my tears flowing.

When I watch the trailers for this drama, I noticed how much chemistry the OTP had, and it immediately drew me in. Zhao Lu Si delivered a great performance as Chen Qiao Qiao. I think she does comedy very well and while I was not impressed by her look in "I hear you", her loveliness shone through in this show. She was endearing, charming, and just plain adorable. Ryan Ding's portrayal of Han Shuo was perfection as well. I thought that he acted well in "Intense Love," but in this drama, he showed a broader acting range in playing Han Shuo's complex character. I enjoyed seeing Han Shuo's character development - from cunning and cold, to faithful and protective. To me, Ryan's performance was a big part of why the story worked so well. He's very charismatic, and I love his micro-expressions. He can easily cause one's heart to flutter.

One thing I really liked was how devoted Han Shuo and Pei Heng were to Qian Qian. Despite all her silly antics, her lies and betrayal, Han Shuo was not able to act cruelly towards her. Even after being friend-zoned by Qian Qian, Pei Heng continued to remain supportive, and cared for her. Talk about committed hearts!

The supporting cast was fun and quirky, and two leads' male servants, Bai Ji and ZhiRui were hilarious. Their bromance was so fun to watch! I like that there was depth to the characters, including the villains. The story flowed really well and effectively created conflicts that people can sympathize with.

As for the music, it was ok - other than the intro song, I don't remember much of it. However, that could be because I was laughing out loud so much and not paying attention.

Overall, this drama surpassed my expectations! It is very entertaining, fast-paced and filled with lots of fun and silliness!

Read More

Satisfying Romance Amid Mystery and Intrigue

Without a doubt, this is definitely one of the better lakorns lately. Romance-wise, it was satisfying. Nadech and Kimmy have really good chemistry and they are not shy about skinship. It was just right and felt very natural. What's even better is that unlike many other lakorns, we don't have to wait until the last episode (or the last 15 minutes) to see the main couple get together.

I absolutely like the ML character, Khunkao - very smart, calm and composed. The show definitely portrays him as the "hero" and Nadech totally played the part. He's particularly attractive to me in this drama although some of the "drama" and heroics scenes made me laugh...they were a tad overdone.

Jane, the FL, was plucky and a go-getter. She can get on one's nerves at times, and she had her cringey moments, but overall, she was a good fit for the ML. Kimmy acted her role well and you can see her bubbly personality coming out as Jane.

How the 2nd couple worked out was also good, and the 3rd couple was cute although it did break one person's heart.

It was a good emotion-filled show with lots of ups but also some tear-jerking moments. The show did get draggy during a few episodes in the middle, mainly because the investigation and reveals felt slow. There were a couple of surprising plot twists but still, the show could have cut down a couple of episodes.

I was happy with the ending. Usually, I don't like the whole redemption approach used in most lakorns even though I understand it is a cultural aspect. I just prefer to see the villains properly punished but in this show, it actually made sense, and that particular sub-plot was done nicely.

I like the OST and my favorite songs were:

รักครึ่งๆกลางๆ | INDIGO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmbNHLaCZ1Q

ให้รักนำทาง Ost.สืบลับหมอระบาด | Wanyai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em8igUpefF8

Overall, I totally recommend this drama. You will not be disappointed if you are a fan of either lead and if you are watching for the romance. The mystery and investigation part was actually pretty good, other than the fact that it probably could have been resolved earlier.

Read More

Love to Hate - a fun watch

The story about a princess suffering a split personality because of something related to the Wolf Tribe and the son of the Wolf King was quite unique, but the resulting drama felt more like a filler type of series and not a must-watch. Still, despite its flaws that included unimpressive CGI and some draggy episodes, I enjoyed Wolf Princess. There were enough twists and turns in the plot to keep things interesting, and the chemistry between the ML and FL was good enough to keep me engaged. Furthermore, as light as this show was, it did manage to tug at my heartstrings, and there were poignant moments that made me tear up.

Yan Qing, the ML, was somewhat of a rascal outwardly. He was very smart, though, and was an experienced military officer with excellent martial art skills. He was constantly teasing Ling Long, the FL, but his actions belied his words as he would do things for her happiness and taking care of her silently, behind the scenes. Unlike the second male lead, Yan Qing also considered matters and issues from her perspective and never tried to impose his will on her even when he was concerned about her. He's a refreshing example of a non-toxic male lead.

Interestingly, Ling Long was the more "tsundere" after growing up with an alternate personality called Lang Yin and having to be constantly on her guard. She repressed her feelings a lot, and even though she was intelligent and resourceful, she often pretended to be submissive to further her agenda. Lan Ying, the other personality was bolder and brasher. The transition between the two personalities and the outcomes provided laughs. Also funny was the constant bickering between Yan Qing and Ling Long. At times though, I just want to shake Yan Qing and tell him to be more transparent with the things he had done for Ling Long, and I want to yell at Ling Long for being resistant and so hard on Yan Qing for so long despite her feelings for him. The saving grace is that the romance heated up nicely after Yan Qing became more obvious and openly showing his affections for Ling Long.

Connie Kang portrayed her character's dual personalities nicely, and I thought she handled the switching back and forth very smoothly, especially in her expressions and dialogue. I actually found this show after watching Jason Koo in the Oh! My Emperor series and he acted pretty well as mischievous Yan Qing. Sometimes it did seem like he was over-acting during some of his character's more goofy moments. To me, he is good-looking in a unique way. The same thing with Connie - she's attractive in a non-conventional way too. Even though I enjoyed watching the two characters' hate to love journey, I found myself often distracted by the fact that they both look quite similar, almost like siblings with a long facial structure.

The secondary couple was also cute together, but I felt that the show put them together to initially create the tension of love triangles that eventually got resolved by having the ML's friend and second female lead fall for each other. Overall, the cast was fine, and Yan Qing's band of loyal soldiers provided lots of comic relief.

Music-wise, nothing memorable except that the songs picked underscored the scenes nicely.

Overall, I would recommend that you give this show a chance and suspend your disbelief until the end. It is an easy series to binge and a good filler.

Read More

Well-executed story, great acting, and addictive music

This lakorn is definitely worth the 1.5-day binge-watching with little sleep in between. The story was a good one, and the pacing was just right forthe most part. Unlike many "hate to love" dramas where the lead couple starts off not liking each other due to personality differences or misunderstandings, the female lead, Paeng indeed did something awful that justified the male lead, Arthit's intense hate towards her. For me, that made the story more interesting, and the character development for both leads more compelling. What made the story even better for me was that I could not tell when exactly was the turning point for Arthit, and when he began to fall for Paeng. Like Arthit said, "by the time he realized it, he was already in love with her". That was a poignant moment, and the progression of their relationship felt so natural and so right.

The cast was excellent, and the acting was on-point. As in many Thai rom-coms, the supporting characters can be over the top and at times ridiculous, but still, you cannot help but laugh. I have to single out Mark Prin for his excellent acting. Objectively speaking, Arthit was a total jerk during the first part of the show (although with good reason), but Mark managed to portray him in such a relatable and charismatic way that one cannot help but root for him. Kao Thanachart impressed me in My Secret Bride, and she did it again in this show except for some emotional scenes in which she did not quite nail them.

Some pairings just work, and lucky for us, the audience, this show got it right with Mark and Kao. Even though the kissing could be steamier, the chemistry between those two is terrific, and together, they make a gorgeous couple, likewise, for the second couple, Thanon and Ling. I really liked Punjan Imanothai in Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat, and he played Thanon so charmingly in this show. Luckily he was not the second lead. Otherwise, I would suffer from SLS. Also, a shout out to Freud Chatphong Natthaphong, who played Kot for his comedic chops. I've seen him in quite a few lakorns. Deaw Suriyon Aroonwattanakul as Mark also did a great job playing a psychopath. He caught my interest in Nueng Dao Fah Diew and I hope that he will have a chance at being the male lead in the near future.

Another plus point is how well the show used music to enhance the mood and scenes. Using interesting sound effects typical of a Thai drama, the show almost always hit the right dramatic notes and then break the tension by transitioning smoothly to more light-hearted moments. I love all the music - the songs as well as the instrumental and vocal pieces.

I could not give this show a perfect 10 because of two main reasons - 1) the use of noble idiocy, a trope that should go extinct, and 2) the show skimped on romantic scenes between Arthit and Paeng. Instead of throwing in a subplot, we could have appreciated more scenes where Paeng fell back in love with Arthit after his confession.

Overall, I would recommend this lakorn to everyone, although I am probably among the last few who have not seen it earlier.

Read More

A simple, adorable, with almost no melodrama rom-com

I think the show deserves a higher rating on MDL, but I can understand why it may not be everyone's cup of tea. Despite being a period drama, there was a modern feel to it, which I enjoyed, and it was the perfect show to binge watch.

What I liked the most:
* Slapstick humour and use of comedic cartoon effects: Instead of being annoying, the visual effects managed to hit the right notes during the comedic moments and added to the hilarity.

* Cheesiness and fluff.: This show was definitely fluffy, but I was looking specifically for a show that was all about the romance and less about the melodrama. The simple, light-hearted plot was perfect for a binge session.

* Endearing romance between the leads: the "hate to love" romance between Tan Lingyin and Tang Tianyuan was adorable. The chemistry between Zhang Hao Wei and Zhang Ruonan was palpable, so much so that even little innocent kisses between them were enough to make me smile. There was just so much sweetness in their interactions.

Zhang Hao Wei stood out as the very handsome, intelligent, savvy magistrate who was the perfect counterpart to the female lead who was more rash and reckless. Typically the rational and calm one, Tang Tianyuan was also very consistent in his love for Tan Lingyin. He may tease her a lot, but it was obvious that he cared for her and constantly supported and encouraged her. He never gave up on their relationship, even during the rough patches. Zhang Hao Wei's acting was good, and he emoted well. You can see his love or pride whenever Tan Lingyin showcased her smarts.

Zhang Ruonan portrayed the mischievous, plucky, and cute Tan Lingyin perfectly. I liked that she was a strong female lead who was determined to be recognized and respected despite the social expectations of women at that time. Tang Tianyuan, as Lingyin 's childhood idol and inspiration, was a nice touch to the story.

* It was not all about love: The show did focus on the romance between the main and secondary (Zheng Shaofeng and Zhou Ruyi) couples, but there were mini-arcs about the supporting cast that drew me in. Unlike many c-dramas, which lose steam and get draggy towards the end, I was still engaged as the show drew to a close. Also, I appreciated the consistent portrayal of the female lead, who did not give everything up for love. Tan Lingyin remained steadfast in her desire to achieve her own goals, and Tang Tianyuan went up a level of swoon-worthiness when he promised to to respect her wish and come back to her.

* Awesome supporting characters: It was a good-looking cast for sure, and there were a few characters that added the extra oomph to the show. The bromance between Tang Tianyuan and Zheng Shaofeng was used effectively to highlight the different approaches the two men took to pursue the women they loved. Other characters I liked: Qing Chen - Tan Lingyin’s adopted brother whose character tempered her rashness; Duan Feng - the dashing bandit whom I would have shipped with the female lead in a heartbeat if Tang Tianyuan was not such a charismatic male lead; and Zhu Dacong which I thought was going to be the annoying second lead but ended up being one of my favourite characters because of his earnestness, his love, and respect for Tan Lingyin.

* Great OST – there were only 3 main songs that I believe were highlighted in the show but I liked all of them. Fortunately I was able to find them on YouTube music. The songs were memorable and the show used them effectively during the poignant scenes between the main and secondary couples.

My main gripes would be that
* The plotline about the ‘gold case’ was not that exciting, and the villains were rather one-dimensional.
* The second couple had more steamy kisses than our main leads. I noticed that lately in most dramas (be it Chinese, Thai or Korean), the main couples were always more restrained compared to the secondary couples.

Overall, I enjoyed the show and would recommend it to anyone who just wants to unwind or binge-watch over a weekend.

Read More

Solid plot, charming romance, well-timed comedy and enough political intrigue to chew on

This was indeed a well-executed show with a sophisticated and witty script. Good content filled each episode and the show balanced between political intrigue, romance, comedy, and drama nicely. The hilarious moments were well-timed, and using the OST and interesting sound effects, the show almost always hit the right dramatic notes while transitioning smoothly to more light-hearted scenes. I liked the OST, all of it, the songs and the instrumental pieces.

I appreciated how the writers realistically weaved in the theme of female empowerment without using the cross-dressing trope. The women legitimately proved their intelligence and worth, ending up as historians in the palace after passing the civil exam. The show also handled the inclusion of various thought-provoking topics perfectly, like the clash between the Western and Korean cultures and religion, the embrace of modern ideas like science versus traditional beliefs, and gender and class inequality.

Shin Se Kyung mesmerized me throughout the show. She acted well as our plucky heroine, plus she is so lovely to look at, and I quite enjoyed admiring her gorgeous features, especially during her close-ups. Her voice suited her character, Goo Hae Ryung who was thoughtful, intelligent, well-read, brave, observant, and rational. Her rationality could be considered a point of frustration for our male lead, Prince Dowon, since Hae Ryung usually did not have a romantic bone in her body. That why I was pleasantly surprised that she initiated the first kiss while quoting a romantic phrase back to Prince Dowon.

The noona romance was another plus point for the show. The chemistry between the two leads was palpable, and the show was clever to leverage the age gap and shaped out the characters in a believable way. Cha Eun Woo portrayed the handsome and naive Prince Dowon perfectly, an adorable young romantic who wore his heart on his sleeve. His micro-expressions were on-point, from being love struck to showing determination and courage when confronting his antagonists. It was endearing to see the character growth of Prince Dowon and, through his coming of age, evolved into a man who consistently stood up for his beliefs, principles, and his love for Hae Ryung.

While I enjoyed watching the romance between the two leads, I did suffer from SLS. I honestly would not have minded if Hae Ryung ended up with Officer Min. For me, he was an excellent match for the FL - a mature, intelligent, principled man would have been a perfect partner for Hae Ryung. I first saw Lee Ji Hoon in "Dinner Mate", but he really caught my eye in this show. There was a certain charisma that I found attractive. I felt the same way about Park Ki Woong, who played the Crown Prince. Those two men totally rocked facial hair.

The downer for me was the dynamic between the Crown Prince and the historian Song. There was just something about the character, Song Sa Hee, that turned me off, and I did not want to see the Crown Prince develop feelings for her. So I ended up fast-forwarding through some of their scenes. This is the reason why I did not rate this show a perfect 10.

The whole cast did well, and even though there were over the top characters, they fitted well into the story. There were no superfluous characters; each one had a purpose and lent to the story.

Overall, if you are looking for quality production, a well-written story with a strong female lead, and a charming romance, you might want to give this show a try.

Read More

Only one true kiss but it was a good one!

I am surprised by the low number of watchers but now that Viki has picked up all 3 seasons and provided english subs for them, I hope that the viewership will increase. I have only seen season 1 (first 12 episodes), and I really enjoyed watching it.

It is a web drama so it is low-budget, and the costumes and settings are not the best quality. However, it is short, simple and light-hearted. For those reasons, I recommend it for an easy bingeable watch. Even though the plot is nothing new with its time travel element, the story flowed well and the pace was good. There's no melodrama and even though there were palace politics, the plot was easy to understand and to follow. Being a short drama, there were moments when the writers quickly skimmed over certain scenes and not providing reasons to justify certain actions but I had expected that so I was not disappointed.

There were no superfluous characters; each one had a purpose and fitted into the story well. There were no stand out actors with the main characters being newbies but I would say that they did a good job on the whole with room for improvement.

If nothing else, the romance between the ML and FL was really sweet and they had great chemistry. I liked how their relationship progressed naturally and even though there was only one true kiss, the two leads really delivered. Definitely no stiff quick peck there! They really did make an adorable couple with both of them always wanting to take care of each other. For example, Xian Yun refusing to kill Prince Ming to save herself from dying from poison, or when Prince Ming risking his life to save her even though it meant that he would likely die. They were both so sincere and trusting of each other.

Yang An Qi did well portraying Ji Xian Yun and I quite like the FL. She was strong, practical, adaptable and flexible. In the first part of the show, she was so focused on getting back to her time, that she barely registered the ML's fine looks and how he was truly a good catch. On the other hand, Prince Ming showed interest in her almost immediately and it was cute to see him trying to keep her by his side and watching over her. Sheng Ying Hao certainly has the physique and handsome face to play the dashing Prince Ming. I first noticed him as Pei Heng in The Romance of Tiger and Rose and thought that his acting has improved in that show.

Overall, if you are looking for in-depth character development, quality production and a well-executed story from start to end, this is not the show for you. If you want a quick, very light and funny drama that you can easily finish in a day, then do watch this. Knowing that there is a second season already available made the abrupt ending more acceptable to me. Although I am not sure if I want to watch the next season since I saw that they changed the actress for the female lead character. I may prefer to stick to just watching the first season and keep this show as a sweet and fun memory.

Read More

Satisfying journey of unrequited love

After re-watching this show, I felt compelled to write a review even though there were already many written.

Definitely one of my top 3 favorite Thai lakorns! The show used the OST effectively, and the music enhanced the scenes and moods. I enjoyed the story and the writing and thought that the usage of poetry was creative. I also liked the scenes where they highlighted Myanmar and its temples, although I read that the show painted a rosier picture than how the reality was in the Dawei SEZ.

What I appreciated the most was the character development of the OTP, and especially the ML. The chemistry between the couple was on point, and the actors did a fantastic job. They played off each other well and nailed every scene, including the crying ones. Superficial me was drawn to their good looks and how adorably they matched each other.

Mew Nittha portrayed Muey beautifully, indeed an iron fist in a velvet glove. Extremely smart (hacker-level), lovely in appearance and character, Muey displayed such grace in her unrequited love for Thien. Even though she tended to put Thien before herself, she was not a doormat. In contrast, Muey showed such strength, determination, and sincerity so pure that I enjoyed watching her grow further into her own. She never gave up on her love for Thien. Even when she decided that they should part, her ultimate objective was to confirm if they can truly love each other after some space and time apart. By the way, I loved how Muey delivered that blow to Thien in such a calm, gentle, but so effective way.

Mark Prin, as Thien, demonstrated how well he could flex his acting muscles, and his expressions were hilarious during the comedic moments! Thien was a jerk initially, which made it so very satisfying to watch him come around and realized how deeply he loved Muey. In Muey, he actually found his "perfect" woman, the one who loved him unconditionally. It was clever how the show weaved in scenes showing his character development and the evolution of his love for Muey.

The show did well in giving the audience scenes where the ML ended up working hard to win the FL back, and they did not do it in a rushed manner. It was most gratifying, and the ending was just awesome!

The supporting cast all deserved a big shout out! There was a great rapport between all the actors, and all of them did amazingly I was won over by Thien's and Mew's side kicks, and Thien's family (Aunt Satchi, Ri and Mon) were simply endearing.

All in all, I highly recommend this lakorn!

Read More