JulesL

Do yourself a great favour and watch this drama!

There are already so many reviews, but I felt compelled to add mine since this is now one of my top favourite Chinese dramas. Now, I have not seen Eternal Love, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms After Story, nor have I read the novel, so my review is entirely based on the show alone.

I didn't expect this show to be so addictive! I was so reluctant to watch the last few episodes, and I even waited for a couple of weeks before I finally finished it. I just did not want it to end. It is also my first show that is longer than 50 episodes. I have a habit of needing to complete any show (and not dropping it), so I tend to avoid long period dramas. However, I made an exception this time because of the great chemistry between the main leads. The trailers drew me in, and my only regret is that I did not watch it sooner. I really love the story! Even though some reviews stated that certain parts got draggy, I truly enjoyed the different arcs - from when Feng Jiu became Dong Hua's pet fox to the final battle at the end. Of course, fortunately for me, the ending was a satisfying one; otherwise, I would be so heartbroken that I would probably swear off Chinese period dramas for good.

Dilraba and Vengo really nailed their characters! I cannot imagine anyone else playing Feng Jiu with so much sass. Dilraba is mesmerizing, and it is completely believable when the character was described as a legendary beauty. She portrayed the future Queen of Qing Qiu with such grace and I love that Feng Jiu was also intelligent (albeit naive at times), good in martial arts and weapon making, and her culinary skills so exceptional that it won Dong Hua's attention. The same thing with Vengo - he played Dong Hua Di Jun with perfection. His acting range shone as he switched from icy handsome god to adorable pouty lover with endearing, smoldering looks reserved just for Feng Jiu. Also, while I have not seen that many period dramas, I cannot think of anyone else who looked so attractive in white hair (other than his own offspring)!

I also look for micro-expressions when it comes to acting skills, and both of them pulled it off so well. After all, they each had to portray three different character personalities, and they went through so many emotional periods of different levels across the various realms. The chemistry between these two was off the chart, and I truly enjoyed watching them fall in love even when they did not realize that their relationship was forming. I usually keep my interest strictly within Dramaland, but this is one of the very very few couples so far where I hope would become one from reel to real. I totally ship them together.

As for the rest of the cast - major applause! All of them did amazingly and so many good looking ones all in a one show :-) I was genuinely interested in the different characters - Lian Song, Cheng Yu, Chi Wu, Si Ming, super cute Ah Li, Zhe Yan (Baron!!!), Su Mo Ye, Qing Ti, Meng Shao and the list goes on! These characters completed the show. And yes, I have to mention Ji Heng, who was the one character I hated, not the actress who did a good job but the character - boy was I upset with her actions towards the end!

Other than that, the CGI effects were fantastic. It was obvious that they put a lot of thought and effort into creating the various realms and worlds. The fox was so well done, and I could not find any bad effects. Music-wise, also well-done! I have already added the OST soundtrack to my playlist.

The rewatch value is high for me since I am already rewatching it. Haha! As I said, this show is addictive!

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Well-Written and Nicely Executed Rom-Com with Visually Appealing CP

Overall, this was a very entertaining watch. The main plot is nothing new - cold, indifferent military officer and the heir of a powerful family meets a poor but resourceful girl. However, the show was well-executed, and it was also quite creative in the way the male and female leads met and ended up in a contract marriage. The story was mostly well-written, the comedy was on point, and there was some great dialogue. Still, there were cringey moments, and the middle dragged a little, but the later episodes were well worth the patience. Also, there were some hilarious scenes like the female lead cleaning out the family during mahjong! The cinematography was stunning, and I was impressed by how much attention was paid to the CP's wedding. Against the grand backdrop of the manor, the scenes were simply gorgeous. The costumes were lovely with fabulous colour schemes; I loved how the couples were often color-coordinated perfectly.

After reading the comments, it seemed that many viewers were bothered by the lie about the fake pregnancy going on for so long, but that did not bother me. After all, it was the catalyst that brought the CP together and was the basis for the story. That was the main reason why I was willing to deal with the draggy middle episodes. I was increasingly interested in finding out how everything would be resolved at the end.

The main couple had good chemistry, albeit not off the charts compared to other screen couples. I like that it was the male lead that started liking the female lead first. He was always looking out for her, secretly smiling at her, and wanted her even after finding out that she lied about the pregnancy. The show got even better after the female lead acknowledged her feelings for the male lead. From then onwards, their love never wavered, and they remained completely committed to each other. Loved the kisses (could have been more) and skinship!

Like in many C-dramas, Xiong Xi Ruo, the female lead character, can get a little annoying and tiring with her immature, self-serving ways. However, her actions, for the most part were justifiable; after all, she wanted to keep her life! Admittedly, I did not give this show a higher rating because I felt that there were too many filler episodes where I felt extreme irritation at Xi Ruo for being so dense, stubborn, and constantly misunderstanding the male lead. Still, she was quite endearing for the most part and had character development eventually. Li Hong Bin, the male lead, was as loyal as they come, and he did so much for Xi Ruo without her even knowing. With such an amazing male lead, the story would have a winner if their relationship was more balanced, with Xi Ruo being more considerate of Hong Bin earlier in the show. That said, Xi Ruo displayed bravery and self-sacrifice when she blocked an attack on her father-in-law and took a stab for Hong Bin.

Xi Zi is adorably pretty with her dimple and has looks worthy of a female lead. Lately, the actresses cast in lead roles have been visually unremarkable, at least to me. She did fairly well portraying Xi Ruo, but there was some over-the-top acting during the crying scenes. I am not sure if it is the directing, or as a newbie, there was room for improvement.

Tall, good-looking with a great physique, Xia Ning Jun fitted the bill as the male lead, Li Hong Bin, and showed a good acting range, from cold sternness, angry jealousy, loving glances to swoony stares. Like Xi Zi, he is also a newcomer, and I hope that he will get more chances to hone his skills.

The supporting cast was good as well. Li Hong Bin's bodyguard A-Mao, and his parents were hilarious, and the villains evoked the right amount of annoyance. That Ru-er really made my blood boil, and I was so happy to see karma coming around, and she got what she deserved!

I love the OST, especially the title song, the duet that played during poignant moments, and all the instrumental pieces. So fitting for the scenes and helped to evoke my emotions. Also, the usage of sound effects to highlight the comedic moments was effective.

Overall, I recommend this sweet rom-com, especially if you are looking for one with little angst, where the CP only has eyes for each other and has a satisfying ending.

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Simple, endearing and pure

This drama was a pleasure to watch after some heavy Thai Lakorn and historical C-drama. Such a simple but well-executed plot about first romance, highlighting the struggles of youth and the awkward journey of inexperienced young adults as they try to develop their crushes into relationships. This show made me smile a lot, not only from watching the main couple's relationship evolve but also from watching the heartwarming interactions between family and friends. Additionally, the show delved into some social topics like bullying and self-esteem. To me, it was quite successful in delivering good messages.

Riley Wang as Yan Ke and Wan Peng as Xiong Yi Fan had a unique dynamic that made them so entertaining to watch. Both leads have engaging visuals - attractive but not your typical classic good looks. I first saw Wan Peng in "My Girlfriend is an Alien", and I thought her look was so fitting for a character who was not from this planet. In this show, she portrayed Xiong Yi Fan perfectly, a bumbling female lead who traded her tomboyish ways for a more feminine demeanor. Xiao Xiong was resilient, optimistic, always protective of her friends, and looking out for the underdog. She was also adorably clueless, hence the slow burn romance.

Riley Wang has come a long way since I first watched him in "I Hear You". His acting range has improved, and he's gotten better at emoting effectively. That dimple when he smiles! He was an excellent choice to play Yan Ke, a talented pianist who was smart and handsome. Despite being popular, Yan Ke was not arrogant and instead came across as sensitive and somewhat innocent. I enjoyed watching his attempts to get closer to Xiao Xiong, trying to confess his feelings and deepen their relationship. I shared the poor guy's frustration, and when he and Xiao Xiong finally got together, I practically jumped off my sofa cheering!

It is a mostly young cast, and while they did well, there is room for improvement. Another noteworthy actor is Ken Wu, who played Bai Yu Ze; I would not have guessed that this was his first drama. Unfortunately, as much as I liked his character, his potential romance with Ding Ming failed to capture my interest. I appreciate that there was a happy ending implied for Bai Yu Ze, but I did not see any chemistry between him and Ding Ming. On the other hand, I was rooting for Qi Xiaosong and his love interest. Also, the supporting cast was superb, and they had a great rapport. I loved Xiao Xiong's dad and Yan Ke's mom; both so supportive and loved their children so much!

The main couple's relationship demonstrated how love prevailed even in the most challenging times. Their liking for each other never wavered. When they first crushed on each other in high school to when they met again in college, they remained focused on each other despite other people trying to come into the picture. I liked that the second male and female leads were clearly told from the get-go that they never stood a chance. I also liked that the main couple never lost sight of their own goals and development. There was also a nice story twist when Xiao Xiong and her supposed love rival ended up motivating each other on to better things.

Another high point for me was the OST. The song choices were great, very fitting, and evoked my emotions.

Overall, I recommend this light, sweet rom-com, especially if you are looking for one with little angst where misunderstandings are quickly resolved and the OTP only has eyes for each other.

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I wanted fluff, and this show delivered!

This show was filled with all tropes and cliches possible, but it was also funny as heck. It is a simple college love story focused on the relationship between the ML and FL. I like that they were both mutually attracted at the same time, and I enjoyed watching the flirty teasing, cute jealousy, and growing love between them. The cast is a bunch of young, good-looking actors, and the rapport between them was really great. The roommates of the ML and FL were simply awesome and their interactions were entertaining. My rating is based mostly on how much I liked the characters, and I enjoyed the witty script.

Ireine Song looked liked like a twelve-year-old next to her fellow actors, but somehow she fitted the FL character of Yuan Qian. She's cute and is a good comedian actor. The actor who gets to be the male lead next to Ireine Song should be thankful because she highlights them, making them shine. They all look so tall and charming. Aaron Deng, despite playing the tsundere Qin Shen most of the show, was quite enigmatic. He looked so good in the Hanfu costume that I now want to see him in a period drama. I was also kind of rooting for the SML, Song Si Yi. Honestly, I would not have minded Yuan Qian ending up with Si Yi. He was handsome, charismatic, flirty, and was so into Yuan Qian. I first saw Wang Run Ze in "A Little Thing Called First Love" and thought that he did pretty well there and in this show.

Great OST - it's a fun selection and quite fitting for the scenes.

All in all, if you are in the mood for something sweet, funny, and light-hearted, you should enjoy this.

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Time will never stop so love your life happily and cherish the moments with no regrets

After having this show on my watch list for ages, it was the show's OST, specifically Marcus Chang's 輸給你 (Lose To You) that compelled me to watch it finally, and I am glad that I did.

This series touched my heart on multiple levels, and the interesting thing is that I felt the emotions even more when it was over. It is by no means perfect, and some parts left me questioning, but it is at heart an incredibly watchable and endearing show. It has memorable characters, music and songs that I am still enjoying, and scenes that I keep replaying. Plus, the comedy is on-point. I love how meta the show is and how it makes fun of itself by leveraging all the romance novel tropes and story personalities imaginable.

It is not all about romance, though. From the get-go, Lost Romance sets up expectations of a dramatic corporate power struggle between family in the real world juxtaposed against Xiao En's romantic adventures in the modern romance novel world.

In a way, trying to fit the corporate family drama and the romantic novel world into a 20-episode long series may be the show's main flaw. The real-world link to the novel world is never really explained. Some sub-plots feel poorly developed, like encounters that seem to lead somewhere but end up nowhere. Certain character development appears half-baked like Tian Jian's and Ming Li's sudden personality changes.

Still, what the show lacks in logic, it makes up for with enjoyable cheesiness, warmth, and charm. The show's strengths are the unique premise, attractive leads, and a funny, witty script. Plots about characters cross-traveling from reality into a fantasy world are nothing new. However, Lost Romance is the first one I watched that has the female character starting off as a malicious supporting character in the story and changing her destiny to become the female lead. So it felt fresh to me.

The two drool-worthy male leads, Marcus Chang and Simon Lian were major draws for me, but it was really Vivian Sung who kept me binge-watching. Her Zheng Xiao En was funny, happy-go-lucky, spunky, and adorable, and I found her very relatable. Being an editor of chick-lit romance novels, Xiao En had many funny reactions to the twists and turns of her storyland situation. I enjoyed watching how she determinedly and unapologetically attempted to change her fate by disrupting the cliché romance plot and its characters. Ever so handsome, Marcus Chang probably had the easier role as the good-looking CEO. Still, he was good in his dual roles as the domineering and arrogant Situ Aoran and He Tian Xing, who was more composed, sophisticated, and intelligent. He emoted well, showing character differences subtly but clearly enough for one to see his transition from the flatness of Aoran, the story character, to real-world Tian Xing, someone with more emotional depth.

The chemistry between Vivian Sung and Marcus Chang was easily the best element of this drama. Both of them had some crackling dialogue, and their love scenes were the most convincing of any couple that I have seen recently. I loved their banter, and the skinship and kissing felt so natural and real that I felt like I was intruding into their intimate moments. While I did not get how Xiao En can fall for Aoran so deeply and completely when he was more of a strategic target at first, but I can appreciate how much he lifted her up and vice versa. They showed each other how much they deserved love, even the parts that they wanted to hide. As that mutual understanding developed, the progression of their relationship felt organic

As the charming, sweet, and companionable Qing Feng, Simon Lian gave me second lead syndrome. Unlike other shows, though, I did not end up pining and wishing for more for his character. Qing Feng got his own lovely happy ending that felt just right. I was glad that the show did not spin up a female character just for him at the end, or even worse, pairing him up with Chu-chu, the initial female lead turned second lead. Speaking of Chu-chu, Snowbaby portrayed the annoyingly delicate, soft, and innocent "white lotus" so consistently that I have to give her kudos for it.

The OST is fantastic, and the show has done very well in combining background music with poignant moments. The music certainly elevated the scenes and moods for me.

Ultimately, all I can say is that if you have not watched Lost Romance, you should definitely consider giving it a try. I cannot recommend it enough.

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Sudden happiness that is too short-lived, yet it will take too long to forget in the future

This show appealed to me with its simple romance and its lack of fluffiness. I quite enjoyed the pining, the stolen glances, and the pensive stares between the lead couple. Having watched the 2019 version and really liking it, I thought this 2021 version is a more light-hearted adaptation and is less angsty. Still, there was enough sweet yearning and longing that kept me rooting for the two and coming back for more. I thought the script was beautifully written, and I appreciated many of Luo Zi's mature musings and Huainan's romantic declarations. Music-wise, the OST was pleasant and soothing and was used effectively during the more poignant scenes

I have to compliment Hu Bing Qing for her portrayal of Luo Zi. She had the essence that made her the heart of the show. Her Luo Zi was cool and classy, witty and sarcastic, introverted but always ready to stand up for her friends or herself, confident but also insecure when it came to her crush. Hu Yi Tian, as Sheng Huainan, probably had the easier job where he just had to be the "nan shen" (male god), look good, smile, and charm his way into Luo Zi's good graces. Still, having seen his previous dramas, he has definitely improved his acting skills, and he certainly has the aura of a male lead. I like the chemistry between the pair and the way they flirted with each other in their adorable geeky way.

Also central to the story are the secondary romances that all revolved around unrequited love but the side stories fused well to the main one. The drama also nicely showcased friendship; the sismance between Luo Zi and Jiang Baili and the bromance between Huainan and Zhang Ming Rui provided the heart-warming moments that lightened the frustration of missed opportunities. Ming Rui is one of my favorite characters in the show. He is adorable and good-looking, the epitome of warmth and loyalty. The entire cast did a great job, and there was great rapport among them.

The show would have benefited more if it were a few episodes shorter since I found the pace in the middle just a little draggy, and they overplayed the "misunderstanding" theme. There were many moments in the earlier parts of the show when I wished I could grab and give both leads a little shake to finally just talk it out. Especially when Huainan repeatedly stated his wish that there would not be any misunderstanding between them. I also found the ending pretty anti-climatic. Don't we deserve at least a hug or more after seeing the couple go through so many trials and tribulations?

Overall, I recommend this slow-burn romance for those who are looking for something more wistful and not so cheesy.

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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!

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I want him to be my first love and my last...

The Emergency Couple started with eloquent, fervent declarations of love and had the grand gesture of marriage between our main couple, but the story did not continue with a happily ever after. Instead, it explored what happened when love did not conquer all during the first round. The show's premise was about a second chance at love, focusing on a couple who got divorced and were thrown together again with their lives intertwined by a twist of fate.

I found this plot appealing because it tackled various aspects of a relationship that otherwise would not be uncovered in a couple's first go-around. We don't get the thrill of watching the couple flirt, wondering when they will finally get together, and experiencing the big kiss. Instead, we get to see the more sobering effects of watching the marriage between the main couple fall apart in flashbacks throughout the show. There is a sense of discomfort when we find the couple, for frustrating reasons, could not make it work in the end.

That said, while there was some angst in this drama featuring Sean Jindachot and Bua Nalinthip, it was not an all-sob fest. Done with the flair that you would find only in lakorns, there was the feeling of hope and light silliness threaded throughout the episodes. The production of the show felt different, with a great vibe. The setting, pacing, lighting, and directing reminded me of American shows about doctors, but at the same time, had the Thai flavor. The show delivered the entertaining aspects of a workplace drama, served with the delicious anxiety of a romance story.

The major draw for me was the feeling of potential. The fact that there were redeeming qualities in the couple's relationship, as flawed as it may have been, suggested that it could be better than it once was and that the ex-husband and ex-wife could appreciate each other even more than they once did.

Pun Saksuan (Sean) and Punn Settan (Bua) portrayed a couple, divorced for six years, who found their paths crossing again as interns in a hospital. The play on the couple's first names must have been deliberate since the show took the opportunity to include scenes of confused identities. From the starting encounter, the viewers could tell that the story between them was not completely finished. The first few episodes highlighted their struggles in having to be in close proximity again and the messiness of their feelings of hurt and anger. There was some melodrama, featuring the typical annoying interfering (ex-)mother-in-law, but thankfully, the nang'ek (female lead) was not a screechy, clingy, crazy female. She was persistent indeed but still had dignity. The SML (second male lead) was tall, dark, and handsome. Sensitive and smart, I was rooting for the FL and SML quite a bit, especially when the ML (male lead) acted like a jerk initially.

As the story progressed, the couple rediscovered the lost love between them, and there were scenes set up to pull at the heartstrings. Lines blurred and crossed, romance wore different masks, and emotions were not as simple or neat as most of us like to believe. Mostly, the story development was fine, but something was lacking. I felt like I missed the turning point when the ML suddenly softened and decided he wanted to reconcile with the FL. The same thing happened with the second couple involving the SML, Mor' Gook (Dr. Cook), and Dr. May - they too had a history. Throughout most of the show, the plot hinted and teased at the attraction between the FL and the SML, but then, surprisingly and suddenly, feelings got redirected. I am not sure if scenes were cut or if it was simply some weak writing that did not connect the dots smoothly for me.

I have always liked Sean's acting, and his eyes are his biggest asset to me. It was again the case in this drama, where Sean delivered some great emotional scenes. Bua's characters tend to start off irritating but eventually become likable, and she did a great job during the poignant moments. The only drawback was that sometimes Bua faded into the background, with Sean drawing more attention. Still, together, they delivered good chemistry, and their visuals were, of course, attractive. Speaking of attractiveness, On Nophand Boonyai certainly caught my eye as the reserved attending surgeon responsible for the interns. Deliberately shown as scruffy, a doctor dedicated to his profession with no room for romance, he was the perfect choice to complete the love triangle of our main couple. Ultimately, he had his own story to complete with the lovely Dr. May, who was generally a wonderful character and by far the wisest and most mature among all. They too had their own second chance at love. While I was not satisfied with how the romance flowed among the characters, I was happy with the outcome.

The side characters added more interest, and the supporting cast did their jobs, some more exaggerated than others, but the over-acting was kind of expected in a Thai lakorn. The music soundtrack was not memorable for me, and I think it was pretty much one song throughout the show, along with some instrumental background music.

Overall, if you’re in the mood for watching romances rekindled with the push-and-pull and emotional turbulence that comes along with them, all set in an emergency room, and want a break from the typical Thai rom-com, this may be a good choice.

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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.

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The best revenge is to move on and let karma do the rest

This review is for Season 1 and 2.

Krachao Seeda truly delivered the emotional rollercoaster that I expect from a Thai lakorn! The plotline is nothing new, but I enjoyed the story, and the pacing was good. There's definitely tons of slapping where almost no one was spared, and there was melodrama and angst when I found my heart wrenching or my blood pressure rising numerous times. However, throw in the happy and satisfying scenes, and you get an addictive drama that kept me binge-watching it. The main messages were karma, knowing one's self-worth, and valuing one's dignity.

After having experienced the spectrum of emotions, from the villains making my blood boil watching them plot and play dirty to the feelings of enjoyable romance watching the interactions between the ML and FL, the best part by far was seeing the good guys triumphed over the evil schemes repeatedly. This is so gratifying since there are so many lakorns where the bad guys keep winning until the last episode when they finally get their due punishment or redemption because forgiveness is a key virtue. The rating should be higher, but I guess a rating above 7.5 is considered high for a Thai drama on MDL.

I started this show because of Nune Woranuch, who played Nampink, the FL, but ultimately I binge-watched because of Got Jirayu, who portrayed the ML, Aumpon. I first noticed him in Love Destiny, looking so fine as Luang Surasak, but he stole my heart in this drama. A perfect ML, so charming, charismatic, and attractive...Aumpon may be younger than Nampink, but he was mature, thoughtful, protective, and committed to his love for Nampink. One of my favorite genres is when the ML falls for the FL first, and it was cute how Aumpon smoothly expressed his feelings to Nampink. I love how Got's eyes crinkled as he smiled widely, but his playful expressions can transform so effortlessly into serious and menacing ones when he stared down the villains. I have nothing but praises for Got's acting in this show, and I look forward to him playing more lead roles.

Nampink was a strong female lead, like an iron fist in a velvet glove. Beautiful, decisive, and resourceful, she handled herself with elegance and grace even through heartbreak and betrayal. I like that Nampink was intelligent, and even when she felt devastated, she executed her revenge so nicely and cleanly against the people who did her wrong. Nune has the aura of a commanding female lead, and it is not surprising that she was proclaimed as one of the royalty of Thai dramas. She is gorgeous and I spent the whole show admiring her hair and fashion. In fact, I loved all the female characters' outfits! The production designer deserved a shout-out for such excellent choices but seriously, does the Thai high society really dress like the way they do in the dramas?

As individual characters, our leads were likable, and as a couple, they were admirable and endearing. So supportive and understanding of each other, they were able to take down the villains by anticipating their next moves and laying traps for the bad guys. The chemistry was good, and I wish they had more kissing scenes. That said, both actors were so on point with their expressions and body language that I did not need obvious gestures like kissing to see how well they played off each other. They have a unique dynamic that made it so interesting to watch them. Plus, Got just oozed sexiness, and the show enhanced that impression by playing the sexy background song almost every time he appeared on screen to charm Nampink.

The supporting cast was good, but I was not interested in the second couple's relationship. I don't think it was executed very well, and I didn't exactly buy the idea that Ramnam and Lue loved each other in the end. Green Ausadaporn is lovely and was good as Ramnam, the scheming nangrai who stopped at nothing to get what she wanted, but something was lacking in her overall delivery. I think that the SFL was supposed to be a more complex character, fighting against societal prejudice and oppression, but Green's acting did not come through for me. She was good with her smirks and sneers, and she totally brought out the dislike in me. However, she did not do as well in the more emotional scenes. The same thing with Peter Corp Dyrendal, who played Lue, the SML who was supposed to be in love with Nampink even after he betrayed her but then all of a sudden, he was in love with Ramnam towards the end. I pitied Ramnam's mother the most, but in a way, she was the one who enabled Ramnan's wickedness.

The music list was not long, but the soundtrack was memorable, including the sexy song I now will always associate with Got…Haha! For posterity, I have listed the main songs below. Unfortunately, the show did not balance the dramatic background music well, and it can be quite jarring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tCPuOIeSHo
เพลง : พิง (Song: Lean)
นักร้อง : NONT TANONT (Singer)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SHtrQNYE90
เพลง : ความรัก (Song: Love)
ศิลปิน : โรส ศิรินทิพย์ (Singer: Rose Sirinthip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUhlXxelZZA
เพลง : ปม (Song:Crux)
ศิลปิน : ZANI ( ซานิ นิภาภรณ์ ) (Singer: ZANI (Sani Nipaporn))

I gave a decent rating for the re-watch value since I expect I will replay scenes of Aumpon and Nampink. On the whole, I do recommend this Lakorn. The story moved quickly with a great ending, good-looking actors who can act, and great music. So give it a try, and who knows, you may get hooked onto it just like I was.

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Esther and Film in a Slap & Kiss Lakorn? Sign me up!

Payu Sai truly drew me in, and I could not help but binge-watched over the weekend. It's a real slap & kiss but not so much between our main couple. There's definitely tons of slapping where almost no one was spared, and the kisses between the male and female leads, Nares and Sai, were hot...phew!

Why I like this lakorn?

* Awesome leads
I actually liked the female lead in this one. I'm not sure whether it is Esther who seems to be able to bring life to any character or the character itself but Sai was not a boring and weak damsel in distress. She can fight and shoot a gun with great accuracy. She was smart, independent and calm but she can be irritatingly stubborn and tight-lipped.

As for the male lead, his character development was a plus point and even though he may seemed self-centered, I actually found Nares adorable whenever he realized how important he was to Sai. He always wanted to be the first when it came to Sai which can come across as being possessive. However, Film managed to pull it off with charisma.

* Great kissing
In the first 6 episodes, Nares and Sai demonstrated angry passion that translated into some great kissing. After seeing them in their other shows, I always knew that Film and Esther could kiss well on-screen, and they delivered again. That said, Esther could have tried to avoid the wide-eyed "Oh, we're kissing" look that took away from the heat of the moment.

There was great chemistry and Film as Nares brought his usual flirty charm which worked well with Esther's more subtle appeal in her portrayal of Sai. They, of course, looked good together, which increased my enjoyment of watching them together.

It did get tamer after the two became more romantic. However, I appreciated how the writers developed the progression of Nares' and Sai's relationship, which brings me to my next point.

* Realistic relationship progression
Even though the kisses became fewer after the major misunderstandings were cleared up, there were still many sweet and cute moments in almost every episode. Nares was constantly hugging, trying to kiss, and physically expressing his love for Sai, while Sai would react with modesty and fake outrage. I did wish that Sai did not react so shyly, especially after seeing her initial ardent responses to Nares. However, after having watched numerous Thai lakorns, I somewhat expected it.

There was also a secondary couple whose endearing interactions caught my interest. At least for the couples, the writers focused on keeping the romantic relationships healthy and respectful. As for the other relationships, oh boy, it was toxic but entertaining as heck.

* Tropes used in a refreshing way
This drama was riddled with worn-out tropes, but... they were not that bad. The show used some tropes in new ways and managed to surprise me. The screechy supposed nang rai was dealt with quickly. The bitchy stepmother found redemption. Unlike many Lakorns that were all about forgiveness and earning merit, the villains were punished satisfactorily.

* Engaging plot
The story unfolded pretty nicely for me, and I like that the show revealed the villains early on. Even then, there were layers of manipulation and scheming that kept things fresh. It is also gratifying that the main couple developed quickly, allowing more episodes of sweet romance. I find many shows so frustrating, having to watch the couple go through many episodes of denial before finally getting together in the last 15 minutes. It was also enjoyable to see the villains unravel as they got closer to being caught.

* Memorable theme song
For posterity, I included the link to it. It is quite a lovely song and has made it to my playlist. As expected, it heightened the romantic experience for me.

ARTIST : มาเรียม เกรย์
SONG : หัวใจเลือกจำ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpSP67RocUo

Why I couldn't give a higher rating?

* Trite dialogue and overuse of flashbacks towards the end
Seriously, they could have done better with the dialogue. For some scenes, the writers must think that the viewers are pretty dumb since they got the characters to say out the entire scene. Also, a lot of drama happened for the sake of drama which can be frustrating at times.

* Lack of music creativity
Unfortunately, other than the theme song, there was not much else going on musically, and the background music selection did not seem suitable at times.

* Unimpressive acting by the villains and side characters
The overall frustration about the bad acting is something that you have to overlook to move on.

On the whole, I do recommend this Lakorn. The story moved at a good pace, and if nothing else, Film and Esther might be enough to keep you watching.

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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.

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Hilarious and heartwarming

If you are willing to suspend your disbelief and accept a nonsensical plot, you will likely find this light and fluffy rom-com entertaining. This show is a good pick when you don't want to be too emotionally invested. The series is more comedy with a family-focused theme than romance, with lots of hilarious slapstick moments. While the romance was a slower burn and less intense than I had hoped, there was chemistry between the lead couple. Their relationship's progression was delightful, and while there was not much skinship or kissing, their interactions were so cute. The male lead was especially charming when he teased and flirted with the female lead.

As usual, Vill Sonthichai is lovely to look at, and I thought that she did well portraying Tammy/Cherry, the female lead trying to play mother to a challengingly petulant brood. I found her acting a little over the top at times, but I think that was more due to the directing. The supporting characters were so over the top and at times ridiculous that you cannot help but laugh.

It is the first time I have watched Chakrit Yamnam, and he has piqued my interest. His acting was excellent, and he was to emote and convey a lot via his eyes and micro-expressions. Unlike the other actors, there was no over-acting, and his experience really shone through as there was a certain dignity to the way he played Treeloj/San.

I did find the side relationships much less interesting, especially the one between Treeloj's daughter and his friend. I am less bothered by the age difference because there was probably a similar age gap between Treelog and Tammy, and more by the fact that the daughter was barely of legal age. For me, that subplot was unnecessary and added a twisted negative vibe to the show.

I like the featured songs. The title song has an infectious, feel-good energy that reflected the same tone of fun and positivity that was infused throughout the show. The ending song was fitting for the more romantic or poignant scenes between the main couple. Also, the usage of sound effects to highlight the comedic moments were effective.

Overall, this is a cute series that I would recommend for light watching and laugh out loud moments. I would likely re-watch it on a slow weekend.

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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.

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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.

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