Great until not so great

The drama lost me completely when they added another unnecessary love story with two episodes that added no value to the plot. The second part of the drama was a complete waste of time, with the same villains unpunished and the same old baddies. The main female protagonist kept getting hurt by the male lead over and over again, and when a villain died, another one showed up. The old sage who initially hated her did so many nasty things to her, and we received no satisfaction from his death.

However, I will say that the actors were great and had fantastic chemistry, despite the significant age gap, which made total sense. I was hooked on the drama because the male lead was a man, not a boy. Hugo and I could have been older, though. Senior Mu, aka Demon Thian, was my favorite character alongside the male lead. The main female actress did a good job of playing the innocent, naive follower, but I much prefer sassy heroines. However, after a few dozen episodes, watching her bullied and emotionally hurt became too much for me, and they lost me again.

I enjoyed the first 15 episodes, but when she turned into a demon, they lost me again. I had to start skipping ahead from episode 30. The storyline could have been better, even though it was a low-budget series. The background, construction, and props were well done, but as usual, there were inconsistencies with the wounds, blood, and lack of budget to hire more people for crowded demon places. The hate at first sight was exaggerated.

The drama has a happy ending but not the kind I like. They reunited after 10 years and all they do is stare at each other, smiled and play both music. ML cried. She didn't. No hug. No kiss. Completely a miss from the director here.

To be honest, when I reread this review, I noticed that I only mentioned negative comments. But despite everything, the drama is still worthy of watching as it had many cute moments that made me teary-eyed.

Read More

Great acting, confusing plot

36 episodes. 10min each. 2 seasons.

First time watching 10-minute episodes. That was not a satisfactory experience. At times, I thought I skipped episodes because it made no sense.

- The third Prince was at times evil and others a lover. He loved Qi yet murdered her. He loves Xuan yet sets her up to be raped
- finally, the Fifth Prince becomes Emperor and makes promises to share rooms with Li… yet she disappears for a years
- out of the out-the-blue King of poison becoming her mother
- Qi/Li was a maid but a kung-fu master and genius doctor
- the mystic master coming out of the blue
- the second Prince who existed only to be killed

So many things made no sense or were left blank or ridiculous.

I want to highlight that, while the performances of the actors and actresses were great, I couldn't help but notice a stark contrast between the physical appearances of the main couple. She looked like a mature woman while he looked like a young man. Unfortunately, this was the only drama where the female lead had a prominent role, despite being in the industry since 2021. She deserves better. My guess is that her voice and physical appearance don't seem to be a good fit for young adult dramas which are the most popular, as they prefer a high-pitched teen voice and a youthful face. Perhaps she would be better suited for contemporary dramas. It is sad because she is an excellent actress.

The male lead was outstanding, but his appearance was more fitting for teenage or young adult dramas. While their acting was great, the chemistry between the two leads felt off, probably because they didn't match well.

I strongly believe that adult actors should look like adults, not like teenagers. Sadly, we don't see this often in costume dramas.

Overall, it was a watchable drama, but I don't see myself rewatching it anytime soon.

Read More

Great romance with a strong plot

I absolutely adored the drama, it had everything that I love! Rosy Zhao was amazing and the two male leads were fantastic. Thanks to Rosy, they really shone on screen. The drama was perfectly balanced with just the right amount of drama, romance and comedy. The costumes and makeup were impeccable, but the dance and song choreography needed significant improvement. It was not awe-inspiring to watch someone just turning around and around.

Ren Hao was my favorite character, his villainous yet madly in love portrayal was spot on. Not to mention he looks absolutely delicious on screen! However, I felt like we needed more information regarding his transition from a teenager to a man. I was left wanting to know more about how he became a villain, even if we got glimpses of his aunt.

Despite my appreciation for the music, I must say that the synchronization between Rosy Zhao's vocals and the music was extremely poor. Moreover, the dancing choreography was quite subpar, as it seemed like anyone could merely spin around with a flowing dress and raised arms. It is disappointing that the production did not put in more effort to improve these aspects of the performance.

Lusi Zhao is an all-round package. She shines and brings out the best in every partner, be it male or female. I caught a glimpse of her 2023 Lu Lu land concert, and she was stunning. However, I hope she pays all her taxes.

Even though I loved the drama and have re-watched it several times, I have to admit that the lip-syncing during the school singing performance was terrible. I wished the directors did better on this. But overall, the script, direction, and acting were all top-notch. Kudos to the entire team!

Read More

If you consider holding hands In public is not taboo. Cute drama!

After watching this drama, I read some comments and realized how differently people perceive it. For me, it deserves a solid 9 rating.

I recall from my previous review that physical touch is considered a taboo in China, Korea, and Japan. Therefore, a story that revolves around constant touching, even if it's just holding hands in public, would undoubtedly offend some viewers.

However, I had a different reaction. I found the concept to be original and charming. Some people argued that they felt uneasy because the male lead was imposing himself on the female lead. But, from my perspective, I didn't see much of that. Although he discovered that touching her brought him sensations he had never experienced before, including romantic feelings, he was very insistent on her staying with him. But, honestly, I didn't see any forced seduction. It began with a mutual agreement and quickly developed into mutual love.

The female lead, Bu Guan Jin, left me feeling undecided about her performance. On one hand, she portrayed her character's kind and naive personality exceptionally well, which was impressive. However, on the other hand, I found the chemistry between her and the male lead to be average and not particularly noteworthy.

The director seemed to emphasize her petite figure a lot throughout the drama, which at times felt unnecessary. While the character didn't require a beautiful actress, I personally would have preferred someone more aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Maybe there was an issue with her makeup that didn't work in her favor? She managed to avoid any annoying notes that I typically find off-putting like childish which is a big plus in my opinion. Overall, while I did have mixed feelings about the lead actress, her acting was commendable.

Wang Xing Yue, the male actor, has proved to be an excellent choice for various drama series. Although he may not be conventionally handsome, his looks are still quite appealing, and he has a natural charm that makes him a great match with the leading lady. His acting skills are exceptional, and he has delivered some outstanding performances in his career so far. His range of emotions and ability to bring depth to his characters have earned him a reputation as a talented actor in the industry.

The chemistry between the second main couple was lacking. The woman looked considerably older than the man, making their relationship seem unconvincing. However, the other characters were well portrayed, with a special mention to Nie Xi Hao, who played the role of the "evil brother". In my opinion, he has both the looks and talent to take on more significant main roles in future dramas.

In my opinion, this drama is definitely worth watching. However, I must mention that there are a few scenes that feature physical contact between the couple. If you are someone who is uncomfortable with public displays of affection, then this drama might not be suitable for you. But if you don't mind watching romantic moments such as holding hands and hugs, then this drama with a sweet and happy ending will definitely be enjoyable for you.

Read More

Meant for young adults, played by young adults. Aired in 2018, produced few years earlier

At first, I was confused and read some negative comments regarding this drama. So, I didn't expect much from it. Moreover, I thought it was just another case of youth martial arts that I had seen before. Later, I realized that the negative comments were referring to season 2 and it made me pleasantly surprised.

What confused me was the name mentioned in the drama and the name mentioned when it aired. Both are a different season.

The drama centers around a young and aspiring martial artist hero who faces various challenges in his mission to save the world. He attends a prestigious martial arts school with a group of loyal friends, and sweet romance blossoms throughout the series. His mission is to eradicate the evil, save his friends and have his revenge. While the plot may not be entirely original, it is worth noting that the drama was produced a few years before its 2018 release due to Chinese media censorship, so the special effects may not be as advanced as those in more recent dramas. The music choice at that time was probably good to attract young people too!

It's remarkable how much a few years can change actors and actresses. Looking back from 2024, it's clear that Leo Wu, whom I first saw in Love Like the Galaxy, was much younger then (probably around 16-17 in 2016 when it was produced), and while his acting experience was already impressive, he lacked a certain (normal) maturity that he has since acquired in his recent dramas, a few years later (he is 24 in 2024). Therefore, even talented, even with an already impressive list of dramas he played, he was still a late teenager and it showed. Even back then, he was already bodybuilding, which was evident from the number of times we saw him shirtless on the show. I'm sure his fans were over the moon! 😆

Few comical and over-the-top scenes were amusing, particularly when the ML cleverly wrapped a black scarf around his face to remain incognito, but peculiarly kept the attention-grabbing, one-of-a-kind, gigantic sword strapped to his back, making it obvious to everyone that it was indeed him. It was a comical display of a superhero in action, leaving me with a hearty laugh. This is why I call this drama meant for teenagers and young adults. The credibility was removed immediately.

Ahem… a special mention to the ugliest hairstyles I have ever seen in a drama!! Gosh, those were so distracting, poor Leo Wu!

I was taken aback when I saw Xiao Zhan in a supporting role, as I am a huge fan of his after watching The Untamed. This drama was a year before though and although his acting was good, he didn't shine as much as The Untamed. It's disheartening to see that despite his immense popularity, he doesn't seem to be happy. Every time I see him in recent interviews or TV events, he appears to be unhappy and wants to escape. He recently expressed his desire to take a step back. It's a shame that someone as talented as him doesn't seem to be getting the happiness and recognition he deserves.

It's funny that I found many actors and actresses who played support roles in the Chinese dramas "Oh My Emperor" (2018) and "Joy of Life" (2019). Some of these actors include Jason Gu and Wu Jia Cheng (from "Oh My Emperor"), Li Qin, Li Zi Feng, Du Yu Ming and Xin Zhi Lei (all from "Joy of Life"). It's rare for me to recognize actors, especially when there are hundreds of them. However, these actors made an impression on me when I watched "Oh My Emperor" and "Joy of Life" before this drama.

This drama is an entertaining production that is worth watching without high expectations. Although at episode 33, I found it was a bit redundant, I took a little pause and decided to finish the series. While it may not be the most memorable drama out there, it certainly has its moments and will keep you interested for the entire season. This drama is geared towards young adults but can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages. As a personal taste, I do not like special sound effects (aka owls we never see to make sure we understand it is the night even if it is plainly the night with the moon or the crickets).

Overall, I recommend this drama to anyone who enjoys a good martial arts storyline with a touch of romance.

Read More

Romantic love story

The drama in question has definitely sparked some mixed reactions among viewers. While some have hailed it as a masterpiece, others have been critical of the age gap between the female and male leads, which spans six years. Personally, I prefer to watch a show first and then read comments afterward, so as not to be influenced by the opinions of others.

That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this drama. The actors were fantastic and their chemistry was palpable. While Korean dramas tend to be slightly less conservative than their Chinese counterparts, I wasn't taken aback by the limited displays of affection, including a handful of hugs, a few instances of hand-holding, and a couple of closed-lips kisses. I'm more shocked when I see young actresses portraying prostitutes or older actresses playing characters that are much younger than their actual age.

In many dramas, we have seen the depiction of a forbidden love between two men, which eventually leads to a happy ending when one of them transforms into a woman. This is a plot that has been explored in both Chinese and Korean dramas, and I have personally enjoyed watching it when it is executed with emotional depth and complexity in both of the characters. One such drama that stands out in my mind as a beautiful love story is "Love in Moonlight." The way the story unfolds, with its intricacies and layers, is very well played. I can't help but be drawn in by the chemistry between the characters and the depth of their emotions. In romantic relationships, it's quite common to experience a variety of obstacles before reaching a happy ending. In fact, the more challenges the couple faces together, the stronger their bond can become. These bumps in the road can come in many forms, such as miscommunication, misunderstandings, disagreements, or external factors that put pressure on the relationship. However, overcoming these obstacles can lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other, and ultimately a stronger and more fulfilling relationship.

The drama I watched did a great job of delivering the romance I was hoping for. The chemistry between the main characters was palpable, and I found myself rooting for them throughout the entire show. The plot was engaging and kept me invested in the story, and the writing was top-notch. Overall, it was a great viewing experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a romantic drama to watch.

The age difference between the lead characters in a drama is a subjective matter. In my case, I had no idea about the age of the characters while watching the show and assumed that they were of similar ages. For me, both of them were young adults, and surprisingly, I was taken aback to see viewers being shocked about the age difference. I have seen worse cases in other dramas where actors in their 40s are paired with actresses in their early twenties. Therefore, the age gap of 16 to 22 years old, which I came to know after reading comments, was puzzling, considering that the only issue was a closed-lip kiss and a few hugs. The love depicted in the show was pure and romantic, which could have been portrayed by an actress even at the age of 16 years old. It is worth mentioning that historically, girls were considered ready for marriage at the age of 15, and in some countries, even younger.

I must say, I enjoyed Park Bo Gum as the main character. He played the role of a prince who was bound by strict traditions but was trying to break free and find a way to love the person he wanted while also fulfilling his duties as prince and future king of his country. He did a great job of making the character's struggles and conflicts seem real and convincing.

I have to admit that Kim You Jung's character in the drama was a bit frustrating. She kept rejecting the protagonist all the time, and her role seemed one-dimensional. She loved the protagonist but couldn't be with him, and loved him but didn't want him to touch her. The few times she allowed herself to show her feelings were great, but they were too rare.

While the storyline isn't particularly groundbreaking - featuring a prince, a woman disguised as a man, villainous ministers, and two men vying for the affections of the same woman - it was still highly enjoyable. The love story was heartwarming, and the script was engaging. The casting was also spot-on, with each actor bringing their character to life in a captivating way.

All in all, I thought this was a great drama and I would definitely watch it again in the future.

Read More

Funny female lead character with a sassy attitude that I enjoy in cross-genre roles

The drama in question comprises 31 episodes, each of which is only 10 minutes long. Despite the brevity of each episode, the storyline is impressively well-crafted, leaving no gaps in terms of plot and character development. I found myself constantly amazed by this feat, as the series manages to pack in all the necessary elements of a compelling love story within such a short timeframe.

One of the things that stood out to me about this drama was the excellent portrayal of the female lead. She was not only physically believable in both genres, but also displayed a remarkable level of sassiness and maturity, avoiding the typical childish character tropes that can be so annoying. The chemistry between the two leads was palpable, and they made for a great match on screen. The plot was engaging and kept me hooked from start to finish, with a few laugh-out-loud moments thrown in for good measure. Overall, I thought this drama was very well done and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick yet satisfying watch.

The show was aired in December 2022 with an explicit mention of a second season. I am eagerly awaiting its release and hope it arrives soon.

.

Read More

Watching this drama is absolutely worth your time.

After taking a step back and looking at the big picture, I can confidently say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Unlike most long dramas that tend to drag on and become redundant, this one managed to keep me engaged throughout. The plot was well thought out and each episode contributed something meaningful to the story. Although the main male lead's overacting and the annoying maid did get on my nerves at times, they were minor issues that did not significantly impact my overall enjoyment of the drama. Despite some inconsistencies, I can say without a doubt that I liked this drama.

The love story in this drama was an absolute letdown. Despite the obvious chemistry between the lead characters, the revelation of the FL's true identity was unnecessarily delayed until the very end of the show. Not even a single romantic moment happened before episode 33 out of 40, and to make matters worse, the one potential kiss they had was interrupted by a child. The late addition of the love story was a completely ridiculous move by the scriptwriters or director. The fact that she kept her identity a secret from the male lead, who had been mourning her loss for years, only to reveal it at the last moment, was utterly nonsensical.

I have to say, I was not impressed with the female lead. While she may be a talented actress, her character left a lot to be desired. Though she was often attractive, her stubborn insistence on keeping her identity a secret made her quite dull to watch. Frankly, there were many times when she came across as a cold and callous individual. For example, I found it quite distasteful when she showed no respect for the 15-year-old boy who simply wanted to have some privacy. Additionally, her rejection of the young villain who only showed affection to her, only further cemented my negative opinion of her. All in all, I did not care for her character at all.

The female lead had three suitors, and I won't count the fourth one as he was more like a little brother to her, which was clearly acknowledged in the epilogue. She ultimately ended up with the ML. The other two were the young villain and a scholar, and it was captivating to witness the three different types of love they all had for her and how their feelings unfolded. In my opinion, the female lead was not impressive. She relied too heavily on her tears (courtesy of the eye drops) and made empty promises (such as revealing her identity if the male lead survived). I found it hard to connect with her character and felt that something was missing.

The choreography was at times predictable and amateurish, leaving much to be desired. Additionally, I wasn't entirely satisfied with all of the casting choices - more seasoned actors could have added depth to the story. The big reveal in episode 40 came across as immature, not quite living up to its hype.

I detest disrespectful and completely unrealistic maid characters from historical dramas. They grate on my nerves so much that I have to fast-forward through their scenes every time. However, the happy ending did provide some small satisfaction. I also found myself growing increasingly bored and frustrated with the fact that she continued to keep her true identity a secret from the ML. It was an unnecessary and redundant issue that only served to create extra and unnecessary episodes.

Despite these criticisms, the drama kept me engaged throughout, but it didn't leave me breathless like the truly great ones. It seemed to be stuck in the middle, not childish, but not quite a masterpiece either. Hence, my opinion of the drama falls somewhere between like and love. The drama had its fair share of funny moments, which played a huge role in keeping me engaged throughout.

I think the primary problem I had with the drama was that the main male lead didn't quite align with my personal preferences in terms of physical appearance. Additionally, I found his acting skills to be unimpressive and lacking in authenticity. In the production, the use of eye drops seemed to be overdone. The main characters had big tears rolling down their eyes and cheeks, but the frequency with which it was done made it look exaggerated and unconvincing.

The other characters in the drama were intriguing and the actors portrayed their roles with talent. I was particularly drawn to the young villain who fell in love with the female lead when he was a victim of bullying as a child and carried his love for her into adulthood. He was cruel and obsessive but somehow his love redeemed himself. He was undoubtedly the most intriguing character to me. So was he a villain to survive? I have a soft spot for villains who are madly in love, but the scriptwriters put him in the villain category which I found hard to believe.

Overall, I would still recommend giving it a watch. Perhaps I'll revisit it someday to see if my opinion changes, as it did provide me with a good time.

Read More

Cute moments, bad ending. Same old time-travelling storyline.

The plot of this time travel drama seems to be stuck in a repetitive cycle, with a predictable storyline and a disappointing ending. However, there are a few positive aspects to the show, such as the dual identities of the male lead and the inclusion of an AI-powered watch and the good-looking male actors. The first part of the drama may have been a bit redundant, but the fact that each episode is only 10 minutes long makes it easy to overlook this issue.

The show takes a dark turn when the female lead is killed off so that she can return to modern times, leaving behind a heartbroken male lead. However, the plot twist that follows is interesting, as the female lead wakes up to find that her beloved's twin resides in the person of her professor.

Although the female lead is not particularly captivating, he is still a better character than the female lead in another time travel drama called "Different Princess". If you're looking for a show to take your mind off things, this might be a good option. While the first two-thirds of the show are entertaining, the last part could be improved.

The OST deserves all the praise! I'm almost certain that it's the same composer as "Love like the Galaxy" - a piece of music that I absolutely loved.

Read More

Great until episode 23. No happy ending! Season 2 never aired

I was absolutely loving this drama until episode 23 came around and ruined everything. Episode 24 was even worse, and I'm genuinely angry about it. How could the director and scriptwriters think it was okay to deny the fans a happy ending for this period romance? It's a complete insult to the viewers, and I'm not going to sit here and take it quietly.

I have a few theories about why this happened. Maybe Season 2 was cancelled due to budget issues or problems with casting and production. Or maybe the Chinese censors had something to do with it. But regardless of the reason, it's completely unacceptable that after all the time and emotional investment I put into this show, I was left with such a disappointing ending.

There are even rumors out there about what happens next in the story - that they get married, she becomes his Empress, and they have twins. So why did episode 24 end with them simply crossing paths without even acknowledging each other? It's infuriating and frustrating, and I'm not going to pretend otherwise. I was so invested in this show, and now I feel like I wasted my time.

Episodes 1-22... 10/10
Episode 23… 5/10
Episode 24… 1/10

Read More

Make sure to watch this drama with a happy ending, it's definitely worth your time!

I'm thrilled that I ignored the negative comments and kept watching this drama. It's been a while since I found a series that could keep me interested, and I usually give up before the tenth episode. However, this time was different.

Initially, I had my doubts about the main female lead (Ling MeiShi) fearing she would be another annoying, childish character. And, of course, there was the usual abuse from the male lead. But, against all odds, I found myself getting hooked on the love story. The female lead surprised me with her character development, and her portrayal of love, sadness, and regret was impressive. All in all, it's safe to say that this drama exceeded my expectations

I completely disagree with the criticism that ML (Alen Fang) was one-dimensional. He improved significantly after mid-season. In my opinion, the director is to be blamed for making him look over the top.

The plot of the drama can be divided into two parts - the first being the "I refuse to admit I am in love" part and the second being about villains who harbor hate, and jealousy, and who cause heartbreaking deaths. However, I felt the drama was too lengthy and could have been shortened by a few episodes on both parts. 36 episodes seemed unnecessary, and 30 would have been a much better length.

But what I found most refreshing about this drama was the multiple kissing scenes between the main couple. In most dramas, scriptwriters fail to capture the physical aspect of love and expect us to read between the lines. That's plain ridiculous. Love is indeed physical.

I must say that the casting was absolutely spot on, particularly the choice of support actors for the roles of the general (Ni Han Jin) and the Prince (Leo Dong). They portrayed the characters' unrequited love brilliantly, and their talent and good looks were undeniable. Even the supporting actors delivered solid performances.

Overall, I can confidently say that this movie is worth watching more than once. It's a must-see for anyone who appreciates great acting and an engaging storyline.

Read More

You definitely don't want to miss this heartwarming family drama. It's a must-watch!

This drama is definitely food-oriented and family and friends are the ingredients. It might be a tad too long, but it allowed me to develop a strong emotional bond with the characters. The plot revolves around a food chef prodigy who, with her kindness and talent, brings people closer to her. While we do see characters falling in love, getting married, and getting pregnant, the drama is more about life, love, struggles, jealousy, and the highs and lows of life.

I couldn't help but draw comparisons between this drama and "Life Begins." Both are focused on family and friends and use food as a way to bring people together.

The plot isn't particularly dramatic, but it's filled with day-to-day struggles and joys that make it relatable. However, I would have appreciated more chemistry from the female lead. The scriptwriters tried to add some, but the actress failed to portray it. I understand that showing affection might not be appropriate in certain cultures, but this is a drama, and scriptwriters and directors have creative freedom. The actress seemed a bit one-dimensional to me, but it wasn't a dealbreaker.

Overall, I'd classify this drama as a comfort food drama. It's sweet and heartwarming, and the ending is guaranteed to leave you feeling happy.

Read More

Good drama, wrong pairing

I must say that the first C-drama I ever watched had me hooked on this genre, and it still holds a soft spot in my heart. However, on a recent rewatch, I couldn't help but notice the flaws that I was oblivious to earlier.

The actors did a great job portraying their characters, but I couldn't help but compare Song Er to Rosy Zhao, who is way above her league. Ethan was believable until the romance part, which lacked any romantic chemistry despite the age gap not being an issue. While they played the roles of mentor and disciple well, the romantic part was a total miss.

The plot was interesting, but it dragged on for too long. The doctor breaking all the ethics and getting rewarded with another offshore job wasn't credible. The ex who was jealous and wanted to destroy the protagonist made me annoyed.

The only credible pair was the spoiled kid and Song Er. The song was enjoyable, even though it was a thousand repeats of the same sentence. The close-up shots of food were excellent, even though I saw a man's hand instead of hers in one scene.

Overall, it's still a solid and enjoyable contemporary drama, but it's not without its flaws



I always make it a point to check the bio and sometimes the news out of curiosity. It's unfortunate that Song Er's wrongdoings have caused so much harm and even led to some dramas being canceled. This is truly unacceptable.

Read More

I found the plot interesting until the introduction of the monster, after which the movie went downhill.

The story relied heavily on clichés such as a young superhero saving innocents, a lovable orphan who was murdered by villains, and a man who gets his revenge.

The ending felt rushed and unfulfilling, leaving too many questions unanswered. Although the visuals and acting were impressive, I prefer movies with more depth and a fleshed-out plot. Therefore, I will stick to dramas and avoid this type of movie in the future, unless it receives a rating of 9+ stars..

Read More