This drama simply wasn’t the kind of storytelling that kept me completely hooked.
I started Glory (2025) because of the interesting premise, the mystery surrounding the characters, and of course… Hou Ming Hao. After seeing many positive reviews and TikTok recommendations, I expected this to become one of my next favorites.The drama definitely has its strengths. I appreciated the beautiful visuals, especially the tea mountain plantation setting, the cinematography, and the elegant costumes. The overall atmosphere was refreshing and different from the usual historical dramas. The cast also delivered solid performances, and Hou Ming Hao was definitely one of the reasons I stayed until the end.
However, despite having an intriguing concept involving business, hidden identities, revenge, and investigation, I struggled to become fully invested in the story. The biggest challenge for me was the pacing. The plot felt like it revolved around one major case for a long time, with slow progress in uncovering the truth. Instead of feeling eager to know what would happen next, I found myself checking my phone during some episodes.
I usually enjoy mystery dramas, especially those with clever strategies and investigations, but I think I personally prefer stories where each episode gives a stronger sense of progress, new discoveries, or changing dynamics between characters.
That being said, I still appreciate the effort put into the production. The visuals, tea mountain scenery, costumes, and overall concept were beautiful. This drama simply wasn’t the kind of storytelling that kept me completely hooked.
Final thoughts:
A beautifully made drama with an interesting premise and great visuals, but the slow pacing prevented me from forming a stronger emotional connection with the story and characters.
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This review may contain spoilers
Expected: fantasy angst. Got: handsome men losing their seriousness and making me laugh.
At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect from A Dream Within a Dream. The concept of a transmigrator entering a drama world and trying to survive based on a script she already knows sounded familiar, but what made this drama interesting is how it plays with the idea that once characters start having their own choices, the original story is no longer something you can fully control.The story follows Song Yi Meng / Song Xiao Yu (Li Yi Tong), a modern woman who enters the world of a historical drama she knows by heart. Armed with the script, she believes she can predict every danger and avoid her tragic ending — especially her fear of Nan Heng (Liu Yu Ning), the powerful male lead who, according to the original plot, is someone she should stay away from. But as the story progresses, she slowly realizes that the characters are no longer following the script she knows, and the “villain” she feared may not be exactly who she thought he was.
What I enjoyed most about this drama is the chemistry between Song Yi Meng and Nan Heng. Nan Heng looks intimidating and untouchable at first — the typical cold and powerful male lead — but Liu Yu Ning really surprised me with how well he balanced that strong image with unexpected comedy. 🤣 He can look like someone who can destroy everyone in the room, then suddenly become awkward, funny, and surprisingly cute in certain scenes. That contrast made Nan Heng much more charming.
Song Yi Meng is also an interesting FL because her biggest struggle is not just surviving the drama world, but letting go of the idea that the script is always right. Sometimes her decisions are frustrating because she relies too much on what she already knows instead of seeing the changes happening in front of her. But that is also what makes her character realistic — she is someone trying to survive in a world where she thinks she already knows the ending.
One character who really tested my patience though was Chu Gui Hong. As Nan Heng’s former best friend turned rival, I understand that his actions come from his own pain and personal reasons, but there were moments when his accusations toward Nan Heng felt too driven by resentment rather than actual evidence. 😅 Sometimes I was genuinely thinking, “Can we check the facts first before blaming him?” He was frustrating, but at the same time, his character added more conflict and made the story more engaging.
Overall, I was surprised because this drama gave me more laughs than stress. Despite the fantasy setting, conflicts, and misunderstandings, the comedy balanced the heavier moments. The biggest charm of A Dream Within a Dream is not just the plot twist of changing fate, but watching characters break away from the roles they were originally written to play.
It may not be a perfect drama, but it has a unique charm. With a fun concept, entertaining characters, and Liu Yu Ning’s hilarious portrayal of Nan Heng, this became a surprisingly enjoyable watch.
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Definitely one of my top xianxia dramas. ❤️
I started Ancient Love Poetry with high expectations, but I also had my doubts. At the beginning, I honestly struggled to connect with Shanggu. As the Chief God, I expected a powerful and confident female lead from the start, but instead, I saw someone who was still immature, impulsive, and learning what it truly meant to carry such a heavy responsibility.But that became one of the reasons why I appreciated her journey.
This drama is not about a perfect heroine who already has everything figured out. It is about growth, sacrifice, and becoming worthy of the title she carries. Watching Shanggu transform from a carefree young goddess into the true Chief God was one of the most rewarding parts of the story.
And then there was Bai Jue.
At first, he was the ultimate “ice cube” — cold, distant, and impossible to read. But as the story unfolded, I realized that his silence was never because he lacked emotions. It was because he carried responsibilities, secrets, and burdens that he chose to endure alone.
Xu Kai’s portrayal of Bai Jue was one of the highlights of this drama. He perfectly captured a character who loved deeply but expressed it through actions rather than words. His love for Shanggu was quiet, patient, protective, and filled with sacrifices that only became clearer as the story progressed.
What made their relationship special was that they were not simply two people who fell in love. They were two powerful beings carrying responsibilities greater than themselves. Their love was tested by destiny, duty, misunderstandings, separation, and the fate of the Three Realms.
Episode 41 completely broke me. The heartbreak was overwhelming, but it was also the moment that showed the depth of every character’s love and sacrifice. The pain was not only about romance — it was about family, duty, and the unbearable choices people make to protect the ones they love.
One of the most emotional parts for me was seeing the love of a father. A father's love is sometimes quiet, hidden behind responsibility and difficult decisions, but it can be one of the strongest forms of love. This drama reminded me that sacrifice is not always a sign of losing someone; sometimes it is the greatest way of protecting them.
Ancient Love Poetry reminded me why I love xianxia dramas. The best stories are not only about immortals, magic, and powerful abilities. They are about choices, consequences, loyalty, and the sacrifices people make for love and for the world they protect.
The story gave me frustration, heartbreak, tears, and moments where I questioned the characters’ choices. But the emotional payoff made everything worth it. The pain before the happiness made the ending feel more meaningful.
I also appreciated the beautiful world-building, costumes, visuals, music, and the relationships beyond romance. This drama explored friendship, family, responsibility, and what it truly means to carry the fate of others.
After watching many C-dramas across different genres, Ancient Love Poetry became one of my favorite xianxia dramas. It was not an instant favorite from the beginning, but it became a story that stayed with me because of its characters, sacrifices, and emotional journey.
A story about two ancient gods who proved that sometimes love is not about choosing each other first — it is about becoming strong enough to protect each other, even when the entire world stands in their way.
Definitely one of my top xianxia dramas.
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the drama that defined your current taste.
I went into Pursuit of Jade expecting a historical romance, but I left with a story that was much more than that.What surprised me the most was that this drama was not built around a simple love story. It was about two intelligent people with their own scars, responsibilities, and struggles, slowly learning to trust each other and choosing to stand together despite everything trying to tear them apart.
The biggest strength of this drama is its characters. The female lead is not someone who simply waits for someone to save her. She is intelligent, resilient, and capable of making difficult decisions. She knows how to survive, protect what matters to her, and fight for her own future.
The male lead is also more than just a powerful figure. Behind his strength is someone carrying his own burdens, expectations, and wounds. What I loved about their relationship is that they were never portrayed as two incomplete people searching for someone to complete them. They were already strong individually, and together they became even stronger.
Their romance felt like a true partnership — built on understanding, respect, trust, and slowly earned affection. It was not about grand declarations from the beginning, but about two people who gradually became each other's safest place.
Beyond the romance, I appreciated the political conflicts, family struggles, and themes of survival, loyalty, and the consequences of past choices. The story showed that sometimes love is not about escaping the battles of life, but about finding someone willing to face those battles with you.
The chemistry between the leads, the character growth, and the emotional payoff made this one of the most memorable historical dramas I have watched.
Pursuit of Jade reminded me that the best romances are not always about someone saving the other person — they are about finding someone who will stand beside you when the entire world is against you.
Definitely one of my top dramas. ❤️
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More than 10/10: A masterpiece that will always have a special place in my heart.
I’m not usually patient with long dramas. My free time is mostly spent outdoors running, hiking, or cycling. But The Untamed completely pulled me in.Some dramas are simply entertaining, but some stories stay with you long after the ending. For me, The Untamed is that kind of drama.
I started this drama without expecting too much. I thought I was simply watching a story about cultivators, clans, and a mysterious past. I never expected it to become the drama that would introduce me to an entire world of C-dramas and remain my number one favorite until now.
What makes The Untamed unforgettable is not only its fantasy world, cultivation system, or the mystery surrounding the Yin Iron and past events. What truly makes this drama special are the characters, their choices, and the unforgettable bonds they created.
Wei Wuxian is one of the most memorable characters I have ever watched. He is playful, charming, and full of life on the outside, but behind his smile is someone carrying loneliness, pain, injustice, and countless sacrifices.
Xiao Zhan’s portrayal of Wei Wuxian was one of the biggest reasons this character became so unforgettable. He captured every side of Wei Wuxian — the carefree young cultivator, the person who carries the weight of protecting others, and someone who continues to smile despite everything he has lost. His emotional scenes, especially during moments of suffering and heartbreak, made the character feel incredibly human.
Lan Wangji, on the other hand, is a character of quiet strength. He does not express his feelings easily, but his loyalty and actions speak louder than words. Wang Yibo perfectly portrayed Lan Wangji’s restrained emotions, discipline, and unwavering devotion. Through subtle expressions and small gestures, he showed a character who loves deeply but chooses to protect silently.
The contrast between Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo’s performances created a powerful dynamic. Their characters were different in personality, but their bond was built on trust, understanding, respect, and standing beside each other when the entire world misunderstood them.
Beyond the main characters, what touched me the most was the drama’s exploration of loyalty, friendship, family, and the consequences of choices. It showed that people are not simply good or evil. Sometimes those who are judged as villains are the ones carrying the heaviest burdens.
The world-building, costumes, music, and atmosphere created a universe that felt alive. Every clan, every character, and every past event added depth to the story. But what truly made this drama special was the emotional journey — the happiness, heartbreak, sacrifices, and friendships that felt real.
After watching many C-dramas across different genres, The Untamed remains my top drama of all time. It was not just my first C-drama; it was the beginning of my journey into xianxia, wuxia, and countless unforgettable stories.
Some dramas end when the final episode finishes. But some stories stay with you.
The Untamed is one of those stories. A masterpiece that will always have a special place in my heart. ❤️
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