Michael_0718

Born & die together~The female General & her bewitched lover boy | Love is stronger than any sorcery

First of, I want to express my sincerest gratitude to this drama and all the people who made this possible as it became a huge source of support, relief and inspiration to ease the distress I was experiencing...it helped me attain peace of mind and motivation to move forward, so thank you very much!

I don't think my words are enough to describe how beautiful and inspiration this story is. I'm not the articulate type but I will do my best to deliver what my heart feels and want to express.

Diving into this story is one of the most wonderful experience I have had this year so far. It was sweet, delightful and heart fluttering which renders me into this euphoric state that allows me to see different colors of hope, happiness and peace. I know this has been sounding so poetic but this story truly gave me this feeling of extreme happiness and excitement.

The story was greatly written as it addresses all the plots twists, conflicts and revelations and didn't leave a plot hole for me to criticize on. The introduction gave us the right amount of information to set the mood and mysteries on the story, followed by the events that introduces us to the main leads and the beginning of their bond and shortly to the growth and progress of their romance. Something I am grateful about is their decision of not using overly tropey and cringey scenes because doing so typically kills the story for me. I am glad that they were able to keep its charm by showing us just the right amount of scene elements while making sure that all the crucial informations are being served systematically and naturally without overdoing it and throwing everything all at once.

Rising action, climax and falling action were all magnificently executed. One significant reason that made me say so is their proper utilization of the characters on each plot they have set up. Nothing was misused, overly used or left out and each of them was resolved and settled on their own natural way without being questionable and unreasonable.

The finale was exceptionally satisfying! Not just because they gave us a happy ending but also for making sure that we got a glimpse of the growth/development of the characters we cared for. I am truly grateful to the director and writer for giving us such ending because they could've easily pull a plot twist and offer us a tragedy yet they still chose the other way around and even provided us more than what we're asking for. I am ultimately satisfied of the story's outcome.

In addition, I am overjoyed and gratified with the much deserved finale of our main leads. Because after chaos and constant turbulence they had to face on, they have finally attained carefree life and lasting serenity. To be free and unrestricted while roaming the world is the best gift and ending they could ever have...would have been great to see Jin'an getting stressed over their kids too. Haha!

Chemistry between the 3 CPs are great! Their synergy is oozing with immense charisma that you won't get tired looking at them. Qiao Er & Ouyang Jun for example got so much potential (it's not like they don't exude any in the first place) it's just sad that they didn't ended up together...well at least, Ouyang Jun embodies her values by adopting and raising abandoned/orphan kids. Similarly, Yu Xin & Mo Yin's were exceptional. I love their bickering moments specially when Yu Xin's being so shameless and Mo Yin got no other choice but to "always" surrender and yield out of his adoration, affection and love for her. Finally, Li Shuang & Jin'an/Duan Ou Deng whose chemistry went beyond and above. Didn't really expect much from them but damn! their compatibility is unmatched. One of the best I have ever seen recently. They're made for each other, that's for sure. Their aura combined is overwhelming and irresistable.

Action scenes and CGI were all impressive! Close combat fight scenes are unexpectedly good. The only disappointing thing about this drama are their fight scenes during the war—which are either off-screened/non-existent and/or lacking actual presentation and effort. Must have been a budget issue, but this is wartime themed drama afterall, so i expected quite a lot...at the very least they could have given us bare minimum at best? unfortunately they did not! CGI are great. Jin'an's transformation and all his action scenes were all pretty insane to me. They really all want out on making him look cool and badass. He was on fire! Also, I just wanna mention here Li Shuang's high yet soft tone whenever she's giving out orders. It was so soft and gentle sounding that I cannot take her seriously at times. I am so sorry. >_<"

Lastly, the Crown Prince...watching him grow from a wimp to a decisive, authoritative and ruthless ruler (to people who threatens him) was such a rollercoaster ride to me. At one moment I feel really bad and pity him then after several episodes, started spitting out fire and cursing him for how cunning and merciless he is. I understand all the things he's done was part of his coping mechanism for all the injustice and trauma he's suffered and of course as part of his characters growth but at the end of the day, I can't just stop myself from hating him. I am just glad that he still came to his senses at the end and still values Li Shuang's life and welfare. Because if not, I would have hated him to core.

P.S. All the blood sucking scenes, specially the neck blood sucking scene on Ep.5 was so sensually arousing to me. Cheng Lei was oozing during those scenes. Whataman!

Story - 10, Story was great! It was consistent from the beginning till the very end. Every conflicts and issues were addressed + they're remarkably efficient and considerate for giving us the best ending. Also, I will not take the war scenes against them as I will simply consider it as a budget issue. This is in consideration of this wonderful craft.

Acting/Cast - 10, Magnificent set of actors/actresses! Gosh! I don't know how to epress my satisfaction and gratitude that Song Yi and Cheng Lei got to lead this project. They're outstanding in their own ways but what stood out to me is how they complement each other as a love team (not just them but the 2 other CPs too) very well. Among everyone, I am really astounded on Cheng Lei's fluid execution of his characters. Him acting playful and gleeful in a childish way was unthinkable and is something I never expected at all. It's so refreshing to see him like this + he's so good in acting submissive. Wanna give some praises to Darren Chen for his seamless performance of Mo Yin. This man doesn't really age at all! So youthful and beautiful! Shi Ce and Liu Yi Hong was amazing in here too! Indeed a spectacular cast!

Music - 10, The chosen songs are perfect...they l're soft in melody and has this endearing tone that are like cotton to my ears + the accurate placement of songs that matches the vibe of the scenes is another notable feat of this productions sound team.

Rewatch Value - 10, For sure! Like, most certainly. One of the dramas I will not get tired of watching over and over again.

Overall - 10, A high quality drama that I am quite sure everyone can enjoy! I fell in love with this drama after finishing it and I hope I can share this unexplainable pleasure and happiness to everyone as well. A highly commendable drama!

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

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Fall deeply with the melodious musical performances and Love that goes beyond a Lifetime.

Are you all ready to experience such great musical experience which highlighted the greatest strength of this act above all?

This drama doesn't go all smoothly for me from the very beginning till the end and I admit that I have had a fair share of displeases and hopes for this piece yet I'm here trying to tell people my insight and experience just to let you all know that this is a drama still worthy to watch 'once' even after all that.

Wanna start this review by shoving to people what this story is ahead amongst every music related dramas out there. Pitch-perfect is probably the most fitting word to describe how grand and intricate the music used in this piece. It was a combination of various instruments played simultaneously to create an immense melody that entice the music in me. Just the fact that the production and editing team managed to record and put such music altogether is already a great feat for me.

Character profiling and development of this story is something I really like as well. I just love the progress the musicians went through to build their relatonship. They went from having some serious bad blood for each other to being dependable comrades.

Another good asset of this drama is the 2nd couple who conquered almost 50% of this show. I honestly felt like they made this story more interesting and exciting to watch with their dorky antics that focuses on food, love and FOOD overall. Hahaha! They even saved this story from some droughts caused by the Main lead's somewhat lacking obstacles in love.

Lack of 2nd Male lead... Honestly, up till this point I still can't accept that this drama got bland because of the Main lead's lack of love hurdles that can twist and make the story more interesting. I just hated how the FL has to experience pent up emotions because of jealousy yet has to understand the ML because he's doing it for a reason. While the FL needs to bear just being alone without any possible 2ML to divert her attentions to. She was robbed off basic rights right there and that's very unfair! It was also a missed for a possible satisfying turn of events.

Lack of effort from the ML— He's smart, calculative and and heck even got the advantage since he got lot of ladies admiring him but the heck! when will he start to actually put an effort? So far, all the chances were either push infront of him by someone or served by the plot instantly. Wasn't he simply dumb at that point?

Lastly, the Ending! This is another drama saved by the ending. I almost lost half of my interest during the last 8 episodes but the final 2 episodes just keep it all together for me. They served. and even went to great lengths by giving us happy ending.

PS. Female lead CARRIED! She's elegent, classy and stunning. An ALL-KILL!! God knows how her visual while playing Pipa on Ep.1 still haunts me because of how alluring she was in it. ♡

Story - 8.5, This everything considered honestly. Still very satisfied and pleased on how good they were in presenting the musical aspects of this drama and even nailed the ending. However, I still can't ignore the fact that I got bored for various reasons specially because of MLs lack of common-romantic-sense and oh well, let's admit it, Favoritism from the Writer. + Lots of cringey scenes. Overall a decent story.

Acting/Cast - 10, I love the casting overall. They're already serving visually but what I love about them the most is their facial deliberation of emotions. You can all see through it just by how they make great use of their eyes and face to make a statement. Would've been even more perfect if they use their real voices. Damn, over dubbing!

Music - 9.5, I actually hated the opening. It do fits the early and mid theme of the show but I just never got used to it. The reason why I'm giving it this high score despite all that is because of its overall musical presentation. It was a chef kiss.

Rewach Value - 6.5, I just won't. I feel like I have had enough of this drama and wouldn't watch it the 2nd time. Ever.

Overall - 8.5, It was a roller coaster experience when it comes to my satisfaction for this drama. It has its ups and downs but what made me kind of indifferent from this show is it's lack of solid romantic build up. The 'Love' on the title felt shallow because of the shows lack of actual romantic color despite having lots of interactions from the Main leads.

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

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Adorable & Naughty Father-Son Relationship. + Full of Cute & Interesting Character Interactions~!!

Where do people even get the hate for this drama to start with?...

Reading through reactions and commentaries can really be interesting before starting a drama. Yes, it may provide spoilers/teasers but it also encourages me to watch the drama to prove it wrong and to make counter argument about it. Well... Most of the time it works but I guess not this time?

At first, I was so curious about the hate the FL's getting from some of the reviews I've red but after completing the drama, I just understand it wholeheartedly and can't disagree about all the hate and disappointments they have for the FL. The FL as a Mother just felt too impulsive and proud to the point where I find it really irritating. It does improve gradually though, just make sure to keep an open mind about her character and soon enough you'll probably realize that her character was simply written that way for a reason.

Another thing is the unnecessary and unused characters. I mean, I understand that stories need some background characters to support the entire context but the supposed 'Support Characters' just felt so unused and was only kept there as display to make the drama look good in some ways.

Also, I just wanna highlight how the final 2 episode felt so rushed and squished in. They could've removed or even shorten lots of irrelevant scenes to make the important ones more detailed but they just did not and that's the biggest dissatisfaction I have for this piece I must say. There was even a point where I asked myself "Why?~!! Why the hell did they do it like this? Like it was compressed just to include every single thing before they finally end it?"... That was really frustrating for me, thank god it still ended decently.

In contrary of my commentary so far. I would like to change it a little bit by praising how the drama stowed away from the super cliché and unbearable plot twist by keeping the ridiculousness below minimum and keeping the spark going without ruining the whole story. I guess the 'one thing' that made me satisfied about this drama is that they kept its original flow and didn't attempt to add anything unfamiliar that may ruin the story itself.

In conclusion, this drama's still good and I must say 'far' from the bad reviews people gave it so far. Anyone should give it a watch and have fun.

Story - 9.0, Overall story is decent. It may not be exemplery but it is really good considering how they managed to keep it going without ruining anything. Just watch out for some tasteless scenes that are usually present in any dramas.

Acting/Cast - 9.5, Acting wise, I guess It's beyond average? specially with Main Leads and Main Supporting roles. But I must admit that some of the Minor Supporting Actors felt lacking with their acting and some just lack lines and true purposes. P.S. I must agree that any drama with Liu Xue Yi in it is always Good~!!

Music - 9.5, Music are decent. Honestly, the website I watched this drama in muted some of the scenes so I wasn't really able to fully appreciate the music. But so far with the BGMs inserts I've heard, most of them fits the scenes and doesn't really felt off in anyway.

Rewatch Value - 9.0, It was Fine. Nothing rewatcheable about it in particular but I guess some viewers may find it differently compared to how I originally feel about this.

Overall - 9.0, In consideration of how they wrapped and concluded this drama, I feel like this rating is very reasonable already. It didn't highly satisfy me but it didn't disappoint me neither. It was a fine drama that has decent storytelling and good acting. I would still recommend it, specially to Liu Xue Yi's fans.

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

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Lovely & Sweet Main Leads with a touch of their addictive Corny and Fun filled adventure.

This drama is a combination of Fun, Sweet, Naughty, Clever and Corny mixed up all together. None of it felt overly used and it gave off just the right amount of everything you could ask for a RomCom Drama. In short it is well balanced and was done considerably enough for its viewers to watch and enjoy without cringing too much.

Now lemme just share this one super cliche plot twist they did at last 2 episodes that I find unnecessary where the ML acted to marry the 2nd FL just to save the FL from possible grief and distress. Like, they could just simply find a better way to resolve the problem and not cause a new one just to cover up the existing one. Well it is a drama afterall but thank god it only lasted for some minutes and was ditched after the next and final episode.

The ML and FL just fits their characters so well and they acted it like they own it. They embodied their character so much that I can clearly see MLs Love to FL as if it's the purest and most genuine thing everrr~ I enjoyed it very well.

P.S. One thing I wanted to give high praises of is how they kept their consistency in making the drama fun and lovely. They surely know their target market.

Story - 9.5, Could've been perfect 10 considering the whole plot and genre it's mainly about unfortunately the cliche Fake Marriage happened and it ruined its serene and lovely vibe.

Acting/Cast - 10, Highly satisfied. Aside from the Main Cast I also appreciate all the actors and actresses that was starred in this production. They all gave their own flavor and touch to their characters and story itself.

Muisc - 10, I love Chinese Bright sounding ballad and this drama served it. I also like how the BGM sounded very fitting with the cute and silly moments.

Rewatch Value - 10, I can't find anything wrong watching it for the 2nd, 3rd and even more times. This drama is light and fun-filled with such great and fluffy love story.

Overall - 9.5, Really wanna give it a Perfect score but that Final part really left a distaste in my mouth. But aside from that everything was naturally and perfectly done. A worth to watch drama for sure.

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The most Scarred Female Heroin ever && 2nd CP nearly robbed the show~!

Definitely a Must Watch!

Although this drama is not perfect and has its own confusing flow, it surely catered and entertained me all throughout.

Main Flaw - What made it confusing is the fact that the change of reign were mostly off-screened and not all of the characters who were given a title actually appeared on the drama. For example, Prince Qi was never on screen and it took me so much research when the hell did he appeared and what he has done so far for me to know him. Same with how Li Shimin was just a Crown Prince then episodes after he's already the Emperor. Like, How? Where? When? It's very confusing to the point that you'll have to do your research to actually understand what's happening (Because they never explain it properly in the beginning).

Also, I felt so bad for Li Changge/Princess Yongning. It feels like she was there to be hit every episode and most of them are major injuries! Like who the hell survives that? Most of her wound were on her upper body and it made me wonder how did she made it till the end. 😅 Her Stubborness at one point irritated me but I guess this is just how the story goes and those events were necessary for her character growth. At the end, it has proven its worth as she's able to realized her aspirations and was able to free herself from revenge and grudges.

The Sceen stealer of the show!! The greatest CP of all Princess YongAn and Hao Du. Their character development was insane. I started this drama hating on Le Yan for being fragile, weak and a cry baby & Hao Du for being ruthless and unreasonable. But they turned out to be the Dark Horse of this drama. When everything's going north and south, their Couple Scenes stole the viewers interest and they succeeded in literally owning half of the show.

Story - 9.5, IF not only for it's confusing changes of reign this drama is easily a 10 even considering the plot holes and such. Nonetheless, It is a great watch and I truly enjoyed it.

Acting/Cast - 10, Top notched! I mean, Dilraba + Wu Lei + Zhao Lusi is already an all kill for me then they even added Liu YuNing and Alen Fang (Although his character's kind pathetic lol). I only got praises for the actors/actress because they all nailed it. I just wish they didn't use the Kissing Birds for Dilraba and Wu Lei's kissing scenes... Such a waste...

Music - 10, Epic! I love all of it's Soundtracks & BGMs. Like I always says "Ballad will never go wrong". Eargasm and very soothing.

Rewatch Value - 10, IF given a chance I would definitely watch it again and will recommend it to anybody who got interest to such genres. An enjoyable piece.

Overall - 10, despite the plot holes it is an easy 10. No arguments needed. This show just served its purpose and that is to give great entertainment to its viewers. It is indeed a good show to watch.

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

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The Road to Fame: A fun, bittersweet story of martial arts, friendship, and romance.

"Don't think that being old gives you the moral high ground to talk me down. People like you shouldn't even be alive by now." - Yu Sheng Mo (Sword Deity of Nanque)

All hail to the most charming and dashing man in all C-dramaland—Neo Hou!

At this point, can we all unanimously agree that Hou Minghao (AKA Neo Hou) is the most effortlessly charismatic and charming actor in the entire C-entertainment industry? His entire personality is imbued with those traits; they are his identity. In all honesty, I have only seen a couple other C-actors—namely Bai Jingting and Zhang Wanyi—with such consistent charm ever since I first got into C-dramas back in 2018. He's just one of a kind—a one-in-a-million guy. He's hot and cool, and he certainly knows it. Furthermore, he knows how to use it by projecting that enchanting appeal to win over the viewers.

What's more is that he blends his actual personality of being a smooth talker, mischievous, and clever—while being extremely good-looking—with the script so seamlessly that the character feels alive, rather than just a written role. I am sure he receives multiple scripts left and right to choose from all the time, and yet no matter what his project is, he never fails to add his own touch to his characters, making them his own. He's smart at picking scripts and knows how to leave a lasting impression by imprinting his trademark personality on every role he plays. It takes a really intelligent and passionate actor to recognize their natural strengths and intentionally weave them into different characters without making every role feel exactly the same. What a truly remarkable man!

"Liquor gives courage to cowards." - Baili Dongjun

Enough of my swooning over Neo Hou—let's dive into the drama itself. I don't have any knowledge of how the manhua was originally written or how it differs from the drama adaptation, so I cannot objectively judge the differences between the two. However, contrary to the unanimously negative reviews here on MDL about the story, I, on the other hand, genuinely liked and enjoyed it.

Although the story was, in fact, jumpy due to time skips and abrupt scene transitions meant to focus on the whereabouts of multiple characters—mostly for the progress of their training and individual journeys—what I liked about it was how they never failed to tie the story together by providing brief flashbacks of how each character's journey went. It greatly helped in keeping the narrative cohesive and engaging, while simultaneously maintaining a sense of progression. In this way, we weren't stuck focusing solely on the main leads' whereabouts; instead, we were kept updated with considerable information and screen time for the supporting roles as well.

At first, I was perplexed as to why the main protagonists' team was set up to always break apart, going their own ways to pursue their own endeavors—mostly for training and various personal missions—which is different from TBOY, where they are always glued together as a team. However, as time passed, I realized that the decision was actually truly brilliant. Not only were they able to receive training according to their strengths and expertise, but they also gained experience for themselves. If the main group had stayed glued to Baili Dongjun's side the entire time, their individual cultivation and personal journeys would have been entirely overshadowed by his massive main-character trajectory. Therefore, letting them split up to face their own distinct hurdles separately is exactly what allowed them to grow into legendary figures in their own right.

Ultimately, this made me appreciate that they had their own paths to take and did not always come together, except during the most challenging times. Furthermore, it made me realize how consistent the story was, because the narrative stayed cohesive and intact until the end despite them not being together all the time. This is especially impressive considering the fact that there are many characters with different personalities within the story that they had to establish and develop. In the end, I have to give it to the writers for successfully pulling that off and preventing any unintentional plot holes from arising in the story.

In regard to the climax and ending, in my honest opinion, they were impressively and satisfyingly executed. Although typical drama tropes were incorporated towards the end, the good thing is they were kept to a bare minimum, staying well within the boundaries of logical sense. The buildup for Ye Dingzhi's arc was carefully laid out from the start, as the creators allotted sufficient time for his plot to progress and develop leading up to the climax. It felt planned, unlike some dramas out there that casually throw cliche plots at the audience one after another out of nowhere. As a result, watching the climax unfold was never a jarring surprise or a problem at all; rather, it was a matter of anticipating which direction the writers were going to drive the story in order to move it forward, and for that, I'd say it was satisfyingly done. I also liked how Baili Dongjun remained true and loyal to his ways, doing everything he could to protect Ye Dingzhi despite the expectations placed upon him until the very end.

Let me just add here how incredibly satisfying it was to see how merciless and unforgiving Ye Dingzhi was toward the Tianwaitian (Sky Beyond) folks when he took his revenge and attacked them. Well deserved!

If there's one major factor that made me totally addicted and fully engrossed in this drama, it would be the fun, cheeky, and comical dynamics among the characters, which perfectly matched the main lead's personality. I loved how playful and humorous most of the characters were, and how they perfectly balanced the overall atmosphere of the show. This completely aligned with and truly captured my taste.

One thing I was disappointed about was when the story suddenly treated the wine aspect as a mere aesthetic—after he defeated and outbrewed Wine Master Zhuo Mo's Qiulu Bai—rather than a core part of Baili Dongjun's combat style. All this time, I really expected the story to highlight his fighting prowess, similar to the classic 'Drunken Fist' or a martial art that directly utilizes his intoxication to match his Liquor Deity identity. However, towards the end, that concept was completely neglected. They just let him drink for a 'feel-good' sensation, while solely focusing on conventional fight scenes where he wielded a sword like every other high-level master. This is why, by the finale, I felt like he resembled a Sword Deity more than a Liquor Deity.

I also want to mention how pissed off I am at the viewers blaming Yi Wenjun. The hatred is being misdirected towards a pitiful woman yet again. She was forced into a marriage but still tried her best to escape with all her might. When she finally escaped and was living a fulfilling life with Ye Dingzhi, she was then poisoned, which disrupted her rational thinking and allowed her to be dragged back to the capital. Then, during the ending, she was threatened using both of her sons, leaving her with no choice but to go back to the palace. Instead of blaming her, why not blame the manipulative and deceptive individuals—namely Emperor Tai'An, Prince Jingyu, Prince Qing, and the scoundrels in Tianwaitian (Sky Beyond)?

Finally, in regard to the power scaling, I was actually very confused at first. Since it has been a long time since I watched The Blood of Youth, I could not totally recall how their power ranking system works. However, as I spent time analyzing and observing the information, I realized that everything was accurate. At one point, I was so confused when they ranked both Baili Dongjun and Ye Dingzhi as number one, yet they kept getting defeated by their seniors and other powerful figures. But I later realized that there are different categories of ranking: the Liangyu Bang (Refined Jade Ranking) for the younger generation of martial artists, and the Guanjue Bang (Conqueror's Ranking) for masters and older generations. I am adding this here just in case someone is still bothered or confused about it.

Lastly, I want to commend the drama's outstanding cinematography, CGI, and sound effects. The fight scenes felt remarkably powerful and impactful, largely due to the seamless integration of visual effects.

P.S. I just want to give a huge shout-out to the coolest figure in the entire Dashing Youth universe, Li Chang Sheng. The man is single-handedly dealing with high-level masters, breaking the power scaling of the universe, and treating the Emperor like a minor inconvenience while casually rewriting the rules of the martial world. He is a true immortal whom no one can best in the story's timeline.

"I am an Immortal. A mortal emperor like you should stop bothering me." - Li Chang Sheng to Emperor Tai'An

Story - 9.5, I admire how the story stayed consistent and cohesive despite a jumpy plot driven by a large ensemble cast. Even though I had issues with the power scaling during the middle of the story, I was able to resolve them after further analysis. If there is one factor that particularly disappointed me, it is the fact that they failed to incorporate alcohol to highlight Baili Dongjun's fight scenes toward the climax and finale—an aspect I deem crucial given his self-proclaimed title as the "Liquor Deity." This was actually one of the main reasons I was greatly anticipating the final battle, so not seeing it utilized at the end really disappointed me, as I had been hoping and patiently waiting for it. Aside from that, this story hit the perfect mark for me, especially the poignant, bittersweet ending.

Acting/cast - 10, I am incredibly satisfied with the cast and the overall execution of the actors, especially He Yu (Ye Dingzhi) and Jiang Zhen Yu (Yi Wenjun). They performed really well and truly lived up to the theme and atmosphere of this drama. If there is anyone I want to praise, it is Neo Hou for his stellar performance. I can see no one else who could take over this role aside from him. He was perfect for it—as if it was created and molded for him and him alone.

Music - 10, I love and genuinely enjoy the entire OST. Every track accompanied the scenes it was used in perfectly. I even enjoyed the rap songs, as they greatly complemented the fight scenes by adding a unique energy.

Rewatch Value - 9.5, A drama I would not hesitate to watch again if someone asked me to. The only reason I am not giving it a perfect score is because of the issue I mentioned in the "Story" section of my review. Otherwise, this is truly a time-worthy show.

Overall - 9.5, Despite my issues with this show, I just can't bring myself to give it a score lower than 9.5. After all, it is truly entertaining, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment I spent on it.

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

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Perfect balance of slapstick comedy & staggering emotional depth | Potential Comedy "Wang/王" Hedi.

"If one hit strike can't kill it. Then, Run!" - Xu Qi'an

Before anything else, I want to say how Dylan Wang is the real embodiment of Xu Qi'an and has become the undisputed face of the entire show. He fits his character like a glove, to the point where you can't imagine anyone else playing it once you watch his performance. His execution is one of the best I have seen so far for male leads—like this role was crafted specifically for him. Perfect casting!

This show was a total comedy skit from the very beginning. If I were to describe this drama in a single phrase, it would be "no dull moments." From start to finish, it never—not even once—failed to entertain and show its humorous side. Heck, they were even able to pull off comedic scenes during the most intense and serious situations naturally, without making it look weird or awkward.

A couple of great examples are:

• When Xu Qi’an (ML) crawled under the table to ask Wei Yuan for forgiveness, acting all cutesy and being extra clingy. It was a full-blown aegyo show that was surprisingly irresistible.

• When the Statue of the First Sage (Tianyu Dharma) appeared, and the Xu family decided it was the perfect backdrop for a portrait instead of being worried and fleeing to safety. They're so unserious! It was made even more hilarious when they attempted various poses, such as a star-shaped formation. Haha!

They are just effortlessly hilarious. They’re so extra—I mean, EXTRA! They never fail to insert a comedic skit into any situation, anytime, anywhere.

I honestly wanted to write more in-depth insights about the story, but how can I when all I can think about are the goofy scenes? Haha! They must have had a blast filming this because so many moments felt truly wholesome—unedited and full of the actors' pure reactions. It feels like we’re watching bloopers without knowing it because we assume it's acting, but it's actually their genuine, out-of-character reactions. The slapstick comedy they’ve provided never feels forced or irritating. So, I really appreciate the editing team for preserving those scenes in the final cut.

A great example is in Episode 9, when the Copper Gong Trio (Xu Qi'an, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao) just finished their mission and were just talking and having fun. I won’t spoil the scene, so you'll have to watch it yourself to see what I mean. It was such a vibe!

"The strong urge to live will bring out one's potential." - Xu Qi'an to Xu Xinnian

One thing I find particularly noteworthy is the sense of togetherness surrounding Xu Qi'an—whether it’s within his family, the Nightwatchmen Bureau, or among his Heaven and Earth Society members.

The Xu family dynamics felt off to me at first because of how greedy Madam Xu (Li Ru) seemed. However, as time passed, her true, caring nature eventually emerged. She may value wealth and riches, but during the toughest times, she is someone you can count on. She is willing to sacrifice everything for the safety of her family. They're the true definition of the "family that comes together, stays together" mantra.

The Nightwatchman Bureau, being such a massive organization, surely has its own internal issues. However, one thing I love about them is the unexpectedly strong bond they share with Xu Qi’an. One of my favorite scenes was during the climax, when all the Gold Gongs—including the Breeze Hall Gongs—appeared alongside Xu Qi’an’s Heaven and Earth Society members to protect him against the Imperial Guards and the Emperor himself. It was a truly satisfying and proud moment. Above all, my favorite dynamic was the bond between Wei Yuan and Xu Qi’an. I love that Wei Yuan genuinely cares for him like a son.

Additionally, I had a lot of fun watching how equally chaotic both the Nightwatchmen Bureau and the Heaven and Earth Society are. I truly enjoyed watching all the beef going on among the Gold Gongs, as well as the personal vendetta and undeniable chemistry between Li Miaozhen (#2) and Chu Yuanzhen (#4). Both groups are equally crazy, which complements Xu Qi’an’s personality and amplifies the show’s vibe as a whole.

Surprisingly, I didn't feel any disappointment about this show. Rather, there were a couple of things that surprised me while watching it.

First is the female lead's (FL) appearance. This is the first C-drama I’ve seen where a considerably famous actress doesn't show up in the first four episodes. She had a "soft launch" in episode 5, but her actual introduction wasn't until episode 6. Beyond that, her screen time throughout the entire show was surprisingly limited. It likely bothered me because I expected her character to have much more relevance than she ultimately did.

Second is the cliffhanger ending. I didn’t realize that this was only the first half of the story—a prequel. I was completely lost when, with only two episodes left, they were still unfolding an entirely new plot. I really should have read the synopsis more carefully! Nonetheless, I’m so used to these "split-season" tropes in C-dramaland that I accepted it almost immediately.

Lastly, Xu Qi'an seeking justice for Zheng Xinghuai was incredibly satisfying. I wept with profound grief at the brutality and injustice of Mr. Zheng’s death. So it was such a gratifying moment when Xu Qi'an publicly convicted and executed the main perpetrators; it was a relief so massive, it felt as if a boulder pulling me down had finally been removed. It ensured the crime wasn't swept under the rug and that the deceased weren't left with their reputations unfairly sullied.

P.S. Let me treat y'all with my favorite Xu Qi'an line from that execution scene.

"I, Xu Qi'an, killed those two culprits not to vent my anger or to take revenge but to do the right thing, to clear Mr. Zheng's name, and to send the court a message: You're paid as a court official. You live off the people's resources. You can easily oppress the common people, but you can't fool the heavens."

Story - 10, I loved how the story stayed cohesive, flowing naturally through every beat even though it's only the first half. Prequels can be hit or miss, but this one definitely hit the mark. It managed to stay grounded while pushing the comedy to the absolute extreme. A fantastic watch!

Acting/Cast - 10, What an unexpected but perfect comedic duo! Wang Hedi and Tian Xiwei fit their roles so well. I’m obsessed with the chaos they bring—they are both goofy ASF! Even the supporting cast is just as good. The casting for this show is spot on!

Music - 9.5 Its OST is one that grows on you the more you listen to it. I wasn't initially crazy about the soundtrack, especially the ending theme, but the more I watch the show and feel its vibe, the more I start to jam to it. It gives off a happy, funky adventure vibe. I'm not really a big fan of rock and rap, but the upbeat and exciting tunes eventually won me over. It fits the drama's overall theme perfectly. The ballads, on the other hand, are really lovely—I've liked them from the start.

Rewatch Value - 10, This is one of those shows I can watch over and over again, regardless of when or where. It’s the ultimate example of a perfect balance between humor and emotional depth.

Overall - 10, I don't think I could give this show a lower rating—I love it so much! It's one of those shows I just couldn't stop watching. I literally binge-watched the whole thing.

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Serving: Coherent Storyline, tightly-woven plot, Mischievous Leads & FL who's 100% Beauty & Brains

"Smooth talkers often disguise themselves as someone loyal and virtuous. Those who are truly honest and sincere may be clumsy with words, but they act with integrity." - Xu Yao

Before anything else, let me just declare that what made this show thoroughly entertaining and compelling was not the modern-era gags and references, but the consistent, progressive writing that carried the story from the beginning to its conclusion.

I mean... yes, the comic-like transitions, chibi animations, and modern gimmicks were a lot of fun, and I immensely enjoyed them. However, as the story progressed and those scenes were constantly served up, they started to feel bland. I began feeling cloyed just thinking they might shove them in our faces for the rest of the show. Having them for the first two episodes was entertaining, but by the 3rd time, it became concerning enough that it actually bothered me. That is why I was truly delighted and relieved when they toned it down in the 4th episode, shifting the focus toward the pressing issues and central conflicts. It saved the show from an early demise by preventing the story from dragging, keeping viewers thrilled for what was coming next.

I really appreciate that they didn't overutilize the modern-age trope and instead spent just enough time on it to catch the audience's attention and build hype before proceeding to the actual conflicts of the story. I'm glad they were aware of their limitations and weren't shameless in exploiting those elements. If they hadn't been so disciplined, this show wouldn't have earned such a strong reputation and high ratings among casual viewers.

Another praiseworthy aspect of this show was its tight storyline and coherent plot. The scheming and conflicts are well-calculated and truly brought so much fun and excitement to the show. I love how the plots were laid out carefully in accordance with the lead's strategy. And although the main conflict of the story seemingly rendered the protagonists helpless and in a dire situation towards the climax, I like that they had contingency plans which made the situation manageable.

I admit the multiverse within confused me for quite some time; however, it was not to the point where it bothered me. Because the story explains itself as it progresses—like how typical plots unfold. It instead encouraged me to focus more on the show by reading the subtitles diligently in order to fully comprehend the story.

I also want to note that they did a brilliant job with Bei Shu's cause of death. He was set up as the world's strongest, so it was only reasonable that the only person who could defeat him was himself—because no one among the antagonist force could ever measure up to him. It was such a smart move because I wouldn't have accepted it if he had been captured and then defeated by a number of fodder soldiers. There is just no way they could have done so under the story's given circumstances.

In terms of the ending, I’d say it was executed satisfyingly. It’s well-paced, climactic, and features a happy ending, even after they wake up from the illusion or exit the dream they were in.

I also have to acknowledge the savory chemistry between our leads. I love how their minds are so perfectly aligned, as if they share the same logic. I’m especially impressed by the FL (Yu Wanyin); I really look up to her for being so rational and understanding, even during those mind-boggling, conflicting scenes that typically cause a rift between leads. The main reason they avoid those typical misunderstandings is her maturity; she is the epitome of making smart decisions under pressure. I also just love it when the ML (Xiaohou Dan) reaches for the hem of her dress, tugging it gently to ask for attention or forgiveness.

Let me just mention how extremely proud and fascinated I am of Tang Xiaotian here. I have never seen him act as a villain before, so it was really refreshing to see him play one. It was a new feeling for me, and even though I can't say I like him taking on this kind of role (because he will always look kind and gentle to me), I'd say that he did a considerably impressive job on this one. Now, I'm stuck in between wanting him to remain the kind 2nd lead who always gives way to the ML, or an unapologetic antagonist who schemes his way to a ruthless victory. Geez. Haha!

And oh, before I even forget: kudos to the styling team of this show. Gosh! Wang Churan was fucking glowing each and every moment I saw her. From the head accessories to the makeup and dresses, they nailed it so hard I fell even more in love with her. I know it’s weird and totally opposite of the glam and glitters I mentioned above, but my most fave look of her is definitely the assassin look she has when rescuing the ML. Her holding a gun and dressed in black rendered me speechless—she is so badass and attractive.

To finally wrap this up, I just want to mention that my favorite and probably the most hilarious scene of all was in episode 22. When the Empress Dowager was in that wheelchair—paralyzed and unable to move or speak—but she still had to maintain a dignified posture, so Eunuch An tried so hard, multiple times, to keep her head straight, but it kept falling no matter what. I was dying of laughter. it was such a satisfying, well-deserved scene.

P.S. Let me just say it here. The "How are you? I'm fine, thank you! And you?" line becomes cringier and increasingly gross the more they use it. ><

Story - 9.5, I keep looking back on the story and my time watching it, and I must say that I had a good time. I would have given it a lower rating if they had shamelessly fed us modern-day antics continuously, but they did not. I appreciate that they kept those at bay and only incorporated such scenes during the less serious moments, and not during the conflict scenes. Loving the revolver handgun, though!

Acting/Cast - 10, What a set of brilliant actors and actresses! I love both of the leads, Cheng Lei and Wang Churan, but what made this show even more enjoyable were the second leads, Hu Yixuan and Tang Xiaotian. All of them did an amazing job with their character execution.

Music  - 9.5, I'm actually not a big fan of the overall musical feel of this drama, but I would say that I find the songs quite fun to listen to. I love the slow and romantic ballads, but the ending song in particular is what made an impression on me. It reminded me of the Hamtaro OST. Cute!

Rewatch Value - 9.5, Definitely a rewatch-worthy. It's one of those dramas that kept its sanity and shamelessness in check, so each scene felt just right and wasn't exaggerated.

Overall - 9.5, I was planning to give it a 9.0, but I can't really find a justifiable reason to do so. The story was well-written—the plots are interconnected and were never confusing. Plus, they kept all the absurdities at bay. Not to mention that we got such highly compatible leads and a lovable 2nd FL. I'm extremely satisfied with this show.

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

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How to gain his Majesty's favor unceasingly | The forbearing and relentless revenge.

"The person who speaks of love first is the loser." - Wei Yingluo

I knew that this drama was great, but never did I expect that it was in an extraordinary level! I thought it was just another imperial in-fighting between the consorts but damn, was I so wrong. Through this drama, I was able to consciously understand how harsh life was back then—specially to those of the royal lineage. A reminder of how sinister polygamy is and how tragic power struggle can truly be. Constantly having to be cautious and vigilant, at the same time clever and crafty in order to survive and stay alive is definitely not a task I am willing to take on in my lifetime. It also made my eyes wide open on how excessively lecherous and fickle men back then. I may have watched over 150+ costume dramas but this is the only show that made me genuinely realize how disgusting and loathsome the situation was during those times. This also made me realized the painstaking and the weight of the ruler's responsibility—dealing with the state and political issues while keeping ones internal/family issues on check.

The storytelling, pacing and narration of this drama is a cut among the finest production out there. It exhibits complexity in the most ingenious way. Every episode is carefully and intricately crafted to connect to the whole story. The plots are unpredictable and thrilling, making me pace back and forth trying to guess what's about to happen. They excelled in ensuring that all plot device are unravelled and addressed, preventing any plot holes in the story. This is a mind game that's difficult to predict which is miles different to the dramas nowadays where the plot is being shoved right in front of our faces. This drama made me miss the good old times when people are still thinking about the value and quality of the story, how should it unfold and ended in a justifiable and rational way; and not just by carelessly throwing everything just to speed up the process and forcefully make the scene look appetizing/good—like a forced marketing.

"I, Wei Yingluo, have never been afraid of fights. The more I fight, the more energetic I become." - Wei Yingluo

Dare I say that Wei Yingluo is one of the best (if not the best) female character I have watched ever. Her presence makes people with bad intention cautious and afraid that they don't dare take any action when she's around. She's quick-witted, bold and fearless. Her unwavering passion in seeking revenge for her loved ones using tactical and definite scheming ideas against the perpetrators she deemed unpardonable is one of her striking traits for me. I admire her resolute determination in eliminating anyone who plot against her regardless of their status without showing mercy. An audacious, persistent, unyielding and remorseless character I have been looking for. The type of woman who can succeed whenever she wants to. A real expert in climbing the social ladder by executing thorough, ingenious, and flawless strategies and plans. This show is like her chess game; she keeps on eliminating sinister people like it's some kind of elimination game. lol

"Managing life is all about finding appropriate ways to fight troubles that come your way. if you're always worried and frightened, then there's no fun in living." - Wei Yingluo

This drama also has the best "good turned bad" characters. Clearly shows how you shouldn't push kind people to their limits because they can be extremely dangerous once pushed to the edge.

I also just wanna mention Yuan Chunwang & Wei Yingluo's chemistry. Their siblings energy was so strong and truly entertaining to watch; too bad Yuan Chunwang became an enemy towards the 3/4 part of the story.

Lastly, the ending was great! I appreciate that they allowed us to witness the princes' in their teenager/teen adult years and although it's unfortunate that they never showed us the Princesses, I am just happy that we at least got to see how Yingluo protects the kids even at the risk of her own life.

Fuca Fuheng: "Wei Yingluo, with this life, I've guarded you. I've guarded you enough. in the next life, can you be the one to guard me instead?"

Wei Yingluo: "Okay. I promised you."

P.S. I'm still heartbroken at Fuca Fuheng's death. Huhu! He never even got to say his final words to Yingluo personally. Well at least I can deduce that Yingluo truly loves him...it's just that she's true to her words "Strangers upon meeting" when he chose to left her and marry that bitch Er Qing. Anyways, I genuinely admire his love and devotion.

Story - 10, It was outstanding! Deserves multiple round of applauses for how closely knitted the plots to the story was. It's slow-paced yet never boring, as each episode is packed with crucial scenes and information that connect directly to the main narrative. No episode or scene was wasted. Job well done!

Acting/Cast - 10, I love all of them so much to the point where I can't imagine anyone else playing their respective roles. I appreciate Xu Kai even more here and ghad! he fits that bald head very well. Wu Jinyan's laughing/mocking face threw me off at first, but I eventually got used to it and find it sinister instead (in a good way when she's dealing with the enemies).

Music - 10, For some reason, I really have a thing for c-opera songs, so I find the opening really interesting. The ending song was good, as I am sucker for ballad and I never felt off with the insert songs/tunes; reason why I'm still giving it a 10. Just for the fact that it never bothered me. lol

Rewatch Value - 10, I highly recommend this drama to those who are looking for a well written and entertaining imperial struggle drama.

Overall - 10, I've been watching dramas that were released back in 2015-2019, and this one never disappointed me. It was a gem that everyone should discover and watch. The script was well-written, and I am just so grateful that the subtitles I watched it with were so informative, which helped me better understand the poems and context of the story.

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The BEST of 2025 | Mr Hot N' Cold and his harbinger of harmony and peace | Carry and hold me close.

"All my days to come, you alone hold my reins." - Wei Shao

This drama is perfect for me and my costume drama cravings! The story was clearly narrated and the actors executed their respective roles magnificently.

The plot was well planned and greatly played out—There's almost no plot hole during the entire duration of the drama aside from a very minor one which is the timeline of Manman's (FL) pregnancy and delivery that felt sooner that it should be; given that Liu Yan (Liangya Lord) mentioned that he just lose to Wei Shao (Wei Lord) but decided to strike back again later on. which is weird because at that time Manman just got pregnant and but already gave birth during the war. Not sure if it was a missed or they just failed to give out proper notation on timeskips.

Story progression, phasing and unfolding of plots were spectacularly done. I was never bored and it didn't felt dragged out at all. They provided us the right amount of scenes and content each episode and none of them felt wasted for some odd reason. I would say that the scenes are well directed, intelligently utilized and edited and fused together efficiently.

The romance development between the main leads as an enemy turned to lover felt authentic. It was presented using the most reasonable and rational way as they were both able to showcase their worries and inhibitions; at the same time, address their emotions and sentiments without disregarding one another. I appreciate that they didn't suddenly forget their resentments but instead showed us more of the process they went through to figure out and overcome their grievances to ultimately attain peace and forgiveness. I love that they let us witness the leads emotional growth from being insensitive and oblivious, to gradually grasping their intentions and finally, fully understading one another's pain and sufferings. They're such a lovely couple! <3

The supporting roles (4 Wei Generals, Xiao Tan and Xiao Tao) truly contributed a lot in making this show very enjoyable. I love all of their bickering moments and wished that we could have gotten more. I still feel a sting whenever I remember Wei Liang's death and the whole gang and Xiao Tao's reaction...

Liu Yan's (Liangya lord) death is well deserved but I think Su E Huang/Yulou's death was wayyy to lenient. That woman wasn't suitable for the hysteria shits then to only commit suicide afterwards. Instead, she deserves a slow and excruciating death. She was so lucky with all her men but the problem is SHE herself.

The set, costume and overall design are simple yet shouts opulence. The color schemes for this drama leans towards monochromatic and complementary colors which complemented the overall visual aspects and dynamics of the show.

Additionally, Song Zhu Er's beauty was highlighted on this drama so much that I ended up gawking on her every appearance and I can't stop complimenting how beautiful and attactive she is. I was so enticed that anyone might even possibly see and feel my adoration and love for her. Her visual is crazy!!

The ending seemed a bit rushed and inadequate yet satisfying; and in all honesty, I would still prefer it that way. I expected more actions during the war but at the same felt satisfied that they showed us only the most important scenes. At least that way, we were able to avoid any more death scenes. So I guess, I wanna thank the writers and director for not killing more of our beloved characters. Cause that would traumatize me for sure. Haha!

P.S. Their "Love scene" on Ep.32 were short yet scorching hot and mouth-watering. This is my first time in a long while to feel this extreme tension from two people making out. I totally lose it during the scene where Wei Shao was seemingly challenging Manman to somehow own him and show her dominance. Oh man! The intensity and tension was so palpable, I almost drowned watching them. Haha!—Take note that they were only kissing and didn't even show us any sex scenes. Their chemisty and compatibility is simply insane!

I also just wanna leave my favorite phrase here:

"People say I am gentle as water, thinking a dam can hold me back, but there's one thing they forget. Only when water flows smoothly is it calm, If wind blocks or earth hinders it, all it does is stir up high waves." - Qiao Man/Xiao Qiao

Story - 10, I think I am biased but who cares? Haha! I honestly feel like every single aspect of this drama fell on its proper perfect places so I got no complains at all...and even if I have had, they all made it up by making everything else into perfection. So it basically heavily outweights all mishaps there is. All I can say is that I am extremely satisfied with this show and is my favorite drama this 2025.

Acting/Cast - 10, Magnificent set of artists! I also wanna say that Song Zhu Er is now part of my most favorite C-Actress of all all time. I am repentant for only discovering her recently and I should've checked out her projects sooner! Anyways, Liu Yu Ning's eyes gave off this ruthless and deadly vibe—specially when he's mad— that makes him more charismatic and handsome. While Song Zhu Er on the has this peaceful vibe that will make you feel at awe of her and her beauty. Acting was phenomenal and once she cries you, you will immediately feel like crying as well.

Music - 10, One of the few C่-dramas which music truly caught my attention. The songs are nice and beautiful. My favorite would be 故城雪 (Snow in Ancient City) ~ this song captures the cold and warmth in me. Such melancholic yet lovely song. <3

Rewatch Value - 10, My most favorite drama this 2025 and definitely on my Top 10 c-drama of all time. A drama I will not get tired watching.

Overall - 10, This is not a drill. GO AND FREAKING WATCH IT!! Every about this drama is great and I would ultimately recommend it to everyone. The drama which I finished in less than 3 days in almost 2-3 year. <3

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My success is nothing without you | Love that is true & intense but is short lived.

First of all, I want to thank this drama for not slapping me with such a heartbreaking ending—when I know for a fact that it's going to be a sorrowful one no matter what.

I truly appreciate the thought and consideration of whoever is behind this idea of minimizing the impact of YZJ death by giving us lowkey signs instead of shoving it in front of our faces. Like, thank you so much for going easy on us by delivering that tragic scene in a milder and less distressing way. I totally commend you for not using it as a clickbait to gain more attention and views for the finale of this story.

Diving into the story itself, am I the only one expecting Duanwu to go pearl diving again? Like, I waited patiently for it to come but it never happened. Then it finally occured to me after 30 episodes that she'll never gonna go back doing that job again as it's the sole reminder of how rough and painful her life was growing up, and how she had to work hard in order to vouch herself out of that predicament. It also made me realize that there are people who stops doing things they excelled the most not because they want to but simply because doing so suffocates them. So they would rather choose to avoid and completely abandon it by honing their other skills in order to gain more experience and transition to other things they have potential in doing.

Another thing I want to talk about is the exceptional execution of our main and supporting leads of their characters' role in the show—Yan Zi Jing as the revengful soul, Duanwu as the hardworking, wise and clever individual who want success and comfort in life, Zhang Jin Ran as the upstanding official who values justice and righteousness above everything else and Cui Shi Jiu as the redeemed villain who went through a handful of agonizing event which taught her to how to love and appreciate life better. This drama revolved around these characters and how they face their own demons and traumas in order to achieve their dreams and goals in life. They're the core elements of this drama who molded and animated it to be the outstanding show it is right now.

Love stories/relationships on this drama are one of the most sweet, memorable yet heart-rending for me. I totally appreciate the healthy rivalry and friendship between the Yan Zi Jing and Zhang Jin Ran so I never really expect them to pull off Yan Zi Jing dying and Duan Wu getting left behind. Specially after what they've done with Cui Shi Jiu and Zheng Zhi Heng...the progress of their love story was promising only for them to slaughter ZZH mercilessly—it was truly heroic and valiant though so I will give them credits for that—nonetheless, I would say that this drama is a tragic-themed story intricately enveloped in an enticing love story.

Phasing overall is good as they were able to highlight each stage of the main leads progress in terms of their personal growth and their romantic relationship. I even think that they did great in arranging the sequence of events in a logical and natural way on how they have to go through the trials and hardships in their respective lives to obtain the position and success they're trying to achieve.

Design, Costume, Colour Scheme, Editing and everything related to effects - are mostly nicely done aside from the Ship scenes. LOL I was never against of green screen utilization so I find it rather clumsy and funny whenever I spot some unpolished details but I am sure it's going to be big deal for others. In addition to that, the size of the ship doesn't add up to the number and size of the rooms being showed. Like, what do you mean multiple rooms of approx. 20sqft+ can fit that mid size looking ship? are you kidding me? When the ships interior is bigger than its exterior. Hahaha!

Lastly, I just wanna mention how crazy Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning's chemistry is. Everytime they're on screen, it feels like they're some kind of breathtakingly gorgeous scenary I can't stop looking and taking a picture at. Their spark is so vibrant that I feel like they're illuminating the entire screen which makes me smile unconciously. + The thumb kissing scene on Ep.31 was the most phenomenal, romantic and iconic kissing scene I have ever seen for a couple or so of years now. Dang! They really got me rolling over my bed, all cramped up because of how thrilled I was during that scene.

I just wanna say here as well that I have watched Tang Xiao Tian as the 2nd male lead for multiple times now that I have automatically branded him that way in my head. I would love to see him take some cool and amazing main lead role cause right now I still can't see the main lead aura in him.

P.S. Cui Shi Jiu and Zheng Zhi Heng's love story is the dark horse of this story...too bad they killed ZZH. I still feel bad and regretful about that. Grr! What a bad decision!!!

Story - 9.5, Don't get me wrong, the plot and how it unfolds was good. It's just that the ending made me a bit disheartened, and not to mention how I see so much potential with CSJ and ZZH romance but they ended up using him as a plot device to redeem Cui Shi Jiu. Additionally, I feel like something's really off towards the end when Zhang Jin Ran was dealing with Prince Ying. It feels like he's got too much authority and power in him while the "Prince" felt powerless which made me watch those scenes with critical doubtful eyes.

Acting/Cast - 10, No words needed! I love every artists in this production and I would never have them any other way. Liu Yu Ning here was insane!!—his acting is so suave to me that all of his facial expressions, specially when he's smiling and mad are so attractive. Love him a lot. <3 + I would love to see Chloe Xie's other acting projects too. My attention was so drawn to her during the end.

Music - 10, I honestly didn't pay much attention to the music but the opening was exceptionally done. + I never felt bothered by any of the insert songs during my entire watch experience. I even feel like it helped heightened the emotions of the events at some point.

Rewatch Value - 10, Will definitely re-watch this drama if I happen to have some more spare time to do so. + This is the fastest drama I finished this year (I only procrastinated watching the last episode because I got no time to write my review) Hehehe...

Overall - 10, An overall good drama to watch for sure. I highly recommend this specially to those people who loves to watch empowered and skilled women succeed through their hardwork, ingenuity and dedication.

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

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A Laidback & Entertaining Drama | A delightful show that exhibits how amazingly cozy retired life is

"How much courage would it take to cast aside one's life, accept another person, and even change one's way of living?" - Shen Li

Oh Gosh! I am so mad of myself. I was already counting the # of characters for my subject line but accidentally hit "Clear" on my phones notepad and in just a blink of an eye, everything was gone! ㅠㅠ

First of, I just wanna sincerely extend my gratitude to the entirety of the crew who worked hard to make this show possible. It has served as my salvation and redemption after watching such a horrible show that put me on a slump. So, thank you so much for being my getaway and saving me from that demise. <3

Before I proceed, I just want to share this line by XingZhi which I find funny and cute (Episode 36)

"I was beaten by my Father-in-law" - XingZhi 😂

I honestly don't have much things to say as I find this story extremely comfortable and easy to watch. I even failed to write commentaries while watching it because I was so engrossed on the show and don't wanna be bothered at all. I just seize the moment, took my time and suddenly I am already on the last 3 episode of this drama—that is how GOOD this show truly is. I was so lost, more so, doesn't care much about the time while watching it. Haha!

One thing, I eagerly wanted to mention is how 'Laidback" and "Cozy" this drama is overall. I appreciate how the show started with XingYun being chill at the same time playful towards the Phoenix Form" of Shen Li. + I find their earliest interactions as silly at the same time adorable. It felt lke, I am watching a couple enjoying their retired life on a rural paradise while being mischievous towards each other. It suddenly made me look forward to my retired life in the future. Lol!

Hilarious and Comical relief scenes are like the backbone of this drama—the main core element which made this show extra entertaining. I honestly think that all the funny moments combined have had contributed in making this the fantastic drama it is right now. Thanks to that, I was able to enjoy and appreciate each character and episodes.

Villains/Antagonists, Climax and Final battle - are something I think they've decided to go easy on. The antagonists, although are really infuriating but are somehow manageable because of Mofang. Man is totally uncommited. Hahaha! alAnd towards the end, it even feels like they were not given that much moment to shine as the final conflict/battle solely focuses on the fixing their hideous work but not about fighting them directly. I can say that they were utilized as a mere plot device to provide hurdles for the main leads and nothing more.

CGI, Colour and overall design - are good. I specifically love the animation of Shen Li's 'Phoenix Form' as it was so adorable. The execution of the special effects of the fight scenes are all done splendidly too. I am satisfied on this area overall.

Lastly, I want to express my grattitude to the director and writer for giving us Episode 39. I appreciate them a lot for giving us a whole episode dedicated to show how Jin Niang Zi & Mu Zi Chun's love story unfolds and also provides us more scenes of Xing Zhi & Shen Li's life after all the chaos they went through. I am very happy for this special fan service episode. <3

P.S. This drama made me imagine and fantasize how my retired life would be in the far future.

Story - 10, I was thinking of giving it a 9.5 but I watched Episode 39 and my reservation over this drama suddenly vanished as if it's the missing piece I have been looking for that completes this show for me. I need all production to be this generous when it comes to providing us fan service special episodes.

Acting/Cast - 10, Solid! The level of comfort and compatibility Lin Geng Xin and Zhao Li Ying is immeasurable—that even their kissing scenes exudes this playing-around vibe. I love how chill and playful they're that it inevitably shows on screen even if they don't mean to. Acting is really good too. I feel like the overall theme of the drama helped all the actors to act freely without inhibitions.

Music - 10, One of the very rare C-dramas which OSTs are all good. Everytime a new song plays, I always goes "Oh wow! Another good music!"

Rewatch Value - 10, Most definitely! I will re-watch it ONLY if I don't have a long list of dramas to watch.

Overall - 10, I wanted to thank the entire production again for creating such a wonderful drama. I healed myself through this show and had helped me get over that feeling of disappointment towards the terrible drama I watched before this. Highly recommend!!

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Reverse Fate | To discover the unnotice feelings of the Insecure (ML) for the Conflicted (FL)

"Not to mention Qin, the world, revenge, nothing in this world can compate to her" - Xie Wei

After looking back and analyzing the whole story, I believe this drama's main theme is "Finding and fulfilling the unnoticed and overlooked love" more than "Reversing life and fate" that most people perceived it is due to how the story was being told.

More so, finishing this drama made me realized that Jiang Xue Ning's journey to relive her life was not only to correct her past mistakes but mainly to discover the feelings of the man truly meant for her. Because her selfish desire and ambition in the past led her astray and made her the evil she has become and the only way to possibly reverse it is being with the man destined for her. Someone that can control and pacify her, in order to keep her from going the same path again.

Additionally, I enjoy the idea of the Main leads trying to rediscover and understand each other's real personality— Xie Wei finding out that JXN remained the same unyielding and compassionate person he unconciously fell in love with and Jiang Xue Ning comprehending XWs true intention and knowing the real reason why he's done the rebellion and all of the events that happened in the past.

In terms of how their love and affection was presented...I would say, I love and hate it at the same time. XWs assertiveness in expressing his love showed both dominance and savagery to me, which I find surprising and shocking even up until now. Those times he grabbed JXN by the neck will never ever sit properly to me. I feel like he's too fierce at times that it seemed like he's forcing himself to her (which is half meant) even when I know that JXN came to like him the more she understand and stay by his side. Nonetheless, that characteristic of his is one of the things I despise the most with other dramas and it feels like the writer is trying to get a way with it using his traumas and sickness which doesn't sit well to me at all no matter how they put it. And love it in the sense that XW is always ready to sacrifice himself for JXN. Like, man! He's too passionate and devoted to her that he's willing to be stabbed and killed by her... What an intense and tough love. I guess I am just glad as well that JXN reciprocated his love at the end because I am so sure he might self-destruct in no time.

Note: This made me recall of the time when JXN remembered XW giving her a knife assuming that it is to kill herself only for her to realize that it might actually given to her for protection and that she may have misunderstood him all those times. Another thing is her dream at the last episode when it is showed that XW trying to kill somebody which I think is, himself...because he's regretful and cannot accept the fact that his loved one killed herself right infront of him with another man in mind.

Love rivalry and Jealousy - I find enjoyment and satisfaction whenever Xie Wei is jealous of Zhang Zhe because he always go all out in throwing attitude all over the place showing his dissatisfaction and unamusement. While being extremely tolerant, understanding and been trying his best not to show jealousy when it comes to Yan Lin. What a double standard! Hahaha! One of my favorite Jealous scenes is on Ep. 33 when he cooked all those aweful tasting yet visually pleasing dishes because he's jealous of Yan Lin eating out with JXN. It's funny but why is he taking it out on the female lead? Seriously that man.

I also just wanna mention how I feel mad that it took them 10 episodes before the 2nd ML/Zhang Zhe finally appeared. I believe we could've gotten more delightful ZZ & JXN moments if he was introduced sooner. But then I kinda understand the reason and intention behind it as well. Because man could jave stolen the show if he's given more screen time than he has. 2nd ML syndrome is strong in this drama!

In addition to the 2nd ML... I do feel bad that he was set up to be emotionally distress when her Mother died because if that didn't occured he could've been the perfect fit for the FL. However, I am also glad that FL got to end up with the ML because I feel like he 'need' her to his life or else he's gonna be lost and caged again in his own traumatic experiences.

Lastly, the Kissing scenes were passionate, intense and sensual. I love how Zhang Ling He seemed to be enjoying every second of their savory kiss to the point where it looks like he's devouring Bai Lu's lips. *Grins*

"There's only victory or defeat in this world. There's no right or wrong." - Xue Shu

Story - 10, I honestly want to rate it lower due to the "Red Flags" I noticed but then, this is a drama after all and I will accept the fact that it's the writers imagination working to make his/her story more flavorful and interesting. The story is nicely written and I wouldn't mind it being a little longer, 38 episodes are inadequate. P.S. I'm glad that they didn't kill Princess Le Yang but I never expect them to kill You Fan Yin!!

Acting/Cast - 9.5, I love the cast and I truly enjoy each one of them. The only thing I have problems with is with Zhang Ling He's facial expressions...I find some of his expressions to be awkward and specially when he trying to act some big emotional (angry, traumatizing and agonizing) scenes. And thank heaves Hu Yun Hao/Emperor Shen Lang's acting improved as time went by because his acting at first wasn't giving/convincing.

Music - 10, I can vouch that all the music used here were good and they were all used accordingly to match the scenes. I also just want to commend the Music Dept/Team for using such 'realistic' sounds whenever they're playing the Qin. I really appreciate them for doing that.

Rewatch Value - 10, I'm not even thinking twice about this drama. Every episode is satisfying and I never really got bored while watching it. Highly recommend!

Overall - 10, I initially wanted to give it a 9.5 because of all the ratings people are giving it. However, I am really the type of person who give dramas I enjoyed and like their deserving mark no matter what other people says. So Here I am giving it a perfect score. Hahaha! Gonna stand on my own judgement and customs.

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

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Defying fate | The untold sufferings of the antagonist in finding love & overcoming her inner demons

"Hold the knife steadily when killing someone." - Lu Huai

How are people giving this ingenious narrative a score leser than "Perfect 10" when it had executed beyond expectation all throughout? UNFAIR!!

I will be very honest and say that I started this drama with a prejudice of the plot and how will it unfold so I wasn't that amuse at first and is cynical instead of the story simply because of the reviews I have read here in MDL. However, let me tell you something...this drama is more than the reviews it received so far from its viewers and I think it deserves more recognition and popularity for how good it actually is. So I really want more people who may happen to stumble upon this review of mine in the future to know that this drama is one of those projects you don't see and encounter being produce often, so here I am encouraging you to just watch it and discard any unnecessary groundless preconceptions you have for this story and let yourself be the judge on how you want to view this drama after you finish watching it.

I will also say that the first several episodes may bring your skeptical thoughts go active and wild but please don't let that cloud and hinder your opinion and experience in watching this drama because I assure you that it offers more than just that. That this drama is a wonderful surprise in which you will only appreciate once you have deep dive into it and truly understand the message of the Writer. So I hope that anyone can watch this drama because they want to experience and see firsthand how it actually is compared to just watching it only to prove that this and/or that review is accurate.

I used to think that the writer wanted to gaslight Su Yun Qi (FL) by justifying all of her evil doings and making her appear as a heroine who are just doing things for revenge. But then, as the story goes on I realized that it's actually wasn't the case at all. In fact Su Yun Qi's nature never really changed nor did the writer tried even once to paint her as a good girl. Instead she stayed true to her character and remained an evil bitch the entire time which makes her more interesting and captivating for me. That's also when I realized that this story isn't about her turning into a new leaf or transforming into another persona but more on her personal growth as an individual by experiencing different feelings—grief and sorrow (for losing the most important person in her life), physical pain (that she almost never experience before), hardships and betrayal (coming from her own Father) and lastly, love and heartbreak (which took her a lot of time to finally accept and hold onto because of the reservations and hesitations she used to have)—thus it taught her to differentiate between what's truly important in life and be more appreciative and capable of accepting and loving someone even at the expense of her esteemed dignity.

Regarding the story flow and overall progression, I'd say that the writer and director had a clear and detailed plan on how they want to present and execute the story to make it appealing to its audience. The fact that this is a mini drama which runs 10-14 minutes or less each episode yet they still delivered seamlessly speaks a lot to me. I can see that they really go sequence per sequence for each episode and only selected what's relevant and crucial to the story line which truly impresses and satisfies me. The story progression all comes natural and I am honestly in awe with my familiarity with the characters, as if I was given background of them prior to watching the drama. It also fascinates me how they're able to introduce the characters and make them leave a lasting impression to its viewers which solidifies their role and purpose in the story.

Lastly I wanna talk about is the eerie yet unique chemistry between the Main leads. Both of them are visually good but what made me drawn to them is their menacing aura. They exude an intimidating air that sends this "I'm not someone you should mess with" message. They're like "Yin and Yang" that balances each other. Lu Huai being the kinder person who hides his soft heart through his stoic and ruthless facade and Su Yun Qi as his counterpart who's overflowing with evilness and dark energy. Love them both!

P.S. Watching this felt weird because I can't technically support the FL for how evil she is yet can't hate her as well. You just gotta love and hate her for unconditionally. A complicated yet brilliantly written character.

"From love comes sorrow and fear. Those who are away from love have neither sorrow nor fear." - Yun Sheng

Story - 10, I started this drama out of curiousity and I never really expected to like it this much. The story is mesmerizing and will keep you engrossed to it until the very end. The sequences and events are perfectly integrated which made it easier for me to understand the story. Another thing is that it will be impossible for anyone to question the plot because they left no plot hole in it.

Acting/Cast - 10, I'm pleased and highly satisfied. I'm not very familiar with the cast but I'm sure I have watched some of them in various projects before. Daisy Li (FL) stood out for me the most. She played, nailed and owned her character. What a terrific actress.

Music - 9.5, I honestly only heard one (1) song the entire time and I can't blame them for that (since their time is limited). Nonetheless, the music were utilized properly and they made sure that it highlighted the emotions of the scenes it was being used to.

Rewatch Value - 10, I sincerely wanna recommend this to everyone. Please do give it a try and experience this weird and unfamiliar yet fantastic feeling I have had while watching it. I assure you that it's all gonna be worth it!

Overall - 10, This is a truly unexpected drama for me. At first, I even thought that I will only give this a rating of 8.0 or 9.0 but look at me now? Hahaha! It was well created and produced and will make you realize that there really are many more sides of the story that hasn't been told and explored yet. So I implore everybody to just give it a try. I highly recommend this one.

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

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United as Husband & Wife—Destined together | Will always choose each other in this lifetime <3

I want to commence this review by saying how this drama gave me peace of mind, tranquil and warmth. I didn't exactly know how it happened at first but I later realized that it is all because this story created such a homey vibe...a feeling of security, strong bond, genuine concern and unconditional love that effortlessly resonated to its viewers which made me watch this in a comfortable and peaceful manner. I know it may sound weird, but I feel a lot kinder now. Hahaha! I would say they succeed in building a connection to their viewers on how they want them to view this drama as a whole. I believe they want people to know and understand that kindness, compassion and willingness to help can keep anyone away from worries, selfish desires and greed; and that it can become an instrument, a guide and inspiration for us to take on the right path to achieve a fullfiling and sucessful life.

I don't wanna make comparisons and I will not, however, I just wanna mention that this drama gave me the same vibe I felt when I was watching "The sword and the brocade" but this time the ML is a lot nicer and that there really isn't so much drama and scheming going on within the household. It maybe because of the story as both of the Female leads were forced into marriage but, more so, I think it's because of the FL and her gentle demeanor, intelligence and philanthropic activities to help people that made me reminisce of TSATB. All in all I love both dramas and I am really into this kind of story that highlights women and how capable they can be.

Story (Line, progression and twist) - I love how the story line focuses on the Main leads and stayed commited that way until the very end. I think this is one of those dramas who didn't get greedy in building so much side stories only to end up not using them. I also like the fact that all the supposed side stories were treated as a special scenes where we're only updated about their whereabouts just to check on how they're doing. It feels more satisfying that way because I don't really have to get stress on what will happen to them nor get bothered on whether we get an update or not. No strings attached at all! But kudos to the Writer for still keeping them in the story while casually giving us their life updates. I just also wanna add up that Luo Zishang's origin revelation is something unexpected yet makes a lot of sense to me. I never really bothered about his hatered, so when it was revealed at the end, I instead feel bad for what he went through at the same time happy that he get to meet his father as a consolation of his traumatic and tough childhood. But then again, he commited a lot of hideous and condemnable acts to get pitied. Well deserve death and a satisfying ending for him I'd say.

Overall design, CGI and Costume - The budget must have been huge because the entirety of the drama looks grand and luxurious. The wedding alone looks elegant and expensive, so what more with the other details I may have overlooked all throughout. The design and set up of each scenes are mostly intricate and it feels like the department handling this stuff made sure that eveything looks perfect the best way they can. CGI and editing are looking good too! and although I can still notice the use of green screens, I would say it's not as bad compared to other dramas out there who look straight up terrible. In regards to costume, I wanna say that they've got some good stylist with them. The choice of colors and designs for the costumes are great and I never felt that something is wrong with them. Most of the time I was even in awe on how good they're in making the costumes look beautiful and elegant no matter how simple they are. This also helped the actors/actresses to look more attractive and charming.

Lastly is the progression of the Main Leads' love story. The chemistry has always been there but Ghad! Bai Jingting and Song Yi's acting put it into another level. I love how their relationship gradually improved as time passes by because it showcased the real definition of Falling in love unexpectedly and unconditionally. I can still remember how the ML falling in love with the FL felt so magical. This story is simply so good. + I also appreciate that both of them are such mature characters who knew each other very well because it helped the story avoid unnecessary conflicts out of jealousy and misunderstandings.

Story - 10, This is such an inspiring and impressive story. I love how they're able to create a narrative that goes beyond the typical full of jealousy drama and was able to create such a strong and wonderful love story with firm foundation. Another factor that impresses me is on how they executed this drama with proper phasing even with all the timeskips that has transpired all throughout. What a Great Job!

Acting/Cast - 10, I'm very satisfied with the cast and I can never picture any other person playing the main and support roles; and as I mentioned above, the combination of Song Yi and Bai Jing Ting made this extra special and precious to me. This is also the first time where I truly appreciate and fell in love with Song Yi as an actress. Her acting is great + she looks extra beautiful here! My goodness! Liu Xue Yi did an impressive job too portraying his character, as well as the other supporting casts.

Music - 10, Proper placement of music and I also love their choice of BGMs in every scenes. + I love that they have full control of the volume of the song and never allowed it to overshadow nor drown the scenes it was used to even a single time.

Rewatch Value - 10, This is one of those dramas I will truly watch if I have more time and lesser drama to watch. I really appreciate the entirety of this production.

Overall - 10, Do I need to say more? Everything about this feel so precious and so close to me. I love the story so much and I also appreciate how they were able to tell the story in a nice and a broad-minded way. I highly recommend this drama specially to those who love the Main Cast!

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

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