Editorials 
It's fine.
Yea we watched it for Nam Goongmin...His dedication to his roles is honestly unmatched. Honestly the real shining star for this show is the actors. The plot itself is a little predictable but seeing the actors pull it off was amazing.
Everyone brought their A game for sure! I was hoping that this would be as exciting as Vagabond but its a little more subdued... The action is brutal and realistic. NGM really drops his usual playful attitude and becomes someone else. Def gonna rewatch ep 1 for YEARS to come.
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It was completly fine. Yes. Just fine.
Its a well made drama with clear effort and care behind it. Its kinda funny to see that the longer the show goes on the more money they have to work with? It starts off very bare bones in terms of production value and that changes by the end.I thought the story and mystery was consistent. Some things interested me for a while but not for long.
The biggest ick for me is the romance between the leads. No chemistry whatsoever, I feel like this could be blamed on the "innocent" nature of the FL? I just could not get invested in their romance. ML was pretty stiff with her too so its not just her fault. The 2nd leads had much better scenes with better banter.
The ending was so anticlimactic and abupt I found my self asking... "Thats it? Really? Well ok I guess."
Yea it was alright, I'd never watch it again.
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Aut Doc Drama
This drama is a basic and slightly predictable med drama, I'm no doctor but it was kinda of disappointing to guess most of the case answers myself.The main draw of watching this drama is the autistic representation. Personally, watching a drama about a savant doctor who clearly has never had to mask a day in her life was never truly engaging for me.
Its an okay med show tho, I will probably never revisit it.
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Good Actually
Hot take: This is way more enjoyable than Prisoner of Beauty…. ( You can shoot me now)A Dream within a Dream is satire. Its entire existence is to serve one purpose. That is to criticize the drama industry and the slop we sometimes receive. It wants to spur writing that respects the characters that scripts create and the audience that watches them. It also revels in the very same tropes it seeks to critique….
Morally grey ML's with tragic backstories?
check.
FL whose IQ fluctuates wildly over the course of the show?
check.
Sudden plot twists that only exist to fill time?
check, check, check.
It does all that and even more, unabashedly… And I still had fun watching it. It just does a great job of keeping you engaged. Either you're invested or you're laughing your butt off.
You can tell they put a lot of money into this john… Soo many fancy sets I've never seen before and the costumes were pretty good, out of place…. but good.
I think this drama being satire REALLY does a lot to help you dismiss most of the flaws.
The characters are lovable and have a great amount of growth for most of them. The cast did an amazing job bringing them to life. ( I was talking mad shi about Liu Yuning…. but he ain't bad at all, hoping I can watch a costume drama of his where he doesn't purposefully hurt a woman someday… I can only watch him choke a woman soooo many times….)
Humor is the greatest highlight, this show is really freaking funny.
I think the music was a tad overbearing… but it wasn't the worst.
Chemistry between the couple could have been better, but it wasn't bad, they were cute af, I just wasn't feeling any passion in most couple scenes.
Loved the details you pay attention to, ultimately do pay off and satisfy your expectations.
There were also genuine moments of deep insight into a character's mind and issues… that was nice.
I can't bully something that was never serious… It's fun and it never really takes itself seriously and it doesn't expect you to either. I'm definitely gonna rewatch someday.
PS. Liu Yuning is now on the same level as Cheng Yi is the beautiful suffering club. Bro spends the entire show getting blasted and he takes it like a champ. Hilarious
7.5 - 8 /10 no drama
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Baby's first costume C-drama
Okay so like most dramas, I would say this show is able to just barely pass on most of the basic criteria.
The costumes were okay, the music was okay, the plot was okay. Everything was JUST FINE for the most part. Truly MID at times.
I really liked the 2nd lead couple out of the three, they were the only ones who I was really invested in. The main leads were too dumb for me and the 3rd couple was boring to watch.
I also liked the action direction, the fights were very well thought out and creative for what the drama had to work with.
The things that bothered me:
This drama employs forced marriage to further the plot and once the main leads do get married, they both get REALLY DUMB. ( like mess up plans that are of NATIONAL importance because of stupid jealousy tropes.)
Bro we get it, you love your wife, put the fries in the bag.
Too many comedic scenes that were unfunny and out of place.
Lack of communication which leads to dumb misunderstandings that are resolved basically immediately. This show will look you in the eye and WASTE YOUR TIME.
The arcs are too long and take forever to resolve.
FL is supposed to be important but they forget about her having a brain until basically the final arc. (it disappears whenever her husband is in the room.)
The plot relies on the villains being incompetent.
Everything is tied up so abruptly, and it's REALLY predictable.
The editing is abysmal, too many cuts and strange decisions. You'll be watching the most serious reveal and the editing looks like a YTP meme. Insane.
It was better than I expected, and I remember having some very deep thoughts about the plot and the characters… but I've forgotten everything now. I think that sums up my feelings on the entire show. It could have been great with some deeper, more creative writing, a bigger budget and a longer runtime.
Good watch to fill time, but don't expect a diamond in the rough.
This show watches like it was made for babies, it's not offensive though.
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I liked it?
This show tries to tackle the academic hardships of Korean teens.... but then it gets bogged up in a crazy plot that involves drug deals, pedophilia, smuggling contraband in your guts and MORE.The longer it went on the more focus it lost. also it was supposed to be GL but I would have liked it to be a little more gay???
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Here's the good stuff.
Here's the good stuff.I'm writing two separate reviews for both parts and this will be just for the second half In the name of Blossom.
Before we get into anything negative, I want to praise this show for many aspects that I wholeheartedly enjoyed. The cinematography was amazing, there was never a single scene in this show that looked ugly. So many shots from both parts that actually gave me goosebumps on multiple occasions. I really liked the production value, hardly ever did the show have cheap, disposable looking sets or props. You could tell a lot of money and effort went into how this show looks and feels, the production team was most certainly on point. The music was great as well! So many memorable tracks that fit the scenes perfectly. Another positive call out was for the cast. This is the best I have ever seen from Yang Zi! It's so refreshing to see her break out of the comedic scamp role. She's very mature and arresting in this drama. Our ML is played by Li Xian who proves to you once again that he has range, his character hides a double identity for certain reasons. It's amusing to see him flip that switch over the course of this series. The main leads had excellent chemistry, and were so amazing to watch together. The first half of this show really sold me on this couple and I really wanted to see them make it work. I also enjoyed the depiction of the women in this show. In a patriarchal society, it can be very difficult for a woman to find her way in life, even in modern days… Seeing such varied women with their own problems to overcome was also satisfying. In most dramas women are pitted against each other and barely ever understand how one another might be feeling. This show has a female lead who recognizes the difficulties any woman faces regardless of class or social status.
My main issue with FP (part 1) was how repetitive and boring a lot of the scenes are. It was frustrating to be halfway through the drama and our leads are dealing with some really basic issues.
ITNOB completely turns that on its head, it's romantic, exciting and heartbreaking from beginning to end! The conflicts really get turned up and its so satisfying to see our female lead FINALLY operating on a higher level. Yang Zi was the MVP of this story and I loved it. Great watch!
I would only rewatch SOME of part 1 but I would absolutely demolish a rewatch of part 2.
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This review may contain spoilers
Flourished Peony has issues
I'm writing two separate reviews for both parts and this will be just for the first half Flourished Peony.Before we get into anything negative, I want to praise this show for many aspects that I wholeheartedly enjoyed. The cinematography was amazing, there was never a single scene in this show that looked ugly. So many shots from both parts that actually gave me goosebumps on multiple occasions. I really liked the production value, hardly ever did the show have cheap, disposable looking sets or props. You could tell a lot of money and effort went into how this show looks and feels, the production team was most certainly on point.
Music was great as well! So many memorable tracks that fit the scenes perfectly.
Another positive call out was for the cast. This is the best I have ever seen from Yang Zi! It's so refreshing to see her break out of the comedic scamp role. She's very mature and arresting in this drama. Our ML is played by Li Xian who prove to you once again that he has range, his character hides a double identity for certain reasons. It's amusing to see him flip that switch over the course of this series. The main leads had excellent chemistry, and were so amazing to watch together.
The first half of this show really sold me on this couple and I really wanted to see them make it work. I also enjoyed the depiction of the women in this show. In a in a patriarchal society, it can be very difficult for a woman to find her way in life, even in modern days… Seeing such varied women with their own problems to overcome was also satisfying. In most dramas women are pitted against each other and barely ever understand how one another might be feeling. This show has a female lead who recognizes the difficulties any women face regardless of class or social status.
My negative takes are pretty simple. This show takes way too damn long to get to an exciting point. Tens of episodes in and our female lead is still dealing with pretty menial issues that seem to repeat over and over. So many scenes of her being wrongfully accused in public or being screwed over again and again. Flourished Peony really had me either frustrated or bored if either leads were not on the screen. I also HATED the 2nd ML, which isn't really criticism, it's just a fact… Overall I liked the first part and would rewatch.
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I'm here for the free food.
One Dollar Lawyer is pretty good. It's got unique cases, some memorable characters and NAM GOONG MIN.I love these types of shows where he's a hero who investigates some corrupt element present in his world… The thing is that ODL allowed NGM to be both a serious investigator and the funniest man on earth all at once. This show is super funny, I couldn't predict everything that would happen so it might surprise you. Definitely a fun watch. Great for passing time between fantasizing about a reality where bad people actually get punishment.
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Omg its really good.
When I first started this show I was a little wary because of the low rating. A 9.3 on Viki usually means a lack of quality, but this show really surpassed my low expectations.This story is a historical costume drama that has a sci-fi based time travel gimmick, and it SLAPS. It's really entertaining.
I watched this right after finishing The Double and a lot of the smarter writing I was craving in The Double was present here. This was a show about politics before anything else. Everyone has a faction and it fighting to get a leg up over every other faction. The constant conflicts and mental battles always make this drama feel fresh. If you liked Cheng Shaoshang's big brain in LLTG then you'll love Li Rong. Zhao Jinmai does an exceptional job (as always) communicating that she's a jaded and cold woman who is just trying to survive and do what she thinks will make everything better.
I also love the ML Pei Wenxuan. Dude has got the sauce. Zhang Linghe has been in the corner on the shelf since I first saw him in Maiden Holmes… but my guy made himself a true heartthrob with this show. His understanding of the FL and being able to anticipate her plans made for some of the most satisfying scenes.
Love all the side characters! The regular villains can be a little hard to take seriously, but the main villian was a total boss who actually felt like a true threat.
My ONLY valid complaint is the fact that this show looks AWFUL. The costumes aren't too bad but the cinematography lacks substance and personality. In rare and heavy moments some scenes are filmed intentionally but that just makes the rest of the drama look even worse. It looks like a cheap morning drama sometimes it's so bland.
It's a complicated story where there isn't an easy path or answer. Great story, acting and music. Will definitely watch again.
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Ah mannnnnn!
Oooo boy!If you have watched Princess Agents then KNOW that this show is nothing like that. It feels like They knew the fans of these leads could not take another sad ass drama with an ending that would make you end up in an asylum.
THIS is the FIRST Chinese Xianxia drama to make me more invested in the immortal/demon realm plot than what had happened on the mortal plane. Usually I'm gagging for that mortal trial trope 10 episodes in but not THIS time. I thought the meet cute was pretty well done and I loved the chemistry between Shen Li and Xing Zhi. I really enjoy it when the FL is the straight man in a relationship. Although Xing Zhi is a wise and elderly deity, he's also the youngest one of his kind. He's capable of being powerful and playful all at once. Shen Li's direct personality and serious nature mingle so well with Xing Zhi's. Her nature doesn't relax until she is with him freely.
It's a star crossed lovers story that works well, the romance is top tier and its progression is very natural and enjoyable. I can totally buy why they can't be together and yet it's so satisfying to see them attempt to do it anyway.
This show has some great side characters who all have their own mini arcs where they grow as people and end the show as better individuals, they also add a lot to the humor because the show is HILARIOUS. The music was so good that I added some tracks to my ost playlist!
The bad thing about this drama are the villains…
Nothing any of them did was particularly compelling to me. Theres a betrayal that was supposed to be surprising… but it wasn't… Nothing relating to villians goals or actions seemed logical and I found myself skipping through their scenes late into the drama. I also didn't enjoy the flash back/ back story… I was curious but that too was kinda meh.
I adored the ending though, it's such a relief to watch my leads be happy AFTER all the melodrama is over. This show is rewatchable… but only for the romance.
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Rare good J-drama
It's a case of the week show with a central story that is very compelling. It's more than just serial killers every episode. There is a wide variety of cases a d it's satisfying to see how they'll be resolved. I love the dynamic between the character and I'm a big fan of the lack of romance.Just really solid in a way that J-dramas struggle with these days…
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Damn good
This show was an insane roller coaster that makes use of sooo many old school tropes all at once.The crazy part is that it works.
This drama is a hilarious and wild ride with an overarching mystery that involves every main and side character. The story makes perfect sense and progresses as logically as it can allow itself to…
I had a lot of fun and will certainly revisit it in the future. OMFG it's so cheesy and satisfying. The action and music are great and it's vibe reminded me of Chief Kim at times. Imagine Nam Goongmin in heels.
That's the show. It's great filler fodder while you wait for something else to update.
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A cut up
I'm not sure why but it took me FOREVER to finish this show.Overall it's really good for a costume drama… My biggest problems were the costumes. Some of the fabrics look like they were printed polyester and that always took me out. The secondary villain is also a huge problem for me. Every action he took just made me wanna bang my head against my tv because I could never understand his line of logic… Why even try to understand crazy people I guess?
The drama is just really engaging and consistent. I found myself always caring about what was going on. When the leads experienced loss then I did as well. I cried while watching this show, it made me feel true anguish at times and lighthearted at others.
Its also the first Xu Kai led drama that I have liked since 2019's The Legends which isn't as tightly put together as this is.
Give it a chance.
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Its like eating a communion wafer
This is the most Bland drama that I've watched this entire year.There are multiple plot twists that have no payoff and hold no bearing over the story.
You'll be told the most sad or depressing thing about a character only to find out in an episode or two they'll be fine and it never really mattered anyways.
Its strange.
Relationship takes FOERVER TO GET GOING. Too much back and forth and the side stories were not compelling.
I feel like the show would have felt fresh and mature maybe like 10 or 20 years ago.
But we know how childhood romance dramas go, we've seen a hundred and this was one of the blandest.
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