The perfect rom com in between more demanding dramas

The Perfect Rom Com… what a great great surprise… the 2 ML couples are extremely cute together… along very addictive and highly entertaining story lines…you wish it would be longer … the Chinese approach to romance is Very different from Kdramas, (which I love too) where the ML end up together after at the end of the dramas… here they grow fond of each other and end up together early in the plot… and you enjoy watching them grow together…lovely heart-warming and fluttering…
There is a limited level of stressful stupid situations,, however since the ML delays disclosing to the FL that what happened to her and broke her initial career dreams ( ultimately for the better) was because of him, the discovery will be reasonably painful. I also loved the personality of the ML, reserved because of highly gifted , but so genuine and loyal to his friends.

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Perfect romcom for gloomy days, and what a chemistry between the lead coup’e

This drama required the rule of 4 episodes for me to get a good feeling of what it is… and what a great surprise. Light fluffy romance … with off-the-charts chemistry between the 2 leads. That’s my second drama with Jin Chen, and I start wondering if she is the one bringing the best out of her partner (other watched … also, how nice that her voice is not dubbed by another actress as is usually the case in C-dramas… this no baby voice. She is so natural in her acting that it is not hard to believe that younger people would fall for her…special mention to the Ml, Wang Zi Yi, quite recent in the movie industry, initially, he was the one making me reluctant to give it a chance … but he’s really good in his role. So, all in all, great time watching this drama, couldn’t help but smile or laugh throughout, and have butterflies too
(I used to be a huge fan of kdramas, but I must say that I find c -dramas more satisfying from a healthy romance perspective, and are not shy with skinship and kisses, as expected from a mature relationship)

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Great feel good and utterly positive grown-up romance drama…

What a great feel-good romance. This is not just another sports drama. It is so much more. The balance between the romance and the « track and field » theme is just right. There is not one evil character, not any lasting stressful situation. the parents portrayal is positive: for once we get a lovely mother, who loves her son and initially disapproves of the relationship, but never did she try anything nasty, not to mention the great father, colleagues, etc…that’s just how respectful and supportive of each others the various characters are of each others….You smile from beginning to end, with a few emotional tears along the journey. The personalities of of characters are well drawn and make you easily relate to them. There is no unnecessary secondary plot or leads, although the people around the main leads all contribute to making this drama warm and special. The story is extremely well paced. I didn’t feel the need to fast forward… the chemistry between the 2 main leads feels so natural and true. Absolutely lovely is the depiction of the evolution of their feelings, The sweet moments they share together as grown ups in love is just perfection.
In terms of mature balanced relationship with no stupid lengthy drama, meaningful situations and dialogs, I think this one is my favourite pure love story. The OST serves the drama perfectly.
Wang An yu has a very generous acting style, far from the preferred cold type . He was already great in Forever love… but here, The range of emotions he is able to display with his partner… he is extremely well paired in that regard with Jin Chen. The way they smile and look at each other,… their level of chemistry, … sparks are flying to the viewer.
they really deserve the spotlight. Very curious about WAY next project. I
All in all, An Extremely comforting and throughout positive drama

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A FL immature & disrespectful in her love life, redeemed by her good looks & work skills

If you like dramas where the Main FL character is aware of her beauty and flirts with the ML for half of the drama, initially for revenge purposes (she has been dumped by her previous boyfriend for what she believes to be his niece), gets caught in her acting and actually falls for him, while he is aware she’s acting, but likes her nonetheless because she’s a beauty and skilled at her job…

then for 1/4 of the episodes, they will be apart because he discovers her lie, that it was for revenge, and understands she was not attracted to him per se, before she could confess her initial lie and true feelings…

When they are finally back together, close to the end of the drama, she resumes her princess pouty behaviour, to which he gives in… this drama is for you.

But even then, She keeps teasing him, and shyly (pretend) runs away when he seems to want more with her… then, she totally reverse her attitude when she ends up living at his place because of a hand injury (ep33/36), … She is no longer acting shy and she is surprised that despite her clear invitations, he doesn’t seem to be interested in sleeping with her… until at the end of ep. 34, she gets what she wants, because he sees her crystal clear exchanges with her best friend on the very topic of whether he may have a problem, explaining why they haven’t yet splept together …
I wish the story had been explained to me this way, I wouldn’t have wasted my time on this drama.

There are good moments, funny moments…
But all in all, it displays a very immature and disrespectful female character, who is forgiven her bad behaviour because of her good looks and professional skills…
Only the last ep. Slightly makes up for the above…

Not satisfying watch for me, even if I had low expectations…
the first 1/3 was enjoyable, afterwards, it became irksome, as there was absolutely no character development arc… I’m not into mischievous female characters, displaying a far from recommandable set of personal values in their private life. Not a good example to follow.
Even the 2nd lead couple broke up and was apart for the majority of the drama… because of fear of a serious relationship and commitment …

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A modern storyline under the pretext of a historical sageuk, which it is not.

If you want a drama true to its period, thus deserving the title of historical, even if a period fiction, don’t watch this one…the weight of customs, laws and traditions is purely and simply blown up here, to only keep a minimum.
That’s what partnering with Netflix does. Even if under the wings of Studio Dragon.

This being said, this is a quite a gripping and entertaining drama.
The modern fiction storyline is mixed within a sageuk, the sageuk being the pretence to succession schemes, palace plotting, murder, revenge and pardon, or not….
I loved that the queen character is a truly unconditionally motherly mother, and that her sons are all warm-hearted without a hint of wickedness. That is the reason for my 10. The title says it all. She makes the drama, supported by an outstanding cast.
It is fast paced with hardly any dull moment.
There are a lot of topics that are addressed by the drama.

Spoilers:
Why a modern fiction? because the Queen will not only accept and protect her transvestite son, but also harbour and hide the baby another of her sons has out of wedlock with a gisaeng - brought to the palace by her - to be raised in secret by that son in the palace, the gisaeng being hired as a wet nurse in the palace …or when the future crown princess, the daughter of the war minister, is able to travel for many days on her own, to follow her love interest, without safety consideration, not shy in the least, speaking also freely, expressing her feeling and interest in an extremely bold manner, without any serious blame in the end.
A thousand situations that have no historical credibility in the past, but that nonetheless make it entertaining if you consider that this is after all a fiction.
What I didn’t like at all.
1. The very poor filming /production by the night crew, with shaky images when filming close up scenes that will make you uncomfortable.
The quality and beauty of the production just doesn’t stand the comparison with dramas such as The red sleeve, Yanxi palace, Love like the galaxy or Ming Lan, which is too bad because the costumes are beautiful. It makes me wonder about the director’s choice.
2. Big spoiler: and the reason for my -1, because the drama lets down here: The unraveling of the revenge plots in ep. 14 and esp. 15, is really a bit too far fetched with the twists and turns that don’t stand to close scrutiny (I watched the end after ep. 3, so I was very attentive during the unfolding of drama) - esp. with the 2 doctors storyline / one being the son of the former deposed queen and mastermind, having had a son with a concubine passed as one of the king’s sons , or the older doctor who is curing in a plagued village at the beginning of the drama, and who ends up being another revenge mastermind…. But since this is a drama to reflect on motherhood and entertain,, and not aiming at being true to the customs of that period….

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A drama tackling the seldom told history of China under Japanese influence

This is a drama tackling very serious topics that affected China in 1911-1912. Following the Xinhai Revolution and the end of the Qing Dynasty, there is political and civilian unrest. Hence, as Viki states, this is a drama. Not a comedy. Not a romance. A real drama. And a very good one.
(China lost against Japan in 1895, and since then, Japan and Russia gained some influence in China…, for Japan esp. in Manchuria, Mongolia and Shandong , which significantly reduced the Chinese people's trust in the empire, fueling Chinese nationalism. The sentiment was strengthened by the failed political reform, where the desire to form a constitutional monarchy resulted in the establishment of the Prince Qing's Cabinet with the majority being part of the imperial family in May 1911)
The « 21 demands » mentioned was signed between 1915 and 1916. It would result in a long-lasting animosity nationwide towards Japan. (Resulting in boycott etc)

That is the context of the drama.
It isn’t clearly told at the beginning, but I believe foreign viewers will gain in appreciation of the drama if they know that before starting to view it.

Because of that, the drama does show violence, and deaths.
Very smartly, the underlying dark tone is counterbalanced, as the drama follows the events and topics of importance at that time through a group of military students in their daily lives at a military academy, bringing some light and funny moments, esp. since they introduced a FL disguised as a man as part of the military students…

For me, the drama starts showing its true Colors and intentions starting ep. 15. From then on, it is very well paced.

The production and cast are outstanding. The storyline very well thought.
Special shout-out to Xu Kai who brings life to a welcome witty and shining character, very smart and caring under the presence of being carefree, self boasting and mischievous,…(he proves his versatility with this drama, displaying the wide range of emotions and expressions required by his character and his growth along the drama)
My second shout-out to the 2nd main FL playing the role of the singer/actress, awesome Wu Jia Yi, who stole the show in an unrequited love with Xu Kai.
I normally love Bai Lu (esp. in « one and only », « forever and ever », in which she’s just perfect. Here, she’s good but not the star of the show, wincing a bit too heavily at Xu Kai. I would have loved a bit more subtlety in her acting expressions in these moments, Also I am not fond of the indecisiveness of her character pertaining to her love interest between the 2 ML. She makes XK’s character suffer and I surprised myself thinking at some point that she doesn’t deserve his love… the good thing is that it happened in the very episode where she ultimately realised her true feelings (ep. 38)

Because the love stories are all unrequited during majority of the drama, however lovely it is often tackled, for those seeking first and foremost a fully blossomed romance drama, this is not for you.

Spoiler: Xu Kai’s love for the FL remains unrequited almost until the end (watching him falling in love and expressing his love is nonetheless a real treat. You will root for him)…. All other love stories are also unrequited during the majority of the drama. Because this is first and foremost a historical drama that chose to alleviate its darkness by balancing it with lighter moments, I get it that Fully blossomed romance would have been out of place. We however get good closures in the end, as two couples mixed in unrequited love go to their « right » partner in my opinion (they were too blind and immature to see and understand during the majority of the drama however …)
A great watch.

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Light, good vibes only, heart warming romance

If you wish to watch a light heart-warming romance, you’re in for a treat. This one is indeed a Sweet sweet lovely romance. All about romance in a short format - 14 hours in total, more of a Korean format in that regard, making it a good “in between” watch between longer and more demanding dramas. The drama flows and remains interesting throughout thanks to a well written storyline, characters and situations. Cherry on the cake: There is no nasty scheming or characters in this drama. Everybody is nice. Friends are true friends. It’s really all about love (there are several cute love stories unfolding beside the main one), And the music fits perfectly, pop and fluffy, like the decors, Colors

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Epic Bromance Wuxia did not get the deserved coverage due to unjustified black listing by

A masterpiece. The story is epic. The production one of the most beautiful i’ve seen for a wuxia. The two main leads are an eye feast , beside acting outstandingly (i am a woman), and normally am more inclined toward classical romance rather than bromance… But I was curious because of the very high rating, and because of Gong Jun, who i found perfect is the drama “Love equations” (which i recommend even if less ambitious)
This drama did not get the coverage it deserved for an awful reason. Little after its release and immediate popularity, as it is outstanding, It has been banned in China on all platforms, and censorship has had every coverage of the drama, its main Lead Zhang Zhe Han past present and future activities etc. purely and simply removed/ cancelled etc, without any legal proceedings and condemnation, just after an amazing smearing coordinated campaign, following an old post from a trip in Japan in 2018, alledgely in front of a temple where japanese officers= who were at war with china and are considered criminals by china… were buried.

https://www.whatsonweibo.com/op-ed-⎪-cyber-bullying-and-fake-news-what-you-should-know-about-the-zhang-zhehan-story/

If you dig a little bit in the story, you will understand that the picture was not in the temple, but in the neighboring cherry blossoms site that is touristically very famous. Thats a pure shame.

https://www.whatsonweibo.com/op-ed-⎪-cyber-bullying-and-fake-news-what-you-should-know-about-the-zhang-zhehan-story/

My understanding, considering that there is no legal condemnation of any activity by the legal authorities, and that the smearing campaign was obviously orchestrated by the very authorities that decided to blacklist ZHANG ZHE HAN and make pressure for a total ban by chinese third parties …
so my understanding, is that he must have been courted by someone extremely powerful at the top of the organization, and denied his favors, and faced subsequent punishment. Thats the only rationale.

it happens every day in the corporate world. Whether you re a man or a woman.

Zhang zhe han has an instagram account… showing that he is still alive.

https://www.instagram.com/zhangzhehan_super3/

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Mature and very well thought romance

It is very rare to get to see a Mature romance, true to life, first ep.. Excluded…dealing with the end of a love, it’s difficult let-go and new beginning…
This romance delves on how long lasting love relationships that haven’t been properly nurtured create loneliness gaps in the couple, in waiting for the next - improved from past mistakes - true love…The first ep. gives a false impression in that regard. There is no cheating . On the contrary to what the 1st episode could have led to believe. Jasper Liu plays a very interesting character, reliable and mature.
In one couple, there is no love anymore but a controlling and manipulative /toxic relationship from which jasper Liu can’t easily break free because of a past promise to the mother of his girlfriend. In the other couple, a relationship based on practicalities and a lige-plan more than a fulfilling love, in which the FL has lost her personality and purpose, In that regard, I loved that the FL decided to take time for herself, alone, instead of trying to be mended by her new love., before coming back to Jasper Liu, a better self-standing person.
Cherry on the cake, Some of the best kiss scenes ever, adult ones, thanks to Jasper Liu… who is also very good in “use for my talent”

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Best thriller + romance ever

I am normally not a huge fan of thrillers but this one is a true uniquely original masterpiece. The balance between the thriller and the romance which is a core element of the thriller in a unique way, the balance between past and present, are just outstanding. The plot itself is not your average killer story, the psychology of the protagonists has such levels of depths, and you really need to go through every minute to the end to understand it all, and it ties up together perfectly…. But again, the love story is beyond pure and beautiful - unconditional and genuine love… perfection in a drama.

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For jasper liu

After this I am no longer a fan of lee seung gi. What a terrible personality. Jasper liu is absolutely lovely throughout, nice and considerate. But lee Seung gi showed us true colors At ep. 5/6, when the two of them were supposed to compete to win a race. LSG started to cheat as early as morning of their departure, by locking jasper inside his bedroom and blocking the door with a cable. Later on, as jasper was afraid LSG would do something else and not wait for him to go for lunch, before heading to a game, jasper hid his motorbike key, but since he is not mischeavous, he left his key on display on his own motorbike, and what did LSg? He stole the bike instead of waiting… there was also a competition, the winner choosing the height of his diving in the water… LSG lost but tricked JL into going again into the water to run first to the lower spot chosen by LSG who is afraid of heights… good that the production managed these mischiefs as smoothly as they could… but still… what a bad personality.
It spoiled it for me. Even in the end, the last fan was for JL, but we learned that before she was a LSG fan, and at the reunion, he mentioned that for everyone to hear… a bad bad manipulative highly narcissistic personality, who displayed the devil’s horn in a cave … so disappointed. While Jasper Liu is as nice as his smile…

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Absolutely great drama, smart and original - a Korean take on Romeo and. Juliet

To the persons who would pick this drama thinking it is light: it is not. It is not a romantic comedy (on the contrary to See you in my 19th life or Destined with you .
it is more a tragedy like Romeo and Juliet. They can’t love each other in the past, can’t in the present…. It is smart, very well constructed and makes perfect sense in every regard. It is impossible to guess what truly motivates the main protagonists in the past until ep. 11/14.
This drama is sad, a real tragedy took place in the past, the ML having no clue as to how to repair/end a terrible cycle repeating for the FL, not aware of it. This drama has the only ending that makes sense. In that regard, it is better than See you in my 19th life or Destined with you, whose tropes also use past reincarnations and doomed love stories. On another good note, the glimpse of her 20th life in the end is perfect …

After having watched the absolutely awesome c-drama « Wonderland of Love », I had difficulties finding a drama that captured my interest from the first moment…Moon in the day has done it. It is extremely original in its take of the Enemies to lovers trope in the past and present…maintaining the suspense as to why the ML has been killed & become a vengeful spirit while the other has been protected by a talisman to the end, without making it possible to guess what actually happened that resulted in the tragic past events …
Very smart storyline, very well constructed in its development and insertion of moments of their past lives when it is meaningful.
Kim Young Dae is excellent, leaving no doubt as who he is portraying at any moment …very charismatic, what a Fierce vs. Candid looks! Perfect in this role.
In general, the cast is just absolutely great. The range of emotions displayed by the main leads is a far cry from haters comments…their roles are difficult ones. Again, it is not a romantic comedy. Don’t be mistaken by the 1st episode…
the storyline is well balanced between past and present, …not messy at all, you just have to pay attention, …;) as it is not a shallow comedy after all… actually, it really makes you want to understand what really happened between the 2 in the past…(like the ML who doesn’t know why he has been killed, a bit like with « Destined with You » in which you have to wait until the last ep. To understand what happened between the 2)


(… Amazing the number of negative critics by haters who can’t have actually watched the series after ep1 considering the false remarks on the storyline or acting (no it’s not a question of taste)…

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Original, funny and absolutely charming

What a great surprise. The take on contract marriage is very original. This charming light-hearted drama made me smile and laugh throughout. Zhou Yu Tong, The main actress plays her role to perfection, she’s solar, extremely cute and funny despite her assertiveness, a great character hiding her sensitivity behind an armour. Now One of my favorite FL in a drama…and I regret that we don’t see more of ZYT in dramas on Viki.
Because she needs to get married and have a baby within a year, she has a way to try and seduce Gung Jun (before and) after their wedding which is just hilarious, …until he understands that it’s all for the show, because she never had a boyfriend and gets scared as soon as he plays along. So it’s not the regular storyline of they live together and slowly fall in love…
I must say that Gung jun, if not perfect, has a way to look at her that does the trick, his eyes can truly sparkle and shine love… the second ML who was a model before being an actor, is extremely handsome… which adds to the pleasure of watching this drama ;)

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Unexpectedly very very good

This is not a light hearted romance comedy but a mature romance drama dealing with the topic of adultery (unknowingly by the female protagonist, who stops the relationship once she knows he has someone else), it is dealt in a very very interesting, tasteful and smart way.
So it is not actually about adultery, but about love..

For the FL, it is about healing and moving on after a 2-year relationship to the 2nd ML, who secretly gets committed to someone else (sick) during the course of their relationship , not because of love but because of greed…
it makes sense that both relationships of the second ML remain secret to the world, the one with the FL because they are coworkers, and the other because the GrandFather is opposed to it, and owns the Company they work at. Also, he doesn’t love her… We are told that he kind of had not choice in agreeing to marry the CEO’s grand daughter, but plans to keep the FL, who he really loves, as his mistress after marriage, hence the drama tittle, he hoped « she would never know »…because he knows she loves him deeply and he counts on it when she will learn the truth not to break up.

The best part of the story for me is about the male protagonist, played by Rowoon,: his story arc and genuine personality in the drama makes it one of a kind, extremely well written, directed, insightful, interesting, and … swoon worthy. As rowoon says in the drama, he wants to make the FL live the most beautiful love there is… and that’s exactly what he does throughout. He offers her an unconditional pure mature love, which not everybody is able to receive , especially someone with scars and who hasn’t been loved by her parents…
,.
We also understand that without the support of Rowoon, who told her the truth about her boyfriend, she might have compromised her integrity and accepted the situation once known to her, that’s how much she loved him in the beginning.
But ultimately, she has a strong character and manages to overcome her feelings for her ex boyfriend. And that is quite interesting, because usually, the mistress would keep hoping and waiting for her lover to choose her…

On a lighter side, Rowoon character in the drama is the perfect boyfriend material, absolutely kind, caring, charming, He brings light to the drama, like the second leads arcs., the ones of his two great sisters. What a treat to watch them interact with each other.

Rowoon wins the FL over in the end thanks to his pure personality. dedication and unwavering supporting unconditional love,

All in all, not the classic rom com,
Extremely well treated difficult topic
Very smart and well directed
With meaningful dialogs that make you reflect
Doesn’t fall into adultery unpleasant pitfalls, excusing an unhealthy / amoral relationship under the pretence of love…

And a great positive ending lasting a full episode
A beautiful love story
Rowoon is decidedly a promising actor

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… if you don’t have. High expectations on the romance part

A bit disappointed though. It starts great and then lets down in the end in terms of fulfilling romance between the main leads, who are never seen properly cuddling and kissing after they officially start dating, …. which hardly makes sense: the FL, a doctor, is always seen shying away and pushing away the ML… to a point when I wondered why they want to get married in the end…too bad because the ML is great as usual ( reset, new life begins…)

Serious flaws for me: The FL is too much of a cry baby, and the worst part: during 38 episodes, she’s having her short hair tied up in a messy and dirty-greasy bun with ugly pins and a crown of shaved hair (they say it themselves - her colleagues and friends making fun of her in a nice way, because she’s allegedly too busy to properly take care of herself - she doesn’t see the point of grooming even a little bit her appearance), not to mention the worst wardrobe ever seen in a drama, which doesn’t serve her and is rather unpleasant to watch ( it’s part of the storyline and the ML is supposed to be blinded by his love for her inside beauty and not care about her neglected appearance paired with never cleaned flat) her friend told her toward the end that her boyfriend is going to be willing to move to the next step, and she should dress up more femininely… and the result is a joke. Not to mention that we are not spared the mid clad socks on parachute skirts during the majority of the drama.. Really? Seriously?…
this appreciation may be shallow but what the point of showing that in a romance drama? It is a question of respect for yourself, your colleagues and boyfriend to take a minimum care of yourself…Even in true beauty, they didn’t dare do that.

it is again really to bad because the storyline is really a good one, especially the SWAT focusing part, very interesting. Only, I couldn’t believe and root for the Main couple after the 20th ep…
A commander in the SWAT is expected to be assertive., which he is clearly not in his relationship with the FL. Also, i am surprised that his tidiness can accept such a level of neglect in the FL, from her appearance, to eating habit and lack of care of her habitat, which she transforms in dumpster by lack of cleaning and elementary hygiene,( gross and not funny at all), not compatible in my opinion with being a doctor. Scary even. Voila

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