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Tragic but Beautiful

"Are you truly living? No, I am yearning for death in order to truly live."

"In the world made of tears, Will my death truly be the end of it all?"
"Passionately,I listened to the cursed put on my fate. She was the only sade heaven in my life besieged by the devil."

A tragic love story blossomed from the yearning of two people who want to live their life truly without being succumbed to their harsh realities. Life puts both of them to the opposite side of the path they were meant to take ,in order to fulfill their dreams. Kim Woo-Jin,the son of the wealthiest family ,whose education,career and even marriage is according to his father's wishes. Yun Sim- Duk ,the daughter of a financially struggling family, is a saparona trying hard to earn for her family members' well-being. Both of them find new hope in their budding romance. But lastly, life leaves them with only one option that can bring them peace-- death. From the beginning, the audience is aware that this love story is going to be a tragic one,both of them will be dying by the ending minutes of this mini series ,still it grasps you in its hold -slowly, beautiful and sadly melting you in the arms of this drama's story,writing and performances. Such a beautiful drama,with amazing actors and lovely scenes. The main leads' enemy to lover trope,their cute bickerings and slow and lovelyyy romantic sequences,their breaking up,their reunion,their craving for each other and then the last dance.
A must and a beautiful watch.

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My favourite -
Qiaoxi - "But Lin Yingtao, can't you see? I don't want you suffering with me. And I know You. If I was living easily, you might not stay. But if I'm in the gutter, you'd crawl in beside me without a second thought."
Some beautiful ones-
Qiaoxi- "And it was there, my name poetically infused by an insightful companion,with the meaning of the vibrant sunset."
Yingtao - "He is the Princess. Forever stuck in some tower waiting for me to rescue him."
Qiaoxi - I misspoke. When greeting Lin Qile, I should use 'Nice to meet you'. That is for first acquaintances. But I said- 'Nice to see you' which normally applied to reunions meaning that I'm happy to see you again......
Yingtao -"At school I'll eat with him and the friend I choose."
Qiaoxi - "We walk to class together. We go home together. Either by bus or by bike."
Yingtao - "And on weekends if we have time we'll go hiking."
Yingtao+ Qiaoxi - "JUST LIKE WE USED TO DO."
Qiaoxi -"Don't do this,I don't want to wake up so soon..." Yingtao - "This is not a dream."
Qiaoxi- "I feel lonely bot because I am alone."
Yingtao- "Then why?"
Qiaoxi -"Because I met you. Before, I was 10 years old I was alone but as long as I did math problems I wouldn't feel lonely. But after I met you, doing math problem was useless and I can't overcome loneliness."

This was a refreshing and emotionally engaging drama. One of its biggest strengths is how raw and grounded the performances feel. Zhang Linghe delivers a very different performance compared to many of his earlier roles. We have often seen him in historical or costume dramas or in lighter, charming roles, but here he portrays a vulnerable and struggling young man. His character, Jiang Qiaoxi, carries a quiet perseverance and emotional depth that makes the role feel very real.

The chemistry between him and the female lead is also enjoyable to watch. Since the two actors previously worked together in The Princess Royal, their dynamic feels both familiar and natural. However, the story largely focuses on the female lead Yingtao’s journey. Many of her emotional scenes feel authentic and deeply moving. I feel bad for her whenever Qiaoxi ghosts her. She is really brave,dedicated and especially patient ,otherwise the relationship was like over in their first meeting only.

A particularly powerful section of the drama occurs during the Hong Kong arc. When Yingtao finally confronts Jiang Qiaoxi about everything that has happened, the emotional tension between them is intense and believable. The scene where she vents her frustration and starts beating him and then holds her,hugs her and comforts her- that was extremely touching. Like I cried and I loved that scene. Theaw episodes are among the strongest parts of the drama because they explore reconciliation, emotional vulnerability, and the characters’ attempts to understand each other.
The Hongkong Arc>>>>The whole drama.

Despite these strengths, the drama has some pacing issues. There are moments where the story drags, especially when too much time is given to the supporting characters’ storylines. At times, it feels like the main male lead does not receive enough screen time, particularly in the earlier episodes. His personal struggles, especially the psychological pressure from his mother and the emotional weight of his academic expectations could have been explored in greater detail.

The way he has to live like his brother - studying maths,liking and wearing black colour despite hating it, visiting places that his brother and mother used to,in the disguise of celebrating his achievements. (This confrontation in the hospital was so good and much needed)- it was very overwhelming and so sad.I felt bad for him. Growing up under constant pressure to achieve and earn his mother’s approval (when he clearly knows that's all his dead brother's personality,interests and achievements) and he struggles to accept himself constantly reminding himself that he has to break free from his dead brother's shadow or else he will lose his identity. Zhang Linghe portrays this journey of self-acceptance very effectively. His confrontation with his mother, is emotionally powerful and shows the maturity forced upon him from a young age. Yingtao plays a crucial role in helping him overcome this struggle. Through her unconditional support, she teaches him not only how to accept love but also how to love others properly.

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A Decent One

The drama started off really well and was quite entertaining in the beginning. It had plenty of cute, heart-fluttering moments that genuinely made me feel giddy at times. The premise itself was interesting and had a lot of potential. However, as the story progressed, the plot started to feel rushed. It seemed like the writers were trying to include too many tropes one after another, which made the narrative messy and unfocused. I was genuinely invested at first, but eventually, I found myself getting bored, and the last few episodes were honestly difficult to sit through. A lot of the added storyline didn’t feel necessary, and the drama lost its potential midway, ultimately weakening the overall impact. That said, the performances were decent, and the tone remained lighthearted, even if it became dull later on.
The highlights for me were definitely the chemistry between the leads and their soft, lovey-dovey moments. I especially loved the early confession scene,like when the electricity went out and she accidentally touched the bulb and the whole area lit up,it was lovely. Another favorite was when he ate a candy he disliked just so they could become friends. Small gestures like that were really endearing.
I also found it adorable how he would try to make her heart race either by lifting her or getting close to her in a romantic way. And the final proposal scene at the aquarium was absolutely beautiful.
The most underwhelming aspect, however, was the lack of depth in both the story and the characters. Even when the narrative attempted to introduce emotional growth or tragic elements, it didn’t have the depth needed to make those moments truly impactful.

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UNDERRATED GEM

"When the court ladies dye their sleeve ends red,it shows that they are the king's ladies."

Yi San:- Do you belong to me?
Sung Deok-im:- "Of course,You Highness.I have taken an oath to serve and protect you forever."
Yi San:- "Then, does your everything belongs to me? Your thoughts,your will and your heart, do they belong to me?"
Sung Deok-im:- "This isn't so , Your Highness. Even a palace maid has her own will and heart. l, even though they may seem trivial to others."

Just finished the drama and there is not a single word that can truly describe what I'm feeling right now. I want to cry so badly and I have never felt like this before in any of the tragedies I have ever watched. I don't know why this drama is not hyped,not popular,not in the list of recommendations for kdrama fans-it should be on the first slot.

This drama was achingly sooo beautiful. It makes you cry so much in its ending episodes. In the episode 16 - It makes you feel so happy that finally the leads are becoming a family but there is this feeling/emotions you feel from the female lead that this is not the life she wants. Throughout the episode you want to feel bad and you want to feel happy. There are sweet moments of their married life, joy of becoming one but then she misses her life, she misses the life she wanted to live. It's just she loved him much more than her life. The scene where her friends are going home during a day off and a past verison of her bids farewell to her -is just so overwhelming that it pains so much.
In the episode 17,the whole world just shatters in front of the leads - it's not that the male lead was bad or didn't care about female lead's intentions- he wanted to protect her,love her and make her his family-but sometimes it's not the only ending a love story demands. Sometimes the sacrifices are necessary for one to live. In this episode how badly you just want to hold the female lead but you are sitting helplessly here at the other side of the drama world as audiences.

And you know ,from the first frame the story was told from a feminist point of view and the struggles the females were suffering from ,the emotions they felt,the life they lived and wanted to life- the portrayal is just insane ,just so humane and beautiful and aching.

You still know that the King too had to suffer a lot - like loosing your One son,then wife who was pregnant- and you are still attending the royal court,meeting your duties, crying inside and suppress your emotions just because you are the King- it's so painful and depressing. Both leads were suffering so much emotionally. They had each other but they didn't too.

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A Must Watch

Cha Mu-hee- "So from now on,you will think about me, whenever you happen to see the Northern lights."
Cha Mu-hee- "Don't be scared the aurora borealis will never occur in Korea."
Joo Ho-jin -"Knowing her, she'll do it in South Korea too."
Joo Ho-jin - "She said those memories would disappear with her."
Cha Mu-hee- "I couldn't let them vanish like that. Because I realised you were in there too."

This drama is just soooooo beautiful. The story is written from the perspective of a girl who isn't that good in expressing her thoughts. She's confused the same way every girl feels while conveying their feelings. She understands but misunderstands, she speaks but expresses less, she gaslights herself a lot, and especially she takes time to love him,to wait for him and this is what many of us do. I loved it so much. It felt like someone is trying to replicate my emotions and my confusions on screen. It was a very creative way to present the two different clashes/dynamics that everyone undergoes psychologically- Do Rami. There are various aspects of this drama that are amazing. This drama is so WELL WRITTEN. Hong Sisters - girls you never disappoint 🥰

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Criminally Underrated

"There are two kinds of happiness in life. One is to let go of what you have been carrying for a long time, and the other is to pick up what you have never had. So when facing life, why not be bolder?"

This drama is criminally underrated. I also went into it mainly to watch Zhang Linghe, but I was genuinely surprised by how it kept me invested throughout. Despite the complexity of the plot, it still manages to stay light-hearted, especially since the antagonists can be funny and unserious at times.
I’m especially in LOVEEEEEEEE with the second couple (Xu Nian & Guan Qian Ya) because their chemistry was intimate, deep, and intense. They had real depth in both their characters and their arc. Guan Qian Ya was so strong and independent, and her chemistry with him was absolutely wonderful. They were so good that words honestly can’t describe how I felt likee I loved them so much. And it’s not just because I’m a Zhang Linghe fan, but because of how beautifully their characters were written, depicted, and presented. Their storyline pulled me in so much that I could feel every moment, almost like I was transported into their world.
The main leads (Lu Xiao & Jiang Ke Le) were good too. Their story was nice and cute. I really loved the Jiang Ke Le; she was adorable at times. Watching her humorous, cute side here, especially after seeing her more badass role in Moonlight Mystique, was actually very refreshing.

Now coming to the plot—it was fantastic. It completely hooked me till the last episode. There was always this sense of uneasiness and eagerness about what was going to happen next and how they would leave the Bay House. It was incredible. I literally stayed up till 5 a.m. watching episodes because it was that interesting.
And the plot twists OMFG, don’t even get me started. They were absolutely perfect. The second leads’ first meeting turning out to be part of the game (and that too one-on-one user) was mind-blowing. Then the early revelation that the boys were real humans trapped in the house, it set the tone so well. But the biggest twist in episode 30, when it’s revealed they were still inside the game, was insane LIKE I WAS BEING BRO WHATTTTTTTT. The transitions and plot development were so smooth that I never even guessed it could be a possibility. The twist about Xu Nian being Xu Guang Han’s son was also shocking, And then the AI robot twist, wow. Just wow.
I loved how, in the end, everyone got their own happy relationship, it was so wholesome. Not to forget, Xu Fu Shun was amazing, she was perfect. Even the whole mouse-and-cat chase dynamic added so much excitement.
Overall, everything about Love Crossed was amazing. Its take on existence, identity, freedom, and humanity was genuinely thoughtful, and the drama is actually very well written. Even the OST , sung by all four of them, was beautiful.

I’m completely in love with this drama.

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A Must Watch

"I won. I made a bet with God. I bet that you like me,I bet that you would give up your choice to live, to me."
Such strong female characters 😎😎🔥
Shangguan Qian-"Weishan ,Please show me mercy."
Yun Weishan-"Do we have it?"

From beginning to the end (except the last few mins),It was fabulous. The cinematography was beautiful 😍 ❤️. Fighting sequences were like swords dipped in ink ,used as brush to write a poetry for Moon burning with the sun's energy. Be it scenes from Wufeng training girls drenched in muddy water and blood,to Yun Weishan fighting and winning against Jin Fan (who isn't even using his 30% energy) ,to Gong Ziyu fighting for his beloved with his messy, inexperienced and low skills, to Gong Shangjue who is taking revenge for his little brother's death, to The intense fight of Wufeng V/s the Gong Family.

The characters were soooooo amazing-

Yun Weishan - She has my heart. A low level Chi who has many secrets and is flawless in fighting. Soft hearted but so strong that makes her character perfect. Esther Yu finally performing a mature character was such cherry on the top for me , after watching her being serious for few minutes in dramas like Lovegame in the Eastern Fantasy and Love between fairy and devil, I really wanted her to watch in mature roles.My favourite character from this drama. Her struggles, her sister's story is much more tragic and the end. Freedom is extravagant for me. A woman who only dreamt of freedom,finds herself more entangled in the politics and betrayal of this Martial Arts World.

Gong Ziyu - messy boy who isn't interested in power ,travels towards maintaining, accepting and respecting the responsibility. The growth of Gong Ziyu's character- from a boy to a Man, a person who was appointed as the Sword Wielder overnight,who learns to love,to respect legacy and to understand responsibility ,his journey from Ziyu to The Sword Wielder captures one's heart. The scene where Gong Ziyu gives a cloud(thousand years ice slab) to Yun Weishan,while expressing that - There is a lock in my heart and only you have the key, and Yun asking him to believe her this once - Mann it was beautiful, emotional and tear worthy.

Gong Shangjue - The cruel, intense, intelligent character that hides his fears and sadness . Never thinks about himself but throughout the drama , the essence of his character is revealed bit by bit which makes him an interesting person to be curious about.

Shangguan Qian- She loved only one person - herself. She was much manipulate who also had a soft spot but it never became the obstacles in her mission. At one point of time ,everyone in the Gong Residence was plotting against her and still she manages to fool them.

Gong Zishang - Her character was beautifully written - a selfless woman ,in love with Jim Fan while hiding her true emotions,scars and fears behind the veil of foolish acts. The scenes where she buys the whole lantern cart , desperately waiting for Jin Fan and him secretly admiring her sincerity and love- is just soooooo good like it melts your heart.

Even the other minor characters hold such a strong presence on the story that all you can do is admire the writing and the direction of this drama.
The three trials were interesting, engaging and the way they were unfolded, the way they tests the candidates with calm mentors - Such fun. Like everything is so intense that you don't want to miss a second of this drama.
Comedy ,thriller,action,romance ,mystery, - everything.
A drama packed with 10 on 10 moments , characters,plot, chemistries ,scenes, fighting sequences, meaningful and mysterious flashback stories.
The only sad thing it has is ---The ENDING?????????????? And to know the fact that there will be no second season of it😩
A MUST WATCH💝

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I absolutely loved this drama. Yes, it is emotional, but it carries a warmth that makes your heart flutter and leaves you with a comforting, happy feeling despite all the sadness it explores.
From the very beginning, the drama stands out because of its unique setting. We have a male lead who works as a funeral makeup artist and a female lead who lives with a prosthetic leg. Through them, the drama explores death, grief, healing, and relationships in an incredibly mature and sensitive manner. We see different people dealing with loss and sorrow in their own ways, and every story is presented with remarkable care and humanity.
I was especially impressed by the direction. There are many conversations throughout the drama, and while some viewers may find them slow, they are essential to understanding the characters' psychology, particularly the female lead's. This is not a drama that rushes through emotions; it takes its time. Because of that, it requires patience, but the payoff is absolutely worth it.
I loved how the flashbacks were woven into the story, gradually revealing the history between the leads and making their relationship feel even more meaningful. Even their arguments were handled realistically and maturely.
The chemistry between the leads felt incredibly natural. There were moments when I genuinely wondered whether I was watching a scripted scene or a behind-the-scenes clip. One of my favorite examples is the under-bridge scene, where they casually hug, tease, and joke with each other. It felt so effortless and real.
I am completely in love with the prosthetic-leg storyline, especially the scenes spread across two episodes—before and after the female lead's confession about her amputated leg. The male lead's respect for her privacy, boundaries, and insecurities was portrayed so beautifully that I was left speechless. This drama somehow manages to ache your heart and heal it at the same time. The prosthetic-leg scene remains one of the most memorable moments I have seen in a drama. When the female lead admits how uncomfortable and self-conscious she feels about showing her amputated leg to anyone, and the male lead gently helps dress her prosthetic while saying that this is "like a breeze" compared to the work he does every day, it completely overwhelmed me. I had tears in my eyes. The emotional journey from the moment she broke the statue, to their heated arguments, to her fear and vulnerability during intimacy, and finally to her opening up about her insecurities while he responds with understanding and acceptance, it was simply perfect.
This drama is a beautifully written and directed drama about love, grief, acceptance, and healing. It is not a fast-paced watch, but if you are willing to give it the patience and attention it deserves, it rewards you with one of the most mature, heartfelt, and emotionally resonant romances in recent Chinese dramas.
A must-watch for anyone looking for a realistic and deeply moving love story.❤️🌸

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"You humans love to blame fate for everything but fate is nothing more than a web woven by a myriad of choices of your making."

This was my first kdrama and it was such a wonderful journey. I enjoyed it so much. I used to wait for the episodes. I loved the characters. Main leads' chemistry is soo beautiful- "So it was match made in hell,not in heaven."
The comedy is much off ,even the supporting actors at Do DoHee's office have not much to add to the plot or humor for this drama. But there are few moments - like GuWon defending him being demon by slandering the other mythical ones was just so funny -"Old dragon king","Beefy smurf genie", "Mosquito vampire", "Pokemon", "Lowly goblin" and The married couples' fight- "I had a fight with Do DoHee and She's been playing hymns and chants from all religions all day."
There was a scene where there were small vacuum cleaner in shape of puppies -It was soooo cuteee.
After watching it the second time my thoughts are mostly similar. The sprinkler kiss scene is absolutely heaven-its so beautiful and aesthetic, even the bts to this scene is so hot and lovely. The antagonist is creepy as hell and amazing. I enjoyed the take regarding Abraxas and the bird. As a reader of "Demian" by Hermann Hesse, it was interesting to watch how they will interpret its meaning. Song Kang playing the demon was both hot and funny. Kim You jung is just amazing as always, she always gives justice to the characters she acts. The major twists and secrets were also interesting even thought it's repetitive. There are many beautiful scenes - Their first meeting, the sprinkler kiss, the umbrella scene, the butterfly one, beach scenes, photo studio one , Jeong Gu-Won saving Do-DoHee both times and in all her life, the demon being obsessed with couple things and the famous Tango scene- it was sooooo beautiful and amazing. It is actually an interesting and entertaining drama . A must watch.
Despite its few flaws I am giving it a full stars because I love this drama.

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A Drama That Stays With You?

The drama celebrates womanhood- the endless cycle of giving, enduring, and loving despite pain through the life of Ae-sun and people connected to her. Ae-sun is not a perfect woman; she is a real one - fiery, stubborn, full of longing. Her journey from a young girl who wanted to “flip the table” to a woman who finds meaning in sacrifice is portrayed with such truth that you can’t help but see pieces of every woman in her. "The spring rain is lasting a long time. Maybe the spring rain is my mom crying. Maybe she’s crying because I’m getting married like this."

Then we have Yang GwanSik- an ideal husband, hardworking person and "Steelheart" who never expresses his worries and sadness,gulping all in,so that the other family members can hold on to him as the pillar of the family even as the storms of life wear him down. The bruises and callouses of his hardwork on his hands expresses things that words can't even describe."To us, Dad was the sea.We all relied on him to live." While watching the drama I cried a lot. Be it Ae-sun and GwanSik's adulthood where living their dreams clashes with need for food and shelter and responsibility of starting a new family knocks on their door or the children - one burdened with the dreams of their parents- "I swallowed their dreams and spread my wings.
Embracing my mom's dream like a seed in my heart" and the other suffering because of favouritism, ruining his youth.
Yet within that struggle, there is tenderness-The hairpins brought by GwanSik for Aesun, Them buying their new house- "It's the first time I've had my own home.Stupid Home. Even conches and crabs have their own.But I was always the only one without a home."
GwangSik-"I'll buy us a bigger house next time."
Ae-sun-"This already feels like a palace. Now that it's my own."
Her mother reading her poem, GwangSik being the most caring and loyal husband a woman desires- "There was a girl in the boy's life.All his life, the boy kept the girl's world safe." ,Him admiring his wife even in their old age- "Dogs have dogs, and cows have cows right?What about an angel. You said Dong-myeong was an angel. Every night when you sleep, I put in so much effort to keep your back in check. I've been busy trying to push the wings back into your back, so I couldn't even sleep." , the parents selling their house and then the boat for their children's bright future, GwangSik watching his daughter's wedding and her walking the isle(child to adult),His final moments, where their young selves wave farewell to each other- "When my time comes,don't cry too much. When Oh Ae-sun cries it tears me apart. Then I can't go like gentle waves." , The family’s quiet pain as GwangSik goes through chemotherapy, the reincarnation of her mother, Ae-sun’s poem for GwangSik , Him inviting his wife and daughter on the boat, breaking taboos- "You, Geum-myeong, Eun-myeong and Dong-myeong are my gods.I'll survive a typhoon thanks to you four." , The death sequence of their youngest child- "She said a mother who has lost her child sheds more tears than the sea." , the grave scenes- "Their footsteps created a smooth path, and through all four seasons the grave where their child lay remained the neatest of all." Aesun protecting her child's grave during windy days- "Our baby must be scared again." , them running a failed restaurant- "They decided to pursue what they had been most confident in. Because plowing rocky fields and catching all the fish in the waters reflected Ae-sun and Gwan-sik's attitude." and the list just goes on.
Ae-sun and Gwan-sik’s eldest daughter Geum-myeong carries within her the weight of two generations-her parents’ unfulfilled dreams, their expectations, and their quiet sacrifices. But carrying such dreams is not easy. “Parents dwell on what they couldn’t give, and children dwell on what they couldn’t get." Her life becomes a mixture of gratitude and quiet suffocation. As she once reflects, “I swallowed their dreams and spread my wings. Embracing my mom's dream like a seed in my heart.”
Beneath her calm, there are ''knots'' that are invisible, aching places of conflict and guilt-“Parents have no idea of the moment when their child's heart develops knots. If they knew, they’d protect their child. No tree grows without knots, and a child’s knots would carve a hole in a father’s heart, so God keeps it hidden.”
Her first love was a boy she cared for deeply, but his mother never respected her or her family. He never stood against his mother.To her ,his silence hurt more than rejection . “As I said my final goodbye to the boy who was closest to me, I felt like the Little Prince, leaving his rose behind on his tiny planet.”
Later, when she meets the painter, her story takes a gentler turn. He is not perfect, but he is kind and sincere. His love is filled with admiration and care. His mother, unlike her first lover’s, embraces her with warmth, treating her as a blessing.In one scene, on the boat, though seasick and trembling, he wants to keep her safe from falling. In another, after drinking with her father, he waits for her in the freezing cold, drunk but still concerned for her. His love is not grand or loud; it is devotion disguised as small gestures.
The drama is like a poem -caring and hurting, flowing throughout their life, written through their love, happiness, struggles, pain and grief. The drama captures not just the story of two people, but the soul of Jeju itself - the sea, the winds, the fields, and the endless struggle of those who lived there.“It’s better to be born a cow than a woman in Jeju.” The women, especially, are portrayed as both fragile and unbreakable - like the tangerines that survive the harshest winters. The drama lets you feel - the weight of time, the ache of lost dreams, and the beauty hidden in ordinary lives. It shows that love isn’t always loud; sometimes it’s quiet, steady, and patient- like Gwan-sik’s love for Ae-sun.
By the end, you’re left with tears, but also a strange warmth - a reminder that even after pain, love endures.
“Here’s to all you’ve been through.”-So, here’s to Ae-sun, Gwan-sik, and everyone who keeps moving through life’s storms-quietly, bravely, and full of love.

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The Best Detective Variety Show Ever

I am in love with this show from the second season. I started watching it for Zhang Linghe. The plot, costumes, reasoning, actors , NPC's ,EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS SHOW IS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT AND AMAAAZZZZZZZZINGGGGGG. I am waiting for the rest of the episodes. I totally loved the guest stars. And this season has started with a bang righttttt. The helicopter and boiler scene , the beginning cage and electric game and then you have Zhang Linghe playing obsessive possessive husband punishing a mosquito who bit his wife damnnnn I enjoyed it so so much. This show has a special place in my heart. The 2 hour episodes feel less. I love it that much. Plus they give you extra contents daily. I have been watching it from previous year and will be watching it further. I hope they continue making more and more seasons.

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