Nice Doesn’t Mean Weak!

I’m a total book nerd so a love story between a kind-hearted editor + a best-selling author totally piqued my interest when I read the synopsis. And while it was a bit more fluffy than I was expecting I still really enjoyed their story.

I found the FL to be quite relatable (though a bit too “cutesy” at times) with her bubbly personality, enthusiasm for her writers, & optimistic nature. She showed a lot of spunk for a girl who was just starting out in her career. She quickly learns it won’t all be easy since several colleagues seem intent on seeing her fail, but she’s determined to prove that she has what it takes to succeed. To do so, she sets out to sign a contract with a difficult & reluctant author.

I admired her character throughout the show. She faces a lot of challenges as she embarks on this new phase of her life, but she never lets the pressures or failures keep her down. She’s a sweet girl who others often underestimate. But we witness her inner strength when she stands up for herself, for what she believes in, & for her authors multiple times. It was refreshing to see a FL who’s friendly & kinda quirky not let anyone push her around. Like hey - we can be kind A N D strong, ya know? 🙌🏻

The ML matches her energy well as he’s also a combination of strong & dorky. He doesn’t care what others think of him or his writing, he stays true to himself despite any negative reviews. It’s only when his loved ones are threatened later in the show that he considers bending, though they refuse to let him do so. He’s a bit of an eccentric character, whom I found both entertaining & frustrating in equal parts for the first half of the show.
Let me explain: I’m not a fan of the hidden identity trope so that lessened my enjoyment of both him & the drama a bit. Him not admitting to the FL that he’s her online friend (even straight up lying to her about it) was confusing. I didn’t at all understand his reasoning for this. I know he explained it to her later amidst their fighting & reconciliation scenes, but I still don’t get it. IMO, the FL was fully justified in her anger towards him. So while, yes, I did love the ML, he wasn’t without flaws.

Back to his good points, though. He’s not at all lacking in self-confidence, but when it comes to the FL he’s a bit out of his depth. He likes her but he’s not quite sure what to do about it since she likes her online friend (the ML’s jealousy over this “love rival” is funny since he’s knowingly jealous of himself, haha.) His attempts at wooing her are clumsy & tend to have the opposite effect, but eventually his efforts pay off. And we get to experience how adorable this duo is as a couple in love. 🫶🏻

Together, they’re precious. They’re both very loyal & refuse to be swayed by others’ opinions. They don’t give outsiders any room to cause misunderstandings between them (I LOVE how they both handled the delulu girl - she didn’t stand a chance at breaking up these two). They’re fierce in their defense of one another & they make each other/their relationship a top priority. They’re a solid couple with great chemistry. They have lots of cute, swoon worthy moments & many sweet kisses. 🫠

Apart from the greatness of the Leads’ relationship, I also enjoyed the “business” side of things. If you’re a word-lover like me, I think you would as well. Taking a peek into the world of authors & their editors was a fun delight (even if it’s a fictional look in another country). There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes for the books we love to wind up in our hands. I wasn’t at all bored by this aspect of the plot line or the many scenes focusing on their careers. And I liked that the Leads were able to separate their personal relationship & their business dynamic. They handled that very maturely. Same goes for their interactions with colleagues - they never let work negatively impact their friendships. Healthy relationships all around!


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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.19 💋
- Together : ep.21 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💖

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Drama in the Fashion World

It’s been a few years since I first watched this so, unfortunately, I can’t do an in-depth review at this time. I’ll briefly summarize what I remember for you though.

The head of an e-commerce company & a fashion designer get entangled in a lawsuit. In order to protect their own interests & success, they agree to collaborate to settle things down regarding the public opinion. But it’s no easy feat as these two strong-willed people constantly clash with one another. Unexpectedly, though, they slowly being to respect & inspire one another, leading their hearts on a journey to love. The path isn’t all smooth sailing for this duo, but they weather life’s storms & emerge even more devoted to one another.

There’s a LOT of push & pull between the Leads throughout this drama which lessened my enjoyment of the story. I’m not a big fan of the main couple having so much self-induced drama. And there were some parts I didn’t really agree with - like the FL choosing to work with the ML’s rival. That didn’t at all make sense to me. If there was a guy intent on beating my boyfriend, either personally or professionally, he couldn’t pay me enough to work with him in achieving that goal, no matter what boost it would give my own career. My loyalty & priority would be my man, not some other guy so it really bugged me that she chose differently, especially since they had such a devoted relationship. That plot just seemed really out of character to me.

Another part that bothered me was the FL’s mother’s extreme control issues. The FL is an adult who is fully capable of making her own decisions, especially regarding her marriage partner! She wanted to focus on her career once her ex-fiancée’s infidelity was discovered. Give the girl some time to just breathe before pressuring her into dating agian! And when she does start dating, stay out of her relationship - don’t be so judgmental & demand she end the relationship because he’s not the guy you picked for her. Good grief, the drama! 😵‍💫

Honestly, if not for the Leads’ awesome chemistry, I may ha’ve been tempted to drop this. But they have a serious melt-your-screen & give-you-tingles connection that we get to experience a lot with all their yummy kiss scenes. 🔥🫠 They also have a really great dynamic when they’re not trying to push each other away due to some misunderstanding or other. I actually like the way they interact with one another, both in & outside of the workplace (except when they’re being dumb dumbs, of course.) They do know how to communicate with one another, they just seem to forget that at times. 🤦🏻‍♀️

A noteworthy mention is the scene of how the Leads’ paths first cross - I’d never seen a couple meet like that before! I won’t spoil it, just know it’s very memorable. 🫶🏻

I admit the business aspect of things went over my head. I’m not highly interested in the world of fashion so those scenes didn’t really hold my interest & made the drama drag a bit for me at times. If you like fashion, though, there’s a lot of focus on that so you may feel differently.

There are both good & bad points, but overall I did enjoy the story. It’s not likely I’ll rewatch it anytime soon, but if I ever do I’ll try to write a more detailed review!


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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.14 💋
- Together : ep.14 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.16 💔
- BackTogether : ep.25 ❤️‍🩹

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Fluffy Love

The cast:
The FL - a struggling cartoonist with a need for inspiration.
The ML - an arrogant professor who can’t remember anyone’s name.
The SML - an artist lending his talent to assist his bestie, the FL.
The SFL - a popular webtoon artist whose start is suspicious.

The plot:
The FL is in a creative slump, but when she randomly meets the ML, she starts feeling inspired again. When he later turns out to be her professor, she devises ways to interact with him in hopes of getting more ideas for her comic. At first the ML is very cold towards her, despite remembering her name (which is a big deal since he can’t even remember his family’s names). But her bumbling attempts to get close to him catch his interest & he finds himself falling for this odd girl who’s both innocent & straightforward. Does the FL return his affection or has it all been a ploy merely for her work?

The drama:
Pay attention, this could get confusing! The SML is in love with the FL (unbeknownst to her). But the FL fell for the ML at first sight. To complicate things more, turns out these two are brothers who’ve been estranged for years due to a misunderstanding on the SML’s part. To even further add to the complications - the ML has the FL acting as his fake girlfriend to get his grandfather off his case in exchange for spending more time with her like she wants (though he doesn’t know it’s for her comic.) Meanwhile, the SFL is the FL’s ex-friend/partner turned rival (also due to a misunderstanding) so she’s trying to entice the SML to join her as a colleague (+ more!) to hinder the FL’s career. What a tangled web - will they ever unravel all the knots so they can find their HEAs? Well of course! … and then the men’s mother enters the picture & voila! More drama ensues. 🤦🏻‍♀️ (She orders them to switch parters due to their ages - ML with SFL & SML with FL. Who does that?? As if their feelings & hearts don’t matter. Geesh, lady! When they refuse, she says she’ll only accept the couple who can prove they’re really in love. Talk about controlling! Thankfully she’s not actually an evil mother, she’s just testing them.)

The review:
This is a quick & easy watch if you’re in the mood for a fluffy story that doesn’t take lots of brain energy to watch. It’s low angst with no drama trauma. The characters all annoyed me at one point or another, but I still liked them as they fumbled their way to their happy ending. It’s an age-gap romance with a bit of an enemies-to-lovers feel. There’s a slight fight when the truth is revealed that the FL’s purpose in pursuing the ML was inititally for her comic, but it’s over quick. Overall it’s a pleasant drama with some comedic moments & some sweet scenes too.


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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.11 💋
- Together : ep.15 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💍

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Be Kind to Yourself

If you go into this expecting some grand storyline I’m afraid you might be disappointed.. But if you’re just wanting to spend some time watching a simple & low-angst story of two innocent introverts falling in love & helping each other heal from past wounds then you may enjoy this drama. Also, the Leads are both extremely attractive so if nothing else, your eyes will enjoy beholding their beauty for a few hours. 😉 And I know they’ve both gotten lots of negative reviews for their acting so let me just say - don’t hate. Like the drama or don’t, that’s completely fine. But there’s no need to spread negativity & spew verbal filth. Cause hey, guess what? They’re HUMAN just like you & words hurt them too!

Onto the review…

So this is the story of a girl who’s endured years of bullying due to her physical appearance. She’s the object of ridicule for the simple fact that she doesn’t meet the standards of pretty (we never see her original face, fyi.) After years of verbal abuse from her classmates she’s become extremely self-conscious & isolates herself from everyone but her best friend. Once high school ends, she convinces her mom to go against her father’s wishes & secretly gets cosmetic surgery done in the hopes of stopping any further ridicule from her peers when she starts college.

She soon discovers that, though she’s happy with the surgery’s results, the threat of it being discovered that she’s not a “natural beauty” terrifies her. So despite making a huge change to her outward appearance, her insecurities remain the same as before, ‘causing her to continue being extremely self-conscious. This allows others to take advantage of her & manipulate/bully her - she lacks the confidence needed to stand up for herself. She’s so overly concerned about what others think of her that she never stops to consider what she thinks about herself.

Enter the delightfully yummy ML. Though they attended the same middle school, they weren’t really friends. He stayed to himself & she assumed nobody wanted to be around her. They had very few interactions, but he was always kinds to her. He’s got wounds of his own he’s dealing with, though, due to the fallout of his parents’ divorce. When their paths cross again at college, they fall into an unexpected friendship. Though he still likes to keep to himself, appearing aloof & uninterested in those around him, it doesn’t stop him from always stepping in to help her when she’s being treated unfairly. He’s always quick to defend her, befriend her, & protect her. Which, of course, makes him a total green flag that us viewers can safely fall for! 💚

I admit I did get frustrated with the FL for her continued naivety where the toxic fake “friend” was concerned & her complete lack of spine in just being herself. She was such a kind person with a genuinely good heart. She was loyal to her friends, always willing to help those in need, & an all-around nice person. I just wanted her to see herself clearly sooner, ya know? Her constant rejection of the ML drove me crazy because just… whyyyy?!? Which subsequently made me adore the ML all that much more for his continued attempts to help her see her value & worth. Such a great guy, both as a friend & potential suitor. Girl, just give in! Heehee.

Now, I did like her more once she admitted her feelings for the ML & finally gave into his pursuit. The ways he helped her become more confident in herself & secure in his feelings for her are so precious. And though she struggles to make their relationship public for various reasons, I love that, once she took that step, she never looked back - she openly claimed him & was proud to have everyone know it. They’re so awkwardly cute that, even though this isn’t some masterpiece drama, I still found myself enjoying them.

The overall message I got from the story is this - love yourself.. Overly simplified, but true. Be someone you’d want to be friends with. Focus on your inner self just as much (if not more) as you do your outward appearance. Understand that looks aren’t everything - you can have a beautiful figure but a horrible personality & that will make you an ugly person. At the end of the day it’s who you ARE that’s most important, not how you look. >>> The drama also portrays the impact bullying can have on a person, as well as how destructive negative thinking patterns can be to our lives when we obsess over what others think of us. While their opinions can hurt us, it’s up to us to determine how deeply we allow the impact to control us. We can adopt a victim mentality or we can choose to overcome. The battle isn’t easy, but the victory is well worth it. 🫶🏻


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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.15 💋
- Together : ep.12 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💖

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A low-angst, easy watch

A lighthearted & heartwarming story of a bubbly liquor salesperson + the reclusive brewmaster she’s tasked to recruit in order to save her company branch from closing. She’s a woman who never gives up on completing any job she’s given, no matter what obstacles stand in the way. So with her natural take-charge attitude & a desire to save her fellow colleagues’ jobs, she sets out to sign the contract ASAP, not knowing how this one task will alter the course of her life forever…

This is a fresh story in the KDrama world as the usual roles are reversed. Here it’s the FL who’s the former soldier with a tough-girl persona & the physical strength to keep up with/rival all the men around her. Opposite her we have the ML who’s the softer one with his over-developed senses that make him extremely empathetic. They both have reasons for being the way they are &, as their pasts are slowly revealed, the viewers can’t help but to feel for what they’ve each gone through.

Due to the divorce of her parents, the FL was raised by her grandmother. She’s forced to grow up quick in order to not be a burden on this beloved woman. She thrives as a soldier & enjoys the work she does, but when her grandma falls ill & is in need of constant care, the FL puts aside her own dreams & resigns from her post to stay home & care for her cherished family member. She pours everything she has into her new job, making a name for herself because of her determination & grit. She gives it her all because she’s the sole provider now & she’ll do whatever it takes to make her grandma as comfortable as possible. She’s a woman who’s unfamiliar with the “girly” things of life, never having had the time (or the desire) to waste on fashion or makeup. She’s friendly, hardworking, & dependable. She seems to have it all together, but nobody knows that her smile is hiding her inner screams.

Nobody but him, that is.

Our ML has always been different due to his ability to feel other’s emotions. He doesn’t just commiserate with those around him, but rather he actually FEELS their emotions as if they’re his own, making it seem like he can read their minds. His father treated him harshly due to this, not being pleased with a “soft” son, causing him to leave home as soon as he was of age & have limited contact with his family as an adult. He sought a home where he could isolate himself as much as possible &, thankfully, landed in a town that welcomed him & allowed him his peace. And while he does interact with the locals, he wants nothing to do with those outside his close circle. Not because he’s mean or indifferent, but because their emotions overwhelm him. This is shown to us with his first interaction with the FL, which is such an intense & beautifully-done scene.

The way they showed the contrast of the FL’s outer countenance & inner thoughts as seen/felt by the ML was just wonderful (& a great way for the viewers to then know what was happening in future similar scenes.) From the chemistry the actors have from that initial meeting, we (the viewers) know this is going to be a well-done drama. And we’re proven right which each subsequent interaction the Leads have. After that intense scene, we come to comedic moments where she’s trying to win him over & he’s firmly drawing a line of rejection. But even as he’s turning her away, his caring nature shines through in the little things he does for her (iykyk). And as they interact more, her caring nature also gets displayed in the ways she notices the small things & attempts to protect him/make him comfortable (again, iykyk). They’re complete opposites in lots of ways, but the genuine goodness of their hearts is the same.

I enjoyed watching this duo fumble their way into a partnership that was born out of an unexpected friendship. When the whole town is against working with her due to some sabotage attempts from a colleague (who later turns into a great friend, thank goodness!), the ML’s choice to trust her is such a touching scene. All the little ways she proved herself worthy of that trust & all the many ways he continued to choose her over & over laid a great foundation for their relationship to build on & progress from. It’s sweet how confident the FL is in her everyday work life & interactions with others, but how unsettled she gets by the unknown feelings the ML evokes in her. She’s not a touchy feely, girly girl so a lot of what he’s making her feel is foreign to her. I sometimes got a little frustrated at her naivety, but it makes sense in light of her history & lack of any emotional connections like this before.

The ML is a total green flag for her, understanding her confusion & easing her into things. I love the way he begins flirting with her, knowing she likes him even though she herself hasn’t figured it out yet. He’s adorable in his approach with her once he’s able to differentiate his own feelings from those around him (remember, he feels everyone’s emotions as if they’re his own so it can sometimes be confusing for him to know what HE’S actually feeling). That scene where he confirms that he himself likes the FL & it’s not just him experiencing the other guy’s emotions is so cute. ☺️

I admit I couldn’t really relate to the FL in her tough-girl persona, but that’s simply because she’s the complete opposite of me. I have a chronic illness that has affected me all my life so my physical abilities are quite limited, making her achievements vastly different from my own, haha. BUT I did grow to love her character & appreciate her strength. (Note: I’m not a girly-girl either, just to clarify. Makeup, fashion, hair done everyday - I’m too lazy for all that 🤣.) I more resemble the ML in this show. Which is actually what makes the show so fun - it truly is a reversal of the typical roles between men & women! And the actors did a fantastic job bringing their characters to life.

The secondary cast members were great too in their roles. Each one brought a different element to the team, adding a necessary dynamic that helped give heart & soul to the storyline. The love story of the second couple is just as sweet & satisfying as that of our Leads. And the friendship that bloomed between the once-rivals-now-teammates was so fun to watch. Plus, I just have to mention, the whole cast is freakin’ gorgeous so it’s no hardship to watch them on the screen!

Overall, this is a really easy & heartwarming show. There’s not a lot of angst or tension. The characters all stay true to themselves, nobody turning to the dark side for personal gain. There’s no real love-rival drama &, best of all imho, there’s no breakup. That got a bit dicey for a bit, but the Leads handled the situation beautifully. I absolutely adore that, in the midst of the tense could-be fight, the FL says, “there’s no breakup for us.” PSA to all writers - do this more!!! Two adults who can take a step back when emotions are high & admit they need to cool down before continuing the conversation. It’s so mature to simply hit pause when a fight is coming so that things aren’t said & done in the heat of the moment that you later regret. So I really appreciated & admired that the Leads did this - they know they have responsibilities to their employers & colleagues, but they also know they have a responsibility to protect & guard their relationship. So they choose to table the discussion & come back once they both have clearer heads, but not without clarifying that they are NOT breaking up. Kudos!!

This made me laugh, swoon, cry, & cheer so I would definitely recommend it if you’re in the mood for a story that will move your heart from the Leads sweet love. I confess, I didn’t really care much about the work aspect of the story. If that had been all there was, I would’ve dropped this, but the Leads saved the show for me. They had enough chemistry & interactions that I could overlook my boredom of the liquor brewing stuff & the workplace plot line. I came for the story, but I stayed for the Leads. 🩵

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.7💋
- Together : ep.9 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻

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We All Need Friends Like These Five!

A touching coming-of-age story about five youths who grow up in the same residential compound (which is similar to an American apartment complex for anyone who’s wondering). The group consists of three boys & two girls who share an unbreakable bond. We meet them in their high school years as they’re discovering who they are & who they want to be.

With five different personalities the group is bound to clash & squabble at times, but they always have each other’s back in every situation. The boys look out for & protect the girls while the girls do the same for the boys but in different ways. They’re allowed to pick on each other, but no one else had better try or they’ll face the wrath of all five teens. Their loyalty is solid & each one knows that they’ll never have to face anything alone.

They get up to some crazy adventures due to the antics of the two main leads who often seem more like rivals than friends, which brings lots of humor to the show. And while this isn’t strictly a romance, we do get the enjoyment of witnessing these two experience the beauty of realizing they’ve fallen in love with their best friend. I would’ve loved to have seen more of them as a couple, but I also understand why we didn’t get that until the end due to their ages. It didn’t at all detract from the storyline or cause me to regret watching this.

The friendship these five share is enviable & heart warming. I enjoyed how each teen got their moment to shine, allowing us to get to know them as more than just a support character. Each one brought a necessary dynamic to the group, they weren’t complete unless all five were there. It was refreshing to see the ways they always worked through any issues rather than letting things fester. And if any of the five were at odds with each other, the rest of the group helped them resolve the issue(s) & regain the group’s harmony. It was also touching to see them rally around each other when familial stuff arose. They didn’t let their age negate their place in one another’s life or cause them to stay silent if one was being mistreated.

Being a teenager & going through high school is tough. Having a group of friends like these five who you know you can 100% trust to always be on your side is what we all wish for during those years. 🩵

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.16💋
- Together : ep.16 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 😌

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A sweet & easy watch

This is the story of two modern day adults who aren’t interested in the marriage their families have arranged for them (& really, how many of us would be okay being pushed into something as intimate & serious as that?!) Despite having never met, they dislike each other for the simple reason that they’re the spouse being forced upon them. They’re determined to get their families to break off the agreement, but this beautiful actress & handsome doctor are about to learn that fate has an intense love in store for them…

Because of her fame, the FL is used to being the center of attention & having lots of male suitors. Her career often makes her the subject of rumors, though, so she’s never been able to form a real connection with any love interest. So while she excels in the art of flirting, she’s never actually had a boyfriend before. When she ends up as a patient of the ML, she’s immediately attracted to him (not knowing he’s the arranged mate she’s been avoiding meeting). She begins pursuing him, but to no avail. Eventually his continued rejections ‘cause her to feel hurt enough that she walks away to heal her emotional wounds, unaware that she’s already begun to enter the ML’s heart.

For the ML’s part, he’s a genius doctor from a wealthy family. He’s never been interested in any of the many women who flock around him, nor can he be bothered to give his attention to anything outside his field of interest. He’s a perfectionist who just wants to be left alone so he can do his job well without any outside distractions or interferences. His personality often causes others to assume he’s cold & indifferent, which is why he seems so unmoved by the FL’s advances while in the hospital. At first he’s simply focused on his job as her attending physician, then he’s suspicious of her intentions. But underneath his aloof exterior lies the heart of a good man who is, in fact, being affected by the FL’s not-so-sly flirtations (which is proven by the ways he shows up to care for & protect her after she’s no longer his patient).

Overall I did enjoy this drama, but there are 2 things that kept me from rating it higher. Let me say just a little bit about those after stating that this is in NO WAY meant as a slur against the actors. I think the cast all did a good job in the roles they were given & I don’t at all mean to cast shade on their hard work in filming this drama.

First, I wasn’t a fan of the FL’s games with the ML. I never like these storylines because it’s not amusing to me to watch someone treat another persons emotions/hearts like it’s a game. It always feels so callous & cruel to me, leaving a sense of unease about that character. I prefer people be open & honest, rather than playing mind games with one another. If the FL had done that it would’ve saved them so.much.drama because most of their misunderstandings & squabbles were caused by her childish refusal to just be real with the ML about her feelings.

Second, the ML’s younger sister was incredibly annoying. To the point where I actually skipped the Leads’ first date scene because I just couldn’t stand how the sister kept interfering. That girl needed a swift kick in the tushy, for real. Whyyy would she be so immature & petty, trying to break up her brother’s relationship out of some stupid rivalry/jealousy? And then, what, all is forgiven because they distract her with her male idol? I just didn’t like that whole scenario, but whatever. She does become more bearable once she takes her nose out of the Leads’ business & stays out of their relationship.

Like I said, though, overall I did like this drama. The Leads have really good onscreen chemistry so their flirting & playfulness is super fun to watch. Once they finally get together, they’re a really solid couple (which actually makes their breakup seem out of character for them with everything they’ve gone through to be together.) I love their reunion scene after that storm, where he’s all worried & then there she is, climbing out of the wagon all muddy & drenched. If you’ve seen the show, you know what I’m talking about. It’s one of the most iconic scenes of the drama for a reason!

Anywho, if you’re in the mood to watch a somewhat clueless girl fumble her way into the heart of the much sought after male, then give this show a try. It’s got the usual things like love rivals, workplace sabotage, secondary couple love story, solid friendships, cohabitation, some push-&-pull between the Leads, low-key angst, & a sweet/fluffy romance that will have you smiling at their scenes.


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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.11💋
- Together : ep.10 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.22 💔
- BackTogether : ep.23 ❤️‍🩹

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Low Angst & Sweet Romance

I’ve said this before but historical dramas aren’t my normal genre of choice. I had recently watched another of Tian XiWei’s (FL1) dramas, “First Love”, & enjoyed it enough to watch more of her works. The synopsis of this one caught my attention & so I gave it a shot. It’s a pretty easy watch that I enjoyed. It’s got it’s fluffy moments, some great action sequences, laughter-inducing scenes, an element of uncovering & stopping the villain’s schemes, & the sweet love stories of two couples who were destined to be together.

The whole thing is set into motion when two powerful families from the same county plan weddings for their daughters on the same day. It’s definitely done in a competitive way as both are vying to be “top dog”. But that very competitiveness is what leads to the big mix up - by putting their girls in matching wedding attire & matching carriages, it’s no wonder that the girl’s get swapped around in the end.

Neither girl wants their arranged marriage, but they’re good girls who’ve been taught to submit to the will of their elders. That in no way means they’re weak, though. These girls both have their own degrees of strength that’s about to be put to the test. And the grooms have no idea what beautiful chaos is headed their way. 😆

The brides: FL1 (Tian XiWei) grew up with a martial arts instructor as her father. This led to her being a tomboy with great fighting skills. Anything the boys can do, she can do better. She’s outspoken, independent, & not at all familiar or talented in the arts the ladies of her day are supposed to train in. Her skills end up being a great asset in her marriage, though.
FL2 is a meek girl who rarely speaks up. She’s been raised to be submissive & genteel, a true lady of her time. But through her love of learning & her constant seeking of knowledge, she’s become a genius in many subjects. This is later shown when she tackles the world of medical aid for frontline soldiers, something she’d never imagined herself doing.

The grooms: ML1 is a seemingly sickly young man who spends his days indoors to help manage his health. In reality, though, it’s all a show for his family because someone wants to eliminate him due to his position as heir. He’s determined to expose the villain & protect his family from further calamity, hoping his arranged bride will help with his cover.
ML2 is a fierce warrior for the Emperor. He’s a leader of his battalion, quick-witted & a great strategist. He has no time for a marriage nor a desire for a wife. Familial duty demands he step up, though, so he allows the marriage to happen, never intending to have a real relationship with the bride. He’s focused on serving his country & protecting the people.

When the girl’s accidentally get switched after seeking shelter from a storm, much drama (& hilarity) ensues. They both have to hide their identities from their grooms & everyone else (FL2 even has to go so far as to hide her gender!) They each end up with only one other person knowing who they truly are (FL1’s maid & FL2’s “mentor”), which is a blessing for them since that person becomes their strongest ally & source of help as they navigate how to deal with this unexpected event. It truly seems as if they ended up at the wrong place as the girl with a warrior’s training ends up in a “home wife” role, while the gentle girl ends up in an army camp. Both duos seem ill-matched & doomed for failure, but fate seems to know better…

The Leads were a pleasure to watch. All four were wise, loyal, & kind-hearted people. Though there were initial misunderstandings due to the bride mix up, they all quickly came to care for their partner. I appreciated that the writer didn’t draw out their “animosity” scenes for too long. By ep.8 everything was out in the open & they were happy with the spouse fate gave them.

The storyline moved at a good pace. It wasn’t perfect & there were things I wish were done a bit differently, but overall I liked the plot. The support characters were an enjoyable addition with very few being annoying. I appreciated how the couples handled each obstacle as a team, recognizing the villains’ schemes & not succumbing to their sabotage attempts. In the MC’s case, I mean this particularly for when the “childhood sweetheart” character arrived to cause mayhem. I liked how the ML made sure to clear up any possible misunderstandings & assure his wife that she’s the only one he’ll ever love. In the SC’s case, I mean this for when the marriage decree came from the emperor & then later was enforced by the empress. The couple stayed true to their vows, even if it caused them to lose everything (including their lives). Seeing both couples so obviously & openly devoted to one another for 2/3’s of the show was a great relief. No messy breakups or separations for these lovers - they were devoted the whole way through. It was also beautiful how the grooms appreciated the brides for the women they were, never trying to change them or mold them into anyone else. They gave the women the freedom to be themselves, something both women longed for but had never fully experienced. And this earned the men the love of a lifetime - these wives would willingly stand by their sides to fight for their love.

So in conclusion, this is a sweet & easy watch where both couples shine with their chemistry & adoration of one another. 💖

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : MC - ep.8, SC - ep.10 💋
- Together : MC - ep.8, SC - ep.8 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻

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Not the best, not the worst

The story of an ice-cold army officer + a kind-hearted surgeon whose lives become intertwined unexpectedly.

They first meet in a harrowing situation & neither is impressed. It’s definitely not a “meet cute” scene - bad guys shooting, soldiers trying to incapacitate them, & civilians getting caught in the crossfire. With tensions high & emotions flaring, it’s no wonder they initially don’t like each other. Lines are drawn & our Leads, though both “good guys”, are standing on opposite sides. Both still upset with the other, they go their separate ways, never planning to see one another again. But fate has other plans…

Back in their home country, they find themselves suddenly cohabitating (I admit, I’m a fan of this trope!) Due to issues for the FL, they grudgingly agree to share the space. It’s not easy sharing space with someone, no matter who they are. But when you don’t like your roommate it’s a whole lot worse! They seem to always be clashing, yet their hearts slowly begin to soften & their dislike turns to mutual affection. They form a friendship that turns to more, but some people are determined to keep them apart. Mostly the villain, whom the FL believes is her old childhood friend so she warmly welcomes his presence, not knowing he’s the bad guy the ML is hunting. The Leads clash over him, but it eventually all works out.

[[*Side note/rant - if a “friend” is constantly interfering in your relationship or if they don’t accept that you don’t return their affection & continue to pursue you despite you not being single, would you really deem them a friend? Writers, can we please start having our Leads cut toxic people out of their lives rather than continuing to indulge & placate them?*]]

Aside from that super annoying guy who got way too much screen time, imo, I enjoyed this drama. The Leads are both dedicated to their careers so they put a lot of thought into whether they can invest enough in a relationship or if they’re better staying friends. I appreciated this (though I think they overthought things & took too long) because it showed that they were both taking their relationship seriously & sincerely. It wasn’t a heat of the moment decision nor were either of them instetested in a fling. If they were going to take a step forward, it was gonna be with the intent of never taking that step back. And once they finally decide to follow their hearts, they’re all in. Devoted & protective, never letting go of one another’s hands. They face some scary stuff where they each have to fight to save the others life, deepening their bond more & more. It was nice to see it wasn’t all one-sided. Sometimes it’s the guy constantly rescuing the girl in dramas, but here we see the FL saving the ML’s life too.

So while there were aspects I didn’t like about the show, overall I enjoyed this story of a doctor & soldier falling in love.

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.21 💋
- Together : ep.30 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻

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Light & Easy Watch with a Shock

An easy watch about a college swimmer, a girl with unique abilities, & the sweet love that develops between them.

Aside from the mega annoying male wannabe love rival (seriously, what is up with writing toxic characters who can’t accept when their crush is just.not.into.them?!) I enjoyed this series. The Leads are super cute together, being really supportive of each other. It’s fairly drama free except for the aforementioned character.

The FL just wants to be normal, which is seemingly impossible since she emits a frequency that can cause an electric shock. She does her best to hide it, though, as she wants to be just another college student. But this trait causes more trouble when she accidentally shocks the school heartthrob, who then begins pursuing her publicly. Knowing he’s only doing it because of the shock, she repeatedly rejects him. But what if the feelings that came upon him from the shock turned real?

The ML is a swimming legend with a secret - an injury is causing issues with his abilities. Because of his naturally bold & outgoing personality, when he gets shocked into pursuing her, he does it relentlessly - undeterred by her continuous rejections. But when the effects of the shock wear off, will he want anything to do with her?

Like I said earlier, I enjoyed this. The synopsis makes it seem like it could have lots of drama between the Leads, but there’s actually very little. Once he learns her secret & asks her to use it to help with an injury, they begin spending more time together & form a friendship. When he then pursues her for real, no shock needed, he’s very sweet about it. And he becomes super protective of her - doing all he can to help her with her condition & keeping it a secret like she wants. He never looks at her as a freak or a problem, which earns him the FL’s affection. They’re a cute couple who bravely face their future together. And while, yes, the FL does at one point push him away to “protect” him cause here ability starts really acting up, I don’t deem it an actual break up because she’s just hiding from him & he’s seeking her out the whole time. There’s no actual break up scene & when he finds her & confronts her, they reconcile right then. So maybe others would say they broke up, but I’m sticking with my opinion.

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
-- First(real)Kiss : ep.15 💋
- Together : ep.15 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻

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When revenge & love mix…

A young woman whose life was destroyed by her father’s mistress decides to get revenge by targeting the woman’s son. But when she gets to know him and learns all her beliefs about him are wrong her feelings turn from hate to love. Society and their families would never approve of them being together, so how could these lovers ever get a happy ending?

I began this drama without knowing what I was getting into. And honestly, I think that’s the best way to watch this one so I’m not gonna write a very long or detailed review. Everything needs to be discovered by experiencing the joys and pains of these characters right alongside them. So I’ll keep this brief and encourage you to push play if you’re in the mood for a melodrama.

This drama gives both pain and comfort. It makes you hurt for all the Leads have endured at the hands of their parents. It shows how much the children suffer from the adults choices. It also shows how you can’t just assume someone’s life is all hunky-dory by viewing it from the outside. We all face pain, we’re all going through stuff. We all need a friend, a confidant, a person who’s on our side no matter what comes.

We all need to love and be loved.

The siblings are lovely. Though they don’t share with each other their daily struggles, they know when the others need them and they step up without fail. They speak in the silence without using words.

The Leads are so good together. They do an amazing job with their gazes, their body movements, their tones. There’s so much being said when neither are speaking. Truly talented cast!

Yes, I would’ve loved to see them more as a couple, but that wasn’t the point of this drama so I can be content with the happy ending we got. Their smiles say it all 💗

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.12 💋
- Together : ep.12 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.14 💔
- BackTogether : ep.16 ❤️‍🩹

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Such an underrated gem!

OhEmGee - the Leads’ chemistry is hot! 🔥 It leaps off the screen & pulls you right in from the first episode. And it doesn’t let you go even when the show is over…

The FL, a rising theater actress, ends up held hostage by a mafia-like crew. When a high-ranking member lays claim to her, she fears the worst. But there seems to be more to this ML as, instead of hurting her, he protects her from the others. More tragedy strikes when she’s rescued & he’s presumed dead. But when he’s suddenly in front of her 5yrs later, going by a different name & claiming not to know her, she’s left confused & becomes determined to uncover the truth of his identity & what really happened on that island years ago…

There are no dull moments or slow pacing with these two. Even when truths come to light & the FL walks away because of the lies, there’s still an intense pull between them as the ML refuses to lose her again. And as they navigate their way through working out all the big issues, they nurture a love to be envious of. A love that will never let go or fade away.

Filled with swoon worthy kisses & heart warming glances, this will have you melting for the Leads! 🫠 If you’re in the mood for romance mixed with action & some mystery, give this drama a try.

And be sure to check out “Love of Replica” to get more of our Leads on the screen together! 🫶🏻


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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.5 💋
- Together : ep.5 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.7 💔
- BackTogether : ep.12 ❤️‍🩹

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An easy (slightly irritating) watch

Will a drunken night lead to a blossoming office romance…?

While I did overall enjoy this drama, the beginning was super frustrating. It starts with our FL struggling with the decision to end her current relationship due to her partner cheating on her or give it another shot. And I get that she’s been with him 10 years and invested so much time and effort into it but just…ugh. Dump him! He’s so freakin’ annoying and condescending to her - like, he doesn’t get her at all. So even without the huge deal of his infidelity, he’s already a toxic guy who doesn’t deserve her. 😡

Enter the ML and *swoon* - girl, be with him instead! 🫠 Seriously, our guy is so into her and really sees her in ways her current dude never has. He just gets her. And even though they start off with misunderstandings and false perceptions of one another, their attraction is immediate and their chemistry palpable.

So yeah, because of the tension between them due to her pushing him away to give her current dude another shot even though the one she truly wants is clearly the ML, the first half of this frustrated me. BUT, when she finally sets herself free and our Leads get together, happy sigh & happy dance because they. are. it! 🔥

Once they’re a them, it’s done. They don’t let anyone come between them. They refuse to bow to outside forces, they fight back against any attack. They’ve committed to one another and no delulu love rival, jealous ex, or cruel scheme will break them. So while the beginning brought frustration, the happy ending totally made up for it 😍

Side note: I didn’t feel much interest for any of the support cast (characters, not actors!) They were just kinda…there. I’d have preferred less of them and more of the Leads, but it wasn’t a huge annoyance or anything.

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- F(r)K : 16 💋
- 2G : 16 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BU : Nope 💍

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Some bad, but mostly All Good!

The FL quits her job at an IT firm after being shamed for reporting sexual harassment. She becomes an entrepreneur, learning to navigate all the ups & downs. She accepts the financial investment of a powerful CEO who happens to be a college classmate she hasn’t seen in 10yrs. As they work together, their bond deepens & romantic sparks fly. Will they find love amidst the attempts to sabotage them?

This isn’t a fluffy drama. It focuses on starting a business, finding your niche, dealing with rivals, & earning your place. But there’s humor, sweetness, & love too!

I adore the female besties. They never fight, have stupid jealous fits, or make catty remarks. They have the friendship where they compliment one another’s gowns & fix each other’s crowns. 👑 They’re strong women chasing their dreams & finding love along the way.

Now for the Leads… they (of course) had a communication misunderstanding which lead to them having no contact for the past decade. That made a negative impact on their opinions of each other, but neither of them use it as some excuse to vilify or torment the other.

The ML is aces & I love him. He liked the FL in college, but duty took him away before he could confess. He’s never forgotten her, though. He’s devastated when he learns she’s in a long term relationship, but after their painful & unexpected breakup, he gives her time to heal & move on before confessing.

He’s still very attentive & does all he can to be with her, though. Him waiting to confess does not mean he isn’t slowly & subtly pursuing her. And when Ms. Delulu tries cr@p, he shuts her down quick. I LOVE how he cut ties with her - a true “mess with my woman & I’ll mess back” type. 🫠 I swear I could just gush about him for awhile!

The FL is just as great. She goes through a LOT but it all makes her stronger. Through all the sly & underhanded attempts to foil her business’ success, to the personal heartbreak she experiences, & with all the new things she’s needing to adapt to & learn in this new career path she’s chosen - girl is a total boss & never lets anything give her a victim mentality. With every setback & hardship she faces, she perseveres & proves herself worthy of recognition for all her hard work. She truly grows to be the ML’s equal in the corporate world. And her affection for him is precious. She’s intent on never doing anything that’d harm him, neither professionally or personally.

Okay, having said all that, I do feel I should point out a few issues I had -
1) Whyyyyy would she go to her exes wedding? Not only that, he’s marrying one of her previous best friends! Totally broke the girl code there. Neither of them were honest with the FL about it, they just expected her to accept it after they were already together. And she did! I just didn’t like that. Wish them well if you must, but boundaries, girl!
2) Communicate! Their heartbreak could’ve been less harsh if they’d just been honest with one another. ML should’ve come clean about the business stuff before they started dating. FL should’ve spoken to him rather than breaking into his safe (especially since what prompted that was words from people she KNOWS want to hurt her.)
3) Act your age. Be mad & hurt & all the things, but don’t let it make you stupid. After all you’ve done to grow your business (not to mention all the hard work of your colleagues!) don’t make rash decisions in the heat of the moment as payback against your partner. Honestly, her decision didn’t damage him, it damaged her. And he totally saved her butt in it too by getting her business back from their rivals. Why do people turn to the known “villains” in those moments? Can we say petty & childish?!
4) Wardrobe. It really bugged me how much skin the FL had to show. Is that normal in China, for business women to wear what amounts to a shirt to the office? Can they not cover their legs or wear longer skirts/dresses? I always feel like they’re being made to use their bodies to help advance their careers, as if their brains aren’t enough. Can we like, stop normalizing that, please?! The guys are in multiple layered suits. If they can succeed while being fully clothed, don’t ya think women can too? 🤦🏻‍♀️

Okay. Done with my rant, haha! That list made it seem like I don’t actually like this drama but that’s so not true. I LOVED it!! I know others have different opinions & I’m completely fine with that. And it’s totally cool if you think differently too! 😉

Back to the Leads. I honestly love them. They’re perfect together, despite their mistakes. They both learn & grow from that experience, recognizing the things they did wrong & determining to do better in the future. When they come back together, they have an added layer of maturity to them, as well as a new level of devotion for & cherishing of one another. They’ve experienced what it’s like to be apart & they know it’s not something they ever want to face again so they put in the effort needed to maintain a healthy relationship. The ways they love, support, & protect one another are total couple goals. 💚 The ending is sweet yet leaves an ache. Definitely watch a bonus episode! It’s a HEA, but it’s THE END & I’m simply not ready to let them go yet…

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.22 💋
- Together : ep.24 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.31 💔
- BackTogether : ep.36 ❤️‍🩹

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Iffy beginning & happy ending

A super fluffy (& at times cringey) story of a man { Bi Wen Jun } who’s considered “perfect” & a woman { Wu Xuan Yi } who’s… well, not.

The big tropes are all here:
1) Opposites attract - the highly successful, confident, “cold” ML & the friendly FL who’s more timid which hinders her success.

2) the Misunderstanding - she witnesses an incident involving him & judges him unfairly.

3) Controlling parent - despite being an adult, FL’s mom still forces her to the dentist to fix her “flaws”.

4) Love triangle - FL had a one-sided crush on SML for years. SML & ML are friends. ML likes FL, but now SML is back & realizing he does too.

5) the Separation - a plan was set before they got together & now they must be apart. A fight happens, they make up, he goes & she waits for his return.

Honestly, I didn’t really like the FL at first. Her initial treatment of ML didn’t make a good first impression & she was a bit too TSTL at times, imho. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ Once she matured some & accurately cluing into the world around her, my opinion started to change. By the time the Leads got together, I liked her for him. And I always liked him for her.

He’s my kind of person. Not open with everyone, he prefers just a few close people which causes others to think he’s aloof. But he treats other all with kindness & patience, even the FL when she’s a brat to him. Not quite sure why he fell for her, but since he helped change her into someone I could stand, I’m thankful he did . 😉

They’re a very solid couple. They don’t let things fester nor get into petty fights. They’re very affectionate with great chemistry & swoon worthy kisses! 🔥🫠 So while the beginning made me really frustrated, I enjoyed it after they finally became a couple.


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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.15💋
- Together : ep.17 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💍

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