This review may contain spoilers
Love Among the Stars
When a video’s leaked with proof of an actress’s { Dilraba } gaming ineptitude, it threatens her contract with the developer. When she recognizes the proficient gamer she’s playing with as her first love { Yang Yang }, she asks him to help her hone her skills (without revealing her identity!) so she can redeem herself. Thus their story begins…I enjoy that the FL stays kind & innocent throughout. She’s strong & stands up for herself while remaining humble. She never uses her fame as an excuse to be rude or act as if she’s better than anyone. She’s a very cheerful & honest person who has worked very hard for her accomplishments & doesn’t take the people around her for granted. She does have a few moments where I’m like, “girl, whyyy?” but overall I really enjoyed her.
I love watching the ML fall for her. He starts as a closed off person who isn’t mean, but rather burdened. He’s got the worry for his parents’ finances & health weighing him down, causing him to give up his career as an aerospace engineer for a more stable desk job. But the FL’s constant encouragement & unending belief in him give him the courage to once again chase his dream. Her sunny personality & quirky charms help brighten the darkness he’s been living in, giving him hope for a better future.
I enjoy the way he goes about pursuing her after he pushed her away & proving his feelings are genuine. He knows he messed up by letting her go, he realizes just how much he needs her in his life, & he sets out to win her back. And I appreciate that she isn’t cruel in her hesitation to accept him & that their separation doesn’t last long. It shows how serious they both take their relationship. Some shows drag this situation out too long to add more tension & drama, but I personally hate that. If you both love one another & want to be together, why would you be dumb & hold onto your pride when you could just apologize/forgive & hold onto each other instead?
Their chemistry is 🔥! They love to flirt & their banter is so cute. Their devotion to each other is 🫠. I love how they support each others goals & never let the difficulties of life come between them. It’s very nice that we get to witness the progression of their story too with the time jump. Getting to actually see them functioning as a married couple & how that works with both of their demanding careers is really well done, imo. Life doesn’t end after the “HEA” scene - that’s when a whole new life begins! They’re total married couple goals too. Just as flirty & affectionate as when they were dating. Lovely hugs & kisses. Their story is a joy to watch!
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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.21 👩🏻❤️👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻
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A pain-free fall into Love
Away from home & stranded in a snowstorm, the FL { Zhao Jin Mai } receives help from a kind stranger. The ML { Leo Wu }, took one look at her through a window & felt his world shift. Little do either of them know how this chance encounter will change their lives forever.Winter may be white, but this couple is pure G R E E N 💚💚💚
She’s a rising star in the world of professional billiards (& yeah, that’s a thing! 🤷🏻♀️) Years ago, he was a true genius in the sport, basking in the spotlight. But he left, both the sport & the country, after a scandal with no plans of coming back. As they spend time together, though, she inspires him to return to the world he left behind. And the whole journey is a delight to watch.
The ML is total boyfriend material. From that first glance, his entire being focuses on her. And it’s not in an unhealthy way where he lets everything else in his life fall apart, but rather in the sense that he now has a new purpose & drive to succeed in all his endeavors - so he can give her the very best version of himself. He’s very attentive & affectionate. He prioritizes her & does all he can to make her feel secure in his feelings for her. He’s all in & he’s not afraid to let the whole world know.
The FL is just as enamored with him as he is with her, though she’s a bit more hesitant to act on her feelings. He makes it safe for her to do so, though, so she jumps & joins him in the free fall to love. She’s mature for her age in the ways she doesn’t whine or try to manipulate him into doing what she wants. She’s willing to face any obstacles with him rather than demanding he just make them all disappear. She’s respectful of his goals & encourages him to chase his dreams, promising to be a source of unending support for him. And while her familial situation causes them to keep their relationship a secret from those outside their close circle, she’s fully devoted to him & makes sure he knows it.
I love this for its total lack of any drama-trauma. No rival interference, no jealous teammates, no stupid breakups - it’s a story full of love, respect, trust, support, & chemistry. Oh my wowza - their chemistry is both sugary sweet & smokin’ hot. 🔥🫠 They personify the saying, “the eyes are the windows of the soul”. The things they say with just a glance or gaze… it makes you believe the actors aren’t just acting!
I could gush over this so much, but instead of reading more of my opinions, you should just push play & enjoy the absolutely beautiful & precious story for yourself! 🩵💛💜💚
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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.9 💋
- Together : ep.9 👩🏻❤️👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💍
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Such a great rom-com!
We meet a narcissistic executive { Park Seo Joon } who rarely acknowledges the people around him because he’s so self-absorbed. He’s become successful in large part due to his capable secretary { Park Min Young } who’s worked diligently over the past 9 years. But when she informs him of her intent to resign so she can focus on herself, hilarity ensues. He’s determined to keep her by his side & she’s just as set on leaving. Who will win this battle of wills when hearts become involved?I absolutely love this. The quirky coworkers/friends, their families, the bromance… And then we have the Leads.
The ML & his *AURA* (iykyk) is hilarious! 😂 I love his self-confidence that makes him such an amusing fool. It’s good he never loses that belief in his own awesomeness.🙃 And his unwavering pursuit of the FL is swoon worthy. He goes all out to win her affection & I rooted for him 100%.
The FL is just as spectacular & the perfect balance to his oddities. But she’s got her own brand of crazy which is so fun to watch. They compliment each other so well! I loved her strength. She was respectful & stayed kind with the ML even when he was not so nice to her (though he was never intentionally cruel, just clueless!) And I love how she comes to appreciate his many quirks.
They have a beautiful love story born from a childhood bond (seriously, their past connection? One of the best I’ve seen!) Their chemistry makes me melt.🔥🫠 They’re wholly devoted - a wonderful OTP who give all the feels. 💕
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⬇️SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
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The things I always want to know 😉…
- F(r)K : 8 💋
- 2G : 8 👩🏻❤️👨🏻
- BU : Nope 💍
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Can Love Change the Heart of Doom?
This was my first paranormal kdrama years ago & I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s heartwarming & thought provoking in it’s message, raising the question, “What would you do if you knew you only had 100 days left to live?”The ML is seemingly cruel & uncaring about anyone or anything. While his identity sets him apart from others, it’s his disenchantment with humanity that has left him jaded. Hearing their thoughts over hundreds of years has made him privy to their most selfish & narcissistic tendencies. He wishes he could just do away with them all & end the world. And it appears fate is on his side when a human woman seems to feel the same…
The FL is strong & independent. Losing her parents at a young age left a gaping hole in her life. When she receives her diagnosis of a terminal brain tumor, she’s determined to brave the storm alone & not be a burden on her loved ones. Precious, misguided girl.
In a fit of anger after receiving the tragic news, the FL wishes for the destruction of the world… & the ML, destruction himself, comes to answer, eager to grant this request.
Thus their story begins. And oh, what a tale it is! The push & pull they have with each other is intense; their chemistry palpable. It’s attraction & confusion, longing glances & jealous urges. Its fierce distaste turned to I’d-destroy-the-world-for-you love. *sigh, swoon, & all the feels!* 🫠
Their character growth is well done. The ways they challenge, motivate, heal, & change one another are so good. The storyline & pacing flowed well for me. The support cast all did well in their roles. And this has one of the BEST secondary couples of all the many dramas I’ve watched. They’re so cute you could watch just for them (& yeah, his voice definitely plays a huge part in that! iykyk)
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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.6 💋
- Together : ep.8 👩🏻❤️👨🏻
- BreakUp : I don’t really count it, no
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A Coming-of-Age Drama w/out All the Drama!
At the innocent age of 16, a girl, ZaiZai, fell in love with a boy, RangRang, at first sight. Thus their story begins…She’s a bubbly, upbeat, and positive girl; friendly & always smiling. She stands up for herself, never letting anyone look down on or abuse her. She’s confident, but not conceited; strong, but not arrogant. And her admiration for & support of the ML completely change his life.💗
He’s seen as cold & aloof due to his focus on his studies, but he’s actually very kind to those he allows to get close. He has very low self esteem because of being constantly compared to his genius younger brother & always coming up short in his parents’ eyes. But he opens up to his new friends & begins to laugh & enjoy life with them by his side. And the way he gravitates towards, falls for, & protects the FL is so swoon worthy. 🫠
This is one of my favorite youth dramas! I absolutely love it. It felt like I was just hearing stories from close friends, the cast’s chemistry was that natural. I love everything about it. The bromance, the sismance, & the core 5’s bond. The lack of love rival drama (the Leads were so good at not allowing any of that to fester!) That all the adults were NICE (except ML’s parents) - so rare! The love of the Leads & the ways they always protected each other & their relationship (ML’s remark regarding the college wannabe-rival girl’s photos of him = chef’s kiss!! ) They’re all very mature, loyal, & good.
Do yourself a favor & watch this sweet drama if you haven’t yet!
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-SPOILERS BELOW-
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The things I always want to know …
- First(real)Kiss : ep.20💋
- Together : ep.19 👩🏻❤️👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💍
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Just as Good as Season 1!!
** Review for seasons 1 & 2!! **I know there are mixed reviews & feelings (as is the case with every drama ever made) but I personally enjoyed every minute of both seasons. The writers & cast did an amazing job drawing me in & making me feel so much with each scene.
The drama gives a beautiful glimpse into the lives of the doctors & their medical staff who sacrifice so much of themselves out of their genuine desire to help each patient.
The five main protagonists have the kind of bond that makes people think, “squad goals”. They don’t compete against one another, they aren’t jealous of each other’s accomplishments, nor do they ever allow one of their own to face hard stuff alone. They’re one another’s biggest fans & sources of comfort/support, always.
The love story of each squad member is wonderful as well. They’re not huge drama fests & I rooted for each couple the whole way. Some get together in the first season, others not until the end of the second season but that slow burn doesn’t at all detract from the chemistry. The romances aren’t the main focus, but rather a delightful bonus that I was totally there for.
The supporting cast is a pure delight as well. They’re all going through stuff & have their own histories & experiences they bring with them which adds to the story rather than detracting from it. From all the secondary medical staff to all the doctors’ families to the patients in each case - they each did a great job in their roles.
I also love that there are no evil villains or hospital takeover drama. No warring of the higher ups who value profit over life - no backstabbing or attacks to further personal agendas.
This is both heartwarming & hilarious - I swooned over the romance & friendships, while I also cracked up laughing so many times! Oh, & the doctor’s son is a total scene stealer & their father/son dynamic is absolutely precious!
PS - they have a band & we get to see them practice a ton, those scenes really help highlight the emotions of each episode. A great aspect to their group that adds so much to the show.
Enough of my ramblings. If you haven’t watched it yet, stop hesitating & push play (but watch season 1 first)!
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A Warm & Easy-to- Watch Slice-of-Life Medical Drama
** Review for seasons 1 & 2!! **I know there are mixed reviews & feelings (as is the case with every drama ever made) but I personally enjoyed every minute of both seasons. The writers & cast did an amazing job drawing me in & making me feel so much with each scene.
The drama gives a beautiful glimpse into the lives of the doctors & their medical staff who sacrifice so much of themselves out of their genuine desire to help each patient.
The five main protagonists have the kind of bond that makes people think, “squad goals”. They don’t compete against one another, they aren’t jealous of each other’s accomplishments, nor do they ever allow one of their own to face hard stuff alone. They’re one another’s biggest fans & sources of comfort/support, always.
The love story of each squad member is wonderful as well. They’re not huge drama fests & I rooted for each couple the whole way. Some get together in the first season, others not until the end of the second season but that slow burn doesn’t at all detract from the chemistry. The romances aren’t the main focus, but rather a delightful bonus that I was totally there for.
The supporting cast is a pure delight as well. They’re all going through stuff & have their own histories & experiences they bring with them which adds to the story rather than detracting from it. From all the secondary medical staff to all the doctors’ families to the patients in each case - they each did a great job in their roles.
I also love that there are no evil villains or hospital takeover drama. No warring of the higher ups who value profit over life - no backstabbing or attacks to further personal agendas.
This is both heartwarming & hilarious - I swooned over the romance & friendships, while I also cracked up laughing so many times! Oh, & the doctor’s son is a total scene stealer & their father/son dynamic is absolutely precious!
PS - they have a band & we get to see them practice a ton, those scenes really help highlight the emotions of each episode. A great aspect to their group that adds so much to the show.
Enough of my ramblings. If you haven’t watched it yet, stop hesitating & push play! :)
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A Love That Defies the Odds
When a low-ranking fairy accidentally resurrects a powerful demon, their fates become cosmically entangled as the world is thrown into turmoil.I really enjoyed the first half of this drama. There are some truly memorable scenes. When she kisses him to save him when he’s under attack (causing the body switch that allows him to access power)? Swoon. 🫠 And when he saves her when her people are torturing her for setting him free? Total swoon!🔥
The cinematography is gorgeous, the storyline is solid, the twists & turns never stop coming, & the cast did amazing. And while all that still holds true for the second half, it started to bug me that our Leads just could not catch a break. They’d take 1 step forward just to take 3 steps back it seemed. And I felt like the FL never truly understood nor appreciated all the ML did for her. Because he wasn’t behaving in ways familiar to her then it didn’t count as love (when he actually grew to love her more than himself).
Even still, this is a really well-done drama. The chemistry is there, the acting is solid, & (for those who enjoy it) the tension/angst levels are high. So despite it not being one of my favorites, I still recognize & acknowledge the beauty of this drama (though I would’ve preferred we got a hug or kiss in the final reunion scene!)
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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.13/26 💋
- Together : ep.28 👩🏻❤️👨🏻
- BreakUp: ep.31 💔
- BackTogether : ep.36 ❤️🩹
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Hit or Miss, You Decide
I think I’m in the minority when I say this but I really didn’t care much for this drama (don’t hate me!) And this review is in NO WAY meant to throw shade on any of the cast or others involved in the making - I’m not denying their talents. After reading a review by a viewer who’s fluent in Chinese & familiar with the culture, I think it chalks up to an unfortunate case of there being so much lost in translation for those of us who rely on the subtitles to provide the correct context for the scenes. (And I know translating is hard work so I’m by no means shaming those involved with that!) That reviewer mentioned how the ML was actually really humorous (which definitely didn’t translate through for me) & there being this whole thing around when he would & wouldn’t wear his glasses (which wasn’t at all explained). Anyways - I’m just trying to say that me not enjoying this drama doesn’t mean it’s bad, I think it’s simply that I wasn’t given enough context of the little things to help me understand the story better.That being said, I will still give some of my thoughts for anyone who’s interested in reading them. 😉
I was excited for this drama as I like both of the Lead actors ( Bai Lu & Dylan Wang). I really tried to stick it out, but I finally gave up at ep.18. Then I completely skipped eps.19-30 & jumped back in at the last few. I really hate doing that but I was just so annoyed with the storyline. I think it had so much unmet potential by adding all the unnecessary drama of the additional love interests, the multiple POV’s, & the workplace drama for both Leads. It all added up to more drama than I like to watch. I also really didn’t like that the FL started pursuing the ML out of a selfish desire for revenge on her ex. That doesn’t say very nice things about her, that she would use him like that. Yes, I know she was acting out of high emotions after catching her boyfriend cheating on her. Yes, I understand that this happens in the real world too. BUT I would’ve preferred she stopped being ruled by her emotions & selfishness much sooner rather than prolonging her game with the ML’s emotions. And I get that he was aware she had a hidden motive behind her sudden interest in him, but it still sucked that while he was developing feelings for her, he also knew he couldn’t 100% trust her because of her schemes/lies. And because of that, he would fluctuate between hot & cold with her. Then, when she knew her feelings for him had turned real & that she genuinely liked him, she chose not to confess ‘cause she knew he’d be mad (& rightfully so!). So she just kept lying, which doesn’t at all scream “I love you” to me. I understand not wanting to lose him, but girl - fess up so y’all can either build something REAL or you can let each other go to find something healthier. Nothing built upon lies can stand the test of time…
Also, side note - he deserved a heartfelt apology. Like, a true & sincere apology from her but, to the best of my knowledge, she never said she was sorry for how she approached him with bad intentions. I think she only ever apologized for work-related things, but never for how she intended to use him for revenge. Just because he forgave her without her having to say the words doesn’t mean she didn’t need to say them or that he didn’t deserve to hear them.
So with all of that there was a lot of push & pull drama which I’m not a fan of. I thought both Leads acted really childishly for adults who were presented as mature & excellent in their respective careers. Their professional & personal personas didn’t mesh for me. Their actions didn’t match their ages (but, again, maybe it’s ‘cause too much stuff got lost in translation.)
Now, having said all that, I DID enjoy it once they finally got together. They stopped being so annoying & became a solid couple with really great, melt-your-screen chemistry. 🫠 (WHYYY couldn’t we have more of that & less of the icky drama?!?) I liked how they cared for each other, the scenes where they protected/defended the other, & the ways they unashamedly loved one another. If they just could’ve been like that for more of the show, I would’ve rated this so much higher!! I even go back & rewatch the eps. after they’re a couple because of how cute they are together.
So I really don’t know whether to recommend this drama to you or not. I’ll simply leave it up to you & advise you go in knowing there’s missing context if you rely on subtitles like me. 🙃
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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.? 👩🏻❤️👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.? 💔
- BackTogether : ep33? ❤️🩹
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