emberzmars

Solid performances in this mystery drama about never-ending love

I added this drama to my plan to watch list because I saw Liu Qing on the thumbnail. Once I clicked play, I realised FL was Zhu Mo Yan. I enjoyed this mystery drama.

What I liked:
1. Acting - Solid performances by both Liu Qing & Zhu Mo Yan. Good facial expressions. They also had great acting & visual chemistry.
2. Main characters - I liked that FL was determined to save ML from being harmed. Little did she know that ML tried to do the same too.
3. Romance - I could sense that ML was very much in love with FL even though he was standoffish. Their kisses were passionate due to the pent up sexual tension.
4. Ending - Endings do not have to be neat and in this case, it was left open to interpretation. I liked the bittersweet ending.

What I disliked:
1. SML - With that ending, I wonder why SML played a crucial part in the time loops. It bugs me that this was unanswered.

Favourite scene
When FL's bestie tried to frame FL in front of her parents

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Jiejie romance with well written characters & plot. No silly green tea!

I enjoyed the acting of Wang Xi and Xia Jing Ran so when this drama appeared on my youtube dashboard, I was intrgiued & decided to watch. I enjoyed it.

What I liked:
1. Romance - Sweet & good dash of spicy with good kisses. I liked that ML was playful & coquettish. This jiejie romance made both ML & FL work on their issues rather than let them fester and create bigger misunderstanding.
2. FL characterisation - I liked how her character was written because we got to see her facing challenges at work.
3. ML characterisation - I don't like secret identity but in this drama, I could put it aside because he was smart, mature & genuine about his feelings for FL.
4. Supporting characters - I really liked FL's brother especially when he was caught by ML for snooping. The dynamic between ML & FL's brother after that scene was fun to watch. ML's assistant was funny too.
5. Siblings - There were 2 pairs of siblings: 1) FL - her brother, 2) ML - his brother. Good contrasts in sibling dynamics.
6. Ending - Amusing & so sweet.

What I disliked:
1. Miscast - I felt like both Wang Xin and Xia Jing Ran were miscast. Wang Xin loooked too mature for 22 year old guy while Xia Jing Ran lacked assertiveness for the role of successful older businesswoman and she looked youthful still. Nevertheless they did well in their roles.

Favourite scene
When FL's brother was caught by ML

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Unlike other revenge tales, this drama warms my heart with its writing & acting performance

I decided to watch this drama as I was preparing to write a reddit post on Han Yu Tong's revenge dramas. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by this story. Highly recommended.

What I liked:
1. Tone - Many revenge dramas have a cold feel but I felt warmth throughout the drama. There was so much heart showcased by Zhu Yuanyuan. Plus I never expected comedy in a revenge tale.
2. Acting - Spectacular performance by Han Yu Tong and the actress who portrayed Zhu Yuanyuan. Cao Tian Kai was also good at portraying a goofball antagonist. The actress who played SML's sister was good too.
3. FL characterisation - Wonderfully written. FL is just a person who wanted to be loved. Even with physical transformation, there are still pieces of Zhu Yuanyuan in Qing Ting.
4. Theme - It's great to see themes such as self-worth & family love is explored in this drama.
5. Dynamics - I enjoyed watching FL and ML relationship progress from strangers arranged to be marriage by their families to allies. Very subtle romance with actions mostly by ML, which is understandable considering FL's mission.
6. Supporting characters - I really liked FL's father.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - Cruel & disrespectful. The mistress got the comeuppance that she deserved.

Favourite scene
When SML got ready in hotel bathroom

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FL too obliging even after multiple blackmails

I was perusing new releases and this drama's poster caught my attention. I always think both Li Zi Jie and Li Ke Yi have the prettiest lips in the world of Chinese vertical dramas. Thick, full lips. Anyway I watched within the first two days of release. I didn't enjoy this drama.

What I liked:
1. Styling - I never thought I would see Li Ke Yi rocking top & trousers combo because she's always in dresses and qipao. I loved the wide leg trousers and brown top/jacket she wore. ML wore noce suits - I really like the teal blue suit.
2. Kisses - Good kisses.
3. Supporting characters - I liked FL's colleagues at BC group, the orphanage director & the kids .

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - I hated FL's arranged fiancée for the double standard, the greed & being controlling. His mistress is even worse. She acted as though she was already part of his family.
2. FL's characterisation - Having watched Spring Day starring Guo Yu Xin & Chen Zheng Yang a week ago, I felt that there are similarities between this couple & that couple. However I felt that FL was too obliging to the Ji family. Her arranged fiancée was disrespectful to her but out of respect/feeling indebted, she just persevered and accepted the blackmail. I also don't understand why she left a company that's good for her growth & wellbeing.
3. Relationship - I found the relationship overall had more downs than ups. Their secret relationship felt more like booty calls than actual, healthy relationship.

Favourite scene
When FL saw a painting at the orphanage

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Compact, sweet & spicy romance of 2 couples

I like Du Ya Fei's acting. I came across this series when it came out but never watched till I got reminded of it today on reddit. I have watched You Leave, I Leave prior to watching this. I enjoyed this very short series immensely.

What I liked:
1. Romance - For a series that is only 33 minutes long, there are plenty of sweet and spicy moments. I love both couples but second couple had me more emotionally invested in. I understand both FLs' insecurities in their marriage because their marriages were arranged by their family.
2. Acting - I enjoyed acting from all 4 leads especing Li Meng Qing & Xie Hong Xin. I am keen to explore their dramas after watching this drama. Overall, all 4 had great chemistry between them.
3. Sisterhood - I really liked the bond that FL and SFL had. SFL seemed to be adopted by FL's family. FL in this drama seemed to be a follower rather than a leader - that's cute.
4. SFL characterisation - She is the character I liked the most. I empathised with her. She undervalued her worth because of her identity so she just needed reassurance from her husband.

What I disliked:
1. Runtime - I wish the series could be at least 1 hour. I really want to see more couple scenes.

Favourite scene
When secondary couple reconciled

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Family is core theme of this drama

I came across this drama as I browsed Zhang Chu Xuan's list of dramas on Chinesemov.com The title intrigued me so I decided to watch last week. I enjoyed this drama a lot!

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - The introduction was amusing. I liked how FL decided to turn around the character that she inhabited. She's smart & compassionate so that changed people's perception of her. I also enjoyed her scenes as family provider.
2. Family theme - I loved that family is core theme in this drama. A few scenes were touching.
3. Supporting characters - I really liked the three brothers & FL's daughter in law. It's wonderful that they were given arcs for character growth. Anyway that milk scene was funny because it backfired.
4. Styling - Loved the vibrant clothes worn by the cast.

What I disliked:
1. Zhang Tian Jing - I understand that his character doesn't have a lot of scenes but I found him lacking screen presence. His performance was underwhelming for me.
2. Romance - It is subtle but due to the lack of chemistry between Zhang Chu Xuan and Zhang Tian Jing, it seemed unnecessary to have romantic interest.

Favourite scene
When the youngest son defended FL from a bully & his father

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Lotsa kisses but no chemistry & mousy & bland FL

I was in the mood for Ma Shi Yao's drama so I chose this drama because I thought this drama is a remake of A Night Deeply Drunk on the Spring Breeze starring Du Ya Fei.

What I liked:
1. Ma Shi Yao - Call me bias but he gave a good performance as a neurosurgeon with a threat on his career. I liked the scenes where he struggled with his illness.
2. Supporting character - I liked ML's friend that matchmade them.
3. Romance - The intimate scenes were spicy! I liked the sneaky kisses at work. ML was always the one initiating intimacy and there were plenty of shirtless ML scenes.

What I disliked:
1. Zhu Xin Yu - She gave an underwhelming performance. One note expression - perpetually surprised at everything.
2. FL characterisation - Mousy & bland. What made ML attracted to her a lot until he wanted a committed & long-term relationship?
3. Styling - FL's styling seemed to be modelled after anime character. White body fitting top with sexy back but let's hide sexy image with glasses. Oh I dislike when a character wears a pair of glasses that doesn't have lens. What is the point??? I also didn't understand why a medical intern have long nails.
4. Chemistry - There was no chemistry between Ma Shi Yao & Zhu Xin Yu.

Favourite scene
When he had a panic attack that caused him to doubt himself

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I liked secondary couple more than main couple

I am a fan of Huang Bo. I watched this drama on 16 February 2025 but forgot to write a review until today when I am doing homework on his dramas.

What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - He was determined to make his marriage work after he had time for his personal life. He respected his wife. Huang Bo looked dashing in a SWAT uniform.
2. Supporting characters - I really like FL's best friend as she was spunky. I was intrigued by ML's brother from very first moment he appeared. It's good to see that he had his own arc. FL's senior doctor colleague was memorable & a good rival to ML.
3. Romance - Sweet romance once the awkwardness was gone. A lot of caress and hand holding. It's also cool that there is secondary romance story in this drama. They were so adorable.

What I disliked:
1. ML's action - I wasn't fond of ML for leaving his bride for work immediately after wedding & no communication until 3 years had passed. He never apologised for this action.
2. FL characterisation - I found her too timid for my liking. Her character wasn't memorable. I only remember she attended to husband's wound in the middle of hospital hallway.
3. Antagonist - FL's rival was annoying and unbelievable. How could she become a medical intern / officer with that reckless behaviour? There was also another woman who thought she should be ML's wife.

Favourite scene
When FL's bestie met ML's brother

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Good looking couple in underdeveloped romance

I watched this drama months ago and forgot about it until I checked Chen Gang's playlist. I watched it second time few days ago and submitted this drama as New Title so I can write a review. Have to say that this drama is forgettable.

What I liked:
1. Styling - Zhang Chu Xuan wore pretty outfits and I loved the biker look at the start of drama. I liked Chen Gang's paisley tie. Both Zhang Chu Xuan and Chen Gang are good looking.
2. Acting - Zhang Chu Xuan, Chen Gang and Wei Ruo Chen did good with the given script despite the horrible writing. However Zhang Chu Xuan's voice sounded different.
3. Supporting character - I liked ML's grandma.

What I disliked:
1. Violence - Trigger warning: This drama has scenes of someone physically abusing elderly. Plenty of slapping too.
2. Antagonists - SFL looked like Wang Yun Yun / Cai Cai Yun. Anyway SFL is evil.
3. Romance - Severely underdeveloped. With less than 20 minutes to the end, I still didn't buy that FL had feelings for ML.

Favourite scene
When FL wanted to help ML with change of bandage

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An enjoyable tale of time travel, gratitude and love

I was in the mood for vertical drama set in the 80s last week. I had never seen the work of Wu Jiao and Hu Jia Hao. This drama was light and entertaining.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She was a critically acclaimed in the present but when time travelled, she decided to support a struggling noodle shop. Very entrepreneurial. It's admirable that she wanted to lessen the dependency on her husband hence she looked for a job. I liked watching scenes of her working and cooking.
2. ML characterisation - He was quite progressive for a guy who lived in 1980s and worked at the military. I liked how we see the changes in ML's thoughts of his wife. He's fair leader at military base.
3. Romance - I loved watching the progress of their relationship from awkward strangers to partners in life and love. Yes, we got a ML who craved for his wife's touch right at the start of drama! ML was sexually frustrated that it's amusing but it's great that he voiced his feelings.
4. Gratitude theme - I liked that gratitude is one of the main themes of this drama. FL appreciated her newfound parents, noodle stall owner was grateful for successful business.
5. Supporting characters - I liked ML's boss and comrades. It's wonderful to see ML seeking love advice from his boss. Parents of FL & ML were nice too even though they didn't get much screentime.
6. Ending - Sweet and done well.

What I disliked:
1. Superpower - She had a cool superpower but it was never explained if there were implications from using the power.
2. Antagonist - I felt like slapping that lady who was envious of FL and her colleagues. Good thing she didn't get a lot of screen time.

Favourite scene
When FL was abducted and ML was desperate to save her

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Spicy but crappy romance between doormat FL and indifferent ML

I watched this drama during my first month of vertical drama discovery and was surprised by the introduction. Thank you to JustOneMoreEpisode for submitting this drama as New Title because now I can write a review on it. Overall this drama had its ups and downs.

What I liked:
1. Lust - Damn, spicy romance right off the bat. That intro scene set me on fire! The subsequent intimacy between ML and "Penny" was hot with one memorable scene.
2. Acting - Great acting by Guo Jing and Xie Yu Wang. Guo Jing got me to sympathised her even though I didn't fancy FL's characterisation.
3. Supporting characters - I liked ML's grandpa and FL's boss / male colleague.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - I'd say FL and ML had an unhealthy relationship in which ML abandoned her right after marriage license and FL being ok with it. There were opportunities for both of them to tell the truth about their circumstance but no, the truth only came out during a medical emergency. I do, however, loved the scene in which FL woke up in a hospital and told off ML for suddenly showing concern.
2. Family - Both families of FL and ML are rotten except for ML's grandpa.
3, ML characterisation - I just cannot accept ML's behaviour. He cheated on his wife nevertheless.

Favourite scene
When FL was in operating room and doctor was looking for next of kin to sign papers

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Great chemistry, well-written plot and beautiful aesthetics

I enjoy Cheng Cheng and Shi Tong's acting and to my surprise, they acted together in this drama. Apparently this drama is a remake of '52 lovers in 4 years' plot. I believe the first version starred Du Ya Fei and Zhang Jin Yi, the fourth version starred Zhang Bei Xi and Liu Ying, and this Cheng Cheng- Shi Tong drama is the fifth version. I watched the fourth and fifth versions and I like this drama way more than the fourth version.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She's smart and self-reliant. I loved that FL is a Chinese Opera Singer who uses a public persona when she works. Shi Tong knows how to choose roles and so far I have enjoyed most of her dramas.
2. Romance - Spicy and sweet. That first intimate scene was hot and I liked how FL acted the morning after. I also loved that they shared a passion in Chinese Opera. I also liked that ML confessed his feelings to FL at 70% mark of the drama.
3. ML characterisation - Oh dear, Cheng Cheng played another mob boss. Good thing this character is different from the other mob bosses that he has played. This one is the most violent. Anyway I liked that ML is supportive of FL's decisions.
4. Styling - This drama was set in Chinese Republican era and the styling was so fabulous! I loved the outfits worn by both FL & ML. My favourite of FL's outfit is the black dress with scallop neckline paired. The hats were beautiful.
5. Supporting character - Loved ML's father.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's arranged fiancé and his mother are just despicable. However I enjoyed their arc because there was emotional connection between ML and the antagonists.

Favourite scene
When ML saved FL from being attacked by her arranged fiancé

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Huang Bo acting coquettish had me swoon throughout the drama

I am a huge Huang Bo fan and thanks to reddit and thehepburn, I found out about this drama. So this drama is apparently an remake of Utterly Submit co-starring Han Jia Hui and Zhao Zhen Dong. Some things are retained in this drama but overall The Moonlight Never Falls is a totally different drama from Utterly Submit. Enjoyable nevertheless.

What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - He is overprotective but flirty with FL. A green flag ML. Great to see Huang Bo playing Mr Nice Guy.
2. Supporting character - I really liked FL's colleague. She had more sass & screen presence compared to Han Jia Hui's colleague. It's also wonderful to see a plus sized actress playing an important role in a vertical drama.
3. Romance - Great balance of push and pull. I enjoyed watching Huang Bo acting coquettish. I also liked that ML believed in their relationship despite the obstacles faced by each of them.
4. Styling - I loved the outfits worn by FL, ML and the green tea Ranran.

What I disliked:
1. Dubbing - I feel like Huang Bo's voice is dubbed by someone else. He sounded different from the other drama he starred with Xu Si Qi, which was released around same time as this drama.
2. Antagonists - This version allocated more screen time for the antagonists (Ranran & ML's family) that it overshadowed the couple's relationship. It sucks that Ranran got away with her scheming and was only punished towards the end of the drama. Despite that, the actress who played green tea was very hot and beautiful!
3. FL's action - I disliked FL for turning ML's proposal into a PR stunt for her movie. I felt secondhand embarrassment on behalf of ML.

Favourite scene
When ML was flirty with FL in his office

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Concise and compact, wonderfully written drama

I added this drama to my playlist about 2 months ago after watching another Ma Xiao Yu's drama. I was intrigued because the drama title said "domineering female CEO" and "her personal male servant". I enjoyed this drama so much!

What I liked:
1. Writing - I liked that the drama is concise and compact. ML's love rival was a nice touch! Both main characters & nosy colleague were well written. The plot twist was wonderfully done.
2. Directing - This drama has different style in comparison to other Chinese vertical dramas. It is whimsical and quirky with a scene that reminds me of Hong Kong film, Fallen Angel.
3. Acting - Cai Yan Jing & Ma Xiao Yu were impressive in their roles. I used to think that MXY couldn't excel in Mr Nice Guy role. Oh I was wrong!

What I disliked:
1. Fictional character - I was confused about the famous fictional character because I didn't see any similarity between the character and ML.
2. ML's mother - I disliked her for the deception.

Favourite scene
When ML met his father

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Nice & breezy romance about long time crush and contract marriage

I thought Fei Se Qi Yue was my first drama of Shi Tong but I was wrong. This is my first drama of hers. I remembered last night when someone on reddit asked about Wang Hui Long and I looked up his work. It was a nice & light romance.

What I liked:
1. Acting - Both Wang Hui Long and Shi Tong were likeable in this drama. I also liked Wang Hui Long's eyes because they too told a story even when his nose and mouth were covered.
2. Romance - A cute & sweet romance between childhood friends who got into a contract marriage. I liked that ML always negotiated with FL on their contract.
3. Styling - I liked that the outfits complement Wang Hui Long's buzz cut.

What I disliked:
1. Backstabbing - That very first scene set the tone of this drama
2. Antagonist - The antagonist worked alongside FL. Her scheming was too much.

Favourite scene
When FL wanted to kiss ML but vomited instead

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