emberzmars

Frustrating tale of amnesiac ML & domineering FL

I watched this drama because of Xue Zi Qi. I loved her performance & chemistry with Fang Zheng Nan in their collab drama. I got a feeling her character in this drama would be domineering so I had some expectations of the drama. Unfortunately they were not met.

What I liked:
1. Styling - Xue Zi Qi looked damn gorgeous in red / burgundy pant suits. She also wore beautiful outfits.
2. FL characterisation - I liked that she was smart & capable. She proved to be a worthy heiress.
3. Supporting characters - I liked FL's friend, grandfather, ML's uncle & aunt.
4. Action - I liked that FL can fight baddies. Enjoyed the action scenes a lot.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - It was sad that ML only showed interest in way past the 1 hour mark. There was too much push / resistance from ML and FL was very aggressive in her pursuits for ML's affections. I didn't like that she was willing to settle - she said she didn't mind being ML's mistress. I felt like FL was chasing nostalgia rather than accept ML's change of heart / behaviour.
2. ML characterisation - He was bland.
3. Antagonist - FL's rival took advantage of ML's amnesia to pose as his girlfriend.

Favourite scene
When ML was proactive in making out

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This drama with reversed gender role was a letdown. I didn't buy their romance

I came across this drama on subreddit CShortDramas and was intrigued by FL because reviewer said FL was domineering. Since this drama was available on iQIYI and I needed to utilise my subscription, I decided to watch this afternoon. Drama didn't quite meet my expectations.

What I liked:
1. Acting - I really liked their acting as their individual characters and as a couple. Wang Yun Yun and Wang Kai Mu had good chemistry. I was moved by their performances in one or two scenes.
2. Supporting characters - FL's Vice President turned out to be a nice guy.
3. FL characterisation - I had mixed feelings about her character. I liked that she was goal-oriented and generous with charity work. I also liked that she never talked bad about Gu Ling Ling.
4. Hopsitalisation - It was sweet to see their relationship grew when FL was hospitalised for her injury.
5. Styling - I liked FL's outfits because they gave off "money & power" vibes. Wang Kai Mu looked good in the blue suit.
6. Intimacy - I liked the bathtub scene.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - I disliked FL's pursuit of ML. To me, she treated him as a commodity. That attitude of "I have the means to get whatever I want and I want him". ML was so resistant at the start that I didn't buy that he genuinely fell in love with her. She saved him from an attack so when he started to question his feelings for FL, it seemed more like gratitude not love. Overall, this drama had too many "push dynamics" so the relationship felt forced, to me.
2. Antagonists - Gu Ling Ling was annoying brat. I hated her for playing a victim. Her brother & uncle were despicable too. Too bad brother got jailed because Gu Ling Ling's arc was draggy & boring. I was hoping the brother sought revenge.
3. Writing - For a 82 episode series, this drama felt "underdeveloped" & "unsatisfying". I wish there was a few episodes of ML connecting with his biological family, working to establish himself as Young Master Pei and reflecting on his relationship with FL & Gu family.
4. ML characterisation - His character felt very two-dimensional to me. I disliked that he didn't believe when the staircase incident happened.

Favourite scene
They spent quality time together when FL was hospitalised

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Inner thought drama that lacked spark & wow factor

I got to know about this drama from subreddit CShortDramas. I enjoyed some of Wei Lin dramas and that Wang Bing Xiang drama with Liu Yi Fan / Tian Tian Yi. I watched this drama within 2 days of its release. It was alright but I expected more.

What I liked:
1. Tone - There was good mix of comedy and drama, making it lighthearted.
2. Acting - Wei Lin excels in comedy. She made her character likeable even though FL seemed silly at times. Wang Bing Xiang was alright as a domineering CEO.
3. Styling - Loved ML's outfits. I also liked the pastel outfits worn by the female colleagues in one gossip session.
4. Inner thought arc - It was entertaining to see ML's reactions to FL's inner thoughts.
5. Hug - I liked that hugging scene.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - Wow, her husband was gullible to be fooled by his secretary. Disliked both of them, ML's stepmother & FL's family.
2. Cheating - I am not a fan of cheating stories. So I didn't like that they initiated a relationship before FL was divorced.
3. Chemistry - I couldn't sense any chemistry between Wei Lin and Wang Bing Xiang. Their kissing scenes lacked intensity.
4. Lifespan - The lifespan countdown was an interesting concept that drew me to this drama. However this plot device was underdeveloped, which was a shame.

Favourite scene
When ML first discovered that he could hear FL's inner thoughts

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Well-written comedy-drama about self-worth & pursuit of happiness

I saw the poster when this drama was newly released. I thought it was cute but didn't plan on watching it until I saw a poster of a new Li Ke Yi-Wang Pei Yan collaboration today. So I thought "Why not watch Love Yourself More first?" Glad I did because this drama brought a lot of joy!

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I don't usually like university student FL because they tend to be immature but I liked Li Chao Chao a lot! She is smart & comical and most importantly I saw character growth. Wonderfully played by Li Ke Yi.
2. ML characterisation - What I liked the most about Chen Chi is that he was a good friend to FL. It's great that he listened to his mum's advice about giving FL room to make her own decisions and learn from that experience. This is my first time watching Wang Pei Yan and he excelled in this role.
3. Messaging - I loved that this drama explored a few concepts such as self-worth, pursuit of happiness. You can see these themes experienced by characters other than FL & ML. I liked that there is depth in this light & bright drama.
4. Comedy - I laughed out loud in some scenes. Good blend of comedic and dramatic moments.
5. Romance - Super sweet with some good kisses. Oh it's quite rare to see dramas with FL that has 2 boyfriends at different stages of her life.
6. Supporting characters - I liked FL's parents, FL's bestie. It's great to see SML as a character with substance facing life challenges.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's mother was haughty and horrible but she learned her lesson at the end. Even though I didn't like green tea & her mother, I enjoyed their arc because yes in real life there are people who chase status and wealth.

Favourite scene
When FL & ML took a taxi ride

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Yao Guan Yu excels at smirking & sneaky seduction

I was intrigued by Yao Guan Yu so I chose to watch this drama on Damazone youtube channel 3 months ago. This is my first drama from both Yao Guan Yu and Zhang Yi Lin. I hate to say this but this drama is forgettable. Not a drama I'd watch on repeat.

What I liked:
1. Yao Guan Yu - Damn, he gave me 'Leo Yang in Undercover Affair' vibes with his smirks & sneaky seduction. The amount of teasing and flirting, damn!
2. Styling - Great outfits worn by FL & ML. The red dress at the start of the drama was gorgeous!
3. ML characterisation - Despite the cocky flirty exterior he put for FL, he was devoted to FL.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - Despite the good looking visuals of both YGY & ZYL, I felt that their chemistry was lacking. Too much push from FL, ML was too patient in their relationship.
2. Writing - Somehow this drama is not memorable to me. I couldn't remember a single scene so I had to rewatch before writing this review. I found the running time was too long as well.
3. FL characterisation - She's cool, independent woman but as a lover, I wish she had sorted out her feelings earlier. I couldn't connect with her character and I don't know whether to blame ZYL or the director.

Favourite scene
The introduction

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Female CEO embroiled in family saga but found love and support from former schoolmate

When I first discovered vertical dramas in December 2024, Dramazone Youtube channel was my go-to channel. I watched this drama there and I loved it so much. 'But Mr. Shen Is Too Charming' remains, till this day, in my top 10 vertical dramas that I watch on repeat.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I like a strong female characters but when there is a strong female CEO as the main character, I love the drama even more. Lin Shu Tang is a smart & beautiful go-getter who has to face challenges from her own family. I liked her resilience. Lin Shu Tang was brilliantly portrayed by Si Jia Li.
2. ML characterisation - Shen Si is devious but does not have malicious intent. Despite having a crush on her and helped her in the past, he doesn't want her to be obligated to him. I really like that.
3. Romance - Damn, their intimate scenes are really hot. Kissing scenes were well shot. There were sweet moments too. He lent a shoulder for her to cry on.
4. Styling - I love the styling for both FL and ML. The white business suit worn by FL reiterated her power at the office.
5, Supporting characters - I really liked ML's friend especially in the hospital scene.

What I disliked:
1. FL's family - Wow, the family saga is just too much. I empathised with FL.

Favourite scene
When FL was hospitalised and ML came to visit

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Frustrating drama in which FL & ML made assumptions about each other

I find Yao Guan Yu visually striking so I am always drawn to his dramas. This is my second drama of his, I am unfamiliar with the main actress Zhang Qiu Zi. This drama is frustrating!

What I liked:
1. Yao Guan Yu - His character was a Mr Nice Guy. Yao Guan Yu had enough charm for me to finish this drama.
2. Styling - I really liked ML styling including.the pyjamas, which looked expensive.
3. Supporting characters - I liked ML's family because they genuinely liked FL. ML's bestie was good friend.

What I disliked:
1. Communication - OMG, 80% of the running time was spent on both FL & ML making assumptions about one another. Why are they not talking about their feelings. This is very frustrating!
2. Antagonists - SFL was insufferable! Pei Chi was way too nice to her.
3. Character development - Underdeveloped. I felt bored halfway through I started playing on my phone.

Favourite scene
When ML's father called ML to scold him for the alleged affair

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Light & fluffly

I am a fan of Xhang Chu Zuan & Shen Hao Nan so was delighted to find out that they have acted together.

What I liked:
1) Tone - This drama is light & sweet. Easy to watch.
2) Dynamic - It's great watching dynamics between Xhang Chu Xuan & Shen Hao Nan because they matched each other's energy.
3) Brothers arc - I like this dynamic despite the slight rivalry.
4) Villain - I like the arc because the actions affected ML so much.

What I disliked:
1) Family drama - FL having cruel family is common in vertical shot dramas and this does featured that trope.

Favourite scene:
When ML revealed his hidden identity to FL while they were in the car

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Just alright

This drama is alright to pass time.

What I like
1. The action sequences were amusing. The reactions were comical but hey it made sense for normal people to react that way.
2. Great to see Kang Ki Young as main male lead.
3. Oh Min seok made me sympathetic towards his character but he's villain alright. His abs were damn fine though I am not sure if the scene was required
4. Supporting characters - I like Daeki & Kang Boom.

What I dislike
1. Story - I find the story average. The benefactor reminds me of The Uncanny Counter.

Favourite scene
When Kang Bom kicks ass

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I liked the themes in this drama: love, family and learning from mistakes

I write a weekly column about two dramas adapted from the same source. I was recommended this drama by a friend. I enjoyed this a lot!

What I liked:
1. Romance - Sweet and mature. I liked that they worked on their marriage. There was partnership even though they married for convenience. Both had conversations after moments of insecuity. I ❤️ the proposal & wedding scenes.
2. Acting - Deng Ling Shu really shone in this role. She lightened up the mood in the beginning of the drama. Xiao Wen Yu did well and their chemistry was good. There was a sense of comfort between them.
3. FL characterisation - It was great that she didn't wallow in self-pity for long. I liked that she embraced her role as ML's wife. She also pursued her career.
4. ML characterisation - He was green flag. I liked that he didn't want FL to pity him ot feel guilty about the fire
incident. He didn't have backing from his father so he worked very hard to stand on his own feet.
5. Family - This is a core theme in this drama. ML's father was distant while his mother had depression. Fl's parents were warm and protective. I loved her mum's sharing when the couple first visited her parents after marriage.
6. Supporting characters - I really liked her parents. FL's bestie and ML's assistant / college friend were wonderful too. It's also nice to see ML's mother.
7. Learning from mistake - I liked that both ML's father and brother learned from their mistakes of mistreating their girlfriends and came to the girlfriends to make amends.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's ex was scumbag for meeting his ex a day before his wedding to FL. I also disliked ML's father but both men redeemed themselves.

Favourite scene
When ML helped his father-in-law in the kitchen

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Good plot with merman and female CEO tropes but was destroyed by leads' subpar performances

I was in the mood for short dramas with mermaid / merman trope this week so I chose to watch this drama a few nights ago. After watching more than 10 dramas with that trope, I had low expectations. Now this drama started off good but it could not live up to its potential.

What I liked:
1. Plot - I must say that I had not seen this plot in other mermaid & merman dramas. I liked the story enough.
2. ML characterisation - I liked ML's puppy behaviour. He was clingy to FL.
3. Duration - I think this drama is just over an hour so it was an easy watch.
4. Styling - While the styling was hit and miss in this drama, there were a few points that I liked: the merman outfit & wig (it gave ML a different look compared to his human form) and the water resistant suit that ML wore.

What I disliked:
1. Antagoinst - For me, the antagonist arc was too simplify that he seemed like a caricature. No substance.
2. Acting - The acting by both leads felt amateurish. I simply couldn't connect to FL because Zhang Qing was bad at portraying an arrogant female president. There was zero chemistry between Zhang Qing and Su Yu Hang. They gave friendly acquaintance vibe rather than lovers vibe.
3. Romance - I was surprised when FL told ML that she liked him too. I didn't see any romantic buildup but then again their lack of chemistry most likely led me to miss out this part.

Favourite scene
When antagonist did something to ML to get ML's tail to appear

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Better ML characterisation and romance arc made this drama superior to 'Hide Day and Night'

I have a column reddit where I watch and compare two dramas from the same source. This story was recommended to me by a Reddit member so I decided to watch both stories. I watched this drama after watching version 1 starring Lan Lan and Wang Kai Mu. I liked this version more. Anyway I watched on 花笙TV YouTube channel - be warned that the English subs were on and off.

What I liked:
1. Romance - I must say that the romance arc in this version was healthier than the romance arc in the other version. Consent is the key. I could sense that both of them were into each other and they became intimate, there was no coercion by ML. Good quality of kisses.
2. ML characterisation - He was respectful toward FL although he was pushy at the start when he forced her to stay with him.
3. Styling - I appreciated that the styling created two different hairstyles for Yang Mie Mie because there was a time jump. FL's outfits somehow reminded me of US movie Legally Blonde 2. Yu Long looked dashing in the military uniform.
4. Duration - This drama's running time is less than 100 minutes.
5. Acting - Both of them did good job in their roles. I particularly enjoyed Yang Mie Mie's performance during conflict scenes e.g. when she tried to repress her feelings because of her mother's resistance. The chemistry was palpable too.
6. FL characterisation - I liked that she created a boundary between her and ML when they met again at the start of the drama. She struggled between her feelings for ML and her mother's disdain for ML and his sister.
7. Editing - The predecessor is 50 minutes longer than this version. However I found Love Day and Night to be well-paced.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - ML's sister in this drama was the antagonist. She was selfish and manipulative - had no remorse for doing those things. I also disliked both mothers of ML and FL.
2. Scumbag - There was a scumbag that kidnapped FL. I don't recall if he was FL's ex but I thought his arc was boring.

Favourite scene
When they were first intimate

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Cowardly and selfish FL who took no accountability for her actions. I disliked this drama!

I got curious about this vertical drama after reading my MDL friend Raiana's review. I have only watched a few Korean verticals and most of the shows I watched (available on iQIYI) cannot match the quality of Chinese verticals. I had high hopes for this drama because I had already seen 2 rave reviews before starting this drama. Unfortunately I don't share the same love for this drama like the other reviewers. I usually avoid giving away too much spoilers in my MDL reviews so I apologise in advance - there are a lot of spoilers in this review.

What I liked:
1. Production value - The drama was well directed and edited. Burning the Line felt like a compact version of a standard Korean melodrama.
2. Supporting characters - I liked FL's best friend and FL's dean / superior. They were the most rational people in this drama.
3. ML characterisation - He was lovebrained and overall nice guy. He was mature beyond his age and at times, more mature than FL.
4. Duration - This drama is less than 90 minutes. Thank gawd!

What I disliked:
1. FL - She was the antagonist of this story. She was unhappy with her career and love life but instead of breaking up with a fiance she didn't love and focusing on career advancement, she just let the engagement go on AND got entangled in a situation that could jeopardise her goal. I HATED that she gave weak excuses (to herself and ML) about being in relationship to ML despite knowing that he was her bestie's son! She was cowardly and did not take any accountability for her actions. She ran away when facing problems.
2. The ending - Gosh, what kind of ending was that?!! Noble idiocy!
3. Romance - I love noona romance but sadly I didn't like the romance arc in this drama. Their romance started with deceit and even though ML knew that FL was still engaged, he was happy to continue being in a relationship with her.

Favourite scene
When ex-fiance bumped into FL and ML.

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Product placement in the form of mermaid drama. Compact & fun!

I am writing two-series reddit posts about mini dramas and vertical dramas with mermaid & merman trope. This drama is one of them. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this very short drama.

What I liked:
1. Plot - Compact and well-written for a product placement. I was amazed.
2. Acting - Good performances by the four leads and this is a mobile phone ad. The two leading ladies were very charming.
3. Fantasy - I loved the elements presented here as they were refreshing. No tears that turn to pearls.
4. Dynamics - I enjoyed the contrasting dynamics between Shi Yue and Bai Yu (sismance), between Bai Yu and An Xu Guang and between him and Shi Yue. The latter involved cute rivalry & banter.
5. Styling - I really liked the green highlights worn by Qin Xie Xie. Yang Yang looked handsome ethereal in white / silver wig. Overall the outfits worn by the cast were visually appealing.
6. FLs - Wonderfully written. They were smart & compassionate.
7. Length - This was perfect for a short video promoting a mobile phone. No complaints.
8. ML - There was more focus on his crush on Bai Yue than on his work but hey I enjoyed his arc.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - He was evil & power hungry.

Favourite scene
When ML found out that Bai Yu was visiting him

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Disliked Yan Yin An's acting but the plot has substance

I was in the mood for mermaid / merman short dramas so I picked My Dear Mermaid. I have heard of Alpha because he acted with Han Jia Hui but Yan Yin An was unfamiliar to me. This drama was an OK watch.

What I liked:
1. Plot - For a short mini drama, the storyline has substance. ML and antagonisthad good arcs. Enough drama for lighthearted drama.
2. Visuals - Alpha and Fu Xue Yan's visuals certainly grabbed my attention.
3. Fantasy - I liked the fantasy elements especially the alter ego.
4. Duration - Fast-paced drama probably just outside of 1 hour running time.
5. Characters - ML was ok but the green prime minister was funny.

What I disliked:
1. Acting - I didn't enjoy this drama because of Yan Yin An's acting. She didn't have the main character aura and not because of her plain visuals. I felt she was more suited playing supporting characters. There was zero chemistry between her and Alpha. They were awkward with no ice broken between them.
2. FL characterisation - I felt her character had the least impact out of three. She seemed ditzy & immature.
3. Romance - Lacklustre. They never seemed to be genuinely attracted to each other. It felt more like they were together because fate has told them so.

Favourite scene
How they defeated the antagonist

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