emberzmars

Lucky & likeable Mr Nice Guy married to rich, beautiful woman

I was intrigued by Wei Jia Yu after seeing posters of his dramas on reddit. I decided to explore his work first with this drama. I liked it even though the romance part could be stronger.

What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - Lucky guy. He got married to beautiful and rich woman who was unfortunately comatose. He was given access to expensive cars and luxury suite but he was truly Mr Nice Guy. Never abused privilege given.
2. Tone - Lighthearted & hilarious.
3. Supporting characters - I liked FL's relatives and nursing crew. ML's parents were likeable too.
4. Kindness - I loved the acts of kindness demonstrated in this drama.
5. Romance - Tender & sweet love. I loved their dates - ML took FL to outdoor places for speedy recovery. Acts of service were definitely his love language.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - ML's uncle & cousin were obnoxious.
2. FL characterisation - She was underdeveloped. Too much time on her comatose state.

Favourite scene
FL's birthday celebration

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Angst & tension - this is a love story that stood the test of time

I was in the mood for Shi Yue Yue dramas so I decided to watch this drama. I didn't expect this drama to be full of angst and tension but overall it was a good watch.

Trigger warning: Mental health issue, Suicide attempt

What I liked:
1. Romance - Childhood sweethearts who broke up due to FL's unsavoury situation. When they were not together as a couple, the tension was high. When they reunited, they were burning with passion. Some sweet moments - when they gave cheek peck or quick kiss.
2. Acting - Fantastic chemistry with great performances by both of them.
3. Family - Core theme. FL's grandmother, FL's parents, ML's brother.
4. FL characterisation - I liked that she's hardworking & troed her best to protect her grandma & mother.
5. ML characterisation - I likee that he provided support to FL intuitively.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's father was dead but left a haunting presence. Unfortunately FL got harrassed by loan sharks because her father never settled his debts.
2. ML's action - I didn't like when he shoved his younger bro. He wasn't at fault for their father's wrongdoings.

Favourite scene
When ML found out about what truly happened to FL

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Passionate & tender moments + superb acting made this an A

I was in the mood for Yue Yu Ting's drama so I decided to watch this drama today. The video on Dramazone had 1 million views and wow, this drama met my expectations. I enjoyed it immensely.

What I liked:

1. Romance - Passionate & tender. ML couldn't stop kissing FL at every opportunity and FL seemed to enjoy whenever she was kissed. I also enjoyed the sweet couple moments e.g. award celebration. You can see ML's gratitude during that scene.
2. FL characterisation - She was humble, hardworking and kind. She knew her true north and was proud of her achievements. It's easy to love her.
3. ML characterisation - Cheeky and in some ways, possessive. He was skeptical of FL's intentions but that did not stop him from loving FL.
4. Styling - I really liked her wardrobe - very chic. The dresses she tried on during her shopping trip were gorgeous on her. I also liked ML's wardrobe.
5. Supporting characters - I liked the lady who pursued ML then became FL's buddy. Unexpected moment there! Mr Ji, CEO of Voyage, was mysterious and oh I liked his arc. I also liked FL's adoptive father. The phone call was moving.
6. Acting - Superb performances by Yue Yu Ting, Lu Huan Yu and the cast.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's sister was a bimbo. Their former classmate Ms Su was delusional. I also hated all the goons who supported her.
2. Deception - I disliked ML for concealing his identity to FL. She was right to be mad at him for being duped.

Favourite scene
When FL confronted ML about his hidden identity

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Sizzling chemistry & plenty of kisses but the story offered nothing new

I am in the mood for a drama starring Yue Yu Ting so I browsed her work and decided to watch this drama. I love love love their collab Rose Beloved so I had some expectations about this drama. Overall I liked it but Rose Beloved remains my favourite collab drama of theirs.

What I liked:
1. Romance - Sizzling chemistry from the get go. There were plenty of kissing scenes and they were hot.
2. ML characterisation - Mr Nice Guy who had crush on FL. I liked his cheekiness.
3. Styling - Beautiful clothes worn by both leads. I loved that form-fitting black dress. Chen Zheng Yang also looked good in the glasses.
4. FL characterisation - She was protective of her aunt, whom loved her unconditionally.
5. Duration - About 2 hours, which is good length for me.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - Her biological mother wasn't a nice person. She was bias when it comes to her children. FL's ex was also despicable.
2. Plot - Nothing new and at times I felt bored so I doubled the speed.

Favourite scene
When ML & FL hid under a table

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Great performances in this dark revenge tale about poor vs rich people

I was apprehensive about watching this drama because of the length but one Youtube user commented that Sa Gang Yun was in this drama. That made me watch the drama. Overall I liked the drama and I hope Zuo Yi & Sa Gang Yun will collab again.

What I liked:
1. Morally grey - I liked that 3 characters were morally.grey and at some point of the drama, they became unlikeable including FL.
2. FL characterisation - She was out for revenge for the untimely death of her boyfriend. I loved her determination to punish those people.
3. Acting - Superb performances from Zuo Yi, Sa Gang Yun and the actress who played the main antagonist (SFL). The actor who played FL's boyfriend gave great performance.
4. Supporting characters - I liked FL's boyfriend and FL's mother.
5. Plot twist - I liked that it appeared close to second hour. The third act was unpredictable.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - SFL was sinister in her way to stay in control of the household. SML played by Sa Gang Yun was a ruthless character.
2. Seduction - I know romance wasn't main focus of this drama but Sa Gang Yun was too sexy. I wish he & Zuo Yi had some kisses with FL initiating them before ML passed out.
3. Acting - Zhang Ting Rui gave an underwhelming performance. The actor who played FL's boyfriend gave a better and more memorable performance.

Favourite scene
When the son found out the truth

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Sweet romance between food vlogger and orthopaedic surgeon

I got to know about this drama through subreddit CShortDramas. I like Shi Yue Yue and Duan Mei Yang's acting but wow, I didn't expect to thoroughly enjoy the drama. I was giddy with excitement while watching it - well most of the time.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She was cheerful, charming & confident. She was also a good cook & a foodie!
2. Romance - She courted him first. I liked her forwardness and that her moves never crossed the line - she wasn't a stalker. Their romance was sweet with slight spice. I loved that she cooked for him.
3. Medical - It's great that the ML was an orthopaedic surgeon. I enjoyed the medical scenes.
4. Acting - Splendid performances by both Shi Yue Yue and Duan Mei Yang. They had great chemistry. The cast also did well in their roles.
5. ML characterisation - He never paid attention to ladies who developed crush on him but he finally fell for her charms. I liked his professionalism and his protectiveness of FL.
6. Supporting characters - I really liked ML's male colleague and the nursing staff. Boy, I wish I could join the nurses and cheer for FL & ML pairing.
7. Food - I also loved all the food scenes from cooking and having meals together to remembering each other's food aversion / preference.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - ML's female colleague was possessive of ML and envious of FL. It was unprofessional of her to sabotage FL's recovery. I disliked her for manipulating ML's mother.
2. Stalker - Wow that was scary.

Favourite scene
FL & ML's kiss outside of the hospital

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The 4 MLs should sing Backstreet Boys' “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)” to FL

I had been on a Lan Bo kick lately — I adored his modern dramas but had never touched his historical ones. I reached out to my buddy from r/CShortDramas for a buddy watch and oh we had fun watching and writing a joint review.

What I liked:
1. Dynamics - So far, I have only watched 3 reverse harem vertical dramas including this one and I must say I enjoy the amount of screentime given to each FL-ML pairing. There are 4 different dynamics at play - estranged married couple (Yun Qi-General Huo Xiao), childhood buddies (Yun Qi-Prince Xie Lin Yu), relatives (Yun Qi-Yun Jin Chen) and hhhm I am not sure what to call the dynamic between Yun Qi and Prince Qi Zhuo.
2. Acting - Superb performances. All five excelled in their roles - this is my first time watching Hyde & Yi Hang. Wow, all four men were devilishly handsome even in wigs. The actor I felt has the highest level of chemistry with Wang Yun Yun is Lan Bo.
3. ML characterisation - Four men with different but “lethal” charms - the jealous ex-husband General Huo Xiao (played by Lan Bo), the submissive younger relative Yun Jin Chen (played by Yi Hang), the alluring peacock Prince Qi Zhuo (played by Huang You Tian aka Hyde) and the childhood buddy Prince Xie Lin Yu (played by Liu Zi Heng). My favourite ML is Prince Xie Lin Yu - he is sweet, lovable and playful. Most of his scenes are funny.
4. Styling - Vibrant & beautiful clothes worn by all 5 leads. I love the vivid, contrasting colours! I feel like each character’s personality is represented by the colour of their costumes.
5. Kisses - Wow, she kissed them all but my favourite kissing scene is FL & General Hao. The tension was electric!
6. Supporting characters - Her maid Sul He was good character.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's family was horrible with FL's half sister being pathetic and nosy.
2. Duration - At 3 hours 30 minutes, the drama was too long for me. I found certain parts of the drama draggy / too slow paced.
3. FL's actions - I felt bad for MLs because she toyed with their feelings. So the four men should band together and sing “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)” by Backstreet Boys to FL.

Favourite scene
When Yun Qi entered the carriage of Prince Qi Zhuo almost at the end of the drama. And when she exited the carriage 😉

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Underwhelming fantasy drama and no chemistry between Zuo Ming and Liu Lan Ge

I am a fan of supernatural themed drama so when I found out about this drama, I was ecstatic. I watched it last week during commute to work. To my dismay, I felt like it was lacking something by the time I completed the watch.

What I liked:
1. Fantasy - I liked the concept that mermaids can create pearls through their tears. It was mentioned here at the start of the drama but I couldn't recall seeing it happened. I also liked the shapeshifter concept.
2. Styling - The outfits worn by FL reflected her mermaid identity. Cute!
3. Supporting characters - I liked ML's right hand man. His comments were entertaining.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - Seemed forced / unnatural. No warmth. I didn't buy their love story because FL seemed to pity ML or perhaps it's the case of Stockholm Syndrome. Plus there was no chemistry between Zuo Ming and Liu Lan Ge.
2. Plot - FL & ML were underdeveloped characters. I felt like the drama could be stronger if ML's arc was given more time. The investigation was interesting but only introduced in the third act.
3. Antagonists - "Families" of both FL & ML were vicious. I didn't understand the warehouse scene led by FL's mother and sister. I understood it was revenge but it seemed haphazard?

Favourite scene
When antagonist tried to push FL into the swimming pool

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Heartwarming story about losing loved one, grief & substitute

I was in the mood for Sa Gang Yun dramas as I was preparing a reddit post on his dramas. I have always been fascinated with robot themed dramas and it's amazing that there are a handful of these within vertical dramas space. I must say I was impressed with the storytelling. I enjoyed it immensely.

What I liked:
1. Grief - ML still couldn't get over the passing of his wife and the robot was his way of processing grief. It was good that we got to see ML's son and the impact of his mother's passing on him.
2. Dynamics - I enjoyed watching the father-son interactions. I also liked moments between FL & ML's son even though there were not many.
3. Acting - Great performances by the cast. Ji Ling Xi was amazing for being able to portray 2 distinct characters - human FL & robot. There was good chemistry between Ji Ling Xi & Sa Gang Yun.
4. Styling - Loved the robot outfit - sexy & futuristic looking. Sa Gang Yun also had different hairstyle for flashback scenes. However I don't know why the scientist wore those shorts with a labcoat. Maybe to emphasise his eccentricity but I couldn't take him seriously.
5. Wedding scene - Thrilling. Beautiful. Smart move.
6. Supporting characters - I liked ML's son & the scientist. Their characters were integral to the story.
7. Duration - Less than 2 hours and well-paced.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - She was cunning business woman approaching ML for personal gain. Needless to say, I liked the arc because it was solid and not cringy.

Favourite scene
When the antagonist disrupted FL & ML's wedding

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Great chemistry and visuals in otherwise ok drama about psychologist and revenge

I was perusing new releases when this drama caught my attention. What an eye-catching opening scene! I watched until the end of the drama and hhhhmm I had mixed feelings about this drama.

What I liked:
1. Opening scene - It was hot!
2. Visuals - My gosh, both Yang Luo Qian and Dong Yi were visually arresting.
3. Romance - Sexy sexcapades but I liked when both worked together on doing something on FL's family. There were sexy moments with a lot of push and pull dynamics.
4. Acting - I liked Yang Luo Qian and Dong Yi's acting in this drama. They had great chemistry.
5. Styling - Great clothes worn by FL & ML.
6. Wedding - That scene was thrilling.

What I disliked:
1. Boundary - FL's treatment approach was unethical. She was so touchy with ML, which I found wrong.
2. Antagonists - FL's family was atrocious.

Favourite scene
When FL rescued ML at his wedding

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Dull vampire drama with bland performances by Biscuit La La and Liu Lan Bo

I was surprised to see the drama title when the drama was released. I rarely watch Liu Lan Bo dramas but this title implied vampire element so I was ecstatic. I am a fan of supernatural themed series. To my dismay, this drama did not meet my expectation.

What I liked:
1. Styling - I liked that FL often wore white to emphasise her purity while ML often wore black & red - perhaps evil and lust vibe?
2. Cage - ML caged & chained to avoid harm to others. I liked that scene because of the aesthetics.
3. Opening - It was interesting to see how the story was build. I got a glimpse of FL and ML's background.

What I disliked:
1. Plot - I thought this drama was a bad and dull version of Twilight. Sadly the fantasy element was unsatisfying because his reason for refusing blood was drawn out until the third act. The campus drama in the middle did not make sense. I got bored so I doubled the speed.
2. Romance - I didn't buy it. Very much the case of Stockholm syndrome with FL pitying ML. Too many chokeholds at the start when ML disbelieving FL at every turn.
3. Acting - I must say there was zero chemistry between Liu Lan Bo and Biscuit La La. I also found Biscuit La La lacked charisma & conviction in this role - she needs to take acting lessons. Liu Lan Bo gave a bland performance too.
4. Hair - Liu Lan Bo's hair was horrible. Did he wear a wig?

Favourite scene
When ML was caged

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Great chemistry made this "estranged couple on the path of reconciliation" drama worthwhile watch!

I had this drama in my watchlist for months but only decided to watch it last month when I was on a diet of Xie Yu Wang dramas.

What I liked:
1. Acting - Xie Yu Wang was amazing in this drama. Lu Lu Lu was good in her role & chemistry between them were great.
2. ML characterisation - He was charming, protective but flawed. He did hurt FL's feelings.
3. FL characterisation - She was likeable. Seemed pretentious but she was misinterpreted.
4. Romance - Arranged marriage with reconciliation. It's obvious that ML still cared for FL despite the estrangement. Good push & pull dynamics. The kisses were great.
5. Actor set - I liked that we got to see actors performing on set.
6. Supporting characters - I liked Duan Li Jun, the director and FL's father.
7. Ending - Sweet! I loved the proposal!

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - Xu Qing Er was vicious. She was willing to get FL killed because she was insecure. Her mother was horrible too so it's right that apple doesn't fall far from tree.

Favourite scene
The haunted house scene for the dating show

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Synopsis excited me but I lost interest after halfway mark

I was excited to find this drama in iQIYI catalogue because I enjoy Xie Yu Wang's acting.

What I liked:
1. First act - It was interesting to see both main characters trying to outwit each other.
2. 1920s - I enjoyed these scenes.
3. Xie Yu Wang - I liked his acting here.

What I disliked:
1. Plot - Convoluted and messy. I became disinterested halfway through the drama after too many twists.
2. Dubbing - XYW's voice was dubbed by another actor.
3. Styling - Horrible fitted clothes for SML. The oversized fit clothes with shoulder pads didn't suit his baby face and small frame. I must say the wedding dress was one of the ugliest I have seen in vertical dramas.
4. Antagonists - I disliked SML & FL's family.
5. Acting - Zhong Ya Ting gave a bland performance. I also didn't sense any chemistry between her and XYW.

Favourite scene
Opening

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Fan Xiao Dong excelled as a much older man in this "I Marry My Ex's Father" story

I enjoy dramas with "I Marry My Ex's Father" storyline so when this drama was released, I was excited to watch it. I had already watched two with the same plot before watching this drama so I was familiar with the story. I enjoyed this adaptation although there were certain flaws with the storyline.

What I liked:
1. Plot - Different from the versions with Huai Wen and Tao Si Yuan as MLs. The opening, the FL's genetics.
2. Big reveal - FL found out connection between ML and her ex 1 hour into drama unlike other adaptations, which took longer than 1 hour mark.
3. Romance - It was nice that they went on a date before she was kicked out of her childhood house. There were some nice kisses. I liked that he cooked for her.
4. Acting - Fan Xiao Dong was only 33 years old but the stylist managed to age him to look close to 40 (ML supposed to be 38 or 39 years old). The actor who played Fu Chen Yu was well cast too. Both actors played their roles very well.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's family was ungrateful & opportunist. FL's ex was petulant with his mother another opportunistic character.
2. ML's action - He have his ex allowance after divorce - that fact baffled me because if I was not mistaken, she cheated on ML. Why so nice?
3. Duration - At 2 hours 50 minutes, I found it to be too long.
4. DNA test - Surprised that ML matriarch did not do DNA test to verify granddaughter.
5. Endearment - I was annoyed that FL called ML "uncle" until the end of the drama.

Favourite scene
When FL confronted ML's ex-wife

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Mixed feelings about this systems drama with leads at the verge of divorce

I became an instant fangirl of Bai Xue Ru after watching her first drama collab with Zhang Yi Yang. For the past month or so, whenever I saw a new drama starring Bai Xue Ru I got intrigued. This drama is one of those moments. I had mixed feelings about this drama.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I liked FL for standing up to bullies. I also liked her for being firm with ML when she realised their relationship wasn't working - this was at the start of the drama.
2. Playful - I liked ML's coquettish behaviour.
3. Supporting characters - I liked Ning Ning.
4. Styling - Great outfits for FL & ML.
5. Kisses - There were good kisses. I could sense the desire pouring from them.
6. Acting - Great performances by Bai Xue Ru and the actress who played the main antagonist.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - Pathetic bitch. Wow she had systems to assist her schemes. Because of this advantage, I had mixed feelings about this story.
2. Romance - Lust was present but love? I doubted it because there wasn't any trust between them.
3. Loose ends - A lot of the actions by supporting characters were suspicious to me. I don't know if the camerawork was to be blamed or was I just overthinking those scenes?
4. Ending - Wow, antagonist was so stupid.

Favourite scene
When ML was drunk and behaved coquettishly.

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