The 2001 Taiwanese version of Meteor Garden is what got me hooked on Asian dramas, and I have watched the Japanese and Korean versions as well, so I have a lot of love (and nostalgia) for the story. This version has a promising fresh-faced cast with some changes to the story that I liked, but ultimately was way too repetitive and had some very questionable writing.

THE POSITIVE: This version places the characters in college, which I found much more believable (not that we're *really* going for believable in this drama). What I loved the most is the friendship between F4. In this version, I felt their friendship the most deeply, especially between Dao Ming Si and Lei. They had a bunch of really cute scenes, like that sleepover scene (hehe). I liked that each member of F4 had their own talents and interests, and each received their own storyline. (Never mind that I didn't care for Mei Zuo's storyline - he deserved better - and I hated the ending of Xi Men's storyline. Sorry, I was not on Team Xiao You in this version even though that was my favorite storyline in the Korean version. I never really felt moved by them in this version.)

THE NEGATIVE: First of all, Dao Ming Si's behavior in the beginning is pretty appalling. The delivery scene when he throws the food on her, and when he aggressively corners her are both SO extreme, and he never actually apologizes. I just can't overlook his behavior. Second, why the heck did Shan Cai forgive every single person who wronged her? Reconciling with Li Zhen I can accept, but those other two girls who almost caused her to freeze to death in a snowstorm??? The manipulative Xiao Zi??? Third, the back-and-forth with Dao Ming Si's mother was too drawn out. In this version, it just went on for too long and felt nonsensical. I wish that the London storyline was merged with the locked up in Shanghai storyline. And the tasering + Xiao Zi's fake kidnapping storyline???? Literally had no point???? And made no sense???? Basically once we got to London, the drama went truly downhill. Also, this was the most boring Shan Cai ever. Barbie Hsu was just so good.

THE RIDICULOUS: F4 are bridge champions in this version??? Excuse me? That started off the drama on a truly bizarre note. And, WTF @ Thomas reappearing and then turning out to be friends with the thieves. AND he is invited to the wedding at the end? No frickin' way. Speaking of the wedding, THAT ENTIRE WEDDING SEQUENCE WAS SO WEIRD I WAS PRAYING IT WAS A DREAM BUT IT WAS REAL??? His sister's dance????????? I literally cannot.

In conclusion, a lot of the most powerful, dramatic moments in the Taiwanese moments felt underwhelming in this version.

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Initially, I spotted Sm:)e on YouTube but ignored it because the thumbnail made it seem like a fantasy drama (and the styling of the title looks so dumb), when it is actually a modern day drama set in the acting/movie business. I found it immediately enjoyable. The male lead, Shu Han, is cute and endearing but also sad and lonely due to his fear of skin contact with other people. The female lead, Xiao Xing, is someone you want to root for because she refuses to give up on her dream. I was laughing out loud, and before I knew it I was already almost done with the drama! A lot of Chinese dramas really drag on unnecessarily, so this was a nice change.

There are a lot of new faces in this drama, and I liked the cast and all the characters (except for one). I especially liked An Ge, and was glad that they made him so reasonable and kind. The manager, Jiang Ye, was awesome and she really stole every scene she was in. Despite a case of "everyone falls in love with the female lead," it was pretty obvious from the beginning how the characters were going to end up being paired off, except for Xin Yuanling, who happens to be the only character I didn't care for. The drama just never made me care about his character, so I never felt torn or felt bad for him.

There were a number of moments in the drama that seemed illogical or unrealistic (for example, minor spoiler: when everyone goes off to eat in the middle of shooting and they leave her tied up?) but I could overlook it until around episode 19. The plot escalates quickly in a very messy, convoluted way, and the drama didn't adequately convey how certain events affected various characters. The rest of the drama was pretty underwhelming.

Overall, watching Sm:)e was very entertaining and enjoyable - just don't expect too much from it. And it's *only* 24 episodes!

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Seo Kang Joon's acting was the highlight of Are You Human Too? - his portrayal of two characters was distinct and emotional. I was so impressed.

I loved how thought-provoking Are You Human Too? I had so many conflicting thoughts throughout the drama about robots, AI, and humanity. My main issues were that the last few episodes disappointed me and there was a lot of wasted potential with several characters. Yeong Hoon was my favorite character, and I would have liked to see more of his relationship with Nam Shin. Ye Na had the potential to be different than the cliched obsessed-with-male-lead character. Even So Bong's character towards the end seemed a vast departure from her character in the beginning.

I confess, I was more interested in and loyal to human Nam Shin's storyline. I feel like his character had the potential for so much depth, and we saw a bit of it through flashbacks but he deserved so much more because all that he had to endure for 20 years. The final episode felt too rushed to me.

Also, I loved the OST song by VIXX.

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I recommend Legend of Yun Xi wholeheartedly for one major reason - I loved the main character, Yun Xi. Yun Xi is smart, brave, kind, and skilled with poisons. The strong female lead character that I've been waiting for! I thought the actress who played her, Ju Jing Yi, did a great job. However, I have what seems to be an unpopular opinion regarding the male lead actor. I thought Zhang Zhe Han's portrayal of Long Fei Ye was boring and wooden. For the most part, he might as well have been a cardboard cutout, and when he began to show some emotion it seemed inauthentic. I understand that his character is supposed to be cold and emotionless, but Zhang Zhe Yan's eyes looked lifeless! I was still rooting for the leads' romance, but solely because I loved Yun Xi.

The plot was fine until the last ~10 episodes where things became convoluted. I also admittedly skimmed through a lot of the emperor and harem parts, and some of the various princes' scenes, because clearly I was here for the romance. Aside from the lead couple, I enjoyed Ning Jing and Tang Li's storyline - maybe she was a little over-the-top at times but they were a funny and cute pair. I loved Xi Feng, because I can never resist a loyal right-hand man. I didn't care for Qi Shao either way, but I disliked him in the end when he tried to make Yun Xi's choice for her.

Speaking of the ending, I have to say that I prefer the epilogue episode 50 version of the ending. I find the actual ending too contrived. Still, overall I loved this drama and I couldn't stop watching it!

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tldr; first couple episodes are a little cringey, but then funny and enjoyable until the last third of the drama

If you're looking for a fun and sweet modern drama then Sweet Dreams is worth a shot. It starts off a little cringey and I had to skip through the dreams, but a few episodes in the dreams become more entertaining. This drama made me laugh out loud constantly. I like Deng Lun and Dilreba a lot individually, and I found them to be a good pairing and they both have a sweet/cute look that fit the drama perfectly. I absolutely loved Bao Ni and Chen Mo, the loyal friends. The breakout star in this drama was Chen Yi Long as Mo Nan (also, those cheekbones!!) and I hope to see him in more dramas and as the lead.

However, in terms of the plot, Sweet Dreams takes a turn for the worse from episode 33 onwards - the entire last third. It falls into a mess of cliches and repetitive storylines, and revelations that could have strengthened the plot felt poorly utilized. The final episode was especially disappointing, and I just can't understand why the writers chose to end it like that. There are two characters who ally together towards the end and I wish that would have happened sooner so their relationship could have been developed more.

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I liked the 2010 version of Summer's Desire and was looking forward to this remake, but I was sadly very disappointed. Although I liked Sophie Zhang (Xia Mo) and Qin Jun Jie (Ou Chen), Huang Sheng Chi (Luo Xi) seemed too young to play the present day character - and of course, just can't compare to Huang Xiao Ming so the odds were against him from the start.

Ou Chen and Luo Xi's actions were really problematic - manipulative, controlling, petty. It's difficult to say who was worse, but I couldn't root for either of them. I also frequently felt like I did not understand Xia Mo's feelings. I liked the addition of Simon and David (they were not in the 2010 version) as they helped humanize Ou Chen and provided comic relief, but Simon's storyline became too ridiculous in the latter half. There was a villainous character whose storyline was unnecessarily prolonged and then magically resolved at the end. Apologetically, I was not invested in Yin Cheng (the younger brother) or Zhen En (the best friend). The best character is hands down Pan Nan, who is both rational and loyal.

My other issue is with the storyline/writing. The last 5 episodes take such a rapid turn, it just felt too sudden and rushed. There were 36 episodes, plenty of time for things to develop at a pace that made sense! In comparison to the ending, the last few episodes just move way too quickly. There were also storylines that would be introduced and then forgotten or resolved inadequately.

The OST songs are still stuck in my head, but I just cannot recommend this drama. There's better out there.

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Initially, I made it through episode 9 before I abandoned this drama but later I decided to finish it. I've enjoyed Joe Chen's dramas in the past, but 2016's Stay With Me was one of the worst dramas I've ever watched (and I only watched the entire series because I love Wang Kai - but what was he thinking???). I found the personalities of the lead characters to be way too overwhelming, too loud if that makes sense. I also didn't want to watch the male lead Ding Ren Jian's life unravel.

Well, this month I couldn't find anything else I wanted to watch so I decided to give the series another try, and I decided to start at episode 14. I finished the series in 10 days and let me tell you why: Wang Yi Bo. I found his character Zhi Wei to be funny and endearing and despite how spoiled he initially is, he grows up a lot throughout the series and he treats An Qing Huan (Joe Chen) sincerely. I also really liked Gavin Xie as An Qing Huan's best friend. I always appreciate loyal friends in Chinese dramas because there's frequently so much scheming and backstabbing. The villainous character was played very well though.

Aside from Wang Yi Bo, what I liked is that the romance in this drama wasn't some love at first sight, destined to be together storyline. It felt realistic, developed over time, so even if I didn't like the characters I could appreciate their relationship. EXCEPT I hated Ding Ren Jian in the end. He was so inconsiderate and he didn't even realize it. It felt realistic and true to his character, but it was a pain to watch. Also, I did appreciate the drama's emphasis on working hard, not giving up, being brave enough to keep trying.

In conclusion: if you're bored or really like any of the cast members, give this a try. Be prepared to skip/skim. Would I recommend it to a friend? No. Was it the worst drama I've seen? No.

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Here's the thing... despite all the issues I had with Untouchable Lovers, I still could not stop watching it. I loved the main leads and I was rooting for them. There's a lot of scheming in this drama and a lot of surprises (maybe I was surprised because I didn't care enough about those storylines to wonder what would happen next), and overall I thought the cast was great.

Having read some reviews/recaps, I half-heartedly watched episodes 1-16. I find what happens in episode 16 very bizarre and I don't like how the story barely connects before and after what happens. There were some characters that I wanted to see more of and I was disappointed that some did not return. At times, I wished Chu Yu would be more understanding and less naive, but then again, that's why Rong Zhi falls in love with her so I guess I can't complain too much. I just didn't like that she seemed so powerless all the time - it was an endless cycle of her being set up by others. Aside from the main couple, I loved Shen Yu and Qing Yue. The scenes with Chu Yu and Qing Yue were so funny and endearing.

I generally love the theme of destiny in dramas, but it felt underwhelming in Untouchable Lovers. Tian Rujing could have had a more powerful purpose in the show, but his scenes towards the end felt unnecessary...

Lastly, I don't know if it was deliberate or not, but after episode 16 Song Wei Long (Rong Zhi) looked really thin... maybe partly due to the character being in poor health but it was very distracting.

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I watched this months ago so on one hand I don't remember too many specifics, but on the other hand, what you remember about a drama months later can really reflect how good or memorable it actually was. So here's what I remember liking:

1) Crude Play. I loved the fictional band in The Liar and His Lover. I loved their friendship and the storyline about their struggle with their company. I also liked their songs and listened to them on Spotify for weeks after the show. They're still on my playlist. (Also, Kim Sung Joo plays the lead singer, which led me to discover his kpop/cpop group UNIQ.)

2) Shi Hyun (the aforementioned Kim Sung Joo) and Soo Yeon's storyline is SO CUTE and I have rewatched their clips on YouTube before.

3) I recall liking Yoo Na's storyline a lot. It was very emotional and I thought Hong Seo Young did a great job.

4) Most disappointing was the leads and their relationship. So Rim (Joy's character) was kind of silly and foolish, and Han Kyeol (Lee Hyun Woo) was a dummy. And then you had to feel bad for poor Chan Yeong because he was totally talented and deserved a chance to succeed.

So I wouldn't say this drama is a waste of time - I would totally watch the Crude Play and Shi Hyun/Soo Yeon parts again.

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I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed While You Were Sleeping. I found the premise and storyline captivating - it really kept me guessing, and had me gasping at the end of each episode. I couldn't not click on "next episode" immediately. That's all I'll say about the storyline because I don't want to spoil anything. Perhaps certain elements started to feel repetitive towards the end, but overall, I found the story very well-crafted.

This is the first drama I've seen Lee Jong Suk in (well, I watched Secret Garden but I have no memory of his role in it) and I really liked his performance. His character was not what I expected - he was so goofy with his selfies! It was very endearing. As for Suzy, her character initially made me cringe a little but she grew on me. What I really enjoyed were all the supporting characters, Woo Tak, Jae Chan's brother, and especially Jae Chan's colleagues and their own storylines. There were so many beautiful moments there. Jae Chan and his brother had a lot of hilarious moments. There was a solid villainous character, and no love triangle.

I'm not sure that I'd rewatch (but then again, I RARELY rewatch anything, there's so many new shows to watch) but this is definitely be on my list of dramas I recommend. And I will be looking for another Lee Jong Suk drama to watch, sorry I've overlooked him for so long...

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Chinese dramas are so long and I frequently skip 15-20 episodes in the middle in order to make it to the end. I'm amazed that I watched every single episode of Love's Lies. I enjoyed the first ~26 episodes, and after that it felt like it dragged. There were too many plot holes and illogical actions.

The reason I watched this entire drama was Luo Jin, who plays the main character. I really like Luo Jin but I've never been interested in any of his dramas (the closest I got was The Princess Wei Young and I didn't like it). I thought he played his character really well and was very likable, and he had great chemistry with Pan Zhi Lin. I was 100% rooting for them. Despite many of Tan Dou Dou's reckless actions, I liked her character a lot as well. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind and she made her own choices. The college flashbacks were so cute.

I've already forgotten the music, so no memorable songs.

I would recommend this if you enjoy crime dramas or like the leads, or if you're going to skim through it.

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This is my favorite Chinese drama of all time, and I don't even usually like historical dramas. Political intrigue typically bores me. Dramas with 50+ episodes generally make me shudder. But I couldn't stop watching Nirvana in Fire. By the time I got to the 40th episode, I was dreading the fact that I was getting close to the end. I wanted this drama to never end.  The casting is STELLAR. Not just  Hu Ge, Wang Kai, and Liu Tao, but also Wu Lei, Chen Long,  Cheng Hao Feng, Guo Xiao Ran... There is betrayal and all kinds of plotting in this drama, but there is also humor and a hint of romance.  I've even watched this a second time.

The theme song and Liu Tao's  "Aging of a Beauty" are both spectacular songs.

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I absolutely adored Park Hyung Sik in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. He was hilarious, sweet, and heartwarming. Also, super stylish - I loved all his outfits. Park Bo Young was also great as the title character. I loved their interactions and would 100% rewatch their scenes. The rest of it... eh, I accepted it as the price to pay for all of Park Hyung Sik's cute moments. This drama is a strange mix of romantic comedy with a disturbing crime mystery storyline, but I actually didn't mind the crime part as it tied in with Do Bong Soon's power. It was the bizarre side plot with the gangsters that I really didn't care for.   Towards the end I skipped past those parts entirely.

I have no memory of the music so I just gave that a generic 5.0.

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I was really excited for Royal Sister Returns because I loved Ady An in Autumn's Concerto and  my preference is for modern dramas. Ady An and Zhu Yi Long are great as the leads for Royal Sister Returns - they're charming, funny, and have great chemistry.  I loved that her character was  determined and motivated in pursuit of her dreams. So why did I give this drama such a low rating? While it started out really enjoyable for the first ~14 episodes,   the story then took several infuriating turns. The villains were unbearable (I can't handle the spoiled brat characters that are so common in Chinese dramas), and the worst drama cliches were utilized. As if that wasn't enough, the final plotline was so absolutely ridiculous. Just thinking about it makes me angry  all over again. I do think of the main couple very fondly, and just try to pretend that the latter half of the drama never happened.

Regarding the music, I loved the song  Crazy Love sung by the lead Zhu Yi Long.

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