It felt like I was watching poorly-written fanfiction of season 1

Came into this season right after binging and loving season 1. I was shocked at how much I enjoyed season 1, but season 2 shocked me again with how much I /didn't/ like it. All the enjoyable things about season 1 was pretty much gone, and the only theme that carried over was the main couple's intense romance that everyone loves. I feel like they not only butchered Tan-er's character from a smart, capable heroine who solved the puzzles with her partner to stale paint in the background, but also Mo Yi Huai's character where they made him cannon fodder for the sake of the plot. Instead of the characters being pro-active in dealing with antagonistic schemes like season 1, they were passive and reactive. I dunno, season 2 lost a lot of its charm and I don't think I'll follow the couple's story into season 3 since it seems like the same thing, rinse and repeat.

PROS
❀ Romance, romance, romance | Just like season 1, at the core focus of this drama is the main couple Tan'er and Mo Lian Cheng. Even though one of Mo Lian Cheng's love rival is literally a past version of himself (seemingly in a different dimension), the main couple stays true to each other. The way they reconciled Mo Lian Cheng's different selves was... okay. I guess the only way they could have ended that plot point. I know some other viewers weren't a fan (based on YT comments LOL) but I thought it was fine. At that point in the story, I was speeding through and could care less.
❀ I liked the modern setting in the first couple of episodes | To be honest, it would have been refreshing to keep the story but in modern settings. But the writers said "nah" and decided to rehash all the characters and premises of season 1. Original, much??? (/s)
❀ Still love the supporting characters | Tan-er's maid, MLC's bodyguard, and his younger brother prince are my fave.

CONS - caution bc I be ranting in here
✕ The way they butchered Tan-er's character | In season 1, I love how she worked with Mo Liang Chen and even Qu Xiao Tan to figure out the antagonists' schemes and get back at them. She was smart, and even though she was a little obnoxious, at the end of the way she got things done. In this season, only the obnoxious part of her character carried through. She barely did anything in terms of plot (most of the action was Mo Liang Chen trying to get a happy ending for this dimension and his fam), and her plans usually backfired (with the exception of like, 1, towards the end lmao). She wasn't annoying, per se, but she wasn't helpful for anything outside of the main romance. It was really disappointing to see a smart (and kind of powerful, with the orb magic!) FL regress into the same ol' same ol' Chinese historical heroine that runs around doing nothing and having dudes fall in love with her for doing nothing.
✕ The way they butchered Mo Yi Huai's character | Loved his bittersweet character in season 1, but in this season he's crazy. His character is inconsistent (in one scene he's obsessed with and 'loves' Tan-er, in another scene he laughs at her trying to seduce him) (Granted, he knows she has something up her sleeve but still homeboy really acted like he hated her), his motives are dodgy, and in general he gets pulled like the wind in whatever direction the writers want him to take. I'm tired of Chinese drama writers making villains mentally ill/obsessive... it's not only lazy, but leaves a bad taste in my mouth. We in the 21st century, surely we can think up of better villains? Anyway, all his charm and pure love in season 1 gets thrown out the window and he regresses into the stereotypical obsessive/possessive villain who will do anything, at all costs, to get a woman. Sigh.
✕ From pro-active to reactive | Like I said, the scheming/court intrigue became frustrating in this one with the characters finding things out last minute and figuring out a way to fix things. The crux of the problem was Mo Liang Chen trying to save his older bro (who the writers must hate as a character bc they always be doing him dirty) and because of that, tries not to stir stuff up. Oh, but other people be stirring stuff up. So MLC's there to act as a janitor and sweep everything into rights... until he can't. And shit hits the fan. And now they have a BIGGER mess to clean up. And as a viewer I'm done and skipping scenes.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 4+/10 | I honestly don't remember since I finished this a couple weeks ago but definitely more than the first season. Mo Liang Chen has Tan-er in CIRCLES with him acting as himself, being himself but in an earlier time/different dimension, and acting as himself with a mask aka lookin like another dude. To be honest, I couldn't keep up with the actor switching roles and I don't think he did a good job. I had to constantly read the YT comments to figure out if it was the OG Mo Liang Chen or the new one. Comments be like "ohh he's colder as the new MLC and much sweeter as the OG one" and I was like "who???" bc they both be having the same ":|" expression. The FL was confused, I was confused as a viewer, and in general the execution was Very Messy (TM).

OVERALL
The Eternal Love lost its charm for me. I really don't understand why this season is some viewers' faves - maybe bc of the unnecessary angst that was created? Season 1 was fun and fresh, season 2 was the opposite. We got reuse, reduce, recycled characters/background, romance that felt cheapened (especially with Tan-er losing ALL her memories of season 1. Like she gains a little back but not the whole thing, it seemed like (although it was not clearly showed)), and heavily wasted potential on plot elements. I feel like I should have skipped this season and went directly to season 3. Nevertheless, I'll be taking a break on this series before moving on (if I do so at all).

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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Spunky, energetic barista x awkward, unsociable architect from high school to college

Youth drama at its finest! I love how this show stayed true to its warm, endearing tone from beginning to end. Every potential enemy turns into a friend. The main lead were childhood friends turned high school sweethearts turned college couple. Their best friends also have a similar progression. Everyone gets happy endings as they wrap up high school and everyone managed to pursue their dreams while staying together.
It's a feel-good, unrealistic yet heartwarming rendition of young adult years.

PROS
❀ Main leads are a team from beginning to end | I picked up this drama for the ML actually, despite not being the biggest fan of youth dramas, because I wanted to see how the show portrayed his social anxiety disorder. It was awesome to see him slowly open up with the help of the feisty FL (I love how they call her Rui Ge, like older bro), while he on the other hand helped the FL with her studies and getting into college. They're a team, through and through, and their bond remains tight throughout the show.
I've become a fan of the actress for the FL. I love how full of energy she is, how she would randomly dance, and how she was comfortable with grandiose actions. I feel like she really got into her role! The ML was like a little puppy, especially when he opened up. I don't think the role itself needed much from the actor, but his face was really good at exuding those puppy vibes.
Romance-wise, their chemistry is sweet and like the rosy blushes of first love; their relationship is innocent and naive. There's a lot of interrupted kisses (lol, maybe like 5+?), but the kisses near the end are sugary sweet and satisfying.
❀ Cute secondary characters that I really liked | The FL's best friends are loud-and-proud Cheng Er Luo and studious actress Zhao Yi Shu. While wary of the ML's unwillingness to open up at first, they gradually become friends and understand each other. Cheng Er Luo ends up calling the ML "Nan idol," lmao. There's a couple of other sweet couples (diligent diplomat Yang Yu Fei x bad boy/slacker Liu Bin; fierce coach x well-read coffee house owner) that light up the screen as well. And one of the wittiest characters of the cast was Chen Hao, the FL's younger half-brother. He was so cheeky!
❀ Nostalgic school moments that make you want to re-live teen years | From setting off fireworks during evening study period to cheering on your friend at basketball practice after school, Meeting You really encapsulates the best times of high school and college. Even studying for the college entrance exams is a team effort that, while stressful, remains light in tone.
❀ Sha-la-la-la OST that matched the light tone of the drama | It's a shame the YT audio has such poor quality (they would take away background music during scenes, I guess for copyright reasons?), which really killed the vibe. But I'm listening to the full OST as I write this review, and it's really cute! Makes me feel like a high schooler again.
❀ Awesome adult characters | From the supportive moms to the devoted teachers, all the adults passed the vibe check in this drama. Love, love, loved their limited screen time and interactions with the young group. 10/10 great role models.

CONS
✕ A relationship that toed the line with co-dependency | I was low-key surprised at some of the dialogue that happened between the leads. I mentioned before that it was nice seeing the FL bring the ML out of his shell while the ML helped tutor the FL, but when people (namely, parents) wanted to separate them, the answer was a firm, "no." FL might not get into this university suitable for the ML's future? ML's answer: "I'm not going." FL gets an opportunity to go to Italy to hone her coffee-making skills but that means leaving the ML? FL's answer: "I'm not leaving." If not for the coincidential plot points that allowed the main couple to stay together the entire drama, I shudder to think of how the couple would have sacrificed potential futures for each other. Not to say you can't, as this is a nuanced discussion that people have to have, but the drama never took the steps to start that conversation. It retained its singular focus of "we won't be split up again" from beginning to end. On one side, it's testimony of the main leads' devotion (very nice!). On the other, it toes the line of some head-scratching as you begin to think about potential co-dependency. The solution? Don't think too deep about it.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 0/10 for the main couple, 4/10 for second couple | Xia Rui and Nan Xi are solid from beginning to end. They trust each other even through rumors and other external interference. Cheng Er Luo and Zhao Yi Shu (the second couple) take a much longer time getting together. He's dense af, she's missing her opportunities to confess. Their relationship was sweet at first but got a bit overdone when they went to college.

OVERALL
While I have mostly positive things to say about this drama, it stays on the superficial side. This is a positive, as the tone is light-hearted and fluffy (no need for angst to enter the equation), but it also makes it a bit difficult to keep the engagement going. I found myself watching scenes in 1.5x-2x speed out of sheer impatience. So while the show didn't have too much depth, that's exactly how it should be enjoyed. I still recommend it though, for a youth drama that's more romance than coming-of-age, highlighting the fun times of young adulthood rather than the struggles.

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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If you like seeing the FL chase after her dream with support from the ML

This drama made me a huge fan of Eleanor Lee. Well, this one and Fake Princess. I love love loved her roles in both dramas and she really understands the assignment. Her acting is phenomenal, at such a young age, and I'm blessed to have been introduced to her (and she's talented in other stuff too!). The 2FL is also funny and fierce in this one, although her romantic storyline was a little tiring. Overall this is a cute and cozy watch with the usual illogical situations/misunderstandings of CDramas. I'm superrr impatient when it comes to misunderstandings, but I have to say the cute OTP moments are VERY worth it, as the leads have GREAT chemistry and are so cute together.

PROS
❀ Eleanor Lee's character (Nuan Nuan) is awesome and we get to see her go step-by-step towards her dream | Despite failing as an idol, I loved watching NN's journey in testing out different roles and settling into one that suited her. The different roles do become cyclic/repetitive at some point (enter new role, other colleague jealous of her, she manages to perform well, rinse, repeat), but tbh that's pretty satisfying to me. We love successful heroines chasing after their dreams!! Eleanor's acting range is so incredible and her character is pretty fun, too.
❀ Sha-la-la-la chemistry with the main leads | I think I read that the main leads are friends irl, and I buy it. I loved the chemistry between the main couple (hardworking, creative designer x genius, stone-faced visual director). I do think NN outshone Han Che, but he kept up as a supportive ML that wanted to do right by the FL. At first he's pretty unlikable but once he realizes his feelings for her (around ep 8 I believe), he becomes adorkable. And when they're together, they're fire!! His pouty faces are so cute and her antics with him make you want to laugh and smile. I think he does his fair share of groveling to make up for his mistake in the beginning by helping the FL throughout the series. Also great (and numerous) kissing scenes, bless.
I also liked how Han Che's emotion immaturity was partially explained by his hyperhymesia, which is the rare ability to remember everything in life with precision. The show explores its drawbacks, including physical ones like headaches and more mental ones like not knowing how to behave in social settings. BUTTT I wish the show utilized more of his psychiatrist!! Why bring those scenes in when he's not even going to open up to the psychiatrist? :') I feel like that was a bit of a lost opportunity as it could have explored mental health in a way I haven't seen in dramas.
❀ Great OST; very sweet and upbeat | There's a reprise that continues throughout different songs that I really like, but I think the original one is from The Best of Luck sung by Eleanor Lee herself (she's so talented... y'all I hopped on her train so fast LOL). It's a beautiful song, features a gorgeous melodic line, and I think the show did a wonderful job in bringing it into different tracks.
❀ Cute addition of a shared pet! And cohabitation *heart sign* | Got some great tropes mixed in, including a cat named hotpot and the leads acting cute while living together.
❀ Happy ending with basically 3 couples | The secondary couple talk about getting pregnant, the main couple is about to get married, and the evil couple are kinda getting it on (tbh idk/idc about them).

CONS
✕ Kinda useless evil ML (EML) and evil FL (EFL) | I disliked how the main couple and secondary couple remained friends with them until the end. Like yuh... homegirl acted up on yo mans AND betrayed y'all after 4 years of being trainees, and y'all gonna let her in on hotpot?? I skipped most of the scenes she was in. The EML was good-looking but had cardboard acting so I couldn't empathize with him. The end of the drama made it seem as if they be getting feelings for each other (they = EML + FML) but honestly I couldn't see it. Both actors were pretty wooden-faced throughout everything and the script didn't help.
✕ Secondary couple (fierce, emboldened ex-trainee x nerdy, helpful little brother) was a bit tiring | Their whole subplot was "I can't like him because I see him as a lil bro" and "why can't she see me as a man," thrown in with a (maybe) pregnancy. I feel like this subplot was written a bit immaturely and I found myself watching their scenes in 2x speed. Don't get me wrong, I was rooting for them and they were cute, but their antics were a lil 2much4me.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 7/10 | Other than the main misunderstanding, for the sake of the plot (where the ML hides his identity as the guy who helped the FL fail in becoming a star) there are small misunderstandings too. I remember two small ones instigated by the EFL, and in both times the supposedly smart (but emotionally stunted, I guess) ML jumped to conclusions. There's a break-up around ep 17 (confrontation of the big secret in the beginning) but the ML is chasing the FL all the way until they get back together in ep 20, and then other stuff due to the ML's wayward protectiveness happen too. Tbh the boundary between their relationship (i.e., "we're together" vs. "we've broken up") isn't really explicitly stated whenever they get together, but I guess it's the audience's assumption that they know the other's feeling of liking them. (If that makes sense. Lol, I promise the cute moments between the two are worth the slight ambiguity.)

OVERALL
I feel like 7.5/10 is such an ugly number, and feels low, but it's also just below a 4/5 which is not bad at all. I think this drama used one too many misunderstandings, BUTTT the main couple's chemistry and Nuan Nuan's character in general elevated the story and made me keep watching. If you're a fan of seeing the FL grow and find her dream through trials and tribulations, along with supportive side characters, you'll like this one!

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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Simple, sweet, and satisfying!

This drama is literally 4 hours long and as the length suggests, goes at an exceptional pace. There's a very limited set and some important scenes are left off screen so the viewers are left to surmise what happened via dialogue. Despite the low effort energy, the storyline was super sweet and if you're looking for a quick fix romance, this one's for you!

PROS
❀ Comedy overload | I swear... this show is funny and no one can argue that. From the second-in-command bandit dressing up as the FL's personal maid to the ML romantically catching the FL after she fell from the roof (and dropping her/injuring his arms in the process), this drama delivers on comedic value. The ML and FL's servants were HILARIOUS (especially the FL's... they really utilized the most out of that actor HAHA) and the added visual/audio effects kept the tone super light and fluffy.
❀ Cute romance | The pairing is mischievous, rough and tough female bandit who likes to cook x scholarly and gentle general's son. They make for a cute pair! The actors had great chemistry and I love their little moments in bed (where they're hugging each other). Also, FINALLY a drama with kissing scenes where the couple closes their eyes while making out. LMAO it always comes off as unnatural when couples keep their eyes open while kissing (as well as uncomfortable). The leads are quick to fall in love with each other and become supportive partners. Yay!
❀ Fun antics with the second couple | The second couple is the general's first son and his wife; both characters are fun/likable and go through minor growth along with our main leads. Seriously, the wife's confrontation with her husband was so satisfying to see and the husband's subsequent romantic deeds was great.

CONS
✕ Falling into tropes | Y'all I can't with the evil second female lead who can't take no for an answer trope... Anyway, this kinda woman shows up in this drama too to mar the story with bad acting (along with her maid, yikes) and dialogue. Not that it's a huge annoyance since you KNOW she won't get her way, but... lmao. Can't believe they added her.
✕ YT subtitles aren't the best | I'm grateful for the subs but they were a lil yikes... you could definitely see syntax/grammar errors and wrong pronouns.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 1/10 | Small ones happen but for like 10 minutes. I kid you not, at the breakneck pace this show goes, misunderstandings are NOT something to worry about.

OVERALL
Simple, sweet and satisfying love story between two leads with great chemistry. I'm a huge fan of the FL (the actress is so pretty!) and her straightforward attitude. Someone on YT commented that she's a mix of the FLs from General's Lady, Chef Hua, and Fake Princess, and I agree.

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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Adorkable couple + a fight for the throne = light-hearted romcom with court intrigue

Left me smiling and with all the warm fuzzies. I really loved the main couple's chemistry and dynamic (naughty bandit x righteous crown prince), as well as the OST. It's upbeat, cute, lively, and a perfection reflection of the drama.

PROS
❀ Well-casted with an actress I fell in love with | I ended up loving Eleanor Lee's depiction of the spunky, sometimes naughty but mostly well-intended Chang Le. She's a robber and proud to be one; the whole reason she gets embroiled in the crown prince's mess is because she's trying to save her village people. There's less face-slapping in court than I expected from the synopsis and the majority of the plot, when the couples aren't being cutesy with each other, is the fight for the throne between the fifth prince's faction and the crown prince's faction. A lot of old people doing machinations for the young generation, which was funny to see.
❀ Romantic storyline picked up quickly | For the main couple, it happens in the first 5 or so episodes even as the crown prince is mistrustful of CL. She smashes all expectations he has of her (or, Yu Yao, the girl she's pretending to be) in funny ways. For example, he takes her to a casino thinking she would be scared off by the gamblers but she ends up winning a lot of money for him and he ends up forgetting about his 'mission' because he has so much fun. Lol! The second romantic line between Nong Ying, CL's martial artist maid/bodyguard and Gong Sun Mo, Li Che's scholar and strategist, progresses a bit slower but also lovingly. Finally, the last couple of Li Heng (the fifth prince) and Zhu Yan was the typical stuff between two well-read scholars who fall in love through couplets and poetry. I didn't care at all for this couple (more details in CONS section).
❀ Can't say enough about the OST | I thought they did a wonderful job with the music additions, which added depth to scenes (whether it be comedic value, a sense of triumph/romance, or something else). Maybe because the music was very pop-like which appeals to me compared to sorrowful ballads (lmao), but I like several songs in the OST which is pretty rare for me.
❀ Why is the couple so adorkable??? | I loveddd the scenes where LC and CL are just being silly with each other and making kissy faces. All the feels!! I thought the actors had great chemistry together and they were the cutest couple. CL's adorable facial expressions made me cheer for her the whole show, and LC's boyish and charming personality was the perfect match. I know some people complained about wanting more from Li Che as the crown prince, but I personally liked how he wasn't a hypermasculine dude with no emotions. You could really feel the love and loyalty he had for his people. I think "boyish" is a better description than "immature" in his case.
❀ Foreign royalty that DOESN'T get between the couple | I feel like whenever foreign royalty (especially a princess) comes up, the writers are like "Yesss let's bring angst + drama through this poor soul who only has eyes for the ML." Nah, none of that happens here. The foreign princess Ali Ati remains sweet and level-headed throughout the story. We stan women who have self-respect.
❀ The name of the game is damsels NOT in distress | I loved the number of times we saw women characters save the day in this drama. They aren't too over-the-top with it but it's definitely a recurring theme, whether it's CL's mastery in picking locks/figuring out gadgets or NY with her top-notch martial art.
❀ Set costumes have STYLE | Seriously, why did the outfits for the guys (especially LC and LH's) look SO good??? I've been binging historical romcoms this past week and this drama's outfits for the princes are top game.

CONS
✕ The third couple y'all... | I literally have nothing to complain about this drama OTHER than the LH and ZY couple. I thought ZY was fine but basically a useless character the whole story. Like,,, she had no role except being the tragic partner of LH. And LH omg... at first I saw people hating on the couple and I was like "nah I'll give them a chance." WRONG. They spoiled the story for me. Everything is light and fluffy and then a scene with them comes up that's all tragic and shit (as they are on opposite factions in the fight for emperor). Compared to the other witty and fun couples, they are boring and I jumped on the bandwagon and skipped through their lame couplets and encounters. You really can't make excuses for LH's character who spirals because of his love for ZY and does ridiculous things. Throughout the story, he remains weak, indecisive (outside of stuff pertaining to ZY), easily manipulated, immature, and selfish. But even skipping this couple's scenes, you'll still be able to understand the storyline which made me feel better lol. I just don't understand why they got as much screen time as they did. Ooh the only saving grace - good music during their heartbreaking scenes.
✕ Misunderstanding levels | Between the main couple: 0/10. I can't think of a scene where a misunderstanding happened because LC and CL fall in love pretty quickly and are loyal to each other through the end. Even CL's hidden identity gets straightened out without a fallout. Between LC and the dimwit fifth prince: 10/10. Yes, it was for plot purposes, but it made me hate LH even more. What a dumbass.

OVERALL
Everything is perfect EXCEPT the storyline of the third main couple. I could care less for them and they ruined an otherwise wonderful story. With that said, it's still worth watching for the other two couples (especially Li Che and Chang Le... y'all they are so cute I cannot). Historical romcom lovers will like this one!

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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Cute, satisfying, HILARIOUS historical romcom with a quirky cast!

This drama was funny and refreshing - a lovely drama for me to get back into the scene after not watching Asian dramas for a while. It wasn't perfect, but it was the perfect historical romantic comedy - with a happy ending - for me to watch.

PROS
❀ Good acting from male and female leads | Especially the male lead... shEESh, his cheekbones. I enjoyed both the actors and the female lead's facial expressions are super cute and add to the comedic factor in the show. The male lead actor is great at acting cutesy as well while balancing a somewhat darker side.
❀ Goes against the grain of ancient historical settings | In QQ's script, the Huayuan city is a role reversal of ancient China where a matriarchal society exists. (There's this one scene where a woman is like, "Wow, look at how you can see that young man's ankles in public - shameless!!") This absolutely cracks me up and really added to comedic value.
❀ Super cute romance | It's a great balance between the sweet male lead, HS, and the plotting female lead, QQ. They had so many wonderful moments, and the actors did a great job.
❀ I loved the commentary about gender equality | QQ originally writes the script to be pro-female, but ends up discriminating against guys... being in her script, she recognizes that there is no equality when either gender lords over the other. Love the lessons learned!
❀ The bromances were wonderful omg | The servants of QQ and HS... LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. Their acting and dialogue were top notch and never failed to make me smile and laugh. They were definitely A+++ supporting characters - couldn't have asked for better sidekicks.
❀ Happy ending!! A little too short for my liking, hehe. They wrapped up the "fell into a script" plot tightly (so tight you can't ask questions, but we don't question drama plots right). Soundtrack was nice too (especially the intro music). This was also the perfect length for me at 24 episodes, which I appreciate because it's hard for me to get through 50+ ep dramas.

CONS
✕ The self-sacrificing look is not a great one... | Not gonna lie, QQ was annoying at times. She had good motive for her actions, but it was hard for me to empathize. Also I mentioned before the actress's depiction was super cute, but it got a lil stifling in some scenes. Anyway, I think this con is a reflection of the drama's need to have a plot than anything else.
✕ Dialogue wasn't perfect | There were some scenes, especially in the beginning, where I questioned the logic and motives of characters. It wasn't bad, per se, but surprising to see in a drama with otherwise okay writing. The lesson I learned, lol, was not to take anything too seriously.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 5/10 | I thought this was exacerbated by lazy script-writing but yeah, prep yourself for unnecessary misunderstandings for a couple of episodes in this drama.

OVERALL
I can see why this series is hyped, and I'm fully on board! Like I said, this wasn't perfect by all means, but it WAS a perfect historical romcom with a lovely cast and satisfying ending. Perfect for my tastes!

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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Female lead that I ended up falling out of love with...

I initially liked the first 2 ep as it featured a cold and cliche general, funny and outgoing female lead, and lovable side characters (there's side couples EVERYWHERE. At least 4 by the point I dropped the series). I love the romance-centric theme of General's Lady and how the leads fall in love quickly and have great screen time together. BUT. It got a bit boring for me so I decided to read recaps of the rest of the episodes - lol.
Satisfying/sweet ending, but I don't think it was worth it to watch the last 10 or so episodes (especially since I was watching it in 2x speed).

PROS
❀ Sweetly/sickingly romantic | Like I said, there are side couples everywhere lol, and the main couple gets together pretty quickly. (The FL confesses in the first couple of episodes and the ML follows after another couple of episodes. Out of 30 episodes, they are officially a couple with reciprocating feelings in the first 10 episodes.) I liked this deeply romantic plot and how their love was emphasized throughout the story. BUT. At what cost?? (More on that in the CONS section)
❀ Pretty set and outfits | The visuals were aesthetically pleasing.
❀ Satisfying face-slapping | As the drama takes place a bit in the FL's family home, there are some cunning concubines/sisters she has to deal with. I loveee reading about family feuds and seeing the FL overcome abusive households, which happens in this drama. BUT I also feel like the abusers were let off a bit too nicely.

CONS
✕ The trade-off between romance and misunderstandings... | Okay, the thing about the romance is that you have obstacles to overcome romantic conflict, right? There's way too many for me in this drama to continue watching. Most of the conflicts arise from miscommunication/misunderstandings, and after reading recaps of the next episodes I saw it continued down the line. No thank you from this watcher.
✕ Wasn't feeling the 2 leads | I already wrote off the ML in the beginning because he literally has no personality, lol, other than being a military general and loving his wife, but I was super disappointed in the FL. The actress herself was hilarious and, imo, did the role well (she wasn't annoying in the beginning despite her antics), but I got tired of those machinations after 10+ episodes. She's not the brightest bulb, but she's also not dumb. She's just... there. In the beginning, she was quick-witted despite not having many skills and straightforward. As the pair fall in love, she starts scheming behind her husband's back (very inconsequential but also annoying things) and basically not contributing to anything. The bulk of the face-slapping with her own family was initiated by the ML (her plan with the new concubine was a small redemption). She just gave off very classic shoujo anime main character energy. The ML's character is hard to work with already, but the actor's stone-cold face didn't help. His lack of emotions was almost comical, and this stayed true to the end (as I ended up skipping to see the last episode). I mean yeah, he smiled sometimes, but I kinda need more than a couple of smiles to make me like the character... lol. He definitely becomes a devoted general husband, don't get me wrong, but his face didn't match his actions.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 7/10 | There weren't big misunderstandings in the grand scheme of the couple's love but it's still present. Even though the misunderstandings were about small things they were cringey and I had to skip through them. Chinese dramas really love to make use of the "innocuous yet grating for the sake of angst" situation, and this one was no different.

OVERALL
In essence, I had high expectations for General's Lady after the comical first couple of episodes, paired with my favorite tropes. (Tropes being: cold ML/heartwarming FL, FL gets married off to 'demonic' general instead of another girl (Beauty and the Beast energy), FL comes from mean family (Cinderella energy), etc.) BUT I should have known better, because along with those tropes came 2010 drama energy, where the girl is 80% of the time in need of getting saved, and the romantic plotline obliterates most of the characters' common sense. Which is fine! But hun, this was aired in 2020 and at this point of my life I'm ready for better romcoms than what we've had for the past 10 years.

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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Halfway through, and not even the Duke's loving family can save this show for me

I came into this show knowing about the BIG misunderstanding (fake pregnancy) that the plot is contingent on. And that the FL is a liar, lol (see: name of drama). But after a super funny first 10 episodes, it got pretty tiring, pretty quick. At first I was a fan of the slow burn romance, but then there's a back-and-forth that goes on forever. While the actors individually are hilarious and sweet, I couldn't get into their relationship. Finally, I'm pretty much halfway through the drama and the plot (scheming bad guys/Lotus people, Song family relationship, familial relationship, etc) is going nowhere. I know I love my light-hearted romcom, but this one crawled at a meandering pace.

PROS
❀ FL is funny af | She's comedic gold and the actress did a great job in depicting the role. Her eidetic memory wasn't followed through on several times in the plot, but that's whatever. The FL is the epitome of naive and innocent, and her actions reflect that personality. Saying a lie to save herself was the best option at the time imo and she's quick to take action (even when the actions are silly).
❀ Wonderful families | Whether it's the duke's hearty laugh, the brothers' fun relationship (even while the second brother is second ML), or the adopted sisters of the art pavilion, this drama did an incredible job in depicting loving, supportive, loyal, hilarious families. The Duke was especially an easy to love character that made me smile!

CONS
✕ FL and ML both had faults that made it hard to root for them | For the FL, it was being too impulsive with her decisions that led to nonsensical things happening, and for the ML it was his inability to compromise. He basically coerces the FL to stay in the marriage with him after finding out about her lie (as a way to make up for it), even though the FL said she didn't want to. I guess you could call it "tough love" (because at this point he has feelings for her, he's just too shy to say it), but it didn't leave the FL with many options which was tough to see. I also saw a lot of ML saving FL moments, which I was just not in the mood for. The FL is hilarious and a tough cookie for sure, but I think her character's saving graces were underutilized.
✕ Too much girl on girl hate | In the first 10 episodes you see 3 different girls (NOT the FL) liking the ML. Like ---- why??? Lmao he's so cold. While the ML is depicted as a cold general, there's not much military stuff going on (compared to General's Lady) and his true personality is just stuffy, stuck up, and a stick in his ass. As he falls in love with the FL he opens up a bit but at the point where I dropped the drama, he hasn't confessed lmao, so I can't say any more about him. But I tolerated him despite his unlikable deeds because 1) the actor is quite handsome (yeh I'm superficial like that) and 2) the actING is done in a way where you find him endearing rather than tyrannical. So kudos to the actor lol. ANYWAY there's a childhood friend who's fighting for him (classic evil second FL), the Song family girl (naive/younger/immature girl), and the flashback of another girl who died, and also liked him. Like sheeeeesh give this dude a break. At one point it just kind of felt like a cat fight and I was over it.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 8/10 | I mean, this drama's main premise is literally BUILT on a misunderstanding, so be prepared when you start it. Other than that, there's the usual small things that happen but nothing too major for the couple, I think. The pregnancy scheme went on in the family for a while, even when the ML figures out the truth. I'm giving this a high misunderstanding score because of the inherent nature of the plot (the lie that just keeps spiraling), but it wasn't too annoying because at least it kept the story moving.

OVERALL
Yeahh... this one is light-hearted, but I'm not the watcher for it. The plot drags on the pregnancy plot (even when the FL confesses to the ML about it in ep 8, they keep the sham on for far too long imo) and nothing interesting was happening at the point where I stopped. I think this drama had good potential, but I wasn't sold on the romance and characters enough to keep going. Like in General's Lady, the FL gave shoujo anime MC-like energy and the drama itself felt like a 2010's kind of drama rather than something more,,, developed, when it comes to the FL and other female characters. Maybe give this one a watch for the hilarity and warm family, but that's pretty much it.

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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Human x Demon story but they get a happy ending

How many times do I have to watch about a snake demon and human go through turmoil just to get a sad/inconclusive ending?? (@ Legend of the White Snake smh) Anyway, Hanson and the Beast is a contemporary fantasy romance between a demon and a human with - YES - a happy ending and minimal angst. I knew I was off to a good start when the very first minutes of the movie was a narration from a child talking about their father and mother meeting. Bless!! It's cute, sweet, funny, and has all the classic feel-good Cdrama tropes mixed in. Definitely recommended for a light-hearted fantasy romance!

PROS
❀ Fun main cast | The ML is a debt-ridden zoo-keeper who's going on dates to marry for money, but his plans keep getting foiled due to our innocent (and very pretty!) FL getting in his way. She tries seducing him in the naive way that a fox demon who doesn't interact with humans much would do, and hijinks ensue. Both actors were quirky and energetic with their roles, lending a comical tone. It was also refreshing to see the FL use her powers to defend/protect the ML, lol.
❀ Fun storyline that follows the main couple's romance | While the main couple is falling in love, the antagonist is dead-set on drawing the line between humans and demons. This includes capturing the rare fox demon (our FL) and spreading false news that humans tortured her. It gives the opportunity of a role reversal, where the ML has to save the FL this time.
❀ Hilarious supporting cast and scenes | This movie was like an exciting roller coaster ride. I loved the cat demon childhood best friend (why was he so funny??) who supported the FL through and through, the antagonist vulture demon whose evilness was sometimes mocked at throughout the movie, and all the minor demons featured as well. For hilarious scenes, we got an amazing bed scene (or, the prelude to one) that was wayyy more comedic than I expected, the debt collectors accidentally getting involved with the demons, and this movie set scene where the actual demons are hiding within an army of actor demons. A++ entertainment.

CONS
✕ Rushed romance | FL has loved the ML since he saved her when she was a small fox, and ML falls in love with FL after she supports him as a "fan." I mean do I buy it? Yesss because it's a fantasy romance movie but am I giving it a lot of leeway? Yes as well.
✕ No resolution on the dad plot | Man, I expected more on the dad plot! I guess they were running our of time to fit a resolution for him in, lol.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 0/10 | FL reveals her demon self pretty early on upon meeting and the main couple work together to beat the baddies.

OVERALL
Y'all know how hard it is for me to find a romantic Chinese movie with a HE? Maybe I been looking at the wrong sites, but... most of the time it's either a youth movie or a sad/'realistic'/open ending. I'm happy to have found Handson and the Beast. It may be silly at times, but overall it's a heartwarming and fun watch about a man who's struggling to fit into human society and a fox demon who refuses the limitations of her society.

Note: I just found out that this screenwriter also has a drama with the same concept of an organization that deals with monsters/demons in the human world, called Bureau of Transformer. Going on my to-watch list!

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Beauty and the Beast but make it about fish people

Not gonna lie I kinda liked this movie...
I feel like fantastical romance movies with happy endings are few and far between when it comes to Chinese cinema. Although I don't know the tale this movie was inspired by in "Strange Tales of Liao Zhai" (there's like, tons of adaptations for the stories in there), to me it's straight up Beauty and the Beast. And personally, I could rewatch BatB retellings all day, any day, so of course this would be a hit for me.
Thank you Productive Procrastination for the subs!

PROS
❀ Fast-paced storytelling that manages to fit a lot | It felt like I watched an entire drama in these 2 hours. Obviously it's much harder to get onboard the romance and chemistry due to the inherent rushed nature of the plot, but it's the price you gotta pay for romance movies, lol.
❀ Low-key surprised at the CGI/visuals | I don't except much when it comes to CGI in Chinese films/dramas, but I was pleasantly surprised at the ones seen here. The fighting scenes were elaborate and fun, the romantic scenes/scenery were gorgeous (if fake), and the settings in general were very fantastical. I liked it!
Another note on the production value: It was way more intricate than I expected, including background instrumental music, which made it easy to get immersed in the story.
❀ Main couple was easy to cheer for | Their romance isn't deep, but typical to what you would find in a BatB retelling. The FL's acting was not too bad (she's so pretty!). I didn't like her character in Intense Love, but at least in this movie her character's actively trying to escape her fate and figure out the mysteries.
❀ Pretty OST | I'm a fan of the ballad song that comes up when the leads get together. It's called "The Song of the Sea in My Heart" and fits well with the dramatic tones of this movie.
❀ Happy ending!!! | With a nice, intense kiss scene in the middle of the movie too. Swoon!

CONS
✕ Cheesiness | It do be kinda cheesy at times. Also, there was so much happening in the last half that got me shook (a combo of the writing + acting + graphic effects). Not a bad shook! Like a "whoa, okay, that's happening" shook. Prepare yourself.
✕ Why did the ML have such an indifferent expression the whole time? | Mans took "brooding" to another level.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 0/10 | No misunderstandings happen outside the classical BatB storyline.

OVERALL
If you're looking for a quick fantasy romance, this movie delivers. It features all the components of Beauty and the Beast, gorgeous (but fake) backgrounds, low key well-done action scenes, and a happily ever after!

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Super fun mysteries + cute, romantic couples = light-hearted detective show

Woww, I loved this show so much! It does a great job in not adhering to tiring tropes such as evil second female lead, super nice second male lead, love triangles/unnecessary entangelements, etc. Watching this show made me feel at ease with how wonderful the main and secondary couples were, how well they worked together, and how much they loved each other. It was balanced with an intricate mystery that the characters worked to solve as they grew together.

PROS
❀ It had a couple of well-done tropes | Including hidden identities and revenge for family. Each mystery the team solved became a step towards solving the main villain's plans, which made for a solid storyline that I didn't get tired of.
❀ A+ teamwork | I don't have enough words to express how much I love the main team that comes together. We have a detective (FL), general/prince (ML), martial artist (my fave himbo), poisoner (wish we got a character arc for her), and chef (so cute). Perfectly balanced with a fun/friendly dynamic. I absolutely loved their camaraderie and antics.
❀ A+++ romance | Phew... I ADORED the romances. It was so nice to see how gentle, kind, and loving the male lead Pei Yan Zhi was. He first encounters the female lead Su Ci while she's investigating and is impressed with her... after that, their fates become intertwined. Su Ci is a dedicated detective who is observant and sharp-witted. Her keen eyes are a great complement to PYZ's sensitive hearing. She's pretending to be a man to figure out the truth behind the death of her Bai Liang clan in the past, which has to do with a sinister plot going on.
❀ Don't change the woman, change the society | The script had inspiring female leads that you really want to root for. I loved how once PYZ realizes SC is a woman, instead of trying to mold/change her into someone who conforms to society, he makes plans to change society itself so she can fit in. Wow,,, the dedication.
❀ Mystery plots were pretty well-done | While the detective work was pretty superficial (conjectures based on observations and such), I like how they were all related to the bigger plan going on. The villain wasn't the most developed, but he made for a satisfactory antagonist to beat. There was also surprisingly good fighting choreo too!
❀ Aww @ the brother relationship | I liked how the kid emperor was good bros with PYZ rather than wary of him for wanting to take the throne. The whole time, PYZ is loyal to the emperor without need for any rewards and in general tries to stay away from court politics. We stan a humble and smart male lead.
❀ Another bullet point for the romance that made me gush | When the leads get together, I love how physically close they were and how well they worked together to solve crime. Also, A+++++ kiss scenes. There's not a lot, but a couple of them were quite swoonworthy.
❀ Happy ending that makes you want more | The ending is definitely satisfying but I would have loved some extra episodes of the characters doing more detective work. Their teamwork is just impeccable!!

CONS
✕ Misunderstanding level: 3/10 | There's a (kind of) necessary misunderstanding that lasts for literally an episode. It's a grave misunderstanding for sure that was caused by the FL's momentary emotional response, and it gets resolved super quickly. No misunderstandings just for the sake of screentime.

OVERALL
While this drama was more romance-centric than mystery-solving, I liked it exactly like that. The characters' antics always made me laugh and the female leads had a subtle, quiet strength that was really attractive. This is best for a light watch where you can gush at the characters and their romances with detective work in the background.

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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Cute if you’re a fan of love triangles

I feel like the ML is pretty easy to spot from the get-go but there’s a good balance of chemistry with both MLs (also not someone in the comments saying the guys should have gotten together - LOL!). I tried this one out because I’m a huge fan of romcom historical dramas, and the FL looked pretty strong, but I don’t think I could get past the love triangle.

To be honest I watched the first two episodes and last episode, and felt like I didn’t miss much. It’s very much a light-hearted watch with a quirky heroine and guys who are attracted to how ~different~ she is heehee. And ofc the ML be doting on her and whippeddd.

Other notes:
- Weird editing cuts that made me go huh??
- The MLs are gorgeous so you get some delicious eye candy (I feel like the FL is more on the cuter side)
- The opening gave so much of the story away I was like “yup,,, that’s it for me”
- I like how the FL can (kinda) fight but she be pulling one of those “I’m so independent imma (unintentionally) cause more drama” plot points
- I’m not watching hours of a drama to watch a girl choose between two guys,,, it’s 2022 y’all. Maybe she should have ended with both of them ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Silly lil drama that made me MAD

I came in thinking this would be a cute, sweet historical setting love story but ended up wasting my entire evening trying to find redeeming factors to keep going. It's 2 AM and I just watched the last episode to see how it ends (happy ending!) but I've decided not to waste more time on this.

- RANT SECTION -
I am INFURIATED. This is also probably because I started this after finishing two historical Chinese romcoms where the male leads were SO lovely and lovING, but the male lead of this drama is a B-R-A-T. I know he's young, and supposed to grow/mature, but I'm sick of seeing him treat the female lead, who is by all accounts very lovable and sweet, like TRASH. In the span of a couple of episodes, he uses her unwavering love for him (as she believes he is her childhood sweetheart at this time) to frame her as an arsonist, a thief, and worse. He pretends to befriend her but tries to get her off his back the first chance he gets so he can run away to play (in the brothel, casino, or whatever). He yells at her in public, embarrasses her, patronizes her, lies to her, and talks down to her. Just writing this makes me recognize how verbally abusive he was in only the first 6 episodes. This ain't hate-to-love y'all, this just straight up disrespect. And it wasn't funny to me.

At this point of the drama, they're not a couple, but they're "married" because of the female lead's antics. Even so, the male lead has no respect for her as a human being and demeans her (while sometimes acting like he cares in a tsundere way... NOT cute for me anymore). She, on the other hand, is still unwaveringly supportive due to her (misplaced, imo) trust in him.

Some of the reviews I read had reallyyyy high tolerance for him and brushed it aside as bullying, and that he gets better/more devoted to her. This watcher does NOT have time for that. I choose romcoms because they make me happy, and I love watching couples grow to respect and admire each other. I don't care, at this point, if the male lead does that in this drama. It's too late. When I'm a quarter into a drama, I want to start seeing RESULTS. Ooh y'all, I haven't watched dramas in a hot minute but I did NOT come back to watch a show filmed in 2020 to watch the innocent and sweet female lead get yelled at, smacked in the head, and called names by the male lead. I can't even begin to think of the ways he would have to grovel to make me like him...

Also - weird that the show had a couple of bare-chested scenes with the male lead actor. It wasn't... necessary and showed his (lack of) assets. So, um. Bleeding into my dislike of the male lead in general is his voice going super low (although it was also funny to hear). In serious situations, he would be yelling in a low voice but mannn did it sound forced/fake. Maybe that's just the dubbing. By all accounts, his acting was aight (how hard is it to act mean to a woman?).
- END RANT-

I think if you're okay with the complaints I had above, you'll be fine with this show. Personally, I have a low tolerance for characters that treat their significant others like ----.

I read spoilers for the actual plot and it seems fun and interesting. I really like the female lead, despite her naivety and cluelessness (which is low key charming, haha). She's very smart when it comes to autopsies and although I didn't see her conduct an investigation because I stopped watching right when she was about to, I read that she figures out a lot of things and is intelligent. I LOVE the male lead's father character (he's super goofy, with a big red nose and jovial face. Wonderfully casted!) and the second lead couple looked nice as well. I also read (sadly, after I started) that this was more COM than ROM, which is fine, but it's not fine when the male lead is pushing the female lead away and tells everyone she's his servant girl while we're 25% through with the drama.

A happy ending is nice, but this intro was RUINED for me by the male lead. Even if he is redeemable later on, I don't think any amount of groveling could make it okay in my books. I think it's okay that the female lead is forgiving, since that's her character, but I was VERY upset FOR her and I couldn't stomach past the first quarter of the drama. I'm super disappointed, as the jokes were cute and the drama itself seems light-hearted, but when I watch a drama, I need respect from both characters to really believe in their love.

(Note: All the ratings are set to a 5.0 default since I didn't finish the drama, except the music which I enjoyed. Thus, I do not take them into account when calculating overall score.)

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Predictable storyline saved by exemplary production value and acting

Truly on-the-edge of your seat production. While it's not difficult to predict what'll happen in Squid Game, it's the journey that makes this show such an enjoyable watch. The games themselves are suspensful and keep your eyes glued to the screen; the characters are well-done and three-dimensional. Personally I didn't see too much philosophy and discourse on the social gap that the games address (on-screen), but like another review I've read online say, you can engage in this show in whatever level you're comfortable with, whether as a superficial battle-to-the-death or a more in-depth analysis on the social state of society.

PROS
❀ Action was well done, cinematography was on point, and in general the production was top notch | I think this is the highlight of what makes or breaks a familiar storyline that hinges on emotion and action. The camera work allows the characters' faces (and subsequently, emotions) to shine, and the sets and costumes are attention-grabbing. I'm especially a fan of the green tracksuits vs. pink solider outfits, as well as the stairs that model Escher's relativity.
❀ Cool easter eggs that keep you guessing | I love that the writer/director (I believe the same person) added little hints throughout the episodes that watchers can latch onto. It keeps us engaged despite using predictable plotlines as we keep watching to find out if those hints we found had a basis. (The feeling of victory when you had the correct guesses>>>)
❀ Characters... wow | I think the acting took the cake in this drama. I like that we see both familiar faces (like the cameo from the crowd popular Gong Yoo as well as Lee Jung Jae as the MC), as well as rising stars (Jung Ho Yeon that became a fan favorite as well as Anupam Tripathi - a win for South Asian casting in S. Korea). It felt like each player gave it their all and you really end up cheering for them. Personally I liked every player - even the underhanded ones like No. 101 and 218. Each of them are on the spectrum of morally gray whether it's their background, personality, or both that galvanized them to join the squid games. I also enjoyed No. 456's journey from ep 1 to 9; he does have a little of that protagonist glow/armor going on towards the latter episodes (as well as the mentality of a shounen anime MC), but I like that it gives a bit of light to an otherwise rather morose and dark show. The hopeful note the show ends on (as well as the hint of another season) can only be met by such a character.
❀ Music that fits the scenes SO well | I'm in love with the soundtrack. Even as I'm typing this, I'm listening to dubstep remixes of the Pink Soldier theme. The OSTs are paired perfectly with the eerie roboticism of the workers, secret motives of the players, and mysterious powers of the frontman. This ties in, again, with the excellent production and attention to details that the cast and production team focused on.
❀ Tight writing that doesn't drag despite being more character-focused | I think the writer did an excellent job in keeping Squid Game concise yet emotional. We go through character backgrounds, but those scenes are a help rather than a hindrance to the story as we begin to empathize with them. For characters that got less screen time (ex: the player with the nose ring), their acting/actions were more than enough to make them grow on you. Anything more would have lessened my engagement.

CONS
✕ The plot is a lil been there, done that | When it comes to human psychology and the huge wealth gap, the show doesn't offer too much to the conversation. (Interesting exception: pointing out the injustices of foreign workers in S. Korea, which is a topic I've never seen in media before.) Otherwise, like I mentioned in the title of this review, the messages aren't shocking or revolutionary. No. 456 goes down a familiar path that well-liked MCs have gone through before while sustaining his humanity and a (generally) positive outlook on society.

OVERALL
Not going to lie, I was sweating buckets while watching some of the episodes. Squid Games is suspensful, well-produced, and features a diverse cast of characters that'll grip you from start to finish. One of the best parts is that season 1 is relatively short (9 1-hour episodes) and once you start, you won't want to stop. (It took me 2 weeks to even start after prodding from friends and family, and after the games started I was all in.) Recommended for a thrilling watch with a little gore, a lot of death, and the characters that really make the show shine.

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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Thought it would be my type but turns out it wasn't

Maybe I'll get back to it one day? But for now... nah. I'm good.
[Be careful of spoilers below]

PROS
❀ The first episodes definitely drew me in... | I was looking for a romantic cdrama that wasn't pure fluff, and Fairyland Lovers caught my eye. I'm a big fan of stories within stories, which this show has. Inside the overarching plotline between the main leads, we also have sub-stories of spirits that the spirit doctor heals. This lends it an anthology-like feeling, which I'm really into. While I only watched up to the stories of the first two spirits, they had bittersweet backgrounds and nicely done resolutions.
❀ Acting and OST were pretty good | I have no complaints on this end. I haven't seen these actors before but I think they all did their jobs well. And yet, something just didn't click with me...

CONS
✕ This is the first cdrama I've seen where the ML has facial hair | And I'm not a fan. The actor looked great - really! Kind of a rugged energy, paired with the dashing, kdrama combo of long coat + turtleneck. But I'm not sure the facial hair was necessary, because you would think a being who's been alive for hundreds of years would want to look more... polished, I guess? Instead of the facial hair making him look 'immortal,' it just made him look older. Which, again, is fine! BUT in contrast to the FL?? Well.
Visually, the main leads' wardrobe and mannerisms make this drama look like an age gap romance between a schoolgirl and a businessman. (I guess technically it is, since the ML is older.)
✕ But the FL wasn't a schoolgirl? | She wasn't! However, she sure acted like one. In the beginning, I was impressed by her emboldened attitude. She was brash and mouthed off about being the 26th descendant of some martial arts technique or whatnot. Fun! All too quickly, she loses some of that luster and shine. Every other episode, she gets saved by the ML (is there a need??? Once or twice is alright, but I can only stand oh-so-many 'fall into ML's arms scenes. PLS . Even the second couple gets such a scene.) Her outfits consist of exceptionally baggy clothes and overalls. Pair that with unkempt hair that's sometimes in braids, and the FL gave off VERY young vibes. She acts like how she dresses, too. I remember getting irritated when I saw her beg the ML to help heal the spirit in the second sub-story. And as someone who has a pretty low tolerance for imbalanced relationships, it irked me to see the ML basically renovate/re-model her entire living space and buy her dad's IOUs. I commend her for trying to live off of being an actress/artist, but her hard work gets tossed away once the super rich ML waltzes in. OH and the fighting - why does the FL get a couple of kicking scenes (lots of waving her hands around and appearing intimidating rather than instigating action) while the male leads get kung-fu fight scenes? It hurt me to see a FL start off so strong and quickly veer off the originally written path so quickly into the drama.
✕ Yeah so I read recaps of the later episodes and it basically becomes a makjang | Spare me from the multiple personalities, amnesia plots, kidnapping plots, "let me leave you for your own sake" scenes, and more. ✕
✕ Misunderstanding level: 0/10 | Where I stopped (ep 7/35), no misunderstandings happened. The ML just figured out the FL was his past lover.

OVERALL
This drama wasn't what I expected at all, and not in a positive way. Maybe if they toned it back with the main plotline and instead focused on creating more detailed and complex sub-stories, I would have enjoyed it more. (And if the FL was a little more mature/acted her age, I would have continued watching.) As it stands, I'm left scratching my head because this show tried to do so much: have a love that spans through time, while following another couple, while saving the world, while having smaller stories about spirits, etc. I think I'm leaving this a 3/5 because it has potential, but at the end of the day this story is just not my type despite a promising beginning.

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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