More Political than I anticipated - It's tough be be born into the royal family

I have resisted watching “Goodbye My Princess” for the longest time because I’ve heard how sad and angsty it is. Due to a watch challenge, I am finally watching this classic. I have previously watched clips of the drama and have definitely adjusted my expectations. I believe due to a combination of a few factors: 1) I watch this in 2024 and not 2019, 2) I’ve adjusted my expectations, 3) I’ve seen clips of the drama, 4) I am somewhat of a C-drama veteran, “Goodbye My Princess” did not hit me hard emotionally. I was moved at certain points of the drama, mainly due to the passing of a supporting character and not due to our leads’ story. Nevertheless, I had an enjoyable time.

Main Romance:
My main criticism of this supposedly heartbreaking romance is the lack of screen time of Li Cheng Yin (ML) and Xiao Feng (FL) together in the long middle part of the drama. The palace politics took up a very large portion of the plot, and the lack of happy and fun times did not give me a solid foundation of the continuation of their romance. Without the contrast of super happy times, the sad times just didn’t give me a big gut punch, one that I was expecting and have heard so much about. The beginning of their romance is lovely though. ML and FL look so innocent and happy together. They really do have great chemistry.

Other Romances:
No one is happy in the romance department. This drama is full of one-sided loves that really do break your heart. I almost had second lead syndrome. But I think a big part is because Shawn Wei plays such a beautiful/handsome Gu Jian. Gu Jian as a character is quite common in the C-drama 2ML world, but Shawn has such expressive eyes. One look and he conveys the unspoken and subtle emotions so well. I was quite attracted to his role as Gu Jian, well, up to the part where he started to lie to FL again. Zhao Se Se is another pitiful character. Her love for ML saddens me but I’m glad she’s not the typical evil 2FL. For the most part, her actions stem from her love for ML and jealousy towards FL.

Plot:
Before I watched the drama, I was under the impression that romance is the main plot. After the initial 10 or so episodes, the drama took us to the capital, and I realized I was wrong. The central plot is about palace politics - fighting for the crown/power, harem cat fights, wars/battles, government officials scheming and plotting against each other. Romance is actually a subplot. It’s my fault that I was expecting something different.

Acting:
Great acting all around. I’m quite impressed with Peng Xiao Ran and Chen Xing Xu. This is their first drama as the main leads and they did a great job. PXR is especially great as the innocent but not naive, happy-go-lucky princess. Her emotional and crying scenes do break my heart. She is such a beautiful actress. CXX did pretty well too but might have overact just a little in the earlier episodes. I’ve already praised Shawn Wei’s emotive eyes. This drama has a solid young supporting cast and a very impressive veteran cast.

Production:
I love all the costumes in this drama. All the women look beautiful with elaborate and layered, good quality-looking costumes and hair accessories. Actually, some of the costumes seem quite sexy and revealing for a historical drama. The men look handsome and dashing. There’s a white outfit that Gu Jian wore that I really like. It was layered and fashionable for a costume drama martial artist. The different sets look nice with beautiful cinematography in the desert. I would have liked to see the use of natural lighting in some of the indoor scenes and not big bright lights. There are a couple OK fight scenes, but for the most part, they are not very good. The songs from the OST sound fine to me, but nothing stands out and I like enough to add to my Spotify playlist.


Overall, I had a great time watching this. If you are a veteran C-historical drama watcher, you might not find this as heartbreaking. I think I was hurt more badly when watching “One and Only”. This is a beautiful drama with interesting leads and supporting characters. This version has 55 episodes and it doesn’t feel too long and draggy.



Other Random Observations:
1. I do not like the dubbed voices for Xiao Feng and A Du at all. I find Xiao Feng’s innocent and happy-go-lucky voice a little annoying. A Du’s voice sounds too young and naive when she’s such a tough character.
2. Peng Xiao Ran is BEAUTIFUL!!!
3. I like Chen Xing Xu with his hair down as Gu Xiao Wu more than his look as the prince.
4. I don’t hate Li Cheng Yin (ML) at all. I found his actions understandable given his identity and what he has to do. I pity him.
5. Thank goodness for no annoying character.


Completed: 5/20/2024 - Review #440

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An Average drama with a focus on Friendship, Adventure and Growth (not romance).

Heard some good things about this Sword and Fairy 4, compared to the Xu Kai version. This drama has a strong focus on different types of relationships through the adventures of the leads. I think this is a pretty decent drama with average acting, average production value and average quality. Nothing stands out that I love big time, nor anything that annoys the heck out of me.


Friendships/Relationships
The friendship and strong bond between the 4 main characters, Yun Tian He (ML), Han Ling Sha (FL), Murong Zi Ying (2ML) and Liu Meng Li (2FL) is the focus and the strength of the drama. It’s lovely to watch a period drama where these friends genuinely care and like each other from beginning to the end. It’s a relief to see no backstabbing 2FL or psychotic 2ML. The characters are very likable and they support and trust each other. Aside from the main four, I really enjoy the friendship between Yuan Tian He and Xuan Xiao. It’s a complicated friendship/brotherhood, but is also very interesting. I always look forward to their scenes together. I also want more scenes between adult ML and his father, played by the handsome and sexy Baron Chen.

Adventure/Plot
A very simple plot for a xianxia drama and not too complicated to follow. The drama is well-paced, but also feels like there are certain storylines could have been explored more. You always have the supposedly good sect versus the supposedly bad sect. If you watch enough xianxias, you know the good people are always the bad ones.


Romance
If you are not a big fan of romance but a big fan of adventure and friendship, then this is the perfect drama for you. The romance storylines are kept to a minimum. In fact, I am quite dissatisfied. I enjoy the banter and fun relationship between ML and FL in the early episodes. I like how it’s not love-at-first sight, but a slow growing affection for each other and a realization of feelings. However, there aren’t that many romantic, emotional, and heartfelt moments between the leads. They do get hurt and try to save each other MANY times throughout the drama. But I miss some of the more quiet and deep moments. Instead, it seems like FL and 2ML actually have more one-to-one heartfelt conversations. The chemistry is OK and the leads look good together. I also wanted more flashbacks of the romance between ML’s parents and Xuan Xiao.

Acting
Overall the acting of the four main leads are OK. I thought I might get more annoyed by Ju Jing Yi but she ended up being fine. I haven’t seen Mao Zi Jun in a while and I miss him. However, his acting isn’t as good as I remember him in “Killer and Healer” or “Marvelous Women”. Chen Zhe Yuan with the main role meets my expectations. He reminded me a little of his character in “Handsome Siblings” but in this drama, he definitely did better with the more emotional scenes. Mao Xiao Hui did fine as well as the 2FL. My favorite character is Wang Duo’s double role as Xuan Xiao/Xuan Ying. I love gray characters and playing two characters allows him to flex his acting chops. I remember really liking him in “Bloody Romance” where he played another gray character. I love his styling in the later episodes. But honestly, the scene stealer is the veteran actress Wang Yuan Ke as the leader of the Sect.

Production Value
If I have to say one thing I really dislike about this drama, is the dubbing. All of the actors' voices are dubbed and they pick the most annoying voices for the two female leads. The guy who dubbed Xuan Xiao always seems to be whispering instead of speaking at a normal volume. The dubbing is very disappointing to me. The CGI of the fight scenes and the monsters are OK. They are not horrible and not bad. The fight choreography is not praise-worthy. In fact, I find the fight scenes quite flimsy as if the actors are not using much strength when fighting and just mindlessly swing their swords. Costumes, hair, makeup, sets and props are of inconsistent quality. Some beautiful and nice-looking ones and then a few episodes later, they look like cheap quality.


If you read my review all the way to this part, you will not be surprised to see that I am summing this up as… a very average and OK drama. I would not recommend this if you are looking for romance (cute, fluffy, or angst). But if you want a simple adventure with a group of great friends and likable characters, then this can be an easy watch. Even the ‘evil’ characters are not that bad. However, if you have limited time, then this is not a xianxia I would waste my time on.


Completed: 3/8/2024 - Review #414

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A Sweet & Fluffy Romance but Not a good Sports Romance Drama

Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25

If you want a fluffy romance, then you are at the right place. The romance between Lin Yi Yang (ML) and Yin Guo (FL) is the central plot, and everything else is to support their romance. They have excellent chemistry together. If you are looking for a sports drama, you will be bored in the ⅔ of the drama, but a little more delighted in the last third.


Main Romance
I am personally not a big fan of love-at-first sight, and it’s even harder to believe it happens to Lin Yi Yang, a guy who is too busy to think about love. But nevertheless, it happens to him in the most unrealistic way, and the rest is history. ML is the perfect boyfriend - smart, caring, considerate, loyal, only has eyes for FL and ignore all suitors, and most importantly, loving through actions and not sweet-talking. Luckily(?), he’s not as perfect as the ML in “Love Me, Love My Voice” (LMLMV). He actually has a personality and flaws, which makes the romance a little more interesting. There are plenty of loving and longing gazes, and Leo Wu can melt anyone with his eyes. The romance is cute and fluffy, and really does make me smile. However, after about 15 episodes of nothing but sweet romance, I got a little bored. There are a few episodes that were soooo slow and draggy that I wish FL would just go back to China already. They really only knew each other for a very short period of time, and they fell fast and hard. A week of dating and you’re already telling each other how much money/assets you own? There are quite a few of OK kisses, definitely not as extended or passionate as in LMLMV, which is a little disappointing. What’s more disappointing is FL constantly blocking ML’s kisses and rejecting him. Some say ML is a little horny. But I’d say you have limited time together and you see each other once a week, of course he wants to kiss and hold his girlfriend as often as possible before they are separated. The constant rejection becomes rather annoying and repetitive. I’d rather FL kisses back shyly than turning her head away. Having said that, this is a lovely romance from start to finish. They met as shy young adults, and grow to support each other unconditionally. I love how FL expresses to ML that she would be behind him 100% and be his safety net.

Other Romance
Well, basically non-existent. There’s plenty of time to shower us with more scenes of the smoking hot Wang Xing Yue/Meng Xiao Dong and his romance with Lin Lin. They obviously had a very interesting past and I’d like to see a more smitten Meng Xiao Dong. I want to see how they could break up 3 times, yet still are very attracted to each other. What a lost opportunity! If the drama has spent less time in the first half of the drama on a super slow-paced romance, there will be time left in the second half for this romance, and other more interesting plot.

Snooker/Billiard
Watching this drama reminded me of watching my dad play snooker at the snooker hall when I was little. And this is one of the reasons I want to watch this drama. Rarely do we see this profession being spotlighted in a drama, let alone an idol drama. I enjoyed all the competitions and friendly battles. The drama does not really describe the sport, so if you know nothing about snooker/billiard, you might be bored. There’s a lot of strategies involved in the sport, but this drama is not trying to educate the public. The camaraderie of the players reminded me also of e-sports. You can be friends off the court, but respectful competitors on the court. In the end, China just can’t shy away from this national pride, and the writers have to insert international competitions into this drama. I actually would have liked to see how Lin Yi Yang transforms and modernizes the club. I want to see the process and the result of his new ideas, but that plot is short-changed.

Healing
Before I watched this drama, I read that viewers dislike ML moving back to China for FL and giving up his original plan. I disagree with that. ML did not give up his dreams. Instead, FL is the catalyst and the push that he needed to really pursue his dreams. He longs to go back to China and correct what he’s done. He longs to go back home. He wants to see his Teacher again. Meeting FL and seeing how passionate she is about the world he left behind, is the best thing that could have happened to him. The second half of the drama focuses on ML’s journey home and to reconnect with those that he left behind. It was really touching when ML and his teacher reconnected.

Brotherhood/History
There aren’t enough scenes of the 3 brothers in this drama. As much as I love romance, I really wish there’s more time spent on the past and present friends/brothers/frenemies between Lin Yi Yang, Meng Xiao Dong and Jiang Yang. The three men have so much chemistry together and are so fun to watch their sarcastic comments to each other. I also wanted to know how ML lived his life from when he retired from age 16 to 27.

Acting/Supporting Cast
I enjoy everyone’s acting, especially our leads, Leo Wu and Zhao Jin Mai. Leo can play a lovesick puppy so well. I don’t think anyone can be immune to his gazes to FL. He has some very emotional scenes when he speaks with his eyes, as Lin Y Yang is a man of few words. Leo did a pretty good job. Zhao Jin Mai/Yin Guo appeared quite mature when she was first introduced. But as she started dating, her youth shows and she acts a lot younger than ML. However, once she’s in competition-mode, you can see the calm maturity and fierceness in Zhao Jin Mai’s eyes. The rest of the younger cast did a fairly good job. Of course, the veterans are great, e.g. FL’s mother and ML’s teacher. There aren't any annoying characters in this drama. Instead, we have loving families and supportive team members and competitors.


I recommend this drama if you are looking for a cute and fluffy romance. Mind you, there are times when the plot is a little slow in the first half but if you just want romance, then this is good. However, if you are looking for a well-balanced sports romance, then this is not a great one. Too much focus is spent on romance and not enough on the competition or other interesting sports plot. Nevertheless, I had an enjoyable time watching this.


Other Random Observations:
1. I know all eyes should be on Leo Wu, but Wang Xing Yue is so smoking hot in suits.
2. People in Finland only speak English and Chinese? I don’t think I hear any Finnish at all.
3. I like a FL who is just as amazing professionally as the male characters. FL looks so cool.
4. Pestering a player about his love life and forcing him to confess his love during an international tournament is so UNPROFESSIONAL!!!
5. How can a player who just had surgery be selected to the national team???


Completed: 3/3/2024 - Review #413

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Not as bad as the rating but also Not a masterpiece. It's OK.

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75 ( a little bump to up the rating)

The English title, “Hide from the Rain” sounds so much more romantic than the other title “I Keep a Gigolo”. Yet according to Google translate, the translation of the official Japanese title “Watashi ga Himo wo Kau Nante” is “I Can’t Believe I Paid for It’. Three different titles and meanings, yet they all describe what this drama is about.

As a romance-at-heart, of course I like “Hide from the Rain” more. It gives us the background story of our female lead, a smooth transition of Soichi (ML) into her heart & life, and strength to move past a traumatic event. Rainy days no longer sadden her, as her memories were replaced by more pleasant ones.

It is not wrong that the other title talks about a gigolo. After all, ML is one and you will find out about it in the first episode (so, technically not a spoiler). However, I might think of him more of a sugar baby instead of a gigolo.

Throughout the drama, Soichi (ML) gives off a very mysterious and weirdly uneasy vibe. He's definitely not a very likable ML.
As viewers, you knew from the beginning he’s not what he appears to be, yet you don’t find out his secrets until about ep 7. I wasn’t expecting the secret to be like that, as it sort of came out of nowhere. I won’t say the execution is done very well, but it’s definitely quite surprising.

The acting is decent all around. I’m glad Sumire (FL) is not the typical naive and super shy girl. Yuri is pretty and elegant, but her philosophy of lingerie went over my head (let’s just say I don’t think too deeply about the meaning but I’m sure others are touched by what she had to say). Morio is usual friendzoned best friend, no surprise there. I’m surprised to see Izuka Kenta in a supporting role as Ryo. But why does he look older and older each time I see him these days. None of the characters annoy me, yet I also don’t love any of them either (including the leads).

Even though this is not a masterpiece, it definitely doesn’t warrant a low rating of 6.7. Maybe the drama is not cute or fluffy enough? Or maybe it’s not mature and angsty enough? Or the leads are not likable enough? I am not sure but I would rate this 7.0-8.0 (finalizing at 8 to increase the rating a little). It’s short and easy enough to binge.


Other Random Observations:
1. Kotatsu is such a cute robot! I thought we would see more of its function but am disappointed.
2. FL's fashion changes for the better throughout the show. Though not my taste, but I enjoy seeing the different styles, cuts, designs and combination.
3. Triendl Reina is so pretty!
4. Three cameos/guest stars that don't really add anything to the drama.

Completed: 2/17/2024 - Review #404

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It's all about Lies, Lies and More Lies!!!!

Watching this Taiwanese classic in 2024 is definitely interesting and my expectations are high (maybe too high). I can look past the fashion and ML’s ugly hairstyle, but “Autumn Concerto” has so many different tropes and illogical things. I also feel that I need to stop my critical thinking and enjoy the ride on a more emotional level. That way, the drama is more enjoyable.

I love the mature Aidy An in “Legend of Dugu”. She’s the best part of that show. But a younger Aidy An is somewhat annoying in this drama. Her acting is not quite there yet and gave me this bland expression. But I think what’s worse is I don’t like her character, Mu Cheng. She is definitely pretty in this drama, but Mu Cheng keeps a secret for way too long. She should and could have spoken up many times in various situations, instead of acting like a victim. I also do not like her voice, which is supposed to be gentle and soothing. I just find it annoying, unfortunately.

Despite not liking Mu Cheng as a girlfriend, I like her as a mother. Her relationship with her son Xiao Le is the highlight of the show. This little kid is adorable but I don’t think there’s any other 5-year old who speaks like him out there. I am going to look past that and just enjoy how kind-hearted, sweet, adorable and smart he is. Xiao Le’s interaction with every single adult brings me so much joy. Yes, even the little kid bully.

Vanness Wu is another draw to watch this drama. But I find his acting very inconsistent. There are scenes I think he did fine and was natural, but not when it comes to more emotional (angry or sad) scenes. I really feel for his character. Poor Guang Xi suffered so much and is being lied to by everyone. I was rooting for him and actually wanted him to not end up with FL. I think he deserves better.

When it comes to acting, Chris Wu is the best out of the main characters, only second to ML’s mother. I cannot believe “Autumn’s Concerto” is his very first drama (He did have a few movies under his belt). But compared to Aidy An and Vanness Wu, he’s the less experienced one but I love his acting the most. If it’s in any other drama, his character would be the male lead. His confession to Mu cheng is so touching and sincere. I want to marry him! Chris Wu is the best part of the show and he doesn’t seem to have aged.

The pacing of the drama is a little uneven as well. I found the first arc when they were all in college went by pretty fast. A lot of things happened but each mini subplot or misunderstanding is resolved rather quickly. But once we switch to the present-day timeline, the pace slows down. They spend a lot of time in the village with those loud villagers. I am not surprised they are loud but at least they’re not too nosy. Towards the end of the drama, the pace picked back up a little with the court cases. But also felt that the editing and storytelling are choppy. I also think that the drama waited too long for the shit to hit the fan (the big secret to out).

For a melodrama with a focus on romance, it’s really hard for me to enjoy when 1) I don’t like the female lead, 2) I don’t think the leads should end up together, 3) I think the secondary leads should just go and date each other and forget about the leads who don’t deserve them. For a romance-lover like me, if I am not rooting for the leads to be together, there’s no way I would end up enjoying the drama. I also need to shut down my brain because there are too many ridiculous things that happened. I don’t want to list them all as they could be spoilers.


But luckily, we have an adorable kid, a handsome Chris Wu, nice secondary leads who are not evil and Vanness Wu showing off his abs. This is enough to keep this at an 8.0 for me. Even though I like the songs, they are WAY overplayed. I wonder if I would have loved “Autumn’s Concerto” more if I were watching this in 2008 and not in 2024.


Completed: 1/25/2024 - Review #398

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Finally a drama and role for a more mature and experienced Xu Kai

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

“Wonderland of Love” features two intelligent leads who always try to outsmart each other. That should be a pretty attractive premise to attract a wide audience. However, it doesn’t seem to be as popular as “The Story of Kunning Palace” which was broadcasted at about the same time. I guess a vampire gege is more attractive than a war hero Mr. Green flag. LOL There are many things I liked about this drama, but I do agree with many reviewers that the last arc wasn’t quite as exciting.


What I Like:

1. Xu Kai - I’m so glad I finally get to see Xu Kai in another drama worthy of his popularity and star power. His last few projects have been duds. I have liked him best as the more animated lead in “Arsenal Military Academy” and also his more subtle emotional acting in “Ancient Love Poetry”. But here in “Wonderland of Love”, I see the best of both worlds. I am thankful that he’s not another emotionless cold-on-the-outside character, but one that is mature and gives him the ability to showcase his acting range. If you are a Xu Kai fan, this is a must-watch.

2. Li Ni (ML) - Li Ni is a historical Mr. Green flag. He’s loyal, respectful, communicative, honest, courageous, selfless, can fight, can scheme (but not wicked and cunning). He’s a good son, a good brother, a good comrade, a good lover. He’s almost Mr. Perfect. His one flaw (if you can call it a flaw), is that he’s so in love with A Ying (FL) that it might have clouded his judgment and conceding to A Ying. He just can’t say No. But, as a romance-lover, he’s the perfect boyfriend.

3. Cui Lin/A Ying (FL) - On paper as a female character in a historical war and political drama, it’s nice to see a smart female lead who can fight and can think. She is as smart as Li Ni, and sometimes actually outsmarts him. She is independent, stubborn, and loyal to the Cui Army. She also has strong beliefs in bringing peace to all.

4. Fight and Battle Choreography - First of all, I am going to criticize the occasional slow-motion fights, and spinning/twirling to create a romantic effect. Having said that, “Wonderland of Love” has some of the more impressive fight choreography for close-combat fight and war/battle scenes. The drama started off with the leads fighting each other. There are a few sword fighting scenes throughout the drama that are pretty good, especially when this is a historical, political drama, and not a wuxia/xianxia drama. As other reviewers mentioned, the battle in episode 30 was well shot and hardcore. It was a bloody battle and many died in different ways. When the Laolan song is played, it breaks my heart. There are only a few other dramas (e.g. The Rebel Princess and Love Like the Galaxy) that I can think of with similar impressive battle scenes.

5. OST - There are several songs in the soundtrack and they all sound lovely and complementary to the scenes.

6. Acting - Xu Kai and Jian Tian both acted well and did not disappoint. The veteran supporting cast definitely outshines the younger supporting cast. I don’t think the younger cast is horrible, but no one shines through either.

7. Ending - No rush ending, in a way. The last episode is dedicated to show how everyone’s doing.


What I have Mixed Feelings:

1. Lead Romance - As I mentioned, I like Xu Kai and Jiang Tian’s acting. But for whatever reason, I am not feeling their chemistry as a couple, especially during the cute and fluffy scenes. I can’t get it out of my head that Jiang Tian is 7 years older than Xu Kai. I don’t feel this way when Jiang Tian is paired up with Timmy Xu or Vin Zhan. It’s probably because Xu Kai has somewhat of a baby face. I don’t think this is supposed to be an older sis/younger bro romance either. A Ying is a strong female lead, but not necessarily an easy-to-like female lead in a romance. There are plenty of kisses in the drama, yet none of them seems passionate to me. I also think the directing of the kisses is a little off. But if you look at the romance objectively, it’s a good one. They are both smart, have the same goal in mind, courageous and for the most part when there are issues, they communicate with each other. They might not take the same road to achieve their goals and disagree on principle, but they understand each other’s circumstances. I love their love letter correspondence during war time. All the good elements of a great romance, but I am just not feeling it.

2. Secondary Romance - I don’t particularly like or dislike it. It’s like every other secondary romance in many dramas. They’re cute and all, but don’t add much to the drama itself. I much rather learn more of Consort Xiao and the General love story.

3. Liu Cheng Feng (2ML) - I don’t believe his love and obsession for FL justify his actions. The way he seeks revenge seems way over-the-top when it comes to a country’s safety. I pity him when he was weak and then I just didn't care for him much when he turned to the dark side.

4. Final Arc (last 9 episodes) - I have to agree with others that the last arc of the drama isn’t written well. This part of the drama was draggy and anti-climatic after the big battle in episode 30. All that could be told in half the time. With the initial cold war between the leads, I find it somewhat annoying that our supposedly smart FL hasn’t thought of the consequence of the Cui army when she tried to push ML to be the crown prince. She should have calculated all of that politics, and not been surprised by the king’s decision to disband them. We wasted a couple episodes on this cold war. The villain tried to scheme and set up the general as a traitor. It was brought up without much info, and was resolved without much fanfare either. I thought it would be some elaborate plan but in the end it was just he said she said. The invasion was done half-heartedly. These foreigners were used by others for most of the drama. And when it came down to business, they were taken out easily and anti-climatically.

5. Production Quality - I don’t believe this is a big budget production. The green screen used during the leads’ horseback riding was hilariously fake. The wonderland scenery also seems fake to me. The set design, costumes and props seem OK. I am disappointed that almost everyone is dubbed. I find the dubbed voice for A Ying doesn’t quite match the face of Jiang Tian. And what is up with the pale faces of Xu Kai and Jiang Tian when they are soldiers, living under the sun and dust all the time. I think they could have darkened their skin tone a little. They definitely look too white, clean and pretty to be general/commander.

6. The King - He’s annoying as heck! I know he’s not the smartest cookie, but I can’t believe we need to tolerate his dumbness and ignorance for 40 episodes.


Overall, this is a decent drama to watch. I will recommend this if you are a fan of Xu Kai and Jiang Tan. I am rounding my rating up for Xu Kai, as I think this is his best role yet. I realize my criticisms are very personal and somewhat petty. LOL.


Other Random Observations:
1. The band of brothers are fun but way too loud.
2. I love the scene of the grass dragonflies when ML was sad.
3. I am glad Gu Wang Niang is not the typical evil 2FL. She technically didn’t do anything too evil, but this actress portrayed the character so well that I really dislike her! She gives off this cunning aura, without doing anything evil. Is it good acting?


Completed: 12/17/2023 - Review #383

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A Gentler, Sweeter and More Romantic Remake

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

“Stay with Me” is like the gentler, sweeter and more romantic little brother of “Addicted”. “Addicted” is the more rebellious, sex-crazed older brother, but it also paved the way for many future Chinese BLs (or caused censorship to put the hammer down).

The leads in “Stay with Me” are quite likable compared to their counterparts in the other drama. Wu Bi is quite adorable when he’s so in love with Su Yu and gets all pettily jealous over little things. In “Addicted”, Gu Hai annoyed the heck out of me with how pushy he was. But that was a 2016 drama, and times have changed. Back to “Stay with Me”, the drama never had Wu Bi or Su Yu declare their love for each other, but you know for a fact that this is not a bromance, but a romantic story between them. There are so many moments, gestures, hugs and subtle lingering touches that they shared and I wonder how these scenes pass censorship. I am trying to recall if I’ve seen a Chinese BL with kisses on the cheeks recently.

The main focus of the drama is definitely on our leads, Wu Bi and Su Yu. Two lovely teenagers go from enemies to lovers, complete and fill each other’s hearts with love and care. Surrounding them are Su Yu’s very supportive father and stepmother, an adorable little stepsister, Duo Duo, who is wise beyond her years. We also have a few friends who don’t take up too much screen time. Technically, there isn’t really a character that I dislike, except for Wu Bi’s cousin’s ugly pig tail. That is definitely not fashionable at all. LOL.

The bond between this newly found family is the best part of the show. None of the parents are evil, they just show their love differently. However, the broken families have a big impact on the leads. They both just want to be loved. Simple as that. I love it when there are scenes of the new family together and the theme song, “The Meaning of Family” starts playing. The lyrics are perfect for these scenes, especially when Duo Duo starts singing if you need to look similar or have the same last names to be called family. The scene of this new family celebrating Wu Bi’s birthday is so heartwarming.

This drama is not without its faults. I think the acting of the leads could be better. I am also disappointed that they are both dubbed and not using their original voices. Heck, even Duo Duo uses her original voice and that adds 10000 points to her adorableness. There are a couple scenes with very fake green screens. There are only four songs in the OST and it lacks variety, though they are lovely. This is definitely not a big budget production, so maybe that’s why I am having all these minor disappointments.

Overall, I had a good time binge-watching this drama. The pacing is not bad but the ending might not be satisfactory to all. I knew what kind of ending it had before starting this. I am prepared, still not happy though ?


Completed: 11/3/2023 - Review #372

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A Docu-Drama? Recommend for those interested in Chinese arts/crafts/culture

“Hi Producer” is a very unique drama. It’s more of a documentary showcasing China’s rich culture and arts, than a regular drama. It tries to promote and educate via the production of a TV show and a very interesting female lead, Yu Zai Zao. Due to her disability, YZZ is unable to understand certain emotions. However, it doesn’t prevent her from coming up with creative ideas for this TV show. By working closely with the team and building a bond with everyone, she has slowly changed to be a different and better person.

If you are interested in learning about China’s thousands of years of culture, this is definitely a show for you. It showcases more than just arts and crafts. It also tries to spotlight the loneliness, challenges, and passing on the traditions to successors - willing, unwilling and overlooked successors. At times, the information comes to me like big ocean waves that it took me a while to digest what I just heard. There’s a LOT of history talk. I also really like the sentimental storytelling of the people behind such beautiful craft. The drama also pays respects to the real experts of each field by inviting them to share their real life experience during the epilogue of each episode.

Despite liking all the characters in the drama, the plot is somewhat thin. I feel that the drama is too long at 35 episodes, and with each introduction of a tradition (about 2 episodes per tradition), the stories become repetitive. I lost focus in the middle of the drama and thought about giving up. I wish it had cut down 5 or so episodes, and spent a little more time on the depth of each character of the TV show. The female lead is one of the most interesting characters. She’s adorable but also straightforward and rude. She’s fun but manipulative. When you start to pity her, she turns around and fools you with her intelligence. If you are looking for romance, then you will be disappointed. There are feelings, but no romantic stories between characters.

I would only recommend this drama if you are looking for a docu-drama and really are interested in learning about Chinese culture. If you are looking for a regular drama with an exciting or unique plot, or a romance story, then this might not be for you.


Other Random Observations:
1. I love the “I Won” doll and gift. Hilarious!
2. Something seems to be off with the styling of Zhang Bo (Professor Tao Tang). He’s only a few years older than Zheng Kai (CEO Gu) but looks so much older.
3. My first time watching Zhang Nan and she impressed me. Her portrayal of Yu Zai Zao is so funny and on point.
4. Not too many songs in the OST, but I enjoy the opening and ending theme songs. They fit the general feel of the drama.
5. It’s amazing how many actors/actresses the drama invites for special appearances.
6. I was mesmerized by all the dances in this drama. That actress is such an amazing dancer.


Completed: 10/21/2023 - Review #368

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The two adorable kids and this new family are worth your time.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

I wasn’t expecting much when I started watching “Please Be My Family”, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. This drama does not have any top idols or popular actors, so not many watched it. The drama centers around a marriage of convenience between two single parents and their children. Together, they formed a loving and happy family, and of course, the parents slowly fall in love with each other. But a family secret looms over our male lead throughout the drama. You will have to wait till the last few episodes of the drama for that secret to come out of the bag.

What I love most, and probably other watchers as well, are the two adorable kids. Chen Chen (ML’s son) and Xuan Xuan (FL’s daughter) are just too adorable. The acting is great and their spoken lines are even better. There is no way you don’t come to love them. They have the most scenes in the first half of the drama, and I miss their presence in the second half. Each kid is adorable in their own way and together, they are a dynamic duo. They are not overly mature like the adorable child in “The Love You Give Me” but act more like 5-year olds.

Their parents are pretty likable characters as well. Song Hao Yu (ML) might appear cold and calculating. But that’s because he was hurt in the past and of course, is waiting for the appearance of Qi Si Le (FL) to bring him out of his funk. I have to say, Qi Si Le is a great character. She’s not perfect, but it’s hard not to root for this single mother. She’s independent, mature, will defend herself and speak up and is not afraid to openly communicate when something is bothering her. She is a great role model for her daughter. Together, Hao Yu and Si Le, are great parents to the kids. They also have great chemistry together and actually try to talk it out when there is a misunderstanding. I was glad to finally see them have some cute and fluffy scenes as a couple (kisses are OK, not great).

The supporting cast is lovely as well. The secondary leads are also very likable and have good chemistry together. Their romance doesn’t take up too much screen time but enough to tell their own story. But there are two other funny and interesting characters - Grandpa Song and President Tong Luo Qi. Grandpa is the best wingman and Luo Qi is the best frenemy out there. They are quite the scene stealers. The unlikely trio of girlfriends - Si Le, Li Xin and Luo Qi - are really fun to watch.

The general plot of the drama is not too unique or unpredictable. You can guess the family secret early on, but do need to wait for all the details to be exposed in the last couple episodes. One can also guess Su Le’s reaction once she found out the secret. If I have to say something is unpredictable, it is the way Si Le reacted to Hao Yu’s past romance and ex-girlfriend. I was so thankful to see a female lead who is mature enough to not get sucked into the ex’s drama and the bullshit spewed out from her mouth. She’s able to trust her man, see through the schemes and respond like a normal person.

My biggest criticism would be the villain’s story. I knew the evil scheme had to do with the family secret. But all that happened in the last few episodes were too dramatic and not quite logical for my taste. Oh another minor criticism would be the professional success that Su Le has after being in advertising for so many years.

Overall, I had a great time binge watching this drama. The kids and the female lead are worth my time, and the romance is satisfying. The acting isn’t bad and nothing too cringey or irritating.



Completed: 10/15/2023 - Review #367

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When you are away from home, your Sisters are all that you have.

Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25

Stumbled upon “Sisterhood”, probably saw someone posted on the Feeds. It’s not an idol drama and the plot is probably not too enticing to many watchers. But I wanted to watch something different, and was glad to give this a shot.

This is an underrated drama about the “Sisterhood” of the Red Scarves ladies, who moved from Sam Sui (China) to Singapore for work. Not many dramas focus on the stories of women moving away from home. The drama focuses on the life and challenges of these Red Scarves ladies, and their career first in the construction industry and then branching out to others.

We follow Ou Yang Tian Qing (FL) through her career as someone fresh-off-the-boat to becoming the team leader of the Red Scarves ladies. Tian Qin is easy to root for but can also seem a little too ‘can do no wrong’. I enjoy her journey of growth and how she works closely with those she met in Singapore, especially her benefactress, Nan Lan. However, at times her words of wisdom and encouragement can seem a little preachy to me.

Romance is a side plot but enough to keep the romance lover in me satisfied but not wow me. I did not fall in love with male lead, Kuang Hai Sheng, immediately as he seems a little stalkerish in the beginning episodes. But he grows on me and I’ve grown to really like his character. He’s caring, sweet and supportive of Tian Qing’s career. Verbally, he might tease Tian Qing a lot, but deep down he was never pushy with his feelings. I wish the secondary romance didn’t happen but it’s also to-be-expected. 2ML fell in love again rather quickly.

The pacing of this drama is good. There are enough mini-climaxes throughout the drama to keep me interested in all 40 episodes. At times, I am a little confused about how much time has passed. A lot could have happened on screen and then I realized only a day or two went by.

Acting is good all around, including the supporting cast. Veteran actresses Yue Li Na (Nan Lan/benefactress), Xu Fan Xi (2nd Madam Lu), Xie Cheng Ying (Miss Qi) and Zhang Xi Wen (Sister Ling) are all amazing and shine brighter than the younger ones. There are also enough irritating characters in this drama that I want to strangle. I had to fast-forward some of their scenes. I think the one I dislike the most is the 2FL, He Xiao Chan (FL’s best friend). I dislike FL’s mother as well. I actually don’t dislike the villain as much as those two.

What I hate the most is the HORRIBLE English spoken by so-called foreigners and native English speakers, except for Police Chief Hunter. There are quite a few English dialogues and each time I hear the English spoken, my ears bleed.

Overall, I had a good time watching this drama. It’s something different for me personally. I would recommend this if you enjoy stories of women empowerment and sisterhood.



Completed: 7/11/2023 - Review #333

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Mature and Realistic portrayal of Second-Chance Romance

I took a lot of notes for my review while watching “Where The Lost Ones Go”. That could only mean either I really like the drama or really hate it, and this is going to be a long review. Luckily, I quite enjoy this drama, despite watching this in 2023, six years after the drama was aired. The drama does not feel dated at all.

Do not mistake this for a romantic comedy or slice-of-life drama about cute and fluffy college life. Yes, the college life scenes are full of rainbows and sunshine, and lots of cute scenes. But the real deal is the mature and realistic portrayal of the main romance after the leads reunited many years later. “Where The Lost Ones Go” somehow reminds me of a more mature and melo version of “Lighter and Princess” without the ‘toxic’ relationship.


What I Like:

1. Fan Shi Qi (as Xiang Ze Yi) - I have a big crush on him. He is not the traditional idol-handsome type. But his portrayal of Xiang Ze Yi impresses me so much. He is adorable as the fun-loving, extroverted, charming daredevil in college. He was charismatic and all eyes were on him. Years later, Fan Shi Qi is able to portray a very different XZY. He lives in darkness, wallows in self-pity a little, heartbroken and lost all his former charm and confidence. I would never have guessed he has such range as an actor. I also found out he started his career as a singer and winning singing competitions. His voice is lovely and he sings a few songs from the OST.

2. Main Character - Xiang Ze Yi is the perfect boyfriend in college. He’s smart, caring, fun, sweet and considerate. Ye Zi, on the other hand, is a very strong and independent female lead. She doesn’t shy away from challenges and confronts them head on. She is not afraid to speak up. They are fun to watch.

3. Main Leads Chemistry/Romance - During the college portion of the drama, you can see the obvious chemistry between the leads. I was smiling ear-to-ear during their lovey-dovey scenes. Xiang Ze Yi and Ye Zi are so cute together, from every day banter to the romantic gestures. When they are older, I appreciate that the drama doesn’t automatically have the leads get back together and live happily ever after. They have matured and become more cautious about their feelings and actions. We know in real life, things don’t always happen like in fairy tales. ML has changed after what he went through. He’s not the same person that FL fell in love with back in college. The drama doesn’t assume FL will throw herself at him after waiting for so many years. It takes time for them to fall in love with who they are in the present and not trying to become who they were.

4. No Dubbing - I am quite surprised that a 2017 drama wasn’t dubbed! The actors all used their own voices and there’s even live recording. There are some emotional scenes where you could tell the actors were letting all their emotions fly high, and the live recording really adds to my viewing pleasure. There’s a scene in the last few episodes when ML was having a breakdown and Fan Shi Qi obviously slipped on a piece of paper and fell on his butt. He continued acting as if nothing happened.

5. Color/Tone - I don’t usually pay attention to the color/tone of the drama. But I recognized it here and couldn’t keep thinking about it. During the college scenes, the lighting and coloring are obviously bright and sunny. It exudes youthfulness and happiness. Once the scenes switch to the present timeline, the colors are obviously a little more muted. Scenes of ML in his apartment are always very dark and give off a sadder vibe. He doesn’t turn on lights and always wears dark clothes. Not just ML’s scenes, but others as well. They are just not as bright and colorful as the college scenes. I quite like this contrast.

6. OST - This drama features a pretty big catalog of songs. They are all lovely and as I said, I fell in love with Fan Shi Qi’s voice. His song “Leaves”, which is also the name of FL, is played often. When he sang it the first time without music (though not live) it was lovely and romantic. Subsequent times always convey a very sad undertone. Unfortunately, I could not find the songs or OST on Spotify. I guess it’s because this is an older and not very popular drama.

7. Fashion - Great fashion for all characters. FL has the nicest wardrobe and has the LARGEST AND BEST COLLECTION OF EARRINGS!! I’ve never seen a female lead change her earrings in every single scene/episode. Song Yan Fei looks beautiful in all her outfits in the present day timeline. Fan Shi Qi looks great in casual wear and in his sports jacket. He got the build to wear any clothes. Xiao Shun Yao might have had the worst hairstyle during his college days, but when he’s in a suit and has his bangs all gelled up, he looks dashing as the second male lead.



What I have Mixed Feelings or Don’t Like:

1. Romance of Supporting Cast - I wasn’t too invested in the other women’s romance storylines. For a 24-episode drama with 4 female characters, there isn’t enough time to give each of the women their deserved time to give us a well-written story. I don’t know if we really need to pair them all up with a guy. The stories are not bad, just not great either.

2. Timeline Changes - The college and present day timeline switches back and forth quite often in the first 10 or so episodes. Sometimes, it’s quite abrupt and it took me a second to re-adjust. Oftentimes, the drama might give you a black screen to indicate the change, but not all the time. They also don’t tell you which year the timeline is switching to.

3. Loud BGM - As much as I love all the songs in this drama, the music is played way too loud. Oftentimes, the songs are played when the actors are speaking or during a monologue and then the music will cut off all of a sudden. I wish they could tone down the volume a little.

4. Medical side plot- I understand the Alzheimher’s plot is needed to help FL re-evaluate what she wants. But the brain tumor is so unnecessary. It’s taking away precious time from the main couple. They already have fewer scenes together in the last few episodes and I wish the drama would have spent the time on them instead.


I am glad I stumbled upon this drama and recommend it to those who are looking for a more mature and realistic take of second-chance romance. But if you are only wanting something light and fluffy, this is not the drama for you. I am glad I re-discovered Fan Shi Qi after seeing him in “Qing Qing Zi Jin”.


Other Random Observations:
1. College means dorky bangs for all guys. Grown-ups all have their bangs gelled up.
2. It’s still a 2017 drama, so there are a few slow-mo romantic scenes with bright backlight. But only for a few episodes.
3. All the men in this drama are capable of making unique romantic speeches, even the ones that claim they are not romantic. I really enjoy all of them.
4. Poor 2ML - I feel for him. Such a great guy and has done so much for FL, but it’s not meant to be.
5. No evil parents. Hooray! We even have a lovely heart-to-heart talk between ML and FL’s father.
6. I will never understand how a 2ML in a C-drama always proposes to the FL when they have never dated and the FL never expresses interest in him.


Completed: 7/5/2023 - Review #327

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Short and Simple Healing and Slice-of-Life Drama about Forgiveness

“Finland Papa” is a short (6 episodes/30 minutes long) healing, slice-of-life drama. Four individuals who have suffered through life’s challenges and loneliness found their way to work at this cafe owned by a mysterious Papa. They are instructed to become a fake (but found) family and learn to support each other in resolving their own inner struggles. I love them hula dancing together! There’s a central theme of forgiveness - to forgive and to ask for forgiveness.

Because the drama is so short, we only get to know the bullet-point version of each character’s background story and their own arc, with the exception of female lead Yoo Ri. She suffered the loss of her father and her grandmother, and had to learn to live alone. Not only that, there are many unresolved emotions towards her father and his death. She has to learn to forgive and let go, and it took her a while to get to that point. We all know it’s hard to sincerely apologize but it’s just as (if not, more difficult) to forgive someone and move on.

I was impressed with Kim Bo Ra’s acting as the female lead. I’ve always seen her as the annoying high schooler, or irritating supporting character that causes trouble. I almost didn’t watch “Finland Papa” because of her, but I wanted to see male lead, Kim Woo Seok (he’s adorable!). I’m glad Kim Bo Ra took this role and showed a more mature side of her. Her character has to go through the happy-go-lucky high school phase, and move into the lonely, healing phase.

If you are in the mood for a simple, healing drama, this is it. There’s really nothing exciting or surprising. The plot is quite predictable but this could be just what you need as well.


Completed: 5/16/2023 - Review #308

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Amazing, underrated but NOT a lighthearted drama - Funny, Sad, and Relatable

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75

Trigger Warning - this drama covers many issues and might be difficult to watch for those who are sensitive. I’ve listed the potential triggers at the end of this review.

“Salon De Nabi” aka “Fly High Butterfly '' is an underrated drama that was not released in Korea due to the bullying scandal of supporting actress, Shim Eun Woon (Jen). The drama was released in Taiwan instead and then on Amazon Prime in selected regions. It’s really unfortunate that “Salon de Nabi” did not get its deserved release and promotion because it’s a great drama. It tackles many important social issues through the lives of the 7 individuals working at the salon and their customers. Initially, I thought this would be a lighthearted watch, but I was wrong. I did laugh a lot, but I also shed many tears for the characters. I was shocked at how funny and depressing the first episode was.

I realized that I had to pay attention to this drama as not all the events and explanations are openly and graphically shown. There's quite a bit of subtlety to the storytelling, e.g. the uncle greeting the teenager and touching her arm, the character calling out their mother’s name outside the police station and then the camera panning to the cross hanging in the car, which then reminded me the scene where the character left a cake outside their family’s door. These scenes are shown to us, but not explicitly explained.

We get to know each of the 7 unique main characters in the salon, some with a bigger focus than others. The drama uses a lot of humor when introducing them but along with the laughter, there’s a lot of tears when we learn of the challenges each of them faces. I would not have liked this drama as much if there were only funny parts.

Gi Bbeum, as the female lead, has the most screen time and the biggest character development. Her story was the first to be introduced in episode 1 and also sets the tone for the rest of the drama. It’s lovely to see how she’s changed from an introverted, quiet but hard working intern who battles social anxiety, to a more confident and outspoken designer/hairdresser-in-the-making. Despite her flaws, she’s not afraid to keep learning and asking questions. Her questions might be weird but she’s trying very hard to improve. Her romance with Moo Yeol is really cute. They’re destined to be together as Moo Yeol seems to be the only one that can understand her mumbling speech. The love confession does seem to have come out of nowhere despite the weak explanation that she might have liked him from day 1. I think Moo Yeol brings Gi Bbeum out of her shell and helps her become a better version of herself. He is quite attuned to her moods, and is not afraid to ask her questions. Gi Bbeum, though shy, is very honest with Moo Yeol.

None of these characters are perfect, and a couple might be very annoying. But these flawed characters feel relatable thus we care about them and root for them to overcome their challenges. I particularly like the odd pair of Jen & Kwang Soo. Jen is the best ‘wingwoman’ and she’s so badass. Kwang Soo is the weirdest and most self-absorbed jerk, yet he can be very perceptive and can shut you down with his no nonsense facts. I probably like Michelle and Soo Ri the least, and find them slightly annoying. Poor Teacher Woo is just there. He doesn’t get a lot of screen time or lines, but I think that’s because of who he is. This weird bunch of individuals don’t necessarily like each other and are not the found family in other dramas that give you the warm and fuzzy feeling. But when one of them is in need, they rally behind and have each other’s back. There are a few circumstances where I don’t agree with the initial reactions of the characters. But when I think clearly, their reactions and actions are very normal. These are flawed characters and it takes time for them to digest the information, but will also act appropriately at the end.

My main criticism is probably the number of issues they try to cover in this drama. Sometimes, I feel like the drama is trying to do too much, therefore, a few of the storylines are fully developed. Nevertheless, I strongly recommend this drama if you want a slice-of-life drama that covers some relatable issues in a very funny yet human way.


Other Random Observations:
1. Some bad wigs are used in this drama.
2. It’s funny how dissatisfied customers all run to the public restroom to check their hair.
3. I have enough fat girls being criticized plot, forever stay in the friend zone and have low self-esteem.
4. FL’s fake smiles are haunting me.
5. It’s so sad that a character refused to go to the hospital after being stabbed by a pair of scissors.
6. Jen & Kwang Soo’s romance could have developed more.
7. Great advice from Jen about FL’s first time having sex - looking back to see if it’s a fond memory.
8. Love the interesting way of telling the ‘origin’ story of the 7 individuals in episode 15.
9. Ep 15 is technically the season finale. Ep 16 is only a bonus episode.
10. I did not like Ep 16 - it’s all fun but I was bored because I am missing the human element of the drama. Comedy only is not enough for me.


Potential Triggers (spoilers): bullying, weight issues, fat shaming, transphobia, sexual abuse, suicidal thoughts and attempts, depression, terminal illness.


Completed: 3/19/2023

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A Familiar Yet Unfamiliar XianXia Drama

When comedy is injected into a xianxia drama appropriately and smartly, a very unique and fresh drama is born. “The Starry Love” seems familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time. The general plot is nothing out of the ordinary. We’ve seen this before: brides switch, someone needs to be a hero to save the world, the Heavenly King as a hypocrite, and everyone from the Demon World is a bad guy.

But what sets this drama apart, and why so many viewers are watching “The Starry Love” is the humor in all this. The drama doesn’t hesitate to poke fun at some common tropes, and have the characters act silly here and there. Because of the overwhelming praise of the comedy, I was initially worried that it might be a little too over-the-top for my taste. Rest assured, it’s not. Funny moments hit you at the right place, at the right time, and unexpectedly. Then it switches gears to other more romantic or serious moments seamlessly. It’s a good mix to keep you hooked right from the first episode. Comedic moments did die down towards the last quarter of the drama when the more serious plot and angst took center stage, and it really wouldn’t be appropriate to be funny here.

I’ve been a fan of Landy Li since I first saw her in “My Huckleberry Friends” and she has improved so much. She along with her co-star and sister He Xuan Lin are the stars of the show. The two female characters, though seem different at first glance, are both smart, caring, loyal and stubborn. I am so glad we have an awesome sisterhood in a xianxia drama, and especially happy to NOT see another naive/innocent girl. The two male actors also did a fabulous job. Chen Xing Xu basically plays 5 different characters. This is my first Luke Chen drama, and though he’s the least experienced out of the main leads, he was able to keep up with the other three. The supporting cast was fine. Although the veterans stood out a little more than the younger cast, I wouldn’t say they’re extraordinary.

For 40 episodes, the pacing is pretty good. There’s enough going on to keep me interested. I like all the strong friendships, bromance and sismance. I don’t think I dislike any character in this drama, and that’s rare as I usually hate one or two annoying supporting characters in a xianxia drama. Even the minor female character who won’t stop annoying ML didn’t irritate me that much. As unique as the first ¾ of the drama is, the last ¼ seems quite predictable. Many are disappointed with the ending. I am not overly disappointed, I am just not surprised as I’ve seen enough dramas to know this could be how it ends. But I understand after witnessing the hardships our leads have gone through, the ending could be dissatisfactory. Because the drama was so unique for the most part, I wish there was a more creative ending.

The pretty CGI sceneries are hard to miss. It evokes a similar reaction from me when I was watching “Love Between Fairy and Devil” back then. There are many scenes that are gorgeous, but the more I see them, the more I think they look fake to me. However, I really enjoy the starry nights and the CGI use of magic and fight scenes. The fight scenes themself are just average to me. Despite the inconsistent CGI, I really like all the costumes, hairstyles, and makeup. The two female leads look beautiful in their colorful costumes. Luke Chen (Chao Feng) looks absolutely handsome and smoking hot in his black attire. I personally think Chen Xing Xu looks better in a modern drama such as “Fall in Love” but I appreciate the different looks he’s in as You Qin, La Mu, Mei You Qing and Wen Ren. I am not sure if this is a big budget production or not, but I find the post-production dubbing to be below-average to average at best. Most of the actors/actresses use their own voices and I appreciate it, but the syncing is off sometimes when the lips are not matching the lips. There’s no live recording at all. On the other hand, the OST is great, despite being too repetitive for most of the drama (maybe a few more songs can help). It might not beat the OST of "Ashes of Love" but each song complements the mood and scenes of the drama appropriately.

This is a really fun drama with good pacing. It’s light-hearted and very romance-focused. I don’t think there’s anything I REALLY dislike about this drama (just mixed feelings). That’s always a good thing in my book. For that, I am giving this a solid 8.5.


Completed: 3/12/2022

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Love the main romance but the rest of the storylines are underdeveloped.

Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25

I have no expectation coming into this and not really sure why I want to watch it. LOL. Perhaps because I’ve always had a pretty good experience with Taiwanese BLs and I am always on the lookout for BL dramas in non-school settings. This one fits the bill and I have a surprisingly enjoyable time watching.

Firstly, I enjoy following along the romantic journey of our two male leads. I was somewhat surprised at how flirty Jin Xun An is after the initial introduction of his character. But after knowing his first love story, I understand why he had to change his strategy. Bai Lang is a lovely and adorable character. Their romance is cute and sweet. I love every single moment that they had before they officially got together. I love how mature Jin Xun An is and really gives Bai Lang time to recognize his feelings. I am glad Jin Xun An made Bai Lang wait and work for his love. Both characters are complex with interesting stories. I just wish the drama would go more in detail about how Bai Lang overcomes his trauma, and not just saying how Jin Xun An would support him. I want to see more actions than words, not that the supportive words are not important. On the other hand, the drama didn’t really give us much information on Jin Xun An’s family. I see where he’s coming from and wanting to give Bai Lang a real family, but the situation at home came at a surprise without any forewarning.

RJ and Alex’s story is cute as well, but the drama doesn’t give them enough screen time to fully develop. I thought RJ’s family situation would have a bigger impact but then it sort of disappeared. Instead, the drama wastes time on BigA and Chi Ren Min. It’s a half-ass romance that is insignificant and doesn’t contribute anything to the general plot. Additionally, I also don’t like how they have to give Bai Qing a partner in the end as well (especially not that guy!). Not everyone needs to be paired up, and the drama should have spent the time to develop the other two romance storylines.

This is not a perfect drama but the romance moves me and I love every minute of it. Thus, I can overlook its flaws in other areas and give this an 8.25 rating.


Completed; 1/30/2023

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