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Heart-wrenchingly beautiful but with a dose of humor
This short 6-episode drama hits me with so many different emotions. It’s the perfect length to tell the story of Ram U (ML) and Hui Wan (FL). Their story was told with a combination of flashbacks of happy times (for the most part) and the present-day timeline of grief, guilt and depression.I’ve only seen Kim Min Ha in “Pachinko”, and she’s excellent in it. It was quite refreshing to see her as an outgoing and boisterous teenage girl. It’s hard to imagine she’s 29 years old, yet can play the role of a teenager and a depressed college student so well. Gong Myung has this baby face that’s so adorable as a teenage boy, and he’s actually 30 years old. They both acted beautifully and really toy with my emotions.
This drama reminded me of the best part of “Seasons of Blossom”. A similar story of grief and depression that was beautifully done. But in “Way Back Love”, the focus is just on them. They make me laugh, cringe, and cry. If you really think about it, the plot isn’t very unique. Just as I said it reminded me of “Seasons of Blossom”, it also reminded me of similar K-dramas when a Grim Reaper is involved. But the storytelling, the acting, the cinematography and the OST all work harmoniously together.
Maybe because I am in a mini K-drama slump, and this beautiful drama pulls me out of it, for that it deserves a high 9.0 rating. If you are in the mood for something heart-wrenching but beautiful, I recommend “Way Back Love”. With only 6 episodes, the pacing is great and you don’t feel it drags when its tone changes to be more melodramatic.
Completed: 4/20/2025 - Review #568
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Short but doesn't seem cheap - Enough to tell a decent revenge story with good leads chemistry
Director Zhi Zhu, male lead Jin Chao and female lead Qi Xia Xia came together again after their first project, “Zhang Gong Zhu Zai Shang/长公主在上” for a new short drama called “Dong Lan Xue/东栏雪”. I rated ZGZZ pretty low due to its cheap budget production which affected my viewing pleasure. However, “Dong Lan Xue” does not suffer from the same criticism. This 2-min per episode short drama has a pretty decent production value, on par with other longer web dramas such as “The Killer is Also Romantic”. This drama does not scream ‘cheap’.The pacing of the drama is great and tells a decent story of revenge from start to finish in about an hour. The leads have pretty good chemistry. The acting is not bad, especially for the female lead Qi Xia Xia. She looks gorgeous, just like when she was in ZGZZ. I like her styling, especially her gorgeous costumes.
The action scenes also look surprisingly good. I wasn’t expecting the quality of an excellent wuxia drama, but at least there’s no slow-motion fighting or twirling. The drama doesn’t shy away from bloodshed and torture. I was actually quite surprised they came up with a way to torture FL without letting her run away. They did kind of blur the wounds, as I can understand it could be quite disturbing.
If you don’t have a lot of time and want a quick drama, this is pretty good. Short dramas like these are created for those who commute to work on public transportation and have time to kill or, need a quick drama fix.
Completed: 5/14/2023 - Review #306
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3 Guys, 3 Rings, 3 Sizes but only 1 Specially Chosen
Korean BLs surprise me again with a dark BL in “Secret Relationships”. I heard nothing about this drama until Feeds posts started popping up. I thought this was a typical reverse-harem type drama with a few red flags MLs. Little did I know it was in for a crazy ride in these short 8 episodes.I am very surprised that the four main leads are pretty new to acting and they all did a pretty well. For his first acting gig, Kim Jun Seo did a pretty good job as the really good-looking center of all the attention. Aside from the very last scene of the drama which the acting of two of the leads seem very uncomfortable and fake, I really could not have asked for a better first drama for all of them as the main leads.
The unveiling of the secret relationships and hidden secrets for the first 5 episodes of the drama is done really well. You thought you knew exactly what’s going on in the first couple episodes, and then the drama surprises you with new plot twists here and there. Unfortunately, I found ep 6-8 dipped into makjang territory and things got a little out-of-hand. The excellent writing of these secrets and manipulation gave way to over-the-top craziness.
Nevertheless, I enjoy learning about the four main characters. Our guy-magnet ML is sweet and gentle. He attracted ML#2, who appears caring, but turned out to be manipulative and psycho. Then we have ML#3, the obvious Mr. Red Flag of the bunch, who is violent and obsessive. Adding to the harem is ML#4, Mr. Green Flag, to mellow out the bunch with his puppy adorableness with a dash of clinginess and persistence.
I wish the writing of the last few episodes were better because the acting is so good. I would bump my rating to 8.75 or 9. But I had a good time watching “Secret Relationships”. I am really happy about the recent KBLs, e.g. “Gray Shelter”, “Love for Love’s Sake” and “Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo”. I think Korea found its niche in BL dramas. The aforementioned dramas, including “Secret Relationships” are well-made, well-acted and very interesting. I recommend “Secret Relationships” if you the other KBLs I listed and are in the mood for something darker and psychological.
Completed: 3/20/2025 - Review #557
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Well-executed and acted roller coaster ride of emotions.
*re-posting from the movie/compilation version, since this has a lower rating and I actually watched the 6-ep version*Subjective Gut Rating: 9.25 (going to be generous and rounding this up to 9.5)
Wow.. I had zero expectation going into this as I haven’t watched “Unintentional Love Story”. I was just hearing good things about “The Time of Fever”. Am I glad I watched it! It’s been a very long time since a Korean BL made me feel all the different emotions. The last one was “To My Star” Season 2.
The plot is really simple. But what this drama excels in is its execution, acting and the range of emotions that it brought out of me. I was smiling, giggling and crying throughout these couple hours. It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
The acting of the two main leads and their chemistry is electrifying. I can feel their innocence, confusion, shyness, happiness, sadness, desperation and hurt. The two kiss scenes were beautifully shot and full of tension. Go Ho Tae and Kim Dong Hee are like yin and yang, and complement each other so well. Ho Tae is outgoing and wears his feelings on his sleeves. He’s not afraid to push through the thick barriers that Dong Hee put up. Dong Hee is gentle and mature, but there are moments when his teenage self couldn’t resist the temptation of touch or a teeny bit of jealousy.
The ending leaves it up for viewers’ interpretation. I would have loved to believe that they finally expressed their honest feelings for each other in the future. I am not sure if “Unintentional Love” will provide me with more happiness from this pair, but this drama makes me want to check out the other story to see more of Ho Tae and Dong Hee.
I am rating this a high 9.25, from a subjective and objective point of view. If a drama makes me feel this way, it deserves at least an 8.5. Coupled with excellent execution, it deserves high ratings and rave reviews.
Completed: 9/22/2024 - Review #489
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Started well with a cute love story but ended with rushed cliches.
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.25“Ikinari Kon” aka “Sudden Marriage” started off so well. Despite being a little predictable, it was light and easy for the first ¾ of the drama. The female lead, Mao, though shy, is not a pushover. I am so glad she would speak up and put people in their places (in a nice way). Male lead, Hajime, is a little pushy, clingy and stalkerish to start, but he grows on me. He’s a tall and good-looking guy but that hairstyle makes him look so old. I might be in the minority of not liking that height difference. However, the leads have good chemistry and I enjoy all the scenes they are in together.
Unfortunately, things went downhill in the last few episodes. I have coined this drama, ‘Marriage of Coincidences’. I am fine with one or two coincidences to make it seem like the leads are destined to be together. But, 3, 4, 5 times? That’s a little too intentional and fake. The drama also gets all tropey when ML’s father was introduced and the whole business plot was introduced. There’s no way Hajime disappears for a week with no contact when he’s been so in love and clingy. It doesn’t matter if your cell phone is stolen, broken, or evaporated, it’s not hard to still give your girl a call or a text. A rom-com about a sudden marriage goes to waste into a rom-com full of cliches.
I did enjoy most of the drama despite my rant. I just wish we got more cute scenes and lovely kisses. Maybe the drama should have ended a couple episodes sooner.
Completed: 4/13/2025 - Review #565
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Short and easy watch with delicious food scenes
“Nagatanto to Aoto: Ichika no Ryourijou” also known as “Kitchen Knife and Green Chili Pepper” is a sweet, slice of life drama about a female chef’s fight to keep her family restaurant open due to financial difficulties. In order to save the restaurant, she has to marry a 19-year-old student, 15 years her junior. This sounds like a HUGE age gap, and it is. However, the drama does not give me an icky feeling due to this age difference.Amane (ML) is way mature for his age and luckily, Ichika (FL) is not written as an innocent and irritating older woman. You really only feel the support Amane has for Ichika. He is there to push her to challenge her limits and to believe in her talents. He supports her by managing the business side of things, so that she can focus on her creativity in cooking. The duo complements each other. In the backdrop is 1951 Japan after the war. Ichika challenges the tradition of only male chefs in the kitchen and fights the prejudice against women. the drama shows us a glimpse of the struggles of Japanese women after the war.
The romance develops naturally and sweetly. It’s not the focus of the drama, but it’s enough for me to satisfy my romance cravings. I enjoy all the cooking scenes and the explanation on how each dish is prepared. I don’t care much about the brother/sister-in-law relationship, but I understand we needed that for the main romance storyline and to showcase the beginning of a new era for women.
I recommend this if you are looking for a short and easy to watch drama with delicious cooking and food scenes.
Completed: 6/13/2023 - Review #318
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Trying to tell too many stories, but a VERY lovely main romance & First experience
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25Stumbled upon “Ripe for the Picking” on Netflix as it silently shows up without much fanfare. As I read the synopsis, I was expecting another over-the-top rom-com about a 30-year-old virgin and a socially awkward guy. But I was pleasantly surprised that this is lovely and heartfelt love story between two vastly different individuals.
This is a very short drama, only 9 episodes and less than 30 minutes each. I would say my biggest complaint would be too many side stories. As much as I enjoy learning each co-worker’s individual journey to love and finding themselves, they are too short and take away screen time from the leads. The leads’ love story has become an afterthought in the first few episodes, while the drama spends its precious limited time on:
A working mom trying to find work/life balance, and her own identity.
A career woman whose sole focus on work jeopardizes her personal relationships
A girl with low-esteem struggling to find love in all the wrong places and being shallow as hell.
A asexual co-worker whose story was mentioned in passing without much depth
These are all interesting stories individually, but with such limited time, they just seem to be stories that hit all the checkboxes. They are not given the proper time and effort in developing them into meaningful ones.
Having said all that, the main romance is lovely. The leads are both awkward but sweet individuals. Their encounters and subsequent development are lovely to see. Oh, and there are quite a few frustrating moments with communication, but I’ve learned to forgive them because they tug my heartstrings.
Female lead is pretty and quite successful at work, yet she hasn’t had a boyfriend since high school (hard to believe!). She’s embarrassed to be a virgin at 32 and is on a mission to sleep with someone. That drive and desire propelled her to take the initiative in approaching our socially awkward ML. I have to applaud FL’s shy forwardness because she is the one making all the moves and trying to clear all misunderstanding/miscommunication. My heart breaks for her when she was ‘rejected’ and was so confused about what happened.
But what I love best about this drama is how it gives us a sweet, awkward but very realistic portrayal of a first sexual experience. I’m glad so much care and thought are put into writing their intimate time together. It was beautiful to witness (and quite embarrassing as I feel like a voyeur). When they do open up to each other, no matter how weird and awkwardly frustrating it is, it feels honest and intimate. And special brownie points to great kisses that feel romantic, tender and a lot of desire.
This drama might not be for all, especially if you usually get upset with a lack of communication. We have some of those frustrating moments, but they get cleared up pretty fast. I had a lovely time watching this and shed some tears of (seemingly) heartbreaks for the leads.
Completed: 4/21/2024 - Review #431
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This review may contain spoilers
Great 1st half, disappointing 2nd half and confusing/complicated ending episodes
Completed - 1/23/2022First Half - 8.5
Second Half - 7.0
Overall - Very Generous 8.0
When I first read the synopsis of this drama, I was expecting a mature romance centered around a contract marriage (my favorite trope). But I was pleasantly surprised that there's so much more to this drama than just about our main leads' romance. It's a drama about friendships (bromance & sismance), business, recovering from tragic pasts and revenge. This is no t like the usual rom-com contract marriage. Imagine my delight! But the ratings of this drama tanked after the last episode is aired. I think many watchers are just as disappointed as me.
It took me a couple episodes to get used to the personality of our leads. Our FL lead is mean and cold to our ML, and the ML is a little too over-the-top childish and carefree. But once I am used to it, I believe they complement each other and I am enjoying this very slow-burn romance. There's plenty of comedic moments, thanks to our ML, and also bickering between the couple. I would not call Zhu Ya Wen (ML) handsome at all, but he fits this role so well. Yang Zi Shan (FL) is really pretty in this drama and she got a great wardrobe of clothes for her business and evening attire. They are both mature adults and handle crisis and misunderstanding (and secrets) in a sensible way. I would have loved to see more cute scenes as a couple but I am satisfied. Our secondary romance develops a little more organically than our main romance. Li Yuan (2FL) really looks like someone who can box and run a gym. It's hard to find an actress who acts the part as someone who is so strong physically (thought she's quite skinny). Mike He (2ML) looks handsome and dashing. He's probably the best-looking guy in the whole drama. Both couples have great chemistry.
I quite enjoy the plot in the first half. We started with the contract marriage, and then we got to see how our ML supports and solves problems for FL behind-the-scene. I also enjoy the business talk and crisis (though I am still not quite sure that FL's company really does). When the big bad wolf pulls strings to get the three former soldiers back together, and the revenge plot officially starts, that was fun and entertaining. With the three friends back together, we also learn of ML's tragic past and how it continues to affect him to this date. The bromance is strong and they are fun together.
However, I feel that the story went downhill once they went to Thailand. It feels like a completely different drama. The trip is an overly complicated to find out who the big bad wolf is - the battle to takeover the orphanage, sex trafficking, drugs dealing, etc. Whatever happened to the lost document of the orphanage? That was such a big deal to steal it, and then what? It seems like everything happened in Thailand is for them to suspect Li Mo as being alive when he killed the big bad wolf.
Speaking of Li Mo, I am still not sure if he was trying to seek revenge or not. Was all that happened his way of just using ML's hand to kill the one who's controlling him? Or was he really mad at ML for leaving him behind, and actually wanted him and his other comrades to suffer? In the end, was it revenge to involve him in the arms dealing, or just really needs the help? Was he really still the same person at heart, who would sacrifice himself to save his friends? I am not quite sure.
Other Observations:
1. It is quite mean for FL and her friends to use fake kidnapping to force ML to confess his feelings. He has PTSD!
2. Too many secrets hidden from FL by ML and their friends for the sake of protecting her.
3. In the second half, I guess no one has to go to work anymore.
4. Really enjoy the bromance and sismance in this drama.
5. English dubbing is poor and inconsistent and it has nothing to do with the nationality of the characters.
6. It's implied that FL knows that she's the girl in ML's picture, but I can't find a logical way for her to find out.
7. In the end, FL still doesn't know she had a childhood connection with ML. Poor ML.
8. I like the songs in this drama.
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Fast-paced crime drama with a sizzling Love/Hate romance
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25I’m so glad to see Korean BLs coming back with a good drama like “The Prosecutor’s Proposal”. I’ve always found KBLs do really well with the darker and angstier themes. As a low-budget mini drama, this is a well-produced one. It’s not perfect and still suffers from being too short, but it doesn’t have the usual flaws of a small production - looking cheap & bad acting.
I really appreciate this is a serious drama without the occasional over-the-top comedy that messes with the overall feel of it. I also really like that the crime investigation is the focus and romance is just a part of the plot. What’s best is that “The Prosecutor’s Proposal” does not look cheap. Though there aren’t any fancy sets, the overall cinematography feels like a regular long-form drama.
The main romance is definitely the talk of the town. The leads have excellent chemistry even during the crime investigation when they are in a supervisor/supervisee relationship. Of course, the love-hate relationship and the red flag-ness of Ju Tae Seon are the icing on the cake. The sexual tension is palpitating. I just want them to kiss and devour each other, which they did. LOL The emotions going into the NC scenes are delicious and sizzling. The NC scenes themselves are sexy and passionate, but they are way too short especially after such a great build up. If I have to pick on the romance, it’s that everything is too fast-paced. The transition from hate to love happens too fast. For a short drama, there’s no luxury of time to let their romance slowly develop, and give us more push-and-pull tension.
The overall acting is solid. Kim Yoon Sik shines as Prosecutor Ju. His manic behavior changed so rapidly. Although he’s not a newbie to the industry, he doesn’t really have that many dramas under his belt either. His more unpredictable behavior contrasted well with Park Si Woo’s more introverted and quiet acting. I’m glad Investigator Lee Chae Ha is not a pushover either. He might be on the quiet side, but will stand up for himself when needed. Park Si Woo performed quite well. The rest of the supporting cast also did a pretty good job.
The crime investigation takes up the majority of the time, as it should be. The general plot is interesting enough. However, since this is such a short drama, it doesn’t have enough time to fully write really intricate storylines. There are some actions done by the villains that make me scratch my head, especially towards the last few episodes when we’re about to find out who the murderers are. The writing could have been better. If this is a regular big budget drama, I might criticize this a little more.
Overall, “The Prosecutor’s Proposal” is a fast-paced, engaging crime investigation drama with a juicy and sizzling romance. Its weakness is the lack of time to develop the romance well, and to give us a more tightly written crime drama. But I applaud its ability to give us a sizzling romance (except the last episode when it feels a little cringey), a well-acted drama that doesn’t look cheap. Given this is a low budget drama with adjusted expectations, I am rounding up my 8.25 to a 8.5.
Drama Completed: 7/23/2026 Review #705
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Amazing and Talented Young Cast, but the Storytelling couldn't keep up with them.
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75In the early episodes of “Taste”, it reminded me of another K-drama, “Celebrity”. Set in high school, teenager Bambi has always wanted to be popular and famous. But no matter how much makeup she puts on or tries to distinguish herself, nothing is working for her.
This is until she becomes the Princess of Trash, and with this viral fame befriended a group of rich and popular kids. You know the drill, her eyes are really open now into a world she’s not familiar with. She wants to not only stay there but climb to the top.
I binged through the first 4 episodes of “Taste” easily. We are slowly introduced to the dynamics and the background of the teenagers. We also follow the initial steps Bambi took to distinguish herself. You may not agree with her ways, but you can’t deny her courage and persistence in achieving her dreams. However, the second half of the drama falters. It became too melodramatic and lost the initial fun. The pacing also slows down. It’s already a very short drama, yet these 8 episodes feel very long. “Taste” was unable to find the balance in the latter half when it dived into the consequences of actions. The tone shifts understandably as it should be, but the execution is where I have trouble with. Of course, it also could be because I was very tired after work, and I just couldn’t focus more on the serious stories.
I actually like all the characters, though not all are saints. They are grey and interesting. I wish the drama would be longer so that it can develop the relationships and friendships between them better. At times, things seem to move really fast, and at times, it has no development but harps on the same tune. I want to know more about the friendship between Pure and Namkhang instead of just a couple flashbacks. I want to know more about Tokyo and his boyfriend. I want to know more about Bambi and Mhong, similarly I want more than just flashbacks. I want a little more development between Diesel and Dream when they were gaming, since after they met in-person, all things happened too fast. So much is being glossed over with a couple flashbacks here and there.
On the other hand, I think the major strength of this drama is the incredible and talented young actors and actresses. I have to say, I am incredibly impressed. Before watching “Taste”, I think I only recognized Phuwin and Charlette (I might have seen the rest in other roles that I don’t remember). I’ve seen Phuwin in a few dramas before and was very surprised to see that he can really act. I’ve seen Charlette in “Bangkok Blossom” and already knew she could act. But I have to say, she was more amazing in “Bangkok Blossom” due to her character, but she’s good in “Taste” as well. Mabelz as our female lead was amazing. Her big eyes are mesmerizing. I have to say she was a big surprise because as I went through her drama list, this is only her second drama and first main role. Oh and I discovered the cute patootie, Tony Anthony. He’s the sweetest guy in the whole drama, and he’s just so adorable. LOL. The rest of the supporting cast is awesome as well and they are all very charismatic. What a talented cast!
This is not a cheap production. You can see there’s some money poured into the drama with beautiful costumes, hair and makeup, lighting and sets. I guess they make good use of the money they get from all the advertisements. Unfortunately, I was unable to find good English subs for this drama. I watched the second half with very poor AI-translation and that’s not helping when I already was having a hard time enjoying the last few episodes
“Taste” has the potential to be a much better drama especially with such a talented cast. It has the ingredients of very interesting characters but does not have enough time to develop them all. This could easily be a 12 to 14-episode drama with better developed stories and pacing. I am disappointed to not rate this higher because I did have a hard time watching the last few episodes. It’s not a bad drama, but the first few episodes raised my expectations and I was disappointed. I was debating a 7.5 or 8.0 rating for a long time. I am going to settle with 7.75 (rounding up to 8.0) because I like the cast so much.
Completed: 7/18/2025 Review #604
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Watch it for Romance/Obsession or Dylan/Peter - But not for Revenge or Palace Politics
Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75“Unchained Love” has such an interesting and unique general plot that unfortunately the writing and editing did not deliver. The lure of a forbidden love between a eunuch and the emperor’s woman, with revenge in the backdrop, seems to be such an amazing story. I missed the comedy tag, as I thought this would be a serious, heart-wrenching story of love and revenge. The comedy in the first few episodes threw me off a little, and the revenge plot is a disappointment. Having said that, I did have an enjoyable time watching the drama, thus I am rounding this up to an 8.0. If I solely based on the plot disappointment and the sloppy and illogical writing, this would be a 7.0-7.5.
What I Like:
1. Smart Lead Characters - I really enjoy the first third of the drama when the leads are trying to outsmart each other and then form an unlikely and unwilling alliance. I am a fan of smart female leads who can hold their own and be on the same intelligence level as the male leads. I found Bu Yin Lou (FL) has some similar characteristics to Cheng Shao Shang in “Love like the Galaxy”. They are both smart but have to hide their true self due to their upbringing. Similarly, Xiao Duo (ML) is similar to Ling Bu Yi in “Love like the Galaxy” as well. They both appear to be ruthless and cunning and are out to seek revenge, but love their women tremendously, in very different ways. Maybe that’s why I like “Unchained Love” because of these strong characters and similarities. I cannot stand a dumb female lead anymore, or one that is innocent and naive. But the similarities of both dramas end there. “Love like the Galaxy” is a much more well-written drama.
2. Acting - Well, Chen Yu Qi might have overacted a little in the beginning during her comedy parts when portraying Bu Yin Lou’s outgoing personality. But for the most part and especially after the first third of the drama, I do find her convincing. I was never a big critic of hers and found her acting decent. I am actually glad to see this funnier side of her acting, since her other roles I’ve seen are more serious or standoffish. Most of us probably watch this drama because of Dylan Wang. And yes, he plays the ruthless Xiao Duo very well. Though I am not a fan of how his character becomes a love sick puppy, that’s not his fault. He acted well. But the actors that shine in this acting category are the veterans Peter Ho (as Murong Gao Gong/Emperor) and Zeng Li (as Empress Rong An). Many have sung praises for Peter Ho in this drama and he indeed is excellent. It’s an amazing journey to follow his character’s change in this drama. Zeng Li is the only main character that uses her own voice, and I think that is why I like her acting. Coming off her other memorable performance in “Love like the Galaxy” (oh, another reference to LLTG), her acting here is more manic but also nuanced. The rest of the supporting cast did a fine job but no one stands out against the main four.
3. Production value - I don’t think this is a S+ production, but everything looks nice. It has good solid sets in the palace and also in all the houses. The props, fixtures, and furniture look good and sturdy; and nothing looks cheap. The costumes are beautiful and women’s hair accessories are tasteful without feeling overdone. The men also look good and handsome in their costumes. Dylan Wang really looks good in all his attire. Oh, except for the bad makeup for the women - too white and cakey.
What I have Mixed Feelings:
1. Dubbing - I am disappointed that 3 out of 4 main characters are dubbed. I recently saw Chen Yu Qi in “Hi Venus” and “Story of Fox Valiant” and she wasn’t dubbed. I still remember her voice and when she speaks in this drama, I couldn’t place her face with the voice. Peter Ho is probably dubbed because of his Taiwanese accent, but for such an experienced actor, it would feel so much better if I can hear his voice when he’s going all crazy. I think all Dylan Wang’s historical dramas are dubbed, so I wasn’t surprised. At least I heard his real voice in “The Rational Life”. But when you look at the major supporting cast, it seems like most of them are using their own voices. Then, why dubbed the leads???
2. Action scenes - This is not a wuxia drama, so I won’t judge the action scenes too harshly. There are some fun scenes and they definitely make Dylan Wang look good. However, I do feel that they are somewhat overexaggerated and theatrical. The flips and jumps were overdramatic and the wire work wasn’t done well. There are a few scenes especially in the last 5 episodes that it was too unrealistic to have someone standing there, everything in slow motion, and the killing just stopped. Well, I think a certain character should have been dead a long time after being pulled by 5 horses. Instead he’s just suspended in the air for a long time. This is also why I criticize the writing of this drama.
3. Main Romance - I think the chemistry between Chen Yu Qi and Dylan Wang isn’t bad. But because I was expecting more angst, a more tortured romance that I feel something is missing. I was hoping for more longing looks and loving gazes but I ended up getting some pretty open looks and hang outs together. They spend so much time together that it doesn’t seem like a forbidden romance anymore. How can no one out of their small circle see that something fishy is happening? How can the suspicious emperor not suspect something sooner? Of course, for many romance lovers, all these happy and cute scenes are a plus. I was just expecting something different.
What I Don’t Like:
1. Writing/Editing - It is probably due to censorship, or just bad writing/editing that the second half of the drama doesn't make as much sense. It was especially bad for me in the last ⅓ of the drama with the romance plot. In one scene, FL was questioning if ML really likes her and she hasn’t realized her feelings yet. In the next scene, they both spend the night together and they are outright in love with each other? The couple's intimate scenes and dialogs were cut out, and this really affected the flow of the romance. We learned of certain conversations/events via a few flashbacks. FL has been portrayed as smart and cautious throughout the drama, but for the sake of convenience, let’s have her make dumb and careless mistakes so that the emperor can finally find out the big secret. What sloppy writing for this big reveal! Our leads have so many opportunities throughout the drama to elope, but they never did. And when that finally happened, it was just that easy to get out and leave the palace without being detected.
2. Pacing - I think this drama has a strong start in the first ⅓. But in the middle, the drama slows down. I would have thought that the last ⅓ would pick up the pace as that’s when all the revenge, reveal and action take place. But unfortunately, I find these episodes slow. It’s a lot of talking in circles, waiting for something to happen but didn’t really happen.
3. Revenge - On the one hand, I understand Xiao Duo’s realization that ‘an eye for an eye’ might not be the way to go. However, after spending 6 years plotting for a revenge (we’re told but we haven’t seen much), the ending to the revenge plot is very anti-climatic. You fall for a woman, and you throw that rage out the door pretty quickly. I really dislike a male lead who was so determined in the beginning and then became a lovesick puppy in the end. Dylan’s character in “Love between Fairy and Devil” was like that, and here in “Love Unchained’ is the same. That’s why Xiao Duo’s revenge can't hold a candle to Ling Bu Yi’s in LLTG.
Do I recommend this drama? I would if you are in it for Dylan Wang or Peter Ho. “Unchained Love” is a drama about forbidden love and obsession in love. Do not watch this for the revenge plot or palace politics. If you are a romance lover and can throw some logic out the window, I think this could be a very enjoyable watch.
Completed: 2/20/23
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Indisputable excellent fight scenes but with a Thin plot
When the Director is famed martial artist Yuen Woo Ping + Producer, martial artist and Male Lead Wu Jing + the one and only Jet Li as a guest star, there is NO doubt that “Blades of the Guardians” will have excellent fight choreography and amazingly performed action scenes by everyone.If you enjoy the traditional old-school wuxia fights, you are in for a treat. This movie is action-packed from start to finish. Every single actor looks like a warrior out there, no matter if you are a man or woman. The hard-hitting close combat fights, and the swinging blades and fists are sure to delight many wuxia fans. I was totally impressed with everyone putting in their hardest effort. Reading a little about this movie, I found out that the original Princess role was played by Mongolian actress, Narnaash, but she was blacklisted due to fake education records. But do not fear because Chen Ji Jun (with a martial arts background herself) took that role and RAN with it. Playing against veterans such as Wu Jing, Nicholas Tse and the handsome Yu Shi and Ci Sha, my eyes were glued to her! She was amazing in every way! If we are speaking of acting performances, everyone was great - from the veterans and guest stars down to the young boy, Little 7.
But if you are looking for a more balanced movie, unfortunately, “Blades of the Guardians” is unable to provide you with that. The plot may not be difficult to understand but most background information was provided by a few quick flashbacks. As amazing as the action scenes are, I wish the drama had sacrificed a few of them, and given me more screentime on the relationship and backgrounds of the characters. I want to know more about the Guardians, so that I can care about them more. There’s not enough breathing room in between the scenes for me to think and feel.
Since “Blades of the Guardians” is an adaptation of a manhua, the story hasn’t quite ended yet. But the movie does close its first arc, focusing on the bounty hunters, fugitives and the desert. The story should continue on in Chang’an, if there’s a second movie.
Is it recommended? Yes, if you enjoy excellent action and fight scenes. These fights are hard-hitting and brutal (not for the faint-hearted). But if you are looking for excellent storytelling, "Blades of the Guardians" is not quite there. But two hours in the movie theater did pass by rather quickly and I didn’t check for time at all. I was entertained and focused.
Completed: 2/26/2026 Review #670
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A Promise of 3-course Sweet dessert tasting, but the last course was Espresso!
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75** I did not read the web novel. The review is solely about the drama itself.
I can see why so many are disappointed in “The First Night with the Duke”, especially after a very fun first 7 episodes. It’s like you are promised this very delicious 3-course dessert tasting but the last course was a cup of dark and bitter espresso. I expected the focus of the plot would change to be about ML’s backstory and his relationship with the king, and I understand that. The disappointment is in the writing and execution, because many of us signed up for sweet desserts and not a cup of espresso (at least give me a sweet frappuccino!).
There are two reasons for me watching this:
1. The plot of FL trying to play matchmaker for ML and 2FL but ended up falling in love with ML. I like this trope!
2. Ok Taec Yeong - need I say more about how tall and handsome he is, and with beautifully sculpted muscles?
Well, for these two reasons, I am quite happy! I came into this looking for a romantic comedy and it was delivered in the first 7 episodes. As I said, I like the trope and I love the obsessive tyrant who is possessive, clingy and gets jealous…and he’s actually NOT mean to his girl! I had a really fun time watching those early episodes. I wasn’t expecting anything amazing but I got what I wanted. The acting in general is not bad and the chemistry between the main leads is pretty good. We got a couple of not-totally-steamy scenes and good kisses. They are cute together as a couple. The supporting cast is OK. The mean girl isn’t too mean, and the ‘innocent’ girl is to be expected. No plot twists here.
But things go downhill with the introduction of another character at the end of ep 7. That’s when the shift in tone happened. We got revenge, palace politics and a fight for the throne in the last 4 episodes. The comedic tone disappears and we’re left with a typical historical political drama. The writing is fine, the villain is fine and the king is fine. It’s all very average but where was my promised dessert for the 3rd course? I don’t want espresso now! “The First Night with the Duke” is unable to balance the comedy throughout the drama.
Since this is a fantasy drama, I am not going to be picky about the how and why FL was transported into the novel. There really can’t be a ‘realistic’ explanation because it’s not real. You can only judge whether it's creative or not or it's the same old same old. But you can totally tell that you are NOT watching a C-drama because the censorship police did not come and give you the standard ending to a Chinese transmigration fantasy drama (know what I mean??).
Overall, I have a decent time watching “The First Night with the Duke”. It’s only 12 episodes long and at least I enjoyed two-thirds of the drama. I don’t hate the last quarter, I just wish it was executed better. I would only recommend this drama if you like the actors or this particular fantasy plot. Otherwise, you can save some time and watch something else.
If you read the web novel, can you drop me a comment and let me know if it does a better job in balancing the comedic tone throughout? Was the politics handled in a much better way?
Completed: 7/29/2025 Review #608
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Timing is Everything.
Season 2 does not give me the same feels and gone are the innocence and sweetness. All the characters seem to have grown up and are forced to face certain challenges in life. No longer can they hide their feelings but they all become more courageous and more honest with themselves.The talk of the town is probably Kou’s indecisiveness and going back-and-forth between Yoshioda and Narumi. One thing Kou said resonated with me. He wants to move on but he’s also afraid that he will forget. Therefore, being with Narumi in a way is a security blanket. If you have lost someone close to you, you can probably understand where Kou is coming from. But of course, logically we all know he needs to cut ties with Narumi and be honest with his feelings. I also do not agree with Narumi’s emotional blackmail, but I can sympathize with her actions.
I liked Yoshioda in season 1 and I continue to like her in this season. She continues to grow and I’m glad she tries to at least not be a pushover and really wants things with Toma to work out. Toma is a lovely guy but it’s just not the same when your first love is someone who’s broken, and you want to heal with him and be with him throughout the process.
These characters are young and they are not perfect. Going back on decisions is not the end of the world. Sometimes, we just need to be more forgiving of ourselves and know that we can’t always make the right choices at first try.
Yuri has a very small part in season 2. The love triangle between Murao/Kominato/Tanaka has a little more screen time. I would have liked to see more foreshadowing/scenes in Murao’s final choice of the guy she ends up with. There doesn’t seem to have enough transition from one to another.
Season 2 did not hit me the same way as Season 1. But I did have an enjoyable time watching this. I’m glad the acting is pretty good all-around and even though Narumi is a third wheel, she wasn’t that bad.
Completed: 2/25/2024 - Review #410
Season 1 review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/voicelesslove/reviews/342617
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Hilarious, Good Acting and Great Chemistry - Shut down your brain to enjoy this Slapstick Comedy
In order to enjoy “Egg and Stone” or not to be disappointed, there are a few things you should know. Sometimes, It’s important to set your expectations and know what you are getting yourself into.1. This is a COMEDY first and foremost. Not just any comedy but stupid, crazy, over-the-top slapstick comedy.
2. Do not expect this to be a wuxia drama. The setting is in the pugilistic world/jiang wu, but wuxia elements are scarce and fight scenes are limited, and not very well-choreographed.
3. Romance is also a big focus, more so than mystery or investigation.
4. This is a low budget production - do not expect fancy costumes, sets or hair/make up.
5. You need to shut down your brain for some crazy fun.
If you are not OK with the above-mentioned points, then I will dissuade you from watching “Egg and Stone”. Unless you are a big fan of the actors, and are on a mission to watch every single one of their dramas.
Having said that, I lowered my expectations and waited for the right mood to watch this drama. I had a lot of fun watching it, and also laughed out loud at many moments. Of course, I rolled my eyes as well and wondered why established actors such as Xu Lu, Caesar Wu and Riley Wang signed up for such a project. Are they being blackmailed by their companies, or do they owe the director a big favor? Or maybe they just want something different and have some fun with friends?
I do applaud the actors for diving right into their roles and do not mind acting silly and ridiculous. I actually think the acting of the cast is a big strength of this drama. To be honest, there are quite a few sad and emotional scenes, and I was so touched that I actually shed a few tears. Less experienced actors might not be able to pull this off.
The drama follows the journey of female lead, Huo Xing Chen, and her dream of helping the weak in the pugilistic world. She doesn’t want to follow the traditional role of a woman, getting married and staying home. This is quite a feminist drama in a way. She was met with opposition from the men in her life at first, but she slowly persuaded them and also fell in love with someone who believed in her and supported her dream.
I enjoyed the romance between the leads quite a bit. Xu Lu and Caesar Wu have great chemistry and are so fun when they have scenes together. I like the development of their romance, not too fast and not too slow. Jiang Bu Ting has become one of my favorite male leads, especially in comedies. Not only is he good-looking, he’s smart, funny, and shy-cute. But most importantly, he’s the one who believes and persuades FL to follow her dreams. He supports her but doesn’t spoil her. He allows her to make mistakes and learn the hard way, but secretly protects her. There’s enough romance throughout the drama to keep me happy. I do wish they give me more than dead fish kisses. I’ve seen them in other dramas and they could both deliver! I blame the director.
Riley Wang really needs to pick other roles where he’s not the third wheel in a love triangle. I feel bad for him as an actor, and also the character. I was dreading the direction that his character is going, but was fine after knowing the whole backstory. The secondary romance is cute and adorable, but could have been better. Jiang Bu Ying is so dumb, cute and funny.
I think the weakness of this drama is the more serious plot. The mystery and investigation parts are not written very well, and this is mostly towards the second half of the drama. There are inconsistencies and plot holes, and a lot is told to the viewers and instead of shown. I actually got bored and was distracted.
Another weakness is the production quality. You can tell this is a low budget production. The same two songs are played all the time. The actors wear the same outfits in each scene. If you are a main character, you might have 2-4 outfits, otherwise, you wear the same thing every day. On the one hand, it’s a nice change to see actors not getting the smooth-faced, white filter treatment. You can clearly see the makeup not done perfectly or if anyone has unsmooth skin. On the other hand, in some close shots, I do wish the filter is on. Luckily, the actors dubbed their own voices. This makes the funny scenes even more fun. I think dubbing would mess with the comedic timing. However, I can’t stand the fake Cantonese-Mandarin accent of one supporting character. It bugs me quite a bit, since I speak Cantonese.
Overall, I had a lot of fun watching this drama. I can’t totally turn my brain off, thus, I can’t bring myself to give “Egg and Stone” higher than an 8.0. There are still things that bug me, but this is definitely a lot more fun than I thought. I am glad to re-discover Caesar Wu and I look forward to his future dramas. Xu Lu also surprises me and I can’t help but compare her to Li Qin in “Thousand Years for You” (Xu Lu is better). I will recommend this drama to you if you enjoy slapstick comedies and are looking for a stress-relief drama. Just shut down your brain and enjoy the craziness.
Completed: 1/14/2024 - Review #394
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