Best 2023 Historical Drama. Brilliant palace politics with dark romance
This drama tells the story of a female lead who goes back in time 2 years prior to her death to change her fate. In her first life, she is a selfish and manipulative woman who uses all means necessary to achieve her goal of becoming an Empress. In her second life, she realises the many mistakes she has made and tries everything in her power to change her fate and right her wrongs.Note, the main focus of this story is the palace politics (female lead’s redemption and male lead’s revenge). The romance is a secondary focus but definitely worth it especially in the last 8 episodes. It’s reverse harem so there are three love interests. The female lead loves them for different reasons but only one is her perfect match/true love.
POSITIVE:
- Reverse harem romance is done right! We don't see the female lead jumping from one man to another or loving them at the same time. Each love interest has his own time to shine. We are first introduced to her childhood friend that loves her, then the second man who she admires for his righteousness and goodness, and then the third man who represents the perfect enemies to lovers trope.
- No love triangles or stupid misunderstandings/miscommunications.
- Dark romance with VERY hot kiss scenes.
- Main lead chemistry is hot, hot, hot. Did I say hot!
- Brilliant palace politics talks.
- Morally grey female and male lead that are both smart, cunning and wicked in their own ways.
- Male lead who achieves his goals through his intelligence rather than muscles. It’s rare in costume dramas to see a male lead who destroys his enemies with badass strategies without lifting a weapon.
- The most satisfying happy ending. The story wrapped up well and everyone gets what they deserve.
- Top-notch performance from all the cast and especially the main leads Bai Lu and Zhang Ling He.
- Slow burn romance for the main couple that is totally worth it and all the wait pays off!
- No annoying characters, no unnecessary fillers or draggy plot lines.
- Flashbacks and parallels between the first and second life were fantastically woven into the story.
- Great character development for all characters, main and support. Everyone’s motive for what they did and why made sense!
NEGATIVE:
- Cinematography is a let down but it still does not take away my enjoyment! The director really went crazy with the camera lights which irritated many viewers including me. Especially towards the end of the drama where there are many flashbacks, the blinding lights were showing up every 5 minutes which felt very, very excessive. Also, there were weird spinning effects, pink hue filters and unflattering angles as well as random “wind” blowing the actor’s hair even when they were indoors.
- As a hopeless romantic I would have loved to see more romance between main leads (or at least in earlier episodes) as their chemistry was off the charts however with how the story is set up, it makes sense why it was a very slow burn.
OVERALL:
For me this is THE BEST historical cdrama I’ve ever watched. The political plot is executed brilliantly, the dark romance is chef’s kiss and most importantly the drama portrays beautifully the female’s lead story of redemption and the male lead’s story of revenge. You will miss out a lot if you don’t give this a chance!
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As the title suggests, it tells the story of Nemoto Kahoko (Takahata Mitsuki) who lives an extremely protected life. So, despite being in the senior year of college and in the job hunting phase, it is the furthest thing from being independent. We can say that she has super protective parents, especially her mother (Kuroki Hitomi), who still wakes her up every morning ... And her father (Tokito Saburo) is aware that his wife is being overly protective of her only daughter, but can not have the courage to speak.
Things begin to change when Kahoko meets this great art man, Mugino Hajime (Takeuchi Ryoma), who naturally leads a complete opposite life to hers. Without a father and with a temporary multiple, he is astonished to learn the extreme case of the girl being spoiled by the mother who she is, and how unsatisfactory her future is.
Kahoko is basically a great baby. It's not childish but childish. She does not realize that she is living in a bubble all her life or dependent on her parents. As the drama unfolds high grades one learns from it, and we will see that Kahoko even being spoiled gets to turn around, drama is a lesson of life and wisdom.
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I would waver back and forth on whether or not I liked this. I can admit I was definitely intrigued by the synopsis; I'm a sucker for stuff like this even though I'm often times disappointed. Dramaland is filled with nonsensical things, and this one was no exeption. The sad part is how hard they tried to make it come off as believable when it was plain-as-day nonsensical. To the point where seemingly mundane things are hilarious. Where does she store all those different clothes she wears when she has only one bag???
With the usual love triangle, you end up rooting for the main love interest to end up with of their suitors. There usually is some conflict between which one is the better choice, but this time, it was very clear cut as to which one was better. What the writers did with all that was just terrible and sloppy towards the end. Rather than fleshing it out in a way that followed how they lead up to the peak, things fell flat and listless. Afterward, it just seemed as if they were rushing to tie up loose ends.
I say, if there's an actor in here that you really like, give it a watch. No one gives a disappointing performance. But if you were going to watch this for the story, don't get your hopes up.
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A rare drama that starts and finishes strong, led by a smart power couple
“Blossom” is actually not on my radar until everyone starts raving about it as the last black horse of 2024. Therefore, I joined the hype as I heard it has the recipe for success: Good Plot + Good Romance. So, is it worth the hype? Mostly, yes. I might not be as in love with it as many others. Surprisingly, the romance is the minor let down.Despite its boring and cookie-cutter drama title, “Blossom” is a pretty well-acted and well-written mid-budget drama. It doesn’t feature top idol actors or big name actors. Instead, two supporting role veterans, Meng Zi Yi and Li Yun Rui, are given the spotlight. I’m happy to say that they did not disappoint when given the opportunity. I just finished watching Li Yun Rui in his other main role in “Go Back Lover”, and I’m glad he’s given a much better script here (just sad that he's dubbed).
I enjoyed Meng Zi Yi and Li Yun Rui’s scenes together in the first half of the drama (before their marriage). The drama started with a bang with exciting introductions of characters and a first episode that sucks you in. I enjoyed the first 10 episodes tremendously. Our main leads grew up to be upstanding individuals even though they had a rough and tragic childhood. They go from enemies-to-comrades-to-lovers in an organic and well-developed way. I enjoy how they try to outsmart each other and also work together.
Even though I do enjoy the mature romance, I was expecting more. It’s either because I had high expectations or I’m just not feeling the sizzling chemistry. Oh, I love the loving and longing looks ML has for FL. Li Yun Rui never disappoints in that regard. It’s just I was expecting sizzling hot chemistry. Instead, I was given a more mature, slow-burn and feeling of ‘content’, not enough cute scenes. All of this is good too, just not what i expected, thus, a minor disappointment. But our leads are the dream power couple. When they are together, no one is smarter than them. In fact, they can be viewed as too perfectly intelligent that you know nothing will go wrong, and they always have a plan B or plan C.
The pace of the middle episodes is a little slower after the initial excitement. This could be a breather or calm before the political storm. The family drama is nothing new and you’ve seen that in so many other historical dramas. I feel that the marriage subplots of who is going to marry who lasted too long. I got a little bored, especially when FL’s sister isn’t such an interesting character.
What comes as a personal surprise is how much I enjoy the political plot in the last 10 episodes. Because we saw what happened in the first episode, it kept me guessing what was going to happen in the end. Will the fate of all individuals be different? Is history going to repeat itself? How are the leads going to survive despite being the top enemies of everyone? I also get to see Ji Yong (Xia Zhi Guang) more in the latter episodes. He’s so mysterious and charismatic. Xia Zhi Guang has such screen presence and great subtle acting that I didn’t know I would miss him on my screen until he shows up again. I was also happy to see that ML’s brother is more than a one-dimensional character and like some of his conflicted scenes.
I would recommend “Blossom” as it’s a pretty well-rounded drama, and a rare one that starts and finishes strong. The acting is good, especially for the veteran supporting cast. There are some minor plotholes that I have to ignore with my rational brain, but not serious enough for me to call them out as a disappointment. I might be just a tad disappointed in the romance of the leads (surprisingly), but I still enjoy watching a mature, supportive, power couple with honest communication and no misunderstanding.
Completed: 12/24/2024 - Review #529
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First off - the story. It was okay, I actually quite liked it. It had its ups and downs, some clichés such as all the friends coming to Tae Oh's house all at once. If I'm being honest, there wasn't much story to it - it was this typical, slice of life drama and without bigger plot twists. Everything just seemed so clear and obvious and they actually talked to each other. It was like watching a real life go by, just a little bit enhanced and nothing cringey. Lead characters just clicked very well with each other. As in real life everyone had their pros and cons and I could sympathize with all the characters.
As for the acting - well there isn't really much to say. It was just brilliant. Ji Soo's acting is never a miss and I just cannot not love Jin Young, it's just not happening. Female cast was also well-done and as it was my first time watching Jung Chae Yeon in a bigger role I must say I was quite afraid of her acting at the beginning but it was unnecessary, she gained my respect. Choi Ri is also an actress I must keep a close eye on because her acting is so quirky and she is just adorable. Hong Jiyoon acting made me hate her but also wonder what is her character really like. She had such an ambiguous role I still can't seem to figure it out. It's just like in life - nothing is really black or white.
As for the music department it wasn't really memorable so I can't say much about it. Though I must say that the way Choi Hoon sang on his musicals was nearly comical. I think it was the first time I've ever seen such terrible lip-sync.
Overall this drama wasn't necessarily the best in the world but it does leave one entertained and in love. All I felt during my marathon was overflowing fluffiness and cuteness but also sincerity and real-life-like characters. I rated re-watch value 6.5 only because I don't really watch any dramas twice but also because I know there will be a lot of dramas like this to watch. It is not unique, contrary, it's very simple, but sometimes simple is all we need.
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This review may contain spoilers
Average Rom-Com story but likable.
Story is pretty straight forward. Boy and girl are old acquaintances who meet after long separation and starts working together. Later start relationship and fight together for their individual goals.While watching this drama, it feels like the story/ screen writer watched or read most of Guman dramas and clubbed them together. Both leads were gamers at some point of time and dated online (Love o2o). Guy wants to be Aerospace engineer but ends up working in a company (You are my glory - only in reverse order). Not only the similarities in the story, there are clipping too from My sunshine drama, being played behind as prop. Not to forget, the main leads were also part of these dramas.
Actors did a decent job. Not outstanding performance but okay. I can remember far better dramas from both ZBB & WQ.
What I liked in this drama -
1. The characters (not actors) know their capability. People are not extremely smart but are not at all dumb. They behave as they should in certain situation in this type of drama. People would act in certain ways which one might think is extremely dumb but given the role, they do not break character. They are supposed to act so.
2. Relation between the Main leads - Its fairly simple with no overcomplicated third party interruption. Yes, there are suitor for the lead, but not important. There were some misunderstandings in the past which do not compromise the story at all, in fact, strengthen their bond. And the good thing is we get to see both side of the story and why such situations happened.
What I disliked -
1. Story - The overall story is a big "question mark". The story happens surrounding the FL's family company which is infamous for recruiting people with connections and providing them various positions. The FL also being such a character, having no experience in handling a company is airdropped into the company branch office as team leader. And somehow she manages to do her job and jumps multiple positions too. And she somehow she does those job as well. And not only her, most of the people in the company have no idea what is happening, yet they are very busy... I can go on about the story but this review not thesis.
2. Pace - The drama is 32 episodes long and has many many many fillers, yet while watching, it feels like many scenes were cut in post production and do not match. Transition in between one scene to other is poor. Its like one thing happened. And something very different happens in the next scene. One has to imagine what must have happened and how much time has passed between them.
3. Background songs - As the drama starts, the sound track feels good. But they have used the same songs over and over, and overdid it. After sometime it feels annoying. Also there is no fading when the song starts or ends. It just starts as the scene begins and end with scene. And cut to the next scene. And if there is another song for that scene, it will just start without considering that they have already played a song or music track just 10 secs back.
Overall - I would recommend this drama to people who wants a light rom-com, without spending much thought to it.
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1
1Emotionally powerful masterpiece that captures real, raw human connection at its finest.
Ever since I started watching this drama, I felt like there was a ball of emotion stuck in my throat. It is so real, so without pretense and so utterly soul-stirring that it feels like a balm on all the wounds you may harbor in your heart.This drama is about Miyabi, a gifted neurosurgeon who has lost her memories of the past two years due to a car accident. Unfortunately, it has left her in a state where she forgets everything about her day as soon as she wakes up. So, she has to live day by day, relearning everything she knows from the journal she keeps. She has stopped being the brilliant surgeon she once was and instead, now, acts as an assisting nurse.
✔️ Miyabi has to be one of the most endearing and lovable heroines in Asian drama history. She is such a graceful, full of heart woman that immediately puts you at ease. There is such compassion, empathy and care in her that you can feel it through the screen. She immediately de-stresses people around her and has mastered the art of listening. She makes people feel heard in a way that changes the very fabric of their lives.
✔️ She also has to be one of the strongest women on T.V because of how she faces each day with a spirit that is unbreakable. Sugisaki Hana has put out an acting of a lifetime. It is so nuanced, heartbreaking and authentic that it’s like you can see the very inside of her heart and it’s absolute gold in there. As a result, not only do you wish to have someone like her in your life, you wish to be someone like her.
However, Miyabi, as unwavering as she is, is ultimately living as a shell of her past self. That all changes when one day, a new surgeon, Dr. Sanpei joins her hospital.
✔️Sanpei, for all intents and purposes, is strange. His hair is unruly, he doesn’t talk much, nor does he seem to care about other people's opinions. He is also somewhat of a prickly genius and eats these weird gummy candies every single day. Yet, there is something about the way he looks at her that immediately makes you, as a viewer, feel like he knows her on a soul-deep level. There is so much suppressed feeling and restrained emotion in this man’s eyes that you pause for a second, wondering what it is that has him looking at her that way.
✔️From there, slowly their relationship unravels. The love story in this show is something that’s hard to capture. The majority of the interactions between the characters are so subtle - just everyday words, looks, small gestures - and yet, after 11 episodes, I felt like they were made for each other.
Sanpei feels like a man whose entire heart is in the palm of Miyabi’s hand and the magnitude of trust she feels for him is unconditional and unerasable no matter what happens.
✔️Their love is so vulnerable, boundless and something that is etched in the very cells of their bodies. They only have to look at each other to make you feel what they feel for each other. That’s why when they do interact, even the slightest touch feels monumental.
✔️The drama is powerful in the way it portrays relationships. Every character is significant and plays a role that is important to the story. The cases in each episode are all beautifully explored so they never come off as contrived or repetitive.
✔️Every single person on the show got the memo on how to act. The performances are brilliant across the board so all of these characters are able to impact the story in their own unique way.
✔️The execution and direction of this drama is excellent. The way scenes transition, the way the memories are brought to the front, the way past and present is merged, the way important scenes are highlighted and finally, the way the character journeys are laid out on the screen - it’s simply stunning to watch.
✔️Even the medical aspect of the whole drama is done in a way that appeals to you even if you aren’t usually a fan of the genre. The surgeries that are shown are done in such a way that you can feel both the importance and urgency of it. The atmosphere in the hospital is so relaxing despite the heartbreaking realities the people face every day. Most of all, it just showcases the power of healing and the inherent kindness that lives in the art of saving a person’s life.
✔️There are three major tracks on the show and they are all superb. The piano strokes especially just hit your heart and give you the feeling of both hope and melancholy in equal measure.
✔️Honestly, I have never cried more in a drama and it wasn’t even sappy or trying to manipulate my emotions. It was just so real and phenomenal in its simplicity. The only reason I didn't give it a full score was because I thought that the circumstances surrounding Miyabi's accident could have been better developed but even that titbit wasn't strong enough to make me more critical of this drama, like I usually am.
✔️Overall, watching these lovely characters try their level best to win against the odds that seem impossible and overcome them in the most natural and inspiring way, really fixes something that feels broken inside of you.
It’s truly one of the most powerful dramas I have seen in 2024.
An absolute must-watch.
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A Mature and Underrated Gem in the BL World
When it comes to showing off their stunning male actors’ butts, nobody does it better than Be On Cloud. From KinnPorsche to 4 Minutes and now Shine… truly the masters of cheeks on screen 🍑😂It’s so rare that I genuinely love both couples in a BL, but this series absolutely delivered. Apo and Mile already proved their magic in KinnPorsche, and now seeing Son (Krailert) for the first time was such a revelation, he’s like a stunning Thai god, beautiful and perfect in every way.
The attention to detail is incredible. From the 1960s setting, the vintage clothes, cars, and houses, the production team poured so much effort into making this drama authentic and immersive. Every episode held my attention, I was never once bored, and the story kept me captivated throughout.
The highlight for me is Krailert secretly seeing his lover. It powerfully portrays the struggles of same-sex relationships and the pain of staying closeted in the 1960s. The NC scenes are another standout. They’re not just erotic but also deeply romantic, with the hauntingly beautiful violin background music making them unforgettable.
The best episode for me is epiosde 7, it was a storm of heartbreak, truth, and sacrifice. Three moments stood out: Naran’s coming out, Victor’s tragic death, and the loss of the loyal Veera.
At the dining table, Naran finally gathered the courage to tell Dao the truth: the person he loved was not her, but a man. His words cut through the air like silence itself. Dao stood frozen, her world shattering in an instant. When he called her name, she turned, lifted her heel, and struck his face, not with her hand, but with something harsher, as if to say his truth was too vile to touch. In the 1960s, when same-sex love was invisible and forbidden, her slap was not only a wound of betrayal but a reflection of a society unable to accept love in its purest form.
Meanwhile, on the streets, blood painted the cry for freedom. As someone from Melbourne, I think of protests I have witnessed where, at worst, police use pepper spray to scatter a crowd. Yet here, in Thailand’s past, guns were raised against innocent students, their voices silenced with bullets. Among them, Victor fell. He was not just a man at a protest, he was a dreamer, on the cusp of a new life in America. His death was senseless, his future stolen. Tanwa’s silence to protect Trin now becomes Trin’s torment, for he will forever wonder: if he had known, could Victor have been saved? Little did he know, Victor had already been warned. My heart breaks for them both, bound by grief and guilt.
And then Veera. The most loyal, the most silent, the most unseen. He loved Dhevi in silence, hiding his feelings within the pages of a notebook. Those very words, his only confession, betrayed him, exposing him to blackmail and sealing his fate. He died not as a villain, not as a coward, but as a man willing to sacrifice himself for the Colonel and the woman he could never have. His death was not only tragic, it was cruelly unjust.
Episode 7 exposes a bitter truth: love can be punished, loyalty can be betrayed, and innocence can be crushed beneath corruption. Police who were meant to protect became executioners, and love that should have been celebrated became a curse. This episode is not just a story, it is a wound, one that lingers long after the screen fades to black.
This series deserves way more recognition. 10/10 highly recommended for anyone who loves BL done with depth, beauty, and heart.
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This review may contain spoilers
Drama with Trigger warnings ⚠️
It is a boss- employee romance.But let me warn you for the process of romance development.
The mafia boss, Kinn was already feeling something for his bodyguard, Porsche and so when one day his bodyguard gets kidnapped and he finds him at an unconscious state(he was drugged) with bite marks all over his body(attempt of rape) while trying to take care of him, he gets uncontrollable and fucks him, well RAPE him.
And their love develops from this point.
I mean, are you kidding me?! How can some one fall in love with their rapist???? And how can it be normal?
Oh oh moreover, at this point of time Porsche was straight and Kinn was gay. 😑
On kinn's defence ( well this is from the book, I dont remember the drama scene), kinn asked for poreche's consent for sex. Well he asked for consent from a drugged person and that's supposed to make sense😑
And he also apologised after the incident, which made it all better😑😑😑😑
This is not the only scene that calls for trigger warning but the whole show is filled with it.
• Vegas- Pete relationship could have been portrayed normally but who wants it to be sober😑
What was their relationship? Was it Stockholm syndrome or Lima syndrome?
• so Kinn and Porsche are step cousins
Well the fans of 'Clueless' movie will love it 😑
And there are many more......
I watched the drama 1st and then read the book, the book is worse. English translated book 1 is what I read, and almost every sex between Kinn and Porsche was forced. Kinn forcing Porsche, and it is supposed to be romantic?!
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I decided to watch King2Hearts because of the 2 leads. Both Ha Ji Won, and Lee Seung Ki, have starred in dramas that are among my all time favorites. I just knew that they would be impressive together, and I was absolutely right. They both do what they are known to do well in this, without creating characters that seem recycled. Lee Seung Ki is used to playing obnoxious/spoiled characters that learn to change their ways/grow up. Jae Ha is no different, but the range, and maturity, of the role really shows what an impressive actor Lee Seung Ki has become. Ha Ji Won knows how to balance sweet with tough, which I loved about her character in Secret Garden. As North Korean Kim Hang Ah, she goes from cartoonishly girly and naive, to fearless and intimidating. I preferred when she was kicking butt, but also loved her vulnerability, and was amused that her biggest challenge was being feminine. Together, they had amazing chemistry from the start. They basically become a living metaphor of the North-South Korean conflict, and their romance is exciting, frustrating, sad, and inspiring to watch. In spite of the grand scale of their relationship, it's still portrayed realistically. During the first episodes, when I wasn't sure If I would like this drama, I already knew I'd at least love watching their love story.
Big fans of romance should know that even the supporting characters have a beautiful love story. Jo Jung Suk and Lee Yoon Ji were so great together, that I cared about them as much as I cared about the main couple. Their characters, their romance, and their specific story arcs, were strong enough to justify their own separate drama. That's the beauty of King2Hearts. There are absolutely no weak storylines, or weaklinks in the cast (except for some questionable english speaking roles, but that's easily overlooked, and normal for K-Drama).
The villains in this drama are the stuff nightmares are made of. In the beginning, I didn't know what to make of Club M's crazy John Mayer, and I was more confused, and amused, than scared. Now I realize that Yoon Je Moon was just slowly laying the foundation for a truly memorable psychopath. It was thrilling watching him go head to head with Jae Ha, and wondering what crazy thing he'd do next. He's certainly one of the best Drama villains I have ever seen. Creepy BonBon also deserves a mention as being the first non-Korean I've seen in a K-Drama who not only didn't suck, but was actually really good. Samanda Daniel plays the perfect twisted side kick, and definitely more than held her own.
The writers, and director, really did an amazing job of creating a realistic modern Korean monarchy, and making an accessible North Korea believable. The overall plot focusses on telling a great story more than doing what fans would want, or expect. I appreciated that, though some viewers may be more upset by certain choices by the writers. The direction is top notch. Not only is it beautifully shot, but the director's choices really added to the emotional impact of many scenes. There's one scene in particular, between Jo Jung Suk and Lee Yoon Ji, that was especially touching because of the direction. The pacing is also just right, knowing when to keep you on the edge of your seat, and when to slow down and take in a moment. The music greatly supports each episode as well.
Rarely do I give dramas a 10, but I couldn't justify anything lower. I look forward to rewatching it now that I know what to expect, and to revisit some of my favorite scenes (I've already rewatched some scenes several times). I think it would still be exciting the 2nd time around, even though I know what's going to happen, because it's all executed so well. I would highly recommend King2Hearts, unless you're specifically looking for something lighthearted, or simple. I'd also recommend being open to an ending that falls a little outside of the traditional 'happily ever after' mold. Even if you're not convinced in the first few episodes, I'd give it a chance, and keep watching. That's exactly what I did, and now I'm adding this drama to my top 5!
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This review may contain spoilers
It's more like "Fantasy Game in a Love Story"
I've been giving it a couple of days before I could actually write my honest opinion down about this one because it made me both sad and glad to finish it.The drama is about a young girl who's sucked into a fantasy novel and has to finish a few preset quests in order to finish the story. She gets these quests by the system of the game. In this new xianxia world filled with dangerous demons, mortals and demon catchers she has to find her way inside someone else's body. She's now Lin Yu, a noblemen's daughter and a spoiled brat, and she has to make Mu Sheng, a demonic demon catcher who hates her guts, fall in love with her.
Love Game in Eastern Fantasy started out great. It was everything I expected and more. It had lots of comedy, a chemistry to die for between actors I love and all wrapped up within a xianxia drama. I usually tend to stay away from the concept of someone being sucked within a novel but because I'm a fan of Esther Yu and Ding Yuxi, I've been waiting for this drama for ages. I was into it by the end of episode one and waited excitedly for another episodes.
Until around episode 24-ish. I ended up missing days of episodes and not being motivated to catch up. From the moment the two main leads actually get together and confess to each other, the chemistry takes a nosedive into the ground and it doesn't really resurface. They're still cute together but the romance falls flat. Ling Miaou Miaou (her real name form the real world) hangs around Mu Yao and Cui Cui more than she does Mu Sheng and it seperates them most of the time. It felt like I was watching a whole different story than the one I began.
Positives:
- When it became less of a romantic comedy it became a story about 5 friends fighting together and saving each other while saving the rest of the world. I loved watching them bond and become closer each episode.
- The chemistry between Lin Yu and Mu Sheng was intense the first half of the drama. I especially liked those scenes in the capitol where they both knew they loved the other but hadn't gathered the courage to confess yet. They were so cute in those episodes.
- The costumes were beautiful!
- There was a focus on Fu Yi and Mu Yao as well. They're the mainleads within the novel so it makes sense for them to get so much screentime.
Negatives:
- That ending was a mess. I just didn't understand why Mu Sheng had to die at that point. He was fine one second and dead the next without any explanation. I was more dumbstruck than sad and couldn't believe what had happened. It ruined the whole thing. The things that followed didn't make it any better. Only made it worse. To me it made no sense for him to go back in time to find Miaou Miaou. And to have them defeat the Resentful Woman that easily... just because they did it together... It was a big no-no for me.
- Miaou Miaou her amnesia episodes. At first I struggled through that bracelet arc but the "forgetting him" thing came back once or twice more and it became ridiculous. She even forgot who she really was. I really liked her character in the beginning but started to get annoyed with her in the end.
- The "it was all a dream" thing and it not even being her dream... I just really hate the ending.
Overal, I do recommend the drama to anyone who's in for a fun drama to watch. It's light and comedic until you get to the later episodes where the story does turn a little to the darker side.
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Finally, the acting was okay, and it did got a bit better, though, I think that Joy didn't fit her character. Maybe I see her more of the younger girl characters, in a more happy concept drama. I really enjoyed Min jae at least. He was a nice delightful surprise.
So, 3 out of 10.
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Disclaimer: times have changed and so has my review now, but these were my initial thoughts after
Yes, I did rate this a 10, but let me explain. If you look at my other reviews, I'm not usually this generous so I do have my reasons for giving this one such high scores in every category.The story itself actually had a nice, steady pace. From my drama watching experience (and I have watched quite a lot), the show usually gets draggy around episode 10 to 14. This was NOT the case. From the very beginning it was so action packed and fast paced I wondered how the writers were going to keep this interesting for another 15 episodes. They proved me wrong though, and every episode felt like 3. The story itself, granted they did have the advantage of a unique setting, does not use the same plot devices as other dramas. It was just a perfect mix of humor, suspense, romance, and action. Those are very different genres but they managed to do it really well. There didn't seem to be a central storyline, but instead it was quite episodic which would usually turn me off. The drama, however, had such a good flow that I didn't even notice, and although the conflicts are episodic the romance and relationships between the characters were developed consistently.
The cast did so wonderfully. Not only were the main actors amazing, every actor breathed life into the supporting characters. They were not just there to support the leads. Each one of them actually had their own distinct personalities and characters that added so much substance to the show. The chemistry between the leads and the second leads was one of the best I've seen. Because of the setting and the dire situations they're put in, you can clearly see the development of the characters. And as a side note, though some of Song Joong Ki's lines may come off as cheesy as hell, he pulled it off so well I almost didn't even notice how cheesy they really were. In fact, they just added to his character.
The music is just so so so good. Usually I only find one or maybe two good songs per OST, but right now I have the entire OST on replay on my phone. It's that good.
That said, I would definitely definitely rewatch it. Normally I would have a couple critiques on my reviews, but honestly I couldn't have asked for a better show. Sure, the show has become really mainstream and may come off as overhyped, but that doesn't mean it loses it's value. If you're hesitant about trying it, don't be. Of my 140+ dramas, it's climbed to number 3. You won't regret it!
Now I'm just going to go into my little corner of post show depression :')
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This review may contain spoilers
Under the Power Review This is one of the best drama to start off the year with. If you’ve seen me in the comment, you would’ve known that I actually started drama because of Tan Songyun. Please do not be mislead by the synopsis or the summary of this drama, and give it a try. You’ll be surprise how amazing it is.
Short character detail:
Lu Yi – 22 years old cold, rude and obnoxious. He takes his work seriously, and abide by the rules. When he interrogates people he does not hesitate to use any type of force. At home, he rather loves music and spend most of his time reading. He is actually rather warm compared to what others view him as.
Jinxia – Obsessed with food and making money, and she is very calculated when it comes to earning and receiving money or bonus. She is good at fighting, and even though she has a buddy next to her, he always let her do the fighting and the interrogation. She is goofy around her close friends, mother and master but take her work seriously when she steps in the field.
Storyline Review:
This drama combined two things I love the most, historical and crime, plus a bonus romance. Even though, Lu Yi holds the higher position compared to Jinxia, and I like the fact that sometimes, Jinxia works faster than he does and solve things faster in certain case. She also has the ability to examine dead bodies and clues. Another good point is Lu Yi doesn’t abuse his authority power to make her struggle, although he talks rough to her, he always discusses to her about the cases and seeks her opinion toward them, this take away the cliché of the “liking the guy who ignored you” kind of thing. The story does not revolves just around them, there are doctors, gang members, and etc. I like that this drama does not have too much political issues, or forced marriage (just because they work for the emperor) which makes things even better, because I really hate those types of ideas.
The costumes in this drama seems very simple, but yet they are very beautiful. I mean the Lu Yi have most of the beautiful clothing, and I understand it because he has the high position plus money. Jinxia supposed to be poor so most of her clothing looks very similar, but there are times where they give her very beautiful and elegant dresses that was breathtaking.
The Romance:
The relationship between these two developed really well, and I like the fact that their relationship did not take 40 episodes to realized their feelings. There were small little things and detail from each episode that add up to their relationship, so it does not take long for the romance (no worries there). I like the innocent, naïve and sweet moments that they developed for and each other’s in this drama.
So What?
Overall, I highly recommended this drama to anyone who is interested in historical, crime and humor drama. The scenes, scripted and the novel was so well written, I honestly haven’t shed a tear for a drama in a long time, and they were able to make me cry, laughed and feel all squishy squishy. I like that they did not developed the lead female to be weak, and useless but instead they made a powerful young girl, who saves a lot of people. Each character was very well developed, and Han Dong played such a great role as a villain, and if you hate him, that mean he did a really job on his part. Even minor role as a bodyguard is essential to the story.
I really do hope these actors have a chance to maybe be paired up with each other in the future project. To me, from the OST, story, characters and actors this drama is definitely my favourite drama for the starting of 2020.
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A Short but Striking Wuxia Tale – Dark, Poetic, and Gripping
If you're looking for a compact yet emotionally resonant Wuxia drama, this 18-episode gem (with episodes around 25 minutes each) is absolutely worth your time. Despite its brevity, it delivers a powerful story, rich character development, and stunning visuals.At the heart of the story is Mo Qingchuan (played masterfully by Cristy Guo), a tragic heroine navigating a path of revenge. She’s a morally gray character—mature, intelligent, and emotionally complex. Her backstory is revealed gradually through well-placed flashbacks, adding layers to her motivation and deepening her character with every episode.
Xia Qiguang (Zhou Zhan), the male lead, is a righteous and loyal figure who occasionally leans into awkwardness, but in a way that’s endearing. While Zhou Zhan may not be the most obvious casting choice, he holds his own and brings credibility to the role. His dynamic with Mo Qingchuan helps ground her, offering a subtle counterbalance to her darker path.
The supporting cast deserves a shoutout too—entertaining and well-acted, they add life and energy to the narrative. The various antagonists are interesting —clever, ruthless, and yes, often sporting dangerously sharp jawlines.
The cinematography is striking, especially in Mo Qingchuan’s fight scenes, which are choreographed beautifully and shot with precision. The costume design is aesthetically pleasing and fitting for the genre. One surprising highlight is the background music: an eclectic blend, sometimes reminiscent of Gregorian chants, which adds a unique atmosphere to key moments.
The storytelling is engaging and well-paced, with only a brief dip into melodrama near the end. But even that scene serves a purpose—it sets the stage for a truly epic climax that lands perfectly. One note of caution: after the final credits, there’s an epilogue. If you loved the powerful ending, you might want to skip it, as it slightly undermines the emotional impact.
Overall, this drama is a hidden treasure—elegant, intense, and emotionally satisfying.
Highly recommended for fans of Wuxia with a touch of tragedy and poetic justice.
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