Reviews

This has all the elements for melodrama, from story to character graphs. The story, along with the poster image of the couple with the cute boy is what initially interested me in the drama.

The drama delivers on the story. The characters are interesting and even those we come to dislike are shown to have a different side to them.

Through most of the series, you feel sorry for the male lead, for what he goes through. But, in a gratifying sense, when he figures it all out, his reaction and the questions he asks are the very same ones that's been running in our mind until then.
The kid is very cute and has been used to obvious advantage throughout.

Another character that leaves an impression is that of Guang Xi's mother who is antagonistic from the beginning but gets a 180degree change in character later on.

The one problem I had with this drama is that I didn't like the character of the female lead for almost all of the drama. Most of the time, Mu Cheng acted like a damsel in distress, like she needed saving from someone or something. There was some level of sincerity to the character in the first part of the drama which is lost and I couldn't recover it in the latter half. I think all the lies and denial got to me.

The actors (save for the female lead for lack of expressions) are pretty good. The photogenic moments they show in the OST are beautiful but aren't really very significant moments in the drama itself.

The drama in all is very watchable for the situations and overall feel.

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First off, I'd like to just say that the summary does not do this drama justice. This isn't simply a cliché mystery drama the likes of all the rest. While the pacing is drawn out for the short 9 episodes, I never once felt like it was too slow or boring in any way.

Story:

I give the story a solid 8.5 or 9. It wasn't overly complex or mindblowing, however the writing was wonderful and full of emotion that most dramas neglect or don't bring out. I believe that the main focus in this show was to delve into the more psychological and highlight the relationships between people, and while yes there is some mystery, it wasn't very difficult to figure anything out. More important than solving the mystery was understanding why or what brought the people to this point. Especially important was the relationship between Sakaki and Torii--a friendship so beautiful I felt myself moved on several occasions, something very rare for me.

Acting:

The acting, in my opinion, was rather well done. While I've seen Inoue Masahiro before and therefore had a good idea of what to expect, I'd not had the experience of watching Akutsu Shintaro act before. I can definitely say I was impressed by how he portrayed Torii. The awkward movements, the interactions with Sakaki VS. everyone else, and his general appearance were all very believable and made me want to see even more from him.

Music:

It's difficult to say how good the music was based on the quality alone. However, it absolutely served its purpose. During the narrative scenes, it really increased the impact of the words and made me feel more strongly what was being said or spoken about. Instead of getting lost in the background or distracting from the beautiful script, it enhanced it. I really enjoyed it.

Rewatch:

Maybe in future I will rewatch this, though I don't think the impact will be as strong the second time around. However, simply to see Sakaki and Torii together again, I think I would definitely come back to this someday.


Overall I highly recommend this to most viewers. If you are a big mystery buff, I don't think this will be the best drama for you (the mysteries themselves aren't all that complex), but if you want to watch something quick and simple that isn't about all the usual drama tropes with a decent psychological theme, I would highly encourage all to give it a try.

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Frustrating and Predicatable

Television screens are delicate things. I tend not to throw things at them. I cam close with this KDrama. This series started well but you could see the inevitable frustrating ending looming early. The premise is fun and probably a bit of a boys-own fantasy. Ordinary lad finds himself living with a celebrity K-Pop idol. No spoiler it it is in the official description. He can't avoid her and she really makes it difficult to do so. It's not remotely realistic but it is at the same time.

Doo-na is damaged. Won-jun, the 'ordinary lad' has the repair kit though he doesn't seem have the whole instruction manual. Intuition isn't not his forte. Won-Jun bumbles on like a Ron Weasley. Doo-na is no shrinking violet. She is presented as a femme fatale but she is actually quite straightforward and honest. She craves love. Won-Jun falls in love but he is also a coward. He plays it safe. He has already botched one relationship due to projecting his own insecurities onto he situation instead of getting his facts right.

The process by which Won-Jun tackles this relationship in his predictably annoying way is morbidly fascinating, and achingly frustrating, and I eventually jumped from episode 7 to halfway through episode 9 to satisfy my pessimism. I was disappointingly right. I hoped to be wrong but I wasn't.

It is well acted and the romance between the two main characters has all the ups and downs and miscommunication of any good relationship worth having but the Director bottled it. The ending is open only because it is lazy and as cowardly as the male character.

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Decent drama adaptation

> STORY
Given that the drama was set to have 10 episodes, I understand that there would be a lot to fit in if they were going to do an adaptation of a webtoon that has over 140 chapters. Still, I did hope that the changes they make would fit in such a way that the drama would make sense even for those who have not read the webtoon. In this case, well... Let's just say that the 'Sweet Home' drama adaptation is like a "longer movie adaptation" of the webtoon. I expected it to be very fast-paced all throughout, but I did find that there were times where it felt a bit slow.

The story, as they have changed it slightly, I felt was lacking and a bit all-over the place. Even when I knew that some bits were similar from the webtoon, I still couldn't help but feel a bit confused. First of all, why the hell are there so many surviving tenants in a 10 episode about humans being hunted by their desires? You would expect that with having too many characters to pay attention to that each of them has their own story to tell. But because of the episode limitation, a whole lot of the characters have not been to fleshed out -- even the supposed main characters themselves. If this was going to happen, I would much rather that they got rid of others quickly either by being consumed by their desires, killed by the other tenants, or eaten by the monsters. If this were a zombie movie where the bitten humans become zombies themselves right after, I wouldn't mind at all because we all know how that would go down.

My point is that the story is meant to be different in that the cause of the chaos in their world is psychological and emotional, which therefore means that having a deeper connection with the characters might weigh a lot more. (Because yes, we did get some background story and some struggle with some of the characters, but it still somewhat lacking in depth, in my opinion.) This is why I could not help but feel that the drama is a little confused about how it wants to be. Should it be like the other fast-paced zombie/monster pandemic stories? Or should it stay close to the webtoon's story? Or should it be like a mash of the two and a whole lot more? The addition of a new element in the story made it all the more confusing to me -- is the cause of this chaos biological? Psychological? Emotional? Evolutionary? Did someone plot this whole chaos? Was it an accident? Is this about weaponizations? Or what -- is this like COVID??? What is going?? In the end, they have chosen the option of having a possible second season to hopefully try and make sense of whatever happened this season.

> CAST (and MONSTERS)
The story aside, the actors did very well in portraying their roles. Even though the characterisation was lacking, it was still passable and the actors brought some life to their characters that would make you want to cheer for them. I actually thought that the makeup, special effects, and CGI weren't so bad for a drama that tries to bring life to monsters. Very good effort! If anyone is not a fan of horror, it would be best to skip those monster bits.

There was enough action in this 10-episode drama and while I was hoping for more monsters, what they have given us was enough. You wouldn't be disappointed in this aspect. I also liked the setting that they've chosen to be the Green Roof Apartments and the details that went into it; each apartment and their tenants have different stories after all. (This is why I was hoping that if they were to adapt this particular story that either 1. They spread it out in different seasons -- but given the costs for this to even be adapted, I highly doubt they'll go for this route. 2. They write it in such a way that makes sense for a 10-episode drama.)

> MUSIC
As for the music, I feel that they could have chosen better? I mean... I do not mind 'Warriors' by Imagine Dragons, but I just thought that they really had plenty of other songs to choose from? I don't know, I think it's just me. Other than that, the music sound effects and such were not too bad.

> Would I watch this again?
I wouldn't mind watching it again, it was a fun ride watching it the first time :)

> Would I recommend this drama to others?
Yes, especially if you like monsters and zombies films/dramas. Also the quality and acting in this drama is good! It would not disappoint you. (Unless of course, you are like me who is reading too much into trying to make sense of the story then... Well... It's up to you!)

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I liked Sword and Flower aka Blade and Petal, but it's not for everyone. Though the romantic couple were important, romance was not. The driving force in this drama is a combination of revenge, political intrigue, and of course backstabbing. All 3 were done well. There was much about the production including the sword fights that reminded me of a Spaghetti Western or Wuxia series. It was a very good production with few glaringly obvious contiunity problems. I appreciated the cinematography espcially the angles and shots in a few scenes, the staging, and the costuming. The cast is good and solid, Even No Min Woo's (who seriously needs to gain weight) overacting of the crazy was entertaining. I think the supports, especially Choi Min Soo, Kim Sang Ho, and Ohn Joo Wan carried the series. The ending was lacklustre and strange, but appropriate with the somewhat artsy vibe of the series. Admittedly, it should have been different, but I guess they wanted to pay hommage to Shakespeare.

What I didn't like was the romance. The leads weren't charasmatic and lacked chemistry. They both were much better in scenes with other actors. Together, they were annoying. Uhm Tae Woong is a much better actor than what he was in this. They introduced a couple of really great characters in the last few episodes that should have been introduced earlier. The series would have been the better for it. A few scenes could have been a little tighter and crisper.

All in all, I am glad I watched Blade & Petal. I was looking for revenge & fighting and I got it. I would rewatch scenes, but not the entire series. If you read a synopsis and thought it would follow the classic Romeo & Juliet path with romance seeping out of it's pores, go back and read it again because you missed something. If you appreciate a talented cast and good (not great but good) writing, and a production in it's totality, give it a whirl.

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I just finished writing another review where I wrote that there aren't many kdramas with strong female characters. Now I seem like a liar because this drama is yet another example of a kdrama with a strong female character. The character in this drama goes through so much yet she is never weak or defeated. The thing I love the most is she isn't dumb. She catches on to things and even though the things she finds out are heartbreaking and I am sure they are things she wishes didn't happen yet she doesn't let her emotions cloud her judgment. She stands up for herself and she doesn't let herself be a victim instead she owns up to her mistakes and she takes responsibility for them. She doesn't want people to see her as helpless yet she isn't afraid to ask for help even from someone she hates. Why? Because she has a goal and will do whatever it takes to reach that goal. I could continue my lovefest for this character but I will move on. Don't get me wrong though she isn't perfect and I didn't want to watch a drama with a sacrificing woman but the way the story develops and the characters grow make it worth it.The character development for all of these characters was great. No one ever changes so much that you are left wondering what happened. Everything is a process and a well done process at that. The actors were great and every week I was left waiting for the next week to come. Before the last episodes the writer of this drama said that the ending would be something totally unexpected and trust me it really was. I was always on here commenting after every episode and not one of us predicted that ending. Best kdrama of the year, sorry Master's Sun.

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A good drama to watch if you love dramas which are more realistic

This is not a drama where a prosecutor fights for justice or to clear someone's name. No prosecutor runs to catch a criminal or do some great investigation to solve an unsolved mysterious case. This is just an ordinary story where you can see daily lives of prosecutors working while glued to their desks. I loved this so much because it exactly did what it said in the synopsis. It was like peeking into a prosecutor office of a small town. And I loved how they kept everything within the office and didn't get into the personal life of the prosecutors and turning it as a family drama. The only problem I had with this series was that it was very episodic. Thankfully, they didn't take each case to solve per week like a detective series but showed various problems / cases of the prosecutors in each episode. I loved those non-elite team of department 1 and how Prosecutor Cha mingled with them. The comedy was not overly done which would have spoiled the entire show for me and I loved the flow of the drama which was slow but not draggy.

Things that I enjoyed:
1. Usually in these kind of dramas we always have an ML who is always right and wins all the time in an argument and FL who eventually learns from him. Here the scenarios were totally different. And I love how they portrayed Cha Myung Ju and Lee Sun Woong.
2. There's no unnecessary or forced romance between the leads just because they are leads.
3. Supporting actors were amazing and they made the drama much better
4. Love scenes between Jung Woo and Mi Ran were super cute though it was short.
5. Being a life genre drama I worried about some draggy melo parts but there were none. The comedy aspects of the drama (though it's very little) made the drama very refreshing.

Things that I didn't love:
1. I know it's not a thriller and didn't expect a fast paced story but sometimes the drama felt too slow
2. There isn't any structure that connects the whole story and it mostly felt episodic. So, as the drama progressed there were times that it felt aimless.
3. Could have given the supporting characters more time and explored them even more.
4. The power battle between the leads was entertaining at the beginning but felt annoying at some point.

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When the episodic format was both the best and the worst part of the show.

This is a drama made for all the fans of friendship, bromance, male and female friendships, discussions on the topic of loss and how to deal with it, presented in an easy to digest manner. For all that love great acting and good on screen chemistry. Viewers who like to accompany the characters on their journey to figure out who they are, what they like, what they are good at and who and what they care about. Do you fit in the group? It’s more than likely you will enjoy it.

The best aspect of the drama was easily Tseng Jing Hua’s performance and Pu Yi Yong’s character. There is so much depth in that performance. The best part? The gaze. Depending on the situation Jing Hua was able to completely change the way he looked at people and things, and clearly show the viewers all the emotions the character was feeling. With all the hardships he had to go through after the coma and newly discovered "skills" - we were presented with a strong, but also vulnerable lead.

Yi Yong, Guang Yan and Chu Ying became one of the most entertaining trio I have watched this year. Distinctive personalities which at first seem not to mash up well, created a mix one cannot resist and ends up loving. Yi Yong being the most empathic, Guang Yan - smart and genuine, and Chu Ying driven and motivated, three characters perfectly fitting into a well known trope of “heart, brain and muscle”, but at the same time being more than the two-dimensional trope.

While the separate cases of the spirits and their stories were great and had surprisingly a lot of depth and detailed background, I cannot say the same about the overall arc and plot. And that was my biggest issue - I enjoyed the show when I was watching, but I did not feel the urgent need to check the new episodes as they aired.

Most of the longer plotlines were not elaborated and explored enough and the set up to the conclusion was weak. They dropped some information here and there, but they did not diversify the hints enough. You need to literally cut out and paint your own puzzle pieces to truly create a full picture in your head. There are a lot of great revelations in the last episode, but they would be far more impactful if they were spread in time a bit. Instead of dropping all that’s important in the last episode, how about showing bits and pieces in the earlier episodes? Sounds like a more engaging storytelling method.

Basically - they opened with a really elaborate set up for the characters and their backgrounds, then we get close to nothing for most of the show, just to be hit with a tsunami of information by the end…

As I said earlier, Tseng Jing Hua’s performance was one of the best aspects of the drama, but truth to be told, the whole cast did a phenomenal job. Big props to Jack Yao, who played my favorite spirit.

The production was amazing. Brilliant styling and design for all the spirits - all unique in their own way. Everything just created a cohesive and believable picture, which is honestly not that easy to do, when your show has so many fantasy elements.

All the calligraphy scenes? Pure perfection! From the acting of Tseng Jing Hua (again, how the character’s gaze changed each time he picked up the brush just gave me goosebumps), to the design of the whole process, up to the CGI and camera work!

Overall, great drama that slightly missed the target to be an unforgettable beautiful journey.

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From Birthday cake to ASHES

Lemme start without beating around the bush with some lil background here. soo our leading lady, Empress Wang Yun Ci, goes from celebrating her birthday to becoming a human barbeque (thanks fire! guh )

But fear not, because the drama gods had other plans. She wakes up mysteriously reborn in the body of Princess Consort Duan, married to her own brother-in-law (insert awkward silence here). Now, convinced this brooding prince offered her for, like, treason or something, she's out to take her REVENGE but lil does she know who the actual ahole is lmfao.

All in all, imma say this drama isn't going to win any awards for historical accuracy, but who cares? but the fact is this drama ultimately falls short of being truly exceptional. However, It's entertaining, its heartwarming (in a weird, dysfunctional way), and the romance is okayish. If you're looking for something to binge-watch with totallyy 0 expectations, then this drama is deff your jam. Just grab some snacks, and prepare to be entertained. With a production that's lit, alright acting of leads & supporting cast & story that's surprisingly nice (romance is missing tho, would have loved to see more of them ;p) To sum it up, TRE is a mini lil package of awesome thats a fun watch but not a MUST watch for sure :3

Signing off,
yours Angel
Thanks for reading my review <3

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卧虎藏龙 Crouching Tigers and Hidden Dragons – Witty, Humorous, Philosophical

I love this story. It is inundated with hidden talents that are unexpected, mysterious, interesting, complex and contrasting. Each character has distinct characteristics and is unforgettable. Adapted from a very popular web novel by the talented script writer Wang Juan who has also written for Joy of Life and Young Blood, this drama has a very similar vibe as Joy of Life which was also played by Zhang Ruo Yun as the main lead. Together with Hu Jun, this drama gives the viewers an unusual wuxia story with modern vibes.

Within the first episode, my interest was piqued: Why is the heir to the King (Lord) of Bei Liang displaced? He is like a beggar, dirty in rags, stealing food. Why are there assassination attempts on his life? In fact, seemingly insignificant, how would anyone know he’s the heir and track his whereabout? Why does his old hag of a horse servant run faster than him but not fending him when they are being chased? Why does he want everyone to think that he’s a good-for-nothing idiot? Why is his fearsome father so fearful of him? All these questions, and more, pop up in my head and urge me to continue.

Xu Fengnian (played by Zhang Ruoyun) is well known to be the number one useless playboy in the world. That’s what he wants others to think. Those who know him, including his own father, know he’s the most compassionate, intelligent and strategic person around. For Xu Fengnian, his philosophy of 不取舍, 不妥协 (Bù qǔshě, bù tuǒxié) -- never abandon (as in sacrificing), and never compromise -- brings him a fortunate stroke of serendipity with friends and followers that vow to protect him with their lives. It is this uncompromising conviction that his father, the fearsome General Xu Xiao (played by Hu Jun), thinks his son too naïve and need to be exposed to the reality and darkness of life. During Xu Fengnian’s quest, his father exposes his track to his enemies, at the same time, sends diehard top warriors to protect him. The actions are both ironic and hilarious.

Xu Xiao perhaps can be considered as an ideal father for any child: ruthless and fearsome for others but doting on, even to the extent of submissive to, his own children. He is like a tiger when facing his enemies, but immediately morphs into a little mouse when facing his own children. Unlike most ancient Chinese parents who demand absolute obedience, Xu Xiao doesn’t. In fact, seemingly letting Xu Fengnian having his own way, constantly Xu Xiao teaches him without the youngster even realizing it until very much later when things finally fall into place and reveal themselves. As a great chess player, Xu Xiao is always multiple steps ahead of everyone. Though disagree with the way his father handles things, Xu Fengnian comes to realize and respect his father for his foresightedness.

As romance is not the central theme to the story, as of season one anyway, nonetheless viewers do get a peek at Xu Fengnian’s possible love interest. As a princess of a by-gone kingdom which is conquered by Xu Xiao, Jiang Ni (played by Li Gengxi/Teresa Li) has a love-hate relationship with his family. On one hand, she understands that Xu Xiao has saved her, on the other, she is upset that Xu Xiao has taken her country and destroyed her family. She takes her torments out on Xu Fengnian by repeatedly assassinating him. Despite her continued laments that she is now a maid for Xu Fengnian, she is happy to dry his books for him under the sun.

Perhaps the most pitiful character is our antagonist, Zhao Kai (played by Liu Duanduan). His one-track mindedness to kill Xu Fengnian is both funny and pathetic.

Xu Fengnian’s relationship with all the characters has been very well developed, and from here, viewers can clearly see his values and baseline. He loves all his siblings and constantly want to protect them. He cares for all his people, including his maids and servants, and treat them like his own family.

Hu Jun has a commanding look. One look at him would conjure up images of ruthlessness, and in wrath, he could order to kill everyone that comes in his way. And yet, at a click of the fingers, Hu Jun can become the most affable grandfather any kids would love to cuddle up with. Hu Jun is simply amazing and has captured his character with flying colors. Zhang Ruoyun’s acting here is rather similar to that of Joy of Life with an apathetic look. His chemistry with Hu Jun is so great that most viewers do not have enough of their scenes together. Most of the criticism of choice of actors has perhaps fallen on Li Gengxi, who comparatively, is less attractive than the others and has less experience in acting. However, I find her acting acceptable and she has brought out the Jiang Ni character rather convincingly. Her chemistry with Zhang Ruoyun is good too.

My Verdict

This is not your normal kind of wuxia story. Every character has its story and each may carry a big mystery behind it. What each character says is not necessarily what it (the character) means, and its action not necessarily the actual motive. Everything is not what it seems and it is hard to fathom until the treacherous events brought forth to light.

Some of the actions can be illogical, and the logic can be so simple that it becomes illogical and unusual, making the whole thing hilarious. The use of analogies, double or hidden meaning in each sentence which consists of blunders layered on top of each other, making the dialogues extremely amusing. Every move and word from the characters is out of expectation. Though speaking with dialogues in ancient poetic verses, they are infused with modern vibes. The humors have come from the conflicting ideas and situations, in the satirical of human weaknesses. When it exaggerates, it doubles down. It is all these that make the whole story intriguing and captivating.

A lot of the criticism has come from viewers dissatisfy with the slow motion of martial art actions. Perhaps some viewers are expecting the type of martial art fighting scenes of the Hong Kong style of the old days when many of such actors were indeed martial art masters themselves. For me, I would have preferred the current style, as the director attempts very well to show the viewers the beauty of the fighters’ choreography and stance with hair flying and robes floating in the air. The current style of shooting emphasizes more on aesthetic values rather than the actual fighting itself. Therefore, this is a matter of taste, and should not be used to judge the quality of the drama.

Unlike the cliff hanger ending for Joy of Life, and despite the unresolved mysteries in this story, the ending here for season one is at a very appropriate point. This is a drama that makes you smile and feel warm from within.

Great drama! Recommended! Two thumbs up!

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A drama full of cliché elements done right!

Ousama ni Sasagu Kusuriyubi is an adaptation of the manga of the same name, which I haven't read, so my review is from the point of view of a person who is not comparing the drama to its original work.
What is the main trope involved you ask? Fake Marriage!
Do we have plenty of dramas in dramaland of the same trope? Yes! Definitely!
Even then, is this drama still worth watching? YES! ABSOLUTELY!

The drama can be categorized as a breezy watch, with all the cliché tropes present (fake marriage, first loves, rich man/(comparatively) poor woman etc.) but what really sets it apart is its acting and script. The actors succeeded in involving the audience (at least me) with their characters. I felt the emotions that they were feeling , especially the main leads, Ayaka's tears, Togo's micro-expressions added so much more depth to the emotions... I basically laughed with them, got embarrassed with them, felt sad for them etc. The chemistry of the main couple makes you root for them and the friendship and family moments are really heart-warming.
As is implied earlier, the story is pretty cliché but the script is well-written and really fun. I smiled through most of the episodes and waiting a week for the new episode was honestly a torture! The drama really puts your mind at ease as all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the episode (without a lot of thinking).
The drawback would be:
Was the last episode a little lackluster? Yes.
Was the last episode disappointing? To an extent, yes. It felt as if something was missing.
What about the last 15 minutes of the last episode? It kind of redeemed itself.
But was the last episode enough to destroy the enjoyment felt throughout the drama? NO! I am usually someone who lowers the rating significantly if the ending, in my pov, is messed up. That's because a bad ending makes the entire drama very insignificant and unmemorable to me. But even though Ousama's finale episode was a little disappointing, the good parts of the drama are so damn memorable that I probably won't be forgetting this drama anytime soon.
I am not usually a fan of rewatching shows, but I can definitely see myself coming back and rewatching the drama for Togo and Ayaka.

Conclusion: DEFINITELY WORTH WATCHING!
(Just because I liked it, doesn't mean you will too. But I can say with confidence, that its a drama worth giving a chance!)

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You either Love or Hate this drama - I love it and I hope you do as well

Completed: 9/19/2022

I have not seen the Korean version so I am just reviewing this on its own. I can see how “Discovery of Romance” can get both positive and negative reviews. The whole premise of the story is about a love triangle: an ex-boyfriend comes back into the female lead’s life and stirs up all types of emotions and troubles. If you do not like love triangles, this is definitely not the drama for you.

I can also see how many might drop this drama within the first few episodes. I was somewhat caught off guard as well, as I wasn’t expecting it to be a comedy. There are many silly and comedic moments in the first 8-10 episodes, and mainly due to Qin Jun Jie’s character, the ex-boyfriend. Our three main leads are not super lovable characters either. They are flawed and the initial comedy doesn’t paint a great picture on them, well, maybe except the perfect boyfriend. However, if you are able to stay a little longer and keep watching, you will see that this is a drama about healing, closures, rediscovering yourself, following your dreams, personal growth and how complicated feelings could be in real life. Feelings are not always black and white, and being wishy washy about feelings and decisions is actually the most realistic part of a relationship, especially a love triangle.

I stuck around because I am a fan of Janice Wu and Qin Jun Jie. I haven’t seen Janice Wu in a drama for quite some time and still remember how much I liked her in “Le Coup de Foudre” and also as the sassy actress BFF in “You are my Glory”. I became a fan of Qin Jun Jie after watching him in “Listening Snow Tower” (love him but not the drama) and also in “Noble Aspirations”. I’ve never seen him in a modern drama so I am looking forward to this. I am so glad I stuck around because they are both awesome. The chemistry between the two is amazing. The argument and bickering are fun, but the emotional scenes are just something else. Even when they’re just calmly talking about business and designs, I can feel their chemistry slowly sizzling in the background. They are the main reason why I watched, did not drop and gave “Discovery of Romance'' a good rating.

I really like how we learn of ML and FL history by seeing how differently they remember events of the past. ML only has the happy memories and thus wants to get back with FL. On the other hand, FL only has negative memories and wants nothing to do with ML. The storytelling is interesting to me. With the flashbacks, we see a younger and more innocent version of the couple. It’s like both Janice Wu and Qin Jun Jie are playing multiple roles.

There are many frustrating decisions made by the three leads. How I want to scream and shake some sense into them. When you watch this, either you hate them or you try to understand where they’re coming from. This continues to be that fine line of liking and disliking a drama. The drama also switches from a rom-com happy and silly tone, to a more melodramatic tone in the last ⅓ of the drama. I personally enjoy the more emotional scenes and the process of the former couple coming to realize that their relationship really has ended, and ML finally found closure. We also follow the perfect boyfriend’s journey of accepting his past and loving himself.
This might not be a perfect drama but I really like it a lot.

Other Random Observations:
1. FL has such a cool relationship with her mother. We need more mother characters like her in C-dramaland.
2. I appreciate natural kisses - no fan service, but happens when it’s appropriate in a normal, loving, mature relationship.
3. A surprise cameo in the last episode. I’ve never seen this actor in a modern look as well.
4. Finally brought back some humor in the last episode.

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It's not THAT great

Why The Prisoner of Beauty Isn’t as Great as It’s Hyped to Be

Uneven pacing. The show drags in the middle with too many filler scenes, especially those involving the generals and unnecessary political talk. It slows down the story’s momentum.

Wasted potential. The premise is interesting: beauty, power, and deception but it never fully commits to exploring those themes deeply or cleverly.

Predictable script. You can almost guess what’s going to happen next. Twists feel forced rather than earned, and some character decisions don’t make sense.

Unbalanced screen time. The supporting characters, especially the villains, could’ve been more developed. Instead, too much focus goes to less important subplots.

Weak romantic chemistry. The main couple’s connection feels surface-level. There’s no real spark or tension that keeps viewers rooting for them.

Inconsistent tone. It can’t seem to decide if it wants to be a political thriller, a romance, or a melodrama. The constant shifting weakens the emotional impact.

Lack of emotional payoff. Major scenes that should hit hard just… don’t. They’re either rushed or underwhelmingly executed.

Flat dialogue. The lines often sound generic or repetitive, without the depth or sharpness to make moments memorable.

Too polished, not enough grit. The cinematography is nice, but everything feels too staged and “clean,” making the story feel less real or immersive.

Low rewatch value. Once you know how it ends, there’s little reason to revisit it: no hidden layers, foreshadowing, or emotional depth to discover the second time around.

Underutilized cast. Some strong actors don’t get enough to do, while weaker performances get more screen time than they should.

Unclear motivations. Especially among the antagonists you’re left wondering why they’re doing what they’re doing. The lack of depth makes them forgettable.

Missed dramatic tension. Key conflicts resolve too easily or are skipped over entirely, leaving viewers unsatisfied.

Overuse of flashbacks. Instead of deepening the story, they start to feel like lazy storytelling tools.

Emotionally distant storytelling. It’s hard to truly care about the characters because the writing keeps viewers at arm’s length.

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