This review may contain spoilers
Emotional drama that uses historical facts as a framework
Before I present a rounded reality check, I want to talk about my basic impressions.For this reason, my review is structured as follows:
I. Basis of Interest
II. Expectations
III. Brief synopsis
IV. Impressions
V. Fiction vs. reality
VI. Conclusion
I. Basis of Interest
The drama caught my interest because of two basic factors. First, because of my professional background, I find it exciting to observe how countries deal with their own history in entertainment formats. Especially with a country like China, which is significantly characterized by censorship from the CCP, my own curiosity in terms of historical reappraisal is very high. For this reason, I particularly watch productions from all kinds of countries about the war past, since the genre itself is characterized by an emphasized patriotism and reveals the character of coming to terms with the past.
Secondly, since I would describe myself as a fan of the actor Hu Yi Tian, this production offered me the opportunity to combine my professional interest with my hobby.
II. Expectations
To be honest, I started the Drama with few expectations. Especially after I read some devastating comments on MDL. However, I gave little importance to "the drama promotes communism" (it's a Chinese drama produced for the chinese market, what do you expect?) and "Hu Yi Tian is a bad actor" (I see it differently, but tastes differ). Other comments accusing it of falsifying history made me fear the worst. However, since in my opinion every country has the right to tell its own story, I prepared myself to watch the drama critically. Now, before the unimaginative accusation of being a fangirl comes up again, I'll just say this: even if I'm a fan of an actor, that doesn't mean I like all of his work. However, it encourages me to give a project a chance and make a fair judgment.
III. Brief synopsis
The fictional drama fundamentally focuses on the years between 1937 and 1945, a point in time that not only encompasses the Second Sino-Japanese War aka Asian-pacific war, but is set directly between the 1st and 2nd phases of the Chinese Civil War. The plot focuses on three academic families from two generations and the experiences of fighter pilots. While the academics resist the Japanese assimilation policy to rewrite Chinese history with science, the soldiers experience the war from the air and through the decisions of the Kuomintang national government. The drama thus tells a story of escape, resistance, personal fates, political changes and the trauma of war through a small group of people. They also fall in love, but this is not the focus of the drama. While the characters' experiences are fictional, the series uses scientifically proven historical events as the framework of the narrative. Due to the chronological placement in the area of tension between nationalists and communists, this conflict is directly addressed and provides an answer to the question of why communism was able to grow in China in the first place.
IV. Impressions
The script surprised me in a positive way. The diverse characters are written very entertainingly and make empathizing very easy. I liked all the love stories and the friendships very much. While I'm used to getting a lot of filler episodes in Chinese dramas, I didn't get that impression here. The show kept me very entertained from start to finish. Surprisingly, I found the idea of using Chinese history with the Wu Ding bone to be very appealing on a linguistic level. The physics professor was just entertaining and offered a lot of humor. Being less of a fan of pronounced patriotic attitudes, I was surprised by the comprehensibility of the soldiers' decisions. In addition, I was very enthusiastic about the settings and the music, which completely catapulted me into the action of the drama. Since the series takes many historical facts as background, I always checked the actual scientifically proven background when I had my own uncertainties and therefore took my time watching. Overall, I was very surprised that the Japanese were not drawn more negatively due to the extremely negative occupation past. The theme of communism and nationalism was recurring and only made sense. It would have been odd not to mention this, as it is a defining element of this time. However, as a viewer, I had less the impression that I was to be convinced of the political system than to learn about Chinese history from the Chinese perspective and to learn about its roots. To be honest, after all the negative comments, I was extremely pleasantly surprised at how closely the drama adheres to real facts that are also accepted in Western science. I had absolutely not expected that. But more about that in the next point. One must not forget that the drama was produced as an entertainment element and not as a documentary! Moreover, the series does not offer more or less propaganda than contemporary Chinese series. The only difference is that communism is the theme of the story and does not come through the back door as in fantastic dramas or dramas set in the present. If this bothers you, you should stay away from Chinese dramas completely.
As for the casting, I thought it was very successful from young to old. Although I watched the series as a Hu Yi Tian fan, I have to admit that he could have been a bit more on point in (1) moments where he has to show weakness and (2) clearly emotional moments. Since he is very tall and slim, he seemed very stiff in the uniform. However, nothing has changed in my fan position. I actually think it's very good that he's trying out new genres and growing from them.
V. Fiction vs. Reality
Given that the core of the review is focused on a drama and not a scholarly treatise, I will only address the basic topics that are relevant to the era. If anyone is interested in scientific papers about it, feel free to write to me and I'll give you links for further reading.
Historical background
In 1930, the Central Plains War broke out across China, involving regional commanders who had fought in alliance with the Kuomintang during the Northern Expedition, and the Nanjing government under Chiang. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) previously fought openly against the Nanjing government after the Shanghai massacre of 1927, and they continued to expand during this civil war. The Kuomintang government in Nanjing decided to focus their efforts on suppressing the Chinese Communists through the Encirclement Campaigns, following the policy of "first internal pacification, then external resistance".
The Second Sino-Japanese War refers to the all-out war waged by the Japanese in China, which began on July 7, 1937 and lasted until September 9, 1945. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, U.S. entry into the war, it was a stage of the Asian-Pacific War and thus part of World War II.
Fiction
All experiences of the characters are fictional. The greatest creative freedom is given to the selflessness of the soldiers. In the post-war analysis, scholars agree that the Chinese armed forces during the war were said to have not only weak combat morale, but also significantly weakened due to the corrupt government that hindered any organization. Thus, the airmen of the drama are not representative of the spirit of the times! In fairness, this situation is actually addressed in the form of a word fight in the series, even if it is only a subordinate clause. As for the scientific theme in the form of archaeologists and linguists, I cannot make a statement. However, there has been resistance to the Japanese assimilation policy in all Japanese-occupied countries. The question is to what degree this was actually successful.
The individual fates of the characters and their personal character developments as well as political perspectives are representative of the zeitgeist of a limited group. (Keyword: preparation for the second phase of the Chinese civil war)
Reality
The drama directly addresses crucial stages of war. The Mukden Incident. The Nanjing Massacre. The Battle of Shanghai and much more. It is not so much the case that the characters are always on the spot, but more learned from the newspapers or from people they know. While all the characters are constantly moving through the country, the historical events give the narrative a chronological framework.
Because of the timing between the first two phases of the Chinese civil war, the following elements are correctly addressed:
- weak, corrupt national government (Kuomintang)
- secret organization of communists at the rural level
- the government's failure to act in the face of the Japanese invasion (failure to declare war, recall of combat units, government's proportional cooperation with Japan, leaving the population alone despite military force, weak government, etc.)
- strengthened resistance and growth of communist ideology within the people in response to the weak government (of course, there were Chinese resistance movements during the war - even if they were not nearly as successful as they wanted to be - and later led directly to civil war immediately after the Second Sino-Japanese War)
- the attitude of the nationalist government to prefer the fight against communists instead of fighting against the Japanese (in the drama, the official armistice between communists and nationalists between 1937 and 1945 is clearly addressed, but also said that the nationalists did not adhere to it - sad fact)
- the support of both the American and British governments is mentioned again and again
- the poor equipment of the Chinese combat troops and the lack of coordination even after official entry into the war is a decisive factor for the growth of communist conviction within patriotic-minded individuals
- the drama does not say at any point that the war was won by the Chinese resistance alone. In fact, it reports on the successes of the Allies and limits the resistance issue to the threat to the small group in view of the Wu Ding bone evaluation.
- in the end, the drama emphasizes that due to the experiences of war, communist ideology was also spread through universities and the communists won the civil war
- in some places the >white terror< is mentioned, which later also became decisive for the history of Taiwan and which since the Taiwanese democratization and reform belongs to the successfully overcome, dark past (at this point I would like to take the opportunity to emphasize how much respect I have for taiwanese development)
- a lot of patriotism and nationalism (resistance = communist attitude)
Thus it can be said that the drama makes use of basic historical facts and processes them superficially. As is typical of the war genre, there is a lot of pathos and love of the fatherland presented. However, this is an element that can be found in worldwide productions about one's own history. The drama will convince you less of the fact that communism is good. In fact, it shows you more how communism was able to gain power.
At this point, it should be emphasized once again that it is a fictional drama and serves the entertainment. If something seems strange to you, I can only encourage you to look critically and check facts.
VI. Conclusion
I liked the drama very much. It knows how to entertain at every point and offers an emotional portrait of people in times of war. Although the tension between communists and nationalists is a recurring theme, it does not dominate the drama. In addition, nationalists are not portrayed as mere villains, but as people with their own beliefs and values. In addition, I found it interesting that survival guilt is also addressed and is often neglected. The insight is definitely exciting and thrilling with you. If you take a critical look at the drama and are open to a fictional show that presents you with limited facets of war, then I can only encourage you to give the drama a chance. In my opinion, it is worth watching.
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This review may contain spoilers
Are we all okay after seeing this masterpiece? Not me
I’m always a bit picky and love analyzing the details, but for the first time, all I’m going to do here is give praise and applause to every single person involved in the production. From the cast to the writers, directors, and cinematographers—hats off to all of them.This has easily become my favorite series. What can I say about Not Me? It’s such a real, cruel, and moving story that truly opens your eyes. Especially when seeing the situation in a country I’m not even in—I think I can get a good idea thanks to this series. Let’s quickly talk about everything because I simply adore this, and anyone who hasn’t seen it should stop reading silly reviews and go watch it right away without hesitation. I wish I could erase my memory and watch it again, haha.
The cast was chef’s kiss. While everyone did an impeccable job, I’d like to highlight Gun’s performance in portraying twins with different personalities. He has me at his feet with his interpretation of Black and White. He’s a gem in acting, and his talent was well used. I’d also like to mention Off and his incredible portrayal of Sean, as well as First with his amazing work as Yok. Very well done!
The cinematography, camera work, frames, lighting, and filming locations—SPECTACULAR. And I say this as an audiovisual student; it’s the kind of cinematography that you DON’T FORGET. It feels like the best fever dream you could ever have. Some frames completely blew me away. Examples: Tawee’s house burning in the forest, that damn kiss on the rooftop, SeanWhite making out in the tent, and the intense scene of them being kidnapped. Pure excellence.
Let’s not even talk about the script—it never gets boring. It says what’s necessary, when it’s necessary, and builds and connects the plot for the future. What a masterpiece.
Finally, Not Me felt like a masterpiece to me—not just because of the technical aspects (which are very well crafted) but because of the emotions and the message it conveys. Politics and ideologies of justice are vast topics that can be seen from many perspectives. There’s no absolute good or bad here. Everyone is different, and Not Me explores these different viewpoints in a very well-executed way. It raises awareness and reminds us of the many issues in the world that we ignore and how so many people out there are fighting them alone.
Scenes like the LGBTQ+ march in episode 7, the fire at Tawee’s house at the beginning, Sean’s rage toward Tawee and the police, White’s dilemma between honesty and protecting the nation, the relationships of SeanWhite and DanYok—all of these are absolutely worthy of deep analysis, which a simple review couldn’t do justice to.
So, if we keep talking about this series, you have to watch Not Me. You won’t regret it.
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ACTING/CAST: Pretty faces, hot bodies, seems they can play their parts. There's some GL in this and they did not cut the kissing scenes...the actresses made it look real, very nice.
MUSIC: Great music and it was English-subbed. Seriously, is there a Thai drama that doesn't have great music?
REWATCH VALUE: Once through is fine
OVERALL: With every couple in every scene having one person in love with someone else, it's overbearing and exhausting. This series doesn't present enough side stories. This show should be subtitled: "The Underwear: Love Triangles."
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I am familiar with the lead actor; I've seen and liked him in several dramas before. However, I was introduced to the lead female through this drama but Mizobata Junpei was the reason of my liking.
The story of makeover is known but somehow, I felt it was more captivating here.
This is a highly recommandable films for rom-com fans.
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I saw this film by chance when I was browsing through some pages and I realized that I forgot to add it. You see even the newbie me didn’t like this and found it quite ridiculous; I am sure I would’ve rated it 5/10 at the time but now, even 3/10 is still too much. I am being a little bit nice.
Well, I don’t usually write negative reviews; I prefer publicizing the good dramas and films instead but this time around, I just had to go a little against my general rule and I don’t mind being hated for my straightforward thoughts. I will try to keep things shorter than usual because this doesn’t deserve any length.
This film’s story felt so unoriginal at first, and then it failed to deliver anything that grabs the attention, it was seriously boring to follow. Those who are watching this for romance would find this quite lacking and very disappointing. Yes, I am not romantic stories’ lover but I can list several average films that would beat this one to pulp. I am sure that even the fans of the genre would find this film’s story absurd if not unwatchable.
The acting was unbalanced, untrue and absolutely unbelievable. I felt like the director was putting a knife on the actors’ throats to make them act or something, they just couldn’t grasp their characters. But maybe the actors are originally bad that the director who’s already in deep trouble for creating a bad storyline didn’t care any longer what happens with his movie. The chemistry was disastrous, obviously forced without any feelings to portray.
Watch if:
- Well, I am going to leave this blank because I don’t want to recommend it to anyone except those who accept any type of romantic stories.
Do not watch if:
- You want to watch a good romantic story.
- You want to watch it for Mike He. Really, this doesn’t deserve the trouble.
- You’re looking for chemistry or something cute.
Love at Seventh Sight had storyline issues and major acting problems but the main element to blame for this foolish film is the director who failed to make things balanced.
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This review may contain spoilers
One Tough Cookie Brought Up By a Mysterious Uncle: Thrilling With Suspension of Disbelief
My final review of what I believe is the first season of this thriller drama (although no announcement of a sequel at the time I was writing this review). This plot is about the survival of the Female Lead Jeong Ji An, being targeted by professional killers, taking shelter in her uncle's house. How and why it happens is slowly unraveled through past events. Warning: this is not a comedy like the parent story.STORY:
First of all, I didn't watch the parent story The Killer's Shopping List, nor read the novel under the same title "The Killer's Shopping List" (살인자의 쇼핑목록) by Kang Ji Young (강지영). Some comments said that there is no connection between this drama and the so-called parent story, only written by the same author. This is a survival story of our heroine, Jeong Ji An (Kim Hye Joon), because of what happened to her supposedly dead uncle Jeong Jin Man (Lee Dong Wook). Since little, after the deaths of her grandmother and her parents, Jeong Jin Man has been her sole guardian. He brought her up with a survivalist mind and tough love. During her grandmother's funeral, he made her watch a gruesome TV scene of a lion killed by a group of hyenas: "Only the weak bark, the strong don't. You must become strong to make your opponent bark. Don't be scared. Whatever makes you scared keep your eyes open and face it." When Jin Man took Ji An in after her parents's death and she fell on the ground, he didn't pick her up but said "Listen up, Jian. I'm not your parent and I can never be. Which means I can't do the things your parents did for you."
The fact that Jeong Jin Man prepares his niece in such a way as to be strong, independent, and capable of guarding herself makes sense later as the drama title is explained. Jeong Jin Man established an underground online business as the title says, a shop for killers. He not only sold guns but other weapons and chemicals as well. Jin Man was very secretive about himself and his customers so he gave them codes and even put himself and his niece in a special code: Code Green (I will describe the codes in the end under the spoiler).
I'm usually a generous rater, and am easily pleased, as long as a drama wowed me from the beginning till the end, I will rate it 10 (you can find out the dramas I rated 10 in my custom list). The reason I only gave this drama a 9.5 is because of the questionable details I saw along the way. If this is a fantasy genre I will ignore it, but the fact it builds upon modern survival and mercenary plots, it's dubious. I won't spoil them to you for this final review, you just watch the drama to find out. Basically, if you want to enjoy this story, you have to suspend your disbelief.
I will put the spoilers at the bottom of my review (you need to scroll down if you want to know, otherwise stop after the Visual)
CHARACTER AND ACTING:
Lee Dong Wook played the mysterious Uncle Jeong Jin Man with his usual traits: cold, aloof, but charming. We see more of Jin Man's actions in past flashbacks.
Kim Hye Joon played the survivalist niece Jeong Ji An. I stated above how her uncle brought her up, so we see the same cold and aloof trait in his niece. Some comments on the drama page stated that Ji An is too stupid when reacting to the attacks, but I have to defend her since she is not professionally trained and practically implemented for all that happened. Even all she did for survival is just based on her instinct to stay alive while remembering what her uncle and her master taught.
I won't spoil you with information on the supporting characters. The drama is too short to show much more about them. We learned about their background and how they came to know Jin Man, but the info about them is not enough to show that they are three-dimensional characters. I would love to see more (perhaps in the second season) about how Jin Man brought up Brother, Pasin's life (how a Thai man came and worked in South Korea), Min Hye's life after she was saved (her interactions with Jin Man, Honda, Brother, and Pasin) and how she got to know the villains, etc.
VISUAL (CINEMATOGRAPHY, COSTUME, MAKEUP, SET)
As usual, the Kdrama visuals for this dark thriller are amazing: the daring escapes, the gunfire and bomb explosions, the bullet movements, etc. Even the hyena CGI is acceptable. I kinda questioned Jin Man's home which seems so normal and humble but its walls, windows, and furniture are strong enough able to hold the gunfires and bombs to a certain degree. I assume Jin Man fortified his home strong enough for survival, perhaps having an underground bunker, too.
I will put spoilers down below about the Codes and the ending.
SPOILERS (Scroll down below)
CODES:
- Code Red: for killers (assassins) - they can only buy guns, weapons, bombs, and poisons.
- Code Purple: for spies (buy and sell info) - they can only buy listening devices and cameras. Also, simple weapons to be used to kill themselves when their cover is blown.
- Code Yellow: for clean-up crew - they can only buy drugs, detergents, and cleaning tools needed for body disposal and clean-up, and administrative service to evade the law.
- Code Green: for Jin Man and Ji An (though she didn't know before) - the other codes could never attack them. If they did, other Code holders have to risk their lives to protect Code Green.
ENDING:
- Ji Ahn and her uncle are alive. As I suspected, Jin Man faked his death (though are not shown what he did to 'kill' himself and why he did it if not just leave his niece to have her own show). He shows up in the end riding a taxi. He's all wound up, probably he had a duel with the top killer.
- A bunch of killers are dead. The top killer Bale and the Babylon company head are (probably) still alive if they want to make Season 2.
- Pasin and Brother are alive. Min Hye is probably alive, only shown her gun came off her hand but doesn't mean she's dead. I believe if watchers found her too attractive and charismatic to be dead, the screenwriter will revive her for Season 2.
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This review may contain spoilers
LOVE LOVE LOVE
This is a beautiful rom-com drama about an editor, Chu li, and a young author, Zhou Chuan. Having been online friends for 3 years, Chu li becomes Zhou Chuan's editor, both unaware of their online relationship. Revolving around a hate-to-love story, their relationship blossoms into a variety of adorable interactions, as a lovely connection is created both online and in real life. And as they grow closer, they work together to become better selves and more passionate individuals.i absolutely LOVE THIS DRAMA i just finished it recently and haven't been able to get over it since!! Everything about it is just perfection, and i enjoyed watching every second of it. Definitely making it into my top 5!
~ STORY ♥ ~
The show takes place in a working office, but the story is very equally balanced between business and their relationship. The relationship between the leads is one of the CUTEST IVE EVER SEEN. Chu li and Zhou Chuan's relationship is our aspired COUPLE GOALS. Their character development as they grow closer to each other, added with their mutual trust and respect made them strong and confident in each other, is something not commonly seen in other dramas. I swear, couples from other dramas would be jealous of their relationship as it's unbreakable.
The FL may seem to be like the classic "weak" or "dependent" type but she is absolutely not, and is one of my favorite FL my far! Chu li continues to work hard and improve as she works her way up, making achievements throughout her publishing house that repeatedly astonish and exceed the expectations of all those around her. Proving to everyone that she is not to be belittled!
Additionally, I must make an honorable note on these following points, as it deserves a whole award: none of the characters are "dumb" or "stupidly gullible", as those characters are the worst. You won't have to worry about any unnecessary cliche misunderstandings, "disapproval from parents", or the "I'm doing this for their own good" breakups, as this drama has none of that! The characters hold a steady and powerful relationship the whole time. THE CHEMISTRY IS OFF CHARTS <33
The second couple was also quite a significant part of this drama as well considering that they had their own storyline. I love the second couple ofc, but some of their scenes were a bit dull, which would prolly be the only slight downside to the story. But don't get me wrong, it's probably only because I'm a rom-com person, but if ur someone who enjoys watching more seriously-toned relationships, I'm sure you'll love it~! (the second couple's kisses were sm better than the leads) BUUUUT even so... the BROTHERHOOD. ML and second ML's loyal bro relationship is kiiillllliiing me. Fr one of the biggest reasons why I loved this drama so much! And even though the 2nd ML did like the FL for a bit, he backed out right when the ML admitted to liking the FL as well. Like that's a loyal best friend right there, and best 2ML of the year award goes to him 100%.
*SPOILER* ..... although in the last 8 episodes or a sudden new girl popped out of nowhere claiming to have liked Zhou Chuan ever since they were in high school, no problems raised. Im sure many ppl prolly think that she was unnecessary but i think that through her, we can see how strong the lead couples relationship is.
*SPOILER 2*.... cutest ending ever! MDL doesn't let us put emojis on here but I fr would spam crying and heart emoji's right now. The script writers actually spent time making sure that everything was wrapped up neatly, and the last two episodes are just dedicated to following through to the ending MWAHHH. Amazing and satisfying, an ending that ill never forget!
*END OF SPOILER :)*
Although Moonlight is a rom-com based drama, it still carries many inspirational messages and lessons for viewers. We are shown that nothing comes out of thin air, and we must work hard in order to reach our desired goals. Chu li and Zhou Chuan are faced with multiple different obstacles that they must overcome both together and individually, and ultimately maturing into more successful individuals. Along the way, they learn the value of love, anger, emotions, and passion.
~ CAST ♥ ~
I was a huge fan of both the actor and the actress way before i watched this drama, and prolly one of the reasons as to why i loved this drama soo much. I was so happy when i found out they were acting together, and the result definitely didn't disappoint!! Everyone in the cast fit their character excellently, and I am genuinely so thankful that they brought this piece to life for us! Many times i wished that I could see more of some of the side characters as well as they were such an enjoyable part of the show, so thank you for making this masterpiece!
I also heard that many ppl think that the female lead's voice is too high or "childlike" to fit her character, but imo, it fits perfectly. Chu li's voice is dubbed by the actress herself, Esther, which I'm very happy about. Having the character's voice as the actress's adds more of a natural flow to the character.
And of course, Zhou Chuan's character played by Ryan Ding was just flawless - like always :)
~ MUSIC ♥ ~
I honestly don't have too much of an opinion on the songs, they weren't amazing but they weren't bad either. I think most of the songs were used repeatedly throughout the drama, which is okay because it ran quite smoothly with the scenes and everything else in the drama made up for the music weakness.
~ ♥ ~
I personally love everything about this drama from the BOTTOM OF MY HEART. ITS SO BEAUTIFUL AAH. I was giggling throughout the whole drama, and the leads are just too cute. So if your a rom-com lover, i recommend you 101% to give this drama a shot you surely wont regret it :)
♥♥♥♥♥♥
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A Palace Drama that Feels Like a Rom-Com
This is a story romanticizing some historical figures, giving us two pairs of very lovable main characters – two sisters matching up with two brothers. The sister/sister and brother/brother relationships are enviable. It is the lightest non-comedic historical drama that involves palace politics. Initially, it feels like a rom-com without the rom-com tag as it's serious but at the same time, also so funny. The mishaps are hilarious!Accordingly, this drama is based on the actual historical story of Guo Rong of the Later Zhou Dynasty (951-960 AD) during the tumultuous Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era. The founding Emperor Guo Wei had adopted Chai Rong, who later became Guo Rong, from his wife’s brother and groomed Guo Rong to be the heir. According to recorded history, Guo Rong first married the younger Fu sister. After her death, he remarried the older Fu sister who was also widowed.
The Story
For this drama, it fictionalizes the actual historical events and characters. Still as a prince and a general, Xue Rong (Li Zhiting aka Aarif Rahman) first meets the older Fu sister, Fu Yuzhan (Meng Ziyi aka Zoey Meng) and falls in love with her and wants to marry her. However, due to unforeseen mishaps, instead, the younger Fu sister, Fu Jinzhan (Li Yitong) is married to Xue Rong, both later become the Emperor and the Empress. The unintended marriage put them on a hot spot and into a predicament as Fu Jinzhan is also in love with another man, Jiang Shao (Wang Zhuocheng aka Marius Wang). Eventually Fu Jinzhan fakes her death and escapes the palace and elopes with Jiang Shao. Xue Rong remarries his love, Fu Yuzhan.
There are a lot of interesting and unexpected twists and turns here. As with most palace dramas, both Xue Rong and Fu Yuzhan live on thin ice; there are constant palace politics and threats with the Emperor’s throne being challenged for his legitimacy; there are constant dangers within the harem with the Empress being poisoned. However each time, the protagonists always come up on top winning, getting away from all the dangers.
The Characters and Acting
I really like the four main characters because they are strong with good fighting skills, and don’t hesitate to kick asses. Although the older Fu sister doesn’t know how to fight, she is very intelligent and strategic. Their alliance is heart-warming - they care, trust and love each other deeply.
As Xue Rong, Li Zhiting looks very good here (a lot better than in Princess Silver). He is charismatic, strong, powerful and yet compassionate. His character can be arrogant but at the same time adorable. Li Zhiting’s acting is very good, bringing out his regality in the royal court and then becoming a loving husband in pain at the brink of losing his most loved wife.
The Fu Yuzhan character is a very lady-like character, soft on the outside but strong like steel inside. Meng Ziyi’s acting brings out this character convincingly with her bright eyes and intelligent demeanor, and yet not losing her gentle and compassionate personalities.
I also enjoy watching the second couple, the younger Fu sister with her lover, both are impulsive, childish, careless and gullible but very adorable. Their chemistry is very good too. Li Yitong’s and Wang Zhuocheng’s acting here is believable and applaudable.
My Verdict
This is a light palace drama that feels like a rom-com. The twists and turns make it an exciting watch with the protagonists always come out winning, giving the viewers a sigh of relief. Though the ending for the first couple may not be savored positively by some viewers, and despite some flaws here and there, this is still a very enjoyable drama. Don’t miss it!
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Acting/Cast: I know majority of the actors and actresses since I’m a long time drama watcher. But honestly, I love the acting of everyone here. Both the good and bad characters were acted out fantastically, you can tell how hard they’ve worked on this movie. Everyone’s acting, their facial expression, and emotions really made me get into the movie.
Music: Mostly instrumentals, but I think it complimented the movie quite well. I barely noticed the soundtrack because it was like a part of the movie, but it was still nicely done.
Rewatch Value: I would definitely, definitely watch this again. There are many amazing things about this movie, such as the acting, the cast, the storyline, the action scenes and so on.
Overall: This is a fantastic movie. I definitely recommend this movie. If you like any of the actors/actress or if you like historical-type films, then you should definitely watch it. Even if you usually don’t, watch it anyway. I think you’ll like what you see.
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ENGLOT FOREVER
Honestly, this show is so cheesy, I JUST LOVE IT.For those of you that don't follow Miss Grand, that is absolutely okay! You have 2 girls that have great chemistry in every which way, it outlines the life of being a beauty queen and it shows the life of being not just that but a regular everyday person. It shows friendship, love, heartbreak and challenges all in one. I love the back stories, I love everyone together, I love everything about this tbh.
Engfa and Charlotte are doing amazing, they are naturally easy going and have wonderful chemistry in general so for the show to portray that for them, I love everything about that. The other girls as well, they're amazing friends in real life so just all of them together is a wild ride.
I'm a fan of the music lmao plus Engfa has a wonderful voice!
Because it's so quick and easy, it's worth rewatching. I go back and rewatch episodes often in general so I'm down for it.
Overall, I'm both glad and thankful that Miss Grand did this for these girls, I love the opportunities they give them and continue to help them grow as individuals so that's really what makes this worth it.
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A Refreshing Dive into Teen Romance
"Our Secret Diary" is an emotional rollercoaster that begins with a bit of a shaky start with too much music and an initial awkwardness in acting. However, once it hits its stride, it becomes a compelling journey. The characters feel remarkably genuine, breaking away from the cookie-cutter molds often seen in these films. The absence of prolonged tearful scenes and sudden villains is a welcome surprise, making the high school romance feel more authentic. The imperfect yet honest portrayal of the main character adds a layer of realism, and the evolution of the initially shy heroine is a standout aspect. Despite being rooted in the familiar, the film manages to keep viewers engaged for almost two hours, turning a basic romance into a captivating movie night experience.Was this review helpful to you?
The Bullet Vanishes is one of the better Mystery/Crime films produced in China in the recent years. The plot was so solid and quite twisty. The film was a long mysterious journey to catch the “ghost bullets” shooter with one of the smartest and brightest detectives in that era. I have to mention that I loved the use of the 30’s period as setting. The cinematography and directing deserve loud claps; Lo Chi Leung did a splendid job with this film’s visuals.
Throughout the whole film, you will find yourself wondering about the criminal’s way of killing; he’s one smart murderer who uses the technique of “Ghost Bullets”, the bullets that kill but then disappears. The curse and the fantasy side come to light as the most probable solution for this difficult case but detective Bao and detective Guo decide to go through a mysterious journey to uncover the killer’s trick as well as his identity. What also attracts the intention and worthy to be mentioned is the reality of events; although there were action sequences, none of them was exaggerated in a way that would seem fake which is extremely appreciated. I like action movies that keep it real.
This film is an absolute crime thriller that’s full of mesmerizing suspense and genius mystery built up that made the journey quite exciting and intriguing to follow. Throwing significant hints every once in a while was a major strength point that counts for this film’s screenwriting. You may find yourself comparing this to Sherlock Holmes’ films at many occasions.
The acting was High-Class. I am familiar with Nicholas Tse and as usual, he didn’t disappoint; that guy’s charisma is no joke while the veteran Lau Ching Wan was absolutely great for this role. The characters ’involvements in the events’ development deserves the praise; every character in this film had its own role in the mystery/suspense built up and the search for the truth. They created magnificent harmony that gave the plot a great appeal.
I am not saying that this film is perfect by any mean since it had its own clichés of paring an experienced detective with a younger hot-shot or the somewhat “stolen” twist at the end but that doesn’t deny the fact that this is a great detective thriller.
Watch this if:
-You like Crime Thrillers that are full of suspense.
-You like hardcore mysteries that keep you wondering all the way; this is a film created for mystery lovers.
-You’re in the mood for a dark and intriguing story.
-You’re in a mood for a great detective/investigation ride.
-You like Nicholas Tse; his fans shouldn’t miss this one.
Do not watch if:
-You dislike stories that focus on mystery built up more than anything else.
-You’re looking for a light film. Although there’s romantic interest, it’s absolutely meaningless for the film’s general vibe. In my opinion, it was useless for this type of film.
In the end, I can only say that this film is a thriller ride that relies on a well-written mystery which I believe it was very intriguing and fun to follow despite its flaws. It gets a well-earned 8,5/10 from me.
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10 Things I Want to Do before I Turn 40
19 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
Very strong start but loosing it in the second half...
This series started very strong with the vibes of "Cherry Magic" and "Old Fashion Cupcake". It was really cute to watch. In the second half the series lost it's way with the hardcore denial of Suzume to allow him to be happy. The team expanded the manga in a meaningful way and I liked the episode with the co-workers children and the overtime work (because of a mistake of one of the co-workers). But most of the other episodes streched out the story without more substance. It would have been so much better when Suzume & Keishi would have grown naturally into a relationsship without the "denial" of a relationsship. Maybe they liked to be true to this aspect of the manga but for me it felt excessive. Otherwise they made the whole "marketing department" much more realistic and believable compared to the manga.While they denied us the kiss during the rain they at least did it properly in the finale which is a big plus compared to most other JBLs. The actors were choosen perfectly and I liked their version of Suzume much more. Keishi is more like the manga but more reserved. I don't think there was a problem with their chemistry. It was more mature and respectful. Suzume was acted (& directed) overly shy which irked me a bit, especially because this would not be his first relationsship, so this aspect did not make much sense for me. Considering his age, he should have handled that situation much more mature even when he acts childish in some aspects at his home.
After such a strong start it was a bit disappointing in the end. I wished they would have cut this series to the typical 8 episodes without the dragging out... but on the other hand the extra storylines added personality especially for Suzume and a realistic atmosphere. It has many cute and some fluffy moments and some moments where you might get angry. Production quality was top-notch and overall it was worth watching.
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This review may contain spoilers
Nothingburger to eat.
STORY:A middle aged widow has to marry a teen to protect her. They have to live together and the drama is telling how feelings will blossom between the two. But it failed to do so. There is nothing happening in this drama. Everything is about saying things, explaining them or not saying things not explaining them. Throughout the drama, there is only misunderstandings and understanding because someone else finally said something. The best friend says "yes you love him", The older brother says "yes you love her". The younger brother says " yes they love each other"... but there is actually no demonstration of love on screen for 15 episodes. There is no cuteness, no meaningful dialogues, no binding despite the adversity, no love craziness, no foolish or epic moment of affection, no demonstration of feelings... no great chemistry between the leads or the secondary couple. Everything is just boring.
CAST/CHARACTERS:
- Mookda: She was perfect in this role. Her portrayal of a young teen who had to marry a guy she doesn't love was pretty convincing. She was immature, pouty and sulky most of the time, asking advices from her friend because she did not know what to think.
- Weir: he was great in portraying this 35yo vidow with a daughter. I found he was perfectly ugly and boring with his glasses and his demeanor of a grand father. He looked so boring I don't even see how a teen girl would fall in love with that quiet old man. But he is very rich. I guess it helps.
- Ganda: funny to see her as the best friend as she was already her friend in Massaya. I thought she was cute and a great friend. Too bad they did not develop her character.
- The step mother: She was unbearable and her ending was grotesque.
- Tai: he is a complete idiot unable to see the truth about his gf. He treated Soun badly and in the end someone had to serve him the solution on a plate. A very poor character.
- Soun: She was a nice person but she did many wrong things because she wanted to spare others. Her good intentions mostly led to complications and misunderstandings. She really lacked courage and could not stand for herself and take responsibility of her feelings.
- The daughter. She was cute at first and the kid actress was good. But in the end she was annoying because she mainly was used as a pretext foor Lada to get closer to the father.
- The two servants: super annoying nosy persons who are just here to make you believe this is love and family.
MUSIC: I found the music very repetitive and finally became annoying especially in the last episode full of flashbacks and moments of spleen. I had to skip the scenes.
REWATCH: Surely not
OVERALL: This drama has a great cast with Mookda and Weir who are two of my favourite thai actors. Sadly the drama is super disappointing. Mostly because there is nothing romantic in this so called romance. The drama is just a promotion of nice and kind rich middle age men marrying teens in a "love" forced by the situation, the people around you... I never thought their love bloomed in a natural way and was genuine. There is no moment or event which tells that she started to like him sincerely. Yes she acknowledged he is nice, helpful and respectful. But that's not love. Same for him. Sure he cares for her and he enjoys seeing her take care of his daughter but that's not love.
The drama is watchable for fans of the main actors but overall it is not entertaining. It's a boring old cow eat young grass tale.
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I wish it is more culturally realistic, more mind-provoking, and more dramatic.
There is no doubt that this drama has excellent production quality. The settings, costumes, music, and characters are fitting and captivating. The main and supporting characters have distinctive personalities and are very entertaining. I love to see every interaction between them. I view this drama as successful at combining mystery, romance. and light comedy. However, even after finishing all episodes, there is still a big hole in my heart.First, I'm not sure which aspects of this drama are real or fictional, especially when it comes to case-solving. This drama is excellent at incorporating elements of law and traditional medicine. It has the potential to be more intellectually engaging, but it is wasted. Repeatedly, during each case investigation and resolution, I compare the plots and storytelling to the legendary Jewel in the Palace (2003), from which I learned so much about Korean culture—its cuisine, medicine, traditional clothes, monarchy, and society. These cultural aspects are so believable, causing me to dig deeper into everything about Korea and the Koreans, and to watch more historical K-dramas.
This issue leads me to conclude that China is still far from creating a Hallyu-like wave despite its historical and cultural richness. I wonder if it is really that difficult for Chinese drama producers to incorporate authentic cultural elements into their works and help audiences become more knowledgeable and appreciative? Are the use of herbs, poison, and legal codes depicted in the drama grounded in reality, or are they merely fabricated to serve the plot? I mean, this drama is not a wuxia or xianxia where people can fly, and I know people cannot fly, so I shut by brain to enjoy it. This drama is somewhat "scientific" to serve the case investigation's believability. But things seem imaginary and heavily fictional.
Second, the cases are mostly felt rather strange to me. It is not about the incidents but how they are resolved. It is good to see how a coroner did forensic work to do an autopsy and collect evidence, and the empire's justice system works pretty well, too. They have a legal book as a reference, sufficient officers, and an investigation and testimony collection procedure. All of them should serve like pieces of a puzzle waiting for arrangement. However, the resolution often stems from mere deduction based on an insignificant, later-found hint or coincidence, throwing the previously collected pieces of information out of the window. After following one or two cases, I found that this show has the habit of spoiling the viewer by revealing the culprit through certain gestures and camera work. It makes the cases highly predictable and not enjoyable.
Third, this drama lacks emotional moments. Everything flows too smoothly, and the main characters are portrayed as perfectly capable, smart, and invincible. They never make a single mistake or show any meaningful weakness or vulnerability—traits that would make them feel more human. There are no moments of setbacks, deadlocks, or desperation, as well as moments of learning and reflecting on things beyond their control. No pivotal moments deserve rewatch. Nothing to worry about, and they bounce back far too easily. Even though people die horribly, they are safe and "protected". It is very atypical considering the world they live in. I mean, there should be a moment where efforts failed, the strong ones are injured, or get sick, and their lives are at stake. The cooperation between the main characters thus feels lacking something profound.
Fourth, the villains in this drama are disappointingly weak, lacking both intelligence and strategic cunning. The princes (Che and Qi) come across as foolish and impulsive, respectively. As antagonists, they feel too much like shallow tropes rather than compelling, formidable threats. The evil empress and consort are also the same; they are practically doing nothing throughout the episodes. There are no moments of good decision-making, considering pros and cons together, and implementing the plan into action. All of them are bad in character and thus, doomed to fail from the beginning.
This makes me compare them to antagonists in "Princess Gambit" (2025). There, we got antagonists who possess at least one admirable trait, and this makes us "love" them to be on screen. In Coroner's Diary, the problem-solving strategy of the antagonists is just killing, killing, and killing people, and leaving traces to be tracked by our leads. Had they used more political maneuvering by moving factions in court to help them, our main characters (the male lead is a military man and the female lead is a doctor) would be devastated. But it would result in a better challenge that pushes our leads to grow beyond their comfort zone of competence.
Despite its flaws, this drama is still enjoyable. However, I don’t think people would rewatch it often, as it cannot even hold a candle to the expectations of its own genre, “mystery.”
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