Murder He Wrote.
After an injury related leave of absence, veteran detective Jiang Guangming teams up with rookie Shi Luo to tie up a few perplexing loose ends in a murder case. Shi Luo is a crime fiction junkie and notices that the crime scene is disturbingly similar to one described in Gu Jiming's debut hit novel Black Rain. Is it a bizarre Murder He Wrote type of coincidence or is the author somehow complicit? The plot thickens when they discover Gu Jiming is not the only writer with links to the victim or the crime scene. The list of suspects grows as they delve deeper into the incestuous and cut throat literary world of aspiring and established writers and their messy personal lives.The murder mystery is riveting from the onset as the search for a missing dog becomes a hunt for a missing witness. As they hone in on the main antagonist, the narrative morphs into a police procedural and a terrifying, gut wrenching exploration of man's quest for relevance. For Zhenzhen and Guangming it is about being in control; for Jiming and Tang Xun it was about writing that memorable first and last novel. All too easily, they slip down the path of moral decay in their pursuit of what matters to them. Even though I was fascinated by this dark and cynical treatise on human nature and how toxic relationships can get, I didn't like or root for any of the characters in this story.
I always regarded Tong Dawei as an overrated actor but I was floored by his compelling portrayal of the pitiful, conflicted and ultimately selfish character that is Gu Jiming. I also was surprised by his dark chemistry with Su Zhenzhen and how they fed off each other. While I appreciate the attempt to flesh out Guangming's character and to somehow connect her marital problems to the case, I was bored by her relationship arc. Despite Ma Yili's fantastic acting, the great cop terrible wife plot-line is unoriginal and went on for too long; often disrupting the flow and pacing of the main narrative. The final two episodes are quite anti-climatic but its still overall an excellent suspense thriller. This could have been a much tighter and more engrossing watch had they cut it down to 10-12 episodes. I rate this an excellent 8.0/10.0.
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No glamorous idol stars all coiffed and styled. No sophisticated houses and office buildings.
Just funky hair and quirky outfits and ordinary neighborhoods and parks. That was quite refreshing to me.
This drama is laugh out loud funny and random and quirky and fun.
Is there a real, structured plot? Not really. But is it enjoyable and wacky? HECK YES.
Lee Hana and Ji Hyun Woo did a great job as the lead roles and they had fabulous chemistry together.
Also, Ji Hyun Woo's hair was lovely in this drama. Wang Bit Na deserves a special mention because she was amazing as So Ran, the spoiled rich girl. Loved every scene with her in it.
If you are in the mood for a crazy, light hearted drama that doesn't require too much emotional investment, this is a good drama to check out.
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Story 7/10: This entire movie is basically lifted off of the history books so it doesn't really have a "beginning or an end" since history never does. It starts off from the end of the Qing Dynasty and ends after the initial establishment of the Chinese Communist Party. The reason why I gave this a 7 and not a 10, was because while it was somewhat interesting in some parts it was slow.
Acting/Cast 10/10: They were all flawless. I enjoyed all the actors. I only found one thing funny and that was Mao's personality as well as him being portrayed as a innocent guy who wants only the best for his country. I'm not sure if that was really how his personality was or if it was just how they were portraying him.
Music 7/10: The music was fine and suited the movie just well. None of the songs were memorable though.
Rewatch Value 4/10: I'm not a rewatcher, and this movie isn't a movie I would rewatch.
Overall 8/10: This was a good movie that fans of Chinese history would most likely enjoy. Keep in mind, this was made for China, where the Chinese Communist Party is still in power, so nothing negative about the CCP was shown. Regardless though, I enjoyed watching it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Obvious from the get go
WARNING this is not a romance series. This series is a slow burn about the locomotive /train industry in china. Its also predictable how this series will end, that I had fast forward so many times. My rating of 6/10 is seriously generous for this series. Avoid watching if you dont have spare time.Start of the series its about the negotiation of 2 locomotive companies for the past 2 years. Yet it is unresolved for large parts of the drama as each company tries to get the upper hand in this negotiation so its always still negotiating. Tan Jing Chuan is the one that is heading this negotiation.
2ML Tan jing chuan, FL Lin zhen yi and ML Li yan feng are a trio of childhood friends. That's embroiled in this train industry. This relationship obviously becomes a love triangle, Li yan feng for some reason is obsessed with Lin zhen yi, but Lin zhen yi likes tan jing chuan, while tan jing chuan only sees lin zhen yi as a sister. There you go 2020 and its still "dog blooded" like that.
What I dislike was the ML character setup, Li Yan Feng has left china for 10 years but when he returns to china, he is suddenly obsessed with the FL. Stalking her, renting a house next to her and live as her neighbor. He is also 1 of the locomotive's CEO son, a genius of sorts and everything he does is for FL. This is just a silly concept, its like after 10 years of not seeing each other suddenly he is so in love with FL even thou they were childhood friends. Coming back to china, he just confessed to her, doesn't hide that he loves her, wants to marry her, but FL just takes it as a joke.
I really liked ML Oliver chen's role and acting ability in "Goodbye, my princess", which shows that a script really makes and breaks an actor. However for this series the early parts of his obsession was really hard and cringe to watch.
So what's the watching point for this drama?
ML trying to win over FL (non existence romance, skin ship and i only recalled 1 quick kiss in a basketball court, even the proposal is bad, finally FL leaves for Africa just to show another sacrifice for china train industry.... its all about this china train company. The wedding is also in a train and speeches about trains too lol.)
FL eventually being confident to be a successful project leader
ML relationship with his CEO father
2ML love relationship
Plots and schemes of the negotiation
The obvious success of china's locomotive industry after all the challenges (annoyance was that this series kept highlighting the number of employees and hope of china on this company)
Such drama is obvious from the get go, obvious because regardless of what hardship and challenges, this china train company will overcome it. It is pretty much a "butter up" china train industry series, which shows that the employees will take low pay, fall ill, sick, go blind or get heart attack and have family issues but everyone will still work and overcome all challenges for this train company because of loyalty and patriotism.
From getting a free patent from ML that is jobless and was offered 10 million yuan and a position of director for it yet gives it up for free and become an assistant for FL by staying in R&D, to giving up the negotiations, to being an independent company with its own technology etc. Its like even if the sky collapses they will still survive and its because they have a set of beliefs, unity, patriotism and righteous blah blah blah *rolls eyes*.
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A cringey, fun, dad humor, show.
Since this show has no review, I decided to write one. This show was my first drama in the sitcom genre. Personally, it's not for me, but nevertheless, I liked it since I watched it with my family, and it genuinely has funny parts sometimes. It's just like those Selena Gomez, Hannah Montana-type Disney kids shows, with quick jokes in between monologues and random characters doing things for no apparent reason. Give it a try if you are into that. The only difference from a Disney kids' show is that in this show, something or the other is constantly happening on the screen; it gives you no room to breathe, and my God, the shaky cam makes it difficult to pay attention sometimes. I watched it for Ji Jin-hee, 7.5/10.Was this review helpful to you?
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I fell in love with T-Rex when I first saw him. He looks too sweet and innocent. He's too cute, that you can't help but love him and his sweet smile. The female lead was kind of dumb and forgave too easily but realized her feelings before it was too late.
It had it's moments that will make you go "awe poor baby" then go "HAHAHAHA" because something funny will happen. It was really enjoyable.
The acting wasn't AMAZING but it wasn't bad either. It was good. The male lead did a great job and he hasn't had much acting experience. Same with the female lead but she's done a couple dramas. I loved the different facial expressions T-Rex had.
Overall, it was a cute and funny drama that I really loved and would probably watch again just to see T-Rex!
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Mysterious FL, Gorgeous ML
Memory loss is a popular theme in Chinese dramas. But the memory loss in this story is slightly different - the character’s memory is surgically removed. Despite the confusion of the beginning episodes because of poor writing, and poor acting by the female lead, I press on as her mysterious background combined with the mysteries around her captivate me. A murderous hidden antagonist, an investigative journalist, and most of all, a devoted and gorgeous male lead, all these intrigue me with a plot propelled by the mysteries.When everyone thinks she has died in a car fire accident, Su Yi (Yuan Yu Xuan) comes back to seek for answers of what had happened 7 years ago when her father was slandered and killed in the same accident with her. She has lost memory of a big chunk of her life, including her time with her lover, Li Jia Shang (Liu Yi Chang) whom she doesn’t even know now. For Li Jia Shang, Mu Xiao (aka Su Yi) is his only love and has remained single since she’s gone. The dynamics between the couple, with the assistance of their buddies, Zheng He (Zhang Si Fan) and Xia Xi Yang (Xu Xiao Nuo), are wonderful to watch. Though I didn’t like the FL’s character in the beginning, I began to understand her better as the story unfolds. Having said that, Yuan Yu Xuan’s acting still requires improvement as she’s rather confusing with inappropriate expressions that do not synch with the moments; she is at times stiff and unnatural though she dresses extremely well. I do enjoy Liu Yi Chang’s and other cast members’ acting. I find Liu Yi Chang charismatic and fits the character he plays very well.
My Verdict
The plotline is quite intriguing as viewers want to find out what actually had happened 7 years ago, who Su Yi is, why she cannot remember Li Jia Shang at all, and who the obnoxious hidden villain is. There is a lot of twists and turns, intimacy and passionate kisses, and two pairs of lovely side couples.
There are certainly many flaws and plot holes but everything manages to brush through rather nicely for the ending. Having said that, many events and actions are of no consequence and do not provide additional information for the viewers, understandably they are merely there as fillers. Time and time again, a super nasty annoying character gets away with impunity. The dubbed voices also do not synch very well with the mouth movements.
For romance buffs, the main couple has never split up and has always remained true to each other. I love how devoted and committed Li Jia Shang is. He's always there to help Su Yi whenever she's in trouble.
Easy to watch, relatively short drama with less than 30 mins for each episode. Good enough to entertain.
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This review may contain spoilers
When I heard about the release of this drama, I immediately wrote it down on my calendar and eagerly waited for the first episode. When I watched the first episode, I ended up having a headache and more questions than answers. (In retrospect, I do know that is how it should really be to get the viewers hook on the show but the headache didn't really go away for the first few episodes). By this time, I was just actually watching because I'm intrigued. I want to know where this story will take us. To be honest, the leads I love the lead actors on this drama BUT the two of them together? I'm not really sure. I wasn't the biggest fan of their couple. It also didn't help that it wasn't clear enough why, when, and how Jeong Tae Eul fell for the ML. It was like Lee Gon went home, she missed him (or his company) and boom she was in love? That part, for me, really was a deal breaker.
I always tell my friends that if they remove the love line in this drama I think it will be 1000x more beautiful. The action/ political/ fantasy side of the drama was really off the charts. It was sooo good. Really intriguing and the concept was really good. However, I really didn't see the importance of the love line at first, it was only at the last few episodes that I somewhat saw the significance of it (but still not 100% sold to the idea).
This drama started as okay but got did get better in time. Ending was okay, I think almost everything was addressed properly except what will happen to the throne since I don't think they are planning to get married and start a family? Wished they showed more of the second leads love line. Especially our Yeong. He really deserved it.
Also, one thing I really loved in this drama since the beginning (other than the bromance of Lee Gon and Yeong) was the cinematography. Just wow. Daebak!
Anyway, congrats to the whole team of the drama for a job well done!
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Binge for maximum enjoyment
This is a drama that you must binge to fully enjoy, if you think too deeply about each episode you will find it hard to ignore the mediocre writing. But if you binge it, you will find yourself having a lot of fun.THE STORY:
Honestly, there is nothing particularly special about this story. Ra yi eon is a noble man who is chosen to become an inspector. He meets Jo yi a newly divorced woman who wants to find her mother who returned from Qing.
They work together and eventually focus on bringing justice to the late crown prince, yi eon’s best friend who died unjustly.
What I appreciate about this story is that it contains some of the most ridiculously funny moments I’ve watched in a long time, meanwhile it never undermines the severity of certain situations, such as how woman and children were suffering due to the war.
A criticism is that the actual inspecting wasn’t believable. Most of what happened was due to either luck or the other sides oversight.
Another issue with the story is that it doesn’t give proper attention to a specific plot line. They are always sidetracked into talking about other things. Because if this, the drama began to feel more like an everyday family type drama, with multiple things circulating at once.
THE ACTING:
There was nothing wrong with the acting, the main cast and the villains played their roles as they should. No complaints there.
The heroines felt like heroines and the villains felt like villains (Do soo was particularly creepy I must say).
My favourite character was Tae Soo, he was given the most detailed character set up, from his villain origin to his redemption. His story received lot of the attention from the production, and was seemingly going to play a large part in the final retribution of the main villains, however it just didn’t. That was majorly disappointing and pretty random.
THE MUSIC:
The timing of the music was great to add to the comedic aspect. The OST itself was weirdly entertaining and I definitely liked it.
Good points:
- The chemistry of the whole group was great and so enjoyable to watch. In my opinion, this is what made the drama so entertaining to watch.
- the comedic timing of the whole cast was perfect. I found myself howling in laughter on many occasions.
- I loved how unconventional the characters were. Jo Yi and Yi Eon both new they liked each other however they both saw no need to be married, in fact Jo yi was adamant on not getting married as she enjoys her freedom as a non married woman and Yi Eon seemed to just simply not want marriage. Despite this they still planned to live together as life partners. Although this mindset it pretty unrealistic to the time period it was nice to see.
- There where important conversations about the way women and children had to suffer both with being taken to Qing as well as how they where ridiculed on their return.
- rather than having the big showdown and only seeing a short happy ending, we got a full episode worth of a happy ending. Episode 16 was dedicated to closing loose ends and seeing everyone thoroughly happy.
WARNINGS:
- I already mentioned this but the ‘inspecting’ looked like child’s play. Yi Eon was pretty much always one step behind the villains so realistically he’d never have won.
- The downfall of the big villains was ok but not satisfying enough if that makes sense. They suffered and definitely paid, but it feels like something was missing.
Story wise this drama should be a 8.0/10 or a 7.5/10 if you’re feeling harsh, however the enjoyment and laughter I experienced makes me feel it deserves a bit of an inflated rating.
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Iwai explores loneliness, longing, companionship, destruction and construction of Japanese family, the rigid nature of Japanese society in the modern age. This makes Bride both a affirmation and subversion of Iwai's earlier films that I've watched like Love Letter, All About Lily Chou Chou and Hana and Alice. If those films reflects nostalgia, Bride seeks to redefine how the age of technology may bring people closer but also further and how this creates and define human connection.
Bride still incorporates Iwai signatures like sun flares, soulful montage, instrumental music and bringing in small scenes to bigger ones. Yet, Bride stands as its own. It's not as romantic as Love Letter of Hana and Alice nor as the coming-of-age of All About Lily Chou Chou. Despite a 12-year hiatus, Iwai doesn't lose his touch. He is still a very lyrical storytelling in a 3-hour emotional tale driven by an impressive cast, beautiful cinematography and heart whelming music.
When it comes to cinematography, Iwai's films are on the top of list. But of course, the credit goes to the film's cinematographer, Chiga Kanbe. What I love about Bride is how Iwai (and Kanbe) tells some much with its visuals and music that doesn't overpower each other even if sometimes, the dialogue is barely heard. The music by Mako Kuwabara embraces its stunning visuals. The overall tone is filled with sheer melancholy reflected with the littered cold colors, we too, are plunged in Kuroki's trauma paired with unstable camera angles showing a distorted vision.
Iwai knows how to tug at your heartstrings. He knows how to many silent shots mean so much more later. And finally, he knows how to build up drama and tension. It's 3 hours long (shorter in other countries) but the tension never subsides and the reveal particularly of Ayano Go and Cocco particularly laid down every detail shown prior to it. It makes the execution so satisfying. Yes, 3 hours is very long. Overly long and the film could've been shorter but very scene counts. Every scene matters. Though they seem random, they're not. That's how I felt watching this.
The cast, led by Hana Kuroki has amazing chemistry together and each of their characters contrast one another that brings out the personalities more. It's not a lopsided portrayal despite Mashiro (Cocco)'s later appearance in the second half. These characters aren't stock or just for display, they are there for a reason and their characters are explored.
Kuroki plays Nanami, a timid doe-eyed wallflower. Kuroki embodies a certain innocence that makes Nanami's somewhat bittersweet ending...worthwhile. She shines, in a subtle, very modest way but she shines. Though I would say Go is my favorite. He just has this charisma that pushes its way through. Playing a jack-of-all-trades, part Mephistopheles, he has done it with such clarity. Cocco is the light of the film (as ironic has that sounds given her character's fate) because of how vibrant and how lively she is compared to Kuroki's character.
Iwai doesn't sugarcoat these characters. He establishes them as such and moves on as much, making their emotions and experiences so much more connective with the viewer. He shows Nanami as awkward and docile by her experiences in school, having no relatives to invite at her wedding and eventually her own marriage.
Kuroki and Go stared in Flower of Shanidar (2013) which explains their good chemistry. But Kuroki and Cocco also share this same chemistry particularly because they're opposites of each other which really brings out their own respective personalities. Perhaps their bond is more than sisterly, maybe even erotic but I see it as more platonic bond of two lonely women, trying to find comfort in a directionless world.
Very much like Rip Van Winkle, these two women wake up in a world that breaks away from their past and try to make the most out of it...to be happy.
Bride also stands out because of how symbolic things are and how metaphorical it is. There is a scene where Kuroki approaches Go, some might see as romantic but Go's lines are metaphorical which relates back to the reveal of both his and Cocca's character. Seeing how Iwai reverts that and how Iwai chooses dialogue as a vital component in storytelling.
Finally, I want to say that there is so much suppressed emotions in this film which perhaps echoes the rigidity of Japanese social mores. Cocca's occupation is a very clever and important choice that relates to that. Not going to mention here explicitly but her job embodies the freedom and rejects this rigidity. Overall, it ties back to what the films show. Leaving yourself bare and exposed is a more intimate emotion where throughout the film, you suffocate by how much people are keeping and how fake they can be especially in this digital age.
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Revenge Done Right
This is what a revenge drama should look like when it’s done right.At its core, it’s a makjang story—full of twists, betrayals, and just enough chaos to keep you hooked—but what sets it apart is how intentional everything feels. This isn’t revenge for shock value. Every step of her plan is carefully built, and more importantly, clearly explained as the story unfolds. One is never left confused—we’re watching the pieces fall into place exactly as she intended.
And the protagonist, Rao Yuci? She’s not some untouchable mastermind who wins at every turn. That’s what makes this so satisfying. She’s driven, yes—completely committed to righting the wrongs done to her—but she’s also human. She falters. She suffers losses she didn’t see coming. There are moments where things slip out of her control, and one feels the stress of that.
But she never stays down for long.
What I appreciated most is that the show allows her to be vulnerable without weakening her. Every setback sharpens her resolve. Every loss fuels her next move. So when she finally starts taking people down—one by one—it feels earned.
That said… she can be frustrating too—and I mean that in a good way. She’s so hell bent on revenge that she refuses to let anyone in, even when it’s clear she doesn’t have to carry everything alone. There is a love interest (and I was fully rooting for him), but watching him constantly have to prove himself and fight for her trust can be tough at times. You just want to shake her and say, “let someone help you for once.”
But again, it fits her character. Her walls weren’t built overnight, so it makes sense they don’t come down easily. And to the show’s credit, staying on the layered path, he has his own backstory, his own struggles, but it all gets wrapped up by the end.
And make no mistake, she delivers.
There are collateral damages along the way (as there always are in stories like this), but the payoff is incredibly satisfying. Each person who wronged her is dealt with thoroughly—no loose ends, no rushed conclusions. By the end, every major character’s arc is accounted for, and everything is wrapped up in a way that feels complete.
The acting also plays a huge role in elevating the entire experience. Sandra Ma absolutely carries the show—her performance is layered, controlled, and powerful in a way that makes every emotional beat land harder. She brings depth to the character’s pain, rage, and resilience, and honestly, she overshadows everyone else.
That’s not to say the rest of the cast didn’t hold their own—they did. Mabel Yuan as Bai Liang Liang did have moments where her performance was a bit too dramatic, but given the makjang nature of the story, it actually fits more than it detracts.
It’s dramatic, it’s intense, and yes, and yes it can be wild at times but it never loses control of its storytelling.
A revenge story that actually respects the journey, not just the outcome.
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Lovely underrated movie.
☆Watch if you like bunnies.Don't watch if you hate apples.☆
I shall give a few reasons why this movie was good.
1. The female lead has an adorable quirky personality that you can't help but love, with a natural beauty and not one of those annoying high-pitched voices.
2. The male lead is cute and shy but still very handsome and smart.
3. A lot of fluffy and really funny scenes that make you blush and laugh.
4. Storyline was surprisingly fresh in it's own way.
In short, a cute drama thar you should just give a try :)
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This review may contain spoilers
Too boring!!
I honestly thought Hu Yi Tian chose a nice character to play after a long time. This role is different from the previous Cold ML roles he have played. This is one of those dramas i waited for every week to watch the latest episodes. The plot looked promising and unique in the starting. But when i almost decided that this drama is going to be one of my fav C dramas, it started falling apart. All the clichés like breakup, misunderstanding, cheating, rebound relationships etc.. started appearing one by one in the second half. That unique plot which i loved in the start lost its charm and started to disappear. I felt like dropping it many times but gave chances hoping for the plot revival.What i liked through out the drama is that:
- Relationships may not be forever and it is okay to forget and move on.
- Showing that a success/ failure is not the end and there is no guarantee it would last longer.
- There are some relations which you cannot name or describe, they can only be felt.
What i liked in the first half but started to dislike the same in the second half of the drama:
- FL. I assumed that she is a strong person (although appeared a bit spoilt in the start) who can empathize with ML's situations and dreams. But she kept interfering in ML's career and doubting him for silly reasons even though they've dated long enough for her to know his character. All she know is to solve things through connections and money. Even when ML said many times that he can succeed even without her HELP she secretly does things her way and expects ML to be thankful and accept it. Although it is good to support her partner, she has to at least believe in his potential to rise from the failures.
What i disliked about this drama:
- The way they showed rebound relations. One day a person takes divorce and the next day he/she fall in love with another person. Not even once, but they showcased this concept through out the drama. I completely support withdrawing from a toxic or unhappy relationship but people need time to move on from the previous relationships and to start a new one. I hated how they showed love as a snack you can choose from the supermarket lyk 'Didn't like this flavor? go for another. Is the previous one better? you can always go back!!'
- Meng Xi. How can someone believe a person for the second time after they've cheated?? Just because her ex-bf came back, said sorry, planning to buy her dream house if she is ready to marry him, she forgave him and immediately married him. When she later realized he never changed she divorced him and within no time fell in love with Xiao Bao. And i'm not even surprised when this happened because Xiao bao himself did the exact same thing. When his marriage was cancelled he started hitting on Meng Xi as if he doesn't even care abt his ex-gf in the first place.
- Nosy Parents. I am completely against when parents try to rule their children's life especially when they are adults and this is exactly what happened in Kong hao's life. His mother is totally against his and Yao Jia Ren's relationship, just because she is not from wealthier family. Also his parents forcing him to do only certain type of job is even more unfair. The moment he tries to tell them he wanted to live in his own way, they emotionally blackmail him and try to win over the arguments.
This would have been a good drama if they stopped it at one point of time. The more the number of episodes grew, the more the plot was messed up. I honestly don't recommend it anyone unless they are a fan of ML/FL and can watch a below average drama for them.
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