This review may contain spoilers
"The world will turn colorless"
*** Contains a few spoilers***Honestly loved it so much. It left me sad and with an immense void in my heart but also satisfied? It's such a beautiful movie.
When Jianqing said "if Ian couldn't find Kelly at the end, then the world will turn colorless" and the next scene is Xiaoxiao putting on earrings for him in a colorless picture. The cinematography of this movie is so detailed and simple, yet mindblowing, I love it.
Also this dialogue:
Jianqing: We have everything in the end.
Xiaoxiao: Just not each other.
Bitch that shit HURTED. HURTED MUCH.
The way they still cared for each other after all those years makes me so sad and it reminded me of this American movie 'Before Sunset' because I watched it only a couple days ago and I was kind of hoping for their romance to develop like Jesse and Celine's but it'd have been wrong to wish for an affair right...? Unless...
The scene of Jianqing's dad letter to Xiaoxiao absolutely wrecked me up, do NOT touch parents being abandoned by their children and expect me not to cry.
I love how this movie's whole plot is surrounded and greatly affected by their poor status, however, poverty is never seen romantically and Jianqing's dad even mentions something like "do you think you can do anything now just because you're rich." What a wise man.
Also, the whole game was a love letter and a confession to the world, how would their lives have been if only he got on the train or if she looked for him after watching his interview about his game...
Anyway, this is probably one of my fav sad romantic movies that i'll rewatch in the future if I'm in the mood to bet sad.
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Kim Go Eun Is The Gem On This Show
What A Wonderful Ride. This Show Is The Most Realistic A Not Your Typical Kdrama. Well The Synopsis Is Simple Normal And Everyday Life of Kim Yumi And Her cells How the Cells React in each situation Nicely Done. All The Cast Are Great And To the Voice actors/actress And To All Crew.Now What makes This Drama special,
Aside from the unique combination of animation × live action And The realistic Story Kim Go eun literally the yumi in us. The way her eyes and expression in each situation and the change of her emotion makes this drama so so realistic. Not so cringe but Not So emotionless. What an actress she is.
Overalll..
This drama has A special place in my heart. Hwaiting for s2. YUMIS CELL FIGHTING
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Ended up loving it more than the Parent Story (ULS)
Hello! This counts as my first review on MDL. I usually never write reviews but this was just that good that I felt like expressing my heart out here (also, because I'm one of the early watchers, internationally. Hope this review helps the ones looking forward to watching this beauty ♡)I'll **try my best** to refrain from spoiling anything ;)
The number one thing that got me hooked right off the bat in this series were the leads and their acting, especially the character of Dong Hee a.k.a Actor Do Woo. The character had the perfect, SPOT ON amount of sensitivity and tenderness as I was expecting from the trailer. It is made very obvious from the beginning that he is fond of Ho Tae, but the way that his POV is portrayed is exactly how I would deal with romantic attractions. His eyes did most of the talking and that was really heart warming to watch. The character of Ho Tae, a.k.a Actor Won Tae Min was portrayed as a "Gung-Ho", straightforward no-bullshitting kind of character in ULS, but since it's a prequel, we get to see a more softer, mellow side of him in this. More like he's playful and all cheery in this one. Their chemistry is no joke guys, I do not mean to compare ULS with this, but I wish this kind of intense chemistry was shown between Won Young and Tae Joon :'(
Speaking of intensity, the next thing that I can't still get out of my head is how the tension between the two is filmed. As an ardent BL enthusiast when I tell you I haven't seen such beautiful tension in a while. It is not rushed, not paced just to be done with it and wrap up, neither does it feel prolonged, depending on how intimate a scene is, the tension scenes are timed differently, cutting off or continuing. I'd like to credit the direction team rightfully here, because everything, from the angles to the movement was like how actually your head would work if you had such interactions with your partner, if you know what I mean. Cinematography is worth appreciating, almost gives off an Indie movie vibe.
There are things that I feel they could've worked on, but those are like minor ones, and would not affect any of my opinion on how good of a watch this was.
Now this is a personal opinion but few might agree with me after watching this series, I feel like this "back story" was more of Ho Tae's and less of Dong Hee's, concerning pov. We only get to take away two things about Donghee's past, only obviously being that he likes the significant other ML, while most of the story revolved around Ho Tae, his past and present (in the story). I get that Donghee's character is a bit reserved but I would've appreciated some more storyline from his side .
Secondly, I do not know why I was kinda(?) expecting some kind of love traingle or introduction of a third person in their love story? There's this one character (I won't reveal) introduced in the first and second episodes that'll give you off the vibe at first, you'll sense a love triangle but that's really not it. It didn't affect any of the story obviously but I feel like something like that would've elevated the persuasion process between the leads or something, also would've given us some more storytime lol.
Thirdly, this one's really worth shaking off but I feel like the cameo of Ji Won Young a.k.a Gong Chan in this one was worth some more screen time with the natural plot flowing. He's literally there for 5 seconds or something 😭 I did expect a present time cameo where it's like back to ULS universe, but okay. No big deal, just personal wish :')
What makes this better than the Parent Story? (For me)
Mostly, it's in the filming.
I won't deny the chemistry between Ji Won Young and Yoon Tae Joon in ULS was some of the better ones I've seen in Korean BLs, but you could still tell, it's acting, after all. It was very concious, some scenes, you can't tell me, weren't rushed. However, with The Time of Fever, the chemistry between the leads was so magically captivating it'll keep you seated. It'll make you want more of their interactions. In my eyes, this one had more of that artistic vision.
Here, I conclude my review (it's pretty long 😭) but I really hope it helps. This has great rewatch value, in my opinion. The long spoken of myth with K-dramas that it's always the secondary leads/characters that win your heart rightly fits in this case. I only hope they get casted in a different drama or like a season 2 of either of the series' cause I know, I'm gonna miss them.
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Intriguing Story, Great Acting
This story reminds me of the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day”. It stars Bill Murray who portrays a cynical television weatherman covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He becomes trapped in a time loop, forcing him to relive February 2nd repeatedly. This drama has a similar storyline whereby a young girl encounters a life threatening event and is trapped in a time loop to relive her life changing moment, and eventually she conjures up the courage to break away from it.Xu Xiaodong (Zheng Yecheng) is an artificial intelligence genius. For 10 years he has been trying to find out the person behind the scheme that has stolen his father’s work and slandered his father for plagiarism that has led to his death. Xu Xiadong is devastated and has been living through his pain. I have always liked Zheng Yecheng. I have been rather disappointed with the endings of most of the characters he has played in his previous dramas. Here, as a hidden genius with a sense of humor, Zheng Yecheng has brought his character to life. He is really convincing with great acting.
Lei Chuxia (Ju Jingyi) is a business owner. After a life threatening event, she disappears and travels 10 years to the present time and meets Xu Xiaodong. She repeatedly returns to 10 years ago and back, trying to figure out what has happened and how to change the outcome of the events. Despite of her unfortunate encounter, she always remains cheerful and optimistic. Ju Jingyi is beautiful with a natural happy-go-lucky aura that fits the Lei Chuxia character so well. With wonderful acting, Ju Jingyi gives us a very genuine and lovable Lei Chuxia.
All the side couples are great though initially I didn’t like Zheng Fanxing’s acting very much but as the story progresses, his acting becomes more natural and his character Jin Xiaorui very adorable.
My Verdict
Even though unthinkable and a fantasy, I really like the story. It makes me think of the “what-ifs”. What if I can time travel and go to the future and see the outcome of my decision like Lei Chuxia does, and then go back to the past to fix my choices. Changing my choices may definitely change the outcome, but doesn’t necessary mean a better one. These thoughts play on my mind while watching this drama, and help me look deep into myself. This story believes that there are many paths to get from point A to point B. If you persist, you would always reach your destination, no matter which path you take. Do you have any regrets that you wish you could go back to 10 years ago to fix? Do you believe you’ll always reach your destination no matter which paths you choose if you are determined enough?
Great entertainment. Great watch!
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I really wouldn't mind watching the entire series again, because it kept me on my toes a lot of the time. Maybe it's just me, but I love to find dramas that aren't sugar-coated and way too cutesy and actually have strong actors in it.
In short; I loved it!
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All hope's not lost with social distancing
Set in the time of the pandemic with characters spotting masks, having to practice social distancing & reflecting on the changes the pandemic has brought on their world, this was a thoughtful, adorable and heartwarming drama with some equally beautiful love stories. WHAT A FREAKING GEM!There was nothing dramatic about this show. It is as good as it gets when it comes to presenting real people facing real problems in the real world. We're all living in one world but we see it all so differently, whether you're a kid, a psychologist, a HR manager, a doctor or just an office worker. And these different perspectives are what makes interactions and character dynamics so fun to watch.
In brief, it is one of those dramas that everyone will relate to in so many ways
- the pandemic and how our world has changed
- the loneliness so many of us are facing
- intimacy in a relationship
- real characters
- online dating
- communication in a relationship (how difficult and important it is)
- office culture
I finished this drama feeling emotional yet hopeful for the world we're living in.
Great writing, acting, screenplay all around. WATCH IT!
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This review may contain spoilers
Amazing Chemistry With Character & Relationship Growth
Grabbed and held my attention. The acting by the leads is very good and the sexual tension is electric. There are many moments of tension and intimacy, and multiple passionate kisses throughout the story (there is both consentual and dubious-consent intimacy). Fyi, the lead characters are non-blood related step siblings. The FL is 24 and the ML is a little older.This is a vertically filmed mini series, which usually have small budgets, so I grade these on a sliding scale within their category.
General spoilers below.
A rare story where the meek FL becomes stronger by the end (and is pushed/encouraged to be so by the ML). The ML seems really callous but there is obviously great internal conflict. He could have chosen to tell the FL more and sooner of course, but there are reasons for his actions revealed near the end and his character IS redeemable. The dynamic between the leads is quite unhealthy for most of the show, but there is obvious love and yearning there from both characters (obvious to the viewer anyway). There is a nice extended happy ending that shows the lead couple with a healthy relationship dynamic once they are free of the external circumstances affecting them, which I loved.
Other things I liked: The SML is an admirable friend to the FL, all the antagonists get their justice (and the police are actually utilized! So rare, lol), and there are 3rd wheels but they are only one part of the plot and not the main focus. Also rare is that filial respect and obedience is not blind and morals are ultimately given more importance by the main characters.
A few more general spoilers on possible trigger warnings (beyond the common non-consentual kisses, dubious-consent kisses and intimacy, and characters getting drugged):
- Multiple women get slapped in the face, hard!, by both men and other women. (I don't think the ML ever slapped the FL though, just grabbed her chin/neck).
- A spot of blood on the sheets from sex (twice; one from the hymen the other not).
- Abortion is discussed.
- Self inflicted razor cuts on an arm (Not in a suicidal way though, and not that bloody).
- A character, that we never meet alive, falls to their death (brief, non-graphic, and not that realistic).
The video on YouTube, with all the episodes together as a "movie", with the best of the mediocre English subtitles that I was able to find:
https://youtu.be/xaG9d124yw0?si=eH3GeuDpXyD1uWtW
The second best:
https://youtu.be/xaG9d124yw0?si=fuWIbUu42LpsQmMy
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give it a chance
Don’t let the overall low score and bad reviews keep you from trying this. It is so good. The chemistry is off the charts. And while the story feels familiar, there were several moments where plot twists had me gasping. I laughed, I swooned, I cried rivers. We’re there bad effects and things left unexplained? Yeah. Do I care? No. Because I was entertained. Did it take way too long (almost the whole series) to explain the significance of Tong turning 21, after mentioning that they just had to wait for him to turn 21 every 5 seconds? Just for them to not wait til he turned 21? YES! Do I care? maybe a little. BUT those ending plot twists man! Didn’t see them coming. maybe I should have. But I didn’t. And I’m glad.Was this review helpful to you?
STORY (No spoilers)
The script/ plot for this show can be pretty loose and sloppy, unlike BBJX's strongly and tightly woven one. While you do have a lot of time skips which you will need to figure out by yourself, this is nothing compared to quite a few incidents of script illogic peppered throughout the show which got worse towards the end. There were quite a few incidents where I found myself wondering what was going on with a certain situation and never really got an answer so I had to make up my own in order to just move on with the show. Some people might not find this to be bothersome but I personally found it off-putting and I couldn't really immerse myself in the story because of it. It somewhat spoiled the watch experience for me.
Also, aside from our main leads, other key supporting characters were left hanging without closure by the end of the show. It's a bit strange how the show kept introducing new characters as it progresses but never really brought many of them to completion. Again, this might not be too bothersome for some people but I personally was a little dissatisfied with how they got shafted, especially for characters which the show starts introducing and giving quite a bit of screen-time towards the last 5 episodes or so. They were brought out into the limelight at the last minute but at the end I was left wondering why and for what purpose. I get the uncomfortable impression that they were toddled out to either introduce new actors/ actresses or to pad out drama episodes.
The politics and throne-fight were interspersed throughout the show but, in my opinion, it really took a backseat to the romance so for viewers who like shows with deep and complex political machinations, you will be disappointed. However, for viewers who are uninterested in this aspect of a show, you'll likely enjoy it more because this show comes across quite heavily romance-weighted.
And that's the drama's major strength, really - the strong emphasis on Romance in this show. For romance-junkies (like me), this will be a huge draw and can offset a lot of the drama's weaknesses. Our female lead, having the title of 'most beautiful woman' among the Jurchens, will inevitably attract a lot of suitors, some of them creepy and some of them swoony. The show spends quite a generous amount of time focusing on her romances and as the main couple eventually get established, the drama gives us quite a bit of sweet-cute couple time and goosebump-inducing love declarations or love actions which would delight any shippers' heart. This is actually quite a delightful surprise, considering that this is a historical C-drama where romantic gestures and skinship tend to be extremely limited and constrained due to the cultural and historical setting. So, viewers will be pleasantly surprised with this drama's romance offerings.
Our main couple are also left in a very good place when the drama ends so for those viewers who dislike the way historical C-dramas tend to have tragic or open endings, well, you don't have to be worried about that for this drama.
ACTING/ CAST
I found the acting here to be more than serviceable across the board - a pleasant surprise considering the youth of some of the cast. I didn't think any particular actor or actress stood out from the rest and the characters felt that they had equal weight in their screen presence.
Our main leads and key supporting characters did well in bringing their characters to life but if you're looking for handsome flower-boys as eye candy, you will likely be disappointed. I do like my pretty/ good-looking male leads, but the broad masculinity and bulky manliness of our male characters on show here, couple with their authoritative air of walking, standing and moving, is very attractive to me.
One also needs to get over the Qing hairstyle shaved-head look for the males, but I hope such an aesthetic won't deter new viewers from watching because it would be a shame to miss out a potentially interesting show just because of hairstyles. I'd like to encourage fence-sitters to consider overcoming their misgivings and to give this show a try.
MUSIC
Limited soundtrack which can come across rather repetitive towards the end. Background music is serviceable.
RE-WATCH VALUE
For me, the romance scenes are the only ones worth re-watching. There are several nice ones!
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Intriguing, Sensual, Fascinating, Flawed: VERY Worth A Watch
The intensity of the chemistry between the leads is scorching. Kim Young Kwang as Seong Yun-O is scorching and whether he is alone on-screen or in a scene with someone else, his understated but forceful performance is shiver-inducing. Kang Hae Lim portrays one of the most complex characters we’ve had in kdrama for a while, and part of that complexity comes from the fact that she is sophisticated enough to present different sides of herself to different people, even though people assume she is too innocent and pure to be manipulative.This drama is definitely flawed. There are some plot holes that never get properly filled or explained. The worst flaw, in my opinion, is the clumsy over-reliance on the main character’s supposed Asperger’s diagnosis as a way of signaling different moral and cognitive dimensions of her thinking.
That said, when I was trying to think of how to rate and review this drama, I tried to consider how I experienced it ~overall~, not piecemeal. And overall, it was a fascinating experience that made me want to keep pursuing every drop, every moment, to the very end.
Kim Yong Ji as Im Mok Won and Kim Soo Yeon as Yeong Gi Eun also deserve special mention as Sum’s friends. KYJ’s performance is especially electric—her final scene with KYK (Yun-O) is blisteringly intense.
This is not a standard romance drama. Up to the very end, you may well be wondering what the leads really think and feel for and about each other. I suggest thinking of it instead as a thriller and not trying to view it as a romance.
As a thriller, you’re taken on a fairly wild ride, and one of my favorite kinds of ride: what happens when the dangerous killer gets a little too close to someone vulnerable, someone ill-equipped to fight back properly, and to her friends? What will he do to defend himself in that situation? It’s a really delicious scenario—for a thriller. Not so much for a romance. Or is it?? Only you can decide that for yourself.
I highly recommend this drama and I hope it gets all the attention it deserves, despite its serious flaws.
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This is the first time, I have seen the second leads get their show going and then the mains come in after the fact. interesting in a good way. The second leads are the life of the drama, crackling with good-natured energy and enthusiasm. The second lead male is like a boy who never grew up, you want to scold him but smile instead, in that way the actor fit the character to a T. The main leads are GORGEOUS to look at. WOW his smile! and she is very charming too. The supporting cast is well-built up too. The main parents and Aunt are hilarious, so many meta references to their real-life accomplishments was a sneaky humor. The Main's Dad was so lovable, Best Dad Ever!.
The reasons why some act as they do is all made obvious to the viewer. No screechy females, no over the top villains, no deathly melodrama either, which is good. The music sits well with the situations. Every thing was going sooooo well, then why did I suddenly began to skip......... for the simple reason it...began...to.....draaag. So many good points and then so many let downs. Oh my disappointment! But I still watched it to the end hoping for it to pick up tempo and thankfully it did, towards then end.Not a lot, but enough to make me feel my time wasn't all lost.
So watch it with a smile, my advice: when progress becomes slow, reach for the forward button but don't miss out on the ending.
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Not your typical xianxia indeed.
I didn't expect this xianxia to be so different from the usual ones. I did see comments saying it was different, and that got me curious. The first episode got me hooked right away. Its mysterious vibe, portraying the leads as secretive characters, was very interesting. The ML is also a bit of a gray character, while the FL may be kind and empathetic, but she's no pushover. She is someone who has the most beautiful heart, yet the sharpest eyes and is someone who can definitely hold her own. ML, on the other hand, is cunning yet simple. I find the leads very interesting characters.Speaking of the leads, they were rather mature characters. The drama isn't filled with aggressive, passionate love, but rather trust and empathy. It's also about self discovery, and learning what it means to live and love. And this doesn't just apply to the leads, but even the supporting characters as well. The leading characters also required the actors to show more than speak. And because they were characters who gradually grew feelings for each other, but also keeping many secrets from each other at the same time, their dialogues were sometimes hidden with subtle messages and feelings. This was when the actors' skills really shone, because they portrayed them so well. It wasn't underwhelming or overdone.
I've seen people criticize the cast, saying that the actors are too old to be playing xianxia. But I feel so sorry for them having such a narrow vision. Just as dramas can revolved around people of all ages, why can't xianxia be the same? Plus, this story revolves around characters who have lived for quite a while. They're not some young blood, eager to prove themselves. They are beings who have gone through a lot. It only makes sense for more mature actors to be playing these roles. There may be younger actors who are good in acting, but portraying roles like the leads in this drama definitely require someone who has more experience and understands the layered emotions. I think Tang Yan and Liu Xue Yi were perfect for these two roles.
This drama has many fun and lovable supporting characters too. Besides the leads, they are also the ones who make the whole journey interesting. I really appreciate dramas that don't just focus entirely on the leads but also make use of the supporting characters to add flavors to the plot. One of the supporting characters that really stood out to me was definitely the war demon Qian Lin. He was a complex character as well, and I think went through the most character growth. The young actor also portrayed him really well, making him an easily likeable character.
Overall, this was a really great xianxia drama. It may be slow-paced, but it's very layered and filled with complex emotions. Yet, the intentions of the leads are very simple. They just want to have a simple, happy, peaceful life. It's true that this drama feels a bit like a slice-of-life xianxia drama. But it doesn't lack the angst from xianxia dramas. For the first three quarters, it's filled with mysteries and comedies. Serious conversations get thrown in once in a while to keep things real. And towards the final quarter, that's when the characters are forced to face reality and have to make a choice, and pay for the consequences of their actions. The romance wasn't burning with passion, but it's definitely one that many would wish for. It's more about giving you a sense of security, sticking to promises, understanding each other, and staying by their side no matter what. It's about choosing that person even though you could've done otherwise. This is why I find that their love is mature, because it's more about stability and trust rather than "who loves who most".
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I almost didn’t watch it after reading bad reviews but I’m really glad I did
There are too many bad reviews for this series…Look, if you’re expecting a BL unlike anyone you’ve seen before then you’ll be disappointed. Although this is yet another story set at a university where the main character competes for the campus moon title - it’s still a super sweet drama with a more romantic and adorable love story than can be found in most BL’s.
A lot of the bad reviews I’ve read say they dislike the acting, I for one didn’t have an issue with it though but to each their own.
I enjoy watching BL’s that are like this one cause they’re quite simple and make me feel good.
If you’re looking for something simple but sweet to pass the time with then this is the perfect drama for you.
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1
1Lighthearted fun with a well-casted ML to cast a spell on you
First of all, I just have to say Matsumoto Leo is so well-casted as the male lead, Hikaru. He’s so beautiful with long hair and make up, and all the stylish outfits. Yet, also so handsome with his short and slightly gelled up hair. This drama would not be the same without him. He carries the show on his shoulders!It did take me a little bit to get used to Haruka as our female lead. This is totally a ‘me’ problem because I always have this problem with Japanese bubbly and innocent characters. But she grew on me and I like her more and more, especially when her overdramatic antics died down a little.
“Cinderella Closet” is primarily about Haruka’s character development. With the help of Hikaru’s magic, Haruka learns to love herself more and build self-confidence. Of course, she also looks prettier and prettier as the drama goes. Despite this, I still feel that her change is jumpstarted by the desire to look good for a guy. First, it’s to go on a date with Kurotaki. Towards the end, it’s wanting to stand alongside Hikaru, to work as hard as he does, and not be left behind. There was a quick moment of finding her passion but that was only boiled down to a quick conversation with Kurotaki. Yes, Hikaru grew from a girl who has no friends and doesn’t look ‘pretty’, to someone who has become more confident and found love and friends. I just wish the journey relies on guys a little less.
Having said all that, this is a lovely drama with very sweet and supportive characters. The leads have great chemistry and I loved the scenes of them together especially in the early episodes. Hikaru is straightforward and honest with his comments. His honesty contrasts Hikaru’s nervous energy but nonetheless, she’s a very honest person herself. It was also interesting to see the contrast in how parents deal with Hikaru’s cross-dressing. I wish the drama had explored that a little bit more as well.
“Cinderella Closet” is a light-hearted and sweet drama of exploration and loving oneself. It’s also about accepting those who are different from you, and to look past what’s on the outside. I initially thought the cross-dressing bit might create a little more tension but this drama is way too positive to dive deep into that.
Completed: 10/4/2025 Review #631
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How could you not fall for a smart brave dog who sideline for a cupid?
Khun Pathavee's struggle for his feelings for Ood is done playfully.
Technically editing issues can be point out but all in all it is a good show.
having View, Bie and Toey is a plus factor the pulled me in the show
it may have many episodes but i can say it is worth watching you might even find yourself joining the cast in calling out "Hangtu..."
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