UNDENIABLE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THE LEADS!
To be honest, I'm not a fan of c drama but when i browse to Iqiyi newest drama. I saw this one MrBad drama,I was surprised that It keep me waiting for the next episode and even bought the express package hahaha.
The female lead Shen yue is so pretty and her acting in this drama fits her role as Nan Xing.
Chenzheyuan is so handsome, he fits his role also as Xiao Wudi.
The chemistry between them is SO NATURAL, especially when they have baby xixi. Looks so real.
OMG i want and demand a new drama for this two.
SHEN YUE AND CHENZHEYUAN chemistry is unbeatable. Indeed a MUST WATCHED DRAMA.
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Once upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain
26 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
Choppy, Campy, Cute
So my take on this drama is that Xu Kai's role in this took a little while for me to get used to because the character he plays (Wan Lu) is soooooo conceited. I kept on watching though because Sandrine's character (Wan Wu) reminded me of myself and some of my best friends... kept me laughing myself sillyAltogether, I think I started warming up to him in the episode where his ego takes a serious beating and he shows some much needed humility and vulnerability... his likeability score before that episode wasn't very high.
The connectivity of each episode sometimes felt ever so slightly choppy... sometimes a "theme" would be introduced that would carry for maybe 3 or 4 episodes before that would be completed and another "theme" begun. This choppiness made the storyline feel more like a tv show than a smooth plotline, focused drama.
However, once I started the show, I didn't feel like dropping at all... the action, and tension were constant, the humor was funny most of the time ( to me), although I know others might prefer less campy comedy and more seriousness in the dramas they watch.
The start of the very first episode felt extremely cryptic and confusing, and half way through the drama when I began to suspect that Wan Lu was Ouyang reincarnated, I had to go back and rewatch the first episode to understand the from the strange occurrence of his birth. At the end when it's revealed otherwise, I had to read other fans assessment to discover that he WAS supposed to be Ouyang reincarnated in the book. I'm not sure why they changed that --- it makes a better storyline and also makes it easier to believe that they fall in love, because while I liked the not-serious, playful flirting between the two, I don't know how I feel about real budding feelings between WL and WW...I don't know if they can pull off the chemistry they need if they are supposed to fall in love. I guess we'll see since this show seems to be heading toward a second season.
I'll be keeping my eyes open, cuz it entertained me enough that I'll watch it as long as it has the same people acting in it.
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The Great Idol Drama Detox
Post-2022 idol costume dramas have gradually convinced me that ancient China was inhabited almost exclusively by three types of people:Perfect porcelain-faced aristocrats.
Individuals who fall deeply in love after approximately two meaningful glances and one accidental rescue.
Political masterminds whose greatest strategic weapon is refusing to explain anything until Episode 36.
The First Jasmine is still very much an idol drama. It simply declines all three invitations.
First of all...
The pores.
Ladies and gentlemen, the pores have returned.
I cannot believe one of my biggest compliments of 2026 is simply this:
The actors look like people.
Skin texture. Tiny imperfections. Faces that have apparently encountered weather instead of being digitally moisturized into another dimension. After years of idol dramas resembling luxury skincare campaigns with occasional palace conspiracies, this felt absurdly refreshing.
Even the muted colour grading deserves applause. The world finally feels lived in instead of permanently illuminated. Oddly enough, realism became the most luxurious production value of all.
The same philosophy extends to the writing.
Recent idol dramas sometimes confuse complicated plotting with complicated people. The First Jasmine remembers that the second one matters more. Characters make decisions shaped by trauma, loyalty, responsibility, and political reality rather than conveniently forgetting their intelligence whenever the plot needs another misunderstanding. Ye Li's psychological trauma and Mo Xiuyao's condition aren't decorative tragedies waiting to be healed by love. They fundamentally shape who these people are.
On paper, Ye Li should have triggered my internal "this is getting ridiculous" alarm. She never did. The difference is that The First Jasmine never mistakes competence for character. It doesn't ask us to admire an impossibly capable woman. It asks us to understand the cost of becoming one.
Which brings me to the most divisive part of the drama: The romance.
If you're expecting explosive chemistry, endless longing stares, enough slow motion to qualify as a weather event, and romantic tension capable of overheating your screen...
...this probably isn't your drama.
Because this isn't really about falling in love. It's about learning to trust. Those are not the same thing.
Their relationship grows through reliability, mutual respect, shared burdens, and slowly earned trust. Watching two emotionally exhausted people become each other's safest place may not produce fireworks every episode. It does produce something rarer. A marriage that actually feels earned.
Personally, I never found the chemistry lacking.
Its idea of intimacy feels quietly old-fashioned in the best possible way. Trust matters more than butterflies. Reliability matters more than grand declarations.
Rather than constantly explaining every emotion or spelling out every revelation the moment it happens, it trusts subtext, quiet observations, and conversations that often reveal more than they explicitly say. The writing quietly trusts the audience to connect the dots instead of drawing the entire picture for them.
This is one of the rare dramas where conversations build relationships more often than kisses do.
Ironically, the very restraint that makes those relationships so believable also becomes the drama's biggest weakness.
The First Jasmine consistently chooses psychological realism over immediate emotional gratification. Most of the time, I appreciated that decision. Occasionally, I wished it trusted emotion just a little more. Not because it takes its time, but because a few scenes remain longer than they need to after they've already said what they came to say.
More than once, I found myself admiring what a scene was trying to do rather than being swept away by it.
I understood exactly what a character was feeling. I just didn't always feel it alongside them.
That distinction ultimately keeps this from becoming truly exceptional.
The political storyline follows the same philosophy.
It rewards attention more than adrenaline.
Names matter.
Family histories matter.
Your attention span matters too.
I appreciated that.
Still, patience alone doesn't automatically create momentum. More than once I admired the architecture of the story while wishing the rooms felt a little more lived in.
Performance-wise Bai Lu won me over.
Her restraint will undoubtedly divide audiences, but I believed Ye Li precisely because she rarely announced her emotions. Trauma doesn't always arrive as dramatic speeches. More often, it settles into habits, silences, hesitation, and quiet calculation.
Bai Lu understood that.
So did Cheng Lei.
The First Jasmine won't work for everyone.
It whispers where many dramas shout. It values emotional accumulation over emotional spectacle. Some viewers will call that boring. Others will call it refreshing.
I somehow landed comfortably between those two camps.
I never completely fell in love with this drama.
But I found myself appreciating almost every creative decision it made. In an era increasingly convinced that louder automatically means better, The First Jasmine quietly argues the opposite.
Real faces.
Believable motivations.
A marriage built on trust instead of spectacle.
It doesn't always reach the emotional heights it aims for. But it reminded me that the most refreshing thing this drama brought back wasn't the pores. It was people who behaved like people.
Best suited for viewers who enjoy psychologically grounded characters, mature relationships, restrained cinematography, and dramas that reward patience more than adrenaline.
Less suited for viewers looking for fast pacing, explosive chemistry, constant twists, or highly melodramatic romance.
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standard Thai romcom elevated by Off & Gun
Overall: this is a pretty standard Thai romcom, it was nice to see Off & Gun again. 12 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on GMMTVs YouTube channel cut and WeTV uncut.Content Warnings: past death, grief, mental health struggles, stalking/harassment, bullying, dead body covered, slap, homophobia, unwanted outing, punch, non con video recording/sharing, cyberbullying
What I Liked
- reverse personalities/dynamic from their previous characters
- laughed a few times
- sweet moments
- dream sequences
- motivations/responses of the main leads make sense
- how Prem checked in about Ten's boundaries
- Prem/Ten's mutual and ongoing affection, being supportive of one another
- supportive grandma, Unky's parents and the stepmom
- Ten apologizing for what happened in ep 10
Room For Improvement
- started with an inner voice exposition dump
- not a fan of an aggressive pursuer/reluctant pursuee for the side couple (liked them more starting in episode 7), and then there were some unwanted relationship games in ep 8
- quite a lot of the intended humor was a miss for me
- choppy at times, heard the uncut is less choppy
- the long press and hold kiss with zero lip movement, need more energy in their kissing
- comedy sound effects made things less funny
- could have condensed into 8 episodes, felt slow
- ep 8 the friend going as the in between felt very immature instead of funny
- was disappointed about the Unky arc/telling others without first checking in with the person
- punch was unneeded and then the scene after was jarring with the different tone
- a dad who slaps his son then lecturing him about using physical violence made me roll my eyes
- episode 12 time jump
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This review may contain spoilers
It’s really not a BL series.
I placed spoiler alerts at the end of this review.This series is mostly about a group of friends that struggle with their problems throughout life. This is really not a BL series because the BL storylines are mostly treated as a secondary thought. However, that’s not the main problem for me. The overall story concept was actually a good one. See the spoiler alert at the end of this review if you want more information. However, the script was a complete mess. It suffers from the two main problems that is often seen in Thai series: too many storylines and too many supporting characters. The script started off really good in episode 1, but then the cracks begin to show by episode 3. By episode 7, the script starts to make no sense and the logic behind the characters’ actions don’t add up. Overall, the acting was ok. Some of the actors were better than the others. I expected better from this cast considering they are not newbies. There were also some poor editing choices. One major editing choice caused a major timeline continuity problem in episode 11. There was a lot of wasted screen time starting from the middle of the series and onward. This did not need to be a 14-episode series. They easily could have trimmed all of the useless filler screen time to make this a 10- to 12-episode series. I also don’t understand why the Special Moment Director’s Cut at the end of the series was done and not incorporated into the other episodes. The songs they used were good, but the background music throughout the series was bland and very annoying. As for the ending, see the spoiler alert at the end of this review if you want more information.
Random notes:
I know everyone else was complaining about the bad wigs, but I thought it couldn’t be that bad. I was very wrong. It’s almost like someone showed up with a box of wigs and dared the production team to place them in as many scenes as they can. This could basically be turned into a drinking game.
The opening and closing credits are way too long.
******Spoiler Alerts******
I give the screenwriter credit for writing a series about the different means of communication with characters that don’t know how to use basic communication with each other. This was the only successful thing that came across in the script. I had an idea this was the general concept and was happy it was confirmed in the last episode. I actually gave an extra point for this.
Am I supposed to believe that none of Name’s friends went back home for any of their breaks during the first 2 years in college? None of them, not once? This is just a small example on some of the lazy scriptwriting.
It does show happy outcomes for all of the characters in the last part of episode 14.
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but anyways PLEASE WATCH THIS SHOW.
sorry that it's not steamy like some of u perverts like, but it's meant to show the innocence of first love.
and im sure the only reason they didn't actually kiss, is because Guanlin is 18 and Jinmai is only 17. AND Guanlin probably didn't want to catch a case soooo i mean....
also stfu, it was the 1st time guanlin acted in a show like this, he's working hard to be better.
and Jinmai too, shes so pretty and and is a great actress, so before you judge her and call her acting bad, watch her other shows, she protrays her character perfectly.
thank u and stop hating on my favorite show atm... its the only thing making me not go insane in this quarantine time.
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Everyone should pay close attention to this drama......why only 9 stars though???
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!CAUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Please note that if you start watching this drama you are going to get ADDICTED to this series no matter what....
If you’re expecting this drama to be just another "Addicted" or "Stay With Me," you’re in for a surprise. While it might share some similarities with "Addicted," it stands out with its unique approach. Trust me, just the first two episodes will show you why this series is different.
The STORY line might seem predictable—clearly we all know how the leads end up together and what issues they will face with their family and how they overcome those challenges..........Yet, despite knowing all these things, I found myself eagerly anticipating every twist and turn after all this while.
The production quality and ACTING are commendable, though I find Sheng Wang's portrayal occasionally a bit too childish which is contradicting his character in the novel(even though I read only 21 chapters of the novel), which might be a hit or miss for some. However, I firmly believe that this drama lives up to the high standards that we all have for Taiwanese dramas. So a big kudos to the Team and the actors.
The reason I gave this only a 9 because, yeah one thing is I wanted Sheng Wang's character not to be too childish.......so there goes the 0.5 and another 0.5 is I felt that the chemistry between the leads is a bit less intense compared to the novel. I am not telling that the leads do not have chemistry but in few scenes I feel that the tension and the emotion is missing.
I’m confident that this drama will defy any initial impressions you might have. And one thing that people are mostly concerned about is the slow burn......at few instances I also felt the same but yeah I hope this concern will not be a concern after the release of season 2 hahaha.
PS: NOT THE END............just the Beginning.......eagerly anticipate for a season 2
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This review may contain spoilers
Make it a drinking game
I have to say that the only thing I liked about this drama was the OST. The english song "With Light Inside" grew on me. The song didn't made sense but Chen Xueran voice was so dreamy in this and the melody was bubbly and upbeat. Good enough to play on repeat.The story has a lot of "ick" factor. ML was 5 and FL was 7 when they became family, and he's been into her since then? and he has been the one to guide her back to bed every time she sleepwalks. SINCE HE WAS 5! They were raised as siblings since young even if she's known she was adopted from the beginning, the ick factor is huge. It would be better if
1. They didn't change her name
2. The parents were helping raise best friends kid coz best friends are in Antarctica or something.
3. They were neighbors instead of siblings.
Plus, her academic improvements were just too great too fast. From 400th++ place to being accepted into Medical school. Then there was medical school, part time job, medical intern, bakery business owner. The writer just couldn't decide what to do with this girl. The medical trope was just unnecessary. FL going into culinary field would have been much better.
Drinking game recommendation:
1. Drink a shot every time somebody carries the the FL.
2. Drink a shot every time FL gets a new job
Now lets get into the Ouyang siblings. Sister Ouyang has an "ick" factor obsession with her brother. While brother Ouyang can't manage his brain damage sister. He should have sat down with her and told her that if FL knew of their connection to FL parents death, things with their family could go really bad. Sister Ouyang was basically going all out to destroy her own family.
(out of topic) FL's kind of friend Liu ZheHui looks a little like korean actress Kim So Hyun when she wears the long hair wig.
I think the drama could be fleshed out more, the story told so far barely scratched the surfaced. I'm not that mad at this drama, I basically had it playing in the background while I was working. I can't watch this with full attention. I think I would strain my eyes with the number of time I'd roll my eyes.
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This review may contain spoilers
It's more like "Fantasy Game in a Love Story"
I've been giving it a couple of days before I could actually write my honest opinion down about this one because it made me both sad and glad to finish it.The drama is about a young girl who's sucked into a fantasy novel and has to finish a few preset quests in order to finish the story. She gets these quests by the system of the game. In this new xianxia world filled with dangerous demons, mortals and demon catchers she has to find her way inside someone else's body. She's now Lin Yu, a noblemen's daughter and a spoiled brat, and she has to make Mu Sheng, a demonic demon catcher who hates her guts, fall in love with her.
Love Game in Eastern Fantasy started out great. It was everything I expected and more. It had lots of comedy, a chemistry to die for between actors I love and all wrapped up within a xianxia drama. I usually tend to stay away from the concept of someone being sucked within a novel but because I'm a fan of Esther Yu and Ding Yuxi, I've been waiting for this drama for ages. I was into it by the end of episode one and waited excitedly for another episodes.
Until around episode 24-ish. I ended up missing days of episodes and not being motivated to catch up. From the moment the two main leads actually get together and confess to each other, the chemistry takes a nosedive into the ground and it doesn't really resurface. They're still cute together but the romance falls flat. Ling Miaou Miaou (her real name form the real world) hangs around Mu Yao and Cui Cui more than she does Mu Sheng and it seperates them most of the time. It felt like I was watching a whole different story than the one I began.
Positives:
- When it became less of a romantic comedy it became a story about 5 friends fighting together and saving each other while saving the rest of the world. I loved watching them bond and become closer each episode.
- The chemistry between Lin Yu and Mu Sheng was intense the first half of the drama. I especially liked those scenes in the capitol where they both knew they loved the other but hadn't gathered the courage to confess yet. They were so cute in those episodes.
- The costumes were beautiful!
- There was a focus on Fu Yi and Mu Yao as well. They're the mainleads within the novel so it makes sense for them to get so much screentime.
Negatives:
- That ending was a mess. I just didn't understand why Mu Sheng had to die at that point. He was fine one second and dead the next without any explanation. I was more dumbstruck than sad and couldn't believe what had happened. It ruined the whole thing. The things that followed didn't make it any better. Only made it worse. To me it made no sense for him to go back in time to find Miaou Miaou. And to have them defeat the Resentful Woman that easily... just because they did it together... It was a big no-no for me.
- Miaou Miaou her amnesia episodes. At first I struggled through that bracelet arc but the "forgetting him" thing came back once or twice more and it became ridiculous. She even forgot who she really was. I really liked her character in the beginning but started to get annoyed with her in the end.
- The "it was all a dream" thing and it not even being her dream... I just really hate the ending.
Overal, I do recommend the drama to anyone who's in for a fun drama to watch. It's light and comedic until you get to the later episodes where the story does turn a little to the darker side.
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Dramas like these should not be made anymore!!
this drama contains everything but nothing at the same time, I watched the show but i don't really know what i watchedCons:
1) The drama was so messy and i ended up skipping alot of the scenes
2) Every storyline was so predictable and basic that i literally felt deja vu at every scene
3) the last few episodes were exhausting to watch because of how basic everything turned out
Pros:
The only thing i liked about this drama is the visuals, i honestly don't know why they make these overused teen romance plots anymore...Everything was 2 dimensional and i could not find any reason to like the characters. I will say though that i laughed a lot in the beginning because of how ridiculous the situation was but afterwards it just became exhausting to watch.
This is the type of drama you watch when you have nothing else to watch or if you don't feel like watching a plot heavy show. The show ended the moment they started dating(in fact even earlier). Nothing memorable happens and i feel like i watched falling into your smile, love scenery and love me love my voice all together. After watching so many of these type of dramas i'm honestly too scared to start a show that has sweet romance because of the disappointment that always follows. The only thing that is going to save my drama slump (hopefully if done well, fingers crossed) is Legend of shen li which is coming out tomorrow.
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An Golden Retriever Boyfriend & Cold Boyfriend Trope?!
this is the first time ive ever watched a bl that started like this, its so entertaining, makes me laugh, makes me giggling and kicking my feet lolol. and you're telling me that THIS is the first episode??? i just know that this bl series will be GOOD AS HELLL and will be my FAVORITE BL OF ALL TIMEE. at first, u can see how CUTE & funny Duang's trio is!! they're so supportive to Duang, its so cutee. if i was Duang, i would be like him lol, cause DAMNN Qin is so cutee and hotttt. the way Duang is chasing after Qin is so cutee, reading tarots, listing the stuff Qin uses, and even stalks Qin's insta lol (he is so mee). and the way Qin is playing hard to get?!?!. actually his way of chasing Qin is so embarrassing lmao, but anywayyy they're sooo cutee. and the sound effect "duang!!""qin!!" is so cutee omgg aaaa. overall this series is definitely going to be good until the end, cant waitt for the next episode! saturday 22.30 at iqiyi!! :)))on eps 6 now.. damn i cant get enough of them.. THEYRE SO FREAKING CUTEE. Qin is melting the ice on him, and became flirty with Duangg.. literally so cute. and James, Phupha, Pete & Fifa's cameo is perfect. i didnt expect them to appear omg. this eps is so peakk. cant wait for the other episodes!!
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Good graphics; Bad plot.
Tried to like this show… truly, but simply too many plot holes, inconsistent writing, strange character progression. Let’s start with the good:- Set design - Amazing graphics, a very believable world, all the imagery/backgrounds enhance a great aesthetic. 10/10 for me .
- Music - Wonderful soundtracks throughout the show 10/10 as well.
- Acting - I’ve been a fan of both main actors, they fit the roles given and did a great job. All side actors were also perfect in their roles!
That’s it for the good parts. Now onto the writing (or lack of)
- Plot: What is even happening? The hero goes from being a victim to being the perpetrator, the FL is from the future but is involving herself in past drama like any of it would matter (since you know, the world has literally ended in 500 years), the ML never questions where the world-Turing jade went, even though he knew it was a huge harmful thing?! That’s just one example of all the ridiculous plot holes. 2/10
- Characters: The ML has Stockholm Syndrome, the FL forgets her mission every 5 minutes. Ye Bingchang is NOT different from the male lead, she’s also doing what takes (in her mind) to survive. Writers purposely make her hateable, most likely to instigate fans who they know will jump on things like that. The fox demon doesn’t need that relationship, it seems forced by writers and she’s not over her last one.
The only character I liked consistently for 40 episodes was Xiao Lin. Honest, stuck to his own principles, calm and rational. 4/10
- Ending: The less we say about it, the better. It’s not happy and for me, not worth the whole drama just to lead there 0/10
- Romance: Is there I suppose. There are some very sweet “aw” moments. But the fact that almost all relationships are toxic in a stupid way (not in an entertaining way) really undermines the romance. 5/10
- Arcs: Dream arc - why?! Just why waste multiple episodes on a strange dream that could’ve been told in 1-2 eps. The god/goddess arc is a good attempt, but confusing at times and very awkwardly written.
One positive is that the FL somehow succeeds in her mission and the world doesn’t collapse, although by the end I wanted their fictional universe to be over already. 2/10 for the flow of the story.
TLDR - Special effects, music and actors are great; but the lack of flow throughout the story, confusing plot full of holes and all the unlikeable characters with zero decision-making skills really ruined the show.
Huge budget and good acting, wasted on awful scriptwriting.
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1Hidden Love ʚଓ A Beautiful Story of Timing and True Love ʚଓ
SUMMARY ❀˖°🍓Sang Zhi catches feelings for Duan Jiaxu the guy who used to always come over and hang out in her older brother’s room playing games. He’s five years older than her. When she was younger, she had this huge crush on him, but then they lost contact for a while. Later on, after Sang Zhi graduates, she ends up going to university in the same city as him. And from all their little moments together, getting closer day by day, they slowly fall in love. It’s based on "Secretly, Secretly; But Unable to Hide It" (偷偷藏不住) by Zhu Y.
Hidden Love is a beautiful, well-written love story that deals with friendship, sibling dynamics, family, and the journey of Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu’s love story. It’s about two people who started off at the right age and the right time. Sang Zhi is this vibrant, super friendly girl who first meets Duan Jiaxu when she’s young. As a teen, yeah, she did like him first, but as she grew up, she got to know him better and learned a lot of good lessons that helped her stay focused on her studies.
The way their story plays out is honestly so beautiful. They meet again when Sang Zhi leaves for university, and little by little, as they start talking more, Duan Jiaxu falls for her too. Eventually, he asks to woo her, and that’s when they officially get together. Hidden Love never made their story feel wrong or weird, Sang Zhi was at the right age, and everything happened at the right time. It was never about anything inappropriate, no matter what some people tried to say.
CHARACTERS 𓂃 ོ☼𓂃
Chen Zhe Yuan As Duan Jiaxu ⋆˙⟡♡
Starting off with Duan Jiaxu he’s such a well-written male lead. He went through some serious hardships because of what happened in his family. The consequences of his dad’s actions messed him up a lot, and people around him always criticized him no matter what he did. But even with everything he went through, Duan Jiaxu stayed focused. He never let it break him. He kept pushing toward his goals and worked hard to build a better future, not just for himself but also to pay off his family’s debt.
Along his journey, he met Sang Yan his male best friend, before he even crossed paths with Sang Zhi again. Then came Sang Zhi, and honestly, she was like this light that showed up during all his dark nights. But what’s beautiful too is that Jiaxu didn’t just rely on others he healed himself too.
Duan Jiaxu is a man of his word. He’s so determined, hardworking, and respectful. He doesn’t just care for Sang Zhi, he takes care of her in the most beautiful, patient way. And let’s be real, he’s also handsome, super charismatic, and elegant without even trying.
Chen Zheyuan absolutely brought this role to life. He didn’t just act Duan Jiaxu he became him. Every little look, every smile, the way he carried all of Jiaxu’s pain, hope, and love,it was so natural. I could feel everything through his expressions alone. He brought so much depth and softness to Jiaxu’s character that it made you love him even more. Honestly, no one else could have pulled off Duan Jiaxu the way Chen Zheyuan did. He understood the assignment and delivered it better than anyone could have imagined.
Zhao Lu Si As San Zhi 𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆🌷͙⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ
Sang Zhi is such a well-written female lead. I loved seeing all the transitions she went through how she handled being a younger sister, a daughter, a friend, and then growing into her own person. She was so good with her relationships with everyone around her. Whether it was with her family, her friends, or anyone she met, Sang Zhi always knew how to balance being sweet and playful while still being respectful. She’s the type of girl you can’t help but like because she’s real, she's humble, and she carries herself so well.
Even though her parents are rich, Sang Zhi never acted entitled. She was raised right, you could see it in the way she spoke, the way she treated people, and how she handled tough situations without ever looking down on anyone. And honestly, her maturity was such a treat to watch. She knew when to be playful, when to be serious, and when to step back and reflect. She was smart too, not just in school, but emotionally smart.
And Zhao Lusi? She Slayed in this role. She didn’t just play Sang Zhi, she made Sang Zhi feel alive. I kept rewinding during her close-up scenes because she was so gorgeous and her expressions were just perfect. Every little look she gave said more than words could. Lusi really captured all the layers of Sang Zhi, her innocence, her growth, her confidence and she made it look effortless. I really admire how she gave Sang Zhi so much heart and made you connect with her instantly.
Victor Ma As Sang Yan .☘︎ ݁˖
Sang Yan was such a good brother to Sang Zhi. You could really tell he cared about her deep down, even when he was acting all funny and teasing her. He never once treated her badly, it was always that typical older brother energy where he jokes around but would still fight anyone who hurt her. I loved how their sibling bond felt so real and natural, not forced at all. They bickered, they teased each other, but at the end of the day, Sang Yan always had Sang Zhi’s back.
And as a friend, Sang Yan was honestly such a good one to Duan Jiaxu too. He never judged Jiaxu for the hardships he went through and always treated him like family. Their friendship felt solid like even if they didn’t say much sometimes, you knew they were loyal to each other no matter what. Sang Yan was the bridge that connected Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu in the beginning without even knowing it, and I just loved how he was always present in both their lives without being overbearing.
Victor Ma's Acting here was very natural and good, i loved how he conveyed the comedy in this drama, it felt natural and not cring at all and he was very good as a big brother.
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
I also have to say the supporting characters in this drama were so good. Everyone’s acting felt so natural and real. It never felt like they were acting just to move the story along; it felt like every character had their own life and story going on in the background. It made the whole world of the drama feel more alive and believable. You could tell the whole cast understood their roles and made everything come together so perfectly.
ROMANCE PART────୨ৎ────
I love the romance in the drama, everything came out at the right time, right moment, and the feelings were mutual and not forced at all. The maturity in Sang Zhi was such a treat to watch, Lusi really slayed here as she always does and I kept rewinding during all her close-up moments cos she's so gorgeous. I love how Jiaxu respects Sang Zhi and never crossed any boundaries.
I liked how the drama showed how a healthy relationship should be, just like Sang Zhi and Jiaxu, even when there is a misunderstanding they open up to each other on time. It’s so refreshing to see two characters communicate, compromise, and show vulnerability without it feeling too dramatic or over the top. Their dynamic felt like a real relationship – supportive, understanding, and full of mutual respect. The way Jiaxu listens to Sang Zhi and values her feelings is just... chef's kiss.
There are so many scenes I loved in the drama and I really liked the proposal scene, the birthday scenes, like I said every scene. EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM IS CUTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･. The little moments of just them being together, laughing, or sharing a quiet gaze... it felt so pure. And let's not forget the chemistry, it's electric, but in such a natural way. These two were so in sync with each other, and it’s honestly the kind of relationship that makes you believe in love a little more. Just... PERFECTION.
Favorite Scenes 🐻❄️ྀིྀི
I loved the OST so much. It just blended perfectly with the drama. Every song matched the mood, and it made each scene even more emotional. The music didn’t overpower the moments ,it enhanced them.
Their first date
Sang Zhi’s birthday
Sang Zhi with her friends
Sang Yan and Sang Zhi’s bickering
Every moment of Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu’s relationship-from their awkward but sweet conversations to their more mature moments, I was living for all of it. Their growth as a couple was so natural.
The proposal scene
Overall Thoughts on Hidden Love ｡ ₊°༺❤︎༻°₊ ｡
Hidden Love is easily one of the best dramas I’ve watched. The story is so well-written, and everything just falls into place. The way love, family, friendship, and life in general are portrayed is amazing. Author Zhu Yi has a real gift when it comes to blending all these aspects and creating something that feels real and heartwarming. She doesn’t just write a love story she writes an entire life story. Honestly, I might need to ask her to write my own love story (LOL).
This drama is so rewatchable for me. It's never boring, and I can watch it over and over. I even watched the special episode where the behind-the-scenes cuts and the main leads shared their experiences. It was so nice seeing how comfortable they are with each other and how friendly they seemed off-camera. Since I joined the Hidden Love fandom a bit late, I’m not sure how the fans feel about each other, but I really hope Lusi and Jiaxu get paired up again. It’d be tough to get a second season, though.
The summer’s coming, so you bet I’m going to rewatch it again. Even when I was tired after work, I watched it, and it made me feel alive again. It’s just that good. Now, I’m diving into watching edits and even planning to create a Pinterest board for this drama.
So, would I recommend this drama? A thousand YES, no doubt. Would I rewatch it? Well, I’ve already said yes, and it’s a big YES. And here’s the thing: watch it at your own pace, don’t let FOMO rush you. I watched it at my own pace, and I enjoyed every moment of it.
🐻❄️ྀིྀི🧸🎀
"Our story began when he was 22 years old. I once buried my feelings towards him worried that someone else might find out. I worked hard to become a better person to match his pace. And when I finally caught up to him, that's when I knew that I wasn't the only one running. He was running towards me too. In these five whole years, I healed his trauma. He gave my bittersweet first love a happy ending. Our story began when he was 22 years old. And it came to an end when I was 22 years old" - Drama's Message ₍ᐢ. .ᐢ₎ ₊˚⊹
Hidden Love – Released 2023, Watched 2025 LOVED BY PRECIOUS ִ ࣪𖤐
Thanks For Reading ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ Final message from the BTS - Love changes one's chaotic life into two mutual journey, going through High's and lows together. ‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡🪐༘⋆
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1Initially I was on the fence about starting this; there was a lot of hype around it and I've never (successfully) watched a Chinese Drama before. But what drew me in was the promise of a beautifully great cast, an exciting story, and some wonderfully superb acting. So you'll know without even reading ahead that The Untamed very well lived up to it's expectations, but why did it?
Let's rewind a little and summarize what it is that makes The Untamed such a rare gem among a multiplicity of other dramas in the same vein. The Untamed is the live action retelling of the Chinese novel The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (Mo Dao Zu Shi), a popular sensation that's only gaining more reader fans as we speak. Though a BL in nature, it's also so much more than that, and though censorship also plays a part where the live action is concerned, the producers of the drama made sure that none of the magic that made the novel so special was lost.
At its helm are two marvellous lead actors, both who manage to bring the characters alive in a way that made them their own. Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo display perfect synergy, in an undeniable chemistry that goes beyond the characters on-screen. It's obvious the series had a lot of thought put into when it came to the casting, as it goes without saying there's nobody else who would be such a perfect fit for these roles.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't struggle to summarize the plot of this epic series, especially without giving away too much context. It's simple on the surface but at the same time possesses a great scale of hidden layers that will continue to surprise and shock you as you progress throughout the series.
The Untamed follows two male characters from two different clans, both with very contrasting personalities; Wei Wuxian, outspoken and playful, and Lan Wang Ji, serious and virtuous. Though different in nature, through Wei Wuxian's persistence, the two slowly start to develop a friendship, one that transcends boundaries. When a new evil arises and threatens the peace of their world, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wang Ji both find themselves at the center of what essentially becomes an all-out war between clans.
Though this may be a theme that remains a central point, the series also manages to explore the consequences of heartache, love and loss, as well as the grey areas of villainy and an exploration in what is considered moral and the catalysts that cause us to sin. It's a compelling story that will grip you from beginning to end and doubtlessly inspire endless discussion and debate for months to come.
I cannot stress how much the plot summary doesn't really do it justice, as The Untamed is certainly an experience you have to be a part of to really get swept away. Because spoilers would make it a hell of a lot less fun to watch, all I can say is that you absolutely won't be disappointed.
I definitely recommend this for people who love cdramas, wuxia, supernatural fantasies, handsome men and beautiful women, epically choreographed battles and fans of Wang Yibo haha.
I also cannot end this without mentioning that the soundtrack is beautifully glorious and is just one of the many reasons I felt emotionally drained by the end of every episode.
Honestly, do yourself a favor and watch 2019's (and possibly of all time's) best drama.
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• 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗜 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 altogether in a drama, the appearance of those flowers on my screen were real healing element and stress relief to my busy days ✨ So thanks a lot to the crew of The Best Thing for making my days with those beautiful sceneries and cinematographies!
✅ Plus points of this drama :
- no depressing misunderstandings, we had a few but they get resolved in the cutest way
- ml being the greenest red flag, this gege with ulterior motive has used every single means to seduce our fl
- beautiful styling (loved all the outfits of fl, so big appreciation to the styling artist who was responsible for deciding and pairing outfits, absolutely loved them)
Tbh, in terms of story, it probably felt like one of those ordinary stories to me, I won't say we had anything new on radar. It was sweet, cute, beautiful, and would be relish to green flag sweet story suckers. So if you are the one who falls in this category of viewers, I would definitely be recommending this!
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