Both actors were showing great acting skills and you could actually feel the chemistry between them. I like it when you can´t quite grasp a character in the beginning and the actor is able to change this feeling during the movie and you can feel how you get closer to the character. Both actors defenitely accomplised this task.
The sript was well writen, the right words at the right time, not too much drama or never ending dialogs. Same goes for the music. Quiet, smooth, necessary but without getting on your nerves.
In the end the movie tourned out to be realistic, sad, life-affirming and quiet, but still chaotic and a tiny bit crazy. The right amount of everything, well composed and put together. And even the ending matched.
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The plot was fantastic and left me intrigued after every episode.
The overall vibe of the drama is strange with tons of dry humor (totally Odagiri's style).
Odagiri and Kuriyama portray an attractive detective duo, who have solid chemistry and plenty of bickering between themselves.
The ending left me wanting a second season.
Also, upon visiting several forum discussions, it seems that there is a lot of cultural symbols and subtle messages in this drama that hint at certain things. A re-watch of this drama after some research/pondering is definitely suggested.
Overall, this is a twist to the typical police/mystery drama with tons of crazy characters and dry humor.
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This drama has great actors and actresses. They did their job well, especially the one who acted out the character of the fake In Joo, which I think she did justice to the role because I hated her character too much. As for the 3 main leads, Seong Yoo-Ri, Lee Sang Woo, and Joo Sang Wook, they all did well, although I can say that the writer should have put more depth on JSW character as Jae Ha, such as giving us some background on Jae Ha's childhood on why he grew up with his grandmother, where are his parents, etc, in that way we could have had more empathy and connection with his character, unlike the character of Do-Yoon. Maybe that is why I feel more connected with the character of Do-Yoon aka "Haemil" and leans more towards the love angle between Do-Yoon/Haemil and Joong-Ho.
Furthermore, although I least expect the ending of the drama and quite dissatisfied with it, too much open ended and not enough closure on the characters, overall it is still a good drama to watch.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Simple but Beautifully Well-Done Drama
My worst habit is watching/binging c-drama half way through & dropping it cold turkey (whether if I loved it, if it dragged, long drama, or short drama). This drama kept me through the very end without skipping or 2x (another habit I do). Honestly, the 2 main lead’s chemistry was what made me came back to the drama despite the storyline being predictable at times.Cast: The 2 leads did great for their roles (They were a total eye-candy/pleasant visual with no overdone makeup). The male lead had me screaming through the screen (literal green flag). There are a lot of close up shots & the way their facial expressions & gestures just makes your heart flutter. They don’t say much but their facial expressions says it all. If I really had to nag much, the female lead’s facial expressions on some scenes were a bit stiff BUT she did great for her 1st lead role & a BETTER job than some top-tier actresses in the industry. The elder princess pulled off her role well (You could feel her bitterness). Same goes with the 2nd male lead and the male
lead’s family.
Storyline: Some plots were predictable (like you knew none of the main lead would die) but the story as a whole is straight to the point. You don’t feel like it wastes your time (no misunderstandings, no running in circles). This drama is limited to it being a short drama & pretty tight budget but they managed to pull it off. It wants to tell their love story, a political power struggle, gender roles/hardships, female empowerment, a fallen rising family, top/rich male lead & poor/servant female lead. Its touches base on the surface level with some topics but I am glad it mainly stuck with the main lead’s dedication, love, & hardship.
What I Love About the Drama: (as an avid C-drama viewer)
- Not making a love-triangle with the 2nd male lead. (He was a lovable person & a green flag. You could tell he likes the female lead but wasn’t pushy/knowing his boundaries. In an alternate world, anyone would have chose him as the one).
- The chemistry between the leads sold this drama. The mutual understanding despite being apart & having their own struggles. The glances they had at each other. Their chemistry was the selling point for me.
- The creative direction/production quality. THIS I APPLAUD TO THE TEAM WORKING BEHIND THE CAMERA. Whoever the director was brought out the best of the 2 main leads for their roles. The camera language & editing/cuts was a chef’s kiss. Their budget was well spent & the outcome was better than S-tier dramas. (I guess this came at a cost of having a fresh face cast).
- Having very memorable moments/objects & using it as references. The red bracelets, the red ribbons on the tree, the dumplings, the pearls, his handkerchief, etc.) It is symbolic of their love story & adds meaning to their subtle attraction to each other.
- The drama makes logical sense and characters have logical/reasonable feelings & decisions. You understand why each character made there choices & they had a valid reason to do so. As a viewer, the drama didn’t make me feel dumb.
What Could Have Been Better:
(NOTE: This a short drama)
- explaining the backstory to the Elder Princess’s character (She was a pivotal role more than 50% of the drama & had a lot of screen time. Had there been a backstory, viewers could empathize what lead to her tragic state. The drama already tries its best to hint at it but there just isn’t enough time/length to have its spotlight).
- The 5 years gap. 5 years just sounds like a long time & you’re telling me they just didn’t cross path till then. (I guess you can say it makes logical sense as the younger sister is getting married. Therefore she needs to be at a marriageable age.)
- Having a more complex female family setup. Yes she is poor & that is fine but you could tell the female lead’s father/brother role was written to be a hinderance for the plot.
- Same could be said for the political struggle/fight. It was the most surface level fight I have ever seen in a drama but somehow it got the job done. However, I’m glad they kept it that way. (We ain’t spending 3 episodes on a coup for the damn throne.)
However, with that being said, I still wouldn’t change much of what was presented in the drama. It is a short drama with its limitations but beautifully done. If it was a full length drama, I feel that I would have dropped it in the middle. I don’t feel cheated for my time watching this drama. Though it is predictable that the lead would end up together & neither would not have died. I watched it to the end to know/see how the production team play out the ending for the lead. This is the first drama in years that I finished start to end. I highly recommend to check the drama out.
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Perfect Kisses!
Kiss x Kiss x Kiss ~ Perfect Scandal ~ is all about kissing.It's not a drama or show or anything, just literally scenarios where the characters find themselves kissing.
You get maybe a minute or two of character background via captions on the screen, then maybe 3-5 minutes of lip-locking.
Honestly, from the straight couples to the gay couples, all of the kisses and scenarios were good.
Some kisses were better than others, but it's all based on preference.
I kind of wish they would extend the episodes to 15-30 minutes so we could get more character backgrounds and build up to the kisses. They do amazing with just the scenario and kisses, but having a little more details would make the series more memorable and give the actors a bit more time to act.
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Fake It Till We Make it !!
First off, major props for the ace representation! The inclusiveness and legitimate valid portrayal deserves praise!! They nailed it, though would have liked it if they had more screen time.Chemistry? Chemistry-ing so hard! It was on fire from ep 1 to 12 ! Great and Inn were such a good choice, really hope they team up again in another series.
The supporting characters were amazing ! Their love stories had their own flair and drama and I was all in for it!
The comedy was a bit cringey (in a good way, if that makes sense). Lots of second-hand embarrassment, but somehow it worked for me.
But the way they dragged out finally admitting and committing to the relationship was kind of annoying and unnecessarily stretched, especially when they were always so domestic ALL THE TIME . It just felt way too over-the-top sometimes! They could've cut to the chase sooner!
Overall , If you're into sizzling chemistry, drama, with a touch of cringe-worthy comedy, I would recommend this. It's not perfect, but it's definitely entertaining!
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A Seemingly Fun Drama Addressing Family Pressure on South Korean Kids to Succeed Academically
My take on this drama now that we are almost to the midpoint.I love, love watching Jeon Do Yeon. She is a natural and has this way about her, making me believe her in every role she takes. Here she is funny, fun, and almost over-indulged as a mom trying to keep up with other moms way over-involved, if not obsessed with their children's education. I adore Jung Kyung Ho; he is such an expressive actor and so much fun to watch. He is my third favorite South Korean Actor. I have to admit I wasn't sure what to expect from him in this role, but I love this fun side of him, and his love and dedication to math and teaching make me want to go back to school and re-do all those math exams I took as a senior in high school -- who knew math could be so appealing.
The twist I didn't expect from this drama is the murder/crime/suicide aspect. It makes sense to have that twist, seeing how much pressure parents, schools, and the education system puts on these kids. I am all for pushing your kids to excel in school, but it shouldn't be at the expense of their mental health or life, for that matter. One of the biggest tragedies of the Korean education system is that children and teenagers must always study. They have little time left over for fun, relaxing, vacations, or enriching themselves in non-school-related activities. It's not forced on them, but they are given few options for success; if they do not excel, it's as good as forced on them. Some kids study 18 hours a day, spend 10 hours at school, go to cram-school classes after school, and spend their time studying at home to secure a good college and standard of living, and acceptance is beyond tragic. I wish the parents, especially the moms, would put as much time into providing their children with a more balanced life as they do with their education. It would amount to a much happier society with students/children who aren't as stressed or pressured to study all the time and wouldn't need to cheat, lie, scheme, or bully to be accepted, feel good about themselves, or stay ahead.
Not only Koreans but most Asians see education as a way of gaining success and bringing esteem to one's family. And what's even more bewildering is the extent these mothers would go to secure that success for their children even at the expense of other children, resorting to cheating, lying, and scheming -- which in turn leads to bullying others and harming others and themselves, even murder and suicide. I don't even know if a solution exists. Still, I think the system itself needs a massive overhaul, and so does the role of the family and education-crazy mothers who believe their child's life is not about freedom, personal choice, or happiness; it is about production, performance, and obedience -- life is so much more than that and just because one birth a child it doesn't mean then own them.
I appreciate this drama for bringing up the many issues related to the education system in South Korea, particularly the pressure families put on their kids to succeed academically and the consequences of those actions.
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Much of the appeal can be attributed to Shin Ha Kyun himself; his "Killer" is a mute who only communicates physically with other characters and through internal monologue with the audience. It's amazing how much he's able to convey with just body language and facial expressions! In particular, there's a scene with the female lead where you could tell exactly what he was thinking...just by a few subtle physical cues. His narration is also incredibly charming and often hilarious. Another interesting character is played by Kim Min Joon: an ex-ballet dancer with a philosophical heart...and wicked knife skills. "Ballet" had the best action sequences in the film as well, since he incorporated his dancing into his battle style. It's too bad there weren't more of them; while Shin Ha Kyun did a great job on his own fight sequences, they weren't nearly as compelling.
On the story front, all is generally solid. It's unremarkable aside from the characters, quirks, and instances of strangeness... but these are enough to keep it all afloat. The comedy even works well and generates genuine laughs. A specific grace this film has is its ending, however; it is a satisfying, though bittersweet, conclusion that works great with the rest of the story.
Honestly if you can find it, give it a try. No Mercy For The Rude should keep you entertained for a few hours at least. Just be careful if you're weak with blood, because there's a decent amount!
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"I Will Always Be With You"
I first saw LXY in the role of Wu Xin in TBOY and this actor intrigued me. I added this show to my watchlist and waited. Since then I had seen the actor in a few other productions and though not the best of scripts and I don't like Xianxias, was still looking forward to it because though completely unfamiliar with the FL, the rest of the cast was pretty solid. This review will combine both pros and cons because you really couldn't pull them apart.The show in itself for most of it was just chugging along steadily, no real meat and potatoes until conspiracies started to come to light and fall apart. ML or YZ was played so well by LXY; he handled every emotion including PTSD, outrage, love, jealousy, joy, and ass kicking with a simplistic approach. YZ's original misguided plan was to rid the world of the five sins or basically destroy the world was swatted by the FL or JTY because though she didn't say it, she came into his life to protect him as well as teach him and herself love. What started as a divine mandate from the elder Gods to stay with YZ until he died of natural causes, protect him and then take his divine hand back to the Gods where it supposedly belonged. Except what no one knew at the time that the divine hand really did belong to YZ as the God who cut it off himself was trying to save the world from what two villains had unleashed.
YZ endured hell of being stuck in some lock by the supposed leaders of his clan especially a middle villain who then kept him captive in a cave for 40 years even though he won the war. Which is when he came up with those 5 sins to keep from going insane. After he was released he and his 5 spirit weapons whom he sealed in random locations not to fall into the hands of Leader of the clan. Meanwhile until TY arrived, he was being tortured for his divine hand's blood and power. And they wondered how he was able to manage being treated as a prisoner. But he figured it all out and was biding his time to leave and begin his plan.
With TY's arrival as just a handmaiden but in fact the goddess of craftsmanship, creator of the city of Yandu, having made 3 vows that she would never tell him who she really was, why she was there, or fall for him. All of which by episode 35, she courageously spoke into words. Because prior to that she could only say "I will always be with you"; had she broken that oath, she would dissipate. The beginning episodes were very funny because she died quite a few times and then would come back to life a bit later to the bewilderment of YZ and his guard-spirit weapon 1. YZ was the embodiment of Oscar the Grouch and it took him a while to thaw.
It was pretty cool that regardless of how frail or injured her mortal body was, she would give her life a thousand times over to save him. There were side storylines like that of the third wheel aka QL who before he became enlightened, spent more time knocked out than conscious, which was funny in itself. But though he supposedly liked TY, he didn't make a move on her and I feel like it was more unrequited love than anything else. As he grew and smartened up, he came to admire YZ as he's the one helped QL become the perfect War Demon; super powerful that he was able to ultimately kill his side's evil chief in the end after giving her a verbal bitch slap for using their people (his brother and mother included) as sacrifices for her own greed, he was team good all the way pretty much since TY kept saving him.
The second couple's story was a sad one, but one that was quite lovely from a storyteller's perspective. ZD was human and met TH in her prime but sadly after she rescued him and he recovered, he left her and she spent the rest of her youth searching for him but by the time she found him, she was old and grey and he had forgotten all about her. So at a supposedly random temple she prayed to the Goddess of Embroidery (the dumbest name for a goddess ever especially since she was the main antagonist); who gave her youth back on the condition that if she ever needed anything, ZD would do it. Back then ZD was all too willing to accept because she had no idea of the dire consequences that simple agreement would bring in the future. Ultimately her youth card ended and she grew into an old woman and couldn't spend her days with TH as he was essentially immortal and still youthful.
TH meanwhile had spent 100 years seeking forgiveness from YZ for not telling him his family was killed by the clans people while he was in the middle of the God/Demon war. They started as best friends but they were at odds. It wasn't until the leads left the mountain in search of the spirit weapons, that they finally came to a truce. TY taught YZ a lot in those times like understanding that his spirit weapons were human too and had emotions and feelings; they weren't just objects. Especially after the whole Pei Jiu/Lu Chen arc. Lu Chen didn't forget his lady love even though by the rules he was supposed to. Love is stronger than any oath. As A Xiu told him very smartly "we're connected to you by the oath we gave you. But we are a part of you so we feel what you feel. If you feel sad, we feel sad. If you are happy, we are happy. If you are tired, we are tired. If you hate, we hate. If you let go, we let go." Such an important and powerful speech.
Small characters that ended up helping a lot like TY's Master who secretly hit YZ with a Lotus skill that helped him wake up at the end when the Demon Lord took over. Or the 4th wheel who was a spirit weapon lamp that TY created, he was part of the spirit weapon group that was holding onto YZ's consciousness as the Demon Lord was trying to assimilate with him. Even though they gave up their bodies/lives to help wake YZ up, ultimately he did live and we could deduce that they also returned as we saw A Xiu as a little kid run around YZ at the end of the series. Going back to that speech; "if you live, we live." So he's got the divine hand and all of them. I'd like to think Lu Chen went back to his lady love. Poor MS spent 40 years enduring lightning tribulations to ascend to Godhood but the day he did, he died protecting YZ and TY against HN aka Goddess of Embroidery and the final/main antagonist of the piece. But at least he got a chance to spend time with YZ and others and I do hope that in the aftermath he still got immortality. Plot hole was where did ZD's right hand man go after he delivered a message to her and then we didn't see him again until Master Yan ordered ZD's brother's arrest? A solid 10 episodes he wasn't around while before he was always by her side.
I wish the story moved faster and we didn't have a lot of just step at a time. You knew who the villains were pretty early on though how far the plan went and why was pathetic. Chief War demon, a bunch of the older chiefs of the YH clan especially the old fart, ZD's own brother, Master Yan, demon lord and HN were the antagonists. I'll list them out as what they did, why, and their deaths if they happened:
-Chief War Demon: Nearly brought her clan to extinction, Greed, taken out by QL.
-Chiefs of YH Clan: Would follow anyone as long as they were allowed immortality, Greed, killed by Demon Lord or Team TY rushing up the mountain.
-Old Fart Dingxu: Tortured YZ for his blood and divine hand power, killed his and everyone's families; Greed and self preservation, killed by TH, ZD, and QL.
-ZD's Brother: Created Wushang Society in the name of the goddess but in reality were helping the demons thrive and kill. Also killed his own father (father and daughter never got a chance to reunite; just despicable) and was planning to do the same to his sister to take over city lord position to rule the human race. Superiority complex and greed. Was jailed awaiting execution.
-Master Yan: Trapped YZ even though he worshipped her as a goddess but he believed the words of ZD's brother because he was his disciple. So in order to escape she was forced to take out her own divinity bone making herself even more human as the old bastard understood who he trapped and she told him some choice words after breaking his statue of her. But he didn't break a sweat, just rebuilt the statue and went about his day even when her friends came to seek him for advice, he never told him the unprecedented evil he did. Power hungry and greedy just like his disciple. He should have been struck by lightening at least. I felt this was getting away with a heinous crime.
-Demon Lord: Laughable for an antagonist. He was the dominant soul of the primordial God Taihe who TY originally created the Devine hand for. He possessed YZ for a bit and with the help of TY, the spirit weapons, and YZ himself upon waking up, fizzled out of existence. He spent most of the series as smoke or a talking map. Just ridiculous really. He wanted the world to live in fear and resentment as that's what he fed off of. Ultimately killed by TY and YZ.
-Goddess of Embroidery or HN: Everything was her plan from the beginning. When she was a human 3,000 years before, she was betrayed by her sister for loving a playboy so they set her up as a witch and burned her at the stake. Because of her flawless embroidery, upon her death she ascended to heaven. Her heart filled with hate, after trying to turn good and failing, she found out Lord Taihe who was cultivating forgiveness and peace also had a very dark side. So she unleashed it which led to the 1st God/Demon war (when TY was hurt for the first time and YZ as a little Fox woke her up from a deep slumber and took half her pendant) and Taihe in a desperate attempt to kill the evil, cut the divine hand off which floated to the mortal realm and to the YH clan where YZ was the only child that was able to appropriate it. TY met YZ as a kid a second time where he prayed to her. In the meantime, while trying to find the right host, kids and families were killed. Another war broke out, this time YZ as an adult used the hand to end it and TY took a blow meant for him. Both wars were instigated by HN to get the divine hand to the demon lord. She wanted to kill YZ ASAP but it didn't quite work that way. Eventually she used ZD's promise and a downhill snowball, the demon lord was reborn in YZ's body for a bit. The reason for her doing everything was for revenge on her long dead sister and to end the world for her bullshit grievances. Obsessed and blind she then took a stupid and cowardly way out by turning YH's mountain into a piece of embroidery along with herself. It was very anticlimactic.
I love ZL who played HN because she can pull off a flawless antagonist. But her ending here didn't do her justice at all. The ambiguous OE ending was very blah. YZ and TY traveled for several years and then eventually after telling him everything else, she disappeared. But there's hope because there's her lingering spirit in the world. Plus the bit she gave him in episode 6 and the lotus her master gave him. Unfortunately, though an extra episode was filmed with her returning in human form and it being an obvious HE according to the screenwriter, production decided not to use it. I find that very dumb. People will talk about the show regardless of the ending but depriving us of that isn't fair at all.
Would I recommend it? I would; though not an obvious HE and lots of plot holes and confusion, ultimately this was a good watch and you got all of the emotions out of it you needed.
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Sweet Drama with Contrasting Characters | Hot Male Lead
I love this drama from the beginning. It's so cute! My first reaction was, OMG! Another Chinese drama with hot men -beautiful long eye lashes.The main female character, Chun Hua, is so cute, innocent, and silly. All she cares about is love, at least initially. She is so funny and upstanding at the same time. She captures my heart from the beginning. Though silly and girly, she brightens one up, unlike some similar characters in other dramas that may cringe one up. Zhao Lu Si is indeed a fantastic actress.
The male actors are new to me, but they are awfully good looking. I love looking at them, especially Qiu Yue played by Li Hong Yi; his long eye lashes simply mesmerize me. The Qiu Yue character is a bad boy kind, breaking every conceivable rule. He is powerful and ruthless, and yet has a soft heart for the woman he loves. This is a complex character as it has many facets which are not easily understood. At the same time he exudes an air of sexiness, loneliness follows. I love this mysterious and sexy character, and I'm constantly waiting for his appearances, and yet I also fear him.
In contrast, the second male lead, Xiao Bai played by June Wu, is handsome, powerful and righteous, and yet he lacks the romantic side. Everything is according to the book with him, including love. As much as I want to see him win the love of his life, I'm also torn between my love for Qiu Yue.
The fighting scenes and choreography are simply beautiful and authentic. I'm always amazed how these actors can 'fly' so effortlessly and yet set such incredible awe inspiring poses. The flow of their hair and clothing is simply so beautiful and surreal, and the intense of their faces tells a million words.
The pace can be very slow at times, to the extent that can feel like time has stood still. During such times, the camera tends to zoom onto the actors' faces, trying to capture their emotions. Qiu Yue's face is immaculate. He is so beautiful to look at, in black or white hair. His expressions are very subtle and yet capture exactly the mood, and make viewers empathize with him. Every sentence he utters towards the woman he loves, it is always full of longing and passion. His kisses are always passionate, unlike many kiss scenes in Chinese dramas - just a peck on the lips. He is one of the most sexy characters I have encountered so far in Chinese drama.
I'm impartial with the opening song, but I love the ending song and the others within the drama. This is a very well done drama. Don't miss it!
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This review may contain spoilers
If the shoe fits & Never give up on your Dreams.
::::::FAMOUS SHOE QUOTES:::::::::
"Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.” - Marilyn Monroe
" A woman can carry a bag, but it is the shoe that carries the woman.” - Christian Louboutin
"It doesn’t matter how great your shoes are if you don"t accomplish anything in them.” - Martina Boone
'Momma always says there's an awful lot you could tell about a person by their shoes. Where they're going. Where they've been.” - Forrest Gump
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::::::::STORY::::::::::
The feel of this series is quite like the novels of 'Danielle Steel' Probably because the novels were based on business, family heritage and struggle to keep the heritage.
Good collection of OST's, there are quite a few of them some are peppy and others soulful and melodious. Gong Jun, Zhong Chuxi and Wu Xuanyi, the actors playing prominent characters in this drama have each sung an(Wu Xuanyi sung two) OST in the series... My personal favorite is " Song of Faith" sung by Wu Xuanyi, very empowering lyrics for women.
::::::::::::::(Rising against the wind. Beginning with Jiang Hu (**)When rising with the wind, Zhaoyang(** )will be there for you. :::::::::::
**note📝 on meaning of Jiang Hu and zhaoyang at the end of review)
This is the story of Jiang Hu(Zhong Chuxi) who along with Zhaoyang(Wu Xuanyi) forges a new future for old brands.
The story starts with an ambitious investor Xu Si (Gong Jun) wishing to acquire, Industrial site of an old shoe brand 'Tengyue' for his land acquisition deal with Yuanfeng Logistics. Tengyue is a company under Free Unicorn group of companies managed by Jiang Qi Shen. Jiang Qi Shen's only daughter, Jiang Hu(zhong chuxi) the Apple of his eye whom he lovingly calls "little butterfly" wants to revive 'Tengyue' brand because the brand has deep connection with her family. 'Tengyue' company had been established by Jiang Hu's maternal grandfather and later her own father, Jiang Qi Shen became famous because of the Tengyue brand, however since the 1980's and 1990's, Jiang Qi Shen focused more on expanding the Free Unicorn Group of Companies which manufacturers clothing and shoes, Tengyue has just one product left and it is just a nostalgic reminder, rather than a profit making unit.
Xu Si tries to get a meeting with Jiang Qi Shen to discuss the sale of Tengyue's industrial site however is unsuccessful to get an appointment so Xu Si tries to approach Jiang Qi Shen through Jiang Hu. Jiang Hu has arranged a party at the factory of Tengyue inviting influencers to start her revival project. Xiang Zhaoyang (Wu Xuanyi) an award winning shoe designer at Aneda, moonlighting as a masked influencer who is also long time high school rival of Jiang Hu, is invited intentionally by Jiang Hu to be an influencer at this event. As per Jiang Hu's plan to boost her online sales of Tengyue shoes, another influencer present at the event exposes the real identity of Zhaoyang..... As a result Zhaoyang loses her job at Aneda due to non-compete agreement.
Soon after this event Jiang Hu's father dies due bad health compounded by sudden financial problems in his business, immediately leading to Free Unicorn being bankrupt. Jiang Hu falls to bad times and is now reviled and preyed upon by the same society vultures who at one time revered her... Jiang Hu decides to take charge of her life and in a desperate bid uses all her leftover inheritance money to buy the Shares of Tengyue and trademark for Tengyue shoes.
Jiang Hu decides to revive the 100 year old brand Tengyue, she shifts into factory premises.. She doesn't have funds to continue current manufacturing operations, She meets many challenges to revive the brand and she tackles those problems head on, she has to negotiate with Xu Si to allow her to continue operation at the industrial site of Tengyue that now belonged to his company purchased during the bankruptcy auction of free unicorn. She forms a new team of personnel:
*Yang Jian( Gao zhiting) and his merry band of boys operating online website help her with online sales at the starting of her company.
*Zhaoyang becomes the shoe designer for her company
* Ms.Yue from her father's old company joins in as Account manager
* Mr. Pei her maternal uncle becomes the production manger.
* Jiang Hu herself handles marketing and sales.
* Boss the old factory dog becomes her constant companion in this new journey
Jiang Hu with the help of her new team, overcomes various problems faced by an outdated brand... She successfully handles HR problems created by some old workers, redesigns the shoes, tackles the problem of distribution and sales by using innovative marketing strategies. Growing influence of e-commerce in current market scenario is highlighted in this drama. She continues to plod on by using the motivational quote "going against the wind".
Along the way she finds love, Xu Si... Makes new friends, Yang Jian and reconnects with her old rival turned BFF, Zhaoyang. This show has shown quite a realistic depiction(text book version) of business problems and their solution.
Besides Xu Si and Jiang Hu's love story there is also a secondary love story of Zhaoyang and Yang Jian, Zhaoyang's step brother who has been in love with Zhaoyang since last ten years.
As much as this is a story of the successful revival of an old brand in a new market, it is also a story of human connections and team building.
As per my understanding, this series is focusing on TWO business issues.
1. Growing impact of influencers and internet in generating sales of any product. It is necessary for old brands to use new methods to survive in current market.
2. Small old businesses shutting down due to lack of funds and lack of modern technologies that other big companies have at their disposal to manufacture more at cheaper rate due to having deep pockets and accessibility to mechanised impersonal technology......
Handmade, indigenous products and labourers are suffering.... Saving these business is another theme of this series. What a country needs not not few big brands but diversified national brands.
**************************************************
::::::::RELATIONSHIPS:::::::
First Leads
Gong Jun(XU Si) x Zhong Chuxi(Jiang Hu)
The headstrong CEO meets an arrogant daughter.. Their story is combustive with sparks flying everywhere, they have a spicy and confrontational love story. In the beginning there are lots of trust issues, Jiang Hu has been betrayed by people closest to her so it's quite difficult for her to trust an 'Investor' who might take away her company. Slowly their relationship transitions into reluctant partnership morphing into trust and finally love.
Second leads
Gao Zhi Ting(Yang Jian) x Wu Xuanyi(Xiang Zhaoyang)
Sweet designer with her step brother, they have known each other since childhood. Their story provides a breath of fresh air on a sunny day... Their love story is more tender. Yang Jian has always cared for zhaoyang. Standing like a rock beside her, ensuring she is safe, happy and silently removing all obstacles in her path. He showers his love by ensuring zhaoyang is always well fed, making delicious food, taking care of the household chores leaving her free to pursue her dreams, encouraging her creativity and progress.
BFFs; Zhong Chuxi (Jiang Hu) x Wu Xuanyi (Xiang zhaoyang)
Both these girls have known the other since high school. They are competitive to the extreme, they like the same food, music and both had a crush on Gao Yi. Due to zhaoyang's humble background and Jiang Hu's privileged upbringing there were lots of hostile situations causing friction between the girls in their earlier years.. After Jiang Hu lost her father and decided to revive 'Tengyue' shoes, she and zhaoyang a shoe designer who wanted to bring authentic chineses designs back in the market joined hands and became a formidable team, tackling all hardships and forging ahead in their own paths to success, achieving their personal goals while securing a glorious future for 'Tengyue'.
Both love stories provide a mix of sweet and spicy while all them together struggle to even the odds stacked against them...Also there is a plausible and realistic platonic relationship between Jiang Hu and Yang Jian who become confidants having trusting work relations because both have warm and outgoing personalities. Xu Si and Xiang Zhaoyang also share admiration for the other's ability, recognizing the other's capability but they always maintain a cool efficient business relationship due their reserved nature... All these relationships were in tandem till the 100 year anniversary of Tengyue (first 32 episodes) then suddenly lots of angst, non-communication made their relations seem strained and filled with lots of melodrama in the latter part of the series... But in episodes 39 and 40, concluding episodes the series tied everything in a pretty bow and gave a Happy Ending for both the couples.
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::::::::ACTORS PLAYING THEIR CHARACTERS:::::::
Gong Jun playing Xu Si :
Gong Jun played the part of a dispassionate and shrewd investor quite well. He was able to display a wide range of emotions through his character. In the beginning his attitude was arrogant for the goal oriented Xu Si... Later in the series with the change in Xu Si's character, Gong Jun 's eyes reflected his turmoil, sadness and hurt. He also revealed during the promotional campaign for the drama and his own personality was quite introvert compared to Xu Si's extrovert nature, so as an actor he did a fabulous job.
Zhong Chuxi playing Jiang Hu:
Zhong Chuxi looks stunning as Jiang Hu the rich heiress who dresses in expensive designer shoes & dresses and drives a fast red car, she portrayed the haughty and imperious side of Jiang Hu 'To the T'. Her body language exuded her confidence, then she was equally believable as a 'fallen from grace' startup entrepreneur, who uses her wit and intelligence to forge ahead... .Zhong Chuxi's charming smile and genial attitude makes Jiang Hu's struggles to achieve success in business relatable.
Wu Xuanyi playing Xiang Zhaoyang:
Wu Xuanyi was remarkable in her depiction of Xiang Zhaoyang.. Zhaoyang with her tenacious nature, achieving success with her hardwork, appearing detached and indifferent but very warm hearted and loyal to the core. Wu Xuanyi successfully Portrayed the minimal expression of zhaoyang used to keeping her own counsel. Her demeanor was professional and reserved giving professional vibe. Body language was closed.. This is good acting because Wu Xuanyi in her real life is more of a vivacious, outgoing personality. As wu Xuanyi discussed in the promotional campaign she herself is an extrovert playing the role of an introvert zhaoyang. ( If you like wu Xuanyi, do read my highlights in the comment section of this review about, why I like Zhaoyang in spite of her imperfections. )
Gao Zhi Ting playing Yang Jian:
This is the first time, I am watching Gao Zhi Ting's work... His portrayal of Yang Jian is very candid.......When he smiles it is quite wholesome and genuine and his crestfallen face when Zhaoyang is not happy with him is full of emotions.... Gao Zhiting is a very natural actor, all emotions of his character are well conveyed through his face and body posture. He carries out "the boy next door" image quite well.
Honorable mentions
1. Wei zhe Ming who played the part of Gao Yi did not have much screen time but he managed to capture audience's attention with few scenes, his character was also a more distant personality, fre scenes that he had to showcase his emotions were with his wife... There his tearful anguish filled face evoked sympathy in viewer's heart.
2. Wen Zheng Rong who played the character of Yue Shan was brilliant in her ultra efficient, tolerate no nonsense manner suiting a woman who has spent majority of her life navigating the business world.
3. Morni Chang who played the character of Pei Zhi Yuan, a true veteran actor realistically brought to life the supportive maternal uncle of Jiang Hu who was equally miserly and opportunist while still retaining his love for his niece.
4. BOSS the dog was the showstopper, he was such a well trained animal, so many BTS of actors having a great time playing with him are uploaded on the net.. I don't know how the trainer manages to get the dog to display different postures and emotions at different time... For me BOSS was 'THE BOSS' of this series.
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OVERALL: A unique drama depicting realistic business scenarios while superbly telling a story of revival of a brand and struggle of two ladies Jiang Hu and Zhaoyang, rising in their own spheres, defying the odds stacked against them., though after first 32 episodes things turn more melodramatic like a soap opera.... However the show got back on track in last two episodes 39 and 40 and managed to resolve the whole story in a satisfactory manner.....A must watch.
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:::;:Note📝 on Jiang Hu and Zhaoyang meaning:::::
Zhaoyang means 'rising sun'(☀️).I did a little google Research on the name Jiang Hu, it is a bit more complicated to understand...... But simply speaking it translates to 'rivers and lakes' in terms of wuxia. The meaning of the name Jiang Hu, that I think is most suitable for this drama is a band of virtuous outcasts of society grouping to form their own parallel society with their own code of rules.... Isn't that what Jiang Hu is trying to achieve with Tengyue?? Bringing together a band of outcasts to form her own version of perfect society.
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PS: If anyone is interested in reading more;
1. I am leaving clickable links to my episodes summary and musings in the comments section of this review(each episodic comment has two parts, general thoughts and another spoiler tag comments including details of those episodes)...... I have given a brief overview of the episodes along with my personal musing in them.
2. Also leaving in the comment to this review, my explanation of certain business situations pertaining to this drama.
3.My 'Minority Report' why I like the character of ZHAOYANG, inspite of her imperfections... Main highlights only.
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1This review may contain spoilers
If What You See or Do Is Really What You’re Seeing or Doing
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:Some stories entertain you.
Some stories haunt you quietly.
Scent of Time does the latter.
I went into this drama thinking I knew exactly what I was getting another “villain gets a second chance” story, something in the same lane as Story of Kunning Palace. That familiarity is exactly why I didn’t even bother reading the synopsis. No warnings, no spoilers just the idea of a second chance, and that was enough. And honestly? Getting to watch both of these dramas in the same year felt unreal. Two brilliant stories. Two complex women. Two very different kinds of second chances.
But here’s where Scent of Time sets itself apart.
The difference lies in the hand of cards each female lead is dealt. Jiang Xue Ning in Story of Kunning Palace is sent back to a point early enough to truly alter her fate before marriage, before her sins harden into something permanent or many things.
Her future is difficult, yes, but still flexible. There is space to handle.
Hua Qian doesn’t get that mercy.
She wakes up only two years earlier on the night of a marriage she schemed her way into, when many of her family’s crimes are already in motion. The damage is half done. The wheels are already turning. No matter how desperately she tries to be better, there are limits to what repentance can undo. Her second chance is not freedom it’s restraint. And that makes all the difference.
What I expected was a familiar redemption arc.
What I got instead was a slow, aching meditation on regret, responsibility, self worth, and the unbearable truth that knowing better doesn’t always mean you can do better.
Scent of Time is not about fixing the past it’s about learning how to live with it. And somehow, I lived it with them.
This drama doesn’t rush to comfort you. It doesn’t hold your hand. It sits beside you quietly and asks: what if you could see all your mistakes clearly… yet still be powerless to undo them or escape them?
Watching Scent of Time felt less like binge watching and more like living inside Hua Qian’s heart like her fear, her resolve, her guilt, and her desperate desire to protect the people she loves. You don’t just observe her journey you carry it with her.
And I have to say this drama came to me as a recommendation, and no one warned me I’d be walking into this cast. Every main lead is visually striking, emotionally convincing, and good at what they do. Peng Chu Yue as Zhong Ye Lan and Zhang Yi Jie as Hua Rong Zhou were revelations for me, and yes I fell completely for Hua Rong Zhou. He deserves far more attention than he gets.
If you’re watching for the first time, keep an eye on the supporting cast too. Li Yun Rui as Wu Shuo Mo carries that quiet “future star” energy, and Ai Mi as Qian Zhi is effortlessly charming pretty, cute, and memorable.
Zhou Ye and Wang Xing Yue hold this drama together with grace and intensity. Looking back now, Scent of Time feels like the moment where their rise truly began. Since then, they’ve grown in every way acting, screen presence, and project choices and this drama stands as an early, powerful chapter in careers that are still unfolding beautifully.
Scent of Time doesn’t just tell a story, it invites you into one.
It lingers.
Like a scent you can’t quite name but can never forget.
𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲:
At its core, Scent of Time tells the story of Hua Qian a woman who once lived as the villain everyone loved to hate. She schemed, manipulated, hurt others, and devoted her life to a love that was never truly hers. The cost was devastating: her family destroyed, her life lost, everything reduced to ashes.
Then comes the impossible mercy: a “second chance.”
Or so it seems.
Hua Qian wakes up two years earlier, on the night of her marriage not before her sins, but after many of them have already been set into motion. This is what makes the story cruelly honest. She is not given a clean slate. She must live with the aftermath of her past self’s choices while desperately trying not to create new ones.
She doesn’t seek power anymore. She doesn’t chase love. She wants only one thing: to protect her family.
And yet, the drama keeps whispering an uncomfortable truth some things cannot be undone. The dead do not return. Fate bends, but it does not break easily.
The story unfolds slowly, deliberately, forcing us to sit with moral ambiguity. Redemption here is not about becoming “good.” It’s about accountability, restraint, and learning when to let go.
And then comes the twist the revelation that this second life is not a second life at all, but a dream born from a coma, sustained by incense, memory, and longing. A fragile space where Hua Qian confronts herself, piece by piece.
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
What makes Scent of Time unforgettable is not plot twists, but people. Every character feels flawed, human, and painfully real.
𝙕𝙝𝙤𝙪 𝙔𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙃𝙪𝙖 𝙌𝙞𝙖𝙣:
She plays her not as a saint seeking redemption, but as a woman drowning in regret, trying to breathe without hurting anyone else. Hua Qian is sharp, composed, and quietly devastated. She doesn’t cry loudly. Her pain lives in her eyes, in her pauses, in the way she carries guilt like a second skin.
She loves fiercely especially her family and that love is both her salvation and her curse. She is not innocent, but she is sincere. Watching her feels like watching someone talk to their past self every day and choosing restraint instead of destruction.
Hua Qian isn’t rewritten as “good.” She is rewritten as aware.
𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙓𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙔𝙪𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙕𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙓𝙞 𝙒𝙪:
Wang Xing Yue delivers something rare here: restrained intensity.
Zhong Xi Wu is not loud in his love. He watches. He waits. He carries devotion without demanding it in return. In the dream world, he is controlling, dangerous, shaped by Hua Qian’s fear of power and love. But in reality, he becomes the quiet constant the one who waits 26 months beside a comatose body, speaking softly to someone who may never wake.
His love isn’t perfect, but it is enduring.
What makes Zhong Xi Wu compelling is not romance, but patience. He does not ask Hua Qian to erase her past. He asks her to live.
𝙕𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙔𝙞 𝙅𝙞𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙃𝙪𝙖 𝙍𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙕𝙝𝙤𝙪:
Hua Rong Zhou is devotion made flesh. Fierce, loyal, reckless, and entirely hers, he loves Hua Qian without conditions or expectations. He’s the embodiment of protection, tenderness, and longing all at once.
But then the gut punch: he isn’t real.
Hua Rong Zhou is the version of Hua Qian that longed to be loved wholly, without judgment a mirror of her deepest desire for forgiveness. Losing him isn’t just losing a person, it’s losing a part of her soul, her innocence, her escape.
He’s not perfect he has flaws, missteps, limits but that only makes him achingly human. I love his character, and if anyone was meant for Hua Qian, it’s him. Saying goodbye breaks your heart because it’s a farewell to unconditional love, even if it was only ever a dream.
𝙋𝙚𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙝𝙪 𝙔𝙪𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙕𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙔𝙚 𝙇𝙖𝙣:
Zhong Ye Lan embodies a quiet, complicated kind of hypocrisy. He judges Hua Qian’s misdeeds while excusing Mu Yao’s, punishing betrayal selectively. His love is conditional, his morality flexible but he is never a caricatured villain. From his perspective, his feelings and judgments are earned, honest, and deeply human.
Scent of Time doesn’t let us look away from this discomfort: from Mu Yao’s point of view, Hua Qian would be unforgivable. And yet, Zhong Ye Lan forces us to sit with the truth that regret does not undo harm. He remains calm where others might act cruelly, seeking distance rather than revenge in Hua Qian’s second life. Even as he begins to see her differently, his feelings never fully escape the shadow of the past. Some emotions soften, but they cannot rewind time and in that quiet, measured restraint, he becomes one of the drama’s most painfully realistic and compelling characters.
𝙕𝙝𝙖𝙤 𝙌𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙈𝙪 𝙔𝙖𝙤:
Mu Yao is not evil she is pain made visible. Starting as a wronged, wounded soul, she gradually lets revenge consume her. The drama never excuses her actions, but it never paints her as a villain either. Watching her spiral is uncomfortable because she reflects Hua Qian’s own darkness from the first life a mirror showing how unchecked pain can twist the best of us.
And yet, Mu Yao finds her way back. She remembers who she truly is, rising from the shadow of hatred to reclaim herself. Her journey is a quiet testament: even when we become what we despise, redemption remains possible.
𝙇𝙞 𝙔𝙪𝙣 𝙍𝙪𝙞 𝙖𝙨 𝙒𝙪 𝙎𝙝𝙪𝙤 𝙈𝙤:
Li Yun Rui absolutely nailed it as Wu Shuo Mo such a deliciously wicked presence. Loved seeing him fully embrace the villain energy, it was oddly satisfying. Definitely hoping he takes on more roles like this in the future, because wow, he makes mischief look so good.
𝐇𝐮𝐚 𝐐𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬:
Hua Qian’s story is about love, regret, and growth. She begins with Zhong Ye Lan, the man she once obsessed over. In her first life, she did everything for him schemes, manipulations, even hurting others. But in the end, she lets go. She pushes him away, accepting that love cannot be forced. Watching her do this is heartbreaking but also beautiful. She grows, even through pain.
Then there’s Hua Rong Zhou, her devoted protector. His love is one sided but pure. He keeps her safe, understands her fears, and supports her without expecting anything in return. Slowly, Hua Qian begins to trust him and care for him in return. Their bond is quiet, tender, and so moving. I adore them they feel like everything you hope for in love: loyal, safe, and unconditional.
And finally, Zhong Xi Wu, the Lord. At first, he stays in the shadows, quietly watching her. But he loves her deeply and patiently, despite her mistakes and obsession with Zhong Ye Lan. He sacrifices, waits, and fights for her happiness. His love is selfless, unwavering, and heartbreaking in its intensity. Wang Xing Yue’s acting is incredible his eyes say everything. He deserves Hua Qian’s love, even more than she realizes at first.
The dream twist is clever: the Hua Rong Zhou in her dream is actually a reflection of Zhong Xi Wu. Her mind created him as someone to love and protect her unconditionally. The real ZXW has always been there, quietly loving her through everything. The ending shows her waking up, facing reality, and recognizing ZXW’s love. It’s painful but hopeful.
In her dream, the Lord became obsessive because her fears and insecurities influenced the dream. HRZ remained pure because he represented her safe space. This story is about learning that true love isn’t possession it’s patience, understanding, and sacrifice.
𝐇𝐮𝐚 𝐐𝐢𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲:
Hua Qian’s family was such a whirlwind of emotions. At first, I couldn’t stand her father, but watching him redeem himself? Pure magic he grew into someone worthy of love and respect. Her brother and mother were this tangled mix of love and frustration, I had this love hate rollercoaster with them. And omg, her brother dying for Hua Qian didn’t see that coming at all. I thought I’d feel nothing, given all the terrible things he did, but seeing Hua Qian’s heartbreak made me ache too.
𝐇𝐮𝐚 𝐐𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐬:
Before the heartbreak, Hua Qian shared warmth and trust with her three maids, a quiet world of loyalty and care. Two betrayed her, shattering that fragile sanctuary, but Qian Zhi stayed steadfast, her devotion pure and unwavering until the very end.
Lol, it was kinda like Zhong Xi Wu’s two guards one calm and collected, the other a little chaotic but both bonded to him in their own way, just like the maids’ different ties to Qian.
𝐀 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬:
Hua Qian’s journey broke me and healed me all at once she fought, loved, and sacrificed so fiercely for her family and for a life she barely dared to dream of, only to wake and realize it was all a fragile dream, yet in that dream she became stronger, wiser, braver, and even created a love that was hers alone in Hua Rongzhou, a pure reflection of her heart, while Zhong Xiwu waited patiently in reality, silently loving her enough to let her rise, fall, and choose her own path; I ache for her, I grieve with her, and I marvel at her courage, at her unshakable resilience, at the quiet beauty of a woman who suffered, survived, and, in the end, found herself.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧:
This drama teaches that redemption is not about undoing the past, but about choosing differently now. That regret is not weakness. That love does not always arrive as romance sometimes it arrives as endurance.
Most importantly, it reminds us that running away, even into dreams, is still running.
𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐦𝐚 & 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞:
Scent of Time understands trauma deeply. Love here is not romanticized it is questioned, feared, reshaped. Loving someone does not mean saving them. Sometimes it means letting them wake up.
𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝:
The final episode shattered me. I truly believed Hua Qian was living her second life every quiet struggle, every fragile happiness with Hua Rong Zhou felt real. I let myself believe in it with her. And then the truth landed: it was all a dream.
I wanted to stay there. I wanted to pretend that world was real, because it was gentler, warmer, and forgiving in ways reality rarely is. But that’s the point. The dream was never meant to rewrite fate. It existed to give Hua Qian the courage to face herself.
Hua Rong Zhou was not real he was the love she needed to give herself. Pure, unwavering, without judgment. Zhong Xi Wu is the life she must return to: imperfect, painful, but real, and waiting.
The ending isn’t about who she chooses. It’s about choosing reality over illusion, even when illusion feels safer. Even when waking up hurts more than staying asleep.
Many people criticize this ending, but to me, it feels painfully honest. I know myself well enough to admit that if I were in her place, I would want to stay in the dream too. I would want to believe it was real and never come back. But life doesn’t let us hide forever. At some point, we have to wake up, face what we’ve done, what we’ve lost, and who we are becoming even knowing the cycle of pain may begin again.
That’s why this ending stays with me. It doesn’t comfort you. It tells the truth. And sometimes, that’s the bravest kind of storytelling.
𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 & 𝐎𝐒𝐓:
Scent of Time is hauntingly beautiful soft lighting, muted colors, lingering shots that make the world feel fragile. The scent motivates memory, truth, and illusion together.
The OST is delicate and emotional, wrapping the story around your heart. It doesn’t just show the story it is the story.
I love all Osts, and here is the full playlist: https://youtu.be/ki9VKEZd2Dk
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧:
It was so, so good. I’m over the moon finishing this on the last days of December, feeling happy knowing these characters will move into 2026 with me.
Scent of Time isn’t perfect, but it is sincere. The story made me laugh, cry, ache, and think about choices, consequences, forgiveness, and love. Hua Qian is smart, strong, and unapologetically herself, a female lead you can root for. Zhong Xi Wu is patient, kind, and deeply devoted the kind of male lead who makes you believe in love without needing perfection. Hua Rong Zhou is the protector you wish you had, loyal and fearless, giving so much heart to the story.
This drama lingers, not because it comforts you, but because it respects your heart and intelligence. It’s clever, emotional, and unforgettable a hidden gem, a story about waking up, and a scent that stays long after the screen goes dark.
It’s a must watch if you want a heroine to admire, a love that feels real, and a story that stays with you, along with character development.
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I found this story to be uniquely original and took a Rom/Com to a whole new place and added in a good dose of humor into the mix as well. Lee Min Ki's performance is excellent as always showcasing both physical humor as well as touching emotional scenes he is the best character actor. I would call this a unique romance. I was prepared not to like this and found it a very touching story with both chills and thrills.
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This review may contain spoilers
Plenty of kisses but I dislike FL and drama length
I was recommended this drama on reddit I think because the discussion was about steamiest scene. This is my second Liu Lan Bo drama and it is my first time watching Xiang Yun Jie.What I liked:
1. Romance - OK the FL and ML are not shy about KISSING AT ALL. Their first kiss was very spicy as it involved tongue & was done in public. Great kisses in terms of quality and quantity. The couple was also affectionate with each other.
2. ML styling - Great outfits which then elevated Liu Lan Bo's handsomeness . I like the black jacket & black wide leg trousers.
What I disliked:
1. Common arcs - I am tired of common arcs such as jealous sister, abusive ex, lost / kidnapped child. The ex got too much screen time. I wish the drama had told a different story.
2. Length - The total duration of this drama is close to 3 hours 12 min. After reaching second hour mark, it was draggy so I fast forwarded so I could mark this series as complete.
3. FL characterisation - I wasn't fond of FL as I just felt she was two dimensional despite the long duration of this drama. I don't feel like she really loved ML in her past life because of her actions. When given second chance, I felt she said she loved him because she was afraid in the past & behaved stupidly around him. To me, it felt more like gratitude because I didn't see emotional buildup of their relationship.
4. Acting - I assumed FL was 25 years or younger because ML was 25 years old. I don't like childlike / immature FL so yes not a fan of Xiang Yun Jie's approach to the character. I felt she was outshined by Liu Lan Bo's aura & acting.
5. FL styling - Not a fan of FL's clothes. Too high school-ish. However the light blue dress was gorgeous from the back and from the front she looked like Tinkerbell.
Favourite scene
When FL told ML about her dreams & they had honest conversation about their relationship
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