It Took Time, Then It Clicked
It took me a little while to get into this one, but it was worth the wait. I hadn’t realized Yu Xuanchen and Liu Zhiwei were in it when I first watched—now I’m tempted to rewatch it! What really drew me in was the twist in the storyline, and I appreciated how both the main plot and subplots developed over time.I wasn’t too fond of the comedic elements early on, which might explain why it didn’t hook me right away. The story opens with hidden identities, and I wasn’t initially engaged with the lighthearted dynamic between the leads. But once the narrative found its footing, I became fully invested in the characters and the storytelling. The performances were solid, the pacing was smooth, and I don’t recall any major plot holes—making this one of Li Fei’s better-directed and more polished dramas.
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A Captivating Start, an Anticlimactic Finish
To be honest, this is the least memorable Li Fei drama among those I’ve enjoyed. I was captivated by the first half, but I struggled with the second part. The beginning was intriguing and exciting. The character development was strong, and the dynamics and backstories were complex and engaging. Even the antagonist stood out and had compelling interactions with the lead. However, as the story progressed, the ending felt anticlimactic and hard to follow.Was this review helpful to you?
Messy, Imperfect, and Completely Engaging
I enjoyed this, but I don't know if everyone can watch it. It has every hallmark of a short-length drama. It is low-budgeted, the storylines aren't well explained, the transitions between subplots are choppy, and there is no concrete ending. So, this watch takes a certain viewer. With that said, this is one of my highly-rated dramas. The overall narrative is interesting and the subplots are equally captivating. I love that we get two devil characters with backstories that drive this drama forward. Watching how entangled their lives are in different lifetimes keeps the story unique and engaging. I had many questions about key details, which is a sign of being absorbed into the narrative. I wish there had been a better finale though.Was this review helpful to you?
Promising, but Left Unfinished
I remember this one had a slow start, but once I was committed, I really enjoyed it. It’s another transmigration storyline where the heroine enters a novel and makes choices based on what she already knows—but it brings a fresh vision that makes the subplots feel original. There’s a mix of politics, conspiracies, and intriguing characters, though I do wish some had been more fully developed. There's even a fun guest appearance by Lin Zehui toward the end.My main critique is the ending—it drops off without closure or a second season. While I can sometimes overlook that, in this case, it was disappointing because the story had been building toward something truly promising. Each episode made the plot more compelling, and I had high hopes for how the subplots would unfold. Still, I don’t regret watching it. As a Li Fei fan, I think this drama showcases his strengths and reinforces how he consistently chooses interesting and unique projects.
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A Story That Sneaks Up on You
I really enjoyed this transmigration story. It took a few episodes to draw me in, but I was surprised by how emotionally resonant it became. Like many of Li Fei’s films, it’s a low-budget, short-length feature, but the subplots are engaging and the storytelling has real depth. I especially appreciated the character development and the narrative layers—it made for a captivating and multi-dimensional watch.Unfortunately, only half of the series is currently translated, so I had to finish it without English subtitles. The ending might not be for everyone, but I personally found it impactful and satisfying.
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Rough Around the Edges, Worth the Journey
I enjoyed this watch, though it may appeal more to hardcore Li Fei fans or fans of short-length indie films. The narrative is interesting and engaging, but the production and execution feel raw at times. Some viewers might struggle with the staccato storytelling. That said, I still believe it's worth watching. It immediately shows potential and carries something unique. Not all low-budget features are compelling, but this one grabs your attention early on. I liked the characters—the way they were developed and how their stories became intertwined. It’s a film I genuinely wanted to see through to the end.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
"my concern for you is not unrequited"
Love Upon a Time is a plot heavy mystery/historical BL that is over all a very fun ride.Starting off with the positives, the main character (I'm just gonna stick to calling him Nakun) was very lovable and easy to root for. He provides many great comedic moments, especially with his voiceovers in the beginning, and we witness his character mature over the course of the series. Nakun is also the most well developed and best written character, he feels realistic, which contributes to the drama's enjoyability.
I also loved the historical setting and the sets and costumes very absolutely amazing. I feel like I learned a lot about the Ayutthaya period of Thailand and this series made me interested enough to do my own research to learn more. (To be fair I am someone who is quite interested in history, so I understand that this might not be everyone's cup of tea.)
As for the main romance. Nakun and Phop had pretty great chemistry and watching Nakun fall in love was incredibly adorable. The scenes between the two where they are cuddling or just being generally lovey- dovey are soooo cute and I was rewinding to watch them multiple times (I'm looking at you episode 9). Also the two NC scenes our main characters had in episode 8 and 12 were INTENSE (in the best way possible of course).
Lastly, this series was paced super well and the end of every episode kept me hooked and wanting more.
Now on to what I didn't like as much... In my opinion Phop's character was not developed enough. He was a bit too clean, a bit too perfect... He just didn't feel real. Like we barely know anything about who he is as a person besides his love for Nakun. His continuous romantic declarations towards Nakun even felt a little overbearing at times. Like, we get it you love him, but why? Maybe it's hard to see where he's coming from because we didn't actually witness him falling for Nakun. Idk, but besides all this, there were moments where I really enjoyed Phop's character and his sincerity is very sweet.
This may be an unpopular opinion but I did not like the second couple. I don't know why but I didn't feel their chemistry and I found their plotline boring compared to the main plot.
My last negative for this series is that I did not like the way the final episode concluded things. It felt like such a cop-out to have Phop remember everything from his past life and for them to get back together so easily. But maybe I'm just a sucker for angst.
All in all Love Upon a Time is super entertaining and great for those who enjoy plot focused BL's. I'm glad I watched it and will for sure stay tuned for more NetJJ projects.
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I recommend it
I liked the show even though it was not what I usually watch/like to watch I enjoyed itThe show starts with MC doing aura farm and damn that’s cool. I was hooked to few first episodes because of MC’s aura farm but the story hooked me even harder. The show have a great mysterious story which we will uncover that over different episodes
The show was episodic but it didn’t felt that way to me. Every episode have their own story but they are also connected to previous ones
Some of the backstories can be agonizing to some ppl so it may not be for everyone
I also really liked how it felt like that characters (specially when the minister talks about the rules and how ppl should treat teachers)
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An Engaging Blend of Mystery, Tension, and Emotion
I believe this drama can appeal to fans of both short- and long-form content. Directed by Zeng Qingjie—whom I know from Provoke, Butterflied Lover, and Blossom—this drama is no exception in terms of quality. It features a strong ensemble cast, and I found the second leads just as compelling as the main ones. This was my first time watching Ke Ying, Kay Song, and Wang Zexuan, and their performances were both strong and captivating. It’s easy to see why they’ve gone on to appear in many more dramas.The story is tense and gripping, with twists and mysteries that are well-paced. While not overly difficult to predict, they are still satisfying in their execution. The villain arcs are deeply human, often blurring the lines of empathy and morality. I especially enjoyed the dynamics between Ke Ying and Cheng Lei, as well as between Ke Ying and Wang Zexuan. Overall, this drama offers a compelling viewing experience that I’d recommend to anyone
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In the meantime, you can watch the drama on YouTube: "【Multi Sub】💕結婚三年丈夫每天冷漠無視，直到某一天她獲得了一部手機，沒想到居然發現了丈夫的祕密......"
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3SWf_yIs-E) or:
"She Staged Her Own Kidnapping for Divorce—But He Risked His Life to Save Her!" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT0Ibn0XC8I)
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It was worth sticking till the end
Love Upon a Time had a pretty rough start for me,the pacing is slow and the tone is all over the place with comedy and serious storyline clashing a lot, which made the first half kind of hard to get intoBut it gets way better in the second half when it stops forcing the humor and focuses more on the actual story and emotions,the character development is stronger, and the romance actually starts to feel real.
Net and JJ’s chemistry is definitely the highlight,they really sell Phop and Nakhun’s relationship and make it feel natural and earned, by the end, with the visuals and OST, it actually turns into a pretty solid watch overall.
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LUAT takes BL to another level
the super intricate plot of this historical drama is so well executed over the course of 12 episodes! part murder mystery, part romance, part period drama, part sci-fi—there’s so much going on, but everything is perfectly paced. The setting and costuming are so beautiful and lush, and the language really immerses you into the story. NetJJ and LatteKim did an amazing job bringing the characters to life. the actors in the supporting roles were also well cast. I highly, highly recommend this show!Was this review helpful to you?
SO FLUFFY ??
This was... AMAZING IN EVERY WAY!!
The cast and the side characters have my heart~ 💞
Two things... THE VISUALS AND THE OST 😮💨!??, SO PRETTY!!
I also loved seeing a different side of thailand.
This drama was very well writin and honestly i really enjoyed it and i'm so glad i did not ignore it!! (Thanks to bad buddy) Since i saw they had like a special episode together but i didn't know the other couple (Phupha and Tian) BUT NOW I DO AND JKSFSHKJHDFKS
There chemestry!?? And honestly i loved how realistic this was and how they slowly started to fall for each other and honestly I LOVE EVERY MINUT OF IT~ 🥹🌸
So friking adorable and the ending?? SO CUTEEEEEEE
ALSO i really enjoyed the OST!! So pretty~~ its going to be stuck in my head just like what happend with: bad buddy.
Happy i got to watch this gem of a series!! It's a bit of a slow paste
and i know there some ppl who don't really like slow-paste series
but i'm telling you this one was so well made!! THIS WAS DONE SO WELL!!
Every time they would look at each other it made my heart melt~~
Give this series a try!! 💕💕
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Unpopular opinion...
But I didn't enjoy as much as everyone else :(The beginning was SO difficult to really relate with the main leads (honestly both of them). Their "understanding" for each other seemed forced? Like especially the female lead; like yes let me be the one person to go for the craZy guy...
Even after watching the entirety of all the episodes; YES I did get more context as to why each person is as so (this is for ANYONE in life) BUT there were so many instances that I didn't agree with some of the actions and words said by the main leads... Of course no one is perfect and we all fall short, make some regrettable decisions... but it was just really hard to really LOVE the leads.
I do think this storyline was realistic as in terms of some people really do never make it (whatever career choices, sports, blah blah) so I totally can see why others have really enjoyed and loved the artistic approach.
Definitely a more slice of life sort of drama, daily life, and a lot of emotions...
I would say, I would WARN those that are maybe not emotionally stable (very depressed or anxious); I think the beginning is a really hard watch.
Acting was definitely great though!
Overall; I would not recommend this drama however I do think it had a unique and artistic approach that others have already and would enjoy.
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Mature actor plays child in insane grotesquerie
I cannot stand to watch this actress repeatedly cast as an unconvincing child, while there is nothing about her that bespeaks youth or innocence. It seems grotesque and clown-like to me.This was probably a bad decision all-around. She can't carry the game. It literally makes her seem like the caricatures of very old Hollywood stars who can't face ageism or loss of fame gracefully, so they go insane.
Mind you, I have seen hundreds of C-dramas, I love all types, but this casting, and watching a grown woman act petty, childish, and bratty, makes me seriously queasy.
DNF, 2 EPS and I was sickened.
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