Reviews

100/10 a must-watch best drama I’ve seen in a long time

The Perfect Masterclass in Character Buildup
Pursuit of Jade understands something that so many modern romance dramas fail to grasp: true emotional chemistry must be earned. The drama takes its time in the beginning, moving deliberately to establish the world, the high stakes, and the complex inner lives of its leads. But unlike dramas that are slow just to fill runtime, this initial slower pace serves a brilliant purpose. It lets you watch the bricks of their relationship being laid one by one. By the time they fully align, you aren't just watching a romance; you are completely invested in a bond forged through shared trials, mutual respect, and profound trust.

A Modern Blueprint for the Power Couple
The defining triumph of this storyline is how it completely flips the script on standard romance tropes:

A Truly Strong, Independent Female Lead: She is a breath of fresh air. Fierce, brilliant, and completely capable of holding her own, she doesn't exist to be rescued, and she never slips into repetitive, annoying communication roadblocks. She has absolute agency in her own story.

The Ultimate Supportive Partner: Zhang Linghe’s character represents the absolute peak of the "supportive partner" archetype. He doesn't try to dim her light, override her decisions, or play the overbearing protector. Instead, he stands beside her as a true equal—a rock in her life who respects her strength and supports her independence unconditionally. Their dynamic is mature, powerful, and incredibly refreshing.

If you have tracked Zhang Linghe’s filmography through his various historical and modern roles, Pursuit of Jade is undeniably the moment everything clicked into place. This is the drama where he transforms from a highly capable actor into an absolute powerhouse leading man.
His acting has reached a stunning new level of nuance and maturity here. He commands the screen not just with physical presence, but with subtle, deeply expressive micro-expressions. The way he watches the female lead, the quiet gravity he brings to the high-stakes political maneuvers, and his sheer emotional range show an immense growth in his craft. It is impossible not to fall completely in love with him in this role.

From a brilliant storyline to an unassailable power couple, Pursuit of Jade delivers everything a top-tier drama should. It is addictive enough to steal your sleep and so beautifully executed that the moment the final credits roll, you want to jump right back to episode one to experience the buildup all over again. A true masterclass in storytelling.

Read More

Disturbing but so well executed

This was really intense and disturbing. The scenes where the girls were stalked and murdered weren't nearly as shocking as the police brutality. It was horrible to watch. Those people were pure evil. Of course, this just shows what a great job was done by the producers and actors, etc. Even though it was upsetting, it was a really good drama. One thing I found interesting is that the good guy wasn't all good, he had an edge to him, and the bad guy wasn't all bad, he seemed to have some sensitivity, even though it was fake most of the time. I feel even more unsettled after finding out that this was a true story.

Read More

strong start but poor finish

first I want to mention that the amount of focus that the director played on the hairdresser and makeup artist element was just so unessesary I feel like this genuinely doesn’t fit in with the concept of the drama at all. At first i watch derailment thinking abt the sci-fi element but there really was none and also I didn’t even realise that this drama was labelled romance but I mean I do see some sense of love but I wouldn’t nessessarily call it romance it just seemed so raw. I think that if they had stuck with the parallel universe thing rather than the random sleeping chamber idea it would have been better or at least change the idea of that a bit to make it more entertaining.

overall I probably wouldn’t recommend

Read More

Disappointing and filled with absurd tropes – I had to watch it on 2x speed.

This is officially the first time I’ve ever had to fast-forward through a K-drama, and it’s entirely because of the female lead. From minute one, her character completely pulled me out of the story. I just can't stand nosy, arrogant, and self-entitled characters. She was so exhausting that she made me lose all interest in the show. To be clear, I have nothing against the actress, she’s just doing her job, but this insufferable character was simply too much.

On a positive note, the relationship between the villagers and Mechoori (Ahn Hyo-seop) was really heartwarming. Even when they got mad at him, those moments were still salvageable and sweet.

However, the drama is packed with tired clichés, and the female lead's sleepwalking subplot was an absolute joke. A sleepwalker who goes out for walks, finds her way back home perfectly, and can somehow type in the door's security code? Come on. Then she wakes up with cuts on her feet and just brushes it off like it’s a normal Tuesday? But the absolute peak of absurdity was her ability to call the exact person she wanted while fast asleep. Out of a thousand contacts, her sleeping brain magically dials the same number every time. I just couldn't take it seriously.

And don't get me started on him. Can anyone explain to me how he managed to travel all the way from the village to Seoul just in time to save her from almost getting run over that night? The logic completely flew out the window.

Overall, a frustrating watch.

Read More

A lesson on chemistry

I swooned and felt all the feels. Someone get me my own Tada pls (sorry Armin). Their love story moved me so much. Tada was Kind of a stalker in the previous life but it's ok all is forgiven cause he's such a cute golden retriever. I really loved the acting and chemistry it was to die for. While, obviously, the story was irrealistic it still was handled well. At the end I feel like the whole "Reset" magic could've been explained better but I was satisfied on how it was handled and I'm glad they had a happy ending. Armin got the strongest bones and luck cause that man died 1 time and almost 2 other times but he still bagged the hot CEO. Armin teach me your ways King.

Read More

Super slow and no depth in relationship build

The Best Thing tries desperately to be a "slice-of-life" comfort watch, but it forgets that life actually needs to happen. The narrative moves at an incredibly slow crawl, stretching out moments that could have been handled in a fraction of the time. Instead of building tension or depth, the lingering shots and heavy reliance on atmosphere make the episodes feel stretched thin. If you are looking for momentum, a driving plot, or sharp conflict, this drama will drive you crazy. It mistakes a lack of story progression for "calmness."

Zhang Linghe (as Dr. He Suye): He is arguably the only reason to stick around. Stepping away from his usual intense, heavy historical costumes, he plays a gentle, green-flag traditional Chinese medicine doctor. He brings a soft, natural charm to the screen, looking effortless and delivering a grounded performance. 

The Female Lead (Shen Xifan): While meant to be a relatable, sleep-deprived working professional healing from past trauma, her writing often crosses the line into frustrating territory. Instead of coming across as independent or deeply layered, her constant hesitation, communication roadblocks, and repetitive emotional loops make her incredibly annoying to watch.

If you are solely watching to see Zhang Linghe look handsome, relaxed, and gentle in modern clothes, you might find some visual comfort here. But as a cohesive, engaging drama, The Best Thing bogs itself down in a slow, tedious rhythm with a female lead that is hard to root for. It’s an easy skip if you prefer your romances with a bit more life, energy, and progression.
If you still want to watch Zhang Linghe but need a completely different vibe—something fast-paced, high-stakes, and where the female lead definitely won't bore you—you might want to check out his historical dramas.

Read More

The romance part is fine

What can I say? The romance story is fine. Miles always delivers. The female lead is lovely. The secondary leads are great.

However the writers tried to be too clever and the plots in the last 1/3 of the dramas were jarring.

The ratings were pushed higher because it does have some of the best kissing I've seen from Miles W.

I would recommend this just for both the leads besties chemistry with them.

Rewatch? No. There are no memorable scenes. However its great as a marathon drama. How or when did the romance starts? Well lets say it hasn't in ep 15.

Read More

vertical series with great visuals

Overall: the actors did a good job, but the plot circled a bit too much for me. Aired on Vigloo, here's an invite link www.vigloo.com/en/redirect/app/invite?code=c33Vjb4P
50 episodes a couple minutes each. Episodes 1-10 are free, can watch about 7 episodes per day for free by watching ads so it takes a few days to finish watching the series.

Content Warnings: past child or intimate partner abuse, manipulation, sexual harassment, dub con turned consensual, non con picture taking, blackmail, drugging

What I Liked
- visuals/dynamic
- supportive coworker

Room For Improvement
- started with the cliche drunk sex
- impersonated a doctor and then did something when he knew they should wait a few days for health reasons
- plot went in circles
- business drama was uninteresting

Read More

really good definitely watch

SOOOO GOOD!!!! I am not the type to watch romance and am a huge critic when it comes to dramas and movies but this was a drama my sister recommended and it was definitely one that I would never get bored of. this was the type of drama that had the introduction of new characters and different elements to the story keeping it fresh without getting confusing or losing the plot. i love the ML so much this was the first drama of Kim Jae young that I have watched and he his such a great actor- definitely underated and I felt the same way abt the FL. anyways I hope you loved the drama as much as I did if you watch it which I highly recommended and I can’t wait for season 2

Read More

Great drama but ending felt rushed

I enjoyed Princess Royal! What I loved most was how emotionally layered and mature the story felt. This wasn’t just another historical romance — it explored regret, misunderstandings, sacrifice, trust, and what it means to truly love someone after years of emotional distance and pain.

The relationship between the leads felt especially compelling because it wasn’t perfect or overly idealized. Watching them slowly rebuild trust and rediscover each other after a lifetime of regrets made the romance feel earned. The quiet moments, emotional tension, and gradual healing honestly became some of my favorite parts of the drama.

Zhang Linghe was definitely a highlight for me. He brought so much warmth, patience, and emotional depth to his character, and there were so many moments where you genuinely felt for him. The chemistry between the leads kept me invested, and visually, the drama was beautiful — from the costumes to the overall atmosphere.

That said, this is a 9/10 and not a 10 because the ending left me wanting more. After such a strong emotional build-up, the payoff felt a little rushed and not as satisfying as I had hoped. There were also moments in the later episodes where certain plotlines dragged or became frustrating, and I wished the story had focused a bit more on the emotional resolution between the leads.

Still, despite those frustrations, this drama stayed with me. The emotional maturity, second-chance romance, and layered storytelling made it incredibly memorable. Even with an ending that didn’t fully land for me, I’d still absolutely recommend it.

Princess Royal ended up being such a rewarding watch for me. What I loved most was how emotionally layered and mature the story felt. This wasn’t just another historical romance — it explored regret, misunderstandings, sacrifice, trust, and what it means to truly love someone after years of emotional distance and pain.

The relationship between the leads felt especially compelling because it wasn’t perfect or overly idealized. Watching them slowly rebuild trust and rediscover each other after a lifetime of regrets made the romance feel earned. The quiet moments, emotional tension, and gradual healing honestly became some of my favorite parts of the drama.

Zhang Linghe was definitely a highlight for me. He brought so much warmth, patience, and emotional depth to his character, and there were so many moments where you genuinely felt for him. The chemistry between the leads kept me invested, and visually, the drama was beautiful — from the costumes to the overall atmosphere.

That said, this is a 9/10 and not a 10 because the ending left me wanting more. After such a strong emotional build-up, the payoff felt a little rushed and not as satisfying as I had hoped. There were also moments in the later episodes where certain plotlines dragged or became frustrating, and I wished the story had focused a bit more on the emotional resolution between the leads.

Still, despite those frustrations, this drama stayed with me. The emotional maturity, second-chance romance, and layered storytelling made it incredibly memorable. Even with an ending that didn’t fully land for me, I’d still absolutely recommend it.

Read More

Complex Characters and Difficult Themes Create an Emotionally Powerful Drama

As only the first part of a two-part series, the show does a very good job of establishing its characters, conflicts, and emotional themes while leaving enough unanswered questions to keep the audience invested in what comes next. Many character relationships and hidden motivations unfold piece by piece, gradually revealing a much larger and more interconnected story. The series is at its strongest when exploring difficult topics such as bullying, toxic family relationships, and personal identity, handling these themes with surprising maturity and emotional depth.

While the large number of storylines can occasionally make it take some time to fully familiarize yourself with everyone, many of the central characters become increasingly compelling as their backgrounds and motivations are revealed. Several relationship dynamics are handled particularly well, creating emotional investment without relying entirely on romance. Some questionable character decisions also receive additional context later on, rewarding viewers who remain patient with the story.

At the same time, the series is not without flaws. Some plot developments suffer from weak explanations or noticeable logical gaps. There are multiple moments where events seem to happen because the story requires them to, rather than because they feel completely justified within the narrative. Some antagonistic characters, particularly a few of the more openly villainous figures, lack nuance and often feel reduced to stereotypical "bad guy" roles. Additionally, several storylines ultimately move in the right direction emotionally, but the build-up leading to those moments can feel rushed or incomplete, making certain resolutions less believable than they could have been.

Since this is only the first half of the overall narrative, many unresolved questions, mysteries, and character arcs are clearly being saved for Part 2, making it difficult to fully judge certain plotlines at this stage.

Overall, Part 1 succeeds in exactly what it sets out to do: creating emotional investment in its characters and generating curiosity about what comes next. Despite some logical issues, rushed developments, and uneven character writing, the series remains engaging throughout thanks to its strong emotional themes, compelling drama, and ambitious multi-storyline approach. It may not answer every question yet, but it certainly leaves plenty of reasons to continue watching.

Read More