Reviews

Not my cup of tea.

I am not trying to being pick me or anything but i don't enjoy this version like other people did. Li Ruoxun was acting fine but i feel he don't suit republican drama but his acting is better than Gang Tie Rou Rou. The chemistry between him and Lin Qiunai was average compare to previous drama. Both are better on ancient drama. For FL, i still preferred Long Xi and Chen Linmiao version. SML aka Zhou Lingfeng is excellent, perfectly capturing the madman and yandere aspects, and his presence is felt throughout the entire series. For me it was the best SML for this version and i just stay for him only.

Plot was quite more better and clean than the first version but somehow it lack the soul of the leads. Maybe you can enjoy this drama, but for me i don't really enjoy this version no matter how good SML acting were. Wont rewatch.

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Underrated drama

It was so freaking good! The blend of horror and comedy was perfect. All the members of the drama did a great job! At first I was not sure abt the drama, cuz of the few negative articles I read, but don't judge the drama by those articles guys! I MEAN IT! I took almost a year to watch it, n I regret it so much! 😭 I should've watched it sooner. I have watched a few horror comedy movies n dramas before but I kind of got cringed out sometimes, but not with this one. I was so into it. The plot, storyline, direction, acting, everything was just muah🤌🏻. I NEED A PART 2! PLSSS.

Note: watch the first 2 or 3 episodes. It starts getting interesting from ep 2 ig but from ep 3 it will glue ur eyes to the screen 😁

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Meeting Another Transmigrator is Such a Blessing

Welcome back to my dear review section, guys! I’m really sorry for the delay, but I need to restrain myself from writing new updates due to overload schedule and grueling exam, which (thank God) was completed last Monday. Since I have a lot of free time now, I may as well do my little business right now before I become a total couch potato lol. Let’s go rocking, shall we?

Disclaimer: I actually enjoyed and loved “How Dare You!?”, and unfortunately, I watched it later than other people, which meant the videos were removed by Bilibili and other pirating sites. At that time, I only managed to binge-watch until ep 13 (what a bummer!). What I’m trying to say is that the review will ONLY cover the first 13 episodes as I have no idea of what’s going to happen in the end. I know very super duper clear that I’m not supposed to make “How Dare You!?” as completed, but don’t you think it’s a pity to banish it to the dropped list?

The story is centered around a rookie corporate slave Wang Cuihua, who is tasked with reading a cheesy romance novel about transmigrated lovers in historical fiction setting (I forgot the title already) and finds it very hard to accomplish the assignment in one fell swoop. As she takes a subway back home, the time stops abruptly and another second, she is sent into the novel’s world, taking the identity of a cannon fodder character, Yu Wanyin, who is destined to die in the middle half of the story. As Cuihua navigates the palace politics and soap opera with the hope of returning back to the real life, she accidentally meets fellow transmigrator, Zhang San, who poses as a delusional emperor Xiahou Dan. Together, the two people on the same boat transform into an unbeatable duo as they concoct schemes after schemes to survive in the palace and ultimately find the path to go back home. Meanwhile, they also have to face interminable threats from Xie Yong’er, another transmigrator who has read the whole original source upside down, and Xiahou Bo, Dan’s little brother who’s been coveting his throne and is hellbent on usurping the power of the palace court.

Basically, there is nothing new about the plot except that we have two transmigrators instead of one (as in the case of other dramas with similar themes). The production team utilizes the source material shrewdly and create a combo duo who are always engaging in comedic bickering sprinkled with modern jargons and ancient speeches as well. The drama does sell a point in its comedy and humor aspect, which wins the heart of all watchers. On the other hand, we also get the glimpse of the life in harem and how consorts’ positions are being elevated at one time and discarded at some other point. However, sometimes I do feel exhausted with all this scheming here and there, especially Bo. I don’t really understand what his ultimate goal is, other than toppling down Dan. And we haven’t gotten the slightest idea of how Yong’er enters into the novel as well (or maybe it is exacerbated by lack of episodes that I watched back then). Overall, if you overlook the inconsistencies and focus on the humorous side instead, things will be much better for you, I guarantee.

Both Ryan Cheng and Wang Churan deliver strong acting with perfect timing in terms of micro-expressions. I totally feel the emotional scenes between them two and I wish so badly I had taken up “How Dare You!?” earlier. Daddi Tang and Hu Yixuan also perform well despite the stiffness in several scenes, but I won’t complain further. And shout out to Cui Yi, who plays Bei Shu (female version) so convincingly comical that I keep laughing out loud, with the most memorable scene being her digging up Bo’s kitchen courtyard to search for Xu Yao’s strategy book.

OSTs are nice, but I think they are decent at best, if you compare them with the OSTs of other dramas. Costumes, settings, backgrounds are lavishly styled as per a historical fiction drama would apply.

For the rewatch point, I’ll make it 10, but I’m afraid I won’t be rewatching myself as I have many more upcoming tasks plus I need to catch on with other ongoing dramas before they are removed abruptly as well. I guess that’s all I’ve got to say, thank you for reading, good luck and happy watching!!!

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Beautifully and colorfully packaged, this candy is definitely sour

I was really looking forward to this series. I have read the novel several times, and although it is beautifully and colorfully packaged, this candy is definitely sour. The eyes are often empty. ML's aggressive thirst for revenge has turned into a sleepy, lukewarm excess. FL's desire to survive has turned into a funny. The story is drawn out, the romantic music sounds sooner than the actors' romantic skills. The prolonged romance makes the play boring rather than passionate or beautiful. The supporting characters sometimes perform better than the main characters. However, I could not imagine a better cast than this, both main characters have the potential for success. The director creates beautiful images, everything is like a painting, beautiful but soulless. The serious complication is still to come, but 26 episodes of the series have already passed. I will watch it, but for me, appearances are not enough for a high rating.

addendum: episodes 26-40

The end of the series did not bring any major changes.
The chemistry improved, but it became artificial due to the director's wonderful settings. (I feel the director's self-adoration instead of the actors' acting)
I understand some of the cuts (so that we don't stay without our main character's partner for an entire episode), but I don't like it, it causes confusion.
The series itself is good, there are iconic moments.
I will watch these moments again, but I definitely won't watch the whole movie.
Episode 40 is a self-serving distribution of happiness, at the expense of the novel.

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Every Clue Led Forward… Until the Truth Turned Back

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* THE WANTED DETECTIVE *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
(aka Calming Waves)
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I started watching The Wanted Detective mainly out of curiosity, but it ended up becoming one of my all-time favorite dramas.

Starring Wang Xingyue and Julia Xiang, along with Chen Youwei, Zhang Nan, He Luoluo, and Deng Kai, the drama follows Xiao Beiming, the best detective in Qi, who is forced to flee after being accused of serial murder. Three years later, he returns and teams up with Zhong Xueman and a group of clever allies to solve cases and uncover the truth behind the mysterious “Yesha.”

From the very beginning, I was hooked. It’s the kind of drama that makes you look forward to every single episode—and surprisingly, it maintained that excitement all the way to the end. The story is strongly plot-driven, centered around one major case, but even the smaller cases all connect back to the bigger picture. Nothing feels random or unnecessary.
And then the biggest twist was Yesha that completely shocked me. I literally had a “WOAH, that was unexpected” moment. On the other hand, I did predict that Yesha would be connected to Xiao Beiming’s elder brother, so that part wasn’t as surprising. But I won't reveal who Yesha is. It is a suprise.

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ACTING
In terms of acting, almost everyone delivered really strong performances. There weren’t any major flaws for me, except one small moment where Zhong Xueman says “I’m sorry”—that scene felt a bit awkward and took me out of the moment. No hate to Julia Xiang though, because overall she did well.

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WRITING
This is where the drama REALLY shines.
• Tight and meaningful dialogue
• Cleverly placed clues
• Satisfying reveals
• No unnecessary filler
Every scene had a purpose — and that’s rare.

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FINAL THOUGHTS
This drama is a HIDDEN GEM.
No — a whole diamond.

I went in with zero expectations…
and came out completely obsessed.
It has everything:
Mystery
Friendship
Betrayal
History
A touch of romance

And most importantly —
it made me a fan of Wang Xingyue.

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Battlefields, Butterflies, and Pure Badassery

It’s hard to find a drama that lives up to the hype these days, but Pursuit of Jade hooked me from episode one. The balance between the intense plot and the natural comedy is top-tier.

This show is honestly a breath of fresh air. It’s rare to find a costume drama that perfectly balances high-stakes intrigue with comedy that actually lands. The humor feels so organic and never kills the tension of the plot. Plus, the chemistry between the leads is elite, it’s so natural, the butterflies are literally radiating through the screen.

The FL is a whole vibe. She’s independent and badass without being 'whiny,' yet she still has that hilarious feminine side. Watching her try not to look too 'rough' whenever the ML is around is pure comedy gold. And the ML? Total dream. He’s an absolute beast on the battlefield but a total simp for the FL. We love to see it.

Visually, it’s a masterpiece. The cinematography feels so grand, and the color grading is super easy on the eyes. The winter setting with all that snow really elevates the whole aesthetic. Not to mention, the fight choreography is stunning and smooth. Pure badass energy.

Honestly, Pursuit of Jade is easily the frontrunner for Best Drama of early 2026. I’m officially struggling with the daily wait for new episodes!

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A Compelling Tale of Deception, Growth, and Genuine Love

Love’s Ambition is a well crafted and emotionally layered drama that successfully balances romance, ambition, and character-driven storytelling. The series centers on Xu Yan, a resilient young woman raised by her grandmother, whose difficult upbringing shapes her determination to rise above her circumstances and build a better life.

Her path takes a decisive turn when she meets Shen Haoming, a man from an elite background. In an effort to enter his world, Xu Yan fabricates aspects of her identity to present herself as someone of equal standing, ultimately leading to their marriage. However, what initially appears to be a calculated move is grounded in genuine emotion.

As their relationship unfolds, the series subtly hints that there is more beneath Shen Haoming’s composed exterior than meets the eye. His reactions and decisions often suggest an awareness that adds an intriguing layer to his character, creating tension and keeping viewers questioning how much he truly understands about Xu Yan’s situation. This dynamic allows the story to maintain a sense of mystery without giving too much away, while still deepening the emotional stakes between the two.

Despite their complicated beginnings, the couple agrees to maintain appearances, leading to a relationship filled with unspoken emotions, shifting power dynamics, and gradual vulnerability. Over time, Shen Haoming begins to confront his true feelings. His evolution from emotional distance to genuine affection becomes one of the drama’s strongest arcs, ultimately driving him to fight for their relationship and win Xu Yan’s heart.

One of the series’ standout qualities is how it handles its characters and their development. Both leads experience meaningful growth, and several supporting characters contribute significantly to the narrative. While some characters are intentionally frustrating, at times to the point of exasperation, they are written with clear purpose, and the cast delivers strong performances that bring these roles to life.

Visually, Love’s Ambition excels with polished cinematography that enhances both its intimate and dramatic moments. The series is further elevated by a well-curated soundtrack that complements the emotional tone of each scene, making key moments even more impactful.

That said, the show is not without its shortcomings. Certain episodes feel slightly drawn out, and some characters or conflicts could have been written with greater depth. A few misunderstandings linger longer than necessary, occasionally affecting the pacing. However, these elements also add layers to the story’s tension and complexity. Not every conflict is neatly resolved, and not every character undergoes growth, but this lends the narrative a sense of realism, highlighting that not everyone is willing or able to change.

Overall, Love’s Ambition is a compelling and well-balanced drama that explores the complexities of love, trust, and personal ambition. Its blend of emotional depth, strong performances, and thoughtful storytelling makes it a memorable series that resonates beyond its final episode.

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One of the most realistic drama I ever watched

No sugar-coated events or realities. A story we can all relate to, which makes it hit on a deep emotional level.
The ultimate choices—love or life, oneself or others. Families that are struggling or even toxic. Responsibilities too heavy for such young adults…
Even when they’re apart, it’s not because love faded, but out of necessity and a lack of choices.
Visually, the settings are remarkable, and the leads are gorgeous and act so well. Seeing Minju here was a pleasant surprise.
The OSTs are very healing too.
My drama discovery of the year so far.

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DON'T MISS THIS MASTERPIECE

"I’ve never felt compelled to write a review for an ongoing drama until now, but today's episode was so incredible I just had to share the joy.

I want to Thank every single member of the team for their extraordinary work. I love both ML and FL in this drama, I've watched all their previous works and had a very high expectation for this drama from the beginning. A very few drama live upto that expectation and fewer exceeds your expectations and does outstandingly well. "Zhang Ling He" and "Tian Xi Wei" thank you for your wonderful performance, both actors does phenomenal job in this drama.

From the stunning costumes and evocative music to the pitch-perfect dubbing and supporting cast—everything is seamless. Kudos to the Director and Producer for bringing it all together so perfectly.

I highly recommend this to everyone and hope the remaining episodes keep the same thrill and awesomeness.

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Overall fun ride with loooots of cliches

This drama is based on webtoon. One of the specialties of the romcom webtoon is that they are more focused on characters and interactions between them, so the story is nothing but a big set up instead of any actual plot. As I have not read this original webtoon not sure how many scenes are exactly true to the material and how many are specific to drama but the overall feel is like we are watching scenes from the webtoon and it is enjoyable. The character set up is of course we have seen in many dramas. Rich, young and handsome Male lead who has lost his parents and wants recognition from his grandmother meets talented, pretty female lead who has experienced people looking down on her due her financial status specifically in her school years. The boss- employee bickering, the noona romance does feel like a repetition but the key is always in the execution, and execution does feel fresh. Drama does not delve into these cliches and we do quickly get over those set ups making the relationship more enjoyable .Despite the repetitive set up leads do have odd characters which are enjoyable to watch. Whether you are rich or poor , you have a loving family or not , our leads do feel lonely and finding that comfort and one person who will always be by your side is quite hard for both of them. The journey of how they find this in each other is pure entertainment with very unique comic scenes and a very light hearted approach.
Having a fun second lead couple, and a nice coworker office set up feels like a top up in already fun ride.
P.S - whenever I see a paper shredder from now on, I will definately be laughing due to this drama

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THIS AIN’T A SERIES, THIS IS A FULL COURSE MEAL ?

YALLLLLL 😭 FUHHHHHHHH OKAYYYYYYY GAH DAMNNNNNNNN!!! I tried to act calm when I started this but SIKE— I KNOW EXACTLY HOW TO REACT. THIS SERIES IS GOOOOOOOOODDDDD. And not just good-good. I’m talking BUSINESS. GOOD. Like everything??? Plot? GOOD. Characters? GOOD. Climax? GOOD. STEAM??? OH BABY. DELICIOUS. SLURPY. Michelin star behavior 🫦 We are reviewing Knock Out today and let me just say… I went in with LOW expectations. Because I saw the poster and I was like “Hmm… this giving WeTV… and WeTV sometimes be playing in my face…” So I said okay, let me not expect anything. But do I love being proven wrong??? ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY. Because WHY was I seated for episodes 1–9 without touching the 2× speed button??? Y’all know that’s serious. Now episodes 10–13… we will discuss. 😌

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a) Plot

Okay first things first— Yes, there are some filler scenes. BUT they are tolerable. Not cringe. Not useless. Just there. Like do we need them? No. Do they ruin the show? Also no. So I’ll allow it. Now the plot itself??? Actually well executed. The pacing is a bit inconsistent though. Starts fast → slows down in the middle → drags a little near climax. But nothing that made me go “oh my god skip this.”

Now quick messy synopsis because I’m not writing Wikipedia today:

Keen loses his dad (RIP king) after a dog attack— BUT HOLD ON. Is it really just a dog attack??? OR IS THERE SOMETHING SHADY GOING ON??? 👀 Before he can even process his grief, debt collectors show up like “Hey bestie your dad owes us money 😍 pay up” And Keen is like “HELL NO???” Then BOOM. He gets beaten up, almost dies, and gets saved by Thun— a fine ass Muay Thai fighter who clearly knows how to throw hands 😮‍💨 From there, Keen stays at the Muay Thai academy and y’all already know… training, tension, trauma, and ✨romance✨

But what REALLY got me hooked??? The mystery behind the dad’s death. Because the moment they hinted it might not be an accident I was like "OH??? NOW WE’RE TALKING." Now let’s talk about what REALLY deserves recognition:

THE ACTION SCENES.

GOOD LORDTTTT 😮‍💨 Why am I sweating??? These fight scenes were BEAUTIFUL. Like choreographed with INTENTION. If KinnPorsche is a 10, this is a solid 8/10 and that is a COMPLIMENT. The fight between Thun and Yut??? When Yut flipped while his legs were locked??? BABYYYYYYY FLIP ME TOO WHILE YOU’RE AT IT. I volunteer. 🙋‍♀️ Honestly this show feels like a darker, sharper, better version of Wandee Goodday. Yes I said it. Don’t fight me.

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b) Characters

>Thun played by Gunner Natsakan
He’s giving Korean oppa energy and I’m not mad about it 😌 Is he handsome? Yes. Am I obsessed? Not really. Acting wise— Body language? Good. Eyes? Baby… sometimes it’s giving loading screen. Like emotion.exe did not fully load 😭

Character-wise, Thun starts off cold, distant, don’t-care energy. But by episode 3??? This man turned into a warm boyfriend package. Too fast. I wanted more jealousy. More darkness. More toxicity. Especially with the Keen × Yut tension??? GIVE ME CHAOS. But okay… I’ll take what I can get.



> Keen played by Nice Boripat
WHY DOES THIS MAN LOOK LIKE Poon Mitpakdee LONG LOST TWIN??? Even the voice sometimes had me like UM HELLO ARE YOU SURE YOU’RE NOT RELATED??? Acting wise??? HE ATE. The funeral crying scene??? OOF. I FELT THAT.

Now Keen as a character… Let me describe him in one word: FAKE. And I mean that in the BEST way. Because he starts off as this innocent good boy… then slowly reveals himself to be a cunty, serving, power bottom ICON. YASSSSSSSSS 🫦 We LOVE a layered queen. Also he doesn’t just stand there and cry cuz he actually fights for people he loves. Respect.



> It played by Guide Kantapon
OH I BEEN KNEW THIS MAN since I Feel You Linger in the Air 😮‍💨 Acting skills? He doesn’t need discussion. He KNOWS what he’s doing. But his character??? Hmm… Lacking depth. He’s stuck between loyalty to the academy and protecting his sister, but we don’t really see his inner conflict.

He just… exists and handles things. Sir where is the emotional breakdown??? Where is the turmoil??? Also his confidence??? BABY WHY ARE YOU FIGHTING LIKE YOU DON’T BELIEVE IN YOURSELF 😭 I needed growth here.



> Marwin played by Dech Narongdet
Something about him screams Kimmon Warodom ENERGY. I don’t know what it is. The eyes? The vibe? The aura? But yeah. Acting wise he’s fine. The problem is his CHARACTER.

Because oh my god he pissed me off. Which means… he did a good job 😭 He starts off cold, distant, always on his phone. Then suddenly becomes social??? HELLO??? CONSISTENCY WHERE??? Also he causes more problems than the outsider (Keen) and I’m just like "CAN SOMEONE PARENT THIS CHILD???" And when betrayal happens??? I expected screaming. Crying. Throwing hands. But no. This man said “I trust him <3”

SIR STAND UP???



> Yut played by Gap Jakarin

…

This man.

THIS. MAN.

WHY AM I PURRING??? 😮‍💨 He lowkey looks like New Thitipoom sometimes and I cannot unsee it. But let’s talk about what matters:

HE IS FINE.
HE IS INSANE.
HE IS HOT.

Dangerous combo. The way he fights??? The way he moves??? GOOD LORD. And when he licked the blood??? I need to reevaluate my morals. Because why did I feel things??? Yut is a whole psycho and yet I’m like "hmm… would."

I need help.

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c) Steam scene / Chemistry

> Thun × Keen

OH. MY. GOD. Am I watching a series or… something else??? Because the kissing scenes??? FILTHY. DELICIOUS. PASSIONATE. 🫦 This is NOT soft boy kissing. This is grown energy. This is what im asking for from GMMTV. Maybe this wont happened if it is GMMTHEE V. :(

Anyway, the chemistry is insane. The connection is strong. And finding out they’re no longer paired together??? CRIMINAL. A waste of chemistry.



> Marwin × It or It x Marwin idk

Okay listen… Don’t ask me who’s top or bottom because I DO NOT KNOW.

And honestly??? I LOVE THAT. 😏 The chemistry is THERE. The tension is THERE. The massage scene??? BABY I ALMOST HAD A NOSEBLEED. We need MORE of them. MORE SCREEN TIME. MORE CHAOS.

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d) Overall

At this point do I even need to explain??? This series is complete. It has everything an action BL should have:

Action ✔️
Romance ✔️
Tension ✔️
STEAM ✔️✔️✔️

And y’all already know my rule... I don’t rewatch series unless it’s REALLY good.

But this one??? BABYYYYY I AM REWATCHING. MULTIPLE TIMES.

Final rating: 10/10. ABSOLUTELY. DELICIOUS. 🫦

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