Reviews

Enjoyable to watch, unfortunately you have to "guess" the gaps in the plot of the last episodes

watched on GagaOOLala.
The last 2 episodes were chaotic. I missed the explanation of why and what they did for the whole year after the breakup? Why was You Xi in the desert? Lots of gaps and a disjointed plot. I had to guess a lot. The last episode was a summary of experiences and memories to condense the grand finale into just 5 minutes. The plot was good, good chemistry, but the ending was poorly written.
Am I the only one who feels like the author ran out of ideas and wanted to end it in a hurry?
Otherwise, I liked this series, it's just a shame that it ended chaotically and with unanswered questions, even with a happy ending.

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Fans Who Go Too Far

I watched Gachi Koi Nenchakujuu during a time when there were major discussions online about extreme fan behaviour and sasaeng situations in the Asian entertainment industry. Because of that, watching this drama gave me a completely new perspective on the reality of how celebrities often live.

What surprised me most was how well the drama explores the psychology of fan obsession. I honestly wish it had more episodes, because the stories were so interesting, and definitely there was even more that could have been explored.

The drama shows different sides of how admiration for an idol can slowly turn into something unhealthy; they are not blaming the fan, but showing how it all plays out. At first,t it may look like admiration and support, but over time it can become something much more dangerous; a kind of delusion where fans begin to lose their connection with reality.

Through Hinaki’s character, you can clearly see how that obsession grows. Her feelings for Subaru go far beyond normal fandom. In some ways, you could blame Subaru as well, because his actions and the way he interacts with her make things even more complicated. It feels like he takes advantage of her feelings. But at the same time, Hinaki already seems like someone standing right on the edge, like a bomb waiting to explode.
She represents a type of fan who believes every word and every glance from their idol is meant specifically for them. Through a screen, they build a personal fantasy that slowly replaces reality.

Then there’s Kotono. At first, she seems like the opposite kind of fan; someone who simply supports from a distance and understands the boundaries between idol and fan. She looks like the “normal” fan who knows not to cross the line.
But as the story unfolds, you begin to realise that even Kotono isn’t as detached as she believes. In her own way, she also carries a form of obsession, just quieter and more controlled.
That’s what makes the drama so interesting. It doesn’t present obsession in only one form. Instead, it shows how different kinds of fans relate to idols, and how easily admiration can turn into something darker.

I found Gachi Koi Nenchakujuu to be a very clever exploration of fandom culture, especially if you have been in this world. It shows how love and support for an idol can slowly twist into obsession, delusion, and even madness; it's not just the fruit of cinematic storytelling, but a reality.
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Heart warming, Optimism, Youth, Hope

In a world full of hot-intense dramas, Love Story In The 1970s is like the soothing cool breeze in a scorching summer evening. It's absolutely a warm, soft drama set in the retro era. Fei Ni is a girl who represents nearly every fenale who wants to keep studying no matter how many set backs life throw at you. Fang Muyang is like spring breaking into winter's territory with the hope of bringing life to the world. He is full of life & light. Optimism is his other name. Their story of growth and falling in love is not the only heart-touching thing in the story. The portrayal of each family in this drama doesn't feel fictional, it's like we are literally peeking at China's 70s era society.
Let's talk about the second leads. The second lead cp is a bit toxic in the beginning but they eventually set aside their own poison and decided to heal & love.
All over it is a great drama, comfortable to watch. It gives us hope and warmth that we should never give up on our dreams.

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Love the scripts

Not exaggerating but the last time I had good laugh for romcom throughout the whole show was 'my love from the star'.

At first I thought it's just simply about her wanting to find bf then puff she met cute guy at work. But there's so much to it. She probably won't even use the device if her ex didn't show up with marriage news.

The writing really flows so well, from trying it just for her work to actually wanting to escape from reality. Even she knows it's affecting her in real world. Episode 3 is good, Eunho and her ex storyline overlap seamlessly. I'm surprised the chemistry with the ex is so natural too. The contrast from her friends who wanted to have fun while she's in it to find some peace.

I'm glad she found Park Kyungnam and overthrow her fear of commitment to new guy who might change from the first time they start their relationship.

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Short drama=no fillers.

The rating is based on the entertainment I had with this short cdrama. Our FL is in search of her "jade gentleman," but her time is running out. She ends up making the ML her jade gentleman. It has the usual "I'm searching for the guy who saved me 12 years ago" trope. The script, for sure, has some illogical choices at times (I'll explain more in the spoiler section). The cinematography in some scenes was so beautiful! I would say the fl character carried most of this. If you are looking for a low-expectations option and want to pass the time, this is one of the best choices. Just don't think too hard about the logic.


Spoilers:
This is in the first ep, so it's not a spoiler. The ml has a lot of hate for the people of the fl, a man goes missing, and the soldiers who were with him(one of them) tells the ml that one of the guy got kidnapped by this mysterious demon. It's illogical for the ml to go alone. Like you know, they are dangerous and you went alone? Why would you risk it?
The whole poison thing of how to become a jade demon doesn't really make sense. You heard about it randomly and then asked the general if you could do it? Where did she find it? My point here is: for a poison like that to exist, people would have taken greater advantage of it.
After 3/4 it starts to go a bit downhill. Got a bit bored, skipped a lot from the past 4 eps.
Also, the random second male lead who was added at some point?
What i loved:
The female lead. She carried. One of my favourite things she did was when she learned that the ml couldn't see colours, and tried to show him as many colours as possible.(Let me give you some context in case you're reading this, deciding if you should watch. Basically, the FL knows a cure to heal his eyesight and make him able to see colors. Let's say it kinda works, but he can only see colors on HER.) That episode was probably my favourite.
The fact that the crown prince and male lead made up.
I like how the ml respects fl choice of staying with her family.
The girl with the medical knowledge was definitely the best character for me.
She so cool! And the way she was styled made her so bright and beautiful.
I wish other dramas started to style female leads like our own fl. She is so lovable!
Her two little accessories on her forehead were so cute!

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Can this love be translated?

At first I did not plan to watch this, I do not know what change in the meantime. Big plus that episodes were out on release date (eventhough I watched it for a long time and could finished sooner only because I was sick - great I could watch it, not great to be sick).
It is mostly calm type of drama, all characters were likeable - really no one was annoying. There are only 12 episodes and I think that it was good amount, although for a moment I thought that it could end at episode 10 (it would not work well).
Acting was great. Chemistry was perfect, I really like main couple - althought I feel I like second a little more - both were cute - what happened with kdrama and beginning relationship with sexy time XD?
Small spoiler - I am really happy that it the end she was going to therapy, I was afraid that they would ignore the fact that she needed it.
All in all, it was really great drama, totally worth watching.
Side note: it is not a good idea to write reviews after two weeks xd

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Just another in-book universe

I must be honest, Cheng Lei is what pulled me to this drama. I usually don't end up liking the "travel inside a book universe". Why don't I stop watching them? Because they almost always include my favorite actors in their cast.
Which was the case for this drama too.

I must also admit that I liked this drama, very much (YAY) but I do have some issues with it.

We follow Cui Ha as she has to complete a novel for work but while reading it she finds herself transmigrated into the story itself as Yu Wanyin, the demonic consort. With vague memories of a story she skimmed through, she plots to better her character's storyline but in order to do this she must change her entire character. Thankfully, she discovers she's not the only outworlder in this book. The emperor (Xiahou Dan), whom her character is destined to assassinate, appears to be a transmigrater too and together they set out to change their narritives and hope for a better outcome.

The show is funny, quirky and uses an otherwise dark script to make viewers feel everything. I didn't expect to be so immersed but I found myself ugly sobbing when one of the major characters died but found myself laughing at something the characters did only moments after. It's a perfect emotional rollercoaster like that. I ended up feeling for characters I initially didn't like, hated characters I initially liked and was really into the series. The characters are fun, well-written and layered.

What I truly liked about this drama is:
- I loved the friendship between Wanyin and Xie Yong. I was relieved to see Xie Yong wasn't used as a comic relief character after the girls became friends.
- The difference in character of Xiahou Dan. He's so goofy and kind when he's with Wanyin but he's this all powerful tyrant whenever he has to play the emperor. The amount of aura Cheng Lei can build in characters like these is beyond words.
- I loved how strong Wanyin was throughout the story. She doesn't take bullshit for an answer and, even without any real power, she makes sure she reaches her goals.
- Characters I thought would be boring additions to the inner circle became very interesting.
- I knew Tang Xiao Tian from "Story of Pearl Girl" and didn't believe that the cutie from that drama could produce a convincing villain but DAYUM did he prove me wrong.

The issues I have with this drama are (mostly due to lost subtext/context during chinese to english translations, I think) that some of it really didn't make any sense.
The inclusion of the "Zhang San Diaries" as an extra story didn't make any sense because (I believe) we didn't know that was Xiahuo Dan's real world name and the actor playing him as a child is the same actor who plays his son in the main timeline. I thought it was about the crown prince and the first two episode only confused me more. I skipped the third only to find out in the fourth that it was about young Xiahou Dan.
The ending didn't make sense because how can someone, who's been inside a book universe for over a decade, funtion normally within the real world? Or is it like a subconciousness thing? That a part of him in inside the book? It just leaves me with a lot of questions.
A lot of stuff in the last couple of episodes happened off screen which turned some situations random. They were explained later on but it made it seem rushed and haphazardly put together.

Another major issue I had was the end credits. Without warning they plopped up and spoilerd in a big way. It literally shows one of the last scenes of the last episode and tells you how the series will end. Scenes that should have put me on the edge of my seat didn't anymore because I knew it would turn out some type of way.

I kind of wished they would've made it into a story without using the pretense of a book universe. Wanyin hardly knew anything about the major plotlines because she skimmed through the book and Xiahou Dan was already integrated into the story so much he had forgotten most of his previous life. I know it was a bigger theme within the story, that both of them came from the real world but I believe the story could have stood on its own.

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very nice drama .. must watch .. 10/10 for me ..

for me the romance, love, intimacy, relationship between Fang Mu Yang & Fei Ni was sweet, beautiful, relaxing ..
i am just disappointed & angry with Mu Shan He [ Fang Mu Yang & Mu Jing's mother ] , her rude treatment towards Fang Mu Jing .. when both the parents were sent to the camp , both Mu Yang & Mu Jing were teen .. Mu Jing decided to take decision thinking practically not emotionally to cut ties with her parents so that she can get a job & earn money for living , but Mu Yang decided he will not cut ties , so he was also sent to the countryside .. suppose if Mu Jing wouldn't had cut ties with her parents , she would have also been sent to some where .. so if Mu Jing wouldn't had cut ties with her parents & were send somewhere , suppose where she would have been sent , if she were humiliated , punished , treated badly & if at last she can't endure it & would have ended her life like Ling Yi tried to end her life , than by staying loyal to her parents & not betraying them , would Mu Shan He will appear in front of Mu Jing instantly from one place to another like god ??

it's a happy ending ..

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Just a Fun Watch Don’t Overthink It!!

I started this mainly because of the leads and the unique VR dating concept. Even though I watched it, I don’t think I’ll watch this genre again maybe it’s just not my preference 🥲
What I liked about the drama is that it’s easy to watch and doesn’t feel heavy. Some scenes are genuinely funny and the VR situations keep things fresh. I’m also glad they didn’t drag the VR dating part for too long, otherwise it would’ve become boring as hell but love the Seo Kang Joon and Jisoo chemistry need another drama with them😁
That said, the pacing feels a bit fast and sometimes the emotional depth isn’t fully developed, some romantic moments could have been explored more instead of quickly moving to the next plot point
But honestly, this isn’t the kind of drama you should overanalyze. It’s just a fun and light watch with a modern idea about dating and technology
This is just my POV, not some professional review just glad I watched it

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Campy Mad Scientist Battled Beautiful People

Take an evil villain, four beautiful boys, and an average girl and her capable best friend and place them in a tale of conflict between taking over the world and finding one's place in it.

The drama had the potential to ask universal questions about relationships and discerning fantasy from reality, but it swung like a Newton's cradle from deeper meaning to nonsensical fluff. Intelligence and common sense weren't a part of the movement, but, even so, it was diverting and occasionally mesmerizing. Love Crossed couldn't decide if it was a romcom or a sci-fi action series.

I'd like to see a drama with Zhang Ling He and Fan Shuai Qi as the leads (they were, unfortunately, the second leads). They were striking together. Her strong and decisive character was a nice departure from the typical inept damsels in distress.

The last episode was filled with cringe and happily ever afters, with all the wish fulfillment possible. Too kissy for me. I felt embarrassment for the adults in the room watching the kids fawn over one another.

I added a half star for Tien Niu's performance as the motorcycle riding granny. It was as unrealistic as the story, but she almost made it believable.

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