Reviews

Lack of chemistry, frustrating ML & infuriating romance arc left me unsatisfied

A reddit friend told me about Shen Hao Nan having dimple. I wanted to verify so opened my iQIYI app and randomly chose this drama because I thought it was a sweet campus romance. Oh I was wrong!

What I liked:
1. Acting - I was moved by A Shang's performance during scenes of FL recollecting her past. I cried - that's unexpected. I also cried when ML realised how precious FL was to him.
2. FL characterisation - I liked her character pre and post rebirth. It's great that she reinvented herself post rebirth. I liked her character growth except that last part.
3. Confessions - FL shared her perspectives of her wasted potential in past life with ML and I was heartbroken by her insights.
4. Supporting characters - I liked FL's best friend Liu Nian. ML's brother was ok but his character was underdeveloped. I liked FL's grandfather & ML's mother.
5. Drugged - I just want to say that the treatment to ML's drugging was refreshing. I was shocked.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - I didn't like that ML pester FL for a second chance in their relationship. For a couple who had been together for 10 years, they were emotionally disconnected. I didn't buy the romance and was disheartened that FL decided to give him another chance.
2. ML characterisation - He was terrible at expressing his love in his past life. Once reborn, I found him selfish. I wish he had given FL space to grow & realise her potential without his meddling.
3. Plot - Overall the story left me unsatisfied. There were plenty of loose ends from SML's role in this whole drama to that crappy reconciliation.
4. Acting - I see chemistry as subset of acting and there was lack of chemistry between A Shang & Shen Hao Nan. Their couple scenes were awkward as though they didn't know how to play off their characters' dynamic.

Favourite scene
When FL told ML how she wasted her potential because her focus on him

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Good one. Must watch

Good drama. I really loved the main characters storyline and their chemistry. Wish we had a more elaborative ending with a marriage ceremony but anyways...

Didn't like the other 2 couples boring as hell. 2nd couple had no Chem and they filled up half of episodes. Skipped most of theres also 3rd couple esp sml being in love with fl for majority of it.

Disliked the villain girl so much. Didn't get any consequences for her action after repeatedly doing bad stuff towards fl ml and sml. There lifes were ruined bec of her. And she instead got unparalleled supprt from fl. I skipped her when she was forgiven. Fl helping her blah blah....idiotic as hell.

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It's a film full of quality and acting talent darma

At the very heart of this spectacular opening is the female protagonist, Li Zhen. Her character arc is nothing short of extraordinary, and the actress's performance is a brilliant, 100% perfect portrayal of resilience and determination. From the moment she appears on screen, she commands attention. We witness Li Zhen taking her first courageous, calculated steps toward monumental goal: reviving her family's legacy and reclaiming the stolen dignity and honor of her beloved father and grandfather. She does not play the victim; instead, she takes charge of her destiny with an iron will, making her one of the most compelling and refreshing protagonists in recent drama history.
This drama is an absolute gem, and it deserves a perfect 10/10 rating without a doubt. From thệ incredible cinematography to the brilliant directing, everything about this production is high quality. What stands out the most is the exceptional acting skills of the main cast. They portray their characters with so much emotional depth and dedication, making every scene unforgettable. It is deeply frustrating to see malicious anti-fans deliberately review bombing this show with low ratings to ruin its score. This beautiful piece of work represents the intense dedication of the actors and the entire production crew, and it should be judged solely on its actual merit. If you are looking for a drama with a strong storyline, magnificent acting, and cinematic beauty, do not let the biased low ratings fool you. Please give this masterpiece a chance, because it is truly one of the best shows of the year. Let's support fair ratings and protect this wonderful work!
The production quality, music, and casting are all flawless. If you are looking for a drama with high production value, remarkable acting talents, and a storyline that will keep you thoroughly hooked, this is the one. It is a masterpiece that is worth rewatching over and over again!

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Watch this to recharge

I had a blast watching My Troublesome Star from beginning to the end. I really like Uhm Jung Hwa; she is effortlessly funny and really a good actress, and her role choices are always so interesting.

Plot**
The story tells about Im Se Ra, a popular actress who has become Korea's sweetheart, and as she is becoming more and more notorious, she gets into a strange car accident. Since then, she disappears, but 25 years later, she comes back to the spotlight with shocking revelations.

The kdrama was really a nice watch; it has a good amount of comedy and storytelling with a bit of a reality check in terms of the scary deals that female celebrities have to go through to get to the top. The story is fun, not heavy but still has a bit of drama, and it was a pleasure to see the female lead and male lead together; they worked so well, and I had seen them in another movie together years and years ago, and they had great chemistry, so I was so happy to see them again as romantic interests.

This is definitely one of those dramas you can watch easily; it's not heavy, and it's very enjoyable. The cast does a really great job; I really love the choice of Jang Da A as the young Im Se Ra. Although she is new, she is incredibly talented. I saw her in Pyramid Game and thought she was a seasoned actress, only to find out that was her debut role. She is so talented, and I hope I get to see her more and more.

Lee El, who plays the role of the antagonist, is so good. I have seen a few kdramas with her, and I think she is so underrated; she played her role so well with a bit of sassy comedy. I really disliked her character, who was so jealous and ready to do anything for fame and Lee El was so good at potraying her.

Uhm Jung Hwa, she is such a funny and talented actress; whenever I see her in the cast of a project, I am always eager to watch it as I know she is going to be funny and the story is going to be good and not going to stress my mind. This is exactly what this drama is; it’s funny but also heartfelt.

If you are looking for something that makes you relax and makes you laugh after watching a heavy dramas, I would definitely suggest this one.

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Li Zhen proves that a woman's greates YZ's acting.

It is incredibly rare for a drama to completely captivate its audience within the very first week of broadcasting, yet this phenomenal series has done exactly that.
| can confidently and proudly state that this show is an absolute masterpiece, leaving absolutely no room for criticism. Every single element-ranging from the tight, gripping storyline and the exceptional casting to the beautifully composed soundtrack-aligns flawlessly to create an immersive viewing experience.
Even though the drama is still in its early stages and far from its final conclusion, the sheer quality showcased in these opening episodes thoroughly deserves a perfect overall score of 10/10.For women everywhere, Li Zhen stands as a powerful,Her journey strikes a deep, emotional chord because it reflects harsh but realistic societal truth. She teaches us that no matter how impoverished your circumstances may be, and no matter how much you are looked down upon, marginalized, or insulted by your own relatives and family, you must never allow their disdain to break your spirit. Instead of drowning in despair or waiting for a savior, Li Zhen proves that a woman's greatest weapon is her own competence and intellect. She inspires female viewers to rely entirely on their own inner strength, to stand tall against prejudice, and to fight relentlessly to rebuild their lives from the ground up.What impressed me the mnost is YZ's acting.
Her performance feels so natural and perfectly balanced never too much, never too little. Even in quiet scenes, her expressions and emotions speak for ... his presence is eagerly anticipated and promises to add another compelling layer to an already brilliant drama.

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Yang Zi's acting is always on point.

It is incredibly rare for a drama to completely captivate its audience within the very first week of broadcasting, yet this phenomenal series has done exactly that. Having watched only from episode 1 to episode 6, | can confidently and proudly state that this show is an absolute masterpiece, leaving absolutely no room for criticism. Every single element-ranging from the tight, gripping storyline and the exceptional casting to the beautifully composed soundtrack-aligns flawlessly to create an immersive viewing experience. Even though the drama is still in its early stages and far from its final conclusion, the sheer quality showcased in these opening episodes thoroughly deserves a perfect overall score of 10/10.For women everywhere, Li Zhen stands as a powerful,Her journey strikes a deep, emotional chord because it reflects harsh but realistic societal truth. She teaches us that no matter how impoverished your circumstances may be, and no matter how much you are looked down upon, marginalized, or insulted by your own relatives and family, you must never allow their disdain to break your spirit. Instead of drowning in despair or waiting for a savior, Li Zhen proves that a woman's greatest weapon is her own competence and intellect. She inspires female viewers to rely entirely on their own inner strength, to stand tall against prejudice, and to fight relentlessly to rebuild their lives from the ground up.What impressed me the mnost is YZ's acting. Her performance feels so natural and perfectly balanced never too much, never too little. Even in quiet scenes, her expressions and emotions speak for themselves. She delivers every moment so smoothly that it feels completely

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10/10★the heir drama 100% perfect drama

'm also learning new things about Chinese culture. I never really paid attention to ink before. In many dramas, kings and nobles use ink so casually that it seems easy to obtain, but this drama shows that ink was actually rare and required the hard work of many people to produce. It's also the first time
I've learned that ink could be used to heal wounds, which I found really interesting.For women everywhere,
Li Zhen stands as a powerful, empowering role model, offering invaluable life lessons within just these 12 episodes. Her journey strikes a deep, emotional chord because it reflects a harsh but realistic societal truth.
She teaches us that no matter how impoverished your circumstances may ho and no mattar how muc vouara loked downEverything feels polished and well-balanced. For me,
this drama truly deserves a 10/10 so far. Yang Zi's acting is one of the biggest reasons why the drama feels this powerful and engaging.

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Loser Lesbian

So yeah first of all to those people who says that this series is bad probably doesn't even know the quality of this series, their probably watching it blindly. Acting was good but not to the top, cinematography was good. I'm actually impressed that more and more GL this year improved when it comes to the cinematography. The only thing that I probably didn't like was the amount of green screen 😭. I mean not a lot of honestly but it's one of the things that you'll find disappointing in this series. It's slow burn burn which is good I like that. But yeah overall this first series form the mega project was good. Waiting for the Fire cause air is airing

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Why Twelve Letters will shatter your heart and rebuild it piece by piece

It’s 1991 in the damp, suffocating alleys of Meiwan Town, and it’s 2026 in the freezing, snow-covered streets of Beixing city. Two eras, thirty-five years apart collide.
Twelve Letters isn’t just a fantasy melodrama; it is a raw, bleeding-heart narrative that drags you kicking and screaming through a cause-and-effect stream of absolute desperation, heavy sacrifices, and a connection so profound it breaks the fourth wall of human suffering.
The plot kicks off with Yu Nian in 2026, desperately searching for her missing father, Yu Zhiyong, only to find a mind-bending mystery. Suddenly, Nian and a deeply reluctant, cynical ally, Shen Cheng, find themselves communicating with the past.
What follows is a rapid-fire race against time across two timelines to stop a horrific cycle of the most torturous life that threatens to rewrite itself. The pacing hits you, and lets you see the grit, the dirt, and the beautiful, agonizing choices these characters make.

WHAT I LOVED
Tang Yixun: An angel in a cruel world: I feel like Xun is an angel. This boy has nothing, yet his heart remains so pure and fiercely protective. He is the blueprint of unconditional love.

Ye Haitang’s defiant, unbreakable spirit: This young girl's heart is dead and bleeding from the start, but my God, she is a fighter!

The soundtrack: I love all the soundtracks in this drama. Each beautiful, melancholic song carries its own powerful emotions, perfectly timed to make you weep through the screen as the characters face their darkest hours.

WHAT I DIDN'T
Ye Yibo: An absolute demon walked the earth: I already know he’s trash, but this lying, deceiving man takes the cake for one of the most vile antagonist in cdrama history. An absolute demon.

Ms. Tan’s Severe Lack of Critical Thinking: Oh, I hate people like her. She plays the righteous academic. Her rigidity fails these kids when they need a safe haven the most.

The utter tragedy of the broken kids: The irony of these good-hearted boys getting crushed by some demons while trying to protect what they love is a tough, bitter pill to swallow.

The Final Verdict
Twelve Letters is an emotionally raw, utterly authentic cdrama that captures the exact heartbeat of desperation and survival. It doesn't sugarcoat the trauma of domestic abuse or the cold reality of some things, but it wraps that darkness in a breathtaking story of soul-shattering loyalty. You aren’t just watching a show, you are living it. Prepare yourself for a bleeding heart, lots of crying, and a masterpiece you won't forget.

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Nothing but CCP propaganda

Possible spoilage in the future......


I do talk about violence that may be missing from scenes. Don't know if this actually reveals spoilers, but just in case, there may be some.



I like the actors, and that's the only reason I gave this two seconds of my time. The acting in the first 12 episodes is good. I think Zhao Lusi seems a bit too convinved on how wonderful the Communist Party is. Not even Zhao Lusi is that perky about a government party. Especially one that wasn't above shooting you right in the street. I do find it amusing that they never even infer about the copious torture they used on their own citizens, in the name of 'possibly' uncovering a spy.

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Felt like a completely different tv shows by the 2/3 of it?

I usually don't care much about the story as long as the romance is good. Plot is a background concern. However, they really pushed it too far here😂🤡 I'll start with the good, as I loved how the relationship between the leads had no stupid angst. No love triangle, misunderstanding, breakups and all that. I now understand that they didn't make a mess of their relationshio because they put the mess everywhere else on the show lol. They did make the ml too perfect, within the relationship he has no flaws but writers made the fl exhibit behaviours that don't really make sense. Then again, seeing the latter part of the series, the writer obviously aren't the most logical. Both leads act well enough, I especially like the ml but that might be biased since I've liked the actor in other things. The male villains of the story fell short on acting for me though. I also really, really appreciate that the women who like the ml weren't made into men-crazed characters. Now, let's talk about the mess. Because that's what the plot is, a mess. Around episode 20, the show makes a 180°. Now, it wouldn't be so bad if there was any foreshadowing in the beginning. But literally the foreshadowing (nuts) happens in the same episode the plot changes💀 The show also gives the villain way too much screen time that isn't of much substance.

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Should be Watched by ELFs and ELF Wannabes

I can't claim to be a Super Junior fan, as I'd never heard of them before I became enthralled with K-dramas. I'm sure this documentary means much more to their fans, but I found it interesting, also. I initially watched it to learn more about the lives of trainees, how they work, and why they're chosen to debut. Little of that occurred, but I still found it fascinating how Super Junior came to be and how ground-breaking they were at the time.

I recognized Choi Si Won (Jackson!) from his acting roles, and it was fun to see how cute he was back when he was a pup. They were all adorable as younglings.

I thought the documentary would focus more on how the members got together and bonded, but it mostly hit the highlights of the group's career. It was a puff piece meant for their fans' enjoyment, so many things were glossed over. I had to use a search engine to discover why Lee Teuk's father and grandparents all died at the same time (murder-suicide). And the members that left the group weren't mentioned by name or their reasons for departure. That's okay. A love letter to their fans doesn't need to address the painful stuff.

I did learn that Super Juniors' fans are called ELFs: Ever Lasting Friends. I'll add a half star for all the sweet vibes I felt between fans and Super Junior.

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