Reviews

I ❤️ this republican era revenge tale because of leads' performance & chemistry

I have been a fan of Wang Zi Jia ever since I watched her in a mini drama titled First Choice. So I remember adding this drama to my playlist upon its release. I don't know why I didn't watch it immediately but yesterday I allocated time to watch this after reading comments by my reddit friends. I ❤️ it, more than the modern era version "Tear Night". I want to see more of Xu Yue in ML roles.

Trigger warning: Self-harm.

What I liked:
1. Acting - "Zhuo Mu" or its English title "Stupid Admiration" was excellent because of the leads. Wang Zi Jia showcased good amount of pity, mischief & reassurance through her character. Xu Yue blew my mind with his performance - his eyes were so expressive I could sense his love for her. The chemistry between Wang Zi Jia & Xu Yue was sizzling.
2. Romance - Possessive love that was masked with sweet love and ha I could accept it! Both were crazy for each other. Abundance of spicy & tender moments. The kisses, hugs, eye contact gave me the feels.
3. Setup - It felt like a typical republican era mini drama especially with forced love trope at the start. Those shackles at the start of the drama especially. Good production values.
4. FL characterisation - She was betrayed by her loved ones and when given second chance at life, she went ahead with revenge. I liked the punishment she concocted.
5. ML characterisation - He was protective and yearning for her love. Insecure but I found him more tolerable than Yao Guan Yu's ML in Tear Night (he made me distressed).
6. Supporting characters - I really liked ML's righthand man & butler / caretaker. That wedding scene was touching.
7. Duration - This drama was under 2.5 hours. Well-paced with right balance of romance and revenge.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's family and ex-fiance were atrocious. Great that they got retribution.

Favourite scene
Bathtub

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Let me save you the trouble of watching this drama the way I wish someone had saved me.

This show runs 36 episodes. Thirty-one of those episodes exist purely to test your patience. The last five? Actually decent. Was it worth the journey? Absolutely not.

Let's start with the foundation this drama was built on *miscommunication and misunderstandings*, stacked on top of each other like a Jenga tower nobody ever wanted to play. These two leads could not communicate their way out of a paper bag. A simple conversation would have cut this show to 10 episodes. But no. WE SUFFER.

Then there's the FL. Something felt off about her from the beginning and I couldn't place it... until much later when it's revealed she had ulterior motives for approaching the ML. Looking back? The signs were there. A woman aggressively pursuing a man with that kind of unhinged energy doesn't just happen for love. It happens because she wants something.

And the best friend. Oh, the best friend. If bad advice were a profession, she'd be a CEO. Every terrible decision this FL made had her best friend's fingerprints all over it.

For the main lead, I gotta say he deserved better. Frankly, he deserved a different drama entirely.

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Cuteness overload

The story is cute
The characters are cute (and yet sneaky but in a cute way)
The actors are cute
... even the bad guys end up being cute !

This is all but a feel good drama but nicely wrapped. This is legit sport story, characters have a background and a story.
In short 8 episodes you get to know the hows and whys just when needed and brought up nicely enough that it doesn't feel forced for the sake of drama. Looking back at it it's amazing how much they were able to tell without this feeling rushed but just keeping the pace. It's a sweet love summer rain that you can rewatch to cheer you up.

Bonus : Go Sang Ha nice jump on Jin Won (good job bro !)
Bonus : Right at the first episodes smoothest loong legs display (not sure if we should feel jalous or just feel that it must be so soft)
Warning ... regular milk waste !

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Not Loveless, Just Bad at Love

Li Rong and Pei Wen Xuan were married at eighteen for reasons that had nothing to do with love and everything to do with survival and ambition. She leaned on his powerful family to shield herself from danger, while he relied on her royal status to build his future. Somewhere along the way, she lost herself in indulgence and he drifted toward someone else. After twenty years of a marriage that seemed hollow on the surface, manipulation and misunderstandings pushed them into becoming each other’s greatest enemy, ending in a tragic death where both believed the other was the culprit. Fate, however, presses rewind. They wake up again at eighteen, back at the starting line. This time, Pei Wen Xuan seeks Li Rong out with a bold plan to marry her again, already thinking about how it might end in divorce.

At its core, this drama sells itself as a second chance romance wrapped in political intrigue, but what it actually delivers is something a bit more ironic. It’s less about falling in love again and more about fixing a relationship that was never truly broken to begin with. The whole “loveless marriage” angle feels like a scam because the deeper you go, the clearer it becomes that Li Rong and Pei Wen Xuan did love each other. They just failed at communication so spectacularly that it cost them their lives. Tragic, but also a little “this could’ve been an email.”

That’s why the emotional reset at the beginning feels both intriguing and slightly off. You would expect resentment, anger, maybe even a proper enemies to lovers arc after what happened. Instead, the story leans into something softer almost immediately. Li Rong keeps her distance, but Pei Wen Xuan wastes no time slipping into what can only be described as devoted husband mode with a hint of jealousy on the side. It’s abrupt, yes, but the more you watch, the more it feels intentional. Their connection never really disappeared, it just got buried under layers of regret.

And honestly, once the two start interacting more, it’s hard not to get pulled in.

Their chemistry carries the drama in a way that feels effortless. They bicker like an old married couple, trust each other like long time partners, and slowly relearn how to love each other without the baggage of pride and misunderstanding. There’s something very comforting about how natural they feel together. One moment they’re arguing, the next they’re sharing a quiet space like it’s second nature. It doesn’t feel like a new romance. It feels like muscle memory.

What makes it even more fun is their dynamic. Pei Wen Xuan is, for lack of a better term, a complete baby girl, affectionate, clingy, openly jealous, yet still incredibly smart and capable. Li Rong, on the other hand, is the definition of a girlboss with a sharp tongue and zero tolerance for nonsense. She leads, protects, and calls people out when needed, but she also softens in subtle ways around him. It’s an unconventional pairing that somehow works perfectly. He supports her without losing his strength, and she dominates without overshadowing him. It’s equal, just… flavored differently.

Of course, their relationship doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The world around them is messy, and the drama makes sure you feel that.

The political storyline is straightforward in concept but dense in execution. At its heart, it’s a power struggle between the emperor and the noble families, but the way it unfolds is anything but simple. Schemes stack on top of each other, alliances shift constantly, and every decision has consequences that ripple outward. It’s engaging, but also exhausting at times. Not because it’s confusing, but because it rarely slows down. You’re always in the middle of something, and missing a single detail feels like a risk.

What’s interesting is how the drama eventually reveals that the real villain isn’t just a person, but the system itself. The obsession with power, control, and legacy creates an environment where trust is fragile and love becomes collateral damage. The deeper you get into the story, especially when past life events are fully unpacked, the more suffocating it feels. Everyone is trapped in a cycle that almost guarantees tragedy.

That context makes the second chance element more meaningful. Li Rong and Pei Wen Xuan aren’t just trying to save themselves. They’re trying to navigate and possibly outplay a system that already destroyed them once.

And then there’s Su Rong Qing.

He enters the story with an air of quiet suspicion, the kind of character who feels important before the plot even confirms it. When it becomes clear that he’s more involved than he lets on, especially with his connection to the past, he adds a layer of tension that initially works well. There’s a melancholic undertone to his relationship with Li Rong, something filled with regret and unresolved feelings.

But the longer the story goes, the more that intrigue fades. His role expands significantly, almost to the point where it feels like the drama forgets who its main leads are. Instead of becoming a compelling antagonist, he becomes frustrating. His actions feel repetitive, his motivations less impactful, and despite how much time the story gives him, he doesn’t leave a strong emotional impression. It’s a strange imbalance where he dominates the narrative without truly elevating it.

Still, the drama has its strengths in how it handles emotional payoff.

Moments of confession, jealousy, and vulnerability hit well because they are backed by history. When Li Rong and Pei Wen Xuan choose to trust each other, it feels earned. When they express their feelings, it carries the weight of everything they lost before. Even the softer, fluffier scenes work because they are not just cute for the sake of it. They are a form of healing.

Pei Wen Xuan’s character shines particularly in this aspect. His intelligence and strategic thinking make him reliable in high stakes situations, but it’s his emotional openness that makes him stand out. At the same time, that same love can become his weakness, pushing him into impulsive decisions. It’s a nice balance that keeps him from feeling too perfect.

Visually, the drama is undeniably beautiful. The golden tones, the soft lighting, the overall richness of each frame all contribute to a very polished look. The opening sequence alone sets a strong impression. That said, the commitment to aesthetics occasionally comes at the cost of consistency. There are moments where lighting and time of day don’t quite match, which can pull you out of the scene if you notice it. It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s there.

Pacing is where the drama struggles the most. Forty episodes is a lot, and you feel it. Some arcs drag longer than necessary, and certain plot points lean too heavily into dramatics. There are also scenes where the writing dips, especially when intense situations suddenly shift focus in a way that feels out of place. It doesn’t ruin the experience, but it does make parts of it feel slower than they need to be.

By the time you reach the final stretch, the story becomes heavier, darker, and more emotionally draining. The full picture of the past is revealed, and it’s honestly a lot. Betrayals, sacrifices, and choices that spiral into tragedy all come together in a way that makes you understand why these characters were given a second chance in the first place.

The ending, thankfully, delivers a sense of closure. Not everyone is redeemed, and that feels appropriate. Some characters face consequences, while others move forward in quieter ways. Li Rong’s final position feels well earned, and the overall resolution reflects growth rather than perfection.

Performance wise, the cast does a solid job bringing these characters to life. Zhao Jin Mai captures Li Rong’s balance of authority and vulnerability, making her feel both powerful and human. Zhang Ling He brings charm and emotional depth to Pei Wen Xuan, making his more affectionate traits feel endearing rather than excessive. Together, they create a dynamic that keeps the story engaging even when the plot wavers.

In the end, this is a drama that thrives on its characters more than its plot. It’s messy, occasionally frustrating, and definitely longer than it needs to be, but it also has heart. When it focuses on Li Rong and Pei Wen Xuan, it’s genuinely compelling. It’s the kind of story where you might roll your eyes at certain choices, question the direction at times, but still keep watching because you want to see these two get their second chance right.

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"A beautiful beginning, ending in total ruin."

At the start, this series was a masterpiece. The cinematography, lighting, and the way it captured the essence of falling in love, being in love, and the bitterness of resentment were flawless. It stayed true to the Manhua, almost frame-for-frame, and the casting was spot on. Although Wang Ziwen is older than the 24-year-old Xiaoxi in the original story, her charm and acting prowess brought the character to life perfectly.

However, what happened after Episode 21 was a total train wreck. It was like watching a beautiful ice sculpture being smashed into pieces.

In the latter half, the writers butchered Xiaoxi’s character. She turned into a gullible person, easily manipulated by An Miao. She chose to believe lies over the man she supposedly loved, proving she never truly understood Xiaobei’s heart. Her character growth vanished. For someone portrayed as smart and an expert in "testing love," she became incredibly toxic and irrational, accusing Xiaobei of never loving her and seeing her only as a substitute for his ex. It was maddening to watch.
What the story should have been: The core should have been about their love blooming through trust. Xiaoxi should have been the one fighting to reconcile, building their trust to 100%. The ending should have featured the beautiful intercutting scenes from the Manhua: Xiaobei and Xiaoxi signing their marriage license, contrasted with Ah Qiu and Yu signing their divorce papers, and Da Shen chasing Ming Ming on the train. One couple blooming, one parting with understanding, and one reclaiming a long-lost love.

The "Soap Opera" Turn: From Episode 22 onwards, that artistic contrast vanished, replaced by a cliché, trashy soap opera. We got cold wars, repressed problems, and Xiaobei—who did nothing wrong—having to beg for forgiveness from a wife who was losing her mind.

The women around Xiaobei became a "Toxic Trio." The ex-girlfriend playing mind games, An Miao instigating a breakup to take her shot, and the wife (Xiaoxi) who—instead of protecting her man—joined them in emotionally crushing him. It felt like they were trying to drive Xiaobei to despair. To make it worse, they turned "Laogong"—the loyal friend—into a typical idol-drama home-wrecker who confesses to Xiaoxi the moment her heart is broken by her own stupidity.
What started as a brilliant psychological romantic thriller with deep insights into love devolved into a nonsensical, soapy mess.

My Final Verdict: If you haven't finished the show yet, take my advice: Stop at Episode 21. Right after Xiaobei asks Xiaoxi to register their marriage—turn it off. You'll feel much better, and it works as a beautiful, unofficial ending.

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Spectacular!!

i just watched this show a few months ago for the first time, and i can't believe it took me this long to finally watch it,, it has become one of my FAVORITE stories of all time, it's so full of emotion! even though, the last episode was kinda rushed for my taste like 3 YEARS without seeing eachother is insane for me, but it is still a fabulous show to watch,, i knew about jimmysea from their previous show ViceVersa, but in here... they were in ANOTHER level totally,, and don't get me started with mark' acting!!! like,,, he NAILED it!!! i loved every moment, i wish i could erase my memory and rewatch it for the first time again lol (btw it's kinda crazy that in here markohm and namtanfilm weren't ships yet lol)

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Comeback Relationship Trope

i didn't expect that this series would be good knowing that I'm not familiar with the main cast. but overall, this series is so underrated to the fact that i see negative comments here. those narrow minded people wouldn't understand how good the storyline as much as i do. it may be toxic to see for others since the other main character stuck on his ex but think of it as well that it also happens in real life. there are also exes who's going back to each other again. though i understand that they don't have a proper communication back then and it may look like a stupid reason to see for others but if you guys were on their shoes, it may be hard for you to tell since it's a huge problem to deal with.

i didn't expect as well for the plot twist in each episodes that make it more catchy to audiences. about the second couple situation, it's a shame that khun don died in an accident and it is only in pond's mind where he finally got a chance to say "i love you" to him. though it's already justified, but it would be better if khun don was alive so that they also have a moment together in the final episode.

but overall, this story is worth to watch and worth to rewatch as well, it justifies the bad reputation of someone who has coming back to his ex. it also proves here that "first love never dies" and it will always have a chance to comeback to each other again.

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Intriguing Cases, Bland Romance

Tang Yingying is an accomplished senior lawyer in Shenzhen’s Chen Law Firm owned by her mentor cum father figure, while Kang Jun is recently hired Director that previously faced off with Tang Yingying in court. They started off on the wrong foot, with Tang Yingying having a certain dislike of him, frequently and subtly opposing her new boss in front and behind others. As they solved cases and headbutts each other profesionnally, they found that they were developing feelings for each other, just as Kang Jun about to leave the firm and accept another offer in his hometown Beijing.


This is my third show of Xin Zhilei. She is actually the reason I watched this and her performance definitely did not disappoint. She is ever so formidable as a tough-to-crack lawyer with solid conviction and belief on seeking for the truth. Her pairing with one playing Kang Jun is okay, as theyre both portraying a mature relationship. Although it’s because of this seemingly professional front that made the romance between them seem bland and lacks depth. Tang Yingying is more insteresting as the tough lawyer than a lovestruck woman.

I love their cases, each one able to invoke the emotion and relates to the ups and downs of the common people. Tang Yingying’s emotional burden for her father’s abandonment of her family that led to her mom’s death was written with significant growth that doesnt disappoint. I really liked how her relationship with her half sister progressed despite FL’s reluctance at first. I think theyre a great duo because Jiang Xiaoying (the sister) is as relentless and tough as the half elder sister that she used to hate but end up idolize in the middle of the show.

The only thing that seem to be different of this series than most legal-themed dramas that I’ve seen is there was no major case/grudge that usually becomes the main drive of the story amid the small easily solved cases.

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Posted the review somewhere, but not here LOL

I started watching this when it first aired on iQiyi—right in the middle of the pandemic, when I was bored and just looking for anything to pass the time. I didn’t really expect much going in, but somehow, from the very first episode, it completely pulled me in. It just had that kind of effect.

Maybe it was Xu Kai—he looked especially attractive in this drama, like it was one of his best looks—or maybe it was the second lead, who also had me just as invested. Either way, the cast really did their job because I was hooked almost instantly. From then on, it became part of my routine to wait every week for new episodes, counting down the days like something to look forward to.

I honestly don’t even know how many times I’ve rewatched it at this point. I’ve lost count, but what’s crazy is that it still feels just as good every single time, like I’m experiencing it all over again for the first time. That kind of feeling is rare.

Of course, part of me wishes it had been longer because I wasn’t ready to let it go, but at the same time, I’m really satisfied that it ended on a happy note. It gave that sense of closure without taking away from the whole experience.

And the OSTs? Easily one of the best parts of the show. Every track just hits differently and makes the scenes even more memorable.

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Zhang Linghe’s Charm and Chemistry Carried the Show

For those wondering, what’s the hype here?
Answer: the male lead’s character charm that’s worth “dying” for.

Every close-up shot of ZLH, the romantic scenes, the lines, the insane chemistry with the female lead, his "fatherly" moments with the kid, and all the classic rescuing (英雄救美) moments will have you smiling like an idiot in front of your screen. It’s the typical lonely, cold-blooded guy finding meaning in life after falling in love. Yes, you know it’s cliché, but people still eat it up, myself included. Honestly, this really is ZLH’s prime drama. The director clearly knows how to capture his best angles and make you fall for him.

In terms of plot, there are quite a lot of war scenes, which keeps things exciting through most of the drama, if you like fighting scenes. BUT, I do think it dipped a little towards the end. The climax wasn’t built strongly enough to really hit emotionally, and things got slightly messy when tying everything together. Still, overall it’s good.

As for the female lead (Chang Yu), I really loved her character at the start. She was cute and shy, yet also strong and brave as a butcher. But it kinda lost its charm later on after she became a general. She suddenly has a lot of pride and kept pushing away the male lead’s protective moments. I get that the plot was trying to make her an independent general, but it didn’t fully make sense to me. Honestly, she could have been just as strong as a powerful general’s wife. If you’ve watched other dramas focused on generals, you’ll know that becoming one requires experience in war strategy and leadership, not just the ability to strike and kill. Because of that, the “general” role felt a bit shallow, which is why I’m giving this a 9.0 instead of a full 10.

As for the side roles and stories, I personally didn’t enjoy the second couple’s abusive love dynamic, but I really loved the family and friendship arcs, like the two kiddos, the 杀猪小队 (Butcher Squad), the soldiers of Wu’an Hou, the Grand Tutor, and the villagers. Lastly, an honorable mention goes to Song Yan’s “shaming” scenes, so satisfying!

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REGRET WATCHING

spoiler : THIS SHOW ENDS ON A CLIFFHANGER

So uh, i watched both seasons back to back i might mix up which plot was in which.

i have very chaotic thoughts about this season. the loudest of them is that im going to write my own fan fiction series to calm my mind after watching such a train wreck of a plot being made into a live action adaptation. I wish I was born in a country like Phillipines, i wouldve been able to write so much better books - which wouldve made so much better series. IF THE SHOWMAKERS ARE READING THIS REVIEW, I WANT TO MAKE A TV SERIES PLEASE HIRE ME!

*Clears throat* anyways, back to the topic,
1. The "love triangle" turns into "adultery" ? !?
2. Lots of revelation behind the toxic family of the problematic Male MC - Keifer
3. Attempt to make Yuri the bad guy but it still falls flat - IM TEAM YURI - if a choice must be made.
4. Detailed revelation about Jay -Jay's traumatisng childhood. Towards the end of the series i felt like reaching out through the screen and slapping her mom unconscious. Her cousin , aunt and grandma are very good godsent people.
5. There was a bit of a character arc of Male MC Keifer before all of it went to trash and his character devolved to -100000 in the last ep.
6. i still dislike aries
7. some random inconsequential stuff revealed about other side characters
8. The series ends on a cliffhanger and apparently even the source books havent been completed yet
9. i have been strongly inspired to write my own fanfiction based on the series since it is almost an year and theres no news of a season 3 yet.

This series has successfully re-ignited the fire to write in a burnt out person like me
STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES IM GOING TO WRITE A FANFIC
which platform should i write it on pls suggest.

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