Reviews

A down to earth delight

Historically, I've dreaded the tradition in Taiwanese Dramas for a massive makjang meltdown between halfway and three-quarters. This one had very little, thankfully.
I ended up raising its score significantly for the way the final episodes showed the outcome for every character's choices. It wasn't about karma or punishment for those who chose to use and hurt others. Instead it just showed that decisions and choices people make through life have consequences.
I love that in the very final episode, those people whose choices were negative, and for whom the consequences were similarly negative, barely featured at all. The entire last 20 minutes was a celebration of the outcome of making positive choices. And the real-life married couple who played the leads were outstanding together from beginning to end.

Leer más

It's bubblegum.

You chew it up till it has no flavor left and then you spit it out.

It's a transitory amusement, devoid of caloric content or nutritional value. Cheap, pleasant, and disposable.

It is MOSTLY as-advertised: Stylish, yet vapid and implausible on nearly every level, in a way that reminds me of BoF the K-version only somehow even dumber and more shallow. The J-tropes are there. Our FL has a rock bottom EQ and a martyrdom streak a mile wide. ML says he loves most about her: Her smile and her hard working attitude. Wowwww okay then.... But this statement just tickles the FL pink. So happy to be noticed for her grace under slavery! Awww.

The emotions of the viewer just are not evoked. Saved By The Bell is more emotionally engaging than this. I watched a documentary about a honeybadger that was more emotionally engaging than this. The music department held up it's end of the bargain, and did it's best to evoke emotion without clobbering the B-tier-at-best performances of the actors. The bgm was subtle, pretty, and probably the most emotionally intelligent aspect of the drama. Scriptwriter seems to have been on quite the cocktail of prescription meds to think this was something worth attaching their name to, and producer seems to have had one too many mimosas when agreeing to pick up said script.

All this is - if you watch j-dramas - basically surmisable by the thumbnail photo, title, and synopsis. Nothing there would be a surprise, you kind of already know what youre getting into.

BUT what is NOT as-advertised, is the TOTAL AND COMPLETE LACK OF SPICE. There is no romance, there is no kilig, there are no butterflies, there is no chemistry, and there sure as sh*t aint no spice. So with THAT being said, then WHAT THE F*CK IS THE POINT OF THIS SHOW. There is no point to this show. NONE.

Much like a piece of bubblegum.

Leer más

I never write reviews on MDL,but i had to,for this one only

I have watched it back in 2020 i think.and i have rewatched it so many times!!i have never rewatched a drama this many times!And i think what makes this drama so special is the slice of life part of the genre and it actually is a slice of life since this is the writer's own life story with her husband.and let me tell u,i am the eldest daughter of two daughters and i have never wanted an older brother,until i watched this drama and saw the bond between Zhao Qiaoyi and Zhao Guanchao!Zhao Guanchao was one heck of an older brother!This drama will never not get interesting.yeah,there will be silly and somehow predictable moments if u have been watching cdramas for a while.but it's still so much enjoyable.and idk why people are saying it gets downwards from 26-28 episodes.i enjoyed the last episodes even more, specially in the last 2 episodes after their marriage!i still find myself rewatching specific episodes for comfort from time to time!and that's a huge deal for me who doesn't rewatch if i remembers the story.so ignore the negative reviews and give it a try!it doesn't have super bright,high quality camera work and all but the story makes it worth it!

Leer más

UNDERRATED!!!! so many plots and twists

This will have you on your toes....so many plots and twists. I actually found this after watch Perfect Crown
I am not even sure where to start. I must say that the award for the most physical abuse goes to Min Yu Ra. LOL she couldn't get a break.
Everyone in that palace was conniving, like they are out for each other 😂
At some point, you don't know who is on whose side.
Every EP kept getting interesting and that is what I love about it.
For the ending, I had a feeling that they would abolish the hierarchy. Guess that is why they called it, the last empress.

Leer más

Action-packed but lack character depth

Blades of the Guardians, starring Wu Jing, with special appearances from Jet Li, Tony Leung Ka-fai, and others, along with direction and fight choreography by the legendary Yuen Woo-ping, has all the classic wuxia elements one could hope for. Adapted from the manhua and donghua of the same name, the film follows Do Ma (Wu Jing), a bounty hunter whose mission goes terribly wrong. After killing a governor, he sets off a chain of events that pulls him into a web of danger and conspiracy.

Set largely in the desert, the film delivers sweeping landscapes, thrilling horse chases, and layers of political intrigue. The action sequences are fast-paced and expertly choreographed, showcasing the martial arts pedigree behind the film.

Yet, while Blades of the Guardians is undeniably action-packed, it misses some of the core elements that made classic wuxia films true cinematic masterpieces and cult favorites.

Even in desert-themed wuxia films like Dragon Inn, New Dragon Gate Inn, and Ashes of Time, the desert becomes an important metaphor within the narrative. The characters’ journeys are explored through the framework of the jianghu, where ideals of heroism are questioned and personal values, loyalty, and patriotism are constantly tested.

What these films offer is more than exhilarating action; they use the martial world as a lens to explore the complexities of human nature. Blades of the Guardians, despite its impressive choreography and strong visual style, lacks the emotional depth, poetic storytelling, and philosophical weight that gave the great wuxia films of the past their enduring legacy.

Leer más

Not bad, but not perfect either.

I think my only problem with this series is that it feels like the filming was rushed. Like every scene feels like it was shot in one take and the actors weren't really given a chance to properly embody their characters and portray the emotions fully. Otherwise I really did like it. The cinematography and the setting were gorgeous, the plot was interesting enough and very different from other bls, the wardrobe was very pretty (I especially loved the outfits made for the Mudan tribe), and I think the actors did a decent job. I liked PearlPeak better in Moonlight, but this series is still a good watch. A solid 8/10 for me.

As an aside, I find it hilarious that all through Moonlight I kept thinking that Peak's character must have some sort of healing pheromone because anytime he was away all of the characters would be on death's door, but then would get magically better the moment he came back. And for this series his character actually does have special pheromones lmao, really manifested that one.

Leer más

Fluffy with Serious Chemistry

This is one of those fluffy romantic series that you watch in an oversized animal onesie with snacks, chocolate, and a yummy drink. The leads had great chemistry and both did a stellar job acting their respective roles. The moms were a bit intense (each for their own reasons) but also protective of their kids. I dont think the whole fake engagement side-plot was needed but I see why they put it there (aka to move the plot along). The ML has very expressive eyes that you can feel as if you can see into his soul. The FL also gives heavily emotionally charged performances. They make a great duo! (att casting directors: you do not have to pair them in the next 20 dramas you make!)

Leer más

I'm sure it's just a coincidence I realized I was trans like a month after this aired

Gets 1 extra star for the Maryland mention. Could not for the life of me empathize with the female lead for not wanting to be a beautiful man forever and was very confused by how upsetting it was for her. Pretty early on I felt like her male version was significantly more interesting and engaging than her as a female, though this likely has a lot to do with what a great performance Junghoo was putting on. The boyfriend refusing to set a single boundary with the 2nd female lead was infuriating. I swear to god, that woman activated my fight or flight every time she was on screen.
Disappointed by the lack of boykissing. 9 stars for acting is mostly just for Junghoo. If you also found it incredibly annoying she stays a woman at the end, consider unpacking that

Leer más

Chu Zhao and Four and a Half Men

Before you start, know that this is an INTENSE historical political drama. Though there is romance, that is not the main plot.

This is a story of a woman in love who was brutally betrayed so fate gave her another chance. Unlike other time travel, second chance stories, the female lead has minimum advantages of knowing how the story unfolds. She starts to act quickly and things almost immediately begin to change leading her to resort to drastic and bold actions. She has to form unexpected alliances as well as think 10 steps ahead.

Since this was a historical drama, the show was frought with underhanded dealings, assassination and rebellion/power grab attempts. This is not a drama one can watch idly while playing a game on the side. It requires attention. Not just because they are a lot of characters but also because something is always happening. Every episode is a problem that has to be dealt with.

There are many wins and some losses. I actually got emotional several times mid-season.

I had mainly seen the FL type casted as a villain in every drama I saw of her in the past so she really shines in Ashes To Crown. All the male characters have done an incredible job acting. They keep you guessing if they are good or bad. Fu Jiu though is a dream man who gives his everything to support Chu Zhao. They chemistry was wonderful! The young child who became emperor overnight also is such a wonderful actor.

There are a lot of twists and turns till the very end. It is an intense ride.

I do have an unanswered question related to another child character which the drama forgot in the latter half. The ending was sweet yet keeps you longing for more.

The OST is quite beautiful especially the opening theme song which is hauntingly good and still playing in my head.

This drama is wonderful but perhaps not for everyone. I don't expect my review to convince anyone to watch it. But if you like strong female characters, great acting, beautiful cinematography, serious revenge plots, wonderful chemistry, then consider giving this a shot.

Leer más

Not just porn without plot.

I haven't watched a lot of Taiwanese series. I wasn't sure if this series was gonna be something for me especially since I'm asexual and only watched like 3 Taiwanese series in my entire live. As an Asexual I do not usual feel disgusted with sexual topics, not did I feel disgust with this series. This series was so good, it wasn't just porn without a plot, there wasn't even super much nc scenes. I definitely underestimated what it would be about, but mainly due to the description.

I love how there's 4 couples in this series and how I equally loved them, which is rare for me. They all have failed sex and romance lives and I love how they are related to each other to end up with almost the same conclusion. AI and Ping Ke are so fucking cute together. Ping Ke genuinely loved Chu Ai but I feel like AI just didn't know what to do with those feelings. I get both sides. Chu is in the beginning not interested in Ping but Ping is in her. So basically unrequited love. Chu Wei and Shieh clearly have a strained relationship. I felt bad for both of them. The mom and dad also had a bit of a strained relationship, but also a misunderstanding.

I feel like out of all of the characters the story line that was extremely unclear to me was the one of Yu Sen. It was hard for me to understand even though I'm gay because it's so fucking layered. For the other members of the family their problems are clear but Yu Sen is a pretty quiet and less open person. That Henry guy seemed ok but there was some clear unbalance between the two. I liked Lee Yueh and he seemed to be a very sweet boyfriend and guy to Yu Sen. Actually to be very honest I did not trust him at first.

I love how you notice the different stages in life. You have the younger couple, Ai and Ping Ke and you can notice their parental struggle and how Ai seems to struggle understanding romantic relationships. Ping Ke also has a lot of troubles with his mom and he (to my opinion) looks like he doesn't know what to do with himself. Then you have the gays, who struggle coming out and gambling and more, their age wasn't super important but I think they were begin 30s. Then you have Wei and Shieh who are already married but their relationship gets strained, because of work and stress. Also very pushed to get children they don't want, which to my opinion also strained their relationship further. And then finally the mom and the dad who had a good relationship but everything kinda went wrong after the situation with the job (to avoid minor spoilers I'll call it job).

Love the cool intro with the design and very smooth scenes and editing work.. I loved how it kept me locked in for hours. I did have to skip some scenes cuz yeah I got to uncomfortable, but those were the scenes with heavily moaning in it, which I really dislike. I'm also a big fan of the lightning they use in multiple scenes. Everything looks so good due to it.

I love how the series also kinda mentioned that Sex should be more normalised to talk about and not just in a joking matter. I 100% agree on that although they were super open to it to their family. I'm not so sure about Taiwan but in my country talking about sexual stuff with your family is seen as a 'weird' and 'uncomfortable' thing from both parents and their childrens side. Actual serious talk about SA not just jokes about it. I really liked that also happy to finally see some male SA representation, since it is rare to see it being done in a normal way and not in a joking matter. I also like how they actually showed what emotion Chieh was experiencing after and he clearly didn't give consent to it. This series is also very educational over sex.

Overall a really good series, I definitely suggest this and it's just very in depth and interesting. I love how you have 4-5 storylines to follow so if one of the relationships doesn't sound like your thing you always have another one you can focus on. This series is not just about sex, although it does play a big part of it. This series is not for everyone, but if you think this sounds fun, I do suggest it.

Leer más

Watch it for the drama and you will enjoy it

It’s not a good show for someone who want to learn about autistic people or care about how good the FMC is shown as an autistic person. But if you ignore that and watch the show for its unique drama it’s actually a well written one. FMC is an autistic character but sometimes you don’t feel like that she is autistic and that’s because the actress is not irl which is understandable. But she casted her role greatly resulting in lots of goofy and awkward moments. Sometimes you feel like FMC is just like a child. But sometimes you feel like she is a genius. That different sides of FMC doesn’t match very well together and the reason is no matter how many autistic ppl you met by the end you can’t understand them fully because as it was said in the show as well they live in a totally different world
This show have a great drama, with a very interesting story. It’s not a mystery show so don’t expect a perfect puzzles. But what I really liked about this show was how FMC learns different things about her life and her relationships by the cases that she was solving

Leer más