Reviews

Pace yourself for fudge sake

I love this drama a lot, many will slap me for this.....but I have to say that I prefer Veil of Shadow over Pursuit of Jade, tho' to be fair both kinda different genre of fantasy. The biggest problem with VoS was with the pacing, probably due constraint of 29 episodes so they had to jammed packed everything making it neck-breaking pace, and never actually to fleshed out everything. They had solid plot but they tried to brought everything in 29 episodes that gave viewers whiplash.....so understandably some might see it as bad story and hard to understand. Some viewers might not enjoying skip everything no need to breath fast pace story.
Ending wise, I like it better than that pit of despair FoF or whatever that was MJtY. Inline with GJM brand bittersweet open ending, but very hopeful.
The music.....kinda meh and annoying but not like killing the whole story.
I have no complain about beautiful cinematography or beautiful actors and actresses that all over the place.

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Great mystery

This was great! I went into this one without any expectations and it turned out to be a really wonderful medical mystery. There’s a great mix of case-of-the-week mystery and an overarching thriller, and the pacing is done really well.

I ended up being far more attached to the cast than I expected; one thing Japanese dramas are really good at is giving each character backstory without making it the entire plot, and this one was no different. Everyone had their own mini arcs and backstories, but they felt a lot like real life people outside of them too. The female lead in particular was really likeable and down-to-earth, and I loved her relationship with her family.

This isn’t the most mind-blowing mystery out there but it was a really solidly written one from beginning to end, and I felt really satisfied when it was over.

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Forbidden Love at its Best

This drama is one that I actually started watching back in 2022. By the time I watched this, Netflix already had all the episodes. I got to episode 22 or so and then I stopped watching. I'm not really sure why I stopped, to be honest. And then I completely forgot about it, and well, fast forward to now, when I finally remembered that I hadn't finished it yet. I decided to just finish the rest of the episodes one day back in February, and I am so glad that I did.

The love story between Dongfang Qingcang and Orchid was absolutely devastating and so beautiful at the same time. I actually didn't mind Esther Yu's acting in this. In my opinion, it made sense for her character. The visuals, cinematography, and the OSTs are absolutely gorgeous and every episode honestly made me laugh and cry. The plot was so complex and I also loved the magic system in this as well. The ending had me absolutely devastated, and I definitely did sob a little bit. I only wish that we got to see more of Dongfang Qingcang and Orchid, especially after Qingcang came back after 500 years. The acting was honestly fantastic, and that scene (I forget which episode, but I believe it was around 33 or so) where Orchid sacrifices herself to save everyone and when Dongfang Qingcang finds out, I could feel every emotion and the anguish and heartbreak that he was experiencing in that moment. It was truly a heartbreaking scene, and Dylan Wang acted in that scene so well. Esther Yu's acting was also so good in this scene as well.

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Ok, ok ok

Quando vi o trailer de Como Você Pôde!?, uma série chinesa que adapta uma web novel, eu já senti que tinha algo especial. Os atores principais são conhecidos meus de outras séries, e essa familiaridade com eles foi um dos grandes motivos de eu começar a assistir. Mas, confesso, essa série me surpreendeu de um jeito que eu não imaginava. A trama, centrada na Wang Cui Hua, que se transforma na concubina Yu Wan Yin, me levou a uma viagem emocional. A cada episódio, eu sentia um misto de empatia e fascínio pelos dilemas de Yu, especialmente quando ela confronta o tirano. O casal principal tem uma química tão sutil que, no final, eu estava completamente envolvida. Foi um final que me fez pensar, sorrir, e até repensar o conceito de destino. Se eu esperava gostar, não sabia que ia me marcar tanto assim.

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It's also good when two actors get together or become friends.

Benjamin once said:

When they're stayed in the same hotel, Zayn is very caring. "If I'm still asleep, Zayn will go to get breakfast for me, and I will go to his room to eat together."

One day, Benjamin quietly noticed that Zayn's bed was super big, and he directly said " I really want to lie down on it!" and then Zayn replied "No problem!"

Zayn first impression of Benjamin

it was late at night, Benjamin might be a little tired, he looked rather aloof and I thought "Woah, so cold! He was quite similar to Jiang tian."

After getting to know each other, I found that we had many similar hobbies, such as playing basketball and skateboarding, and we wanted to gym together in the future.

Benjamin first impression of Zayn

When I first met Zayn, I thought he was cute and handsome.

After getting along for a while, I found that he had a lot of ideas and personal insights. I was very happy to discuss roles and life with him.

Benjamin wanted to invite Zayn to do dance tango together.

He said "I learned it for a while. Tango is a dance about two people. The distance is very close, so you can feel each other with your heart."

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What Happens When Self-Destructive People Fall in Love?

Chaos. Beautiful chaos.

If you’re looking for a formulaic K-drama with likable and predictable leads, I suggest you look elsewhere. This drama isn’t that, and it’s so much better because of it.

The male lead, Dongman, feels like the raw, unfiltered version of how I, and probably most people, might act if everything in life started falling apart. The female lead, Euna, exists on the opposite end of that same emotional spectrum. They contrast each other in such a fascinating way, yet both are clearly struggling under the weight of the lives they’ve been dealt. This drama will push you out of your chaebol drama comfort zone. It'll open your eyes to the cruel realities of daily life and the resilient hope found in community. It won’t be for everyone, but for those of us who understand burnout and the pressure of chasing a dream, it might hit a little too close to home.

What stands out to me is that the writers aren’t trying to make the leads likable or excuse their flaws, they’re just showing them as they are: deeply human.

My biggest takeaway was this: All of us are self-destructive people to some extent, but that does not mean that we give up on life; instead, we hold onto the small blessings of each day and the renewal found in our family and friends.

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honestly just not it.

The plot/story is cute and interesting and has potential but whoever wrote this has issues. let’s start with the characters, fl is cute and all. ml is childish and toxic and a red flag. 2ml is nice but I don’t understand why they have to push him with 2fl, which is his ex, back together when they just didn’t work out and still have a lot of problems they really need to talk over instead of just showing some interest in each other here and there. there’s a side character with curly hair, and in this drama it’s pretty passive aggressive and also almost directly saying that she’s ugly bc in one of the episodes the fl had to go on a blind date, which she didn’t want to go to, so she styled her hair like that girl’s hair (which is also her friend/coworker) and she said that she styled herself like this so that they guy wouldn’t like her. I mean, how much more obvious can you make this. this story was not written well nor is it written by someone with good morals. it’s still a semi cute drama is you really need to waste some time I guess. oh and also tbh I’m not feeling a whole lot of chemistry between the leads. sure there are moments where they get close in distance, yk but they just don’t really hit much emotions or anything. again I think part of it has to do with the writing and not just acting

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A Wonderful Movie! Watch it if you get the chance.

Don’t be discouraged by the low ratings! This is a wonderful movie through and through.

In Young (FL) is a young dancer at the Seoul International Arts Company who loses her mother in a tragic accident. A year later, her dance instructor reluctantly invites her to live with her to prevent her from secretly sleeping at the dance studio. Now, In Young must juggle living with her cold and strict dance instructor while dealing with the dynamics of the other girls in the dance group.

The living situation of this happy-go-lucky yapper and the strict, disciplined professional instructor was the highlight of this show. It is comedic, sad at times and very well acted. The supporting characters, particularly the pharmacist, round out the cast nicely.

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Would have been perfect if drama is 34-36 episodes

LIKE

The questions Tang Li Ci asked and received from Abbot Fang soso profound

Tang Li Ci is so mysterious and full of secrets

When Wan Qiao Zai master's ship stopped by the dick next to their little "boat" omg so hilarious

Dramatic actions and beautiful effects!

Seriously every single fight scenes I really enjoyed every second of it like level unlocked and fighting the final boss! Almost every scene feels like a blockbuster movie!

Shen Lang Hun actually is someone who understand how life works

DISLIKE

Sloww at times with unecessary scenes

MUSIC - personal fav

春声碎 Chun Sheng Sui - 黛青塔娜 Dai Qing Ta Na
念水谣 Nian Shui Yao - 吴翊之 Wu Yi Zhi
骊龙吟 Li Long Yin - 黄子弘凡 Huang Zi Hong Fan
临风吟 Lin Feng Yin - 苏见信 Su Jian Xin

REWATCH VALUE

Probably will re-watch when I'm free someday

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A must-watch series

As a fan of both horror and GL, I don’t regret giving this a shot. Deym, the first episode already hooked my interest. I thought it would be cringe for me, but the outcome was the opposite. The acting is great, and I can see their potential. Though the story might be predictable, and honestly, there are some parts that seem off. But that doesn’t stop me from watching it until the end.

For me, it’s giving slow-burn vibes, and that’s what I love the most! It already makes me giggle even when they’re just staring at each other. OMYGHAD.

I also admire their face cards, the first time I saw the two female leads, I was like, 🫪. I really hope there are more series like this to come. Some people might not like it because it’s too different from the usual series, but I assure anyone who’s undecided and planning to watch this: YOU WON’T REGRET IT.

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Still an okay watch for the sake of Nezer and Ming Hao

LIKE

Hou Ming Hao so adorable I cannot...

When Yun Xi kisses her man omg so cool!

The Rong family girls are quite united though they fight all the time

All the boys in this drama are really into Rong Shan Bao - they truly love her so much

DISLIKE

Little boring here and there.. kind of slow

The scriptwriter is so dramatic after all the Rong family saga then comes Xue disastrous and dramatic plot

MUSIC - personal fav

爱的光明 Ai De Guang Ming - 侯明昊 Hou Ming Hao王悠然 Wang You Ran
落 Luo - 侯明昊 Hou Ming Hao

REWATCH VAUE

Five for now

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Action-packed bromance

The best part of Season 1 was the bromance and friendship between the two leads, so I’m really happy that the writers understood that and kept the heart of the show in season 2. The main leads (plus the other people in the gang) continue to stick together and it makes for both really good fight scenes and really heart-warming friendships.

I think the action in this one is better than the first one — the villain feels genuinely intimidating, and the fight scenes feel so much more brutal; huge props to the choreographer and the sound designer in particular. I felt every punch. I do think the emotional motivation for the villain is a little weaker than S1 where we had more backstory; here, the motivation is a little thin. Nevertheless, the actor killed the role.

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"If you lose yourself, you'll be digging your own grave"

Hero (1997) is a remake of Chang Cheh’s 1972 The Boxer from Shantung. Shaw Brothers was on the downhill slide when they had Corey Yuen helm this bloody blast from the past starring Kaneshiro Takeshi.

Ma Wing Ching and his brother Tai Cheung flee the drought-stricken Shandong Province to start over in Shanghai at the beginning of the 20th century. Their new home is filled with people looking for work and people looking to take advantage of them. Ma makes a strong impression on benevolent crime lord Tam See who was also from Shandong. Tam befriends the hothead as Ma makes his presence known in town. Malevolent crime lord, Yang Shuang, is determined to eliminate Tam and Ma for good.

The storyline was thin, with most of the characters being the same depth of cardboard. Despite Kaneshiro’s screen presence, Ma Wing Ching was hard to root for as he was overly proud and easy to anger. Plus, everyone was involved in crime, including the police. Yuen Biao played the “good” crime boss and Yuen Tak chewed the scenery as the “bad” crime boss. Yuen Wah and Corey Yuen provided comedy relief on occasion as did Jessica Hester. Jessica had little to do as the romantic interest. Valerie Chow was featured more prominently as the femme fatale.

Corey Yuen and Yuen Tak were the martial arts directors which meant the fights were wild featuring kung fu, hatchets, flaming hatchets, swords, chains, bamboo spikes, pistols, automatic weapons, hidden knives, a canon, and even holy Looney Toons---an anvil! There were two intricately choreographed fights centered around a horse. The credits stated that no animals were harmed or killed and I really hope they were telling the truth. My biggest disappointment was that badass Yuen Wah wasn’t showcased during the fights being relegated more to emotional support or humorous moments.

During the first half of the film, it was a challenge to invest in the story as Ma picked fights, staked out his territory, and arrogantly ignored the advice of people with his best interests at heart. As stunning as Kaneshiro was during his brutal encounters, I found his character difficult to like. Ma’s redemption arch required copious amounts of blood and limbs. My score is based largely on the creativity and fierceness of the fights. It was also fun to watch Yuen Biao and Yuen Tak take each other on in a ferocious kung fu battle. They did not disappoint. The final free for all was ridiculously over the top, hilariously so at times, yet entertaining. Graded on a mild kung fu curve.

23 April 2026

Trigger warnings: Sexual assault. A fight that littered the street with limbs. Gruesome impalements. Almost continuous smoking. Sometimes it was hard to see the characters' faces due to the clouds of white. Yuen Wah's dreadful haircut.

Connection note: The Yuens in this film all attended Yu Jim Yuen’s China Drama School.


Slightly spoilery observation below:








Characters survived catastrophic injuries, recovering quickly from wounds that should have killed them, left giant holes in the characters, and/or would have caused deathly infections. Never underestimate kung fu plot armor!

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