Reviews

A little of bit disappointment

I waited for long time for another IU’s drama. The first half was really good - I’d rate it 9/10. Combination of comedy and drama was portreyed satisfyingly. However, romance was too much speeded up. I feel like their feelings came out of nowhere. Also, IU’s acting overshined acting of ML. I have to complain about making Jeongwoo villain - it does not make any sense and it came out of nowhere. I cannot believe that man who was friends with a couple would decide to go against them. It feels like they changed whole personality. Maybe screenwriter was drunk? Coz it seems to be a problem. I expected much more, especially since the first half. OST was tolerable, except for intro which appeared to be good to listen even after completing the show. There are lots of plot holes. Another thibg I have to critic is normalizing abusive parents and making them good in the end

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A Heartwarming Tale of Family, Legacy, and Perseverance

This drama may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's definitely one for viewers with more refined tastes. I particularly appreciated its setting, which feels distinct from the usual Hengdian productions and adds a refreshing charm to the overall viewing experience. The story focuses on family dynamics, cultural heritage, and Li Zhen's journey amid the Li family's long-standing feud and the struggles of the Hui Ink industry. Romance is present, but it's very much in the background. Personally, I wouldn't have minded a little more romance, but the heartfelt family relationships and wholesome interactions filled that gap surprisingly well.

If you're looking for heavy angst or a revenge-driven plot, you may be disappointed. The villains aren't taken down in a dramatic fashion, instead, their downfall unfolds gradually, leaving them with the bitterness of their own choices. Rest assured, justice is served. However, that's also what makes the drama feel realistic. Rather than focusing solely on revenge or retribution, it emphasizes resilience, growth, and the courage to move forward. It reminds us that sometimes the greatest victory is not getting even, but letting go and building a better life for yourself. It also serves as a gentle reminder that kindness may not always be rewarded immediately, but it often leaves behind a far greater legacy than resentment ever could.

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A Chef's Kiss

Everything was done beautifully. I loved the cinematography and the plot, it's very unqiue. Normally im not a fan of Taiwanese BLs not this one holds a special place in my heart.

What I also appreciate about this show is the life lessons they teach us. One that stuck with me (in my own words) is trying to change yourself for people who dont understand your worth and pushing away the people that love and support you. It's often so hard to constantly remind yourself that there's people who love you for you, sometimes your mind tend to linger on the negatives and you let that control your life. I really like how He Xiang is able to confront the challenges that he was facing and learn a valuable lesson.

AHH I JUST LOVED THIS SHOW, THE MAIN COUPLE, SIDE COUPLE AND HE XIANG -LI WAN FRIENDSHIP , THE UNCLE, DAD AND ANGELA.

Im so sad that this series has come to an end but it would forever hold a special place in my heart💗

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Someday I'll wish upon a star

I actually ended up enjoying this more than I thought I would, which is one of the best kind of surprises. I, for sure, thought this was going to falter halfway through (considering the number of episodes and the runtime of each) but for the most part, everything was as good as can get.

Think it reminded me a lot of Taiwanese BLs, circa 2020/2021? What with the very melancholic tone and all the cameos, it immediately felt like the dramas that were released then. For what it's worth, it did stay that way until the end.

The story was quite simple - He Xia Yong wishes upon a shooting star that no one know who he is, and his wish is granted - but it was the execution that felt very genuine. Watching him heal the broken part of himself while no one knows who he is but his best friend, and then learning to love his broken self as he heals, it was very nicely done. Because he is surrounded by people he left behind at one point or another, his best friend, his father, and the love of his life Chen Hao Wei. And he needs to figure out how to reconcile with himself before he ever gains closure to all the doors he left open.

The logic is as logical as can be, which is not a lot but this story had a lot of heart and because they did it so well, it doesn't matter that I didn't understand half of the shooting star's workings.

Great acting, great chemistry, I don't really have any complaints except for the fact that the pacing can be a little slow at times but I guess that's also part of the calm, seaside setting.

Overall, a pretty good watch in my opinion :)

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Interesting historical family saga

The story of ink in the Ming Dynasty was interesting. Learning about the process, artistry and prestige such a commodity was during those times is similar to stories of silk. China really guarded their secrets. interesting also to watch the Japanese/ Chinese conflict.

coming from a western background and new to Chinese drama I enjoy the historical content. I don’t know if the story was historical accurate or not but each scene seem to convey a natural and multidimensional interaction between family and community over the years that was believable.

the only characters I didn’t like as I found them too one dimensional was fourth Aunt and the father Tian. all actors were complex and interesting and the supporting characters provided the depth for main characters to shine. Tian Bangchan should have been billed as the main character because (apart from Li Ying) he was the main character and villain ( driving the plot)

I also enjoyed the fact that this story focused on the determination and success of a woman (not sure if it would have been possible during the Ming Dynasty) and how her family worried and encouraged her.

maybe this drama should not have been billed a romance as on that front it was disappointing especially the ending. I fact I deducted a whole point due to the ending. I wanted clear closure and happy ever after ending after so much angst, hardship and sadness that went of for previous 40 hours of watching. I was drained.

at time the story drifted and some scenes were really drawn out. for me the chief complaint was the length of the drama. I often fast forward through many scenes eg the whinging by Aunt or father Tian and son colluding or seling off the daughter were repetitive.

flashback scenes were also overdone.

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A Comfort Drama I’ve Rewatched Too Many Times to Admit

📝 Review
(WARNING: Potential Spoilers — I’m Not Saving You from Any Emotional Damage)

I picked this up because I enjoy esports-themed dramas, and I’d seen the female lead in another series and thought she was charming. Add Li Xian to the mix, and it was an easy decision.

At its core, Go Go Squid! follows Han Shang Yan, a former esports legend in the CTF cybersecurity scene who has withdrawn from competition and now runs a professional team. His world shifts when Tong Nian, a socially awkward but talented computer science student and online singer, unexpectedly falls for him and slowly becomes part of his life—and his team’s world.

What I enjoyed most was not just the esports setting, but how much the story focuses on relationships, growth, and emotional walls rather than the game itself. The competition serves more as a backdrop for character dynamics, which I actually think works in its favor.

The drama also shifts between past and present, which adds depth to the characters and explains their motivations in a way that feels emotionally grounded rather than purely expositional. The chemistry across the cast is consistently strong, and even supporting characters feel like they have weight in the story.

That said, the first breakup arc really threw me off. It felt unnecessary and a bit frustrating in context. I also wasn’t a fan of Tong Nian’s mother’s attitude toward Han Shang Yan—it felt overly harsh for the situation.

Even with those moments, the overall experience was incredibly enjoyable. It’s a comfort drama for me, the kind I can rewatch without hesitation. In fact, I’ve lost count of how many times I already have.

Overall, it’s a strong blend of romance, esports, and emotional storytelling, and it remains one of my personal favorites in this genre.

💭 Final Mood

Emotionally invested in people I don’t personally know.

Still mildly annoyed at the first breakup.

Still rewatching anyway.

Would absolutely do it again.

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I really enjoyed If Wishes Could Kill

I really enjoyed *If Wishes Could Kill*

If you're looking for a drama that keeps moving and gives you plenty to think about, I'd definitely recommend it. The story stays engaging throughout, with enough twists and surprises to keep me wanting to watch the next episode 👀

What I liked most was that, despite the pace, the characters still felt believable and I found myself becoming invested in what happened to them. There were several moments that genuinely caught me off guard 😲, and I liked that the drama balanced suspense, emotion and relationships without getting bogged down.

The cast did a great job bringing the characters to life, and I was never bored. By the end, I was completely hooked and finished it much faster than I'd planned!

Definitely one of those dramas where "just one more episode" turns into three! ❤️

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Two stars complete opposite to each other became one

Dual stars came out of nowhere. It's kind of drama one can watch if you are looking something to pass time.

Plot:- Story wise it's not groundbreaking. But storytelling was good. Except for few places where I feel like if they have focused on how they fall in love more it would be better. Because sometimes it was hard to understand suddenly how their relationship is progressing so fast. They did highlight the scandal part and the complexities it comes with it. But at the end both ml were positive about the situation that it will work out well when clearly the situation in which they were in was not in support of them. Maybe it's because it's a short drama so they can't deal with things in depth or show rationalism. That made me feel appreciative towards the director and actors of "secret happens in litchi island" or any jbl or kbl where they follow the same structure of short ep of 20-30 min and 6-8 ep but the depth they give is beyond compare. One thing i appreciate about this drama is that maybe it's because of plot that I didn't feel detached from the characters of jiang mo and xu xinlang. U can tell who they are and what their personalities are like which sadly I find it hard to ans in full length drama lot of time.

Acting- Acting wise it's pretty average. Specially i was confused with xu xinlang because most of the time his words and expressions are just not coherent wrt the impact of depth it should have left. Maybe it's because of the fact that xu xinlang was not a good actor in series and the same was reflected when he was shooting drama in the series so that was felt. That kinda explains how xu xinlang look at jiang mo later in the series where they were shooting confession scene. Sometimes the actor playing jiang mo, his face looks completely flat in the sense devoid of any emotion. I get it he was supposed to be introverted but still...

Chemistry- Apart from kissing scenes which looked weird chemistry between leads are ok. Look it's ok that they don't want to shoot kissing scenes but what's with the angle? Atleast make it look like genuine. Or altogether skip that and just show simple hug or forehead kiss as long as it looks truly genuine or add depth to the scene.

Side characters- The directors, producers, and toxic managers did their part very well. None of the side character was simply made just to be there. They actually add value or help in progressing or changing direction and mood of the story which is good. Because sometimes it is side character like xu xinlang manager who give viewers the idea that they have started feeling something towards each other otherwise it was truly hard to understand the relationship how? What? Why? When?

Overall- 7.5 drama as it did made me complete the series till the end given the fact that I am not a fan of short dramas despite its flaws.

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