Reviews

Just watch it!!

This is a well-written and beautifully executed mini-drama. This cannot be lumped in the same category as those half-baked mini-dramas out there. That will be an insult to Echoes of Gang City.

The acting of the characters is superb. As they say, the window into a person's soul is the eyes. Simply wonderful! I love me some loyal, resourceful and highly reliable friends. Goodness me, I am so done with backstabbing friends in mini-dramas. It's such a joy to see them actually stand together through thick and thin. God bless Grandpa's heart. You can totally feel the joy he felt seeing them get together in the modern times.

Despite there being only one soundtrack, it wasn't abused. It was well-timed, not loud and adds layers of emotion to the scenes. It was also nice that the business side of the drama didn't get lost halfway through the drama; instead, it was fleshed out to give some actual context.

The story is also not simply about revenge, protecting the family business, or romance. Yes, all of those were incorporated, but personally, I think those flashbacks to the Republican Era added so much depth to the present and elevated the story. If I must mention a drawback, it's the use of English every now and then. I don't mind it, but drafting contracts in English or sharing reports in English to a group of men in suits at a board meeting that primarily communicates Mandarin is kinda pushing it lol!! And also, casually switching to English when all the discussions in the same scene were held in Mandarin.... is yeah lol!!

Another favourite part of the show is the shooting location. Some of the shots were in Hong Kong, which made me happy lol!! Especially in the last episode, that's West Kowloon Park!! I feel like I can connect with the show more because of the sense of familiarity.

Anyways, just watch it and enjoy!! You might need some tissues, not a whole box.

Leia Mais

Is the Glass half empty or half full?

Why are we so against fun as a society? i mean If we take Perfect Crown at face value, it’s a nice, fluffy rom-com filled with typical K-drama cliches, decent writing, predictable storylines, and okay acting.

But if we dissect it piece by piece and dive into the deeper meanings like some viewers do, it can also be seen as a drama that subtly normalizes classism and entitlement, disguising it through romance, attractive leads, and visually pleasing aesthetics.

I’ve noticed two main reactions to this drama.

1. Overzealous fans who label everything about it a masterpiece and give it excessive praise simply because they like the actors.

2. Overly critical viewers who challenge that mindset by pointing out the hypocrisy and problematic themes hidden beneath its fluffy surface.

But there’s also a third approach, the one I lean toward, which is the average viewer who just wants to be entertained. I encourage this third approach because it allows you to enjoy the show while still being aware of its flaws without going to either extreme.

I’m not here to say either side is completely right or wrong. Both have valid points. The first group tends to overhype even the most mundane aspects, while the second sometimes positions itself as intellectually superior, dismissing those who simply enjoy lighthearted romance without analyzing its deeper themes.

For me, Perfect Crown is an okay show. It was fun and easy to watch. Not everything needs to be deeply analyzed for us to enjoy it, we can appreciate something simply for the entertainment it provides. At the same time, it is also important to acknowledge the subtle messages media can convey beneath the surface.

The shows entire premesis is supposed to be basically a modern day Cinderella story,but i didn't actually think it was one bit. I know it's in a reimagined society where money cannot buy your rank and nobility in this world but I can't take a supposed Cinderella seriously when she's decked out in Louboutins and designer clothes and bags every episode. What about her except her status or illigitimate birth gives Cinderella vibes? Would have made much more sense to actually made her poor if we are supposed to feel bad when people are bullying her or talking down to her. Even the fake marriage trope was really for her side only because the prince was obviously charmed with her from their school days. What's fake about a marriage where the guy wouldn't leave you if he had a gun to his head?

Overall, I found the show to be average. They didn't take any risk and deviate from any norms in the drama world. This show is just a large compilation of every cliche ever done, sweet but basic.The plot was predictable, with obvious twists, but it was still heartwarming and engaging. It’s not something I’ll think about every day of my life, but I’ll remember it fondly.

There are only a handful of dramas with this kind of premise, so from the moment it was announced my interest was already peaked. The royal setting and power dynamics gave it a strong foundation, and it definitely had the potential to stand out more.

However, I don’t think that potential was fully explored. Some conflicts felt like they were introduced with a lot of weight but then resolved too quickly or too conveniently. Certain plot points seemed like they would have long-term consequences, but they didn’t always follow through in a meaningful way.

I also felt like the pacing was slightly uneven. Some scenes were stretched out longer than necessary, while more important developments felt rushed. Because of that, a few emotional moments didn’t land as strongly as they could have.

One of my biggest issues in the show was the fake marriage genre which wasn't even explored in the least. They took about 70 percent of the show to get there and when they did the couple was in love with each other so it's not really a fake marriage. While the couple can care about each other before they get married they shouldn't be passionately and crazily in love just removes any aspect of fake in that marriage. They weren't even married for 1 single episode before divorce came up. How is that a fake marriage?

That being said, the storyline was still enjoyable. I won’t lie, some scenes had me kicking my feet in the air because they were genuinely cute and fun to watch. Those lighter moments are really where the drama shines, and they make it easy to stay engaged. However all twists and turns were so boring and literally predictable? they didn't even let you guess multiple people who were doing the bad things they just left it out in the open.

The main characters, however, felt quite shallow. There wasn’t much more depth to them as it was supposedly presented, their emotions were always very clear, but not in a way that added layers.I mean the show positions them as 2 complex human beings who are both so much more than they appear on the surface and have great internal tormoil but i didn't feel anything more that i couldn't see about their personalities in the 1st episode going on in the show. I would have liked to see more internal conflict or growth outside of their relationship.

Their chemistry was decent and worked for the tone of the show, but it didn’t feel particularly strong or memorable. It felt more like visual compatibility than a deep raw emotional connection, which made the romance enjoyable in the moment but not very lasting. It's like you gather 2 popular kids to date, of course everyone is gonna love them together because they are them but what more?

The side characters and villains, on the other hand, were more interesting. I liked that they weren’t overly aggressive in a typical “I hate you” to your face kind of way. They had more nuance, especially the Queen, who stood out and added a level of tension that the main storyline sometimes lacked. Her character left a very deep impression on me and I could never tell what was on her mind, what she wanted, or her end goal which made me feel excited for her every appearance on screen. She was so much more complicated than what she seems, her backstory and motivation going forth made for a thrilling watch. Her Father was also a really good character his scenes were scantily but still very notable.These aren't your typical villians who divulge in ur presence how much of a nuisance u are but take a step back and make u feel the hate slowly as they go. What a legendary performance.

The side characters were a fun mixed bag. The brother and sister-in-law added humor and warmth, and I appreciated that they broke away from the usual “evil half-sibling” trope, No matter how much he complained or teased her you could always tell he loved her deep down, for that i love the turn it took even his wife and his relationship where some of my favourite parts in the show ,they portrayed a marriage built on love and not political or financial gain among prominent people very unheard of in K dramas. The young King was also entertaining and brought a lot of charm and emotion to his scenes. I was torn between the complexity his simple charcter brought, is it okay to force roles upon people at birth because of traditions? His father and him couldnt live the lives they wanted because they were born into a fixed system the couldnt escape.

Her father's charcter was a mixed reaction I absolutely hated him 90 percent of the time but in some little moments he always showed up. In conclusion i still dislike him.

The Assistants romance was sweet and fun nothing to go crazy about but okay filler for episodes when needed. I much preferred the brothers and sister in laws romance,cute and sweet light and fun hearted they had really good chemistry with one another. I found their chemistry even better compared to our main couples.

As for the Prime Minister, I’m a bit conflicted. While it’s a common K-drama trope for the second male lead to be in love with the female lead, it does feel a bit overused. I think it would have been more interesting if he had a stronger identity outside of that dynamic. There is not much we can do in a world where our fl is adored by every handsome man who graces our screen. I feel myself slowly getting tired of all men are in love with this random girl for literally no reason? Why couldn't u have brought the feelings to her attention before she got into a relationship? His jealousy literary made me gag he had no right to be acting that way.

The plot was predictable every toss and turn it led to I could guess right before it happened, I clocked about 80 percent of what was happening before it even landed. Everyone went with the same format programmed in our brains no out of place behavior. But it's a very typical direct story fake marriage it's a very common format so I can't say I'm entirely mad of how they handled the storyline. These typical chliches are a major reason I fell in love with the k drama world so i would be a hypocrite to say it's all bad.


By the end, I felt satisfied but not particularly impressed. The show was consistently enjoyable and disappointing all together, but it didn’t quite reach a level that made it stand out as something extremely special.

So like I said, it’s good, just not what I would call great. It was funny, swoon-worthy, and easy to watch, and sometimes that’s enough.

At the same time, not everything needs to be extraordinary to be enjoyable. People experience media differently. Some might rate it very highly, while others may not enjoy it at all. I don’t fully agree with either ratings, but I can understand both perspectives.

Which brings me back to the question.
Is the glass half empty or half full?

How should we judge this drama at it's face value?
Do we enjoy it for what it is while acknowledging its flaws, or do we focus too much on what it could have been?

I still believe in a middle ground. We don’t need blind praise or unnecessary criticism.

Sometimes, it’s enough to simply enjoy something for what it is, entertainment.

I know this review is a bit different because it focuses not only on the show itself, but also on how people react to it. There has been a big trend on uncessary hate or love on this platform that led me to make this review. I hope everyone can take a second to acknowledge the perspective of the other person.

P.S pls be nice to me do not send me death threats or long paragraphs on how I'm wrong. I literally say everyone can and should rate it differently because we are all different people with different mindsets.

Leia Mais

Silly and cute romcom

Overall I found this very fun. Mostly your typical CEO romcom plot.

It is definitely a vshort style drama.

One thing I found interesting is that this drama seems to have given more thought to the transmigrator concept. Most dramas are just like "and then she was transported" and its probably never mentioned again -- just a mysterious maybe-godly force? But in this, the link between the worlds feels like a real part of the fantasy landscape, there is a reason for it and practical ways that it works.

As far as the characters, the ML is pretty basic. He turns a bit too sharply into the romance but its a short so whatever.

The FL is a bit more interesting, as she is a cultivator from another world she is literally a warrior. Only occasionally does this seem to be forgotten, tbh I was impressed because most dramas would drop that premise quickly. But throughout this, her posture and movements and attitude are almost always informed by her actual background. She holds herself like a warrior and walks like one.

I was also glad to see that consistent characterization because the other red flag that starts sticking out is that as soon as she is dressing modern, she is almost always dressed in a child-like manner. Which is... a bit sus. But amusingly this just means that she acts like a warrior even though she has pigtails and overalls or whatever. Haha

The other piece worth mentioning is so many satisfying slaps. ngl its my favorite part of vshorts

Leia Mais

Very real and raw and bittersweet

Overall I found this drama to be very moving, and tackling subjects that are rarely engaged so directly. And I am not just talking about the CW parts, but the complexity of the underlying emotions and challenges and things you have to live with.

If you haven't watched it yet, I do think you may want to know that...

Check the genre tags before assuming anything based on the imagery -- This is not a romance genre drama.

This is not a romance. In either theme or content. The cover may make you think this is a GL, but the story is not about love at all, or at least not about *romance*. This is really a situation where maybe they're romantically connected and maybe they are sismance / friendship connected. Trying to put it in a box is not really useful though, the story is not ABOUT romance, this is really more about HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS.

And it is good. Really good.

Leia Mais

Generation to Generation C-Drama ??❤️

This drama is simply incredible; in terms of its story, cast, characters, music and the sheer beauty of "generation-to-generation" theme; I truly cannot put it into words! 🥹🫠🤌🏻

The moment I watched the first episode, I was completely obsessed. 😍 I feel that, following *The Untamed*, this is the second drama where I’ve encountered this "generational" concept—and honestly, I absolutely loved it. ❤️ And the truth is that not a single episode of it is boring—I didn't skip a single part. And even the story of the first generation isn't boring.

I have compiled a list of all the characters in this drama, and have also noted down their connections to help remember them.

I’ve already made plans to rewatch this "generation-to-generation" drama. 🫶🏻

Leia Mais

A capable FL, a flustered ML, and a plot that clearly did not get the memo about pacing

A wuxia mini drama that has more going for it than it sometimes deserves credit for and more problems than it sometimes acknowledges.

Ling Xuan is the kind of FL this genre needs more of. Capable, sharp, and never once reduced to waiting to be rescued even when the plot tries very hard to arrange it. Her ML is a trained killer who completely falls apart around her, which is both very funny and surprisingly endearing. Their dynamic carries the show through its uneven middle stretch and the middle stretch is genuinely uneven.

The romance moves faster than the writing earns it, the villain gets shortchanged, and the ending wraps things up more than it resolves them.

Secrets of the Shadow Sect has genuine highlights — the leads, the identity thread seeded patiently from episode one. But highlights alone cannot carry a drama with uneven writing and a story that loses the plot in its own middle stretch. Whether the good moments are enough will depend entirely on your tolerance for uneven storytelling.

7/10 - fun when it works, genuinely maddening when it doesn’t.

Leia Mais

The most disappointing drama in a long time

I’ve been looking forward to this drama ever since it was in the talks, since IU is my favourite leading lady and Byeon Woo-Seok is my favourite leading man. The two did everything they could with the terribly written script, but even they couldn’t save it. I think a lot of people are mistaking bad writing for bad acting - there’s only so much the actors can do when the material they’re given is garbage.

I wanted to see an alternate universe Korean monarchy plot done well ever since The King: Eternal Monarch flopped, but the ball has unfortunately been dropped again. Maybe it’s just not meant to be.

Leia Mais

Toxic love, gratuitous wickedness, and repetitive script.

Bad boy meets good girl. Nothing original in the sea. Since Rebel without a cause, the pattern has been used in so many films and dramas. But in this case, ML is not only rebellious, but also rude and arrogant. Even after what happens to his family or to the 3 years in prison, he behaves exactly the same as before. There are no regrets, or a different attitude toward the FL, friends, or colleagues. He is the same. Seems a privileged intelligence gives the right to behave badly with the inferiors (for him: all except him).

FL is a nice girl who seems attracted to ML's intelligence. Her role could be even worse and more naive, but she defends her own capacities and intelligence. So, in that sense, we can save her. However, she believes everything that ML says or does. She doesn’t need explanations, nor does she need to be asked for her opinion. If he says or does anything, she believes him and follows him as a puppet. Even when he screams at her or defies her parents. If that is not a toxic love and a big red flag….

Her mother is especially snobbish and square-minded, but that doesn’t justify how he treats her parents. Even when we know he does what he does for her best interest. Who is he to decide for her?

Mention apart from the the 2 seconday male roles (Old Gao and Fang Zhijing). What on earth is someone going to believe such a level of hate and at such a young age? Nobody has suffered a bullying guy at school or university, or a jerky colleague? Does that justify even the intention of murder or the willingness to imprison a person? Old Gao has a serious problem of complex insecurities that made him absolutely crazy. No matter how the ML is, his attitude and actions cannot be justified or redeemed in the last two episodes. He needs psychiatric help.

In 36 episodes, everything is the same: bad guys, a good girl, and her nice friends. Well, I want to mention the role of her man friend: Tian Xiu Zhu. I imagine his name is Tian (Heaven) because indeed he is the only “angel” in the drama.

Love? I don’t see any love. Despite the fact that there are people like the main characters in the world, we can not romanticize them. Or at least, if we do, let’s do because they change and show love and mercy. One last episode doesn’t solve the previous ones.

I didn’t like. In fact, this drama made me feel uncomfortable. However, I waited until the end to see if there was any change, and endured all episodes because of the great performance of all actors and actresses. They were superb. Specifically: Arthur Chen, Zhao Zhi Wei and Zhang Jing Yi.

Leia Mais

A Suspenseful Drama with Great Twists but a Confusing Story

I really enjoyed If wishes could kill and I ended up giving it an 8.5/10. I really liked the characters of Ha Joon and Se Ah, and I got attached to the whole friend group as well as Ha Joon’s brothers-in-law. One thing I especially loved was the plot twist where the drama makes us believe one specific person created the app, when actually that wasn’t the case at all. That reveal genuinely surprised me.

I also really liked the atmosphere of the drama. For something involving deaths and a supernatural app, I thought the mood and tension were handled pretty well overall. Even though some of the special effects looked a little awkward at times, it didn’t completely ruin the experience for me.

However, I do have to admit that the story became a bit messy toward the end. Sometimes it felt like the plot didn’t fully know where it wanted to go, and I found it complicated to understand why the app suddenly became “alive” and how everything actually worked. Some explanations felt confusing or underdeveloped, which made certain moments harder to follow.

Still, despite those flaws, I found the drama entertaining, suspenseful, and emotionally engaging because of the characters and relationships.

Leia Mais

Interesting plot with sub-optimal execution.

Overall:
Apparently this is controversial compared to existing reviews, but this drama is only worth 6-6.5/10, in my opinion. Whilst the plot pulls you in at first, it becomes dull extremely quickly, and only pulls you back in for the ending. Truly a loss. Furthermore, quite a few characters are unlikeable – especially Xin Mei which is an issue considering the amount of screen time she is given. However, Lu Qianqiao is an interesting and easy-to-root-for character who holds much more depth than XM. He has an interesting backstory which fuels his ironclad resolve to 'fit in', somewhere or another, through whatever means possible. This motive makes it easy to follow his intentions, and even easier for the audience to reel themselves in and root for him. While his backstory is described, it wouldn't hurt to have focused more on him instead of XM. If such was possible, the rating could be much higher as the plot does hold potential.

Story/Characters:
At the start of the drama, this plot is quite intriguing and motivates you continue watching, but that only lasts until Xin Mei's revenge arc for Lu Huai ends, with the beginning of her amnesia. The revenge is refreshing and really sets expectations for what Xin Mei's character is like: stubborn in her own morals. It is especially compelling considering her introductory 'detached' character which only seeks to marry a death-row prisoner. As she goes on a killing rampage, the audience feels a need to root for her to clear out these corrupt officials who wrongfully accused an innocent man to death by a thousand cuts. But that's about as much as her character goes. With the start of her amnesia, she grows to become a dull, stubborn, selfish, and self-righteous character who centres the entire world around herself. Bold claim, perhaps, but when she is blinded by her confidence and stubborn morals, she becomes unlikeable. From injuring Lu Qingqiao because she found out about his identity as a War Ghost to lecturing the sect disciples about good v. evil, she somehow has this unwavering confidence that she is always correct, therefore others must listen to her. It is exactly this unwillingness to consider the perspectives of others that makes her unlikeable.

Lu Qianqiao is an interesting character. He seeks to become human because he wishes to fit in somewhere, after living his entire life as neither this, nor that. It is exactly through this that we can understand his character and what is to be expected from him. His mother and father were spies from opposing forces who came together to create LQQ, meaning the fragmentation of his identity is inevitable. He is constantly forced to choose one side, yet he cannot, because he cannot belong entirely to one. Thus, he begins on his quest to truly become a human – it is this motivation that makes the audience want to root for him, becoming interested in the plot. What a pity that the drama decided to (arguably) give more time to XM instead, although even that was poorly-executed.

While this is disputed, I enjoyed A Sheng's character. Whilst she was not likeable, you could understand why she acted as she did, thanks to her entire backstory. This, in clear contrast to Xin Mei who has no explicit backstory aside from a couple lines about her being the only one left in her family, makes it easier to gravitate towards A Sheng. A pitiful child yet cunning child who turns the tables. Even as part of the main character group, she commits her own evils, especially towards Jin Lun, showing that she is not perfect nor does she have to be. She grew up in an environment where you either kill or get killed, so it's no wonder she's so heartless. Again, this ruthlessness and imperfection makes her character interesting. Not good, but interesting.

Overall, the plot has potential. I don't expect much depth nor nuance from idol-dramas, so this plot did exceed my expectations. The introduction of various determinants of good v. evil have the audience unsure about whose side to take. An ally today may become an enemy tomorrow, and vice versa. A clear contrast between the beginning, where the sect disciples are hunting down our main character group, and the final fight, where the sect disciples have allied with the main character group to retaliate against the final evil, the sect leader. It is impossible to fully determine what is good and what is evil, and this plot manages to touch upon that grey area. So much better than a plot where the villain is clear from episode 1, and they are evil for the sake of being evil. However, the middle of the drama drags on and the pacing is a bit odd, making them feel like filler episodes instead of actual plot. Scenes which could have progressed much faster are filled with the characters conversing, even when arguing during action/battle scenes.

Acting:
To start off with the male lead, Ren Jialun as Lu Qianqiao, his acting was fitting for this drama. He is able to accurately create the gradual change from War Ghost to human, as LQQ slowly begins to acquire a more humane understanding of the world. Whether its his childlike wonder for food, or his curiosity about the human experience, the subtleness is there and well-executed, making his character interesting. His range of emotions is the best part about his acting because he doesn't use the same expression or face for sadness, happiness, anger, fury, disappointment, disgust, etc., and actually creates some nuance. To be human is to feel multiple feelings at once, and he portrays that. While this may be the entry-mark to acting, to do so well is difficult, and the bar is considerably low nowadays.

Wang Herun as Xin Mei has absolutely no appeal. I am unsure whether this is a result of her poor acting, XM's confusing character, or both. When I watched the first episode, I had to double check who the female lead was as I felt absolutely no interest towards her; she simply felt like a guest character, no main character sentiments at all. The only time I was even vaguely compelled to focus was the shift from detachment to absolute fury XM faced when Lu Huai was unjustly killed. Such contrast created an actual incentive for me to focus on the story as we watched her unleash her wrath. However, even throughout that storyline, the actress was still lacking that final fit of rage. This feeling of lacking something continues with the rest of the drama, because it seems that she has three expressions: happy when she's with LQQ, sad when something happens, and an inexplicable overconfidence when she is lecturing others.

Leia Mais