One criticism I keep seeing is that the characters are "toxic," "abusive," or "irredeemable." While those labels aren't entirely wrong, stopping there misses what the drama is trying to explore. Double Helix isn't interested in presenting morally righteous characters. It examines what happens when love develops in an environment dominated by fear, power, emotional neglect, and social prejudice.
Lu Feng is probably the most controversial character. Many of his actions are controlling, impulsive, and at times indefensible. But the series repeatedly hints that these behaviours are rooted in the way he was raised. Growing up in a family where love is conditional and obedience is valued above emotional expression leaves him emotionally stunted. He confuses possession with protection and control with security. His greatest flaw is not a lack of love, but his inability to express it in a healthy way. That doesn't excuse the harm he causes, but it explains why he believes that holding on tighter is the only way to avoid losing the person he loves.
Cheng Yichen is often misunderstood because his passivity is mistaken for weakness. In reality, his silence is a survival mechanism. Unlike Lu Feng, who externalizes his emotions through anger and control, Yichen internalizes everything. He has spent years prioritizing everyone else's expectations over his own happiness. His decisions often appear frustrating because they are driven by fear, guilt, and self-sacrifice rather than desire. He isn't indecisive. He has simply been conditioned to believe that his own needs matter the least.
What fascinated me most was how both characters repeatedly hurt each other while genuinely believing they were acting out of love. Neither possesses the emotional tools to build a healthy relationship because neither has ever experienced one. Their tragedy is not the absence of love but the absence of emotional maturity, communication, and psychological safety.
The drama also refuses to make family and society passive background obstacles. Homophobia, rigid family expectations, and the pressure to protect family reputation are active forces shaping every decision. Many of the characters don't choose freely. They choose the option that seems least destructive within a system that has already limited their choices. Personal responsibility still exists, but the story insists that responsibility and circumstance can coexist.
What I appreciate most is that Double Helix never asks the audience to celebrate harmful behaviour. Instead, it asks us to confront an uncomfortable truth: people can be victims and perpetrators at the same time. Trauma can explain cruelty without absolving it. Love can exist alongside manipulation. A person can be deeply devoted and deeply damaging simultaneously.
That moral ambiguity is the drama's greatest strength. It trusts its audience to wrestle with contradictions instead of handing out easy heroes or villains. Whether you ultimately sympathize with Lu Feng or Yichen is less important than recognizing that both are products of wounds they never learned to heal.
Double Helix isn't a romance about perfect love. It's a psychological study of how love is distorted by trauma, power, and fear, and how two broken people struggle to find each other despite carrying the weight of everything that broke them in the first place.
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Background Motive is the only trash.
A trauma experienced by an 8-year-old child can certainly leave a wound, but it is highly unlikely to turn into deep-seated resentment. In particular, I don't believe that a brief, hours-long encounter leading to dissatisfaction in an 8-year-old would escalate into a deeply rooted trauma. A 13-year-old teenager would be a different story. Based on Child Psychology and Mindset Development, I analyze that it wouldn't naturally escalate to this extent.However, reflecting on my dissatisfaction with Episode 6, the narrative flow itself reveals that the events and the story being told by the boy do not feel like a novel written with a meticulously planned beginning, middle, and end that was later refined. Instead, it feels more like a travelogue or a collection of memo notes, unfolding spontaneously day by day based on whatever happens next. Therefore, given the twists and turns of the plot, I can only conclude that the Professor is just a big fool—blindly believing every single line and fully romanticizing everything created by the storytelling prowess of that boy.
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relationally deep
this drama handled so many things well. lots of times I’ll watch a drama and once the couple gets together, it’s so boring wi th nothing left to the story. this drama didn’t do that at all. we don’t find out some important information until almost the end and they tied it up nicely.also the couples in this were so well done. lazy husband of pregnant wife and unappreciative husband of long time wife are both redeemed. I appreciated how it showed these kinds of relationships. these clueless men have no idea what they’re doing wrong and we get to go through their process of realization.
also I couldn’t really get over the kids. they were such a cute addition and their tears made me cry more than anything else.
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This was everything I'd hoped for.
(I got a few questions at the bottom of this review if anyone wants to answer them)Goddess Bless You From Death had everything I love: horror, mystery, romance, humor, you name it.
It is such a beautifully shot, atmospheric show. Even the abandoned/dilapidated buildings had a haunting beauty to them and the way they were shot. The plot was just complex enough to keep you wondering and guessing, but not too complex that you had a hard time following along. The makeup for the deceased/sacrificed characters was so creepy I will forever have nightmares about The Split Mouth Ghost and the Hollowed Eye Ghost.
I had no clue about one of the ghost kids being Thup's half-brother, but I did have my suspicions about Aisoon being Atikun. Overall, I was hooked from the first episode and loved every second of it. I enjoyed seeing an actual relationship with Darin and Sey since we didn't get much in PitBabe. I think their chemistry can make them a powerhouse in the BL world. (But maybe lose the red/pink hair) I love puppydog Pooh and tough Pavel, but I would love to see the roles reversed in the future.
I still have a few leftover questions, so if you read this and have the answers, let me know.
* Who was Bau, and why was Atikun/Asioon crying over their body and singing happy birthday to them? We know he had two kids, Bom by Chaba and Thup by Dao, so was Bau supposed to be another kid of his?
* When we start the show, the seven body ritual was completed already. Why was it restarted? From what I saw, it wasn't interrupted; Thup found the doll by the tree later on. So why was the ritual repeated so soon?
*What was the point in showing the Hollowed Eyed Ghost killing Mesa? Was that just a way to connect Mesa and Thup since they could both see ghosts?
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When guidance becomes possession and talent becomes a weapon
Notes from the Last Row is a slow-burn, character-first drama that makes its power in small, exacting moments rather than plot fireworks. At its centre is Heo Mun O (Choi Min-sik), a once-promising writer turned cynical professor whose life is reshaped when he notices Lee Gang (Choi Hyun-wook), a reticent student with an unsettlingly original voice. What begins as mentorship soon tilts into something darker: Mun O’s hunger to reclaim meaning and Lee Gang’s brutal, unguarded talent form a combustible dynamic that the series explores with clinical intensity.Choi Min-sik anchors the show with a layered performance — wounded, charismatic, and quietly menacing. He makes Mun O feel simultaneously sympathetic and unnerving; you understand his motives even as you recoil from his choices. Choi Hyun-wook matches him in a subtler register. As Lee Gang he conveys an eerie maturity and emotional restraint that make the character’s eruptions and manipulations land with real weight. Their scenes together are the show’s strongest currency: electric, unpredictable, and often painfully intimate.
Supporting players deepen the texture rather than divert attention. Huh Joon-ho’s Kim Su-hun and Kim Yoon-jin’s An Eun-ju provide moral counterpoints and human stakes that keep the central pair from becoming an isolated experiment. Jin Kyung as Cho Hyeon-suk offers quiet solidity; her presence adds needed shading to the story’s ethical questions.
The series excels at tone and atmosphere — muted cinematography, careful pacing, and a melancholic soundscape underline the themes of authorship, ownership, and the cost of ambition. It deliberately refuses tidy moralizing: characters are flawed in ways that make judgment complicated, and the show invites you to sit with that ambiguity.
Pacing will test some viewers. The narrative leans on conversation, implication, and psychological escalation rather than action, so those expecting a conventional thriller may find it slow. But if you appreciate character studies where tension is born from intimacy and moral compromise, Notes from the Last Row rewards patience.
Who it’s for
Fans of performance-driven dramas and psychological mentorship stories.
Viewers who like moral ambiguity, slow-burn tension, and strong lead work.
Not ideal for audiences wanting fast-moving plots or clear-cut heroes and villains.
Bottom line
A smart, unsettling study of influence and obsession carried by two extraordinary leads. It’s less about plot twists and more about the corrosive emotional logic between teacher and student — a painful, compelling watch for those who value acting and character over spectacle.
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Fun to watch
It was really enjoyable to watch. This one was listed on Netflix as “Leaving Soon”, it’s a shame I didn’t watch it sooner, because I would have loved to watch it again. The lead actors did a fantastic job. The chemistry between the two leads was wonderful to watch. Especially when they laughed together, particularly when the male lead said or did something funny. I was hooked until the very end, especially because of the twists and turns that unfolded throughout the series. And I haven’t even mentioned the leads’ outfits yet, the male lead, in particular, really stood out with his suits and jackets.Was this review helpful to you?
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I Actually Liked It??♀️
Quick Overall Thoughts:The ship, their chemistry, the acting by the cast members, and the romance plot carried this show. The production value is incredible as well. However, the plot involving the police case could've been better. It wasn't explored deeply enough for the issues it tried to handle/bring to light.
I do enjoy watching this ship, so some may call me biased. But I do feel that, despite the issues further outlined below, this is a good show to give your time to. While it still deals with deep family and societal matters, it is a much lighter instalment than what we got in 'My Stand In,' and a chance to see what else the actors bring to the proverbial table
Okay, now for my actual thought spewing...👇🏾
What I Liked
🍓The Acting - The people in the cast did their job well. I saw Up back in 2022 in 'Lovely Writer,' then spent 2 years hoping he'd grace my screen again. I'm glad he and Poom chose to be a pair coz I get to see more of him. Poom, the man, blew me away in his role as Joe in 'My Stand In'. And now in this show, he once again proves that he is not a one-hit wonder. May the BL gods and whatever powers that be in that world keep giving them more roles, interesting scripts, good production budgets, and good directors.
Ps. I feel like I should give a shout-out to the actress who played Wayu's sister. Her crying in their reunion scene remains stuck in my mind. It genuinely felt and sounded like she was crying from the very depths of her soul.
🍓The Chemistry - The ship never fails to deliver on the chemistry front, and I love that they choose to go all the way in delivering the scenes as they are required.
🍓The Comedy - From the bits of the trailer that I'd seen b4 the show aired, I'd expected the show to be more on the more serious and sensual side. So you can imagine my confusion and worry after seeing all the comedy in the 1st 2 episodes. It is no secret that Thai comedy is usually a miss for me. However, I liked it in this one. It wasn't overly done and didn't overwhelm or take away from the show. I appreciate that toning down from what we're generally used to
🍓Wayu's & Tai's Friendship - Somebody once left a comment saying that these two gave off the vibe of 'two idiots sitting together telling each other 'exactly!'' and I couldn't have put it better if I tried. They are so idiotic. Great friends, but both are dumbasses. I still cannot believe that Wayu's police spy finsta was never discovered by the bad guys they were trying to catch and used against him/Krit.
🍓The Plot - It is different, and I appreciate that. While some aspects could've been explored further, I appreciate that we ventured outside the box. While Wayu was still in uni, this is not a university-based series. It is also more grounded in real-life issues that both characters face, including familial, financial, career, and societal concerns.
🍓The pole dancing - I liked most of the dance scenes in the Moonlight bar. However, the pole scene... that takes the entire cake. I have always had (and still have) a deep respect for people who can do pole. While I do agree that the dance is sexy, I think what always wows me more is the balance, as well as core and upper body strength needed for pole tricks. By God, I too shall learn how to do pole b4 I exit this earth.
🍓Rose - The actress is talented and beautiful. The character she played was a good friend and offered good comedic relief. We should've seen more of her
What Could've Been Better
🍓The Plot - I think romantic shows that explore serious topics often have a problem balancing both sides.
For example, I loved the investigation side of 'Goddess Bless You From Death,' but I felt that the romance took a back seat. In this one, I loved seeing their feelings grow, their individual struggles with both families, Wayu's financial matters, both characters' relationship with Singto, etc., but felt disappointed by the investigative side.
The police plotline had some potential. Things like
a. Krit navigating being a superior at work while simultaneously being looked down upon since he likely got his title due to nepotism
b. The sex trafficking and human organ trafficking thing - We could have gone deeper with this. Imagine all the corrupt politicians and likely police officers who also benefited from the lives lost due to the organ and sex trafficking ring
c. Ice and his creepy darkweb sex, p🌽rn, and murder business. That likely could've been tied to point 'b' above
I think they'd have been really interesting had we seen more of these things. Could've also tied up the loose ends of the investigation plot better. The bad guy storyline just up and disappeared ater the arrest.
🍓The fight scenes - They could've been directed better TBH. They don't look realistic/convincing, and some feats were outright impossible
🍓 Krit's Parents - Just thinking about them makes me mad all over again. Episode 9 really hurt me. Unless I'm mistaken, this is the episode in which they break up because of the threat that Krit's dad made. The same episode where Krit's mother heard her son breaking down and weeping in his room, and simply walked away, doing nothing. Changing nothing. Just chose to stand behind her husband as he once again forced his son to get married. This time it's even worse coz they know what his sexual orientation is, but their wants and position in society matter more than their kid.
The mum makes me livid. She just sat there doing nothing, but it's framed as though she's the better parent because she didn't abuse her son or actively push him to get married. Yeah, she didn't do all that, but she sat passively while her husband did it. She turned a blind eye to it all, and that makes her just as bad, if not lowkey worse IMO. And let's not forget how she never even knew that her son hated potatoes!!
As for the dad.... Man, I'm tired of this man. Idk about the actor IRL. He's probably a great man. I wouldn't know. But, like..., why is this man a horrible dad in every universe I see him in? He was shit in this drama, he is shit in the currently airing 'Ticket to Heaven', and I'm currently on EP 6 of 'The Evil Lawyer' and guess what....he's a crappy dad and husband in there too!!!! Does the entire Thai industry have this man on speed dial when they need someone to play a homophobic dad and shitty husband? My God!
Now back to the show. After all the shit they put their son through for (I'm assuming) 30 years of his life, all that gets sorted (read swept under the rug) in point 5 seconds because the mum sees Wayu take care of Krit at the hospital and the dad hears that Wayu is a talented and award-winning interior designer? This once again shows how uncaring and classist Krit's parents were. Horrible people.
I do love that Krit got to be happy and accepted by his family, and they accepted the man he loved and his poorer family, too. I think he deserved to feel that familial love from his family after being denied it for so long. But still... I'd have liked a better resolution than what we got.
🍓Wait...now that I think of it, wasn't Wayu in school to be an architect? How did that change to interior design?
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A Beautiful Blend of Fantasy, Mystery, and Romance
A joyous wedding at the Wei Manor is intruded by six highly skilled, uninvited guests: two cunning nine-tailed fox spirits, two Shilin guards from the temple of the Dragon Deity, and two formidable demons. Each serves a different master, each has their own agenda, yet all have come searching for the same person—Xiao Wei, a fugitive from the Formless Moon Fox Shrine and the prime suspect behind a series of brutal murders.The Shilin guards are particularly intriguing. One is the temple's respected commander, while the other appears to be an ordinary, seemingly powerless young man. Yet behind closed doors, even the commander obeys his every command. Who is he, and why does he command such unquestionable authority?
Their investigation soon leads them to a temple devoted to the God of Matchmaking, but this murder case is merely the first piece of a much larger puzzle.
What I enjoyed:
Veil of Shadows is a captivating blend of fantasy, romance and mystery, wrapped in gorgeous costumes, impressive visual effects, a beautiful soundtrack, and a cast that both looks the part and delivers strong performances.
The story is its greatest strength. Rather than ending with the resolution of Xiao Wei's case, that investigation opens the door to an even greater mystery. Powerful factions are secretly competing for the Dragon Deity's divine power. Can the current Dragon Deity—the last survivor of his dragon clan—protect that power with only a handful of human Shilin guards? And what terrifying force is Xiao Wei really running from?
The plot is cleverly layered. There is never just one secret waiting to be uncovered. Nearly every major character hides another identity, another past, or another truth—sometimes even from themselves. As the story unfolds through multiple timelines and repeated attempts to change fate, each journey reveals new consequences. Every solution creates another problem, keeping the suspense alive throughout.
Visually, the drama is a feast. Joseph Zeng and Tian Jia Rui are effortlessly charismatic, while Ju Jing Yi and Chen Du Ling are absolutely stunning in their costumes and styling. There are attractive actresses throughout the cast, but this is one drama where the handsome male cast almost steals the spotlight. More importantly, both lead couples share excellent chemistry, making the romantic moments genuinely enjoyable.
What I did not enjoy:
There are only a few shortcomings.
One mystery near the ending is left unexplained. Ji Ling brings the nine-tailed fox fairy back to the present, yet the present-day Ji Ling is still the innocent young man who has never experienced the tragic events of the earlier timeline. So what became of the older Ji Ling who brought the nine-tailed back? That loose end left me wondering whether it was intentionally left open or simply overlooked.
The plot can also become confusing at times. With its multiple timelines, intertwined storylines, and numerous hidden identities, it occasionally demands your full attention. Fortunately, most of the confusion is eventually resolved as the pieces gradually fall into place.
Final thoughts:
Although I would not place Veil of Shadows among the absolute top-tier fantasy dramas, it is still a thoroughly enjoyable watch. It offers an engaging mystery, memorable characters, beautiful production values, and enough twists to keep you guessing until the very end. If you enjoy fantasy dramas filled with hidden identities, ancient legends, romance, and time-bending mysteries, this one is well worth your time.
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I watched this for Cheng Lei... and honestly, I have no regrets.
I'm not even going to pretend I started this drama because of the story. I watched it for one reason and one reason only: Cheng Lei.I absolutely love him as an actor. His acting is always so natural, and let's be honest... his smile alone is enough to make me start a drama. So when I found out he was in Footprints of Change, I immediately gave it a try.
Everything involving his character was enjoyable to watch. He completely kept my attention, and I genuinely liked every scene he was in. His chemistry with his co-actor was completely mind-blowing. their chemistry is top notch !
That said, once his part was over, I lost all interest. I didn't really want to continue watching the rest of the story or the other characters, so I decided to drop the drama. It wasn't because I thought the show was bad. I was simply there for Cheng Lei, and once I got what I wanted, I was satisfied.😭
So if you're watching this for the overall story, I can't really give a fair opinion since I didn't finish it. But if you're a Cheng Lei fan like me, his scenes are definitely worth watching! 😭❤️
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Started with so much potential... but slowly lost its spark.
When I started The First Jasmine, I was genuinely excited. I love Cheng Lei, and he usually has great script choices, so pairing him with Bai Lu made me think this drama was going to be something special cuz yk she's good actress.The beginning was honestly really good. The female lead was smart, straightforward, and focused on getting her revenge instead of creating unnecessary drama. The male lead was cold and ruthless, which made their dynamic interesting. I also liked the backstory between the male lead and his brother because it added another layer to the story.
But somewhere around episode 20–25, the drama completely lost its momentum. The pacing became painfully slow. It felt like the story stopped moving, and even the characters seemed stuck in place. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never really did.
One character I absolutely loved was Ye Ying. I was really hoping her relationship with Mo Jinglin would develop more. She sacrificed so much for him and loved him no matter what, so I wanted to see him slowly realize her worth and genuinely fall in love with her. Instead, their scenes were cut short, which was disappointing. Even though he was one of the main villains. I love his acting. I found him far more interesting than some of the main plot. 😭❤️
The romance between the Cangbei princess and the male lead's friend, though... I honestly couldn't care less. It felt unnecessary and only slowed the story down even more.
I also expected the female lead's illness to lead to something much bigger, but it ended up feeling underwhelming. And don't even get me started on the male lead. The moment he learned the truth, his first reaction was divorce? Seriously? Then he rushed to Lishan Mountain after realizing she wasn't there, and somehow his hair turned grey in what felt like a few hours. That was just way too dramatic and made no sense to me.
One character I really enjoyed throughout the drama was the Emperor. The actor gave such a strong performance and made every scene interesting.
Overall, I don't think this drama is bad, but it definitely didn't live up to the expectations I had after such a strong start. It had good actors, interesting characters, and plenty of potential, but the slow pacing and some questionable writing choices made it hard for me to stay fully invested.
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Cute but a bit too silly
Genuinely started crying at the very last after the bloopers oh my god they’re married in their next life which is what I said half way through the film btw!! not a bad movie by any means but I do think the og took its self more seriously while still managing to be funny, not a bad thing that this one was silly but im result there was some substance missing yk, like for example whil Menn/Han Ming’s homophobia was something broken down throughout the movie here it was something that just resolved it self at the endWas this review helpful to you?
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I came back for Cheng Lei... and stayed because MoLi was actually good
I think Moli just ended my C-drama slump for the past two months. But weren't we all taking a break from ongoing dramas during that period? Lol.Anyway, here's my review.
First of all, I'm a fan of Cheng Lei, but not really of Bai Lu. I've watched three of her previous dramas and only managed to finish one (Story of Kunning Palace). So when they announced Moli's release date, I packed my bags from K-drama land and immediately came back just for Cheng Lei. Lol.
When I watched the first few episodes, I noticed they didn't use that many filters. The editing and color grading felt so raw that I could actually see their pores, eyebrows, and even the girls' blush. I'm not complaining, but after spending years watching dramas with heavy filters and color correction, it was surprisingly refreshing.
Another thing I noticed was how quiet some scenes felt. The background sounded so empty in a few parts, and I don't know why they didn't add any BGM. Usually, there are birds chirping, leaves rustling, or at least some instrumental music playing in the background. But I eventually got used to it, and by the later episodes it felt normal. I really liked the couple's OST, though.
Story-wise, I didn't read the synopsis beforehand, so I went in with zero expectations and without comparing it to the novel. I honestly don't care how they portrayed Mo Xiuyao in the novel, I really liked him in the drama. And Ye Li too, of course. She has to be one of the strongest human beings ever. If I were in her position, I would've REALLY buried myself in that hole already. She suffered so much, and it's completely okay to pity her.
I think the pacing across all 40 episodes was executed pretty well. I read somewhere that they cut a lot of Cheng Lei's scenes, and as a Cheng Lei fan, all I can do is hope they'll release them as special clips or something. But I also understand that Bai Lu is the main highlight of this drama. Like I mentioned earlier, I'm not her fan, but I know she's a sweetheart and she's a very capable actress. Still, Cheng Lei was the one who kept me watching, so I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. I'm sorry :(((
The pacing was good overall, but the ending felt like a letdown. No, not the main couple's ending, I mean the supporting characters. Mo Jingli's final rebellion scene was such a disappointment. What do you mean he lost just like that? Mo Xiuyao didn't even do anything, like, no attack, no COOL entrance, nothing. Yes, he saved Ye Li, but... he didn't really save her. He was just... there... if you know what I mean. Come on, director. You could've given us an epic flying-blocking-attacking-stabbing three-way fight between Ye Li, Mo Xiuyao, and Mo Jingli 😭 Instead, the arrows ended everything. Oooookay.
Then there's the Empress Dowager's ending. It was so anticlimactic to let her die ‘peacefully’ in her own bed. I wanted her own son to issue an imperial edict FIRST, strip away her title, exile her, and let her die in the poorest conditions ever. Lol. I guess I was just craving some dramatic ending after my C-drama slump. But who am I? I'm not the scriptwriter or the producer haha.
The main couple's ending, though, was adorable. I loved how Ye Li finally succeeded in finding her husband on the battlefield, just like what she wanted to do when she was younger. I'm convinced they cut the bed scene after their reunion (I choose to believe that!), which was annoying, but the closure at Lishan Academy still had me in tears. You've worked so hard, Ye Li. Now please, just walk the flower path together from now on ☹️
By the way, I really don't understand why people are hating on Mo Xiuyao for divorcing Ye Li. What he did was actually valid and realistic. It was a misunderstanding. He genuinely believed Ye Li was only repaying a debt and didn't actually love him. He wasn't exactly in the healthiest state of mind either, so it's understandable that he misread her intentions. Honestly, Ye Li's initial reason for helping him was probably really to fulfill the promise she made to his brother. It just gradually turned into love so naturally that people couldn't even pinpoint the exact moment her feelings changed. That conflict was absolutely necessary for the story and it was actually my favorite part because apparently I enjoy watching my favorite characters suffer (?) hahahahaha. This isn't one of those smooth, too-good-to-be-true first-love stories from a youth drama, you know, and that's exactly why I liked it. I especially loved the main couple's love language, particularly Mo Xiuyao's constant nagging and scolding. He genuinely cared about his wife, he just... didn't really know how to express it in a green-flag way lol. Poor A Jin had to witness all of it. Anyway, they're both soooo cute.
And there's really nothing to say about their acting except that both of them are pros. Like, they can actually move their faces. I cried when they cried, and I laughed when they laughed. What more could I ask for? The supporting cast was also excellent. Ye Li's crew and Mo Xiuyao's crew absolutely deserved to be thereeee. I love A Jin so much. Please give this man a raise! He's a babysitter, an adopted son to his dad, a matchmaker, a bodyguard, and the most dedicated audience member throughout MoLi's entire journey. He even cried together with his dad ☹️
Shoutout to Senior Li too, because he deserved every second of his screentime. And Ye Ying... she really is the definition of "love is blind." I almost skipped her scenes with Mo Jingli in Episode 38 because she was just that frustrating to watch. So stupid, oops, sorry lol.
Style-wise, Cheng Lei with white hair looked FANTASTIC, although Song Mo still wins for me haha. Sorry, Cheng Lei. Xiao Dudu and Xiahou Dan are still your best looks in my opinion. But I'll always love you anyway lol. As for the girls, I never thought I'd actually like the Tang dynasty's tall, rounded hairstyles, but they looked beautiful, especially Ye Ying's. Qing Yu's side buns, though... she startled me every single time she appeared on screen. Haha. But I have to say, the actress really looks like those women from ancient Chinese Tang dynasty you see in history books.
Last but definitely not least, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MOLI BECAUSE CHENG LEI USED HIS OWN VOICE FOR DUBBING!! That is an achievement. Lol. That's it. That's all. I'm so proud of him. Please keep using your own voice in your future dramas, pleaseeeee.
Overall, Moli was a great cure for my C-drama slump. The empty release schedule in May and early June was so painful that I actually went back to watching K-dramas again. I actually watched Ashes of Crown and Dazzling before Moli (with a completely flat face and 1,5x speed, honestly), and I can confidently say that it wasn't until Moli that I finally felt like calling myself a C-drama fan again. As a Cheng Lei fan, it's still a little disappointing because of his ‘limited’ screentime. But considering the C-drama drought I've been going through, Moli was definitely a solid comeback and one that reminded me why I fell in love with C-dramas in the first place.
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The Final Episodes Were Disappointing
The first half of the series was captivating — Ye Li came across as formidable, with sharp schemes and remarkable foresight. She was always a step ahead, and those glimpses of her fighting skills in her delusions gave me hope for more action against worthy opponents. I was heartbroken when Mo Xiu Yao divorced her, leading her to the forsaken Li Shan Academy in a disillusioned state of mind. Another painful blow came with Princess Ling Yun’s murder, leaving Feng Zhi Yao devastated.As the story moved toward its conclusion, the pacing slowed. Ye Li’s drive for business expansion faded, and she shifted into more of a supporting role. The formidable combat skills I anticipated never materialized, nor were there signs of a larger family or future offspring. Her rhetorical exchanges with the dying Empress Dowager felt subdued compared to her earlier sharpness. Most disappointing of all, Ye Li never fulfilled her revenge arc of killing the four people she had sworn to destroy.
Sadly, the final episodes left me struggling — the brilliance and intensity of the beginning gave way to a muted close that didn’t deliver on the promise of Ye Li’s character.
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The writers forgot what a Bromance is
Pros:- Gayer than a lot of BLs I've seen.
- Saint and Shin are in love. Call it bromance if it makes you happy, but these boys are in love. You don't get to have at least one teary, heartfelt confession scene every episode and call this a bromance if you ask me.
- A bunch of hooligans slowly realize they have more in common than they thought and become a great found family.
- Several characters gets problems to work through besides just Saint and Shin. It's a full ensemble cast.
- The acting was on point. A lot of good GMMTV people are in this show. Sky and Nani knock this shit out of the part with the longing looks, the tears, the tight swallows and the righteous fury and all the teasing in between. But the cast is fire. Mark Pakin fucking nailed Chadjen, the twins were very convincing bullies, Mark Jiruntanin convinced me he was about to have a breakdown, Bonnie was wonderful in her expressions of trauma and fear of being replaced. A+ all around.
- Canon lesbian characters.
Cons:
- Who chose the free-to-use music in the background? Sometimes it hits and sometimes you hear the lyrics like "who tf picked this song? what?"
- They dragged out the guys not making up a little too long. Could have been resolved an episode earlier and saved us some frustration.
- The writers put several characters in situations where they should end up in a hospital and then... no one goes to the hospital. We get ...3? hospital scenes, and it should have been like 10.
- The entire school board and admin team fucking sucks. Like that's not how a school system works BAD. That's not how you treat kids BAD. Luckily most of the board has minimal screen time.
- No one kissed. - I know, with how often Saint and Shin stared at each other's mouths or shared an intense and close stare, you'd think it would happen, but no. I know, one lesbian character admits they used to have a crush on another lesbian character and they become friends, but no. No kisses.
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Incest bait
This show is practically as my header reads. The first half is very pleasant to watch and see how a family doesn’t have to be blood related…until the two leads end up dating each other😐 Sure, it’s not blood related, but still really weird considering they called each other brother and sister before the time skip.The ending was a slog to get through unfortunately, every other scene was between Juwon and Sanha, which I feel had no chemistry together, which I find unfortunate given I decided to watch this show because of Hwang Inyeop. Although I did really love Haejun and his actor, definitely my favorite part of the show.
Haejun was the star of this drama for me. Despite being dumb and…just really dumb, he was charming to watch. His whole relationship with Dal was my favorite sub-plot by far, I really enjoyed their chemistry. Also Song Jihye is such a great actress and Dal is just so cute. Choi Wonyoung was also superb, but I expected that from him after Twinkling Watermelon.
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