This review may contain spoilers
The idea is good and the drama is okay
This is my first YoruDora. Overall I think it's okay. There are a few episodes that I pretty enjoyed and I relate to the characters. I also enjoyed the cast's acting, especially Fukuchi Momoko as the female lead. I like her character, and I'm glad the screenwriter didn't add any romantic male lead to pair with her.The drama didn't really have a specific plot. It's more like a daily recording without a clear start and ending. I think the idea is pretty nice. It's the journey of building a local temporary radio-station in Suzuno town, Noto Peninsula, Japan while rebuilding the town, which was heavily affected by an intense earthquake. It's painful to learn that the earthquake actually happened in real life in 2024. I really appreciate the effort of NNK channel in raising the awareness about the earthquake and encouraging the people to keep going and rebuild their hometown through this drama.
To be honest, I didn't like the female lead in early episodes, and I also didn't really enjoy the first half of the drama. Except for Sakura-san whom I liked from the beginning till the end, other main characters were also not very likable to me in the first half. Their smiles looked a bit fake. I felt like they were trying to hide something behind their masks. However, in the second half, I quite enjoyed watching their masks gradually being taken off. I loved to watch the characters showing their true flawed and vulnerable sides with their own ‘selfish’ feelings. It was heart-warming and relatable. It felt like they were real people, not fictional unrealistic heroes in some fairy tales. That's what I liked the most in this drama.
Somehow I relate to Kanade's story. There are times I also feel so lost in this modern world and feel like everything I do in life is so fake and meaningless. I just want to escape reality and move to a place where nobody knows who I am and hide there forever. Sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough and don't know what to do with my life. A few years ago I actually did find myself a safe place where I lived for a while when I felt so lost. I thought I would live there forever but the pandemic came and changed everything.
Another thing I liked from the drama is how they naturally added 2 weather-warning broadcasts throughout the drama. As someone who also lives in a place with extreme weather and high risk of storms and floods every year, I deeply relate to the panic the main characters experienced in the first broadcast. Somehow I even panicked along with them. I appreciate Kanade's efforts of practicing and I was glad to see her stay calmer and improve herself a lot in the second broadcast. These episodes made me appreciate the efforts of those people who take risks to report weather warnings during severe weather periods.
Some of my favorite lines from the drama:
“People need more than food and sleep to get them through life, right?” - episode 3
“Despite the fact that their hearts tremble with worries… all they ask for is to simply live.” - episode 4
“Mana's life is her own. And I think in order to respect that... We have to make up our minds ourselves & decide what we want to do in life.” - episode 7, said by my favorite character Sakura-san. From what I understand, she was saying only if parents are clear with what they want to do in life and follow their hearts that they can really respect and believe in their children's life choices. I really like this mindset.
Now, let's move to the things I disliked in this drama. There were a few things I can think of at the moment.
First and foremost, the most frustrating thing in the whole drama for me is the man called Matsumoto. He was insufferable to me. I disliked him from the moment he appeared till the end of the drama. There was not a single scene of him that I enjoyed. Unfortunately, he's a main character and he appeared in every episode. He’s probably one of the most annoying characters in slice of life dramas I’ve ever watched. He's also one of the types of person I hate the most. I think he’s so hypocritical. He's the one who started the idea of "Radio Star" and basically he forced Kanade and the others into it. He kept talking about all the great things but always let other people do the job for him. When there's some complaints about the show, it's Kanade who was taking all the blame and pressure for the whole team. Instead of comforting Kanade after she shared that she was in pain and tired of doing the show, the guy again raised his hypocritical voice and forced her to pretend like nothing happened. He then tried to convince Kanade to come back to the show when he realized the show was not fun anymore without her. Then again in the last 2 episodes, he gave himself the right to decide what was good for Kanade’s future and threw her out without her consent and permission. Without asking her what she really wanted in life, he decided what he thought was right for her. What a nice behavior. I hate this kind of behavior the most. He sounds like my mom sometimes, but my mom doesn't sound so hypocritical like him.
Another big thing I disliked in this drama is pretty related to the first thing. It's that Kanade did not continue with Radio Star till the end. Why do a lot of people think it's considered happier and more successful for young people if they keep living and trying to survive in a big city instead of doing something they really like in a small town? I don't like that mindset. I mean, it’s fine if they really want to start building their career again in the big city, for example, Rikuto. He wanted to chase his dream as a comedian again so it was the right thing for him to come back to the city. However, in Kanade's case, she enjoyed being the radio-personality in Suzuno and being a part of the Radio Star team. Why did that guy have to kick her out "for her own goods"? To make things worse, Mana-chan, who is Sakura-san's daughter, came as a guest on a live-broadcast at her new Radio team out of the blue, and asked Kanade about the reason she left Suzuno, as if it was Kanade's fault to leave in the first place. I was so done at that moment. It’s so unfair for Kanade to be treated like an outsider again when she was trying her best to be a part of Suzuno town. Seriously, why did they have to end the drama like that?
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quite disappointed
I can FINALLY write a review about this drama.. took me a while.it unfortunately disappointed me. It started really strong so i was really disappointed how it went further on in the drama.
I said this in another review, the dramas lately feel like a gaming ad. You like the game in the ad and download it, only for it to be completely different and dissapointing.
After the never-ending summer (the downloaded game), was a bummer. They ruined the whole never-ending summer concept that was already so good. If the drama ended on episode 20ish, this would’ve been a complete different review.
The first 20 episodes were really great. The concept was good and it felt really like a never-ending summer. It felt fresh and warm, a great summer breeze with a lot of problems that made us sweat, but somehow the best summer.
By turning the whole concept and making it a stupid work bullshit it got completely destroyed. I don’t want to spoil but the way they ruinited was so weird and off??? I didn’t like the way they ruined the unforgettable summer.
The episodes after 20ish was so hard to watch i needed to motivate myself to finish it. I just don’t know why they feel the need to add another random ass plot in the drama. This is happening to a lot of dramas and i don’t see the benefit?
It disappointed me, yes, but i enjoyed the never-ending summer. So giving it a 7 is the best way out.
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A kingdom haunted by the people who rule it.
This series had me hooked, every episode was packed with action, intrigue, and meaningful plot progression. Most historical dramas revolve around palace politics and manipulation, but The East Palace takes it a step further. Nearly every character is morally grey. Everyone has blood on their hands, and the series doesn't shy away from exposing the darkest aspects of royalty and the pursuit of power. Ironically, the ghosts are better than the living, whose greed, ambition, and hunger for power is far more terrifying.Every actor, from the leads to the supporting cast, villains, and even minor characters, delivered memorable performances. The King was one of the highlights for me—a complex character who remained more mysterious than the plot itself. The Queen Dowager was one of the most compelling antagonists I have watched recently- narcissistic, power-hungry, and utterly ruthless.
Another refreshing aspect was the romance—or rather, the restraint shown in portraying it. The relationship never overshadowed the story. Both leads were emotionally guarded, naturally mistrustful, yet it was obvious through their actions that they deeply cared for one another. Their partnership and camaraderie felt mature, believable, and far more compelling than an overly dramatic romance.
The CGI was also well done. The supernatural world, particularly in the earlier episodes, gave me strong Stranger Things vibes. More importantly, the series knew when to rely on visual effects and when to let the writing, action choreography, and talented cast carry the story. It never felt excessive. Also the Korean mythological creatures were explained earlier on, which helped me keep up with the story. The ending leaves the door open for a sequel. While I would love to see one, I also appreciate that the series ended on such a strong note rather than overstaying its welcome.
If you're looking for a period drama that has mystery, ghosts, shady characters, and a genuinely engaging story over clichéd love tropes, this one is absolutely worth your time.
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Simping Gone Wrong
✅Simping Gone WrongOverdo is peak "Proud Simp" nonsense, and not the fun kind. The show wants you to believe it's a sweeping, tragic romance set in Republican-era Shanghai, but strip away the pretty costumes and dramatic music and what you're left with is one of the most one-sided, emotionally manipulative relationships in recent cdrama history.
✅The Setup That Could've Worked
Murong Qingyi (Zhang Linghe), the abused youngest son of a warlord family, falls hard for Ren Susu (Wang Churan) after a brief but intense connection. Classic melodrama setup. Tragedy strikes, he takes the fall for her, ends up in prison. Believes she died. Heartbreaking, right?
✅The Twist That Breaks Everything
She didn't die. She faked it. Escaped. And let him rot in jail for three years. No letter, no explanation, no looking back. When she finally resurfaces, she's engaged to marry his brother. The woman he destroyed his life for is about to become his sister-in-law. You'd think this would be the moment he wakes up. Nope.
✅The Simping Never Stops
Qingyi still pines for her. Still shows her affection. Still looks at her like she's the sun while she's standing there in his brother's arms. The drama frames this as "enduring love" and "love-hate entanglement," but let's be real—it's pathetic. There's a difference between devotion and self-debasement, and Overdo doesn't know where that line is. The man went to prison for her. She let him. He got out. She married his brother. And he's still chasing? That's not romantic. That's a mental health crisis.
✅The FL Problem
And Ren Susu? Zero remorse. The show tries to handwave her actions with vague "secrets she cannot reveal" and "pain she cannot express," but three years of silence while your supposed soulmate suffers for your sake isn't tragic it's cruel. When she finally faces him again, there's no genuine apology, no real reckoning. Just more mysterious suffering and emotional manipulation disguised as complexity. We're supposed to feel for her because she's "troubled," but all I see is someone who got away clean while her fall guy took the punishment.
✅What Kind of Romance Is This?
The show asks us to root for their reunion, to believe that love conquers all including common sense, self-respect, and basic human decency. But what kind of romance demands that one party suffer endlessly while the other faces zero consequences? Where's the balance? Where's the mutual growth? Qingyi doesn't grow from this; he just suffers more. Susu doesn't grow; she just keeps being mysterious and sad. Nobody wins except the writers who think suffering equals depth.
✅The Wasted Potential
It's frustrating because the pieces are there. Zhang Linghe brings real wounded intensity to Qingyi you genuinely feel his pain, which makes his inability to move on even more maddening. Wang Churan has the look and presence of a compelling tragic heroine, but the script gives her nothing to work with beyond "beautiful woman with secrets." The Republican-era Shanghai setting is gorgeous. The production values are solid. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable. All of it wasted on a dynamic that asks us to romanticize emotional abuse.
✅My final say on the drama
Overdo is a beautifully packaged drama with a rotten core. If you enjoy watching one character suffer endlessly while the other gets away with emotional negligence, congratulations—this is your show. For everyone else, it's a masterclass in how not to write a romance. Love shouldn't mean letting someone destroy you. It shouldn't mean forgiving betrayal without so much as an apology. And it definitely shouldn't mean simping for the person who let you rot in jail while they started a new life. Hard pass.
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This review may contain spoilers
I LOVE itAll characters got unique personality and heartbreaking story. It was easy to get attached to tem.
I love the sisterhood between Belle and Nalin (and I think Belle misunderstood having finally someong caring and trusting her with love).
I also lovee all the 4 couples and their dynamic (Nano and Jane are my personnal favorite)
This drama cover a lot of struggle too many young girl can face, in a hypocritical world - that pretend to care about kids. I was shocked by some part of the story.
This drama made me feel a lot of strong emotions. Can't wait for the specials and Season 2.
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A warm hug in a drama form
A Piece of Your Mind is the definition of a comfort drama. It doesn't rely on loud tropes or fast-paced drama to capture your attention; instead, it gently wraps around you like a warm hug.Everything about this show feels deeply soothing, from the soft, healing storyline to the gorgeous cinematography and serene OST. It treats grief, memory, and love with such tenderness and care. The characters feel authentic, and watching their quiet journey toward healing brings a genuine sense of peace.
If you are looking for a slow-burn romance that feels heartwarming and deeply emotional in the best way possible, this is an absolute masterpiece on its own.
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One of the best Story Plot, Storytelling, Story delivery, Janghyuk carry this, hard
One of the best Kdrama ive ever watch, even with the recent standard,.Story :
A deep lore of story plot that connected each and every character that pops up with their own trait of sins and worry.
Cast :
Most of'em are Top tier, and we got Jang hyuk as the star of the drama, and Lee mi sook was crazy good too.
Music :
ORcestrated with some sudden of an epic sound track that embodied the scene.
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The FL was very hesistant about her relationship with the ML any obstacle and she was out of there until the end where she finally changed. The ML was a nice guy and tried his best but the FL didnt help him most of the time.
I will say I really disliked the stepmum and the FLs mum they were very annoying to watch and acted like self centred teenagers at times.
I liked the dads they were of course flawed but always tried to improve themselves. The rest of the characters were okay they didn't stand out too much except the plot twists of course but I loved Ji Hu that boy was a great son.
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Father-Son Bond
I think this drama is good to watch.Story: At first, I thought this would be a simple romance-and-family drama, because 50-episode dramas usually follow the same plot if you've watched enough of them, plus some overacting here and there. But I was wrong about this one. Even though 50-episode Korean dramas are almost always about family, this one focuses more on a father and son with different perspectives trying to understand each other, but always giving the wrong answers and making things worse. Trying to understand each other is hard without an apology, but they keep trying anyway — they're still father and son, and that's what makes it such a good story. As for the romance between the male and female leads, I can't say much because it's up and down throughout — it's not great until right before the last episode, when it finally gets good. You'll get what I mean about the father-son plot once you reach the last episode.
Acting: You probably already know the cast if you're watching this drama, since it has well-known and famous actors and actresses. I can say their acting is really great — warm family dynamics and genuine emotion come through in their performances.
Music: I'm writing this and I honestly forgot the OST — I can't even remember it, lol.
Overall: I'm a guy who enjoys watching dramas, and I liked this one because I could really feel the emotion in the story and the acting between the father and son. It's a drama worth watching for that alone.
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Acting is great, the characters are okay (I fear I suffer from the second lead syndrom here).
Sadly, I think this is the kind of drama that I'll forget after a few months. It's great but not memorable, a typical BL.
A relationship kind of slow to set up.
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This review may contain spoilers
OMGGG THE FIRST OMEGAVERSE BL
i cannot explain how fucking excited i was waiting for this even though im writing this review after rewatching for the 3rd time i still remember how excited i was the first time. the story itself is not that creative to be honest but i also never seen anything like it in manhwas or novels. the enigma itself is kinda unfamiliar with me even though i have read a lot of omegaverse trope manhwas. in the first four episodes the story is very boring then it gets exciting. hua yong being an enigma wasnt a plot twist tbh because for me it was very predictable. but it was probably predictable because of the first scene of the show. the tRanSluCenT sKin yOuNg Man as stated in the novel (yes i also read the novel after the show) couldnt have been anyone but hua yong. therefore it was very predictable. the screen writing itself was not cringe and the progression for me was good but how the fuck is shen wenlang so stupid. like it gave me a literal cringe attack seeing how stupid of a character he was. he doesnt understand his feeling for gao tu and he doesnt understand that he is literally AN OMEGA. hes so stupid and i hate him he misunderstood everything and was sooooooo unbearable. other than that the vfx was good outfits and makeup was good overall vibes and scenes were good so i think its definitely worth watching yayyyyy.Was this review helpful to you?
I love how it has a lot of girl protecting girl even when they are hating each other.
Both couple got strong chemistry. All character suit each actress well. They did an amazing job at casting and at playing.
Lal is too funny, she a loser. I love her. But to be honest, I would be a loser for Wine in glasses too.
As a Ciize fan (who is surprised?) I'm happy to see her as a secondary couple but I hope in 2027 she will finally be ML again.
Looking foward for JJJ next project.
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I only stayed for the secondaries couple but I lost interest in them to be honest.
The story wasn't that interesting in my eyes.
The only good point is that BN have great chemistry.
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Wow just wow
The Handmaiden (2016) is genuinely one of the most unforgettable movies I’ve ever watched. I went into it without knowing much about director Park Chan-wook, and I honestly wasn’t prepared for how incredible it would be.The cinematography is absolutely stunning, every shot feels carefully crafted, almost like a painting. The storytelling is brilliant as well. Just when you think you’ve figured everything out, the film completely shifts your perspective and reveals another layer. It’s one of those rare movies that rewards paying attention to every little detail.
Beyond the plot twists, what really stayed with me was the atmosphere. The tension, the emotions, the soundtrack, and the performances all come together perfectly. It’s beautiful, unsettling, romantic, and heartbreaking at the same time.
This isn’t just a movie you watch for entertainment, it’s an experience. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with incredible cinematography and masterful storytelling, The Handmaiden is a must-watch. It’s the kind of film I wish I could experience again for the first time.
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Better than I expected but not without its flaws...
I started this because I was craving some Song Wei Long. Despite hearing good things I had low expectations. May-December dramas don't particularly appeal to me but I don't mind the concept. This one was exceptionally well done and well casted actually. It wasn't perfect but the chemistry between the leads had me hooked....
The main couple: I like Victoria Song's music more than her acting but she did pretty well here. It could be because this character is similar to her real personality that made He Fan Xing more believable? And I also think it had to do with her having such good chemistry with SWL. And SWL played his lovesick, cheeky, green flag character perfectly. All of his microexpressions and longing gazes were swoony and very convincing (currently fanning myself thinking of certain scenes lol). He portrayed every moment perfectly from when he was being playful, feeling desire or feeling sadness. Whenever his expressions would drop or darken when he was disappointed or hurt, I really felt for him. Every scene with him was top notch. Although it was stressful seeing him rejected constantly, I still understood where HFX was coming from. She could've handled the situation better but I actually appreciated how human and flawed her character was. She never denied it when Yuan Song called her a coward. But her fear was totally understandable. In these instances it's always the older woman who will be judged harshly. And Yuan Song never seemed to take that into consideration because he didn't care what others think. Yet even if she didn't care what other people think, she still cared about him and did not want to ruin his life or prospects by tying him down to her. On the other hand, I also understood Yuan Song's side. He knew he was committed and he actually did have his priorities straight. In terms of intelligence and professionalism in his career he was already leagues ahead of other people his age. So he was frustrated because she didn't trust him enough to accept his love and she was wrong to make choices for him. He also didn't want to be hidden away. Who does? The whole situation just wasn't fair to either of them.
Luckily their time together made up for the frustrating areas of this drama. These two were seriously cute and their chemistry was on fire! (If you're one of those impatient people who complain about slow-burn, no PDA cdramas, this one doesn't wait long to deliver. It was really refreshing to watch a drama where we start off with them getting together and then watch them work through their relationship, break-up and then find their way back to each other. There was something very raw and intoxicating about this storyline.)
It was nice to see that there were obvious reasons the two of them liked each other as well, besides them just being the leads and being attractive. HFX is young at heart and very inexperienced in love despite her age but her being naive about love I found more endearing than ridiculous somehow. It may be because she also has a long list of amiable qualities on top of being extremely beautiful. She is kind, generous, understanding, elegant, loyal, forgiving, always willing to help anyone, and outspoken/fiery when deserved. And finally she is a good boss, friend, daughter and girlfriend (when she allows herself to be one). So it's completely believable that YS would fall for her. Her biggest flaw...she is NOT good with necklaces lol That and she does lack emotional intelligence and awareness. Although she is highly aware of how her actions affect others and is timid when not wanting to hurt other people, she really isn't good at reading men's romantic feelings at all. She also falls for YS's ragebaiting time and time again lol But it's clear to the audience that he teases her so much because he wants her attention and finds her innocuous anger cute.
It's actually pretty believable that she's never dated and why she likes YS of all people. Someone as pretty and successful as her must have gotten offers from eligible men her whole life. The reason she never accepted any of them was because she genuinely never liked any of them. Yes, YS is handsome but HFX isn't shallow so good looks alone is not enough for her to commit her heart. She doesn't care about a man with money or power. She falls for YS because he is another rare bird in this world just like her so their connection made sense. He also isn't shallow and could have his pick of pretty girls. But YS and HFX both have similar hearts and personalities. The only issue between them was their ages.
Yuan Song radiates youth when he's being playful but mentally and romantically he is a lot more mature for someone his age. He clearly is the one with more experience in love because he's always coaching her through their relationship, which is funny to watch most of the time. He is even wise and gentle with his words when he rejects Cai Min Min in the beginning, but then stays her friend and continues to handle her gently/gives her good advice from a caring perspective. I also found that the leads are even similar in the way they handled the bad situations that came up. They are both passionate and emotional people but also graceful in their deliveries because of how considerate they both are. And as silly as they both could be at times, they were always mature when it mattered. And I appreciated that none of their conflicts were really that terrible. They didn't do anything to each other that created a moral conflict I couldn't get over like a big lie, betrayal or nasty breakup. I think that also goes back to how they both have similar personalities. At their core they are both really caring, innocent-minded people so it's not in their nature to be spiteful or dishonest. They just worked really well together.
I thought that their break up was sad but a crucial part of the story (hence them "finding themselves" as the title suggests). It gave HFX the space and time she needed to realize that YS was the only person who could make her happy. It sounds crappy but I think she needed to try dating Ye Lu Ming to realize that as well. And Yuan Song needed the time to realize the position HFX was in when they were dating. When he did he tried his best to earn her trust and show her that he wasn't a fair weather lover. I can't even be mad at him when he's trying to get her back from Ye Lu Ming because that was just giving YLM a taste of his own medicine. And I can't be mad at him when he gives her a hard time when she finally wants him back either. He's taken all the steps towards her in their relationship and it's her turn to close the distance and prove to him she's not going anywhere.
Ye Lu Ming: I have a love hate relationship for our 2ML. I hated that he was so scheming in the beginning but he was so funny that it made him more bearable somehow. And he really wasn't a terrible person. He was good to his niece and family. And as a friend he was good to HFX when he wasn't scheming. As far as 2MLs go, he was pretty mild and even likable most of the time.
Other couples: Her friends relationships were just mildly interesting. I wanted the best for them and they both came out on top in their storylines so I was happy for them. Song Xue I liked a little more because she was smarter and more supportive to everyone around her. I've seen people say they wished Can Yang would've ended up with her but he's honestly not good enough for her.
He Can Yang & Cai Gua: As a brother and friend I found him adequate. I liked how protective and caring he was to his sister. Them being twins was definitely believable. And he was funny during all their family moments. But as a love interest he was insufferable to me. He was kind of a pretentious know-it-all, playboy turned hypocrite. In the beginning they set him up as smooth-talker and a heartbreaker but then we are supposed to believe that he's this innocent, tame guy in the end? I wasn't buying it. He winds up falling for a student with the same age gap his sister has with the ML. But their relationship just seemed shallow, had zero chemistry and gave me the ick. Cai Gua (Cai Min Min) was earnest enough, cute and loveable on her own but annoying with her crushes. I found her sweet and kind hearted but she was selfish and ridiculous in love. Pairing her with Can Yang was just weird and I found their dynamic awkward. And not because I'm being hypocritical and only accepting the age gap between the leads. But the relationship between the leads actually made sense. Yuan Song is mature for his age and values HFX for all of the right reasons and vice versa. There was really nothing in common between Can Yang and Cai Gua. It just seemed like he settled for her because she wore him down. But she's also very babyish and shameless. She's definitely not mature for her age or his intellectual equal. Not to mention Cai Gua was in love with ML, and Can Yang's best friend, for the first half of the show and publicly confessed to him! It just seemed like them getting together was a last minute decision in an attempt to make the leads' relationship more okay? If that makes sense. The only thing I liked about their pairing was that he tried to teach her to value herself more like Yuan Song did as well. I would've preferred if their relationship didn't progress into romance but he became her mentor and coached her into being a more confident, independent person.
Other characters: I LOVED her parents. They were funny and youthful themselves. You see how they raised their children with love and consideration rather than pressure. Which may have stunted both of them in maturity but also created too good hearted, unique kids. I was devasted when the father got sick in the end. But at least they showed him still well and functioning in the end even though we know his condition will progress in the future.
HFX's employees were all likable and cute. Cong Xiao irritated me at times but she's harmless and made the right decision in the end so all is forgiven. Just seeing sweet Chang Huan happy was all I needed there.
Final thoughts: I would definitely rewatch this if I need a pick me up! It was sweet, funny and thoroughly entertaining from start to finish. Now one of my top SWL dramas!
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