Reviews

SO FUN

It was a bit draggy at some parts and I feel some scenes could’ve been cut (I zoned out), but overall, it was a fun show. I think the pace was fine, and how they first developed into friends first before progressing further made it all the more wholesome. I love the side characters as well. The first few episodes were stressful but I love that there was a need to grow and improve and not have the characters be perfect from the get go. The last arc was a little unnecessary in my opinion, but the final battle was outstanding and the ending was well worth it. Going full-circle was a joy. Would recommend (and already made a friend watch it lol)

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A glorious short drama

This short drama truly plays to its strengths. The rebirth aspect is used to shorten the time it takes to set up the villains and allies within the harem. Short dramas usually feel rushed to me, not so Glory Back. It truly feels like the screen writers and director condensed a harem drama to its most essential scenes. Glory Back benefits from focusing on the revenge story instead of more sprawling harem and state intrigue, though the hints are there. It is a well-played personal story of the FL finding out who harmed her and who is making a mess of the harem in the process.

The male leads are both devoted to the female lead and have their strengths. It is fun to not immediately dislike one over the other. It becomes clear, though, that only one can match the female lead's wit and personality. The progression of the relationships felt very organic.

The visuals are stunning and the production makes good decisions to use the budget they have. They make the harem look like a sprawling place.

Often I feel the last episodes of dramas (both short and standard) can be a real drop in quality, not so here. The very last episode was a bit too wholesome and progressive for the overall story, but that's just how Chinese Drama operate at this point (for good endings).

For a web series this one is simply so good and I am happy a second season has been teased. I would be so interested in this team doing a standard series harem drama.

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recommended watch

great show.
but don't watch the last 10-15 minutes.
because of the standard timetravel censorship.

Despite the restrictions it was niceley written. helping finish the FL's character arc.

story fit well together. there were some things that were rushed.(novel has 2000k chapters) but as someone who hasn't read it, they made the right choices.
the story showed how some people continuously pushed themselves back into the same pit, while others dares to bravely move forward.

the acting really shone in this one. comparing the actors at the start against the end can really show you how much they changed.
but this show does give some characters an ageless feel. they changed behaviorly but dont seem to have gotten older over those 10 years.

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So bad that it becomes frustrating

I have to admit I’m mostly finishing the series just for the sake of it, but I really didn’t like how the development of the main characters was handled. We don’t even really understand why they love each other.

I do think there is some chemistry between them, but the characters are so poorly written and the plot makes so little sense that it becomes frustrating.

I don’t understand the point of adapting a heterosexual work if it’s just to keep the same tropes and the same types of characters in a GL version without any real thought behind it.

Wannueung is particularly hard to tolerate, and I rarely say that about female characters, but this is really too much.

As for the side characters, like Wannueung’s best friend or Win’s ex, they feel completely useless. They add nothing to the development of the story, and even their relationships are uninteresting.

Overall, the series is poorly made and not very entertaining.

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Fun Subverted Harem Trope

This series is unexpectedly hilarious and I found myself looking forward to each episode..I usually hate the harem trope but was surprised at how they subverted it. The writing has a self awareness of all the classic drama tropes and it feels a bit like they are inviting us to be amused by how they can still be upended. Very self aware and doesn't try to be anything other than lighthearted. I genuinely like the ML he is no paragon of virtue but just a nice guy but still a guy. For a short drama his character has some depth. all in all I'm looking forward to the rest of the series .

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An interesting concept that I felt wasn't portrayed properly

Disclaimer

What I am writing here are my views and thoughts about this series. Some of you may not like it. That does not give you the right to try to come at me with your opinions on why this series should get a higher or lower score and why it is better/worse than I think it is. You have your own opinions, and I have mine. Kindly respect that.

Don't get me wrong – this series was addictive and had me coming back weekly every Tuesday and Wednesday, as I wanted to know what would happen next. The concept was interesting, as we found out, along with one of the main characters, the things that he forgot, as well as how and why he ended up this way. And I will admit that the way and reason why all of this occurred was a new and interesting concept to me because I personally did not accept it. I just personally felt that it wasn't portrayed in a proper way, and that's why it lost some marks with me. I mean, I know that it is only an eight-episode series, but still I felt that it was personally rushed at the end, as everything had to be revealed in that last episode.

I feel like I am in the minority with the acting of the actors, as I personally didn't have an issue with their acting skills. I mean, I have seen worse generally, and they just weren't that bad to me (I'm not saying that they were stellar either). They were okay. I am grateful that I decided to give this series a watch.

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A Must-Watch for all Chinese BL Fans!!!

I can't get over this one!!!

See, I knew right after watching the first episode that I had to let it marinate before watching! And five episodes out, I went back to it and wish I had been patient enough to wait for all nine episodes.

It is a good watch!

Don't even hesitate, get into it! And please don't skip after the first two episodes because let me tell you something, episode three is where it starts to hook you in!

I have so much to say about this show but I'll save it! You should watch it and see for yourself.

I'll just say one thing though - THE DETECTIVE AND THE INVESTIGATOR???!!! EXCUSE MEEE!!! Side romance that we didn't know we needed.

I haven't read the story, so I'm new to the whole thing but will definitely be reading it later.

Why are you still reading? Start the show already!!!!

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A poorly executed mix of BL and fantasy. A waste of the actors' talent!

PLOT: When it rains, two soulmates suffer temporary deafness but can still communicate regardless of distance. Tai, traumatized by his parents' (soulmates') separation, refuses to respond to his soulmate for two years. However, when he realizes his soulmate is Phat, an handsome veterinarian, he regrets it because the attraction is very strong. Due to a misunderstanding, Tai initially resists, but the misunderstanding is quickly cleared up.

+++ Good actors, especially Pee (whom I'll be following from now on), but the main character's behavior (Tai) is unbearable (stupid, selfish, inconsistent) ლ(ಠ益ಠ)ლ ლ(ಠ益ಠ)ლ
+++ Pleasant OSTs

### Poorly executed direction: some scenes are unnecessary (or unnecessarily long); many flashbacks and repetitive scenes + many filler scenes (the series should have been 8 episodes maximum)
### Some really stupid (and too obvious) twists
### Inconsistent character behavior (Nara, for example) (calm one moment, devastated the next, ... for no reason)

=> Interesting plot, but very poorly executed. A shame for the actors who did their best to make us care about such a poorly written story!
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Mix (mal foutu) de BL et de Fantasy. un gâchis pr le talent des acteurs !

PLOT: Lorsqu'il pleut, 2 âmes sœurs souffrent d'1 surdité temporaire mais peuvent se parler qqsoit la distance. Tai, traumatisé par la séparat° de ses parents (âmes sœurs), refuse de répondre à son âme sœur pdt 2 ans. Cpdt, lorsqu'il se rend compte que son âme sœur est Phat, vétérinaire, il le regrette car l'attract° est très forte. A cause d'1 malentendu, Tai résiste ds un 1er tps, mais le malentendu est vite dissipé.

+++ Bons acteurs, particulièrement Pee (que je vais suivre désormais) mais le MC a un comportement insupportable (stupide, égoïste, inconstant) ლ(ಠ益ಠ)ლ ლ(ಠ益ಠ)ლ
+++ OSTs agréables

### Réalis° mal travaillée : certaines scènes sont inutiles (ou inutilement longues) ; bcp de flash-backs et de scènes répétitives + bcp de scènes de remplissage (la série aurait du faire 8 ép. maximum)
### Some really stupid (and too obvious) twists
### Comportement des personnages (Nara par ex.) inconstant (apaisée un moment, effondrée le suivant, ... sans raison)

=> Plot intéressant, mais très mal exploité. Dommage pour les acteurs qui ont fait l'impossible pr nous faire adhérer à une histoire aussi mal écrite !

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I loved it

If you are looking for a historical C-drama that masterfully balances high-stakes political intrigue with a deeply grounded romance, "Pursuit of Jade" (逐玉) is a must-watch. Starring Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei, this 2026 series breathes fresh life into the "fake marriage" and "fallen noble" tropes, delivering a cinematic experience that feels both grand and intimate.
​A Refreshing Power Dynamic
​The show’s greatest strength lies in its unconventional leads. Tian Xiwei delivers a powerhouse performance as Fan Changyu, a butcher’s daughter who is as practical as she is fierce. Unlike typical "damsels," she isn't just a love interest; she eventually wields her butcher’s knife on the battlefield, becoming a formidable force in her own right. Opposite her, Zhang Linghe shines as Xie Zheng, the Marquis of Wu’an. He portrays the transition from a broken, hidden noble to a ruthless general with incredible nuance, utilizing micro-expressions that capture his internal struggle between his quest for vengeance and his growing love for Changyu.
​Cinematic Excellence
​Visually, the drama is a "visual odyssey." From the serene, snowy landscapes of Lin’an to the sprawling, gritty battlefields, the cinematography is breathtaking. The production quality is evident in every frame, particularly during the action sequences which are choreographed with a visceral energy rarely seen in idol dramas. The use of traditional instruments like the Suona in the soundtrack adds a haunting, epic layer to the Marquis’s marching scenes.
​Why It Works
​The Chemistry: The slow-burn romance feels earned. Their "marriage of convenience" evolves naturally through shared hardships, creating a "power couple" dynamic where both characters are equally indispensable.
​Narrative Pacing: While the political subplots are complex, the story remains cohesive, focusing on the pursuit of truth regarding a 17-year-old conspiracy.
​Supporting Cast: The villains and side characters (especially the two Princes) are well-developed, ensuring that the stakes feel real.
​"Pursuit of Jade" isn't just another costume drama; it is a beautifully written, expertly acted tale of justice and devotion. It’s a rare gem that honors its genre while boldly carving out its own identity.

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All show No go!

I waited on watching the end of this, felt like I needed a breather, but it didn’t help and it didn’t work for me sadly.
7 episodes in and would have given this 10/10 it was near perfection but it started to unravel slowly, they spent too long in the village, in fact that was a big problem for me with this, locations became stagnant. I started to get distracted when our FL got into the restaurant business, but it picked up, despite its sadness, with the village massacre and her incredible fight scene spinning through the air. ZLH lost it for me here, his character started to make less and less sense to me , especially regarding his little sister or lack there of and that’s when it really started to unravel.
The time in camp seemed like a whole lot of nothing, Feeble battle scenes, a whole lot of cooking, a great general not generaling, even riding in with feathers lost all impact because he’d done nothing to earn them and the unbelievable almost comical fight scenes by our FL, finally defeated any chemistry I felt for the couple, they actually got irritating.
I’d already started to feel like shipping the FL with Lord Li, but at this point I wouldn’t wish that on Lord Li. I think I liked Lord Li so much because his character actually had some flesh on the bones.
The last three episode got better, but they weren’t great, which says it all. They were a mish mash of all the stories concluding but done poorly, I mean what was that final non battle in the palace?
The villains were great, but again not enough screen time or fleshing out of their characters stories, they felt rushed and don’t even get me started on the three of them hanging off of the wall, chained together having a whole ass dialogue in perfect stillness, no pain, struggle or fear.
The political intrigue was much needed but came too late and not enough, I was left wanting more of the prime ministers story, his wife’s and her son and his lover and of course the previous king. That could have been a whole episode on its own.
We had sparse exchange with our ML’s and even the bath tub scene left me flat because it came out of nowhere.
The second couple had all the chemistry and stole the limelight, but we saw them too little.

In conclusion, I don’t know what happened from episodes 1-7 to the rest but it felt like the screenwriter or editor got a lobotomy. I ended up giving it a MDL 7.5 but honestly that is because of those first 7 episodes and I think I’m being generous, both structure, pacing and character development went out of the window for me, no amount of beautiful scenes, styling or big names could save this imho for me anyway.

The takeaways were some brilliant child acting those kids stole the show, those perfect first episodes and definitely actors I’m going to look out for in the future, oh and our 🔥 uncle, he got me through!

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A Beautiful Journey Through Time and Emotion

Love Upon a Time finally graces our screens after years of delays and production challenges, a true testament to the resilience and dedication of everyone involved. While the concept of time-traveling to a historical period isn’t entirely new, the drama breathes fresh life into a familiar plot with its comforting story of eternal love and sacrificial devotion—a perfect escape from the real world.

The first episode is a masterclass in storytelling. The time-travel sequence is fully covered, yet the narrative never feels rushed or boring; instead, it flows naturally, keeping viewers engaged from start to finish. The cinematography is breathtaking, making every historical set and costume detail feel rich and immersive, reflecting the team’s meticulous attention to each character’s nuances.

The cast delivers remarkable performances. JJ, in his first major drama, impresses with his emotional depth and screen presence, effortlessly pulling viewers into his character’s journey. Net shines brilliantly despite limited screen time, hinting at the layers of story to come. KimLatte adds charm and warmth, rounding out a stellar ensemble that brings the script to life.

The original soundtrack is subtle yet evocative, perfectly complementing the emotional beats and enhancing the period setting. With its captivating performances, thoughtful storytelling, and visual richness, Love Upon a Time is a drama with high rewatch value, inviting viewers to immerse themselves again and again in its world of timeless romance.

It’s a first episode that promises so much more to come, making it clear that this is a series crafted with love, care, and an unwavering belief in the magic of storytelling.

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