Reviews

Funniest Romantic Drama

It’s a chaotic mix of comedy, wholesome moments, and also strong, serious elements.

It somehow finds its rhythm, evolving from a childish, cringey vibe into genuinely great comedy, with lovable leads who have strong chemistry.

Despite having a controversial plot point at one stage — presenting something closer to harassment as love — the series is overall very entertaining, with plenty of wholesome and satisfying moments.

While the plot sometimes relies on miscommunication and convenient writing choices, the story still develops into satisfying conclusions, and the character dynamics keep it engaging throughout.

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Such unlikable characters

This is a story that was painful to watch. I found myself rooting against both protagonists. Neither one have any set of morals. Lying, cheating, and betrayal are their characteristics ... and yet somehow we're supposed to watch and enjoy this relationship deepen and develop through each episode. I just couldn't do it. I watched it, hoping for a different outcome, but it never happened. Nothing against the actors Hina Higuchi or Masachi Ikeda, but the people they portrayed were just awful individuals.
Neither one of them felt remorse for hurting other people around them, just as long as they ended up in bed together. The character of Makoto Kusaka, played by Naoya Kusakawa, was so good in nature, making for an even more difficult watch as he was just cast aside by Mihono.
I'm glad there were only eight episodes to watch ... it was seven episodes too much.

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Beautiful, Little Flawed, and Completely Addicting — Pursuit of Jade Had Me Hooked

When I think of Pursuit of Jade, I immediately think of how visually stunning it is, the cinematography is beautiful, the cast delivered, the OST is so fitting, and the attention to detail? You can really see it in everything from the props to the costumes, makeup, and hairstyles. It all came together to create such a rich, immersive world.
And can we talk about the humor for a second? 😭 I did not expect to laugh as much as I did. The comic relief was so well done. It never felt forced and honestly made the whole experience even more enjoyable.
Now… as much as I love this drama, let’s not pretend it didn’t have me questioning reality a few times.
Yes, the FL being skilled makes sense, but her defeating two highly experienced generals with zero battlefield experience? That felt a bit too convenient. I’m all for powerful female leads, but that moment needed a little more grounding.
And the cliff falls… don’t even get me started. Characters falling from insane heights, surviving near-death experiences, and then recovering like it’s nothing. At some point, it just loses its impact.😭
And the 108 whips… I’m sorry, but there’s no way someone recovers that quickly. That scene should’ve had way more weight, but the quick recovery kind of ruined the impact.

What really disappointed me though was the ML’s characterization in action. He’s introduced as this ruthless, feared marquis, but spends a huge chunk of the drama injured. When he finally returns to the military camp, I was ready to see him dominate…Instead, his fight scenes are reduced or cut short, lacking the intensity and depth that his character was built up to have. It leaves you wondering what could have been done differently.
Meanwhile, the FL is consistently stepping up and carrying major moments (which I love for her), but the balance between them felt slightly off. I just wanted more from him.

The political storyline also had potential, but it wasn’t fully realized. There were too many names and moving parts without enough depth, and I found myself a bit confused at times. The constant mention of “seventeen years ago” built up so much anticipation, but the actual reveal felt rushed and not as impactful as it could’ve been.
But honestly? Despite all of that… I still really enjoyed it 😭
It’s one of those dramas where you see the flaws, you complain about them, and yet you’re still fully seated for every episode.
It hooked me early, made me laugh, kept me entertained, and gave me characters I genuinely cared about.
Would I recommend it? Yes.
Is it perfect? Not even close.
Was I still obsessed? Absolutely 😌✨

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Guideverse series probably written by an AI (but with great actors)

PLOT: In 2051, a virus from another universe created Yin and Ren beings on Earth. The ML, Xie Xin Xu, is a powerful Ren whom Si Yuan (the FL's brother and a member of the Surveillance Bureau) tried to tame (through torture). Xie Xin Xu takes on a new identity and marries Nong Yu, a Yin, the FL, a researcher who wants to find a cure for the virus. But the Surveillance Bureau does everything to prevent the creation of a cure.

+++ The two leads are spectacular, with intense chemistry. I've become a die-hard fan of Cui Yu Xin. And I'd love to see him in CL with Fang Jin again.
+++ Effective direction, with good pacing, good effects, and a great OST.

### A very weird storyline that only got through censorship because it's supposed to be sci-fi. The twists (and there are tons of them) come one after another at an unreasonable rate. It's full of nonsense, inconsistencies, and incongruous things. I wonder if the script wasn't written by an AI that threw a bit of Twilight, a bit of ABO Desire, a bit of sci-fi, a bit of Game of Thrones, etc., into a shaker.
### The FL character is unbearable: idiotic, fickle, indecisive, and incredibly selfish. In short, ლಠ益ಠ)ლ ლಠ益ಠ)ლ

=> I only watch it to the end out of curiosity and because the CL is very hot... The weirdest story (but really addictive) I've ever seen
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Série Guideverse écrite par une IA probablement (mais avec super acteurs)

PLOT: En 2051, un virus venu d'1 autre univers, a créé sur terre des êtres Yin et des êtres Ren. Le ML, Xie Xin Xu, est un Ren puissant que Si Yuan (frère de la FL et membre du Bureau de Surveillance) a tenté d'apprivoiser (par tortures). Xie Xin Xu prend 1 nvelle identité et se marie avec Nong Yu, Yin, la FL, chercheuse qui veut trouver 1 médicament pour guérir le virus. Mais le Bureau de Surveillance fait tt pour empêcher la création d'1 médicament.

+++ Les 2 leads sont spectaculaires, avec une alchimie intense. Je suis devenue une hard-die fan de Cui Yu Xin. Et j'aimerai bcp le revoir en CL avec Fang Jin.
+++ Réalis° efficace, avec rythme, bons effets, bons OSTs.

### Storyline très chelou, qui n'a passé la censure que parce que c'est censé être de la Sci-Fi. Les twists (et il y en a des tonnes) se succèdent déraisonnablement. C'est plein de non-sens, d'incohérences, de trucs incongrus. A se demander si le script n'a pas été écrit par une IA, qui a mis dans un shacker un peu de Twilight, un peu d'ABO Desire, un peu de Sci-Fi, un peu de GOT, etc.
### Le personnage de la FL est insupportable : idiote, versatile, indécise, super égoïste. Bref ლಠ益ಠ)ლ ლಠ益ಠ)ლ

=> On ne va jusqu'au bout que par curiosité et parce que le CL est très hot ... The weirdest story (but really addictive) I've ever seen

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It was very interesting and intriguing, but also very confusing

Seo Kang Joon's acting in this one is superb IMO.
This whole drama focused on the acting - the actors' expressions, every small actions mattered to the story. It was fun to unwrap the story inside my head haha. This was the type of drama that you need to focus on every scene, or else you might lose a point. But I also feel there's also too much missing explanation. Because this is a sci-fi mystery drama, audience need some explanation of the concept, no? Especially about the time travel. It was hella confusing until the end. I had to search blog articles about the explanation of the ending to make sense of it.
(spoilers ahead)


But Kudos to the writer though. Besides the story being refreshing , they weren't afraid to kill the main character, even twice at that, dang I cried a lot. I felt it was very unfair that it had to end that way for SKJ's character. But it was refreshing that main characters aren't always immune to death. It was very intriguing even until the very end. I can't guess what the ending will be and it is unexpected even until the very end. overall, great job to the actors, writer and director of this drama!

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They're adorable

The both of them are so cute. They got together in the first episode, and the best thing is that they have not broken up at all. I really like how they always talked to each other. And when they started talking, they never really let the other person go without them hearing what their words or actions really meant. Katori and Tanka were real ones, helping them out with their relationship. The relationship dynamic is very healthy, especially for their age group. The kisses were horrendous, but I let it go because one, they're probably very inexperienced and two, they're kids, so I don't really care too much about them smooching and it being good at all (I am talking about the characters and not the actors themselves). The flashbacks confused me quite a lot because it was kinda hard to differentiate if it was a flashback or not and I always just knew after the flashback is finished. As much as I loved their communication, the miscommunication was just insane, it just kept coming like damn y'all wanna have a break with that trope or what?? There's nothing more to add, really. This was just a cute little story, a short little comfort show, if you will.

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second half was better

Overall: the second half was better with less forced comedy. This is based on a book of the same title which I haven't read and am reviewing the series based on its own merits. 12 episodes about 1 hour long each. Aired on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/love-upon-a-time-episode-1-21xrp4m8-0blk?lang=en_us

Content Warnings: murders, attempted murder, punch, blood, manipulation, harassment, manhandling, discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, bullying, beaten up/fight, held against will

Watch Suggestions (to focus more on the romance and take out most content warnings)
- episode 3 watch beginning-10:30, 28-36
- episode 4 watch 14-27:30, 40-54
- episode 5 watch 8-23, 24-25
- episode 6 watch 12-20:30, 24-26:45, 31:30-36, 49-1hr2m35s, 1hr 6-1hr 7m
- episode 7 watch beginning-16:30
- episode 8 watch 1hr 3min-end
- episode 9 watch beginning-5, 8-13:25, 20:40-34:35
- episode 10 watch 37:05-53
- episode 11 watch 41-52:05
- episode 12 watch 9:05-end (skip 1hr 16-1hr 18m 30s)

What I Liked
- the premise/setting
- sweet moments
- the side couple
- I chuckled a couple times*
- supportive servants
- plan in episode 11
- solid ending

Room For Improvement
- the trans woman/non binary character as comedy stereotype
- *comedy sound effects did not make things funny and not all of the humor worked for me

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Excited about the casts, but that's the only good thing here

wow, what a let down. I was excited about the casts especially because it was Choi Woo Shik and I quite liked Jung So Min too. Choi Woo Shik's recent dramas was outstanding, Especially Our Beloved Summer and Melo Movie. Though Jung So Min's not so much. But I thought they would work it out somehow. Welp. Nope.
Besides the bad plot and bad story, I don't feel the chemistry. That was sad. I hoped I can still enjoy the romance side of the story somehow but it wasn't enjoyable at all. This drama was quite boring and annoying. Stayed for Choi Woo Shik but left dissapointed with the overall story. This drama wasn't it.

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Heartwarming adventure with people you love

This was so good that I ended up reading the novel and the manhua, first time I've ever done this. The ending was kinda undercooked in the drama but the journey this took me on 😭. I gave it 10/10 solely based on how much i loved their adventures and banter and acting. The leads go on adventures town to town pokemon style while drawing closer to solving the overarching bigger mysteries. Ding Yuxi's acting was actually so good even in a scene with no lines i was completely taken about by how good his facial acting was it was like i could see a thought bubble next to his head in so many scenes i could practically read his face. The chemistry between Esther yu and ding yuxi was truly amazing. This is the first drama where i gobbled up all the extra content like photoshoots, fanarts, fanfics, ost covers, interviews and behind the scenes.

I love this so much I will keep rewatching this till the end of time

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It was great.. until the first half.

This is why I was always sceptical about a booming/very anticipated drama (by all people generally, because of the casts). The acting was superb, no doubt. Ji Chang Wook once again proved he was a very good actor. The other actors like Do Kyungsoo and Lee Kwang soo also did great acting. I really enjoyed the first half of the drama, it was such an emotional roller coaster. I can feel the anger and desperation of the main character. It was all good.. until the second half hits.
(stop here if you want no spoilers)

I was wondering where the story will go when he failed to escape and got ganged up by so many prisoners - which was a very bloody fight btw, that I feel that it almost made no sense he survived that. I thought after all that hit he will be appointed to the hospital for so much injuries - so that it will make a way he could try for another escape. Welp, but guess what? Everyone was okay and probably just treated in the infirmary and the next day the story got into a big unexpected flip, which is bombastically confusing. I really hate that Squid Game-like plot coming in this drama - and even further the car racing. Like where the hell will this story go?? The writer is too ambitious to make the story extravagant IMO. I think it would be a lot better if they just focus on the prison break and the revenge plot. The logic is really not in the room at this moment and ahead. Everybody is quite immortal, really, especially the main character of course. Always got into bloody fights but always okay, it was too ridiculous for me. And most importantly how he was so very skilled at everything only after 5 years in prison. He was the best fighter of all fighter in this drama haha.

I've watched some of Ji Chang Wook's drama and always felt like this. Whether the story got weird/boring halfway, or the main character is always amazingly immune to death and amazingly skillful in everything. This time I finished watching because I wondered how it will end. Well of course the ending was quite forced and once again quite nonsensical. Really hope JCW's next action drama will have a better plot.

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