Reviews

I don't usually watch dramas of this genre but I decided to check it out for the male lead Xiao Zhan after watching him in The Longest Promise. And I stayed because of the storyline and the excellent acting by the actors.

The story follows the life of the male lead, Xiao Chun Seng played by Xiao Zhan and his group of friends from their youth days in the 70s through to the early 2000. It's interesting to watch the characters develop against the changing eras in China. And how each character became who they were in life because of the choices they made in their life journey. The story talks about brotherhood, friendship, selfishness, pride, betrayal, frustrations, growth. And all were done not in an overly dramatic way but in a very realistic manner as how we would have reacted as we make our everyday choices in life. There were no real bad guys. The "bad guys" were more grey than bad, they just became who they were because of what life throws at them. Yet, they were given choices but then, there is human nature too. No one is perfect. I would ask myself, if I were Hong Ling, what would my decision be. Would I be like Hong Ling or would I be like Tong Xiao Mei

The cast was excellent. I loved Xiao Chun Seng for his idealism and dreams and cried with him when all seemed bleak. I loved how gentle yet strong Tong Xiao Mei was. I didn't like Yue Guo Hua for his cowardy, yet I pity him and felt for him at the same time. I hated Hong Ling for her pride and selfishness yet I truly understand why she was who she was and admired her pride at the same time.

Except for the last two episodes which seemed to be a bit of a rush, the drama is a good watch. I would have loved to see them tell us a bit more, do a bit more in depth into the ending. Still a very good watch.

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It's aesthetically pleasing to watch, but that's it.

Unfortunately, A Breeze of Love was a let down.

The theme of this drama is pretty much about misunderstandings, and I don't know about you guys but I am so tired of this cliché. As a drama lover though, I've come to accept —not welcome— but just accept misunderstandings because I know it's unavoidable and we need it to build the drama. But I'd just like for the misunderstandings to actually play out in a way that makes sense, not just for the sake of creating angst.

The drama I can draw the closest comparison to, in terms of overall plot, is probably Bon Appetit and Our Dating Sim. These three dramas depict the story of two people who start to form a relationship in highschool/university, get separated suddenly but then they meet again years later and start to rekindle their relationship. ODS was also an 8-episode series of roughly the same 15-minute runtime per episode, but it was able to deliver more than ABOL. Bon Appetit also had more depth to the story but would be unfair to use as a direct comparison since it had a larger runtime. What ODS and BA did much better compared to ABOL is that there was world building, depth to the story and communication. ABOL lacked all of these imo. What we got instead was a short series that was really pretty to watch but didn't offer anything in terms of storyline. It's truly unfortunate because of the good acting from the main leads.

On the note of 'world building' and 'communication', ABOL of course had scenes showing the lives of the main leads at university or with their friends but those scenes were short and still primarily centred around the main couple. And then interestingly enough, because we had less world building, we naturally had a lot more scenes of the main couple, which I would normally be enthusiastic about. However, in this case, those scenes were underutilized. What I mean is, we would have scenes of the main couple together, looking at each other and talking, but it just felt like not much was actually being said. I guess all the slow-mos, voiceovers, and repeated flasbacks didn’t help but even in moments where the couple were together in the present world, I just felt like, for the most part, we weren't getting much information out of them. I would have liked to see the main couple communicate more, especially when they were rekindling their relationship after they reunited, but nope, they didn't dissect what had happened in highschool and why they got separated, instead we just got another misunderstanding that got blown out of proportion yet again. It just felt like there wasn't much character development. There was one scene with a big fight between the couple where their acting skills are truly at their highest form and I really loved it. They were communicating, still not saying exactly what is is that they were angry about, but it was at least something more and I wish we got more of those kind of deep moments.

Although the acting was really good, the chemistry between the leads wasn't really good or bad. It was just there...Definitely not on the same scale as Bon Appetit or ODS. The couple were cute together and mainly because they're such a handsome duo, but that's it.

Honestly I'm sad. I was so stoked for this because the trailer looked so good in terms of production and acting [which I think it did deliver on in these two areas]. The trailer also seemed to give off a serious vibe — like we were going to witness the love story of two people and this big falling out they must have had for one of them to hate the other so much, and the eventual rekindling of their relationship years after their separation. Instead what we got was a basic misunderstanding plot.

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A very good sageuk / investigation with Park Hyung Sik

PLOT: on her wedding day, the FL, daughter of a governor, sees her entire family die. She decides to flee all those who accuse her, with her servant. She ends up with the Crown Prince (the ML) who gives her a position as eunuch and searches with her for clues about these assassinations and the strange/troubling affairs that are shaking the Court... Conspiracies, influence games, revenge, etc. .
The story also highlights the vulnerability (internal and external) of the royal family at this time, and the weight of the great families/clans.

PROS:
- good balance between investigation - humor - action scenes
- The story is carried by Park Hyung Sik (no wonder he received an Award for this role ♡´･ᴗ･`♡) and by FL (Jeon So Nee, actress I didn't know but who is remarkable ).
- Fortunately there is the CL2, excellent, which brings a touch of lightness to this rather dark climate.
- The production is dynamic, the clues are placed in the right place to keep the permanent attention of the viewer.
- The settings, the images are beautiful and some shots are really superb.
- The OSTs are excellent.

CONS:
- A beautiful chemistry between the 2 leads, but really no intimate scene, just a final kiss. It's not enough!!
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Un très bon sageuk / investigation avec Park Hyung Sik

PLOT: le jour de son mariage, la FL, fille d1 gouverneur, voit toute sa famille mourir. Elle décide de fuir tous ceux qui l'accusent avec sa servante. Elle aboutit auprès du Prince Héritier (le ML) qui lui donne un poste d'eunuque et cherche avec elle des indices sur ces assassinats et les affaires étranges/troublantes qui secouent la Cour... Conspirations, jeu d'influence, vengeance, etc.
L'histoire souligne aussi la vulnérabilité (interne et externe) de la famille royale à cette époque, et le poids des grandes familles / clans.

PROS:
- bon équilibre entre investigation - humour - scènes d'action
- L'histoire est portée par Park Hyung Sik (pas étonnant qu'il ait reçu un Award pour ce rôle ♡´･ᴗ･`♡ ) et par la FL (Jeon So Nee, actrice que je ne connaissais pas mais qui est remarquable).
- Heureusement qu'il y a le CL2, excellent, qui apporte une touche de légèreté à ce climat assez sombre.
- La réalisation est rapide, les indices sont posés au bon endroit pour éveiller l'attention permanente du spectateur.
- Les décors, les images sont beaux et certaines prises de vue sont vraiment superbes.
- Les OST sont excellentes.

CONS:
- Une belle alchimie entre les 2 leads, mais vraiment aucune scène d'intimité, juste un kiss final. Un peu juste!!

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Simply adorable.

The 2 leads have carried this show so perfectly that i don't even mind the lack of actual plot and the inconsistent writing. Parker Mao and Xiao Hong are one of the best couple i've seen onscreen in recent days. They are just so great together and their chemistry is so incredible that i would not mind watching another 10 or 20 episodes of sweet delightful nothing, just to see them interact and their build up of sexual tension without even having to do anything special. The looks, the small touches, the laughs just drag you into the world they are creating.
I truly hope to see them work together soon again.

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I Love the Breeze

I am inlove with IQIYI right now. This production is heaven sent! I am so glad i found this.

No need for recap, lets not waste time as you can read the summary from the main title.

What i love:
1. The very good looking leads; It seems like more and more KPOP idols are trying to venture into BLs, i hope its just not for gay business. Irregardless, Shin Jeong You did a good job. Woo Ji Han is also so lovely how could anyone resist that charm.
2. The very good pacing, i love that the story focused on the main leads and gave them the maximum exposure. THey really used the short time so well.
3. The very nice friends, not overexposed. Im also glad Seung Joo found his happy ending;
4. I love love love that they spent one whole finale episode to let us take in the sweetness of their newfound love. Some BLs show us the conflict at the penultimate episode and rush to wrap up things at the finale, im glad this show let us enjoy the main leads as a couple even for just one final episode.

What needs improvement - sorry i cant think of anything right now, im still in cloud 9 after watching this series. I dont think they even need to make it longer, its enough just as it is.

Overall its a 9.5. Speaking of insomnia, I found this drama after a sleepless night and at 7am. I thought Id try watching one episode ended up watching the whole series. Now i can rest. Reccommended for quick watching! Makes the subscription so worth it, IQIYI keep them coming!

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BE for Now (If there isn’t a Season 2)

DROPPED

**REASON**

I stopped watching this show because of its heartbreaking conclusion, where one of the main characters is entangled in a car accident, casting a veil of uncertainty over their fate. The series, classified within the classical family drama genre, unfolds at a deliberate pace, meticulously exploring the dynamics among its characters. Despite the absence of explicit scenes due to censorship, the interactions between the main characters are remarkably tender, authentically conveying a sense of affection. Regrettably, the supporting cast fails to make a lasting impression, and the powerful ending ultimately diminishes the overall enjoyment of the series for me.

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Daily dose of Sunshine for Jung Da Eun

“The Daily Dose of Sunshine series touches on important topics related to mental health and how we should deal with those who have depression. But the plot was completely unrealistic. I suspect that the high ratings may have been influenced by the fame of the actors rather than the content of the plot.

The main character, although she is a nurse, has no idea about the job and any communication with the patients worsens their condition. One patient even tragically committed suicide after talking to her. After that, every other episode was about her depression without any apologies to the grieving family or attendance at the funeral.

Her decision to return to the hospital was surprising and why she was so sure she was good at her job I never understood.

Despite having a supportive colleague and a caring mother, the female lead is depressed and seems somewhat selfish, especially considering that others in the story have faced deep loss and had tragic stories.

The plot seems unfair, as everyone except the female lead is portrayed as hopelessly unhappy, and she, despite having everything, falls into depression. At the end of the series, the team leader defending her right to work, despite being mentally weak and different from the mentally ill, seemed selfish. No patient deserves this life and the truth is that most patients will never be able to go back to their previous lifestyle or work, they will never have the same life as her. The whole story was very unfair .
In fact, you will give this series different thoughts when you put yourself not in the shoes of the female lead, but in the shoes of someone else.
Overall, the plot and character development left me unsatisfied, especially the way the main character's actions and consequences were shown.

But of course a lot of people are more interested in the romance and who the female lead will be end and maybe that was the point of the series and I just expected a lot more and was disappointed. But of course I can't say anything bad about the acting.

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Breathtakingly Beautiful - BEST GMMTV PRODUCTION

This is easily GMMTVs best production. Whenever P’Aouf is involved you can count on beautiful cinematography, great direction and a heartfelt story. Not only does JimmySea have some of the best chemistry out there when it comes to pairs but they’re so versatile with their acting as well! They’ve come a long way since Vice Versa.

The story naturally is something raw. Day has a vision impairment and we’re seeing how he has to accept his current situation and adapt. His family is worried about him and are in sense walking on eggshells around him. Mhok is trying to choose a different path from what he knows after coping with the loss of his sister.

The show does a really good job by representing how ableism in society affects and invalidates someone with an impairment and their feelings. We see how Mhok is helping Day find joy in his life again without feeling like he’s not allowed to continue to do everything he did before his accident. But more importantly we see how Day is opening Mhok up to being more understanding and educated on what it’s like for someone who has a visual impairment.

The way this show portrays someone adjusting to losing their sight is well done but also, they did a good job at showing the way someone who is able to see should treat someone with a visual impairment.
This show does a really great job of showcasing many other prevalent themes in society such as single parents and family dynamics after a life altering accident.

The way Sea portrays Days character is commendable and definitely one of the best performances that I’ve seen in any drama. And I can’t even explain the hurt and agony my heart felt watching Jimmy portrays Mhok. Just truly such a beautiful and well done show.
Ofcourse Mark is outstanding with his character Night and hands down his best performance in any drama he’s been in.
Honestly though my favorite part about the show has got to be the way it’s shot. Not only cinematography wise but directional as well.

I loved everything about the show except Day getting his sight back. It felt like a cop out and easy route when it could’ve been more impactful with them giving him a more realistic ending. The whole show was around Day learning to accept his new reality but also appreciating everything in a whole new light. I also didn’t like the direction of how Mhok and him broke up but then reunited. There could’ve been a better way that the ending was done in my opinion but overall the show was great.

I love how finally in the BL world we’re slightly shifting from trivial high school and college plots but dipping our toes into more raw and meaningful stories.
This drama and the entire cast deserve endless success!!
Everything about this show is 10/10.

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It Was Bizarre at Times

This series was somewhat bizarre and all over the place. It started off cute, gradually became annoying, and then took a drastic turn to being cute again. It did not help that the very basic story concept was not well executed.

The positive: The cast was great and tried their best considering what they were given. The reality type interview scenes were enjoyable. It had a happy ending, and the opening and closing credits was fun to watch.

The negative: Unfortunately, the script and execution was simply not quite there. Xia Shang Zhou and Yao Shun Yu’s relationship had an interesting and cute beginning, but became tedious and annoying during most of the series. It’s hard to explain, but the comedy did not work. I was also not a fan of the comic book aspects used in the first few episodes.

Random Note:

Don’t stop watching after the montage of pictures in the first episode and closing credits in the last episode because there is an additional scene after it.

Can someone please explain how is this linked to the series Stay by My Side. It’s listed as a compilation series but I must have missed something.

I know I’m going to sound like a broken record, but the synopsis on Viki does not accurately describe what goes on in the series.

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Like:
+ the acting is quite okay
+ i am not sure what to think about the chemistry. i guess..its there? but the main problem is the story. i'll get to this point later
+ nice ost.
+ visuals

Room for improvement:
- i didn't like the female character. she was absolutely annoying imho. i just have a problem with people like her, lmao. she's way too intrusive.
- the story lacks excitement. it was just..a bit boring. i would've wished, that his insomnia gets more room in the story. or more depth. it felt shallow. at the end there are some open questions, which i didnt got any conclusion for. nothing major, but little things i would've like to know.
- the whole plot felt a little bit like a mess and all over the place. as if someone would start several things, but doesn't tell them till the end. i guess that's also the reason why i don't feel much chemistry. because the story doesn't feel connected. so.. yeah, well.

it's okay to watch, but it's definitely not a must-watch. and that makes me actually a bit sad, because i was really excited for this drama. ^^'

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o primeiro episódio entregou uma fotografia e história linda!

esse primeiro episódio foi lindo e repleto de emoções, não sei como vou aguentar 1 semana pra assistir o segundo!! Muito bonito e completo, 11 meses de espera realmente valeram a pena
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Cast is Not convincing at all

We are supposed to watch a drama where the FL lead who is a young professional falls In love with a serious and accomplished CEO. The chosen ML is not convincing at all. The male lead looks and acts like a young boy who does not know what to do or how to express himself with words. How are we supposed to believe that this scared boy is a successful entrepreneur?

17 episodes in and I do not see any chemistry between the FL and ML. Some moments I even cringe because I see an experienced woman who knows what she wants approaching the scared and inexperienced boy.

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2ND CHANCE AND REDEMPTION

A head strong Jiang Xue Ning (Bai Lu) who would do anything to become an Empress, who manipulated many people to do her bidding to stay in power and control, who died by killing herself of regret in exchange her life for someone else's life. The story of second chance and redemption of Jiang Xuening; to avoid herself get into the palace like her past life as the ambitious Empress. But she couldn't entirely escape from fate that's written to her, shifting her fates and people in the path of redemption. However some things were still end the same like invincible hand stirred to what fate have been. Ning'Er still end up joining the palace as a Princess's study companion and Xie Wei's (Zhang Ling He) student. As a new person, she still handled things with devious strategies to avoid certain fates that got her in trouble in previous life, with different approached she still manipulate people according to her wishes. The old feeling still hunted her to which decision made and wisdom came from. Relationship Xie Wei & Xue Ning were teacher and student, outside the circle they're conspirator.

Xie Wei/Xue Ding Fei (Zhang Ling He)
As the most scary person in Jiang Xue Ning's life - she most afraid and bitter toward him. Crown Prince's teacher and advisor to the Emperor, Xie Wei had every reason to be wary of. He hold most secrets as he's the sole survivor of 20 years old frightening 300 young lost souls originated, a 7 years young Viscount Xue Ding Fei was used to replace for (same age) Crown Prince's life to demanding rebel leader Prince Ping'An. Who knew he survived the massacre and became Prince Ping'An bullet to destroy Qian/Shen royal family, his hatred to his biological father Xue was no bound. His affection for Yan family where his mother was the beloved sister of Duke Yan (Yan Lin's father). This time around, he suffered from PTSD from early age trauma. His main goal was to destroy Xue which aligned with Xue Ning's mission and maneuver palace's politics to achieve goals. So much going on his calculating mind to achieve successful outcomes, he'd happily married Xue Ning and had twin children.

Yan Lin (Zhou Jun Wei)
In this new life Jiang Xuening redeemed her mistake by secretly plans to stop Yan Lin's bloody upcoming-age Crown Ceremony from happening, result of power struggle between 2 influential family Xue & Yan. With Jiang Xuening and Xie Wei's plan, the Yan family's lives were saved although they went exile for wrongful accusation. At point of time when Yan Lin lost his whole family during his coming-to age celebration from Xue and the day knowing Xue Ning rejecting his love. Her betrayal made Yan Lin obsess and furious. When he started to gain power to rebel, Yan Lin determined to make her his woman, but she killed herself to exchange life for a life. Xue Ning was forewarned Yan Lin that her feeling was friendship, none romantic, Yan Lin had to first hand knowing her true feeling to avoid obsession nor hatred as he's falling more deeper in love with her like in their previous life. He'd be a grand general and respected by whole country, Yan family all came back home.

Zhang Zhe ( Wang Xing Yue)
Jiang XueNing most precious person was Zhang Zhe. In previous life she was using him to cover up her many guilt of wrong doing, for the sake of love Zhang Zhe betrayed his conscience to make wrong judgement. He felt unworthy and guilt of the dead of his mother he wrote a letter to Justice Dept to sentence him to death. Xue Ning begged him to forgive himself and blame her instead. Few days before his death sentence, Xue Ning went to Xie Wei for his mercy and kill herself in exchange for his life. Second change, Zhang Zhe being an upright man was indeed love her, they had a chance to have their happy ending together, but his mother eventually died from the same cause and affect him the same guilt so Xue Ning decided to let go remembering how bad Zhang Zhe end up on their previous life. All in all Zhang Zhe assisted Xie Wei, Yan Lin, Xue Ning to reveal the truth of evil-doers Xue family.

Princess Le Yang/Shen Zhi Yi (Liu Xie Ning)
Jiang Xue Ning was her bestfriend, they're study mates. Jiang Xue Ning was successfully change their relationship dynamic into friendship rather as adversary in their previous life, but for sure Xue Ning knew that Princess Le Yang would be sent off to get married with enemy's prince and tragically died. In this life, Xue Ning would rush to save her from fatal outcome. Although she still had a bad marriage, faced abuse and imprisonment, she's finally free to come back home.

You Fang Yin (Melody Tang)
In previous life, she's the faithful attendant/maid to her Empress life, Fang Yin's been through too much during her reign so she felt guilty put her through. So, Jiang Xue Ning saved her from jealous bitter step sister and hateful You family. Xue Ning trusted her with business and independent. She married to a very nice man, handled businesses good, sadly died for loyalty.

Although the drama is heavy in political conflicts and intrigues, twisting fate for different outcomes might also be a little romance at the end. Great script, the intrigue wasn't boring, amazing costumes (everyone looks amazing), great coordination between flash back and new stories, good angle cameramen and directive. Zhang Ling He is great in here, shining in his acting (not convincing enough he's afraid of cat though), he'll have a long acting career. Bai Lu is so so as her usual self, as 27 yo she can't act like 19yo, we've seen her same acting in her other dramas. Zhou Jun Wei is pretty sleek as Yan Lin while Wang Xing Yue has character that's not special, I think he'd be more interesting as (previous life) Zhang Zhe when he broke many etiquette and laws - he'd lots of inner battles and emotion fight in within . Very good drama.

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An Intimate and Personal Story That May Surprise You

After finishing this BL I've been compelled to write a small review in hopes I may convince you to give it a try,

The story centers around two high school classmates who reunite at college through the basketball team. Immediately you sense a strain between the two, as the story progresses it uses a fragmented story structure to help you piece together what caused the strain on their relationship, while in the present having the couple navigate their reunion. You don't know what is causing the strain but immediately you as the audience are enraptured into their story through the actor's lovely chemistry and very strong acting performances that never waver throughout. The story intimately captures this couple through a very personal lens. There is a side cast but they are very sparse. You mainly follow the leads as they navigate their complex feelings and reflect on their intimate past. What I feel like many BL lack is the proper build-up and tension between the leads, and this series completely embodies this through its very quiet moments of intimacy and the great camera work and script that knows not to explain with exposition but instead visually whether it captures their hands grazing, or the characters looking into each other's eyes. The narrative, camera work, and acting all cohesively use each other to create a story that is dramatic, but also very breezy and personal. If you really enjoy some angsty tension, yearning, and a smaller-scale BL story, I think you will really enjoy this series as much as I did.

Pros:
-Intimate Story with an angsty-filled script that was well done and had excellent build-up
-Interesting fragmented storytelling that feels more artistic than many other BL
- Wonderfully acted! Leads give each excellent moments of tension and yearning the script requires.
-Amazing visual storytelling using the camera to tell the story rather than just telling the audience.

Cons:
-A bit too short I think 10 eps would be perfect, I'd love to see a little more revelation in the final episode.
-The music was a bit too repetitive for my taste, wish music was thrown in a bit more sparsely.
-would love a little bit more with a certain side character.

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