Reviews

the art of getting by

a beautiful depiction of two ordinary people with an entangled, complicated history navigating hardship. i particularly found the ML's portrayal of loneliness so well executed and quite relatable in some aspects. screenwriting was BRILLIANT; both main leads truly understood one another with such quiet intensity. docking a star and a half as the satisfaction following their separation sequence doesn't really pay off as much as i would've liked, and i felt as if the FL lost her spark and spunkiness toward the end of the drama, but i HIGHLY recommend this drama to anyone who enjoys a mature, slow-burn romance!

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must watch

this drama has many good things
1) beautiful cinematography and beautifully shot (the fighting scenes, in the first ep the arrow scenes before they go back, the dream scenes, the shots with the petals, etc….). Well directed
2) acting was good from the leads. They did well for emotional scenes too. Also the supporting and older cast, I really like the portrayal of the emperor, I think the actor was great. Also other cast from the families of the leads.
3) the romance : it flowed nicely. them slowly falling in love, mature romance, trust, supporting each other. would do anything for each other and so much love. Good chemistry. I think compared to other cdrama, we got plenty of romance and cute moments. Also feeling confessed by ep 18 and married by ep 19 out of ep 34, I think that was very good. Less slow burn than many dramas this year. Absolutely no break or misunderstanding, strong couple till the end.
4) the transmigration/time travel was well written. I think « the dream » idea was very smart to pass censorship and very minimal since it was still obvious for us viewers that it was not a dream and they really went back in time. and only mentioned at the beginning of the story. I hate it when they do something like it was a novel or something, they add that at the very end to pass censorship.
5) I think the drama was well written in general, the plot was good, pretty fast pace, everything was going smoothly. as the story progressed, we were learning more about the villains, getting clues, etc… We got a bit of everything, some comedy, romance, action and more sad/emotional moments. ML and his uncle, mother (the pain from the deaths and seeing the flashbacks). When ML was dying, our sad couples moments, there was a pretty emotional ep, I don’t remember the number ahah but I was sad with the leads, they love each other so much. I think all the villains and their motive made senses. Like the 5th uncles who wanted his higher title (but still cared about the Dou family and his brother. I actually liked his death and I was almost sad. I think it was the scenes, the contexte and his brother/« lover » present. in the end, decided to do one last thing to protect his younger brother). The empress and her son, etc.. I actually enjoyed the political plot, I think it was interesting and I also think the villains were interesting.
6) great fighting scenes
7) Friendship. Between the girls, even the maids. ML and his guys, etc…
8) The character development of FL dad. how their story progressed and their reconciliation. He grow some bones, finally defending his daughter, standing up for his son-in-law (the drums moment), etc…
9) we got some diverse side arc/romance :
a)the sister and husband from the first life : I was feeling sad for Dou Ming. she was an asshole in her first life, but kind and gentle in her second life, she never did her sister wrong. But falling in love with the wrong guy. Not a complete trash in this life, but still a coward, a bad husband and a useless guy. Not gonna lie, they were kinda cute. She suffered a lot and her death was a bit infuriating. Dying like that and seeing her trash husband from afar drinking. Dying alone on the floor when she could have been saved. Anyway, I said KARMA when it happened, their bad deed in their first life and her mother sins. It was satisfying, the mom reaction and everything, learning she caused her own daughter’s dead. It was good how her dad didn’t even want to save her and she should be punished for her crimes. I laughed when he slapped her. Speaking of slapped, there was so many throughout the drama, that was hilarious to me.
b) An Su and Song Han : that arc made me mad. I was very mad at her for choosing/siding with the guy she barely knows against her friends for years. She was very stupid and easily manipulated at first. Their story was not interesting and making her a princess made no sense as she was literally a nobody/commoner. At last, it was satisfying when she learned the truth and killed him herself.
c) Chen Jia and Zhao Zhang Ru (FL’s cousin) : brief interactions, but they were very cute. They got their happy ending
d) the little past with the princess (sister of the emperor) and 5th uncle
e) the crown prince and crown princess. brief interactions too, but they were kinda funny at time and seemed like a good match. That was funny when they were the 4 of them and she mentioned the idea of betrothal between their unborn child, CP and ML reaction.
f)…maybe there is more ahaha
10) plot twist :
a) the fact that the dad (ML’s dad had an affair and switched the babies), didn’t saw that coming. How they explained he never loved his wife and the son they had, why he preferred Song Han. It was sad when he said those things to Song Mu. The sister was actually dead it seems, I was waiting for some plot twist and she’s alive + plus reunion, but that never happened. Anyway I think we had enough things going on ahaha
b) Ji Yong who was actually not with Prince Qing, all of this was a plan from the beginning with the emperor
c) the nephew of the empress who didn’t betrayed them
d) even the thing with the cat with Song Han, I think it was good that he was actually keeping the cat because he was using it for testing poison. I didn’t thought of that
e) the scenes when they were searching for the letter with the girl who was the maid, the flashbacks and reliving the scene and the letter that was hiding so close to them.
f) all the villains who were working together
11) villains getting what they deserved and punishment.
12) ending : great and satisfying ending. Closure for everyone and happy ending of course. Cute together and happy couple moments. Dad with his promotion, grandma being happy and travelling, them with the leads daughter was cute. Crown prince ascending the throne and the little monologue about the politics. Chen Jia and the cousin married couple. An Su doing her things and « looking for a husband ». Ji Young who will become a monk in this life too. Even them showing the kid of ML’s uncle
13 : no love triangle. We can say some side guys on liked FL, but that was very minimal, that’s not considered a love triangle. FL only has eyes for ML from beginning to end.

But, I think the kissing scenes weren’t great. I don’t know if it was a director’s choice, censorship or because the kisses were not so good (so they made it that way), but they were somehow disappointing for most of them. Pretty much cut short or we see nothing. The lips touched and them it’s all these camera angles and editing. Anyway just an observation, I wouldn’t call this an issue, I’ve seen way worst.

Also, the character of Mu (I don’t even remember if that’s the good name, but the guy at the beginning who liked FL). I think this character and arc was just completely useless and non interesting. Why did we need this useless side guy who had unrequited love. He personally annoyed me. At least, his presence was short. Even when it seemed like Ji Young liked FL, that was very annoying, can’t they just be friend?

So, to conclude, I would recommend, I think it’s a good watch, filled with romance, actions, intelligent leads, interesting plot and characters

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Marriage -- A Carousel of Love and Struggles

This drama is a poignant exploration of marriage and family dynamics in modern China, where the rising divorce rate has become a pressing societal issue. In mega-cities like Shanghai, over half of marriages end in divorce, with Tianjin reportedly reaching an alarming 75%. The government's intervention with policies like the mandatory "cooling-off" period for divorce reflects the urgency of this problem. Against this backdrop, the drama becomes highly relatable, delving into the intricacies of family, love, and societal expectations.

A Storyline That Mirrors Real Life

The plot centers around Hao You Jia (Zhang Xiao Fei), a pediatrician from a blended family. Her parents divorced when she was young, and her mother remarried, blending two families with children from previous marriages and one from their union. Despite being adults, the six family members live under one roof, dealing with the aftermath of divorces and complex family ties.

Hao You Jia works alongside her husband, Peng Hao Dong (Tong Da Wei), in the same hospital. While she is a brilliant but blunt doctor with uncompromising ethics, he is a charismatic leader well-loved by colleagues and her family. Their contrasting personalities lead to frequent squabbles, further strained by Peng’s devotion to his overbearing mother, who shares a contentious relationship with Hao You Jia.

The drama takes an interesting turn when Hao You Jia demands a divorce. However, due to the new laws and societal pressures, they keep their separation a secret, continuing their daily routines as if nothing has changed. This facade eventually unravels, leading to chaos and revelations that test their bonds and values.

Complex Characters and Exceptional Acting

The cast delivers stellar performances, bringing depth to their roles. Zhang Xiao Fei and Tong Da Wei skillfully portray a couple caught between love and conflict. Their fast-paced arguments and emotional exchanges are engaging and relatable.

The supporting characters are equally compelling. Peng Hao Dong’s mother, initially grating with her pretentious demeanor, evolves into a poignant figure—a lonely woman clinging to her sons out of love and unfulfilled hopes. Similarly, Hao You Jia’s mother, driven by societal pride, undergoes a transformation as she prioritizes her children's happiness over appearances.

The siblings' stories enrich the narrative. Luo Wen Cong (Yu Yi), Hao You Jia’s stepbrother, shines as a resilient action movie double and devoted father to his mute daughter. His twin sister, Luo Wen Hui (Sui Jun Bo), is a sympathetic figure, navigating life as a single mother after her ex-husband’s infidelity. Their bond adds warmth and humor. Meanwhile, their youngest sister, Luo Yu Ting (Hu Yi Xuan), brings gentleness and compassion to the story.

A Subtle Approach to Romance

While the drama primarily focuses on marriage and family, moments of romance add charm. The main couple’s relationship, though fraught with tension, includes genuine displays of affection. Side couples offer lighter, engaging romantic subplots, including a heartwarming age-gap romance and rekindled love between divorced partners.

A Realistic and Heartwarming Ending

The drama concludes on a hopeful note, emphasizing growth, understanding, and acceptance. Rather than a clichéd rags-to-riches transformation, the characters learn to coexist peacefully, embracing imperfections and building stronger bonds. The closing wedding scenes beautifully encapsulate the theme of resilience and reconciliation.

Peng Hao Dong’s reflective words resonate deeply:

"Marriage is not a competition. The best relationship is heart-to-heart, built on trust and understanding. A home is a safe haven because it’s where the person who knows and loves you the most is. Walk into each other’s hearts, become part of each other, and create a warm home filled with acceptance and support."

Final Thoughts

This drama is a heartfelt portrayal of modern relationships, blending realism with compelling storytelling. It captures the challenges and joys of family life, leaving viewers with a deeper appreciation of love, compromise, and connection. Whether you’re familiar with Chinese cultural nuances or not, this series offers universal lessons on what it means to build a home.

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Turn off your brain for this light, cute but weird drama

This is my first drama that featured Han Yu Tong & Zeng Hui and I don't know what to make of it.

What I liked:
1) Drama tone - As mentioned by one of the MDL commenters, this drama is partly cute and partly weird. It is a light watch if you switch off your thinking skills.
2) Acting - Han Yu Tong is a standout for me. Her looks & demeanor remind me of Kate Hudson in early 2000s - radiant, exuberant energy.
3) FL's parents - I like that they were kind people even to strangers.
4) Antagonist - Refreshing take of antagonist who is jealous of FL. I also like accomplice's arc.

What I disliked:
1) Relationship - Another drama with theme of husband neglecting wife for years. I don't think ML deserves FL because she was neglected by him for 3 years of their marriage. It's also kinda shitty that FL was substitute for lost love.
2) ML - I dislike him for threatening FL for not being with him. He left her without any financial support to "teach her a lesson" which I find a shitty move.

Favourite scene
FL & ML fight in the car. I like that FL told him off for treating her badly!

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Better on YouTube…

This was a cute watch and puppy love is really the right description. I watched the uncut version for a while but found the cut version on YouTube to be faster moving and just as good.😊🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💕💕💕💕💕💕💕🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💕🙏🏻🙏🏻💕💕💕💕💕🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

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Does ML deserve second chance in this romance drama?

Lately I am in the mood to binge vertically shot Chinese dramas. This drama appeared on my Youtube dashboard & I gave it a go after quickly perusing the comments.

What I liked:
1) Acting - I was impressed by her acting. She managed to show different sides of Wen Yan: firm, vulnerable and strong. I will definitely check out her other works.
2) Visuals - Chen Mu Ye is very pretty. Wang Yi Ran is handsome. Both of them give this "high society" beauty & elegance.
3) Plot - Depsite the plot holes, this drama was light & easy to follow.

What I disliked:
1) Relationship - I notice other C dramas with 'husband neglecting wife for years' theme and this drama is the one with least suffering. While I am ok that the neglect only happened for 1 year, I still think ML is undeserving of FL because is he mistaking guilt for love?
2) Romance - The kissing scenes played around angles rather than real, lingering kisses. Wish there were proper grovelling & more affectionate scenes too.

Favourite scene
When Wen Yan was hospitalised after an assault

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Came for Esther Yu, Took Ding Yuxi Home

In my 20+ years of watching Asian dramas, I haven’t gotten so addicted to a show like I do with this one. I watched this first on Netflix (no expectation, just to fall asleep with), it was so good that I had to get Viki subscription to watch the rest immediately, and now I’m rewatching on YT premium. They made this so enjoyable that rewatching isn’t a problem because it’s beautiful and fast paced. Hardly no fillers so I don’t mind watching over and over again, I’m so inlove with the cast & how they portray each characters! The chemistry overflows even without kissing, it blew my mind. Esther & Yuxi’s acting were superb! The supporting actors are just amazing!
Thanks so much to the producers and all the staff, you guys did an amazing job!!! The ending is ok, I don’t mind open ending, and I totally get the message! Thank you for gifting us with their show The Shining Stars, it’s delightful and very fun to watch. Especially the escape room!

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The series is really about stupid characters wanting to get rich

Watched the Train to Busan and Kingdom, thought it would be at least good but this was so so bad.
The writers were probably having a competition to see who could write the worst and stupidest character because there was not one decent character in the series. The smartest character in the series was probably the old lady that got a scratch on her back ( she kept an eye on her symptoms, gathered information and laid low ) other than her the rest are complete idiots.
Yoon Sae Bom is one of the worst characters I've seen in a long time, if she was in charge of finding a cure and keeping the ,,infected,, isolated from the healthy people in the general population most people would be infected in a few days. If she did not have ,,plot armor,, she would die in ep. 3.
There is no tension, characters keep their backs to open doors, they never keep their guard up, look worried that an ,,infected,, might be behind a corner, getting sick is even seen as a solution to fixing problems. Characters are more concerned with getting rich rather than keeping themselves safe.
As an action series it fails so hard, the main characters do not act as trained professionals, the ,,stunts,, are too obvious, they try to make scenes dramatic but they look silly.
There is no romance, the main leads are very cute but have no chemistry, their ,,love story,, never develops but we are told they love each other . Watch ,, Containment,, made in 2016 if you want to see a couple that has so much chemistry when they never even touch each other, that is how it is done but even that series is not great.
Would have been a lot better as a movie ( a mediocre movie ), I regret watching all of it, should have dropped it after ep 3 but had the morbid curiosity to see how bad the series really was.

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Sometimes more is worse

Yin and War's talent and dedication to delivering a complete, well-produced and high quality series is undeniable. They are some of the best BL actors today and the commitment they put into this is evident (since they themselves financed this series).

Technically speaking, Jack & Joker is a spectacle. It has beautiful photography, impressive and realistic settings, the characterization of the characters is a highlight, the performances are all top-notch and the fight scenes are impeccably choreographed.

And when it comes to chemistry, there is nothing to comment on. Here they give a lesson.

But the script, unfortunately, does not work. I like the initial plot of the story being about a thief with a thousand faces who helps the poorest and a boy with a heart of gold who is forced to collect debts.

Unfortunately, the series starts to invent unnecessary plots that take away much of the shine that the first episodes have. Another point is the excess of poorly developed characters.

Save is an example of this. At no point does the series show his relationship with Jack to the point where we believe they are best friends (which is why all the betrayal seems out of place). He has no story, no development and in the end he gains an importance that feels misplace.

Hope is another character who appears and disappears from the series and who always has different motivations each time we see him.

Nang is another character who adds nothing to the story. She has an air of mystery and power surrounding her presence and it seems like she will have some importance in the story, but in the end nothing happens.

Rosé is another character who is only there to create drama between the main couple and fill up screen time.

But what really bothers me is how the series wastes the potential of Tattoo and Aran being a couple. All the elements were there, but they never go anywhere.

I really like Jack and Joker's relationship, especially in the first episodes, but all of this ends up being affected by the plot.

The Four Horsemen game is one of the worst decisions the series makes. I like the social criticism present there, but it makes the story too fantasy-like. And that's when things lose their way.

Joker's robberies become lazy and full of script conveniences. The pace of the series becomes tiresome. I hate Boss's plans (one minute he wants the necklace, then he wants the ring, then he wants to win a game, then he wants Jack to marry Rosé).

It's plot on top of plot on top of plot and the series forgets to develop the characters and what they're feeling. This whole ring thing is so cheesy and honestly takes away a lot from the quality of the series.

The final plot twist kind of invalidates all these episodes and makes us question what the purpose of all this bullshit that Boss created was.

Honestly, it's a very long and somewhat tiresome series. I love Yin and War and in terms of acting and chemistry, they delivered everything.

But the script ended up being bloated with so much narrative and plot when a simple story with good development and well-crafted characters would have worked better.

And despite all this, it is still a BL with exceptional quality and great actors. I just wish for a more thought-out script.

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"Everything will be okay"

Parangal (Award) was the sequel to Jollibee’s Date from 2017. This was a nice continuation to the original short film/commercial about a boy having a Valentine’s date with his mother.

Joey addresses the audience at his high school graduation, a day of awards for him. It is also a day he has been looking forward to so that he could pay tribute to his mother, the person who sacrificed to get him to this point. In Date, he followed his deceased father’s instructions to give his mother a nice Valentine’s Day. And while Joey was committed to stepping up to help his mother, his mother, as single mothers do, took on the role of mother and father to make sure her son graduated.

Parangal may have only been a creative commercial for Jollibee but it was also a reminder to remember the cost of parenthood when things get tough. Joey’s biggest gift was not an award, but the love of a mother dedicated to giving him a chance to succeed in the world. The mother was awarded a hard working son who also knew how to express gratitude. Gifts far greater than the price of a bucket of chicken.

22 December 2024

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Awww it's a cute dependable drama ❤️

I didn't expect this to be a ground breaking drama, the expectations are more like it sticks to popular themes in the past that made some of the comedic historical KDramas successful. The theme is usually about a young woman entering a school undercover as a man, her love interest is one of the male students who goes from enemy to friend to lover. Of course there are other male students who are potential suitors. They usually are a feast on the eyes and a reverse harem occurs. Hilarity ensues with the confusion of why she sometimes "acts" different and is over the top with her macho behavior at times. Throw in a public bathing situation she has to deal with along with all those rock hard bare chests and six packs she has to see. There might be heated arguments on forums with comments split between the 1ML, 2ML, 3ML, 4ML? camps on who is the best for her and how gorgeous that particular actor is. The acting is pretty solid and the characters didn't get on my nerves. The FL isn't too girly to be completely unbelievable as a young man and she seemed to be likeable enough.

Watching this drama so far for me feels like when you want to be in a comfort zone where you want something dependable that will deliver. I just want to watch it and be entertained, nothing too deep or thought provoking but it is fun, campy, and may get some good laughs out of you. It's like on a cold day, when you turn to your favorite warm non alcoholic (LOL) drink of choice you know will do the job and will keep the cold chills at bay. Or perhaps it's that warm soft blanket or throw on your sofa that is your go to when you aren't feeling well or you just want to laze around in comfort.

The first half of ep 1 I was so-so and didn't pay close attention to it but it started to pick up steam for me towards the last half that got me laughing. The second episode continued with the pace and was just as good. It's going to be a bit of a wait for the next episode. I started this before it completed so I can't complain too much that I'm left hanging for close to a week before the next one.

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Could have been a lot better with more time

Arashi and Rei - really simple story, not the type of characters I usually enjoy and it was true for this as well. Shoma did a really bad job with his acting but he is handsome and better at the kissing scenes. Takuto was bad as well, better than the actor for Rain in my opinion but the couple has no chemistry . Enjoyed the Japanese version of the show better for this couple, probably because their story is very simple and it works better with the shorter episodes. I give them 2 out of 10, watched them to see Fuma and Kai in the first episodes.

Unfortunately in this version we get very little time to show the friendship between Rei and Kai, Arashi and Fuma. We also lose some fun side characters but Rinka is better than the Thai version, Sky's ex was creepier in the Thai version. They cut a lot of useless fluff and that was great. The sound in this show was a lot better, the editing as well but it had a smaller budget and it showed.

Fuma and Kai- the story needed a better writer to give more depth to both Sky/Kai and Fuma/P'Pai but still a decent story. Asahi did a good job with his acting, he fails when it comes to his ,,womanizer,, persona but I prefer him to P'Pai with some exceptions. In the Thai version when P'Pai and Sky meet there was a certain level of uncertainty, P'Pai seemed more dangerous, like he could hurt Sky but this version lacks this and it's not a good thing in my opinion, some characters are better when they keep you guessing. Reo is the best actor in the series in my opinion, he did a great job with most of the scenes but some scenes lack ,,depth,, because they were not given the time they needed to develop the characters better. Unfortunately this was the character they choose to change the most and Sky looses some of his charm. The couple has chemistry in some scenes but not all unfortunately. Sure, Reo is a bit too old for this role but I will take an older actor any day if he does a good job acting. - I give them 6 out of 10, would have been 7 with two more episodes dedicated to them since time is what they lacked most.

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"A heart that loves, never gets tired"

Homecoming was a part of the Jollibee’s Valentine 2018 series and a follow-up to its immensely popular short film/commercial Crush. Rather than a sequel, it filled out Crush’s story of young love that had a rocky start.

Our nameless college student who delivered Jollibee hamburgers with encouraging notes to the female student he had a crush on in Crush, had to watch his love interest interacting with her boyfriend. As was hinted at in the first short, the boyfriend was very self-involved. The stalkerish good guy was always there to lend a hand or emotional support when she needed it. The beginning of the film showed they ended up together. The vignettes played out the progress of their relationship as she observed his generosity and tenacity.

I liked this short film/commercial better as it showed his actions that won her over and not just leaving her cold hamburgers with anonymous notes everywhere which I didn’t find particularly romantic. I won’t leave a drink unattended in a crowd, I’m certainly not going to eat a hamburger that appeared in my locker or on a bench. Here he stepped up to help her and was attentive to her needs. Jollibee was not forgotten after they became a couple. Even in old age she still loved Jollibee burgers and he was still Johnny on the spot to make sure she always had one on hand. The pragmatist in me wanted to mention she might need to have her cholesterol checked.

Homecoming was a cute follow-up to Crush that helped better explain how this couple based on a real story found their way to each other through a devotion to Jollibee burgers. Homecoming felt less contrived with a less problematic approach to romance than the first short film. As always, beauty and true love are in the eye of the beholder.

22 December 2024

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Not for the Unromantic!

I wanted to write this review after the second episode. This mini/short drama packs a mighty punch.

Let us start with the storyline in the synopsis after a tragic incident, two lovers who lose and find each other on opposite sides of life. In short, they have to find their way back to each other amidst a rollercoaster of emotions. I liked the storyline it drew me in right away mostly because of the acting from the ML and FL from the very beginning. In the very first episode (which I must say are too short) the cinematography and directing are spot-on. In what appears to be a minimal set and low-budget film the directing and special effects feel like a solid-budget film.

One of the things that caught my attention right away was the acting from both leads Dai Gaozheng and Tu Zhiying it was honestly captivating. I have watched many Asian dramas with the top billing stars that could not compare to these two in this short drama. The two leads do their part in telling the story as it should be told, a love story. The chemistry between the leads is electrifying, intense, and passionate, and it works like a charm. You will be drawn in like a spider to a web. The acting is spot-on for this type of drama

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