Reviews

One word- A masterpiece

Firstly, this drama lives in my heart, mostly because the story, the direction, and execution is flawless. More so, I had watched it in my dark times, waiting each week for this one was like a silver lining for me. Also, I have read the book.
There is lot I can say about this one, and endlessly so. But, let's point out some:
1. Star cast- P'Ohm and P'Nanon literally lived the characters. The fact they were real-life friends, and the fact that they amazing actors shows in each minute of the series- especially since this is the first BL of P'Nanon. The side characters, they will put you in dilemma of who to love more.
2. The story- This is topmost series for me, where other adaptions can be compares to the book, maybe equally or less amazing. But this one, noting that it is very loosely based on the book, it is something that takes the book to another top level. Both the book and series are incomparable and priceless.
3. The direction- What do I say? The way scenes are written, the way they are portrayed, is seen in the delivery of the actors. Also, each episode ends on a mind-blowing cliffhanger. Like what!
4. The music- Beautiful songs that literally mean Pat and Pran's story, songs that are forever in all my playlists- Just friends, Our song, Same page. Another thing I noted, every emotional scene has a light, calm music, similar to the music you listen for good sleep, recorded at specific Hz.
5. Unforgettable scenes- I have seen many series, but there are some that you kind of link with. You just know how to read between the lines. I guess this series is that for me. There are many legendary scenes in this drama, and I can watch them on repeat for my life- All rooftop scenes (especially the kiss), the confession at the college, their playful push and pull game, their flirting. Most of all, the series slaps 2 BL tropes right in its face.
Also, Pat, my baby boy. I love 3 scenes where I can see the love Pran has for him-right in his eyes, like "What do I do of this fool?" First, the rooftop kiss, then college bench scene, and then the scene where they speak in red uniform.
6. Pat and Pran- The characters are beautiful. But not among those where you go, "This happens only in dramas". Though the background of the story might be little unrealistic, but these 2 characters are greenest flags. For me, the epitome of ideal relationship. The fact that the characters understand each other, acknowledge, accept, respect each other is the backbone of their relationship- A clear message for life.
7. The end- The message that they gave in the laat episodes, and the way the main couple lives up to it, is something that always makes me think- "this is how you make it work". Though many may not agree to what they do, but they chose to do it, without any regrets at any point. Maybe, even they might have had quarrels, but again point 5 above speaks a lot for this. I remember what Pran says to Pat in last of episode 8.

This one is my go to drama-always.

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An arthouse film on an instalment plan

Netflix has been quietly sneaking in newer doramas of all shades and stripes and I approve of that. I don't get to decide what qualifies as a dorama and what not, but... I find it impossible to describe this as anything other than an eight-part arthouse film that could have been made anywhere. Keep that in mind. You have now been warned and may proceed at your own risk.

There is no Indy Jones and no Lara Croft. None of the characters are going on adventures inside the titular orifices. Rather they narrate events from their utterly ordinary lives before unheroically hiking into them, or not. The orifices themselves remain an unexplained part of the landscape. Nothing is conquered, nothing is transcended, and no risks are taken. Not by the characters and probably not by the people who made it. I can't tell if the producers put their money into this work as a profit-seeking endeavour, as a labour of love, or as a tax write-off.

Should you watch it? Well, considering that I could pause it to cook and clean and then forget that I'd been watching it for another half hour... you should get up, get dressed, and support the performing arts by going to the theatre to watch a Pirandello play instead.

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Started out well but...

I enjoyed first 6 episodes despite of lot of cliche filled scenes and unrealistic story line because the actors carried it out well but then I did not care anymore.. There is a limit to unbelievability after which it becomes exhausting.

1. How can a spokesperson of a president hide his wife for years. Anyone during three years would have spied on him and within few days would find out Hong Hee Ju coming out of his apartment daily. At one point he also challenges press to find dirt on him and still the press did not find about his wife. That too when his wedding became mysteriously private and his wife was not seen with him for years. First thing any journalist heck even an intern would do is check about his wife. Thats ridiculous that they did not till ML reveals.
2. How is the kidnapper able to so easily kidnap her in the temple so easily. Both FL and ML and the whole world knows about the kidnapping, they are roaming around without a security even after FL and ML get hurt one after another in different incidents clearly executed by the same kidnapper. ML keeps talking big about protecting FL and all she does is run around alone multiple times and ML does not care. where was the body guards he employed who were shown for one episode!
3. He is the spokes person to the president and he uses all his time and resource to work on personal matters. President is not in the picture. Only time he comes is when he literally gives his vehicle to ML. Only when romance is needed they remember about some speech of his so that FL can also be with him. And again using the same platform to announce his missing wife. I see everyone commenting that they were crying seeing ML cry but I am sorry at this point i did not feel any damn thing for ML or FL .
4. What was the point of FL sending pictures of her leg ? what was she thinking. It was obvious that ML will either suspect her (which he did not somehow that makes him stupid) or suspect an affair with the caller and if ML had really no feelings for her as she thought, he might have come back with a vengeance for having an affair behind his back. Did she really think he will give divorce immediately knowing she is having an affair?

Overall still a good one time watch may be if we watch at one go and all the actors including ML and FL did so well . But i lost interest after watching 10 episodes. Definitely not worth 8..9 .

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There is something rotten in Kaifeng.

Riverside Code at Qingming Festival/清明上河图密码 is adapted from Ye Wenbiao's popular suspense novel of the same name. One of the highest rated popular novels on Douban, it draws inspiration from Zhang Zeduan's epic 11th century scroll painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival/清明上河图. This panoramic masterpiece meticulously depicts 814 figures, 60 animals, 122 houses, 28 ships, 15 vehicles, over 30 buildings and 8 sedan chairs going about their daily lives along the grand canal. It is an eerily vibrant, intricate and authentic snapshot of Kaifeng (then known as Bianjing) at the peak of its cultural and economic significance; not long before the city was invaded, captured and largely destroyed by the Jurchens in 1127. It is a miracle that this iconic and magnificent record of the city's urban infrastructure, military instalments, industry and commerce and citizens from all walks of life survived. This visually immersive drama virtually restores the sweeping grandeur and prosperity of Kaifeng when it was believed to be the largest city in the ancient world and brings it to life. The drama opens with the mysterious disappearance of the Mei ship sailing under the Rainbow Bridge, which is the centrepiece of the painting.

This narrative examines what lies beneath the glittering facade of prosperity and the elated bustle along the Bian River as the citizens of Kaifeng celebrate the Qingming Festival via the eyes of a common family of five. This ties in with the Confucian concept of the family as a microcosm of the state 家国一体; thus the wellbeing of the family is intricately linked with the success of the state. For fifteen years, Zhao Buyou languished as a lowly assistant scribe at Dàlǐsì, the Court of Judicial Review. Even though he doesn't have everything, he is content; happily married to Wen Yue, a filial son to his eccentric father Zhao Li and a good elder brother to his much younger siblings Mo'er and Ban'er. Wen Yue however thinks they need a bigger house so she makes umbrellas to supplement their income. Their world fractures when Buyou is unfairly dismissed from Dàlǐsì while Wen Yue is extorted and harassed by a corrupt official. Pushed into a corner, they discover each other’s hidden secrets and race to protect each other and their family. Soon the entire family uses their special talents to assist Gu Zhen and Wan Fu of the Kaifeng Court solve a series of mysterious cases beginning with the Mei ship case. As the cases unfold, it becomes obvious that something is rotten in Kaifeng, and his name is Zou Mian.

The design of the overarching plot is fresh and interesting; the main villain Zou Mian is so powerful he appears to be above the law and his identity is known from the get go. But the true antagonist hides in plain sight and uses ruthless means to expose Zou Mian's corruption and misdeeds, including threatening the Zhao family. All of the cases are linked to the overarching plot, which is well designed and ties everything together in a satisfying way. The cases are very dark and disturbing and some of the antagonists are unnecessarily depraved and cruel. A unifying theme is that good people can become radicalised and driven to do terrible, desperate and extreme things when they lose faith in a system that fails them repeatedly. While the cases start out well, possibly because of how daringly they push the boundaries in terms of justifying vigilante justice, the conclusions seem to suffer from heavy cuts that leave logic gaps and loose ends. There is some level of just too much going on with the Zhao family drama unfolding alongside the cases. While I enjoyed their family dynamics and learning their backstories, these scenes could have been tightened. In particular Wen Yue going solo was based on shaky logic and her mid-life crisis was not well articulated and detracted from the cases at hand. I always get excited to see c-dramas attempt dark comedy but in this case, while there were some really funny moments, half the time it just didn't land. Overall, for something adapted from such a highly regarded novel, the screenplay does not do justice to the high production values, the exquisite set and the stellar cast.

As for the cast, it is a veteran dream team. I couldn't ask for a better lineup of favorite actors who deliver commanding performances in supporting roles notably Li Naiwen's disingenuous Dilun, Zhang Xinyu's wicked Qiniang and Hai Yitian's slightly unhinged Xiao Yishui. As expected, Zhang Songwen delivers an empathetic and nuanced performance as a flawed, miserable and oppressed character who just sucks it up while his talent is ignored until his harmonious family is threatened. He is more of a coward than a hero and his motives are selfish but relatable. I thoroughly enjoyed his humorous banter with Gu Zhen and Wan Fu and but was shocked by how cynically and ruthlessly they navigate a system that is so broken from within to find their own brand of justice. While Bai Baihe delivers a few exceptional moments as Wen Yue, she doesn't consistently convey the complexity of the role and the inner conflicts that Wen Yue struggled with. The weakest link by far however is Zhang Yao's Mo'er. This is an important role that is meant to illustrate the poisoning of the well. Unfortunately this young actor who struck me as promising years ago in Love in Between, was not ready for this role. He failed to convincingly portray how Mo'er's sorrow, disillusionment and budding resentment made him susceptible to manipulation. This made his darkening from an idealistic young scholar who wanted to reform the system from within seem abrupt and out of character. After all the build-up, I was also surprised by what a lame, wimp Zou Mian turned out to be. There were many fantastic wild, wicked and intimidating villains in this drama but sadly, the "Big Boss" did not live up to his reputation.

Even though this drama ends satisfyingly shortly after the plot climaxes with the reveal of a well-acted and well-hidden mastermind, Zou Mian's take down was anti-climactic. After all the vigilante justice, it makes sense for rule of law and procedural justice to win the day. However, I would have better enjoyed a more exciting denouement and preferably one that does not bypass the question of whether the ends justify the means. As much as I appreciate the meticulous attention to historical detail and the high production values, this drama falters enough in the writing and execution that I can't rate it better than 8.5/10.0. It is still a riveting suspense drama that is entertaining and engaging enough that it deserves another season, hopefully with a better writing team.

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Consistenly good till the end

I tried to watch a lot of period dramas and every time i get bored or disappointed with either the story or the lack of character depth or sheer unbelievablility of the way characters are with respect to those times.

Pros :
1. ML and FL - their character arc, their chemistry and the way they complement each other is one of the best. Both have their strengths and weaknesses and each try to work it out knowing that very well.
2. Good character arc for almost every character in the story surrounding FL and ML. Everyone are contributing to the story not just there for the sake of glorifying ML or FL. The way they act has valid reasons be it FL's uncle who just wants his family fortune to change, or even the useless Marquis husband of FL's sister. They are so believable. And everyone sort of meets a beffiting end in the story. I love so many characters in this show. Even a small scene between Crown Prince and his wife is so wholesome. So i did not find any scenes unncessary.
3. A real smart and brave FL without overglorification. The biggest gripe I have with period C dramas is that they say that women have little to know rights but then somehow in most of the shows FL is overglorified and she somehow gets away with anything and everything she does( ** cough Kuning cough** ). Strength of an FL can be shown even during those times befitting the period it is shown with but in many shows FL are simply overglorified with everyone being a fan of her. But in this case FL Is smart but she is also vulnerable when she needs to be. That makes it more believable. Best scene for me is she shooting the prince. She uses the gun during the bandit attack but fails to target and succeeds only the second time. Not like out of nowhere she take sthe gun and hits . Every female character are different but they all have their own strengths and weaknesses.
4. I like that till the end ML is sticking to the revenge plan and outright not forget about it as soon as he meets FL. At the end its the story where FL has to rewrite her fate and along with hers even MLs which she succeeds but it is also a revenge story for ML. His older life was driven by revenge which he took on wrong people but this life time he succeeds. So the story sticks to both FL's goal and ML's goal without deviating. And every character that was shown at the end of their first life contributes positively or negatively towards their goal in the second.
4. Pacing - You don't feel bored at any time.

Cons:
1. There are some scenes which i still feel is overly done. For ex: Everyone somehow coming to FL's rescue when she is punished to copy a book or the time when ML gets her mother's bangles for FL on the wedding day. These are small things which can still be explained so not a big problem for the feel of the show . It is really over the top scene which was not required. He could have gone and met his mother before she died instead of follwing the FL. It was too cheesy for my liking!
2. i do still see some modern values being juxtaposed to the olden times .

Overall a very good CDrama of 2024. Loved it !

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"A Found Family" which prevails throughout all challenges!

I watched this drama without any knowledge of the donghua or Douluo Continent. Before starting to watch this I was a little concerned because of the change of the cast. To replace an actor like Xiao Zhan with Zhou Yi Ran seemed to me quite gutsy. Yet the cast here did really well and Zhou Yi Ran and Zhang Yu Xi were great in portraying Tang San and Xiao Wu. As I didn't watch such game and anime like dramas before, there were some aspects I had to get used to. But the story, cast and the realization of the fantasy and soul-ability elements is good and I got hooked within the first episodes and stayed until the end without skipping or fast forwarding. Especially the friendship between the Seven Devils, who form a "found family" throughout the whole story, even when they are not together, made this drama for me a very valuable watch. I craved such a "family" after watching "The Blood of Youth" and "Fangs of Fortune", which I can highly recommend!
Now I even started to watch the donghua as I got hooked with the very good story. The song :"Confused", became one of my favored songs. I liked the drama very much and can recommend it. So just watch The Land of Warriors and build your own opinion. It's really underrated!

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A Nostalgic Masterpiece with Thrills, Laughs, and Heart

Life on Mars is a masterful blend of mystery, nostalgia, and camaraderie, delivering a drama that is as thrilling as it is heartfelt. From the very beginning, the show captivates with a stellar opening that sets the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable ride.

The production quality is nothing short of extraordinary. Shot in a cinematic 2.3:1 aspect ratio, the drama feels more like a carefully crafted film than a typical TV series. The color correction captures the essence of the 1980s, immersing viewers in its retro aesthetic, while the music selection perfectly complements the era. The creative use of POV shots had me audibly exclaiming in amazement—it’s a visual feast that keeps you glued to the screen.

Comedy is another strong suit of Life on Mars. The humor, often punctuated with nostalgic nods like the "Memories of Murder"-esque flying kicks, provides a delightful counterbalance to the show’s darker themes. The camaraderie between the characters, especially the team led by Jung Kyung Ho, is palpable and heartwarming. Jung Kyung Ho’s ability to forge believable friendships with his co-stars adds an emotional depth to the drama, making their chemistry feel natural and unforced.

The episodic cases are tightly written and resolved efficiently, avoiding unnecessary filler. The team’s synergy shines through in these moments, making each case feel engaging and meaningful. However, it’s around Episode 7 that the drama elevates itself even further, with the stakes rising and the soundtrack continuing to impress.

While I haven’t seen the original British series, I can confidently say that the Korean adaptation stands tall on its own merits and likely surpasses its source material. The cultural nuances, stunning production, and emotionally charged performances give it a distinct edge that makes it feel fresh and impactful.

That said, the show does stumble slightly in its later episodes. Between Episodes 12 and 14, the introduction of new characters and a reduction in screen time for the core cast disrupt the rhythm that had been so meticulously built. It feels as though the narrative takes an unexpected detour, momentarily diluting the momentum.

Fortunately, Life on Mars regains its footing in its final two episodes, delivering a jaw-dropping conclusion. The return of the original cast to the forefront brings back the magic that made the drama so compelling in the first place. The finale is nothing short of spectacular, tying up loose ends and leaving viewers with a sense of satisfaction.

In the end, Life on Mars is a brilliant drama that excels in its production, storytelling, and emotional resonance. While it experiences a slight dip in pacing, its strong start and unforgettable ending make it a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and nostalgic storytelling alike. Truly, a beautiful conclusion to an amazing journey.

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Guilty pleasure drama !!

I have seen a few short dramas with similar settings / premise and this one has been one of the best for me .

the drama knows what it wants to tell to the audience - it will not overstate itself and keep to its limitations of its length , acting capabilities of the actors and the storytelling .

the leads exhuded awesome sensual chemistry which is what the premise was set for and it delivers - one of the best kissing scenes in cdramas in short length category - if they had pushed a bit more I would have enjoyed it thouroughly but maybe censorship comes in the way ;) .

The leads work off each other well and would love to see them again in another project .

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It's really an outstanding drama for sure?❤️‍?

First of all I watched this for Wang anyu because he is in my top 3 favourite Chinese actors ,i seen him through forever love drama it's also a good one and then I saw him from a treasure hunting show I don't know name but it is with tian xi wei ,yang di and others his real character was shown there he was really a funny person and outgoing one the I am watching now another one named natural high s 2 with bai jingting ,teng sheng ,jin chen etc it's also good and I liked him more the I was searching for a long time to get his good drama and I found this .
It's actually very heartwarming story with no break up and misunderstanding after they start their relationship, it's also comes as enemies to lovers genre and their chemistry is also good ,more over the emotional feelings when they won and had go through lots up and down for their dream that was so touching I was literally crying . it's all about ice skating.
Then about actress actually I don't know her well I never seen her drama also I don't know why I can't find her good drama her acting was smooth and she was literally pretty I saw her pictures from Google but I don't know what happened in the drama her bangs won't suit her but she is cute and matters is all the acting right ? It was really good
Their chemistry is not like hot and satisfying but simple and good to see and giggling

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hot nc scenes thats all

if you like watching nc scenes then you are going to enjoy those scenes they are good, but if you also want a good plot, sorry to break the news to you but there is barely any plot
3 eps every ep is about 5 mins but half of the time is AV scenes (nc scenes) , the editing part look bad, the plot look confusing and just not good enough, id say there is no depth and you will not feel attached to the characters because there is no time nor more info to feel fond of them, the ending of the last ep (ep 3) is so unsatisfactory too
and of course im checking here because i check almost everything i see then i wonder what im watching lol

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