Reviews

Excellent Character Driven Story - Career, Marriage, Family?

If you are a woman, you will appreciate this show. Here's a show that tells your life story whether you are already a mother or a single woman contemplating marriage and motherhood or one that cherishes freedom from neither. If you are a man, you will come away with a better appreciation of the choices women have to make and the sacrifices and trade-offs they are faced with. Career, children, family - which one gives? Through the lens of Xiao Yan, Chen Jiao Rui and You Ya, we experience these life choices.

Ultimately, this is a show about character development. There's no perfect heroine or villain. Everyone goes through his or her evolution of change, some more subtle than others. The romance is low key and serves more as a backdrop.

The plots are not new but unlike many 40+ episodes cdramas, this show succeeded in not dragging out the cliff hangers and give viewers quick conclusion to each plot within a few episodes whether it is redemption for the characters or providing them with stepping stones to a future resolution.

Whether you are rooting for the stubborn but strong work ethics Xiao Yan, happy-go-lucky but naive You Ya or the conflicted and manipulative Chen Jiao Rui, you will appreciate the choices and decisions these women have to make in their daily lives as they navigate corporate politics, traditions and self-beliefs to achieve their dreams.

The entire cast are perfect for their roles but a shout out to Tamia Liu. She did not disappoint. Happy to report that this show does not suffer from cringe-worthy, over the top acting. So there you have it. If you enjoy slice of life dramas such as Ode to Joy or Nothing But Thirty where women are the centrepiece, this will be worth every minute of your time.

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The drama lacked romance...

Where do I start...... I am someone who loves Thai dramas because of the angst and romance that goes on in these storylines but I have to say that this drama did not deliver at all.

There was a lot of angst but it did not make any sense, and the romance between the couple only happens in the 13th episode and even after that the ML denies his feelings for the FML. During the whole drama the male lead keeps saying that he hates the FML and he keeps verbally abusing her, even when he likes her he keeps denying it and the drama would have been better if they could show the emotional struggle the ML had to go through when he denied his feelings.

Thankfully, the FML had a strong back bone and she had witty comments for all the crap that the ML dished on her, but she puts up with everything he does and still cares for him until the very last episode.

Also don't get me started on the second leads, the FML's young minor sister has a crush and develops feelings for the older best friend of the ML. That just grossed me out. The sister needed parental approval to go on the trips with her coworkers, that 's how young she was!! I thought she would make a better pair with the assistant guy who is always supporting her in everything, but no, they make the older guy hit on the young minor. That part was just too gross for me.

The acting was great but I honestly did not like this drama and will not watch it ever again.

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Same Old Drama with good casts

Overview: I’ve watched many of the leading actors’ previous works and they’re very good at it. The chemistry is so-so and the feeling is like they’re friends. The guy did his acting well with introverted scientist feelings and the girl was said to be introverted as well but that’ll be too boring so they let her light up and be naughty. The overall theme is nothing new really. Same cliche just different people. The amazing reviews here must be rigged because I truly didn’t enjoy it. Too passive, too predictable. We’re rich, you’re poor. We’re Rich and grew up together so we have inside love turmoil. Inheritance same old battle. Why did I even bother?

The producers are probably trying to find a hit drama like Eternal Love 1 and 2. The setting is also redone over and over BUT great chemistry and story made up for it. You know it’s a cheesy drama but can’t help but be drawn.. sweet liar drama is also same old setting recycled all over but the chemistry is good.

This drama didn’t meet the chemistry standard of those two. It’s really a very friendly mood.

Pro:
- good acting by super Pro actors. Main guy did act like an awkward scientist but unbelievably castrated look. Really he doesn’t look too energized but more confused and awkward.
- predictable plot if you like predictable things

Cons
- the guy was castrated in his previous life so he doesn’t have the passion. Or maybe he is castrated naturally. By episode 15, I can’t find any intensity.
- same recycled setting. It must have been done in the same neighborhood. The guy’s mansion is something I’ve seen before in other dramas. The ‘owners’ looked uncomfortable sitting on the mansion chairs.
- sickness part takes like many many episodes. Same old scene, same old setting.

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wow, this was a hectic show!

PSA INCLUDES SPOILERS!

LIKED ABOUT THIS -
- the little romance
- the fighting scenes
- how prepared he was
- his smart & unexpected moves, he hits them 10x harder & they retaliate
- the chemistry between the main leads. & how their connection with another is very trustworthy & cute! Also when they lost one of their parents, they were there for each other & helped each other. + their kiss scenes were amazing ngl! They weren’t little pecks!
- the tenants at the plaza, they had many talents like wthele. You could have never expected that!
- everyone’s love for one another, they are were all devoted to helped Vincenzo win
- I basically loved everything
HATED ABOUT THIS -
- HOW MANY FREAKN PEOPLE DIED! ALOT OF PEOPLE DIED & I WAS HONESTLY GETTING USED TO ALOT OF PEOPLE DYING TBH CS IT KEPT HAPPENING!
- WHEN HIS MUM DIED, THAT BROKE MY HEART! HE WAS FINALLY GETTING TO KNOW HER BUT FROM HER DEATH ON, HE JUST GOT MORE RUTHLESS! WHICH IS KINDA GOOD BUT STILL HEARTBREAKING
- WHEN HER DAD DIED , THIS ONE HIT HOME TOO! IT WAS SO SHOCKING & I FELT BAD FOR HER SINCE HER LAST WORDS TO HIM WEREN’T NICE
- WHEN THAT GUY DIED AT THE END ( I FORGOT HIS NAME ) BUT THE GUY WHO VINCENZO SHOT IN THE ARM TO MAKE HIS STORY MORE BELIEVABLE
- THE ENDING TBH, WHY COULDN’T SHE PROVE HIS INNOCENCE OR DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT INSTEAD OF HIM RUNNING AWAY.
- WHAT DID THEY DO WITH THE GOLD ? DID THEY SPEND IT ? HOW DO YOU GET THE MONEY FROM THE GOLD ?

& I NEED A SEASON 2, WITH A NEW VILLAN! MAYBE HIS BIOLOGICAL DAD ?

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The comedy in the series is sweet

In the beginning, it was a great series, but I mean, as it neared the end of the series, it became boring
And without meaning they broke up at the end for stupid reasons But the comedy and the beautiful songs remain special in the series The characters are also beautiful. The story was also wonderful and had a great meaning But whoever loves comedy and wants a change in the series, this series deserves comedy with something strange but romantic no He misses this aspect a lot The music is sweet and the story has a beautiful meaning, and in this series he wanted to convey the meaning to you,

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Oh my gahhhhh I loved this show!!!!
I loved how they had a little bit of everything rolled into this. I find it very unique in it's own way and I can't hate it at all.

I think what really hooked me though was the humor and bubbly moments. When it first started off in current times, I legit thought I had started watching the wrong show but I was like "eh let's see how it goes" -- to find out it was the right show, just a game. Lol But when I say this show was so freaking amazing, I forgot she was in a game. Even when she forgets and then reminds herself during the first few episodes, was never much longer later that I forgot she was in a game. LOL!
But I love that! I really wonder if I would be as obsessed with this show if it didn't feel "authentic". Wonder how much (if at all) my thoughts would change if I remembered the whole time it was a game.

I think what trips me out even more was not knowing I had seen Murong Chen / Yun Ya before it all even started. My sister had to point it out like "hey ... isn't that the guy that was [...]" bruh the gasp I left out when it clicked, but I never in my LIFE would have expected ALL (assume) of the characters working in the same place! That very last part made me super giddy. It was PERFECT!!! Again though, they could have ended it with them fighting over her journal and I would have been happy. Least.... until it dawned on me that real life existed. Lol Then I would question, so I'm really glad they ended it the way they did.

I have questions though. Why the bottles and umbrella? Did they talk about bringing those just to see who was who? Orrrr was it raining and that just so happened to be their drinks they picked up? I feel like this was probably explained in the book (which I really should read). But if anyone knows or has any ideas, I'd be glad to hear it. Till then, I'm just going to assume it was raining and they all brought something to drink but how they held everything shows who their character was since they all held their swords/objects a certain way through the show. Lol

All in all, I don't really have any complaints. Even the "bad guy" didn't seem like the ultimate "bad guy" which made her different to me. Her back story is so heartbreaking I really just want to give her a hug.
Sucks what had to happen though. But for how everything turned out I really did love this show. Wish it had showed what happened to Yi.

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Great Chemistry, Strange Couples, Boring office storylines

I watched this for the chemistry between the leads, of which they had ample of.
I found myself bored to tears with the office storylines. Some of the decisions that the characters make (not just the leads) got me scratching my head.

I could without ep. 31-35. It had SO much potential to make the SML storyline great and I found myself angry for him. Did they have to do that to make the ML the only viable choice? The character development for the SML was so great...until it wasn't.

Anyways here are my thoughts:

Positives
Chemistry
Cute moments

Negatives
You really have to turn off your brain on some of the logic.
Boring office storylines

I found myself watching the last 7 episodes in 2x speed, just to finish it.

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This was my first BL, so I'm particularly fond of it. I really enjoyed it, it won't be perfect in editing, acting (although, I must say, that all the actors put their utmost effort into their roles and it shows) and storyline, but it's worth watching it because the two main couples are very interesting and beautiful. Both couples start out as "enemies" and then end up as lovers. One couple is much sexier and more seductive, while the other is softer and more cute. But the most important thing IT’S THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THE ACTORS ZEE- SAINT AND JIMMY-TOMMY WOOOWWWW

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You might think I'm being horribly partial by giving this drama such a high grade, considering how I'm the one who actually subbed it...but it really is the other way around, seriously! I decided to sub this (and given my basic knowledge of Japanese, it's been a real pain in the you-know-what, believe me - no surprise it took me so long to complete it, ehm...^_^;...) precisely because I had read about it, watched a coupla RAW episodes, and immediately thought "Oh, my...this is just my cup of tea!"...the kind of madly creative and out of the ordinary drama that, on the one hand, I totally dig, and that unfortunately, on the other hand, was most probably bound to be ignored by subbers, 'cause it's not really popular with the Western audience (let's face it, it's pretty niche!).
Upon watching (and re-watching every scene a gazillion times while subbing, LOL), my initial impression was confirmed, and I sincerely think that this is a real lil' gem!
The script is very well done, the acting very good, each story has a different flavor and manages to surprise the viewers in a different way; the music is nice and the whole series is neatly directed and edited.
Some episodes might be better than others (and then again, it all comes down to your personal preferences), but I think each had its own quality: an original, politically incorrect message in the first episode; a thought-provoking dystopy, paired with a lovely humane message, in the second one; one of the most surprising (and personally, scariest) endings ever in the third one; a tremendously Dantesque retaliation in the fourth one; and last but not least, a profound metadrama in the final episode.
I wish there were more dramas like that, seriously! Perfect 10 as far as I'm concerned! ^___-

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WHOLESOME AND ADORABLE

Absolutely adored this!

I went in knowing it would be unique, entertaining and fun based on comments and reviews (which is rare for TVB/HK dramas on this platform since not too many people recognize them/review them) so I already had good feelings for it, but it really gets better than what is described by reviewers.

FAMILY IS EVERYTHING
- The characters here most all have their flaws in personality or makes some questionable decisions showing their humanity and I like them more for that, each family member gets their own scenes to really shine and it really works
- By midway through it really does feel like Bo is a part of the family and it's more than just her doing their chores and cleaning after them
- ep 29 is wholesome and hilarious (The "Thailand vacation" moment)

PLOT= PRETTY FAST-PACED AND INTERESTING
- I like that it shows both sides of the situation we have the developers of the AI who wants full control of their products and sees them as only tools to help society, but we also see the other side where there are families and individuals who truly love their AI as a part of their family and where the AI wants to do good, and be more than just a piece of control device
- Romance was well done here, definitely more a slow-burn natural friends to lovers for the main couple, there's a love triangle but I am not annoyed at all since I enjoyed Crystal Fung's scenes as well.
- Honestly, TVB did sci-fi really well here and I would love to see a S2 or a similar concept done. This is just right, not too over-the-top ridiculous but instead goes the more heartwarming route which I loved

ALI LEE IS DEF. THE MVP
- There are some scenes where she's killing it especially with the blank expression of her face like a doll the whole time she never breaks character, which makes for some hilarious scenes in social situations where the robot just doesn't adapt like us humans,
- This is a tin man but with a golden heart situation, where our girl starts to love and care for the family members, so many touching moments

Would I watch it again? Sure in a couple of years I feel like this would still stand the test of time even if TVB start making more sci-fi dramas

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Although this aired back when I was still in high school, I hadn't watched it until recently when Im well out of school haha. Regardless, that didn’t stop me from enjoying every bit of this drama! It was a nice break from the typical dramas I watch, and super refreshing as a youth school drama as this one mainly focused on studying!

Truly a great show for high schoolers or students in general as it gives not only tips & advice on how to study and do better on test taking but it also portrays a lot of life lessons in between. Whether the tips actually help students is up to the individual, but the main take away from this show is to give students that motivation and strength to do their best even if the odds are all against them. One must change their negative mentality and perspective on life to actually move forward in their future, instead of giving excuses to themselves, they need believe in themselves & their abilities.

The teachers were all lovely (the ones in the special classes), truly such a great support system in education but also as mentors for the students. I loved seeing all their different perspectives on their individual subjects and their approach to make studying it more enjoyable. But I would like to applaud their main mentor as I believe he played the biggest part in all 5 of those students lives. He was the force that truly pushed them to stop pitying themselves, to work hard and make something of themselves before its too late. He encouraged them to not throw their lives and future away just because it’s been programmed in their minds that they’ll never succeed or that they aren’t smart enough because they come from considered “unprivileged” upbringings. The main mentor may have assigned all 5 students the same one goal in the beginning, however it was only placed there to help the students figure out their path and what they wanted to do in their life. So not only was he helping shape their minds for the test, but also helping them subconsciously how they wanted to pursue their future. Also his ability to spread awareness to the parents was really admirable as well. In order for the students to grow, they need the support, encouragement, understanding and love from their loved ones which I feel can be overlooked sometimes in these situations. It needs to start at home! So I love that this drama really emphasized a parents duty to the kids as well.

I think this is a great watch for anybody, whether if you are in school or not, or a parent! If you are a student who is struggling or lack of motivation to study, maybe this will give you that push and determination to ace that next big exam! It may even feel like you have a room full of study buddies =) Or if you are like me who is a huge fan of Yoo Seung Ho!!! lol you will not be disappointed, he may play a stubborn baddy but hes still a softy at heart!!

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One of my favorites!

This was a really solid drama! I genuinely enjoyed nearly everything about it.

Notes:
1- lead couple chemistry and development
The chemistry between Yu Zhen and Shi Lei was top notch, really nice to watch. The development was kinda stinted at times and felt like it made a couple big jumps in certain spots, but given all the other things that I enjoyed about this drama, I personally don't find it a big issue since it was fairly mild.

2- side couple
Really cute! Honestly one of my favorite side couples I've come across.

3- backstories
My biggest gripe with this drama is that due to the short length and relative slow pacing, it feels like the hints at both Yu Zhen and Gang's backstories were wasted. We were given just enough about Yu Zhen's backstory to be lead to believe it would be a major block in his and Shi Lei's relationship, but it wasn't except for the existence of the Single Rule. There was wasted potential in specifically Yu Zhen's backstory and would have provided an opportunity to further develop Yu Zhen and Shi Lei's relationship.

4- Shi Lei's mom
Oh, I'd die for this woman. It was really refreshing and just NICE to see a mother in a BL encouraging her son. Shi Lei's mom deserves the whole world, and that scene with Shi Lei and his mom killed me.

5- relative low secondhand embarrassment
This is a personal pet peeve I have in dramas, but I find them unwatchable if the secondhand embarrassment is too high. It was fairly low with this one - it was mostly just awkward interactions that are normal with the person you like.

I really enjoyed Be Loved in House: I Do. It's one of my favorites and definitely does retain rewatch value for me personally.

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Good Enough

Korean Drama 'Sell Your Haunted House' is a plethora of ghosts and smooth dynamics.

The best thing about this drama is the lack of romance. The two did have chemistry and their dynamics were spot on, but they were not romantic ones. The ghost stories were all pretty interesting as well, and were nicely knitted into the main mystery. However, the latter was stretched out a bit too far. Still, the take on the ghost, from their abilities, to their makeup, was a refreshing touch. The exorcist ceremonial characteristics were also a factor that gave originality to the drama.

Finally, the performances were all great, but this needs a special shout-out to Jang Na Ra who proves that she can play rom com leads as well as dynamic, hardcore women.

So, overall, 8 out of 10.

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