Reviews

It was very good until the last ep.

So i have watched this from bugging to end watched many reactions and also rewatched it as well. And finally give you my honest, unfiltered opinion.

1) Is the show good?

+) Yes and no. why? The show started with amazing plot but at the end of the series it left me on a huge disappointment. The show was good and it some ep's it was getting better and in some ep's it was getting worse. I couldn't even bare the last ep,vthats how bad the ending was. The ending of the series was not build apon at all. Im fine with an a open ending and they could have just ended it but nooo, they must drag on. The open ending was not structured properly, it wasn't strong, It didn't have a back-bone. ( One good open ending that was very very build and had an actual back bone was The ending in "P.S I Hate You" that Wanwan's open ending made so much sense and it was so beautiful. The dff open ending makes on sense.)

2) Is the acting/Characters

Acting was very very good specially the actor who plays 'Tee' and the actor who plays 'Fluke'. Fluke was played beautifully. Tee made me cry so hard.
Acting was amazing.

3) Is the producting good?.

+) Yes but something its pure garbage. Like cutting of someone's head with just a string. That's not possible at all. That makes no sense at all.

+) There is a character that makes no sense. They say "They dont want to be a murderer" and they literally kills someone . They say they don't want to be a murderer when they just murdered someone. (This shit was 180 and it makes absolute no sense at all. Im not even joking they say they dont want to murder and legit kills someone the same day. wtf?)

4) How is the romance.

The romance was beautiful and got me shipping ans invested in there love love. Kina sad we didn't get much romace between white and tee (Not a spoiler. they are together from the start).
They where the most pure, healthiest relationship of the series who where so cute together, and which was very wholesome. But the ending ruined it all. They fucked up there relationship and left me with the most bitter tast i filt ever in my whole life. When i mean the fucked it there relationship, I mean it. They fucked up there relationship so bad u couldn't keep watching and just skipped, yup it was so unbearable.

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Best Historical Chinese Drama I Have Ever Seen and Became My No. 1 Drama

This drama really suits my type. I like dramas that has mystery and friendship on it and no romance. After watching this drama, it became my number 1 most favorite and most deserve to rewatch. This story really made me cry a lot and made me laugh a lot. I really love Li Bing and the gang friendship. Not only that the gang help Li Bing solve the cases and share burdens, they are also loyal to Li Bing even though they had figured out that Li Bing is a cat demon, but instead became Li Bing's fanboy 🤣. Even if the world hated and abandoned on Li Bing, the gang would always stayed by his side. The sentence "just do good deeds and don't worry about the future" in chinese "但行好事，莫问前程" really touches me, I will never forget that sentence from Li Bing. I don't care about MDL ratings. As long as I love it, then for me it's worth to watch it.

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W DESERVES HIGH PRAISES!!!!

W deserves HIGH praise for its unique and inventive plot, which seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, romance, and suspense. One of the reasons why the drama is considered amazing is its creative narrative structure. The story revolves around a webtoon artist whose daughter gets entangled with his own creation when she discovers a parallel universe within the webtoon. Off the bat its shocking, you see things you dont expect things to see. And for me who goes into things blindly without looking at trailer or reviews THIS SHOCKED ME TO THE BONE! This concept of characters interacting with their creator and the world of fiction merging with reality adds a captivating and mind-bending layer to the plot. You never expect things, ever and I am usually so good at guessing whats going to happen, BUT IT DOESNT HAPPEN SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENES. The creator is literally showing off with how good this is, and its one of the best K-Dramas of all time... anyone can enjoy this.

The drama successfully keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with its suspenseful and unpredictable storyline. The exploration of the consequences of actions in both the real and fictional worlds adds depth to the narrative and keeps the audience invested in the characters' fates. The seamless transitions between the two worlds and the challenges faced by the characters contribute to the overall sense of excitement and intrigue.

Just the few minutes you start to watch it, you dont feel like quiting, you want to really see it through.... I am also not used to watching things over and over again, I hate rewatching this I watch it once and then I am done... but this... this I watched so many times with sooo many different people.

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It couldn't decide what it wanted to be

My typical disclaimer: This is totally my opinion, so please don't come at me with hate.
I will admit to being a romance junkie. I love sweetness, cuteness, and happiness. I was so looking forward to the pairing of Song Kang and Kim You Jung. But, to me, this one seemed like it was all over the place, trying to find a place to land.

Story: Not original by any stretch of the imagination. I kept thinking that I'd seen certain things in other dramas and the one that stuck out the most was him burning up, a la Goblin. So, he became a demon because he killed himself? If the crazy family member that died in jail became a demon as well, that would have been interesting. So, we've got the past lives that we've seen so many times. I do have to say that the past lives parts were beautifully filmed. Slow motion of her dancing with the swords, her hanbok billowing out, that was lovely. Evil family - check. Red herrings - check. 2ML Lee Sang Yi as Seok Hoon has the look of a villain and they took advantage of that. That character had no purpose other than to show that someone else is pining over the FL. The title of the drama could have been better titled "You think you're a demon? Wait until you meet my family!" Yikes, so much evil. Irritating 2FL that will do pretty much anything to get the ML - check (I am SO tired of this!) Quest for power - check. Everyone in the family has their own wants, they all hate each other and will do anything to gain power. Female hobo that is God - the thing that stuck out most to me was in some scenes they forgot to use makeup to make her teeth look rotten. Then we had the obligatory "things that make you go hmmm" scenes. The police couldn't arrest the bad guy because they didn't have enough evidence? They had him dead to rights, yet they arrested her with no evidence, mainly because she didn't do it! When Koo Won went away toward the end of the drama, where did he go? He went away, but not, he'd come to her at night. And can I just say this woman must be a REALLY deep sleeper if she never knows that he's rubbing her hair, her face, and getting in the bed with her.

Acting: Good, except for the sister of the head guy in the family. She was seriously overacting.

I normally put what I liked at the top, but in this case, I had to rate lower because of all of the above.

CHEMISTRY: Oh, so, good. Both romantically and comedically. They were just such a darling couple together. The wardrobe department dressed them in complimentary outfits, so the attention was on them and their actions. And it doesn't need to be said, but I'll say it, both Song Kang and Kim You Jung are SERIOUSLY beautiful. If I could have seen more of them and less of everything else, my rating would have been much higher.

Kim Hae Sook at Chun Sook. I LOVE her in everything, and when she got killed off early on, I was mad! But here, I was glad of all the scenes where she showed up to comfort Do Hee. The Christmas scene with her, and her family, at gift to Do Hee from Koo Won, was especially beautiful.

I wouldn't tell anyone to run away from the drama if they asked, but I can't really recommend it either. I was so disappointed. I kept holding off on watching it because I thought it was going to be my new favorite. Alas, it was not to be.

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Mediocre

It's a good thing that someone took a step to make horror with gay characters but that doesn't mean I will ignore the obvious plot holes, unnecessary and abandoned plot devices that were completely forgotten out of nowhere...the ending is quite fitting for a horror-thriller if done correctly...but it was not done properly with many loose ends...too many questions were left to be answered to call it an open ending, rather call it and incomplete ending...open endings does not work like that...seemed like the writer didn't know what to do with it anymore...
as someone said in the comment section that the writer of this show has a tendency to do that as the same thing happened in manner of death...she did not improve at all rather worsened a bit...I see her potential so if she really tries I think she can do a good job...some actors really did good but some of them were overdoing it time to time...but overall it was okay...
As a huge fan of suspense thriller horror etc genre I hope that upcoming projects of this genre will be better...

In conclusion the comment section was much more interesting...so many creative people...so many weird people...

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YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS!

This was one of my first historical drama with the BEAUTIFUL IU acting in it, also the first time watching her.... I have to say its amazing. The drama skillfully combines historical elements with romance, fantasy, and political intrigue, creating a rich and immersive narrative. The plot revolves around a modern-day woman who is transported back in time to the Goryeo Dynasty, where she becomes entangled in the complex relationships and power struggles of the royal family.

Not to mention the amazing bunch of actors gathered for this drama is a cherry on top, its all so compelling, and you cannot stop watching.. stayed up all night watching this and couldn't even skip! (Except for the embarrassing parts because I cant handle those) Thats how good this was.

Furthermore, the show features breathtaking cinematography LIKE ITS GORGEOUS TO THE EYE!!! And elaborate costume design (IU looks good in everything!!!!, and even though its not historically accurate, it still captures the essence of the historical setting. The combination of a compelling plot, well-crafted characters, and visually stunning production values makes the drama stand out and contributes to its reputation as an amazing and memorable series.

The ending really shocked, I wasnt upset though, its understandable and its quite satisfying.... but I do feel like its in need of a 2nd season because.... I just feel it needs a bit more, I feel like they can pull it MAYBE ITS BECAUSE I JUST MISS IT TOO MUCH.

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Sprinkled with moments of brilliance and a few hiccups

The "Mr. Bad" party starts with the sweet banter and fluff equivalent to a marshmallow pillow fight. Shen Yue maintains her queenly status, though I wish for a bit more emotion. Cue Chen Zheyuan, the scene's MVP, tossing charm around like confetti. The basic fantasy plot waltzes in, showing promise before Mao Xiaojun's surprise twist.

No love triangles in sight - a reason to pop the confetti cannon! The "real" ending wraps things up with a bow, and let's not forget, the cast looks like they walked out of a magazine cover shoot.

🤔 The Okay-ish 🤔

Comedy and main romance take us on a rollercoaster. Chemistry feels more like friends than partners. The second leads, in their misfit charm, started as the quirky side dish to the main course but eventually felt like guests who lingered long after the party was over, leaving viewers checking the clock and wondering if it was time for them to make their exit.. Magic powers needed an extra sprinkle of spark. The workplace scenes, a game of hide and seek with believability, often left me questioning whether they were witnessing a fantasy romance or a corporate comedy, creating a slightly jarring contrast in the overall narrative tone.

🎉 The Hiccups 🎉

As the drama approached its final episodes, it felt like the DJ had run out of energetic beats, leaving the party in a mellow lull. Yet, even in its subdued finale, the lingering echoes of the vibrant soirée kept the nostalgia alive for those who had danced through the drama's lively moments.

🚀 The Plot Twist & Champagne Pops 🚀

Unexpected twists added a dash of intrigue. While Shen Yue's introduction promised a fireworks display, the fizzling into awkwardness left some me craving a smoother blend of her initial fierceness. Chen Zheyuan's swoon-worthy moments, acting as the reliable anchor, navigated through choppy waters, occasionally encountering stormy patches that tested the ship's romantic voyage.

💬 The Grand Finale 💬

If cute banter, enchanting faces, and a sprinkle of magic are your jam, "Mr. Bad" this is for you. Buckle up for a rollercoaster with more loops than a pretzel, and maybe take a nap during the last few turns. It's a romance fiesta you won't want to miss! 🎉💖🎢

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A praise of the interpreters and a disappointment for CXX fans

Series all in praise of the interpreters, with Chen Xing Xu & Victoria Song in CL.

PLOT: Ex-lovers find themselves 8 years later in the workplace: the FL is an interpreter and dreams of working at the UN, the ML is CEO of an IT company which mainly works on translators with AI. We witness a long confrontation between man and machine, and the re-construction of a couple.

PROS:
+ I watched this drama mainly for Chen Xing Xu, who knows how to bring his characters to life with a talent, a naturalness, which always amazes me. I am less convinced by the performance of Victoria Song, who always plays the same character, cold, without emotion.
+ The supporting actors are good, the OST well suited, the story coherent.

BUT:
- the pace is slow most of the time. To stick to the 36-episode format, key passages are omitted (CL's marriage for example).
- Misunderstandings, which could be cleared up in 5 minutes, last, last, last. =>Skipping from 8 to 19.
- Too much importance is given to CL2 (and screen time), especially since this couple is not very credible: the FL2's character , as a spoiled princess, fragile, childish and capricious, does not match with the ex-soldier, down-to-earth and functional.
- The storyline has too many characters and narrative arcs that are useless, even disturbing.
- I understand the promotion of interpreting, but this series overuses it. ლಠ益ಠ)ლ
Not to mention the always nationalist aspect of Chinese dramas, where the characters all dream of working for the country...

=> I understand after watching, the relatively low-rating of this drama and the disappointment of Chen Xing Xu fans.
***********************************************************************************
Série tout à la gloire des interprètes, avec Chen Xing Xu & Victoria Song en CL.

PLOT: Des ex-lovers se retrouvent 8 ans plus tard dans le milieu du travail : la FL est interprète et rêve d'aller travailler à l'ONU, le ML est CEO d'une société d'informatique qui travaille essentiellement sur les traducteurs avec AI. On assiste à un long affrontement de l'homme et de la machine, et à la re-construction" d'un couple.

PROS:
+ J'ai regardé ce drama essentiellement pour Chen Xing Xu, qui sait donner vie à ses personnages avec un talent, un naturel, qui m'épatent toujours. Je suis moins convaincue par la prestation de Victoria Song, qui interprète toujours le même personnage, froid, sans émotion.
+ Les acteurs support sont bons, les OST adaptés, la story cohérente.

MAIS:
- le rythme est lent la plupart du temps. Pour coller au format 36 épisodes, des passages clés sont omis (mariage du CL par exemple).
- Les malentendus, qui pourraient être dissipés en 5 minutes, durent, durent, durent. =>Zapping de 8 à 19
- Trop d'importance est accordé au CL2 (et de temps d'écran), d'autant plus que ce couple n'est pas très crédible : le personnage de la FL2, princesse gâtée, fragile, puérile et capricieuse, ne matche pas avec l'ex-soldat, terre--terre et fonctionnel.
- La storyline comporte trop de personnages et d'arcs narratifs inutiles, voire perturbants.
- Je veux bien que le propos soit la mise en valeur de l'interprétariat, mais cette série abuse ლಠ益ಠ)ლ. Sans compter l'aspect toujours nationaliste des dramas chinois, où les personnages rêvent tous d’œuvrer pour le pays ...

=> je comprend le relativement low-rating de ce drama et la déception des fans de Chen Xing Xu.

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Can't judge a book by its cover.

Judge Dee is one of the most widely adapted and iconic ancient Chinese detective figures in popular culture. Di Renjie, or Judge Dee was a prominent Tang Dynasty official and twice chancellor to Empress Wu Tzetian. In the 19th century, Dutch sinologist and diplomat Robert Van Gulik translated an 18th century novel by an anonymous author Dí Gōng Àn/狄公案/Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee, into English. He went on to write numerous other Judge Dee mysteries, increasingly crafting Judge Dee in his own image. Van Gulik's books are regarded as a cultural bridge between East and West. They were devoured by the Chinese diaspora long before Tsui Hark fanned the flames with his wildly popular Detective Dee movies.

Judge Dee's Mystery/大唐狄公案 loosely adapts nine cases from Van Gulik's novels for the small screen. This drama has notably high production values with lavish sets and costumes designed to create an immersive visual experience. The cases are well crafted with meticulous attention to detail and pay homage to Judge Dee's reputation as a people's hero; a champion of truth and justice for the common people. The cases highlight the discontent at some of Empress Wu's policies and shortcomings of the Tang Code, China's earliest legal code. Di Renjie gained many insights on the struggles and aspirations of the common citizens as magistrate of many important provinces across the empire. This shaped him into a great statesman and reformer in his later years; a chancellor often known to stand up to the formidable Empress.

This is the kind of drama that I should love - its my favorite genre featuring my favorite Chinese detective, set in my favorite Chinese dynasty and is helmed by a few of my favorite actors. The fight scenes are fantastic and the whole thing just looks gorgeous and bloody expensive. Which just goes to show you, you just can't judge a book by its cover. Because even though there are some really great moments, overall this drama just bored me silly.

The problem with the cases is that the four episode are too long when the villain is usually obvious from the beginning. There is not enough development of the suspects or the victims to make the audience care about the why-did-it. The audience also does not get to participate in the solution. Instead, the intricacies of the how-did-its are revealed as flashbacks in Judge Dee's mind's eye. The cases do get better in the latter half as they tie into Judge Dee's past and are shored up by the appearance of characters like Diao Xiaoguan (Zhang Ruoyun) and Lin Fan (Jiang Yi). Even then, the writing tends to tie the minute details together well while leaving big gaps on important things. Thus it is never fully explained what Diao Xiaoguan's motives were or what terrible thing the young scion of a noble household did that got him disowned and left to fend for himself.

The biggest issue with this drama is that Zhou Yiwei pretty much carries the entire crime-solving team by himself. None of the supporting characters are well designed and there is zero chemistry between Ma Rong, Qiao Tai and Judge Dee. This is made even more obvious when Deng Xiaoguan shows up and there is a tangible difference in the dynamics between everyone. Both of Dee's sidekicks appear and disappear inexplicably in the middle of a case as and when the plot requires. Ma Rong is written to be a comically obnoxious character but there is nothing funny about her obnoxiousness. This is the obvious the weak link in the cast and one that is utterly lacking in charisma that unfortunately gets too much airtime. Inasmuch as Zhou Yiwei and Wang Likun deliver a heart-stopping and mature portrayal of attraction and love at first sight, sadly Cao An is written to be a blank character; an elegant musician well past her youth clinging to a silly girlish fantasy over a highwayman (face palm). She only serves decorative purposes until the final case, where she finally gets to shine with her bravery and her foolishness.

In conclusion, this is a visually stunning production that stays true to its source material in terms of setting and thematic elements. However, despite some exciting and well choreographed action scenes, it fails to deliver truly captivating mysteries and is bogged down by lackluster supporting performances. While the cases in Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty (2022) are only a tad more tightly written, the humor and fantastic crime solving team dynamic elevates that series over this one. That said, Judge Dee's Mystery is not a terrible way to pass some time even though it ultimately falls short of making a lasting impression. I rate this Seasons 1 a 7.5/10.0. Season 2 has been filmed and should air by early 2025.

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not boring to watch

i have been watching foreign drama series since 2006. And by so far, I only have one that i've been watching all over again "it started with a kiss" and its season 2 "they kiss again" and have not found any show that will surpass my addiction to it that I literally watched a hundred times more. Until I saw "when i fly towards you". I've fallen in love with the characters. I have been watching it twenty times now, and maybe years to come might watch it hundred times also cause I can't get bored on it, everytime I watched it, it's the same feeling when I first watched it.. simply I just love this series

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Not realistic romance

I love love romance dramas but the good ones which give you butterflies are so few in between. Taiwanese dramas have quite a few of these, best one being MARS. The main problem with this drama is that the actors aren’t actually experienced in doing romance scenes and so they are not actually good at kissing or any romantic gestures. FL is especially bad and I suppose it’s due to her age. I mean if they want to make something romantic, find leads who can do them well (recent Taiwanese I watched, The Way You Shine, have great ML and FL who do believable romance scenes. I like Leo Wu and Zhao Jinmai, but they are so inexperienced in love scenes, it’s Ike watching kids playing role play. 🤷🏻‍♀️. Even Wang Xingyue (he plays Yin Guy’s brother), who is a few years younger than Leo Wu is a much better and more natural kisser than Leo Wu (in his early drama First Love).

Some other review mentioned Hidden Love. Yes, romance is definitely better here, though still not deep like the good Taiwanese ones.

Worst for this drama, story is quite boring too. The only thing I love about the drama is the OSTs. They are so many beautiful songs.

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