JoongDunk are the crowning glory of this series, masterfully navigating a plot filled with serial killers and police intrigue. Seeing them transition from hitmen in The Heart Killers to heroic police officers is an exquisite role reversal. I loved watching Jade (Joong) experience love at first sight with Kamin (Dunk); he tries to assert dominance by playing the "bad cop," only to be left completely floored when he realizes Kamin is actually his superior.
Their chemistry is as electric as it is dangerous. The direction brilliantly utilizes shadows to remind us that in this game, love is the ultimate risk. This series hooks you from the first episode and proves JoongDunk can handle any genre they’re given. Highly recommended.
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A brilliantly written enemies-to-lovers trope w/ satisfying fight scenes! The 2nd CP stole my heart!
"Everyone makes mistakes. But When you're wrong, you must admit it and make it right." - Murong ZhongWhat an amazing story that never faltered from the beginning until the end!
If there's one thing I am truly grateful for regarding this drama, it is how it kept the excitement and momentum going without a break from the start until the very end. I was actually worried at first while watching the first two episodes because I was afraid they might suddenly fumble and mess up after giving us such a promising and compelling story; however, they didn't disappoint and delivered until the end. Each episode offers scenes that will keep your eyes glued to the screen so you don't miss a thing. It was the kind of drama that keeps you in your seat, unable to take a break because of how good the story is.
The plot was nicely laid out and carefully woven together, which allowed the story to avoid any plot holes and flow naturally. Although I must say they went overboard with the treatment and healing shenanigans, I’m glad they provided a proper explanation for how that was achieved. I admit I found those scenes unbelievably ridiculous myself; however, I just let it pass, considering they introduced the Storm Alliance's capabilities early on and then gave us a whole arc to formally educate us on what the alliance is all about. At least they didn't just shove a 'miracle cure' down our throats to heal everyone instantly; instead, they provided a solid backstory and arc for the entire Storm Alliance. Still, I was flabbergasted at first—imagine being on the brink of death (almost dead, actually) but miraculously recovering through the unorthodox, almost supernatural practices of these doctors! At one point, I felt like they could even ascend to godhood. Kidding aside, I appreciate the writers' and directors' efforts to give us a proper foundation for their origins and current situation, rather than a half-baked background.
Allow me to also commend this production for not overly dramatizing the entire amnesia plot of both leads just to generate more dramatic and climactic scenes. Instead, they used it as a plot device to develop the story in a considerably natural and logical way, allowing the characters to navigate the 'doubtful enemies' phase for the right amount of time. This helped them develop trust and an understanding of one another—seeing each other for who they truly are. God knows what a massive breath of fresh air it was that our leads didn't have to go through the usual dramatic 'You fooled me!' trope. Because both of them are equally cautious, strategic, and smart, they can assess every situation almost immediately. It saved us all the unnecessary drama typically present in this kind of plot.
I also want to take a moment to praise the brains behind the storyline and plot! What a brilliant mind they have. I haven't been this conflicted about a villain in a long time. I am totally amazed by how incredibly written Xia Jingyan and Feng Xiyang are. Their chemistry is so much better than anything we had with Xia Jingshi. The borderline love and hate Feng Xiyang feels for Xia Jingyan was heartfelt—it was palpable. They were at the peak of their love story, and God knows how groundbreaking it would have been if they had somehow sorted things out and ended up together. It’s just sad the writers didn't plan any of that for them. I know he’s beyond redemption because of the atrocities he committed, but I can't help wanting him to be the 'end game' for Feng Xiyang. I prefer him over Xia Jingshi because, despite being a total lunatic, he truly loves her. I feel like Xiyang could have guided him toward the right path if given enough time. So, how could the writers make Xia Jingyan appear miserably pitiful while keeping his charismatic charm toward the end, only to kill him off? I had an intense change of heart during the final episodes, and even though his death was 'reasonable' I’m still quite resentful about it!
I thoroughly enjoy Feng Xiyang’s characterization—which was totally unexpected. Since I was quite annoyed with her at first because of how naive and gullible she was. I even found pleasure in seeing her demise. However, as her story developed, I began to like her for her angst, conviction, and audacity. I love how the writers allowed her to bloom from a beautiful, harmless flower into a prickly rose that shouldn't be underestimated. I admire how she stood up and rose on her own, utilizing whatever means she could to survive. My favorite scene was the iconic moment when she severed her feelings for Xia Jingyan even after witnessing him get killed and rendered heartbroken over their unborn child. Even with all that trauma, she still made us, the viewers, feel and long for their romantic connection. That was peak drama and the true scene-stealer of the show.
The emotion and weight of their affection was powerfully conveyed. We all know that beyond her hate and disgust, he was also a confidante—a light of hope she never expected to find during her times of total sorrow and despair. He was someone she didn't expect to get emotionally attached to, or to care for so deeply, no matter how much she denies it. They are my second favorite pairing in the show: the most masochistic, brutal, yet unexpectedly romantic and heartbreaking of them all.
"In this life, I once loved someone, but he's dead to me now. Then I met someone who loved me, and now he's dead too." - Feng Xiyang
And to finally wrap this up! Because I feel like I could write a couple more paragraphs about the second pairing, if I don't. Lol
I appreciate that the pending questions and issues were addressed at the end through the casual teasing and catch-up moments between the Feng Battalion members (Lu Ke, Yun Fang, and Yun Qing) and Ning Feng. Thank you for providing such a complete and satisfying conclusion to the story.
P.S. I’m utterly disgusted by Feng Ping Cheng. I hate that the previous empress died partly because of him, and I loathe how he abused Suige just to impose his own ambitions on him. No child deserves to be mistreated just to forcefully conform to their parent's expectations. He is unforgivable—absolute trash until the very end. I’m glad he died a miserable death.
Story - 10, This is one of those stories that truly impressed me with how concise, well-paced, and tightly written it is. I never felt like a single moment was wasted, as every plot point contributed to the story's development. Even the Storm Alliance Arc was compelling from start to finish. I genuinely enjoyed and appreciated every episode of this drama.
Acting/Cast - 10, Stellar performances! The execution from every actor and actress was great. It was nice to watch another badass CP again after a long time! Chen Zheyuan nailed this character; he can look sinister when he wants and gentle and kind at the same time. I also have to praise Li Qin for being one of the most convincing female generals/fighters in all of C-dramaland. Another group I want to mention is the Feng Battalion members. They're like the energizers of the story—the bunch of people who always bring laughter whenever they're on screen.
Music - 10, This production has some emotional ballads on its list. It’s endearing and touching at the same time. Listening to the songs makes me feel like I'm floating, surrounded by soft and beautiful melodies. As a ballad enthusiast, this gets my seal of approval!
Rewatch Value - 10, Definitely worth a re-watch. It was a drama where I can confidently say my time was well spent. A truly compelling and thrilling drama to watch.
Overall - 10, Looking back, I am thrilled that I finally watched this. My appreciation for Li Qin and Chen Zheyuan has grown significantly after seeing their performances here. It’s the kind of story you won’t regret watching—a proper Wuxia drama with a compact storyline and a coherent plot.
IF you find my review helpful please let me know.
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I seriously don’t know what the writers were smoking while making this.The concept sounded interesting at first. An AI companion company where you can create a hologram of anyone — your dead mom, dad, sibling, even a celeb. That’s actually a heavy concept. Grief, loneliness, ethics, emotional dependency… there’s SO much they could’ve explored.
Instead we get nonsense.
First, the ML. A “retired” novelist in his late 20s. Retired?? Bro when did he even start? Graduate at 18, become a bestseller at 21, retire at 27? In what world are writers retiring young and rich? Most writers are underpaid and struggling. The show just throws this detail in like it makes sense.
Then the FL. She’s the CEO of a high-tech AI hologram company… but acts like a toddler half the time. Panic attacks every other ep, bad decisions, zero leadership vibe. I’m not saying CEOs can’t have trauma, but competence has to be there too. Here it just isn’t.
And the company itself??? We’re told it’s this massive revolutionary tech firm. The building is like 20 floors tall. But inside the actual office? Looks like a 3-4 room apartment with 5 employees. That’s it. For a company building advanced emotional AI holograms?? Where’s the dev team? Security? Legal? PR? Anyone?
And why is the CEO video-calling her own team while sitting in the SAME office? Just walk 5 steps 😭 what are we doing.
The biggest joke was the server crash. Version 1 AI companions — which people emotionally bonded with — just reset. Memory gone. If someone bought an AI version of their dead mother and suddenly it forgot everything, that would be devastating. Lawsuits. Media outrage. Company collapse.
But here? Nobody cares. No consequences. Everyone’s just excited for Version 2 like nothing happened. Why would customers trust you again after that??
Also security is basically nonexistent. Anyone can enter server rooms. For a company handling emotional data and hologram tech? Come on.
The idea had potential. It really did. AI replacing lost loved ones is a powerful theme. But the execution feels lazy, unrealistic, and honestly kind of dumb at times.
Fantasy is fine. But even fantasy needs basic logic.
This drama just doesn’t have it.
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Suspense, Heart, and Chemistry Done Right
I absolutely loved Mirror Mystique. From the very first episode, it had me on edge and never really let go. The suspense was handled so well that I found myself constantly guessing what would happen next. Just when I thought I had figured things out, the show would shift direction and pull me right back into the mystery. It maintained that tension all the way to the end, which is not easy to do.The actors truly deserve applause because they delivered strong, convincing performances across the board. They brought depth to their characters and made every twist feel emotionally grounded. Whether it was fear, vulnerability, or determination, everything felt believable.
What I appreciated most is that the show did not rely on suspense alone. It balanced the tension with emotional moments that made me laugh and cry. There were scenes that were genuinely heartfelt, and others that gave just enough lightness to keep the story from feeling too heavy. That balance made the experience even more enjoyable.
The love story between Alan and Win completely stole my heart. Their chemistry felt natural and effortless, and the small, cute moments between them were some of my favorite parts of the series. In the middle of all the mystery and tension, their relationship added warmth and emotional depth that made the story even more satisfying.
Overall, Mirror Mystique was thrilling, emotional, and incredibly fun to watch. If you enjoy suspenseful dramas with strong performances and a romance that makes you smile, this one is definitely worth your time.
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Un thrillerino pulito
Un thrillerino pulito come la GMMTV li sa fare. Nel senso che con queste storie un po' dark almeno a livello di trama la GMMTV si sa destreggiare, poi Joong e Dunk sanno il fatto loro, hanno una bella chimica e il loro perché. Devo dire che le critiche cho ho visto muovere spesso a questa serie è che il regista abbia spesso non usato la chimica dei JD. E su questo ho due commenti. Al netto di tutto questa dovrebbe essere una serie thriller, quindi ci sta che la parte romance sia ridotta e ridimensionata nell'amount di roba NC che ci viene presentata. Al netto di tutto però è anche vero che un pelino potevano osare di più. Non mi è dispiaciuta nemmeno il cameo di AouBoom, che devo dire hanno fatto anche loro la loro figura. Detto ciò, passiamo al ruolo più bello di tutti, almeno per me. Quello di Sing, perché ho una crush colossale per lui e anche perché essendo un attore di sostanza, ha un suo perché di esistere. Devo ammettere che avevo capito intorno alla quinta puntata che lui interpretasse il colpevole e anche che *SPOILER ALERT* il personaggio di Phan fosse viva, ma questo si riduce semplicemente al fatto che io ami alla follia i thriller, quindi mi pareva molto chiamata come cosa. Una cosa che invece sarò sincera mi ha un pelo intedetta è la velocità con cui hanno risolto la questione. Anche se è stata costruita beme avrei preferito magari una puntata in più con loro felici e contenti e un più lungo sviluppo del finale in questione. Detto ciò si vede in fretta e secondo ha un suo perché fare un binge watch di questa serie in modo da non avere interruzioni settimanali.Overall un'ottima prova attoriale ad opera di tutti gli attori.
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Very cute BL with a contrasting but endearing & funny CL
PLOT: Dee, an orthopedic doctor, has had a crush on his senior colleague, Dr. Ter, for a long time. One night, he confesses his feelings, is rejected, and gets drunk. He's picked up, completely drunk, by Yoryak (a boxer he treated), and they end up having a one-night stand. Dee and Yoryak become FwB, then a fake couple (although Yoryak has a crush on a female student), to help Dee win a coveted scholarship for studying abroad, a scholarship also coveted by Dr. Ter. But little by little, Dee and Yoryak's feelings become confused.+++ Great and Inn Sarin make an endearing, moving, and respectful couple with superb chemistry ლ(╹◡╹ლ) I'd love to see them together again soon.
+++ The other actors are talented and bring well-developed characters to life.
+++ The story is coherent and realistic (or almost - a romantic speech at a boxing championship? A "boyfriend" declaration at a professional awards ceremony?). The series advocates👏 👏 for same-sex marriage, trans rights, asexuality, etc. 👏👏
+++ The direction is effective (good boxing scenes), well-paced, and alternates between emotional moments and fun ones.
+++ The soundtracks aren't too intrusive, and I really like the song sung by Great (who has a very pretty voice).
### Minor sound issues in some scenes.
### A few clichés (love rivals).
### P'Ter's character is detestable (manipulative, a liar, etc.). Alas for the actor! The rival boxers' characters are rather caricatural.
=> A feel-good and easy-to-watch series, with an adorable CL Great-Inn Sarin.
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BL très cute avec un CL contrasté mais craquant
PLOT: Dee, orthopédiste à un crush sur son collègue senior, Dr Ter depuis longtps. Un soir, il se déclare, se fait rejeté et s'enivre. Il est ramassé ivre mort, par Yoryak (boxeur qu'il a eu en consultation) et ils finissent par une one-night-stand. Dee et Yoryak deviennent FwB, puis fake couple (bien que Yoryak ait +/- un crush sur 1 étudiante), pr aider Dee a remporté la bourse d'1 voyage d'étude très convoité à l'étranger, bourse également convoitée par Dr Ter. Mais peu à peu, les sentiments de Dee et de Yoryak deviennent confus.
+++ Great et Inn Sarin forment un couple attachant, émouvant, respectueux, avec une superbe alchimie ლ(╹◡╹ლ) J'aimerai les revoir ensemble prochainement.
+++ Les autres acteurs sont talentueux et donnent vie à des personnages bien dvlpés.
+++ La story est cohérente, réaliste (ou presque - discours amoureux lors d'1 championnat de boxe ?? déclaration "petit ami" lors d'1 remise de prix professionnelle ??). La série est militante 👏 👏 avec le mariage pour tous, les trans, les asexuels, etc. 👏👏
+++ La réalis° est efficace (bonnes scènes de boxe), rythmée., et alterne les instants d'émotion avec les moments fun.
+++ Les OSTs ne sont pas trop intrusives et j'aime bcp la chanson chantée par Great (qui a 1 très jolie voix).
### Petit problème de son sur certaines scènes.
### Qq clichés (rivaux amoureux).
### Personnage de P'Ter détestable (manipulateur, menteur, etc.). Dommage pour l'acteur ! Personnages des boxeurs concurrents assez prêts de la caricature.
=> Série feel-good et easy-to-watch, avec un CL Great-Inn Sarin adorable.
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i inhaled the whole show.
Wow. Just wow. It seemed to be so short at first, but in my opinion it was the perfect length, although the ending was rather left to edge? Anyways, it was morally a bit challenging and the plot was twisting as promised.I also think that the topic the show was built around is very important for people to discuss.
I loved the show so much, I'd watch it all over again for even 3 times right now.
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Worth the time.
I found this to be a "standard" Cdrama storyline. However it sets an example for a well crafted production which is really nice to come across. This allows the actors to carry the storyline and they do it skillfully. The only nitpicky bit is the plot device of Fu Qing Zhou's withheld communication as to true intentions toward Su Tang. But it does fit here.This is my first time seeing Ren Yun Jie (Fu Qing Zhou) & Tan Yan Yan (Su Tang) and, initially, I wasn't sure I'd be all that impressed. Both proved me wrong. The positive YouTube comments should have been a hint? The primary supports are what they should be without being too much.
YT Description: 劇熱門 - "Learning she was to marry his nephew, the usually calm man began to seduce and chase her." Su Tang's marriage to the nephew is to cover up a mistresses' pregnancy and to give her the protection of being a wealthy wife. She agrees to go abroad and return with the child as theirs.
Note: This is Version 2 of 2 as of 2/27/2026 ~ Version 1: "Qing Zhou Du Tang" with Wang Bing Xiang & Lei Fu Man.
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Flop Sequel
I went into this with genuine enthusiasm. Episode 1 hooked me immediately and it felt like we were back in that gloriously unhinged world that made Season 1 so addictive. Then the momentum evaporated and I found myself doing something I rarely do with shows I actually care about: skimming/fastforwarding.I think this season is a pale shadow compared to the previous season. While i was watching s1 I was getting whiplash after whiplash. It was so chaotic and goood. Season 2 tries to recapture that lightning but ended up with scattered fragments that never quite cohere imo. The storyline meanders all over the place without purpose or payoff. I mean it’s messy but not in the hot kind of way we were promised.
The only couple that managed to hold any real interest for me was AouBoom. They had chemistry and moments that actually made me giggle. But even with them I caught myself reaching for the fast-forward button more than once. Every thing else didn't catch my attention. Character motivations feel thin and conflicts arise and resolve (or simply fizzle) without earning the angst they’re clearly aiming for. The entire thing is very scattered and well... Boring LMAO.
That said, the acting was solid. Special mention goes to Mix, who absolutely devoured his role as a gloriously sassy little hoe. Mwah xx
Anyway this season suffers from the classic sequel problem. It’s watchable and the cast tries their damnedest. But if you are like me and coming in expecting the same addictive shit that made Season 1 PEAK, prepare for a far more lukewarm experience LMAOOO.
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old but gold
this is good, i loved watching the cases, the chemistry of Shinichi and Ran was good, the acting too.im impressed, because its old i thought it might not be as good but i see its still good and well made , i will be checking the other related movies/drama special related to this.
the story might be a bit different but its similar about a smart young detective figuring out who the culprit is and a bit of love interest shown btw him and Ran
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A Promising Start That Lost Its Focus
This is another drama that I felt could have been better. It had such an impactful beginning—I loved the choreography, the palace intrigue, and how effectively the villains were established. There was also a rich backstory supporting the present narrative, which made the early episodes especially compelling.However, it eventually fell flat for me. The subplots weren’t developed enough, and the focus shifted heavily toward the relationship between the leads. I would have preferred the romance to be more integrated into the main storyline rather than taking it over. The script also kept introducing new ways for the protagonist to survive life-threatening situations, which made the final stretch feel unnecessarily drawn out.
Ultimately, whether you enjoy this drama may depend on how much balance you prefer in a narrative.
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Why lie to us? ?
Let me start with “A Beautiful Lie.”I watched it from episodes 1 to 20+, where the ML and FL were starting to develop their love story, and it was perfect. I mean, it really made me fangirl.
But then, is this series some kind of lie to us?
When the ML started to get better, I was so happy, like, YES, finally! Their love story is about to happen next, just like the second leads.
At first, I thought the “beautiful lie” referred to the FL pretending to be Xiaojiao/Cato to help the ML recover faster—and it worked. But why? Why did the lie turn out differently?
The ending was completely unexpected. We’re not okay with the ML dying, and the FL being left to suffer alone afterward. She’s still lying to herself, holding on to the idea of a beautiful love story. It feels so unfair.
Seriously, what happened to the plot? Were there any issues with the series during filming that led to this kind of ending?
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fuck you second lead
spotlight away from the male and female leads. Instead of supporting the main story, it felt like the focus kept shifting unnecessarily, which made the narrative less balanced. At times, it seemed like the second lead was being pushed so hard that the actual main leads lost impact. If the intention was to give that character so much importance, it might have been better to make them the main lead from the start. This choice in direction hurt my overall enjoyment of the showto second lead i wish you dead is real life fuck you
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It was mindblowing
Coroner's Diary is a suitable drama genre for people who have the kind of detective interest, who like to try to solve cases and find plot twists. This drama actually has so many plot twists especially between ep35-38...I think🤔 This drama was good for me. Especially at the beginning and the end. Honestly, I stucked around ep 25-28 and I don't know why. And this well deserves to get rates 8+/10. Just it has so many plot twists and mindblowing scenes. And I've cried a few times bcz there were nice characters who died under evil hands.Was this review helpful to you?
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Script's a mess, but we still love JoongDunk
With all due respect, and retaining our love for JoongDunk; the show made little sense storywise. I haven't read the novel, probably half of what's wrong could be blamed on it.The characters' choices made no sense. While their friends were literally dying, the remaining guys continued living their normal lives, going outside alone etc. as if someone's car was stolen or just a house burned down.
The killers never left anyone alive after choosing T or D, and everyone still believed they won't be murdered.
The ending was the biggest mess. Why are there only two policemen on the scene in the last ep? The big grown-ass man Kamin pointing a gun at Fai, but unable to knock out the small girl? Why is Jay outside and safe, but then suddenly kidnapped again to be burned?
Screenwriters should have gone with simpler solutions.
It's 8 stars from me solely for the humour, love and JoongDunk in the series. Heart killers was their better work, it made more sense. Cheers.
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