6
10
JulesL
I wanted fluff, and this show delivered!
This show was filled with all tropes and cliches possible, but it was also funny as heck. It is a simple college love story focused on the relationship between the ML and FL. I like that they were both mutually attracted at the same time, and I enjoyed watching the flirty teasing, cute jealousy, and growing love between them. The cast is a bunch of young, good-looking actors, and the rapport between them was really great. The roommates of the ML and FL were simply awesome and their interactions were entertaining. My rating is based mostly on how much I liked the characters, and I enjoyed the witty script.Ireine Song looked liked like a twelve-year-old next to her fellow actors, but somehow she fitted the FL character of Yuan Qian. She's cute and is a good comedian actor. The actor who gets to be the male lead next to Ireine Song should be thankful because she highlights them, making them shine. They all look so tall and charming. Aaron Deng, despite playing the tsundere Qin Shen most of the show, was quite enigmatic. He looked so good in the Hanfu costume that I now want to see him in a period drama. I was also kind of rooting for the SML, Song Si Yi. Honestly, I would not have minded Yuan Qian ending up with Si Yi. He was handsome, charismatic, flirty, and was so into Yuan Qian. I first saw Wang Run Ze in "A Little Thing Called First Love" and thought that he did pretty well there and in this show.
Great OST - it's a fun selection and quite fitting for the scenes.
All in all, if you are in the mood for something sweet, funny, and light-hearted, you should enjoy this.
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Time will never stop so love your life happily and cherish the moments with no regrets
After having this show on my watch list for ages, it was the show's OST, specifically Marcus Chang's 輸給你 (Lose To You) that compelled me to watch it finally, and I am glad that I did.This series touched my heart on multiple levels, and the interesting thing is that I felt the emotions even more when it was over. It is by no means perfect, and some parts left me questioning, but it is at heart an incredibly watchable and endearing show. It has memorable characters, music and songs that I am still enjoying, and scenes that I keep replaying. Plus, the comedy is on-point. I love how meta the show is and how it makes fun of itself by leveraging all the romance novel tropes and story personalities imaginable.
It is not all about romance, though. From the get-go, Lost Romance sets up expectations of a dramatic corporate power struggle between family in the real world juxtaposed against Xiao En's romantic adventures in the modern romance novel world.
In a way, trying to fit the corporate family drama and the romantic novel world into a 20-episode long series may be the show's main flaw. The real-world link to the novel world is never really explained. Some sub-plots feel poorly developed, like encounters that seem to lead somewhere but end up nowhere. Certain character development appears half-baked like Tian Jian's and Ming Li's sudden personality changes.
Still, what the show lacks in logic, it makes up for with enjoyable cheesiness, warmth, and charm. The show's strengths are the unique premise, attractive leads, and a funny, witty script. Plots about characters cross-traveling from reality into a fantasy world are nothing new. However, Lost Romance is the first one I watched that has the female character starting off as a malicious supporting character in the story and changing her destiny to become the female lead. So it felt fresh to me.
The two drool-worthy male leads, Marcus Chang and Simon Lian were major draws for me, but it was really Vivian Sung who kept me binge-watching. Her Zheng Xiao En was funny, happy-go-lucky, spunky, and adorable, and I found her very relatable. Being an editor of chick-lit romance novels, Xiao En had many funny reactions to the twists and turns of her storyland situation. I enjoyed watching how she determinedly and unapologetically attempted to change her fate by disrupting the cliché romance plot and its characters. Ever so handsome, Marcus Chang probably had the easier role as the good-looking CEO. Still, he was good in his dual roles as the domineering and arrogant Situ Aoran and He Tian Xing, who was more composed, sophisticated, and intelligent. He emoted well, showing character differences subtly but clearly enough for one to see his transition from the flatness of Aoran, the story character, to real-world Tian Xing, someone with more emotional depth.
The chemistry between Vivian Sung and Marcus Chang was easily the best element of this drama. Both of them had some crackling dialogue, and their love scenes were the most convincing of any couple that I have seen recently. I loved their banter, and the skinship and kissing felt so natural and real that I felt like I was intruding into their intimate moments. While I did not get how Xiao En can fall for Aoran so deeply and completely when he was more of a strategic target at first, but I can appreciate how much he lifted her up and vice versa. They showed each other how much they deserved love, even the parts that they wanted to hide. As that mutual understanding developed, the progression of their relationship felt organic
As the charming, sweet, and companionable Qing Feng, Simon Lian gave me second lead syndrome. Unlike other shows, though, I did not end up pining and wishing for more for his character. Qing Feng got his own lovely happy ending that felt just right. I was glad that the show did not spin up a female character just for him at the end, or even worse, pairing him up with Chu-chu, the initial female lead turned second lead. Speaking of Chu-chu, Snowbaby portrayed the annoyingly delicate, soft, and innocent "white lotus" so consistently that I have to give her kudos for it.
The OST is fantastic, and the show has done very well in combining background music with poignant moments. The music certainly elevated the scenes and moods for me.
Ultimately, all I can say is that if you have not watched Lost Romance, you should definitely consider giving it a try. I cannot recommend it enough.
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Sudden happiness that is too short-lived, yet it will take too long to forget in the future
This show appealed to me with its simple romance and its lack of fluffiness. I quite enjoyed the pining, the stolen glances, and the pensive stares between the lead couple. Having watched the 2019 version and really liking it, I thought this 2021 version is a more light-hearted adaptation and is less angsty. Still, there was enough sweet yearning and longing that kept me rooting for the two and coming back for more. I thought the script was beautifully written, and I appreciated many of Luo Zi's mature musings and Huainan's romantic declarations. Music-wise, the OST was pleasant and soothing and was used effectively during the more poignant scenesI have to compliment Hu Bing Qing for her portrayal of Luo Zi. She had the essence that made her the heart of the show. Her Luo Zi was cool and classy, witty and sarcastic, introverted but always ready to stand up for her friends or herself, confident but also insecure when it came to her crush. Hu Yi Tian, as Sheng Huainan, probably had the easier job where he just had to be the "nan shen" (male god), look good, smile, and charm his way into Luo Zi's good graces. Still, having seen his previous dramas, he has definitely improved his acting skills, and he certainly has the aura of a male lead. I like the chemistry between the pair and the way they flirted with each other in their adorable geeky way.
Also central to the story are the secondary romances that all revolved around unrequited love but the side stories fused well to the main one. The drama also nicely showcased friendship; the sismance between Luo Zi and Jiang Baili and the bromance between Huainan and Zhang Ming Rui provided the heart-warming moments that lightened the frustration of missed opportunities. Ming Rui is one of my favorite characters in the show. He is adorable and good-looking, the epitome of warmth and loyalty. The entire cast did a great job, and there was great rapport among them.
The show would have benefited more if it were a few episodes shorter since I found the pace in the middle just a little draggy, and they overplayed the "misunderstanding" theme. There were many moments in the earlier parts of the show when I wished I could grab and give both leads a little shake to finally just talk it out. Especially when Huainan repeatedly stated his wish that there would not be any misunderstanding between them. I also found the ending pretty anti-climatic. Don't we deserve at least a hug or more after seeing the couple go through so many trials and tribulations?
Overall, I recommend this slow-burn romance for those who are looking for something more wistful and not so cheesy.
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Well-Written and Nicely Executed Rom-Com with Visually Appealing CP
Overall, this was a very entertaining watch. The main plot is nothing new - cold, indifferent military officer and the heir of a powerful family meets a poor but resourceful girl. However, the show was well-executed, and it was also quite creative in the way the male and female leads met and ended up in a contract marriage. The story was mostly well-written, the comedy was on point, and there was some great dialogue. Still, there were cringey moments, and the middle dragged a little, but the later episodes were well worth the patience. Also, there were some hilarious scenes like the female lead cleaning out the family during mahjong! The cinematography was stunning, and I was impressed by how much attention was paid to the CP's wedding. Against the grand backdrop of the manor, the scenes were simply gorgeous. The costumes were lovely with fabulous colour schemes; I loved how the couples were often color-coordinated perfectly.After reading the comments, it seemed that many viewers were bothered by the lie about the fake pregnancy going on for so long, but that did not bother me. After all, it was the catalyst that brought the CP together and was the basis for the story. That was the main reason why I was willing to deal with the draggy middle episodes. I was increasingly interested in finding out how everything would be resolved at the end.
The main couple had good chemistry, albeit not off the charts compared to other screen couples. I like that it was the male lead that started liking the female lead first. He was always looking out for her, secretly smiling at her, and wanted her even after finding out that she lied about the pregnancy. The show got even better after the female lead acknowledged her feelings for the male lead. From then onwards, their love never wavered, and they remained completely committed to each other. Loved the kisses (could have been more) and skinship!
Like in many C-dramas, Xiong Xi Ruo, the female lead character, can get a little annoying and tiring with her immature, self-serving ways. However, her actions, for the most part were justifiable; after all, she wanted to keep her life! Admittedly, I did not give this show a higher rating because I felt that there were too many filler episodes where I felt extreme irritation at Xi Ruo for being so dense, stubborn, and constantly misunderstanding the male lead. Still, she was quite endearing for the most part and had character development eventually. Li Hong Bin, the male lead, was as loyal as they come, and he did so much for Xi Ruo without her even knowing. With such an amazing male lead, the story would have a winner if their relationship was more balanced, with Xi Ruo being more considerate of Hong Bin earlier in the show. That said, Xi Ruo displayed bravery and self-sacrifice when she blocked an attack on her father-in-law and took a stab for Hong Bin.
Xi Zi is adorably pretty with her dimple and has looks worthy of a female lead. Lately, the actresses cast in lead roles have been visually unremarkable, at least to me. She did fairly well portraying Xi Ruo, but there was some over-the-top acting during the crying scenes. I am not sure if it is the directing, or as a newbie, there was room for improvement.
Tall, good-looking with a great physique, Xia Ning Jun fitted the bill as the male lead, Li Hong Bin, and showed a good acting range, from cold sternness, angry jealousy, loving glances to swoony stares. Like Xi Zi, he is also a newcomer, and I hope that he will get more chances to hone his skills.
The supporting cast was good as well. Li Hong Bin's bodyguard A-Mao, and his parents were hilarious, and the villains evoked the right amount of annoyance. That Ru-er really made my blood boil, and I was so happy to see karma coming around, and she got what she deserved!
I love the OST, especially the title song, the duet that played during poignant moments, and all the instrumental pieces. So fitting for the scenes and helped to evoke my emotions. Also, the usage of sound effects to highlight the comedic moments was effective.
Overall, I recommend this sweet rom-com, especially if you are looking for one with little angst, where the CP only has eyes for each other and has a satisfying ending.
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Finding Love and Overcoming Obstacles
Third in the Dhevaphrom series, this lakorn is about how Captain M.L. Ronnajak (Jak) Juthathep met again and almost instantly fell for his old classmate, Jaipisut (Noopok). She however, had a bad impression of him because of their childhood experiences. Due to her misunderstanding of him, it was not an easy path for Jak to win Noopok's heart.Like the other Devaphrom shows, the FL had a mysterious background. The show focused on her secretive origin, and a lot of the plot was dedicated to uncovering her secret. Also thrown into the mix were some bad guys causing trouble for the main characters and a stereotypical hi-so mother who would do anything to climb the social ladder using her child.
All the Devaphrom lakorns I have watched so far were slow-burn romances, but each romance was different. This one is more like Laorchan, where the focus was more on the FL's backstory and her mission/goal. Also, compared to the other shows, the main couple had more obstacles and interfering parties. Even third parties with good intentions were annoying.
Still, the show did a good job weaving the romance in. The romance was cute and became more satisfying to watch in the later episodes. There were some sweet scenes, and when the leads were finally together, they were endearing.
I initially had put it on hold since I found the FL too prejudiced and judgmental based on her past with the ML. However, I picked it up again with a fresh view, and she was not that bad. After watching Laorchan and Kwanruetai and now watching Poncheewan, Noopook in this show was by far the most prim and proper from start to end. Careful with her actions and image, Noopok resisted Jak at first because of his player image, and even when she was finally won over by Jak's persistence and charms, she was reserved.
Visually, Tate and Oom look really good together, as do the second couple Job and Lingling, which is probably why the opening credits are all photoshoots of the characters. The opening song was fun and in general the main songs were enjoyable. They are on youtube,
โคตรจะรัก by Tom Isara Kitnitchi
เพิ่งเข้าใจ by AUN JESSADA
ทางขนาน by Atitaya Tribudarak (Mind) (4EVE)
Acting-wise, Tate could certainly need some improvement. The others were fine, which is why Tate's stiffness stood out more. His character, Ronnajak, though, was a great ML who was committed to the FL from start to end. I was annoyed with him in the beginning for not being more firm with the 2FL and her mother but he redeemed himself very quickly once he was sure of his feelings for Noopook.
I am not surprised that some viewers prefer the second couple's storyline. It was the typical hate-to-love story and the roller coaster feelings between the two made it more interesting to watch. They were adorable together and I liked how things worked out for them.
Overall, this was still a good watch. It was a little more draggy with so many episodes focused on the FL's search for her mom. Since that subplot was not that exciting, say compared to Laorchan's mission that was filled with intrigue and supernatural elements, I am not surprised that most people got bored.
Regardless, it should have been rated higher and is worth watching, especially if you want to complete the series or if you want to enjoy some eye candy in a decent show.
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The best revenge is to move on and let karma do the rest
This review is for Season 1 and 2.Krachao Seeda truly delivered the emotional rollercoaster that I expect from a Thai lakorn! The plotline is nothing new, but I enjoyed the story, and the pacing was good. There's definitely tons of slapping where almost no one was spared, and there was melodrama and angst when I found my heart wrenching or my blood pressure rising numerous times. However, throw in the happy and satisfying scenes, and you get an addictive drama that kept me binge-watching it. The main messages were karma, knowing one's self-worth, and valuing one's dignity.
After having experienced the spectrum of emotions, from the villains making my blood boil watching them plot and play dirty to the feelings of enjoyable romance watching the interactions between the ML and FL, the best part by far was seeing the good guys triumphed over the evil schemes repeatedly. This is so gratifying since there are so many lakorns where the bad guys keep winning until the last episode when they finally get their due punishment or redemption because forgiveness is a key virtue. The rating should be higher, but I guess a rating above 7.5 is considered high for a Thai drama on MDL.
I started this show because of Nune Woranuch, who played Nampink, the FL, but ultimately I binge-watched because of Got Jirayu, who portrayed the ML, Aumpon. I first noticed him in Love Destiny, looking so fine as Luang Surasak, but he stole my heart in this drama. A perfect ML, so charming, charismatic, and attractive...Aumpon may be younger than Nampink, but he was mature, thoughtful, protective, and committed to his love for Nampink. One of my favorite genres is when the ML falls for the FL first, and it was cute how Aumpon smoothly expressed his feelings to Nampink. I love how Got's eyes crinkled as he smiled widely, but his playful expressions can transform so effortlessly into serious and menacing ones when he stared down the villains. I have nothing but praises for Got's acting in this show, and I look forward to him playing more lead roles.
Nampink was a strong female lead, like an iron fist in a velvet glove. Beautiful, decisive, and resourceful, she handled herself with elegance and grace even through heartbreak and betrayal. I like that Nampink was intelligent, and even when she felt devastated, she executed her revenge so nicely and cleanly against the people who did her wrong. Nune has the aura of a commanding female lead, and it is not surprising that she was proclaimed as one of the royalty of Thai dramas. She is gorgeous and I spent the whole show admiring her hair and fashion. In fact, I loved all the female characters' outfits! The production designer deserved a shout-out for such excellent choices but seriously, does the Thai high society really dress like the way they do in the dramas?
As individual characters, our leads were likable, and as a couple, they were admirable and endearing. So supportive and understanding of each other, they were able to take down the villains by anticipating their next moves and laying traps for the bad guys. The chemistry was good, and I wish they had more kissing scenes. That said, both actors were so on point with their expressions and body language that I did not need obvious gestures like kissing to see how well they played off each other. They have a unique dynamic that made it so interesting to watch them. Plus, Got just oozed sexiness, and the show enhanced that impression by playing the sexy background song almost every time he appeared on screen to charm Nampink.
The supporting cast was good, but I was not interested in the second couple's relationship. I don't think it was executed very well, and I didn't exactly buy the idea that Ramnam and Lue loved each other in the end. Green Ausadaporn is lovely and was good as Ramnam, the scheming nangrai who stopped at nothing to get what she wanted, but something was lacking in her overall delivery. I think that the SFL was supposed to be a more complex character, fighting against societal prejudice and oppression, but Green's acting did not come through for me. She was good with her smirks and sneers, and she totally brought out the dislike in me. However, she did not do as well in the more emotional scenes. The same thing with Peter Corp Dyrendal, who played Lue, the SML who was supposed to be in love with Nampink even after he betrayed her but then all of a sudden, he was in love with Ramnam towards the end. I pitied Ramnam's mother the most, but in a way, she was the one who enabled Ramnan's wickedness.
The music list was not long, but the soundtrack was memorable, including the sexy song I now will always associate with Got…Haha! For posterity, I have listed the main songs below. Unfortunately, the show did not balance the dramatic background music well, and it can be quite jarring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tCPuOIeSHo
เพลง : พิง (Song: Lean)
นักร้อง : NONT TANONT (Singer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SHtrQNYE90
เพลง : ความรัก (Song: Love)
ศิลปิน : โรส ศิรินทิพย์ (Singer: Rose Sirinthip)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUhlXxelZZA
เพลง : ปม (Song:Crux)
ศิลปิน : ZANI ( ซานิ นิภาภรณ์ ) (Singer: ZANI (Sani Nipaporn))
I gave a decent rating for the re-watch value since I expect I will replay scenes of Aumpon and Nampink. On the whole, I do recommend this Lakorn. The story moved quickly with a great ending, good-looking actors who can act, and great music. So give it a try, and who knows, you may get hooked onto it just like I was.
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Esther and Film in a Slap & Kiss Lakorn? Sign me up!
Payu Sai truly drew me in, and I could not help but binge-watched over the weekend. It's a real slap & kiss but not so much between our main couple. There's definitely tons of slapping where almost no one was spared, and the kisses between the male and female leads, Nares and Sai, were hot...phew!Why I like this lakorn?
* Awesome leads
I actually liked the female lead in this one. I'm not sure whether it is Esther who seems to be able to bring life to any character or the character itself but Sai was not a boring and weak damsel in distress. She can fight and shoot a gun with great accuracy. She was smart, independent and calm but she can be irritatingly stubborn and tight-lipped.
As for the male lead, his character development was a plus point and even though he may seemed self-centered, I actually found Nares adorable whenever he realized how important he was to Sai. He always wanted to be the first when it came to Sai which can come across as being possessive. However, Film managed to pull it off with charisma.
* Great kissing
In the first 6 episodes, Nares and Sai demonstrated angry passion that translated into some great kissing. After seeing them in their other shows, I always knew that Film and Esther could kiss well on-screen, and they delivered again. That said, Esther could have tried to avoid the wide-eyed "Oh, we're kissing" look that took away from the heat of the moment.
There was great chemistry and Film as Nares brought his usual flirty charm which worked well with Esther's more subtle appeal in her portrayal of Sai. They, of course, looked good together, which increased my enjoyment of watching them together.
It did get tamer after the two became more romantic. However, I appreciated how the writers developed the progression of Nares' and Sai's relationship, which brings me to my next point.
* Realistic relationship progression
Even though the kisses became fewer after the major misunderstandings were cleared up, there were still many sweet and cute moments in almost every episode. Nares was constantly hugging, trying to kiss, and physically expressing his love for Sai, while Sai would react with modesty and fake outrage. I did wish that Sai did not react so shyly, especially after seeing her initial ardent responses to Nares. However, after having watched numerous Thai lakorns, I somewhat expected it.
There was also a secondary couple whose endearing interactions caught my interest. At least for the couples, the writers focused on keeping the romantic relationships healthy and respectful. As for the other relationships, oh boy, it was toxic but entertaining as heck.
* Tropes used in a refreshing way
This drama was riddled with worn-out tropes, but... they were not that bad. The show used some tropes in new ways and managed to surprise me. The screechy supposed nang rai was dealt with quickly. The bitchy stepmother found redemption. Unlike many Lakorns that were all about forgiveness and earning merit, the villains were punished satisfactorily.
* Engaging plot
The story unfolded pretty nicely for me, and I like that the show revealed the villains early on. Even then, there were layers of manipulation and scheming that kept things fresh. It is also gratifying that the main couple developed quickly, allowing more episodes of sweet romance. I find many shows so frustrating, having to watch the couple go through many episodes of denial before finally getting together in the last 15 minutes. It was also enjoyable to see the villains unravel as they got closer to being caught.
* Memorable theme song
For posterity, I included the link to it. It is quite a lovely song and has made it to my playlist. As expected, it heightened the romantic experience for me.
ARTIST : มาเรียม เกรย์
SONG : หัวใจเลือกจำ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpSP67RocUo
Why I couldn't give a higher rating?
* Trite dialogue and overuse of flashbacks towards the end
Seriously, they could have done better with the dialogue. For some scenes, the writers must think that the viewers are pretty dumb since they got the characters to say out the entire scene. Also, a lot of drama happened for the sake of drama which can be frustrating at times.
* Lack of music creativity
Unfortunately, other than the theme song, there was not much else going on musically, and the background music selection did not seem suitable at times.
* Unimpressive acting by the villains and side characters
The overall frustration about the bad acting is something that you have to overlook to move on.
On the whole, I do recommend this Lakorn. The story moved at a good pace, and if nothing else, Film and Esther might be enough to keep you watching.
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Love to Hate - a fun watch
The story about a princess suffering a split personality because of something related to the Wolf Tribe and the son of the Wolf King was quite unique, but the resulting drama felt more like a filler type of series and not a must-watch. Still, despite its flaws that included unimpressive CGI and some draggy episodes, I enjoyed Wolf Princess. There were enough twists and turns in the plot to keep things interesting, and the chemistry between the ML and FL was good enough to keep me engaged. Furthermore, as light as this show was, it did manage to tug at my heartstrings, and there were poignant moments that made me tear up.Yan Qing, the ML, was somewhat of a rascal outwardly. He was very smart, though, and was an experienced military officer with excellent martial art skills. He was constantly teasing Ling Long, the FL, but his actions belied his words as he would do things for her happiness and taking care of her silently, behind the scenes. Unlike the second male lead, Yan Qing also considered matters and issues from her perspective and never tried to impose his will on her even when he was concerned about her. He's a refreshing example of a non-toxic male lead.
Interestingly, Ling Long was the more "tsundere" after growing up with an alternate personality called Lang Yin and having to be constantly on her guard. She repressed her feelings a lot, and even though she was intelligent and resourceful, she often pretended to be submissive to further her agenda. Lan Ying, the other personality was bolder and brasher. The transition between the two personalities and the outcomes provided laughs. Also funny was the constant bickering between Yan Qing and Ling Long. At times though, I just want to shake Yan Qing and tell him to be more transparent with the things he had done for Ling Long, and I want to yell at Ling Long for being resistant and so hard on Yan Qing for so long despite her feelings for him. The saving grace is that the romance heated up nicely after Yan Qing became more obvious and openly showing his affections for Ling Long.
Connie Kang portrayed her character's dual personalities nicely, and I thought she handled the switching back and forth very smoothly, especially in her expressions and dialogue. I actually found this show after watching Jason Koo in the Oh! My Emperor series and he acted pretty well as mischievous Yan Qing. Sometimes it did seem like he was over-acting during some of his character's more goofy moments. To me, he is good-looking in a unique way. The same thing with Connie - she's attractive in a non-conventional way too. Even though I enjoyed watching the two characters' hate to love journey, I found myself often distracted by the fact that they both look quite similar, almost like siblings with a long facial structure.
The secondary couple was also cute together, but I felt that the show put them together to initially create the tension of love triangles that eventually got resolved by having the ML's friend and second female lead fall for each other. Overall, the cast was fine, and Yan Qing's band of loyal soldiers provided lots of comic relief.
Music-wise, nothing memorable except that the songs picked underscored the scenes nicely.
Overall, I would recommend that you give this show a chance and suspend your disbelief until the end. It is an easy series to binge and a good filler.
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Hilarious and heartwarming
If you are willing to suspend your disbelief and accept a nonsensical plot, you will likely find this light and fluffy rom-com entertaining. This show is a good pick when you don't want to be too emotionally invested. The series is more comedy with a family-focused theme than romance, with lots of hilarious slapstick moments. While the romance was a slower burn and less intense than I had hoped, there was chemistry between the lead couple. Their relationship's progression was delightful, and while there was not much skinship or kissing, their interactions were so cute. The male lead was especially charming when he teased and flirted with the female lead.As usual, Vill Sonthichai is lovely to look at, and I thought that she did well portraying Tammy/Cherry, the female lead trying to play mother to a challengingly petulant brood. I found her acting a little over the top at times, but I think that was more due to the directing. The supporting characters were so over the top and at times ridiculous that you cannot help but laugh.
It is the first time I have watched Chakrit Yamnam, and he has piqued my interest. His acting was excellent, and he was to emote and convey a lot via his eyes and micro-expressions. Unlike the other actors, there was no over-acting, and his experience really shone through as there was a certain dignity to the way he played Treeloj/San.
I did find the side relationships much less interesting, especially the one between Treeloj's daughter and his friend. I am less bothered by the age difference because there was probably a similar age gap between Treelog and Tammy, and more by the fact that the daughter was barely of legal age. For me, that subplot was unnecessary and added a twisted negative vibe to the show.
I like the featured songs. The title song has an infectious, feel-good energy that reflected the same tone of fun and positivity that was infused throughout the show. The ending song was fitting for the more romantic or poignant scenes between the main couple. Also, the usage of sound effects to highlight the comedic moments were effective.
Overall, this is a cute series that I would recommend for light watching and laugh out loud moments. I would likely re-watch it on a slow weekend.
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Not the most exciting drama but charming all the same
Those who like the emotional rollercoaster that Thai lakorns typically provide, will probably not enjoy this series. It is not your typical Thai lakorn where at least one aspect is emphasized and exaggerated. Still, I thought that Leh Game Rak is a pretty good show and while it is unlikely to get a lot of rave reviews, it is a pleasant enough series to watch. This series is so even-paced, so mellow that it feels like a slice of life show despite the heavy themes like the ML hiding his identity as he searches for his mother's murderer, and the FL having to grow up pretending to be a male.Even though there are intrigue and evil plots, the drama is not dark at all, and the villains don't even make my blood boil like they do in other shows. For the most part, there is not a whole lot of plot development in each episode but just enough to keep the story going and for some reason, sustain my interest. I am glad that I stayed the course and watched the whole series until the happy ending. Despite its lack of intensity, I enjoyed the show and found the cast to be charming and engaging. The group of friends surrounding the ML provided some cuteness and hilarity, and I appreciate the heartwarming relationship the FL has with her family.
I do regret the missed opportunity the show had in the romance department. I have always liked Esther Supreeleela and I may be biased since I think Esther can play any role well but she is perfect for the role of Nan/Nicha. She has the right features to play a flower boy but easily transforms into a lovely lady. Son Songpaisan who plays Seifer/Aici is definitely pleasing to the eye and his voice is appealing. Together they had some sweet scenes and I suspect would have had really great chemistry if the story allowed them. I kept waiting for the spark to burn more intensely, for the skinship to increase and for the kisses to come. Unfortunately the show failed in this aspect for a romantic like me.
Also there's over use of flashbacks and on top of it, it’s the same ones over and over again.
Overall I recommend that you watch the show and decide for yourself. While it’s not a twisty-turny thriller or full of shocks or drama, it is a decent series all the same.
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Charming coming of age love story
The "long lost childhood friend turned lover" trope is nothing new, but the show used it very effectively. What makes it more meaningful is that our Male Lead, Nan Xi has a social anxiety disorder, and therefore his early friendship with Xia Rui, our female lead, has left a lasting, profound effect on him. He never forgot Xia Rui and never faltered in his search for her.I enjoyed their story of blossoming love, a romance that most would have deemed impossible given how different their personalities were. However, in a world of incompatibilities, they became each other's light and destination. They knew that they are each other's one and only, unique to and completing one another. Their unquestioning trust in each other made for a delightful and extra sweet relationship. Neither one is perfect, though. Nan Xi was a genius, adept and excellent in anything that he attempted but was an extreme introvert, uncomfortable with the world. Xia Rui was bright, talkative, and plucky but unmotivated when it came to her studies. She often caused stress for Nan Xi and her closest friends, Zhao Yi Shu and Cheng Er Luo, who only wanted to see her succeed and be with them in the same university. Individually they were flawed, but the show delivered a strong message of how imperfectly perfect they were together as a couple and for Xia Rui, Yi Shu, and Er Luo, as friends with unbreakable bonds. Being each other's anchors, they were able to pursue and succeed in achieving their dreams.
Adding to the heart-warming plot was the focus on family, friendship, and the bond between teacher and student. There were lots of positive feels in this show, focused on the four friends' lives in high school, university, and early post-grad years. I liked how the adults respect the young people, acting as positive influences, and providing support. No real antagonists and even potential love triangles were only hints, resolved quickly and relatively painlessly. Even the ones causing a smidgen of chaos ended up being good friends with the main group. The lack of melodrama was a plus for me, and I appreciate how the show stayed consistent with its storyline. Unlike many C-, K- or Thai dramas, there was no dramatic twist or turn, throwing the audience off with a different arc.
While the show has its strengths with respect to the adorable romance and character growth of the primary characters, it did get draggy concerning the secondary couple, Yi Shu and Er Luo. Both of them were annoying at times, with Er Luo being so dense and unaware of Yi Shu's feelings for him and Yi Shu's unwillingness to clarify and confess. It's one of those relationships that could be smoothed out and move forward if there was some communication, even indirectly via the main couple. I did not understand why Xia Rui did not help more, given how the other two contrived to create opportunities for her and Nan Xi.
The cast did well and had excellent rapport with each other. This is quite the 'PG' show with so many kisses...interrupted! Still Fiction Guo and Wan Peng had great chemistry, so endearing together, and I hope that they will play the OTP again in another show. I watched Fiction Guo in Accidentally In Love and Su Yu, and his portrayal of his characters in those shows, and this one highlighted his acting skills and potential. He does comedy well, and in this show, as he emoted well without a lot of dialogue. He has a few main roles lined up, so I look forward to seeing him more. Wan Peng also did well as bubbly Xia Rui, but I wonder if she will get pigeonholed into such a character. Her role in First Romance was very similar and even in My Girlfriend is an Alien, she played a clumsy, bumbling, unlady-like character. It would be nice to see her portray a more feminine role. I totally see her as an ideal female lead, strong and sassy, and she does have attractive features.
The supporting characters were awesome. Lao Hu and Lao Yi, the parents & grandparents, all added fun and substance to the story, but the scene-stealer was Xia Rui's little brother, who was the little sage, truth-teller, and overall, a bundle of cuteness.
Music-wise - the OST was great, and I like how the show played 'sexier' songs as the OTP's relationship progressed. I am partial to duets, and the show featured a couple of nice ones.
I'd highly recommend that you watch this if you like light-hearted and binge-able dramas featuring strong friendship and family ties, character growth, and a healthy romance between the main characters who never wavered from their love and commitment.
Lastly, a shout out to CarmenEngSub for subbing this show!
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Good slow-burn romance with fun comedic moments plus an OTP with great visuals
Overall, this drama tried to pack a lot into the story, but the writing was not consistent enough to weave the plots together seamlessly. The show started strong for me, with its fresh take on the FL's background, where she was the leader of a righteous gang whose focus was on helping the common people. I was intrigued by the synopsis and looked forward to seeing the romance develop as the OTP learned to work together and overcome their class disparity. Unfortunately, the writer had to throw in the usual palace nonsense, including the "secret royalty" trope. It did all fit together in the end, but the story development was not that smooth. I don't know if it was due to bad editing, censorship, or weak writing that caused the pacing to be off.Despite all that, I could not help but binge on this show. In fact, I even watched the last 6 episodes raw because I had to find out what happened in the end. Why? Because of Bai Lu and Leon Lai!
I was so drawn to the OTP's visuals and their story. I did not mind their slow-burn romance, and even though there were few passionate scenes, there was great chemistry between Bai Lu and Leon Lai. There was a certain dignity in how the ML and FL displayed their feelings for each other. Both characters were strong, intelligent, savvy, and well-respected in their own societies. Watching them come together and realize how well they complement each other was an enjoyable watch for me. Of course, there were angsty moments of misunderstanding and noble idiocy, but compared to other period C-dramas, the melodrama was not heavy.
Bai Lu may have reached 'girl crush' status for me. She has an on-screen presence that commands attention, an attractiveness, and acting talent that one would expect of a female lead. She has the natural arrogant face to portray Long Ao Yi perfectly, and one memorable scene for me was when she danced to counter the ridicule of the so-called high-society guests. Bai Lu used her body language and expressions very well in this role as she transitioned between an unruly gang leader to a palace concubine. One reason why I gave the show a high rating because of the strong FL character who was also relatable. I like that Long Ao Yi could always rise above it all, move on and focus on the big picture or main point. Yes, she had her moments of weakness or slip-ups and silly stubbornness that delayed the progress of her relationship with Liu Qing Liu. However, all that was what I would expect of the character who stayed true to herself the whole time.
The show made the right choice casting Leon Lai next to Bai Lu. His manly good looks and physique match Bai Lu's haughty beauty really well, and he has the charisma to play the aloof Liu Qing Liu. His icy expressions were not emotionless, and he was not stiff. This role may not have given Leon a wide acting range, but he did pretty well with his micro-expressions, especially when Qing Liu started falling for Ao Yi. Given that this is only his second lead role, I think he did a great job. I hope that he will be casted in more lead roles as he hones his skills further. Likewise with Alen Fang. I had watched him in "The Love by Hypnotic" and was impressed by him. His character Li Zhao did give me a little SLS, and I felt so bad for him who was so in love with Ao Yi until the very end.
The secondary couple, Xiao Qin and Ya Bin was cute and hilarious. The rest of the supporting cast did well too. The actions of the characters made sense and justifiable, including the villains'.
Great selection of OST! I like the songs picked to match the significant scenes between certain characters.
All in all, I would ask you to give this show a chance. 36 episodes are not that long compared to many other period dramas, and there are numerous parts that are good in Jiu Jiu Overlord. It provides a nice break for when you need some lightheartedness, and the good looking cast is a bonus. I already plan to re-watch the last 6 episodes when they are finally English subbed.
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I liked Sabrina Chen after watching her in My Unicorn Girl. However, she was even lovelier in this show. She has the perfect features to play a flower boy but easily transforms into a charming and beautiful maiden. I enjoyed watching her portray Su Qi, a female lead that was independent, rational, and has a high IQ and EQ. Even the dubbing used for her voice was suitable, quite unlike the usual high immature voices that C-dramas tend to use for female characters. Being a newly debuted actor, Zhang Ling He did well, with an ability to display a wide range of emotions. He was perfect as Pei Zhao/Prince Qi, who is now one of my favorite male leads. How can one resist a handsome ML who was absolutely committed and devoted to the FL, plus had the skills and power/influence to protect her? Pei Zhao complemented Su Qi so perfectly when it comes to physical appearance, intellect, and maturity. This OTP had many swoon-worthy love scenes with lots of well-done kisses. I love that Su Ci often initiated the kisses, and Pei Zhou always followed with deeper steamier ones! Also, the amount of attention paid to little details during their hugging and kissing scenes made me smile; like the way their gazes held, or the way the Su Ci tightened her grip around Pei Zhao as their kiss deepened. They were so cute together, even holding hands as they went about solving cases.
The secondary couple was also adorable together, and they were likable characters that added value to the plot. It was a good-looking cast overall (notable mentions: Zhang Jia Ding, Zhu Min Xin, and Li Jin Rong).
I like the song that played every time there was a meaningful moment between the OTP, but I did not find the OST memorable in general.
Rewatch value is high because I am a sucker for a good romance drama with great kissing.
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The lightheartedness of this drama is a perfect break from work, life, and other drama shows. Despite the silliness, I found myself immersed in the show's twists and turns, and the conspiracy plot. True, the writing is not smooth, and there are moments that will make you go 'huh?, how is that possible or what just happened?' but everything comes together nicely in the end.
I also enjoyed the romance and the bromance among the main characters. Esther Yu as Sanqi and Liu Yi Chang as Zhao Cuo have good chemistry together in an adorable wholesome way. I'm glad that they made Sanqi intelligent, brave with a unique interest, loyal, and has a backbone. Zhao Cuo is not the perfect male lead, but he ends up being the most devoted husband, and his commitment to Sanqi is endearing. Liu Yi Chang has the looks which I think will mature nicely, so I hope to see him in more projects. I am not sure if his voice is dubbed, but if it is his real voice, I like it! Esther Yu is super cute, but I wonder if she would be type-casted into certain kinds of roles because of her cuteness. Acting-wise, they both portrayed their characters pretty well, but they still need to continue honing their skills. I was less invested in the secondary couple since they did not have as much chemistry. Still, they make a good-looking pair. Luo Ming Jie plays a fine-looking but at times, emotionally clueless Bai Yi Fe well, and I love watching his interactions with Zhao Cuo. They play off each other well. I feel bad for He Zhen, the third male lead who comes into the picture too late and never really has a chance anyway. Still, his earnestness and care for Sanqi make me wish that he has his own happy ending.
The OST increased the coolness factor of the show since the songs are contemporary and well-chosen. Each piece was fitting to the mood and scene, but my favorite is Wander by Di Zhiwen.
I probably will re-watch this show since it is such an easy show to enjoy and binge on the weekend! I do recommend it when you are in a mood to watch a show just for laughs and cute romance.
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Wonderful love story enhanced by the fantastic chemistry between the OTP and an awesome OST
I started this drama expecting a light romantic comedy but was pleasantly surprised by the emotional roller coaster ride towards the end. The comedic moments were certainly there, and there were many times when I laughed out loud. When I re-watched some scenes, I found myself already giggling and laughing before the scenes even began. This show was not perfect, but I like the writing because it managed to make me sympathize with the villains. I even shed tears for them, especially for Li Xun (Zhang Bo Ham) because they were portrayed so well by the actors, and no character felt one-dimensional.There were many kissing scenes, rare for C-dramas, and so nicely done (no stiff pecks on the lips for the leads)! I love how the male lead's natural reaction was always to kiss the female lead, and the skinship made the romance felt real. I enjoyed watching the interactions between the OTP, and the progression of their relationship. Some scenes unexpectedly became memorable to me, like the wedding dance and the arrow shooting ceremony.
Li Qian is now one of my favorite male lead characters because he was never foolish, even as he fell head over heels for Ming Yue. Throughout the challenges and hardships that they had to go through, he was thoughtful and smart. He was so devoted to Ming Yue and remained steadfastly committed to her and their love. Also, unlike the male leads in other shows, he makes it clear from the get-go, his lack of interest, and has no qualms about rejecting the second female lead. Plus, he had such good lines when it came to romancing his lady! Fang Yi Lun did a great job, playing the fine-looking, intelligent, fair, but initially emotionally unapproachable 9th prince. He was able to display a range of emotions when necessary in the various scenes. I hope to see him in more lead roles. He is multi-talented since he also sang some of the tracks for the OST. As for Ling Mei Shi, I believe this is her first lead role as well, and she shined as the cute, mischievous, and street-smart Ming Yue.
I was also impressed by Ni Han Jin. He is certainly sexy with a great body but it was his acting as Yun Si that kept me invested in his story with Ming Yue. One could feel his pain from losing his one and only so unfairly and understand why his broken heart drove him to desperate measures. I had less sympathy for Hui Xin and her obsessive unrequited love, but Zhou Zi Xin portrayed the lovely but conniving character well. Another character I liked was Si Kong Zhen, played by Dong Yan Lei. His bromance with the male lead provided many entertaining scenes, and his dedication to their friendship made for some heartwarming moments.
The OST made its way onto my regular playlist - that's how much I liked it! Overall the songs complemented the scenes so nicely, and the instrumental pieces fitted the moods well.
I rated the re-watch value pretty high since I will likely watch this show again when I am in the mood for romantic kiss scenes, hilarious moments, or heartbreaking tear-jecking parts.
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