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Lost in Dramaland
Slow burn romance of a Kickass Power Couple with decent chemistry
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25I have not watched “Princess Agent” for obvious reasons (the ending sucks), so I went into this drama without expectation from Zhao Li Ying and Lin Geng Xin. I am not looking for a continuation of their previous romance. I wonder if that’s the reason why I don’t feel that their chemistry is amazing, but still good.
The big selling point of this drama is the two leads. The majority of the drama focuses on the romance and relationship, before going into the real plot towards the second half of the drama. I am a die-hard romance lover, so I am not going to complain (much) about it. It’s really lovely to see their interaction and romantic development when they’re in the mortal world. Their conversations are full of subtle and not-so-subtle sarcastic remarks, which help with building their attraction for each other. I enjoy the not-in-your-face and not-second-hand-embarrassment comedy. I feel like you need to pay attention to what’s going on to fully enjoy it, otherwise, you’ll miss a subtle dig here and there. However, I do think the drama spends way too much time setting the stage for this slow burn romance in the first half of the drama. As much as I enjoy their conversation, I also am missing the plot. This is a xianxia drama, so I am sure there’s a villain out there plotting against the ‘good’ guys.
I’m glad to see another kickass power couple as we really don’t see that many in C-dramas. From the top of my head, I could only think of the leads in “Who Rules The World” and “Wonderland of Love”. But Sheng Li and Xing Zhi are on a whole other level. They are the best of the best, the top 2 of the 3 realms. I am glad Shen Li remains intelligent, cool-headed, and powerful from beginning to the end. In a way, we have a reversal of gender. As the drama says, a reversal of who is the yin and who is the yang. Xing Zhi is also an interesting character. He’s being held in such high regards, has the whole world on his shoulders, yet he’s petty and jealous. He also is a know-it-all and doesn’t communicate much out of necessity for the most part. It’s also hilarious that once he’s given up restraining himself, he has such a love brain. He’s more clingy and emotional than Sheng Li and it’s both frustrating and fun to watch.
On the other hand, I am greatly moved by the romance between Feng Lai and Liu Yu. They have very limited screen time. Even though their romance is not unique, it leaves a more lasting impression on me. They are both such pure and kind-hearted people, but they break my heart. I might be partial as I am a big fan of Xu Hai Qiao, and his portrayal of Feng Lai is impeccable. The other romance that receives an awkward amount of screen time is with the sultry Ms Jin, the serpent. More on that at the end of the review.
The acting is solid but not exceptional. The veterans are great - Zeng Li as Shen Li’s godmother Demon Lord, Liu Guan Lin as the Heavenly Emperor, Zhou Xiao Chuan as General Shang are all great veterans. Comparatively, Zhao Li Ying and Lin Geng Xin did fine. There are moments when I thought ZLY did a really good job. I also feel that LGX’s acting is a little uneven. There are times when I feel that he could emote really well with subtle microexpressions, but other times I feel that he’s very wooden. Maybe that’s why I don’t quite feel the chemistry between them to be as great as other reviewers have said. Xin Yun Lai sorta played a dual role as Mo Fang and along with He Yu as the Heavenly grandson. They both deliver average acting. My favorite is Xu Hai Qiao as Feng Lai. His screen time is limited but XHQ never disappoints. He is such a scene stealer.
This is obviously a pretty big budget production. A large amount of CGI and green screens are used in this production. The very first fight sequence in ep 1 sets the CGI tone for the rest of the drama. However, I do find that fight scene shot like a video game. But throughout the drama, I really enjoy the special effects of the different light/power blasted during any battles. Sometimes production runs out of money and they start to fade out the special effects towards the end of the drama. Not this one! The final big battle was amazing. Despite my praise of the fight scenes, there are quite a few very fake-looking green screen shots.
Costumes and set designs are quite nice. Zhao Li Ying looks absolutely stunning in all of her different costumes, hair and make up. I love her simpler getup in the mortal world, but also enjoy her more girly looks with flowy hair. Some of the Heavenly Realm sets remind me of “Ashes of Love” and “Ancient Love Poetry”. I guess they all look the same to me after watching so many xianxias. “The Legend of Shen Li” also has a beautiful OST. However, they are played quite loudly and at times I couldn’t hear the words spoken very clearly. The drama also likes to blast this suona background music (it sounds like the suona song played in “Small Town Stories”) whenever something exciting comes up. It gets annoying after a while. One thing I am a little disappointed about is that the main leads are all dubbed. None of them uses their own voice, and at times the words don’t match the movement of the lips.
Another thing that annoys me is the large amount of inner monologues by Shen Li. There are times I wonder if these are words spoken, or all in Sheng Li’s head. Zhao Li Ying doesn’t really open her mouth wide when she speaks, so I got confused at times.
Let’s talk about the ending. I think the drama should have ended at ep 38. Ep 39 is more of a side story or an easter egg episode. It’s cute and I enjoy it, but this filler and fan service episode somewhat changes how I remember the ending of this solid drama. The kiss scenes at the end are definitely for the fans, and this fan did not enjoy the kisses. They seem awkward.
Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable watch. The pace is decent despite a little slow down with too much time spent on the set-up of the romance in the beginning. The power couple is fun to watch and I enjoy their interactions and conversations. The romance is slow but mature. Acting and production are solid, though not exceptional. I like (not love) this drama and will recommend it to those who enjoy xianxias and great CGI battles.
Completed: 5/12/2024 - Review #438
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Excellent acting & chemistry but a little long and not always exciting.
Wang Yi Bo probably attracted many viewers to “War of Faith”. Serious Chinese Republican era dramas are usually not very popular. However, I wish viewers who came for Wang Yi Bo would stay for the rest of the amazing cast members. I cannot stop praising how good the acting is in this drama.I watch this because of Wang Yang and Li Qin, and they are both AMAZING. It’s not a surprise that Wang Yang is excellent, as he’s a veteran who excels in any role he plays. I love him in “The Rebel” where he gave a similar vibe and acting performance as in “War of Faith”. I even watched the business rom-com “Stand or Fall” for him and Qin Lan. He’s charismatic, sexy and has screen presence. He’s the MVP of this drama.
On the other hand, Li Qin surprises me the most. I’ve seen her in many other dramas, but not the serious ones such as “The Youth Memories”. But I am a fan. I even watched’ Thousand Years for You” for Li Qin. Her acting performance exceeds my expectations. She plays a strong, underground Communist sniper/assassin. Then she turned around and became an elegant high society lady. There are quite a few emotional scenes where she had to control her emotions and others where she had to let it all out.
Wang Yang and Li Qin’s sibling relationship is the best relationship in the whole drama. They play off each other so well. They care and support each other, they bicker and joke. But in the second half of the drama, when things get serious and dangerous, they have a few very, very emotional scenes. It was hard to see them both wanting what’s best for China and its people, but have such different beliefs and ways of achieving that.
Another standout performance for me is from Zhang Tian Yang. I’ve seen many of his dramas but they are never memorable enough for me to remember him. I was reminded that he’s the emperor from “A Journey to Love” and that’s such a different role than the one in “War of Faith”. But what a great performance here as well, and he suddenly is in a role where he’s hot and sexy. LOL.
Of course, we have Wang Yi Bo. He’s also pretty solid in this drama and probably the best I’ve seen him. Though the drama centers around his character’s growth and journey, his performance did not stand out for me. He’s still pretty good, but this drama has such a big cast and everyone is so good that it’s hard to stand out.
The rest of the supporting cast, young and old, novice or veteran, are all amazing. In fact, I feel that I am constantly in awe of everyone’s acting, that I am not really paying attention to the plot as much. This is one of the rare Republican era dramas that focuses so much on the finance world and stock market. The spy stuff seems secondary to the business world. I personally feel that 38 episodes are too long. The drama is unable to hold my attention from start to end. I am more interested in individual characters and their relationships, more so than the bigger plot.
I also would not recommend you watching this if you are looking for romance. There are two established couples in the drama. This is not a romantic drama, but I do have to say the limited screen time that these two couples have, they are amazing. They are mature, supportive and they survive through tough times. These women are tough as nails and they are their men’s biggest supporters.
Here are some other areas I enjoy. I love the actors using their own voices and the live recording. The live recording really enhances the viewing pleasure in emotional scenes. There’s no rom-com skin smoothing or white filter. You see the natural looks, flaws and all. All the characters are intelligent. They do not make dumb decisions that are out of character, and you applaud them trying to outsmart each other. The villains are not cartoonish, they just have different interests and beliefs. You also do not hear the OST blasting songs at weird times. In fact, there’s an episode where I did not notice any music until the ending theme starts to play. This drama is full of meaningful conversations and dialogs, and you do need to pay attention to truly understand each character’s motives.
I would recommend this drama for its excellent acting and great production. Your enjoyment level probably depends on whether you are a fan of this genre and finance talks. It is also to be expected that there’s a lot of ‘propaganda’, but to me, it’s just telling China’s history and the rise of Communism. I think the drama is too long and the plot doesn’t keep me on the edge of my seat enough. Overall, it is a great drama and truly a War of Faith and Beliefs.
Completed: 4/21/2024 - Review #430
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For those who need/want a better romance from Film/Jam after their other drama
The biggest motivation (for me) to watch “Laws of Attraction” is to see more of Film and Jam’s romance. I didn’t get enough when they were in “To Sir, With Love” and I liked them to want more. “Laws of Attraction” totally satisfies my need/desire and exceeds my expectations in that respect. However, the drama itself still have many faults.What I Like:
Film’s acting - Film is night and day in this drama compared to his goody-two-shoes role in “To Sir, With You”. I did not expect to see his big eyes to show so many different emotions. I’m so glad he’s casted in a role for him to showcase his acting ability. He can change from a cold-blooded and cunning lawyer, to a lovesick puppy in an instant. What a pleasure to see him in here.
Romance - As I mentioned, this drama satisfies this romance junkie. I love a good enemies-to-lovers trope. The chemistry is excellent between Film/Charn and Jam/Tinn. Tinn loves Film the way he is and doesn’t try to change his cunning ways. He just wishes Charn to not go over the evil side and don’t forget the kind heart he still has inside of him. I wish this drama was not rated G but PG-13. Because, then maybe I would have gotten some decent, passionate kisses instead of the chaste ones. Nevertheless, you can’t miss the chemistry and the love between the two. Ok, there are a few scenes that give me the cringe, but they are limited.
General Acting - I’ve seen quite a few BL dramas these days, and there are some that you really question the acting. Tinn also did great, though might be overshadowed by Film a little. The veteran cast is great. I’ve seen Grandma in a few dramas now and I love her. Grandma and Maya are the dynamic duo I didn’t know I need. The other two younger actors, See and Pearl, might be the weaker ones but not so bad that they are intolerable.
Film’s Outfits - He has the coolest outfits I’ve seen for a male lead in a Thai drama. His shirts are so fashionable and he just doesn’t always wear a traditional shirt/suit. He looks good in white! Without going into spoilers, in the last episode, I really like his non-traditional attire.
Funny supporting cast - I love Grandma and how caring and funny she is. But I love her with Maya as well. I feel cheated that I didn’t see a song and dance with them! Charm’s ex also has quite an entrance. He’s so funny and over-the-top crazy but his scenes are limited so I don’t feel irritated. I also love the niece and wish we have more scenes of her and Tin together.
What I have Mixed Feelings:
Plot Holes - This is a BL drama first, and a crime drama second. There are so many plot holes that don’t make sense. I am not sure if the writing is really bad, or scenes are edited out. I am not sure how Charn survived till this day. I am not sure how this character can survive after a fire and explosion. And how did the fire really start and spread that fast? Why you are trying to hide and not to be found, I am not sure posting on Instagram is a good idea.
Pacing - I found the pacing of the first half slower especially when it comes to the lawsuit. The romance kept me going but there’s not much going on when it comes to solving the crime or the villain trying to cover it. However, it gets better in the second half and I am more invested in the whole story and not just the romance.
Action scenes - They are not good at all. We have a taekwondo teacher and a bodyguard, but their fight scenes are laughable. I don’t think the kick or punch hit hard at all. These scenes could be so much better without slow motion. It was quite annoying to see a punch thrown at regular speed and then another punch shown in slow motion.
Makeup - Too much makeup on the leads! They look so white! Jam looks so much more handsome in “To Sir, With Love” when his natural tan is shown.
Secondary Couple - It’s not a surprise that they get together. But what’s surprising is how they get there. One scene, they are comforting each other. The next scene they’re in bed and finished with the deed. Were scenes edited out? These two characters also lack chemistry together.
Overall, this is a decent watch. If you want to see Film and Jam together in another drama, then I definitely recommend this. But if you are watching because of the lawsuit/crime plot, you will be quite disappointed. I feel that “Laws of Attraction” can actually use a few more episodes to flush out Charn’s background story and give a little more time to develop other side plots, e.g. secondary romance. I have a similar review of the Taiwanese drama “HIStory3: Trapped”. I am glad to see a non-school setting and more mature BL drama. I just haven’t found one that can give me a satisfying plot + mature romance yet.
Completed: 9/2/2023 - Review #348
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Underrated Gem - Excellent Acting, Storytelling and Pacing. Rare drama about the Common Folks.
Such an underrated drama that is not recommended enough. It’s rare to find a serious saeguk/historical drama these days, and even rarer to find one that’s about the common people and not about the royal family. I can’t believe this drama is only rated a 8.2 at the time of this writing. It will be a rare 9.0 for me.I recommend this drama to you if you:
1. Like serious saeguks - not a rom-com.
2. Like dramas such as the more popular “Six Flying Dragons”.
3. Don’t like the pacing of “Six Flying Dragons” because it’s too slow but want a similar drama.
4. Like a big budget production with excellent acting, storytelling and realistic depiction of lives of the poor back in the 19th century
Acting - Top notch acting all around. There’s no weak link at all. The closest drama I can think of off the top of my head that I’ve seen such great acting from the youngest to the oldest, would be “Six Flying Dragons” and “Arthdal Chronicles”. This drama boasts a huge supporting cast, and you will recognize every single veteran actor if you are familiar with K-dramas. Each and everyone of them is amazing. Both Jo Jung Suk and Han Ye Ri were awarded Best Actor and Best Actress respectively in SBS Drama awards in 2019. Yoon Shi Yoon and Choi Moon Sung were nominated as well.
Yoon Shi Yoon - I want to single out my praises for Yoon Shi Yoon. He’s a surprise for me. I thought he was a young idol actor but realized he has many dramas under his belt. I remember also liking his acting in “You Raise Me Up” as well. His role as Baek Yi Hyun is so multilayered and he portrayed all these emotions so well. From being the young and naive scholar, to a shy lover, to being the emotionless and heartless Goblin and the tortured soul towards the end. I feel so bad for Yi Hyun. If only his teacher treated him right. Yoon Shi Yoon was fantastic. It’s too bad he did not win any awards.
Plot and Pacing - I picked this drama because it’s the story about the common folks. It’s not about the royal family fighting for the throne, or palace politics. Set during the Donghak Peasant Revolution, you know it’s going to be bloody and deadly. Throughout the drama, I was hopeful, saddened and horrified. To me, the pacing is a lot better than “Six Flying Dragons” which I thought had too much talking but not enough action. “The Nokfu Flower” moves at a moderate pace. Each supporting character is given sufficient screen time for me to get to know them and care for them, but not too much that they overshadow the main plot and the main characters.
Strong Female Characters - Love the strong female characters - fearless and badass merchant Song Ja In (FL), supportive and strong mother Yoo Wol (Baek Yi Kang’s mother), quiet but has an inner strength noblewoman Hwan Myung Shim, and killer and courageous sniper Beo Deul. Even the slightly annoying Chae Jung Shil (Yi Hyun’s mother) and Baek Yi Hwa (Yi Hyun’s sister) are strong characters. There isn’t anyone that’s naive and innocent, and wouldn’t fight back.
Production - High budget production with realistic battle scenes. They did not shy away in showing the cruelty of a revolution and no blood was wasted in the illustration of different wounds and battle scenes. I enjoy the realistic portrayal of regular lives - no fancy clothes, characters rarely have a clean face, torn clothes and messy hair, humble meals, sets and houses, and the use of natural light and candles. The drama might not have screenshot-worthy cinematography, but you bet you can envision how hard life was.
Character Development - Each of the three main characters changes (for better or worse) throughout the drama - Baek Yi Kang, Baek Yi Hyun and Song Ja In. Their experiences might not be the same, but you can see how much they have changed from when you saw them in the first episode, and compared it to the last episode. The change is not abrupt, but is developed nicely through their roles during the revolution.
Other Random Observations:
1. The Battle at Ugeumchi was very difficult to watch - it’s heartbreaking.
2. Beautiful and haunting opening theme song that sets the tone for the drama.
3. A few unexpected comedic scenes sprinkled here and there throughout the drama.
4. Slight romance - enough to keep this romance lover satisfied and tugged my heartstrings.
5. Same director as “Six Flying Dragons”, so you will notice some ‘Easter Eggs” and many actors/actresses that appear in both dramas.
6. ML’s Father - Worst Father of the Year
Completed: 1/17/2023
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Not good enough to be a Medical, Legal or Rescue mission drama.
Even though I lowered my expectations, I am still disappointed. I like both leads, Leo Luo and Janice Wu, and am excited to see them in a drama together again. Despite their decent acting, I think the script is just not good enough.When watching “Light Chaser Rescue”, I was reminded of 2021’s popular “You Are My Hero”. I enjoyed YAMY a lot more. It’s more fun and more balanced. As my title said, “Light Chaser Rescue” is not good enough to be a good medical drama, a good rescue mission/adventure drama, or a good legal drama. The romance storylines lack chemistry and it’s really rare for me, a romance lover, to feel bored of 2 out of 3 romances, especially the main romance.
Strengths - One of the strengths of the drama would be the acting. Leo Luo and Janice Wu met my expectations and the supporting cast is solid. I would not say anyone is exceptional, but no one is too bland or annoying either. I also really like the OST. It features a few good songs, not overplayed and suited the moods of the drama.
Rescue Missions - The first 5 episodes of the drama are great. It starts out with an exciting earthquake rescue mission and serves as a good introduction to the cast. I was hopeful that this drama would exceed my expectations due to this first mission. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. I would say there are 3 major rescue missions throughout the drama. The earthquake one in the beginning, the mudslide rescue in the middle and the snowy mountain rescue at the end. But in between these 3 major events, the rest of the missions are quite simple and not a lot of details are shown. Speaking of missions, I still don’t quite understand why the Light Chaser Rescue team is called for some of these missions, when other government authorities might be more appropriate.
Romance - Among the three romances, I am most interested in the sweet and innocent romance between Xiong Fei and Luo Yuan. I was a little conflicted about how assertive and stalkerish Luo Yuan was in the beginning. But on the flip side, I admire her confidence in going after the man she wants despite her disability. I like how their romance is developed and though I don’t know sign language, I am glad to see that Luo Yuan continues to sign throughout the drama and does not only text. The main romance between Luo Ben and Zhan Yan is somewhat bland. I am not feeling the chemistry and maybe it’s because of the characters’ personalities. When they are happily in a relationship, that’s when I am most bored. I feel the chemistry more when they are having relationship problems. Just because their romance is not the cute and fluffy kind, that doesn’t mean a mature romance can’t have chemistry. After watching Janice Wu in “Discovery of Romance” with Qin Jun Jie recently, her chemistry with Leo Luo pales in comparison big time. The romance between Zhou Ming Ming and Ding x 3 is OK. It’s quite predictable and nothing to write about.
Inconsistencies and Weirdness -
♦︎ When you are hospitalized, I assume the doctors should prescribe you medicine. Why would you take the 999 cold medicine (aka product placement)?
♦︎ I thought Xiong Fei quits being a rescuer, but then he continues to be in all missions.
♦︎ The newbie rescuers only just started physical training and then they have to go into a burning building for a test. Isn’t that too fast? Or did the drama just skip forward all the other required trainings that could be fun to watch?
♦︎ I wonder what kind of medicine a normal family has at home that a kid can accidentally take and cause you to lose your voice permanently.
♦︎ It would be helpful to have real professionals that have access to helicopters to help with the snowy mountain rescue. Right?
♦︎ Those rescue ropes look quite thin and flimsy - or are the real life ones like these as well?
Other Random Observations:
1. I really can’t stand the white makeup on everyone’s face.
2. We really don’t need the scene of the two kids and the balloon in the last episode.
3. Xiong Fei is my favorite character. The actor, Xu Shao Ying, is not really super handsome. But there’s something about Xiong Fei that makes him so likable and I want him to have everything he ever wanted. He gives off a very positive vibe.
4. Leo Luo is REALLY skinny. When he’s in a period drama, he’s wearing layers of clothes, so it’s not as apparent. But in this drama, I can’t help but wish he is not dealing with any health concerns.
Completed: 12/9/2022
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Mature romance + Life lessons taught through food and mealtimes
Completed - 4/10/2022 - 8.25"Dine with Love" brought together two individuals who have very different priorities in their lives. As they get to know each other, they fall in love and also change themselves for the better. Many meaningful quotes and lessons are shared through food and meals with loved ones. There is no shortage of cooking and delicious food scenes, and it's a great drama for romance lovers and foodies.
What I Enjoy:
1. Lessons through food and meals - Meal-time is very precious to many cultures and not just the Chinese. The Chinese title of this drama, "陪你一起好好吃饭" can be loosely translated to "I will accompany you to have a good meal". There is no shortage of conversations while at the dinner table between families, friends, co-workers and lovers, and I've enjoyed every single conversation. Through cooking lessons by FL, ML learns the meaning behind each dish and shares that through his TV show appearance. Along the way, he changes his way of thinking and his priority in life.
2. Yu Hao (ML) and Su Ke Lan (FL) - It's refreshing to see two leads who are calm, rational and talk through doubts and problems (for the most part). Although they have different priorities in life, they are able to rationally discuss work and life, and let the other person see their point of view. They might not always agree with each other, but at least we don't have petty and childish arguments, and they can agree to disagree. Su Ke Lan (FL) though might seem timid and quiet, but she has a quiet strength and stubbornness. I am all for more female leads who are like her. You don't have to be an abrasive CEO or a tomboy to show strength. We have enough of the cute/innocent, abrasive/rude, outgoing/tomboy female leads. How about just a lady who is strong, rational, talks normal, wants to fall in love but doesn't lose her brain afterwards? Yu Hao (ML) starts out as a typical cold CEO but has a warm and sensitive side to him. He has the biggest character development in the drama. I really enjoy seeing him change and learns to live a different life.
3. Romance - The two romance storylines in this drama contrast with each other pretty well. Yu Hao & Su Ke Lan have a slowly developed romance through getting to know each other, to making the initial step to cross the friendship line. On the other hand, Han Meng & Song Wen Xing have a fast-tracked romance that is hot and passionate. Seeing how both storylines develop was interesting. Additionally, I really like how Yu Hao is taking his time before making the jump and confesses. He thinks carefully and wants to be fair, and not just acts on impulse. It does take a little while, but I think it's worth the wait, and it's a big part of his character development. Once the leads got together, there is a decent amount of kisses and fluffiness for a few episodes.
What I don't quite enjoy:
1. Pacing - I think the pacing of the drama would be better it's the typical 24 episodes, 40-min each format. There doesn't seem to have enough happening to fill all the time. As much as I love Yu Hao taking his time to confess, the push-and-pull between the leads is taking a little too long in the first half of the drama.
2. Not enough screen time of leads together in the last third of the drama. I understand why, but I still feel dissatisfied especially I waited for so long for them to finally be a couple.
3. Same old trope of Unrequited Love alliance - C-drama really needs to get rid of annoying characters who won't take "no" for an answer when the leads are not interested. In this drama, we have the annoying actress Zhang Bi, who just won't stop her shenanigans in wooing Yu Hao. And of course, she has to pair up with Director Jin Yi to form an alliance and then they fall in love in the end. This trope happens in so many romantic comedies. I also don't like the ex-girlfriend returns plot, but at least I don't see that as often as the unrequited love alliance.
Mixed feelings (ENDING SPOILERS):
I am unsure about the ending. I can see why Yu Hao chose to do that on the TV show. But I much prefer seeing a private moment between the leads as they reconcile and confess their feelings to each other again. I was waiting for a moving, heart-to-heart declaration and I think the gesture is too 'grand' that it doesn't fit their personalities. It's without the doubt that it's a moving ending, esp. with the behind-the-scene video montage, and everything that Yu Hao said. But the TV show format feels like they are bringing all the characters back for one big hurrah at the end. Why would the ex-girlfriend and investor guy be invited back to see the proposal? They don't need to be present. I also feel that a proposal comes a little to suddenly. Let's reconcile, get back together, show me some cute and fluffy scenes, and of them figuring out how to live together harmoniously, before a big TV show proposal.
Other Observations:
1. I kind of miss Gao Yan Yu's glasses. ?
2. A couple annoying characters but bearable - actress, FL's ex-bf, ML's ex-gf
3. On paper, Director Jin Yi does seem like a better fit for Su Ke Lan = kind, loves to cook, loves children and volunteering, thoughtful and considerate, at times shy and cute. But we all know love doesn't work that way. Definitely no second-lead syndrome here!
4. I am still unsure what kind of company Yu Hao has. Is it just a Foodie App? But how come his company also owns supermarkets?
5. Songs are not overplayed and quite lovely.
6. I want to see more of the business storylines and not just the TV show.
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Could have been great but sizzles out in the second half
Completed - 11/13/2021I enjoy fantasy + historical dramas and am attracted to the plot summary of "Lost Love in Times". However, after watching the drama, I realized that the MDL synopsis only describes the first 5 episodes of the drama. This drama has so much potential and I enjoy it quite a bit in the first half of the show. However, it lost its steam and the story became just a repetitive court politics drama where everyone fights for the throne. There's not enough magic or battles to keep me engaged.
What I enjoy:
1. Production Value - This drama might not have the same budget as "The Rebel Princess" but you can tell that money is there for it to have such elaborate costumes for its characters. The women have nice beautiful outfits, creative hairstyles and accessories. I really like the style of the princes and their unique little bow in the front of their costumes. They even have different accessories for their hair buns! I don't recall seeing that in other dramas. For some reason, the actual emperor's palace sets do not look very grand, but the princes' accommodations look pretty big and nice, and give off a very comforting feel. I would love to see more CGI with the magic, but what they have, I enjoy. I really like the colored butterflies. What a beautiful and classy way to show magic.
2. Love Square - This drama must have one of the healthiest and most amicable love square between our main and secondary leads. We have our second male lead, 7th Prince, who is not jealous but love our FL passionately yet quietly, and willing to do anything for her. He is not pushy!! We have our second female lead, Princess Duo Xia, who did not turn evil because her love was not reciprocated. She patiently waits for her chance, is not jealous and befriends our FL. How rare is it in C-dramaland?
3. 7th Prince (2ML) - I might have second lead syndrome in this drama, which I usually don't esp. for a historical drama. I like the 7th Prince so much more than our main lead, and feel that at times he has better chemistry with our FL than ML. I enjoy the scenes where they're playing music, simple gardening together and the scene with the blue stone. I can feel his love for FL and the quiet longing and heartbreak. I don't think he's better looking but there's just something about him that makes me love him more.
What I don't like:
1. Main Romance - The whole drama is based upon this great love and romance in the 1st world. Otherwise, FL won't go through all that for ML. However, the setup of this great romance is quite lacking and happens too fast. FL and ML fall in love, got married and willing to die for each other, all within the first 5 episodes of the drama. This drama is 56-episode long and I think it can afford to dedicate a little more time to show us how this great romance develops. Once we enter the 2nd world, the new romance is developed a lot better. I enjoy how they got to know each other, what they went through together in all the fighting and scheming, jealousy and all. But once they got together, the romance came to a stall and fizzles out. Even though there were romantic scenes, I don't feel the chemistry between them. I am not sure if this is due to acting, writing or editing. I also don't think there are enough scenes of the two together in the second half.
2. Pacing - I was cautiously optimistic in the beginning, because the pacing is quite good in the first 30 episodes.
However, it slows down in the second half. We have repetitive scheming for the throne and court politics. We cycled through all the princes but not enough backstory for each of them. There's a lot of telling instead of showing. The plot about the marriage alliance also drags on for far too long.
3. Last 2 episodes - I feel like something is edited out and instead of showing the events that happened, we were told about the decisions. I am especially confused about the ending. Why is FL not going back to the 1st world but stayed in the 2nd? Isn't it the whole point is to go back, otherwise she will die? Or is the time traveling has always been back to the 1st world all this time and they are not parallel worlds? Why is Elder Tao Yao alive? I love a happy ending, but this one doesn't make sense for the two Elders to be both alive again, in either world.
4. Not enough Magic/Action - I would have loved to see magic being used more often in this drama. They tend to only use magic to send messages to each other, or the rare battles. I hope to see more battle scenes - with actual fighting and magic. There's a lot more action in the first few episodes and the last few episodes. When they do fight, the choreography was great and the actors did a great job in sword fighting to make it realistic. I don't see any weak sword wielding or someone who can't hold a sword straight. I just wish there's more action instead of so much court politics, or strike a better balance.
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Amazing acting and Chemistry by Seven Tan & Xu Kai - Business-heavy with slow romance
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75I am very surprised that I like “As Beautiful As You” so much. What cemented the 9.0 rating is the amazing chemistry and acting by Seven Tan and Xu Kai. They have proven that they are more than just good-looking idol actors.
However, there are a couple things that might prevent you from loving this:
1. This is a VERY business-centric drama. The main plot revolves around Artificial Intelligence and 3D medical device and printing industry. You can’t fast forward all of that, because you will then miss the intricacies of the business scheming, the character development and basically the whole main plot.
2. Slow burn romance. If you are expecting a cute and fluffy romance, you will have to be very patient. The journey is slow and full of emotional highs and lows, but it’s totally worth it in the end.
If you are fine with the above-mentioned two points, then you might enjoy this drama as much as I did.
What I Like:
1. Seven Tan & Xu Kai
I cannot sing their praises enough. I’ve seen many of their dramas in the past. I know Seven Tan is a good actress, but I don’t remember thinking she was awesome until this one. There’s so much growth in her character, and seeing how Seven Tan brings her character to life is a beautiful thing. I see controlled emotions, happiness/shock/pain in her big expressive eyes, and the subtle facial expressions so beautifully executed that she doesn’t need to utter a single word. Adding to that is her ability to dub her own lines very well. I believe has always done that, and it shows her experience in this area. Similarly, I’ve always been a big fan of Xu Kai and believes his acting is so much better than the projects he picks. He’s one of the actors where he can convey a myriad of emotions with his big expressive eyes as well. With a good script, these two experienced actors elevate themselves to a different level. They have so many good tension-filled scenes together before the characters get together.
2. Main Romance
As I said, this is a slow burn romance. But that doesn’t mean the leads do not have scenes together. They actually have many scenes together and the chemistry is evident, even though half of the drama is focused on their business relationship. I enjoy how But Han Ting (ML) guides and supports Ji Xing (FL) to make her own decisions, face her own consequences without always there to save her. Their relationship develops slowly and steadily. Once they get together, you can tell how they are meant for each other. It’s no wonder FL’s ex-boyfriend comes to the realization that he just can’t give her what she needs. The best part for me is not the cute and fluffy part. It’s the anticipation of the big blow out and confrontation. I knew it’s going to happen and I was DREADING it. When it did happen, I was heartbroken while watching Seven Tan and Xu Kai act their hearts out in those gut-wrenching scenes. That confrontation and the subsequent episodes are what cemented my 9.0 rating. The last 10 episodes of this drama is a roller coaster ride of emotions.
3. Backdoor scheming
I personally find the business part of this drama interesting. There are enough plot twists to keep me invested when in actuality, I really don’t know much about the industry. However, as I follow along, I can see everyone is playing chess. Who is a chess piece and who is the chess player? Who is the behind-the-scenes master controlling everyone? There are so many smart dialogs exchanged between ‘villains’ and ‘villains’ vs ‘the good guys’. The subtle and the not-so-subtle digs at each other, the condescending and fake congratulatory messages....all of this is exciting for me (but maybe boring for you). I wrote on a Feeds post and admired a scene between two ‘villains’ and their scheming inside a teahouse. That scene was so well-shot and acted. The lipstick mark on a tea cup, offered to the other. The subtle evilness going between them and the secret pact formed when he took that tea cup with a lipstick mark. The lighting, the tension, the meaning behind all this
4. Ji Xing’s path to success
In a way, this drama reminds me of Seven Tan’s other drama “Master of My Own”. Both are business romance dramas with a strong focus on her character’s journey to professional achievements and success. I enjoy following Ji Xing’s growth in “As Beautiful As You” more, partly because the male lead is there to support and guide her along the way. In “Master of My Own”, the male lead isn’t as supportive, but we do have a great female mentor. I think her challenges of starting her own business are realistic and believable. Just because you have the talent, ideals and drive, it doesn’t make you a successful entrepreneur.
5. He Rui Xian as Li Li
He Rui Xian is such a beautiful and sultry actress. She plays an amazing Li Lil, showcasing her sassiness, charisma, and a very free lifestyle. I also think He Rui Xian’s acting has improved a lot. There was a scene at a wedding when she was discussing marriage with her boyfriend. I can see the change of emotions in her big eyes from happiness, shock, disbelief, sadness, anger… all in 10 seconds. I was amazed!
6. Love the Mother/Son Duo. Love FL’s parents. Also like ML’s grandfather (wise, cautious but not too stubborn).
What I have Mixed Feelings and Don’t Like
1. Enough of torture for Ji Xing
As much as I enjoy following Ji Xing’s road to success, at one point, I just had enough bad things happen to her. I feel so bad that time after time she’s put to the test. I feel tired watching her overcome all these challenges, and I wish for her to just get a breather!
2. Make Up
OK, this is my pet peeve. I cannot stand overly white and thick foundation, especially on male actors. I know Xu Kai has pale skin, but he is sickly pale here. Not only him, but all the other male actors don’t seem to look good at all. Luckily, the ladies fare better and don’t look as ghostly.
3. Loud Music
Another pet peeve of mind is super loud background music playing, especially when the actors are speaking.
4. Dubbing/Recording
I was praising Seven Tan for her dubbing, but unfortunately I can’t say the same for Xu Kai and for Gao Han. Xu Kai dubbed his own lines, but he obviously still needs a little more work and practice. Gao Han has a voice actor, but his voice and his acting don’t quite match. I also wish there’s more live on set recording, instead of mostly studio recording.
5. Gao Han and Luo Ze Kai
Something about Gao Han and his role (Dr Shao) doesn't quite gel with me. Maybe because of the more soft-spoken character he’s playing, or the ugly makeup or the dubbing or his hairstyle or his acting. Something is not right and I can’t pinpoint what that is. Luo Ze Kai on the other hand was fine when he’s playing ML’s best friend and confidant. His personality is livelier and he’s more comfortable. But when he plays the role of Li Li’s boyfriend, his personality changes 180 degrees. In the beginning, he is charismatic and sexy when he’s trying to seduce Li Li. Then the acting switches and he becomes boring, bland and emotionless.
This review is getting too long. Anyway, I would recommend this for you if you are fans of Xu Kai and Seven Tan, business plots and slow burn romance. It reminds me a bit of “Master of My Own” (business plot) and “Fake It Till You Make It” (business-heavy, and great leads chemistry but a very different type of romance).
Other Random Observations:
1. Xu Kai looks like a little boy when he’s playing basketball. When he doesn’t have to be the boss, his eyes change and the inner child shows.
2. Han Ting (ML) teaches Ji Xing (FL) how to fish; but Xiao Yi Xiao fishes for Li Li (2FL)
3. I also like the character development of Su Zhi Zhou - from a boy to a responsible man.
4. I might have shaken my head when the childhood connection was introduced.
5. Ji Xing’s cell phone case changes as she progresses to different stages of her career.
6. Interesting games of blowing cards and weighing soups
7. So many printed contracts and proposals for a tech company. Where are the tablets and e-signatures?
8. That’s one huge diamond engagement ring!
Completed: 8/5/2024 - Review #469
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Only for those looking for romance and nothing else.
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75If you are looking for a pure romantic comedy, then “Cinderella at 2 AM” is for you. The whole drama focuses on the relationship between Yun Seo (FL) and Ju Wong (ML). There’s a little bit about family relationships but for the most part, it’s romance all the way. Is that a good thing or not? Well, it depends what you are looking for. I am a romance lover, but I find the drama lacking in plot. I was more invested in the first half of the drama and loving the romance. But towards the second half, I was looking for more than what the drama could give me.
Having said that, Moon Sang Min is just too adorable. I am actually watching this for him (and because I am looking for a stress-free fluffy romance). Moon Sang Min pouts like an adorable (but very clingy) puppy. But when he stands tall with his 3-piece suit on, he’s a lovely sight. His visuals deserve a solid 8.0 rating. Can you tell I might have a tiny crush on him? LOL.
I am glad “Cinderella at 2 AM” doesn’t focus on the age gap, since I am not a big fan of noona romance. However, visually, you can see Moon Sang Min is younger than Shin Hyun Been. Their chemistry is good though. Their cute scenes make me giggle, and their struggles to stay away from each other hurt me as well. I love that ML is happy just from watching FL being happy, and that he’s willing to try things he doesn’t like because of her, and end up finding new hobbies and likes. The acting is decent and their story is fun….up until I found it a little repetitive with the back-and-forth. I understand it’s not easy to break up when you still love each other. The wishy-washy behavior is totally understandable, it just doesn’t give me a fun watching experience.
The secondary couple is odd yet interesting and lovable at the same time. It’s quite interesting seeing how Seo Si Won and Lee Min Jin fall in love. It provides some more comedic moments.
The two sets of siblings have very different dynamics, and I love them both. The work colleagues though, are borderline annoying and over-the-top.
“Cinderella at 2 AM” is a decent rom-com if you are in the mood for it. It doesn’t take itself seriously and oftentimes makes fun of drama cliches and tropes. But if you are looking for something with substance, then this is not it.
Completed: 9/27/2024 - Review #491
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Unlikeable Female Lead makes it hard for me to enjoy
Subjective Gut Rating: 6.75“Valid Love” marks the final least favorite drama I watch for the Clown Challenge of 2024. This is not a horrible watch, but it’s definitely not a fun one. It’s not easy for me to like a 10-year old drama because older Korean dramas usually have loud and irritating characters. “Valid Love” is not an exception.
What I Like:
1. Lee Soo Hyuk/Kim Jun (2ML)
Thank goodness for the handsome Lee Soo Hyuk to keep me going. He’s so young and adorable, and is perfect for the role of Kim Jun. I think Kim Jun is too good for our female lead, Kim Il Ri. Halfway through the drama, I do not want him to end up with Il Ri at all. He was introduced as a cool, lonely and talented carpenter. I enjoy watching him working with his hands and scenes in his workshop. After being alone for so many years, he fell hard and fast for Il Ri, and is a little lovesick puppy for most of the drama. Yes, he was quite clingy, persistent and impulsive, acting on his feelings without thinking things through. The only things he did wrong in this drama is falling in love with a married woman, acting on his feelings and holding on to her for way too long. He deserves so much more! Lee Soo Hyuk plays the role perfectly.
2. Jang Hee Soo
What a creative way to incorporate a paralyzed character in this drama. I love that her personality continues to shine through her conversations with Il Ri. I love her conversations with Il Ri, as if they were soulmates. Having her out of her pajamas into different outfits dancing, eating, exploring the world, is also a fun way to inject some humor into this drama.
What I have Mixed Feelings or Dislike:
1. Kim Il Ri (FL)
I really do not like Il Ri and since the drama revolves around her, this makes it hard for me to like the drama. She was annoying and loud as a teenager. I will ignore the fact that she fell in love with a teacher, since most teens have crushes on their teachers. But when she's a 31-year old woman, she is still acting the same way. I disliked her when she first met Kim Jun and was his painter. She wouldn’t take no for an answer and barge into his life. I will also ignore the fact that she’s a cheater for this review. But the lack of attention and mixed signals she gives to Kim Jun piss me off. She’s selfish and greedy, and flip flops so much and I am not surprised Kim Jun asked her what he is to her. Did I feel bad for her during those 7 years of marriage as a slave daughter-in-law? Yes. But she can’t have the cake and eat it too! Wanting romance from a hot guy who dotes on you, and wanting to maintain the status quo are not compatible.
2. Side Characters
There are way too many secondary characters in this drama and I think this is due to the fact that it’s an older drama. I cannot stand ML’s parents, his brother, FL’s best friend and ML’s male co-worker. FL’s sister and ML’s first love are a little better.
3. Secondary romance
I fast-forwarded most of the scenes involving FL’s sister and ML’s brother. Their romance is childish and repetitive. Their scenes could have been cut, so reduce the number of episodes.
Violence
Not violence as in a crime drama, but there’s a lot of hitting, slapping, pushing and wrist grabbing in this drama. Again, it’s probably because this is an older drama, and beating up your family members is no big deal and also accepted.
4. Jang Hae Tae (ML)
I do not really dislike him, except for the fact that he can’t control himself and does not set boundaries when he’s a teacher. Additionally, Hee Tae is quite a bland character for most of the drama. He’s a good man. But he’s a boring man that takes his wife for granted for 7 long years. That doesn’t justify FL’s cheating, but it explains why it was so hard for Il Ri to resist a young hot guy who gives her all the attention in the world. I do believe he has always loved Il Ri but maybe more like a family member, instead of a lover.
Unfortunately, I have to break out the 2x zoom button for half of the drama. 20 episodes are just too long, with a lot of repetitive dialogs and circumstances. Even though the acting is not bad, I just don’t like Kim Il Ri (FL) and Jang Hee Tae (ML), I would not recommend “Valid Love” unless you want to see a younger, adorable and still very hot Lee Soo Hyuk. Of course, this is very subjective since I am not a fan of older dramas.
Completed: 8/11/2024 - Review #470
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LOVE the first half, but slowly fizzles out........Still a lovely drama!
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25What a lovely Thai adaptation of the manga, and it has big shoes to fill after the beloved Japanese adaptation. I saw the Japanese drama a few years ago, and honestly, I don’t remember much. The only thing I remember was how awkward and shy Adachi was.
The early episodes of “Cherry Magic” gave me very positive vibes. It feels very Japanese and very Thai at the same time. I was in love with the first half of the drama. I love Achi more than Japanese Adachi. Achi is shy and introverted but not overly, and definitely, not as awkward as Adachi. Achi actually feels like a normal person. Karan is just as lovely as his Japanese counterpart. He’s a total Mr. Green Flag. But I do find Machida Keita more handsome and I like the more confident version of his character. Karan is sweeter, softer, more sensitive and more smitten.
The sweet, shy and adorable scenes of Karan and Achi in the first half of the drama before they officially got together was so good that I thought I might rate this a 9.0, if it continues on. I cried my eyes out during Karan’s confession scene by the boat, and the subsequent episode telling us all that he’s done for Achi behind-the-scene. My heart hurts for Karan.
Unfortunately, once the leads officially got together, the cringe started. The Japanese vibe slowly disappears and it’s all Thai cringe of sweet nothings. In a way, Karan is very cute but just a little too much for my taste. He’s just too smitten with Achi! I like the more mature and a little shyer version of Karan in the first half.
All the supporting characters are lovely and they don’t take away from the main leads. I find Rock more likable than the Japanese Rokkaku Yuta. Pai is a kickass female character and I love her shipping the leads and being the voice of reason. Min and Jinta are fine but not amazing. In the end, I somewhat lost interest in the idol storyline, the romance between Jinta and Min, and even the romance between Rock and Pai. I feel that these minor plots are not written well and not developed evenly throughout the drama.
Although the ending is lovely and more complete than the Japanese version, it felt rushed to me. A lot happened in the last episode but everything resolves and ends without much hassle.
In the end, I do recommend this lovely drama and I had an enjoyable time. I was hoping I would love this from start to finish, but that didn’t happen. At least we got good kisses and great chemistry!
Completed: 3/21/2024 - Review #419
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Too long but Good leads chemistry
Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75For some reason, the lakorns that I picked all have a similar plot of sibling rivalry and fighting to be the heir of a company or family fortune. Not sure if it’s me or it’s just a very typical/common plot. “My Lovely Bodyguard” is no different. Our ML has to fight off the villain to protect the company that he was asked to oversee, and in doing so, his life's in danger. Therefore, he employed our female lead to be his bodyguard. Of course, our female lead needs money to support her family (cliche) so she took the offer.
What I Like:
1. Good chemistry between the leads with a slow burn romance and pretty good kisses.
2. Good-looking cast. ML has a gorgeous smile and his eyes smile with him. FL is beautiful no matter what she wears.
Smart, independent leads who are good people and easy to root for. The secondary leads are likable characters but not super memorable.
3. Lovely relationships between uncle & nephew, grandmother & granddaughter. These foursomes brought some much fun and sweetness to the show.
4. The child actor and grandma are both adorable!
5. Enough comedic moments here and there to lighten the mood, but not typical slap kiss, over-the-top humor.
6. Acting is pretty good all around. I enjoy the villain’s acting the most.
What I have mixed feelings and don’t like:
1. Draggy plot about the villain. Not enough happened to contribute to 12 long episodes.
2. Interesting ½ of the drama, but then it slows down in the second half. I lost focus towards the last ⅓ of the drama when the villain and leads keep on going around in circles.
3. Action scenes could be better. I might have watched too many Chinese dramas. I expect fight scenes to be more hard-hitting but our female lead is not delivering.
4. Plot holes and illogical inconsistencies here and there. Just little things that if you use common sense, you would have made a different decision. Nothing major, just minor annoyances to me.
5. Last episode is too over-dramatic with the fight, injuries and hospital scenes.
Compared to a few other lakorns I watched this year, unfortunately, this drama is below average. It was unable to keep me interested and focused for ⅓ of the drama. Just this fact, the drama will get a below 8.0 rating. If not for the good chemistry of the leads and the lovely foursomes, I would have rated this lower. The draggy plot is not exciting enough to fill all these long episodes.
Completed: 7/17/2023 - Review #331
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Gentlemen Attention Please
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Great Bromance; Cliche Romance with Cheesy Lines
Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75The decision to watch this controversial drama is because I am a big fan of Jing Chao (big crush on him since “Princess Silver”) and I just discovered Du Chun (“To Love”). I also want to find out if “Gentlemen of East 8th” really is as horrible as the Douban rating shows (currently at 2.1).
I can definitely see why many dislike this drama especially with the few questionable scenes of bra strap pulling and inappropriate hand position. I am not going to argue with someone who is really offended by this drama. My review and rating are entirely based on my enjoyment and I am not one that is very sensitive or easily offended.
What I Like:
Bromance - The friendship between the 4 male leads is without a doubt the best part of this drama. It’s easy to find a similar drama from a female perspective. But to find one that solely focuses on the bromance in a non-BL manner is harder. I enjoy seeing them bickering and fooling around, supporting each other through thick and thin. But I am especially impressed with scenes when the guys are arguing and being totally honest with each other, despite accusing others of wrongdoing. As viewers, you know they are going to be fine because you believe in their strong bond and loyalty. Even with some drunken unkind words, their friendship is strong enough to endure it and such honest conversations can only make their friendship stronger.
Acting - Excellent acting all around from the male leads and their leading ladies. The four male leads are veteran actors and have proven themselves that they can act. The drama does follow Zhang Han’s character, Tong Yu, more than the other three. Aside from being an excellent cold CEO in other dramas, Zhang Han is a lot more relaxed here with many scenes when he’s with his brothers, and especially with his son. I never knew I would see a playboy in Jing Chao. His roles are always so proper and charismatic. I am totally in love with a different Jing Chao. I just wish they would put less makeup on him. He looks so handsome in a modern drama, even more than in “City of Streamer”. A dorky Du Chun is interesting. I might have preferred him as the cool cop in “To Love” more. However, he does play an adorable and nerdy Chinese History Professor well. I’ve seen Huang You Ming in so many other dramas as a supporting role, and I am glad to see him in a main role. The ladies are great as well, especially Wang Xiao Chen. She is excellent as the smart and independent COO of a big company, spewing facts and strategies as the smartest person in the conference room. On the other hand, she becomes a vulnerable woman with a tragic past, longing for love and companionship.
Characters - I really like the four distinct personalities of the male leads. In the dessert competition, Li Jie Sen sums up each of the characteristics very nicely. Because they are so different and with different career paths, their dynamics and stories make this drama interesting.
Lu Yu Hao/Jin Gang - This little kid who plays the character of Jin Gang (Tong Yu’s son) is adorable! He is smart and cute, and says the best lines. He’s like the 5th bro in the group. This child actor also has great line delivery and I believe he uses his own voice and says all the lines himself. I love this father/son duo and they have amazing chemistry and a really fun relationship.
What I have Mixed Feelings or Don’t Like:
Romance - I find the romance between Tong Yu and Xu Duo very interesting in the beginning. I love to see them compete professionally yet can’t help but be attracted to each other. I love their push-and-pull relationship and they have good chemistry. However, their romance is dragged out for way too long. The fake relationship is too cliche, in a not very good way. Once they get together, there aren’t enough cute and sweet scenes, and they become boring. The other 3 couples have way less screen time than the former couple. As much as I love Jing Chao, his character, Xiao Fei’s romance with Sheng Nan doesn't make a lot of sense. Not enough is shown during their time together to tell me that they are in love with each other, before or during their marriage. It’s really hard to picture a smart woman like Sheng Nan being so clueless in being a wife. People complain about how women are treated in this drama. I think I am going to complain about how Xiao Fei is being treated by his wife. Li Jie Sen and Yue Zi Qian could have a cute and adorable relationship, but it’s missing something. YZQ seems to be Jie Sen’s navigation system to help guide him through romance and professional life. Dorky professor Guo Chong and Ai Mi are an even odder pair. How did Guo Chong fall in love with Ai Mi? What’s the meaning with all the ‘looks’ he has towards Xu Duo?
Monologues/Cheesy lines - There are many monologues in this drama from all characters. In a way, I like storytelling from different perspectives. However, some of these monologues are very preachy and cringey. They seem to want to tell a story, tell me the meaning of life, tell me how to live my life and then show me how they can profess their love. There are many quotes from poems, books, history, etc. in this drama as well. In a way, I can understand since we have a Professor as a lead. But the amount is too much. I feel like the drama is trying too hard to seem ‘cultured’ and is trying to force feed me and show me how intelligent they are. Zhang Han, is this the best you could come up with after writing this script for 10 years?
Those questionable scenes - True, pulling the bra strap to prevent from falling and the hand position are not the best ideas and should not have passed review. I couldn’t say if Zhang Han intentionally places his hand on Wang Xiao Chen’s chest/breasts during that one scene. I feel that with the way he tries to move her to his lap, it is quite possible that it’s just an accident. HOWEVER, if it is, the scene should have been re-shot upon review. Having said that, I have seen many other dramas with back hug scenes and I think the position of the arms might have touched the actress’ chest as well.
Pacing - This does not have to be a 40-ep drama, I would say 36 max. If they want so many episodes, I would have liked to see a better distribution of screen time between the four male leads and their romances. Maybe then, those three other romances would be more believable.
Other Random Observations:
1. Zhang Han cries a lot in this drama. Not anything particularly tragic, he just gets emotional quite a lot in a modern drama.
2. A lot of tech talk and some propaganda of the Chinese tech industries.
3. Wang Xiao Chen/Xu Duo never takes off her makeup, even if she’s lying in a hospital bed.
4. Zhang Ya Mei looks the prettiest in the last scene - her crazy hair throughout the drama is not a pretty sight to me.
5. Because of the unpopularity of this drama, I couldn’t find the OST on Spotify. I quite like the title theme song sung by all four male leads.
Overall, I have a decent time watching this drama. I would not recommend this if you are really sensitive to claims that this drama is sexist and mistreats women. If you are not too sensitive about such issues, and are looking for a romance-centered drama about mature couples and strong male friendship, this could be an option.
Completed: 5/20/2023 - Review #309
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Watch it for Jeremy Tsui or for an easy and funny historical romance drama.
Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75“Royal Rumours” received a lot of buzz when it first aired due to having a smart female lead who can outsmart anyone. Many are captivated by the male and female leads trying to outsmart each other. But after the initial praises, no one seemed to talk about this show anymore and I am not surprised after finishing this drama. There’s a lot of fun and interesting aspects to this drama in the first ⅓ of the drama. But then, the pace starts to slow down in the second ⅓, and the tone of the drama switches to a more political and somewhat serious tone in the last third. Here’s a quick summary of what likes and dislikes.
What I like:
1. Jeremy Tsui - This man carries the show. His big and expressive eyes never fail to amaze me. A veteran and charismatic actor who can display different emotions through his eyes. Without him, this drama would not be the same. I also miss his deep voice, though the voice actor isn’t bad.
2. Smart leads - Who doesn’t like two smart people trying to outsmart each other? I don’t think either one of them really made a dumb decision. Maybe a little uncharacteristic after falling n love, but by no means are they dumb. There’s no damsel in distress as well, since our female lead can hold her own.
3. He Yuan Ting - Aside from Jeremy’s Crown Prince, HYT is my second favorite character. He is interesting and I enjoy seeing the different sides of him. In a way, he’s pitiful but he never forgot his role as the prince of a rivaling country and not let his affection for FL really clouded his decision (much).
4. Drawings - I love all the cute drawings!
5. Good parents - A C-drama with mostly lovely and caring parents? That’s a rare gem! A king who is both a good parent AND a good king? How many of those can you find?
6. Sisterhood - Another rare gem that the ladies get along so well. Even when initially Princess Tian Jia Min might not like FL that much, she was never super annoying and mean, and I find her quite likable.
7. Sad romance - Though the acting isn’t that great, I am most touched by their romance. I would have loved to see more of their shy and subtle affection for each other. I think with more experienced actors, their story can be even more touching.
What I Have Mixed Feelings or Don’t Like:
1. Hua Liu Li (FL) - This is in the mixed feeling category. I love that she’s so smart. But there’s something about her constant fakeness (needed in the story), cutesy look and talk, whiny voice that make it hard for me to love her. It’s worse when she has fallen in love. I wonder if she has a different voice actress, maybe I’ll like this character even more.
2. Villains - Their reasons do not seem to justify the actions. I also think that I’ve waited for a very long time, but nothing really happened. For most of the drama, we’re trying to discover who the villains are, but I don’t see the villains do much at all. When they were revealed, it was anticlimactic for me. I don’t think the drama did a good job in setting up and explaining why they did what they did. A few sentences here and there in the last episode do not suffice.
3. Acting - Hit or Miss in this category. The veterans are great but the younger actors pale in comparison.
Action scenes - I know this is not a wuxia drama, but they could have made the fight scenes more exciting. There are too many slow-motion scenes. And worst, none of the actors can swing a sword like they know what to do with it. I am usually very picky with my action scenes, and the scenes in this drama are below-average.
4. Pacing - For a 24-episode drama with so much going on in theory, I find the middle of the drama a little slow. If the writing is tighter, the drama could include many more useful and interesting events. There’s a whole lot of repetitive talking and planning.
5. Uneven romance screen time - I think the drama spends a little too much time on Prince Yuan Hao and Princess Jia Min. They do need more time to develop their partnership→friendship→ romance but I wish the drama has devoted a little more time on the other couples. Yuan Wei and Pei Ji Huai got the shortest end of the romance stick. They would have been so cute together. As I mentioned above, I’d like to see more of the other ‘sad’ couple.
Overall, this is an easy watch and a quick binge. A funny historical romance drama but not necessarily a well-written or well-acted drama. I though I would like the bickering couple and the romance a lot more. I’ll watch it if you are a fan of Jeremy Tsui, oh, and if you like cats. ?
Completed: 4/10/2023
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Excellent Action Scenes complimented by creative use of CGI + Good Pacing
“The Blood of Youth” is an enjoyable watch for it. It has great elements of a Chinese historical drama - good bromance, excellent CGI to complement great fight scenes, an engaging plot with good pacing, and a palace politics plot that doesn’t bore me to death. It’s no wonder it receives such high praises and has a MDL rating of 8.8 at the moment.Comedy - I was initially skeptical as I worried the comedy would not be to my liking. Fortunately, comedic moments were sprinkled throughout the drama and not over-the-top. Thanks to Lei Wu Jie’s innocent and carefree personality and Monk Wu Xin’s sarcasm and arrogance, they brought a lot of fun and lightheartedness to the drama. I actually miss Wu Xin in the second half of the drama when the drama switches to a more political plot. There isn’t enough Wu Xin in this drama!
Fight Scenes - Since this is not a high budget S+ production, this drama is using its money wisely. The best part about “The Blood of Youth” to me is the amazing fight scenes, complemented by some creative use of CGI and fireworks. This might not be a true wuxia drama like “Side Story of Fox Volant”, but I am impressed with the fast-moving sword fights. My pet peeve is slow-motion, twirling scenes, and luckily, we don’t have those in this drama. The wire work by all actors is pretty good, and there's a lot! Most of the action scenes are concentrated in the first half of the drama, and I have to say, I miss the action in the second half until we get to ep 38’s grand finale. However, the CGI for non-fight scenes are lacking. There are a few scenes that were so low quality that I wondered if I was watching the same drama.
Acting - Acting is decent. The veteran actors are great and the younger generation did an ok good job. I do think Li Hong Yi lacks charisma to be the lead. His spoken lines not matching the dubbing bugged the heck out of me for the longest time. It seems like he's mumbling all the time. His acting and line delivery got better in the later episodes but they did dampen my excitement in the first 5 episodes or so. It doesn’t help that for the most part, he was just standing there providing commentary and character background introductions in these early episodes. It also took me a few episodes to get used to Ao Rui Peng’s portrayal of the young and naive Lei Wu Jie. But then, his acting and character grew on me and I ended up liking him quite a bit. I bet Wu Xin is everyone’s favorite character and he’s mine as well. I can’t get enough of his sassiness, even though Liu Xue Yi definitely doesn’t look like a teenager.
Characters - This drama has a very huge cast. I actually think the drama introduced too many characters in the first couple episodes. It was hard to remember everyone’s names, titles, weapons and weapons names, and the different sects. Even though you will see the same 10 or so characters consistently, introducing so many in the beginning is confusing. It’s also nice to see some very strong female characters. It’s about time we see more strong ladies who are smart, brave and can fight. They might not play as big a role as their male counterparts, but at least they are not damsels in distress.
Bromance - The bromance in this drama is definitely a lot better than romance. It was fun when Xiao Se, Wu Xin, Lei Wu Jie and Tang Lian were all together. I love their interactions and bickering, and supporting each other in the first half of the drama. Unfortunately, scenes of them together dwindled in the second half. But then we see more of Xiao Se and his brother Prince Bai. I wish the drama had more scenes of them together and show us more of their frenemies brotherhood.
Romance - They are all underwhelming. There is no chemistry between Xiao Se and Sikong Qian Luo. I understand Xiao Se is more reserved and has bigger plans, but showing more hints of an attraction would be appreciated. Lei Wu Jie and Ye Ruo Yi’s romance is a little better and cuter, but not by much. I am most interested in finding out how Tan Lian and Fairy Lady Rui met and how they fall for each other, but their screen time is limited. The more developed romance might be the one between the two Sword Deities, Li Han Yi and Zhao Yu Zhen. If you are looking for romance in this drama, you will be very disappointed.
Other Random Observations:
1. I was VERY sad when a certain character/guardian died so soon. ?
2. OST is ok, nothing impressive.
3. I like the costumes and they don’t appear cheap. They just seem very thickly layered but it also appears to be quite cold.
4. The end of the villain seems a little anticlimactic.
5. I do not like the dubbing in this drama at all. I am disappointed that most of the actors are dubbed.
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