A cutesy rom-com drama
If you are looking for a fun, rom-com drama, enemies to lovers romance, then this one will pretty much check all the boxes for you.A lot of people probably will start the drama because of Ding Yu Xi and personally, he is hit or miss for me. I thought he was fine in The Romance of Tiger and Lilly, I liked him in Intense Love, but he was okay in Moonlight. I think it’s because his stature is really feminine and small and so it’s hard to see him in a domineering ML role, but I know it’s a C-drama cultural thing.
This drama has mixed reviews depending on where you look. If you look at the Viki site, it’s a little lower, but if you look at MDL then it’s higher, so I guess it depends on what type of drama you are looking for.
This is a 100% You-have-to-be-in-the-mood-kind-or-drama.
You won’t get much substance, but pretty actors and cutesy rom-com troupes and that’s okay. Sometimes you just need to zone out and watch some rom-com C drama angst. The ML can be funny or annoying to watch depending on what kind of viewer you are.
Some found it problematic when the ML was being kind of mean to the FL in the beginning, again a very typical C drama troupe, but sometimes it can be a little over the top.
I overall thought the drama was okay and I liked it. I did fast forward here and there depending on how frustrating or over the top storyline was, but I did have a smile on my face for the cute scenes.
So, if you want to zone out or are a fan of the actors, it’s a good one to watch.
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This review may contain spoilers
Beautiful Rhythm of Romance, Goals and 2nd Chances.
I am so lucky I've decided to binge watch this after watching the series Love Game in Eastern Fantasy. I just could not get enough of these two lovely main leads. They were so lovely and their chemistry is insane!! This series, is such is lovely! Did I say lovely again, Let me repeat and reiterate, LOVELY! This series helped me relax and its such an easy watch, and I'd recommen to watch this specially if you are stressed (like me!) LOL. I definitely enjoyed it and be transported to their wonderful and funny world.Characters
Characters are well thought out and the actors had fleshed them out so wonderfully. The friendships and dynamics are well entertwined. The characters are acted so well, that you don't see the actors but rather their personas themselves.
Gems
I love the fact that the male lead is such a green flag! SUPER DUPER greenflag! Once the male lead had decided to pursue his feelings its green light all the way! I also love that there is no annoying love triangles, b-chy villains, misconceptions, prolonged misunderstandings. And this show is so healthy that it didnt let the viewers suffer on the misunderstanding but instead promoted how the characters are very proactive with maintaning their connection and healthy communication. Yes! healthy communication! I LOVE LOVE this about this series. Plus the male lead is not your STUPID male that blindly believes a woman's statement at face value, but instead can see through their intentions. and not put himself in a situation where he could be misunderstood. Another plus is that the female lead is very confident and secure that you don't get that noble idiocy syndrome, like I will just go and let you be happy kind of move.
Story
The story is weaved of which it highlights character's goals - it might discovering love, understanding important truths, seeking succesful careers, rekindling one's craft as well as exploring a 2nd chance at love. I hope I didn't divulge too much but instead let this be an encouragement for you to see for yourself and enjoy this wonderful series!
The rewatch vallue is 10! I can totally watch this again and again! And laugh to my hearts content!
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A classic!!
As much as I love the fluff and flirting with no satisfying conclusion of the main leads new drama “ Love Game In Eastern Fantasy”…It’s made me appreciate this drama a million times more… a proper beginning, middle and an end.
The story may seem slow in certain areas but with 4 more episodes than LGIEF… you get to see 75% of the cast from LGIEF and you get multiple kiss scenes, confessions and a proper ending with both leads in the scene 🎬
I’ll still be rewatching my Miao Miao and ZiQi clips from LGIEF but I’ll be forever binge watch Moonlight for its satisfying storytelling.
Please let the drama gods 🙏 pair these two for another Romcom in the future ♥️
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A hollowed experience
This is a boring show with little to no plot. The female lead is an aspiring editor that for some reason doesn't seem to do the job of an editor but an agent or PR most of the time, and the ML is a writer that at first is presented like this super popular rock star that everyone wants but is later presented like someone that people barely know and doubt.The main issues are that the FL left her family for her career and that ML is not recognized by his father as writer, but both things are barely developed throughout the story; instead we have small, unimportant and at best forgettable incidents that for no reason cause trouble for the new girl intern in a workplace that is not only unprofessional but unrewarding as well.
The female lead seems to be annoying at first and a pushover, but she is the best character in the show since she is consistent with her job (which again has nothing to do with editing for the most part), but the ML is an annoying man child for half the show, and a boring one for the rest of the show.
The only reason why I decided to watch this one, was because of the promise that the main couple would not break up from beginning to end, but by the time they got together you are not interested anymore because that's what dragging does to the viewer.
This show could have been so much better with a good plot and a good villain. The bonus would have been if we were shown the details of their world and how writing and editing a book works for us to learn something and to be immersed, but that never happened.
I forced myself to finish it, and it was not worth it.
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A beautiful love story set in the publishing industry.
Personal review:I loved this show. I absolutely adored it. The message was simple, chase your dreams and fight for what you want, but very sweetly portrayed. One of my pet peeves with Chinese shows is that they don't know how to wrap up the show. The beginning and middle are good but the end just falls apart; not this show. The last few episodes are one of the best. I loved the ending. The relationship between the two main leads was so good and honest. It felt like I was being given a peak into their lives, rather than just them telling a story. There is no extra drama, so it might not be for everyone , but I loved its understated story telling. No character was wasted, and everyone felt like real three dimensional people with their own motivation, dreams and way of doing things. Just a wonderfully told, simple story.
If I think about it, the story shows different relationship between different people and in different time in their life's, and how they got there. Our main couple were just starting their journey into their lives, professionally and personally. The second couple were people who had already broken up once, because of circumstances, and got a second chance. There were relationships between editors and writers, bosses and employees etc. So, this show is very different from your usual run of the mill Chinese dramas. I could actually empathize these these people and there lives. It felt real.
Pros:
The main leads had amazing chemistry. The acting of everyone was top notch. Many people did find the females' leads voice a little annoying, and her way of talking did bother me in the beginning, but her character is so different from her voice; she is so headstrong, that it became an interesting dichotomy for me; analyzing how she used her voice to throw people off and then get them to do as she wants. She was manipulative, but so earnest and good, pushing forward despite all obstacles, that it was amazing to watch. She never gave up on her writers and used every tool in her arsenal to help them.
The male leads character was also one that could have been very off putting, but this actor knows how to make him seem endearing rather than annoying. It amazed me how two people that could have become so unappealing, both the leads, were wonderfully handled by the actors. They felt like real people, who are actually people you could root for and not caricatures of the traits we like in our drama hero or heroin.
It was wonderfully balanced, especially the main male leads scenes with the second male lead. Their friendship is goals. They sometimes felt like two gossipy ladies, constantly fighting each other, but still the first person the other went to for help. They made me laugh at their antics and I enjoyed every minute they were on screen.
The music was very subtle and beautiful, quite fitting of the story they were trying to tell.
Cons:
The biggest issue I had with the show was that the story of the second couple felt underdeveloped. The only time I was bored during the show, was actually when the second couple was on screen. Their story had so much potential. I understood what they were trying to show, but I had to make leaps of conclusion, which annoyed me (I am not giving more details to avoid spoilers). I could logically deduce what was going in the characters head, but their story needed a little bit of oomph, some details; something just felt missing. I still liked their input to the show, and the second female lead was also a badass, she just felt like two or three people, throughout the show, without me as a watcher being shown the transition between those three personas. Same with the second male lead. He changed his mind and opinions, and they were unable to make me follow his logic.
Other than that, the show is a unique piece of storytelling that might not be for everyone, but one that I loved. What I would suggest is that you definitely give this a try. It is show that deserves being watched.
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not exactly my cup of tea, but enjoyable all the same
I came to this drama after finishing Love Game in Eastern Fantasy, excited to see Esther Yu and Ding Yu Xi together again, however, I found that Esther’s characters just ain’t for me.I guess LGIEF was an exception for me since the plot had everything I liked, but on this one, I found myself getting put off my Esther’s overly cute acting yet again. Both main characters come off as quite childish in this drama.
It ain’t that the acting was bad, but just not my cup of tea. Zhou Chuan’s antics were just so… childish is the only word I can use, really. He was a grown ass man who bullied the girl he liked, for lack of tact on how to treat her properly and, as I woman myself, I honestly can’t see how she chose him instead of the second male lead, who was more affectionate and direct in his intentions and a lot more attractive for that. Still, the chemistry between Esther Yu and Ding Yu Xi is undeniable, as annoying as their characters were to me, the both of them still look insanely good together (the kissing scenes were are little lacking tho, the secondary couple delivered a much better job at that).
On the other hand, the story of the drama was great, about dreams and supporting/going after one’s goals and hopes, and I loved that, which makes me think this is an enjoyable drama.
Also, as childish as the main couple were, the secondary one is a lot more mature with adult drama in their lives, looking more like adults in love than a couple of cute teenagers like the mains couple did to me.
If you’re bored or like Esther’s acting, do check the one out, since it’s a nice enough drama, however, I wouldn’t consider it a must watch, it’s just nice enough.
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My favorite C-Drama! <3
This was a show with the most bestest of all best endings: just a sweet happily ever after with our main characters being successful (girl)bosses. I loved everything about this show: the fun, the vibes, the music, the cinematography, the characters and their relationships. It was just such a fun show. Chu Li is such a great female lead: strong-willed, funny and sweet, you just have to root for her. I really loved the actor playing our male lead; he almost felt like an animated character at times, he made so many scenes sososo funny and I loved the bromance with his bestie. The second lead's second chance romance was so good too! I was very invested in their relationship!! Generally, all the side characters were interesting enough for me to care, I didn't skip a single second because I was overall so invested in the show. Shed some tears in the last episodes because it was either really sad or really sweet and happy. Overall, my favorite CDrama together with "A Romance of the Little Forest" (I knew I could trust Esther Yu! love her so much after these two dramas) - literally zero complaints: the perfect sentimental, fun romcom<333.Was this review helpful to you?
It's not that I disagree with the positive reviews...
...but honestly I don't have the attention span for this kind of slow-progressing storyline.The slowburn romance was lovely. Ding Yu Xi absolutely blows it out of the water as the tsundere ML who is clingy and head over heels in love but unable to show it. I love a good grumpy/sunshine setup.
But the majority of the drama revolved around the FL's career in editing and her workplace troubles, which almost immediately got tiring and I started skipping scenes by like 8 episodes in. (Ironic, actually, since I personally have worked in the fiction editing business for years now. You'd think it would be uniquely interesting to me.)
Also, Esther's voice >.< I cannot get over the baby talk, it's just impossible to ignore.
TROPES:
- boss/employee relationship (author & editor)
- grumpy ML / sunshine FL
- ML falls first and is clingy, possessive, jealous, physically affectionate
- cheerful, hardworking but poor FL
- love triangle & eventual secondary couple
- workplace drama set in the publishing industry
- good skinship, great kisses, but be prepared to wait for it
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What makes 'Moonlight' worth to watch?
If you like series that is not toxic, refreshing and at the same time funny, then this series— Moonlight is very much for you.Some say that it's overated, the acting is not good and such but tell you, this series has everything— comedy, drama, some actions haha mean everything is superb, from the story, acting, ost, production and such. Esther Yu naturally did her role and Ding Yuxi, he combined his serious yet very funny character at the same time — their chemistry overload. So what are you waiting for? Time to start watching.
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This review may contain spoilers
The unofficial sequel to Love Game In Eastern Fantasy
Plot Summary:Chu Li is a finance major that somehow shifty’s her way into becoming a book editor, Zhou Chan is an author. Actually they’re online friends that have developed crushes on each other but neither of them knows the others identity at first and they butt heads constantly. Shenanigans abound.
The Second leads for me is actually the better relationship to follow. But they don’t get the screen time for it to feel satisfying. Which is fair since it’s not really their story.
Esther Yu, as Chu Li is an adorable well meaning and competent book editor. Ding Yu Xi, as Zhou Chuan is an arrogant, proud and dumber than his success would lead you to believe author.
Best of OST:
Esther Yu on the OST. Cute… 😍
https://youtu.be/4thQ92s26BU?si=IGNrJmEEiEkV_7Fc
Overall, this drama doesn’t really have a comprehensive OST, relying a lot on the above track. But it gets the job done.
https://youtu.be/dghP0XCF8eI?si=YF2Rj5uYXcDSV6SY
Gripes:
The pacing is a bit slow, I would have liked to have spent more time with the relationships, but the story got bogged in the minutia of the publishing industry, which I guess is exactly what they were going for.
Re-watch:
Would I watch it again?
Yeah, it’s cute enough, but I’d probably be skipping through a lot of it.
Would I watch it with my brother?
I might be able to convince him to watch it as a sequel to “Love Game In Eastern Fantasy”, but this is exactly the type of show he avoids watching.
Would I watch it with my kid?
I think when my daughter get’s older, I’d like to watch it with her, if only for showing her that this is a possible career path.
Final Thoughts:
The drama was cute, the romance was satisfying, but the publishing industry remains kinda boring.
Rating:
7.6/10
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A hidden gem meant to be explored
So for those confused the story is about a young girl, Chu Li who has become an editor, a book editor and has managed to get the famous author Zhou Chuan who is supposedly very hard to deal with. The story doesn’t explore much on the editor and her work, rather it focuses on two couples - Chu Li X Zhou Chuan the main couple and the second couple Mr. Jiang also an author and Gu BaiZhi am editor.The story is sweet and charming with lots of cute and lovely moments, and for people like me who watched this after Love game in eastern fantasy, this drama gives me everything the other lacked. That is a lot of cute moments and kisses.
I won’t touch down on Love game here.
This drama has one of the most peaceful couples in the entire history of Romantic dramas with no misunderstanding, hate or whatever. They are so in sync and the ML is so kind and considerate, it was refreshing to see such a mature relationship, especially after watching the dramas in which the ML sold his common sense for peanuts.
Though the romance was great I wish it would’ve showed us more of the editor’s work. After Zhou Chuan’s first novel is published we don’t see anything about the editor, nor we get to see anything about her office. After the first book the job just disappears and our complete focus is diverted to the relationship.
The drama did try to touch on many things like divorce, second chance, self worth but again it didn’t go too deep on any of these topics. Which will forever be my one complaint from this drama but other than that I would say it a nice watch and a great pic for suckers of cute romance (like me 🤭)
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So what does this drama feature?
1. Jealousy is considered a tag for this drama and let me tell ya, I never seen the amount of jealously this bad (in a funny way though). The ML is literally a jealous character for about most of the drama. He does tone it down a bit after Ep 24 but honestly, his jealously is what makes this drama funny and I love it.
2. A fairly weak love triangle: Actually there's 2 love triangles, one for our main couple and the other for our secondary couple. I say weak love triangle because the one who doesn't end up with the couple moves on easily. No conflicts, no plot to ruin the couple. I say this is a love triangle I can watch.
3. A villain does persist in this drama. He does caused mischief and is pretty annoying, especially the beginning and middle of the drama, but thankfully the actions aren't as bad as other villains I seen in other dramas, and he doesn't appear on screen as much later in the drama.
4. It centers around a publishing company and writers trying to get back in making their writing known. Now, I'll admit, there are some great scenes around this but there are also other scenes that I just found boring that made me just fast forward certain scenes.
5. The Bro-Ship: The ML & SML as best friends stole the spotlight for me. I just love every scene of them together.
The plot itself is okay. Sometimes it moved at a good pace, sometimes it was too slow that I got bored in a lot of scenes. Music played in this drama was just okay but very repetitive for one of the songs, but I did think the actors and actresses did justice on their character roles in this drama. Overall, a slightly above average drama.
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