Too dark for me
Things I liked1 The ML. He's handsome at least. I can't say much for his acting skills though since this my first drama with him and I wasn't impressed. I didn't find his character was that great to be honest so maybe he should play it like that. I don't know. The thing is I was disappointed after seeing so many good reviews.
Things I disliked
1 The FL. I think she's not a great actress and her character wasn't compelling. She wasn't able to give it some depth so in the end I didn't care for her.
Things I hated
1 The script. It was too dark without make me care for the cases.
2 The lack of chemistry between the leads. I blame both, it feels like they didn't even try,
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The first two cases are issues everyone can prob relate or will note easily. The second case is especially relatable as it deals with idols/fans relationship. The drama showed in a very clear manner the psych and thought process of both Lin Shen and the people he is helping. Gong Jun's acting as Lin Shen is also commendable. His microexpressions and line delivery are very effective. The editing is also on point. I am really loving the pacing and the story itself. The case about idol/fans relationship I'm sure every fan can relate to. The drama also showed a lot of stuff happening in the background of c-ent.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Bad editing
The drama, which has absolutely no professional elements, different with yangzi and jing boran drama "the psychologist." Even though it is same messy as this drama, the professional therapist is still have, but in this drama, compared to care, I would like to say that it is "busy body",,,VERY VERY BAD EDITTING and i dont like the acting of lead cast , better the supporting and guest role sometimes
and the development of the cast relationship is very....hmmm I think it's too fast but maybe because this drama is only 16 eps,, many people like romance in this drama, because there are more romance scenes than professional psychology scene
• There are too many repeating flashback scenes of Xiaoxiao and Lin Shen's first meeting, and the other already happen scene just shown with flashback scene,, then cause a lot of flashback scenes, and preview scenes, and have a scenes that don't know really happened or are just their imaginations or dream
• Taking 2 different time scene in one take with one clothes
1. Client when therapy not change the clothes zhangshanshan,, first time wear clothes same with the 2nd time after watching movie with xiaoxiao,, and when watching movie and 2nd therapy clothes different
2. Eating hotpot scene, said want to eat hotpot together but she eat the dinner hotpot alone, and the next eps eat hot pot again different days same scene and clothes, ep 11 ep 12
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
If you are looking for a great Gong Jun drama, this one is for you
I started looking for quality Gong Jun drama since I’m starving for more Gong Jun appearance since legend of Anle.. since I almost see all of his dramas, I come across this drama surprisingly since it is not very popular outside of china (I mean it has not very profoundly promoted. I never get to know it’s airing date even I followed a lot of Gong Jun pages).Gong Jun especially looks amazing in this drama as always..very handsome and well dressed as usual.
The story started Gong Jun as a professor in a university..He look very professional and charming with glasses on…surely he can pull of a teacher role just like that of Perfect and Casual..then they meet with the female lead who just like him, also is into psychological interest.. the two come across many psychological issues with many client’s problems in which mostly solved with Hypnosis.. u will be amazed how hypnosis is done..Gong Jun in particular looks very professional as he does his job here..the drama progressed into a more serious problems towards the end specially concerning the two lead..thankfully this drama ends with a happy ending.
Was this review helpful to you?
The cases in the drama feel real and reflect current issues. The scriptwriter clearly did thorough research, and I even learned a few things while watching.
Was this review helpful to you?
“Healing Hearts and Minds: Why Dream Garden is More Than Just a Romance”
I decided to watch Dream Garden because I’m a huge fan of Gong Jun, and I’ve always been fascinated by psychology 🧠. The moment I heard this drama explored human emotions and mental healing through a romantic storyline, I knew it was something I had to see. And honestly, it didn’t disappoint — it’s a drama that feels thoughtful, mature, and full of emotional insight.💭 Story & Themes
The story revolves around Lin Shen, a professional psychologist 🧑⚕️, and Xiao Xiao, a self-media emotions blogger 📱. Their contrasting personalities make for a compelling dynamic as they navigate emotional wounds, trauma, attachment issues, and personal boundaries. Lin Shen shows that even a “helper” needs help sometimes 🪞, which is such a thoughtful and realistic portrayal.
The drama also deals with grounded issues like controlling behavior and underlying depression, making the characters’ experiences feel real rather than over-dramatic 🎭. For me, it was fascinating to see how past hurts and vulnerability shape who we are, reminding me that what we see on the outside is rarely the whole story 🌌.
🎭 Acting & Chemistry
Gong Jun was excellent as Lin Shen, capturing both his professional calm and personal shadows 😌💔. The chemistry between him and Xiao Xiao, played by Qiao Xin, is palpable ✨. Their initial friction evolving into trust, partnership, and subtle romance is so satisfying 💕. I loved that the drama doesn’t rush their relationship but lets it grow naturally 🌱.
🌿 Symbolism & Meaning
The drama cleverly uses hypnosis 💤, emotional mirroring 👥, masking 🎭, and memory suppression 🧩 as metaphors. These plot devices make it more than just a romance; they turn it into a “mind game” of sorts. The idea that love itself can be a form of hypnosis, or that people sometimes mimic others’ behaviors (the “chameleon effect” 🦎), was fascinating and added depth. The symbolic imagery really resonated with me 🌸.
⚖️ What Could’ve Been Better
Pacing & Genre Blending ⏳
Sometimes the drama shifts between romance ❤️, psychological suspense 🕵️♂️, and case-of-the-week stories 📖, which can feel uneven. The transition from client cases back to the main characters occasionally felt abrupt 😅. If you prefer a pure romance or a strict psychological drama, the mix may feel a little jarring.
Romance Develops Slowly 💌
The romantic element builds gradually and takes a backseat to emotional exploration. If you were expecting constant romantic sweetness 🍬💖, this might feel understated. But for me, the slow-burn approach allowed for richer character growth and emotional stakes 🪴.
Stylized Psychology 🎭
Some psychological scenarios, like hypnosis revealing truths or characters conveniently opening up, felt dramatized. While not fully realistic, these moments served the emotional story well ❤️🩹.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Dream Garden is a refreshing drama that combines romance ❤️ with psychological insight 🧠. It explores healing, helping, and self-discovery, showing that love isn’t just about falling for someone but also about growth 🌱💞. The performances, especially Gong Jun and Qiao Xin, bring the characters’ emotional journeys to life ✨.
✅ Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely 👍. If you love psychology 🧠, symbolic imagery 🌸, and realistic emotional storytelling 💖, this drama is perfect. It’s thoughtful, moving, and offers more than just a typical love story 🌌.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
best psychological cdrama ive watched to date
idk how this hasnt been given more appreciation because i love this drama so much, the acting was amazing and the storyline was also so good!! it managed to bring romance into it without taking away the primary focus of the cases !how you appreciate this drama would likely be influenced into what you expect from it, if u are expecting romance only with a big romantic plot this isnt for you, this is a thriller romance drama it has romance but even without the romance the plot would have still worked and been very well done :)
summary
plot 9/10 (theres a dumb breakup for like half an episode but idc about that cuz i wasnt watching for the romance)
acting 10/10
ost 10/10
Was this review helpful to you?
Not recommended
Watched 5 episodes and it doesn't give enough focus on main characters. I think focusing on other things is not bad but when because of it main characters are not getting enough focus. And the character development is very slow.But in case of acting I think it was ok.
You can watch it if you have time.
Was this review helpful to you?
Short, Engaging, Thought-Provoking, Unmissable
The plot and story were so rich, intense, and thrilling to watch. This is a masterpiece, both educational and thought provoking. It explores how people go through life, held back by fear or without someone to help them overcome their trauma. Every character in this series reflects struggles that many of us face in daily life, often without even realizing it.A well-paced series. In just 16 episodes, it delivers far more educational content and engaging storytelling than the countless 30+ episodes Chinese dramas out there.
Was this review helpful to you?
10/10 <3
¡De principio a fin amé dream garden! El trabajo de ambos actores fue magnífico, la química bastante buena y la dinámica de su relación como Xiaoxiao y Lin Shen muy sana y bonita (creo que fue lo más me gustó).Otra cosa que me encantó fue el hecho de que los personajes femeninos crecieron muchísimo y al final lograron amarse a sí mismas aún más.
Definitivamente en un futuro volvere a ver el drama, estoy muy agradecida con los buenos subtítulos en español, sin duda hace la experiencia más agradable.
Was this review helpful to you?
