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Liked the overall storyline. But did like the emperor and shi xueji characters. I understood why liu miantang didn’t chose the emperor, because he compromised his feelings for he desires, and didn’t let go of evil people who were around him so he could obtain the throne, and become emperor, even sun yun ‘er who he knew hurt the woman he supposedly loved( liu miantang). Such a hypocrite. Then without hesitation he gave sun yun’er a tile and may his other helper ‘s daughter the empress. Then stated he wanted to be a good ruler, comprising is part of getting things done and relationships but siding we evil people is a bit too much Was this review helpful to you?
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Very overrated tv series drama of custom history !
I've finished watching it.... I'm disappointed, throughout 40 eps, the story is only to discuss fake marriage and how the main male hero must win back the heart of the main female.Yes, even though it was successful & finally officially married towards the end of the story, but the socio-political intrigues & wars within the empire were cut completely.
There is also a very crucial 3-month time skip in the middle of the story, maybe because it was censored, banned because there were elements of a political & military coup against the legitimate ruler.
The ending is happy.
But the last 10 eps, seemed very rushed, especially the last 5 eps.
Too many characters appeared & were wasted throughout the story, because the total eps were only 40.
Moreover, the female protagonist, it is unclear why at the end of the story suddenly becomes a tough martial artist like her husband who is a famous warlord.
WTF.... Total score value is only 7 out of 10. Got a score of 7 more because the female protagonist is very beautiful, bro.
If she wasn't there, I would give a total score of only 5 out of 10.
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I Loved Them, But I Couldn’t Handle the Misunderstandings
Are You The One, starring Zhang Wanyi and Wang Churan, is actually a good drama, and I especially loved the way they call each other “Fu Ren” and “Fu Jin” it became a really iconic part of their relationship in this drama. I also have to say, Zhang Wanyi looks so handsome here, and Wang Churan is absolutely stunning.But I have to admit… I didn’t finish it.
It’s not because the drama is bad it’s just that I personally don’t enjoy identity-based storylines. I kind of spoiled myself with some clips and summaries, and I found out that the couple ends up separating for a while before eventually getting back together. That already drained my excitement. I stopped around episode 20, right when Wang Churan’s character begins to regain her memories.
One of the reasons I got frustrated is because the male lead felt a bit too slow to act not necessarily slow in terms of response time, but more like emotionally sluggish. I got a bit impatient because the drama itself has a slow pace, and the male lead hides his identity for quite a long time. The misunderstandings pile up, and I just didn’t have the energy to keep going.
It’s honestly a shame, because I really wanted to enjoy this drama. The visual chemistry between the leads is amazing they both look fantastic, and their dynamic has a lot of potential. But knowing that her regained memory would bring back conflict and betrayal just made me emotionally exhausted before even reaching the end.
That said, I would still recommend Are You The One to others. The story is solid, especially from episodes 1 to 20 it has a good structure and a strong romantic pull. It’s just not the kind of drama for someone like me, who lacks the patience for slow-burn identity plots and drawn out misunderstandings.
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Watchable
I couldn’t really get through this one because it just wasn’t much to my liking and bored me but it’s watchable for sure.The Good
The plot was interesting. I loved how it was shrouded in a lot of mystery. The actor choices were good since there were tons of traffic stars to get people interested. It’s an easy watch with a story that isn’t over complicated. It had a decent enough production quality with okay lighting, sound, sets and costumes. The OST was decent as well.
The Bad
Although the plot was interesting, I didn’t like the execution of it. It was very slow and bored me quite a lot. The first half of the story focused a lot on the main couple playing house with not much romance but I would have preferred to see more of the overarching story play out instead. Next, the actor choices were good to drive in traffic but the acting wasn’t good. I couldn’t connect much with the characters and their plight because they weren’t expressing themselves very well. Finally, there was a lot of predictability to the story, even from the first episode. I don’t even need to keep watching to understand how this story will flow. It was cut and dry and didn’t offer many twists. I put this on hold and came back months later thinking I would see it differently but wasn’t the case.
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BORING as hell
Im going to give half star yet as im only at episode14, however there is that disconnect feeling i feel from lead couple. The hidden identity has been going on, and Miantang is amnesic, i cannot fathom/appreciate the love tension between these couple. It is too draggy and they need to sped up the revelations of identity and gaining of her memory. I've lost my interest at this point, but i will pushed through to see how it goes. ANYWAY at this point of time the love tension is not palpable enough to keep me interested, some more with poor support character.BTW i never make review because too lazy but this one is need to, as i dont know if i have the willpower to push through.
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One of the Better Romances
I have to say I really enjoyed this one. As always, I am impressed with Zhang Wan Yi's earnest performances and this did not disappoint. He has the most expressive eyes I have ever seen and handsome to boot. He is the perfect leading man and I am looking forward to seeing him in future roles.This romance was different from most romances where two people meet, like or dislike each other, until the romance grows. Here we have deception, a better written amnesia plot and an interesting, albeit simple plot line that does not meander and is easy to follow. The secondary characters don't overtake the leads and everyone gets a satisfying wrap up to their story.
Our FL is the breathtakingly beautiful Wang Chu Ran. I first saw her in The Longest Promise and knew she would one day shine as a main lead. She is very talented and was so natural in her part as Liu Mian Tang. This was a fun watch and there was no character I found annoying or inept. There was chemistry between our two MLs and watching them together was a joy. I want to try Crab Roe rice!
My favorite secondary characters were Yuan Yu Xuan as the Empress and Xu Mei Ling as Nanny Li. I first saw Yuan Yu Xuan in Novoland: Pearl Eclipse and loved her from the beginning. She is just so cute and a fine actress. I enjoyed her character in this one, though similar to her part in Pearl Eclipse. Huan Can Can returns as yet another evil rival similar to her role in Lost You Forever. It's unfortunate when the supporting actors get type-cast.
I was impressed with the depiction of the struggles of women working to make a name for themselves, while enduring the lack of esteem by their families. Although this is unrealistic for its time period, I appreciate the effort in appealing to modern audiences.
I recommend this drama for romance lovers who want an uncomplicated plot with a happy ending.
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Inconsistent Characters and Missed Potential in Are You The One
"Are You The One" had so much wasted potential to be a really great drama, but it is filled with inconsistencies and very typical historical drama tropes. Liu Miantang went from being a housewife to a mountain bandit and then back to being a housewife. Her personality and aspirations change in a split second, making her entire character hard to understand and illogical. Similarly, Ciu Xingzhou, a supposedly cold-hearted general, becomes a literal simp for a woman he originally planned to use and had no interest in. The second couple had little screen time, which is good—they weren't very interesting or relevant to the plot. I would say I enjoyed the latter half of the drama, as things became more eventful and moved a bit faster. The first half dragged a lot, and the drama is more slice-of-life-centered than anything else. Overall, this drama was a massive disappointment and is definitely skippable. After watching this, I'm not entirely sure I'm a big fan of Zhang Wanyi's acting. His articulation is very well-spoken, but after watching a few of his dramas, nothing really seems to have changed in his acting style. I would rate this a 7; it’s tolerable but not great.Was this review helpful to you?
#TeamExpressionLord vs #TeamPerceptiveWife, who's your pick?
The show begins with the Lord Huaiyang pretending to be the spouse of Liu Miantang, his favorite adversary Lu Wen's alleged concubine. The plot revolves around this fake couple who are a perfect fit due to their lies and deception.The intellectual ability of the main characters, especially the female lead in the drama was one of its strong aspects. The lead characters were proficient at overcoming tricky situations. It also was surprising to secondary female characters being quick-witted. The acting was fantastic. I watched this drama primarily for Zhang Wang Yi, as I was captivated by his portrayal in Lost You Forever. His facial expressions were entertaining to watch. This was my first time watching this actress, and I thought her performance was great.
One of the weak elements was the pacing. The middle was dragged out, the early arcs were overly relaxed, and the conclusion was a little bit rushed. There had been some off-screen scenes, which would have been better shown with at least two episodes instead of secondary characters story. Some characters, in my opinion, were saved till the very end to add depth in areas that seemed to be lacking.
With its subtle wit and strong acting, the show is enjoyable. I wish that the main characters' backgrounds had been explored in greater detail throughout the story. Felt like LMT's past as Bandits wife wasn't given enough attention, and her acts were only talked about rather than shown. These inconsistencies could have been dealt in earlier episodes. Overall an enjoyable drama with comedy, romance, politics, intelligent characters. I rate it 8.5.
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A SERIES YOU WILL NEVER FORGET
Are You the One? (2024)Some dramas are watched.
Others are felt—and this one, I lived.
Are You the One? swept me into a world painted with longing, silence, and glances that spoke louder than words. Forty episodes unraveled like verses of a bittersweet poem, aching with quiet love, sacrifice, and the weight of unspoken truths. Each frame was a stroke of elegance; every scene, a breath held too long.
Wang Churan was the soul of it all radiant, wounded, resilient. She carried her character not just with grace, but with gravity. Her eyes whispered stories even when her lips didn’t move. I followed her joy, her fear, her heartbreak, and somewhere along the way, she took a piece of me.
Xingzhou, noble yet tortured. Ziyu, sincere in his silence. Their lives, entangled by fate and undone by love, gave me something rare a story that lingers after the screen fades to black.
The OSTs are more than background they’re memory. Echoes. Wounds that hum. I’ll hear them and remember late nights spent crying with characters I now call my own.
This drama isn’t about fast plots or dramatic twists it’s about time, about waiting, about knowing when to hold on and when to let go. It teaches you that love doesn’t always arrive with fireworks it comes softly, like snow melting on skin.
As the final episode faded, I realized I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. But I do so with a full heart.
Because some stories don’t just end.
They stay.
And Are You the One? will stay with me.
05/11/25
— a viewer who will carry this tale long after the credits.
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Lovely chemistry between ML & FL
This is all about the romance between Cui Xingzhou (ML) and Liu Miantang (FL). It’s such a beautiful romantic tale. The ML and FL’s eyes and smiles emote all the necessary emotions that are needed to portray the characters. I watched the entire series because of these two. Zhang Wanqi (ML actor) and Wang Churan (FL actress) are really great. I liked Zhang Wanqi in Lost You Forever. He already displayed great acting in that show. I started watching this show largely because of him. I continued watching this show because of the chemistry he has with Wang Churan. I will pay more attention to both their shows now onwards.Was this review helpful to you?
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Enemies to lovers done right! Perfect visual and chemistry from all the 3 CPs.
Honestly, I have a lot to say but I don't know where and how to start... Watching dramas these days is like a lottery: you'll either end up sad and disappointed after wasting hours on a poorly conceived story, or you'll end up gleeful and overjoyed from spending your time on a wonderfully produced drama. I would bravely say this one is the latter.Although this drama used the typical enemies-to-lovers trope, what I admire most is how they've done it right! Yes, I admit there were red flags on the first half that left me quite upset and displeased. However, what allowed me to keep a positive view of the show was keeping the mindset that they only did that to set up the story's initial emotional and dramatic core, but never went down that negative path again after it was fully established. It truly was frustrating to watch Cui Xing Zhou (ML) fabricate lie after lie, but what made it all satisfactory was his way of redeeming himself by asking forgiveness with utmost sincerity and humility despite being shunned several times. It's admirable that he never offered a defense in any instance. Instead, he explained once, and then apologized multiple times for all his mistakes. I mean, I am here to witness a sinned man grovel with absolute dedication and deep remorse, and I must say that CXZ has done that, and even beyond. Anyone can call me names for my views, but isn't it satisfying to witness a man completely surrendering his pride and ego to earn back the woman he loves most? Because for me, that is the earnest form of showing regret and devotion.
While watching the show, something I am most worried about is the state Liu Miantang will be after learning the truth... The thought of her breaking down after remembering the past and realizing she's been getting deceived all along breaks my heart to pieces. So, witnessing her not wasting much time to cry consoled me the most. Because, yes! We're not getting an extremely emotional lead in this show, and we're all about instant payback time. I was seriously not in the mood for a damsel in distress, so seeing her standing up straight, collected, and with fire burning in her eyes immediately made me exclaim out of excitement and anticipation. Additionally, I was extremely satisfied that the LMTs revenge plan stung CXZ so bad. Well deserved!
I also want to list down two of my most favorite scenes from this show:
• Liu Miantang's Revenge Scheme: The scene where Liu Miantang started her revenge scheme, and Cui Xingzhou noticed a hint of what was going on but was powerless to intervene because he was guilty as fvck!
• Return to Cui Courtyard: Their return home to their humble abode, the Cui Courtyard, as it symbolizes a renewed beginning without lies and deceit.
What made this show stand out, aside from its compelling storyline, was the great preparation and support poured in by the entire production team. I can still recall getting mesmerized by various elements of the show, such as:
• The set design, which perfectly matched the ambiance of the settings.
• The color grading, which was well-adjusted depending on the scenes.
• The costumes and accessories that complemented the actors and actresses (I really loved CXZ's royal blue costume and every hair ornament, accessory, and piece of clothing worn by the female characters).
• The artists' looks, mainly the hair and makeup, which matched every costume they wore.
• The direction and proper angling, which beautifully captured the charm of the cast.
• And finally, the post-editing, more specifically, the choreography of the fight scenes, which were both intricately filmed and executed.
It truly seems like the energy behind the scenes was outstanding, which is why the message was sent across smoothly and perfectly.
Something I don't quite like about this drama overall is the political schemes and struggle at the end. They're satisfying, and I understand that those are crucial to conclude the conflict of the story. However, what I wanted to witness was the leads spending more time with each other, living a mundane yet peaceful life—which was lacking for me, since they didn't really show us more of their life after going back to their home province. How I wished they had given us more of their day-to-day idle life after all the conflicts were taken care of. It's a shame.
Anyways, one good contribution of the constant presentation of the political issues was seeing Shi Xue Ji (the Empress) oftentimes. She's my favorite character in this show—aside from the main leads. I love her radiance and her overall natural and pure being. She's the character that made me feel at ease, yet at the same time anxious—fearing that the writer might suddenly ruin her. Thank goodness they did not taint her even a bit. Instead, they allowed her to develop into a more resilient, versatile, and astute character who knows how to fend for herself and discern what's right and wrong. I also want to mention how much I admire her platonic relationship with Zi Yu (the Emperor). I especially appreciate the mutual understanding and respect between them. Their bond is one that silently perceives without the need for many words and is never aggressive.
P.S. I also enjoyed He Zhen and Zhao Quan's characters a lot. The two supporting CPs in this story were delightful to watch. How I wish they could have a whole drama for themselves.
Story - 10, It was well-written, captivating and compelling drama—one that you will end up loving no matter what. The kind of drama that reminds me how wonderful it is to fall in love. Ghad! The CPs here are simply chef's kiss.
Acting/Cast - 10, I am gratified with the set of actors and actresses. This is my first time watching Wang Churan as the lead and I must say that she's an excellent actress. Yuan Yu Xuan also did great with her execution and I just loved her character a lot. This is my second Chang Huasen drama, where he is the 2ML, and all I can say is that he nailed this type of role so much! A lovesick and fully devoted man. Lastly, I hereby declare Zhang Wan Yi joining the roster of my top favorite actor list. He's so good at playing this silly-playful character, which I love the most.
Music - 10, I'm in love with each of the songs and I will most certainly add them on my spotify playlist. I love ballads and this production delivered!
Rewatch Value - 10, I love it a lot! For an idol drama, this can be considered as a masterpiece. Considering how tacky the majority of idol dramas for the past several years.
Overall - 10, I am in love with the characters and the cast. I also love the flow and progression of the story. This drama never made me felt bored while watching it. Highly recommendable.
IF you find my review helpful please let me know.
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a pleasant surprise
I was committed and watching mostly daily. It has many good pointsWhat I liked :
- the acting was great
- I really like the cinematography and this drama was really beautifully filmed, great camera work too. I personally really liked the scenes at the waterfall and the one near the lake when they were throwing the piece (the colors looked beautiful here). Even the scenes with ML riding a horse, it looked great and good that he was actually riding a real horse
- the leads characters were the best. Strong and intelligent ML and FL, a perfect match. Their characters were well written and captivating. Badass couple, that complement each other.
- the chemistry was perfect, their relationship and skinship looked so natural. Their hugs always felt so comforting. The actors were also really expressive with their eyes, we could felt their emotions.
- I’m still marked with some really good scenes like :
-> when he left to war, the divorce letter and her going after him. them talking and hugging after that
-> the breakup scene at the waterfall
-> them fighting side by side in the last ep, that was awesome
etc….
- The side couples were also interesting to me at some level
- I liked watching ML slowly falling in love. Even if he was lying, he still treated her right and was a pretty good husband
- I really loved the music, the OST is beautiful
- the costumes were great
- I liked the empress character. She was kind and such a good person, she deserved the world
- Lord Zhao was funny, I liked his friendship with ML
- the emperor : was quite a bit annoying at first and he is actually pretty weak, but at least he is a good emperor and it was good to let go of his thing for FL, working with ML and finally maybe starting something with his empress
- I liked how ML’s mom gradually started to like her daughter-in-law
- the wedding: truly amazing. We spended a lot of screen time on the wedding-wedding night. That was perfect❤️and they looked stunning
- had some funny moments
- not really any stupid love triangle
- happy ending for all the couples, maybe I wished it would have been a longer epilogue, seeing kids could have been cute too
- I think the last fight and last few eps were exciting, their plan and how it went down. Maybe a bit basic for the villain, but not disappointing
On some other notes :
- it was quite annoying his aunt and cousin, at least some character development for the cousin. Her mom really ruined her
- Personally, the separation was too long…. and it was getting a bit annoying
- had some boring moments and the beginning was a bit slow (even if I enjoyed watching the leads and their chemistry, they got a lot of screen time together too)
- I wish past ep 31, when they got back together, we could have gotten another kiss or more romantic scenes ? maybe another cuddle in bed, I don’t know. We still got some good moments, but maybe I would have liked more. Or just more scenes with the leads
I would recommend, I liked it more than I thought I would
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