A well written script with many laugh out loud scenes, award-worthy OSTs and memorable characters.
One of the first things that stood out to me was how good the ost was, the timing, the lyrics, the melodies that would not be fitting for any other drama. It was so good. There would be a scene where jazz music suddenly starts playing and it would be totally fit for some reason and it was soo fun. Anime-like grand shots would have some goofy ass music and bilibili fanedit style editing and over the top acting to emphasise the dramatics of the situation.The story was great too, with some cliches that were subverted masterfully. The dialogue felt heartfelt and genuine, the acting was to the standard, the whole cast of characters were given definitive personalities and the ending gave us all the answers we asked for. It's so satisfying.
I laughed so much during some scenes that my stomach hurt and tears came out ["omg they're spinning"]. It's golden. I loved it, i will be rewatching it, and you should too!!
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Sweet, pretty and just what you need to feel better.
The story doesn’t start very strong, but it gets better as it progresses; the second half of the series is more engaging than the first. The series could have spent more time exploring the relationship between Nan Heng and her father, as well as the circumstances surrounding Guihong’s death, instead of rushing through these parts. The sudden change in the emperor’s attitude towards Nan Heng is also a weakness. However, the chemistry between the actors, the music, set design, and costumes are very well done and creative, making watching the series a pleasant and enjoyable experience.Was this review helpful to you?
This drama pulled me in with its strong production, incredible acting, and emotional intensity. From the costumes to the visual effects, it was clear a lot of care went into the details—and it absolutely paid off.
What stood out the most was the way the story blended heartwarming moments with dark, tense plot twists. The performances—especially from the second male lead—were powerful enough to make me actually frustrated in the best way. The story tested loyalty, fate, and personal growth, and it really got under my skin.
While I had some issues with the main female character’s treatment of others at times, the side characters absolutely stole my heart. In fact, one particular couple became my favorite pairing of the entire show. They were written with such chemistry and strength that I found myself replaying their scenes more than anyone else’s.
The emotional payoff was worth the build-up, though there were moments I wish had more closure. Still, this drama offered a meaningful look at agency and destiny while keeping me on the edge of my seat.
Would recommend if you enjoy:
✓ Time-bending stories
✓ Emotional character arcs
✓ Beautiful visuals
✓ Romance, betrayal, and redemption
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This Drama Does Not Take Itself Seriously - So Have Fun
Ahhhhhh Liu Yu Ning. How do I love thee. Let me count the ways.A Dream Within a Dream is not the end all be all of dramas. It is not the most intense or compelling of dramas. What I believe is it is one of the most well casted of the c-dramas I’ve seen. Every character is fun in their own way and each actor was superb in developing their character.
Of course, I liked Liu Yu Ning’s Nan Heng/Li Shi Liu the very best.
Not sure where to begin……the story.
Story:
Song Xiao Yu is a lazy actress who is cast as the lead in a ridiculous palace drama. Too much studying of the script sends her straight into that world as Song Yi Meng, the female lead character. She spends the better part of the first half of the 40 episodes trying not to marry Nan Heng who in the script will end up causing her much torture and a violent death.
A silly premise which opens up the story to be……..funny.
I like funny.
My rating is high because this show is not serious from the beginning. For a not-serious drama, A Dream Within A Dream is pretty well done.
Characters:
It is the characters that bring this passable story to life.
Li Yi Tong does a fantastic job of bringing the comedy to life as Song Yi Meng. Riley Wang’s Shangguan He plus all the Fading River Moon people were so lightheartedly fun. Lu Xing played Song Yi Meng’s father (Song Yu De) and was such a smartly written character and he played it soooooo well. All the Song women were so FUN and very well written. Lastly, Chang Long really provided the sweetness every c-drama needs playing the wonderful 18th Prince Nan Rui.
The two male leads: Nan Heng (Liu Yu Ning) and Chu Gui Hong (Wang You Shuo) were basically the straight-faced serious characters while everyone else got to have fun. The emperor was a serious character, at least until the end and I hated him until about episode 30ish.
Some pointed out there was no growth for the female lead, Song Yi Meng. I’ll be honest, I hated her guts until about episode 20 when I realized I was looking at her all wrong. She was the bad guy. In fact, throughout the show, the bad guy shifts. If we consider she was the bad guy along with the emperor until episode 30, it really makes more sense.
You must watch it to see who plays the bad guy to the bitter end……such a great performance.
Each actor did their job well. The only annoying character to me was Fu Gui but I realized towards the end that he was cleverly written as he ended up growing the most out of all the characters.
Music:
The soundtrack was amazing and the added music using classical arrangements were EVEN BETTER! I wish I could purchase those along with the soundtrack. I will be buying Liu Yu Ning's 2 songs as he was just PERFECT with that delicious voice.
He does sing on a lot of soundtracks for c-dramas…….so dreamy.
Rewatch Value:
I would rewatch this in a heartbeat although this was my first Liu Yu Ning C-drama so I’ve already started Prisoner of Beauty. Maybe later.
Overall:
A Dream Within A Dream is a very fun show. Don’t watch it for literary perfection. Watch this drama to have a good time or just to star-gaze at the lovely Liu Yu Ning. There is a reason why he was in so many hit dramas in 2025. He is one talented man.
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I loved the entire show.
I loved everything about this drama. the story was pretty unique. it kept me engaged the entire time and I wish I could watch it again for the first time again. Liu YuNing did it again! he’s such a great actor & had great chemistry with the female lead. It started out very funny and satirical by making fun of all the typical tropes, but later on it got serious when the leads changed the script & changed their fate. none of the episodes dragged but the second male lead was highly annoying. he just couldn’t get over the fact that Song Yimeng didn’t want him and all of this was his own doing. he played the victim when really he was the villain the entire story. Liu YuNing plays the perfect “villain”/ hero. he was victimized from the start after the empress died and was cast out. the emperor was quick to blame a 10 yr old for his wife’s dead so he was sent to the border to essentially be out of the way for the 18th prince. later they realized he wasn’t behind all of the awful things that happened but it was his evil uncle who orchestrated everything. I’m so happy that Nan Heng got a second chance & a happy ending. also Liu YuNing did a wonderful job playing 3 Characters. I loved him as Li ShiLi (waning crescent chief ) which his other identity for most of the series. all of the costume were a 10/10, hanfu was made for that man. highly recommend watching this drama.Was this review helpful to you?
A wild, funny, thrilling and swoony ride!!
One of the best endings to a drama in a long time!!! I loved this unique story with incredible performances especially by leads Liu Yuning and Li Yitong! 2 episodes a day wasn't enough for me, but now I can't find any other drama as enjoyable as this so I'm watching it again! And it's amazing how many little details and hints I'm finding on 2nd watch. You'll laugh, cry, swoon, yes get a little frustrated in the middle because that's how invested you'll get in the characters, and fall in love with LYN as Li Shiliu AND Nan Heng. It's wild ride and I highly recommend it!Was this review helpful to you?
A masterpiece of the month
For me, this is the perfect series of the month. I love how the plot is written,how the characters are build and developed but, what I love the most is how the emperor trust the ml unconditionally after he cleared his name before the emperor. It was just that I thought since there is a big and final battle, the 8th prince wil then finally comes to his sense. But , as expected of a fool yet funny him. He was just incurable.I also love how good looking are the supporting characters is, I must call this series a face card series because beside the good acting and a well funny, unprecedented storyline, the cast were all so beautiful and handsome. For me, the keyword of this series were those scene in the first episode, the three-way stabbing. So funny truly. Ridiculous scene yet interesting. It was really so worth to watch with full of funny moments all over the drama.
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one of a kind
the way this drama caught my attention from the beginning to the end is surprising. the plot is really good and they handled the pacing of the episodes really well, they leads did an amazing job. I've only watched Li yitong's works before, but after this i became a fan of Liu Yuning, and i gotta admit i kinda fell in love with his character (both Nan Heng and Li Shiliu lol).One thing i thought after watching most of the episodes is that i lowkey sensed a romantic tension between Nan Rui and Jixiang, and i hoped they would've lead more into a storyline like that, even if it was just a "bromance" like they did in The Untamed, but their real ending isn't so bad either.
I loved the second leads, although Yiting kinda reminds me of a mouse because of her looks (not a bad thing); and enjoyed that Shamgguan He was emotionally unavailable, it added some depth to his character.
Also, the most important part for me was the ost, man that song by Hu Yanbi was THE ost, I've not heard many songs like that in dramas, especially historical/costume ones. I'll admit that the first time i heard it i had to pause the episode to look for it on youtube and listened to it for like 2 hours straight and then kept watching the rest of the episode, and i have been listening to it everyday since then ❤️🩹🪷
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Old tropes with fresh touches. ?
Finally, this drama is aired after waiting for a year. And I am very satisfying. It beings laughes since the first episode. We can say that this drama is so meta as it used many tropes in the regular chinese drama, then boom the tropes got messy in the most hillarious ways.All the characters in this drama are super unique, not only the main characters. I can give the writer 10 for all the character. Sadly, the ending is quite confusing. Yet, this is still interesting and hillarious drama.
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One of the best 2025 cdramas !
What a fun ride it was, with this drama! It has everything . The comedy being the best part of the drama, accompanied with the on point background music. I admit, it got bit annoying and frustrating around episodes 21 to 25. But it gets back on track after that. And gives us a solid ending. It wasn't a flawless drama, still one of the very enjoyable one. Li Yitong as Song Yimeng was such a perfect casting. She was brilliant specially in those initial episodes. Liu Yuning was so much better here acting wise. Loved to see him as Nan Heng. He portrayed Nan Heng's all shades so well. And all the cast were really good. Writing could have been better for some places but alright, it was Good !Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Very well written ending …
This drama may looks like any other drama where the FL travels to epic story … but it is so well done , because they don’t take themselves seriously and the cherry of all is the ending , where you get a satisfactory happy ending which opens to more questions but you get the people watching satisfied … acting was good , the female lead and male lead are certainly good matches and have chemistry … I would love to watch all over again someday …Was this review helpful to you?
It's a funny historical comedy which is too long for its own good
I would have given it an 8.6 if that was the option.Right now, it isn't the option so my overall rating is 8.5.
The actors did a pretty good job for a romantic comedy, The villain slowly going completely crazy and making everyone hate him was quite a journey. I think his character was also very interesting because he wasn't introduced as a villain but later on portrayed as a villain because of his karma.
That's what I call a well written villain.
As for the ML, The actors was really good and I could see that he was truly hurt by the treatment of others as well having genuine love in his eyes. This is my first LYN drama and I am quite impressed by his acting.
The female lead was also funny and I enjoyed watching her. I did hate her a lot somewhere in the middle but she was able to get redemption. The scene where she covers the ML in the snow wasthe most emotional and beautiful scene of the drama.
The ending was a well written ending but the question about ML's existence puzzled people. It could have been made a bit more clear. I would love to see the couple in another drama in Modern setting.
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