Watch this one for date night.
OMG! What did I fall into? This drama is exotic, provocative, and alluring. I really like this short drama. The Chinese put out short vignettes of 6-12 episodes of 12-30 minutes each. This is the testing ground for potential stars to make an acting drama statement. The drama is 8 episodes of about 30 minutes each. Does the premise make sense? Not really, but the plot-line is tied into such a neat knot, you may be willing to forgive certain shortcomings. One star of ‘A Familiar Stranger’ is Ryan Cheng. He got snatched up in a quick Chinese drama minute to more meatier parts after this good showing. Ryan Cheng also went on to star in the Chinese drama hit ’My Journey to You’ (2023). There is a wonderful posse of drama characters, which adds depth to A Familiar Stranger’. Ryan Cheng leaves Super Star dust behind him as he walks past you.The time commitment is so short, you might enjoy this short drama detour.
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Surprisingly good!
OVERALLIt's short, to-the-point, and without major flaws. Watch it if you're bored and in need of a quick, small dose of romance. If you're really not a fan of fantasy or like to be super invested in your dramas, then reconsider. I would still give it a try. It's so short!
THE STORY
I like the switched-bodies trope, but I'm always wary because it comes with so many overused cliches I can't stand. Luckily, this drama does without them. Female lead is mature, poised and smart (although sometimes a bit helpless), Male lead isn't the usual cold prick and is also smart enough not to misunderstand things, so they face the situation differently than the protagonists of other dramas. It's just refreshing not to see the same old mambo. The couple is pretty cute too. There just isn't much to dislike about the story (it's a bit weird what happens with the villains but it's not so bad as to ruin the show).
There are definitely disadvantages to a short web-series format, the biggest one being that there isn't enough time to develop characters, relationships and plot very well. This drama does as well as it can with the time constraint, but you still don't feel very attached or invested in the characters. It's like watching the highlights of a drama rather than a complete drama. However, I find that there are also lots of advantages, the main one being no time for useless side stories that C-dramas are OBSESSED with. And THAT, I'm here for it! If you're the same, give this drama a try. I think it's worth it!
THE ACTING
Good stuff. The switching-body trope is pretty demanding, I thought the two actresses did a fantastic job. Main leads had some decent chemistry too. I have no complaints.
THE MUSIC
Can't remember, but it's not a bad thing!
REWATCH VALUE
Not super high, but not quite low. There were some really cute scenes, but I didn't care about this drama enough to rewatch it whole. I might rewatch parts of it!
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Intriguing
This drama is excellent. It is not too long and each episode has your attention. I love the ML and FL leads. Even the villains are good actors. This is a definite drama to watch if you want romance with a little intrigue. This is also a drama that you will rewatch several times just to see the chemistry between the leads. The music goes very well with scenes within the drama too. I also like the cinematography. There are parts where the scenes has a darker setting. I highly recommend watching this drama when you are in the mood for romance with a little intrigue and you do not want to watch 24 or more episodes.Was this review helpful to you?
A Short Drama and Well Written, Best I Have Scene In A Long Time.
A very good and well done short drama. It keeps you interested and easy to follow story. There are so many twist that surprises you. The lead female character plays both herself and the characters of the face that she has been given so good that you can see 2 different people. The male lead is also very good as he is trying to find out who his wife really is. They both maneuver through their life quietly and calm and gives us so many surprising twist. The villain's are bad but you can also see the good in them. A well written story and great direction. The actors performance is great and keep you going thru the story.Was this review helpful to you?
I don't remember you by your face but your heart
I would just start by saying this has become one of my favorite short dramas.This is one of those dramas which will keep you on your toes.
The chemistry between the actors was very very good and both the female leads portrayed their part to the best. The emotions that they showed on screen could be felt by me.
Both the male leads did and equally good job but somehow, I felt the prince's character was a bit more challenging considering the variety of emotions he had to show and how obsessed he had to be portrayed, and even after all these situations the actor did a great job in playing the character.
The story was something new to me as I haven't encountered one like this.
The casting was really good and I couldn't personally find any flaws in the actors portrayal of their characters.
Pacing of dramas is one of the thing that makes me either like or hate the drama because as a viewer when you watch a drama and you find it leading to nowhere in quite many episodes it becomes boring. This drama definitely did not make me want to skip any scenes or drop it.
I really loved the OST in this drama. If you are someone who loves to read the meaning of the OST in the translations then this one will definitely check that box. The lyrics are so beautiful that it made want to write it down and treasure them.
All actors including the supporting cast were exceptionally good. Even the supporting characters had such a beautiful impact on the drama.
The story starts really well with a good mystery factor in the plot. The plot advances with a good pacing and the mystery factor remained in the drama till the end. One after the other some or the other problems did arise in the show which made the drama interesting considering the plot. The chemistry of the actors was what made the drama even more watchable. The drama had great physical intimacy as well as well as ample amount of heart touching emotional scenes and great visual chemistry.
What stole the show for me was the character of Yuan Bao. She had such great importance in bringing the leads together. Her character even though being so young was very smart and that made the character even more cuter because no one expects a small kid to be so smart. Her interactions with all characters on the show were so heart touching and when there were scenes of the leads with Yuan Bao it felt like a dream family.
What makes dramas special is their ability to make you want the story to be real and this drama definitely did it.
For me this was a great watch and I would definitely recommend it those who like romance dramas with a mystery factor and those like dramas where there is portrayal of a happy family.
P.S. Feel free to tag me or message me if you want spoilers as I tend to avoid giving spoilers in my reviews.
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This review may contain spoilers
Trust your eyes or trust your heart?
The FL falls victim to a psychotic villainess who swaps their faces to escape a forced marriage with the powerful general ML because she’s already in love with the prince. The FL discovers the ML is the man she fell for years ago, but he’s unable to recognize her due to the sorcery… or does he??I really enjoyed this short drama, both the plot & pacing. The characters stayed consistent throughout & they all got the ending they deserved (which I very much appreciate in a drama!)
The Leads had great chemistry & their devotion to each other was perfect!🔥🫠 I loved how the ML knew to trust his heart over his eyes!! 🫶🏻 And it was so satisfying to watch the Leads never get tricked by the villains, but rather turn the tables for their own success every time.
If you like to see a contrast between a couple who has toxic, obsessive “love” & one with a healthy, protective love than I highly recommend this drama 👍🏻
_________\\__________//________
-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-
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…
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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.3💋
- Together : ep.3 👩🏻❤️👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💝
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This review may contain spoilers
The Story didn't intriguing me
The story is about a face swap, but then how did she have a mole below her right eye? Anyways.I didn't find anything interesting in the story. However, I liked the chemistry between the leads.
I also liked the acting. Otherwise, the story was quite common. There is a few romantic scenes which balanced the story.
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A perfect small binge watch
Just finished this, a perfect binge watch. Absolutely loved Ryan Cheng. Came here after watching Shadow love and Legend of general and was absolutely not disappointed.A must watch while you wait for more Ryan cheng dramas, this is definitely his year so far. The story is good but that is not really the main reason you ll be watching this. The romantic scenes are steamy. The length justifies the story, anything more would have been a drag. Enjoy this small mini series.
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Hidden gem of actors
I respect what the actors were able to accomplish with this mini drama. This was my first time seeing the ML and both female lead actors and they did such an incredible job. I'm looking forward to more from them in the future.The plot was interesting but I didnt like how gullible FL (Shi Qi) was to the 'villain' FL (Shen Qi). I understand she couldn't help wanting to believe the villain for the sake of finding her sister but I kept wishing she'd be smart and know not to trust her. So even though it was a mini drama, it felt like the drama dragged too much for me sometimes.
Overall, I enjoyed the drama. It was so funny, and had a sweet romance with an interesting plot!
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Gorgeous mini drama
8 episodes x 20 min on Viki. Gorgeous costumes, excellent acting, riveting plot (with major plot twist), beautiful OST and vivid cinematography to grab your heart strings, and really interesting characters. Tightly edited, with just the right sumptuous scenes to flesh out the characters and their relationships, the drama kept me watching to the end. No fast forwarding.The plot is basically Face Off (the movie starring Nicholas Cage) in ancient China, between two women.
After watching Butterflied Lovers (22 episodes x 20 min (I think) also on Viki), another drama by the same Director, I'm now a huge fan of his works. (I'd also like to watch The Killer Is Romantic, as the main couple cameo'd in Butterflied Lovers.)
Highly recommended, as is Butterflied Lovers.
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This review may contain spoilers
My first mini drama
Story was quite simple but unexpected satisfying. Never had patience with short dramas before because most of the time, the story would end too soon for me to love/know the characters.The flaw(s) of the show, too many plot holes left wide open. Like where did the mystic face swapping power came from. Or what really happened with the crown prince. Or what happen to the FL's sister, why did she turn crazy bad.
The ML (the general) is like the unrealistic prince charming from fairytales. He's just the good general, respected and loved by many. But the story didn't include much about him so that's all.
Actors were ok. OST too.
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Shortly said good story, but lacked impact to truly shine
A Familiar Stranger 8/10 - short cdramahistorical cdrama 18eps - 10min per ep
this drama is good and bad in way. I got no problem with actors romance scenes are nice too.. sadly plot even though it got intriguing concept it wasnt well delivered and ending was on bland side too.
plot - FL is painter which paints erotica in hope finding her long lost sister which was sold into pleasure palace. She is abducted by prime minister daughter which thanks magician swaps their faces and makes her to get married to general[ML] in her stead.
genre -romance, historical
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