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Best short cdrama ever
This cdrama is great. The actor/actress is great. The story is amazing, th plot is unpredicted. The best thing is the relationship goal in this story. Will rewatch it again In the future. This short movie really worth of my time. Very sweet and no angst at all. You can see the maturity of the characters in this movie. The ML is very smart and have a full trust in the FL . The story is really compact, the flow is really natural so eventhough this is the short drama there is nothing awkward. The ending is great. The writer is awesome, i feel pity for the villains for the ending I just think that they're been give a second chance.Was this review helpful to you?
Good story and cast
This is a period piece that took me by surprise. It could have been a little longer to deal with some aspects of the story but overall, this is very enjoyable to watch.The story and pacing is good and the cast is great. The question of how the FL is going to resolve the problems tease and lead the viewer forward to the next episode. Her courage, intellect and talent leads her forward despite the obstacles she faces. The ML is solid, intelligent and takes his time to judge and assess the situation and people. He's calm, collected and always ready to support the FL even as he harbours uncertainties about her. The quick injection of humour here and there scales up the entertainment.
This is a drama I can watch many times as it has excellent rewatch value.
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START WATCHING IF YOU HAVEN'T......
a true HIDDEN GEM i think it is .i first watched a video of this drama and it made me start watching the show in instant . it will engaged you from the first episode with it's story and it's suspense. it is fast pashed ( IT'S A SHORT DRAMA ) and will be not bored you for a minute.
the story of the drama was good and the cast did a great job in that too.
the cast have done a very good job in their acting. the ML and FL was on fire.... i say.
i like the cuteness between them. as over ML was cold and ruthless in the first episodes but as the story between this two progress we get the cute, caring and a very healthy ML. the chemistry was on fire between the leads. it was not forceful at all.
the FL have done her job very good .
the story, acting, direction, cinematography, music, production was very good and i like the past scene of the leads because i made sense as why they fall for each other.
i have not watch any short cdrama before it but after i saw it i became a fan too. the director of this drama have made many short dramas and they all are very good .
IF YOU WANT TO WATCH A DRAMA IN ONE GO WITH GOOD ACTING, GREAT CINEMATOGRAPHY, STRONGE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN LEADS , ALL IN ONE THEN GO WATCH IT RIGHT NOW.
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Great Mini Series
I quite enjoyed this one. Mini series can be a hit or miss. This one was a hit for me. The acting was decent all around, the story was interesting though similar to other plots but without all of the filler episodes you see in full length dramas. Not a high production, it only showed a few locations but why not save money where you can. The romance was done at the perfect pace and built enough between the characters that allowed you to care enough for their outcome.I’d recommend this drama
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Another Stereotypical Show Saved by the Leads' Sizzling Chemistry
It's been long since I completed this show months ago. I've been delaying this review because I can't think of anything about this show except for the leads' chemistry. Finally, I get to write one today and this may be a short review concerning I have nothing much to say.The plot falls to the same old face swap trope, same old newlyweds trying to hide their real identities, and blah blah blah. Though the plot is not that great and seems to be recycled, the actors' performances make up for it. I particularly like the first couple, especially Ryan Cheng - it's my first show of his and I can't wait for his next project 'Shadow Love'. I don't recognize other actors except him, but they've done a great job too.
Even though it's a mini drama, I still end up using fast-forward button to complete it in one go. If you're a fan of tropey shows, then this might be suitable for you. Since the duration is kinda short, it also fits for those who want to watch lighthearted and stress-free shows. As for the rewatch value, you'll have to consider it yourself.
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Face swap and ridiculous heroic sacrifice tropes
18 episodes at about 10 minutes each and I was still annoyed. The FL was tricked and ended up having her face swapped with the main villain who was to be married to the general, but the main villain was in love with the Crown Prince who was an evil so an so. Then we began this ridiculous. Will she tell him the truth about her identity which seemed to go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on. Then came the big twist by the end that her sister was actually the one who was planning all of the FL’s misfortune because she wanted to secure the Crown Prince position for her lover. It really was quite annoying and I’m glad I ended up getting through it quite quickly with the fast forward button even though as I’ve already said there was only 18 episodes at about 10 minutes each..The other thing that bothered me with this kind of trope is that we’d already established that the FL was the villain before the face swap so it was really hard for me to root for her no matter how nice she was to all the servants, maids and guards at the general’s mansion.
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Face/Off ancient Chinese style
I shall start with a mea culpa. I know it is unfair to compare two shows directly but because of its subject matter and lineage, I can’t help it. In fact, it is because of this lineage that I was excited to have found this drama.The other show in question is The Killer is Also Romantic. It has the same director, period setting and short episodic structure. I have to say that I was quite impressed by TKiAR so I have high hopes for A Familiar Stranger.
To be honest, this Show is good, but it is not great. The issues are manageable but when taken as a whole, it is problematic.
Let’s look at the positives first. I do like the short format as it distilled a lot of the typical wuxia themes down to the fundamentals without all the draggy side plots or distractions. I really appreciate the Viki presentation because it thoughtfully combined the short 16x10mins episodes into 8 longer episodes ranging from 20mins to over 30 mins. It is still bingeable but more practical.
The central pillar of the show is the love line between the leads. That is very well done. The progress is logical and angst lite. It helps that the Show has a laser focus on the leads, and you can sense their longings and feel their love. The “daughter” is cute and wise beyond her age.
Now the issues. The plot is functional rather than well crafted. The theme is tropey and the writer didn’t push any boundaries. While the initial face change device looks promising and fantastical, it was an one trick pony. It came down to soulmates will always recognise each other no matter what. Other wuxia/xianxia dramas have taken this trope further.
The romance of the 2OTP starts out fine. Toxic and manipulative which is de rigueur of the palace intrigue genre. However, the show’s progression feels self-serving. It went the way it did because the plot mandates it rather than being sensical. It felt old school and contrived. Speaking of palace intrigue, once the Show gets going, there is very little actual intrigue. Just some snippets of dialogs and a bit of simple scheming.
This brings us to a key issue. The antagonist is meant to be an evil mastermind but while he is a bit of a homicidal manic, he is no mastermind. If anything, he turned into a weak and pitiful character. This took the wind out of its sail from that quarter.
I binge watch the whole drama in one sitting and I enjoyed it even with the caveats. The swoon worthy romance saved the show. A lot of its problems comes down to not looking after the secondary plots and characters. Almost as soon as the leads are off camera, you start to see plot holes and inconsistencies. A show of such short duration should be tighter and more impactful. It is still a worthwhile binge but not high on my rewatch list.
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Romance, drama, great couple, and a sweet story!
What a gem! This was a totally unexpected find, and I am so glad I decided to watch this. Usually, I don't like the short episode format, but I was able to binge-watch from start to finish and it was great! The continuity between episodes was smooth, no repetitious scenes, and overall, a good watch! No silly, immature characters, no overused tropes, no over the top storyline, no what-the-heck moments, or loose ends. A well-written, well-told and well-acted (short) drama.The ML & FL were superb! Can I repeat that? This couple made me want to keep watching. Their chemistry was smoking - and their love scenes were also. Even the villains had me kind of hoping for a happy ending for them. The supporting cast did a great job also. The military adviser, the little daughter, the courtesan, the maid! I wasn't rolling my eyes or skipping through scenes; all the performances fit nicely together in this story. I really liked this drama - and was sorry to get to the end of it, and what a twist! I didn't see that coming at all.
This director really has the right idea (from the dramas I have seen that he has done). In fact, when I looked at his production list, there were names of shows that I have watched and liked and didn't realize it was the same director. Good job! I'll try to watch more of his work from now on, as well as Cheng Lei's work. (He is so super-cute)
I will definitely be rewatching this one - especially for the sweetness and passion of the main couple.
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Definitely A must watch
I watched this drama mainly because of the male lead, Ryan Cheng, but I ended up loving everything about it! The female lead was charming, and all the supporting actors delivered great performances. The production quality, visuals, and costumes were amazing. The story was engaging, emotional, and well-paced from beginning to end. Highly recommended!Was this review helpful to you?
Sizzling chemistry
This drama is about the talented painter Shi Qi who is blackmailed into marrying general Xiao Han Sheng by pretending to be the Prime Minister’s daughter, Shen Qin. Shi Qi wears ShenQin’s face due to magic and when she meets Han Sheng she realizes he is a familiar face from her past, only now he doesn’t recognize her.The director of this drama seems to have a strong connection to water and the drips of rain runs like a theme throughout the drama. The cinematography is great leading to a suggestive aesthetic that builds tension. Many normally cliché ingredients are reinvented, fireflies and stars in a dark night has never felt to fresh before. It’s just there, creating an atmosphere whiteout forcing it upon the viewer.
The story is intertwined with throw backs into the two main leads past and that often makes me wanna fast forward but not in this drama. Here the past draws me in and I always want to know more and see more. The drama is full of tension and it is well balanced with softer moments that is complemented by nice music. There are also a few comical episodes in this drama and it works well since it often include a child and that makes the comedy feels natural.
I find no unnecessary scenes and every event brings the story forward.
The actor who plays Han Sheng, Ryan Cheng, has the unique ability to appear soft with a fierce face which creates great depth to his character. I find him very talented and can’t wait to see him get a lead role in a major drama. His facial expressions are very captivating. He is the dreamy devoted man we all want in our life. We get some amazing scenes between him and Ke Ying, who plays Shi Qin. Scenes that are some of the best I have seen when it comes to chemistry. It’s hot! It would be enough even without the skin ship, their faces conveyes plenty. That’s how good these scenes are.
This drama is in every way as good as many full length major dramas and I am looking forward to see what this director will come up with next.
This is my first review her on MDL and it is my second time watching this drama, that’s why I know the rewatch value is great.
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goosebumps
I never really liked dramas that involve face swapping but i made an exception for this cause the thumbnail,casts and everything attracted me and i'm glad i did. Cause when i tell you i gasped I GASPED it was so good??? Like the chemistry between the leads were over the roof and the twist got me shocked never would i have thought that that would happen.I was so sad for the second couple but when you see them back as "doppelgangers" and having a relationship that they deserved got me so happy everyone got the ending that they deserved.
And i also love the fact that there was no toxicity at all in the main leads relationship they never jumped to conclusions and the male lead was so understanding like i enjoyed every second of them.
so overall if you're wondering whether to watch this or not go for it i beg this mini drama does not disappoint. These mini dramas are getting better than those long ones i swear.
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Slow start for me
This must be one of Ryan Cheng's earlier dramas. He looks a lot younger. I am having a hard time getting into the story. Perhaps it's because I just finished my first ever Ryan Cheng drama, "Legend of a Female General" where he just seems more convincing as a general. It could also be because this is a short drama. It works in modern settings as I have seen a few. Not sure if it works as well in historical.settings. Anyway, I will continue watching the drama just to finish it because it's not too long.Was this review helpful to you?
