A well executed, beautifully depicted crime drama sprinkled with romance, humor, humanity
I started this drama based on a comment of a YouTuber when it was first released and am continually looking forward to each new episode release!Superb Storytelling:
This drama has been such a delight to watch as it is very well detailed and thought out. I truly feel like I am immersed in this faraway ancient time and learning with them the clues to every case as they unfold. It also draws out so many emotions of the human heart! Most of the characters are just not black and white one dimensional cookie cutters.
The director did a fine jobs taking us through each case, leaving little crumbs, weaving details from previous cases to current cases. Creating whole characters with backstories. We are left empathizing with characters and seeing that there is no black and white when it comes to the human heart. And while doing so, we also share in the FL’s own personal journey - it’s not just a game of winners versus losers.
**Please note that this drama is more of a "real" vs "fairytale" feel. There is a disturbing scene involving children even though nothing is scene that some viewers may want to avoid**
Scenery, set, costuming, and music:
How can I put it it? It’s been such a delight to see, to smell, to hear and experience the atmospheres and moods created. The costumes are exquisite and feel realistic as if they were of the time. For example, a very wealthy character (the most wealthy in the city) wore bright luxurious sheen purple outfits - not a color easily obtained in ancient times. The poorer common wore more muted colors with coarser, looser woven materials with hand sewn patches, hair dos are more realistic looking as well.
A lot of extra details help create the mood (visual language - borrowed from a fellow watcher). For example, there is a scene where people are preparing and celebrating the new year. Not only are the streets decked out for our eyes to see, but we can also feel and smell, and even taste the vibrant atmosphere. We see the skills in candy making and get a bit of a taste of it through our actors. Also displayed are noodle pulling, deep frying pulled dough, puppetry, dragons, drums, lanterns, performers doing some amazing shows. Children captivated by the shadow puppet show. Bustling crowds. At the Qi family household, we see a plethora of dishes served and the joy and warmth of a family gathering followed by an opera show. They didn’t need to go into such details but they chose to and it elevated the drama watching experience.
Music -
Oh my goodness, I didn’t pay attention at the beginning because it was so subtle I didn’t notice. However, as I continued to watch I discover how well the music and sound effects merged in with the story and enhanced the necessary moods. The fading in and out of the sounds and music were perfectly executed and timed even to specific words spoken and needed attention paid. The instruments used sounded wonderful. I can tell someone carefully and lovingly paid attention to every detail.
Acting -
Most of the actors, except the ML, are new faces to me but I’m sure they’ve been around for a while because their performances were superb. Subtle expressions, postures, actions, motions, gestures created interesting characters and interactions.
The Main Lead (Qi Meng Li) is the youngest son (2 very capable elder brothers) of a wealthy and powerful governor. He is like a naive foolish kid, raised with a silver spoon in a warm and loving family, without a care in the world, and sheltered all his life. He sets out to explore and experience the romanticized world that he’s been reading in his novels. The actor does a fine job portraying his character (even to our and the FL’s annoyance). However, we also see him grow and slowly mature as he interacts with the world and our FL and those around her.
The female lead - she is a very resolute and determined person with a very painful background that oppresses her but she works very hard to overcome it on her terms with her wits and smarts. Although she is a very upright person, she is also realistic, level minded, humble but not a doormat, smart but not condescending, no pretense. She’s a character admired by many and the actress is just great and conveying all this. The makeup is just right and not over the top ridiculous. Her determination sis admirable yet I don’t feel like a modern day female centric view is shoved in my face. It would be out of place like some other costume dramas I’ve watched. Also, the actress looks more mature which I thinks suits the character since she has faced so much hardships, suffering, and oppression.
I’ll spend some time mentioning the actor of the second male lead (He Peng) because his acting is just amazing. He plays a smart, gentle, educated scholar who earns his position as a magistrate of Linfen (a smaller town) purely on his own merits. His heart is to serve the country and the people and he stands his course even when it doesn’t benefit his career. However, he also has to tread carefully because his one backer is powerful not does not share his view of justice and compassion for the commoners . He is also under a LOT a lot of pressure from others and is a cautious character not always certain what to do when it comes to actions for his own future because he’s constantly considering all the factors. So he holds back a lot. This actor is amazing at portraying this character. I actually fell in love with his character and even wished he could be with our FL.
I appreciate story doesn’t dwell on milking unnecessary emotions from us. Yes, we feel for the different characters but in no way does it drag on and on.
Ok, if you’ve kept up this far, just go and watch it already. I don’t tend to write a review, especially while airing, unless it really left a strong positive impression on me.
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Love Triangle with Impressive Characters & Story
Among the recent Chinese historical mystery and detective dramas I've watched, Under the Moonlight stands out as the most realistic. Unlike many other series that feature elaborate and sophisticated murders, this drama focuses on crimes driven by greed and corruption—reflecting a more grounded and plausible portrayal of society. The production quality is impressive, with exquisite attention to detail in the costumes and set design. The music and background settings are authentic, elaborate, and meticulously crafted.Plot Summary
Luo Shu (Hu Bing Qing) was sold to the Qin family and later to a brothel as a child after losing her parents in a fire. Ever since, she has attempted escaping, but a hidden force continuously prevents her from leaving. One day, with the help of County Commissioner Han Mu Zhi (He Peng), who is drawn to her intelligence and courage, she finally manages to break free. Recognizing her keen observation and wit, Han Mu Zhi enlists her help in solving a case where women seeking divine blessings for pregnancy are deceived and impregnated by men posing as disciples of the gods. Due to the shame associated with such crimes, no victims had previously come forward. Luo Shu plays a crucial role in bringing down the criminal organization, after which she requests assistance in restoring her status as a commoner to escape the lowest caste of society.
To protect her from being recaptured by the brothel while awaiting her official documents, Han Mu Zhi allows her to stay at the commissioner’s station. Over time, Luo Shu becomes an unofficial constable, using her sharp mind to assist Han Mu Zhi in solving numerous local crimes. They fall in love with each other.
Setting and Themes
Set in the Ming Dynasty, when societal norms were deeply conservative and women were discouraged from appearing in public, Luo Shu disguises herself as a man to conduct investigations. Although most people around her are aware of her true identity, Qi Meng Lin (Zhai Zi Lu), a spoiled brat from a wealthy and powerful family, remains oblivious, leading to humorous and endearing interactions. As the story unfolds, Qi Meng Lin eventually discovers her identity and falls in love with her as well, leading to a love triangle and delightful dynamic between the three.
Unlike many mystery thrillers that revolve around intricate and sensational murder plots, Under the Moonlight presents cases that feel authentic—crimes such as spousal murders, neighbor disputes, cheating, and human trafficking. The drama effectively portrays a rigid class hierarchy where the wealthy wield power with impunity while the poor are trampled upon with no voice. Luo Shu’s ability to solve these cases through keen observation and critical thinking is depicted realistically, making her journey even more compelling.
Characters and Acting
Since I am not very familiar with the lead actors, my evaluation is based purely on their performances in this drama.
Luo Shu (Hu Bing Qing)
Luo Shu is portrayed as brave, intelligent, and selfless. Hu Bing Qing brings the character to life, though at times, I find her facial expressions somewhat lacking. Certain emotional moments—such as fear, anger, and sorrow—could have been conveyed more vividly. It’s unclear whether this was a deliberate choice in writing or a limitation in the acting, but a greater range of emotions would have added depth to her performance.
Qi Meng Lin (Zhai Zi Lu)
Of all the characters, Qi Meng Lin is my favorite. Zhai Zi Lu delivers an outstanding performance, capturing the essence of a young, spoiled, and narcissistic nobleman who remains optimistic despite the challenges he faces. His interactions with his servant, Lian Shu (Yu Yao), are particularly amusing—Lian Shu, despite being a servant, essentially controls Qi Meng Lin’s finances and frequently reprimands him for his extravagant spending. Their dynamic adds a lighthearted and charming element to the show.
Han Mu Zhi (He Peng)
Han Mu Zhi is a principled and serious man who despises corruption and refuses to bow to the powerful. However, He Peng's portrayal comes across as somewhat rigid, with minimal facial expressions, making him appear almost robotic at times. Given He Peng’s strong performance in The Untamed as Wen Chao, I suspect this stiffness is an intentional aspect of the character rather than a flaw in the acting. Nonetheless, subtle moments of emotion—particularly regarding Luo Shu—hint at a deeper complexity beneath his stoic exterior.
There are several morally ambiguous characters whose true nature remains difficult to discern. The writers skillfully use both character development and acting performances to maintain this sense of uncertainty, keeping viewers engaged until the final reveal.
Final Thoughts
The historical authenticity enhances the viewing experience, making it one of the most visually immersive dramas. The costumes for all characters are carefully designed and highly believable, contributing to the overall realism of the show.
Among the contemporaneous dramas I’m watching (including Flourished Peony and Everlasting Longing), Under the Moonlight is my favorite. The story is highly relatable, and the acting, despite some inconsistencies, is the best among them. I thoroughly enjoyed the series.
Unfortunately, it remains underrated on kisskh, with only a small audience recognizing its brilliance. If you’re looking for a well-crafted historical mystery with realistic cases and compelling characters, Under the Moonlight is a hidden gem worth watching.
Highly recommended!
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This review may contain spoilers
First Arc Stronger Than Second
Picked this up on a whim as a lot of the cast was familiar to me and I wanted to see an ancient crime solving drama. The storyline seemed to hold up for the first arc. Unfortunately, the second one was much weaker and the ending was sort of left on its own.Pros: I enjoyed very much the chemistry between the FL and the SML and this had to be one of the stronger second male lead syndromes from a show that I probably had in a very long time if ever. I would have to say the ML had a good heart, but for the entire first arc was a spoiled manchild that you just wanted to throw away. The storyline was pretty good. I liked the strange cases that they all had to solve and how that little yamen became like a little family and they all took care of each other. The FL had a very rough childhood and didn't remember a lot of it, but she was very strong and very smart and relied on herself a lot sometimes a little too much because she had no fighting skills and would get herself into situations that she needed others help, but because she was stubborn, she wouldn't ask until unfortunately it was either too late or someone had to run in and rescue her.
This was another show which focused on women essentially being nothing more than window dressing, but with an FL that was strong and capable, and willing to do anything and everything it took to regain her freedom, even when it seemed impossible. I really liked that about her a lot. The other characters (other than the leads; even LW grew on you towards the second arc) that I enjoyed were the rest of the yamen crew, 2nd and 3rd Qi brothers, LS (kid couldn't read the room to save his life but was funny), JMC though tragic as her life was.
Cons: I have to mention the FL in the cons as well because I feel that she was miscast in this role. The actress herself is 32 years old and she's supposed to play someone who's 18 and a virgin. Most of it was very unbelievable. It was obvious that she was very intelligent and could get herself and other people out of situations that an 18-year-old usually would not be able to. I had seen the actress previously in a modern SWAT military type thing and she did a great job there. Here I felt that she was emotionless even when she smiled or cried, her face didn't move that much and when she was angry, other than raising her voice, it didn’t translate. I think that it could've been handled better.
I also didn't feel any romantic connection between her and the ML even after everything was explained and done and we understood why she couldn't be with SML or vice versa but the whiplash of her emotions from SML to ML was instant almost and was very unbelievable. They had enough episodes to make it better and flesh it out in a way that would make sense for the audience.
Most of this was in the second arc, which was very weak, especially where all of the antagonists were concerned I didn't feel like any of the antagonists were believable or people you could legitimately hate as antagonists, other than the obsessed creep QY. On top of that, said obsessed creep wasn't even given a proper death. He just fell into fire; you could call it symbolic, considering that he was the one who killed her parents through fire, but I felt he needed to suffer more. What he did throughout the entire show was just too disgusting to have him end so quickly. Furthermore, the other two antagonists were given ridiculously light sentences. Just because LW showed that her father could be reformed. Meanwhile, her father was essentially responsible for the deaths of over 250 people and multiple communities starving. Furthermore, the ML was punished for trying to save people. It did not make any sense to me. The end was almost deflated, felt a lot like the directors just threw their hands in the air and said "let's just end it however and call it a day" which was sad and the entire second arc brought the score down for me.
Would I recommend it? Honestly, if you want something simple to watch without investing emotions into it, this is a good show.
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Engaging cases. Solid Choice for crime solving addicts!
So, if you like Ancient Detective or Imperial Coroner types of dramas, you'll probably enjoy this too.Well done areas:
-Storytelling and pacing of the drama: ~2-3 ep per case. It gives time to develop the characters, and it gives proper time to solve the cases.
-Production: It's at least a mid-budget drama. Sets/Costumes/make up are all pretty good. No over skin smoothing till you can't see the neck vs face line.
-Casting (majority): Not familiar with He Peng but he's doing an excellent job
-Zhai Zi Lu - Always been a fan of his acting but his character is Man Child. Of course, he can act the part, and his line delivery is always on point. The character is hard to like until midway through.
What could've been better:
FL. Not familiar with her prior works, but she has a frozen face, fairly empty stare and can hardly portray an 18 year old. The story character is great just could've executed better. If they casted someone like a Chu Chu (Imperial Coroner) then the character portrayal would've been more convincing.
Ending.... Final case was kind of draggy with semi satisfying ending.
Still the drama is a solid watch! Very Enjoyable
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This review may contain spoilers
local chronicle of the worst parts of Ming Dynasty living
If you are a survivor of childhood abuse, you may want to skip this or get ready to be triggered.Historical drama and not a romance, but love is here, left and right, and wrong. And mystery. And frustration.
There are a few ways to describe this show. The most capturing is a great quiet love story between two mature adults who want to be together (long gazes, shy holding hands and trying to be where the other one is) as well as a love story of a rich and handsome guy who is ready to throw away his family honors and fortune to be with the low status woman he adores, and we can see where her heart starts to quicken! On the third hand 😂this is a story of obsession (not love) that schemes, manipulates and abuses in the name of a higher emotional "fate-driven" entitlement! All wrapped in intelligence of the FL, upright nature of a stoic ML, charms of carefree looker boy SML who stands by his lady, while we cringe at the presence and the smirk of the villain with his fingers in everything.
This is also a frustrating investigative drama following minor yamen cases and the past secrets and mysteries of local residents with power struggle amongst prefectural dignitaries with a few of greedy merchants and stuck-up scholars mixed in.
This drama is a spellbinding story of lower- or middle-class people who struggle with maintaining their morality and staying afloat. You get FL who avoids attention and favors, and even love, while using her gender assigned attributes to keep alive, because that gives her a chance to maybe uncover the secret of her parent's death or someone's misery, and to contribute to giving the world a bit of hope and justice because she is a woman who perseveres by bending rather than breaking - without losing her integrity. You get a sobering sense of how little power most people had in setting own life and how much manipulation they endured which yielded sorrow, disappointment and resignation.
I liked how the drama was made - you don't get awesome color palette, breathtaking views, opulent interiors and frilly costumes as life here is harsh in general unless you are nobility or hold higher office. You don't get swooning females, sword-handling cavaliers professing their love with dimples and receiving eye lid flutters with smiled kisses. You don't get larger than life characters fighting with spiritual powers and heroes who save the day.
Really good script not aiming at dazzling us with cleverness of the yamen investigators, solid characters that slowly reveal what their dilemmas are, great camera work around slightly claustrophobic set and good editing (the director used mini-drama tricks to make this full-length series flow almost effortlessly and move us from one part to another without much unnecessary filler delays). Perfect musical framing. Actors picked for their acting styles and ability to embody the characters.
Unfortunately, after watching the whole series I had to keep my rating low because of anticlimactic and underwhelming ending. Something happened after ep 31 where the script and the story line became weak and the explanation behind what happened in ep36 are completely missing.
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Underrated. Actually it should be watched more
This drama is that underwatched here that I had to make a review to give my thoughts about it. If you want a realistic mystery/investigation drama that stays consistent towards the end then its for you. If you come looking for romance then I advice to still give it a try however the focus might be more on realistic and mature relationships.I can see why dramas like these are underwatched since both MLs are actual imperfect yet so well refined characters, like they feel alive. To summarize, the main lead is not the typical dark/grey/red flag that is cold and unfazed towards the female lead, the ones that is pretty much oversaturated in cdramas, it is the opposite. A love triangle of a longing and active main lead who's spoiled, free and willing to act and contrasts the second main lead who's willing but bound by higher power. Genuinely, people would be turn off by the moment they see such main lead but forget that character storytelling is a vital part of stories. One of my favorite moments in this was when Han Muzhi broke down in the streets to basically vent his frustration on feeling powerless. I just love stories that exploits each character's weaknesses and make it their strength, room to grow and makes it a believable story.
This is a great costume drama and don't let fragile characters who's a rarity in cdramas cloud your judgement. Memorable villain as well.
I would love to see more dramas like this in this color grading style with less grainy and sharpening adding a more realistic feel. Recommended
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How can this only have 7.6?????
Now, this is a perfect example of a drama suffering from prejudices...The ML acting is a shakky at times but the FL... hell, the FL is a brilliant actress, capable of pulling stoic, emotion and wreck whenever the story needs and carries the emotional scenes like very few....
The settings are breathtaking and a good representation of the different climates and peoples in ancient china... where are those that say that chinese dramas are racist????????
And then we have to talk about the story...7.6????? REALLY?????
You want political intrigue??? You have it.
You want a villian that will make you hate his guts??? You have him!!!
You want a romance with REALISTIC pace and not hammered down???? You have it!!!!!
You want brilliant cinematography? You want a gripping story? You want INTERESTING Main and Secundary Characters??
YOU HAVE IT!!!!!
I know that this is not the place to compare, but how can this have 7.6 when My Heroic Husband has 8.2??????
Like My Heroic Husband, the ML starts as a useless coward BUT where in My Heroic Husband he evolves artificially through his modern way of thinking, in this the ML evolves through his experiences AND as a way to impress the FL (how real is that, who hasn't done something to impress a girl)
In here the FL starts Way stronger than the ML, but unlike in My Heroic Husband she DOES NOT humiliate him and she is not DUMB as she understands he is trying to impress him....
An example of an absolutely underrated drama!!!!!
The better My Heroic Husband!!!!!!!!!!!
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One of the Most Unjustly Underestimated Dramas I’ve Ever Seen…
I started this drama based on a recommendation from someone I follow on MDL. The theme has always been one of my favorites, but I must admit that I was completely taken by surprise. *Under the Moonlight* goes far beyond any single theme—it is, in every sense, brilliant.It consists of 36 episodes that felt like 100. But not in a bad way—far from it! Each episode was so captivating, so well executed, that I often felt like I was inside the story, experiencing every little detail of this exceptional work.
I wasn’t familiar with any of the actors, yet I found myself completely enchanted by every single character, as if they were old friends or long-lost relatives.
The storytelling is simple, the dialogues easy to follow, yet each character carries an entire universe within them. And we, on this side of the screen, are left to navigate a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Characters we initially view with suspicion end up winning our hearts, while others who first seem wonderful make us wish we never had to see them again as the story unfolds. But of course, that’s just wishful thinking—the emotional turmoil lasts almost until the very end.
Luo Shu, our main protagonist, is brilliantly portrayed by Hu Bing Qing. She embodies determination and independence from start to finish. I immediately connected with her strong, resilient, and fair personality, even as she was cruelly marginalized. I must confess—I completely fell in love with her sharp gaze, her modest yet stunning and captivating attire. It was fascinating to see how a woman can be incredibly alluring without revealing anything beyond her face. She was, without a doubt, mesmerizing.
Qi Meng Lin, the spoiled rich boy, was brought to life with absolute mastery by Zhai Zi Lu—another actor I wasn’t familiar with, but whom I quickly grew to love. Funny, immature, with a kind of naive arrogance, yet soft-hearted when it comes to protecting women and fulfilling his ten humanitarian deeds. His eccentric nature made me laugh, and more than that, it gave a fresh and unexpected touch to the male lead role. I may not know his other works, but in this one, I adored him.
And of course, there’s Magistrate Han Mu Zhi, whose greatest love has always been his honor. Although he fell for Luo Shu, he never truly chose her above his duty. His devotion to his profession and the people under his care defined him. A noble and charismatic character who wins us over with his integrity.
With a compelling script, outstanding performances, and characters that make us laugh, suffer, and root for them, *Under the Moonlight* has become one of my favorite dramas of the year so far. The simplicity of the production was enriched by breathtaking costumes, stunning accessories, and well-executed action scenes—subtle yet deeply realistic and moving.
The only thing that saddened me was how little recognition this drama has received. It’s heartbreaking that such an outstanding production has gone so unnoticed.
I wholeheartedly recommend it—I loved every second!
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A hidden gem indeed
This drama is a hidden gem for me, despite the low rating. The story is quite intense in the beginning through the mid-arc. The last arc is a disapointment, since the chars seem to lost most of their smartness and keep falling for the obvious tricks. The fl is the power in this drama, but sadly matched for the unworthy ml that just all bark. The actings are good and most of the casts are new face to me, but that don’t matter since I come for the stories and for those who love some good stories, then this drama is a treat for you.Was this review helpful to you?
=> Good series, not exciting, but interesting.
Good historical drama / Romance / InvestigationPLOT: The FL, a courtesan, escapes from the brothel by becoming an informant (and helping to solve the case) for the local magistrate (ML2). She ends up becoming a constable in his team. She meets the ML (a wealthy, spoiled, and carefree young nobleman) whom her father sent away to mature. He falls in love at first sight, but the FL & ML2 (engaged to the daughter of a governor) have developed feelings over the course of their investigations. In addition, a powerful and twisted character (Qin Yi) has long had his sights set on the FL... They'll all be caught in a whirlwind of plots, twists, and power struggles.
+++ A very good CL, endearing.
+++ A talented cast (including the Great Villain, who is as perverse and twisted as you can get).
+++ Superb production, with realistic costumes, sets, hairstyles, behaviors, etc.
+++ OSTs very well suited to the emotions conveyed.
### A few lengths, and the series isn't really addictive.
=> Good series, not exciting, but interesting.
*******************************************************
Bon drama historique / Rom / Investigation
PLOT: La FL, courtisane, s'échappe du bordel en devenant informatrice (et en aidant à résoudre le cas) du magistrat local (ML2). Elle finit par devenir constable dans sa team. Elle rencontre le ML (jeune noble fortuné, gâté et insouciant) que son père a envoyé mûrir en voyage. Il a le coup de foudre, mais la FL & le ML2 (fiancé à la fille d'1 gouverneur) ont dvlpé des sentiments au fil des enquêtes. De +, 1 puissant (Qin Yi) tordu a des vues depuis longtps sur la FL ... Ils vont ts être pris ds 1 tornade de complots, twists, ... ds les luttes de pouvoir.
+++ Un très bon CL, attachant.
+++ Un cast talentueux (mm le Great Villain, qui est pervers, tordu à souhait).
+++ Superbe réalis°, avec costumes, décors, coiffures, comportements par // au statut, ... réalistes.
+++ OSTs très adaptées aux émotions transmises.
### Qq longueurs & la série n'est pas vraiment addictive.
=> Bonne série, pas passionnante, mais intéressante.
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Bad mixture
My review is purely subjective. After hundreds of dramas, it seemed to me that I had once again found a watchable drama. I'm not too strict with details if it fits the overall picture, e.g. a mature Hu Bing Qing playing a very young woman or her character suddenly being an officer. I liked the beginning, the crimes were eerily shocking and I was curious to see how the whole thing would develop. But then the silly, not to say idiotic character Qi Meng Lin, played by Zhai Zi Lu, took centre stage - and ruined the show for me, so I stopped the drama. I was not interested in a very smart young woman, a former maid, starts a love affair with a spoilt guy who is socially far above her. Qi Meng Lin acts like a light switch, when it's supposed to be funny he's stupid and clumsy, but when it's needed because there's no one else around, he suddenly has to move the story forward. And oh yes, of course he has a heart of gold. That makes me feel like I'm going to puke. Other viewers with less pretensions seem to have enjoyed the drama. I really have nothing against the actors, the director or the cinematographer, they all did a solid job. In my opinion, it was just the scriptwriter who ruined an exciting drama with the extremely empty-headed love story.Was this review helpful to you?
