Filter

Lies again and again

I'll be very blunt and straightforward be prepared.
Everyone is praising how this drama is funny but in my case the fact that the FL is continually lying until the episode 23 is a big no no for me and that didn't let me enjoy the comedic aspect. The lies were understadable in the beginning he was a jerk to her and she needed that job, but after the photoshoot, i was more and more repulsed by her actions. I couldn't find anything funny since most of the funny scenes were based on the absurdity of all the lies.
I HATE LIES in dramas. She made one good use of her filter : to catch a cheater and punish him. Other than that it's used to lie to the ML.
Maybe you'll desagree with me (i'm sure most ppl will find it funny i just couldn't).

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Lack of consequences

Dropping at episode 23, which will probably be telling to those who watched the whole drama (or at least up until this point). During the first 10 episodes, I disliked both the ML and FL; the first was arrogant turned laughable, the second selfish and lacking empathy. But eventually I made it through (with a big help of the second couple, who actually were decent and sympathetic characters), and then grew more and more curious how the crucial moment, when FL's secret will be revealed, will play out. Turns out - it was nonexistent. The FL said sorry, the ML nodded, and that was pretty much it. No consequences, no explanations, no reactions which would suit normal human beings. As a result of it, the ML feels pathetic and FL like Mary Sue with a free pass. Not for me; I prefer romances with balanced, equal couples, instead of those where one is butt of every joke and borderline desperate, while the other is "cool" and can't do any wrong (regardless of which gender gets which role).

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Love, Laughter, and a War on Insecurities: The Magic of Filter

Some dramas entertain, some move you, and then there’s "Filter"—a drama that sneaks up on you, flips your perspective, and leaves you staring at your reflection with new eyes. This is not just a story; it’s an exploration of perception, an introspection on how deeply subjective beauty truly is. With its sharp wit, refreshing humor, and deeply human characters, "Filter" takes viewers on a ride that’s as funny as it is poignant.

The Core Theme: Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

"Filter" stands out because it dares to challenge the rigid, almost suffocating standards of beauty and self-worth. It’s a drama about how we filter the world through our own insecurities and preconceived notions—and how sometimes, those filters need to be shattered.

Chengcheng (played by Landry Li) is our heroine, and let’s get one thing straight—she’s NOT the poster child for a dramatic "ugly-duckling-to-swan" transformation. She’s strong, athletic, and downright adorable, yet she’s spent her life feeling like an outlier in a world that worships delicate features and airbrushed beauty. She’s not conventionally flawed, but she’s been made to feel like she is, and that’s where the magic of her character lies. She moves awkwardly in social settings, second-guesses herself, and yet when push comes to shove (literally), she’s a powerhouse of confidence and skill. Watching her journey through multiple personas feels deeply personal, like flipping through an old diary filled with self-doubts that, in hindsight, were never really true.

On the other side of the spectrum is Tang Qi (played by the ever-mesmerizing Tan Jianci). Now, this man is the epitome of "effortlessly cool"—stylish, intelligent, ambitious, and socially awkward in a way that makes him unintentionally hilarious. His comment about Chengcheng making herself look "messy" wasn’t some dagger meant to wound—it was a clean-cut guy just noticing that his comfort-zone-violating counterpart exists in a different aesthetic realm. Their initial friction is a battle of perceptions, but what makes it satisfying is how organically they begin to see through each other’s filters and dismantle them, piece by piece.

The Writing: Sharp, Witty, and Unexpectedly Funny

Many rom-coms try (and fail) to balance humor and depth, often resorting to either cringe-worthy slapstick or tired tropes. "Filter" does neither. The comedic timing is impeccable—whether it’s an offhand remark, a perfectly placed reaction shot, or an unexpected punchline that lands so well you find yourself actually laughing (not just politely exhaling through your nose).

Some of the scenes, like the alpaca bent on makeup destruction, are so out of the blue and unexpected that you can’t help but burst out laughing, like a rogue wave of hilarity crashing into an otherwise normal moment. It’s the kind of humor that feels effortless, never forced—one minute you’re following a serious narrative, and the next, a perfectly timed quip or absurd situation sneaks up on you, catching you delightfully off guard.

And then there’s Tang Qi’s dance scene—pure, comedic gold. A moment that shouldn’t work but somehow does, much like the entire essence of "Filter." It’s these small but sparkling moments that make the drama stand out.

The Chemistry: Leads & Second Couple Steal the Show

The romantic tension between Chengcheng and Tang Qi is very cute—organic, filled with tiny moments of realization rather than grand, dramatic gestures. Their awkwardness makes them real, and their growth makes their eventual connection all the more rewarding. But let’s not ignore the second couple—Yuan and Gu Yu. If the main leads’ relationship is a slow burn, Yuan and Gu Yu’s is an electric spark. Their dynamic is pure entertainment, a mix of fate and delightful contrast, with Gu Yu’s sizzling style and Yuan’s charming unpredictability making them impossible not to root for.

The Emotional Toll: Misconceptions, Hurt, and Growth

One aspect of Filter that may turn some viewers off is the emotional damage caused by both leads due to their misconceptions about each other. While never truly malicious, Chengcheng and Tang Qi unintentionally hurt each other through misjudgments, assumptions, and the ways they process their own insecurities. There are moments where their interactions toe the line of emotional gaslighting—with Chengcheng literally offing her various fake personas and deeply wounding Tang Qi just because she couldn't grasp the simple fact that Tang Qi is in love with her personality no matter what she looked like. In a way, it reflects how flawed, imperfect, and deeply human they are.

This is part of what makes the drama so compelling. It doesn’t sugarcoat the reality that people, no matter how well-intentioned, can be blind to how their words and actions affect others. Chengcheng and Tang Qi are not perfect individuals, nor do they magically transform into flawless beings by the end. They remain imperfect, but together, they fit in a way that is magical. Their love story isn’t about perfection—it’s about acceptance, growth, and learning to see each other without the distortions of insecurity and fear.

The OST & Cinematography: Aesthetic, Emotional, and Atmospheric

A well-placed soundtrack can elevate a scene from good to unforgettable, and "Filter" nails this aspect. The OST doesn’t just exist in the background—it enhances every moment, adding emotional depth or whimsical charm exactly when needed. Visually, the drama maintains a balance between aesthetic and authenticity, never feeling overproduced or detached from reality... as real as a magical bracelet can get.

Final Verdict: A Rare Gem Worth Watching

"Filter" isn’t just about romance; it’s about self-perception, societal expectations, and learning to see without the constraints of outdated filters. It’s an insightful, refreshing take on beauty—one that reminds us that the right eyes will always see past the imperfections we think we have. It delivers humor without forcing it, emotions without melodrama, and a story that lingers long after the last scene fades.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Whether you come for the laughs, the romance, or the sheer brilliance of its theme, "Filter" is a drama that deserves to be seen—without any filters.

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Unique drama with lots of entertainment and nice execution

I decided to watch this one only for TanJianci but I didn't expect much from this drama as it was an original script so didn't know what to expect n initial promo were not much interesting either, but man then the drama actually gave me such a pleasant surprise by being so good that I was so hooked from the first 4 episodes itself, becos I found the concept very unique, so different from all the typical romance idol dramas which I m getting bored of becos of same story in evryone of them more or less! So this one came as a breathe of fresh air. And i was in a good cdrama slump from so long, this drama finally broke that n made me so hooked from the getgo. The story is fresh, the acting is sooo soo good of everyone and the execution of the drama is the best thing for me here, becos nowadays I find very very less dramas having a good execution. A good execution for me is when the story flows smoothly, the scene transition makes sense, has connection from one scene to another, n the scene don't jst jump from one to another without making sense that we feel how did this happen suddenly!! So i had nothing to complain here in that department too.
Now about acting, i loved evryone's acting, all the supporting actors who played Su Cheng cheng actually acted like SCC that they actually made it very convincing that u feel they r actually SCC only. Even Wang HongYi n Tan Jianci(though he played for few seconds only )played SCC to the perfection. Ofcourse credit goes to the director too! Although I heard this director is new he did a very well job of executing this show so smoothly!
And how can I not praise the one for whom I started to watch this drama! TAN JIANCI, TAKE A BOW Man! Each and every time n in every role u just amaze everyone n leave evryone just spellbound. N the most unique quality of his is, that no character of his looks like the other character or even like Jianci himself! He has this unique ability to make every character actually have their own essence and qualities n expression that u can't even imagine the same actor played that other role too! Like u can't find shenyi or mo qingchang in Tang Qi or, Yuan Mo in FFB or XL! Heck u can't even find FFB in XL too, he portrayed them so differently in jst one show even though they were same person in the same drama. That's the quality of a very brilliant actor. Which is rare trust me!
My first time seeing Li Landi and i really liked her acting too, she is very cute and pretty and suited SCC ckt so so well! I can't imagine anyone else playing SCC n she look so adorable.
So to conclude don't miss this one unique drama with nice different concept if u wish to watch something different than the usual idol romance stories n want to have good entertainment and feel stress free from ur daily life with having few laughs. I will definitely rewatch this!

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Funny, exciting, and good chemistry.

Thought this was gonna be the same old boring drama about a girl who doesn't like her looks. Nope! FL may not like how she looks, but that doesn't stop her from helping people and working hard.

Main actor had to make the audience believe he is in love with the face filters fl used. He did it!

His acting is so well done it's insane.
Each character he fell for was believable.

The women that had to act for the filters did excellent in portraying fl personality.

The chemistry was there for Jianci and Landi.

The script was really fun! Didn't think I would like this drama, but decided to watch it anyways.

If you're looking for something cute and funny with a happy ending. Then start this!

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Filter: Image or Sentiment?

An insecure woman is given a filter bracelet, which can alter her appearance, and chaos ensues when her former high school crush keeps falling for her alternate identities.

The performance by the lead cast was very entrancing (especially the alpaca), and the actors who played the alternate identities were great in portraying the characteristics of the original. The scenes when the filter was being used were transitioned very well. It really felt like it was the same person the audience was engaged with. The music was a favorable addition to exhibit the emotions. The secondary characters and their story were wonderful and didn't overshadow the main story flow.

Personal boundaries and psychological lines have been crossed for a few grins. The female and male leads are morally gray to an extent, and their actions at times are hard to connect to and understand. The miscommunication trope has been used a lot. The last few episodes could have been reduced. It didn't add much to the story after the problem was resolved.

Overall, even with cliches and an already used storyline, the drama had its unique qualities and was entertaining.

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Funny & Infuriating

Filter may be the only true Chinese romcom I have ever seen. I don't often laugh out loud, but I did several times while watching this. I was pleasantly surprised, and eagerly went from episode to episode.

Alas, it is not perfect. The conflicts created by the FL being able to change her appearance are incredibly repetitive. There are stretches of time when the FL sadly isn't onscreen because her other personas have taken over.
The ML is a true loser in love - a pitiful guy who makes you want to yell at the screen "get it together!" (Still, a refreshing role to see TJC in)

But I think the most disappointed aspect of the show was the rather serious plot given to the 2nd FL in the last 5 episode of the series. The focus steered away from the lead couple and away from the fun.

Filter managed to stick the landing, but not without countless moments of hair-pulling frustration.

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A rainbow is beautiful because of its many colors!

I’m really glad I gave this one a shot! I usually have a hard time getting into modern Cdramas, but Filter pulled me in with its charm, comedy, and surprising emotional resonance. It starts off feeling like a silly, lighthearted romance with a weird sci-fi premise — but turns out to have way more depth than expected.

The comedy in the first half had me laughing out loud (the alpaca 😂), and the romance between Tang Qi and Su Cheng Cheng ended up being really sweet once it got going. Tan Jianci was so good — going from cold and closed-off to warm and loving in a way that felt natural and earned. Landy Li also shines here, especially as Cheng Cheng’s confidence grows over time.

Favorite Moments:

x Gu Yu and Yuan's meeting (🤢🚗)

x Su Miao vs lightning

x the alpaca

x Tang Qi in Yuan's apartment bewildered by Su Cheng Cheng as the gold statue and then framed art

x Yuan gushing about her characters and artwork lol

x Gu Yu cooking for Yuan or just in general being the world's best boyfriend

x that tennis match LOL

x Quan Sheng Tang's "death"

The invisibility arc toward the end dragged a little for me, and the unplanned pregnancy twist felt like it came out of nowhere. But I appreciated how the drama still tied everything back to its core message: beauty and transformation aren’t bad — it’s about intention and self-acceptance.

Would I rewatch? Probably not — but I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something funny, heartfelt, and romantic in a modern setting. It made me smile more than I expected, and I’m really happy I stuck with it to the end. 💖

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A drama that reminds you what a good drama should be

Finally, a modern fantasy that respects its audience. When discussing feminism and the rise of girl power, we sometimes focus too much on how a woman should act in certain situations rather than recognizing, validating, and understanding why she makes those choices. This drama does exactly that—it sees women. A good drama should convey its message through its plot, the actors' performances, and the overall atmosphere. And, of course, it needs conflict. In this case, the misunderstandings between the ML and FL from the beginning and how they bridge the gap as the story unfolds create a compelling dynamic. Filter nailed it.

Kudos to Tan Jianci for his performance. I love this kind of "unconventional" ML—one who breaks the mold of typical male leads in Asian dramas. And yet, this kind of man is just a regular person! He doesn't operate in god mode, always knowing everything. He has emotions, he can be blunt, he can cry, doubt himself, and even be a "victim" rather than someone who dominates the world. Compared to Tan Jianci’s other roles, this one is definitely unique—and sooooooo adorable. So much complexity.

And to those criticizing either the FL or ML, accusing one of bullying the other—you won’t be saying that after finishing all the episodes. So go watch it! Otherwise, congratulations—this drama has already drawn you in, making you see things from the FL or ML’s perspective.

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Be confident in who you are. ᕙ⁠(⁠⇀⁠‸⁠↼⁠‶⁠)⁠ᕗ

Lets talk about female lead 1 st : 

Truly speaking, I don't like the female lead. She is not ugly, but she just doesn't take care of herself.

First of all, her interview—she wants to work in a company that produces beauty products, yet for the interview, she didn't wear anything formal. I always thought you needed to wear formal attire for an interview, but apparently not!

Then, let's talk about the alumni program—
she went there to see her crush, and her friend helped her a lot by dressing her up and doing her makeup. But suddenly, she started working! Not just that, she even started opening bottle caps just because others asked her to! ¯⁠\⁠_⁠ಠ⁠_⁠ಠ⁠_⁠/⁠¯

Now, about her new job—she went there to work, but suddenly she decided to show up with that face and started modeling instead of doing her actual work, which made her colleagues suffer. If I were a colleague, I would have been angry too. And then, out of nowhere, she became a full-time employee, which felt so unfair. →⁠_⁠→
Also, how did she even know where Mr. Tang lives? And after going there, she just suddenly fell asleep—uff, I hate this female character, she’s so annoying.¯⁠\⁠_⁠〳⁠ ⁠•̀⁠ ⁠o⁠ ⁠•́⁠ ⁠〵⁠_⁠/⁠¯



Okay, now about the male lead:

I hate him.(⁠눈⁠‸⁠눈⁠) No matter what, he always ignores her but likes her other faces. He even called her ugly before =⁠_⁠= and didn’t want to apologize. He said he liked her personality, but how come he never noticed it before? He was always biased. After episode 5, the female lead became okay, not as annoying as before.

There is only One thing I hated about the lead was that he only noticed her when she had a new face. But , he got punished by seeing them disappear or die (⁠✷⁠‿⁠✷⁠). Later, when he lost the ability to see colors, he finally noticed her—༎ຶ⁠‿⁠༎ຶbecause she was the only one who remained colorful. When she got caught, I felt bad for her because she genuinely tried her best to hide the truth.



**Episode 24**
I really liked this episode. Finally, the moment I was waiting for happened—she confronted him:

"You like me? You like Su Miao's pretty face and Fang Jin's personality. I have nothing. Why do you like me?" (⁠-̩̩̩⁠-̩̩̩⁠-̩̩̩⁠-̩̩̩⁠-̩̩̩⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠-̩̩̩⁠-̩̩̩⁠-̩̩̩⁠-̩̩̩⁠-̩̩̩⁠)

I wanted to add more, like: "You have always been biased against me, thought I was a bad person, a bully, etc. You treated me unfairly from the start."
(⁠T⁠T⁠)
Everything seemed fine until she became invisible. Anyway, I liked the ending—it was done perfectly. The message was clear: be confident in who you are. I also loved the OST that played during the drama!
(⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)⁠❤

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An extraordinary story "dedicated to ordinary me and you" (cit. ending quote)

Filter will engage and entertain you since the very beginning, leaving a mellow aftertaste long time after you're done watching it, independently of your personal genre-preferences and expectations. Its fresh, original plot and well-crafted dialogues smoothly range from modern fantasy to comedy and then to a romance. Because of its uniqueness, this is a rare (if not the only) story I've ever rated with full marks.

PLOT: the protagonists (main couple) greatly differ from each other, FL can be described as a "force of nature", she is (at least, physically) stronger, she is a straightforward, positive and somewhat immature girl liking a guy who percieves her as a bully since they were in the school. She makes him shiver, out of fright, even disgust... and being the ML a rational, "scientific" but also a romantic person who awaits his "one and only" in life, they are apparently "not meant to be", unless... certain "filters" help them in clearing misconceptions, in understanding their reciprocal fragilities (like FL's insecurity about her looks) and flows (ML's tetrachromacy with higher-intensity light receptors) and, finally, in combining their very different (read: opposite) point of views. Because love is "a deep desire to see the life and the world around us throught the eyes of Another". This deep desire is so palpable in Filter and both FL and ML will radically (and positively) influence each other in the way how they see the world around them.

But love is also a magic, and the FL comes early into a possession of a powerful magical tool: a super-tech bracelet which can shape-shift her appearence into... well, almost anything else, but which is also very "experimental" and needs frequent updates which create even more misunderstandings, tensions and twists.

There are also "additional tools" which help to create the right atmosphere and rythm/pace of the drama: eg. well chosen bgm, the 2 opening osts, Du Qing 渡情 from the '90s xianxia drama New Legends of Madame White Snake, the constant reference/homage to "Something Like an Autobiography" which immediately creates a connection with one of the greatest movie directors/visual storytellers ever, Kurosawa, and alludes to his most famous movie, Rashomon, dealing with how various people who have witnessed a murder of a samurai in a forest differently describe the events relating to the murder. They are all telling the truth, but the truth greatly varies according to their own point of view. Last but not least, the references to LYF also contribute to the fun.

CAST: One word - perfect. After The Starry Love, I've never doubted Li Landi could perform such a strong (yet profoundly fragile) character in a romcom, but Tan Janci in the role of Tang Qi will be a revelation, he may not be good in tennis, but his microexpressions are always so much on point, what a talented actor! All side characters are well-casted and well-written, as well.

All in all, although I'm not into a "romance" at all, I'm very glad I've seen this brilliant drama and I warmly recommend its vision: it is good and it will highly boost your serotonine level

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The truth untold.

» [Review # 12] «
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Filter is a drama capable of healing wounds you thought were forgotten.
It has it all: drama, sci-fi elements, love (not just romantic love), thought-provoking questions, and comic relief.
A story is not just the narration of fictional events. It's also a piece of work capable of moving the viewer to tears, getting someone to think and live the event narrated. Filter, with its memorable yet ordinary characters, does justice to the everyday struggles and insecurities of modern society.

▶︎ This story is dedicated to the ordinary you and me. ◀

What happens when you grow up thinking someone else is always better than you, more attractive than you, more clever than you? You become an adult with profound scars who belittles yourself. No good can enter your life, so you get used to the mediocrity.
What if I were cleverer, more beautiful, and more social? Then the others could see my true self?
But I'm not. Until I acquire the ability to be the best version of myself.
A hyper-technological device gives me the power to alter my appearance, burying my insecurities behind a filter.
They say beauty does not matter, but it does. It matters so much that I could become addicted to the overwhelming sensation I feel whenever I change to a better version of myself.
But a life built on lies is still worth living?

▶︎ Even without a magical bangle, my eyes had filters. ◀

Filter is not just the title. It depicts the reality human beings live. We don't want to face it, but we all go on with our lives and make decisions based on filtered pieces of reality.
When we meet someone, first impressions shape our feelings towards that person. Time could change these feelings, but it's not set in stone.
The story of Su Chengcheng and Tang Qi conveys this possibility. A relationship that spans years was founded on misconception and prejudice. And here comes one of those questions: if they never got to know each other thanks to the magical bangle, would they have the chance to clear these misunderstandings? Probably not.

▶︎ Final considerations. ◀
NOTE: depending on your sensitivity, you might find some things mentioned as spoiler.

Filter had the potential to be a hidden gem in Chinese Dramaland. And, to some extent, it was. However, some writing decisions and a few loose ends left me dissatisfied.
1. Poor writing decisions: actions taken by some characters didn't seem coherent with the psychology of that character. That resulted in a sloppy conclusion that seemed an attempt to take off the burden of a dubious and incoherent choice made by the scriptwriter.
2. Loose ends: not everything was addressed properly by the end of the drama. I would have liked to know more about the bangle - its origin, who created it, and why - as well as the mysterious grandma. I suppose they couldn't go deeper due to the censorship. Nonetheless, what a pity.
3. Casting-wise, Li Landi seems miscast. Viewers can see how beautiful she is, despite being made look 'uglier' for plot purposes. The only explanation I could give myself was this: the character of Su Chengcheng was never intended to be ugly, as she is a fine lady. It was the lack of self-confidence and the perception of those around her that made her look less good-looking. In that regard, even this shows how the eyes of those we love have filters.

PROS:

- Questioning the standard of beauty and challenging the ideal beauty in modern society were much appreciated;
- The lack of self-esteem of Chengcheng and why she got accustomed to using the bangle/filter were portrayed properly;
- Tang Qi is a green forest
- The second couple is cute, even though I wasn't that much invested in them

CONS:

- The second couple's sub-plot made me roll my eyes towards the end of the drama due to a stupid and sloppy writing decision;
- The whole bangle-like filter thing went down the drain: so many questions, so few answers.
- Su Chengcheng, portrayed by Li Landi, being a meh girl is a bit ridiculous.

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