My Name Is Zhao Wu Di (2024)

Fun Harlequin bodyguard-trope mini-drama that gets unnecessarily convoluted

My Name is Zhao Wu Di is a rather silly, but sexy and fun mini-drama starring Zhao Yaoke and Leo Yang, that pushes the "skinship" and innuendo boundaries of what we would normally see in C-dramas.

You may have seen Zhao Yaoke in The Day of Becoming You and The Imperial Coroner, both very good full-length dramas. I also liked her in Healing Food, Healing Love with Zhang He. Leo Yang, or Yang Yeming, only came onto my radar last year with the (even more smoldering and boundary-pushing) Republican Era short-length series, Miss Mystery. In Zhao Wu Di, viewers will either swoon over the gratuitous shirtless scenes and his smoldering stares -- or find his "dead-fish eyes" an emotionless turn-off. Cheng Long, who plays the supporting side-kick security guard, was one of the highlights.

Among bite-sized mini-dramas with the "Bodyguard" romance trope, this is one of the better ones in terms of action-sequences, acting, and overall production value -- and unlike the vast majority of short-length dramas, this one was mostly filmed with live audio, meaning the actors are not poorly dubbed by another voice actor. But marring the drama's overall potential is a plot that gets unnecessarily derailed by increasingly convoluted and silly twists as the storyline progresses, culminating in a laughable climax involving the villain and his cellphone (I don't want to give any "spoilers" -- however predictable -- but you'll know when you see it).

Still, if you're looking for a low-commitment drama fix or background watch and your tolerance for goofy plot developments is high, Zhao Wu Di is a quick and easy watch.

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Spy drama for men with great fighting scenes

To save her company an heiress decides to marry a humble security guard. But who is he?

This drama is a guilty pleasure for those who like spy movies with a lot of action. The fights are marvellous. And the bromance between the Second Male Leads and the hero is great. This drama is like a James Bond movie in which all the Female Leads beg Male Leads to have intercourse with them. So our fellow MDL men members might like this romance.

Pros:
- Leo Yang is great in every aspect in this drama, whether it is comedy, action or romance.
- Great action scenes.
- Good Chemistry between Second Female Lead and Male Lead.
- Sexual tension.
- Great chubby Second Male Lead. A great surprise.
- Fast pacing .
- A lot of steamy moments, especially with the Second Female Lead, those are well executed.

Cons:
- Zero Chemistry between Female Lead and Male Lead. Too bad she is too cold. Even in intimate scenes she is cold. Luckily Male Lead saves the day.
- The plot is developed superficially. The writer could have gone farther. It was ok though.
- The climax with the villain is to predictible. If you know "the bourn identity", this is the same topic. But rushed.

Overall: This is an entertaining and beautiful drama with beautiful actresses and a eye-candy Male Lead.
If you like spy movies, this drama is for you.

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