Glory

So much Sexism

The most distasteful thing about this drama is that its built off of gender inequality, whether its the FL's family that is pretty oppressive towards men, or the rest of the world that is outrageously oppressive towards women. The worst part of this is that instead of promoting gender equality, it almost feels like they are subtly telling us that oppressing men is good.

One part of the story that I do think was well done was the relationship that the MLs had with their siblings/cousins. Their was plenty of sibling rivalry, but I really liked how the MLs (eespecially Neo's character) made to go out of their way to maintain good relationships with their siblings and cousins to make sure that their families didn't fall apart. On the flip side, I think they did a very poor job building the character of the grandma. They tried way too hard to make her have a complicated relationship with the FL, and they failed pretty bad. The grandma was very unlikeable and brought nothing of value to the plot.

Outside of that the plot was subpar. When I was watching the show, I furious at the scriptwriter because of how bad the plot of the show was. I could not believe it when I found out that this was the same scriptwriter as the one for Story of Yanxi Palace. This was not her best work. The plot was repetitive, and the last 6 episodes were completely unnecessary. Why did they just randomly add a completely irrelevant storyline at the end of the show. Also the plot was constantly trying to sabotage the main couple, and not in the way that its supposed to. The show keeps pushing the agenda that you can't trust the people you love because they might change in the future. Philosophically I think that's just so silly because you are punishing someone for something they didn't even do yet, and it keeps the relationship of the main couple from reaching its potential. Another thing about the show is that there are no good people. Anyone that you see in the show that you think is a good guy, will become a bad guy, and likely for a really stupid reason that is filled with plot holes.


The cast was excellent, in fact it carried the show. If you are watching for the romance and chemistry between Guli Nazha and Neo Hou, you will not be disappointed. Everyone in the cast plays their role very well and all of the couples have wonderful chemistry. Zhao Yi Qin especially does a fantastic job on his character, and was a perfect casting for the role.

Unfortunately the show was heavily overdubbed. Most of the voice actors did a good job, however production did get a bit lazy and some of the sound and movement of the actors' lips were not always in sync. Thankfully they let Neo Hou do the voicework for his own character. I think that it was a mistake to overdub Cheng Xiao, her real voice would have been a better fit for the character. Oddly enough, they did not overdub Zhao ZhaoYi. This was a mistake. I found her voice to be incredibly irritating throughout the show, especially with how many lines she had. The show would have been more enjoyable had she been overdubbed.

The OST was mediocre. In fact it can't even be considered an "Original Soundtrack" because it was not original. They used a popular song called "Zhe Xian". It's a wonderful song and I'm glad they used it, as it was the best song in the soundtrack, but if the best song in the track isn't even theirs, its not a great look on the production team. I did enjoy the one song that Neo Hou sang, but other than that the songs were mid.


The show has no rewatch value. There is nothing super deep that requires a second watch, and the plot was so bad that it leaves you glad that its finally over. The only thing that could possibly be worth revisiting would be the romance, but even then you would be better served looking for compilations on Youtube.


Honestly, the show had potential, and the cast was amazing, but it was ultimately hindered by subpar scriptwriting.

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Reverse Harem Detective Tea Drama

This drama is so witty and lighthearted fun from the first episode. I love when a reverse harem is done right. Many different personalities to see with the suitors as well as with the sisters.

Strong character types for the main leads. Neither being overly strong in any one area but both well rounded in their own ways, challenging each other until the very last episode.

There is a lot on historical tea plantations and the process of producing a quality product as well as the impact of such a family on society. I haven't seen a drama show these things before, so this adds to that new and refreshing feel.

The scenes and sets are lovely and feel big and expansive. The pacing is great; the storyboarding is great. The plot has felt a little lost in episodes 10-15, but it's fun to see any of the characters interacting so I haven't minded this too much. But the drama brings this back on track by episode 16. Everything from episode 17 until 36 builds and gets more engaging with each episode. Fun until the very end :)

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Staying True

I found this refreshing and classy, a bit rushed at the end with a story line that should have been stretched out over 2 series.

To all those who wish that FL would settle down with ML as a happy little wifey with a tea business, yeah, Nah.
To do this she would have to forego her family, her community, her self-worth, everything she has fought for and defended. She would betray the very ideals she was raised with and which her own Grandmother deviated from.
I love C-dramas because so many of their stories have women with agency. The ability to make their own decisions about their lives and not be subjected to the cliches and restrictions of traditional patriarchy.

To the reviewer who was scared off by the 'feminism', educate yourself about its meaning - equal opportunity for all. And to those who think the ML is simping, look again. He still has opportunities to be assertive, aggressive and calculating in his job but he also has the chance to be a part of a supportive and loving relationship and community.
I love the way that role reversal narratives expose social inequities and would like to see less handmaids and more kickass women!

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screaming 'high budget' in bold letters..

Quite an enjoyable plot in fact
delivering better than what you expect of a typical wuxia/period drama plot. There is romance, comedy , suspense, crime investigation, family politics,business rivalry, Amnesia, contest participation, literally almost everything you can ask for. I loved the lead characters played by HMH and Gul , both are strong, inspiring, smart, calculating, kind but not innocently weak. HMH showed a bit different shade from what he usually does ..this time he is not playing the immortal upright personality but somewhat conniving and strategizing persona. Giving more of a punch to it Gul is playing an intellectual,bold and witty businesswoman. She is pulling that ice cold yet secretly caring poised look with brilliance.

Both leads have superb 'who-will- outsmart-the-other chemistry, which is honestly very refreshing cause at this point I am just bored of that cringe bubblegum romance.

Moving on to other people cheng xiao particular grabbed my attention i almost couldn't recognise her at first ..her looks, expressions and body language ..clearly she did a lot of work on that .. unfortunately they still had dub her voice.

Apart from that there is a long list of actors who are either very popular for their support roles or household names in the short drama fanbase.. Richard li, Zhao yi qin , Zhao jiamin, asher ma , teng ze wan, Zhao Zhao yi ,yu yin ..and there are so many who are yet make their appearances in the plot. I mean this is by far the best casting I have seen in any Cdrama, they must have spent a good budget on it.


Styling is unique, Looking inspired by the Mongolian and USSR fusion (when it was USSR) their attires , accessories and fur headpieces are so just so adorable. Clearly the styling dept has put real efforts here.

Moreover the aesthetic and detailing in the set designing, the soothing BGM and scenic tea plantations. Literally everything about this drama is screaming high budget.

Definitely a must-watch.

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Gulnezer Bextiyar Shines in a Story of Fierce Women and Unbreakable Values

Gulnezer Bextiyar is absolutely mesmerizing in this role. Her beauty aside, it’s her acting—her subtle expressions, her poise, her quiet strength—that makes her character feel truly regal, like a born queen.

This drama tells the story of women raised by their grandmother to be fierce, proud, and deeply connected to their lineage. They fight each other endlessly, yet when faced with outsiders, they become unbreakable. That sisterhood, flawed but powerful, is one of the drama’s strongest points.

What makes this series stand out is the relationship between the FL and ML. Both are strong, principled individuals who never diminish each other. There are no overused sacrifice clichés—only choices shaped by belief, values, and moral responsibility. A rare and satisfying watch.

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Never think twice if you’re about to watch this drama. It’s a 10/10 for me.

If you love women-centric shows, this is the one for you, absolutely amazing.

(Continue reading only if you’re okay with minor spoilers about the characters and my personal interpretation of the show, which may differ from person to person.)

And honestly, I understand that the newly introduced characters at the ending might throw some people off. But if you watch it with an open mind, trust me, you’ll understand what this whole story was truly about and how it was important to complete the message.
It focused on many aspects, but one of the most important ones was women. I won’t spoil much, but this story feels truly needed to be watched. To me, it speaks about how women can uphold a dynasty, how they can rule, make their own decisions, and shape history.
That’s exactly why I don’t hate the newly added characters at the end which represent women who didn’t have privilege, protection, or nurturing, unlike Rong Shan Bao and her sisters. It showed how women were treated in the past, confined to their own cages, with little freedom or choice; it shows the harsh reality many women faced.
On the other side, through Rong Shan Bao and her sisters, the drama also shows us what a woman truly is and I feel this part reflects today’s world more. It represents a time where no one can impose themselves on us. We deserve respect and equality, and we are not behind anyone.
I don’t know if everyone will get it the way I did, but the way I perceived this drama gave me immense joy, and I loved every essence of it.

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Glory: A Love Story That Forgot Its Own Heart

Glory has left a bitter taste, which lingers precisely because its beginning was so exceptionally sweet. The setup promised a feast for the imagination: a story of epic love and intellectual equals set against a refreshingly different world. I’ve let my thoughts settle for days, re-watching key scenes to ensure my feelings are rooted in the story itself, not external factors like production changes. As a romantic, I truly hoped for the grand, fulfilling love story I was initially sold.

And what a magnificent setup it was. Shanbao, heir to a 400-year-old matriarchal household, was introduced as smart, ruthless, and in total control of her marriage destiny—a thrilling concept at the time. Lu Jianglai, the cunning and righteous magistrate, was her perfect counterpart, a man of brilliance and brawn. Their first, electric contact—her perceptive gaze meeting his eyes, drawing him in as he took a subtly advancing step—was a masterstroke. It was a starting line on a map of connection, sparking immediate excitement for the journey ahead.

The narrative was genius. Him, amnesiac and rescued by her, living in her household as she chose a husband from a pool of suitors—it was a delicious, spicy dynamic. Watching him climb from stablehand to her right hand and into her heart, using his wit and optimism despite the power imbalance, was utterly captivating. We were promised a tangled, beautiful mess upon the inevitable revelation of his identity, and the story delivered thrillingly up to that midpoint.

Then, it unraveled.

The focus diffused onto side characters, some undeservedly redeemed. More critically, the core dynamic fractured. Shanbao evolved from a brilliant leader into an almost omniscient figure, her scheming losing its connective tissue to Jianglai. She kept him deliberately in the dark, schemed behind his back—sometimes against his interests—and her reactions to his vulnerability turned cold. Where there should have been partnership, there was distance; where there should have been care, there was a smirk. The contrast was stark, especially in moments like when he was drugged and emotionally overexposed—she met his sincere, out-of-character confession with a careless smirk, a far cry from the nurturing relationship the story’s early dynamic had promised.

The most jarring shift came during his captivity. After he starved himself in protest for seven days, her rescue offered a glimmer of hope. Yet, the moment he regained consciousness and showed his love and vulnerability, she shook her head in what seemed like amusement. Even if I misread this reaction, it felt out of place. But what broke my heart most was what was lost in that iconic scene: he had poured his heart out, recounting how he, his brother, and his mother were grievously wronged by the biological father who held him captive—a man forcing him to become an heir to a legacy he never wanted and had spent his life rejecting. He had even refused his father’s name, choosing instead the name of the foster father who raised, educated, and made him the man he was. Yet, despite her promises not to leave, and her portrayal as all-knowing and clever enough to solve any problem, she ultimately left him trapped in the very fate he despised. His profound sincerity appeared uncherished. This echoed earlier betrayals—such as when she seemed to take pleasure in his longing, only to lock him away to force a wedding, rendering his heartfelt promises meaningless and her smile cruel. In the end, despite her purported brilliance, she seemed indifferent to his deep unhappiness at being forced back into his biological family. The passionate woman who once treasured a single magnolia flower on her pillow was gone, replaced by someone who felt calculating and, ultimately, selfish.

The narrative imbalance only deepened this betrayal. The story dedicated some thirty episodes to Shanbao’s world, while Lu Jianglai’s own history and perspective were confined to less than six. Even with so little, his performance was so powerful that I fell hard for his character, rooting for him completely. This made the final disconnect unbearable: he loved her sincerely and consistently, while her actions spoke differently. Her household and legacy were consistently prioritized above their relationship, and the very omnipotence the story gave her made her failure to find a way to save her love from a fate he hated feel like a choice. If she truly loved him, how could she conclude in the last episode that their lives were simply not meant to be together? It was the ultimate narrative contradiction.

The build-up was so strong that the letdown was complete. The final professions of love from Jianglai felt unearned by her and tragically pathetic for him. The show made a promise of an epic, equal, and passionate love story—a promise built on unforgettable introductions, electric chemistry, and an ingenious premise. In the end, that promise was not just broken; it felt like a lie. What could have been a truly great ending was lost, leaving only the bitter aftertaste of squandered potential.

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A glorious watch as long as you haven't already seen spoilers

I watched this drama while it aired and with a group friends, and I think it was such a fun drama to watch together and discuss episode by episode. It starts off very strong and fun - with Hou Minghao as Jianglai kicking butt and Nazha as Shanbao looking or a husband. Then in my opinion, it becomes less "relaxing" of a drama and one that has deeper (but important) meanings. As the drama goes on, there's more to read between the lines about the characters. Sometimes, it's written to keep you in suspense and the outcome might not be as fulfilling, but overall, whether it was predictable or not, the acting and the story kept me hooked throughout the 36 episodes. The final arc felt a bit disconnected but if you take a step back, it actually does a great job of wrapping up the story and the drama's intentions to portray the gender-reversed storyline. It's actually quite clever and the cast delivered.

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This is by far the best Cdrama I have ever watched!!

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but for the first time ever, I made an account just to give this drama a proper 10. Yes, this C-drama is that good. I started watching when it only had 19 episodes because the synopsis intrigued me, and lo and behold, it ended up becoming one of—if not the—best C-dramas I’ve watched since I started a year ago. I can now confidently say that C-dramas can deliver when they truly try. They can reach greatness—on the same level as some of the best K-dramas I’ve ever seen.

The execution of this drama had my jaw dropping almost every episode. The writing is far above most C-dramas I’ve watched. The cinematography and direction are simply chef’s kiss. The character dynamics are insane—I’ve never been this entertained by a battle for succession. The soundtrack is amazing, and every arc had me completely hooked. My eyes were literally glued to the screen whenever I watched. Every actor and actress played their role perfectly, and honestly, I don’t remember being bored at any point. It’s just that entertaining.

And if you’re looking for romance, you’re absolutely on the right track. Even the second and third leads have incredibly captivating love stories. One of this drama’s strongest points is the push-and-pull between the couples—if you know, you know. And if you don’t, just watch it.

Watching each episode felt like watching a movie because of how well it was made. And the aspect ratio—don’t even get me started. It was such a genius creative choice and added so much to the overall experience. Pair that with strong writing, a compelling story, and interesting characters, and you get a truly cinematic experience.

If I had to point out a flaw—and I can’t believe I’m saying this—it’s that the drama is too short. I wanted more. Usually, my complaint with C-dramas is unnecessary dragging, but this time, I actually wished there were more episodes. I wanted more development and buildup in the final arcs after the Rong family conflict was resolved because I was genuinely curious about what came next. Aside from that, any other flaws are insignificant compared to how brilliantly this drama was crafted.

Overall: 10/10. One of the very few C-dramas I consider on par with some of the best K-dramas I’ve ever watched.

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