What a Good Girl

How can i even review this marvelous story!

I had watched this drama with the title "THE ROSE IS POISONOUS" and totally got blowed away by the fantastic story and the two mainleads that totally put it on fire with their EXPLOSIVE chemistry! Its about redemption, survival and recovery. A quite cruel and heartbreaking story actually, what the poor heroine had to do to survive the hell she had endured for 10 years. Even the badass Male hero cried his heart out for her misery. Both of them had some Anti and villain characteristics that could be conisdered redflags-but they matched even more for that! The beautiful Male hero never wavered in his commitment and love for his heroine, every step of the freaking way!

Read More

One of the most amazing short series I watched

OMAIIIGGGOOOTTT! I watched this as 'Rules Were Never Her Thing' in DramaBox. This short series is so good! I can't explain how much you guys that haven't watched this should watch it cus honestly I watched most short series and most of them weren't really good but this one is just wow! From the acting and most of the short series doesn't bother with the details and stuff but this one does.

The actors did a perfect job on showing/expressing the roles and like even when they cried it was so real. Not to be comparing but these days most actors would just put tear drop to make it seem like they're crying and stuff but not this one. From the gazed of Yu Yin seeing the painting of Dawn to Ke Chun looking at Yu Yin with his eyes showing so much emotions especially in ep. 62 when they tried to shake off the cars that followed them. It was too good! I'm also in love with the background music they really did a great job at making it climax by putting the perfect OST in each and every scenes.

Read More

Phenomenal on all levels!!!

FYI. This is long!!! In full disclosure, I have watched this in Youtube in the various click bait titles that drama channels used in all upload links which I have saved (and lost) before YT decided to delete all uploaded links (put it back on!!!), I watched this in Dailymotion under title "My Baby Girl, I watched this on Dramafren under the same title, my Baby Girl. I have scoured the internet to look up this drama! Shows how much I love, love, love this drama! To be clear, I am not a fan of Ke Chun. I know of him, I have seen some of his dramas, but he is nowhere near my Top 20 Go-To Vertical/Shortform drama actors. This drama have changed my opinion of him DRASTICALLY.

In all 3 versions of this plotline, this is the drama I have seen first. From what I understood from reading the comments on various links/uploads, this is the 2nd version of the plotline, the 2nd version I watched was actually the first version released and the most recent was the 3rd version of this storyline. I will say in advance, if you have not seen this and are planning on checking out the other versions, Imma be a pal and tell you to watch the other versions first then comeback to this version. You will be disappointed otherwise.

This version is simply LUX compared to the other 2 versions. They are good, don't get me wrong. It's just that the story telling, the costumes, the location, the acting and the chemistry in this drama just set the bar so high, the other version looks bland when you watch it after this version. Why, you may ask. Let me see if I can put this to proper words.

I. The Styling/Costume. I prefer Yu Yin's outfit in this drama compared to the other 2 versions. She just looks more elegant with her wardrobe choices than the other 2. It looks simpler but it fits her and her character's vibe very well. I will say tho, that Ke Chun's height makes him wearing the long coats uber fab! The other version also had their respective actors in long coats, but it just gives a different vibe. Also, I simply must point out. The bathrobe he was wearing was simply a genius pick! In all 3 versions, Xiuming attended the wedding in a bathrobe. The other 2 actors were wearing hotel white terry robe. Nothing wrong with that, its just 1 looked like the neckline of the robe was somewhat drowning him (I feel he is the vertically challenged of the 3 actors that played this role), and the other looked awkward in a terry robe. Now those robes could cost million, I would not know, but on screen, they give as much life as a fence post. Ke Chun's robe (although it looked a lot like Hugh Hefner's robe) at least made him look lux. Now with him acting in that scene as the rich, nanchalant prince of the Duan Family, it actually matches the look it was going for. The terry robe doesn't really work much on that scene.

II. The Artwork choices. Bless the person who decided on the artwork pieces they used in this drama!! You have an excellent eye!! This version has the most eye catching pieces used - of the 3 versions I have see. From the skull in the wedding portrait, the painting Xiuming bought with the words, the fluffy - was it mallows? clouds? - thing that Yu Yin gave her cousin for the gallery, the hidden chimera portrait. All of them is just fantastic!!!

III. The Acting. OMGGGGGGG!! I cannot rave enough about the acting on this drama! I just love how Yu Yin just looks so pure and innocent, then switches to her proud, evil mastermind persona when her uncle and cousins are out beating each other like she planned. Throughout the drama, I simple adore her just mind-fvcking her cousins and aunt left and right!! I like how she was poised and controlled but you can almost feel her inner debate to let go in his presence. Ke Chun proved to be more than the usual eye candy ML I thought him to be. As I mentioned earlier, I know of him and I see his dramas but he usually has fluffy, no-brainer ML roles so my initial take on him was just good looking. His delivery in this drama is just glorious. I cannot stress enough how well he did in conveying Xiuming's emotions even when he is not doing anything! His eyes are just - emotion overload! His heartbreak was painful to watch and almost palpable, when (1) he was crying when he was asking if Mingye had loved/liked him or she was just using him - with Yu Yin just looking at him blankly, (2) he was telling Mingye not to look back when he sent her off at the airport, (3) he was drowning his sorrow after they parted and he discovered her chimera painting behind the fluffy cloud (mallows?) and Mingye's bff came to see him and tell hima little about her, (4) when he was observing her when he found her at the university painting and the scene that sold him to be as an actor(5) when he was reading the report of how Mingye lived and what she went through at her uncle's house. His heartbreak for her, his anger, his need to retaliate all while containing his emotions and reactions coz she was sleeping a couple steps aways from him on the bed and he did not want to disturb her, but he cannot make himself leave her alone! This scene alone, I cannot tell you how many times I have rewatched just this particular scene. I love love love love his acting in this drama! I love how he played Xiuming as very easy-going, but he shifts in "demon/dark lord" persona in a blink of an eye.

IV. The Chrmistry. I love how well Yu Yin and Ke Chun worked in this drama. They did not look awkward at all. The kisses were kisses (as opposed to the usual fake camera angle only), their interactions looked fine, they were both delivering!! They were hot!!! I like when Yu Yin was manipulating her cousin by letting her see her with Xiuming and she was telling Xiuming to kiss her and move like they were making out, I love the whole scene, with Mingye directing their little play for her cousin, and Xiuming just willingly following her instructions and his eyes were just speaking volumes!!

V. The Storytelling. Start to finish, things were happening almost at a fast pace but at the same time, things were very well paced. Nothing was hurried, cut short, prolonged. From Xiuming thinking Mingye was your regular pretty, obedient, nice, timid rich family girl, to him getting surprised in her after seeing her painting at the wedding, to her proposing to sleep with her and her leaving him while he was showering after they slept together (which rendered him speechless and piqued his interest in her) to how her life is at her uncle's, how she was manipulating the scenes and people around her, to her escape, to the Xiuming's heartbreak, to getting back together, to Xiuming's family supporting their relationship (and his relatiation - like, kudos to older brother and his wife!!) to being together. I feel this was just right. I feel the other versions were rushed on some parts, and lacking on the build up of the plot in others.

Overall, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Still rewatching this!!! If YT can put this back on their platform, that will make my life easier!!!

Read More

Absolutely loved it!

The production quality on this drama was a pleasant surprise. It was well shot and the costumes and sets were very high quality. The sound quality was also quite good…you could actually hear what the actors were saying and the scenes weren’t filled with weird background sounds or overpowering music. The storyline was a refreshing change from the basically recycled 6 or 7 plot lines that most short dramas are based on. The ML…aside from being absolutely gorgeous to look at…delivers a perfect performance. The scene where he rescues her from the engagement party and realizes that he has been used all along by the FL, is delivered with heartbreaking and completely believable emotion. I hope this actor gets the chance to do more than just short dramas…he definitely has the talent. The FL…tiny and beautiful…portrays a perfect balance between fragility and toughness, and the chemistry between the two leads is undeniable. This is one of the most enjoyable short dramas I have seen in a long time!

Read More

Extra spicy vertical drama

I really liked the story, as the revenge for the FL was well deserved and satisfying to watch. This is the first time I have watched a drama with Ke Chun and wow , that guy know 's how to kiss! This drama earns a two 🌶️🌶️spice rating from me, because that ML was on 🔥. Although this is a vertical drama, it still took nearly four hours to finish, so it was not too choppy like most short dramas are. The ML's character empowered and paved the way for the FL's character to achieve her revenge, while at the same time caring for her and admiring her inner strength and tenacity.

I would recommend this drama to any spice fans or to those that enjoy watching people who abuse others get what they deserve.

Read More

Love, Pain, Art And Holy Chemistry!

Well, well, well—what did I just watch? And more importantly, why was it so GOOD?! Holy thing!

This wasn’t just another recycled romance drama. Sure, I enjoy the usual tropes, but there’s something refreshing about a plot that dares to be different. This wasn’t just about two people falling in love—it was about what happens after. The challenges, the struggles, the raw emotions.

The chemistry? On fire. The romance? Not your typical, smooth-sailing love story. It felt one-sided for the most part, with the ML deeply in love while the FL had her guard up. And honestly, how could she not? With her difficult childhood, love and trust don’t come easy. As he said, “她心里没有爱，她就想赢”—her heart wasn’t filled with love, she just wanted to win. That line hit hard.

The ML’s breakdown after learning about her past? Absolutely gut-wrenching. You could feel his pain, his helplessness. That’s how you deliver emotions on screen.

The FL was such a complex character—good girl, manipulative strategist, and her raw, unfiltered self. I loved every side of her. And the fact that she was an artist? Perfect. She didn’t just paint; she poured her anger, her sadness, her scars onto the canvas. The symbolism behind her paintings made them even more impactful.

And the ML? Oh. My. God. A wealthy man who would do anything for his girl? YES, PLEASE. Ke Chun nailed this role—the facial expressions, the devotion, the pain—everything was top-tier. Also, let’s talk about his outfits. Every single one? On point. Stylish, sharp, and simply amazing. Who ever was in the charge of styling knew what they were doing!

The FL’s best friend was an absolute gem. Beautiful, kind, and honestly, one of the biggest reasons FL kept going. She was a true pillar of support. The ML’s friend and brother also added depth to the story, making it richer. And let’s not forget the art competition—so well-executed.

Final Thoughts
This drama wasn’t just a romance—it was an experience. The emotions, the struggles, the character depth—it all came together beautifully. And the visuals? From the paintings to the outfits, everything was stunning. If you’re looking for a drama that goes beyond the surface, this is it.

Read More

Revenge best served vertically

I'm going to start with a confession. This is my first vertical format mobile-first drama. It is certainly an eye-opener. Very watchable but also a little unsettling. ;)

As a regular consumer of "normal" long form dramas, 60-100+ tiny eps is mind boggling. How does it even work? Once you discover one, you will see them everywhere.

Let's focus on this drama for now. It is fast, brash and entertaining. Eps flash by with no intros or outros. Some are no more than 1 scene long. Even longer ones are only 2- or 3-minutes max. It is perfect for the daily commute or when you wait for your decaf soy latte.

A breakneck pace is necessary when the run-time is measured in minutes. It makes the pacing of a regular 40 eps drama feels glacial.

The production value is decidedly patchy though. It can go from decent to laughable. Some backgrounds are blurred. It feels like they were done in post-production. It is probably just as well as the overall budget must be limited. The least we see, the better.

In terms of acting, our leads are the highlight. The key support actors are ok. The rest is a mixed bag. I won't be surprised if they rounded up some members of the local drama club as extras.

The ML has a hint of Xu Kai about him, and he dominates most scenes. The FL acted her heart out and the camera is kind to her. Our OTP have oodles of chemistry and are not shy of skinship. Plenty of passionate kisses and more. The first few eps set the scene.

This pairs well with the vertical format. As it always has a sharp focus on the subject of interest. It is almost voyeuristic. There are few wide shots and no panning ones. Everything is tightly framed. This is their way to maximise the feels. A phone screen is surprisingly well suited for that purpose.

This brings us to the elephant in the room. While the pacing is fast and furious, the script and direction has to run to catch up. There are quite a few WTF moments when the script seemed to have gone rogue. You just have to roll with it. If you like your show tight and logical then you will groan. I share your pain. ;)

The revenge story is decent, but it is as old as time. There are plot holes, inconsistencies and continuity issues. To fully enjoy this drama, you really need to switch off your frontal lobe. Ask no questions, chingu.

In the end, I appreciate the need for this new format. I suppose it is more evolution than revolution. TikTok showed us where such short-form videos fit into our daily routine, the rest is inevitable.

Is it for me? I'm still fence sitting. It is a mix of TikTok, Mills & Boon and manhua. Love, desire, confrontation and revenge will be on high rotation. I won't mind sampling a few more. It is a form of fast food. You will be hungry soon after the last scene fades to black. Peace.

Read More

Revenge tale marred by main actress performance

When this drama appeared on my Youtube dashboard, I was intrigued because of positive comments & Ke Chun (he is one of my favourite actors). It gained many views within 3 days but sadly links were removed. I managed to watch before the last link was removed. Glad I did watch it because I have a few things to say about this drama and my review is different from other reviews.

Edit: Despite not enjoying this drama as much as others, I am often reminded of this drama & American singer Lana Del Ray. I think her song 'West Coast' fits Yu Yin's character so much. She also gave me Lana Del Ray vibes with her blank look.

What I liked:
1. Ke Chun's acting - I must say that Ke Chun proved to be one of the many good actors in vertical drama land. He successfully demonstrated many facets of his character and I always enjoyed his vulnerable moments the most.
2. The competition - I very much enjoy the painting competition between FL and her family's rival. Each competitor used unique tool to showcase their talent.
3. ML's styling - I have never seen Ke Chun in oversized clothes in other dramas. He can pull it off and gosh he looked even taller with wide leg pants.
4. Paintings - Beautiful & insightful.
5. Revenge arc - I must say the revenge against FL's stepmum was shocking but fulfilling. Damn, what a brilliant move by FL!

What I disliked:
1. Yu Yin's acting - I felt Yu Yin was miscast. I dislike her performance because she couldn't convey different emotions of her character. There are 3 personas of FL: i) naive / unwordly which she used in public, ii) manipulator which she used with her family members & ML, iii) true self which she used with her grandma & later ML. Her facial expressions were mostly similar (blank/stoned) - I expected anguish when tragedy happened to her grandma and conflicted emotions (lust vs indifference) when ML started pursuing FL.
2. The ending - The whole family saga at the ending was boring that I couldn't be bothered to pay attention.
3. Romance - A lot of people liked the intimate scenes but I found them sterile. There was lack of chemistry between Yu Yin & Ke Chun & it was one sided love most of the time, which was actually verified in the drama but then again, I blame this sterility on Yu Yin's acting.

Favourite scene
The competition

Read More

PERFECT PAIR!

This is the best short film that i have watched. ML & FL is the perfect pair with great chemistry & superb acting. Both are great with their acting also all the supporting actors. Best story line. Best wardrobe. Best in everything. I have watched this for 4 times already. They both look good together that i dont feel cringe watching their sweet & intense scenes. I love these 2 actors and i cannot wait to see more of them as mainleads in the future. Please more drama from them please. Looking forward for it. Hope with an english sub for international fans.
xoxo from europe💐

Read More

New and Amazingly Good!

For what it was (pretty much a feature film broken into 2 minute episodes) it was amazing. I loved the depth of emotions portrayed by the ML, the FL's amazing bff, the music was spot on, the chemistry between the leads was sizzling, and the story and overall message were great. A lot of things had to be implied, because there wasn't much time for details, but it made for a short, fast paced drama that was powerful and satisfying. Honestly, I would have loved to see this as a longer series, but some heavy themes like abuse are hard to watch in a long format, so to an abuse survivor like me, this was both a relief and validating.

I also want copies of of some of those paintings!

Read More

Absolute GOAT in short drama!!!!

Watched this on IQIYI as “what a good girl” i can't believe that they can make this type of plot in short series. its like so good that it can divert your attention towards the drama and acting
I have watched some short series but the plot is kinda similar in all of them and not so good but this one is just WOW!!!
The actors did absolutely amazing job seriously i can see the difference between other short series and this one, in this one i can see how much the actors really work and made efforts and as a viewer i thought like i am watching a whole drama of 24 ep of 45 min. each like seriously they did do heir job right a whole round of applause to them!!
The chemistry is top notch, not a single scene that i find cringe.
Even they take care of the outfit too like i find that in short drama there is only 2 or 3 sets of outfit or maybe just 1 or 2 but here the outfits are elegant and beautiful its like matching with the atmosphere and the leads personality, another perfect!!
Production quality no complaint like of course they can just don't give a damn because of another short series but but but they absolutely give a whole big damnn and made this drama bright and beautiful the script the dialogues the camera angle the kiss the tease the background sound control the clear dialogues of actors another perfection!!!
This one is absolutely amazing in comparison to other short drama i definitely loved this one.
Hope you loved this discription and my point of view about this drama.
Enjoy ^^

Read More