Qi Ling Xiao Yun Qi, Bei Quan Jia Tuan Chong (2025)

One of the best short dramas I've watched with the "transmigrated into a novel and returned to the 1970s" premise. While this concept has become quite common in Chinese short dramas, this one stands out thanks to its engaging story, solid pacing, and likable characters.

Unlike many of his previous roles where he leans heavily into comedy, Li Meng Ran plays a much more serious and mature character this time, and she does it convincingly. It was nice to see a different side of his acting, and he carried the emotional moments well.

My biggest disappointment was the female lead's magical necklace. It had the potential to become one of the most interesting aspects of the story, but its special dimension and abilities were barely explored or used in meaningful ways. It often felt like an afterthought rather than an important part of the plot.

The ending also feels a bit rushed. Once the conflicts with the village villains are resolved, the story wraps up very quickly without giving enough time to properly conclude the characters' journeys. Still, that's a common limitation of Chinese short dramas, where runtime often forces the finale to move at breakneck speed.

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