My National Husband (2025)

Guo Yu Xin and Wang Hao Zhen were excellent in this epic love story

I was stoked when I found out that Guo Yu Xin and Wang Hao Zhen would act together. Both are excellent at dramatic acting and I was looking forward to watching their drama.

What I liked:
1. Opening scene - DAMN, that bedroom scene was extremely hot. Like habanero (I can't eat those but I can eat Thai's bird's eye chilli & jalapeno).
2. Romance - Slow burn with a lot of longing & pent up feelings. Once they were honest about their feelings for each other, the romance went full scale and got exciting. Great kisses and tender moments. I also liked that both had each other's backs.
3. ML characterisation - He had his own struggles to tackle which led to hesitation in pursuing FL openly. I liked his tenacity, kindness and protectiveness.
4. FL characterisation - She was a rookie actress looking for opportunity to grow in the industry. I liked that he used her connection to ML to get a role. At least she's got talent and grit.
5. Supporting characters - I really liked FL's agent, Chao Meng, the crew. The first-billed actress was observant - I liked how good she was at reading ML's behaviour toward FL. Their male friend was entertaining too.
6. Career - I loved that both FL & ML were in entertainment industry. I liked scenes of them on set shooting a drama. It was a drama within a drama.

What I dlsliked:
1. Antagonist - ML's stepmother was evil for threatening and guilt-tripping ML.
2. Duration - At 4.5 hours, it was the longest vertical drama I ever watched. I must say I struggled at times and couldn't finish it in one sitting, which is my preferred way of watching a vertical drama.

Favourite scene
Opening scene

Read More

This was released 2 weeks before the murder of Yu Meng Long

I did not know that I am going to see something like that just a month after Yu Meng Long's murder. A story of a lovely actor who faces wrongs done to others (mostly girls) and standing up to big wigs on their behalf. A story of a top idol who does not back away from facing the critique of his fans for getting engaged/married. A man who is humiliated by hateful people but still comes out clean and without losing his integrity, dignity and compassion.

I am not saying this is the story of the murder of a famous actor, but what the life of actors looks like given the industry. And if something like that can be still showed in VD, no wonder CCP is trying to crack up on it.

I appreciated open commentary and showing with accuracy who is doing the wrong thing: starting with big shots, through hateful and morally weak individuals to brainless, media-fed petty mob/general public - all making the life of a star miserable,

While tropey and predictable, this was done wright - with human dignity upheld high and chemistry bubbling, steaming and exploding. I am giving this 8 even though it was nothing new, but like I said - this was done right.

I bet that if you are looking for romance with sexy scenes you would not expect the script this loaded with moral content. And I bet that if you give it a try you will not only enjoy it but also ponder on the cruelty and greed that comes with power - something that 72% of humanity lives under as of today.

Read More