Favorite romances ♥

the friendship between the ladies is one of the best parts of the drama, but so too is the slow-burning romance between zhao pan'er and gu qian fan. i adore them both as characters individually, but together, they steal the show every time and i find myself wishing their scenes could go on forever. two fantastically talented leads building off of each other; each moment feels so warm, so real, and so affectionate. i only wish there was MORE of their romance :D

i came for the spin on a transmigration court drama storyline, and stayed for the heartbreaking exploration of what it would actually mean to be transmigrated into a fictional world for so much longer than you ever spent in your original world. this show deftly explores the characters' emotional trauma and bonds with the "fictional" characters that are more real in many ways than memories of what was left behind. despite the angst, the leads have such a fun, warm dynamic together, truly enjoying each other's company and inspiring each other to live well! ;__;<3

i love chen xiao so much, haha, here he's playing ANOTHER leading man that i adore! paired with a heroic, compassionate, courageous lady who wears her bold heart on her sleeve <33 this is a slow-burn romance of the best kind: two hearts who admire and yearn for each other but are kept apart by honor and circumstance, yet keep finding each other again and again! i'll never forget her hauling him up onto that horse! T__T the show is wonderfully written as a whole, with the romance as part of its beating heart. watch LOTM for a unique drama unlike many others!

more than a simple love story, this is also a story about loving yourself, loving others, and realizing what amazing potential for your own success and joy lies within your life already. technically two love stories in one, each exploring who the characters are, who they could be, and who they inspire each other to become. takes an intriguing premise and turns it inside out! a romance with true vulnerability at its heart: human error and kindness, hope and understanding, and two people choosing each other over and over again. <3

wonderfully charming leads and a plot that i was invested in alongside the romance! the premise of the VR world they meet for the first time in is so interesting i found myself wishing we spent more time there, but i was also keen on the architectural story and the family drama laced within it. very sweet romance that offers a nice variation on the classic "ceo romance" formula, with a leading man who has played multiple ceos, lol, and is at the top of his game in this drama! i had to rewatch their first kiss at least three or four times <33

has to be one of my favorite fictional couples of all time!! finally the badass stoic warrior is a lady and the pretty assassin with a tragic double identity is a man! :D the leads play their roles with such flair and talent, and the show is satisfying in so many ways, with so many cute moments. the plot rockets through classic drama tropes with a fresh new spin, and i found myself wishing it was a full show. highly rec for role reversal fans! :)

the film that changed my life and saved my life!!!

one of my favorite couples. i love their competent, devoted, power couple dynamic! neither of them compromise who they are, and they admire and love that about each other. they challenge each other, bring out the best in each other, inspire each other to become their best selves. her intelligence, boldness, irreverence and risk-taking appeals to him, like his calmness, cleverness, devotion and relentless honor appeals to her. i like when age gap romances are done well & this is one of the best! a VERY happy end despite what you may expect :)

iconic for a reason! has to be one of my favorite leading men of all time. unfinished because i'm savoring the drama and don't want it to end lol!!

i haven't finished this show yet because i don't want it to end!! T__T

this show manages to be both wildly fun and intensely devastating at the same time (similar to how dare you!). it affectionately knocks so many well-known character and story tropes on their head and showcases a truly enthralling character arc for both leads, as well as an incredibly indulgent romance, with so many breathless moments! a show that truly invests time in showing the bond of cultivation partners-- a soul connection, a fond enjoyment of each others' personalities and company, and romantic chemistry. now why can't they ever be happy for longer than a few weeks!!! T____T