The C-drama Watch List ✨✨✨

As a not so big of a fan of modern c-drama since I gravitate mostly toward historical drama, this was a good one. It's light hearted, well paced, sometimes cheesy but lovely nonetheless. The fact that I finished all episodes of a modern c-drama is already a big accomplishement for me Haha. I liked how the characters were written, how distinctively different they're of each other and their internal growth journey. Luan Nian was a mysteriously captivating character at the beginning, charmingly arrogant, experienced and well put together. then as the episodes progress, his flaws and immaturity come to light, making him feel relatable. In a contrasting manner, Shang Zhi Tao is a diffident woman, freshly graduated, lacking both romantic and work experience. Their romantic entanglement was well developped and even though I'm not a fan of secret office flings and no-dating coworkers rules, I still found it an enjoyable watch. The break-up arc was my favorite part of the story, loved watching the hurt and yearning of Luan Nian lol. Overall, I recommend.

You get what you expect from reading the title, a royal web of court politics, harem fights and mouth-watering culinary delights. The actors did well portraying their characters. The ML's character sometimes infuriated me and the story seemed to drag a bit at the end but I loved it nonetheless.

A gem through and through. Deserving of a 10/10 rating. The acting and chemistery between the leads was off-charts. The romantic scenes were chef's kiss; the ML using his hands as a stepping stool to FL's feet scene lives in my head rent-free. The transition between the story's arcs was smooth, well built characters from mains to sides. An exellent example of "the rise from the bottom" troupe. This is one of my fave 2026 historical c-dramas. I can't fault anything about it. I 100% recommend.