Faves of 2025

So good! A standout that I wasn't expecting. Funny, sweet, tragic, and profound. This is my favourite show from this year, along with 'Love and Sword'. 

An unexpected hit. Surprising, because it starts badly, and hides its true value. But the excellence soon comes through. These are fun, loveable, heroic characters, and a very satisfying story that takes hold of your heart and pulls you in deep. 

Amazing. The underlying story that glorifies protesting is annoying, and if it weren't otherwise so good, I'd really dislike it. But everything that comes with it is excellent. Just a beautiful show, apart from that theme. 

Not what the previews make it look like. A lovely, thoughtful, interesting slice-of-life-type series with nice, evocative music, good characters and acting (very good from Zhou Yi Ke, especially), and an engaging story that's told pretty well (the back-and-forth is a bit disconcerting, but it works). Really pulls you in. 

Very well put-together. I dislike the violence - it's not regular, but in the Chinese way, shocking incidents are shown again and again, when it's not needed. Apart from that, it's great. Funny, endearing, properly suspenseful and intriguing, action-packed, and poignant. 

Starts high, goes down a bit, and ends high. 

I love and hate this show! Love, because Song Wei Long is perfection, the costumes and settings are richly, creatively, thoughtfully done - especially the braids and the costumes for Beixuan and in particular for Song Wei Long as Xuan Lie, Xuan Lie's friends are great, there are good other supporting characters and stories, and there's lots and lots of visual interest, intrigue, and difficulty to go through. Hate because 'Angelababy' is disappointing in her portrayal - too stiff and commanding and hardly giving an inch, ever. She needed to loosen up. But also her character, Jun Qi Luo. Hate how she treats Xuan Lie, despite his devotion and clear love. But the good wins out, for me. 

The boy she liked, who died - in a way - because of her, before they could actually share their feelings or date, comes back as a Grim Reaper to teach her how to live without him. Heartbreaking and bittersweet. Funny, sad, and profound. About forgiving oneself and each other, and finding reasons for living and being happy, after the hardest things happen. 

A highly-watchable, sensitively-told story. I really like Zhang Ling He, and he acts this part so well - even though it's of a character 10/11 years younger than he is (high school stage). He brings understanding of that age, with its combination of boldness/confidence and uncertainty/self-doubt. Such a difficult situation for him to be in with his mother and both parents. Yet Cherry has the most loving, clear-headed parents, which is both heart-warming and difficult to see. 

Draws you in and gives genuine, realistic portrayals of childhood, family life, friendships and personal development. I love seeing Cherry stand up for herself and her friends with those who try to manipulate and control them selfishly. She's momentarily cowed, but her parents' love and her determination make her get back up and fight for those she cares about, who need it most. 

Great at first; got tired partway through, and especially towards the end; I ended up dropping it with about 10 episodes to go. I like it for the first very good part.