Vertical Dramas {watched}

I skipped a ton due to FL being TSTL (whyyy believe a SFL who just tried to kill you?!) & so stupid over SML. ML’s  OTT ruthlessness towards/obsessiveness over her was a bit much to handle too. There was just so much stupidity & toxicity that I kept skipping chunks until the Leads were FINALLY on the same page with their feelings (starts around ep52), but even though I skipped through scenes. I can handle red flags, but that’s not the case here - they’re simply toxic & then poof! they’re in love. Just didn’t flow well for me. Bummer.

1st version I watched of this story. Such an attractive duo with fiery kisses! I admit, the FL annoyed me a tad with her habit of initiating touch with the ML but then immediately trying to push him away when he’d respond with kisses (whyyy give up those kisses?! Heehee). Aside from that small bit, I liked her. And I loved him. He’s a total red flag character to everyone else but for her he shows shades of green.

2nd - “Lian Nian Yu Bong”
3rd - “Guo Fen Ye”

2nd version of this story I’ve seen - I enjoyed this version better because the FL wasn’t a mousy wimp who toyed with the ML. She was resolute in her plan to draw a line between her & her “brother”. And when her & ML struck their deal, she stuck to it rather than acting like a naive ninny. And ML was more like able too because he wasn’t in a position of dishing out pain & justice to people. And though he loved FL his whole life & wanted her to be his, he wanted her to want him too without forcing it on her. They were both mature & acted their age. The SML was annoying since he always wanted a day in his “sister’s” life, but he wasn’t evil. Cute chemistry & good kisses.

1st - “The Fiery Young Marshal”
3rd - “Guo Fen Ye”

3rd version I’ve watched of this story. I think I’m in the minority but I just didn’t feel the chemistry with these Leads like in some of the other versions I’ve watched of this story. Also, the FL here was really obvious about her feelings for her “brother” in this one which was sorta awkward.

1st - “The Fiery Young Marshal”
2nd - “Lian Nian Yu Bong”

Super sweet & mature couple. Not a lot of screen time for the “villains”. No OW/OM drama apart from the ex SML. No interfering parents or workplace rivals. Really focuses on the Leads’ love as their relationship deepens after flash marriage.

2nd - “An Ni Xu Mou Yi Jiu”

2nd version I watched  - I liked the 1st better. The flash marriage storyline is really good with mature Leads who know their worth & trust one another. For this drama I simply didn’t sense any chemistry between the Leads & their intimacy was seriously lacking for what’s expected of a vertical drama.

1st - “Every Step of the Way”

The chemistry is chemistrying from the opening scene with these Leads! FL, learning she’s terminally ill, refuses to be an easily-bullied mouse any longer but rather finally shows her true, beautiful self to the world. When she seduces her boss, the ML, she gives him the opening he wants to claim her as his - first in secret, then openly to the world. I do wish she’d told him about her c@ncer, but her reasoning for not saying it does make sense. Plus, he finds out on his own early on & is secretly getting her the treatment she needs. Super healthy couple with tons of yumminess - ML legit devours her every chance he gets!

I love when 2 crazy Leads come together & take revenge on all the baddies - this duo definitely delivered their own brand of justice & I so enjoyed watching them win the fights! It’s def more focused on that rather than the romance, though they’re slowly falling all the way through. I’d say it’s revenge heavy & romance light - very entertaining.
**”Wild Grace Unleashed” on iQIYI**

Whyyyy give the SML so much screen time & let him “win” so often? For real - make the revenge happen & kick him out! I hate when so many dummies are getting away with bullying the FL so I skipped a whole bunch of scenes. ML had little screen time in comparison to the SML & his band of idiot followers. Makes me annoyed just remembering the drawn out scenes of stupidity. Bleh.

**”Reborn for Revenge” on iQIYI**

Choppy scene transitions & missing details. This is more of a an advertisement for the advertisements constantly shown throughout the show. For an actual full story, I recommend watching, “Wild Grace Unleashed”  (“The Startled Swan Glides Over the Fields”) instead.

Didn’t love, didn’t hate. Good storyline & nice acting. It felt a bit choppy at times but overall okay. Didn’t really sense any chemistry, though, so that was a downer for me.

This story is pure sweetness between the Leads. No conflicts, no misunderstandings, no drama. Awkward in their marriage at first but they quickly enter the flirty, kissy, lovey phase. Only 1 toxic person (FL’s mom) but there’s a satisfactory redemption arc for her. The sisters’ bond helps makes up for it. The story is fully focused on the Leads’ interactions & deepening love. Both strong, supportive, protective, & mature characters. Truly an enjoyable show!

Beginning & ending were a bit too drama-y for my tastes, but the rest was really good. Leads are both mature adults who handle all the icky people rationally & realistically. They act their age & use their brains. They have a very healthy relationship with no real drama between them. ML’s family is hilarious, though his mom is a bit extra in her obsession with the FL. Overall, a good one-time watch.

Generally this would not be my style of drama as I don’t like when the Leads date other people for a good portion of the show BUT the boss/secretary bond & banter between this duo sucked me in & I simply HAD to see them become a couple (+ I just love this actor)! They had really good chemistry, in the workplace as sorta frenemies but still loyal comrades, then it got hotter as they became a flirty & affectionate couple. There are several schemers throughout but everyone gets an ending they deserve. And FL’s parents are precious! Very enjoyable show.

Liked it, but didn’t love it. I would’ve enjoyed it so much more if FL wasn’t dumb & stubborn in her thinking that their marriage was just a business deal. Girl - what more did the ML need to do to prove what you mean to him?? He showered her with love in every scene, having loved her since they were kids. He never treated their marriage indifferently, pursuing her & making it a real marriage from their wedding night onward. I just wanted her to open her dang eyes & SEE the reality of their relationship. Great chemistry & storyline apart from that issue.

A scheming FL who’s a perfect partner for the cunning ML. Their chemistry is hot from the first scene - ML is down so bad for her. He doesn’t care that she’s using him, he’ll gladly be her sword of revenge on her abusive family. I truly enjoyed this up until that last plot twist of baddies gaining some control - would’ve been better to continue in the same vein of the Leads winning everything. ML saved her in time, but it added a lot of unnecessary drama that lessened my enjoyment.

ML is such a green forest for FL - protecting & supporting her both openly & in secret. ML wants her but she’s ignorant of his feelings, making this a slow burn. Even more so because she allows herself to be used in keeping the contract engagement with his younger brother going (despite him cheating) to protect the family rep so the Leads don’t get together until much later in the drama (this made FL a very frustrating character for me to watch & greatly reducing my rating). Good chemistry, especially from ML’s end as he pursues her. Lots of kisses once she finallyyyyy gives in.

FL’s mother is evil but thankfully doesn’t have an obnoxious amount of screen time. These Leads are very cute together right from the start. I love when a tough guy melts for his woman (& only his woman!) & treats her like a priceless treasure (which she is!). Really good communication kept any misunderstandings from being blown out of proportion. And ML took care of all the FL’s bullies in a permanent way instead of allowing them a chance to come at her again. FL is very mature for her age which fits well in this age-gap romance. Great chemistry with yummy kisses.

2nd - “On a Springtime Love Affair”

2nd version I’ve watched of this story. I liked the 1st better, but this one is still really good. Leads have great chemistry both before & after they become a couple. Their love & devotion helps heal their inner wounds left by those who should’ve loved them from conception. FL’s mother is a controlling, abusive, toxic character so be warned if that’s a trigger for you. I love how the ML protects his FL against everyone & how all the people around him respect him & extend that same respect to her through him. It’s treatment she’s never received before so it’s very satisfying to see her blossom under his care.

1st - “Lian Nuan Yang”

An easy rebirth & revenge drama. I liked that the FL always won her battles, not falling into any of the villains’  schemes. A bit unrealistic that she’s so good at everything but oh well, it’s dramaland. Not much chemistry between the Leads & they weren’t actually together until the end so that’s why it’s a lower rating for me. Good story just not enough romance for me.

My 2nd drama of these two Leads together & their onscreen chemistry & kisses are just as hot in this story. I loved that it was both of them being reborn & remembering their past lives which lead to them being extremely protective of one another as they tried to stop the same tragedy from happening again. They’re adorably devoted to one another as they take revenge on those who ruined them in the past life. Very enjoyable watch!

3rd drama I’ve watched with these Leads & their chemistry remains solid. My enjoyment was lowered by all the constant bullying of the FL. She always stood up for herself & the ML defended/protected her as well so it’s not like she was weak at all, it just got annoying with the repetitive attacks. Also, most of the drama could’ve been avoided if she’d just allowed the ML to make their marriage public - to the haters, to her pursuers, to the families… he’s great, girl, so proudly let everyone know! He’s also a man that can’t keep his hands (or mouth) to himself *wink wink*

Sorta cheesy, drama-filled, awkward acting at times - these things lowered my enjoyment & rating. The storyline of the Leads was good - I liked how ML was so devoted to & protective of his wife. And I’m glad the FL wasn’t a wimp & she stood up for herself against the numerous bullies (there were an annoying amount). The ML’s scheming family members were a bit much & unrealistic but whatevs.

Sweet & calm slice-of-life drama all the way through. Leads are both strong & mature individuals who are beautiful inside & out. This is a low-heat story so don’t expect hot chemistry. The couple is adorable & made me smile at their cuteness. Both of their families are wonderful too. The story spans several years, from courting to married to pregnancy to parents of young kids. No fights or drama along the way, just 2 loyal people staying steady & devoted on the good days & the bad.