Good tropes, but bad writing, with designated hero characters
When I saw that this drama had no reviews, I felt compelled to write one.----------------------------------------------------------
I enjoyed a few moments from this drama, but that’s about it. Most of the time, it delivered an experience that was either average or, at worst, below average.
Before diving into criticism, I'll acknowledge a few positives.
I genuinely liked some of the characters, at least at the beginning of the drama. There are tropes I’m particularly fond of, such as the divorcee with kids and older-younger relationship dynamics, both of which this drama leans into heavily. The portrayal of "sismance" is well done in most cases.
Now, there are three female leads, but I would say the main one fits the archetype of a designated hero—a character with glaring faults that the story downplays or excuses to keep the plot on track. Her flaws are essential to the way the story unfolds, but they’re never properly addressed, and that undermines the narrative. But her flaws are ones to make you hate story the most.
Other characters got quite few flaws too.
This drama would have been significantly better if it had been condensed to 24 episodes or fewer. A tighter story could have eliminated many of the dull or unnecessary subplots, and the characters wouldn’t have needed to make so many nonsensical decisions just to keep things moving.
Plot: The story centers around three sisters living under the same roof with their old-fashioned father. Each sister faces personal struggles they must overcome, and, of course, they each have a love interest to navigate.
Genre: Romance.
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Great Sismance
Firstly this drama is based on shoujo- ai manga, but cause of china being homophobic they censored it and made relationship between two female leads into soulmate friends. Which aint bad at all I liked their bond in this drama.Drama is practically all about female lead being in bad life situation and consistent danger. Meanwhile second female lead being her bodyguard.
All happens around year 1920-1930 probably.
Ending is quite punchy with unclear end for female lead relationship.
But if you check manga ending it will help you up. They did just small changes to it in drama.
__*plot*__ - FL is well known writer and wife of husband from prominent family. But one day she finds out her husband having affair with her best friend. Broken and without direction she finds solace in young female photographer[FL2] and with her help she gets back on her feet and starts to set up her life anew. Sadly for her she is in middle of deadly intrigues and het new friend got mysterious past too.
__*genre*__ - thriller, historical, mystery
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Sad but beautiful story
__*More than Blue: The Series (2021)*__ - 9/10 - Taiwanese drama [They speak Chinese, so technically a C-drama]In a humorous comment about this drama, I once read that it was secretly funded by tissue paper companies. I completely agree with this sentiment, even though I managed to keep my own tear ducts from overflowing—though that might be due to the solid, reinforced concrete construction of my emotional barriers.
This drama has a beautiful outlook steeped in a melancholic, dark, depressing, and sad love vibe.
The series is short, and from the very first episode, you can tell it won't have a happy ending.
The entire drama is framed around a "detective seeking the truth" narrative. More precisely, it revolves around the discovery of a deceased person's diary, which the characters then read to uncover his life story.
A nice touch is how events described in the diary seem to echo in the present for the "detectives" as well, making the entire story feel more cohesive.
As for the plot, it is quite complex, with multiple storylines unfolding in both the past and the present. I'll just provide a basic overview:
__*Plot (Past)*__ - The male lead (ML) survives a car crash that claims several victims, including his father, who was driving and ended up in a coma. From that day forward, the ML leads a miserable life as the "son of a murderer." The female lead (FL) enters his life like a hurricane.
__*Plot (Present)*__ - A demo with a beautiful song, worth a lot of money, arrives at a music recording company. Unfortunately, after a bit of investigation, the main characters discover that the authors of the single are deceased, and nobody knows who owns the copyright. The main characters set out to investigate and find the rightful copyright owner. On their journey, they uncover the heartbreaking life stories of the song's authors.
__*Genre*__ - Sad, Romance
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one of best young chinese female actors tackle new type or role
My Journey to You (2023) - 9/10 - C-DramaThis drama is a fascinating blend of Wuxia, with a strong emphasis on mind games, intrigue, and espionage, interwoven with romantic subplots.
Though I'm not typically a fan of this genre, there were moments when it felt reminiscent of a Chinese Game of Thrones or the anime Basilisk—albeit with less gore and fewer sexual scenes, as expected from a C-drama.
Both main female leads delivered stellar performances, despite the challenging nature of their roles, which were unlike anything they had tackled before. They truly excelled.
My rating reflects the overall experience. While some episodes felt average, the series as a whole grew on me, culminating in a compelling conclusion. However, the ending was more open-ended than I would have preferred.
Plot
In brief, an assassin sect seeks to uncover the secrets of a renowned rival ancient sect. They decide to have their female assassin spies infiltrate as potential brides for the new clan leader of the rival sect.
Genre
Wuxia, Romance, Intrigue, Espionage
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Strong female, thrilling story and nice romance
__*The Double*__ - 9/10 Historical C-DramaLet's begin with the aspects of this drama that I found less impressive.
For the identity swap to be plausible, the drama assumes an implausible level of blindness in both the audience and the characters. It's reminiscent of the scene in The Simpsons: "Homer? Who is Homer? My name is Guy Incognito." The female lead merely assumes a new name without altering her appearance and reappears just weeks after her supposed disappearance, without any attempt to disguise herself.
Now, onto the commendable parts.
Everything else shines. The actors, many of whom were unfamiliar to me, delivered stellar performances. The female lead was particularly well-written—a strong character without falling into the trope of a Mary Sue.
The story was well-crafted and suspenseful. It was so engaging that I found myself binge-watching all 40 episodes, eager to uncover each new twist and turn.
The romance? The chemistry was palpable. While it wasn’t the best I've ever seen, it was certainly compelling.
__*Plot*__
The female lead is a married woman whose husband, a court official, along with his family, tarnishes her reputation and buries her in the mountains. Remarkably, she survives and is rescued by a noble young lady who had also been grievously wronged. Unfortunately, the cost of this rescue is the young lady's own life. The female lead then assumes the identity of her savior, vowing to avenge both herself and the noble young lady.
__*Genre*__
Historical, Romance, Wuxia
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cute but too short adaptation of novel with same name
Yeah this drama is adaptation of novel with same name.https://novelfull.com/hidden-marriage.html
But though novel got about 2000chapters. This drama got just 16 episodes with 4 min each. As you can expect in such small time you obtain just basic premise and rushed end.
At other hand cuteness and romantic scenes of this drama are worth quick look.
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sport romance, with some family drama
Love All Play (2022) -9/10 kdramavery nice sport themed romance drama with nice comedy vibe. Vibe is little alike to 2521.
Story goes around friendship, sport, some past trouble drama, overcoming mental and phys problem etc. Overall this drama didnt really have any slow of literally boring part at least for me.
There was always something happening, when main leads stagnated, side characters story picked up and their story was quite interesting too.
plot - FL was golden medalist and well known badminton genius, but she left this sport in hurry under unclear reasons leaving behind just bunch of gossips. Now 3 years later she couldnt take it anymore and decided to return to her loved sport knowing she will have to face the past.
genre - sport, comedy, romance
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Welcome to army
__*Glory of Special Forces (2022)*__ - 8,5/10 -cdramanot mine type of drama, but I guess if you really want pure military themed drama without big romance. This drama is must to watch.
Acting is great and evidently this drama got quite big budget.
Most of drama story is about training, military drills and all kinds of PTSD plus time from time some real action.
Of course its cdrama expect alot patriotism. But I guess all military themed movies/dramas got a lot of it we just tend to ignore it from USA movies.
__*plot*__ - Story of ambitious young man from military family wanting to go in steps of his father and join most elite chinese spec ops. As young guy trained from small age and always better than others he is arrogant and self-conceited with lack of teamwork sense. These attributes hits hard againts military code and need be weathered off by his supperiors, before he can become true soldier.
__*genre*__ - military, action
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S2 is finishing touch to whole drama
Hospital Playlist [S1+S2] - 9/10 -kdramafirstly its rating for both series at once. There really no point rating them individually. Since S1 series is slower and ends with alot things open and un-complete at least S2 completes it nicely.
I know new generation maybe wont know, but I find Hospital playlist quite alike to USA sitcom Friends[1994].
Why do I compare it to such even though it got quite different format is because of how nice friendhip dynamic this drama got going on.
With each main lead having own role in this friends circle.
This drama is about group of 40y longtime friends going through their lives and their problems together and time from time getting help from their close-knit friendship.
Practically every main lead will have their romance plot and even though its not some hot stuff its still nicely done.
plot - story of five doctors working at same hospital which are close-knit friends from university years. Going through their everyday problems with patients in hospital, work and their family or romance.
genre - hospital, friendship, comedy, romance
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prepare to see both series at once or rather dont start
Hospital Playlist [S1+S2] - 9/10 -kdramafirstly its rating for both series at once. There really no point rating them individually. Since S1 series is slower and ends with alot things open and un-complete at least S2 completes it nicely.
I know new generation maybe wont know, but I find Hospital playlist quite alike to USA sitcom Friends[1994].
Why do I compare it to such even though it got quite different format is because of how nice friendhip dynamic this drama got going on.
With each main lead having own role in this friends circle.
This drama is about group of 40y longtime friends going through their lives and their problems together and time from time getting help from their close-knit friendship.
Practically every main lead will have their romance plot and even though its not some hot stuff its still nicely done.
plot - story of five doctors working at same hospital which are close-knit friends from university years. Going through their everyday problems with patients in hospital, work and their family or romance.
genre - hospital, friendship, comedy, romance
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classic XianXia story, but with good actors
The Last Immortal (2023) - 8,5/10 -cdramayeah classic XianXia... this drama felt too long. Story even though it was gradually progressing , here was quite lot parts I just tolerated rather than enjoyed.
Shortly put. For me this drama was always around average[8] and above average[8,5] .... based on episodes some was boring some was nice. At the end I guess I enjoyed more episodes than Iepisodes I felt bored for. Moreover it got few mine favs actors which is + too.
Story felt overly complicated, but its predecessor[Ancient Love Poetry] had alike complicated story too.
plot - shortly put ML is immortal from god descent and only true god in immortal world. He is lazy and incompetent, partly by choice. FL is not even born yet but she is hatching as new demigod phoenix. ML caused problem with FL birth and FL's spirit dissipated. ML is grounded to fobidden zone till FL's rebirth. ML finds egg of magical beast[FLs soul] in forbidden zone and hatches it. FLs becomes magical pet of ML and their mutual fate can start.
genre -XianXia, romance
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good start, good drama, but story is very unoriginal
Destined (2023) - 8,5/10 -cdramahistorical cdrama witth quite nice and :unusual: start of :forced marriage: and hate/love relationship.
Still in middle and end drama it goes to old thousand times used :fight for throne and court intrigues:
main leads personality changes in course of the story to better. As for chemistry between all pairs. Its good but its lacks something.
plot - ML is notorious son of provincial wealthiest family[Gu family]. FL is is only legitimate daughter of former merchant, sadly her father dotes on concubine and she lives in :hell: together with her mother. FL tries to marry into famous scholar family of city to run from oppression, but unluckily she crosses way with ML and pisses him off. ML in his prankish retaliation publicly confessed his love for her and destroyed her :honor: that way + closed her chance to marry into scholar family. Sadly for ML his parents heard of it and made him marry her, partly too cause Emperor tried to force marriage between ML and princess in attempt to :steal: their family wealth that way.
genre - romance, historical, wuxia
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well made story of rekindling an old flame
Our Beloved Summer - 8,5/10 kdramafirstly I am in kinda drama slump now and to even start this one I had to force myself. It was really good, but I cant say it saved me from slump.
Drama at start tends to skip between past and present timeline, but its done quite well.
This drama got really high quality story which is quite on :ordinary life side:. I mean characters backstory aint really ordinary like silver spoon, celebrity, :single parent family child etc. But happenings in this drama are modestly ordinary at least if you compare it to most kdramas.
Chemistry... yeah it was there, but again not in some passionate or cute way[was cute sometimes].
Yeah this drama will show you more of relationship based on old feelings which still lasts and some kind of spiritual solace between main leads.
plot - at high school ML and FL was part of documentary which became successful thanks their very different school social standing and personality which resulted in nonstop clashes and bickering through whole documentary. Later on they ended up as couple for five years just to go through hard break up.
Now 10 years after documentary aired it became viral again and both leads was pushed into joining new documentary about their life now. Will such sudden meet up after 5 years from break up, spark a fire between main leads again?
genre - romance, school, love/hate. second chance
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love and break up story which should be posible just in asia
One Spring Night (2019) -8,5/10 -kdramaI really loved soundtrack in this one. Mainly Rachael Yamagata songs. They used them very often for alike situations in drama which made it quite consistent and easy to point out.
In this drama I very often felt cultural differences and how :traditional mindset: can fuck up life even drama.
Its quite mature piece and at start I liked maturenes of ML and FL. At start ML was quite decisive and made clear-cut in relationships. At same time FL had mindset to do all right.
Sadly it didnt went like that for long. FL got irresolute and lacked braveness. ML coulnt keep his stance either. Whole drama ended in way :true love: vs whole world.
At some times characters was acting quite mature and made nice and right decisions., but there was time when you as watcher know its bad decision and I believe even main characters knew its bad decision still they went with it cause they wasnt brave enough to push it through opposition.
plot - FL is dating for long time with one guy, but their relationship lacks spark. FL ends up being asked to marry her boyfriend, but she gets cold feet and decides for some kinda :soft break up:.
Meanwhile she meets ML and starts feeling something for him. ML is pharmacist which likes FL, but he is single father and in eyes of public unsuited for relationship.
+- Its story about FL and ML getting together though FL still didnt decisively broke up with her boyfriend and they will have to brave through opposition of FL family, mainly father.
genre - romance
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slice of life high school - college - work drama
My Calorie Boy - 9/10 cdramaafter long time its first high school youth drama I really enjoyed.
Usually its hard for me empathize with highschoolers since its been too long when I was living student life moreover asian schools are quite different to European ones.
this drama is slice of life which changes main focus as story progress it starts with friendship bonding continues with romance seeking later on future path picking and getting through obstacles like tests and parents and this way it continues.
Romance part is quite slowburn mainly cause protagonists are young and writer evidently wanted mix relationships its why he went to usual route of main leads miscommunications and being dumb to their own feelings.
plot - ML comes to highschool as new transfer student he is quite fatso and foodie but top student . Right first day he meets FL and becomes her classmate,desk-mate and friend. ML and FL both gets crush on their classmates. ML and FL makes pact which will help them with their romance life. ML helps FL with studies meanwhile FL helps ML with weight loss.
genre - youth, school, romance, slice of life
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