SarahD

Fabulous story but rushed at the end

There is a lot to enjoy about this story but the ending is extremely rushed with no real understanding of “what just happened’.
The chemistry between FL & ML is realistic and beautiful and the supporting cast play their parts brilliantly in a drama that has it all - great emotions, twists and turns, costumes, fight scenes and production values. The house FL lives in is insane and the other buildings have great attention to detail too.
The closing love scenes are beautiful as the two leads say their goodbyes in a heartwarming yet heartbreaking way - I teared up as I thought about what was going to happen, but then bam! The fight scene lasted mere moments and then in the next scene 3 of the main characters are reminiscing. Seconds later FL is out shopping and meets up with ML under an umbrella. Where had he been? What actually happened? Terrible ending to what had been a wonderful story.
Would I watch again? Probably

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Great cast, great story

This is a heartwarming love story between an emotionally wrecked and jaded 30 year old fallen hero of the esport arena known as CTF (capture the flag) and a 21(?) year old female computer genius whose sunny disposition slowly brings his heart back to life.
The ML, known for being a fierce, scary and demanding boss, heads up a gaming team called K&K where he mentors a group of young men and ‘bullies’ them to become the best of the best (but they all worship and adore him).
The FL is a child prodigy studying IT at university who also makes money from a sideline in singing and she is known as Baby Squid by her many fans.
Obviously there is a happy ending but along the way several broken relationships get fixed as the ML comes to terms with his past and the fallout that occurred.
I loved the chemistry between the characters and the forgiveness and healing that occurs and an added bonus is that the K&K team provide plenty of very funny, chaotic and playful moments especially as they are the front row audience as the clumsy and adorable love story develops. (By the way the building they operate out of is fantastic- I would love to work in this space where the kids can get to the ground floor down firemen’s poles or slides!)
Would I watch this again? Absolutely

UPDATE:

Wanted something light hearted to watch again and I’m so glad I chose this drama. I’d forgotten how funny the main characters were as they stumbled into love with each other. He’s totally non-plussed by her and she’s just so in love with him that she forgets to think like a rational human being so there’s plenty of chances for humour (plus team K&K is made up of children who’s subtly levels are that of a low flying piano) and the script writers must have had a field day writing this. At certain points, how any any acting took place is anyone’s guess as the scenes were hilarious and so innocent.
Bravo, please note, I’ve upped the overall score from 9 to 9.5 😍

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Short, sweet and very cute

The storyline is very simple, downtrodden young seamstress goes back in time to right the wrongs of 5 years earlier.
Ding Yuxi is very convincing as the hero both in the future and the past and manages to pull off the cute boy next door falling for the female lead really well. From cute college boy giving her shy glances to alpha male, fierce protector he is very believable.
I’d not come across Li Yingying before but she is very adaptable and the two versions of herself are poles apart, both in terms of character and physical appearance. Bravo young lady
Would I watch again? If I just wanted to kill a few hours, absolutely

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Fabulous ‘kids break up and fall in love again as adults’ drama

I really enjoyed the chemistry between the Fl & ML though I will admit I find Tang Sonyun a little bit mumsy but the ML is totally ‘Mr tall, dark and handsome’.
The plot follows 2 kids that meet and fall in love at high school (he’s the school heart throb and she’s just miss normal and sweet). She has a stable, loving middle class family and his is unstable, difficult and working class yet despite their backgrounds they fall deeply in love and when they meet up again 10 years later they realise they never got over their romance and just pick up where they left off.
The plot is sweet and at times absolutely hilarious (the marriage proposal of his best friend was priceless and the reaction of the SWAT team really memorable) and the support cast really add extra dimension to the whole plot.
I need to visit the place they went for their camping trip.
If you want a feel good storyline then I can’t recommend this one enough.

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Great story but can’t see the chemistry

Great story and some of the supporting cast have better acting skills (chemistry) than the main characters.
Xu Kai acts his little cotton socks off as usual but I just can’t always see the chemistry between him and Tan Songyun though there are plenty of sweet, intimate moments that are on point (the shaving scene for example).
The struggle to build a strong fledgling business is really obvious and the team the FL has around her are brilliant, especially the actors He Rui Xian and Tang Zhen Chao and you feel their struggles with both their private and corporate lives.
Cute little story but doesn’t pack a punch (for me) the way some of Xu Kai’s other work does. Perhaps it’s because it doesn’t run through all the emotions we often get in a c-drama or perhaps it’s because I just didn’t feel Tan Songyun was as good as he was.
Would I watch this again? No

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What incredible chemistry and a brilliant plot line

I put off watching this drama as I didn’t like the photos of Mark Chao’s character (yes I know, super shallow) but eventually, due to the amazing reviews it’s had I thought I’d have a go.
I was a fool to not watch this sooner.
The characters, the acting, the costumes, the production values, etc… utterly brilliant. The baddies were so well played that I wanted to boo them off my screen as I ranted in frustration. The main couple had so much chemistry they were so believable. The child who played Ah Li was mesmerising. I could go on but you get my drift.
I loved Ye Hun, even when he was being pathetic in the Celestial Palace. He has such an adorable, dorky smile and telegraphed each and every emotion perfectly from frustration and authoritative commandant barking out orders to love struck puppy.
Yang Mi acted her little cotton socks off and I felt every bit of her despair, heartbreak, love and devotion both as Su Su and Bai Qian. I really enjoyed every aspect of her journey except for the last few episodes when I wept and wailed like a heartbroken teenager.
The rest of the cast were excellent even if I didn’t always agree with the plot lines they’d been given. The two main baddies played their parts so well that I wanted nothing more to stab them with a hairpin- both thwarted in love but the outcome of their situations was so different.
Would I watch it again? Very likely.

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Clever plot line - all is not what it seems…

This drama is well acted with great production values, costumes and a slow burning romance.
The first few lives the couple lead are fairly straightforward and although the FLs character tragically dies in one of the scenarios there are amusing moments and a slow but steady move towards love. Each time they venture into the next tribulation they discover more and more that they like about each other ans they start to uncover the truth which leads to the ML starting to thaw out his once dead heart. The ML and FL start to fall in love and it’s not just about personalities and chemistry, it’s also about trust which adds depth to their story. Their chemistry is so believable and beautiful.
The bad guy isn’t who you’d expect at the outset but before he reveals himself you get hints that turn into red flags and then you can really see the depths of his selfishness and depravity. As with all the actors he is so believable and brilliantly cast.
My only criticism would be the royal guard costumes that seem to have been fitted to giants and then worn by normal sized actors - like they’ve been handed to a younger brother. Small detail but soooo annoying when you consider how amazing all the other costumes are.
Will probably watch again at some point

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They get the happy ending they didn’t get in TTEOTM

This is a feel good rom com that is very light and fluffy and I love the dynamic of the male and female lead. Their chemistry is off the charts with some very steamy moments (you’ll need your fan) and a few twists and turns which all make this drama a joy to watch.
The plot is simple but never boring as the FL and ML get closer and closer. The second leads have more drama but this does not spoil anything for BL and LYX in fact the two couples compliment each other.
There’s a bad guy who just won’t quit both emotionally and business wise but in the end he sorts his life out and redeems himself. The jealous female support character also moves on with her life so it’s happy, happy, happy all round (but won’t give you cavities)
Eminently rewatch able, in fact I already have.

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In my top 5

If you want a nice and easyfeel good story with a good laugh, great plot development and fabulous acting then story is for you. There is something for everyone in this drama and the phrase ‘karma is a bitch’ definitely comes to mind with at least one of the bad guys.
Ding Yuxi and Ester Yu work really well together and although I often find her characters a bit too sweet somehow it works for this plot. The ML & FL have great chemistry even though at certain points it’s clear that none of the male characters really know what they’re feeling or what to do about it. The female characters are a bit more emotionally mature… Don’t worry though it all works out in the end.
The support actors are excellent and as usual initially there’s a love triangle to add to the chaos caused by emotional immaturity.
What’s not to like

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Great story, great chemistry

Bai Lu and Dylan Wang have great chemistry in a well rounded plot that starts off with a slow burn but delivers a great story.
FL is a financial reporter that is determined to get an interview with ML who is elusive and reluctant to be interviewed. After a while there is an undercurrent of mutual interest that morphs into something more.
Both actors really bring their characters to life in a believable way and their love story is supplemented by great acting from the other main and support actors. As their characters grow together they bring out the best in each . Sheis fun yet dedicated and he is powerful yet playful.
There is plenty of genuine and powerful emotion but this what I’ve come to expect from Bai Lu as she definitely makes whoever she acts opposite bring out their a-game
Rewatch? Absolutely

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Absolute powerhouse of a story

This story is one filled with intrigue, manipulation, bravery and loyalty.
There are lighthearted moments through to ones where the depths of despair and personal sacrifice come through loud and clear.
The characters are flawed and believable and the story develops layer by layer and very early on it is evident that not all is as it seems.
The chemistry between Zhang Linghe and Bai Lu is a slow burn but by the end the sparks fly spectacularly and these two, like all of the other actors really showcase their talents.
The set is incredible with amazing attention to detail & sumptuous costumes and the fight scenes are realistic and at times funny (qins do not make good weapons).
It needs to be watched (at least) twice as there is so much to take in and quite a few subtle prompts that I missed the first time.

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Roller coaster ride that deserves to be watched again and again

Despite its large number of episodes, this has to set the gold standard for period dramas in terms of both plot and character development. It is very loosely based on facts and real characters from the Qing dynasty.
Wei Yinglow enters the forbidden city to try and find out what really happened to her sister and then to avenge her death. Boy does she do this wholeheartedly and very effectively.
There is plenty of drama, love and heartache as well as some extremely brilliant baddies and manipulative behaviour and that’s just in the imperial harem. This is not light reading and there are plenty of tears and lots of heartache but some lighthearted moments too.
Throughout the whole thing the FL stays true to her goal but meets some incredible people along the way.
Xu Kai, Nie Yuan and Wu Jin Yan lead an impressive cast where even the supporting cast hold their own magnificently.
Have watched this twice already and will probably watch it again at some point (if nothing else but to see Fuca Fuheng in action…)

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Utterly brilliant writing leads to a mesmerising experience

Set against the turbulent times created by the Japanese 21 Demands, you will be sucked into this story from the get go.
On the second time of watching (for me), my daughters and I cackled, sniggered and outright belly laughed during the first episode and then like me they were hooked though they weren’t very amused at some of the plot twists.
The pairing of Xu Kai and Bai Lu is brilliant as they navigate their way through from hateful roomies to besties and beyond and their characters (like all the others) are well rounded and well acted. Little nuances help make the characters even more believable (Xu Kai looking at his watch as the CO droned on about the rules and regulations in the first episode for example) sets the tone for the characters.
There’s love, laughter, poignant and gut clenching moments throughout the plot and the set is incredible.
Bravo
Rewatch value? 100%

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