jamberry

Solid Performance from the Cast! Worth Watching.

Pretty solid show overall. It opened strong, with the ML’s looping ability to solve a crime and cleverly narrating the background. The pacing in the early episodes is perfect, with good humor and energy. As the main plot unfolds and is centered on a biotech company (linked to his ability), the tempo starts to slow down largely due to “loop-fatigue”. The pace is weighed down by the five full loops of the same day, and when multiple characters are revealed to retain loop memories ,the multiple viewpoints dilute the momentum and bog down suspense.

What worked well was Ding Ji’s team. Though formed just for the case, they gradually grew into a tight-knit unit. Moments where they were devastated by a teammate’s death during the loop added a heavy emotional weight and made their bond feel genuine. I like Ding Qi’s boss who is exceptionally supportive and accommodating, even to the point of bending believability, like when he lent Ding Qi his gun after confiscation of his own. Over the line, yes, but who wouldn’t want a boss like that?

Another refreshing element was the team’s mix of Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking members, which gave the show a nostalgic touch reminiscent of classic Hong Kong police dramas!

Bai Jingting delivers a solid performance as Ding Qi. I personally find he’s stronger in contemporary dramas without a romance subplot, where the emphasis is on his internal development and obstacles. He shows real depth in roles demanding grit and intensity. Some of his injury or death scenes in Mobius are vivid, like the veins-on-cue detail adds intensity rather than overacting.

The cinematography deserves credit as well. The loops are visualized in a way that’s both clear and engaging, so viewers can follow the temporal complexity without losing track. Creative transitions and framing choices help mark shifts between cycles, preserving clarity while sustaining tension. The OST also stands out and is effective at amplifying both suspense and emotions.

However, I find the story line towards the later episodes pretty predictable. I liked the female lead, but romantic chemistry feels weak. The FL comes across as more in love with her work than with the ML. Still, the narrative remains mostly coherent and holds together. I might be a bit more critical as I'm a fan of Reset. Overall, I like Mobius and will follow up if there is a second season. Definitely worth watching!

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Starting off phenomenally but fizzling out...

The chemistry (between the FL & ML) started strong and fiery but went off-course once the female lead’s amnesia arc kicked in. The pacing dragged so much that the main romance lost its spark. The drama began phenomenally and had great potential. I wish the writers had chosen something more original than the cliché memory-loss trope. Thankfully, the side plots, especially those involving the Third Prince and the ML with Fourth Prince, kept me going till the end.

Visually, MZY and LXY looked great together, and I had high hopes for their chemistry. Unfortunately, weak writing and dissonance in acting styles caused the connection to collapse. Here, the female lead’s character development fell short, especially compared to the novel. I struggled to connect with her portrayal. MZY’s wide-eyed expressions, while fitting early on when the character was fragile and fighting to survive, became repetitive. She often appeared expressless, which undercut the image of a witty princess plotting her way forward.

The cinematography made things worse by relying heavily on close-ups of the leads to convey emotion. While LXY’s close-ups were somewhat distracting because of his high nose bridge, his expressive eyes still drew me in. But with MZY, the same framing made her eyes look blank and oversized, muting her emotional presence. Consequently, their chemistry fizzling out, and I even found myself rooting for the ML’s wife instead.

Still, those first 10 episodes were undeniably sizzling. I just wish the momentum had held. For viewers wanting light entertainment, the show might still deliver. Here’s hoping both leads land on better scripts that let their chemistry and talent truly shine.

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A unique xianxia story waiting to be uncovered!

A Moment but Forever is a drama that transcends conventional storytelling, offering a rich tapestry of meaningful messages, commendable acting, and a thoughtfully crafted script. It is not a show for those seeking pure romantic thrills but rather a layered narrative that thrives on subtle details and profound philosophical dialogue. The pacing might feel slow for viewers accustomed to typical Xianxia tropes, but it is precisely this depth and intricacy that make it stand out. What particularly captivated me was its attention to detail, the incorporation of engineering feats as humanity’s defiance against the Celeste race, and its departure from the stereotypical Xianxia formula.

Liu Xieyi’s portrayal of Yuan Zhong was both precise and deeply impactful, leaving a lasting impression. His remarkable acting versatility breathed life into the character, skillfully capturing the complex and conflicted emotions that Yuan Zhong grappled with. Liu adeptly conveyed the layers of snobbishness, aloofness, and the constant undercurrent of destructive thoughts that defined Yuan Zhong, making him a compelling yet challenging figure. It was through Liu’s meticulous attention to subtle details that I was drawn into Yuan Zhong’s turbulent world, preventing the character from being misunderstood or outright disliked. From moments of torment and heartache to the depths of lovesickness and self-destruction, Liu navigated the multifaceted aspects of Yuan Zhong with finesse. His performance not only showcased his range as an actor but serves as a testament to his talent and suggests that transitioning to deeper, more complex characters could pave the way for even greater success in his career.

On the other hand, Tang Yan, who played the female lead, faced criticism primarily due to her age, which I found unjustified. Her character, Ji Tian Yin, is a thousand-year-old, strong-willed Celeste being, and Tang Yan portrayed her with a quiet strength and unwavering support for Yuan Zhong. While her performance was commendable, there were moments where her emotional expression felt inconsistent, occasionally coming across as emotionless in certain scenes. Despite this, she effectively captured the essence of a character who stood firm in her convictions and provided a steady anchor for Yuan Zhong’s struggles.

The drama’s narrative extends beyond romance, exploring themes of devotion to one’s craft and the dignity of every being. The relationships between the weapon spirits and the bond between the female lead and her teacher were particularly touching, adding layers of emotional depth to the story. The OST complemented the narrative beautifully, enhancing the overall experience. However, I felt that the costume design, makeup, and prop design could have been more refined to elevate the visual appeal of the show.

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I love AMBF even more now that I’m spotting new details on re-watching it. There are so many subtle cues that deepen the characters. Wow, the leads (the entire cast in fact) played their roles superbly. I get emotional even watching clips of their performances.

The fight scenes are well-choreographed and executed with clean movements from the actors and actresses. The CGI is applied with precision, enhancing the actions without overwhelming them. And every single song on the OST sticks with me.

It’s a pity how Ji Tan Yin broke her vows in such a mediocre way. I wish the screenwriters had made that less cliché so it’d match the high standard of the rest of the script.

Nonetheless, this is a gem I think will stay with me for a long time. I’m thankful to have come across Avenuex’s recommendation. Or, I would have missed this treasure!

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For the love of Yue Qi ♡

Although I love the OST of this series, I wasn’t initially tempted to watch it because of its production quality. I only decided to give it a chance after realising that Yue Qi (aka Xing Zhao Lin) was the male lead. Ironically, his look in this drama was so hideous that I didn’t even recognise him much earlier hahaha!

Nearly dropped the drama after the fifth episode because the FL was extremely “noisy,” and her acting, especially for the modern personality, was rather poor. But I pressed on for the sake of Yue Qi, as this is one of Xing Zhao Lin's more prominent works.

The FL comes across as uncouth, constantly screaming (her voice brought me headaches), overreacting, and often nonsensical in her reasoning. Even simple scenes, such as screaming after falling off a cliff, were poorly executed, sounding forced and lacking appropriate emotional tonality. I was honestly appalled that the director approved such takes. Unfortunately, I never managed to see the charm of her character. While some of her antics were amusing at first, they became a major turn-off by the second half of the drama.

What kept me going was:

Jing Xin & Yu Hao – Their acting stood out. They were able to express a much wider range of emotions compared to the rest of the cast. I especially enjoyed watching them react to the confusion caused by both leads and the sudden shifts in the FL’s personality. Their performances made the relationship development between the two leads feel more vivid.

The story – To be honest, the plot has many holes. However, I appreciated how it constantly surprised the viewer, often catching me completely off guard and making me burst out laughing. It felt refreshing, and I really admire this kind of quirky creativity.

Mo Lian Chen (Xing Zhao Lin) – I liked Mo Lian Chen’s composure and wit, especially when analysing situations and problems. That said, the character felt quite flat initially. Things became more interesting in the second half of the show (and into Season 2), where we finally see more depth. I wouldn’t say Xing Zhao Lin’s acting was particularly strong in Season 1, but it was still better than many of the awkward performances from the supporting cast. And seriously, the ugly hairstyle was extremely distracting and unflattering. Nonethelss, I’m impressed that he managed to achieve a measure of success at such a young age despite being saddled with such an underwhelming look. This feels like an encouragement for him to keep moving forward and not give up in challenging times.

Overall, this is a fairly fun drama with quirky twists, and many viewers enjoy the strong chemistry between the main leads. I’ll let you be the judge. I can’t comment much more, as I’m thoroughly turned off by the FL at this point (which explains my low score for rewatch value). Lastly, you should only watch this drama if you can tolerate illogical plotting and low-budget production, at least for Season 1.

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Realistic plot with valuable take-away

I enjoy the drama because it is grounded and realistic, avoiding unnecessary exaggeration. It touches a familiar and relatable conflict many of us face: choosing between love, career, and family.

The parallel storytelling is intriguing. At first the divergent paths were confusing. As the narrative developed, the two trajectories became clearer.

In the Leshan storyline with Yu Jian, her hometown boyfriend, their relationship began innocent and sweet but grew painful to watch as they struggled with family problems. Though emotionally draining, it mirrors the challenges of typical married life, especially as Yu Jian shouldered the heavy responsibility of his own family. Guo often found herself torn between difficult decisions, needing to balance her needs and Yu Jian’s family. By the end of the story, Yu Jian reflected that if they had chosen to go to Shanghai together, they might have lived happily as a couple, but they would have lost the presence of family and friends, missing important moments, like Guo’s chance to speak with her mother before she passed away, something the “other Guo” deeply regretted. He acknowledged Guo’s choices and sacrifices, as well as the way they had supported each other through helpless moments over the years. And, he believed in their resilience and was confident they would continue to remain a happy couple. That was really touching.

In the Shanghai storyline, Guo pursued a more accomplished career and enjoyed a more luxurious lifestyle. Her focus shifted toward individuality and self-actualisation, which made her relationship with her boss feel easier to accept.

I cannot conclude which decision suits her best. When she encountered Yu Jian again in the Shanghai storyline, having moved on from their past relationship, it was striking to see how a single choice can alter the entire course of a life and shape one’s personality. Both versions of Guo appeared content with their respective paths.

Ultimately, the story conveys that dwelling on “what if” is futile. What matters most is staying true to the path you choose and moving forward without looking back. It’s a valuable take-away for anyone facing life’s difficult choices.

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For the love of Mo Lian Cheng ♡ And stronger performance from the entire cast!

I half-heartedly continued with Season 2, as I was already at my limit with the FL. However, my curiosity about how Mo Lian Cheng would cope in the modern world kept me going. And I must admit, he looks extremely handsome in contemporary outfits!! That said, I initially found it very difficult to re-immerse myself in the drama, largely because modern-day Xiao Tan continued her loud, childish behavior. It quickly became grating.

Thankfully, the plot took a turn for the better when both were transported back to the Dong Yue kingdom. And this time with two Mo Lian Chengs hahaha! That twist immediately captured my attention and gave the story renewed momentum.

What worked for me in this season:

Face-Switching Plot - The introduction of face-switching to resolve the dilemma of having two Mo Lian Chengs was both clever and entertaining. It generated plenty of humorous moments and helped reduce the show’s heavy reliance on the FL’s exaggerated antics for comic relief. Chen You Wei brought a refreshing energy to the role, injecting new life into yet another time-travel trope.

Mo Lian Cheng - Xing Zhao Lin delivered a significantly stronger performance this season. His portrayal of Mo Lian Cheng was far more nuanced, particularly in how he differentiated between the “older” and “new” versions of the character through subtle facial expressions and behavioral shifts (though there were still moments when the distinction between the two felt blurred). Even so, watching the “older” Mo Lian Cheng attempt to guide his younger self away from past mistakes added meaningful emotional depth and brought greater structure to the overall plot. His efforts to win back the FL also peeled back layers beneath his seemingly cold exterior (in Season 1), offering glimpses into his inner conflicts and vulnerabilities. Altogether, this richer characterization only made Mo Lian Cheng even more charming!!!

Improved Acting Across the Cast - Most of the cast showed noticeable improvement in their acting. In particular, the Crown Prince and his consort demonstrated marked improvements, which allowed their perspectives and emotional arcs to feel more substantial. For the first time, I genuinely empathized with them, and their storyline became engaging, adding more dimensions to the plot.

Upgraded Production Quality - It’s obvious Season 2 had a higher budget as the sets, costumes, and overall production design all show significant improvement. The visual aesthetics are more polished, making the viewing experience far smoother and more immersive than in Season 1.

Plot - I found this season to be more dimensional, largely due to its more defined sub-storylines, all of which were supported by stronger performances from the entire cast. I found myself empathizing with the Crown Prince, the Consort, and even the Emperor this time, as their stories were explored more deeply with the audience. In the previous season, they often felt like NPCs. The show still maintained its signature quirky creativity, except it was woven into the narrative far more organically instead of being introduced abruptly. The plot itself is more complex this season and was initially a little confusing, but I appreciated how this added complexity elevated the drama beyond a simple rom-com. Instead, it gave the story greater depth and brought the series to another level altogether.

Major Turn-Off:

The Female Lead - While the FL was thankfully toned down this season, with noticeably less shouting and excessive cursing, she somehow became even more frustrating. Her character appeared increasingly naive and irrational, constantly making illogical decisions and repeatedly getting herself into trouble that others had to resolve or protect her from. It was exasperating for me that I had to fast-forward through most of her scenes so I could stay engaged with the other far more compelling storylines.

Overall, Season 2 felt more dimensional thanks to its more clearly defined sub-storylines and stronger performances from the entire cast. I enjoyed this season more, as the improved production quality, increased plot complexity, and inventive twists, such as the face-switching arc, made the story feel more engaging, ultimately elevating the series beyond a straightforward rom-com. That said, watching Season 1 remains essential for fully understanding the characters and narrative background.

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Disappointing Despite the Hype

This drama came highly recommended by a friend who's a big fan of Cheng Yi. She mentioned it was an S+ production and that Cheng Yi’s dramas never go wrong. However, after a few episodes, I honestly began to question the standard of what’s considered S+ these days.

My personal opinions from the episodes I picked up so far:

1. Production Quality. The overall production falls short of what I expect from a top-tier drama. The CGI looks unsophisticated and at times even distracting. The cinematography feels flat and lacks visual depth, making the scenes appear two-dimensional. Some of the fight scenes are so chaotic that they’re difficult to follow.

2. Costume Design. The costume design, particularly for the ML, is quite underwhelming. Some outfits are overly plain . There is a set in particular, a simple white and pink ensemble with a matching sash, appeared to lack any styling effort. While a few other costumes lean too heavily into a feminine aesthetic, which feels out of sync with the ML’s character and presence. Furthermore his hairstyle looks unkempt in some non-action scenes.

3. ML's Acting & Line Delivery. Given that this is a time-travel drama, I expected more comedic or confused reactions from the ML as he adjusts to an unfamiliar world. Unfortunately, his performance feels flat, lacking the emotional range or expression the situation demands. It was so flat that both his character and the overall tone of the scenes come across as dull and even exhausting to watch. Even more frustrating is his line delivery where his enunciation is so unclear that I often have to rely on subtitles and even rewind to catch the details I missed from reading the subtitles. This makes it impossible to watch at 1.5x speed or multitask, which is quite a drawback. Instead, I’m forced to focus entirely on the screen, which only draws more attention to the flaws in his delivery and acting.

4. Storyline & Logic. The plot has quite a few logical inconsistencies. For example, the ML’s mother shows a baffling level of bias towards him, despite his older brother being clearly more sensible and responsible. The time-travel aspect is also poorly executed that I feel it was added to tap on the AI hype. And no one seems to notice or question the ML’s odd behaviour, which feels lacking from a writing standpoint.

Final Thoughts:

Personally, this drama feels like a letdown, especially considering the S+ label and the high expectations surrounding Cheng Yi’s performance. Ironically, it’s the weight of these labels and glowing fan reviews that set the bar so high, only for the drama to fall short in several key areas.

Without all the surrounding hype, I feel it still a watchable show. My friend mentions the story picks up after episode 8, but honestly, I think I’ve seen enough. Perhaps this series will still appeal to devoted fans. For me, it just didn’t deliver.

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